Eighth Floor

In the sci-fi short story, Stanley Toothbrush, the protagonist repeats words over and over, until they become nothing but nonsense syllables. As soon as the word loses all meaning to him, the object described by the word ceases to exist. The first word to suffer this treatment is “shelf.” I have to agree, the more you say it, the more absurd the word “shelf” becomes.

I feel the same way about the word “eighth.” However, I will refrain from giving it the Stanley Toothbrush treatment and disappearing the eighth of every object from existence. Because then the ninth would become the eighth and disappear. And then the tenth would become the ninth would become the eighth and disappear. And so on. So, basically, I could cause the universe to collapse by disbelieving in the word eighth. And I would have had no where to pose, today.


Shirt, Levi’s (thrifted). Skirt, Herman Geist (vintage and shortened). Shoes, BCBGeneration. Hat, Charming Charlie. Sunglasses, Target. Bag, Canvas.

Wrap Star

Judging from the deep neckline and scanty overlap, this wrap dress may be a size too small. (But the size tag was cut out . . . so how am I to know?) My quick fix is to layer a shirt (and pettipants) underneath. I like the structure a collar and sleeves brings to the wrap. (And pettipants, or a slip, are a good idea under even a properly sized wrap dress.)



Dress, Diane von Furstenburg (consignment) Blouse, INC (cut from a swapped dress). Shoes, BCBGeneration. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Purse, Charming Charlie.

Lucky Legs

I was certainly pushing my luck today: wearing a pair of my most unstable heels so soon after spraining my ankle. When I made my footwear choice, I was only planning to wear this outfit to one customer, walking a maximum of maybe 200 yards. But, of course, I added a few stops and even made a perilous jaywalk across J street (twice!) I was sure to keep my steps small (almost mincing) and only had one serious wobble.



Jacket, Diane von Furstenburg (consignment). Blouse, Ambiance Apparel (thrifted). Skirt, J Crew (consignment). Shoes, Lela Rose for Payless. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, vintage. Bag, Melie Bianco.

Sporty Sunday: Hiking Hidden Falls Regional Park

Hidden Falls Regional Park reminds me strongly of Cincinnati’s Mt Airy Park. The similarly sized parks are both webbed with trails traversing moderate hills and draws. Both are easily accessible and sometimes crowded. Although the species differ, the characteristics of the forest canopy and underbrush are alike. However, Hidden Falls has its namesake falls, three waterways, and is better maintained.

Again, Jasper and I started our hike before dawn, walking the first mile by a combination of flashlight and moonlight. I’m glad we did, because we were over halfway done before we encountered any other hikers on this popular trail. And we had only a mile left before we encountered our first equestrians.

I love horses. And I love dogs. But dog-horse interactions are highly unpredictable. As a result, I prefer trails that are not frequented by horses and their riders. Hidden Falls Regional Park is a great place to ride a horse. I don’t think it’s a great place to hike with your dog, though, unless you’re off the trail before the horse trailers arrive.



This is a pleasant hike for those who don’t mind sharing the trail with other users and are not looking for a strenuous workout. I’ll consider returning next year, to run the back trails of the park in preparation for Pike’s Peak 2015. (Just like I prepared for the 2012 event in Mt Airy.) Otherwise, it’s an area best left to the crowds.

Source: Salcedo-Chourre, Tracy. "Hidden Falls Regional Park." Best Hikes Near Sacramento. Morris Book Publishing, 2012. Print.

Length: 5.2 miles

Water: Deadman Creek, Whiskey Diggins Canal, and Coon Creek all had water. The seasonal creek crossed by Blue Oak Loop was dry.

Use: Heavy. The park’s website recommends visiting during off-peak days and times. I concur.

Differences from published description: Pond Turtle Trail and Turkey Ridge Trail (as described in the book) are now signed as South Legacy Way and North Legacy Way, respectively.

Jasper’s rating: 2.5 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!

