HI, MY NAME IS… Elaina Verhoff.
I’VE LIVED IN OUR HOME IN THE MARION ESTATES NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 16 YEARS AND I LOVE IT BECAUSE… we are so fortunate to live in a stunning desert with incredible mountain views, beautiful cacti, and abundant wildlife, yet we are right in the middle of the city. This spot between Arcadia and Paradise Valley is home to so many great restaurants too. I love riding my bike to Chelsea’s Kitchen, Ingo’s, Postino, or LGO with friends. Now we just need to get Vincent’s to bring back the Saturday market!
A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE INCLUDES… I’m an early bird, so I love waking up early to watch the sunrise through my bedroom windows, write in my journal, and get a little reading in. I then spend a few precious, if rushed, moments with my teenagers before they head off to school. Some mornings I’ll go for a walk on the canal or squeeze in a 6 a.m. yoga class before beginning my workday. I started my own PR firm, Elaina V. Public Relations, in 2020 and have been fortunate to have grown the business to work with several amazing clients – mainly in the real estate industry. My days are filled with client meetings, and lots of writing, emails, and phone calls. I love the flexibility of working from home or I may head to The Grid.Works co-work space, which is conveniently located in the same building as one of my clients, ABI Multifamily.
MY FAMILY IS… everything. I am so grateful to have my parents living five minutes away and my kids still living with me at home. My daughter is an honors student and athlete at Arcadia High School and my son is a freshman at ASU who runs his own holiday light hanging business. I’m very close with my parents who I try to help as much as I can, but they always end up helping me way more, as they always have!
ONE THING I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IS… yoga.
MY FAVORITE MOVIE I COULD NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCHING AND WHY… there was a day when I watched movies more than once. And while I’m no longer a fan of rewatching movies, I could probably quote just about any 80s movie line by line!
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE… the owner of a bookstore/café.
THE SONG I WOULD SING AT KAROKE NIGHT IS… my daughter recently got me into Greta Van Fleet (we have tickets to a show). Lately, I’ve been belting out their song “Heat Above” on repeat.
THE PEOPLE WHO MOTIVATE ME ARE… my kids. I strive to provide a peaceful, happy home, set a good example, and help launch them successfully into adulthood.
THE LAST THING THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WAS… I sent out a pitch to a writer today about turnkey standalone guest houses for backyards, except I said turkey. She wrote back and said “lol, I’m writing a separate piece on squirrel houses for ‘Architectural Digest’ right now, and I took your typo at face value for a little too long …”
THE PERFECT DAY INCLUDES…coffee, journal, sunrise, beach, explore, yoga, massage, wine, laughter, love, sunset, sleep.
MY FAVORITE LOCAL NONPROFIT IS… I have three! The Arizona Housing Fund, which is providing an easy way for the private sector to address Arizona’s homelessness epidemic by funding more affordable housing with support services. The Saguaros, a group of 50 professionals who have a blast volunteering and raising millions for Arizona children’s charities. And Kids in Focus, a mentorship program for at-risk kids that builds confidence through photography.
MY LIFE IS… peaceful and happy. I wake up every day and write down three things I’m grateful for, three things I’m excited about, and three things I want to manifest. Every day, I think about how grateful I am for my life.
THE BEST GIFT I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS… an Aeron chair. I spend too many hours sitting at my desk, and this chair is a dream!
MY DREAM VACATION WOULD BE… I’m working on that one now. I think a beach will be involved. I used to live in Laguna Beach, and miss the ocean air, sea, and sand.
THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS… change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change.
