Temple Square

When visiting Downtown Salt Lake City- Temple Square is a must see. The history of Utah is rich at Temple Square, there's no better place to visit in Utah where you can learn about our history.

Temple square is home to the Salt Lake City Mormon Temple. You can't enter unless you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with a temple recommend, but there are visitor centers, tabernacles, the conference center, and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building that you can visit.

The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is my favorite. It is stunning and includes 3 different restaurants. It was once a hotel and is now used as a visitor center, reception center and office building.

While you can't enter the Temple without a recommend, you can view it from all angles on the outside. This is the most beautiful building in the world- to me.

The grounds of Temple Square are well tended to. In the spring you'll find the grounds covered in fresh blossoms.

At Christmas time it is covered in lights and a Nativity Scene.

If you go to the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial building you can view the temple from their west windows.

There are 4 restaurants in all at Temple Square, the prices vary making dining at the square possible for anyone. There's the Lion House- famous for their rolls and a great stop for that home cooking, the Navoo Cafe- fast service and great sandwiches, the Garden- a great inbetween restaurant; not too fancy but fancier than the other two, and last but not least The Roof- a fine dining restaurant with spectacular views of the temple.

Porters Place

One of my family's favorite restaurants in Utah is Porters Place. Named and themed after Porter Rockwell- a gunman from the 1800's and official body guard of the 1st modern day prophet of the LDS Church- Joseph Smith.

The restaurant is located on the old main street in Lehi Utah, a small town just 30 minutes south of downtown SLC, among other original buildings.
(as you can see- I was able to take Lauren there! She came to stay with me last week and this was first on our list)

Inside you'll find vintage wallpaper and lighting. The restaurant casts an atmosphere of an an old west saloon.

When sitting up at the bar you rest on old tractor seats (one of my favorite parts).

The walls are covered in wood that actually came from my Dad's childhood barn and the rest is exposed original brick.

At the front of the restaurant is a vintage style cash box that they still use as well as a 1900's piano where they sometimes have live ragtime music played. But when the piano isn't in use, you can count on that saloon music filling the restaurant through speakers.

The food is American. Steak, potatos, rolls (my favorite part), and hamburgers are what you mostly find on the menu, but they also have a salad bar and some simpler options.

Alcohol isn't served but they have their "signature drinks". We tried three of them- Silver Queen, Diamond Lil, and Gold Feber. Our favorite (across the table) was the Silver Queen, smooth vanilla, the Diamond Lil is similar to a pina colada- which we enjoyed, and the Gold Feber was a bit too... syrup-y for us.

When trying to get that "Utah" experience- Porters Place is a great choice.

La Bonne Vie

La Bonne Vie means "The Good Life." Located in the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City Utah. It is a must visit if you find yourself in the area.

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For someone who's ultimate dream would be to own a bakery of her own...well this really is the good life!

Below you will clearly see more reasons why....

Not only do they serve some seriously delicious macarons...they serve all kinds of pastries and gelato and covered strawberries. HERE is a link to everything they serve and all the different delectable flavours of the treats!

 Fun Fact: La Bonne Vie was named "Best Bakery" by Salt Lake magazine in the 2012 Dining Awards.

Oh did I mention that I got to visit the bakery while visiting ms Gentri! We had such a fun week together! Here she is enjoying some seriously tasty hazelnut gelato.

& Here I am enjoying my pistachio macaron which was so good it was hard not to order 10 more...or ....100.

When I like something I REALLY like something!

So if you find yourself in the Salt Lake area pop on over and order up some treats! They even have adorable and beautiful packaging for their treats, which makes it a great gift! That is if you can handle not eating it all on the way to deliver the treat! So probably order for you and your loved ones! And maybe one for me?!

Waialua Bakery

Ya ok, I know what you are thinking. "another Hawaii post?". But let's be real here..you aren't even mad. The answer to your other question is.. Yes I am trying to convince all of you to move to Hawaii.
So I figure I can win you all over with food. I know it would work for me.
This bakery is well..scrumptious. The sandwiches are as big as your face {as shown in the picture above}. They are fresh and amazing and well lets just say I will not eat all day so that I can finish the entire thing.

As you can see...the fam agrees! When we go to Maui we even say we would fly over to Oahu just for a sandwich!

Oh and then once you have eaten your weight in delicious goodness...you of course have to "force" down one of their homemade ice cream sandwiches. I mean you really just have no choice in the matter once you get a look at them.

So you are gonna meet me there right? I figured! Oahu -> Haleiwa -> Waialua Bakery -> Heaven on earth.

Bon appetite! 

Gaston's Tavern

Disney World (as many of you know) has been expanding their "Fantasyland". They've added some new things and as far as I know, haven't finished! I was able to visit WDW this last February with my sister and her family. We had a blast and enjoyed every minute.

One of our favorite stops in the new Fantasyland was Gaston's Tavern. They serve pork shanks, gooey cinnamon rolls, and their signature "La Fou's Brew". This is supposed to be what the characters are drinking in the movie (we all know what it REALLY was). It's an apple cider- toasted marshmallow mixture with a passion fruit foam on top.

I plan on trying some recipes to see if I can come up with something similar. It was amazing! I will let you know if I can perfect it!

Haleakala Crater

Haleakala Crater is located on the island of Maui. (Surprised? I didn't think so.)
The sunrise on top of this volcano is a MUST see. Even though you have to wake up and get going at the butt crack of dawn...it's totally worth every chilly, yawning moment. Seriously. Worth. It.

The very highest point of the crater measures in at 10, 023 feet tall. It's so insane to look out and see the clouds beneath you. And then you catch a teeny tiny glimpse of light and all the sudden the sun is coming up. It is amazing.

This sunrise will absolutely and instantly be at the top of the list of any sunrise you have ever seen. 

You'll want to be prepared so you can enjoy every minute of it so here's what you need to take with you:

wear- warm pants, warm shirt and light but warm jacket. It's chilly up there! It's mighty early and the sun is not out AND you are above the clouds. It's cold. Also wear comfy running or hiking shoes so you can be sure to make it up to the very top!

Bring some snacks and water with you so you can stay up there for a while and enjoy it!

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DO NOT forget your camera! This is an obvious must but could be forgotten in your sleep drunken state of mind at 2:30 am. So maybe pack it up the night before.

So who is up for a trip to Maui just so you can see this sunrise? I thought so. See you there!

Travel In Style

I feel so lucky that Megan is able to guest post for us today. I've loved and followed her blog for a long time now and she's always been one of the nicest. She has great style so it's no wonder we asked her to help us learn how to travel in style.

Hi! I am Meg and I am the blogger behind Across The Pond.

I was asked to share my tips on how to travel in style with limited space.

I actually don't think I am the most stylish traveler out there,

but I have picked up some tricks along the way for the rookie traveler wanting to be cute and practical.

Most of us expats will tell you the trick is to pack clothes that can easily be layered.

It is spring in Europe right now,

except up until a day or two ago,

you would have thought it was the dead of winter.

So just because life tells you it is spring in April,

does not mean that is the reality of the weather,

especially in places throughout Europe.

1. Always pack a coat (lightweight for spring/summer/fall and a heavy down coat for winter) 

my trick: wear the coat on the plane so you dont have to pack it and take up room. Plus it seconds for a blanket or pillow ;)

2. Thermal tights are gods greatest gift. They don't take up much space, and they are a great way to transition from day to night when the temperature drops. 

my trick: wear them under leggings during the colder months

3. One pair of heels, either black or nude. This is for the fancy dinner out where you want to leave the flats at home and feel sexy

my trick: bring a large purse and stowe a pair of flats in it for walking around before and after dinner. When traveling you are probably walking a lot and taking public transportation, so bring a back that can carry an extra pair of comfy shoes for when you decide to ditch the heels

4. A classic black dress, or in my case a jumpsuit.

5. A Blazer or leather jacket for when you dont need an actual coat but want something cute to keep the chill at bay or cover yourself with. Doesn't take up much room and an easy layering tool

my trick:  layering jackets

6. Comfy basic sweater: to cozy up in at night or during cold days

7. basic tees. white, gray, black

8. one statement piece: a colorful skirt, top etc

9.  Accessories to dress up a basic outfit: hat, sunglasses, jewelry.

10. And lastly, of course, comfy shoes to walk around all day in. I have found the shoe brand, Naturalizers, to be the best thing to happen to my feet, and to my back. They are not always the cutest, but they are basic and so comfortable.

And that is all I've got.
Again, these are tips for traveling throughout Europe :)

Happy Traveling!

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Maui Farmers Market

The Maui Farmers Market is a must! We go every Saturday possible. It is located in Kahului and the University of Maui Community College and runs every Saturday from 7am-1pm. Its massive and full of so many great things! Make sure to check it out if you ever find yourself in the neighbourhood, which I really hope you do! Now for a shout out to my favorite must stop shops...

Aunty Lia's Baked Goods is the best for baked deliciousness. From Banana bread to the mango bread you can not go wrong! Worth every penny.

The market is FULL of fresh fruit and veg grown on the locals farms. Stop at any of these kiosks and you won't leave with less than a bag or two full of fresh awesomeness.

 Baked by Amy is no joke. Vegan cupcakes done right I tell ya. Don't let the vegan scare you away! These cupcakes are moist and very unique. Flavors such as lilikoi lavender or lemon ginger show of the talent of this girl. She.Can.Bake. We left with one of every flavour because its just worth it and vegan sooo healthy right?

The fresh jam and sauce kiosk is ummm scrumptious! They even have taste testers which will fill you up once you just can't decide which one to buy so well obviously you must try them all!

Earth Choice Cane sugar lemonade. Need I say more? Ok I will. This guy make it all right in front of you. Squeeze lemon, puree fruit of choice, add fresh cane sugar syrup. Did you know cane sugar is a super food? Does this place get any better? Perfect way to cool off while walking around in the sun.

Last but not least this kiosk was new and the first time out for Maui Bag Ladies. They make jewerly, purses and the most adorable dream catchers! So cute! You can also find them here to check out and order their products online!

Soooo run don't walk to the Maui Farmers Market!...ok so you probably have to fly but really just do it. Good enough excuse to get your butt to Hawaii...am I right? I know I am.