Mrs. Backers has the best signage on South Temple, hands down, if not the best in the valley. It also has the best chocolate rum bars.

Bakin’ up a storm since 1941, this little Salt Lake pastry shop is packed with kitsch and tasty treats. Mrs. Backers might be best-known for its full-size cakes, but we opt for the take-along variety of cookies and signature cake bars/triangles that come in flavors like German chocolate, raspberry cream, and strawberries ‘n’ cream. They’re $2.88 apiece, but prove worthy when it comes to impeccable texture and flavor. Plus, they’re doused in sprinkles on all sides. Olivia says the little lemon cakes are worth trying, too.

While you’re there, you might want to pick up some seasonal pumpkin cookies (with frosting!) or plum bars. You’ll probably need a box. And a fork.

{Wanna Taste?}

Mrs. Backers Pastry Shop
434 E. South Temple
Salt Lake City
(801) 532-2022
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
BakeryFinder.com

The circus is in town! They’re kicking off with an elephant parade today at noon. Check it out while you do some shopping at the Gateway. Get full route information via this article.

Congratulations to Jinjer D., who can use her $30 gift certificate to KM Craft to bring her own little piece of Kelly into her home. We’ll be contacting you shortly, Jinjer.

Thanks again, Kelly!

Forget overrated weekend date nights. This Friday, the choicest place to be (with or without a crush) is Kaleidoscope’s Odd Molly Fashion Event.

Who needs dinner and a movie when you can feast on the latest styles to debut from Swedish organic line Odd Molly, as well as pieces from Violette, Deborah Sweeney, Preloved, EC Star and Treesje. The spread will feature the latest fashions on live models, tasty finger foods, and lots and lots of doorprizes. The Kaleidoscope gals will be handing out prizes every half hour between the hours of 7 and 10 p.m. (Think personal indulgence and gift certificates totaling $1000 altogether….)

Here’s the real kicker: All Kaleidoscope guests will get a 15 percent discount on featured items on Friday night, and Friday night only. Your date had better be something special if you’re willing to pass this up.

{Don’t Miss Out:}

Odd Molly Fashion Event
Kaleidoscope Boutique
4801 N. University Avenue, #350
The Shops at Riverwoods, Orem
Friday, September 28, 7-10 p.m.

Watch out. There’s an new all-you T-shirt site in town. That’s right: you design the shirt, you score the shirt, and you, our friends, take home the winnings (cash prizes!) if you create the best shirt. Of course, you can buy a shirt or two or three, too.

Fittingly called Design By Humans, this site puts wearable art back into the limelight. But there are a few more pointers that make this website a cut above. First and foremost, (and this might have been what sold us on DBH), we couldn’t be happier about the female-friendly shape of the women’s tees. Gone are the boxy, big-shouldered fits of yesteryear. Check out the fashion-forward fits on all of these guys, for example.

Here are a few of our for-her favorites:

• Good and Evil
• Black Market
• Rescue

And for him:

• Citylife
• Luchador Mask Rejects
• Our World

Check out the rest of the selection right here. Or learn more about the T-shirt design process here. Or, you can meet other Humans here. Better still, become a Human yourself.

Design By Humans is kind enough to give YHO readers 15% off your T-shirt purchase. Just enter “YHO” at checkout.

{Doorprize!} We’re really thrilled about this one. The folks over at Design By Humans would also like to give away five DBH tees over the course of five workdays starting next Monday, Oct. 1. Suh-weet! Leave just one comment on this post by this Sunday at 10 p.m. for your chance to win. We’ll announce the winners starting Monday. Or, of course, you could also try your hand at designing a winning tee!

We’ve been known to morph into reality TV junkies, on occasion. We’ve also been known to check out a clothing line simply because of its celebrity backing. (Think “Bitten.” Why turn down a soft $7 T-shirt?)

So when an MTV reality celebrity rolls out a collection, our interest is naturally piqued. We feel like we should be the perfect fit for Lauren Conrad’s debut classy-meets-comfy collection: we subscribe to both Vogue and Teen Vogue. We’re old enough to recognize “The Hills” for what it really is (“Scripted reality? C’mon!”) but carefree enough to tune in, regardless. We’re working professionals with somewhat distinguished taste, but unafraid of sporting jersey knits when we go out.

