They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. If that’s the case, local designer and crafty lady Ann H. must be feelin’ some serious love. She’s the face and fingers behind adorable Lou and Lee headbands for kiddos—the same headbands that have generated a handful of spin-offs on crafty sites like Etsy. But just like a Louis V handbag or classic Frye boot (or Magnolia cupcake, while we’re at it), there’s nothing quite like the real thing.

Especially when the real thing is handmade and hand-stitched by a fashion-loving stylista. Ann’s signature designs are uniquely intricate and fashion-forward, always incorporating fabric rosettes, textured blossoms or vintage-inspired tattoos—and loads of sequins, on occasion. Attention to detail and creative genius come together to make a perfect look that can’t be replicated.

And that’s the kind of thing you can wrap your head around. Or wrap around your baby’s head.

{Band Together}

Lou and Lee headbands
www.etsy.com/shop/louandlee

By Stephanie Brubaker

Spotted: Gorgeous leather handbags in a handful of attractive colors like pale blue, mustard yellow, chocolate brown, black and grey.

Good For: Matching almost any winter ensemble

Where: Sundance Outlet (2201 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City)

How much: Just $99

Some people really know how to make good with their In-Laws. Take the team behind local startup Fox Paws Shoes, for example. Three local sisters-in-law put their brains together and whipped up this line of fun-size shoes for little ones ages 0 – 24 months—and they’re the kind big girls wouldn’t want to slide their toes in, too.

Started in Utah, Fox Paws’ signature animal-print loafers and peek-a-boo styles are the kinds moms swoon over. They’re made with style and comfort in mind, too, so your lad or lassie will like wearing them as much as you like seeing them … or holding them in the palm of your hand.

{Pawsitively}

Fox Paws Shoes
www.foxpawsshoes.com

Want your choice of accessory to do some of the talking? At your wedding, let it be the story of two sisters who grew up assisting their mother in the sewing room as she put the finishing touches on handfuls of bridal gowns. As they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. These local ladies of Anne Michelle Heirlooms carry on the family tradition with timeless, classic and on-trend veils and hairpieces for brides-to-be and bridal parties.

Whether it’s a question of length (waist or cathedral?) or style (classic birdcage or tulle with flower?), Anne Michelle can help you out. Just take it from their blog. Aside from totally-custom jobs, rumor has it these two will soon be whipping out collections for babies and ballerinas.

{Hair Loom}

Anne Michelle Heirlooms
anneal.mt@gmail.com
Anne Michelle Heirlooms on Etsy
www.theveilblog.blogspot.com

We’re big fans of state-themed charm necklaces by local Etsy seller, Elsa Bags—the “Utah” ones, in particular. (Yes ma’ams, we’re a little biased.) No matter where in the world you find yourself, you’ll always feel close to home with this dainty design dangling from your neck. And check out her made-from-vintage-upholstery bags, while you’re at it. After all, they’re what the shop is named for.

{Mini Doorprize} Nicole of Elsa Bags doesn’t want you to forget your roots. And neither do we. Show your UT pride! Want one of these beauties, on the house? Nicole will be handing out two “Utah” necklaces to two different YHO readers. Leave just one comment on this post before midnight on Friday, June 19 for your chance to win.

Remember waaay back in January when you jotted down that list of goals … with organ-eye-zation at the top of the list? Somehow that resolution trickled it’s way to the end of that hopeful piece of paper, which is no doubt sitting in the bottom of your hobo bag with all your discarded gum wrappers and unrequested phone numbers.

So where did you wrong? Any professional organizer can tell you that getting your life in order starts with adequate storage. And if that storage gets stylish, then all the better. Lucky for those of us who dropped the ball the second day of January (or even last week), now is FranklinCovey’s Biggest Sale of the Year.

Stop forgetting about those business breakfasts and missing out on lunch with the girls. It’s time to turn things around. Right now, you can snag the best deals on planners, binders, laptop bags—and everything else you need to store all your ideas and appointments.

Snatch a sleek Alessandra laptop bag for $149, a not-to-be-lost Passport cover for $5, or a saucy Sausalito binder for $39, for examples. The fun starts here.

{Tidy Up}

FranklinCovey Products Biggest Sale of the Year
www.franklincovey.com

{Doorprize} Remember that chic Alessandra laptop bag, regularly a $250 value? FranklinCovey wants to treat one lady to this awesome bag—complete with planned space for your water bottle, phone, iPod, and sunglasses, as well as a coordinating wristlet and room for a 15.4″ laptop. Want to get this one on your shoulder (and your life in order)? Leave just one comment on this post before midnight on Sunday, June 21.

By Liz Stanley

Spotted: Silhouette brooch earrings

Good For: Spicing up your jewelry box, Victorian-style

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

How Much: Around $10

When it comes to holiday stocking-stuffers and gift items for lassies big and small, we’d be happy with anything that flies the Darlybird coop. This one-stop gift shop stands ready to to answer your holiday shopping woes—whether it’s the cranky landlady on your list, or your overly-creative sister that has you racking your brain or ruining your manicure.

Do your nails a favor and cruise by. The shop won our hearts for debuting everyone’s favorite rosy earrings. To stay ahead of the trend this season, try a set of cherry-red vintage cerise earrings or any other Darlybird exclusive like Art Nouveau-eque olive jade drops and guten tag posts made from antique buttons. If you want to wrap up just a little something for your lady friends, pick up a handful of Darlybird’s vintage-inspired bobby-pins at just $4 a pop.

Or, if there’s a baker in the family, peruse the collection of fun cake toppers and displays. She’ll swoon over the baby blue or milk glass green shade of her new petit four cake stand, or entertained by the prospects of twisted taper candles.

To jumpstart her creativity, a Learn to Sew kit should do the job. Or if she already has that arena mastered, challenge her with one of Darlybird’s latest additions—a blank board book stands ready for her original spin. Still stumped? Keep it simple with any number of vintage ribbons.

There are also sundries for kiddos, party-planning ideas and decorations, paper products for staying-in-touch and that’s just the beginning. Oh, and there’s a dude on your list? Well, then let him try these cufflinks on for size.

For an extra boost, use code “DARLYYHO” to get 15% off your Darlybird purchases through December 3rd. Better act fast!

{Darlyland}

www.darlybird.com

{Doorprize} Remember Rachel? She’s the once-Utahn behind Darlybird who wants to make your holiday wishes come true. For 2008, she’s handing out a set of vintage Velma earrings (we love their subtle glitz) one Robot Matching Game for holiday fun, and one classy and vintage Yasuko necklace made of graduated Japanese glass beads. Want in on the fun? Leave one comment on this post before midnight on Sunday, November 30.

And remember to use code “DARLYYHO” for 15% off through December 3rd!

By Jessica Goldfond

We have banished yellow for far too long to the lands of daffodils, spring time and easter bunnies. Let this versatile hue be a refreshing and unexpected option in the cold winter months ahead. As daylight fades, ease out of your summer wardrobe by pairing this sunny color with toned-down neutrals like camels, slate, even black.

Before you reach for that reliable little black dress, rethink this new color option for your formal occasion, where you’ll undoubtedly shine. Too bold for you? Be a part of the huge hosiery comeback, which won’t break your sense of style nor your bank. Before the winter weather brings you down, let yellow help you stay positive and bright this season. It could lighten your life and your day … from the outside in.

Image credits and links; left to right, top to bottom: Editorial image from British Vogue, February 2005 (via This is Glamorous); A.P.C. Pea Coat in Lambswool from Le Garconne; A Peace Treaty scarf from ShopBop.com; “Mouse” by Sherbet Tone; Haute Hippie Stripe Sequin Dress from Otte; Off the Gold Chain necklace by Yokoo; editorial image from British Vogue, February 2005 (via This is Glamorous); VPL Cowl Knit from Creatures of Comfort.

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….

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

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

Spotted: Over-the-pond love: Orla Kiely carryalls and London-themed tote

Good For: Getting your British on without any fish-and-chips or Prince Harry obsessing

Where: Apt. 202 (850 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City)

How Much: Prices vary widely, but the canvas type will get you to the Motherland in a more wallet-friendly manner.

If you’ve called SLC home long enough, chances are you have some degree of an attachment to the Children’s Hour. We’re pulled to it like a couple of shop-hungry moths to the flame. It’s probably their European-inspired shoes. Or owner Diane’s book recommendations. Or the collection of doodads made by locals like ourselves. Its proximity to Maza doesn’t hurt, and neither do the frequency of sidewalk sales.

Three parts boutique (women’s, children’s and gift) and another part children’s bookstore, the Children’s Hour is the kind of place that, if threatened, we’d gladly put on our fight faces for. It’s one of Salt Lake’s gems, offering locals some hand-holding in terms of style forecasting, but warm enough to make you feel at home. Plus, it’s pretty much as cute as it gets.

In case you don’t already know what it’s like, step into the new location at the northwest corner of 900 East and 900 South. The new spot showcases the inventory better than ever—now you’ll notice all the Cath Kidston linens, ceramic tea cups and designer women’s lines from Converse. Even if you’re not up to dish out $125 on a Free People blouse or $60 on a Room Seven frock for your little one, it’s likely that you’ll walk out with a piece of jewelry, a case for your glasses or a good-looking wallet. Maybe even a lunch pail.

It may be called the Children’s Hour, but there’s plenty of time for you, too. Come here next time you’re in need of a stylish sundress for your cousin’s wedding or some killer satin heels. They’re just the kind of thing you’ll want to step out in.

{Time for Local Shopping}

The Children’s Hour
898 S. 900 East
Salt Lake City, Utah
(801) 359-4150
www.childrenshourbookstore.com

Even six years ago, we wouldn’t have been caught dead in a vintage clothing boutique. Actually, around these parts, they scarce existed save the uber-retro varieties like Grunts & Postures and Decades.

