lifestyle Archives - Page 24 of 27

Giving back….How YOU can plan a Homeless giving bag night!

giving back, homeless bags, community, service project

Giving back… Service project-Homeless giving bags. Goal for 2017 was 300 bags! We went over goal 310!

giving back, homeless bags, community, service project back, homeless bags, community, service project

Setting up the product for a successful assembly night

Items included in each of the bags.

This Years bags …Hope Community health service donated these fabulous back packs

In years past we use the xxlg zip lock bags (I’ve purchase at Target)

Community that come together for a good cause

I thought I would share with you one of my favorite nights of the year….. Our Annual Service project for the Homeless “giving bags” I started organizing this event 3 years ago with the idea if a family could make 5 to 10 bags a family “what could a community come together and do?” “Well it Takes A Village”

Is a true statement! My first year I set a goal of 100 bags and made a list of items I felt would be helpful to people in need, created a Facebook event with my idea and the list of items and a start date for collecting items and a Assembly date . Letting them know I would provide Refreshments and treated it like a Holiday party!

Here is A sample of what I sent out on a Facebook event for this Year with a goal of 300 bags!

It’s our 3rd annual Homeless Giving bag service project assembling Night… We did 220 bags last year and I would love to do 300 this year!

For those of you that helped, donated and assembled … We deliver a large portion to the streets of salt lake and Ogden & then families take 5/6 bags and Handed out to Homeless in need ALL year! It was a great way to give back and help people in need on the Street!

Donations can be dropped off at my home…. NEED BY NOVEMBER 27th…..Here’s or list of Items were looking for….(Any amount is perfect you don’t have to get all 300 of an item) Please just comment what your getting and how many so we can keep track of what’s needed❤️ Assembly night will be December 3rd ( A Donation of time is wonderful too for assembly night!)

Xxlg zip bag 300 (Vandenberg’s provide)

Waters. 300

Granola bars 600

Fruit snacks 600

Cup of noodle 300

Vit c 300

Tooth brushes 300

Tooth paste 300

Beanies 300

Socks 300

Gloves 300

Hand sanitizer 300

Cheese crackers 600

Mints roll 300

Hand warms 300

Comb 300

Soap 300

Any donation’s is wonderful to make this “give back” event wonderful!

As the items start arriving I keep track and keep adjusting our needs on the event page. As we get to the last week of donation deadline I put out a need on a regular Facebook post and other social media….. I feel blessed people always come through. People really do want to help and do care to help a good cause. We’re lucky to live in a great community of wonderful people who want to give back.

We started a family tradition with handing out our giving bags….We have a couple of other families go with us to Salt lake. We enjoy dinner at Cheesecake Factory, See the lights at Temple square and hand out bags with our families at a couple of shelters. It’s always an emotional night 1. there is so many in need you feel heartbroken 2. It really helps you count your blessings 3. It warms your heart to see peoples face when you give them a bag 4. Your children (any age) really love being apart of something so special.

Family photo from 2016 viewing the lights in Salt lake city

You too can start a” Giving bag” service project start small 50 bags and ask your family, friends, neighbors and community members! You’ll be shocked how fast your bag items add up!

I am happy to answer any question you may have, just leave a comment below. OX, D’Arcy

Oktoberfest At Snowbird, Utah! Annual Couple’s weekend!

Pumpkin Beer with Whip cream, Sounds weird but it’s so good!

Beautiful mountain view for Oktoberfest weekend! Fall in Utah you never know what weather your going to get, in the mountains! Snow, rain or Shine it’s alway’s a great time!

Cheer’s to a great weekend with friends!

Snowbird, Utah in little cottonwood canyon!

Fashion shoot in the Fall leaves!

Fall foliage is Stunning in the Fall up at Snowbird, Utah in the little Cottonwood canyon! Perfect for a fashion shoot!

We love the opportunity to take the Scenic drive home.

Ruth’s dinner, Emigration canyon!

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest. Held annually in Munich, Bavaria and Germany. It’s a 16 to 18 day folk festival running from mid or late September to the first weekend in October, with more then 6 million people from all around the world attending the event every year. During the event large amounts of beer are consumed, along with traditional foods, amusement rides, vendors and games.

