My weekend plans: try the new Searsucker restaurant in Scottsdale from Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey, and put to use the piles of ribbon, wrapping paper,  ornaments and Christmas doom I hauled home from FOUND and Design*Lab in Mesa. You’ll want to be going to those shops before you begin on your Christmas spree. There’s even a double-sided wine bag that looks like Santa’s pants.

1. Searsucker Scottsdale is our new local outpost of a San Diego hit. Chef Brian Malarkey names all his restaurants after fabrics: Searsucker, Burlap, Gingham, Gabardine and Herringbone.

I’m hoping for some southern flair at Searsucker, which is where seersucker fabric plays best. There are bacon grits on the menu. It looks like a swanky place to hang out. Searsucker Scottsdale is on Camelback Road near Fashion Square.

2. I spent last Saturday wandering neighboring shops FOUND and Design*Lab in Mesa, where Christmas is in full force. I got into trouble in the glitter section at FOUND, where I found this little man:

This candle is exactly the smell of Christmas, at FOUND.

A gingerbread house built just for wine? I have a pile of friends who would happily move in.

Next door, Design*Lab is stuffed with ribbon-paper-pillow-stocking-stuffer glee.

Tinsel, think tinsel. Of all sorts. Coming soon on my blog: gift wrap, Design*Lab style.

FOUND and Design*Lab are at 166 W. Main Street in Mesa in the historic Berge Building.