I've Moved to Bella Lights...

I've moved over to a new blog called Bella Lights...

Come and follow me there because I've missed you lovely!

Retro Santa Monica Farmers Market

I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Mine was spent getting to know my new Los Angeles surroundings and spending the day with my father who's birthday is today. So this weekend we went down to the Santa Monica Farmers Market. The weather was overcast, but the people were still smiling. I loved being outdoors and discovering the new produce, flowers, merchants and fruit. So come along with me on this retro Farmers Market day...

First stop, let's grab this adorable bag, some cash and sunglasses.

Who says you have to grab any old bag to go to the Farmers Market? Try one of these stylish Audrey Reusable Bag. And she has sisters!

The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook

I would love to get this book as a house warming present because of it's wonderful recipe ideas. I just feel better when eating more fruits and veggies...don't you?



I can't wait to get a bicycle with a basket so I can ride to the beach on Saturday mornings. All I need now is a flowy dress and some flip flops to match my fashion ride.





I'm pretty sure that butter lettuce is my favorite in a salad. It brings something unique to the flavor of the salad and I seem to only find it at a Farmers Market.

Oh that was a fun retro Santa Monica Farmers Market day. I wish I could be there right now. Farmers Market have become so popular over the past years. And I think its a great place to bring children. Tell me, are you as addicted to your local Farmers Market as I am sweetie?

Inspirational Weekend Quote

What a wonderful inspirational weekend quote! It's never too late to become the person you've always hoped you could be and I love this thought.

I'm never too old, too busy, too sick, too happy or too tired to become the person I know I can be...

Some people learn this lesson early in life and some later, but it's a gift to know that we never stop growing and learning.

I like the person I am today sweetie and have worked hard to be able to say that. I appreciate my strengths and values and will continue to work on my weaknesses. Since I am in the moment of today, I know I need to be the best I can be...today!

Do you agree with this inspirational quote?

Our love story: Moving Day!

Our move to Los Angeles is finished, but not without some great stories for you sweetie. Right now I’m sitting in my new family room that has a serene shady feel from the ocean breeze. Mission complete! Our move began with a goodbye party where my extended family and friends made us feel like we’ll be missed in San Francisco. Nick's Crispy Taco's hosted us with great food, red walls and full on chandeliers. That restaurant couldn't be anymore city funky.

I spent the next two days packing and preparing for our Saturday and Sunday move. Our U-haul was packed by 1:00PM and then we spent the rest of the day spackling the holes in the walls, meeting our landlord for a final walk through, handing in our cable box etc. But then the unfair thing happened! You see, it looked like the San Francisco parking attendants also didn't want us to move away. We parked our U-haul in the driveway while I was upstairs with a couple of boxes when Honey's family ran up to tell me we were getting a ticket.

You can get a ticket on a U-haul parked in a driveway I had no idea! I felt like I was in a movie.

Our moving movie continued when we drove the U-haul at 5:30AM from San Francisco to L.A. I had a blast while Honey drove. I got to play DJ, set the right temperature in the truck and encourage Honey to stay in the moment.

I could feel our chapter turning as we got closer and closer to L.A. I was excited and nervous for him to see our new home as I had found it a couple of weeks before. We pulled into our driveway and I felt peaceful.

So forgive me as I stop writing and go outside to experience more. I can’t wait to tell you about our L.A. adventure. Do you enjoy moving and is it OK that I’m still tired?

Change Post from The Simply Luxurious Life

I am so lucky to have Shannon from The Simply Luxurious Life guest post again. I've always had to remind myself that change is a blessing and this post is a wonderful example in pictures of how I'm feeling. We're driving a U-haul from San Francisco to Los Angeles today send positives thoughts...will post soon.

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The Charm of Change

Life, our lives, are not stagnant. We are perpetually moving forward, although if we are absentmindedly sitting behind the wheel, we may not be going in a direction that is the best course for the lives of our dreams. The reality and the blessing is that change happens and it is a good thing, but it has to do with how we approach it.