Did you know you didn’t need to head to Europe to join in on the fun? We have a great Oktoberfest right here in Utah…. Head up Little Cottonwood canyon to Snowbird from August to October and experience all the same fun! Snowbird’s Oktoberfest was awarded one of America’s 10 Best Oktoberfests and we agree! While this event can be a family affair, activities, music, food and brews, We chose to make it a couples weekend. It’s a great chance to get together with friends and enjoy the activities without having to look after littles! Nothing like catching up with friends and enjoying a beer to catch a break from parenting for the weekend!

Ben and I started going to this event 8 or 9 years ago I believe, (Ben is Dutch and he loves the German food, some is similar to Dutch! Schnitzel, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, potato salad, apple strudel and of course the Soft pretzel!) We heard about the event and at that time it was only in August, every year it has grown larger and each year Snowbird extends the dates. Now it goes until October! My hubby suggested it as a little one night getaway, a date night I couldn’t pass up! As we both moved to Big Bear lake, Ca. when we were 10 and the Oktoberfest was a huge tradition in October in Big Bear growing up, we both had fond memories! Snowbird didn’t disappoint, we had a ball and truly thought the event was so entertaining and so well done, we started making it an annual event. A couple years into going to our annual Oktoberfest date we decided it would be fun to share with friends and invited a couple of couples….and well it’s grown to several couples and a whole weekend event.

We start to plan our weekend in the month of July, we look at the dates Snowbird is hosting that year and pick the weekend that works for everyone. We like to stay at the cliff lodge and book Friday to Sunday! This allows us to have time at the Spa or pool on Friday and enjoy dinner together! Saturday we have the whole day to enjoy the festivities of Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest closes at 6pm so we’ll stroll to the outside bar and play some yard games and enjoy the time in the mountain air until it’s dark. Then we’ll head to our dinner reservation and maybe hit the spa before it closes. It makes for a really fun filed day and nobody wants to have to drive home, plus its fun to enjoy a wonderful Sunday breakfast after sleeping in!

I can’t believe I don’t have pictures of the day everyone dressed up in traditional costumes and I really can’t believe I don’t have a picture of me in my hubbies hat, he bought in Germany when Hudson was almost 3, that I wear every year and have been collecting pins from Oktoberfest since we’ve been coming! (well, some years I don’t have, because snowbird sells out fast!) I might have to take a quick day trip next year on opening day just to grab one before they sell out! Note: to Snowbird…Order MORE souvenirs! They are always out of Small and Med tee’s & sweatshirts and never have pins come late September! They do always have plenty of cool Beer Steins for the year and are refillable for a fee. I love collecting the steins and incase you didn’t guess, I really like beer!

The large food tent never disappoints! The entertainment, dancing (funky chicken & Polka) and all the Authentic German food has us partaking for hours. It’s a standing joke, if my husbands missing….he’s getting Strudel! Ben is alway’s searching out food so he is one happy guy at this event!

Have a family and want to make it a family affair? This event won’t disappoint, there’s plenty to do in the beautiful mountain setting, from the mountain coaster, 100 person Aerial tram to ride to the top of the mountain & listen to the Alphorns echo from atop Hidden peak, vertical drop, rope course, climbing wall, bungee trampoline, tree climb, bounce houses, games and plenty of food & shopping tents. The whole family will have a ball!

I look forward to this weekend every year and I hope I inspired you to want to take a drive up little cottonwood canyon next Fall for Oktoberfest! OX, D’Arcy

Fall Fashion Trends featuring Kut from the Kloth clothing brand

Fashion Segment featuring Kut from the kloth clothing

Fall Fashion Trends

Styling Cute Fall Trends with Kut from the Kloth Clothing brand. If you have been following me for awhile you know I am a huge fan of Kut from the Kloth. They make a jean body for every figure and their fit is amazing. If you haven’t tried Kut…. You really must. If you had and didn’t LOVE… You must go try on another body style because there is a body style that will fit and YOU will LOVE.

Kut doesn’t just make denim… they make the cutest tops, jackets and dresses. The quality is Amazing washes up fabulous and has a classic timeless feel with current trends. I was very happy to do a whole fashion segment on just their brand as it’s one of my favorites. Here’s a peek at what’s coming for Fall…..Floral’s, embroidered , plaids, leather, suede and of course ALL kinds of denim and body styles.

Watch the segment on The Place on link below

Fox 13 fashion segment

I hope you will watch the segment & pick up some tips that will help you style your Fall fashion or shop a couple of these looks at Kut from the Kloth

Have a great day! OX, D’Arcy

Bar Cart Friday! Fun way to Entertain…

Happy Friday Beautiful’s!

Just a quick little post for Friday Bar cart Beautiful!

Today I wanted to share with you a fun little date night or even Boy’s Game night idea for your bar cart! Super easy & quick to throw together idea for a fun Night. Just a couple Items to throw this look together! If you’ve been following me you know I love to entertain and have been a collector of thing’s I think will make for good serving pieces or fun props that you can use over & over! Here’s some tips on what to look for to make your carts come together with easy….

I love the Word BAR I picked up at Homegoods and use a ton! Look for words you would use like EAT & Yum if you don’t drink! (Bar can be used for…. Candy BAR, Coco BAR, Cup cake BAR) You get the Idea! I love trays and consider this Coke Cola crate a tray (found mine on etsy) Collect fun Cups that can be used for multiple occasions. These lidded Mason jar glasses work great for picnic’s, Ice Tea, lemonade and perfect for game or movie night! I save cute bottle or cool soda cans and use as props. Glass jars are great to serve food and treats out of! Use things around your house…Like games, silk flowers, real plants, candles, books for risers Etc.

Collecting serving pieces & glass ware that can serve multiple occasions is smart… Don’t get to caught up in a theme you might not be able to get multiple looks out of it! Think Glass, White, solid colors or a pattern if you can use it for multiple seasons or holiday’s! ( I collect black and white stripes and polka dots) Which can be used for many occasions!

See my other Bar Cart idea’s Here…… BBQ, Tropical, Cinco de Mayo, Vacation ready, Girl’s Movie night, Summer weekend

Hoping you are enjoying My Bar cart Beautiful Series!

Have a great weekend Beautiful’s! Ox, D’Arcy

Friday’s Bar cart Beautiful= Summer Weekend

Hello Beautiful’s!

It’s time for Friday Bar cart styling = Hot summer night’s Nautical theme & Watermelon Moscow mules….

I hope your having a wonderful Summer! It’s been a really HOT summer in Utah! All anyone wants to do is float in the water or do something indoors! So I hope your staying cool!

We live in a lake town in Utah and I am a California girl at heart! So the nautical themed bar cart for Summer just feels perfect! This would be cute by your pool or a cute Summer Birthday party theme.

I don’t know if you remember a couple months back, when I decorated the Junior Leagues annual Gala? It was ” A night at the Cape”…. Which had me collecting a ton of nautical decor! (I had to do something with it!) Another inspiration for our Summer Bar cart! I hope this inspires you to have fun with your Bar cart and decorate it for the seasons!

My Favorite Drink these day’s is my Watermelon Moscow Mule cocktail creation! Yum! You can make a Mocktail by leaving out the vodka..

A copper cup ( I think it’s a must)

Ginger beer (our fav is Fever Tree) 1 bottle makes 2 drinks

club soda

vodka (leave out if making Mocktail)

lime

mint for garnish

3 slices of watermelon

ice

Fill your copper mug with Ice, pour 2 shots of vodka in mug, squeeze in the lime add to side for garnish, use 1/2 of the ginger beer in each mug….set aside!

cut up 1 water melon slice into 2 for garnish and other 2 watermelon slice’s put in plastic bag and smash into juice…

add juice to both mugs you set aside & stir top off with club soda and finish garnishing with watermelon slice a sprig of mint! YUM…If you try it leave me a comment and tell me how you liked it!

