Sweet Shops * Apricot Lane Clothing

Our May Utah Bloggers Meetup took us to a lovely NEW boutique in Provo- Apricot Lane. I love this store! You can actually find beautiful stylish dresses. They have a wonderful selection.

The great thing about it being a boutique is that they ordered a limited number of each style so you know your not going to run into a friend or neighbor wearing the same thing. It's a good sized shop full of designer jeans, clothing and amazing accessories. We found some sweet lace leggins, cute leather cuffs and charming necklace.

I wore this gorgeous bracelet on our channel 2 Fresh Living segment last week when we made our Lemon Chiffon Cake. LOVE IT! Another thing I love about the shop is that you can come with your teen daughter or your 50+ mom and everyone will find something they love.

A few of the brands they carry include...
Vintage Havana
Big Star
Rock Revival
Dawn Stark Designs
Joe's Jeans

Another great idea is their shopping parties. You can host a party for your friends free! and they supply you with refreshments as well as a nice discount. You cannot beat that deal. Throw a party invite friend have a nice place to hang out and shop AND get a discount!

See what other Utah Bloggers had to say about Apricot Lane...

Cait Create

Fruit Heights Friends

Green Ruby Designs

Love Stitched

Season Atwater Photography

Karinas Challenge

A Happy Girl

{You can find Apricot Lane here}

Apricot Lane's social links-

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Apricot-Lane-Provo
Twitter: twitter.com/ApricotLaneProv @apricotlaneprov
Website: apricotlaneprovo.com

Address:
Apricot Lane
4801 N. University Avenue
Provo, UT, 84604
801.224.4432

Would you like to sponsor one of our Utah Bloggers Meetups? Email me at sweetlifeinthevalley at gmail

Find of the Week * Made by Girl Prints

The other day when I was in the bank one of the bankers asked where to find some cute baby or kids room wall decor. I referred her to some of my favorites including Sarah Jane Studios. Today I found a new favorite Made By Girl ABC Name Prints. I LOVE these prints. I might order one with my name. Why not? Right?! They are my Find of the Week.

In The Kitchen * Pans & Pancakes

I was given a pan and a pancake mix to try so I decided to have pancakes for lunch. We started by mixing up the Lehi Roller Mills Heart Healthy Hotcakes mix. It was easy as can be. Simply add mix & water. It really took seconds.

Then I took a bag of frozen berries and some agave syrup. I like to make berry syrup if I don't fresh real Vermont maple syrup on hand. Simply thaw berries and add agave to taste.

 Next, I put the Starfrit Light Cast Iron Pan to the test on pancakes. I am happy to report that the pancakes turned out nice and even. I have been using the Starfrit cast iron pan for things like grilled cheese and scrambled eggs the past couple of weeks. I love that it heats evenly across the entire pan, it hold heat so you can turn your burner down and it has a toxic free non-stick reinforced ceramic surface that also prevents rusting.

We started with a pan and a pancake mix and ended up with yummy pancakes for lunch.

Thanks to Lehi Roller Mills & Starfrit for providing the pan & the pancake mix to review-no they didn't pay me to say I like them I just do.

Spring in to Summer Fashion * Hobo International

You wouldn't be complete without a nice handbag to hold all your "stuffs" you need on hand at a moments notice. I have decided that Hobo International is one of my very favorite companies for handbags. They are by women for women which means they get it. They know what will feel comfortable and how we need to store our little necessities.

I love the Clara bag. It has a magnetic closure rather than a zipper on the main opening which means it is super easy to get into when holding a baby or on the phone. Plus, the magnet is strong enough that if you drop your bag all the contents stay put rather than falling all over the place.

The Jude bag is amazing. It's big enough to hold a netbook, iPad or even some spare diapers wipes & extra outfit for baby but still small enough you aren't over whelmed with a heavy big bag. It even comes in the fashion color of the year Turquoise.
Another great feature of all the Hobo bags are the pockets and the pretty lining. I have a pocket for my phone, business cards,, lip gloss etc,  plus a zipper pocket for those things you really don't' want the cashier at Borders or the grocery store seeing.
I get complements everywhere I go with my Hobo bags.  Love them.
You can find Hobo bags at places like Nordstrom & Bloomingdales. 





