By Liz Stanley

Save some pennies and show off your eco-chic self by recycling your decor with any of these:

Spotted: Sharp-as-a-tack coats for taking you from fall to winter

Good For: Buttoning up and bundling up, style points included

Where: Flower Basket Boutique (409 N. University Ave., Provo)

How Much: Prices vary

Some pretty little things from fine Utah folk:

Time to mark your calendars, chickadees. The Women’s Art Center’s annual Bird in Hand holiday bazaar, a two-day boutique-for-all featuring everything from scarves and jewelry to pottery and furniture, is just around the corner.

Snatching up the Gallery Stroll crowd November 21 and 22, this could be the perfect opportunity to showcase your homespun goods. If you’re interested in participating as a local vendor, visit www.womensartcenter.org. By that time, all of us will have our holiday shopping hats on.

{Flock Together}

Bird in Hand Holiday Bazaar
Women’s Art Center
November 21, 6 – 9 p.m.
November 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
345 W. Pierpont Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah
www.womensartcenter.org

By Lisa Van Orman Hadley

The changing leaves and snowcapped mountains mean we must bid a sad farewell to many of our favorite local fruits and veggies until next year. But before you hunker down for winter and start in on canned salsa and jam, we want to give you something to look forward to next spring: your local CSA.

Bell Organic Gardens is an organic farm in Draper, Utah. They’ve been growing and distributing organic food to local restaurants and produce purveyors for a decade. More recently, they’ve begun to offer CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares to individuals like yourself.

Here’s how CSA works: Before the growing season begins, members of the community buy shares of the upcoming season’s crops. The upfront payment allows the farm to predict what to grow. Then, when the crops are ready, boxes of seasonal fruits and vegetables are distributed weekly to shareholders. They can be picked up in Draper or downtown Salt Lake City.

When you join, you not only get fresh, organic produce, you also help support local farms, contribute to sustainable agriculture and get a little more up-close-and-personal with your food and farmer. Organic gardening is gentler on the earth because it utilizes natural farming methods instead of harmful pesticides.

Bell Organics will begin accepting online applications for the 2009 season on October 20—even sooner if you happen to be a returning customer. Hurry, because shares go fast! There are several share plans to choose from, depending on your family size. And there’s more than just fruits and veggies. You can also pick up organic free-range eggs, and cheeses made by local artisans.

{The Real Dirt}

Bell Organic Gardens
975 Canyon Breeze Lane
Draper, Utah
(801) 571-7288
www.bellorganic.com

Images courtesy of Bell Organic website

By Liz Stanley

Here’s what Craiglist and KSL classifieds turned up this week:

Get your backside in this Eames-designed original for $100. See it here.

Why not stroll around the block in this original beauty? See it here.

Give your nursery some legacy with this cute iron crib. See it here.

Help this swivel chair meet its potential. See it here.

Dinner gets hot with this stainless steel Pottery Barn number. See it here.

You’d be looking good in this green set of wheels. See it here.

Shoe-rly, if there’s one thing every woman wouldn’t mind having more of, it’s cute little shoes to polish off her silhouette with—if not line her closet.

Thanks to Studio 32 Shoes, all of this is possible and more. That’s because all pairs of pumps from this local business will ring up at—you guessed it—just 32 dollars or less. Not bad for keeping your heels in high style, right? Even moreso considering Studio 32′s buy-one-get-one-half-off policy. Like those potato chips, when it comes to shoes, we betcha can’t buy just one set.

Sold in shoe parties and online soon, Studio 32 focuses on providing its clients with high-fashion looks at low prices. They’re practically regulars on Good Things Utah’s Chic on a Shoestring segment, and for good reason. From heels to flats to boots, this shop’s ever-rotating inventory will keep women from all walks of life looking good from head to toe.

If you’re up for shopping in the comfort of your own home—or letting your friends shop in the comfort of your home—consider hosting a shoe party where all sorts of free perks are available to hostesses. You can even hold a gathering online. Get the details here.

In the meantime, get your kicks via Studio 32. If you have to, you can even get two. Or if you wait for an end-of-season sale where shoes go for as little as $3, you could get ten. (Yep, ten. Dreams do come true.)

{Shoe Be Do}

Studio 32 Shoes
www.studio32shoes.com

{Doorprize} Studio 32 likes to help you stretch your dollars. But one of you won’t have to spend even a penny. They’re offering up a sweet deal: two pairs of Studio 32 shoes and one flat frame wallet (yes, they carry those too), free for just one YHO reader. Want somethings new, just for you? Leave one comment on this post before midnight on Friday, October 10. Comment away….

