Flash Back Friday: Picking Out a Christmas Tree

By Beth Davis

photo via

Oh, Christmas tree!
I can not believe what a dilemma the choice of trees can be. Cost, beauty, trends and the environment all play a part in the decision.

Fresh Cut Trees
By now, we all know that most fresh cut trees are grown on farms and no one is ravaging forests to sell them to us. If handled properly, a tree, once used goes off to the right part of the dump and ends up being recycled into mulch. Pretty “green” really. And really, what is prettier than a fresh tree? Oh, and the scent!
 
We do live in a desert though and we heat our homes in the winter, so those Northwest grown trees dry out quickly in our climate. To help keep your tree longer, get a fresh cut on the trunk, and keep it watered. There are products in nurseries that can be sprayed on evergreens to lock in moisture. Wilt Pruf works well. The dreamy alternative to this, of course, is to cut your own tree. Make an adventure of this experience with a picnic and a day in the woods. Don’t forget the permit though. Check out the forest service website for info.


Live Trees
I love the idea of a live tree, and for years it was the answer for our family. Though the time you can enjoy it indoors is limited (you don’t want your tree to think Spring has arrived). You can be very creative. Decorate in stages. Put the lights on while it is still outdoors and display it that way for a few weeks. Then haul it in (no more than a week) before Christmas, and add the ornaments. If you plan ahead, the hole where it will be planted is dug in the autumn. The tree can go right into it and keeping it damp, is not a wintertime issue.
 
How fun for the kids to have their trees grow up with them! One year my youngest picked a funky Blue Atlas Spruce. It has grown into a wonderful contorted ornamental that graces the garden. Noles Nursery on 6400 South has great home grown stock. If you wander in and don’t see someone right away, Nolan’s number is 801-505-1753. He’s the old duffer who owns the place and he’ll take care of you.

Artificial trees
The fake tree, or call it faux if it makes you feel better, has a lot going for it. Pre-lit and paying for itself over time are some of the best characteristics. But don’t be fooled into thinking they are the “green” choice. It takes about a gazillion years for the poly stuff they are made out of to biodegrade in the landfill.  You can have them up forever, and they are always a perfect shape. Convenience is no small thing, and for all these reasons, they seem to be the tree of choice. Price varies according to quality and the range is huge. Don’t pay full price, every craft store in town has a weekly coupon in the paper.

The choice is no small thing, but there is nothing like the magic a Christmas Tree brings to a home.

The Old Flamingo

By Beth Davis
Photos by Tavia McGrath

If you have driven the stretch of 23^rd East between 33^rd and 39^th South, you have surely noticed The Old Flamingo. It’s easy to spot with the flock of pink plastic lawn ornaments.   Inside it is just as surprising.   

It’s a second hand shop with a twist. The owner’s run the shop as a co-op, with several venders displaying their wares. From an assortment of creative backgrounds, these vendors are key to the variety of styles you will find.

Besides all the unique treasures, there is a selection of furniture to suit anyone’s home. Great new finishes on old dressers, tables and shelves create contemporary pieces that rival anything in the latest catalogs you’ve been eyeballing.

They offer the service of refinishing your old furniture as well. So if “repurpose”, “recycle”, or “up-cycle” fit in to your world or budget, they can easily help you out.

Fabulous art, both new and old fills the walls. Really fabulous art! And if you make your own, they have the most diverse collection of frames for your creations. I’ve been in 3 times since it opened, and have yet to leave empty handed. The turnover is quick, so each time it’s a new experience.

While I’ve wandered around the place, the staff has been helpful and inquiries are quickly dealt with, nothing pushy, just genuine service.  The place is upbeat and has a remarkable energy in it.

Wander in and see what you find.

The Old Flamingo

3474 South 2300 East 

Salt Lake City, Utah 

(801) 274-3474

Have you been to The Old Flamingo? Tell us what you thought. 

Cactus and Tropicals

By Beth Davis
Photos by Tavia McGrath

This holiday season step inside the temperate greenhouse that is Cactus & Tropicals and take in the fresh air. This exquisite plant and gift shop is lovely at any time of the year, but do yourself a favor and see it all decked out for Christmas. The seasonal fare takes on a new flare with the many varieties of poinsettias on display. Amaryllis bulbs and Paper whites are cleverly gift wrapped and ready for giving.

There is no place in the valley with the variety of growing wonders that you will find here. Every blooming plant you can imagine and some you never knew existed, are all available. If it’s a gift you are after, the collection of containers is also complete. Contemporary or traditional, large or small, there is one for every style and budget.

