From fun images (owls in love and yellow umbrellas) to cheeky names and cute fonts, Etsy seller Ello There will have you at … hello. This Salt Lake-based shop spins out semi-customizeable save-the-dates and wedding invitations that allow you to choose your own wording and color schemes. Cheery and just a bit campy, we dig designs like the chalkboard-inspired Jackie & Robert and the eye-catching Big Red Balloon.

As an added bonus, Ello There works on a wind-powered press so your invitations can come guilt-free. And they’ll throw in rounded corners for free, if you like.

{Say Hi}

Ello There
www.etsy.com/shop/ellothere

Happy Thanksgiving, turkey lurkeys. As always, we’re grateful for you guys this time of year … and every time of year. Enjoy your family time and Black Friday extravaganza. And of course, your feast.

Til Monday….

Dear Santa,

We know you’re busy this time of year, but if you could pretty please squeeze it in, we’d appreciate it if you swing by the exclusive Pamper Yourself Trunk Show in Heber next Wednesday. We’ll have one of those delicious handbags we saw featured in Elle and Vogue. Or, if you’d rather, that beautiful necklace we spied in In Style will do the job. While you’re at it, grab some of those letterpressed thank-you cards for our stockings.

We’ll be sure to send you one.

Xoxo, YHO

{Pamper You & Yours}

Pamper Yourself Trunk Show
Wednesday, December 2, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sycamore Street Press Shop
904 S. 300 West, Heber
(435) 671-3001

When Friday comes a day early, so does Thursday. Three cheers for turkey, tofurkey and an entire day dedicated to giving thanks. Here’s what’s up for next week:

Hurry Up/Stock Up: If you stop by Broadway’s Slow Train today for their Biggest Sale Ever, you’ll pick up any in-stock album for just $9.99. Downloads are what, $1.25, these days? You do the math. Sale details here.

Light It Up: The magic happens at 5:25 p.m. on Friday. Aside from the old favorites like Temple Square’s million strong, this year, Grand America boasts “A Grand Holiday Festival” and the new 222 Main unveils three holiday-themed window displays. Get the rundown from the Des here.

Ice For You: The Gallivan Center rink is ready for you to carve it up on Thanksgiving Day at noon. Bring a can of food and get free skate rental. Check it out here.

The Strokes: Language and artistry come together with writing by Chinese calligraphy artist Ma Weihua, now on at the Main Library. Writing/painting since age ten, he also takes it out on wood and stone. Info here.

In the Trunk: The UMFA hosts its first-ever Trunk Sale on Wednesday, December 2. Local artists and consigners come together, along with free admission, gift wrap and holiday music. Shopping starts at 4 p.m. More here.

And if you’re still stumped with the turkey lurking, visit this archived post for some last-minute inspiration and know-how.

By Caroline King

One of the reasons I love Thanksgiving so much is all pie. You name it: pecan, apple, rhubarb, chocolate banana cream, and of course, pumpkin. Pumpkin is practically obligatory, but oh-so delicious. It’s such a simple pie, but when made right, it’s really tough to beat.

This pumpkin pie recipe from my very own mom has the best flavor and texture of any I’ve tried. Then I saw a link for a dulce de leche pumpkin pie on recipegirl.com via foodgawker, and it looked pretty amazing. So, to marry two great recipes, I added the dulce de leche that this recipe calls for to my mom’s. It’s a fantastic twist on an old classic.

Ingredients:

1 unbaked pie crust
3/4 can of dulce de leche (I microwaved for about 20 seconds to soften)
1 1/4 cup pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1 tablespoon flour
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup evaporated milk
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and move the rack to the second-to-bottom position. Scoop softened dulce de leche in unbaked pie shell and set aside. Combine pumpkin, sugar, salt, spices and flour in a mixing bowl. Add egs; mix well. Add evaporated milk, water and vanilla. Mix well. Pour mixture into shell, on top of dulce de leche. Bake for 45 – 50 minutes until center jiggles only slightly.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. It’s all about making a good impression. And just in time for the card-crazy season ahead, Eva Jorgensen of Sycamore Street Press is squeezing in two more Beginning Letterpress Classes this very Saturday!

On November 28, head to Heber and get impressed by letterpress. In four hours, you’ll learn the jist of this cool, ages-old printing method, and leave with your own set of 50 handprinted, made-by-you holiday cards plus envelopes and liners.

The class size is limited to ten, which means you need to sign up soon. (Like, today or maybe tomorrow.) It also means you won’t get stuck staring at the tall guy’s back.

Register by sending an e-mail to eva (at) sycamorestreetpress.com.

