Road Trip 2014 {Monterey and Big Sur}

Road Trip 2014 {Monterey and Big Sur}

We finally made it to Monterey, California in the afternoon on June 18th.  We hit terrible traffic leaving Oakland and that made our journey there stressful.  All our troubles were forgotten, once we were in Monterey and we drove along the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur.  I don't even know if I can describe what we saw as we drove along the PCH.  Amazing!  I may have gone overboard sharing photos, but every time I looked up there was a beautiful view.  I wanted to pull over at every scenic overlook because the views were breathtaking.  Mark and I took turns driving along the Pacific Coast Highway so that we each had a chance to take in the spectacular scenery.

We made it back to the beach in Monterey to watch the sunset.  One of the most incredible memories on our road trip.  I wanted to freeze time and stay in that special moment just a little longer.

I loved it here so much that it makes my eyes tear up to see these photos again.

The morning of June 19th we took the scenic 17-mile drive on the Monterey Peninsula.  As you look at the following photos, please notice how in the morning it was overcast, and then the sun comes out.  It makes a big difference. 

The rugged coastline is beautiful.

 I used the timer for this photo.  A nice lady saw me push the button and run down the rocks to get in the photo, and I think she felt sorry for me.  She took our camera and snapped lots of photos of our family on the rocks. 

We're really a lot higher up than you can tell in this photo.  

My favorite

Mark and the boys had fun walking around on the rugged rocks.

This shows what the boys do best--explore.

This is taken from the car, but notice how blue the water looks now that it's no longer overcast. 

Monterey is on my list of places to revisit.  

Lone Cypress on 17-mile drive 

New Year Same Family

It's a new year, but we're still the same family.  One of the things I like about our little family is that we are predictable.  If you read my blog regularly, then you've seen similar images over and over.  You know what to expect and what you see is what you get.  Nothing out of the ordinary but making everyday memories extraordinary.  These everyday, simple moments are the ones we'll look back on and want to remember.  It doesn't always have to be the big events that are special.  So here's my "phone dump" from the beginning of the new year to now.

No surprise that we celebrated finishing our first week of school after the Christmas break with pizza and cheesecake at Grimaldi's.  We really enjoyed Christmas break, and it was an adjustment getting back in the routine of early to bed, early to rise.  The boys look like they are in a trance once they saw the cheesecake.  Cheesecake can do that to a person, ha!

Ben's face reflects his feelings about going to bed early because it's a school night.  He has the most animated face and funniest expressions. 

Will is a challenge to get up and going in the morning, but once he's up and in the car, he's good to go. 

The life of two kids who have parents for teachers.  Will and Ben are in Mark's math classroom after school waiting on us to finish up.  I'm thankful they are patient (most of the time).

I should have started The Hunger Games trilogy over the Christmas break, but I waited until school started back.  So far I'm really enjoying it.   I had a dream about it so that must mean it's really good.

This photo was just too good not to include.  "The force is strong with this one." 

Had to put this one on here too.  Cuties! 

Angry Birds Star Wars...this isn't a surprise.  Y'all know my boys love playing. 

Saturday morning traditions.  Donuts.

Birthday party fun!  Will and Ben had fun playing with Mia's new train set.  She has the sweetest parents and is adorable! 

One more photo collage from my girls getaway that started the new year.  I can't believe it's been a week since I've seen Kelly and Andrea.  We had such a good time!  {More photos here.}

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Guest Post: Kathleen from Simple Silly Life

Color Me Beautiful

Hi, loyal Michele readers! I'm Kathleen and I blog over at Simple Silly Life. I am so excited to be sharing a little with you about why I wear lots of color and how my style sense has evolved.

As a youngster, color was not part of my wardrobe at all. You see, I attended private school and my uniforms for 12 years were comprised of navy, maroon, gray, white and a dash of pink. Needless to say, once I started college, I was completely intimidated by color, but I knew I wanted some of it in my life.

That obsession for finding a balance of color initially led to extreme overload. There was one summer (admittedly, it was a one filled with fashion don’ts) I owned Jcrew polo shirts in nearly every shade they made.  And I had shoes to match (loafers mostly).  I wanted color so much that I overcompensated for the lack of it in my life. But it was still boring. I mostly just wore solid colors and a necklace.