The designers on hand can plant you up an indoor garden or you may choose from the lovely creations on display. They know their business and can guide you in a choice for any occasion.

 You will find elegant Orchids, artistically presented, whose long lasting blooms will delight anyone lucky enough to receive one. And for the ultimate living work of art, there is also an assortment of Bonsai.

Come spring, the blooms spill outside and the shop becomes a nursery and garden center, with perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs. The artistry is evident in the many fountains, containers and statuary. The varieties are both exciting as well as numerous and the latest trends will undoubtedly be available.

A gift shop of gardening, botanical and artistic treasures adds to the experience. But heed this warning; there is something you will want for yourself.

As their name implies; Cactus and Tropical foliage fill the light and open space. It’s lovely, warm and you should find your way to 20^th East & 27^th South. Salt Lake’s corner of Paradise.

Cactus & Tropical

Salt Lake Store

2735 South 2000 East

(801) 485-2542

Draper Store

12252 South Draper Gate Drive

(801) 676-0935

Poinsettias

By Beth Davis

Nothing speaks of Christmas like a Poinsettia. Unique to the season, these live plants add a fresh and bright touch to any space. With all the varieties on the market, Poinsettia plants have a new look. They can be found in all sizes and styles including variegated bracts and curled petals. The colors are the most remarkable option of the newfangled specimens now available. White, Green, Coral, Pink, Burgundy and even combination hybrids make decorating with Poinsettias a lot less traditional.

With good care, these plants can thrive throughout the season, making them a long lasting alternative to fresh flowers. Over watering is the most common mistake that is made. They simply cannot sit in a container of water. So the first thing to do is get rid of the plastic or foil wrapping. Find a fun container to fit the plastic pot it was grown in. Moss is a perfect way to hide the plastic with.

A great way to water a Poinsettia is to remove the plant’s plastic pot from the decorative container. Set this in the sink, then water. It will drain easily, and you can place it back in the container.

Keep Poinsettias in natural light, but away from any heat source.

A small tabletop garden makes a pretty display and can be created using a 4” Poinsettia along with indoor foliage and cluster of Narcissus bulbs. Twigs will add interest and texture.Your container is the key to design when it comes to plants, keep this in mind when choosing one to suit  the look you are after.

If you would like a dose of bright eye candy, find your way to Quality Flowers & Plants at 1046 East and 3300 South early in the season. There is nothing quite like a sea of colorful Poinsettias to kick off the Holidays.

Poinsettias are made for Christmas, and no matter how much I have enjoyed them and cared for them throughout December, after the New Year, they belong in the trash with the leftovers, and crumpled wrappings.

Emilie Jayne

By Beth Davis
Photos by Carlie and Katie from Miss Hazel Bloom Photography

 

A plucky little shop on the South East corner at the 8^th and 8^th intersection. You won’t miss it because there is always some funky furniture find on the side walk out front.

This second hand shop is so very fun! It’s small, but packed to the rafters with deals galore. Loads of retro items to be found, but the fare spans a century of great styles and pieces. The prices are fair and super deals can be had. I spied a hanging floral lamp last week, the very same thing sold for $100 more on Etsy, than the price it was marked at Emilie Jayne (and no shipping costs).

Besides the deals and the finds, the next best attribute is their rather fetching presentation. The color scheme collections make finding a treasure gift easy, and it all looks so good. They have great turnaround, because it is a different display of items every time I drop by. There is always an array of items ready to be marked and put out for purchase.

Over the years, I Have come away with jewelry, bowls, a Lalique perfume bottle, vases (my downfall), a quilt, furniture and odds and ends, both as gifts and treasures I love. Stop by, meet the friendly attendants, and don’t be surprised if you can’t leave empty handed.

Emilie Jayne

801 South 800 East

Salt Lake City, Utah

(801) 359-3356

Live Grass for Easter

By Beth Davis

Live grass is a delight for Easter Baskets with eggs and Spring treasures nestled in the new growth.
This process will takes approximately 2 weeks, so plan accordingly.

Such a fun project is simple and develops so quickly, kids will love enjoying the progress.
You will need:
Watertight containers, basket liners, ceramics.
Potting Soil
Hard Red Winter Wheat. I picked up a pound in the bins at Whole Foods

*Fill your containers with potting soil. Leave at least 1 inch from top rim.

*Soak the soil until completely saturated and water puddles on the surface. The wheat will absorb this moisture.
*Sprinkle a solid layer of wheat on surface of soil. Be generous! It’s fine if your layer is two grains deep, but not much more than that.

*Keep you containers near a water source, the soil must remain moist until all wheat has sprouted. Check a few times a day to be sure. A spray bottle is a handy tool, and will keep the wheat layer from moving about when you water.
* Once the sprouting process is in full swing (3 days) move the containers to a bright sunny location. They don’t need direct sun, just the light if fine.
*Your soil will now only need enough water for growth, so cut back on watering and allow the heavy saturation to be absorbed and water only enough to keep the soil damp throughout the remaining process.
Live grass is a delight for Easter Baskets with eggs and Spring treasures nestled in the new growth.

Elaine’s Quilt Block

By Beth Davis

 This excellent shop is for everyone who loves gorgeous fabrics. A walk through Elaine's Quilt Block is candy for your eyes and a quick fix for any quilt junkie. The fabric selection is huge and varied. Contemporary, Classy, Vintage or Sassy. The variety they stock is complete.

Ten years into this endeavor, owner and manager Marilyn Cowan is still passionate about her business. With a mission statement of  “Preserving the Art and Joy of Quilt Making”, she offers the tools and know- how to make it happen. Even the Federalist style of the building speaks of days gone by when handwork was a necessity rather than the luxury it is today.

Marilyn honors her mother in the shop name, it was from her that she learned to love fabric. That appreciation shows in the range and period fabrics that are available.

I’m a “Quilter”, but only just. I tend to make a lot of quick projects, and leave the intricate work for the real artists. Regardless of my ability, thankfully I have always been helped with my queries, and great advice is willingly offered from the knowledgeable staff. 

Elaine’s also offers classes in a variety of quilting techniques and the classes are limited in size to allow each student the best possible experience.

Quilting and giving are often synonymous and in this aspect Elaine’s Quilt Block really shines. Each year the shop provides the fabrics and patterns for local enthusiasts to create a quilt for someone in need. Packets are prepared and distributed through the shop. Quilters stitch them up and return them completed. Last year the Asian Refugee Center received 100 quilts. This year’s recipient will be Adopt an Elder.

Quilting is available, if you need professional quilting done and she even carries supplies for those sweet hemstitched receiving blankets that one can crochet the edges of. I’ve had them hemstitch my own choice of fabric, as flannel is also available in great variety.

Oh  and the bargain corner! I always check it out . I almost never find a dollar fat quarter I don’t like.
I just completed a quilt for Maci, my niece’s new baby girl. The quilt top was made from 4 fat quarters found on the bargain table, plus a half yard of super cute coordinating fabric off the full price bolt. The
entire quilt top cost just $9 bucks. Maci seemed indifferent, but her mama loved it!

It’s a quilt shop, but don’t let “Quilt” in the name scare you off if you don’t indulge. If you want fabric for any project, Elaine's has one of the best collections in the Valley.


 Elaine's Quilt Block
www.elainesquiltblock.com
6970 South 3000 East
Cottonwood Heights
801-947-9100

Home Again

By Beth Davis 

In the heart of Sugarhouse, where it seems there is something for everyone, there is an establishment that has something for everyone inside and some of it spills out on to the sidewalk. Home Again is not only my favorite consignment shop, it’s my favorite shop of any sort. I’ve been frequenting this mercantile as both buyer and seller for a decade.

Every time I walk through the door, it appears the entire shop has been restocked. That’s one aspect that sets Home Again apart as a successful consignment store, the turnover is quick and that benefits everyone.
The management has a knack for knowing what their customer base is and they take in items accordingly. I’ve found their prices to be fair as both a consigner and a purchaser, so I’m willing to take their advise on a price if I have items to unload. It’s in everyone’s best interest to keep it real. And, I’ve come across some screamin’ good deals over the years.

 
If I wander in to browse, I make a loop through the menagerie at least twice, once in each direction. Even then I know I miss a thing or two, but I also know it won’t be long before I’m back again.
I love the collection of mismatched styles, the mixture of old and new. The theme, if there is one, must be “something for everyone”.

Iron patio furniture, a pretty vase, candlesticks, a funky swag lamp, delicate stemware, original art, coffee table, end table, dining table & chairs, a set of shelves, a favorite book, and most recently a huge set of fine china, have all made their way from someone’s home, to the shop in sugarhouse, and finally to my place where they are Home Again. What could be better than that?

 A few years ago a new shop opened in Midvale. Two Locations, double the deals!

Home Again

www.homeagainconsignment.net

Sugarhouse                                 Midvale 

1019 East 2100 South                    7409 South Holden

Oh Christmas Tree

By Beth Davis

photo via

Oh, Christmas tree!
I can not believe what a dilemma the choice of trees can be. Cost, beauty, trends and the environment all play a part in the decision.