Thanks to Hobo International for providing these lovely bags to review& no they didn't pay me to say I love them I just do.

Sweet Fashion* Spring into Summer Fashion * Shoes

 

All this week and next we will be featuring some great fashions you can buy now for Spring and use for Summer too.

I always say a shoes can make a look. Here are some Spring into Summer shoes we chose at PiperLime. 

The Newport Wedge Espadrille by Mia is a perfect neutral tan that will go well with Spring & Summer colors. It is a good basic to have in your closet.

 

Pierre Dumas Peggy in Gold. Another basic for Spring & Summer is a cute metallic sandal. They are perfect for a pair of jeans or lovely with a summery dress.

For a ride on your classic cruiser beach bike or for a walk up the Provo river trail these

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Ox in olive and parchment will keep your feet warmer on cool Spring days but still cool enough for warm Summer days.

Frye Corina Campus shoes in teal. One of the easiest ways to add color to any outfit is through your shoes. Even more perfect in the color of the year.

Find of the Week * Pretty Rings from Sundance

A few pretty rings from the Sundance catalog. All so pretty and all so different from each other.

white rose ring
lotus in bloom ring
sparkling chalcedony ring
white gold circle of diamonds ring

Sweet Green Living * Candles and Earth Hour

Tomorrow is Earth Hour. On March 27th at 8:30pm local time turn off your lights and unplug from everything for one hour. We participate every year. This year I found a great candle company and I mean GREAT! to use to light our home during Earth Hour. I am very picky about my candles and products we use in our house since we started going green, organic and natural in our home. The Makana Candles are pretty much my perfect candle. They are hand-made from soy, scented with all natural essential oils and all natural cotton wicks. They are GMO-free, phthalate free, lead free, petroleum free and dye free. Check, check, check,check and check. Yep, my perfect candle. Plus, they smell amazing. I have the vanilla bean hope candle to burn tomorrow. I think I need to get one of the Calamansi Lime  too. It sounds so yummy.

Makana Candle Studios sent me one of the candles to try and just like always I only tell you about it if I really like it.

Find of the Week * Canvas Tool Bag

Way back in high school my foreign foods teacher carried a bag like this to school. I loved it and looked all over for one for myself. I forgot about it until I found this one at Brook Farm General Store. I still want one all these 20 plus years later.

Find of The Week * Tom Design Rings

  

Does anyone else out there have cabin fever? Looking for a little bit of Spring? I love these pretty flower rings from Tom Design on etsy. A perfect little lift. They are our Find of The Week.

Pink Nora Ring

White Melanie Ring

 

Sweet Valentines * Etsy

A few sweet Valentines for your sweethearts. All found on Etsy...

{Dear Valentine by Sarah Jane Studios}

Hanging Hearts by dean penn & paper

{Reasons I Love by PaperEclectiques}

{Folk Heart Botanic by Sycamore Street Press}

 

 

 

 

 

Happenin in The Valley * The Chocolate * Ladies Night

 {photo by Jonathan Canlas}

The Chocolate dessert bakery is now having  Ladies Night Out on Wednesdays until 11pm. Stop in, have some cake, cookies, bars or one of their other yummy desserts and get a free cup of milk to go with it. They have a wonderful comfy room upstairs in the historic building they now have their shop. It is the perfect place to sit and chat and catch up with your friends.

The Chocolate Dessert Cafe
212 South State in Orem
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thechoco
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheChoco
Blog: www.thechocolatedc.com/blog

Find of the Week * Cute Camera Bags

Found this cute camera bag for dlsr cameras on Caroline's blog. I have always wondered why someone hasn't made a more stylish bag for the girls who like to take pictures. I have even thought about making myself one. This one is from Ketti Handbags Etsy shop.

Twin Teens * Cool Stuff 4 Us and Columbia Sportswear

This week my twin teens are reviewing some great snowboarding sportswear from Columbia on Cool Stuff 4 Us. Don't you just love this retro style one piece SJ is wearing. I love that Columbia offers styles that the teens and the moms could love and wear.

