[Stylish Steps] Homecoming Surprise

Hi there!

It's nice to go on vacation, but it's nice to come home, especially when you come home to a Nordstrom package!

My online Nordstrom Anniversary Sale package was waiting for me when I got home.  Anniversary Sale post featured here.

I ordered Vince Camuto ruby booties on the last day of the sale during an impromptu houseboat trip here, following some great advice featured here.  Aren't they pretty?! I love the color most of all...can't wait for fall!

What is your favorite thing about coming home from vacation? Let me know since I got a special surprise this time! Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[DesignAxis] Target Bathroom Redo

Hi there!

Continuing on with the office redecorating series for Nor Cal BFF involved a bathroom redo as well.  I'm using my final design tip that doesn't truly use the Repurpose Mode, as discussed in this post here, but allows me the liberty to shop at my favorite store, Target!

The plain hallway to the bathroom with a missing closet door on the right.

The hallway looks much better after the closet door on the right is replaced by canvas curtains hanging on a tension rod all from Target.

Sink and toilet area before.

Just the addition of a soap dispenser and towel holder from Target, and a picture Nor Cal BFF repurposed from home, spruces up this area.

View of the shower area before.

View of shower area after, with Target towels and shower curtain rod, and a shower curtain gift from her mom...so sweet!

The plaque was left in the office space, so we used it because it was free!  Ribbon scraps were used to add color and flourish to the towels.

Don't you love that Target has everything you need to add a special touch to your home decorating?  Let me know if this is one of your favorite places for home accessories also!  Stay tuned for the final office redo reveal next week!  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Sole Inspiration] Things I'm Grateful For

Hi there!

Since I'm on vacation visiting my family in So Cal this week, I could tell you that the Five Things I'm Grateful for are---
1) My parents,
2) My sister and her family, who are visiting from back East,
3) My brother and his family, who aren't here in So Cal now, but are in my heart nonetheless,
4) My in-laws & my older sister-in-law,
5) My younger sister-in-law and her family.

Of course I am so grateful for my beautiful family, but I thought it'd be fun to give you Five Inspirational Thoughts I'm Grateful for, since they were piling up in my saved photo app with nowhere to go!

So grateful for this soothing instruction to go out and shop!  
(In fact, I took advantage of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale online and ordered these booties I featured in this post here, but in blood red!  After one of the wives ordered her pair, I was inspired to buy them also!  So I calmly bought them on our friend's iPad on the houseboat, while the boys played poker, and I can't wait to get them!)

Grateful for this simple piece of advice...

...as well as this one too!

Grateful that I can say this about the Hubby and I.

Most of all, grateful that the Lord takes care on it all!

Has pausing to make a grateful list been beneficial to you?  Let me know because I hope you all have been trying to make your grateful list every so often.  Thank you for visiting and  being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Stylish Steps] Classic & Updated Beachwear

Hi there!

I have loved J.Crew for years, even when they were just a catalog back in the day.  I saw this photo of their Summer 1992 catalog, and thought that this classic summer look can easily be worn 20 years later!

Since I'm on vacation visiting family and friends in So Cal this week, I really want to go to the beach.  That's probably what I miss most about down south...the beaches aren't the same up in Nor Cal.

Here's my version of a hip, updated take on classic beachwear for 2012...

Summer 2012

Kindle eReader, Hartmann Day Tote, Faux D&G Sunglasses, Hat from Aruba street vendor, Urban Outfitters Sandals, Roxy bathing suit, Long Cardigan (gifted)

What is your must have item to have when you go to the beach?  Let me know since I think some type of stylish cover-up is essential, and if it gets windy & cold, you're prepared! Oh, and a book, a magazine, or an eReader...those are great to have too!  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Food Stop] Mexican Hole-in-the-Wall

Hi there!

Now I know that everyone has their favorite hole-in-the-wall food places, and I'm sure that Mexican food is on that list!   In So Cal, Cuca's in Redlands was our favorite Mexican food place.  When I was pregnant with the youngest, we would do daily BRC (bean, rice, and cheese) burrito runs for lunch at work.  It's no wonder that the youngest just LOVES Cuca's BRC burritos now!  Every time we're in town, we always try to make it there to get our Cuca's fix.

The original Cuca's restaurant location.  Cuca's now has 7 locations in Southern California.  Wish they'd come up to Nor Cal!  They have the BEST carne asada tacos, rice, and salsa there!

Honestly, it was hard to find a place that would match our Cuca's standard, but I have to say that La Placita has fit the bill overall.  Their rice is delicious and I LOVE their chile relleno burrito plate, plus they have these flour tortilla chips that are to die for!  The kids always ask for these chips, and we eat them up fast!  We actually go to their second location, La Placita Dos, because it's closer to our house.

Another Mexican Hole-in-the-Wall we've found up here that's pretty good is Adalberto's.  They have locations here in Nor Cal as well as in So Cal.  Their rice is also very good (see how I judge a Mexican place by their rice?), and they have a Bean & Cheese burrito, that we ask to add rice inside, to make a BRC.  I like their fish tacos and their chicken taquitos with guacamole is delicious too.

What is your favorite Hole-in-the Wall?  Let me know since you all know I will eat almost anywhere (well, they have to at least have to have an "A" grade or "Green" rating, cause getting sick and all is NOT acceptable!).  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Sole Mates Men's Style] Boys & Their Toys

Hi there!

The Hubby, still stylish on the jet ski with his Von Zipper sunglasses

He was like a kid again on the jet ski.  I joined him for a brief ride, topping 58 mph...and to his dismay, I told him to slow down!

Facebook spurred an impromptu overnight trip this weekend with some college friends we haven't seen in years. I happened to see the hubby's college roommate's post on a houseboat trip, and noticed they were only about an hour away from us. Well, long story short, we met up with them, and the guys picked up right where they left off! So great to have friends like that.

Have you been able to hook up with old friends through Facebook?  Let me know since I know that it's fun to reconnect, especially when I see the hubby like he's 21 again!  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[DesignAxis] Chair Repurpose

Hi there!

Here's the final step in my Repurpose Mode design philosophy I discuss in a previous post here.  You should never rule out an item because it's not your style or because it's worn, since most things can be repurposed!  Remember the dining table & chairs I purchased on Craigslist for $75?  The fabric was stained and was more of a modern style for the office space redo, so when I saw the floral upholstery fabric for less than $10 at a yard sale, I knew it would be perfect for the Craigslist chairs!

The floral upholstery fabric sample on the Craigslist chair to start the Chair Repurpose!

Start by unscrewing the seat cushion from the bottom of the chair.

Measure and cut the fabric to fit over the cushion with extra to wrap around the bottom.  Because the seat cushions still had good support, we just wrapped over the old fabric.

Get your handy dandy staple gun and staple the fabric to the bottom of the seat cushion.

That was easy!  And it doesn't have to be perfect because seriously, who's going to look under the chair?!

Now just screw the seat cushion back on to the chair...

And there you go!  Before & After.  Doesn't that look ten times better?!  Wait until you see it all put together with the table in the new office space!

Have you ever repurposed an item, that you purchased or already had at home, to give it new life?  Let me know because I repurpose items in my home all the time!  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!


See you later!

Cheryl