I saw an article online where the author compiled a "reverse bucket list," or a list of things you never want to do before you die, and I thought it was a great idea. I'm sure you all know by now that I love making lists, so here's mine (subject to change):
1. Run a full marathon. A lot of people probably put this on a real bucket list, but it sounds like my nightmare.
2. Go skydiving. I've accepted my fear of heights and do not want to face it.
3. Visit Antarctica.
4. Resort to cannibalism because of a crazy disaster situation.
5. Give up carbs, caffeine, or sugar.
6. Go to Burning Man.
7. Couponing.
8. Be on a reality show.
9. Own a taxidermied animal.
10. Witness the miracle of childbirth. I just don't want to see that.
11. Become an Alaskan King Crab fisherman/woman.
12. Go to a country music concert. Exception: Dolly Parton, because she is awesome.
13. Climb Mount Everest. I am reading "Into Thin Air," and all the frozen dead bodies up there freaks me out.
14. Read any more books by James Joyce. I had to read Finnegans Wake, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and Ulysses in college, and hated them. I know they are considered classics, but I had a hard time getting through them. Sidenote: James Joyce has an amazing full name: James Augustine Aloysius Joyce.
15. Live in a basement apartment. Again.
16. Take a picture of those stupid towel animals they put on your bed on cruise ships and put it on Facebook.
17. Go shopping at midnight on Black Friday.
18. Own a reptile, amphibian, or rodent as a pet.
19. Visit a third world country. Bonus item: take a picture of myself holding a malnourished child while visting the third world country.
20. Wait in line to buy something. iPhones are cool, you guys, but do you really need to wait in line to buy one?
What is on your list?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Holiday Shopping
As the child of small business owners, I feel compelled to jump on the "buy local" bandwagon. It's something my dad has been preaching for quite a while; the license plate of his truck even says "LOCL1ST."
So, to help with your holiday shopping, I've assembled a list of some gift ideas that you can get at my favorite local stores here in Salt Lake City.
Gift idea: sunglasses
Image Eyes Optical, 2008 South 1100 East Salt Lake City, UT
Matt and I get all of our glasses and sunglasses here. They have really unique styles, and the staff is always really helpful at selecting a frame that looks good on your face.
Gift idea: sewing machine, sewing classes, gift card
Nuttalls Sewing Center, 4742 S 900 E Salt Lake City, UT
I was introduced to this store last year when Matt got me a new sewing machine for Christmas. Not only do they have a really great selection of sewing supplies and fabric, but their staff is really helpful and nice. I've had a couple bad experiences at a chain fabric store where the staff was really condescending and rude; I assume it is because I'm young. One time, a sales lady even suggested that I select an easier pattern. How would she know the level of my sewing ability!?! But, that won't happen at Nuttalls! They are always willing to help select a fabric and give advice about a particular pattern or problem you have with your sewing. Bonus: if you buy a sewing machine there, they give you free classes!
Gift idea: books, notebooks, unique stationary
Sam Weller's Bookstore, 254 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT
As a librarian, one of my favorite things is introducing people to books I love. This is probably my favorite bookstore in the city, because of its location and selection. Bonus: there is a Coffee Garden kiosk inside, so you can get a tasty coffee while you're there. When I'm in Moab, I go to Arches Book Company. They have a good selection of local books, which I've given to my in-laws a couple times (they live in South Carolina and like the Utah-themed coffee table books), best sellers, and cool greeting cards.
Gift idea: gift certificate for a massage
Healing Mountain Massage School, 363 S 500 E #210 Salt Lake City, UT
This is a great gift for someone on a budget; you can get a one-hour massage for around $30. The students always do a great job, and the environment is really relaxing. Warning: once you get a massage, you will get addicted and want to get massaged all of the time.
Gift idea: mix CD
Graywhale, 208 S. 1300 E, SLC
This is a classic gift, in my opinion, and it's also good for someone on a budget. Did you know that you can buy MP3s from Graywhale's website? I just found this out! Sometimes the albums are cheaper than iTunes, too. You can buy the physical CD at their store, or be more modern and download the MP3s and put your playlist on a thumb drive (which you can buy at my parents' office supply store--shameless plug).
Gift idea: gourmet food basket (cheese, nuts, crackers, those big summer sausages, honey, jam, etc.)
Harmon's, 7755 South 700 East, Midvale, UT; other various locations in SLC area.
Harmon's is my favorite grocery store for one main reason: the cheese bar. The cheese bar in the Midvale store carries lots of different kinds of cheese, including cheese made by a local cheese company, Beehive Cheese Co, that is ridiculously good. My favorite is the apple walnut smoked cheese, with the rosemary cheddar and SeaHive (sea salt, honey, and cheese--holy crap this is good) coming in a close second and third. The staff will let you taste things and is really knowledgeable about the products. In fact, I bought the apple walnut cheese after one of their staff recommended it. This grocery store also has a good selection of olive oils, vinegars, nuts (Nutty Guys brand, another local company), as well as any other grocery item you might need.
Other good stores for assembling your food basket:
Liberty Heights Fresh, 1290 South 1100 East Salt Lake City, UT.
I think they will even make the gift basket for you! They have really unique items, like fancy ketchups and chocolates and sodas. Some of their items are sort of pricey, but you will find things there you won't see in other stores. I heard a rumor that they have a $1,000 bottle of vinegar that is a billion years old or something like that.
Tony Caputo's, 314 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT
If you don't know this restaurant/market and you live in Salt Lake, you've probably been living under a rock. They have a great selection of cheeses, chocolates, pastas, jams, olive oils, vinegars, etc. I've always found the staff to be very helpful, too.
Bonus: while you're there, you can yourself a meatball sandwich.
Gift idea: food class
Tony Caputo's, 314 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT
While I'm on the topic of Caputo's... My sister's boyfriend's brother (are you with me?) gave them a chocolate tasting class one year for Christmas. I thought it was a genius idea. I want to take the intro to fine cheese tasting class. YUM!
Gift idea: Teapot, infuser, and teas
The Tea Grotto, 2030 S 900 E # 6 Salt Lake City, UT
When Matt and I lived in Sugarhouse, we would go to the Tea Grotto weekly to get their amazing green tea lattes. I like the almond flavor; Matt liked the plum. They have tons of different flavors of tea, and the staff is really knowledgeable. They also have some really unique and beautiful teapots for sale.
Gift Idea: booze
Epic Brewing Company, 825 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT
High West Distillery, 703 Park Avenue Park City, UT
Squatters, 147 West Broadway Salt Lake City, UT
Matt's brother and sister-in-law gave him a case of bottled rootbeer for his birthday last year, and he declared it one of the best gifts he's received. We've since taken their lead and purchased beverages for people, like a case of local beer for Caitlin's boyfriend Christian for his birthday. Or, a single bottle of booze can be a great gift, especially if it's a more expensive bottle that the recipient wouldn't normally buy for himself/herself. I think you can get all of the brands listed above at Utah liquor stores, too. You could even pair your gift with some beer mugs or highball glasses.
Or, if you want to give the gift of office supplies, stop by my parents' store!
What are your favorite local stores?
So, to help with your holiday shopping, I've assembled a list of some gift ideas that you can get at my favorite local stores here in Salt Lake City.
Gift idea: sunglasses
Image Eyes Optical, 2008 South 1100 East Salt Lake City, UT
Matt and I get all of our glasses and sunglasses here. They have really unique styles, and the staff is always really helpful at selecting a frame that looks good on your face.
Gift idea: sewing machine, sewing classes, gift card
Nuttalls Sewing Center, 4742 S 900 E Salt Lake City, UT
I was introduced to this store last year when Matt got me a new sewing machine for Christmas. Not only do they have a really great selection of sewing supplies and fabric, but their staff is really helpful and nice. I've had a couple bad experiences at a chain fabric store where the staff was really condescending and rude; I assume it is because I'm young. One time, a sales lady even suggested that I select an easier pattern. How would she know the level of my sewing ability!?! But, that won't happen at Nuttalls! They are always willing to help select a fabric and give advice about a particular pattern or problem you have with your sewing. Bonus: if you buy a sewing machine there, they give you free classes!
