Here’s the thing: Spoons ‘N Spice (4700 S. 900 East, Salt Lake City and 788 E. 9400 South, Sandy) might not carry the most interesting or artistic kitchen goods, unlike the shops we’re usually drawn to. But if you’re on a search for the perfect spatula, need the right hand juicer, or are after a good breadbox, chances are this all-things-kitchen shop will come in handy.

This place has just about everything. So much so that the Spoons ‘N Spice tagline, “Everything Kitchen,” feels true. We figure this is the kind of local shop that every up-and-coming Salt Lake cook should know about. (If you’re not local, check out the impressive online inventory). As its name suggests, Spoons ‘N Spice is a comfort shop; it even smells good.

It will certainly appeal to the baker in you, with its wall-full of cookie cutters, every-color-of-the-rainbow sprinkles and off-the-hook selection of wooden spoons. And lots of other things. A baking-loving friend just spotted the perfect rotating cake-decorating platter to accompany her mechanical cake decorator. See what we mean?

It’s not all “business” at Spoons ‘N Spice. There are some items fit for gifting: colorful teapots, creme brulee-flavored coffee beans and bright latte bowls. We also like that Spoons ‘N Spice isn’t too cramped or over-cluttered like baking/cooking supply stores often tend to be by nature. Better, the prices are usually reasonable.

The Salt Lake store isn’t quite as vast as the Sandy location, but both offer a nice mix … and mixer.

It’s back by popular demand!: eight items for less than two Benjamins.

We tracked down some nice ensembles for the transition month ahead—things that will put a little spring in your step before heading straight on in to true-blue summer with sundresses and sandals.

As always (see here and here), one ensemble is the handiwork of Ali, the other was coordinated by Maeve. Try your hand at discerning who did which. Even if you don’t personally know us, you’ve got a 50/50 chance of getting it right.

Follow the image links to start your weekend shopping.

Outfit 1:

Outfit 2:

Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? We like open invitations to galas, and we figure you do, too. We tied strings around our fingers so we’d remember to tell you that Shabby Apple, a new Salt Lake-based clothing company, is holding its Opening Gala and Fashion Show tonight.

When: 7-10 p.m., with fashion show beginning at 8:30 p.m.

Where: 2485 S. Haven Lane, Salt Lake City

Why: Dresses will be available for sizing and purchase

Emily, a cool cat from the Bay Area, contacted us with hopes of discovering some fun/cool places to stop by in our hometown. We thought long and hard about our favorite places to shop and dine in Salt Lake—and it was surprisingly hard to whittle down—but here’s what we came up with. Emily (and other visitors who can use this little day guide), we hope you enjoy your stay. We think Salt Lake is awesome.

This is what we’d do, if we had just one day:

Start with breakfast at Finn’s. We recommend the Norwegian heart-shaped waffles with lingonberries and sour cream, partially because they’re so cute.

Next, head to the quaint Ninth and Ninth district (900 S. 900 East) where you can browse fun shops like Hip and Humble for trendy-meets-classy home decor; Koo de Ker for hip dresses skirts and tops; Ten for European sneaks; The Children’s Hour for the latest from European designers; Cahoots for kitschy/quirky gifts and cards; and Floribunda for classic stationery and gifts.

After all that walk-and-shop business, retire within the walls of the Salt Lake City Library (210 E. 400 South). Hey, not to brag, but not every city’s library gets voted Library of the Year. Another reader, Jen, shared these favorite things about this awe-inspiring place:

• The bike rack made out of steel letters spell “READ.”
• The glass elevators (when aligned) have the words “People who live in glass houses should now throw stones” etched across them.
• A giant hanging head mobile which, when up close, you can see is made up of little open books with butterflies inside. And if you look really closely, you can see them flap their wings.
• The kids level is wonderful. Everything is made especially on their level. Even the books shelves are categorized by height: the lowest for the picture type books, the higher shelves for the Harry Potter-ready. And they have different rooms for reading (an attic, snow cave, etc.).

With your head full of words, head to Salt Lake new Caffe Niche (779 E. 300 South) to fill your stomach. We trust you’ll like the menu, the service and the atmosphere.

Then, after a little energy boost, take it to the streets of 300 South. Start at Frosty Darling (177 E. 300), our favorite kid on the block. From there, head east to pop into any of the antique shops and cool art galleries.

For an afternoon treat, we recommend the Les Madeleines bakery (650 S. State Street). There’s nothing a Madagascar cupcake with cream cheese frosting and white chocolate sprinkles, a passion fruit truffle or meyer lemon meringue tartlette can’t fix. But if it’s dinner you’re ready for, we can’t say enough about Settebello. Try to get there early, rumor has it that the lines just keep getting longer, but it’s only for good reason: to-die-for pizza.

