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Happy Chuck Taylor Tuesday! This past weekend, we packed up the Jeep and headed northeast. We’ve rented a house on a small lake in the woods of northern Michigan. Upon arrival, I walked down to the dock in my NEW Converse All Stars…
Before meeting up with Carolyn last week, she texted me saying she was staring at a pair of charcoal Converse All Stars on sale. I did not hesitate – PLEASE PURCHASE! Love my new shoes, especially the fun laces, and they are so comfy. I’ve been living in them. Carolyn, thank you for bringing them into my life.
Anyway, back to the dock. Our backyard for the next 5 weeks…
I think we’ll stay.
Next up, a survey of the kitchen. Guess what I discovered?
A decent cutting board and a good knife! CD, please go to the grocery store and buy me veggies…
Nothing like a big plate of tahini & stir-fried veggies with a view. Love a simple drizzle of tahini atop veggies cooked in butter, and I love eating dinner outside! Nashville it too hot and too mosquito-filled for outdoor dining in the summer.
Happiness. 
{ 77 comments… read them below or add one }
LOVE the shoelaces! Those are stinkin cute and you’re making me want a pair of them. They are adorable for the summer with jeans and even a skirt.
YAY that you have a good cutting board and can enjoy your veggies outdoors. Enjoy the vaca!
Nikki,
Get some Chucks! I promise you will not regret it.
loving the laces :0) (and the visual summer, thanks :0) …)
Your shoes remind me of some sneakers I had when I was 6! (loved them) And also my high tops from high school – they were white but doodled on profusely in pen and I loved them too. Your view looks so peaceful. Here in Oklahoma it’s 109 today and the only side benefit is no mosquitoes. Can’t believe it. I’d welcome the skeeters back with some rain and cooler temps though… have a great time at the lake!
Nolita,
109?!? That is so wrong. So very wrong!
What a beautiful spot! Thanks for sharing your vacation
In Seattle, it’s finally warm enough for eating outside, and today we have an “excessive heat warning” – 80 degrees! Haha.
Jennie,
Love Seattle…love the entire Pacific NW actually. You live in a beautiful and amazing place!
Your shoelaces made my heart twinkle!!!
Almost as much as the sight of you relaxing with your feet up, you deserve it! Being mama is the most important job in the universe.
I’m just a tad bit jealous of that view….ok maybe a lot!!!!!!
Love the laces! I’d smile everytime I looked at them
I love your laces, so cute!
I love the new shoes. The laces are perfect!
I am jealous that you’re able to wear shoes like that without socks — my feet sweat too much so I’d need socks — but then that kind of ruins the look for me.
Holly,
Sometimes I wear ankle socks with the Chucks. They totally work!
LOVE the shoes! I still haven’t replaced the ones that Max stole from me! It sounds like you are having an amazing trip. I’m jealous of that too!
I saw some Chucks when I was shopping this weekend and thought of you.
And I just posted today about eating dinner outside!
I have some black Chucks in my closet that need to be dug out. Although I am a strict flip flop girl in the summer…and I don’t have such pretty laces as you do
I’ve been a vegetable machine lately! Our neighbor gave us 3 HUGE zucchini so I’ve been scarfing those down along with other goodies. I swear, I eat stir-fries like they’re going out of style!
Shelby,
Yes, flip-flops are key in the summer. I concur, but just can’t get enough of my Chucks…also can’t get enough veggie stir-fries. I think going two weeks without has me feeling deprived. Now, if only I had free fresh squashes from neighbors. Enjoy!
LOVE the charcoal chucks!!!!
love all these colors! those shoes rock and i would DIE for that backyard. seriously. i would be spending every moment in that water…
xxxoo have fun
I used to have those shoelaces! They were part of my expansive shoelace collection in high school
Ooh, Heather – your new backyard view is perfect!
I have to say, I adored every post you did last year while you were staying in Michigan – as I had just returned from a trip there myself (Glen Arbor – such a cute town!). I fell in love with Michigan, and couldn’t believe it was my first visit since I just live in Ohio. I’ve been dying to return ever since. I loved the sand dunes, cherry wine and the lake, of course.
I was so happy you returned to Michigan this year, so I can vicariously relive my trip through your posts. Enjoy the next 5 weeks!