{Impressed?}

Beginning Letterpress Class
With Eva Jorgensen
November 28, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 3 – 7 p.m.
Sycamore Street Press Studio
Heber, Utah
$50 class fee, plus $45 materials fee
www.sycamorestreetpress.com
www.sycamorestreetclasses.blogspot.com

Here’s the latest from around the state:

Elk Thread Sketch / $30 / By Baumcat

Faux Bois Clock / $46 / By Faire Houre

Vintage Secrets Necklace / $17.50 / By Liv(e) and Love

Mini Blue Journal / $10 / By Green Flag Design

Baby Boy Shoe Pattern / $4.49 / By Lady Bug

Futuristic Wolf T-Shirt / $20 / By Dela Flamant

Checked Leg Warmers for Baby / $8 / By Princess Boutiq

Drumset Onesie / $15 / By The Full Spectrum

Sometimes the weekend comes a day early. Or at least it feels like it. Case in point: Tom and Lucy’s Art Shoppe kicks off tuh-day … along with Tuh-wilight once midnight strikes. (Don’t worry; Tom & Lucy will have Team Edward and Team Jacob goodies on-hand, to tie your day together nicely.)

The crafty energy strikes up at a clubhouse in Lehi. You’ll see pressed monogram pendants, locally-made graphic prints, mod diaper bags, handbags crafted with vintage materials, feather-ridden hairpieces and a whole lotta more. See it all as the show continues through Saturday night.

{Shoppe It Up}

Tom & Lucy’s Art Shoppe
November 19, 4 – 9 p.m; November 20, 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.; and November 21, 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Ivory Ridge Country Club
32 E. Clubview Lane, Lehi (directions)
www.tomandlucysartshoppe.com

Newcomer Angela (welcome!) is looking for somewhere special to celebrate her visiting nephew’s very first birthday. Aside from making sure the man of the hour has the time of his life, she’s hoping for a restaurant that the adults can enjoy while the kids stay busy. So … maybe something beyond the Chuck E. Cheese routine.

You’ll get bonus points if you find a place that’s locally-owned. Chime in below!

If you’re gonna go for a natural high, we figure a design high is a good place to start. And since we all love our designy blogs (think interior design, decorating, DIY-ing, fashion, photography, graphic and product design, to name a few), we’re thrilled to spread the news about what might be the end-all, be-all design blogger high.

Aptly named, the Altitude Design Summit, selected Utah as its home for 2010. Overlapping with the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Alt goes down (or up) January 21 – 23 in Salt Lake City. Aside from shmoozing with your favorite artistic types, you’ll get smartened up on the likes of marketing, monetizing, and growing your blog community in a series of courses spread over three days. So you can feast both sides of your sexy brain.

Register today and you’ll get $100 off. Learn more here.

{Design for Higher}

Altitude Design Summit
January 21 – 23, 2010
Salt Lake City, Utah
Register TODAY to get $100 off
www.altitudesummit.com

More introducing of the YHO team….

There are scientists and there are mad scientists. And then there’s Caroline King. Make no bundts about it, you know you’ve got the whole baking thing down pat when you can brew up your very own concoctions in your very own laboratory (aka kitchen.) Hailing from a small town near San Francisco—her favorite metropolitan mecca—Caroline knows how to put the hip in pumpkin chocolate chip cookie.

In a pinch, you never know what she might be out for: It could be vintage or modern, hip hop or soul, Kitchen Aid or Bosch. And this low-key gourmand is as likely to reach for the Cheerios as she is yams sauteed in coconut oil with pine nuts and gruyere.

And in case you were wondering about that whole Kitchen Aid or Bosch thing, this girl has both.

Caroline tests recipes and shares her very own favorites at www.carolinesbakeshop.blogspot.com. Right now she’s whipping up a whole lotta Nigella goodness.

Follow her “Sweet Caroline” posts by clicking here.

The totally sweet show is back just in time for holiday shopping, and better than ever. What’s new, you ask? We’re excited about the debut of must-haves like mineral makeup, vintage cake plates and handmade quilts, for starters. Others like notions, potions and sugary confections also sound particularly appealing this time of year. Or any time of year.

Of course, there will be a whole lot more when the Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show goes overboard for its fifth anniversary. Pencil in some serious stock-up shopping November 18 through 21 in South Jordan.

{Sweet Spot}

Oh Sweet Sadie Art and Gift Show
November 18 – 21, 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. with a wrap-up party on Saturday from 3 – 5 p.m.
SoDa Row at Daybreak (South Jordan)
www.ohsweetsadie.com

By Stephanie Brubaker

You might have heard of Utahn-turned-New Yorker Kelsey Nixon. Perhaps you saw her on one of two Food Network Shows: “Next Food Network Star” or “By the Book & Off the Hook.” (For the record, she’s a book girl.) And if you’re lucky, maybe you’ve met her. She’s the likable type—her positive, energetic and ambitious nature mixed with a true blue “down home” attitude made her the fan favorite on “The Next Food Network Star.”

