shhhhh it is a wordless Thursday but I took it on Wednesday!

this week has been nuts.  truly.  In a good way and in a crazy truly nuts way.  In the good way, I have my Mom and my nephew here from Florida for several weeks.  It is awesome.  In the truly crazy nuts way, a dumpster crashed through my window Monday night and the weekend was back to back and I had to prep for company and work ahead even though I am behind and sigh.  SO.  here is my wordless Wednesday.  on Thursday.  but I took it on Wednesday so it should count.  right?  right.

  

Deals of the Summer - Shopping Tales

I love to shop and I love deals.  And being on a serious budget does not mean that you can never shop again, it just means that you have to be more creative.

"Deal" includes many things for me: a great price, a great find and sometimes, even paying full price for a particular treasure.

Provo has not been a huge haven for deal shopping - I imagine Salt Lake has some great finds but I rarely get up that way (looking to change that soon)!  I look for deals in thrift stores, any kind of re-sale shops and some of the big chains too: Marshal's, Target, Pier One ... my deal alert is always on.  Online deals are awesome too - Amazon, Overstock and even craigslist are some of my favorites.

Here are some of my favorite summer deals/treasures that I found:

OK - this was the deal of the century, practically.  I have a slight bag, purse obsession and a slight Louis Vuitton obsession.  Marry the two and I am tickled LV!  Imagine my delight/surprise/shock at finding this at DI ...

I was wandering past a huge stack of purses and the logo caught my eye.  First response was - No WAY!  Second response was to fondle it, stick my head in it and smell it and then clutch it as if someone was going to jump out and take it away from me.   Paid $15 and I saw it online for $200-$400!

My second favorite deal of the summer was made for The Beehive Blog - Beehives, Beehive Blog - right?  Then let me introduce you to the Beehive cookie jar!

  Too cute - perfect for the table and this was found at Pier One for $24.95 original price but I got it at 20% off the day I was there. 



Pier One always has great stuff and I love to search through their discount shelves so the other purchase that I made that same day was inspired by Giada on the Food Network.  She was doing a show on having a cocktail party for friends and served this amazing roasted cauliflower couscous salad.  She served the salad on this great tray with wonton spoons and guests could just take a wonton spoon that was already full of yummies.

 
I got the tray for $5 and the spoons were 75 cents each at Pier One.  Great idea for serving any yummy mouthful at a cocktail party!

My final deal of the summer (although summer is not over yet!) was this great little find in a thrift shop on State Street here in Provo.  There is only a tiny sign in the window and I missed it many times going by.  One of my favorite homemade dishes is my Thai curry and I make the paste by hand - the tools required are a mortar and pestle and a hand blender is like the topping on the curry.

 
The box was open but everything was new inside and worked like a charm.  So for $15 we are on our way to a yummy Thai Curry!  Want the Thai Curry recipe?  Click here to see it on Foodies Unite!



Deals make me happy and everyone deserves to be happy - right? 

Ok, Beehivers and Bloggers - what was your best find of the summer?  Share!

Utah Lake

Provo Reflected

Saturday Walk Along Provo River

Recently, Provo was voted the #3 most livable city in the United States by Forbes and after an afternoon like today, I concur.
I walked through my neighborhood until I converged with the path that stretches from Utah Lake to Provo Canyon along Provo River.  The total length of the trail is 14 miles but I availed myself of about two miles today.  There is a wonderful paved path which is perfect for biking and walking.
I took some lovely spring into summer shots along the way and I am going to be making the trail a weekly event as it is only about 8 blocks from my house.  What a wonderful way to spend a day and take a picnic!
I vote it as the Bee's Knees!

Park along the Trail

along the river

tulips and mountains!

summer love

loved the colors!

Aspenwood Manor in Provo - Home away from Home

During a move locally this month, I had the opportunity to avail myself of the sumptious services offered by Aspenwood Manor - a renovated 1908 home here in Provo, Utah.  They advertise themselves as an "extended stay" and truly ... I could have stayed forever.

The Manager, Sarah was delightful and accommodating - the personalized services begin with the first phone call and last until your next visit.

The home/mansion is located right off Center Street in Provo which gives you walking access to the main part of town.  There is a glorious view of the Wasatch Mountains and stepping into Aspenwood Manor is like stepping into another world.

The original home was built in 1908 and was renovated in 2008 to current conditions:

We checked into the "French Villa" which is able to sleep up to 5 in beds.  There is a bedroom, a living room and a kitchen with an enormous closet and a little sleeping nook perfect for munchkins tucked under the stairs.  Every detail was perfect and oriented to make you comfortable - luxurious beds, flat screen tv, a fully stocked kitchen (dish and utensils) with a full size refrigerator and stove.

The unit was spotless and charming - a complete sanctuary!

The fireplace in the bedroom was a lovely addition and everything was decorated beautifully.

There are seven apartments available in Aspenwood Manor and there is a coin operated laundry on site as well.  Plenty of parking - great location and every amenity that you could think of - Aspenwood Manor is a great haven and home away from home!

The Beehive Blog think that Sarah and Aspenwood Manor are the Bee's Knees - we will not be using any other location for family and friends that are coming to visit!  Let them know that the Beehive Blog referred you!

Aspenwood Manor in Provo, Utah