Sure, we’re on Team LC when it comes to “The Hills” (and Kristin and Heidi). But when it comes to the Lauren Conrad Collection, our loyalty wavers. The design is good but not off-the-charts, and though the prices aren’t 100 percent outlandish, we’re not up for shelving out $45 for LC-”designed” leggings that are usually a safe $20 and under, elsewhere.

What do you guys think? Of Lo? Or Audrina, for example. (Sounds like good celebrity gossip, but it’s not!) Weigh in below….

Predilection: If you have a leaning toward, a liking to, or just a weakness for prints and printmaking, head to the Kayo Gallery tonight. Thirty artists were invited to make creations about or revolving around the word “predilection.” The show’s opening reception (also called “Predilection“) will be tonight from 6 – 9 p.m. All prints will be priced at $30.

Mystery Solved?: The folks behind the “What A Woman Wants” expo think they actually have the what-makes-women-tick mystery figured out. The show promises fashion shows (by Dillards), makeovers, make up and massages. Um, there’s also said to be Utah’s largest Bunko tournament. Get your take on it, and your feel for the season’s “hottest” items today and Saturday at the South Towne Expo Center. Get the details here.

Feeling Green: Our favorite little all-green home improvement store, The Green Building Center, is holding the 2007 Green Home Tour tomorrow from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. You’ll get the lowdown on stuff as nerdy- and cool-sounding as solar electric systems and thermal chimneys, as well as catch up on the latest in recycled options for countertops and flooring. Self-guided tours are $15 per person, with other options available. Go green by clicking here.

Wine & Dine: It’s not too late to get your Dine O’Round on. If you haven’t tried Settebello or Tin Angel yet (or any of the other thirty or so restaurants) now might be the perfect time to try. Learn more via this post.

In Mmmusic: Listen in on Camper Van Beethoven on Monday, The New Pornographers on Tuesday, or The Arcade Fire and LCD Soundstystem on Wednesday. How’s that for a lineup? Get more recommendations from Lacey here.

Payless, Get More: Following the footsteps of Abaete and Lela Rose, line-we-love Alice + Olivia will be the next to grace the boxed-shoe aisles at Payless. The line won’t debut until Spring ’08, but you can get verification here.

Our visit to 300 South’s most upstanding retailer was far overdue. Tisk, tisk and a slap on the wrist for us. Model Citizen is already getting noticed for its good behavior, and it’s a shy five months old.

Here are just a few of its merits:

• Easy-to-shop but generous selection of flirty everyday dresses
• Friendly and reasonable price points: $45 purse, $30 dress, $120 designer jeans, and everything in between
• Cool selection of out of the ordinary men’s tees and button-ups (You can both shop at the same time!)
• Nice ambiance: a li’l Bloc Party, a li’l handsome helper, a li’l artwork on the walls, a li’l fun paint, etc.

We applaud Model Citizen for carrying cute and trendy pieces from no-name labels at prices that match: most dresses are in the $30 range–just what you want to pay for a must-have seasonal outfit. We also like that Model Citizen supports local designers (they carry Filthy Gorgeous and Redemption Department) but don’t make too much fuss about it: A quirky/cute inventory for a hipster-esque audience seems to be the main focus, but their fashion appeals to all style mavens.

Also noteworthy is Model Citizen’s selection of accessories: You’ll see super-soft leggings in bright colors at $12, of-the-moment sunglasses for $12 and assorted cadet- and fedora-style hats for $22, oh my.

{Check It Out:}

Model Citizen
247 E. Broadway (300 South)
Salt Lake City
(801) 355-3588
www.myspace.com/modelcitizenslc

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….

The saying goes something like, “When life gives you a lemon, make lemonade.” Most of us keep that li’l saying in our backpockets, referring to it as needed—when the going gets tough. (Which is supposed to be when the tough get going, right?)

We applaud local card designers from Life’s Lemons for doing just that: making lemonade and staying tough. And also for making us smile when we feel like being crybabies. (Break-ups, layoffs, etc.) Life’s Lemons makes funny out of life’s potholes, because as they say, you might as well “squeeze out the humor in life.”

Here are a few of our favorites

Check out the rest of the stock here. Life’s Lemons cards are sold at these local retailers.

