Just #ShoeMe

Today I'm linking up with the lovely and empowering ladies from SoCal Lady Bloggers #SCLB now if you haven't met this lovely group of bloggers based in Southern California you should definitely get to know them, follow them and read their blogs. There are 400+ members and all of us love shoes! There is just something about shoes that make us want to say #shoeme ;)

One of the best accessories I've always loved buying is shoes, you can never have enough shoes. Maybe it's just me, but if you don't have the perfect shoes that add some flavor to your outfit you might as well go shopping for new ones :) I sometimes just log online and do a search on shoes, I like them so much I have a pinterest board dedicated to shoes called "The glass slipper". Cute, right?

Sometimes I love to shop around at the mall and try on shoes, most of them I don't end up buying because they are either too uncomfortable in height or my toes feel squished up inside. For me shoes have to allow me to wiggle my toes or else I feel the need to take them off. I have shared all my tryings on my instagram feed. If you are following me you'll see I really know how to pick them ;)

Before having kids, I was a full time working girl. We were a double income no kids couple a.k.a. DINKs :D while planning our wedding I remember dreaming of the perfect pair of white shoes and I was determined to find them! Enter Kenneth Cole. They had a bridal line of shoes that had the perfect pair, only one thing was stopping me from buying them: they cost $275.00 {no, I'm not joking} Due to me working and dreaming of those shoes we went to the local mall and they were out of my size. They special ordered them and to this day I remember sitting in my office and getting a call from front desk that a package had arrived. It was my shoes! It's been 12 years since I first wore them and because of the "something blue, something borrowed and something new" tradition my shoes have been worn by 3 other brides :D Something I am very happy of, because I felt part of the wedding :D 

Since moving to Costa Rica I've had 2 shoe failures, big ones too! My new Sam Edelman flat sandals broke. Yes they were fixed and on the first day I wore them out while at a fancy lunch they broke! There I was walking around with a broken strap {the one that holds the foot to the shoe!} Sad I know.

I also reduced my shoe collection significantly mostly because I knew I wouldn't wear the other pairs so I either gave them away or donated to a local women's shelter.

I've been doing a lot of shoe shopping here and finding it very interesting of how different shoes are here. There are these Brazilian made shoes that are 100% plastic, but yet they are so cute that I might just get a pair soon. They are by Melissa, recently while searching for them in the U.S. for a reader that saw them on my instagram feed I found that they are being sold at Nordstrom, granted not the entire collection but several of the models. Aren't they cute? I think they are perfect for this rainy weather we have here.   

I have my share of shoes, at the moment my closet is full of a combination of flats, wedges and sandals. I still own my all time favorite ugg boots and pointy toe leather boots, but I can't wear them here {I'd die of heat!}. My shoe collection nowadays is a combination of comfort and cute. Shoes have to be comfortable enough for me to run after my kids as well as cute so that it adds a little something to my outfits.

Here is my current collection in my closet:

My first pair of wedges are from 2006, I remember getting this pair and thinking how perfect they were for my lifestyle.

I have a love for everything 40s - 60s movies, fashion, makeup and shoes! When I first saw these shoes I did not buy them. I kept going back to see the shoes every other day at the mall until after a week I finally gave in. They remind me so much of one of my favorite actress' Carmen Miranda! Remember her?

These next pairs are what I live in, can you tell? Right before our big move I searched high and low for a replacement for my Chuck Taylor's sadly I didn't find any at any local store that weren't white. So I moved with these ones that have holes everywhere! Oh well at least I'm trendy with younger generations. ;-) Those flat sandals are Franco Sarto and they are the best bang for your buck shoes ever! I've had them for 3 years and wore them every single summer since I first got them. 

In you didn't know I'm 5'1 ft tall, my husband is 6'2 ft tall. I had seen these wedges online and thought maybe they are comfy, but I kept worrying about the heel height. When I went to try them on I didn't take them off until I got home and was ready for bed! They are that comfy... :D Plus I grow in height with them :D as for my favorite workout shoe, I've been a loyal fan of the Nike Shox since they first came out. I keep getting them just in different colors every year. 

Like I said before I need to be comfortable in shoes as well as have them compliment my outfits ;-) This is part of a link up with my fellow SoCal Lady Bloggers called #ShoeMe follow along clicking on the image below to read more #shoeme posts. Happy Weekend everyone! ;-)

Keeping It Real {My Workspace}

Today is Friday and every Friday my amazing friends at SoCal Lady Bloggers have a linkup where we share our favorite post of the week. However this week we in for a surprise, we were asked to share our blogging workspace.

My first thought was "O-M-G! My workspace is a mess! I have receipts, Doctor notes, notes I have written, pens, cables, DVD's all on top of my desk! on top of my printer and it is very disorganized!" I did panic for a split second, then I thought well in all honesty this is how my desk always is! I am always writing notes on scraps of paper or little cute notebooks. I am always leaving receipts I need on top of the desk and pens well I love stationary so pens are a MUST!