Erin,
Yes, isn’t MI amazing!?! We hope to come back every summer. Love it here, and I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed your trip!
Love me some Chucks! At Target the other day, I noticed they have them for toddlers too!
Lindsay,
I can’t wait to buy some for Summer one of these days.
Something about chucks always scream summer to me and this post makes me seriously nostalgic for my hot pink laces!
P.S. I feel like you’d LOVE the grain-free sandwich bread that I just posted on the blogginz – its seriously heabified!
http://healthyhipster.ca/2011/08/02/guest-post-megs-diy-grain-free-vegan-sandwich-bread/
those veggies look so good. your shoes rock. i have an old pair of blue ones.. i love. its hard for me to wear them now though. i work in an office setting and they are really hard on the dress code
so weekends only for me and my shoes.
RJC,
That is no fun. I used to work in non-profits and got in trouble once or twice for clothing choices. Apparently, striped tights are not considered “business casual”. I disagree.
well it’s all subjective for sure. it’s often not fair.
it can also be for the better though, too. i can see both sides.
Your shoelaces look like those Sour Patch rainbow belts they used to/still sell.
I LOVE the laces!
Not sure if the trip was extended a bit or if you were originally planning on staying this long but oh yeah…5 more weeks?! You hit the jackpot. And you both deserve it!! So happy for you!
And of course, adorable shoes.
But I am gazing at that water shot with the boat. Mmmm, beautiful!
And I am in Boulder right now. I know a couple years ago, two to be exact, you were in Colorado, too!
Those laces are ballinnn’!
I *gasp* ran out of almond butter and am going to get a brand spankin new jar tonight. I want to make is CD’s almond butter chili. It has been calling to me for over a year now…. So excited!
Lauren,
About time. Hope you enjoyed!
love the rainbow laces! my new obsession is frying jicama and bell peppers in coconut oil and throwing over…well everything ha.
Seriously, I’m coming over to your place for dinner…every night! Just don’t make me do BodyRock, K?
Squuueeee…the laces are amazing! I thought of you last week in Ross, they had hot pink chucks, I almost bought them but the husband texted to say he would pretend he didn’t know me in public. You should get a pair of the light ones, and doodle them yourself. Your backyard looks positively wonderful. Enjoy it!
Sam,
I think you should buy the pink chucks and wear them with pride. The hubby will adjust.
Love the new Chucks, but especially those laces! They are so colorful and quirky. I NEED them!
Glad you found a decent cutting board and knife! I always miss my normal veggie-filled meals when I go on vacation. Maybe this year I’ll try to eat more meals in instead of going out for every meal.
and thats a darn good stir fry. When is chuck going to meet burger? I have a feeling soon, very soon!
Lindsay,
Haha – yes, very soon indeed. Question is when is Chuck going to meet marmite?
good question. Might have to make that happen soon.
Lucky girl. Butter, tahini and shoes. All good.
I am telling you, we are in sinc. I just bought myself the same shoes, and oh yeah, Bella has the rainbow laces to match her new shoes….
Looks like you are having fun. 113 here today and tomorrow is the first day of school. Not cool…
Kim,
Back to school already?!?
You know we’d be best buds if I lived in Phoenix.
Yep 114 today for the first day, so…not…fun! Poor baby is exhausted! Her shoes were a big hit! I did some yoga and walked inside while watching all my trashy DVR’d TV shows. I did miss my mini sidekick, it was weird being home all alone again
I cant wait for your return visit here!
Fun Shoes!!! Nice
Those lacy are too cool. Very tomboy-Rainbow Brite-ish 
I love those shoes and those shoelaces! I definitely need to add some chucks with the rainbow laces to my repertoire.
I used to have charcoal converse!! I loved them. I wore them until they were holding on by a string… literally. I should go get a new pair with some funky laces like yours!
Tara,
Yes, you should.
There are plenty of things I live without here in Spain. Tahini is NOT one of them. I pay an arm and a leg… but when it comes to certain life basics money just doesn’t matter. The city is “closed for August” and I bought enough to last through winter. Just in case
I sure like the colourful laces and your new chucks!
brightens your day just by looking at the colours!
Am glad i have access to the best sunbutter
thanks for the tip, Heather! 