We All Fall Down

I’ve been lucky to have stayed relatively uninjured for the past 38 years. No broken bones. No debilitating injuries from my time in the military. None of the chronic conditions that affect long-time runners or swimmers. But, today, I had an accident.

While running with Jasper this morning, I stepped in a pothole and sprained my ankle. So, I opted for a flats-friendly outfit, today.


Jacket, J Crew. Dress, Parker. Belt, thrifted. Leggings, Forever 21. Shoes, BCBG Paris. Sunglasses, Target. Necklaces, vintage. Bag, Merona.

Kite Weather

Today would have been a perfect day to go kite flying. I have a kite, purchased years ago, but never used. In fact, I don’t think I’ve flown one since I was small. Beefy, though, has NEVER flown a kite. We’ll have to remedy that!


Shirt, Levi’s (thrifted). Belt, Hyde Collection. Skirt, Carole Little (thrifted). Shoes, thrifted. Earrings, No Boundaries. Bag, Imoshion.

Movement

I knew it would be windy today, so I purposefully chose a dress that would interact with the breeze. To stay work appropriate, I anchored it with a flannel and tweed blazer and lined it with a full-length slip.


Blazer, Love tree. Dress, Swap. Shoes, Libby Edelman. Earrings, vintage. Bag, Melie Bianco.

Sunrise to Sunset

Today we saw 11 hours and 41 minutes of daylight. And I was working for all of it. Well, I had a few minutes at sunset for these pictures.


Shirt, Forever 21. Skirt, Herman Geist (thrifted and shortened). Tights, Merona. Boots, Style & Co (thrifted). Sunglasses, Target. Bag, Merona.

Still In Progress

This mural, in the M-N alley, near 20th street, is “still in progress.” Aren’t we all?


Jacket, H&M (thrifted). Sweater, Forever 21. Tunic, Wet Seal. Leggings, Leggings Queen. Shoes, Prabal Gurung for Target. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Earrings, Jacke E Oh’s NYC. Rings, vintage, heirloom, thrifted, and/or gift. Clutch, Carlos Santana

Even unfinished, this mural is just the antidote for a gray day. The vibrant colors and subject make me want to take a drive of my own through the Napa countryside.

Sporty Sunday: Hiking Humbug Creek - South Yuba Trail (Part 1)

The Humbug Creek - South Yuba Trails hike is another point to point that I’m hiking as two out and backs. We happened to hike the South Yuba Trail portion of the hike on Sunday, which was fortuitous because the Humbug Creek Trail is currently closed due to a damaged bridge. If you do the same hike, starting at the South Yuba Trailhead, be aware that you are hiking the trail backwards of the description in the book (i.e. you are starting at the described “finish”).

This is a great lowland hike for early spring. It’s easily accessible. The river and its tributaries are flowing well. The trail is easy to follow. And the views are spectacular.


We were a little early for wildflowers. Instead, I enjoyed looking for evidence of the area’s mining history, as described in the guidebook. The other half of the hike (Humbug Creek) looks to have even more mining relics (and waterfalls!), so I am looking forward to hiking that portion, soon.

Source: Evans, Stephen L. "Humbug Creek - South Yuba Trails: South Yuba Wild & Scenic River." Top Trails Sacramento. 4th ed. Birmingham: Wilderness, 2012. Print.

Length: 9.28 miles (South Yuba Trailhead to Humbug Creek Trail junction and back)

Water: South Yuba River, Kennebec Creek, North Canyon Creek, and one seasonal stream were all at medium to high flow.

Use: Moderate. We started this hike so early in the day that it was still dark (we hiked the first mile by flashlight), so I didn’t expect to see many other hikers. On our way back, we encountered one couple and a dog. At the trailhead, a meet-up group of about 10 hikers arrived as we were leaving.

Differences from published description: Be aware that the directions to park at the South Yuba Trailhead put you at the hike’s “finish.” Continue to the Humbug Trail parking if you wish to hike the trails as described in the book.

Jasper’s rating: 4 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!