Purple Lizard Boutique

It was Saint Valentine’s day. I’d been out of town most of three months. Two weeks before I told Sweet D I might have to leave again around Valentine’s Day. Her chin quivered a bit, her eyes welled with tears. There was no crying, just more sadness after eight sad months. I knew I had to make the day special.
My wife’s a blessing. She doesn’t depend on houses, cars, certain brands of clothing, underwear or shoes and buckets of cash and credit to keep her bubbles of joy inflated. Faithfulness, kindness, sharing responsibility and not taking each other for granted rule our small world. She does love tiny, cute mementos and tokens.
A few days before, waiting for friends to show up at Hamburger Works we looked through the Purple Lizard Boutique windows, drawn by the collection of Mexican handcrafts. I saw some small, hand painted animal sculptures I knew would zing an arrow of affection at the heart of her emotions. A few days later I stopped by. My gift was secured in its arty box by shredded purple packing paper. The box was enveloped in a sheet of cactus flower red tissue. This collection was bagged in a brown bag, a raffia bow tied to one handle. Gift wrap art.
Unwrapping her Valentine’s gift, Sweet D paused to smell the sweetness of the packaging. Purple Lizard goods are infused with the molecules of incense smoke scenting the shop. She appreciated the smell, enjoyed the raffia-​bowed bag, rustled the box from the tissue and delighted in the small clay animal with a tiny smile painted on its face.
She made soft, warm, happy, teary eyes at me. I got a WWW bear hug. Another brick of our marriage was tightened in place, and the loneliness of fall and winter were driven farther away.
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The best place to find a Mexican Boutique is Mexico. I always enjoyed the artful, tasteful ones of the border towns.
However, if you don’t have time for a journey, enjoy handcrafted, artful pieces, Purple Lizard Boutique is an excellent Phoenix choice for a wide variety of arts, plus interesting clothing.

So many great artisans to shop from, I don’t feel like I’m surrounded by Made In China junk.

I love going into a place that is so well put together that you just don’t know where to look next. So many interesting items grouped together in perfect harmony. I loved this place. Lots of ideas for gifts — birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, holiday seasonal suggestions — I will definitely be back when I want that perfect gift. I know they have it.
The owner has used a very artistic eye to create a boutique with a cozy, friendly feeling. I truly did not know where to look next. I found myself turning in circles trying to take it all in. Lots of unique items from Mexico and many gifts that looked like one-​of-​a-​kind artistic touches. Colorful! Bright! Soft! Different textures! Tiny items. Books. Clothing. Toys. Jewelry. Cards. Flowers. (Not sure I saw a purple lizard though?)
And someone obviously has a VERY green thumb. The shop is filled with luscious, happy, smiling plants. Breathing clean air into the whole space. Absolutely worth a shopping trip. Maybe I’ll meet you there?

Last year when I was taking care of my niece’s Flat Stanley, one of his last stops before heading back to Ohio was Purple Lizard Boutique. We were buying desert seeds for the class to plant a piece of Arizona. Fond memories of his visit, that’s true.
And today PLB came to the rescue again! Another office called ours to see if 1) I knew what sugar skulls were and 2) where to find them. The ladies were betting against each other on the former, and I won a former coworker a whole dollar for knowing exactly what they were talking about. The latter, however, proved to be quite a challenge. I thought *maybe* La Tolteca, but that was a bust. Then I called Ranch Market III, but they never picked up the phone. A quick Google search brought up The Willow House. In case you’re not familiar with this place, it’s because it closed. On a whim, I called the business that took its place: Hob Nobs. Surprisingly, they did have these elusive skulls. But they all sold out. And their supplier only made one batch. Digging deeper, I found a sugar skull distributor who listed PLB as their only Phoenix retailer. Score!!! While there are no longer any decorated skulls, the employee stated she would be more than happy to show me some simple decorations to do at home. Well, how about that?

This is one of my go-​to boutiques. Always a great find at reasonable prices. Today’s finds were a big floppy beach hat and an eclectic bag for a couple of birthday girls I know. Margarete even stayed 30 minutes after closing so I could get my shopping done. Lots of interesting and wonderfully different types of items from hand made clothing to Frida jewelry to gardening decorations. You won’t be disappointed, especially with the service.

Love this store, I buy Flax Clothing there and love the other lines and gifts. The other shops in this shopping area are great too.

This place is absolutely adorable and has a fairly extensive Day of the Dead knicknack selection (magnets, nightlights, wall art, greeting and post cards, jewelry…). If you are looking for a unique gift but aren’t quite sure what you are looking for, I would definitely recommend this little shop. I picked up a few beautiful cards and some earrings and the prices are reasonable.

If you have just moved to Phoenix in a torrid July, here’s where you pick up your Instant Authenticity Pack without the trouble and expense of the trek to Scottsdale.
Loose, flowing cotton clothing that will BREATHE? Check!
Floppy hats? Check!
Scented essential oils? Check!
Frida Kahlo refrigerator magnets? Check!
Small sheet metal lizards? Check!
Day of the Dead mariachi bands? Check!
Once these needs are taken care of, you can think about larger issues, like how to restore your adorable CenPho cottage and how large a burger you want at the bar in the same complex. With cool, absorbent organic cotton lying lightly on your skin, you will feel much, much better and more able to cope.
This is not precisely my scene, but if it were, this would be my first stop, as the selection is varied and not unduly sequined, and the environment is delightful.

What a fun place to shop for womens clothes. They have FLAX as well as other funky casual brands. Lots of accessories and a few home goods and children’s items. I only wish they had larger sizes not all mediums.

This place has neat gifts, bags and accessories and the atmosphere is unique. As far as clothing goes there isn’t much of a selection.

Love this place. The owner has a great eye and nice to boot! Refreshing place to shop. Go check it out!

The Purple Lizard is NOT a reptile store but a very unique boutique! It is hidden behind the great burger joint «The Hamburger Works». If you need a gift, clothing, jewelry, art, or just a card of someone that has absolutely everything… this is the place to come. I am positive it is here that you will find a one of a kind item !! It’s fun to have lunch next door then just browse this unique treasure chest. My last purchase was an awesome oversized beach hat from Australia !!! love it !!!