Beach Bum

Swap these heels for flipflops and it looks like I’m headed for the beach!

In actuality, this was just an ill-considered work outfit. I haven’t been to the beach since December. Unless you count the river “beach.” In that case, I was a beach bum on Saturday AND Sunday. (And I’m perhaps 200 yards from the beach in these photos.)


Dress, Parker. Shirt, Rockies (consignment). Shoes, Linea Paolo. Earrings, Girlshop. Bag, SheBoBo.


Photos from the American River beach on Saturday and Sunday:


Jasper loves his new ball


In the absence of a manufactured toy, Jasper makes his own from a random piece of wood

Sporty Sunday: Hiking Feather Falls

100 Classic Hikes in Northern California describes this hike as a “smorgasbord of natural delights” and I agree. It has streams, forest, views, falls, wildflowers and wildlife. The spring flowers are blooming and we saw shooting star, bleeding heart, wild ginger, indian paintbrush, and California bay laurel in flower. Early in the hike, I found a pair of newts and subjected them to a photoshoot. We admired Feather Falls (the 6th highest in the U.S.) from a distance, but found plenty of other waterways and small falls to splash in. There is even a view of a granite dome, similar to Yosemite’s Half Dome.

The guide book directed us to the falls on the shorter, steeper trail and back on the longer, gentler trail. This was a great way to add variety to the walk but also give the legs and lungs a break on the return. From the falls, we took the suggested spur along Fall River (above Feather Falls) to the homestead site, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The campsites along Fall River are full of trash, ruining the illusion of a pristine wilderness. The “homestead” destination is undetectable, but for a few fruit trees. Finally, the chain-link “cage” directly over the falls looks extremely unsafe. I recommend hiking to the falls and directly back, saving any extra energy for a splash in Frey Creek.



Feather Falls is impressive and easily viewed from a well-constructed platform along the canyon cliffs downstream from the falls. The platform is the perfect place to rest, refuel, and take the pictures to prove you were there.

This hike is as good as it gets in the Sierra off-season. The only drawbacks were the gnats and the long drive from Sacramento. Otherwise, it’s a great late fall/winter/early spring trek.

Source: Soares, John R. and Soares, Marc J. "Feather Falls." 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California. 3rd ed. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books, 2008. Print.

Length: 8.8 miles

Water: The level of Lake Oroville was low, but the tributaries encountered on the hike, Fall River, Frey Creek, and seasonal streams, were all flowing.

Use: Moderate. We hiked this on a Friday and I saw more users than I expected on a weekday in March. I suspect that use is heavy on a summer weekend. Although horses and mountain bikes are permitted, I saw only hikers and dogs.

Differences from published description: The chain-link cage over Feather Falls is in disrepair.

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!

Modern Red

According to J Crew, orange is the new red. Or at least it was in August of 2012 when I bought the schoolboy blazer in “modern red.” Even if orange is no longer the new red, I still love this color.


Blazer, J Crew. Dress, thrifted and shortened. Shoes, Two Lips. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, vintage. Belt, thrifted. Bag, SheBoBo.

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.