By Liz Stanley

Perhaps your study area needs a simple and modern desk? See it here.

An investment in this clean-lined Jens Risom coffee table could pay off. See it here.

Paint it white and it’ll be twice as nice. See it here.

Does the house need two new seating options? See them here.

Treat yourself to a new accent chair. Recovering optional. See it here.

You guys know a whole lotta stuff that we don’t. There are only a few of us and a lot more of y’all and you know what they say about two or six or eight hundred minds being better than one. So this week, we’re throwing it out to you. Tell us what’s on your agenda for the next week, and we’ll love you for it.

Share below!

By Ali Anderson Smith
Photography by Lacey Jane Pappas

We don’t know who this Babinski character is, but we do know that he/she has a super good eye for scoping out baby stuff. This end-all, be-all boutique for baby shower shopping in Foothill Village isn’t new to the ‘hood, but its always-consistent inventory of cutting-edge cute items keeps it continually under your radar, whether you have a kiddo or not.

Think Oeuf’s sweet grey Sparrow Crib or modern Dwell bedding. Or snatch up a classic Storytime rocking chair or forward-thinking Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair. Blabla soft toys are in full effect as are Boon’s dining doodads. But aside from the come-to-see-it-in-person stuff, you’ll also see essentials like shelves of children’s books and urban BundleMe blankets, which makes us like this place even more.

One part clothing store, one part furniture shop and another part stroller gallery, it’s fair to say that Babinski’s has something of everything. There are diaper bags to try on for size, every shape and style of baby sock-shoe and several different Bugaboo strollers to try your hand at folding up. But some of our favorite items are those typically placed around the register. That’s where you’ll find truly special items from small-time (and local!) designers like Lou and Lee headbands and one-of-a-kind onesies from V. Lou Textiles. We love to see locals supporting locals. That’s what we’re here for too.

{B-b-baby)

Babinski’s Baby
1324 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City
(801) 583-2229
www.babinskis.com

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

If there was ever any validity to the expression “too much of a good thing,” Guru’s cafe is offering it up. Violating all standards of moderation with an impressive variety of dishes that are fresh, wholesome, innovative and totally affordable, Provo residents have an excess of good on their hands with this one.

A few of the options for the indecisive at this eatery-with-cool-decor (an eccentric but modern mix featuring exposed ventilation, punched tin and whimsical sculpture) include salads, soups, wraps, burritos, quesadillas, pasta and rice bowls, as well as a handful of vegetarian options. If you’re up for a tasty-sounding starter, you can try loaded nachos, chips with hummus or sweet potato fries with southwest fry sauce.

I’m one for fries as an appetizer and I was impressed by the exceptional crunchiness of the battered potatoes which were complemented with Guru’s smoky-meets-tangy version of fry sauce. As far as sweet potato fries go, these are among the best. The tasty southwest chipotle wrap comes with chips and house-made salsa and is filled with chicken, corn, lettuce, black beans, cheese and chipotle dressing. An overflowing salmon rice bowl includes crisp, julienne veggies with seared chunks of salmon, which, despite their bite-size status, aren’t overcooked and are served drenched in creamy red pepper sauce.

Dessert is a good experience, too. We went with a “half-sized” but still huge portion of Guru’s chocolate cake a la mode that tasted as dreamy and decadent as it looked. If this is how real gurus fuel up before a spiritual fast, sign us up.

{Guru ‘n You}

Guru’s
45 E. Center Street, Provo
(801) 375-4878
www.guruscafe.com

By Liz Stanley

Spotted: Vintage heels and depression-era hats to polish off your skinny jeans or wool skirt.

Good For: Embracing the recession with style and adding color to your winter wardrobe

Where: Decades Vintage Clothing (627 S. State Street, Salt Lake City)

How Much: Prices vary, approximately $10 – $30

By Liz Stanley

Support your neighbors! Here are a few ideas for doing so:

Organic Octopus Onesie / $18 / By Inkpony

Emo Stripes Bloomers / $10.50 / By Rae Gun

Hand-sewn Pillow Cover / $18 / By V.Lou Textiles

Knitting Tote Bag / $20 / By The Funky Bag Lady

Kewpie Doll Matchbook Notepads / $3.50 / By Amy Elise Designs

Small Red Zipper Pouch / $15 / By MafeMaria

Rustic Heart Earrings / $25 / By KTK Silver

Stroll It Up: Time for Salt Lake’s monthly Gallery Stroll tomorrow night. We’re intrigued by a “Big Lebowski” tribute show at Signed and Numbered. You can peruse the official gallery lineup here.