Gift idea: books, notebooks, unique stationary
Sam Weller's Bookstore, 254 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT
As a librarian, one of my favorite things is introducing people to books I love. This is probably my favorite bookstore in the city, because of its location and selection. Bonus: there is a Coffee Garden kiosk inside, so you can get a tasty coffee while you're there. When I'm in Moab, I go to Arches Book Company. They have a good selection of local books, which I've given to my in-laws a couple times (they live in South Carolina and like the Utah-themed coffee table books), best sellers, and cool greeting cards.
Gift idea: gift certificate for a massage
Healing Mountain Massage School, 363 S 500 E #210 Salt Lake City, UT
This is a great gift for someone on a budget; you can get a one-hour massage for around $30. The students always do a great job, and the environment is really relaxing. Warning: once you get a massage, you will get addicted and want to get massaged all of the time.
Gift idea: mix CD
Graywhale, 208 S. 1300 E, SLC
This is a classic gift, in my opinion, and it's also good for someone on a budget. Did you know that you can buy MP3s from Graywhale's website? I just found this out! Sometimes the albums are cheaper than iTunes, too. You can buy the physical CD at their store, or be more modern and download the MP3s and put your playlist on a thumb drive (which you can buy at my parents' office supply store--shameless plug).
Gift idea: gourmet food basket (cheese, nuts, crackers, those big summer sausages, honey, jam, etc.)
Harmon's, 7755 South 700 East, Midvale, UT; other various locations in SLC area.
Harmon's is my favorite grocery store for one main reason: the cheese bar. The cheese bar in the Midvale store carries lots of different kinds of cheese, including cheese made by a local cheese company, Beehive Cheese Co, that is ridiculously good. My favorite is the apple walnut smoked cheese, with the rosemary cheddar and SeaHive (sea salt, honey, and cheese--holy crap this is good) coming in a close second and third. The staff will let you taste things and is really knowledgeable about the products. In fact, I bought the apple walnut cheese after one of their staff recommended it. This grocery store also has a good selection of olive oils, vinegars, nuts (Nutty Guys brand, another local company), as well as any other grocery item you might need.
Other good stores for assembling your food basket:
Liberty Heights Fresh, 1290 South 1100 East Salt Lake City, UT.
I think they will even make the gift basket for you! They have really unique items, like fancy ketchups and chocolates and sodas. Some of their items are sort of pricey, but you will find things there you won't see in other stores. I heard a rumor that they have a $1,000 bottle of vinegar that is a billion years old or something like that.
Tony Caputo's, 314 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT
If you don't know this restaurant/market and you live in Salt Lake, you've probably been living under a rock. They have a great selection of cheeses, chocolates, pastas, jams, olive oils, vinegars, etc. I've always found the staff to be very helpful, too.
Bonus: while you're there, you can yourself a meatball sandwich.
Gift idea: food class
Tony Caputo's, 314 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT
While I'm on the topic of Caputo's... My sister's boyfriend's brother (are you with me?) gave them a chocolate tasting class one year for Christmas. I thought it was a genius idea. I want to take the intro to fine cheese tasting class. YUM!
Gift idea: Teapot, infuser, and teas
The Tea Grotto, 2030 S 900 E # 6 Salt Lake City, UT
When Matt and I lived in Sugarhouse, we would go to the Tea Grotto weekly to get their amazing green tea lattes. I like the almond flavor; Matt liked the plum. They have tons of different flavors of tea, and the staff is really knowledgeable. They also have some really unique and beautiful teapots for sale.
Gift Idea: booze
Epic Brewing Company, 825 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT
High West Distillery, 703 Park Avenue Park City, UT
Squatters, 147 West Broadway Salt Lake City, UT
Matt's brother and sister-in-law gave him a case of bottled rootbeer for his birthday last year, and he declared it one of the best gifts he's received. We've since taken their lead and purchased beverages for people, like a case of local beer for Caitlin's boyfriend Christian for his birthday. Or, a single bottle of booze can be a great gift, especially if it's a more expensive bottle that the recipient wouldn't normally buy for himself/herself. I think you can get all of the brands listed above at Utah liquor stores, too. You could even pair your gift with some beer mugs or highball glasses.
Or, if you want to give the gift of office supplies, stop by my parents' store!
