Going to Blickenstaff’s is like being a kid again. I kept discovering new toys and wonderful things.

It also felt a lot like Christmas.

This Utah toy store is located in the Riverwoods Shopping Center in Provo.

You can try out the toys (Bjorn has his eye on an EzyRoller).

They have rows and rows of candy (don’t tell Bjorn I’m giving him Fruit Striped gum and vintage candy canes in his stocking).

While you’re at the store, pick up their catalog because you’ve likely missed something you must have (for example, I’m going back to look at that adorable corduroy teddy bear in the window). Plus there is a coupon on the back for $10 off a purchase of $100 or more. I know what I’m using it for!

They also have a big selection of games of all kinds, dress up, dolls, science toys, and many wonderful things. And don’t forget to look up to see the train and other toys.

During December they’re doing a lot of promotions, so be sure to “like” Blickenstaff’s on Facebook so you don’t miss a single one. Also, be sure to pick up one of the holiday guides that tell you about the events that are going on at the Riverwoods.

One more tip: in the back of the store there’s a toy horse you can ride (free). If you have young kids they will not want to miss out! Check out all of the pictures our talented photographer Bryce Olsen took of our outing here.

It’s enough to make me want to move back to Utah County. But then I’d have to rename this blog to Orem Friends and it just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Here are all of the bloggers who were there and had a great time:

It makes me want to move back to Utah County where there is innovation and quality. I think Davis County is starving for both. Like the owners of Communal, Chef Kent Andersen has more than one restaurant that feature fresh, locally grown, healthy food.

The concept of La Jolla Groves is lighter fare that is upscale but affordable.

Many of the dishes have a kiss of citrus flavor (but I must admit I didn’t see grapefruit as much as I’d like). Inside it looks like an elegant grove of orange trees. Every table has a single yellow rose.

Can you believe that the average customer eats here once a week!? That borders on addiction. Plus, over 600 women attended the cooking classes last year (which is now on my bucket list – they hold them monthly, call 801.224.5111 for details).

Here are my favorite dishes (of the ones we sampled):

BEEF TENDERLOIN MEDALLIONS – so tender, just the right amount and the flavors were perfect. So were the vegetables.

POTATO AND LEEK SOUP – a thinner, smooth, light take on this soup. I’ll never order it anywhere else or make it the same again.

OVEN-FIRED SALMON FILET WITH CILANTRO BUTTER – writing about this makes my mouth water. Again, subtle flavors and surprisingly rave-able.

I also loved the locally grown greens with the house balsamic vinaigrette that topped the stuffed mushrooms. Delicious. I want to go back and request a salad with that dressing. I could drink it and I’m dying to know what kind of balsamic they used. It was divine. By the time we got desert I was so full I couldn’t appreciate them, but I can’t rave about any one I tried (the chocolate one wins though).

They have a secret. On the side there is a carry out shop where you can buy the soup, fresh breads, and other items to take home.

Bloggers eat with their smartphones and cameras in hand! You can tell this picture wasn’t taken by Bryce Olsen, but you can see some of us.

It’s tough to admit this as a blogger who is a mom and lives in Utah (scrapbooking capital of the world!) but I feel better now that I’ve come clean. I hope you still like me

Still, I want to save my family’s memories and that means scrapbooking (not quite the same as crafty, right?).

I’ve made two scrapbooks and here’s my issue: it’s a lot of work and mess. I buy the paper and the tools and the embellishments, stickers, stamps…and then I have to store all of it somewhere (there’s not a craft room in our house). The glue, the small pieces of paper, the glitter – it gets all over.

So I agreed to take a look at some digital scrapbooking software called MyMemories.

An Example of My Digital Scrapbook

I scrapped a brief overview of the past 3 years since Stephen and I got married. This made me pretty sentimental actually and Stephen loves it and wants to try his own scrapbook. I still need to show Bjorn. For some reason I couldn’t save this as a video, so I saved the photos to Flickr then viewed them as a slideshow, got the embed code and inserted it into my blog. I must be missing a faster and easier way to do this. It looks very easy to share on Facebook…

The backgrounds and layouts from the software didn’t really fit my non-crafty style so I looked online for backgrounds instead. I’m curious what you think and you may even get a chance to make your own digital scrapbook.