Art for the Fam: Head to the UMFA on the third Saturday of each month for an artistic timeout with your little ones. Third Saturday for Families is free and kicks off this weekend at 2 p.m. with a look at love-themed canvases. Details here.

Romeo, Romeo: Valentine’s Day has come and gone but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get your dose tragic love with Shakespeare’s greatest. The Pioneer Theatre Company puts on “Romeo and Juliet” through February 28. Catch times and tickets here.

In Mmmusic: Your listening options for the next week include such talents as The Appleseed Cast, the Submarines and one-man wonder Andrew Bird. Get your tickets via Lacey’s Music Guide.

And, Citta is now open in Foothill Village in Salt Lake City. Go for a panini, tomato soup, or the new pink grapefruit gelato.

By Jessica Baucom

Thanks to her style savvy, this beauty was posted on street-style site Border Line. Maybe you, like me, love this look because it’s simple and comfortable but still fashionable—the kind of thing you would wear every and any day. (Especially if you had those cute legs.) The trendy leggings balance out her otherwise oversize sweater, and paired with all those black accessories, it’s instantly chic. All of these components make this ensemble a good candidate for conversion to a living space—the kind of place you would want to spend a lot of time in.

So, let’s do just that. Here’s how to translate this chic-yet-cozy look to an interior. Today we’ll be shooting for the dining room since it’s a space that’s put on the back burner far too often.

Color: Following this color palette is a pretty straight-forward affair, but accomplishing that edgy-but-casual feel takes a little more effort. This girl’s punchy red hair gives her look a surprising dose of spirit and will come in handy in giving this room some color. Use flowers or bring in colorful art to vamp up the color scheme.

Seating: For a twist on traditional, try using a long sofa or bench for a casual yet sophisticated seating option. Because this piece is antique, it comes with a big price tag ($12,000) but if you keep your eyes (and Craigslist) open, you’re likely to come up upon something similar at an estate sale.

Furniture: The cabinet adds drama with its high-gloss back paint and matching monochromatic dishes. Check out the D.I. or an unfinished furniture manufacturer to locate an affordable piece that’s makeover-ready. All you’ll need is a can of high-gloss paint to carry out the same look.

Flooring: The Ralph Lauren carpet is a wool resembling that can’t-live-without-it sweater. For purchase locally, step into Regency Royal on 400 West between 300 and 400 South. Or for a more affordable option, try a simple cotton woven rug from Pottery Barn to accomplish the same feel minus the price tag.

Item breakdown:

1. Chandelier from Sundance Catalog
2. Linen pillow from Crate & Barrel
3. Archived image from Remodelista.com
4. Orange and red ranunculus from local flower shop
5. Ladder chair from BDDW
6. Black laquer dining table from 1st Dibs
7. Carpet from Ralph Lauren
8. Sofa from 1st Dibs

Send design and decorating questions for Jessica to ali@yourheartout.com with “Interior Motives” in the subject line.

By Liz Stanley

Nestled near the 9th and 9th area of Sugarhouse, from a first glance, Emilie Jayne might seem like yet another upscale consignment boutique with home furnishings in good condition, classic servingware and general, tasteful decorative household items—displayed in very nice monochromatic displays (which is one of the easiest ways to make goods look appealing, in my opinion).

But you would be pleasantly surprised to find that among the classic pieces are hidden vintage treasures scattered about … and for a steal. Of particular appeal is the vintage children’s section hidden in the rear of the store. I would go as far as saying that it just might be the best vintage children’s section I’ve ever laid eyes on—especially if you like to scout-out good deals like I do.

I picked up a good-sized basket filled to the brim with old alphabet blocks for a mere $25. I also got hung up on a huge, framed vintage map for $29 that took every ounce of self control I could muster up to walk away from. Anywhere else, those items would have been ticketed at twice the price, at least.

Cottage classics and items from yesteryear made for a unique selection, and the employees are particularly friendly, making things only more tempting. I’ll definitely be back to turn over more treasure, but I’ll be lucky if I can harness my self control the next time around.

{Emilie with an “ie”}

Emilie Jayne
801 S. 800 East, Salt Lake City
(801) 359-3356

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

My first experience with Indian food a few years back was slightly intimidating. Something about picking from 18 kinds of curry and words with double vowels (naan, saag, etc.) was a bit overwhelming—even for a daring diner. Luckily, I was in the company of friends who had vast Indian cuisine experience and they guided me into the wonderful world of chicken tikka masala and coconut kurma. Soon, Chinese and Thai food were demoted by this new favorite good; the hierarchy was forever altered and to me, Indian food became king.

