34 DECEMBER 2025 By Kylie de Best Arcadian Kris McLaughlin feels that she has always had an innate connection to the moon. After joining a Priestess Program taught by one of her mentors – yoga teacher Nicole Wiegman – Kris began to rekindle the connection that had diminished over adulthood. As that connection grew, so too did the inspiration to begin living in alignment with the lunar cycle. Now, Kris shows others how to do the same, thanks to her program, fittingly called Master the Moon. In this eight-week course, Kris teaches students how to identify and work with the moon phases, the zodiac, and astrology charts to ignite personal power, cultivate deeper levels of self-awareness, and support goals and desires. There are weekly group meetings and four one-on-one meetings. Each consists of learning moon material, practice, personal shares, and meditation. Before classes start, a pre-recorded Basics Module is available so students can familiarize themselves with the information and reference it throughout the course. Master the Moon has a packed curriculum, with key areas including the eight phases and how to use each one, how to combine those phases and Zodiac archetypes, the basic natal chart and personal natal charts, and learning about annual natural cycles. There is also information on how to organize a moon journal to keep students on track. Kris wants to emphasize that, beyond the curriculum, this course helps students learn about themselves and enrich their lives by deepening their love, compassion, gratitude, and presence, and by strengthening their personal By Sherry Sklar Katie Wilson opened Garage Boutique & Concept Store in 2000, never imagining that a sharp life pivot – one that prompted her to re-evaluate nearly everything – would bring unexpected joy, creativity, and hard-won success in the competitive world of retail. More than a children’s store, Garage Boutique was built on the belief that community, charity and style go hand in glove. As the shop marks 25 years in business, Wilson reflected on a journey that began with a leap and continues to inspire generations of families and fashion-forward kids in the Valley. “I had just gotten divorced and was still practicing law. I’d grown up traveling, but my former husband hadn’t. I had always dreamed of going to Africa,” Wilson said. Packing her bags, she embarked on a six-week solo journey, during which she hiked around Mount Kilimanjaro and visited Kenya and Tanzania. Upon her return to Scottsdale, she quit her job and decided to pursue markedly different goals. “When I came back, I realized I didn’t need anything. I had left all my belongings with the Sherpas on that trip,” Wilson said. “I wanted to live with more purpose and more balance.” Though she didn’t have a clear plan at the time, fate stepped in. Wilson crossed paths with the owner of a children’s boutique in Scottsdale, who was moving to a different venture. She purchased the business, took over the lease, and began transforming it into what would eventually become Garage Boutique. Wilson began by changing her merchandise mix, focusing on European children’s brands. While we may recognize these luxe lines from our own shopping excursions, many also produce clothing for youngsters. Wilson travels the globe to bring Hugo Boss, Fendi, Dior, Scotch and Soda, and others, such as Perks and Mini, Bonton, and Bellerose, to her colorful boutique. She has remained ahead of the curve, adapting to the significant shifts in how retail operates today. “Back when I opened the store, retail was growth, intuition, and trust. Confidence and clarity are also enhanced in the part of the course where students define and actualize personal goals. Master the Moon first materialized in 2020, after Kris had begun it on her own and achieved successful results. She initially shared the course with friends and members of nearby yoga communities, who responded positively to the experience. Since then, she has continued to lead new sessions and offer one-on-one mentoring and astrology readings. “I realized that this was something everyone can benefit from and anyone can do because once students know the basics, it truly becomes their own practice,” Kris shared. “The moon is free and available to everyone. You can see it from anywhere in the world, and it is the most consistent thing we experience on our planet.” According to Kris, leading this kind of course calls for a strong foundation in the lunar cycle, astrology, and natal charts, as well as at least a year of dedicated practice. Kris tells her students that the moon offers a rare kind of reliability: it’s never sick, never on vacation, and never late. Her own experience has shown others how the moon can gently guide people through life’s ups and downs. masterthemoon.com different. There weren’t a lot of boutiques or high-end shops,” she said. At the time, the Borgata, inspired by a market in San Gimignano, Italy, was an atmospheric, well-edited shopping center catering to an affluent clientele seeking upscale merchandise. That began to change as mass-market brands moved in, prompting Wilson to seek a new space. “It was a bit of a ‘build it and they will come’ mentality,” she said. “And that’s what happened back then. Not so much now. These days, there’s retail all over the Valley, and of course, the internet and social media have transformed everything.” A new opportunity emerged thanks to two of Wilson’s boutique clients, Fred Unger and his wife, Jennifer Kroll. Unger was developing Scottsdale’s SouthBridge, a mixed-use development adjacent to the Arizona canal in Old Town. Wilson signed as a tenant in what would become The Mix, moving into her space in 2007. The modern, forward-design space fueled new ideas and a renewed sense of creativity. Wilson became devoted to establishing a storefront and the customer experience that she is known for. As a business leader, you own your decisions – good and bad – and must be willing to adjust. “It’s interesting. I’ve gone through ebbs and flows,” Wilson said. “I love that I can curate my vision and see it all. I love that I can dream of something and see it come to fruition, knowing that I’m ultimately responsible for its success.” The Garage Boutique celebrated its silver anniversary in November. Collaborating with schools and philanthropic organizations, Wilson maintains a close connection within the community and expresses her appreciation. “I’ve dressed the children in the PANDA Fashion Show for about 20 out of the 25 years they’ve been doing it,” she said. “I would rather give than receive, and I love seeing the joy of a child coming into the store.” garageboutique.com Inspiring students through lunar wisdom Garage Boutique turns 25 Katie Wilson, founder of Garage Boutique PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE WILSON Kris McLaughlin Kris McLaughlin Fully Insured WorkmanÕ s Comp. 4 Generations Experience 602-596-4447 Website: jasonstreeservices.com Follow us @JasonsTreeServiceAZ on Facebook JasonÕ s Tree Service Nobody Beats Follow us @JasonsTreeServiceAZ on Facebook We Are The Big Tree People That Also Do Small Jobs! Nobody Beats Fully Insured WorkmanÕ s Comp. 4 Generations Experience 602-596-4447 Website: jasonstreeservices.com Follow us @JasonsTreeServiceAZ on Facebook JasonÕ s Tree Service Nobody Beats JasonÕ s Deals! Follow us @JasonsTreeServiceAZ on Facebook We Are The Big Tree People That Also Do Small Jobs! Nobody Beats JasonÕ s Deals!

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