We were all about scouting-out our own corduroy OP shorts and high-waisted, patterned skirts. If you found a pair of mint-condition Frye boots for $4.99 at the local D.I. or Savers, the resulting high could last years, and so would the boots. The hunt was as fun and important as the find.

Since we’re not in college anymore (soak up those glorious years whilst you can), we don’t have the same commitment to logging hours at the the thrift stores. Plus, the good stuff’s harder and harder to find thanks to the rising popularity of yesterday’s style (and the resulting overuse of the word “vintage” itself). But we still like to mix some history into our wardrobes, which is why a place like Coal Umbrella is so welcome in 2008.

Located on the hippest part of University Ave in Provo, Coal Umbrella is a true vintage shop (read: not junk) mixed up with brand-new paper goods and products crafted by local artisans. You can browse old T-shirts or Western button-ups for him, or look at breezy tops, ’80s skimmers and apron dresses for her. There’s also a nice variety of records to thumb through, and cool artwork always decorates the walls.

We’ll be adjusting our attitudes and heading to Coal Umbrella more often. (The employees here sure don’t dish out any attitude of their own.) The Frye boots won’t a be a prize $4.99 like back in ’01, but $19.99 for a one-of-a-kind top ain’t half bad. Especially not when time is money.

p.s. We used the word “vintage” just three times here. Well, now four.

{Under My Umbrella}

Coal Umbrella
157 N. University Avenue
Provo, Utah
(801) 369-4124
www.coalumbrella.com

Spotted: Sun hats galore!

Good For: Gettin’ your celebrity starlet on, and keeping the UV rays out. Just don’t forget your oversize sunglasses.

Where: Apt. 202 (850 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City)

How Much: Around $30 apiece

Usually when we step inside a castle, we keep our eyes peeled for treasures like William and Harry. When we visited Draper’s Castle Couture last week, there weren’t any prizes of the princely kind, though we did behold enough handsome treats to hold over our initial craving.

Only a shy two months old, Castle Couture is serving up a collection of L.A.-worthy high-end apparel for girls and guys. We spied shelves of cool denim and racks of breezy button-downs for dudes, but naturally, it was the vortex of women’s designer jeans, colorful tanks and feminine jackets that we got sucked into.

An almost-frilly, deconstructed Da-Nang blouse greeted us at the door, along with a table paved with tattoo-esque Ed Hardy tees. We rifled through racks of Kowboy & Co. T-shirts and mini trenches by Twill 22. We got a crush on a group of patterned scarves by none other than Lucky Brand. (Who knew Lucky was getting so stylish?)

But what really stole our hearts was the big ol’ rack of denim housing pretty stovepipes from People’s Liberation, Blue Tattoo and Joe’s (our personal favorite). There was even a nice selection of capri and knee-length varieties in hip washes and flattering cuts, ideal for your summer beat-the-heat arsenal.

You’ll also see some jewelry, some belts and some girl-centric items for boudoir. Like we said, when we need a handsome treat in the form of apparel—or maybe just a new pair of designer duds—this might be the place we’ll go. No British accents necessary.

{Fit For a Queen}

Castle Couture
715 E. 12300 South
Draper, Utah
(801) 501-9111

Remember that adorable shop Meg Ryan’s character owns and operates in “You’ve Got Mail?” (Also, remember the popularity of her haircut?) The Shop Around the Corner, as we think it was called, reeked with charm: the wooden floors, the bookshelves, the selection of cute reads … and then-cute haircuts.

We think we found Utah’s Shop Around the Corner. It’s not exactly around the corner as we ventured north to Bountiful in order to check it out, but you definitely feel at home when you’re there. It’s a warm and neighborly place full of fashionable and functional doodads and knicknacks.

All Tucked In carries a little bit of everything, which makes it ideal for gift shopping. Somewhat simultaneously, you can browse a handful of European shoes for ladies, scan jewelry from local designers, spy gorgeous satin ruffled dresses for little gals, shop for popular children’s games, find a cute frock for you, and thumb through lots and lots of books for the kiddos in your life—you’ll even get recommendations from resident experts.

Cute clothes for the likes of us came from lines like Free People and Hazel. We also spied the cutest pair of brown leather boots by Jeffrey Campbell on sale … but you had better hurry, there were only two pairs left!

{Cozy Up}

All Tucked In
115 S. Main Street
Bountiful, Utah
(801) 298-7262
www.alltuckedin.net

Spotted: The best in vintage, antique and costume jewelry

Good For: Your ring finger: beyond-ordinary engagement bands, wedding bands, anniversary bands with stories to tell

Where: Antoinette’s Antique Jewelry (239 E. Broadway, Salt Lake City)

How Much: Depends how much you (or he) want(s) to spend….

Spotted: Upscale and chic patent leather catch-alls by Hobo.

Good For: A two-for. These can be either clutch or wallet. You decide.

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

How Much: Around $100