Hope your enjoying your Summer loves! OX, D’Arcy

Friday=Bar cart Beautiful

Hello Beautiful’s It’s Friday Yippee! If you’ve been reading my Blog for awhile, you know I love to entertain and any reason to throw a party! With that said I started Doing Friday’s post on Bar cart Beautiful. (I have been slaking lately on my blog! Sorry!) I have been posting a pic or two on instagram and I promise I am going to be more consistent here! Bar Carts don’t just have to be for cocktails or BAR drinks! They can be used for any type of serving and make a great statement piece for a party theme! ( I have even posted using 1 of mine for for a vanity or a fun desert cart!) Really the possibilities are endless! This is why I own over 3 carts….(Making a teethe gritting look!!)

Bar car beautiful this week was inspired by the First day of Summer! Yippee!! Summer Flamingos, Palms & pineapples, YES PLEASE! Styling a perfect bar cart is about balance but really it’s about picking a theme! Once you have picked a theme you keep it balanced by working in ODD numbers! Yes… Odd numbers not even! This is a interior design trick. Never work in even numbers, people think that’s the balance but truly it isn’t! Note: Top shelve has 11 items including palm mats and bottom has 5 items (pink flamingo stirs count as 1) So when your shopping or going through your house to collect items keep that in the back of your Mind!

I also let a cocktail be my inspiration! Say…Champagne float=Girl’s Night or bridal shower. Bubbly Coconut Rum=Vacation cart, Whisky and soda= Game night You get the picture….

Check out some my Past Bar Cart Beautiful’s Cinco de Mayo , Vacation Ready, Girl’s Movie Night, Memorial Day BBQ

Enjoy your weekend beautiful’s! Ox, D’Arcy

Detail’s= Cart= Vintage KSL, palm leaves, sign,flamingos, umbrellas, napkins, glass tassel’s and stir sticks= Target $1-$3 bin, Gold pineapple= Home Goods, Cocktail glasses with Pink base= Zgallery ( years ago) glass decanter= gift, Beads=etsy, pink candle=chic style utah by voulspa, glass bowl with gold stripes= Vintage etsy, small gold pineapple (candle)= Target, flowers= homegoods

8 essentials everyone needs for Summer!

Hello Beautiful’s! Now that Summer has official kicked off, here is 8 of my essential items I feel every babe needs .

A great Summer Bag = If you scroll through instagram, pintrest and blogs you’ll see this is Summer’s MUST have bag by Cult Gaia It’s in a middle price point, goes with every summer outfit you could dream up and you’ll get years of use out of this darling bamboo bag! Don’t wait to long because every website that has it sells out fast and puts you on a waiting list! Chic Style has the Small version at a lower price, Cult Gaia has both but is pre order! I linked you to both!
JBL= Portable Bluetooth & waterproof speaker. I am in love with this handy speaker! If you enjoy your tunes and want great sound this is your gadget! Enjoy tunes while you go paddle boarding, laying out, pool party, outdoor festivities! I am so impressed with the quality of the music and that it’s water proof! JBR
Say Hello to Sexy Legs= Get that Sun kissed tan you have wanted without the sun! I was sent this set from the company to give it a try and asked to give my honest review and I love this Product! I loved it so much I put it here in my 8 essential’s! it gives a great glow that isn’t orange! I love the illuminate fluid, it’s a highlighter stick for the legs and even the collar bones:) If you love to look tan with out going in the sun grab this awesome product! Order here: Hello to sexy legs
Summer reads= You always need a great read specially in the Summer… Here’s what on my list: Leave your Mark, Capture your Style, The career code, The Magnolia story, The Dry… All of them I purchased on Amazon My kindle is also full of fun reads! (i’ll share with you at a later time!
Shades= Not just any shades, cool summer shades in fun shapes! Summer’s the time to have fun and branch out, play with shapes and tinted lens! TIP: buy affordable & cheap shades to experiment with! (jumping into the lake with $300 sunglasses is no fun!) Save your expensive shades for driving, shopping and dining…You get the picture!
Face Sun screen =Eminence powder spf 30 sun screen is a face saver! I purchased this from my dermatologist a couple of years ago and I have not used another product since. This is an amazing product! No oil, protects against the harsh sun while giving you a little powder coverage! AMAZING purchase here and here
Toner water= Eau Roma Water by Lush is a perfect refresher on a hot Summer day! Helps keep the skin hydrated and refreshed. I can’t sit outside with out it!
Lip balm= It’s all good Coconut organic lip balm is made with coconut oil and is twice the size of any lip balm you’ve ever owned! Helps hydrate your lips naturally with the taste of the tropics. Perfect for hot Summer day’s! Keep those lips kissable:) Hope you guy’s try some of my Summer essentials! OX,D’Arcy As always, all views and opinions expressed are my own. I did have a collaboration with Say Hello to Sexy Legs!

Hello Summer….Perfect Day to Head to Jamba Juice

Happy first day of Summer! The longest day of the year! I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t wait for Summer to arrive! We had one long Winter and Spring this Year! Of course we had to start off with record heat waves across the country….The perfect time to head over to Jamba Juice and grab a refreshing and healthy smoothie. I was lucky enough to be treated along with my family to the 2 NEW Summer smoothies- Watermelon Breeze & Poolside Fit and let me tell you they are delicious!

Watermelon Breeze Smoothie = has Watermelon Juice, Strawberry, Pineapple, Raspberry Sherbet. The benefits of watermelon is Hydration, Skin Health and Vitamin A

Poolside Fit smoothie = Watermelon juice, Strawberry, Cucumber, Peach, Fresh Lemon juice plus a Collagen boost! Perfect for glowing skin and healthy joints.

I love a healthy alternative to ice cream in the Summer and Jamba Juice gives you nutrients on the go with only using real whole fruits and veggies yet fills the craving of Ice cream. My family always enjoys a trip to Jamba Juice! Hurry what are you waiting for….

Hope you had a great First Day of Summer! OX, D’Arcy

Outfit details= Hello Summer Tee Chic Style Utah (in shop only) $29.99 , Watermelon cooler bag by Bando $32, shorts freepeople old similar here, Red Tory Burch sandals, Gold Ball bangle, Sunglasses Tiffany older similar here

Note* This post is a collaboration with Jamba Juice and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Friday Bar cart Beautiful= Memorial Day BBQ

What’s better then Friday? A 3 day weekend! Kicking off Memorial weekend with this Friday’s Bar cart beautiful=BBQ ready! A fun way to use and style a bar cart! Use it for serving…We have a great menu ready and looking forward to having friends over to celebrate this fun Holiday! Memorial Day is the perfect way to kick off BBQ season!

I let the Menu be the STAR of this Bar cart styling….The tried and true favorites of BBQ season! Pull out your patriotic decor, your favorite foods and serve it up fun!

Hope you have a wonderful and safe Holiday weekend! OX, D’Arcy

Details= Menu board= Potterybarn, Vintage Coke create= Etsy, Barn wood flag= My Hubby made for me, Glass mason jars with lids= online years ago, Striped jar= Secret Haven boutique, Red bowl= Create Barrel, red, white & blue garland = Ti Pan

Friday=Bar cart Beautiful, Girl’s Movie Night

It’s Friday Beautiful’s and you know what that means….Bar cart Beautiful! This weeks styling was inspired by Girl’s Movie Night!

So gather up your girl friends and have a fun movie night at home.

Here I played up the color of my popcorn boxes and snack tin! Red just screams Movies and popcorn to me! I let good old Coke be the lead for a cocktail (Rum and coke) but for my non drinkers just serve a old fashion glass bottle of Coke Cola! Nothings better with popcorn then a yummy COKE!

Grab a bunch of Chic flick’s and some candy and call the girl’s! This Friday is gonna be fun!

Details; Ribbon garland I made, Roll of heart tickets I had in my craft supplies (scrapbooking day’s) popcorn boxes= Target’s $1 bin a long time ago, popcorn bowl=Rock loft, Snack Tin= General store a cute little boutique that went out of business years ago, Movie picture=Hobby lobby, glass Mason jars with lid & straw= Online years ago before they were cool:)

darcyvandenberg