Enter my giveaway or redeem the special offer I have for you below to give MyMemories a try.

GIVEAWAY!

NOTE: The giveaway has ended. Aimee is the winner and has been notified.

Go to: www.MyMemories.com and look at the “digital scrapbooking kits” section.

Find your favorite scrapbooking pattern.

Leave a comment or link to your choice below, explaining why you chose it.

Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment below telling me each extra thing you did.

Special Deal!

If you can’t wait, you can download the software and start scrapping now. You can get $10 off – but hurry the offer is only good for the next 10 days!

To get this special deal, use this DISCOUNT CODE {cut and paste the code below}

STMMMS45626

At the end of this post are pictures from our tour – be sure to watch the slideshow.

Enter to win a $25 gift card to any Harmons grocery store in Utah! To enter just make a comment on this post telling me why you love Harmons. I’ll randomly choose a winner using random.org on Wednesday, June 1st, 2011. Note: Contest has ended.

Philosophically Harmons is unique. They are not trying to compete on price. They believe in SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE, HIGH QUALITY, FRESH, LOCAL, NATURAL products.

Bob Harmons motto: It’s only fresh once!

34 reasons you’ll love Harmons Grocery Store

1. They carry the world famous Creminelli brand salami in every flavor. Made in Utah by a 5th generation Italian salami maker who came to Utah for the Olympics and to ski and stayed. He notes that the climate here is so similar to Italy that you cannot tell the difference between salami made here vs. in Italy.
2. Harmons employees and founders are educated around the world. They go to Vermont to tour a creamery to see how cheese is made and all around the world and locally to source their products.
3. They make their own fresh artisan potato chips with no additives or preservatives (by the incredible sandwich bar made with their no no additive deli meats, bread from their bakery, and gourmet cheeses).
4. The Farmington store is one of only 2 Harmons that has a gelato bar with 18 flavors, made fresh each day.
5. The coffee shop carries Logan-based Cafe Ibis blends (fair trade).
6. The wok bar is made fresh twice a day from 11-2pm it’s fully stocked, then from 4-7 or up to 9pm they have a partial selection of Chinese food (no MSG, made fresh on site).
7. Everything in the deli is made from scratch, not from a can, box or carton.
8. Harmons meats are all natural with no steroids or filler. You can also find local lamb and bison.
9. Employees who handle food are restaurant certified and they meticulously monitor the salad bar and other food to be sure it meets food safety standards.
10. The produce is not brought in green to ripen on the shelf. It’s table-ready.
11. Their tomatoes are grown in Castledale, Utah in a greenhouse heated with thermal energy.
12. During growing season they bring in oranges from an orchard in California – farmer Ron delivers them to all the Harmons stores. Look for them in the mesh bags (only available for about anohter week, until Fall).
13. They carry fresh ground, organic nut butters.
14. You can get single portions from their deli – delicious lasagna, quiche and other heat and eat foods – great for lunches.
15. Isle #1 is kid-friendly meaning they have healthy snacks and foods (not candy) to tempt your kids.
16. The bread from the bakery is made each day with organic wheat flour. The wheat is grown in Utah then ground at Lehi roller mills. The dark color around the loaves may look like its burnt but its not. The crust is carmelized. It takes 3 days to make a piece of bread.
17. The white chocolate pecan bread is to die for and ideal for french toast. The garlic bread is divine with pieces of roast garlic baked in. On Fridays and Saturdays get Challah, a buttery bread baked in their stone oven.
18. The cookies and desserts are made with real butter (no shortening). The key lime tart has real key limes, not fake flavorings.
19. If you have any questions about how to prepare the seafood, just ask Rusty, she’ll help you. She told me the best way to prepare salmon is to put honey butter on it and bake in the oven! The honey caramelizes and the butter makes it so moist.
20. The fish is caught using long-line sustainable methods, then flown in the next morning!
21. They carry Sockeye, Cohe, King and farm-raised salmon (raised in the Atlantic). The King has a whopping 17 grams of omega 3!
22. If you buy shrimp from the seafood counter it is fresh with no additives and they will steam it for you so it will be ready to eat. Plus they make their own cocktail sauce that is so good (no preservatives).
23. Harmons has a line of seasonings and marinades from a local business called Cy’s. They have no artificial flavorings, no MSG, no preservatives or artificial color.
24. If you want a product Harmons doesn’t carry, you can request it (I already requested my favorite Belgium waffle mix).
25. The meat department carries sausage that is made fresh by hand each day and the meat counter has a built-in mister to keep the meat moist.
26. Chicken is a very serious subject at Harmons, left to the experts. They don’t bring it in frozen, it’s fresh. No additives or plumpers (nitrates, sodium, etc). They trim and wash the chicken so you don’t have to.
27. They have a bike concierge service! Bring your bike inside, they will park it and you can pick it up when you’re done shopping. Since it’s so close to trails you’ll see that many people bike to Harmons (some with kids in the bike trailer). No need to park it in the rain or sun or even lock your bike. They also have bike racks outside.
28. Their pineapple was once sent by boat and it took 28 days. Now it’s picked when ripe and flown in by jet. As I write this it’s on sale for a great price of 78 cents a pound!
29. They compost all of their vegetable scrap and a local business packages and sells it to gardeners.
30. They recycle (upstairs).
31. They have a dietitian on staff. Jessica will walk you through the store and help you meet your dietary goals whether you’re lactose intolerant, diabetic or just trying to lose weight. Reach her at JessicaLaroche@harmonsgrocery.com
32. Upstairs they have cooking classes including a kid’s class (a baby food class coming soon) and a 2+hour date night dinner.
33. Businesses and others can host cooking classes or meals upstairs and everything is made fresh by chef J. His email is Chefj@Harmonsgrocery.com
34. Harmons carries over 300 products from local businesses!

