Saturday, May 31, 2014

May Purchases

It was an exciting shopping month! I had one disaster-prompted purchase, a 2 a.m. shoe shopping spree, and added to my neon accessory collection.

Forever 21

While my car was parked in the lower level of the Downtown Plaza earlier this month, the vehicle a few spaces down caught fire. The area filled with acrid smoke and I wasn’t allowed to return to my car until it cleared. Since I had finished my business in the area, I had nothing left to do but shop Forever 21.

1. Floral chambray shirt, $24.80.


Seychelles

I ended up on the Seychelles site during a search for a high-heeled, non-wedge, saltwater-style sandal. I found my shoe and two other pairs.

2. On the Floor in Melon, $95.00.
3. Just an Illusion in Teal and Yellow, $75.99.
4. Strike a Chord in Off White and Black, $90.00



I can't really explain the odd time of day for my purchases. All I can say is I'm a very light sleeper and playing with my phone helps me fall back asleep after I'm inevitably woken up each night. The shoe shopping probably wasn't the most soporific activity; I was a little high after spending that much money on shoes at once.

Target

5. Capsule by Cara earrings, $7.48.


May total: $293.27

Total spending for the year: $888.69

Remaining 2014 budget: $911.31.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Mixed Berry Smoothie

The mixed berry smoothie I had for lunch perfectly matched the color of my dress. In fact, it was such a good match that I was asked if it were on purpose. It wasn’t, but that would be a funny sort of diet: only eating food the same color as one’s clothes. I'd be wearing a lot of chocolate brown and pinot noir red.


Dress, Theory. Scarf, TJ Maxx. Shoes, Carlos Santana. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Earrings, Jack E Oh’s NYC. Bag, Mondani.


Thursday, May 29, 2014

How Dry I Am

I admit it. I’m running out of ways to remix this dress. I should have played with it more during the winter months, when there were more layering options. Now that it’s hot, jackets are unbearable and tights are unthinkable. I paired the dress with a denim vest and neon, today, but I need inspiration!


Vest, AC-3998 (cut from a thrifted jacket). Dress, Adrianna Papell (consignment). Shoes, Enzo Angiolini. Sunglasses, Girl Props. Earrings, Capsule by Cara. Bag, Mondani. Bracelets, thrifted, Target, and gift.


Previous stylings of this floral bandage dress:

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Shametuck

I didn’t half tuck on purpose. My shirt just isn’t long enough (or my pants are too low slung) to stay tucked in the back. So, I gave up on the back, but had to tuck the front to conceal the matching holes in each shirttail. (I still don't know how that happened!) What may look like a trendy styling of a button-front shirt is just me making the best of my wardrobe malfunctions.


Shirt, Old Navy. Pants, Kenar. Shoes, Seychelles. Sunglasses, Target. Necklace, Heart Boutique. Belt, thrifted. Purse, Imoshion.


Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Better Homes

It’s not ready for a debut in Better Homes and Gardens magazine, but I’m happy with our patio. I spent hours out here this weekend, just chilling (and making plans for improvements).


Dress, Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique (consignment and tailored). Shoes, Seychelles. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Earrings, Ali’s Boutique (long closed). Bag, Mondani.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Sporty Sunday: Hiking Horsetail Falls

Despite my penchant for over-accessorizing, I may be a minimalist at heart. I find no landscape more beautiful than austere sweeps of alpine granite. The route to Horsetail Falls features acres of bare, gleaming granite, as well as falls, cascades, forest, and stunning views.

The trail starts at over-crowded Pyramid Creek Trailhead parking lot, just off of Highway 50. To reach Horsetail Falls (visible from the highway), one can either choose to follow ducks across the naked rock or the better marked trail along Pyramid Creek to the boundary of the Desolation Wilderness. From the boundary, a single path continues to rock benches, perfect for a snack, beneath the falls.

