Misdemeanor

I wouldn’t classify myself as an “adrenaline junkie,” but I do like to break the rules. Admitted to a secure building for a meeting on the first floor, I boldly traveled to the 8th floor twice (once for tea and once for the bathroom). When security confronted me about my off-route movements, I simply explained myself (but secretly relished getting away with it).


Dress, Jovovich Hawk for Target. Blouse, Romeo & Juliet Couture. Belt, thrifted. Leggings, Express. Boots, Joe’s. Sunglasses, Meow Meow. Earrings, Stardust Remembered.

Next, I dodged another security force twice to snap quick pics in a parking garage. My remote was a casualty of the endorphin rush, but it was worth it.


365 catchup:


Jasper is progressing well with his horse socialization and enjoys the game of “find a horse.” My trip to the eighth floor cafe provided a peek at the lunchtime reading of the building’s occupants.

Boho Dream

I had the dreamiest Saturday. It started with a flaky croissant, hot coffee, and fetch with my pups. A satisfying swim practice was followed by a satisfying shop at Nordstrom Rack (where I picked up this hat and bag). Jasper then accompanied me to writing group where he charmed and distracted in equal measure. We found a new-to-us stretch of the American River Parkway in which to romp. Finally, Beefy and I had a lovely dinner out at Seasons 52 that, despite being a chain, does an admirable job of catering to healthy eaters who prefer to spend their calories on cocktails, rather than deep-fried breading.


Hat, Free Press. Shirt, Mossimo. Dress, Jams World (thrifted). Leggings, Allen B. Boots, Madden Girl. Sunglasses, Meow Meow. Earrings, street fair.


Jasper was an absolute angel at writing group. I’m going to try bringing his brother, next time.

From the Hip

As much as I like to take a measured, technical approach to a task, sometimes you just have to wing it. I find that starting without a definite plan frees up my creativity. With no expectations there are no limits.


Shirt, Banana Republic. Skirt, vintage, thrifted, shortened, and embellished. Shoes, Katie and Kelly. Earrings, vintage.


In photography, to “shoot from the hip” is to aim the camera without looking through the viewfinder or display, press the shutter, and see what happens. Most of the shots are crap, but I usually get a few interesting ones.

Capital Capitol

It doesn’t get much grander than Toastmasters in the capitol building!


Jacket, Xhilaration (thrifted). Shirt, Old Navy. Skirt, Outlander (thrifted and gifted). Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren. Sunglasses, Charming Charlie. Earrings, Ali’s Boutique. Necklace, Zad. Purse, Clark’s.


I felt so special to get to go in THERE for some “offical business:”


You may be disappointed that I didn’t take my outfit photos on the steps of the Capitol. It does appear to be allowed (I saw a woman posing among the columns for a pro photog on my way in), but I don’t have the balls to set up my tripod in front of all the tourists, whip out the remote, and snap my self-portraits. I did make Beefy promise to return with me to see the museum in the basement and get my Capitol portrait.

Grump

I’m not a terribly moody person, but, every once in awhile, I get in a funk. Sometimes it’s ennui, but most often it’s frustration. Today, after I spent 30 minutes trying to find parking for a lunchtime Toastmaster meeting (and eventually missed the meeting because of it), I was in a black mood. I didn’t want to eat my feelings and didn’t have time to walk it off, so I listened to a podcast. Listening to something educational or inspirational always puts my frustrations into perspective and resets my mood.

Later, two different photo locations didn’t work out (and I had to be home by five), so I resigned myself to photos in front of the boring, old blue wall in my backyard. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but a glass of wine and my always entertaining puppies cheered me up.


Jacket, J Crew (consignment). Dress, Lipstick. Shirt, Banana Republic (thrifted and altered). Boots, Nine West. Earrings, flea market. Rings, vintage, thrifted, and/or heirloom.

How do you turn that frown upside down?


Can you tell that my pups make me happy?

Signs of Spring

It figures that I’d get a new pair of tights at the start of spring. Temps are headed into the 70s, but I’m squeezing in a wearing of these floral tights before then.


Jacket, Mossimo. Tee, Keller’s. Skirt, Bass (thrifted). Belt, thrifted. Tights, B. Ella. Boots, Miz Mooz. Sunglasses, Coco Sunglasses. Earrings, Super Silver.


I’m not sorry to see the tights go and the flowers arrive. Also arriving: Easter candy! Beefy and I got a special package from Cincinnati containing Covington’s own Papas eggs!

Environmental

I attended a Toastmasters meeting inside the California Environmental Protection Agency, today. It was my kind of place. The agency is housed in a Leeds building and the entrance courtyard features a mini grove of sequoia trees and plenty of bicycle parking. Art installations liven up the typical, but airy, office building interior. And Toastmasters is so popular that three different groups meet in the building. I didn’t want to leave.


Jacket, Xhilaration (thrifted). Shirt, Mossimo. Skirt, Chaus Jeanswear (consignment). Boots, Vince Camuto (consignment). Sunglasses, Meow Meow. Earrings, state fair. Bag, thrifted.


After the meeting, I lingered in the library, soaking up a little of that environment, before I had to go make some sales.

Stop. Doggie Time.

It’s probably no surprise that I know where to find a friendly dog in almost every part of my territory. I’ve got the hookup in east Sacramento, Davis, and Vacaville businesses. When I’m feeling blue, I schedule a stop with one of my “therapy dogs.” I just need to find a pooch in Elk Grove and Woodland. Of course, a furry snuggle is always waiting for me at home.


Sweater, Covington (thrifted). Skirt, Plenty by Tracy Reese (thrifted). Boots, Sofft (consignment). Bag, thrifted.

Toasting Downtown

This month, I’m visiting eight different Toastmasters clubs with lunchtime meetings in downtown Sacramento. Today, I attended the River City Toastmasters meeting in historic Sacramento City Hall. Seeing the inside of the various downtown buildings is almost as fun as meeting all the new people.


Jacket, BCBG Max Azria (consignment). Dress (worn as a blouse), Parker (consignment). Belt, Buckle. Skirt, Hauber Sporting Life (thrifted). Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, flea market.