Here in Utah, we’re blessed to have several great options for Indian cuisine but among the best in this royal loop is Himilayan Kitchen in Salt Lake City. Gear up for a great meal and start out with vegetable samosas. We risked burning our mouths tearing through these bad boys, consisting of curried potatoes and peas wrapped in pastry dough and deep-fried til crispy, accompanied by mint and tamarind chutney. Another great option is the Himalayan vegetable platter which includes samosas as well as vegetable pokara and onion bhaji—kind of like Indian tempura veggies and onion rings, and totally delicious.

I can’t seem to leave an Indian joint without sampling their chicken tikka masala recipe (a great option for novices, and too tasty not to be frequently revisited). The chicken was skewer-roasted before being dropped into a spicy and creamy tomato sauce that’s best soaked up with rice and naan. But we had to try something from the Himalayan menu—this is Himalayan Kitchen, after all. Our server recommended the Himalayan momos: chicken dumplings with onion, ginger and cilantro mixed in, and curry sauce for drizzling. Even if we had to consider hiking Everest to sample these again, we’d seriously consider it.

For dessert, try the mango pudding. It’s sweet and creamy, topped with unexpected but welcome cashews and raisins. Delicious and and authentic. Just like everything else on the menu.

{The Himalayan Experience}

Himalayan Kitchen
73 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
(801) 328-2077
www.himalayankitchen.com

By Liz Stanley

Maybe you’ll take a liking to any of these items from yesteryear or yesterday:

Dress up your end table with this funky hand-painted lamp. See it here.

Make an affordable statement with this Ikea rug. See it here.

This brown velvet beauty might only require some pop art-inspired pillows. See it here.

It’s $35 and in good condition. See it here.

We like the looks of those round chrome pulls. See it here.

Pair this mirror with glossy white paint for instant glam. See it here.

Remember these guys from last year? They’ll come in handy when your co-worker leaves a surprise on your desk or you misspell one too many words on your last letterpress card. It happens. All you have to do to get your hands on one of these lovelies is download a YHO design right here.

Sign, seal, deliver. We’re yours. Happy Valentines Day!

And if that doesn’t do it, maybe this news about In-N-Out will warm things up for you this weekend….

Love Zine: Prove your cool factor and author/craft your own zine for your 2009 valentine when the Main Library holds a Valentine Zine-Making Workshop at 6 p.m. tonight. Don’t know what a zine is? We think you’d love to find out. Info here.

Practice that Kirtsy: Learn to put on your best Kirtsy and try out Twitter at an evening with Startup Princess tonight from 7 – 9 p.m. at , where YHO’s own Liz Stanley will be dishing about using social media platforms to your advantage. Get the details here.

Yes, Madame: East meets West when Ballet West puts on its latest programme, “Madame Butterfly,” beginning tomorrow and running through March 21 at Capitol Theatre. Get your tickets and your dose of culture here.

Dance ‘n Dine: Who says you’re too old to go to a dance? Cut some rug and chow down on lovely cuisine at Thanksgiving Point’s Valentine Dinner Dance on Saturday night. Shake it with Joe Muscalino, then polish off the evening with strawberry panna cotta. Details here.

Have Your Cake: Utah’s Beverly Hills Bakery shows its generous side and celebrates its four-year anniversary with a complimentary dessert buffet on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m at its retail location, 902 Logan Avenue. Mmm hmmm. Now that’s our kind of customer appreciation.

Locals Only: SLC boutique Model Citizen is wisening up to local talent and is looking to go all-local, all the time … in terms of merchandise. Want your product on their shelves? Send an e-mail to model.citizen.slc@gmail.com to set up an appointment.

Wild Wallace: Make a toast to (or enjoy a slice of cake for) Wallace Stegner’s Centennial Celebration. Undoubtedly one of the greatest talents to emerge from the likes of Utah and the western U.S., you can watch a new documentary highlighting Wallace’s literary and environmental insight Wednesday at the Main Library. More here.

And on that note, we think Stegner would be proud if you tried to green-ify your small business. Any other loverly events you’ll be heading to? Share below!

Meet Caroline King. She’s new around here, and we think you’re going to like her … as well as her treats. A baker of the truest kind (she’d carry her Kitchen Aid with her at all times, if she could), she’ll be reviewing recipes, filling us in on her latest culinary adventures and sharing her tips, ideas and expertise—and making your sweetheart’s red velvet the best they’ve had.