Love your shoes!! Especially the shoelaces
Fun shoelaces was on my birthday list this year, and so my mom got me some just like yours (all colorful) and some polka dot ones! BEST presents EVER!! (I am such a five year old at heart 
) Haha, I’m definitely attracted to bright colors 
Can I move in with you for the next five weeks? I’m loving that backyard
Have a great rest of the week and rest of your vacation!
<3 <3
Alexandra,
Come on over and bring your fun laces. We can both revert to our 5-year old selves.
You are getting so creative with your pictures, Heather! And OF COURSE, you are probably one of those girls who looks fantastic pairing your Chucks with a skirt! I look absolutely ridiculous whenever I try something like that. I blame it on the fact that I’m short. *Sigh* Once again, I am overcome with jealousy of your “rockstar-ness!”
Riss,
I doubt that you look ridiculous. Every girl can pull of chucks with a skirt in my opinion. You just have to go for it…and don’t wear socks.
In love with those shoes and laces.
Aw I’m excited to read your posts while you’re renting the house–it looks so wonderful!
Your pics are beautiful.
Thanks Casey, having a lot of fun with photos these days!
Oh my gosh, how ridiculously perfect those shoes are for you! All of your Michigan photos are making me crazy for a vacation–or a lake house to live in. Enjoy every second of those beautiful surroundings (I know you are) and let Summer soak it all in. I have amazing memories from the camping trips my family used to take to Maine during the summers of my childhood. Awesome.
I just bought a new jar of Tahini and I’m dying to try it with the stir fried veggies. YUM!
Enjoy!!!
We live on a small lake in WI for almost 16 years now. I never get tired of seeing other peoples lake views
Colleen,
Jealous – would love lake views year round. Very grateful we get to spend so much time here!
Those veggies are to die for…not to mention those cool kicks!
I love eating outside too especially when the weather is nice out! Your vegetables look good, I haven’t ever thought to put tahini atop vegetables before!
Kjirsten,
I consider it my job is to spread the tahini love. Try it.
I love those laces!!! That is all
Totally awesome sneaks and the laces are to die for!! Would love to spend 5 weeks on my own private lake!! Enjoy!
Ohh nice pair Heather!! I am getting my brown ones as soon as I am back home! Right now I am sipping lemon grass tea and thought of you! ( it is winter down here in Brazil!)
Ana
Ana,
Ahh, I left my lemongrass at home, and I still need the brown chucks. I’m loving my olive and charcoal pairs, but the brown must be mine!
Super cute shoelaces- did you tie-dye them yourself??
I had to tell you- I found Udi’s Gluten Free Bread at my Trader Joe’s and bought a loaf, and I’m OBSESSED. It’s so delicious.. i’ve not been feeling well so I’ve been craving toast like crazy, and I cannot get enough of this bread!
Joelle,
No, the chucks came with 4 pairs of various laces. So fun! You know, I have never tried Udi’s. Love Rudi’s but need to try Udi’s. There seems to be a debate over which is the best gluten free bread…and I think a side-by-side taste test is in order!
GORGEOUS! Vacation-away-from-vacation…? I would stay forever. That’s my official vote.
Love your shoes and the crazy laces!!
Thanks for passing by my blog Heather
xoxo
Lola
LOVE the laces Heather! Chucks are the best – I’ve lived in them for years
When I had my Chuck Taylors in third grade…I was too PLAIN to pair them with rainbow laces….I wouldn’t dream of wearing/doing anything out of the ordinary. It was fleece-lined jeans with turtle neck under a sweatshirt (probably with a mom-hand-painted teddy bear or something) throughout the week and my bib overalls EVERY Friday. I was way cool.
oh GIRL I love the happiness picture.
It’s trite but true…this all goes so so fast as I can NOT believe mine starts kindergarten in a couple of weeks!
Carla
Love the charcoal converse and especially how well your photo came out.
The white skirt helps to accent how adorable the shoes really are and the colorfulness of the laces. Makes me want to get a pair, but must first buy a pair of hiking shoes.
WHERE on Earth did you find those fantastic laces?!?
Meghan,
Those particular pair of Converse came with a selection of 5 different laces. So fun, no? My friend bought them for me at Kohl’s.