Spirited Away

I saw Spirited Away for the first time today, at the 15th anniversary screening. I wanted to love it because I have dear friends that do, but I just found it really weird. I was living in Japan when the movie was released and the scenes mostly reminded me of how odd I found living there to be. I was always an outsider, always a foreigner, and the movie brought back those memories.

I still dream, sometimes, that I’m back in Okinawa. I’m forever lost on the narrow, winding streets that seem to have no names and unable to ask for directions. There’s a sense of wrongness that goes beyond driving on the “wrong” side of the street. I’m trying to find places I remember, but can’t seem to get there. When I wake, I am left with a longing to return just to orient myself and sort out the dreamland from the real land.

Maybe Spirited Away was too similar to a nightmare to be enjoyable. (I was certainly horrified when the parents turned into pigs. That is just the sort of thing that happens in a messed up dream.) One of my anime-loving friends has Kiki’s Delivery service for us to watch together and she thinks I’ll like that better.


Sweater, Gibson (thrifted). Leggings, Express. Boots, Blondo. Earrings, Cuffs. Scarf, Canvas boutique. Bag, Steve Madden.


I was a little sleep deprived today after getting home at 2 am and being awoken before 7 am by Jackson. I’m not even sure if I was awake through the entire movie.

Pop of Purple

As I’ve transitioned to a more limited color palette, I removed the purple from my wardrobe. Buh-bye silky purple bomber jacket, purple mary janes, and purple peacock dress. Purple has never looked great with my coloring, so it’s absence is no loss. The only time I miss it is when I want to create another Red Hat Society outfit or go to a King’s game. I have a few purple accessories, still, so I wore the amethyst earrings and purplish lipstick to show my support for Sacramento’s basketball team. Next time, I’ll wear purple tights because I still have at least three pairs of those!


Jacket, BCBG Max Azria (consignment). Sweater, Joseph (thrifted). Skirt, London Jean. Belt, thrifted. Leggings, We Love Colors. Boots, Vince Camuto. Sunglasses, Coco Sunglasses. Earrings, Super Silver. Bag, Nordstrom Rack.


I actually find watching basketball to be very boring, but I enjoy the people watching, dance and other performances, beer, and RIDING THE LIGHTRAIL! I may have never mentioned that I love public transportation, but have fallen out of the habit in Sacramento, despite living one mile from a lightrail station. I rode it for the first time and was so giddy from the experience that, at the arena, I signed Beefy and I up for a timeshare presentation in Tahoe and convinced him to pose for a silly picture sponsored by a local credit union.

Witchy Woman

My parents were afraid I’d be a Halloween baby and forever cursed by Satan, but I held on for a few days. We never celebrated the evil holiday as children, but my grown sister is a Halloween fanatic, now. I enjoy watching the revelry, but seldom participate.


Shirt, Levi’s (thrifted). Tunic, Rachel Roy (consignment). Leggings, Express. Boots, Style & Co (thrifted). Earrings, Rain’s Embellishments. Bag, Rebecca Minkoff.


I’m getting into the spirit with my sugar skull earrings and pumpkin soup.


I don’t actually like the dark and shorter days. They make me sleepy. But I have an excuse to lie in bed and catch up on my blogs. Finally, my Feedly queue is at less than “499+” unread posts. (That’s as high as the count goes.)

I Like Big Bags

Is there anything better than carrying a giant bag? I managed to fit a cutting board, 12-inch knife, and loaf of apricot-orange bread in this wool blanket bag. I wouldn’t take those contents through airport security, but I did take them to my Masters swim social.


Jacket, Mossimo. Dress, Express. Boots, Madden Girl. Sunglasses, Meow Meow. Earrings and brooch, vintage. Belt, Lucky Brand (consignment). Bag, El Paso Saddleblanket Co.


I think Jackson could smell the lingering odor of warm quick bread because he was awfully snuggly at picture time.


Too bad I couldn’t fit my egg white powder in here, too. I’m working on getting HUGE!

Sistah Time

Is there anything better than getting drunk with your sister? Especially when your husband is the DD.

I met my sister, Tabitha, in wine country for shopping, eating, and drinking. We ended the day in the pool. It was totally worth the Monday morning hangover.


Dress, American Rag (consignment). Belt, Hadley Polett (consignment). Boots, Ariat. Sunglasses, Coco Sunglasses. Earrings, Walmart. Bag, Nordstrom Rack.


My drunk face:

Welcome, Baby!

I can’t even remember the last time I went to a baby shower. Either I’ve never had many reproducing friends or no one invites the cranky kid-less lady. Other than the grandparents and maybe one other attendee, I was the oldest one there. I was certainly the oldest, childless attendee.


Hat, Milani. Vest, Tinseltown (cut from a consignment jacket). Dress, Under Skies (consignment). Shoes, Katie and Kelly. Sunglasses, Coco Sunglasses. Earrings, Francesca’s Closet. Bag, Nordstrom Rack.


Did all the hormones in the air make me want my own baby? Nope. But it’s a nice excuse for a party!

Stars and Stripes Forever

In the USA, we have a few patriotic weekends approaching. I support showing country pride, but American flag bikinis are a bit too literal, and tacky, for my taste. I prefer a less obvious homage to the stars and stripes (oh, and a bit more coverage).


Jacket, Xhilaration (thrifted). Sweater, Full Tilt (thrifted). Tunic, Urban Behavior (swap). Leggings, Express. Boots, Steve Madden. Sunglasses, Coco Sunglasses. Earrings, flea market. Bag, Nordstrom Rack.


What’s your take on patriotic apparel?

Second Glance

I thought this top was misplaced in the “shirts” section of Crossroads because, before trying it on, I was sure it was a dress. Once on, I saw it is way too short to be a dress (at least for me) and is better classified as a “tunic.” Whatever you call it, I love it paired with a cropped sweater and black leggings and boots. I’ve got the illusion of legs for days.


Jacket, BCBGeneration (consignment). Sweater, Forever 21. Tunic, Rachel Rachel Roy (consignment). Leggings, Allen B. Boots, Steve Madden.

This sweater deserves a second glance, too. Are Mickey and Minnie hugging or choking each other? As in any relationship, I suppose it depends on the day.



I wore this outfit to attend a craft fair, get my hair cut, and shop at a garden center. Some of my loot:

Dark Side of the Tracks

I love both the light and the dark. The clean and the dirty. The unspoiled wilderness and the industrial wasteland. Today, I choose to take my photos in the cement dust of a trainyard, shadowed by industrial silos.


Sweater, Forever 21 (thrifted). Skirt, London Jean. Boots, Ariat. Sunglasses, Coco Sunglasses. Belt, thrifted. Bag, vintage.


Walter, on the other hand, chose the cat garden for his portrait. It’s the closest he gets to wilderness.