What are your favorite local stores?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
So we're drinkin' drinkin' drinkin' drinkin' Coca coca cola
I have tried to give up drinking Coke many times. I think my longest streak without a relapse was 10 days (wow, I sound like an alcoholic or drug addict). They say it takes about 18 tries for people to give up smoking, so I see my failed attempts at giving up Coke not as failures, but as events on the path of quitting. Right now I am currently on day 4 without any Coke.
I decided that this time, instead of saying "no Coke ever again," I'd allow myself to imbibe in the occasional soda. My original plan was to only drink it when I was at a restaurant, but I soon found myself eating out several times a week in order to get my fix. I think soda is okay in moderation, so I decided this time to allow myself to have a Coke every once in a while.
Here are some tips I have if you also want to stop drinking soda:
1. Find an alternative. Let's be honest, you don't always want to drink water. I really like Honest Tea's Pomegranate White Tea with Acai. It sounds snooty, but it's the right amount of sweet and healthy with lots of antioxidants. I also love their Half and Half, an Arnold Palmer. These are good options if you are like me and do not eat/drink anything with artificial sweetener (aside from the scant amounts of swallowed toothpaste). If you like iced tea, that also makes a good substitute.
2. Do not watch Coke commercials. A couple years ago there was a commercial that just showed a Coke being poured into a frosty glass. It killed me.
3. Eat really delicious food and savor each bite. If your meal is really flavorful and tasty, you won't really miss Coke that much.
4. If you work in an office with vending machines, leave all cash and change at home. If you need change for parking, leave it in your car.
5. Get the rest of your household on board, and don't keep soda in the house. Matt stopped drinking soda a couple years ago, so we rarely have it in the house. If I have a soda, he will sometimes have a drink of mine. He claims that one drink satiates his craving. I think he's crazy.
6. Don't eat fast food. The value meals come with a soda, which makes it really hard to say "no."
7. Look at the numbers. If I spend $1.25 a day (the price of a Coke in the work vending machine), that adds up to $325 a year. And some days, I had two or three sodas a day.
8. Think of your body. You will probably lose weight by giving up soda.
9. Stay busy. On my busiest days at work I don't have time to get a Coke, and I don't even notice that I haven't had one.
10. Get some cheerleaders. Matt is pretty good at keeping me from falling off the wagon. Make sure you tell your loudest and most aggressive friends, because they'll be the ones who say, "I thought you were giving up soda..?"
Good luck!
I decided that this time, instead of saying "no Coke ever again," I'd allow myself to imbibe in the occasional soda. My original plan was to only drink it when I was at a restaurant, but I soon found myself eating out several times a week in order to get my fix. I think soda is okay in moderation, so I decided this time to allow myself to have a Coke every once in a while.
Here are some tips I have if you also want to stop drinking soda:
1. Find an alternative. Let's be honest, you don't always want to drink water. I really like Honest Tea's Pomegranate White Tea with Acai. It sounds snooty, but it's the right amount of sweet and healthy with lots of antioxidants. I also love their Half and Half, an Arnold Palmer. These are good options if you are like me and do not eat/drink anything with artificial sweetener (aside from the scant amounts of swallowed toothpaste). If you like iced tea, that also makes a good substitute.
2. Do not watch Coke commercials. A couple years ago there was a commercial that just showed a Coke being poured into a frosty glass. It killed me.
3. Eat really delicious food and savor each bite. If your meal is really flavorful and tasty, you won't really miss Coke that much.
4. If you work in an office with vending machines, leave all cash and change at home. If you need change for parking, leave it in your car.
5. Get the rest of your household on board, and don't keep soda in the house. Matt stopped drinking soda a couple years ago, so we rarely have it in the house. If I have a soda, he will sometimes have a drink of mine. He claims that one drink satiates his craving. I think he's crazy.
6. Don't eat fast food. The value meals come with a soda, which makes it really hard to say "no."
7. Look at the numbers. If I spend $1.25 a day (the price of a Coke in the work vending machine), that adds up to $325 a year. And some days, I had two or three sodas a day.
8. Think of your body. You will probably lose weight by giving up soda.
9. Stay busy. On my busiest days at work I don't have time to get a Coke, and I don't even notice that I haven't had one.
10. Get some cheerleaders. Matt is pretty good at keeping me from falling off the wagon. Make sure you tell your loudest and most aggressive friends, because they'll be the ones who say, "I thought you were giving up soda..?"
Good luck!
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