Now for the pictures!

Check out the other Utah bloggers who were there
PheMOMenon
Frieda Loves Bread
Songberries
Beachbakeaholic
OneSheTwoShe
OhSweetBasil

The giveaway has ended – JoDell is the winner – who I will contact by email and send the gift card. If I don’t get a response I will randomly choose another winner.

Great comments and thank you for entering!

Check out the

The Grand Spa at Utah's Grand America Hotel

And use our exclusive Hotel Reservations Link for $100 off a room!

(Images courtesy of Petit Elefant)

The Melting Pot Fondue Restaurant in Utah

The Melting Pot Fondue Restaurant
340 South Main
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 521-6358

I’ve been to The Melting Pot fondue restaurant in Salt Lake before but this weekend was the best so far. The worst (sorry babe) was going with my husband’s work. The men didn’t like having to cook their own food. They miss the point.

The Melting Pot sponsored dinner for me and four girlfriends for a GNO (GNO – girl’s night out). Here  are more pictures of us at the Melting Pot. We were there for 4 hours. We’re a finicky group. They accommodated us and we never felt rushed at all. We talked, laughed, talked shop. We ate lots of chocolate.

For the holidays they are running a BUY $100 / GET $100 promotion. Purchase $100 in Gift Cards and get a Holiday Gift of four $25 cards. Each one may be used quarterly throughout 2010. The offer isn’t available online — just go in or call 521-MELT or email tj@utahmeltingpot.com and order them.

Also be sure to sign up for their Club Fondue email list.

The Melting Pot is open extended hours for the holidays – from 3pm-11pm on Fridays and 11AM-11pm on Saturdays.

When you’re done walk over the the Grand America hotel and go to the teddy bear display. Bring a bear to donate and you’ll get a coupon for a Webkins in their gift shop. But what’s really amazing is the decorations, it’s just stunning.

There you go – a great night out.