When I started my ‘big girl job’ six years ago, I met a gal named Paige and she completely opened my eyes to a whole new world of looking great. She became my work fashion icon (and one of my favorite people on Earth).

She wore colors when they were in season and was the first person I ever met who wore a flower pin. Like seriously, how cute yet professional does she look?! She wore a jacket 3-4 days a week with fun patterns and long necklaces (other trends that I have tried to copy)and also taught me the importance of  wearing clothing that fits well. I quote her “you’re not a work to find a man, so don’t wear tight pants.” I still use this rule when I buy new pants. If they’re too tight, I leave them in the store. I think seeing others and admiring their boldness is the first step to trying out a new look. Without Paige, I know I would still be in a blue polo and black pants every day.

Since I began participating in What I Wore Wednesday over at The Pleated Poppy’s blog, I’ve learned to balance color and appreciate it more. I’ve also branched out of my color comfort zone by wearing colors that were once terrifying or that I was told I couldn’t wear (how I spent 28 years of my life without yellow items is a mystery). What really inspired me most was seeing how fellow bloggers wore shades of mustard, pomegranate and orange and did it with confidence. This challenged me to move away from just wearing tons of color to combining it with neutrals (think bright green with navy or mustard with khaki and brown). Now I wear color because it makes me happy, calms me down, or energies me. It’s less frightening and more invigorating. And I love it.

But wearing bold colors and patterns can be scary. My advice? Just focus on one color you've never imagined wearing. Maybe someone said you're too pale for that shade of yellow or you don't know that color to match purple with. Just try one accessory or a simple tee that is out of your comfort zone and pair it with items you already own and love (a great pair of jeans and a khaki jacket) and see the magic that comes from dipping your toes in a new shade of something. If you hate it, try another color. Eventually you'll find colors you love and are comfortable in. And then you can move onto bolder combos and patterns. 

Thanks to the support of my new blog friends (and as we know, Michele is right when she says blog friends are real friends), I’ve continued to go outside the box of simple solids and try new looks filled with paisleys and stripes. In the past year I’ve managed to try every shade of the rainbow. It’s been a colorful, wonderful, fashionable year.

And thanks to Michele for allowing me to guest post. It was my first ever and it was a true honor!!

The Lucky Mommy with Spring Outfits for the Little Boys....and Mommies too!!

Hey! I'm Emily from And, I'm The Lucky Mommy and I'm thrilled to be filling in here today for Michele at Imperfectly Wonderful World.  I just LOVE her blog and she's the sweetest for sure!
I write a blog about my sometimes chaotic but always fancy little life which includes fashion, food, an awesome Hubby and a Sweet Baby Boy.
My post today is going to give y'all a little shopping inspiration as we roll on into Spring.  I am sharing some fabulous outfits for the little boys….and of course some cutesies for the mommies too!
I simply LOVE shopping for my Sweet Baby Boy,  even more than I love shopping for myself {and that's major!}  Now that Sweet Baby is a BIG BOY {7 months old} he has his own style!  He's not into the frilly and frou frou….AT ALL.  He's a rambunctious little baby boy… …you know…always gettin' into somethin'!

My favorite productive procrastination is creating adorable outfits for my my Little Guy….

So, today I am here sharing some adorable outfits with you:

I just LOVE Toms for the little bitties!  And, I just couldn't leave out this
 A-A-DORABLE fire truck….every baby boy needs his own fire truck.

What about these Chuck Taylors!  And, don't even get me started on Ugly Dolls….they are so presh :)

This is one of my FAVORITE little vacation outfits!

Next up……..

Sweet Baby Boy can't wait to start soccer {3 years old}! So, I thought I would throw this in there for the itty bitty soccer stars and soccer stars to be!

 Must have!!  {including the puppy}

This outfit is from one of my favorite places online for the little boys......UpAndRiding
How could you NOT freak out over this little baby boy Vans?!?!


Okay, Okay….I had to include some stuff for the mommies:

You know Old Navy has some extremely cute and budget friendly looks for Spring!

And a little bit more fancy…. I am sooooo loving coral for Spring!

I'm so glad to be here today!  Y'all have a great end of the week!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

My blog friend and real life friend, Carrie, at Live, Learn and Love Together is always taking beautiful photos and adding scripture.  It's so inspiring that I thought I'd give it a try. 

The following verses have been written on an index card on my desk for several months.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Rejoice always, 

pray without ceasing, 

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.