Ever wanted to take part in a vast, collaborative photographic event? Or get you and yours documented in history … or at least the pages of a coffee table book? IKEA, a partner in “America at Home,” has invited you to partake. Here’s the deal, and we quote:

This week only (Sept. 17th – 23rd), millions of amateur photographers and 100 of the nation’s leading photojournalists will capture the rituals, emotions, intimate moments and events that transform your house into a HOME. Over this single seven-day period, you are invited to help document the harmonies and paradoxes of home life across America.

All you have to do is take photos and upload them to the site. Monday is obviously already over and it’s probably too late to carry out Tuesday’s assignment, but you can see the rest of the week’s schedule by clicking right here.

“America At Home” is open to writers too! See here.

Everyone, meet Kelly McCaleb. Kelly, meet everyone.

Kelly leads a “happy little life” right here in Utah, and she’s one of our favorite crafty bloggers and Etsy divas. She calls herself a “crafty mama” by occupation, but we know she’s so much more: blogger, photographer-in-the-making, designer, seamstress and first-rate scrapbooker, to name a few. Oh yes, and she’s also a mom with degrees in psychology and health education from “the BY.”

Kelly is a designer for Poppy Ink, an artful memory-keeping company, and also does guest work for Li’l Davis. Her paper crafts have been featured in the spreads of such mags as Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Scrapbook Trends, Cards and Paper Crafts. You can see a handful of her creations by following this link.

But like we said, paper isn’t the only thing that Kelly can give a healthy dose of makeover to. Her creating-and-crafting hobby is practically lifelong, as she hit up anyone and everyone she knew for lessons in their trade—including the ol’ ladies in her neighborhood. (Who better to learn needlework from?) She started sewing in high school because she wanted to make her own unique clothing, and kept up the hobby, becoming most involved when she became pregnant with her daughter. “I wanted to create unique and simple things for her that I couldn’t find in the stores … not for the right price, anyway,” she says.

We’re big fans of these things she’s crafted up along the way:

• This twee “Quiet Book”
• This handmade smock
• This bird-embellished bag
• These wool “Little Man” booties

Kelly started whipping up crib sets, quilts and dresses for her daughter, and soon enough, the requests started rolling in. As you can see, Kelly and Etsy were a natural fit. At her store, KM Craft, you can pick up notions like quilting kits, mini-album kits made from vintage books, retro dress patterns and trimmings, fabric stacks and more, with Kelly as your personal shopper and project instructor.

You can see more of what this Californian-turned-Utahn is up to at her blog, “My Happy Little Life.” Kelly aims to inspire other women to be creative. “I am an advocate for living simply, re-using and surrounding yourself in beauty,” she says. Here’s a little more from this new-age Martha:

Name: Kelly McCaleb

Occupation: Crafty Mama

When I grow up, I want to be:A homeowner!

The best thing about growing up in Utah was: I didn’t grow up here, but I’m happy to have a safe, family-friendly community to raise my children in.

If/When I have 24 hours in Utah, I always:

Eat at Cafe Rio

Lay in the wave pool at Seven Peaks

Hit the thrift stores

Utah has the best: Attitude about children and families.

Now I live in: Highland, Utah

Highland has the best: Garage sales!

If I could be anywhere right now, it would be:Paris! London! Tahiti! Thailand! Anywhere exciting!

Five hearts:

A clean house Fabric Dancing

A great book and sun bathe

Food, movies, mags, life!

Five hates:

Bad drivers (sorry Utah, you have a lot o them)

Anything/anyone artificial

Senator Palpatine/the “Dark Side” in general

Animal hair

Premenstrual syndrome

I can’t live without my: Magazine subscriptions (Martha Stewart Living, Domino, Blueprint, Everyday Food, to name a few).

The last party I went to was: My daughter’s 4th birthday!

And I wore: A skirt, as per usual.

Favorite product on your site: Most things I make are one-of-a-kind, so they come and go quickly. But I keep this Wall Hanging Kit around for people who want to make something fun on their own. (It comes with frames and pattern, unfinished.) I love it.

Favorite product on earth: Fabric designed by Denyse Schmidt. Also called “Free Spirit Fabrics.”

{Doorprize!} Kelly would like to gift one Your Heart Out reader with a $30 gift certificate to her Etsy store. We recommend her personalized Wall Hanging Kit or one of her vintage Mini Album Paper Crafting Kits, but you can see what else is in store right here. To win, leave just one comment on this post by 10 p.m. on Monday, September 24.

Thanks Kelly!

The dates are in. And so are the lists of behind-the-scenes, movie-watching and celeb-spotting opportunities.