Christmas Gift Idea 2009 * Gummy Lump * ABC Alphabet Nesting Stacking Blocks

Gummy Lump's online store is full of wonderful toys for kids. These ABC nesting stacking blocks by Melissa & Doug are one of my favorites. Kids love to stack. Your little one will love looking at the colorful  illustrations and letters while playing. My favorite thing about them is that they also create a learning opportunity. Bonus: this great gift is under $12!

Christmas Gift Idea 2009 * blabla Giselle Ballerina Doll

I absolutely love this soft pretty knit doll for girls. The Giselle Ballerina Doll by blabla is one of my favorite choices for girls for Christmas. The pictures really do not show how pretty she really is. It's great for little girl as well as older girls. Her details such as the cute braided buns and her ballet skirt and slippers are all sewn in to her body. Blabla also makes a whole bunch of soft dolls from dressable to kitty cats to finger puppets.

Happenin in The Valley * FYI The Provo Posh and Chic Boutique Expo

The Provo Posh and Chic Boutiqe Expo still has a few vendor openings available for their fun Black Friday Boutique Expo which will take place Friday November 27th 2009.
You can contact Emily Page mybowdaciousbows@gmail.com or 801.979.2165 for more details.

Christmas Gift Idea Guide 2009 * Jessie Steele Audrey Houndstooth Apron

 A lovely hostess gift for those ladies or for yourself who love to host the Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas parties and Christmas dinner. Jessie Steele has this nice Audrey Houndstooth Apron to wear over your holiday frocks keeping you clean yet still stylish while preparing the treats, snacks and meals during the holiday season. The Audrey apron is as nice as the clothes you will be wearing to your party or dinner. Love the button detailing, quality fabric, nice cut as well as the handy pockets.


Given a sample by vendor/agency/brand to review

Midweek Giveaway * Oh Sweet Sadie Art and Gift Show

The Oh Sweet Sadie Show is here again. They have over 80 local handmade artisans with things from lovely jewelry to toys to handmade quilts.
We are giving away a wonderful gift basket with a personalized single tag necklace with birthstone charm from KellyAnnie, a copy of Family Comfort Favorites CookBook By Kim Warren, a magnet board and 5 new bottle cap magnets of their choice from Tika Kids, a sash and flower clip of your choice from Demi Do’s and $20.00 worth of notepads from Jot It Down.



Midweek Giveaway:
- fill out this form Oh Sweet Sadie Giveaway Entry This Giveaway is now Closed
-get extra entries by tweeting include @sweetlifeinthe in tweet, Facebook update with link, posting on your blog about this giveaway with link
-giveaway ends Friday November 19th at midnight

{Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show}
Show Schedule:
Wednesday, November 18th through Saturday, November 21st from 9:30 am until 8:00 pm. Live music Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
Where?
SoDa Row, Daybreak's New Retail Shopping District, in South Jordan(map)

Sweet Family Life * Taking Time for Photos * Clothes DownEast Basics

{Photos by Marcel Walker}

When choosing clothes for your family photography session choose something that is you. If you are a casual family be casual. Matchy machty is out. Coordinating is in. Choose a color palette rather than one color.
Our color palette for our casual family session was boysenberry, grays and black. I loved that DownEast Basics hascoordinating prints for my daughter and I. Her Sweetheart Belt is the same boysenberry & white polka dot as my top. Her Love & Linger Top matches the boysenberry in the belt perfectly. The boys had on shades of gray for their tops, one is a Vintage Polo and the other a Pocket Tee.
Have fun with your colors. Choose something you are comfortable wearing and your photos will turn out better because it will show in your face and the way you hold yourself.

Sweet Deals * Soel Boutique

Tip for locals:
Soel Boutique is having an amazing sale -Jeans for only $50

$50-$75 on jeans from...
Citizens of Humanity
Joes Jeans
Level 99
Diesel

Tops at $10
Shoes at $20
Sale ends when everything is sold.

Soel Boutique
The Shops at Riverwoods
4801 N. University Avenue 350 Provo
Provo, Utah

801.426.964