Check out these goodies from 801 and 435 area codes:

Alright, ghoulfriends. You’ve never seen gourds like these, and you don’t wanna miss out on your chance to. Trust us. Bottle-cap eyeballs and haphazard teeth will only make you smile when they become part of your Halloween (or holiday) spread.

Jeni B. Gochnour is hosting her sixth annual Autumn Art Show this Tuesday and Wednesday in Holladay. Aside from her cute, funny and personified gourds, 25 artisans accompany Jeni with candles, jewelry, stitchery, wreathes, topiaries, baby shoes and more for two days only. Next week, get thee to Holladay to brighten your holiday.

{Show Off}

Autumn Art Show with Jeni B. Gochnour
Tuesday, October 7, 6 – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, October 8, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
2591 E. Valley View Ave. (4790 South), Holladay

Do we love letterpress? Yessir! Or … make that Mister.

When we came across bold and colorful cards exclaiming words like “fancy!” and “swell!” in an old-timey, Western-ish font on the World Wide Web, we knew we wanted in on the fun. And that was before we discovered that Mr. Letter’s Press, the stationery line producing the hot little numbers, is based right here beneath the towering Wasatch.

The brainchild of graphic designer and letterpress aficionado Chuck Williams, Mr. Letter’s Press keeps an office in Salt Lake City but the printing is done at a home studio in Ogden. Chuck’s MRLP project (for short) began back in 2005, but like many creative ventures, had to take backseat to family and professional obligations for the last few years.

But Mr. Letter’s Press is currently undergoing a re-launch and we’re stoked to see what this home-based operation will crank out next. Where most letterpress designs are pretty, Chuck’s work is also humorous, cool, simple and guaranteed to bring on a chuckle. (When was the last time you used a golden haybale to say “hey” to your pal?)

We’re patiently waiting for the website to be updated. In the meantime, you can browse Mr. Letterpress items and goods at the Etsy shop. We challenge any and all local paperies to begin carrying this stuff.

Maybe you’re a step ahead of us and SkincareRX.com is already your one-stop shop for keeping your skin dewy and glowing in this drier-than-dry air. After all, the site gets shout-outs from popular beauty blogs and makeup message boards, and offers a bevy of coupon code handouts.

But aside from these perks, when you shop SkinCareRX you’ll also get feel-good rewards for shopping locally. That’s right, SkinCareRX is based at 700 West and 1055 South in Lake City. If the free priority shipping on items over $49 isn’t quick enough to remedy your latest skin funk, your Utah zip code gives you license to get your paws on must-have products, fast.

Head to headquarters for Murad Spot Treatment, DDF Glycolic Toner, Vitamin C Serum or DDF Silky Serum. Despite the scary names, these products are proof that skin can get back to sexy. Or, head to sister store Anne-Michele Apothica, located downtown at the Gateway. This swanky outlet carries goodies from Frederic Fekkai, Ted Gibson and Smashbox, to get you started….

Bonus: SkincareRX.com is have a 20% off storewide sale this autumn. Coupon code “AUTUMN20″ will hook you up at checkout. Afterall, saving money always imparts an extra glow.

{Later, Alligator}

SkinCare RX
700 W. 1055 S., Salt Lake City
Open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
(801) 463-2840 or 1-877-682-3553

Anne-Michele Apothica
171 S. Rio Grande Street Ste. B, Salt Lake City
Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
(801) 746-7444
www.skincarerx.com

By Ali Anderson Smith

Spotted: Must-have Hunter boots for the not-so-sporty

Good For: Looking good from knees to toes, come rain or shine

Where: Soel Boutique (4801 N. University Ave. #410, Provo)

How Much: About $110

Quick, name the number one reason why fall is the very best season. Now … let us guess: Is it the apple-picking that gets you hot? The long canyon drives? The crisp smell under your nose?

Nah. Though great alternatives (it ain’t easy to turn down a freshly-plucked apple), each falls short of the season’s very best attribute: layering weather. Who doesn’t love comfy and cozy clothes that are designed to keep you covered and looking smart?

Shade Clothing knows what’s up for Fall 2008. Check out their new line (online and in stores now), stacked with classic sweater pieces you’ll want to bundle yourself in this fall and next. From intentionally oversize to streamlined and structured, Shade’s latest designs come in flattering cotton blends (yum) and ultrasoft fleece (double yum). And naturally, there’s a hefty portion of basics just waiting to be added to.

We’re ready to wrap ourselves in the goes-with-anything Robe Wrap (check out the stylish cut of the sleeves), and the equally diverse Varsity Cardigan seems to by calling our names. At that price, we’ll take two. While you’re at it, have a look at Shade’s interestingly-shaped Paris Top (also interestingly-named), and the nice, poppy palette of the Sweatshirt With Gathers.

