Utah things to do

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List

With Summer arriving this week I thought it would be fun to share my Summer Bucket List with you. It seems Summer comes and goes in a blink of an eye! It is one of my favorite seasons here in Utah, it is also my favorite time to be out enjoying our state, plus our town is just beautiful this time of the year. Here is my Summer bucket list… I hope some of them make your list too:)

Summer Wildflowers: Free People Dress similar {HERE} Purse similar {HERE}

Summer brings the prettiest wildflowers which make for some very scenic drives along with all our beautiful lakes and mountains…. So making my list is a Scenic Drive to Mirror Lake, Bear Lake, Little Cottonwood Canyon and Sundance. I love a weekend drive in my hubby’s convertible to take in the sights and get some fresh air.

Skyline Trail Hike here in our town of Eden (Ogden Valley).

If you’ve been following me you know I belong to a woman’s hiking group and we still have quite a lot of Utah hikes we haven’t done. Here are FOUR Hikes that made my list to do this Summer: Wind Cave, {HERE} Donut Falls,{HERE} Fifth Water Hot Springs {HERE}and Cecret Lake.{HERE}

Serving Watermelon Pool side. Hat {HERE} Sunglasses dupes {HERE} Suit {HERE} Earrings {HERE}

Watermelon and Fruits of Summer is a pure pleasure and everyone loves good food and food Events. Hitting the Salt Lake City and Park City Farmers Market are on my list. Here in Utah several towns host a (Fruit Day) North Ogden has Cherry Days {info HERE}, Brigham City has Peach Days, Bear Lake has Raspberry Days, Melon Day is in Green River {More info on all 3 HERE} and Strawberry Days in Pleasant grove. {HERE}

Another great drive and has Fab Summer fruit is Utah’s Famous Fruit highway! {Here} This is always a must do!

Pool time at several Las Vegas pools kicked off my Summer! Moorea Beach club & Delano Beach Club @Mandalay Bay,

Pool time is a big Summer time pleasure and isn’t Summer without laying poolside or playing at a waterpark, am I right? Here are a few pool days that made my list: Grand America pool day, I’ve heard the cocktails are amazing and the food poolside is just as impressive as the hotel. {HERE} Cowabunga Bay Water Park {HERE} We haven’t been to a water Park in years and it always brought joy to my boys. I thought it would be fun to re-experience those playful childhood days with our boys… even though their young adults it’s always fun to be a kid!

Summer Trend Scarves and Shades! Top {HERE} Sunnies similar {HERE} Scarf {HERE}

Random things to do that make Summer fun that made my List, Bowling, It’s always fun to have something to do on a hot Summer day! A Drive in Movie (Every year I say I want to go and we never make it!) It’s going to happen this year… and I am not going to fall asleep! Last time I went to the drive in was with my Childhood friend Selena… We were in college and we BOTH fell asleep! We woke up to a dark empty parking lot at 1am! LOL!! Miniature golf because seriously who doesn’t love a good game of Miniature golf? It brings back memories of young Summer night dates! Summer Outdoor concerts we have tickets to Heart so far… but I know we’ll add more:) as the Summer plays out and it’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy an evening. Warm nights, listening to music, enjoying friends and a good beer! Some great outdoor concert venues {HERE} {HERE} {HERE} {HERE} Some are even FREE! The Rodeo one of my favorite days of the year. We love to attend the Tough Enough To Wear Pink night for breast cancer survivors! It’s a fun tradition we share with family and friends! It wouldn’t be Summer without attending this event! I cry everytime they sing the national anthem with the fly over. {HERE} This rodeo is ranked as one of the top five large outdoor rodeos in the PRCA. A weekend in Deer Valley is beautiful in the Summer. It has stunning hikes, beautiful pools, great restaurants, cooler air and great shopping perfect for a weekend getaway! A day at LAGOON {HERE} Utah’s amusement park nothing says Summer like an amusement park and we haven’t been as a family in years, so this year it’s on the list!

Purchasing the Get Out Pass if you live in Utah, Colorado, Washington and Idaho is so worth it for $149.99 with over $3,000 worth of yearly admissions per pass Save $35 with code Darcy35 My family will be enjoying several activities this Summer and Fall including Cowabunga Bay & Lagoon!

Bruschetta & Toast Recipe on Next week’s Blog post!

Summer Food: If you haven’t figured it out by now… My family are foodies! Summer means fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, BBQ’s, Summer cocktails, late night S’Mores by the fire, picnics on the boat and many Summer get togethers! My bucket list is to share more family recipes with you here on the blog. I’ve been sharing on my instastories and it has been very popular and very requested. I’ll start with my fresh Bruschetta made with Summers beautiful ripe tomatoes NEXT week….So stay tuned!

Summer also means for long days and a little more free time, which allows for us to explore new restaurants, read books and enjoy all the beautiful fresh bouquets from our yards. I look forward to this time of the year and soak in all the beauty Summer brings!

Summer Sunsets are the best on the lake! Paddle Boarding and boating are two places you’ll find me every Summer!

My Last Summer bucket list is to be able to make it to the BEACH! I need my toes in the Sand and the smell of salty air, it’s my inner peace and it’s calling my name! I hope your Summer brings you so much joy and you check off everything on your BUCKET LIST!

OX, D’Arcy

There’s nothing like the smell of the ocean and sand in your toes! California Lifeguard tower!

Utah Hikes, You’ll Love & Girl Time Makes It Even Better!

The start of Gibbs loop, Waterfall Canyon and Bison.

Waterfall Canyon

View from Waterfall Canyon

Waterfall Canyon

You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” Dr.Seuss
💪🏻🧢
🌲🥾
Hiking with the girls…Last year I started hiking once a week with my girlfriends, getting in some exercise, girl time and exploring where we live. We’ve gotten lost (kind of🙈), we’ve gone on 2 hour hikes that turned into 7😬, we’ve seen beautiful sights, breathtaking views, heard calming sounds and shrieks🐍, had sore muscles and scrapes, but the laughter, memories and bonding with these ladies has been my most favorite♥️. It’s a day I look forward to every week no matter the weather (yesterday I was wearing 5 layers!) Not joking!😜 Sometimes we pack a picnic🥙🍷and other times we go out to lunch at a local restaurant after our hike. It’s a time for us to chat, share what’s going on in our lives and support each other no matter what we’re going through. It’s been one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time. I enjoy all of these ladies company and really cherish the time out in nature exploring where we live. (I do have to say my backpack keeps growing with essentials I learn I need 1 hike at a time!!) I’ve talked a lot lately on my instagram on the importance of getting out and exploring where you live. This is a great way to do that. If you don’t have mountains get out and enjoy trails and pathways. My goal is to check off more hiking trails this Spring, Summer and Fall! I’ve been making my list, in Utah we have more trails then you can count and I want to eventually do ALL of them! View ALL Utah hikes Here
💪🏻🧢
🌲🥾

Here’s Some of our favorite hikes we’ve taken at this point:

Waterfall Canyon 3 miles Here

Wolf Creek Canyon 7 miles (Powder Mountain)

Ogden Overlook 6 miles

Indian Trail 4 miles

Green Pond 5.4 miles

Icebox Canyon 6 miles

Paper Airplane @Powder Mt 4 miles

Gibbs Loop 3 1/2 miles More or a trail

Bonneville Shore line 10 miles (this one you do about 1 1/2 miles to connect to Water fall Canyon hike)

Birdsong Trail 2 miles Here

Ogden River pathway Here

A great FREE app that tracks your fitness and miles: Map My Fitness by Under Armour by Under Armour inc.

Another great source is Utah.com Hiking & Utah.com

So grab a group of friends and ask them to ask some friends and get out and explore where you live. You’ll love the camaraderie you build♥️ while also doing my challenge #getoutandexploreyour state! OX, D’Arcy

🌲
🧢💪🏻
Note✔️ Watch my instastories for videos & New hike info, also most of our hikes are saved in my highlights for more information, views and maybe some bloopers too😂😂

🥾🌲🧢💪🏻🍷🥙
TIP:Being part of a group pushes you to go when your not feeling it…Also gives you encouragement to finish! Let’s not forget safety in numbers!

Things I have found I like to have for hiking…. Camel bag {here} Hiking shoes {here} Hiking shorts {here} My favorite socks {here} Sun screen {here} pocket knife {here} Taser {here} First aid kit {here} Rattle Snake kit {here} Rx bars {here} Nuts {here}

22nd Wedding anniversary outfit & date night!

Our 22nd Anniversary is tomorrow February 25th.

I am so lucky to have been able to spend 25 year’s with my dream man. We dated for 3 years before we got married on that Winter storm day 22 years ago. The day that changed my life forever. I got to marry MY dream man and spend forever with the person who “got me” who made me feel safe and supported my dreams and goals. Had the same morals and we fit, we’re better people for having each other. He’s my perfect lid as the saying goes…I truly believe everyone has a perfect lid for there pot…if you wait your’s will cross your path in Gods perfect timing.

People say Marriage is hard…..hmmm I would answer “depends on who you marry!” Marriage in my experience has been a wonderful, loving, joyful and caring endeavor. Don’t get me wrong Life is hard… not marriage. Life isn’t always roses and butterflies we all have hard issues that come up. Whether it’s your health, finances, children issues and even families. There’s always things that take us on life’s roller coaster, it’s who’s on the ride with you that can make marriage easy or hard. When you find that perfect lid, getting through life’s hard times can make it easier. I can honestly say we’re lucky…we don’t fight or bicker and rarely disagree. We seem to have always been on the same page and truly like each other. He’s my best friend and I enjoy spending time with him. I couldn’t imagine life without him. Still to this day he gives me butterflies when he walks through that door!

Hitting 22 years of marriage is a true blessing. In today’s age 50% of marriages won’t make it to 10. I really think being able to grow together as we age is one of the tickets. Taking time for our relationship along the journey helps you stay connected to each other. It’s hard to take time for yourself and your relationship when raising a family and both working full time. It’s something you must do. Going on dates, little getaway’s and even time alone at home is great for staying connected. Remember to also take time out for yourself and allow him to do the same. This gives you both time, to do things you love that maybe your spouse doesn’t. Plus having friends is good for your soul. (yes… it’s ok to enjoy different activities!) My Hubby lives, breathes and works in Ski boots! Yuck!! I don’t love to ski…It hurts my feet! I can ski (not like my husband or our boys) but I ski…on pretty sunny Spring skiing day’s! I don’t love Winter and I really don’t like being cold. Yes… We moved to Utah from California 11 years ago. Going off on another subject..and I could go on and on about our big move and how it changed our lives in so many ways. Most for the best, but I’ll talk about that another time. Now back to Marriage…

I had a list in my head of the perfect man (do or did you?) Ben checked everything off on that list plus things I never could have thought of…. Except 1 thing he’s not romantic..hehehe If you know me it’s a running little joke… he’s thoughtful and caring and sexy has hell, but not romantic! I am not going to get flowers for no reason, great gifts just because, a warm bath drawn or beautiful written notes. But I do get a cup of hot tea in the morning and if it’s not ski season I get breakfast in bed on Sunday’s. He cooks, does laundry, is tidy and always removes ALL the snow to the cement! (Remember I don’t like Winter or ice on my drive way or walk way’s) He keeps my car detailed and would do anything I asked for help with…even if it’s to paint a bedroom for the 5th time. So some would say thats romantic! Well…..wait tell you find out he never asked me to marry him!!! Yup it’s true we’ve been married for 22 years and I was never purposed to!!! I was robbed..OX (that’s another story)

So about that perfect day 22 year’s ago… It was the Biggest snowstorm in Big Bear had had in many year’s….Not so perfect to me, talk about stressed! Wedding day’s are so stressful all that planning and preparing for the perfect fairy tail day. Having things go wrong that is out of your control. Choosing joy over stress and by seeing the positive in the negative is how you find the joy…My perfect day or was it? It’s all attitude

We looked so young! I was 25… Look at my hair it’s past my elbows! I don’t think I could have gotten a bigger headpiece!!!

The most perfect day ever❤

He cried when he saw me walking down the isle

2. He kissed me as soon as I got to him😘 “ Pastor Fred said”that’s later Ben!”

3. My mom stopped the wedding… because my 10ft train was standing in the hall😜 ( my sister didn’t snap in on correct💕) So we had a start over😜😜😜

4. It was the biggest snow storm in years! I was panicked all day, our photographer, cake and guest weren’t going to make it to the destination! They did… ( Well some of the guest got stuck😜)

5. My brother had to carry me on his back to the venue from the bridal suite… the snow was so deep❄

6. We got married by candlelight at 6:00pm❤ The flowers were stunning, my cousin sang, all my loved ones were there. It really was like a moment that stood in time💕

7. I danced with my grandpa to Unforgettable by Nat King Cole.

8. My aunt crash her car into another guests❄❄❄ just slide right down the hill!

9. My mom recorded the most beautiful & thoughtful speech ever! (she had to record it because she knew she’d cry saying it live!

10. I married my sole-mate and he still gives me butterflies

11. The day couldn’t have been more perfect💕 Well… I should have change my vail! (But it was 1996!)

12. I hope you take away from this …. that while not everything IS perfect… We can make it perfect:) It’s just how we handle the situation and keep the right perspective

13. I got my perfect day I married my dream man❤💍 even though there was no romantic proposal!

14. All my husbands Dutch relatives surprised us from Holland!

15.Wait for it….Because I am a sport and I love this man….He skied fresh powder the next morning with all his buds! How could I let him miss 5 feet of fresh powder!!!

Happy 22nd Anniversary @skicoachben 🥂here’s to many more!

About Celebrating tomorrow….

We are headed to Salt Lake to enjoy a nice dinner and A night alone at the Hotel Monaco a Kimpton Hotel then Martinis at the Martini bar across the street. Monday we will have a full day at the spa so looking forward to that.

Outfit details

My Skirt is by Sara Boo, shoes- Chinese Laundry, clutch, earrings & turtleneck – Tjmax

Flowers – Emie James

Large heart- Olivewood designs

Pearl bracelets- Nordstrom

black jacket feather sleeve- Tj Max

Bow shoes- Just fab

Gucci belt

I hope you find your lid! Ox, D’Arcy

5 Things to do for the perfect & easy girl’s weekend!

Main street, Park City, Ut.

Sister’s… Girlfriend weekend day in Park city for Sundance!

Girl’s weekend=Sundance, Park city, Ut. for a day of Shopping, photoshoots and yummy food!

Soft Pretzel, Beer cheese and Blue moon beer

I just adore black and white stripes…. A restaurant that serves a Black and white stripe straw is a winner in my book! Sometimes it really is just the small things!

Chicken burger and fries at The Spur in Park city

Epice’ Hydrating mask

Last weekend we had a impromptu girl’s weekend at home! Not planned in anyway and I sometimes feel that’s the best kind! My sister Tiana was in town on business for Sundance and we realized her Friday night and Saturday were free. I called two of my other girlfriends and said “come over for a simple dinner & drinks” they said they’d love too! (they happen to be kid free!) YAY! No planning went into it at all. I used what I had at home, Quiche, soup and some rolls. Super easy and no extra fuss. We even said “wear something cozy and bring a overnight bag just in case!” This led to a fun night of good talks, laughter and even a few good tears with staying up until 1am that did lead to a sleep over.

We woke up on Saturday to Sharon making scone’s a mix that she brought from her home served with yummy jam. Delicious! We stayed in our Pj’s being lazy ALL day on the couch… watching Hallmark channel.. Tried out some home beauty treatments (full treatment steps here) then we made a quick & easy dinner and planned our Sunday in Park city. Still in our Pj’s…

Our Sunday’s plans really weren’t all that big…A little shopping, (Park city’s Tjmax has great finds) My sister said we should all buy these, (Which of course we’re going to take her beauty advise and all bought a set!) cafe’ sitting with people watching, a photo shoot, shopping main street and finding a place we haven’t tried YET to eat! (WINK) we love to head over to Park city a lot for a change of scenery. My Sister had appointments in the morning so she had to meet us just a touch later. With no set schedule we just rolled with how the day took shape. When you have a small group 2-4 it’s easy to just roll with the punches and not set a schedule.

The girlfriend bond is so important and really special when you can share your heart with no judgement. I am lucky to have a great group of girls that truly are a blessing in my life and I love it when we can have a lunch, a movie night or even a quick drink on the deck. Having a whole weekend is rare and I think really important for our girl bonding and that little break from family life. I think it helps us to be better moms and wife’s.

Here’s my 5 Things to do for the easy perfect girl’s weekend!

Don’t plan to much…. Makes for no stress and easy weekend.
Use food from your pantry, maybe have a girlfriend bring something she has on hand.
Plan to stay in you pj’s and be lazy for 1 whole day.
Drag out your mask’s, facial creams and manicure stuff.
Have an outing, a hike, a day trip or a meal out.

Doing these 5 things will insure you have a relaxing, well rounded weekend with the girl’s.

A much needed weekend with just the girl’s was just what I needed to relax, refocus and share stories to catch up. The perfect amount of laziness and girl time.
If you you haven’t had a day or weekend with just the girls, you really need to treat yourself.

Need any other Girl’s weekend tips or ideas? Leave comment below I’d love to help! OX, D’Arcy

*I wish I would have taken more photo’s over the weekend. (you would have liked our pj’s and face masks) To be honest I didn’t think I was going to write about it, then I realized it’s a great topic. Who doesn’t want affordable idea’s to do something fun with the girlfriends?

Date Night at Ice Castles

Baby it’s cold out side! Date night with my cute hubby!

Make sure you Bundle up day or night! Baby it’s cold outside!

Couldn’t resist climbing to the top to take in the view.

Ice slide! I was totally game and glad I dressed Appropriate! I was a kid again and loved it! (I did eat it at the finish!) Totally worth it!

In the center of the castle was a surprise show… Flame throwers! Fire and Ice

Fountain in the center of one of the walk ways that changed 3 different colors. The Light show Throughout the Ice sculpture’s were stunning.

20′ Ice sculpture made from 25,000,000 pounds of Ice

Winter Wonderland

Happy Last Saturday in 2017!

Do you need something fun to do this Winter or even this weekend?

Ice Castle in Midway, Utah Should be a must on that list. Make sure to dress warm as “baby it’s cold outside!” My long coat was perfect to go on the Ice slides without having to wear snow pants! My hubby however was not dressed appropriate and couldn’t take part! ( he missed out!) Snow boots are also a must….With a castle made of 25,000,000 pounds of ice…Walking around in anything but boots is not recommended! (Hubby didn’t take note on this point either!) Shaking my head!

The Ice Castle Story is quite interesting it started out being a Ice rink that turned out to have 20′ slide, Ice cave and a castle tower as the kids of the creator named it “Ice castle”. It went through transformations after that first winter to later become what it is today. The Castles require 11 weeks of intensive labor to complete the towers, archways, mazes, ice tubes, fountains, slides and tunnels to be ready for opening day. More info visit www.icecastles.com

My hubby and I had a great little drive from where we lived in Eden to Midway (and made it a full night of fun) Stopped at Taggart’s grill for Dinner on the way! A Yummy little gem hidden off the 84 if you haven’t eaten here you must! Best Carrot cake ever! (besides mine…Wink!) After our Fun visit to Ice castles we took a detour drive through Park City & stopped for a Peppermint mocha. All the Christmas lights along the drive were stunning! Park City is lit up and worth the little detour! I don’t know about you but I love taking drives and really enjoy the private time with just my hubby. I hope you take time out of your week and make that time for a date night. Even if it just for a little drive!

Enjoy your weekend BEAUTIFUL’S! OK, 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

Friday Date night !

Happy Friday Pretty Ladies!

Today I am doing a quick and easy outfit for date night or even lunch with the Girl’s!

This easy to wear mix pattern jersey dress is $39.99 at Chic Style clothing Boutique! paired with A kut from the kloth Denim jacket! Fun jewelry Also from Chic Style but only available in shop! Blush lace up booties similar here Pink bag by Gigi New York.

I call this easy because its a dress which then you only have to figure out accessories! This makes for a quick & cute outfit you can throw together fast specially if your running late from work!

I hope you have fun plans Tonight! Enjoy your Friday! OX D’Arcy