All winter long, I have been attracted to the color yellow.
It’s not a color I’ve been drawn to in the past. However, as I’ve been designing for Spring and Summer - the color yellow is always in the vision.
Yellow makes you feel bright and cheerful.
Yellow gives you the courage to be extroverted and more social.
Yellow is guaranteed to make you stand out in a crowd.
Yellow gives your brain a wake-up-call, no coffee needed.
Yellow makes you want to dance.
Don’t be afraid to shine a little brighter.
Looking forward to bringing you sunshine inspired designs soon!
Xoxo cheri
📷 Michael Partenio
]]>Every morning as I walk my dogs in the woods that surround my property I find design inspiration. The colors, texture, patterns; it always stirs my emotions and sparks my creativity.
Nature has taught me the beautiful lesson to be grateful and appreciate the positive things in life. Every moment I spend in nature has taught me to be open to the new discoveries in design and about myself.
All I have to do is sit quietly, turn off my phone, savor the present moment and it opens up and world of inspiration.
You can see this reflected in my new Fall Collection. Something as simple as the mystery of a mushroom; brought awe and wonder as I basked in the beauty of this amazing creation.
The Laurel Hill handbag and the Sophia Crossbody are just two of the nature inspired bags in my Fall Collection.
https://www.cheriparkerdesign.com/products/laurel-hill-handbag
https://www.cheriparkerdesign.com/products/sophia-crossbody
Take some time to slow down and unwind in the beauty that awaits you outside.
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” —Laura Ingalls Wilder
xoxo cheri
]]>I was a Girl Scout as a young girl and thus I learned to always be prepared. It’s something I always think of when I’m packing for a vacation.
So many times, I’ve been so glad that I packed a tote. It doesn’t take up much room and even if I’m not going to the beach, it’s been so useful.
If you like to shop, it’s the perfect carry on for all the extra fun purchases. I often like to carry a lot of essentials if I’m out a day trip and a tote is the perfect purse.
You might need to do a little laundry and again the tote is right there. Or perhaps a quick trip to the grocery store, you can avoid plastic bags.
A road trip always requires snacks and a tote filled with all your favorite goodies fits easily in the back seat. And it will definitely suit your style as a diaper bag.
A tote is the perfect "just in case" bag. You’ll always feel prepared with a practical and stylish tote.
You can find the Belle Isle Tote in the link below: https://www.cheriparkerdesign.com/collections/totes/products/belle-isle-tote
Now get out there and go someplace you’ve never been before.
]]>Butterflies are said to symbolize feelings of freedom, beauty, joy, love, femininity and transformation.
I love the power of transformation. Transformation comes from growing, learning and changing.
Buckminster Fuller said, ““There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.”
The butterfly shows us it takes time to change and the end looks gloriously different from the beginning.
Love yourself in the process, enjoy your life, surround yourself with people who love you and celebrate even the smallest change.
Whenever you need inspiration, just look at the butterfly. The butterfly cannot see the beauty of their own wings, but it’s still there.
It’s time for you to take flight, and let others see the beauty in you.
What if the change you are avoiding is the one that gives you wings!
]]>Of course, each of us may have a different idea of what an essential is. LOL
Here’s a quick list:
This is the beauty of the pouch; to organize your purse and categorize your essentials.
You can also use a pouch as a wristlet. Just grab your phone, wallet, lipgloss, sunglasses, keys and it’s off to the market or out for a quick coffee.
Pouches are even more useful for travel. Here are more useful suggestions: jewelry, passport and important papers, first aid kit, sewing kit, stationary, feminine products, makeup, small toys, gym supplies, hair care, beach supplies or just mix it all up.
It’s so easy to quickly find something when your purse is organized and this definitely helps with stress relief. You’re not digging and rummaging in the bottomless pit, which we would all try to avoid.
I think we all know getting organized is easy, staying organized requires discipline.
What’s in your pouch? Will I find some chocolate? I’d love to hear.
xoxo cheri
]]>This quote always makes me aware of the importance of slowing down.
Carl Honoré , author of In Praise of Slowness: How A Worldwide Movement Is Challenging the Cult of Speed writes such a beautiful description of what that really means.
He says, "I think of slow [living] as more of a mindset than anything else. It's quality over quantity. It's doing things with presence, being in the moment. Ultimately, it's about doing everything as well as possible instead of as fast as possible."
Slow living is a lifestyle of stepping back and being more mindful of how you spend your time and asking yourself, “What is really important?”
"We're racing through our lives instead of actually living them," says Honoré.
Personally, I can tell when I’ve hit the wall so to speak. It’s time to take off my shoes, spend some quiet time outside with my dogs. Put away the phone, the laptop, or any other distractions and just enjoy nature. Listen to the birds and listen to myself breathe.
Living a fast-paced lifestyle will eventually begin to take a toll; so take some time to pause, reflect and recharge.
“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
]]>Here are 5 things I like to consider when looking for a beach tote:
The key is to find a bag that makes it fun to carry your stuff to and from the shore.