Immediately I know some of you may be shaking your head, but look at it this way, as much as we want to convince ourselves that we are in control of our lives, we really only have control over our actions and reactions. The reality is that we create our reality based on what we believe, what we have experienced and how we think.

Images: (1) teenangel (2) Martha (3) We Heart It

If nothing else, the realization that change will happen should be a reminder to us every day to soak up the goodness, be appreciative, live in the moment, not hold back and live as though tomorrow we will not have the same opportunity. Use the knowledge of change occurring on a regular basis to propel you to achieve your dreams, your goals, your deep-down-desires today – don’t put it off any longer. Allow this acceptance of change to be your great motivator. If not now, when?

Lastly, I would like to extend a tip of the hat to Laura for inviting me to contribute to her blog while she herself is undergoing a bit of an exciting change. Thank you again Laura, it is a true pleasure to be here.

~

Thank you sweetie for this lovely post! So tell me would you consider yourself someone that is good with change?

Inspirational Weekend Quote

Thank you for all of your comments of support as Honey and I make the move from San Francisco to Los Angeles. See sweetie, you never know what's around the corner for you. And I find this inspirational weekend quote to be a wonderful reminder of positivity and light.

I can actually hear and feel the page turning the chapter in my book.

This week I've been having lunches and dinners with the wonderful friends I've made in SF. And our goodbye party reminded me of the new family I've surrounded myself in NorCal. San Francisco has been my home for eight years and it was the best decision for me. I had 4 years for finding myself and the next 4 years with my Honey.

I'll miss you San Francisco, but I'm excited for the next steps!

Sunshine comes through you to reach others. Can you relate to this inspirational weekend quote sweetie?

Guest post The Simply Luxurious Life

Hi lovelies. Today I am sitting in my San Francisco apartment which is covered in boxes getting ready for our upcoming move to L.A. My blogging friend Shannon from The Simply Luxurious Life offered to entertain us with her lovely thoughts and pictures with this guest post while I'm working away. Thank you so much Shannon. I can't wait to read more...

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An Ideal Weekend

Although the weekend is not quite here, it is always something to dream about, wish to come quicker or plan as we daydream about at our desks at work or in the car on the drive home or the subway/train ride commute. Last year in Vogue Italia Gisele Bundchen demonstrates the many ways a leisurely ideal weekend could be enjoyed. Have a look . . .

. . . reading . . .

. . . cooking & eating . . .

. . . daydreaming . . .

. . . (I’ll let you use your imagination) . . .

. . . spending time with loyal companions . . .

Images courtesy of Elle Italia source

. . . and ending the day in luxury.

What would your ideal weekend look like?

Under the Sheets~shhh is moving to Los Angeles!

Sweetie it’s true! After living in the incredible city of San Francisco (click here for some old Cable Car Confession posts), we are moving back to Los Angeles for Honey's MBA program and a new lifestyle. I’m excited about moving back and looking forward to starting our new married life in L.A. I spent my high school years there with my family and best friend and they’re super excited we’re coming back. Getting married in San Francisco was the best thing we could have done as we met and fell in love here, but somehow moving to L.A. has been clicking left and right.

So three months to the day of our wedding, we’ll be in a Uhaul moving cities.

This will bring exciting change to Under the Sheets~shhh because my experiences will be new. New lifestyle, beachy weather, MBA students, travel, closer to family and we’re renting a sweet little house. I promise sweetie to bring to L.A. my retro, vintage, inspirational, witty writing and San Francisco style. I guess I’ll just have to leave all of my scarves in boxes.

Stay tuned for my/our new adventures in L.A. and I can’t wait to meet some new blogging friends.

Inspirational Weekend Quote

Two years ago I discovered a book that spoke to me and I finished reading in only three days. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Sure, sure I know that this movie seems to be everywhere and I've heard the mixed reviews, but Elizabeth's message is all about letting go.

Letting go...

