About BOSW
Welcome to The Best of the Southwest (BOSW). Founded by long-time journalist, editor, author and illustrator Erin Thorburn, BOSW is an online magazine designed to highlight luxury and unique experiences throughout the Southwest. Throughout her 20-plus-year writing career, Thorburn has had the pleasure of covering some of the Southwest’s most coveted and classic destinations.
What is a Bestie?
In recognition of outstanding achievement, ESPN has ESPYs, the Television Academy has Emmys and The Best of the Southwest has “Besties.” A Bestie designates the best of the best in dining, accommodations, experiences and service reflected in exceptional restaurants, resorts and destinations throughout the Southwest.
Why the Southwest?
Living in Arizona for more than a decade, Thorburn discovered that in addition to the wealth of luxury and dynamic resorts, spas, restaurants, shopping and entertainment locales within her home state, many neighboring Southwest states provide a host of sister locations, as well as their own individual, spectacular offerings.
Many individuals who live in the Southewst, like Thorburn, have grown to appreciate the region for its rich lifestyle, travel and adventure opportunities. The goal of BOTSW is to invite anyone and everyone seeking to soak up The Best of the Southwest through engaging content. We’re so glad to have you and hope that you find an experience to spur a visit to our beautiful and bountiful Southwest.
What does BOSW consider “Southwest?”
We try not to split hairs about defining what states truly encompass the Southwest. Broadly, you’ll find that we provide lifestyle coverage for Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Southern California, Texas and Utah — and occasionally, Mexico. And, we reserve the right to publish any remarkable experience that may tip into Southwest neighboring states.
Meet the BOSW team:
Erin Thorburn
Founder & Creative Director
Erin Thorburn is an accomplished writer, journalist, photographer and illustrator with more than 20 years of experience covering travel and lifestyle trends and news stories in the Southwest.
She has prolific writing, editing and digital marketing expertise in a range of industries and specialties. Before establishing BOSW, Thorburn was the assistant managing editor at AZ Big Media, writing and editing for all seven of the company’s publications —Az Business, AZRE, Experience AZ, PTK, Az Business Leaders, Play Ball and Ranking Arizona. She also occasionally co-hosts the award-winning “Art Scene Podcast.”
Thorburn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing from Park University.
In addition to authoring and illustrating children’s books, the self-professed Star Wars nerd moonlights as a Sci-Fi novelist. If she’s away from her laptop, she’s spending time with her sweetie, three teenage daughters, two dogs, five birds and a bunny.
Alison Bailin
Contributing Writer
Alison Bailin Batz, better known as @ABSeesItAll online, is a veteran public relations executive at the award-winning HMA Public Relations who began freelance writing as a hobby in 2007. One story turned to two, and two to about 2,000. Today, she is a contributor on all things travel, wine, food and spirits for The Best of the Southwest as well as Arrived, City Lifestyle.
A Taste of AZ, Richman Media Group, Times Media Group and many more in addition to serving as director of client service at her firm (and volunteering in the kitten ICU at the Humane Society).
Alison’s aim in life is best summed up by her social handle as “AB” truly does want to “see it all.” Then she wants to share it all with you.
Lynette Carrington
Contributing Writer
Lynette Carrington is an award-winning writer, award-winning podcast host and media specialist with more than 16,000 articles published locally, nationally and internationally in the past 20 years.
She is currently co-host of “The Arts Scene Podcast,” former co-host of The Scottsdale.com Podcast and a contributing writer for San Joaquin Magazine, Gilbert City Lifestyle and Arizona Health & Living.
Lynette is a huge fan of movies and was previously a publicist in the entertainment industry.
Carrington is currently the script supervisor and show flow manager for the Big Screen Achievement Awards at CinemaCon, the largest global gathering of theatre owners held by the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), taking place annually at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Ashley Betkouchar
Contributing Writer, Photographer & Marketing Specialist
Ashley Betkouchar is a freelance marketer with experience in social media and content strategy, public relations and experiential marketing. She has collaborated with various prestigious brands and organizations to create impactful marketing material. As a brand ambassador, Betkouchar has contributed to high-profile events in Arizona, including Super Bowl LVII, the NASCAR Cup Series Championship and the WNBA All-Star Game.
Betkouchar holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Arizona State University (ASU) and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication from ASU. When not working on a creative project, she enjoys trying new foods, traveling, and immersing herself in art, music, and fashion.
A.M. D’Angelo
Contributing Writer
A.M. D’Angelo is an independent writer, aspiring novelist, playwright, screenwriter, poet, scenario writer for interactive media, and occasional auteur of pop-cultural milieu via her blog, Hidden City.
In 2021 she self-published her first novel, Saturday Mornings Forever, in-addition to a stage play in 2022 entitled, Father We Never Knew: A Stage Play in II Acts. Some of her credits include assisting in the production of electronic press kits (EPK’s) for indie bands at Matador Records; in 2014 being awarded a scholarship and mentored fellowship for Digging Deep, Facing Self, a NYC-based women’s writing collective, with two of her poems selected for publishing; and in 2019, development credit for Vin & Jill, an independent television-pilot and proof-of-concept filmed in Brooklyn.
When not writing, D’Angelo enjoys photography, film, theatre, interactive entertainment and the subliminal art of long-distance running.
Ali Dugaw
Contributor
Ali Dugaw, known as @GlutenFreeTravelGirl, is an experienced storyteller with a diverse background in TV, print, and digital media. She was the Emmy Award-winning senior producer at Good Morning Arizona before returning to her roots in print journalism.
She currently focuses on covering exciting openings, family-friendly events, culinary trends, and, of course, gluten-free options. Since a 2011 diagnosis, she’s been on a mission to empower others through her firsthand knowledge and experiences.
Outside of work, Dugaw enjoys creating travel and food content, photography, and globe-trotting with her loved ones, always in search of her next great adventure – or next great bite.