Check out the job positions here.

Or begin the volunteer application here.

Assignment: City’s Best “Snowcone”
Stop No. 3: Pace’s Dairy Ann
Location: 1180 S. 500 West, Woods Cross

Ok, ok. I know it’s been a while since I last came ’round, but I have excuses. What with snowcone season winding down and all, it’s been a bit tough to find places that are open, let alone worth YHO mention. So I decided to put some reader suggestions to the test, and wouldn’t ya know it, they hit the spot. Sort of.

I headed up north to Woods Cross to check out Pace’s Dairy Ann. It’s an old-timey hamburger joint with loads of fun treats. Not to be deterred by the abundant menu, I stayed focused and went straight for the kill: the Rainbow. With a slush-like consistency, power-packed flavor (I tried peach—the same peach that made Pace’s popsicles famous) and a swirl of soft-serve to boot, it’s easy to see why this frosty delight warms hearts over with ease.

True, it’s not your classic snowcone. Hence the “sort of.” But seriously, what’s not to love about a truly tasty alternative? (Or a place with “Dairy Ann” in the name?) Especially this time of year, when it’s slim-pickings for us snowcone lovers. Pace’s is open year-round.

Smells Like School Spirit: Jack’s Mannequin is lined up to grace the Union stage with the Format at this year’s Redfest, taking place tonight. Tickets are $5 for U students and $17 for GA. Get more info here.

Testing Ground: See the guy who plays music using VHS casettes and the other one who can play Stairway to Heaven backwards. See Dance Theatre Coalition’s “Proving Ground” Saturday and Sunday at the Rose Wagner Black Box Theater. Learn more here.

King Kong: A middle school science teacher and hot sauce mogul battle it out for position as world’s best Donkey Kong player in King of Kong, a documentary about the truest arcade nerds, now playing at the Broadway. And you thought you had skills. See show times here.

In Mmmusic: Who’ll it be? The Editors? Damien Rice? Josh Rouse? Hear any and all when they take various venues next week. Get the details via Lacey. Who else?

SJP’n'More: Sarah Jessica isn’t the only celeb rolling out ultra-affordable clothing lines with Steve & Barry’s. Check out Amanda Bynes’ pre-teen line called “Dear.” And the latest to join the S&B train? Venus Wiliams. Her athletic line called “Eleven” hits floors in November, and we’re assuming Salt Lake’s Steve & Barry’s will be open by then.

La Luna: Luna’s Italian Ice has reopened just a few doors up from Mazza on our favorite 9th and 9th streets. Hurry up, before summer is really over. It’s still warm, right?

Have a nice weekend. We hope you enjoy the mostly-sunny skies.

A house built in 1948 didn’t know what hit it when YHO reader Christy B. got her hands on it. Away went the brown shag carpet, wood-paneled walls and scary linoleum. Now, Christy’s pad is bright, cheery and stylish. Homegirl’s got style.

Here’s one of her new favorite spots. We especially like how Christy made chic out of her family history with this display of ten shots in the Netherlands, where her mother were born. The images formerly belonged to her grandma.

And look what she’s done with her living room. Who wouldn’t want to do a little entertaining in this cool and airy spot, with its soft blue-meets-brown palette and flow of natural light. For extra impressiveness, check out the “before” pictures right here and here.

Thanks for sharing, Christy! Remember to send pics of your favorite spot to hello@yourheartout.com.

Good news for all you diner-outers. Salt Lake’s Fall Dine O’Round starts tomorrow and extends through September 30. And newcomers to this musical chairs of eating-out include Acme Burger Company, Tin Angel and Settebello. And maybe you.

Two-course lunches are $10 and three-course dinners are $15 or $30 (just a tad higher than spring’s version) at any of the 33(!) participating restaurants. Check out your options right here.

If you’re the artsy shmartsy type, you can also opt for packages with the Utah Symphony tomorrow and Friday, or Ririe Woodbury dance company September 20 through 22. Get more info here.

{See For Yourself:}

Fall Dine O’Round
September 14-30
Various locations

Congratulations to Lisa H., Dee Z., and Katie from Colorado who will soon be walking, running and maybe even skipping in their new RYKA kicks.

We’ll soon be e-mailing y’all with details of your winnings.

And don’t forget to sign up for more winnings at RYKA’s “Good For Your Sole” headquarters.

Thanks, RYKA!