Such a hard skill to master. Believing that someone else has planned the journey and all you need to do is BELIEVE and let go.

And I'm super excited to see how the magic of the book is captured on the big screen. Over the years I've given this book away to girlfriends as gifts. There was my honey's boss, my girlfriend who's going through a divorce, my married friend who's having a hard time getting pregnant and then to my bridesmaid after she had surgery.

All at a different stage in life and responded to the message just as I did.

I was hoping that this book would help teach them about the amazing journey we're all on. Life is happening now...in this moment...let go on your journey. And the Margherita pizza is still making my mouth water. Have you seen Eat Pray Love yet sweetie? Did you feel the same message?

Going back to school retro style

Parents it's almost time for your vacation because the kids are going back to school. Yeah...oh sorry kiddies! I keep hearing from parents that the summers seem to be getting longer, but not from my best friend R the teacher. Well I wish everyone a great back to school year and may you go back with a little retro style...

In school crayons were my favorite so I could color outside of the box. I can still remember the day when I discovered the Glitter and Metallic crayons (seen here on Amazon). My world was rocked and my cheerleader signs got bigger and more colorful. Read about my cheerleader days in this moving from Canada to America post.

Choosing the first day of school outfit was such an ordeal. I sat on the phone with both my girl and guy friends to determine the right look. Some things never change huh? I still feel like this when I start a new job.



For a back to school retro look, every child needs a pair of high socks with a lunchbox. Pair the socks with a Catholic Girl skirt and you'll be the talk of the school. Unless you actually go to Catholic School!

Lunch is another difficult thing to control on your first day. Parents can pack the lunch and add some fun colorful paper cups to hold the food. Let's leave the toothpicks out...ok?

Back to school fashion is fun for girls. A dress with matching tights and clunky dark boots makes for an adorable outfit.

Paper Mate pens are a colorful way of going retro in school.

Oh how I miss having this school desk with my friends around me. Maybe I should get one of these desks for home. Would I even fit anymore?

Is it creepy or cute for an adult to carry a lunchbox sweetie?

To all the kiddies and parents out there, happy almost back to school week. You've all hung in there so well. No go out there and buy some back to school retro fashions that would make me proud! I know you can do it. What was the item you just had to have for school when you were a child lovely?

Summer interview with my lil sis

Hope you are having a great summer. Well I just come back from a week with my family in L.A. and watched my little brother and sister spend their last days of summer. I love sitting down and documenting D who is a talkative, fashionable, funny, sarcastic little diva and the baby of our family. Can you imagine what it would be like going into 8th grade with an older sister twenty years older then you? (Check out these other interviews I did with D a last year)

So take it away D tell us all about your summer thoughts...

What have you done this summer D?

Hanging out with friends, went on vacation a little bit, went shopping twice a week, water parks, sleepovers, cheer, went to the beach with friends, amusement parks and swimming.

Are you excited for the summer to end?

No, because school is boring and I can't talk during class, but yes because I want to see all of my friends.

Would you have rather gone to camp?

No, I have a strong passionate dislike for camp because they tell you what to do and I'm not with my friends. Since I'm older, this summer I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted like walk to lunch or take the bus to the beach.

*Photo taken by Julie Michelle.

How did you occupy your time and manage your money?

I occupied my time by hanging out with friends every week so every day I hung out with a different friend. I also got $25 a week to spend.

So D did your understanding of money change?

Sometimes I had a lot of the $25 left over and sometimes I spent it all. Getting the allowance taught me how to not to spend it all in one day and if I had more one week then I could use it the next week.

Are you looking forward to the 8th grade? What do you think it will be like?

I'm so excited for 8th grade and I think it's going to be the best year of middle school because it's the last year. We will be in charge of the school, but it won't be too fun because they banned cell phones from school 'cause so many kids were texting in class.

What was it like coming to San Francisco and being a bridesmaid at your sister's wedding?

It was fun and the Hindu ceremony was very long. We got to walk around, talk and not have to sit the entire time. I liked my outfits. It was an honor to be there for you Lala as a bridesmaid.