But if you’re really lucky, you might have had a bite of her home cookin’. Kelsey pursued her love of food at an age when most of use were focusing on what to wear to prom. When she began her education at Brigham Young University, this go-getter thoughtfully went about making her dreams come true. As a sophomore, she created a college cooking show called “Kelsey’s Kitchen” (now the name of her blog, www.kelseyskitchen.blogspot.com). From there, she interned with Martha Stewart Living with “Everyday Food” and, of course, NBC’s “Martha.” She also stayed busy working as a production assistant on Sandra Lee’s “Semi-Homemade Cooking,” where she she prepped food and ironed cloth napkins on the beach. Yep, on the beach.

After wrapping up her degree in Broadcast Journalism and many internships, Kelsey jumped to the West Coast and completed culinary school in Los Angeles. She also squeezed in a well-styled wedding to her college sweetheart and a fine cooking certificate from the prestigious French Culinary Institute of New York. This Utah gal is also the Pyrex Representative, and we’d like to congratulate her on her recipe recently published in none other than Bon Appetit.

If you can catch up with this lil’ whirlwind, be sure to say hi. She’s the talkin’ kind.

Here’s the rest from this Utah lady:

Name: Kelsey Nixon Egan

Occupation: Cooking Personality and Recipe Development

When I grow up, I want to be: Someone who inspires people in the kitchen, a food writer and a really great mom

The best thing about growing up in Utah was: Being surrounded by a tight-knit family

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

• See my family and stay up way too late talking about nonsense
• Admire the mountains
• Eat at a local favorite (Pizzeria 712, Communal, Hires Big H, Tin Angel, Grappa)
• Work … unfortunately

Utah has the best: People

Now I live in: New York City

New York City has the best: Restaurants and shopping

If I could be anywhere right now, it would be: At dinner with my husband, someplace charming

Five hearts:

• My husband
• Vanilla bean paste
• Dishes (preferably from Fishs Eddy)
• Eating really great, simple food
• Chocolate-covered cinnamon bears

Five hates:

• Cream cheese
• Being either too busy or too bored
• Rent
• Embarrassing moments
• Messes

I can’t live without my: iPhone

The last party I went to was: A launch party from Food2.com

And I wore: A snazzy little Betsey Johnson shrug with jeans and a pretty yellow blouse. A flowery something was pinned in my hair.

Favorite product featured on your site: Vanilla bean paste

Favorite product on earth: Fresh, old-fashioned, unsalted, straight-from-the-churn butter

By Ali Anderson Smith

All for sale from a Utahn near you:

Glam up the place with this vintage red sofa. See it here.

Five-foot lawn Santa, anyone? See it here.

Bring the outdoors in with these stylized botanical prints. See them here.

Everything you see here (save the sheet) for $350. See them here.

Super sweet in baby boy’s nursery. See it here.

A total MCM steal at $50. Hurry up on this one! See it here.

Feast your eyes on this refinished end table. See it here.

Ah, to be a fly on a wall. Peek into the lives of others. Thanks to UNLV- and U of U-trained photographer Amanda James (also of Leif Flowers), you can do just that if you hurry up. Inspired by the life of her grandmother, in a show called “Shadows,” Amanda steps into the lives of the elderly and offers a glimpse into their day-to-day routines, exploring age and memory. Her raw (but beautifully lit) photo essay exposes her subject’s drive and vulnerability as well as their collections and possessions.

Have a look at walking in their shoes.

{Shadow Boxes}

“Shadows” by Amanda James
Now through November 13
Art Access / VSA Arts of Utah
230 S. 500 West #125
Salt Lake City, Utah
www.artaccess.org
www.amandajamesphotography.blogspot.com

The holiday season is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start sharing your bounty. And if you can’t do that, why not opt for your time and energy instead? Liz is looking to spread some good will, and wrote in to gather ideas for family volunteering. She’s thinking soup kitchens, shelters, and anything/anywhere else that’s local, family-friendly and could use a helping hand now and through the holidays.

Hands were made for helping. Share your thoughts below.

By Lacey Jane Pappas

Welcome, November. Be thankful these bands are visiting this month:

Imogen Heap is back supporting her recent release “Ellipse” and will be showcasing her one-man-band skills at in the Venue on the 12th. After riding the wave that was “Let Go” for some time, the British singer/songwriter is right back where she left off. Be sure to catch this impressive solo act live.

