This post is dedicated to my lovely girls’ weekend in Utah. We went down to the Downtown Yoga Festival in Salt Lake City. PREFACE- I am not the yogi type. I am the lazy type that likes to do as much restorative yoga as possible. Which is basically the closest thing I can get to napping and still claiming it is exercise. The yoga festival was awesome though, and I am so glad that my lack of yoga skills didn’t keep me from going. The festival was a three day event, and it included yoga classes, speakers, music, and merchants.

My favorite instructor was Becca Pati. If you are into yoga at all check out her YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/yogaandlifewithbecca). She did a really nice vinyasa- type flow for her Unfuck Yourself class on Saturday with a modern playlist and some inspiration from her. It was the first time I’ve done yoga quite like that, and it was badass! We went to her class on Sunday too. Couldn’t get enough! This is the day I also did some the strangest yoga of my life, which will forever bond me with my friends I went with.

We went to Alleged in Ogden on Saturday night which is one of my favorite bars in Ogden. It is a three-level bar with a different sort of vibe on each level. My favorite is the roof-top, and on this particular night they had a sweet little duo performing, Megan Burtt and the Cure for Love. They are such a delight! I’ll share Megan Burtt’s YouTube also (https://www.youtube.com/user/mjburtt). So much sharing is being done here!

The last day we went to Publik coffee in SLC, and it is basically the “cool kid” of coffee shops. Just go there and you will know what I am talking about. The shop was really minimal, and the coffee was fantastic.  They also had an only toast menu which is really reminiscent of a coffee shop I went to in San Fran last year. I got some great photos of the place (too many to put in this post!). I plan on sharing more on my Facebook page, so keep checking there for more stuff, and give er a like if you are so inclined (https://www.facebook.com/LiveaLittleLocal/). YES! More links!

So, that was my weekend! I encourage you to go check out the yoga festival in SLC. The Downtown Yoga Festival in Salt Lake City happens twice a year (https://www.facebook.com/downtownyogafestival/) So, get your buns to the fall session. You will be the most relaxed you have ever been. It will be like soaking in a hottub for a week, without the wrinkly, soggy skin. While you’re there be cool and go to Publik coffee. They serve their coffee in mason jars, people. It’s hip!

I like to consider myself a lady that enjoys expressing herself creatively. I like to think that maybe my readers out there do too. Sometimes it can feel like Idaho Falls is a difficult place to fulfill that creative itch!

Well, just wait one dern second.  Because I am going to give you a list of some of the things I have been involved in (all of which are awesome).

Prefacing! This isn’t a comprehensive list. These are some things that I have tried and enjoy.

Play that FUNKY music

Do you want to start or continue learning guitar?

Get a hold of Craig Green at Chesbro. Just do it! He is fantastic. He is an amazing teacher and person, who you can learn a ton from. I have been taking lessons for a few months now, and I absolutely love it. My guitar playing has come a loooong way.

Chesbro Music Company

327 W Broadway St. Idaho Falls, ID 83402

Phone: (208) 522-8691

Do you need a place to play music in a group setting?

BlackRock Open Mic nights on Thursday 7pm

This is an incredible way to show off your talent or see some of the awesome performers that are in our area! I always have a wonderful time when I go.

439 A St. Idaho Falls, ID 83402

Phone: (208) 524-8466

Shake dat

Salsa lessons at Elevation Floating Fitness Studio 7:15-8:30pm

These classes are taught by an absolutely marvelous instructor Suzanne Nicholas. I highly recommend them! They are perfect for beginning Salsa and a great way to spend the evening with someone you want to shake your hips with. The classes are $5 per session and needs to be in cash.

537 W. 20th St. Idaho Falls, ID

Phone: (208) 221-2685

Idaho Falls Zumba w/ Ashley

I am being completely honest when I say that Ashley Curry’s Zumba class is the best Zumba I have ever taken. I have tried it several different places and nothing measures up.  Ashley’s routines are similar to if you were out dancing with your friends, so they don’t feel all weird and goofy. The music is great. The people are enthusiastic and glad to be there. I feel confident in saying that the best part is that Ashley is a genuinely fun, awesome and caring person. She is holding a free event Monday 2/29 that I encourage you to check out! This event may sell out due to too many booties on the dance floor. Contact Ashley with the info below:

2873 E 14 N Idaho Falls, ID

Phone: (208) 206- 2193

The Dance Collaborative

The Dance Collaborative is made up of a lovely group of people that keep the art of dance alive here in the charming city of Idaho Falls. They offer community classes, which I don’t believe they are doing now, but keep an eye out. I have taken a few of these and the women that teach there are passionate, talented and beautiful. I would go watch and support them as often as you can! A recital is coming up April 9th called Once Upon a Twist that features innovative routines with a central fairytale theme. It should be wonderful. You can get your tickets at http://www.idahofallsarts.org, and contact TDC with the info below:

Phone: (208) 313-4159

TDC website

Write Away

Writing courses by Clark Chamberlin at EITC

I just finished Clark’s Writing Short Stories for Publication and Profit. It was such a well done class! The lessons were really practical and helpful. Clark is extremely knowledgeable and down to earth. I am very excited that quality advice about writing is accessible in Idaho Falls. If you want to get in on these courses From Idea to Published Novel just started last week. After, it Publish your Work Today: The Ins and Outs of Self Publishing begins on 3/21. The courses cost $50, which is more than worth it. Enroll on http://www.eitc.edu/index.cfm.

Writers groups

Having a group to meet up with to discuss characters, exchange work with, or to just chat about life is a great asset! Below are a couple of the writing groups I am aware of:

Idaho Falls NaNo

These guys meet up once a month until around November when they meet multiple times a week to encourage each other through the National Novel writing challenge.

Idaho Falls NaNo Facebook page

That is a closed group so you will have to ask for permission to join, and you should. It’s a lot of fun and the people are splendid!

Wednesday Night Writers

Another writing group you can get involved in. I haven’t attended any meetings yet, but want to!

Wednesday Night Writers Facebook page

This is also a closed group, so you will need to request permission to have access to the awesomeness that is writing buddies.

This is really just skimming the top of the amazing creative things you can do in Idaho Falls. But they are my faves!

Thanks for reading 🙂

So, I have got to admit that I am a little partial to this shop.

Not only because the amazing coffee, cookies and sandwiches.
Or the fantastic staff and atmosphere.

BUT I used to work here. So, I know hands down how much effort is put into all of these things.

Enough of that— I am going to tell you about some of my favorite options at the Villa and why they are so awesome.

Coffee:

If you are looking for a delicious latte here are two of my recommendations:

Truffle Shuffle– It is a raspberry and white chocolate little piece of heaven. This is amazing both as an iced coffee or hot one!

-OR-

A Little Taste of Villa–  A brown sugar cinnamon and vanilla latte that tastes kinda like a Snickerdoodle cookie. Yep. Get it. If you want it to taste even more like a cookie have them add a little bit of shortbread syrup. There ya go.

If you aren’t a big latte fan (who are you? and why?) there is also just some fantastic drip coffee available. Steve and Harry’s, local roasters out of Idaho Falls, make a special blend just for the Villa that has a rich, smooth flavor.

Desserts:

The desserts at the Villa are made in house and are nothing short of amazing. I swear it was so hard being around fresh cookies all the time. It is waaaaay difficult for me to pick favorites when it comes to baked goodness, but for you I will try!

Chai cookies: The chai cookies are like a Snickerdoodle, ( I might have a thing for Snickerdoodles) but better. They have a certain spicy yumminess that you get in a Chai tea. They go awesome with a coffee. YUM.

Lunch:

The Villa has some great options for sandwiches and homemade soups. My favorites…? Anything on a croissant! I can’t resist the flaky goodness.

The Villa Coffeehouse is sure to have something that you will love. The people there are especially great and provide something special that you can’t get everywhere.

There are two locations one on Park in downtown Idaho Falls and another location off of Hitt road in Ammon.

I went on a trek this week to Park City, UT to see Dawes.  It was absolutely FREEZING, but fantastically amazing.  On the way back home we stopped at a little gem called Heber City Café. I didn’t at all expect it to be like it was. I was thinking alright, so we are going to this café on the edge of town.  There will be cheap coffee, bacon and probably pancakes that taste like bacon. BUT no.

First of all, the café looks like it is part of a ghost town which was rediscovered and spruced up.  It just has this wonderful old-timey feel.

We walk in and the place is really comfortable.  The walls are this lovely green color with brown trim that feels natural and there are pretty little hanging lights. The menu is written on a chalkboard that promises organic selections that are as local as possible. I was reaaaaal pleased. The owners were fantastic and friendly.  The atmosphere was great.  The soundtrack would hop around from Marley, to Jack Johnson, to doo-wop. I was totally smitten with it all.

We ordered some coffee from Millcreek, a local roaster out of SLC, UT, which was delish.  I ordered the Turkey Bagel and a side salad with lemon Dijon vinaigrette.  The dressing was made in house and it was sweet and light. The bagel was perfect; not too dense. I also sampled my boyfriend’s French fries with homemade ketchup. UH YEAH. They were the bomb. A slight crisp on the outside paired with the tanginess of the ketchup… All in all I think the best way to describe the food at this joint is fresh.

If you make your way to Heber City stop by at Heber City Café.

You won’t be disappointed!