Thank you so much little sis D. We all loved reading about your summer fun and I can't wait to hear about 8th grade. How will you survive without your cell phone? Tell me sweetie doesn't this interview remind you of your grade school summer fun?

Inspirational Weekend Quote

This inspirational weekend quote is to be happy for the moment as this moment is your life. This year has been filled with so much change.

One of those changes came from my father being diagnosed with a unique form of early cancer.

During the fall he went through two treatments and surgery and today is feeling well and his tests are showing no cancer. Please send positive thoughts sweetie....

So today I'm in L.A. to help support him and the team he created in the Relay for Life for Moorpark. Today's relay is help bring awareness to cancer, remember who we've lost, honor those that are still fighting and to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This is an all day and all night event and each team will have a booth. And can you guess what our booth is going to be? Glitter body tattoos. Be happy for the moment as this moment is your life fits perfectly with life's twists and turns. I hope you have a wonderful weekend lovely!

Top ten fancy camping checklist

I must admit to you that I've never been camping? Am I missing out on something sweetie? Don't be too shocked and please its not polite to have your mouth open so wide!

It wasn't always like this. If you had asked me this embarrassing question about camping before I moved to San Francisco I would have said yes. Doesn't overnight summer camp in the Northern Ontario forests count for four years?

Ah it so doesn't.

My Canadian experience of camping is completely different to my Bay Area friends. Camp Tamarack was a four star camp that kept their campers in cabins, eating in a dining hall, tennis courts, swimming in the lake and participating in summer plays. The only true camping part that I remember were the massive mosquito's and canoe trips.

But have I ever slept on the floor of a tent in a sleeping bag under the stars? Honestly sweetie, maybe once. Or have I ever thrown myself down a river for hopes that I'll stay on the rafting boat and lived to tell the tale?

Come on seriously, me?

But mark my words, I would go camping if I had some of the comforts of home. So let's list them for my camping friends. To bring me along I would need the following...

Top ten fancy camping checklist

1) My flat iron (What there aren't any outlets at a campsite?)

2) Jelly shoes for the shower (The lake is the bath...this has to be a joke!)

3) My Tempur-Pedic Swedish neck pillow

4) Sigg water bottle

5) Sunblock with at least 30 SPF

6) Prescription coach sunglasses

7) Music

8) Grill

9) Bug net

10) Toilet paper

And now that you know my dark secret about camping, do you think we can still be friends lovely? Can you answer these questions then...is camping something I just haven't been introduced to properly and where do you plug in the flat iron?

Retro picnic foodie dreams

Fancy, schmancy with retro picnic dreams is always the way to go. Can you feel the smile stretch onto your face lovelies? Being able to stop during the summer, get family and friends together to eat finger foods in the park makes me look forward to vacation. So come along with me on our blog retro picnic dreams day and don't forget to bring the music...

We start off with changing our picnic to a pale yellow, I mean who said that we always had to have red checkered cloths in the park?

Can you help me tie this adorable retro apron from Boojiboo on Etsy? Even the name Boojiboo is so much fun to say!

The next decision is one of the most important to make...who to invite and lay around on the picnic blanket with? And what if I need help fanning my hair out like this? Who to ask...hmmm who to ask?

In my fantasy picnic invite one of course would go to the incredible Audrey Hepburn. I mean look she's already all ready dressed for our fashion picnic.

Please bring some S'mores and the blog One Lovely Day has this simple Sweets I Heart:S'mores recipe.

For a more vintage look maybe I can make a quick costume change into this vintage apron. To add some color I can add some red flats or turquoise necklace.

Oh our retro picnic was so much fun today. Did I forget to mention that all picnic men will need to wear a non-baseball hat? A girl can dream can't she? So I'm off to find all things pale yellow, grab some aprons, a picnic basket, picture of Audrey Hepburn and make pitcher of lemonade. What can you bring sweetie?