With gas prices sky high, who wants to splurge on yet another dress or top? Didn’t think so. This August, Target will reveal their latest GO International designer, New Yorker Richard Chai. Chai is known in the fashion world for creating minimalist and sophisticated looks that can cost you up to $3,000 (just for one dress). His newest Target creations will only set you back about $100, and that’s for the entire outfit! Chai, who is noted for helping launch the Marc by Marc Jacobs line, will be Target’s twelfth GO International designer, joining recent designers Jovovivh-Hawk and Rogan Gregory. With the compilation of vests, long cardigans, structured tops and colorful jackets, it looks like your fall wardrobe won’t be such an investment after all! www.target.com.

If you’re a fan of beauty supply stores (Sephora anyone?), then you’re probably familiar with Bliss products; you know, the variety of skin lathers and scrubs with quirky names and sky-blue packaging (think “FatGirlSlim” and “Get out of hair!”). To add to their wildly-successful and loved products, Bliss has their own trendy, state-of-the-art spa as well, which will open at the W Scottsdale late August or early September. Already a spa-lover favorite in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, London and other metropolitan areas, Bliss Scottsdale will be made for true urban extravagance. The 4,000 square foot space will include a luxe nail lounge, a beauty boutique, seven treatment rooms and men’s and women’s lounges. If you can muster up a sweet tooth before your appointment, even better–Bliss Scottsdale will include it’s own brownie buffet. www.blissworld.com.

Looking for something to do? Make time to see the Phoenix At Museum’s Edward Weston exhibit, opening Aug. 9. The exhibit of 60-plus photos taken during the Mexican Renaissance, Edward Weston: Mexico makes clear why the modernist is regarded as one of the 20^th century’s most influential photographers.  Don’t miss the Artbreak Gallery Talk about this period of Weston’s work on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. either. 602.257.1222, www.PhxArt.org. 

You’ve heard of First Fridays. If they aren’t enough to get your fill of the arts, you’ll be glad to know about the First Mondays Art Salon, now in its eighth year. Up next, on Aug. 4, filmmaker and member of Phoenix’s Independent Film Project will speak at 7 p.m. at the @Central Gallery in the Burton Barr Central Library. You may recognize Santo from his film, “Jake’s Corner,” which had its debut as a showcase feature at the 2008 Phoenix Film Festival in April. 602.262.4636, www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org. 

This Thursday, don’t miss your chance to guzzle martinis, enjoy live entertainment, and, oh yeah, have the opportunity to “Buy a Date” with an East Valley Firefighter. Head on over to Gilbert post-work, because from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Blush Medspa is hosting their Hot, Hot, Hot Spa Nights Charity Martini Party. Along with the above-mentioned attractions, all guests will walk away with a special spa gift and have the chance to win the grand prize (drum roll please…), a $2,000 Blush Spa makeover and various spa services. You will also have the chance to receive Buy-One-Get-One-Free deals on many spa services. Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Programs of the East Valley Firefighter’s Charities. www.blushmedspa.com.

Your next trip to Starbucks doesn’t have to be an ubercaffeinated, full-tilt-calorie excursion “with whip.” The company just introduced its Vivanno smoothies. Two varieties—orange mango banana and banana chocolate—weigh in between 250 and 270 calories, with 16 and 21 grams of protein and 5 and 6 grams of fiber respectively. Both are made with a real banana, and the orange mango banana is mixed with the popular, all-natural Naked juices. Most important, they taste pretty darn good. And while they do include milk and a proprietary fiber and protein powder, the baristas at my neighborhood joint were happy to substitute soy and green tea powder. If you’ve been wanting to do your part to help save Starbucks, here’s one more way. www.starbucks.com  

Through August 30, Arizona residents have no excuse not to treat themselves to a day of r-and-r at The Boulders Resort’s Golden Door Spa. With a valid in-state driver’s license, locals get 20 percent off of spa treatments Sunday through Thursday. We love the invigorating aromatherapy massage—ask for the citrus-infused, summer-friendly Mood Master oil. 480.488.9009, www.theboulders.com. 

With the economy in a mega-slump, a summer trip may be the last thing on your mind–until you hear about Vegas’ mega-deals. Many of the top-notch resorts and hotels on the strip are lowering their prices to attract more tourists during the current financial setback. Hit up the Luxor with your girlfriends for the “Girls Night Out” package and get a free Deluxe Tower upgrade, free admission to LAX nightclub, spa and dining discounts and much much more! The MGM Grand is offering their “Summer Splash” rate, starting at only $79 per night all the while showering you with oodles of fun freebies. For some poolside fun in the sun, be sure to ask about Mandalay Bay’s “SPF-109 Summer” offer, including rooms from $99 per night and tons of savings certificates. www.lasvegas.com.

You better have your game faces on for some serious shopping this weekend. Not only does Nordstrom kick off their Anniversary Sale on Friday–their biggest sale of the year–but Neiman Marcus is competing with some awesome skin care deals and events. All Nordstrom stores will be bringing in hot fall merchandise for way-marked down prices (think cute cropped jackets, croc patent platforms, richly-hued handbags and jeans galore), and will return them to their original cost on Aug. 4. www.nordstrom.com.

While making your way to Fashion Square, don’t forgo Neiman’s. Day after day presents a new beauty event, beginning this Friday with the Sisley Facial Event. Following will be the Dior makeup event July 19, the Eskandar event July 22, and a Revive Facial Event as well as a Theory event July 24. www.neimanmarcus.com.

For us girls, designer garments fresh from the runway are practically a gift from above–but why? Or, more importantly, how are such masterpieces created? Well, now is your chance to find out with Phoenix Art Museum’s lecture, Off the Runway: Behind the Scenes at Chado Ralph Rucci, taking place at 7 pm this Tuesday. The Museum will host Coco Mitchell, New York Fashion Designer Chado Ralph Rucci’s fit model and muse, as she goes into details about Rucci’s workshop and his creation process. Don’t miss your chance to squelch all your incessant wondering of how a simple idea becomes a full on trend that sweeps the country…or, if it’s really good, the world.

No time to spare Tuesday? You will still have the opportunity to view the Chado Ralph Rucci exhibition at the museum until Aug. 17, which displays actual runway wear, from day to evening.  www.phxart.org.