This past weekend was the first annual Summer Social Retreat, hosted by Sweet Life in the Valley. I'm already looking forward to the rumored Winter Retreat! The event was a chance for women in Utah who are involved in social media and/or are entrepreneurs of some sort to get together and just play and get to know each other. We had the choice of signing up for fly fishing, a train ride, hiking, or horseback riding all provided by Rocky Mountain Outfitters. Of course, I signed up for horseback riding! I'll hop on a horse any chance I get and love every minute of it.
The area surrounding the Soldier Hollow Lodge was so beautiful. I almost drove off the road several times ogling the scenery. While my heart will always beat for Maine, I must admit that the West has cornered the market on brave, sweeping vistas.
The cowgirls that worked at Rocky Mountain Outfitters were so cool, I totally want to be a cowgirl when I grow up, with my own Wranglers, cowboy hat and big ol' turquoise belt buckle- yee haw!
And did I mention the swag? Swoon-worthy swag it was. My favorites were the DoTerra essential oils started kit (lemon, peppermint and lavender). I use essential oils a lot, so I was excited to learn about this local company. They have extremely high standards; their oils are food grade, i.e. you can use them to add a little zip to your cupcakes! Then there was this new-to-me line of organic makeup called Yes to Carrots. Apparently I'm out of the loop because they've gotten all kinds of great press. I wore their red lipgloss while home cleaning the house and felt like a 50's housewife all dolled up. Oh, and the Badger Balm! We love Badger Balm around here, Clay especially since it doesn't smell all girly and works really well on tough working man hands.
Besides playing and getting great presents we also ate great food! Shirly J, the queen of quick and easy pantry miracles, provided the seasoning for some AMAZING pot roast. Good thing I'm not actually a vegetarian, because it was fabulous. The best part of the event though, was meeting all sorts of amazing women, like Vanessa who organizes monthly "Nature Days" for kids here in the city, Heather the red-haired graphic designer, and fellow East Coaster Jefra who takes lovely photos. Everyone was amazing. It was such a treat to rub shoulders with other moms who are finding ways to be creative, pursue their dreams and still be moms most of all.
Here are few more cooking, designing, crafting, crazibeautiful, funny, moms, plus this, this and this!



















