Samantha is already tired of being cold. And on her bleak lunchbreak, the last thing she wants to do is fork out $5 for a so-so sandwich with pink tomatoes and partially-frozen deli cuts at another footlong franchise. She wants soup, glorious soup. As they say, it’s good for the soul—especially cold souls.

As such, she wrote in looking for the best cuppa soup in the state. We’ve hashed out the Soup Kitchen and Big City Soup in the past (what happened to Big City?!), and now we’re on the lookout for more options.

We’ll take chowders, bisques—even split peas. Got a soup du jour in mind? Chime in below.

Newcomer Angela (welcome!) is looking for somewhere special to celebrate her visiting nephew’s very first birthday. Aside from making sure the man of the hour has the time of his life, she’s hoping for a restaurant that the adults can enjoy while the kids stay busy. So … maybe something beyond the Chuck E. Cheese routine.

You’ll get bonus points if you find a place that’s locally-owned. Chime in below!

The holiday season is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start sharing your bounty. And if you can’t do that, why not opt for your time and energy instead? Liz is looking to spread some good will, and wrote in to gather ideas for family volunteering. She’s thinking soup kitchens, shelters, and anything/anywhere else that’s local, family-friendly and could use a helping hand now and through the holidays.

Hands were made for helping. Share your thoughts below.

To top off the fantasy wedding that’s surely in the making, YHO reader Joanna scored a lace Monique Lhuillier gown. (Lucky!) The dress has been ordered and is on its way to SLC. Now, she needs a trusty tailor to fit the gown to her physique. But, naturally, she’s a little concerned about butchering the designer number.

So, here’s the question: Does anyone highly recommend a seamstress worthy of the job? If so, please leave your suggestion in the comments, below.

Fall, meet our friend apple. Apple, allow us to introduce you to cider. Cider, it’s time you meet donut. Wait, donut? Here’s something we’ve never had the pleasure of meeting. Fall is here, and YHO reader Steph is looking for someone who makes/sells apple cider donuts to celebrate the season. And we thought we’d like to know, too. This is an acquaintance we would like to make this fall and next.

Any ideas out there?

Our friend “E” is looking for a specialty cake, ala “Cake Boss” or “Ace of Cakes.” We’ve dished about plenty of area bakeries that whip up tasty treats and might dabble in this kind of confection, but we weren’t sure of any that specialize in turning a birthday cake into a Fendi handbag or Fender guitar, for examples.

Anyone have any ideas? Please share below.

We’ve told you about low-key, everyday breakfast stops like Millcreek Cafe and filled you in on favorites like Blue Plate Diner, Ruth’s Diner, and Caffe Niche in Salt Lake City, not to mention Bear Paw Cafe in St. George—if you’re heading south for the weekend. But we’ve never focused on the first meal of the day enough … shame on us for not dishing on the Original Pancake House in Sugarhouse or Harvard/Yale’s Eggs in the City. Or telling you about the Saturday brunch options at Porcupine. 

Janey wrote in looking for favorite breakfast stops in Utah County. One on our list is Guru’s. Anyone have a favorite place in the greater Orem/Provo area that’s a nice step away from your typical Moons-Over-My-Hammy routine?

Let’s talk breakfast. Share your Utah favorites below!

Heather’s a girl after our own hearts. She’s looking for suggestions on where to get her tastebuds on tasties like tabouleh, falafel and hummus. For such treats, we usually turn to Mazza (where we can enjoy appetizers like the walnut-, pomegranate- and molasses-infused muhamara, too) or the classic Atlantic.

But maybe you guys have some favorites we aren’t privy to. Anyone know a good stop for satiating Heather’s craving? Fill us in below!

YHO reader Amy has a collection worth talking about: she gathers works of art from the cities she calls home. She’s readying to move to Phoenix, and wants to pick up an SLC token before flying the coop. Amy called on YHO to round up recommendations for affordable artworks that represent the vibe of Salt Lake City in obvious or not-so-obvious ways.

Let’s put our heads together on this one. Any leads for Amy? Post them below!

