Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort has recently announced that it will be carrying Hope Wine, a charitable wine label that raises money for worthy causes (i.e., breast cancer, autism and AIDS awareness, environmental issues and families of fallen soldiers). To celebrate, stop by the resort’s lobby bar next Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. for the launch party to enjoy fab fare, live music and—of course—wine. Scottsdale.hyatt.com.

The newest lounge in Scottsdale opens this weekend and its name, Black Card UltraLounge, does not hide the fact that this club is about elite, upscale nightlife. Black Card, stemmed from the titanium American Express Centurion card, is located on the corner of Shea and Scottsdale Road and is owned by the Las Vegas Entertainment. Does this place look familiar? Well it used to be home to Taste Ultra Lounge before it was sold to Las Vegas Entertainment. Will this one succeed? We will find out.

Good news girls, every Saturday night is ladies night!

www.blackcardscottsdale.com

Jessica Simpson was spotted by a certain Arizona Foothills employee at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Neiman Marcus Saturday! Just a few hours before her performance at Chase Field following the Diamondbacks game, the (now) country star was seen wandering the racks.

The Deets:

• She’s much taller than we originally thought- no tiny 4′11″ girl here! She had to be at least 5′4″
• Her hair is darker than that bright blonde we’re used to seeing on blogs
• She was wearing a long black Nui cotton tube dress (exactly like the above orange one), flip flops, and very little makeup
• She had a posse of a bunch of girls and a bodyguard
• She hung out in Neiman for more than an hour, browsing nearly every department
• She was looking at Neiman’s high-vamp shoes, the luxurious Akris and Chanel numbers and high-end lingerie, and ended up walking around with a very cute (and modestly-priced) Elizabeth and James top (below)

Hungry? Good. Arizona Restaurant Week is just around the corner (Sept. 20-26). For a mere $29 per person, diners can indulge in a three-course meal at many of our favorite local feasting spots, including Sol y Sombra, Tarbell’s, Roka Akor, Bourbon Steak and many, many more. To find a completely listing of participating restaurants, visit www.arizonarestaurantweek.com.

The air is crisp(er), the (few) leaves are falling, pumpkins are on the (100-degree) corners and we all know what that means.  CANDY CORN SEASON!

But this time when we went to Target for our seasonal treat, there was something even better than the usual candy corn and mellowcreme pumpkins! These incredibly delicious, unbelievably adorable Candy Corn-flavored Hershey’s Kisses.  The white chocolate base is flavored that familiar caramelly, buttercreamy candy corn flavor, and even looks like 3D versions of our favorite holiday candy.

Dare we say it? We like these MORE.

DC Ranch has become the center of some of the hottest boutiques in Scottsdale, which is why all Valley fashionistas should gather to see its Fall Fashion Show on Sept. 26! The event, themed “A Legacy of Style” in honor of the community’s 10-year anniversary, will feature a 50-foot catwalk that emerges from the Grimaldi Pizza entranceway and stretches to Market Street Plaza. The boutiques, such as Ruby and Te Boutique, will provide fashions showcasing the many looks and styles of a typical day at DC Ranch. The event runs 6 to 8 p.m. and benefits Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. For more information please call 480.585.1641.

Sushi Roku, known for its hip, haute decor and modern twists on traditional Japanese is set to raise the bar in Scottsdale’s dining scene when it opens this Friday, Sept. 5, at the all-new W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences! Innovative Dining Group pioneered the concept of serving sushi in a sleek, sophisticated environment when the original Sushi Roku debuted in Hollywood. To the Hollywood elite, Sushi Roku has become the place to “see and be seen,” shown through the support and backing from celebrity investors such as Ryan Seacrest, Tori Spelling, and Brett Ratner. So be the first to experience the up and coming Sushi Roku! For more information visit www.sushiroku.com.

Post-night-on-the-town breakfasts and brunches are the best–and sometimes greasy bacon and eggs hit the spot splendidly. Sometimes, however, a more upscale affair is in order. With that said, get ready to enjoy a brand new brunch menu at The Phonecian, coming mid-September. The updated Sunday-morning meals will be held at Il Terrazzo (formerly The Terrace). If you’re in the mood for a brunch that is as delicious as it is beautiful, this Italian-inspired spot is for you. Forget the traditional breakfast buffets and omelet stations of yester-year. Instead, you can look forward to three courses for $65–including a dessert tray–which will be followed by Italian bubbly. www.thephoenician.com.

To time with this year’s Komen Race for the Cure, the Phoenix Art Museum will present “Art for the Cure: Hungarian Modernism from the Nancy G. Brinker Collection.” (Brinker is the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and a former ambassador to Hungary.) This exhibit, which hopes to raise awareness and funds for the Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure while shedding light on Hungarian artists, will be on display in the Orme Lewis Gallery starting this Saturday, Aug. 30 through Oct. 26. The museum will donate 10 percent of its net profits to the Phoenix Komen affiliate during the month of October. www.phxart.org; www.komenphoenix.org. – Christine Whitton