If you still have sweets on the mind (can you tell how our brains work?) try Hatch Family Chocolates in the Avenues neighborhood (390 4th Avenue) for a one-of-a-kind dessert experience. We love the milkshakes and the ice cream.

Have fun, Emily! We arranged things so the weather will be nice while you’re here. If all else fails, stop by Liberty Heights Fresh for some goodies and head to Red Butte Garden for a nice, spring, afternoon picnic.

Any other ideas for Emily? We know you heart SLC just as much as we do.

Shelby recently wrote in with a few wedding woes, wondering how in the world to step outside the typical Utah wedding dress so a little bride she knows doesn’t drown in a sea of ivory conformity, or give up on the perfect-gown hunt altogether.

We la-la-love the looks pictured above. This season, designers are branching out with romantic lacey shrugs, mesh sheaths, voluminous sleeves and delicate boleros: inspirations to any bride dreading the not-so-unusual strapless or cap-sleeved getup.

According to Maeve, who is surrounded by wedding gowns all day, the trick is to wear the dress, rather than have it wear you. Truer words were never spoken.

A staple, it’s easy to forget that you can accessorize a wedding gown. We’re not talking pearl necklace, diamond earrings and classic pointy-toe shoes. We’re thinking more along the lines of a wedding outfit. A favorite bride from Martha Stewart recently wore a dandelion-yellow vintage cardigan to cover up her otherwise all-white ensemble. The gesture was endearing and casual, and totally acceptable since every other detail was rather polished.

The cardigan also meant that the dress beneath it all didn’t have to carry all the adornments on its own. Start with good bones (remember that Target’s dresses will debut soon), and rely on subtle embellishments to pull a look together. Ali adored the pearly-colored sweater Carly wore to cover up her shoulders for her December wedding and the lovely, gem-encrusted brooch that held Maeve’s light wrap around her waist last June.

Sometimes it’s an unusual necklace, sometimes it’s a cherry-red bolero worn over a marked-down J. Crew dress. Here are some places to start making your wedding look your own.

For covering arms:

For interesting jewels:

For topping it off:

We know that there are some experienced brides and knowledgeable brides-to-be currently reading; do you have any ideas for Shelby?

Think the Utah Heritage Foundation is only for old, nose-in-book, library-lovin’ types? Think again, and check out this cool downtown tour the foundation is hosting. Besides, we like library-lovin’ types.

Any fan of urban redevelopment or old-meets-new/new-meets-old architecture should head to the Big D Construction Building (404 W. 400 South) this Saturday at 9 a.m. where you, your friends, and other design buffs can begin a driving tour of seven refurbished downtown buildings and residences—including the elusive FFKR Architecture structure, we believe.

Tickets for Downtown Reborn can be purchased here, by calling 801-533-0858, or day-of at the Big-D building. The cost is $15 for all you UHF members. The rest of us will pay $20 for the 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. educational and eye-opening tour.

Could be your once-in-a-lifetime or at least once-in-a-longtime chance to have some unique Salt Lake doors swung open for your viewing and learning pleasure. Think of what you’ll be able to tell your grandkids!

{Update:} Check out Judy Magid’s fun and informative article on Downtown Reborn in the Salt Lake Tribune: there’s a full list of tour stops and some sneak-peek photos.

As we’ve said before, we like getting lost in the pages of Design Public. When both of us came across limited edition prints from Hybrid Home and managed to stay on the page for longer than the 2.5 seconds our attentions spans usually provide us when we’re web shopping, we knew we needed to share the info.

Hybrid Home calls itself a home accessory shop with a “friendly approach to modernism”—and we find the fun prints created by designer Dora Drimalas to be friendly in more way than one. First, they’re priced fairly: usually at $40 a pop. Since they’re limited edition, that makes them super-affordable art. Second, the graphic designs are funny and creative (and who doesn’t want something like that around?). Thirdly, they’re heartfelt in a not-too-serious and something-your-boyfriend-would-totally-approve-of way.

Our favorites are Olaf Owl, Dark Red Heart (with its salute to the PONG era), Bike Love, & Peter Pachyderm. All prints come numbered and hand-signed by the artist. You can see the full selection by visiting this page and clicking on “see all.” You can also see pillows by Hybrid Home here. (The prints remain our favorite, though the pillows are fun too.)

Who can say no to a balloon? Anyone who knows Ali knows she can’t turn down the whimsical and colorful things. For the last few months, she’s been on a search for super-round balloons: fun for photo shoots, keeping kids occupied and providing company, when necessary.

So when Maeve showed up on her doorstep with three of the huge-est, roundest balloons the human eye has ever laid eyes on, you can imagine Ali’s surprise and excitement. Leave it to Maeve to track down the balloon of Ali’s dreams.

If you ever need a good backdrop for a family photoshoot or maybe just something to stand-in as someone for a practice photo portrait, this balloon will keep you humored.

Gather inspiration from Patricia McDonough and this sketchbook from Ruby Republic. Then go buy your own batch of seriously-huge balloons at this site. It’s not easy to navigate, but start by selecting the yellow balloon at the top of the page that says “balloons,” then scroll down to “Balloons By Shape or Character” and browse the gazillions of pages for the colors you like. Make sure the balloons you select look round; you can tell by looking at the teaser photos—the balloons you want will be truly circle-shaped. You can also try Zurchers (389 W. 1830 South #300 and 1102 E. Fort Union Blvd), where they are available in limited quantities.

Have a happy weekend.

Here’s a spring/summer salad recipe that’ll beat the pants off of ice cream—even free ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s. It’s full of berries and sour citruses, and topped with candied nuts and crumbly blue cheese. Are you drooling yet?

This salad has become a summer staple in Ali’s home, where it was re-vamped and fine-tuned to perfectly satiate the summer appetite. The recipe is a little rough, which allows each maker to customize it to his/her liking. We hope it becomes a part of your summer too (or spring, we don’t blame you if you can’t hold off.)

Here are the instructions, but you should download the Your Heart Out recipe card here.

Ingredients:

1 package Spring Mix or Continental MIx, mixed with Romaine lettuce.

Strawberries, halved

Blueberries

Avocado, sliced

Pear, sliced–but not until right before serving

Grapefruit, peeled and sliced like a pinwheel

Oranges, peeled and sliced like a pinwheel

Crumbled blue cheese

Sugared pecans, whole or halved

Dressing:

1 package Good Seasons Italian dressing

1 T. sugar (or just a little less)

1 T. poppy seeds (or just a little less)

3 T. Water

1/4 C. Vinegar

1/2 C. Oil

Directions:

Mix all dressing ingredients before adding the oil. It’s best to first toss the lettuce with dressing, then add the fruit and toss with dressing, and put the cheese in at the very end. Don’t overmix.

Enjoy!

Like we said, we love to spread good news. Brace yourself for today’s dose, it’s a good one: Today, at 10 a.m. the opportunity-knockin’ doors to Salt Lake’s very own Forever 21 store swing wide open. Finally! This means you can sleep soundly the next time you need to treat yourself to a I’ve-had-a-hard-day-and-totally-deserve-this blouse, as splurges aren’t part of the Forever 21 equation.

Aside from billowy tops, bold graphic prints, crochet details, romantic button-ups and and babydoll dresses—and a hard-to-beat selection of cute-as-a-bug outerwear—here’s what else you should know about this chic/cheap merchant:

1. Fashion-forward clothing (no kiddin’–you’ll spy-out pieces people will ask you if you got at Anthropologie) at a serious fraction of the cost. Most pieces range between $11.99(!) and $29.99.

2. Those uber-affordable prices, welcome as they may be, result in lower-quality clothing. Be careful when washing and wearing: shirts rip, pants fade and buttons come off quicker than you can say “sewing kit.”

3. Forever 21 carries a great selection of super-cheap accessories like this fun Drawstring Tote, this Ethnic Band and this Studded Pendant Necklace: cheap-and-trendy answers for too-drab outfits.

4. Though a little more grown up (and better designed) than some of its contemporaries like Wet Seal, Forever 21 clothing runs a little small as the target audience is probably a tad younger than curvier twenty-somethings like us.

5. Despite too-tempting price tags, Forever 21 pieces are best worn mixed in with nice pieces. Head-to-toe Forever21 is a dead giveaway. Instead, opt to pair a cute/casual top like this with with your favorite designer jeans. Keep people guessing.

The new two-story shop is located in the north end of the Gateway Mall, on the east side of Rio Grande Street, near the Apple store. We have a feeling this is the beginning of a beautiful and wallet-friendly friendship.

{Update:} Ali checked out Forever 21′s new digs this morning, and, just so you know, the store comes complete with surprisingly chic interior decorating—lucite candelabras and glass chandeliers, as well as pea-green fitting room doors with white trim, backdropped with koi wallpaper. Naturally, the two-story collection includes too many cute dresses and tops to decide on just one … or even three.

Today’s the day. Treat yourself to a generous lunch break and head to the nearest Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop to grab yourself a free ice cream cone. That’s right, it’s Free Cone Day! Does it get any better?

Whether you’re out to revisit an old favorite or take a gander through the list of flavors, you deserve a taste of this summer kick-off, wherever you are. Find the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop nearest you here. The free-for-all is on from noon to 8 p.m.

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