As if things weren’t looking bright enough, Shade rolls out a brand-new lounge collection—just when we though we couldn’t be more comfy. You’ll love the Zip Hoodie‘s lined hood and feminine details, and the Lounge Pant‘s generous and flattering waistline which put sweats to shame. Errand-running never looked (or felt) so good.

Say goodbye to summer and hello to Shade this September. And then start apple-picking, canyon-driving and crisp-air smelling in your favorite Shade sweater. And yes, a hoodie-and-pant combo is A-OK too.

{Shade Away}

Shade Clothing
11531 N. Main District Drive Ste. 1200, South Jordan (new!)
25 W. Parrish Lane, Centerville
50 N. Center Street, American Fork
University Mall, Orem
250 N. Red Cliffs Drive Ste. 33, St. George
www.shadeclothing.com

{Doorprize} To ensure that you’re adequately outfitted for the season, Shade Clothing is up for handing out a $75 gift card to one shop-happy YHO reader—and who isn’t shop-happy this time of year? To win this nice perk (and get your hands on some fab pieces), leave just one comment on this post before midnight on Friday, September 26.

By Ali Anderson Smith

The Beehive State is in the house! Here are a few Etsy standouts. How awesome is that evil oven mitt? Never underestimate the power of humorous design. You couldn’t help but smile when pulling the meatloaf out of the oven with that guy in the picture.

By Liz Stanley

Spotted: Vintage alphabet blocks, just like you had as a kid

Good For: Decorating a nursery: spell out your child’s name for shelf display, glue several together for an unusual frame, or replace the boring knobs on your dresser with these beauties.* Or, simply practice your spelling.

Where: Abode (1720 S. 900 East, Salt Lake City)

How Much: $1.99 each

*Note: Due to the aging of and possibility of lead paint, it is not recommended to use these blocks as toys.

It’s almost the weekend and the weather is supposed to be dreamy. Here are a few things you might wanna pencil in, or at least make note of:

Art in Bloom: Remember to hit up the Garden of Art extravaganza this Friday and Saturday in one of Salt Lake’s quaint neighborhoods. Could be your chance to load up on unique birthday gifts for fall, or simply spend time with your lady friends. Details here and here.

Shop Outside: Cute little Abode puts on its vintage-centric Outdoor Market this Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. This time, they’ve got 10 new vendors on this list touting furniture, jewlery and garden decor. More info here.

Picky Picky: Apple-picking season has arrived. Head to historic Huber Grove at Wasatch Mountain State Park for its second-ever Apple Harvest where you can sample mountain-fresh apples, and take home your picks at $3 per bag. Learn more here; call first to confirm dates.

Feeling Chili: The grandiose Great Salt Lake Chili Affair goes down on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. At $35 per individual, the largest fundraising event for the Road Home Shelter includes brews and stews from Bangkok Thai, Blueboar Inn, The New Yorker and Red Iguana. Click here for more info.

In Mmmusic: Tune-makers heading through the Beehive State this week include TV on the Radio, CSS, Tilly and the Wall and Ra Ra Riot. We think that makes a ra-ra-righteous handful of good options. Catch the deets via Lacey’s Music Guide.

And any yoga-holics in the audience might be happy to know that a new Lululemon location was spotted and slated for Park City, Utah. Remember, you can also get your Lululemon on at Intermountain Pilates in Midvale and Park City Yoga Center in Park City.

What else will you be heading out and into this week? Feel free to share your plans, ideas, thoughts below….

It’s become clear over the last few years that scrapbooking can definitely be hip to the hop, despite opinions formed during the ’90s, primarily.

Nowadays, they’re making the preserving-memories hobby as fab as possible. As Utahns, we’re all privy to the knowledge that scrapbooking is a bada-boom-bada-bing industry, but Orem duo Bam Pop, comprised of JJ and Jen, is making the hobby cooler than ever.

Your husband will want in on the fun, with illustrations of robots, monsters and ninguings (ninja penguins, of course) decorating Bam Pop designs. As for us, we’re fans of cute French robots. Also refreshing are Bam Pop’s illustrated fonts and frames.

Bam Pop whips up collections of stamps, die cuts, papers and toys. Visit their store here. And see what other scrappies are doing with Bam Pop goodies here.

Spotted: Vinegar, vinegar and more vinegar

Good For: Spicing up your life … and your homemade salad dressing

Where: Granatos Importing Co. (4044 S. 2700 East, Holladay)

How Much: With selection like this, prices will vary

From cool shirts for dudes to bundles of peonies, here are this week’s picks from local Etsy-ans:

v

Spotted: Gently used and colorful kicks

Good For: Getting your tootsies inside shoes that no one else can have

Where: Coal Umbrella (157 N. University Ave., Provo)

How Much: Prices vary