Suggested Listen: “First Train Home”

Who else fell in love with the movie “Once”—especially the gorgeous soundtrack and stunning Marketa and Glen, now known together as The Swell Season. The good news is this duo is back with their latest full-length album, “Strict Joy.” The sound that made them famous, including catchy hooks and beautiful melodies, is emulated in each track on their new album. The bad news? The show already looks to be sold out. Try your luck at Craigslist.

Suggested Listen: “In These Arms”

One of my favorite new-to-me bands hail from Portland Oregon, called Blind Pilot. This duo set out on a bike tour traveling from Vancouver to San Francisco playing shows and peddling their album, all on bicycle. Luckily, they kept the momentum going by releasing their 2009 album, “3 Rounds & A Sound.” Catch them (and maybe their bikes) on November 29 at Urban Lounge.

Suggested Listen: “One Red Thread”

Also visiting this month:

Dashboard Confessional / November 11 at McKay Events Center, $16 / Tickets through UVU

Neon Indian / November 11 at Kilby Court, $8.75 / Tickets here

Cage the Elephant with The Chackleton / November 11 at In the Venue, $15.50 / Tickets here

Horse Feathers / November 11 at Urban Lounge, $9.75 / Tickets here

Imogen Heap / November 12 at In the Venue, $24.50 / Tickets here

Mason Jennings / November 14 at The Depot, $24.50 / Tickets here

The Black Crowes / November 15 at The Depot, $40 / Tickets here

Electric Six / November 17 at Urban Lounge, $12.75 / Tickets here

Emmylou Harris / November 19 at Kingsbury Hall, $45 – $75 / Tickets here

Billy Joel and Elton John / November 20 at EnergySolutions Arena, $51 – $177 / Tickets here

Minus the Bear / November 27 at In the Venue, $19 / Tickets here

The Swell Season / November 28 at Jeanne Wagner Theatre, $42 / Tickets here

Blind Pilot and Laura Viers / November 29 at Urban Lounge, $15.25 / Tickets here

Rooney with Tally Hall / December 4 at Urban Lounge, $16.50 / Tickets here

With Christie Somers

When it comes to a fresh face this fall, it’s all about matte and minimal. So put away your old gloss, bronzer and shimmer. Instead, dig up your mom’s lip stains, pencils, crayons and lipsticks. Think ’20s glam with a modern, sophisticated twist.

Say no to color when it comes to eyes and cheeks. This time around, you’ll want to keep your kisser at center stage by giving your skin a matte and neutral look with mineral makeup. I love the Bare Escentuals line. Or, if you’re like me and too lazy or simply not into face makeup, try lathering your skin with moisturizer and save the energy for your lips. To create the pouty, matte lips that we’re seeing all over fashion spreads like this sleek beauty from Allure Magazine, follow these simple steps:

1. Throw out the gloss. It’s so yesterday.
2. Find your favorite old lipstick, crayon, or pencil and go to town. My favorites are the Beautique Lip Crayons from Sally’s Beauty Supply. Seriously. They’re only $2 so you can afford multiple colors.
3. When choosing a color, my rule of thumb is neutral gold and pinks for day, and rich, vibrant reds to dress it up for night.
4. Did I mention red, red and little more red? It’s all about red lips. Just remember matte, not glossy.

Image via Allure Magazine “The Top 10 Fall Beauty Trends”

Here’s the UT roundup:

Zebra Print Pillow / $20 / By Meringue Designs

Simply Rad Organic Onesie / $20.95 / By Apericots

Creamy Bobbled Slouchy Hat / $28 / By Yarnlovertn

Cute as a Bug Mittens / $15 / By K2P2

Ruffles Pillow / $26 / By Jilly Bean Craft

Hoedown Customizable Baby Announcement / $18 / By Sprinkles the Pony

Nancy Drew Headband / $8 / By Wendy and Peter

Shoppers, remember to pencil in a northern jaunt to Farmington for the one and only Piper & Chloe Holiday Showcase tomorrow and Saturday. There’ll be something for nearly everyone on your list (but we daresay your lady friends will appreciate it most).  The Piper & Chloe crew sweat the small stuff so you don’t have to: They’ve hand-picked a handful (or ten) of local vendors so you’ll get the best of the best. Modern meets hip handmade with throw pillows, stationery, tea towels, jewelry, and more.

{Shop Hop}

Piper & Chloe: A Holiday Showcase
46 Robyn Way (1195 North)
Farmington, Utah (map)

Friday, November 6, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 10, 10 .m. – 5 p.m.
www.piperandchloe.blogspot.com