An afternoon at the park turned out to be a bit chilly.  But then as the sun started to set, it warmed up and was so beautiful.  The leaves were golden and the mountains a majestic purple/gold/and everything in between.  I’m glad I had my sweet mother in law and camera to capture some fun moments.

In addition to our wedding anniversary, there was a celebratory Zinch party that brought us to Utah earlier than planned.  It was fun celebrating with everyone that helped make Zinch what it is today.  And what would a Zinch party be without kid-friendly grilled cheese and hired babysitters there to allow the adults to mingle?  There was a fun hip-hop band there that Sam had WAY too much fun dancing to.

You know it’s a good party when cupcake is left on the lips all night…

When Sam gets high on cupcakes and hip hop his dance moves result to The Carlton.

Oh Sam, I love how it’s the simple things in life that make you *so* giddy and excited.  Doggies, balls, and fresh air.

We made it to Utah! And surprisingly enough, I was able to get everything checked off my to-do list.  Now I can spend these next two weeks (hopefully) relaxing with friends and family.

We are lucky enough that there are still a few tress with their beautiful fall leaves on them.  On one of my morning runs I felt so invigorated breathing in the crisp, fall air and hearing the crunchy leaves under my feet.  The fact that I didn’t have to run up any steep San Francisco hills was a huge plus too…

We celebrated our five year anniversary with a small little getaway to Park City.  And boy was it needed!  It’s amazing how two days together away from any responsibilities really does recharge oneself and subsequently our relationship.  We may have overindulged ourselves with dining and spa treatments, but it’s part of the experience. Right? I can’t tell you how I’ve been longing for a relaxing, romantic weekend with my honey.  Here’s to another five years!!

We’re old school when it comes to our concert attendance.  We’ll be going to the state fair and jammin’ out with these fellas tonight.

This is what Mick and I’s Google Chats are like Friday Afternoons.  I literally copy and pasted.

It’s been Strawberry Days here in Pleasant Grove, Utah.  And as I write this, I’m getting upset at myself for waiting until the end of the week to eat highly sought-after strawberries and cream.  I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of the best. desserts. ever.  I might have to get three serving tonight.

I came across this awesome boutique the other day.  I haven’t gotten a chance to blog about it until now.  Karma Boutique is in Pleasant Grove, off Main Street.  Today is their one year anniversary celebertaiont!! They’re having some great deals on clothing items and accessories.  What I liked about this fun clothing boutique is that they do have the high-end designer jeans, but at the same time have adorable tops, dresses, shoes and other items for great prices.  I ended up getting a crop jacket for only $30.  I’ve worn it twice now.  Love it!  So hurry down there today if you’re wanting to check out their fun place and get some killer deals.

85 S. Main Street in Pleasant Grove

I blogged about this Friday, but some how it got deleted.  And in that post I confessed how it’s hard for me to blog about awesome sales in fear of everything being gone before I get there.  A few of you have contacted me needing the info, wondering if I deleted it for that reason.  No.  Although that’s not a bad idea…it just somehow got erased in cyberspace.

ANYWAY, Designer Company Fabrics is having their “step down” sale.  This week sale fabrics are only $3/yard.  Next Monday (Feb 2) they will only be $2/yard!  Here’s their address.  I recommend going to the Salt Lake location.  They literally have hundreds more to choose from.  I’m actually headed down there toady, say “hi” if you see me there!

Salt Lake: 2253 South  500 East

Draper:     196 West   12300 South

Thank Goodness!  There’s a new furniture store in Utah Valley that finally offers something besides the old-world, rustic style furniture.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

Alice Lane Home Collection in Orem (kitty corner to the University Mall), has a beautiful selection of transitional-style furniture.  Fun, fresh pieces that look beautiful together.  While a lot of the furniture there has old-world influence; there is a more modern, transitional feel to the furniture.

Remember that chesterfield I blogged about a few days ago?  They have a beautiful one on display right now.  In fact, the sofa is on sale right now.  So hurry and check it out!

There is a constant flow of new pieces, so the store is always changing.  Many of the sofas and chairs can be custom made to your liking: they have an amplitude of different fabrics to choose from, and a lot of the dimensions of the pieces can be altered as well.  You dream it, they make it.  In fact the owner of the store, Jessica Bennett, has amazing talent and has custom designed almost every big piece there.

If you’re out-and-about this weekend, I’d stop by Alica Lane this weekend.  They have beautiful things there.  When speaking with their photographer-Reed Rowe-about what pictures I wanted, I couldn’t decide.  Everything in the store is so fun.