Megan wrote in on behalf of her bride-to-be-sister looking for a local business or person that knows how to place pin lights on a wedding cake as well as a gazebo … for lighting and effect. She’s also in the market for a gobo (that’s when the the just-married couple’s initials are cut into a steel plate and placed over a light source). In a nutshell, we’re looking for someone in the professional lighting arena that might specialize in event production, as some Chinese lanterns need to be strung and lit, too!

Anyone have any leads for Megan? Help a girl out and comment below, please.

Our girl Heidi is starting up her own business (yahoo!) and in need of someone to design a business card for her, as well as a referral on printing. Anyone have a company/firm/freelancer they love? We sure like the team at Seraph for some pretty, cool letterpress.

Share your thoughts below, por favor.

Christy wrote in looking for inspiration for classic and not-so-classic white elephant gifts. Having attended a couple holiday parties over the last few days, and dozens over the last several years, we rubbed our palms together and got down to business.

Here are a few of our favorites, to get those wheels a-turnin’:

• Frame Yourself: Your photo plastered on a t-shirt, mug or in a frame is always a hit. Especially with a caption like “(insert your name) RULES!”
• Frame a Friend: Grab your yearbook and blow up the sophomore photo of a good-natured guest that’s for sure attending the party.
• Go Old Lady: Collectibles like strange porcelain figurines, calendars from Cat Fancy, muumuus or other sizeable nightgown (or panties!) and ultra-tacky slippers are sure to please.
• Anything Oversize and Ridiculous: Like a lobster or trout pillow
  
• Juicy Novel: A friend once delivered a novel with a super sappy title, complete with highlighted passages to be read aloud.
• Something Outgrown: Try training wheels or a “toy” like Womb Sounds Bear.
• The Gift of Meat: Think summer sausage or bacon band-aids or steak showercurtain.

Other things we’ve seen: a computer motherboard, monkey salt and pepper shakers, pantyhose, footed pajamas, made-for-tv movies on VHS, CDs with covers so tacky you love them, and anything that, when wrapped, holds the exact shape of what’s inside. Or anything that, when wrapped, looks a lot like something it’s not.

Our favorite place to pick up white elephant gifts are thrift stores like Deseret Industries, Savers and ThriftTown. Other options include Cabin Fever, Blue Cockatoo and Urban Outfitters for cheeky and weird/gross lil’ items.

What’s the best white elephant you ever got or gave? Share ideas, por favor. (Let’s just hope we’re not all going to the same shindig!)

Chelsea wrote in looking for a good consignment exchange for her still-cute but gently used sartorial goods from chains we love like Boden, Banana and Anthro. We know handfuls of shops for furniture and other home goods, but clothing consignment seems to be a little more slim pickins.

The only three we can recommend—if you can call it that—are 1) Namedroppers, 2) Plato’s Closet and 3) Pibb’s Exchange. We’ve only shopped Namedroppers racks but hear that as far as picking up inventory goes, they’re pretty picky—which can be both good and bad. Plato’s Closet is known to carry great basics but skip over the designer-label drop-offs. Pibb’s is entirely unpredictable. But as anyone who has stepped into its walls knows, they’ve got a thing for retro, and we’re guessing that right now it’s more of a costume outlet. We’ve also heard of Cassandra’s Closet, but have no real knowledge of what’s inside.

Anyone have any feedback for Chelsea?

Here’s a question we get time and time again. If we knew the answer to this one, we’re sure we would be happier, healthier, more relaxed … and probably equipped with perpetually glowing and silky-smooth skin.

Heidi wrote in looking for a good spa. (Aren’t we all?) She’s not necessarily looking for the area’s best deep tissue massage or mani-pedi. Rather, she just wants to treat a friend to a nice day at a nice spa where she can choose from a myriad of self-pampering options and be treated well.

So let’s make that friend happy. Any input, anyone?

We like to think that we know a thing or two about Salt Lake City, but every once in a while, we get a reader request that has us stumped. One such inquiry is this one from Tyfanie:

A few years ago, my husband decided he wanted to try Beef Wellington. I looked up the recipe … and then promptly realized that I can’t cook. And so, every year around his birthday, I have searched for a place in Utah that serves Beef Wellington.

It’s that time of year again, and I was hoping you might have some insight. Is there any Beef Wellington in Utah?

We’re throwing this one out to you guys. Can anyone help a sister out? Tyfanie: we hope we’re not too late on this one, but if so, there’s always next year….