Second City Travel...

Second City Travel is a new trend in vacationing! It's when you visit a smaller, lesser-known town close to your destination making the trip a little cheaper and giving you and your family a new adventure.


For example:

Instead of visiting Roseville, you could choose Auburn where you may find some additional outdoor (and free) activities. Take a holiday in Arcata instead of Yureka. Cambria instead of San Luis Obispo.

So, go out and ENJOY CALIFORNIA!

Happy 25th Anniversary to Veanne and Tim

Can't let the day go by without wishing my sister and brother inlaw a happy 25th anniversary!

Grace Kelly Bag - A classic! Would make a nice travel bag

This morning I was reading Grace Kelly - A Life in Pictures by Jenny Curtis I noticed a purse that she carried while she was traveling. I was fascinated by her large leather Hermès bag which gave rise to the classic name ‘the Kelly bag’ after Grace’s portrait with it on the cover of Life in 1956. She was such a classic beauty. Many of the dresses she wore I think would look so great today. She even manages to look feminine and elegant in a simple menswear look of white shirt and trousers. Both looks go well with this classic bag, saving the need to pack more than one purse. I think I'll look online for one...or maybe a knock off...

Travel Stylish!

Clothing Swap Photos!

The Sustainable Clothing Swap was a success and we donated two car loads of clothing to the http://www.womens-empowerment.org/ program. Women's Empowerment spoke at the event and share a story of great triumph told by a graduate of the program. I want to thank all the volunteers who helped and and a "shout out" to Amanda E. who spearheaded this project.

Awesome what women can do when we gather together for a cause...

Social Network Participation

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Social Network Participation

View more OpenOffice presentations from Geoff Livingston.

FLOWER FARM

I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FUN PLACES TO TAKE MY GRAND KIDS ON A LITTLE OUTING.

Ideally, I would like a place close to home, outdoors where they can't break anything and where I don't have to say "no". And an added benefit would be somewhere that has some great photo opportunities for the whole family -- after all, I do love to take picture.

Maybe even too much :) .

Sounds like a dream -- nope, it is a direction I am seeing business go, where they provide more than the sale of goods, but a true experience.

I have found that outdoor nurseries are popping up all over California. A place where you can do everything -- purchase plants, look at arrangements, shop, pick fresh produce, enjoy a cup of coffee, eat at the deli, and more. One place close to my home is the Flower Farm. I love their hand painted large wooden cow, and can't wait to get my grandsons and granddaughter there to snap a quick photo. I love the thought of having tea with my daughters on the patio while the kids run around nearby.

Whenever possible I do like to mix work and fun with an experience like this. Here you see a photo of a meeting I had with my friend Debbie Sipe who is the executive director of the California RV and Camping Association. We did get a lot of business done there, and a beautiful morning meeting outdoors.

Isn't California a beautiful place to work?

Paradise in Paradise, CA

I have the opportunity to stay at some amazing places through my job, but this little slice of paradise in Paradise, CA takes the cake.

Chapelle de L'Artiste a Chateau and Retreat was an amazing place.

http://www.chapelledelartiste.com/

Two of my favorite coworkers (Sue and Despina) and I popped in to to see our friends Melissa Schuster and her husband Cliff Jacobson who are the owners of this wonderful destination resort.

We were toured around by Melissa and Cliff, and had a wonderful glass of wine at the new Wine Cave, complete with dance floor and entertaining bar. After our wonderful tour we dinned outside under the stars in their outdoor dinning-plex, and the food was splendid. The coal fired BBQ dinner and fresh local veggies and potatoes were the perfect accompaniment to a day out in the country. For dessert Melissa whipped up sherbet with raspberry drizzle and fresh berries.

Melissa and Cliff are both wonderful artists. They have beautiful work displayed throughout the grounds. They are also wonderful storytellers and enjoy touring people around and telling them the history of both the grounds and the works inside.


Their love of the outdoors is shown throughout this wonderful destination with plenty of outdoor entertaining spaces like a pool, a pond, and multiple outdoor dining areas. They also have two adorable dogs and a small group of llamas which just added to the country ambiance of this beautiful place!

How this family does all this just weeks before back to back weddings for their children is beyond me! Melissa said they love to entertain and share with friends their love for the Chateau.

This was a spectacular experience and I recomend it to anyone planning to stay in Northern CA. Make a point to check this place out!

30 Year Reunion - YIKES!

I can not believe it is 7 weeks till my 30th year reunion! I still need to lose 10 pounds, find something cool, young, hip and fun to wear, find something different to do with my hair...and you know who would even notice since I haven't seen many of these friends for 30 years?

When I received the invitation I immediately got a hold of my high school best friend Margaret and asked her to go with Richard and I (It's always best to have someone to sit with) I then called a few more friends because she was not "set" on going yet.

Next I got out my yearbooks and re read them, all four of them! That way names might be more top of mind.

Then I looked about 20 up on Facebook to reconnect with them . I got in touch with other classmates that I thought might attend too. There is safety and courage in going to a reunion with close friends. It was great catching up on line and gave me a lot more confidence that I will have friends to talk to at the reunion, and for years longer.

The most important thing I must remember is not to worry so much. My classmate that acted like a jerk in high school is never going to remember me and re visit it. We have all grown up I am sure and we will all feel awkward and unsure. So the best thing I can do is enter the room with a smile and enjoy meeting again people whom I once had something in common with...going to the same high school.

Now that I am thinking about it..maybe I just need to relax and enjoy myself. Really no one will know I have put on 10 pounds in the last 30 years and no one will care about a trendy haircut or sensational outfit. What most people remember is one's smile and their voice.

Tips:

Look forward to your reunion and be positive. Everyone you talk to will have something interesting to offer in conversation

Before the reunion and on the way to the event talk with your significant about many of the fun and wonderful things since high school you have done. That way when someone asks what you have done since high school it will be top of mind.

Be complimentary and state your fond memories of those you talk with.Wear what makes you feel confident. Going to a high school reunion can be nerve-wracking, but if you dress confidently, you will come off as a confident person

Avoid negative behavior or discussion. If someone you are talking to starts in, excuse yourself to move over to another person you'd like to say hi to.

Do not wear anything uncomfortable, such as something too tight or something you have to constantly adjust or tug at throughout the night. You want your mind to be on your old high school friends, not your clothes.

Try to wear a color other than all black. The older we get the more vibrant we want to look.

Be careful while being nervous try not to over eat or drink.

Be yourself. The best conversations come when you are authentic and most of all don't feel pressured to be something you're not

Smile, even if you are nervous. Remember people will always feel more positive about you if you smile.

Old Town Sacramento!

Even though my office is in downtown Sacramento, I rarely get a chance to enjoy Old Town. Just this week I got the opportunity to really check it out with two of my daughters and my grandson, Wyatt.

We walked around and we checked out the visitors center. There we got to check out an old stagecoach and a beautiful picture of people coming across to California on the wagon trail. We also found information on a little restaurant to try downtown.

The restaurant we tried was called "Steamers." I had a tea and we all had some great little sandwiches.

Before leaving we found a terrific little candy store called "Munchies" that had an amazing selection of taffy. We bought some to send back to Wyoming with my daughter Jenna. We also bought some cinnamon bears -- one of my husband's favorite treats!

Update on High Hand Nursery!

Richard and I took my daughter Jenna and her son Wyatt to High Hand Nursery this past weekend.

Wyatt loved the coy pond and Jenna loved checking out the gallery there. We also enjoyed walking through all the great plants!

I also just found their blog, so check it out at: http://highhandnursery.blogspot.com/

2nd Hand Adventures Can Be 2nd Nature!

I have always enjoyed hunting second hand stores, swap meets and thrift shops. To me it is like treasure hunting without the map. Now when I recently asked my husband Richard to come along, he was more than reluctant. He said it was likened to “digging through other peoples junk” So I had to sit and think about why I love it. It’s all about the Pieces of the past. How they inspire me, how I long for a life long ago. I love the history, the story, the discovery of something I’d been hunting for.

Tips for the HUNT at a swap meet/flea market:

1. Bring a list of what you’re looking for so you can focus on searching for those items.

2. At the same time be open for the unexpected

3. Plan your course, arrive early

4. Wear comfy shoes as you may be on your feet quite a while

5. If you’re looking out for a large piece of furniture, don’t forget to pack an old blanket, tie-down rope and a red flag in your trunk for transportation.

6. Bring a bottle of water and a hat as you’ll be walking around in the midday sun.

7. Put cloth bags in your car for bagging small items and cardboard boxes and newspaper for wrapping fragile objects.

8. Don’t take your purse or wear expensive jewelry (leave at home or lock in the trunk of your car.)

9. Shop smart and shop quickly by bringing plenty of $1 & $5 bills.

10. Try downloading a map of the sale or ask for a map when you get there. Last resort is make a map.

11. If you see something you think you may like, pick it up while you decide on purchasing it. Otherwise, another buyer may take it.

12. Get better deals by buying in bulk. Group your purchases together and offer the seller one price for the lot.

13. If there’s something you have to have but it’s out of your price range, give the seller your business card and let them know that if the item isn’t sold at the end of the day, your offer still stands.

14. Don’t be afraid to bargain down the price if you feel it’s too much – it’s all part of the fun.

15. Enjoy conversation with the vendors, ask about the history of the piece, where they got it. Especially jewelry, who wore this?

16. When you get home start researching your finds, wash, clean, display and enjoy or post it and resell it for a profit.

17. You might consider keeping a binder of inspiration, things you are looking for ideas how to display antiques and flea MARKET FINDS.