After I worked up the courage I finally got to work and took some pictures. Please excuse the mess! I am sure Adventure Dad is not going to like this, since he is super organized and dislikes clutter but then again this is my space. My place where I write all my posts, where I share my recipes, where I edit my vlogs, edit my pictures and connect with you :D 

The only thing I did remove from sight was my water bottle and cup of tea :D

I'll break it down on all the stuff you see here:

DVD's to remind me to workout! 

Phone, because sometimes being online is not enough and yes I still use a landline. 

I took off my watch as I am was tired last night.

Ponytail holder, now this is super important because one can never have enough ponytail holders! 

The amazing stickers on my desk are keepsakes my kids have sticked on for me to keep them in mind just as the little Rapunzel -Tangled squinky my daughter left on my keyboard. 

Papers, more papers, scribbles, notes, pens, the usual stationary that every desk should have.

 And behind my monitor is a very special picture of me. Taken back in 1997 when I was a size 8. Yes ladies and gentleman I once was a size 8, if you visit Stroller Adventures often you know that I am working on going down in sizes and this picture is a reminder that I was and I still can get to that :D

Thanks for stopping by and taking a small tour of my blogging workspace. 

I promise to organize it more often. 

Empowerment

Ever felt like you could do anything? 

Like you are invincible? 

Highly motivated and inspired? 

Well that is exactly how I feel after attending my first blogging conference this past weekend.  It was a mix of emotions. Most of them great and lots of a-ha! moments. 

First of all I was looking forward to meeting the founders SoCal Lady Bloggers in person as well as several of their members. We've all connected through Social Media, however we had yet to meet in person and last Friday we finally did and talked the night away. They are amazing women who have built an amazing tribe and I am honored to be a part of that tribe. Each member is unique and I love that! we all compliment each other and best of all it's all about the positive!

This is my tribe! my community of blogging friends that are always there to support me whenever I need someone to hold my hand. I love reading and sharing experiences with them. Carolyn, Chelsea, Jamie, Erin, Melissa, Suzanne, Gigi and Trina you all so wonderful and inspiring. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for always holding my hand. 

Secondly I wanted to learn more about blogging, I love writing and I love connecting with you and sharing what I do. However, sometimes I feel like I need a map or a compass to guide me in the right direction and that is exactly what Bloggy Boot Camp was. It was my much needed compass, which will lead me to where I want to be.

It is organized by SITS Girls, the founding duo:  Fran and Tiffany are AH-MAZING. I love how down to earth and approachable they both are. Even though I had not had the honor of meeting them before, on Saturday when I did it felt like I was meeting up with old friends. Thank you for being so genuine ladies!

Tiffany is so inspiring and when she talks she means business. I could just sit and listen to her non-stop. Yes I know I love to talk, but that is how great she is.

I also had the pleasure of learning from Laurie Turk she shared all about her success as Tip Junkie. Gigi the "Social Media Guru", she has so much experience in this area that when she talks it's like you wish you could write fast so you can remember all she says!

Gigi the "Social Media Guru", she has so much experience in this area that when she talks it's like you wish you could write fast so you can remember all she says!

Cynthia had some great blog design tips and made me rethink my layout and colors so I am working on my creativity and hope to soon have an idea I like. Trina, had some great tech ideas to make blogging easier and shared great tools to use to make it less stressful.

Danielle taught all about copyright, trademark, contracts. I'm so glad I watermark my pictures and that although she was talking law I was able to understand without getting too technical. 

And then there was Elizabeth.... Which encouraged us to stay true to who we are and be our own unique self. It was reassuring to know that "the more honest and authentic you are, the more authentic and honest people will be with you".

Basically what you see here on Stroller Adventures is what you'll get. A bold personality ;) right Carolyn? 

I had an amazing time getting to know my wonderful roommates Jamie, Erin and Suzanne. Thank you for putting up with my snoring {yes, I know you might not have heard it because I kept waking myself up so I wouldn't wake you up}.

A special thank you to my husband Stroller Adventures Dad for taking care of the family and home while I was gone for my very first time for the weekend. You are my rock and my main supporter, without you Stroller Adventures wouldn't be. 

Fireworks Tilapia

The SoCal Lady Bloggers are hosting a Pot Luck with delicious meals, drinks, appetizers and side dishes for you to prepare to celebrate Fourth of July this year. This year I wanted to prepare something different, I wanted to share a recipe that I just made up with ingredients I had in my home and I also wanted it to be healthy and using lots of vegetables. Not to mention easy. 

INGREDIENTS:

Tilapia Fillets {as many as you need, I used 3}

1 Medium sized Zucchini julienne cut

1 Large red bell pepper julienne cut

10 Grape tomatoes cut in half

1 Small Yellow Onion finely chopped

1 Tbsp of minced garlic

Garlic Salt to taste

Crushed Black Pepper to taste

Cooking Spray

PREPARATION:

1.- Place a large skillet on medium heat with cooking spray, in the meantime sprinkle garlic salt and crushed black pepper on each side of each fillet.

2.- Saute garlic and vegetables for about 5 minutes mixing constantly so they are evenly cooked. Spoon vegetables out of skillet and place in a bowl. 

3.- Cook tilapia 4 minutes on each side on medium heat. Add vegetables on top and let cook for another 3 minutes and serve!

We enjoyed ours with steamed brown rice and a side spinach salad as well as some fresh beets.