Provo, UT

After attending the early morning balloon launch, we headed over to the Wolf Creek Resort, site of the 2008 Ogden Valley Balloon Festival. The festival didn’t start until 9 a.m. so to kill a little time between the launch (which ended by 8 a.m.) and the festival, we ate a picnic breakfast, then drove the short distance to Wolf Creek.

We watched as about 25 colorful envelopes (the uninflated balloons) covered the ground. Soon the propane tanks began hissing and the field exploded with beautiful colors as the balloons inflated. Before you knew it, they were upright, straining against the lead ropes with the same anticipation as the watching crowd. It was a breathtaking sight as the balloons lifted off one by one into the morning sun with the elegance and grace of whales dancing in the ocean. The sky filled with a kaleidoscope of magnificent colors, uplifting music filled the air, and my heart soared with the beauty filling the sky.

The Grand America’s Afternoon Tea is like a tea party for grownups in the most delightful and sophisticated way. From the moment we pulled up to The Grand America (Salt Lake City’s only five-diamond hotel) we received VIP treatment: valet parking, doormen, concierge. From our first steps through the front doors into the elegant lobby, we were greeted by Old World charm and grandeur. Spectacular chandeliers, fine French furnishings, and Italian marble–as well as a diverse, friendly, and largely European staff–awaited us at every turn.

While Madbrook isn’t technically a coffee shop (I had to talk them through how to make an iced coffee, although they make great lattes and iced fraps), it has a relaxed coffee house vibe. There are black leather couches, nice décor, bar-height tables and stools, free wi-fi, and three big plasma TVs strategically placed so you can see one from just about every seat in the

Finally he asked if I wanted to go to a show; I said sure, and within minutes our decision was made. He checked out Muse Music, a small venue in downtown Provo, and found out when the next show started. It didn’t even matter what it was—we were going.

The Utah Arts Festival is one of my favorite events to attend. It has a cool, edgy vibe while still managing to be family-friendly. The 2008 festival will be held Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29, from noon to 11 p.m. at Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City. The four-day event is one of the largest outdoor festivals in Utah, attracting 80,000 people. It features more than 130 visual artists, 100-plus performing artists, literary and culinary artists. It’s a total feast for the senses.

s a kid growing up in Brooklyn, I loved block parties and street fairs. The street would be roped off, everyone would be out socializing and laughing, kids would be playing, the smell of great food would fill the air, and there would always be some sort of entertainment. Party on the Boulevard is like a modern version of those childhood fêtes.

On June 13 & 14, 2008, the Gateway Plaza in Salt Lake City will be awash with color as Rio Grande Street is transformed into a gallery of temporary art during the 6th annual Chalk Art Festival.

I love to visit Gardner Village! It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your entire family, and also a wonderful girl’s day out. There are almost two dozen charming little shops, a restaurant and a bakery, and a petting zoo where you can send your husband off with the kids while you indulge in a relaxing treatment at the day spa…or just shop your heart out!

Fairies and dragons, princesses and knights held court Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Fairy Tale Ball at the Children’s Treehouse Museum in Ogden, UT. Hosted this year by King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, guests were invited to dress up in ball attire or as their favorite storybook characters, and were treated to dessert, live music, and a performance by puppeteer Randel McGee and his tame dragon, Groark.