[ShOe Inspired] Louboutins or ShoeMint, and the Neon Trend

Hi there!

Christian Louboutin Neon Yellow Transparent Pumps at $795

ShoeMint Neon Yellow Kaylen Pumps at $79.98

If price weren't an issue, I would go for the Louboutins because I LOVE the ankle strap and how the transparent portion gives this neon yellow pump a unique, sexy look. With Labor Day weekend as the official end of summer, these shoes may not seem to be very practical, but I think neon may be a continuing trend into the fall (See link here.)

What do you think about the neon trend? Let me know because some of it looks great and some of it, not so much. Have a great Labor Day weekend! Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[The Scenic Route] Extra Book Club

Hi there!

Reading positively makes me happy!

I know that we still have another week left to finish the  August Read  Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple, but I have to admit that I finished the book the other week, read another book, and am finishing another one now. I'm definitely back into my reading mode again; I've even neglected Pinterest these past couple of months now because of all this reading (although the other day, I went back on it...fall's coming, so I need some inspiration!)

The first book I read was recommended by a friend who wholeheartedly agreed with my assessment of the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy by E.L James. She said that Bared to You by Sylvia Day, is the same genre, but a much better read, and she was right! I guess the next book in the series is coming out in October, so you have time if you want to read this first book! The book that I'm currently working on is The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst. I guess I'm into the steamy romantic genre right now. I'm really enjoying this one so far and sad that I'm almost done with it.

It think there's a revival of the Harlequin romance-type novels going on, but a much more risqué version, since Fifty Shades of Gray. Even though the book series was painful to get through, I do have to admit that I am looking forward to the movie version of Fifty Shades, especially if Matt Bomer plays the lead (I love White Collar!)

If anyone wants to get started, the September Read will be a book I read a few months ago called Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon. It's a smart twist on the romantic genre and I'll introduce it formally next week.

Have you ever gotten stuck on reading a certain genre? Let me know since I'm on this romantic streak right now. Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[ShOe Inspired] What To Wear?

Hi there!

My sister-in-law turns 50 on Friday, and is having a birthday party in San Diego Saturday night. I want to wear a dress, but not look too formal...I want to be simple, yet stylish...I want to be comfortable, but not look sloppy...I want want to be classic, yet hip.

With this criteria, I've been at a lose as to what to wear, but then I remembered Polyvore and scanned through their outfit ideas until I came up with this look.

Here's the outfit I created on my Polyvore site, and hope to recreate something similar for Saturday night!

When you're not sure what to wear to a special event, where do you draw your inspiration from? Let me know because Polyvore and ASOS are new sites of inspiration for me! Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Food Stop] Tofu Recipe Request

Hi there!

I received a request to post more recipes, more specifically a tofu recipe, so here it is! My mom used to make this Tofu & Onion dish, replacing the beef from her carnivore recipe when she wanted to serve a vegetarian meal. When she cooked, she never really had a "recipe" because it's you know, a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and her dishes would come out perfectly! I think I do them justice, although they're never exactly how mom cooks them...

Start with firm to extra firm tofu and let it drain on a paper towel before frying.  It is important to have the tofu as dry as possible so that you don't get oil splattering because of the excess liquid!

The final dish is so easy once the tofu is fried.  Slice some onions and saute them in some oil.  Place the fried tofu into the pan, add some soy sauce and water with a squeeze of some lemon, and finish it with salt & pepper to taste.  Cook through for a quick and easy meal that's healthy, especially if you serve it over brown rice with steamed vegetables on the side!

Does anyone have a dish that they make without a recipe? Let me know because I cook without recipes a lot of times. Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Life-Style Forum] Celebrity Look Alike

Hi there!

As I was browsing Facebook, I came across a friend's post with an app that shows who your celebrity look alike is.  I was curious to see who I would match with since my kids think mine is Olivia Munn.  The app matches you according to your profile picture, but I think they need a better database to get a more accurate match for me! (See my results below, you'll be surprised!)

My kids vote for my celebrity look alike...I'll take it cause she's gorgeous, so not sure how accurate this is, but thanks, I'm flattered!

Since we've moved to NorCal, people have commented that I look like the local newscaster from KCRA3, Tina Macuha. Maybe because she's Filipino...you know how us Asians all look the same ;-)

When I worked in Pediatrics, I had a patient whisper to her mom, "Mommy, I like my doctor because she looks like Mulan." Awww!!! How sweet is that?!

And now for the results from the Facebook app--The first one with my hair longer, gave me Eva Mendes at a 49% match, which I thought, I guess...and the second one with my hair short gave me Emma Watson at 43%, which I was like, Really?! I kept trying to do it again with my short hair photo and it kept saying Emma Watson, so I guess I'm going with that ;)

Have you ever been told that you look like someone famous? Let me know because it's just fun to know who your celebrity look alike may be! Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See  you later!

Cheryl

[Sole Mates Couple Style] He+Me Styling after a Morning Workout

Hi there!

I've got a GREAT date idea for you couples out there...working out together! As you know, I have just gotten back into my routine where the hubby has been a workout machine since he started a few months ago. He's been bugging me about working out with him, and he got his wish last Saturday. Leave it to our trainer at Breakthrough Fitness to bring us together to turn tractor tires for our workout that day!

Photos our son took and posted on Facebook during our couple tire training workout. Our trainer even posted a photo of us on the Breakthrough Fitness Facebook page...so lovely that everyone can see us like this, all sweaty and grubby!

So I had to make up for it and post this photo on how well we cleaned up for church after that strenuous workout ;-)

Outfit :: He - Shirt from J.Crew // Pants from Macy's // Belt from Banana Republic // Shoes from Allen Edmonds, Me - Dress from Nordstrom Rack // Shoes from ShoeMint.

Have you gone on some unusual dates with your significant other? Let me know so we can keep it fun and interesting! Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!
See you later!

Cheryl

[Sole Inspiration] Things I'm Grateful for

Hi there!

Although I haven't been the best at making a Things I'm Grateful for List everyday, my every other week post has been helpful to me in realizing all the little things I sometimes take for granted. So here are the 5 things I've been grateful for these past few weeks.

An unexpected overnight houseboat trip with college friends.

Discovering seaweed salad while having lunch with a NorCal friend.

Facebook for being able to save this cool picture of my son I found on his friend's wall...

...as well as this circa 2001 or 2002 photo the son found & posted on his wall. This is a great photo of the kids with my oldest niece and youngest niece at the time!

Technology that can pretty much do away with voice messages 90% of the time!

Even though life has it's challenges, there is still so much to be grateful for, don't you think? Let me know since I tend to forget this sometimes when life gets me down. Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl