Day Dreaming

Isla, you are so pretty.

The Perfect Carry On is Essential

The right carry on makes all the difference. You need enough space to include all the necessities but you don't want it to weigh you down so much that you need a cart at the airport. Traveling light makes travelling enjoyable.
For more pictures and details check HERE.

Making Samples, Enjoying California & Getting Back to Work.

This was my attempt to  make a tie. Now I just have to learn to tie a tie, not as easy as I thought.

The Boyfriend Bag- Dan has been testing out the prototype. I think its the perfect size and will work well for men or women.

Over the last few weeks Dan and I drove from San Diego to San Francisco with many beach town stops on the way.  Pictures really could not capture how pretty much of that state is, but I still took a few.

We had a chance to visit Farm Animal Sanctuary in Los Angles. They do wonderful work educating the public on the current state of factory farming. The hour long tour is one I will never forget, definitely a highlight of the trip for me. The have a few locations around the USA, I highly recommend a visit.

Santa Barbara- We only stopped here for lunch and a little walk, but it sure is a pretty little city.

Me- Trying to learn how to use my camera again.  

Our last stop was San Francisco. We did a lot of walking while we were there and my thighs are just starting to regain feeling. The hills are serious, I have never felt so out of shape!

It's great to go away and just as sweet to come home. After a year long break I am happy that today is my first day back at cha cha full time. Often stepping away from something is the best way to realize how much you appreciate it.

Here There & Everywhere.

Have You Heard of a Yurt?

 

Neither had I, until late one night, while browsing the web I decided to rent one for 4 days.
I had no idea what to expect after our 2.5 hour drive North of Toronto, but I can say I was very pleased.
 Here is the technical explanation of a Yurt, but to me it's defined as the kind of camping I can do. You get to fall asleep with the sounds of the forrest, but feel safe enough that you wont get eaten by a bear, plus you get to sleep in an actual bed.
This place is totally off the grid, 11 acres of private forest and lake, beaver ponds, fire pit and dock. No running water, electricity or other humans. Exactly what I need every now and then.
If you had of told me 5 years ago that I would be going to a place like this instead of a hotel with a pool and room service I would have thought you were crazy. But something about the simpler things get more and more appealing everyday.
 If you are looking for an escape from the real world, email me, I will pass on the name of the owners of this beautiful property. Simply Beautiful.

≈

California Donuts

 

Last month we had a chance to go to Southern California. It was beautiful. With a limited budget we had to get creative (as seems to be the way with most of our vacations). We took it back to the basics, some folks call it finding free stuff to do. We spent the week going for hikes, playing tennis, sitting at the beach, eating $2. fish tacos and drinking cold beer. While there I discovered that I am in love with donuts, or more precicly fresh donuts. I never eat donuts, at home they don't appeal to me. They look dry and old and 10 times too sweet.  But as we drove through California I kept noticing signs advertising fresh donuts starting at 5am. Always one to cave to peer pressure I thought we should get up early and see if they were worth it. They were, they are delicious. Warm, and sweet and soft and everything that is good. After carefully selecting a few donuts to sample, we hoped in the cheap rental car and headed to the beach in time to watch the sun rise. It was a pretty nice way to start the day. Riding high on little sleep and a massive dose of sugar, we forgot to put $1. in the parking meter and got a $75. parking ticket. It was worth it.

Good bye Summer...

Sad to see it go, but it will be back. So I am looking forward to trying out some new ideas for Fall.

cha cha Travel Bag.

This one really makes me want to get on a plane.

Happy for the weekend.

All packed and no where to go.

I made a few of these for a show I did recently. I have this one left and am considering keeping it for myself. It has 7 pockets, double short straps and 1 long removable strap. The lining is my favorite part, I went a little paint crazy on it but I like the way it turned out.
Should I keep it? Should I sell it? I don't know. This decision would be much easier if I had a vacation planned. An idea just hit me, how about a trade. If you foot the bill for a plane ticket (or 2, it would be nice to bring a friend) and a few days in a hotel (somewhere sunny, hot and by the ocean please), I will make you the best handbag you ever had, in any style with any features you can imagine. Sounds like a good deal??? There must be a lovely (rich) person out there who has always wanted the perfect custom handbag. If thats you, get in touch.  I will patiently await your offer.