Today’s sweet: Red Raspberry Velvet Cake
Recipe from: Cooking Light

As a child, I remember my mom making a red velvet just once. (We are more of a pie family, so not a lot of cake-eating happened at our house.) I was totally mesmerized by its beauty—dark, red cake with glorious fluffy white frosting all over it. I had never made it or even enjoyed a bite of it myself until I ran into this recipe on Cooking Light a few years ago. Ever since I made it for a holiday party, it’s been on high request. It’s also perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays and any other feel-like-eating-cake day. The raspberry jam in the middle makes this one especially unique.

Here’s the recipe from Cooking Light. You’ll see my tips and additions in parentheses below.

Ingredients:

3 cups sifted cake flour (I used regular flour and it came out alright)
2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa (To me, Scharffen Berger is the best)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 large egg whites
2 cups fat-free buttermilk (I use regular milk with about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Let it sit for a bit until  the milk curdles like buttermilk. And that means one less thing to buy at the store!)
1 (1-oz). bottle red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:

7 oz. “1/3-less-fat cream cheese” (Make sure this is softened)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups powdered sugar (I added a little bit of milk to make it less stiff)

Remaining ingredient:

1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam (I tried jam with seeds; I like the added texture)

Preparation:

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Coat 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray and line bottoms of pans with wax paper. (If you coat with a cooking spray that has flour mixed in, you don’t need the wax paper.)

Lightly spoon 3 cups cake flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, and next three ingredients. (Sift the cocoa if you have a way to do so; it will mix in much better.) Set aside.

Beat granulated sugar and butter with a mixer and medium speed for four minutes or until well blended. Add egg whites to sugar mixture; beat at medium speed 5 minutes or until fluffy. Combine buttermilk, food coloring, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a small bowl; stir well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix just until moistened.

Pour batter into prepared cake pans. Sharply tap pans once on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake at 350 degrees for 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. (Be sure to rotate pans half-way through.) Cool in pans 10 minutes; then remove from pans. Cook cake layers completely on wire racks.

To prepare frosting, combine cheese and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer and high speed 3 minutes or until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat at low speed just until blended. (Do not overbeat.)

To assemble cake, place once cake layer on a plate. Spread with jam; top with second cake layer. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

Who’s your favorite president? FDR? JFK? This Monday, we think it will be Honest Abe, since his dapper beard will be decorating each little five-dollar bill you hand over at Shade Clothing‘s Five Dollar Sale at Provo High School. That’s right, each item will be priced at just five dollars, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Provo High School’s IB CAS Club. So you can feel good about your shopping binge, too.

{Five Bucks, Five Bucks}

Shade Clothing President’s Day Five Dollar Sale
Monday, February 16, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Provo High School Commons Area
1125 N. University Avenue, Provo
www.shadeclothing.com

By Stephanie Brubaker
Photography by Anna Jones

To eat at Les Madeleines is to love Les Madeleines. Romina Rasmussen, a Utah native officially trained in New York, unofficially trained in Asia and granted bonafide Francophile status (by us) continues to wow locals with her beautifully-presented desserts and the creativity mixed into her savory treats—all available at her French-inspired patisserie nestled on 200 South.

Why is Les Madeleines crushable? First and foremost, because Romina uses only high-quality ingredients—including a type of butter that’s better than what you can find in France, if you can imagine, and as a result her pastries not only taste delicious but their intense flavors linger just long enough on your tastebuds.

Moreover, she whips up favorites that include hard-to-find Kouing-Aman (also spelled “kouign”). Romina’s recipe has a cult following that keeps customers coming back for more. Seriously—Les Madeleines is one of only two bakeries in the states offering this pastry delight, originally from Brittany. Another winter pick is the Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart, showing off the most in the citrus season. If you’re visiting for lunch, go for the sesame chicken wrap or the caprese with house-made pomme frites (yep, that’s French for French fry). If you’re a lavender fan, don’t leave without a glass of lavender lemonade. Savor it; you’ll be transported to Provence while it lasts.

We dare you to walk in this patisserie/cafe combo and treat yourself to just one item. In fact, we’re so confident that we’ll double dog dare you. All signs point to your loving everything on the menu as much as we do. Promesse.

{J’taime}

Les Madeleines Patisserie & Cafe
216 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City
(801) 355-2294
www.les-madeleines.com

By Lisa Van Orman Hadley

Lets talk about Local First. It’s a non-profit that connects the local community with Utah business owners. While it might not be realistic to shop all-local, all the time, there are myriad reasons why you should consult the Local First business directory before heading straight to the chain store.

First, shopping locally is fun. (Think The Store, Pace’s Dairy Ann, Glaus French Pastry and Elemente). More importantly, buying locally is smart because it boosts the economy where you live and can also be good for the environment. For example, take Wal-mart vs. the King’s English (1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City). On one hand, you have an unsightly big-box store that covers acres of undeveloped land. On the other, you have a local bookstore set in a charming urban neighborhood. Locally-owned stores like King’s English are often located in preexisting neighborhoods rather than sprawling subdivisions. Why is this important? It means they take up fewer natural resources and help rejuvenate ailing cities. And the money you spend in local stores has a better chance of being “recycled” into the local economy instead of, say, being shipped off to the Walton family in Oklahoma.

In the spirit of supporting local businesses (something we’re continually striving to promote here at YHO), there are two items we want to tell you about. First, it’s not too late to sign up for a CSA share at Bell Organic Gardens in Draper, where you’ll get weekly deliveries of local, organic produce all summer long. Second, mark your calendars for the Live Green-Downtown Sustainability Festival on May 9 at Library Square in Salt Lake City. We’ll fill you in on the details as the date closes in but if you’re a local vendor, you should consider filling out an application now to sell your own green goods at the fest. Get more info here.

So, you’re feeling a bit more comfortable with that DSLR of yours. Or maybe you recently blew the dust off your dad’s old Nikon. Either way, it’s time for you to take the next step with that fine piece of machinery and really unleash your hidden talent.

Register now to be one of 14 in Jonathan Canlas’s “Film is Not Dead” workshop, held on the mainland in San Francisco this time around, and you’ll be one step closer to meeting your inner potential. Taking place July 13 through 15 in the city’s Mission District, the workshop includes 3 days of hands-on shoots and daily lectures. And your morning and afternoon meals will be furnished (and unforgettable … but don’t take our word for it).

Some topics that will be covered include but are not limited to:

• Film: who, what, when, why and how
• Learning to love family formals
• Storytelling through details
• Making every event publishable
• How to define your vision

The cost is $2,000 if you register before March 1, and also includes unlimited amounts of film provided by FujiFilm, a workbook and accompanying DVD containing all workshop info. To sign up, send an e-mail with “Film Is Not Dead” in the subject line to jonathan@jonathancanlasphotography.com.

{It’s Alive}

Film is Not Dead
Jonathan Canlas Photography
July 13 – 15, 2009 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
San Francisco, California
(801) 358-3151
www.filmisnotdead.blogspot.com

The locals are feeling the love. Maybe this list of heart-inspired, handmade items will fill your heart too.

Cassandra Necklace / $16 / By MD Sparks

Valentine Oreos / $12 / By Double Dipped Sweets

Candy Love Photograph / $20 / By Red Tulip Photography

Printable Valentines / $4.50 / By Little Paper Dog

Titanium Ring Set / $99 / By Titanium Knights

Petite Hearts / $2.50 / From Memrie Mare

Message in a Bottle / $19 / By Clay Haven

Resting Within Photograph / $18 / By The Province of My Mind

Felt Chocolate Covered Strawberries / $12 / By Sewn Sweets

Vintage Valentines / $4.99 / From Cindy Lou Quilts

Surprise Kisses Card / $3 / By Sarah Jane Studios

Dozen Valentine Cookies / $30 / By Busy Izzy Bakery

At Market: For a unique and thoughtful Valentine’s gift you’ll love, head to the Art Market at Sugarhouse Garden Center on Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and (updated!) Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. More here.

En Pointe: Head to Provo this weekend to see London’s Royal Ballet School at BYU’s Pardoe Theatre, where pretty will inevitably meet perfect. Snatch your tickets here.

Art Around: Grab your puffy coat and take it to the streets in Utah County when the Provo Gallery Stroll pops off on Friday night. The list of participants just keeps getting longer … and better. We’ll be looking into Roland Thompson’s “Twenty Four Seven” at Sego Art Center, and a group show focused on love at Low Brow. Watch for updates here.

Love Me Tender: Ever wanted to refine your hand at writing prose for an unrequited love … on paper? Check out a Love Letter writing class at the Main Library in Salt Lake City on Saturday, where you can rework your handwritten love-note skills. Get more info here.

And don’t forget to stock up on Shade essentials for $3 and under tomorrow and Saturday. Details here.