You can find this amazing Belle Isle Tote by clicking on the link below: https://www.cheriparkerdesign.com/products/belle-isle-tote
You’ll want to carry it this tote around all summer long, even when you’re not combing the shore the perfect seashell.
Don't worry, beach happy!!!
]]>I’ve often wondered why it’s the first thing I choose when I don’t know what to wear.
Here’s a little insight into why we always like to wear certain items.
Fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen, has a theory called “Repetitious Wardrobe Complex”.
Repetitious Wardrobe Complex: when someone wears the same outfit to minimize anxiety.
Karen explains that fashion dependencies can begin in childhood, "Whether it’s your favorite color or whatever, it's [always] something significant that’s etched in your memory that gives you a visceral reaction."
She gives us this simple exercise helps us explore our reason for picking the same pattern every time.
"Before your feet touch the ground [each morning], determine what mood you’re in and what mood you want to be in, and when you go to your closet ask yourself, 'Am I going to wear stripes today because I’m in this particular mood? Or non-stripes today because I’m in this [other] mood?'"
Karen explains that there are emotional reasons behind our wardrobe choices.
Karen says, "You’re actually using the stripes subconsciously to empower yourself."
People who like stripes have interesting personality traits. Karen has found that they are good at multitasking, having a lot going on in their lives and wear many hats. They can get overwhelmed but it’s also indicative of some who works well under pressure.
So, wearing stripes says I’m a go-getter, I love a playful approach to pattern and I believe in myself.
The patterns we choose shed a light on our personality.
What’s your go-to pattern?
]]>There are so many to choose from; ankle boots, mid-calf boots, knee boots, over the knee boots, combat boots, winter boots, rain boots, etc. I’m sure I’ve missed a few, but you can tell by this photo that I love boots!!
Why do we love boots so much?
7 reason why boots are the best accessory:
Boots tell a story about you; play it up and add some drama to your outfit. We all need to have at least one pair of attitude boots.
I think I need more boots!!!!!
Who’s with me? xoxo cheri
]]>I donate 10% of each sale is to a wonderful organization called Companions for Heroes. Their vision is to help every American Hero and save every shelter or rescue animal from euthanasia. The dogs are trained and then paired with a Veteran or First Responder who is suffering from PTSD.
You can learn more about them here: vwww.companionsforheroes.org
"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." - Amy Carmichael
Merry Christmas, Cheri
]]>Are you feeling stressed? Spend some time watching the leaves fall.
Get outside and go for a short walk or just sit in nature. No time for that? You can simply look at pictures of nature for five minutes and that can calm you down.
It’s scientifically proven. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests placing photos of nature on your desk. Their report states; "Viewing green scenes may thus be particularly effective in supporting relaxation and recovery after experiencing a stressful period and thereby could serve as an opportunity for micro-restorative experiences and a promising tool in preventing chronic stress and stress-related diseases."
In other words, looking at photos of greenery or nature work to help you recover from stress. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to work to look at pictures before a stressful situation. But who knows, maybe it would work for you.
Personally, I prefer being outside, especially walking my dogs. I stay off my phone and enjoy the time with them.
So here is what nature can do for you; lower your blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance your immune system function, increase your self-esteem, reduce anxiety and improve your mood.
Isn’t is incredible what a quick trip to the park can do for your mind and body.
📷 Benjamin Lecomte/ Unsplash
]]>According to Mental Health America not only does knitting bring you, it also has mental health benefits.
Here are some of the benefits:
I keep a knitting project going all year long. Knitting truly does relaxes me and it’s such wonderful creative outlet.
Our Gretna tote is the perfect bag to keep your knitting project organized.
It measures 15”H x 14” W and features two large interior pockets.
https://www.cheriparkerdesign.com/products/gretna-tote
Even if you don’t knit, it’s still an amazing bag.
xoxo cheri
]]>I am always of the mind set to be prepared for any old thing. You never know what winter will bring.
Whether you run out of gas, get a flat tire, or slip off a snowy road, a car emergency kit can help you get back on the road safely and quickly.
The National Safety Council, AAA and The Old Farmers Almanac are all great resources for cold weather tips. Be careful and drive safe.
Here are a few suggestions to put in your kit:
"Be prepared and be honest." John Wooden
You can find the Goldsboro tote here: https://www.cheriparkerdesign.com/products/goldsboro-tote
]]>Their vision is to help every American Hero and save every shelter or rescue animal from euthanasia.
Here is a little more information about their amazing work.
Companions for Heroes (C4H) provides companion dogs obtained from shelters, rescues and humane societies, who might otherwise be euthanized, free of charge to active duty military personnel, military veterans, first responders, military spouses and children, and Gold Star Families recovering from the psychological challenges they suffered during service to our country. C4H increases public awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other challenges confronting our country’s heroes; and rally’s support for animal welfare and the adoption of shelter and/or rescue animals.
www.companionsforheroes.org
]]>If I can get someone to smile and let them know that we care, it truly is better to give than receive.
]]>“Make every day a new opportunity to change your bag, it may change your life.”
Enjoy your tote and enjoy your day. Cheri
]]>