Friday, July 20, 2012

Friday Mishmash

Impulse buying - most of us do it, and I'm no exception.  Two of my favorites purchases from my recent trip are a rock, and a picture of plants.  Here's the rock (and mineral and fool's gold!) seller:
His name is Nicky, he's going to be in third grade, and really, how could I NOT buy something from him?
My rock.  Cost me a dollar - totally worth it! 

And here's a picture of my picture:
Amazing succulents growing around the area.  I first saw this for sale at a coffee house - it was framed, and priced around $125.  Loved it, but too expensive.  Then the night we met Janell for dinner, we stopped at an artisan's gallery, and I found it, unframed, for a much more reasonable $30 (although Janell thinks I'm crazy to have spent that much).  I think it's beautiful, and hey - I like supporting local artists!

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And speaking of shopping, we hit the jackpot on shoes this visit.  Amazing deals were found at Nordstrom Rack (oh how I WISH we had one here), and also Aptos Shoes, although I ended up with only one pair, as there weren't as many great deals in my size.  Oh well, it was fun to play!
Shoes, glorious shoes!!!  Mine are the blue Born flip flop sandals in the right corner.  If the blue Danskos were available in my size, I would have bought them, too.  Barbara and Theresa both got new running shoes and now I'm (of course) wanting a pair in purple, too!
Shoe love starts early!

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Shades of Seinfeld:
Seen at Bookshop Santa Cruz, haha!

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I drew from the people who indicated they were interested in my remaining GU products, and the winner is Linda!  Send me your mailing address (email it to 40somethingsjourney@gmail.com) and I'll get them in the mail to you.

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Sit and Knit update:  I'm working on a project that I can't show you yet, as it's a gift.  Actually, I have so many projects going that I should institute a speed-dating style to my knitting...set a timer, knit for X number of minutes, and then change to something else.  Anyway, here's a shot of the windmill bags that I brought out to California as gifts for Barbara and Theresa:




Pink for Theresa, blue and yellow for Barbara, and all three of the bags in the last shot.

The bags got praise from a stranger, too...Theresa was carrying hers when we went shopping one day, and a boutique owner complimented her on the bag and said that she could sell them in her shop!  Very sweet, but I'm about as slow a knitter as I am a runner, and I wouldn't be able to mass produce them.  Still, that was nice to hear.

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On my last night in Santa Cruz, we went to Laili restaurant - they serve Mediterranean/Afghan style food.  Oh my, it was GOOD!  Fresh flavors, and it felt like we were eating on the healthier side, as well.  We ate in the courtyard outside, which was gorgeous...everything about the night was a real treat!
Left to right: Chicken Kabob, Pumpkin Boranee, Spinach Chicken Flatbread (with a bite taken out, lol) - YUM!

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Believe it or not, I haven't even come close to being finished with recapping all the fun I had in California.  More next week - aren't you lucky?!  Have a great weekend! 

25 comments:

  1. Your recaps are so fun to read. Can't wait for more! It is wonderful that you had such a good trip xoxo

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  2. I love your recaps! I love new shoes :D

    The bags are gorgeous!

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  3. Shoes! Shoes! More Shoes! YAY...

    Seriously, your knitting stuff is gorgeous, as our your wonderful friends in California. This trip is what girlfriend trips should all be like. Can't wait for more.

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  4. SHOES! I 'might' have bought them all ;)

    I love Mediterranean food. One of my favorite flavor profiles and that food looks GOOD.

    Well, now you know if you ever need any extra cash, you could offer up your windmill bags!!

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    1. Hehe, between you and Kristen, I knew you guys would love the shoe picture!

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  5. I don't know, if by age 44 I haven't gotten bit by the shoe bug, not sure I ever will at this point - BUT I didn't know that Borne made flip flops! I will definitely have to check that out.

    Happy Friday Shelley - keep the recaps coming! :D

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    1. I had a pair of Born flips a long time ago, and they lasted me YEARS...sort-of expensive to begin with, but sooooooo soft and comfortable!

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  6. OMG of course you had to buy a rock! Who could possibly resist?

    Hee, those shoes shots are making my mouth water. :) Are the blue Danskos the one on the bottom with the ankle strap? Those are my favorites, natch.

    Great pictures, and great recap! I want that Spinach Chicken flatbread, please.

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    1. Yes, those are the Danskos I wanted...and I knew you'd like that picture! :)

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  7. I love that windmill bag pattern. Any chance you could direct me to where I could get a copy? They are so cute! I am almost done with the baby blanket and will either post a pic or email it to you.

    That is one fine rock you scored!

    The other day, I wanted to eat a couple of cakes. Do you know what I did instead? Went to DSW and bought 4 (four!) pairs of shoes. I get it.

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    1. Haha, I love your shoe purchase!!!

      Here's that pattern for the windmill bag: http://peanutbutteryelleytime.wordpress.com/patterns/windmill-bag/

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  8. Shelley - instead of doing that retail job near Christmas, you should just work on those bags and sell them instead!

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  9. Ah, just read Lori's comment--YES, doesn't that sound lovely?

    How much do Iove that you bought a rock from that little boy! And I love his sign.

    Oh, the shoe love. I've only been to Nordstrom Rack once to buy shoes, but it was an outstanding experience!! And just yesterday I was thinking I might need to replace these expensive flipflops I have. Borns would be great I am sure. And a little more stylish.

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  10. Those bags are gorgeous!! And the SHOES!!! It's funny, reading this post reminds me of an acronym my BFF says when we get together: FEAST ~ Friends Eating And Shopping Together. Isn't that perfect??

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  11. Seriously those bags are AWESOME!! Also, I missed your 5k post...I love the pictures and I'm so happy to see how happy you are running again! Have a great weekend my friend!

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  12. I love that you bought a rock. Very cool.

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  13. Love the recaps. Feel like we are along for the ride. Have a wonderful weekend Miss Shelley!

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  14. Yay! I never win anything, how exciting! I love the photo of the shoes, I love shoes. Any excuse to buy a new pair of shoes, right?

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  15. Great post! I love the cute rock seller! How could you not buy a rock from him?? My husband loves rocks so he would love that. Cute shoe picture too. I am headed to the USA in a week or so and I can't wait to shop! Hopefully some new shoes will be in my future ;-)

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  16. And you forget about me? The shoeaholic? LOL
    Love the shoes and I do love the picture you bought too.

    And how cool is it to get a compliment on the bags, they look very cool. Great job on that Shelley.

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  17. Your photos are great! You must have an "eye" for taking a good shot! Love the shoes and the bags, as well as your photo of the succulent photo. Beautiful!

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  18. I love the photo of the bathroom at the bookstore, I worked in a large bookstore when I was in college and that was a HUGE problem! People were always taking books (unpurchased books, at that) in to the restroom and staying FOREVER in there! Don't even get me started on the books we'd find in there with disturbing....substances...on the pages. ****Shudder***

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