Fresh Cut Trees
By now, we all know that most fresh cut trees are grown on farms and no one is ravaging forests to sell them to us. If handled properly, a tree, once used goes off to the right part of the dump and ends up being recycled into mulch. Pretty “green” really. And really, what is prettier than a fresh tree? Oh, and the scent!
 
We do live in a desert though and we heat our homes in the winter, so those Northwest grown trees dry out quickly in our climate. To help keep your tree longer, get a fresh cut on the trunk, and keep it watered. There are products in nurseries that can be sprayed on evergreens to lock in moisture. Wilt Pruf works well. The dreamy alternative to this, of course, is to cut your own tree. Make an adventure of this experience with a picnic and a day in the woods. Don’t forget the permit though. Check out the forest service website for info.


Live Trees
I love the idea of a live tree, and for years it was the answer for our family. Though the time you can enjoy it indoors is limited (you don’t want your tree to think Spring has arrived). You can be very creative. Decorate in stages. Put the lights on while it is still outdoors and display it that way for a few weeks. Then haul it in (no more than a week) before Christmas, and add the ornaments. If you plan ahead, the hole where it will be planted is dug in the autumn. The tree can go right into it and keeping it damp, is not a wintertime issue.
 
How fun for the kids to have their trees grow up with them! One year my youngest picked a funky Blue Atlas Spruce. It has grown into a wonderful contorted ornamental that graces the garden. Noles Nursery on 6400 South has great home grown stock. If you wander in and don’t see someone right away, Nolan’s number is 801-505-1753. He’s the old duffer who owns the place and he’ll take care of you.

Artificial trees
The fake tree, or call it faux if it makes you feel better, has a lot going for it. Pre-lit and paying for itself over time are some of the best characteristics. But don’t be fooled into thinking they are the “green” choice. It takes about a gazillion years for the poly stuff they are made out of to biodegrade in the landfill.  You can have them up forever, and they are always a perfect shape. Convenience is no small thing, and for all these reasons, they seem to be the tree of choice. Price varies according to quality and the range is huge. Don’t pay full price, every craft store in town has a weekly coupon in the paper.

The choice is no small thing, but there is nothing like the magic a Christmas Tree brings to a home.

Consigning with Beth

 By Beth Davis

I really wouldn’t call it shopping. The kind of browsing one does in a second hand store is really more of a left over thing from our ancestors who spent their days hunting and gathering. It’s a hunt for something really unique or you may be gathering collectibles you have a hankering for. There is nothing like wandering through the clutter of other peoples junk to find the thing that is just perfect for you.

Unlike a modern box store where multiples line the shelves, the second hand shop is filled with "one of a kind items". There is no trend involved. Treasures from an entire century are crammed into the space and you find what appeals to you, rather than what the latest catalog has picked out.

There are antique establishments and endless thrift stores but nothing comes close to a consignment shop for a great find. Consignors know their cast offs are worth something, something more than just a tax write off. A great consignee has a pretty good idea what will sell. They pass over the junk and the interminable sifting is done for the shopper. Your treasure is there for the taking. Everyone’s a winner.

There is a snag and I warn you now, consignment shopping is not for the indecisive. If you find something you really love and you can afford it. Buy it, because it won’t be there when you come back. Hesitate if you must.  But if you do, walk away and don’t look back. “Easy come, easy go” is an attitude you must acquire for consignment shopping.  If you come across an item and you think; “I can’t live without this” ask yourself where on earth it will go. If you don’t have a spot, don’t bother. If the item is going to replace another piece you simply couldn’t live without before, well, you’re already in pretty deep.

If you want to sell your own cast offs, be picky about which shop you use. Consignment stores seem to be popping up all over.  Some come and many go, but my favorites have been around a while and have established reputations for themselves.  Walk in one and if you like what you see. It’s probably the right one for you.  

A good shop proprietor will have a grasp on their market and have a good idea if an item will sell. I always let them help decide the price. Remember though that your take is a percentage of the total. The shop will have a copy of their policy available and really read through it so you know just what will happen. Shops may have a limited time to display your items (90 days is typical). They are running a business, so it is in their best interest to rotate merchandise.
 
Make sure your pieces are in the best shape possible, clean and polished, ready for display. Fickle as we may be about our possessions, their next admirer will want to know it was well taken care of.

Who say’s a gift must be new? Put the consignment shops on your route for the upcoming shopping season!

Look for more Consigning with Beth as she will be sharing some of her favorite consignments stores on I Heart Salt Lake.