TRAVEL DIARY: CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIP - DAY 1

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Before I get into my Travel Diary post . . . 

I just wanted to say that having been in France for Bastille Day years ago, and at the very spot of the recent attacks, the news really hit home. My heart simply can't take any more of these senseless acts, and I fear I no longer recognize the world in which we live. 

Please know that I feel for everyone who is suffering a loss due to any of the attacks and devastation we've all sadly had to endure. My only hope is for more love, comparison and kindness. 😔

Day 1 of my road trip began in the garden state of New Jersey and ended in the buckeye state of Ohio with an overnight in Toledo.  Below are pictures from along the way to enjoy as I head out on day 2.  

I'll continue posting here throughout my entire journey and daily on my Instagram.  Thank you all for such kind comments and your continued support during this adventure that is life. ❤

A road trip tradition, breakfast stop at McDonalds for an Egg McMuffin, hash brown and orange juice.

Friendly bear cub greets you at the Snow Shoe, PA off I-80 rest stop.

Found myself a divine wine infused salame and cheese plate at the Falls Creek, PA Sheetz gas station off I-80 . . . I just needed a glass of vino to go with it! ;)

Enjoying a refreshing margarita on the rocks and dinner at La Fiesta in Maumee, OH, near Toledo.


ALL of the above images by Liesl Ehardt unless otherwise noted.

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LIFE: "THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN" - AN UPDATE, TRAVELS, SONG AND MORE

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!
Tomorrow, tomorrow . . . oh wait, I'm not performing in "Annie," Ha!   Back to reality.
In just over 12 hours, I'll have set out on yet another cross-country road trip, and oh how I love a good road trip!  I'll be stopping in different cities along the way, revisiting some, celebrating my niece's 1st birthday and seeing friends, many of whom I haven't seen in years, and family along the way.  
I'll be spending time in Ohio, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Wyoming before getting to Aspen, Colorado, a place I've always wanted to visit.  My whole family and I have rented a home there for 2 weeks, and I think it might quickly become one of the highlights of the year for me, definitely the summer.
After quality downtime in Aspen, I'll be in Park City, Utah before arriving in Los Angeles, California aka LA LA Land.  It will be my first time in LA since I moved from there, back to NYC, at the end of 2011.  Hard to believe that that much time has passed, and I think it's going to be a very bitter-sweet visit for me.
Then, I'll be spending time with my college friend in Arizona and sister, brother-in-law, nephew and niece in New Mexico.  Followed by adventures in Texas, Oklahoma, Nashville, Tennessee and more, including other locations that call to me en route.
My life continues to be a culmination of new chapters, which I'm hoping, finally, will lead me onto the path I'm meant to be, but only time will tell.  In the meantime, I'm NOT going to wait, but instead do things I've always wanted, push pesky fear aside and fully live in each and every moment. "I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." - Henry David Thoreau
Flower Dress: Forever 21 = $22.80  /  14k Gold Filled Bars Necklace: Illusy = $28

This truly is the perfect time for me to go on an adventure, meet new people, spend quality time with family and friends, discover new spots, and perhaps even find the next city to move to, and call home, as early as this fall.  I can't sit and wait for things to come to me, I have to be out there to make it happen!
Ultimately, I'm planning to mark a few things off my Ladder List, my friend's and my more uplifting version of a Bucket List.  I'll be documenting the whole thing daily on my Instagram, as well as here on my blog in my relatively new Travel Diary feature.
I'm looking forward to sharing this new chapter with each of you.  Many of you have so kindly been with me since 2009 when I randomly started this blog, late one night, while sitting in front of my laptop and bedroom window in Burbank, CA.  
This was all prior to my life first taking one of many unforeseen detours, which I can at least say, looking back, made me stronger.  As much as I wouldn't like to ever relive that time, I'm somewhat thankful it happened.  I needed it to give me that strength, find my voice, no matter how small, and remind me to trust instincts and follow my heart.
So, ready or not, I'm coming for you world, adventure, unplanned moments and love that wholeheartedly choses me, without question, and lasts a lifetime because I believe it's out there, somewhere. ❤

"The Future Is Unwritten" Travel Journal by Mara-Mi: TJ Maxx = $4.99

"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

. . . An oldie, but a goodie.

