snowcat wildlife safari

This weekend, Josh and I went on a Winter Snowcat Wildlife Safari in the mountains near Echo, UT. High winds, minimal snow and elusive animals were no match for our adventurous spirit. We piled into our ride (manufactured decades ago, in the great state of Utah) with 5 other people to explore the mountains of Summit County. We rumbled and tumbled our way along for almost 3 hours.


{our sweet ride}

As a storm came in, we realized that we probably wouldn't see as many animals as we had hoped, but that didn't stop our fun. We managed to spot a few deer and several hawks flying overhead.


{deer, dear!}

Lucky for us, several cell phone towers were located nearby, so Josh and I were able to text back and forth throughout our adventure. This allowed us to make inappropriate jokes without offending our new found friends.


{this guy kept me in stitches for hours}

come on down

We may have gone The Price is Right in Las Vegas last weekend. We may have worn matching shirts (more on that later). My sister may have been called down to Contestants Row. We may have totally freaked out! A lifelong dream may have come true.


{top row: jason, jon, josh
bottom row: tara, the contestant (a.k.a. dawn), bree}

vogue knitting live 2012

A couple weeks ago, I made a last minute trip to NYC to attend the 2012 Vogue Knitting Live event. I attended a class on natural dyes taught by Isa Rodrigues, a color lecture presented by Kaffe Fassett and explored the well stocked marketplace.



While I was there for the conference, I also made a point of exploring a few noteworthy fiber sources in the city.

Purl Soho





I saw so many things here that I can't stop thinking about. Neon cashmere, special ribbons, charming textiles and felted wool to name a few. Purl Soho has a great online store. Check it out here.


Wool and the Gang





The Wool and the Gang site has been a favorite of mine for a while, so it was fun to visit their miniature space in Soho. Their chunky yarns make every stitch legible and are perfect for beginners! The projects are straight forward and fashion forward. Yarn, kits and ready to wear items are available in the store and online.

Habu





I knew very little about Habu before visiting their shop during my trip. This is knitting on the edge. Unique fibers, patterns and textiles are the story at this little unassuming shop. I purchased sterling silver wire that is just begging to be knit into jewelry. The silk wrapped stainless steel yarn and super fine merino are waiting for me to knit them into the scarf below.

abundance

Love is everywhere, maybe right in front of you.


{graffitti at jo's coffee, south congress, austin, tx}

red mountain getaway

This weekend my three guys and I went south to St. George, UT for a romantic weekend of rest and relaxation at Red Mountain Resort and Spa.

quiet time. hiking snow canyon with the buddies. excellent dinner (and bottle of wine) at the painted pony. hot tub. champagne. good nights sleep. long morning run through red rocks. gourmet breakfast. spa treatment. scenic drive. home

Absolutely perfect.


{are we there yet?}


{focused hubby}


{entertaining myself}


{exploring}


{snow canyon red rock}


{our utah}


{muah!}

arizona weekend

Last week (after returning from Chicago) Josh and I traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona for a weekend of sun and fun with two of our close friends.

Thursday evening (before Josh joined me) I stayed at the Arizona Biltmore, a hotel built in 1929 and had Frank Lloyd Wright serve as consulting architect on the project. It is such a special place... beautiful structures, gardens and pools with a touch of old Hollywood glamour. I just love walking the grounds, and cocktails on the patio in the evening aren't so bad either.









Friday night we had an outstanding dinner at Olive & Ivy.



On Saturday morning Josh and I along with one of our friends went on a nice 5 mile run. Well, the idea was nice. Running in Arizona heat was quite oppressive, but a challenge none the less. Lucky for you we did not photo document this part of the trip.

Next we went to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, something we've meant to do on previous trips to Arizona. It was incredibly interesting.









We went all out on Saturday night with old and new friends at the Orange Sky Restaurant at the new Talking Stick Resort. The food was amazing and the panoramic views of the Sonoran Desert are unbelievable.



We couldn't resist brunch at the Hotel Valley Ho before we caught our flight home.





Perfect.

just being

We left on holiday with the intention of blogging our adventures as we travelled through the Netherlands and Denmark, instead we are just being. We are soaking up our last few days of freedom and will get you all caught up once we are back.

XO


{big beautiful sky in danish countryside}

drenthe heath

I have adored the work of Dutch fashion designer turned fine artist, Claudy Jonstra for years. As I have mentioned before, felt is one of my favorite things in the world and this is her exclusive medium.

She controls everything about her work, from the raw materials to the finished product. She tends her own flock of Drenthe Heath sheep, estabished her own dyeworks using natural dyes from the plants she grows, and forms each piece by hand.

I think I will have to go it alone in financing this, but it is so worth it. Now, which color to get...


{drenthe heath}

canoe

When I visit Portland, an absolute must is a trip to Canoe. It is by far my favorite shop in town. They stock a well edited collection of curiosities I covet. From felt textiles to Heath ceramics to beautiful books, Canoe is where it's at.

liquid assets

I seem to have caught my breath and will resume a regular blogging schedule this week.

Being on the road for 8 days gave me a list of reasons why I should have once of these Pitotubes travel sets to protect my liquid assets. They are by far the best looking refillable travel bottles I have ever seen. You can purchase a stylish mesh bag to keep your bottles in, coordinating jars for your creamy potions and sheets of labels (love that!).

these shoes were made for walking

With our upcoming trip to the Netherlands and Denmark, I have travel item on the brain. I have been busy looking for a pair of shoes that are lightweight and stylish, and that I can dress up or dress down. All signs lead to Puma. I have had great luck with their shoes before, but does anyone have any specific experience with any of these?


{saba ballet}


{sabadella ii}


{simplice}


{espera}

my travel philsophy

I have found that having a few small luxuries while traveling makes ones circumstance a more pleasant experience. The Travel Agent kit by Philosophy would be a welcome addition.

getting some winks

I am sensitive to light while sleeping so I have been using an eye mask for the last couple of months, however I think it is time for an upgrade. I have my eyes on the Bucky 40 Blinks Sleep Mask.

It claims to be smudge free, not such a concern at night, but would be perfect for travel. No lady wants to look like she is doing the walk of shame while deplaning.

going to a nether land

I forgot to tell you that Josh and I booked our full moon to The Netherlands and Denmark. So, so excited!

daydreaming

I am currently obsessed with the idea of planning a week at La Maisonette. The evolution of this process is as amazing as the end result. Check it out here. Stephanie, I adore you.

wubby

I love you.


{at sfmoma on our minimoon}

big trouble in the little city

When I was out of town this week, the mall was only a block away from where I was staying...what's a girl to do? This bag and hat hitched their way back to Utah with me.

would you dare?

Would you have selected a 45 and allowed this gnome to serenade you while using the restroom? This was one of the trying decisions I was faced with last week.