While I’m on a Hair and Makeup kick, I thought I’d highlight some of Enizio’s work. They’ve done everything from weddings, to fashion shows, to films, and even some familiar voices on the radio. Here are some of my favorites. If you need any on-site hair and make-up, I highly recommend them. And despite what you’d think about high prices, their prices are extremely reasonable.

Photography by Heidi Uhl

Photography by Julie Parker

Photography by Retrospect Studio

Photography by Retrospect Studio

Photography by Elliott Fraughton

Photography by Retrospect Studio

Photography by David Beckstead / Julie Parker

Photography by Retrospect Studios

Photography by Retrospect Studios

Okay, I guess this is a little more than “some,” but their work is great and I couldn’t decide. Hope you enjoyed.

Two good things are coming together tonight: great dress deals and great hair deals.  If ya’ll haven’t been to Sudio Enizio, you’re missing out.

The salon is beautiful: crisp baby blue walls, high gloss black floors, elegant chandeliers, subway-tiled walls in the bathroom, Italian leather wash chairs.  Again, this place is beautiful.

On top of the great design in the salon, the girls at Studio Enizio do a fabulous job with hair and makeup.  Take my word for it.  Anyway, back to the point of this post…tonight they are hosting a trunk show of Shabby Apple’s dresses.  It’s from 7-10 tonight and Enizio’s address is:
3300 N. Running Creek Way (1200 East) Building A
Lehi UT 84043

Tonight you can enjoy good shopping, munchies, and great deals on some of Enizio’s services.  Hope to see you there!!

So Rachel’s family is coming into town later this week cuz of a wedding this weekend. A close friend of the family’s is getting married. It’ll be fun. Anyway, I came across this video and I thought it was hilarious. Hopefully nothing like this happens this weekend.

Local business owner started making bows to “sass up” her baby girl’s helmet. And sass up she did. Each bow is handmade with some serious love. The bows have a nice simplicity to them with– well– a touch of sass. I love the exposed stitching. These are from her fall line.

And these are from her Halloween Line. My favorite being the bat.

Chelsea, the owner/designer can custom make them according to your styling desires. She also has a great price for bundle orders, which I think would make perfect party favors.  Take a look at her blog for more fun clips.

I’m sure a lot of you have heard about Stephanie and Christian Nielson from Arizona. They were in a tragic airplane crash a few weeks ago and struggling with some intense recoveries. Design Mom is putting up a huge silent auction throughout the blogosphere with people auctioning off products and services.

We’d like to get things going here in the Elegance World. My husband’s family knows the Clark (Stephanie’s side) family pretty well. So we thought we’d do as much as possible to help out a little.

I’d like to donate 3 hours (or any room) of my interior design services to whomever is the highest bidder. This would normally be worth $300 but I’ll do it for whatever the highest bidder wants. In order to keep bidders’ info private, I’ll be accepting bids via email (rachelhagen@gmail.com). I’ll post the highest current bid below. Thanks again for all your help. To stay updated on the recovery, be sure to read Nie’s sister’s blog.

Update:
Highest current bid: $200

One I know it’s a Utah holiday, but if you’re like me holiday is another name for shopping day. Pier One is putting all their summer stock on sale. I’d check them if you get a chance, there are some great deals.

Tomorrow I will be speaking at the Lavender Days Festival in Mona.  It should be a pretty fun weekend.  Aside from their 120 acres of lavender to walk through and enjoy, Lavender Days has pony rides, paddle boats, professional jousting, live entertainment, food and products from local vendors and educational classes (that’s where I come in).  The title of my class is “Interior Decorating with Mother Nature’s Help.”  It will essentially be a class about bringing the outdoors in this summer with some flower arranging tips and techniques.  I will be talking about which flowers are the easiest and most successful to grow from seed and that will work well in arrangements.  Ya’ll should check it out, it should be fun.  Hope to see you there!

Local online store (is that possible?) has got some cute, cute journals.

Not only do they have great journals and stationary, but One Wish World also has fun merchandise for children,  home decor,  and sweets.  I know what you’re thinking: What could be better than home decor and sweets?  Well, my dear friends, One Wish World is a charitable organization that donates almost all their proceeds to a cause or charity.  Awesome.  You can read more about their philanthropic work here.

Many of my non-local readers have been asking me to post some pics of the Parade Home. My husband being the photographer and perfectionist, has only gotten to editing these few. Now, this doesn’t mean if you do live locally you can’t come by and see the house/me. These pics are great, but the house looks even better in person. Given my circumstance, I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Again, if you live locally, I’d love to see you. So please stop by. The info is in the early post.