I am unwritten

Can't read my mind

I'm undefined

I'm just beginning

The pen's in my hand

Ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

Oh, oh, oh

I break tradition

Sometimes my tries are outside the lines

We've been conditioned to not make mistakes

But I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

The rest is still unwritten

The rest is still unwritten

Oh, yeah, yeah

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AFFORDABLE FASHIONS: WEDDING, PARTY AND FORMAL DRESSES FROM DRESSWE

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!
Wedding season is still in full swing and before you know it the holidays will have crept up on us.
So, if you're in need of a dress for an upcoming event, desire a new little black dress for date night or simply want to add a fun cocktail dress to your closet, you can do so without having to spend too much.
Dresswe offers a wide variety of formal dresses at a large discount in numerous styles and many vibrant colors for an endless selection at a very affordable price.  Also, customer satisfaction is their main priority, so, you can shop without the worry as well.
Every year, my family dresses up for a formal dinner on Christmas Eve, it's been a tradition since I was little.  I love dressing up, but there are fewer occasions to do so these days, so, I look forward to this yearly and now have another spot to shop for one.
What styles and colors do you like to wear most?  Share in the comments below and let me know where you shop for them, too.  I love finding new, affordable shopping spots! :)

Cobalt Blue Sequin Halter A Line Floor Length Dress

Dresswe = $150.00

Black Appliqué Bateau Neck Sleeveless A-Line Cocktail Dress

Dresswe = $93.00

Cranberry Red Lace Bateau Neck 3/4 Length Sleeve Cocktail Dress

Dresswe = $112.00

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SATURDAY SAYINGS: LIFE AND CREATIVITY INSPIRATION

Happy Saturday!

Creativity is one of the few things I know I need in this life, it helps make my heart undoubtedly happy.

Wishing you all a Wonderful Weekend, and I hope this helps to feed and inspire your creative side. ❤

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BEAT CLOSET CLUTTER - MY FEATURE IN WOMAN'S WORLD MAGAZINE OUT TODAY

Happy Thursday, Fashionable Friends!

In May, Woman's World Magazine contacted me about doing an interview and featuring one of my DIY closet organization ideas in their July 2016 issue, which hit newsstands today!  

I happily accepted, and their Senior Editor, Kristina Mastrocola, was a true pleasure with whom to work.

I was truly honored that they felt my idea, which I originally posted in my Get Crafty: DIY Clutch Organizer Using Kitchen Lid Rack post, and blog was worth featuring in their successful magazine.  

Below you can see the lovely layout she created and my feature article.  Pick up a copy of the magazine at your local store, or read the July issue via the Woman's World App on your smartphone, for more fun ideas, summer iced-coffee cocktails, healthy eating tips and much more! 

A special "thank you" to Kristina and the Woman's World team!  I'm already looking forward to our next possible collaboration and providing more creative DIY ideas for you in the future.  

I hope you are all having a productive week and get to enjoy a relaxing weekend ahead! :)

My feature by Kristina Mastrocola on page 37 Woman's World Magazine issue on newsstands July 7, 2016.

Taking a closer look...thank you, Woman's World!

Woman's World Magazine July 2016 cover featuring my closet organization idea.

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SATURDAY SAYINGS: LIFE, DIRECTION AND NEW CHAPTERS

'Tis Saturday, and you know what that means . . .
It's time for some inspiration via Saturday Sayings, which also creates a little therapeutic space for me.
The older I've gotten, the more of an enigma life has become. This is a bit backwards, seeing as when I was younger, I seemed to hold a lot more direction.
As I try to put the pieces together, on a number of fronts, I seem to continue failing to be able to make things fit into place to create a life of stability and growth the way most typically do as they transition through different phases of it.
I think this tends to cause a bit of a fog onto to which hope is harder to grasp. However, I won't let it dull the positivity and smile, that are so important to me, too much.  Instead I'll do my best to ease into yet another chapter as smoothly as possible.
I hope all of you in the United States have a safe and fun 4th of July! Here's to the future, whatever it may bring . . . 

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