Simply Sweet in Every Way
Hi friends!
I know you just got here, but I’m going to need you to hop into the time machine with me for just a second. Close your eyes and imagine:
You’re twelve years old, walking downstairs into your dream birthday party. Right before your eyes, your disco girl visions have come to life.
A table is set with a rainbow glitter bar, surrounded by mini disco balls and a shimmering tablecloth. Party favors are neatly arranged, filled with perfectly picked goodies, just waiting for your friends to unwrap them. A large white cake sits on the counter, dressed in soft white icing and dainty bows. A silver fringe backdrop floats down from the ceiling, framed by a perfectly arranged balloon arch. Your guests are starting to arrive, and this is only the first stop.
In just a few short hours, you’ll hop into a limo (yes, a limo!) with all 15+ of your friends, heading out for even more birthday fun.
LIFE IS MAGICAL.
This is the Simply Sweet Event Planning experience.
Clara Hillyer, the owner of Simply Sweet Event Planning, is nothing short of a genie. As I went behind the scenes with her for the disco-themed bat mitzvah she organized a few weeks ago, I realized that what she offers is far beyond event planning. It’s about creating memories that last a lifetime.
From Disney-themed birthday parties to spring picnics, from sweet baby showers to classy corporate events, and everything in between—Clara does it all and does it with style. Not only does she plan the event in itself, but she also brings a unique range of talents to the table, offering those extra special touches that make an event truly memorable.
Need a billowing balloon arch? She’s got you covered. How about a perfectly crafted charcuterie board for your guests to enjoy? Done! Cake or sweet treats to match your party theme? Well, baking is where she draws the line, but the good news is she partners with amazing local vendors to make sure that’s taken care of too!
Sure, not every event or celebration has to be extravagant, but if you can swing it, hiring an event planner is totally worth the splurge—especially for your extra special moments.
Let’s be real: Planning a party can feel like a juggling act at times. You have to think about the theme, the decor, the timeline, the guest list, the setup/takedown, and more. Even if you do have a natural knack for event planning, it can still be hard to find the time to pull it all together.
That’s where Simply Sweet Event Planning comes in, and their motto says it all: “Your vision, Our sweet touch.”
Although Clara’s business is relatively new to the valley, she’s been booked and busy—and it’s no wonder why. Her reputation for excellence has already started to spread, as she works hard to bring every client’s vision to life.
So, why not enjoy the moment at your next event and leave the details to Clara and her team? With them on your side, you can rest easy knowing everything about your special day will be simply sweet.
From Lashes to Tats
Hello again, friends! I’m SO excited to be back with blog post #2, and this one is extra special—it’s Gem West’s FIRST Vendor Feature! I’m so grateful to have all of you here, and I can’t wait to introduce you to this absolute gem of a person and artist.
So, without further ado, meet Sydney, the talented (and local!) fine line tattoo artist behind Lash Ink’d.
Honestly, there are a million reasons to fangirl over Syd. She’s warm, thoughtful, easy to talk to, and—of course—crazy talented. So where do I even begin? Well, let’s rewind a bit and take it from the top.
"I want more."
That one simple thought is where her journey to Lash Ink’d really began.
Just a few years ago, Sydney was grinding away at a typical 9-5, but even then, she knew in her gut that she was ready for something more. She didn’t quit her day job on a whim, but that quiet urge—something many of us might ignore—pushed her into action.
As she thought about what she really wanted next, one idea kept calling to her: become a lash artist. For years, she and her mom had spent time together doing each other’s lashes, bonding over that special girl time. Inspired by those memories, Syd took the leap. She got certified, opened a small studio in her Nampa home, and started taking clients after work and on weekends.
And that was just the beginning.
As life tends to do, things changed again when Syd’s family grew (and yes, in the cutest way—hi, baby Hackman!). They bought a house in Fruitland and made the move. Eager to keep growing her business, Sydney began to scope out the local lash scene… only to find, well a whole lot of lash artists. And so, a new mission was born: how to stand out?
After some more soul-searching and research, Sydney discovered fine line tattooing. Given her natural artistic talent (a gift she definitely inherited from her mama), she thought, “Game on.”
When her husband saw the tattoo supplies start to arrive, he said, “Wait, I thought you were just going to tattoo eyebrows?!” Nope, not quite. True to herself, Syd went all in, ready to practice her fine-line skills on herself and any willing family members and friends— including her sweet mother-in-law, who had never even considered getting a tattoo before!
Fast forward about six months, and Lash Ink’d is in full swing, running out of Salon 452 in Fruitland. While she’s still serving a handful of loyal lash clients, in a happy surprise tattooing has become her main focus and passion. Whether you’re looking for a delicate butterfly, a meaningful script design, or even considering rolling the dice on a “Get What You Get” tattoo, she’s your girl.
If you haven’t already thought about it, this is your *official sign* to book your next tat with Sydney. And don’t forget to stay tuned for our Spring 2025 digital magazine, where you’ll get another glimpse into the world of Lash Ink’d.
The Beginning
The beginning
First Blog Post.
*Cue the confetti 🎉
I’m so excited to start sharing your stories and showcasing your work! But before it all begins, I should probably introduce myself.
So, hello! My name is Em, and I’m the voice behind Gem West.
To jump right in, here are a few fun things to know about me:
I’m a lover of all things creative, and also all things pretty & pink (the photo speaks for itself!).
I’ve recently discovered a newfound love for modeling, so if you want to collaborate—let’s make magic together!
I’ve been married to my handsome husband for a little over a year now— Hi, Zach! He also happens to be my favorite person and my other half.
And finally, I love Jesus! I’m a big believer in the goodness of grace, and I hope to create a space where we can celebrate and uplift each other, allowing everyone the room and support to grow, change, and try new things!
Now, speaking of trying new things—how did I decide to start Gem West?
Well, Gem West is inspired by many things, starting with its name. Not only did Idaho—aka the "Gem State"—inspire the name of this platform, but so did each of you.
Over the last year, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most talented creatives in the valley, and what a joy it has been to meet each of you "gems." You’re a huge reason behind both the creation and the name of Gem West. Whether I’m on set or scrolling through my feed, I love seeing the creativity that’s brewing here.
The "West" in Gem West is, of course, inspired by Idaho’s identity as a western state. But the most special part is that it also represents where I was born and raised—on the west side of Kauai, HI. Knowing that the name ties together my favorite places and people made it an easy pick.
Growing up, I was blessed to be surrounded by so much creativity. Like Boise, Kauai is full of talent! In my family alone, I was raised by artists, authors, musicians, and more—people who just love to make art. I believe that’s where my passion for creativity stems, and I feel so grateful for my upbringing.
If I’m being honest, moving to Idaho for college wasn’t exactly on my life bingo card. But what a happy surprise it has turned out to be!
Shortly after graduating with a degree in Communications from Idaho State University, I made the move to Boise, where I met my amazing husband, and thus began my "Boise era."
I’m not exactly sure what the future holds for Gem West, but the plan is to have some fun—and I’d love to bring you all along for the ride! Whether you’re a local creative or someone who just wants to feel inspired and uplifted, I’m so happy that you’re here.
Story-time officially begins next Thursday with blog post number two: Gem West's first VENDOR FEATURE.