Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City

If you’re looking for a relaxing and peaceful way to spend an afternoon, a visit to Red Butte Garden is in order. Nestled in the foothills above Salt Lake City, on the University of Utah campus, Red Butte is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West, with a focus on regional horticulture. It covers more than 150 acres, featuring 18 acres of gardens plus walking paths, hiking trails, ponds, and a children’s garden.

Highlights of this stunning botanical garden include the Herb Garden, Fragrance Garden, Medicinal Garden, Four Seasons Garden, Rose Garden, Courtyard Garden, Terrace Garden, Waterfall Display Garden, and the Children’s Garden. The Children’s Garden features a snake maze, fountains, and "flower beds." Be sure to stop by the Koi pond as well.

Pack a lunch and relax at one of the round, wooden picnic tables nestled under the trees along the main walking path. It’s easy to get lost in the moment here, a place where you just want to stretch out on the ground with a good book, or take your time, slowly strolling amongst flowers in full bloom or beneath the spectacular display of seasonal colors. Relax, take your time--it’s worth it! Red Butte Garden offers beauty and serenity, perfect for quality family time or a romantic date. It’s also a great place to bring visitors, to show off the spectacular vistas and city views. Don’t forget your camera!

Red Butte Garden offers a variety of programs throughout the year including concerts, family nights, art and horticultural exhibits, plant sales, educational programs, and more. Upcoming events include free admission on Friday, April 29, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in honor of Arbor Day. Visitors can stroll around the gardens, bursting with colorful spring crocus, mini iris, snowdrops, hyacinth, blossoming trees, and more than 230,000 daffodils, plus participate in activities and Exploration Stations throughout the gardens. Visitors will even receive a free commemorative tree to take home, while supplies last. The annual plant and bulb sale takes place on May 6-7, 2011.

Red Butte Garden is located at 300 Wakara Way in Salt Lake City. Call 801.585.0556 for more information, or visit http://www.redbuttegarden.org./

Just Between Friends Spring 2011 Consignment Sale

I like to shop. Unfortunately, my shopping bags are much bigger than my wallet. But fortunately, I can recoup some of what I spend each spring and fall at the Just Between Friends consignment sale.

Just Between Friends, also known as JBF, is a twice yearly consignment sale held in Davis and Utah Counties. The locally-owned company is part of the nation's leading children's and maternity consignment franchise. Different than your traditional brick-and-morter consignment shop, JBF sales truly are an event. It's a great opportunity to clear out the closets and earn some extra cash, and pick up some great bargains along the way.

At JBF sales shoppers will typically find gently-used children's and maternity clothing, shoes, toys, baby equipment and more. Consignors set their own prices using JBF's convenient online tagging system and drop their items off during a designated time. Items are inspected for quality at drop-off. Since consignors set their own prices, shoppers will usually find great deals on items far below retail value.

Consignors, volunteers, military, and first-time parents are invited to presales before the shopping event opens to the general public. Consignors can opt to discount their items for JBF's 50-percent off sale on the final day of the sales event, donate their leftover items to charity, or pick them up at the end of the event. Consignors should receive their checks, minus the consignment fee, within two weeks.

For more about Utah JBF sales, visit http://layton.jbfsale.com/

First-hand experience:
I've been consigning at JBF for four years. Prepping your items for the sale is simple, and I'm always happy with my check. I always find great deals when I shop, too.

Here's what I picked up today at the Davis County sale, for a grand total of $66:

2 pairs Gymboree shorts
1 pair nwt capri leggings
1 pair nwt silver sandals
1 pair euc pink crocs
21 books (about half hardcover, mostly Barbie, Tink, and the Daisy Meadow's fairy books)
1 Melissa & Doug magnetic doll set
2 Groovy girls
1 Barbie puzzle
A school planner
and a cute little designer purse tagged at just $2!

Here's what I've picked up in the past, for around $60:

There's still time to shop the Davis County sale this weekend. There's also an upcoming sale in Utah County.
 
Happy bargain hunting!

Review: Whole Foods Trolley Square

A stop at Whole Foods has always been on my must-do list when I'm in Salt Lake City. I've always loved the convenient location and the homey feeling of the store, not to mention TDF food (hello, dumplings and butternut crab bisque! that you just can't get anywhere else. Now that they've moved to Trolley Square it's a whole different experience--an insane one! The new space is huge and the location really draws the crowds. I'm sure that's great for business, and we do want to see Whole Foods stick around (why, hello again dumplings!). But the charm of the specialty shopping experience is gone, replaced with a huge emporium, complete with a food court, that not only draws its regular customers but Trolley Square shoppers and tourists as well. Accordingly, the store is crowded and loud, creating an overwhelming shopping experience. (Turns out I'm not the only SLC local that feels this way). Don't get me wrong, the food is still great, perhaps the variety is even greater in the new location. I just wish they would have maintained focus on the Whole Foods brand and less on the prestige of Trolley Square.

Spiral Jetty

One of the most famous earthworks in the world is right here in our backyard. Have you seen it? If not, make a trip to see Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty.

Created in 1971, this year mark's the Spiral Jetty's 40th anniversary. Yet not many Utah residents have seen, or even know about, this masterful art work. The artwork is based on the concept of entropy, the principle that order in nature will inevitably turn to disorder. It's no wonder that Smithson was inspired by Utah's incredible landscape, unique geologic history, and distinct ecosystems.

The the 1,500-foot long Spiral Jetty is created from salt crystals, basalt rocks, mud, earth, and water. It is located on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake near Rozel Point, and can be seen when lake levels fall below 4,197 feet.

Reaching the Spiral Jetty is an adventure in itself. A high clearance vehicle is a must, as you'll be traveling over some pretty rocky terrain. Be sure to gas up, too, for the remote drive.

Consider the Golden Spike National Historic Site, about 100 miles north of Salt Lake City and 30 miles west of Brigham City, as your starting point. From here, it's about 15 miles along an unpaved gravel and dirt road. From Golden Spike NHS, drive west for 5.6 miles. When you reach the fork in the road, turn left/south. Drive 1.3 miles to the next fork, where you'll continue straight. At the next fork, you'll head right, driving for 8.2 miles to Rozel Point. Check here for specific, detailed directions from the National Park Service.

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Ready to explore Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument but not sure where to begin? Here are some great tips for a Grand adventure:

http://brycecanyoncountry.com/blog/2011/02/grand-staircase-adventure-waiting-to-happen/

Princess & Pirate Parties of Utah

A few years ago a friend passed down her 6-year-old daughter’s princess dress-up wardrobe to my then toddler. She said she’d outgrown her princess phase. I couldn’t imagine it then, but now that my daughter is older and completely infatuated with Barbie, I get it. So when Kendalyn Harris, owner of Princess and Pirate Parties of Utah, suggested an 11-inch doll character visit for my daughter’s birthday party I jumped at the chance to be the first.* With a few hints from me about the latest fairytale adventure, the talented team at Princess and Pirate Parties of Utah created a fashion-themed party that was every little girl’s dream.

The girls were bursting with excitement when the party hostess showed up right on time. She was wonderful with the girls, as you’d expect from Princess Parties, and she was so well-versed in their favorite character that they couldn’t help but relate to her. She sat with the girls in a circle and introduced herself, then they sang a song together to break the ice. Next, she engaged the girls with her fashion adventures in Paris and taught them some French words. She spoke to them about beauty on the inside as well as on the outside and pointed out something extraordinary about each little girl, making them feel beautiful and special.

Next she taught them how to runway walk and the girls sparkled with delight and confidence as they performed in their very own fashion show. Next, the party hostess helped the girls with a crown craft, and then made time to pose for photos with each guest. Before leaving, she reminded the girls to always act beautiful from inside, then sang Happy Birthday to my daughter, which totally made her day. Every moment of the 45-minute party was creative, well-planned and age-appropriate, and the girls were kept entertained and happy every minute.

The party exceeded my expectations, even though I've been to enough Princess and Pirates Parties of Utah events to know that all the girls are super talented and professional. At a friend's birthday party we were entertained by Ariel, who sang songs, danced, told stories and even did face painting.

Last spring we were lucky enough to be entertained by nine princesses and a prince at the Daddy/Daughter Royal Ball hosted by Princess Parties at The Castle in Layton. The unbeatable $35 ticket price included mingling and dancing with the princesses, stories, refreshments, an autograph book, and a ride in Cinderella's carriage. (Be sure to watch for details for this recurring event.) And now, Princess Parties has partnered with The Castle for individual birthday celebrations. What could be more magical than that?

Chances are you, too, have already encountered one of these enchanting princesses at a number of local Utah festivals. This award-winning entertainment company has been called the “best celebration for your little princess” in City Weekly's 2010 Best of Utah edition, and won a 2010 Nickelodeon’s Parents’ Picks Award for Best Party Entertainer in the Salt Lake City area.

Princess and Pirate Parties of Utah serves Salt Lake and Davis Counties. Parties start at an affordable $55 plus mileage for a 15-minute visit from your favorite princess who will sing, tell a story, and pose for photos with each child. In addition to princesses, the company also offers a variety of characters and themes for both girls and boys such as Tinkerbell, Spiderman, pirates, and magicians, plus tea parties, arts and crafts, chocolate, sports or spa-themed parties. Whatever you desire, Princess and Pirate Parties of Utah will make sure your party is magical and thoroughly entertaining.

Contact: To book your most memorable celebration ever, visit http://www.aprincessparty.net/ or call (801) 897-3345.

*Note: This party was comped in part by Princess and Pirate Parties of Utah but I have paid for and attended their events in the past and guarantee an honest and impartial review. 

Ogden Christmas Village Lighting and Santa Parade

Review and photos by Noelle Graf
The Christmas Village is magical winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday spirit in the heart of downtown Ogden. The Christmas season kicks off here with the Electric Light Parade down Washington Blvd. (with Santa as the Grand Marshall), live music at the ampitheater, and a dazzling fireworks display. The festivities lead up to a brilliant explosion of color as Santa flips the switch to illuminate the Christmas Village and bring the holiday season to life.The annual lighting event and parade take place the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but you can visit the Christmas Village until the New Year. There are dozens of whimsical cottages (sponsored by local businesses), with themes ranging from Santa's Workshop, the Nutcracker, Hansel and Gretel, and Nightmare Before Christmas. There's even a replica of historic Union Station.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy strolling down Rudolph Way and Icicle Path, enjoying the Christmas music and peering into each festive Christmas house. Dress warmly and bring a thermos full of hot chocolate to make the magic even more enchanting.
Little ones can visit with Santa Monday through Saturday evenings, up until Christmas Eve. You can purchase photos or take your own. Tours with Mrs. Claus can also be arranged.
When: The Christmas Village cottages are lit each night from 5 p.m. to midnight until January 1.

Where: Historic 25th Street and Washington Blvd., Ogden

Cost: Admission is free

Contact: http://www.ogdencity.com, 801-629-8284

Noelle Graf is a freelance writer specializing in travel reviews and features about people, places, and things. Email noelle823@yahoo.com to inquire about writing, editing, blogging, and consulting services.