This hike is extremely popular due to its easy accessibility from Hwy 50, the variety of alpine delights, and the short distance. Although many attempt the walk, I’d guess that less than half make it the mile and a half to the falls. Most casual hikers are unprepared for the challenging terrain (steep, slick rock surfaces, stream crossings, unstable footing) and although the creek trail is easier to follow than the route across the granite, it is still easy to lose the track. The trickiest part is about halfway between the wilderness boundary and the falls. There, instinct and a few misleading cairns indicate that the way is up and over the rock. Instead, one must head down, round a cliff face, and walk upstream in a small waterway for about 10 yards to regain the trail.


It takes a sharp eye, perseverence, and appropriate footwear (hiking boots! not sneakers!) to make the falls. Once there, no marked trail continues out of the valley. I’ve scrabbled up the granite, looking for a way out, but only had a sore butt and broken fingernails to show for my efforts. I wouldn’t recommend that activity for children or dogs or even sane adults. The views are impressive enough from the marked path.

Source: Evans, Stephen L. "Horsetail Falls Trail." Top Trails Sacramento. 4th ed. Birmingham: Wilderness, 2012. Print.

Length: 3.0 miles

Water: The falls and Pyramid Creek are at their most stunning! Small creeks are also flowing and the trail can be boggy in places.

Use: Heavy. When we started the hike at 8 a.m., the parking lot was almost empty and we encountered no one ahead of us. On the way back, we saw at least 50 people on the trail and the parking lot was full (with would-be-hikers circling in their cars) at 10:50 a.m.

Differences from published description: The day use fee is now $5.

Jasper’s rating: 4.5 paws out of 5.

Sporty Sunday is a recurring feature in which I share my fitness routine and offer and solicit advice. While this content might seem a little out of place in an outfit diary, a healthy, strong body is the foundation of my wardrobe. I hope to inspire my readers to be fit as well as stylish!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Nushoos

Based on the number of shoes in my closet, you might think I run through every shoe department scooping up footwear and giggling like a maniac. In reality, though, most shoe selections leave me cold. So, when I couldn’t decide between THREE pairs of shoes on the Seychelles site, I took it as a sign that I should buy them all. (And I made my purchase at 2 a.m., giggling like a maniac.)


Shirt, Victoria’s Secret. Skirt, vintage, thrifted, shortened, and embellished. Shoes, Seychelles. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Necklace, gift. Rings, Black Hills Gold and vintage. Bracelets, thrifted and Garden of the Gods gift shop. Bag, SheBoBo.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Damn, Girl

Whenever I look in the mirror and think, “Damn, girl, you’ve got it going on!” I invariably head to the scale to see just how much weight I’ve magically lost eating donuts and drinking whiskey. (You know….the pastry and booze diet!) I pull the evil thing out from under the bed, step onto it, and discover I’m at the heaviest end of my weight range.

I think I look awesome, but the scale says otherwise. How can this be? Is it that muscle truly weighs more than fat? Are my proportions more pleasing with the extra weight? Does eating with abandon result in an emotional high that boosts my body image?

It’s probably best to not overthink it, shove the scale back under the bed with the tumblefluffs, and just enjoy life. (After all, I wouldn’t want to get so skinny that my favorite clothes no longer fit.)


Shirt, Christopher & Banks (thrifted). Skirt, J Crew (consignment). Belt, gift. Shoes, Charles David. Earrings, Rain’s Embellishments. Bag, Charming Charlie.


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Rose

I’m looking quite rosy today.


Dress, Donna Morgan (consignment). Belt, Sugadaminka. Shoes, Carlos Santana. Sunglasses, Girl Props. Necklaces, Target and vintage. Bag, Merona.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Lester

School will be out in three weeks, but, in the meantime, I can’t resist this elementary school for outfit shots. It has the best backgrounds and is right by my house. Dodging late-working teachers and the children who return to play, I feel like a total creeper. (But, obviously, that feeling doesn’t stop me from lurking in the corners and shadows with my camera, tripod, and remote.)


Shirt, Forever 21. Dress, Jovovich Hawk. Shoes, Sole Obsession. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, Claire’s. Necklace, thrifted. Scarf, Frangi (consignment). Belt, Express. Bag, Canvas Boutique. Bracelets, thrifted and Garden of the Gods gift shop.