[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

[The Scenic Route] Charm (and Motivatiion)

Hi there!

Read The Scenic Route to pass the time pleasantly before you begin your day.  An added bonus is you will also expand your mind as well as improve your body, if you also get motivated along with me!

Vocab Builder---

be·guile[bih-gahyl] 

verb (used with object), be·guiled, be·guil·ing.

1.  to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude.

2.  to take away from by cheating or deceiving (usually followed by of ): to be beguiled of money.

3.  to charm or divert: a multitude of attractions to beguile the tourist.

4.  to pass (time) pleasantly: beguiling the long afternoon with a good book.

 www.dictionary.com

Artistic Appreciation---

"Kasia Slowianska repainted famous artworks and masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Rembrandt’s self-portrait, or the Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer with a little difference. The persons are painted in a chibi-style as childlike portraits." ---from We and the Color

Mind Stimulating Book Club---

Okay, so I know that it was a big task to read a trilogy this month, even though it was Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy by E.L James.  I admit that I am not quite finished yet; I'm about a third of the way into the last book, so I will give everyone a chance to read it within the next couple of weeks!

The August Read:  Where'd you go, Bernadette by Maria Semple, is actually not out until August 14th.  I've pre-ordered mine for my Kindle.  I'm sure we all won't have any trouble getting through it; it's supposed to read like a family comedy that's hilarious!  That's a change from the sexually-charged Fifty Shades of Grey, which I'm ready for!

Wellness Motivation---

After reading this post from Between your Ears blog here, I laughed (more ironic for me, than haha) because I could totally relate to her and her exercise routine.  I  have to be honest. I've been struggling with exercise lately and need some motivation.  After my half-marathon in April, featured on this post here, I dropped off from running as frequently, and I haven't worked out at all (to the dismay of my personal trainer).  I was so dedicated, as you can see in my schedule below.  I'm like that...I am so determined and focused when I have a goal in mind, then I drop off after the event.  

This month, I am going to get serious again and run at least 3 - 4 times a week.  Mid-month, I'll start my workout routine again after we get back from our trip to So Cal to visit family.  I need a race to sign up for to motivate me, probably in October.  Thinking of the Urban Cow Half-Marathon relay.  I'll let you all know what I decide and you all can hold me accountable!

Verse Meditation---

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." ---Proverbs 31:30, NLT

How many of you have to restart your exercise routine and get motivated?  Let me know since I will have to kick myself to get going...maybe a prize at the end of the race, like as spa day, will beguile me into running!  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Stylish Steps] Red Shorts at Berkeley

Hi there!

I want to share the beautiful historic hotel we stayed at and my new red shorts, thus rounding out our belated anniversary weekend getaway to Berkeley for a Coaches Time Out (CTO) Conference!  See the other posts about this weekend here to see our couple style, and here to see a cool place to eat and hang out in Berkeley.

The Claremont Resort & Spa is a historic hotel in the hills of Berkeley with the most magnificent view.  Sorry, I didn't take a photo of it, so you will have to come visit this beautiful place and see for yourself!  I did get some shots of the lobby and the hubby checking in!

The hallways were so wide and beautiful, and our room was cozy and classy.  This is the front of the hotel, which I didn't do justice, so check out the hotel link here to see it in all it's glory!

 Because I didn't take any outfit shots there, I thought that I would recreate my red short outfits for you!  I wore the first two looks on Saturday; the first one to breakfast and the morning CTO session.

My first outfit with these red Express shorts, was with my floral shoes from Etsy, a heathered light gray Gap tee, and an olive jacket from Forever 21.

For the second look, I took off the jacket, added my yellow Target belt and my Urban Outfitters sandals.  We went to lunch, as seen on this post here.  You'll see that the hubby wore red shorts and a light gray T-shirt also, so we matched!  Should have taken a photo...oh well...

I told you all that I was going to find colored denim shorts in this post here, and I did for a steal at less than $15!  I bought them a couple weeks ago and have already worn them a bunch of times.  I really take my cost per wear CPW philosophy, described here, seriously ;-)

These last two looks are future pairings for me.  I really could have worn these shorts all weekend with these pairings, so that would have been real light packing!

Red shorts paired with a white Banana Republic blouse, an Urban Outfitters necklace, and some Target booties.  I'll probably wear this to brunch or out shopping.

Pairing the red shorts, with a black Target shirt, black ShoeMint wedges, and accessories, dresses them up for a summer dinner out!

Do you try to pair an item with different pieces so you get more outfit looks when you travel?  Let me know since I like to do that to stretch my packing efficiency!  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl