I consider Old Sacramento to be not so much my style. It is filled with fun gift and specialty shops and some older people type clubs. You do get to see and original piece of sacramento history through the original buildings that these shops are in. In elementary school we took many field trips to Old Sacramento and they told us about how Sacramento went through the gold rush and such. The streets in this area are cobble stone and there is even an old schoolhouse.

I enjoy the view of the river and our very own tower bridge. On a spring/summer evening it is nice to take a stroll down the waterfront walk across the bridge and look back on the skyline of the city. When you walk by the shops you can always count on an employee from candy heaven to give you a coupon for a free sample. You can eat at Joe’s crab shack or at the river city cafe.

Indeed a hidden treasure my city is I find more peace here at my not so big but full of substance city. A moment to collect my thoughts as I watch the boats go by.

The discovery/ railroad muesem is in the same stretch and if you have never been there it is half interesting. historical statues and facts are all over and make for quite the tourist attraction. Very popular are the carriage rides around old sac and even more popular a costume store called evagalines. Candy and sweets are a must, as I have had the best cherry softserve slushy ever. If you were looking for Sacramento postcards and or t-shirts, key chains, mugs all that stuff here there are probably about 10 shops that carry them.

Stay and watch the river for a while we have an abundance of bicyclist on the bridge and even some fisherman on the docks just sitting. Its no pacific ocean pier I admit but it feels like a home yet again and for right now I would not trade it. I love sac.

In the cozy little corner of 17th and L street there is Crepeville. As weird as it may seem I’ve never eaten a Crepe here. I have however eating a lot of everything else on the menu. On the weekend mostly in the morning it is very busy, the line goes out the door. On a quiet weekday night it is barely busy and oh so comforting.

The service is always outstanding and there menu has a variety of things to choose from. I think my favorite is the chicken pesto sandwich that comes on a roll with all the fresh vegetables. They have a burger or two as well other classic sandwiches. The chocolate chip raspberry muffins are to die for and you can smell them hot and fresh as you order. Blueberry pancakes and French toast are amazing.

There chicken fettuccine is delicious and well put together as this is my favorite dinner dish. If you order a hot tea in the morning with say a delicious bagel they will bring your own little tea pot and mug. The plate off fresh fruit is in good portion and the fruit is always fresh. Oh yea there potatoes that come on the side of a lot of their meals are just wonderful and I don’t think I could ever get sick of those.

I would say a wide range of people go here older, younger, families. I like sitting by the window and watching all the people walk by mostly I see the cutest dogs. They are located in front of the still new 1801 L street lofts and in between cute little shops like the vintage clothing store bows and arrows. So there is a lot of foot traffic and still a quietness that makes it a fun place to eat and relax and enjoy the city.

First I think you desereve a background for you to fully understand why Im going to write what Im going to write. Sugar Shack and Krazy Mary’s boutiques are sister boutiques who to me are the foundation of the fashion growth in sacramento. If I could, these two places would be the only two places I would shop. They offer local designers such as one of my favorites Pork Chop Rules, and they also offer the expensive lables. Sugar Shack is special and provides funky clothes and Krazy Mary’s is more high end but still a little casual. Last winter I attended what seemed like a private fashion show put on by the boutiques upstairs from a Thai Restaurant that was a lounge and bar. People were shoulder to shoulder but regaurdless the area could not fit that much people. There was about five local designers that show cased there designs and it was incredible, the dj played soulful jams. It was okae even for an akward person like me.

Now lets get to this fashion show that I currently attended. The park ultra lounge is a night club on L and 15th street. I had only been there once before for my sisters birthday and I decided that it really wasn’t my scene. For these boutiques however as a funky clothes junkie I might do anything. So here I go to this club and I unfortunately was sadly disappointed in my city at this moment. Where did all these trashy girls come from. YUCK! I had never seen so many distastefully dressed girls in my life. I can fully admit that I might be the tacky queen but these girls were killing me no style just rolled out of target from before they offered fashion forward clothes.

Oh gosh and then the music, ok it was that typical runway music but it just didn’t match with the boutiques I know and love. The club its self is structurally beautiful but the show was outside and the cigarette smoke was going to give me an asthma attack. Elbows were in my face and once again there was drink spilled on my shoes. I could not get into it and maybe its just because Im self conscious and a little anti-social when it comes to these half drunken night clubs but I swear that I put all the effort into having a positive attitude. The clothes I absolutely loved especially the denim shorts outfit pictured above. The dresses were flowy and nice. I would have much rather it be another venue next time however.

This is how I know that Sacramento is in full bloom. I’ve been waiting for this musical movement for the longest of times. For all my fellow sacramentans did you know we had these kind of events going on? See at a time as far as local hip hop all we had was people who went with the gangsta rap movement and even as the years went by there style did not evolve and a lot of times they avoided talking about Sacramento. I can fully appreciate those artists following there dreams and respect their hustle but for my own personal likings I dreamed of a crew that represented Sacramento well and who were progressive about their music.

Here I found a group of musicians, The NeighborHood watch, that bring many different kinds of styles but unify as one movement. I have no problem saying that my favorite of the group is 5th Ave, some years back I went to his first show at the then Jamaican restaurant on Broadway and found that inbetween all the preaching of some other performers, he was really having fun and connected with the audience. At the press club him and his group mate (Plush-Lush)of the rogue scholars did an energetic performance and spit rhymes like they were the definition of hip hop.

The medium sized crowd was completely into it as well. I’m not sure because it was dark in there but easily the highlight of my night could have been when Plush Lush(I think) spilt some of his drink on my new Betsey Johnson sneakers. No, just kidding. The music was too fresh! I also discovered someone I hadn’t heard yet, “C plus” a member of another group, state cap, I was absolutely impressed with his unique style and realised how diverse all these artists are. I still can’t believe how there is actually audience for this kind of backpacking but original type of hip hop here in Sacramento.

I was brave enough to introduce myself to 5th ave and let him know that I enjoyed his music, although I proabably sounded like a complete wierdo as I often do, He treated me with much respect and so much as gave me a copy of his spectacular cd. A real sacramento kind of guy.

I have been a hip hop fan since I was about 12 and I thought that things like this only happened in big cities although it took a while and friends looked at me like I was crazy when I talked about it but I knew one day it would happen.

This night was extra cool for me because I saw my Dj instructor from when I was 16 and I would ride on the lightrail to go to his record store. Dj Supe taught me a lot about the art of DJ-ing but when his record store closed I lost contact with him. It was nice to talk to him and remember an exciting time in my life. There I was a middle class girl from antelope taking the light rail to downtown after school and dragging my dad to pick me up at 9 at night everyone thought I was crazy. I am so excited to see how the music scene is growing and how it will keep growing, I believe that 5th Ave is going to make something real special happen just wait and see.

Yes, I know every city has a cute little farmers market where people go on the weekends and collect thier farm fresh produce in there canvas totes. I can really say that to anyone the farmers market that happens on sunday under the overpasses on X and 7th street is no different. I find however, that it is far more special to me than the average shopper  with things in it that are a staple to why I love sac so much. Up and down and around I go Monday through saturday. On sunday I go here to take a deep breathe and slow down,spend some time with my family mostly my mom who has taught me to love nature. She teaches me new things about picking my produce and buying flowers.

I have come to enjoy the musical stylings of Johnny Knox who is always there with a smile a guitar and good music. Always happy to play for me I stand infront of him make a too small donation to his guitar case and listen to his country/blues songs. I consider myself fourtante to here a live show while is hop for fruits.

 I know that at the end of the market there are tables with politically active volunteers trying to get there message across, mostly I agree but it is beautiful to know that I live in city where there are politically active people. People, all the different types I get to see, by the 9/1 1 was a lie table I saw a young lady whom was pregnant and had the longest armpit and leg hair i had ever seen. I thought it was incredible to see a young lady who did what she felt was right and did not give in to what society tells her to be.

Its calming to know that at this farmers market not a lot of people turn thier nose up at people who look different. Herbs, cheese, vegetables, flowers, rice, pastries and fish you can find this and many more things at the sacramento farmers market on sunday morinings underneath the over pass.

The fashion fun continues in the city of tress at the wonderful Boutique Barby K. Although they offer a wide variety of Brands the thing that has always stood out to me is the wide variety of Juicy Couture my absolute favorite. In San Francisco there is Nieman Marcus and an actual Juicy couture flagship store but here in Sacramento you find juicy here and there at boutiques and a small selection at Nordstrom’s. Which makes me cherish it all the more.Items that I only see online I actually see at Barby K like Juicy dresses and not just the terry cloth ones.

For all the denim fans they have true religon and other like brands at 50% off. Fun bathing suits from Lisa Lozano and of course the cutes Juicy cover ups to go with them. For the eco friendly they offer Beau Soleli a line of clothing that makes everything from recycled material and the dresses are lovely.

The Elegant modern decor complement Barby’s style completely. She picked out all the clothing lines for her store to match her personality. Sometimes a Juicy couture sweat suit a fun T-shirt and nice jeans or an elegant dress. I can really relate to all the clothes in this store and feel like me and Barby may have somethings in common.

Barby Karas has a great philosophy on fashion, ” Clothing should relate to how you live, whether it be feminine and sexy to well tailored and comfortable.” This fun fab store is conveniently located on K street and 24th right across from the Hina tea shop. Barby K definitely stands out from the other boutiques with class and comfort.

I’d have to say that 6 degrees denim boutique definitely wins in the denim category. I have never seen so much premium denim in one store here in Sacramento. What a trip saver to San Francisco or Los Angeles. For women they offer Taverniti So Jeans, Stitch’s, Mizra Japanese Denim, Chip & Pepper, and many more.

A win win for both women and men the selection for me was just as good as some other denim shops lack. For they men they offer Antik Denim, Earnest Sewn, Proportion of Blu and all the women’s brands.

Besides the denim they offer a wide selection of ed hardy belts and the nicest dresses by Lulu via perfect for the spring and summer. Although the prices average at about 300- 350 dollars it seemed liked almost everything in the store had a sticker for things being marked down from 50-10%.

This was my first time visiting but was always curious to go inside and I was more than satisfied to find a premium denim supplier without the snobby sales person and the view of the best form of public transportation the light rail. You can tell by the music that the vibe was very nightlife and celebrating the idea that denim is always the best choice all the time. The art and style remained true to what all the other boutiques have; the Sacramento loves its little piece of urban growth and unique style.

Just tons of denim, denim skirts, denim shorts and plenty of ed hardy tops to go with that. Maybe they are still not one of the staples in the Sacramento boutiques because they are still a bit new. They opened there doors in January 2007 and I do believe that they are slowly getting discovered and will become the first thing that comes to mind with denim.

Besides my favorite clothing boutiques one of the odds and ends stores that I find absolutely fun filled is a bee keeping shop on the edge of midtown. Along X street and 21st you will find The Sacramento bee keeping store right next to a corner antique shop. A warm feeling of grandma and granpas’s house enters you as walk into a honey bee crazed shop. The first thing I noticed was the table of children’s gifts that all had yellow and black stripes. Which for me is so exciting because I know my kinders would absolutely love the Bee inspired rain boots and backpacks. Many stuffed animals of course reading books, coloring books, bee’s wax made crayons and anything else adorable you can think of.

Like so many Sacramento residents I struggle with allergies at this time, this store offers local honey that is proven to help reduce the annoying symptoms. Many people came in filling up jars with honey and asking how much they should take of it.

They offer everything made of honey and bee’s wax. Delicous multi scented candles, plenty of burts bee’s products and other kind of products that i have never heard of before. My favorite lotion was honey based lotion with grape seed in it that made my hands feel soft and smelled pure as if I had dipped my hands in honey and a little bit of grape juice. All the lotions had distinctive scents they didn’t all just have the same fake fruity smell.

Home gifts were a many and plenty of good ideas for mothers day gifts. Cute striped honey and tea pots went with the tea cups and kitchen towels. Salt and pepper shakers and mugs. You just cant go wrong at this store.

In the other room there is actual bee keeping supplies crates and nets and the protective bee keeping outfit on the wall as pictured above there was a cute mural of a bee flying a plane. Maybe I just really like the bee theme but i cant see how anyone can’t its warm and very cute. I Felt warm and comfort just like i do everywhere else in this city.

Before United State the only place you could find records and clothing under one roof was the thrift store. Not too new to the Midtown boutique scene United State has been around for 2 and a half years! A regular like myself was stunned to know that it has been around for so long. As I took My stroll through Barby K denim and Krazy Mary’s, I walked down 24th only to hear some fresh hip hop music coming from and open door next to a used book store. I couldn’t believe that there was yet another little hidden treasure for me to explore. Plenty of racks with T-shirts of urban design, records in the back and fresh local art hanging up on the wall.

The owner was happy to let me know about the fifty percent off rack and got me to try on some of the lightest and cutest sneakers by Keep. There was a woman with plenty of piercings and wearing one of the stores own hats who was the weekend sales associate, she was telling a story about how she went down to Urban Outfitters and was disgusted by the service and upkeep of the place. She went on to say how she hates mall stores because a lot of the employee’s are payed hourly and not on commission which results in poor customer service. I just giggled and continued to look at the records, knowing that maybe she had a point.

It was nice to see that the girl selection of T-shirts matched up the guy selection. I have often found that girls get stuck with more safer designs if you will. Turntables, recording equipment, soulful sayings could all be found on these t-shirts. The guy selection I believe has more of a clothing selection in general nothing short of the Kanye West look, colorful sweaters and funky sunglasses were all available. When i mentioned to the owner that I never knew about his store he said he never did any advertising and that they just put up the sidewalk sign on the weekends. The Hip Hop scene in Sacramento is growing by the day and this might be like the local rappers the best kept secret. Once the secret is out there is no way that true hip hop heads will head into urban outfitters or any of the other national chain stores.

I have slowly but surely grown sick of the passion tea from Starbucks and other coffee companies as well as the plain fountain drink iced tea. I should have known that my humble city would have something to offer that would make me once again fall in love with my home. Hina’s Tea is located on K and 23rd street right in between some of the most well known places such as Ricks Diner and Dara Denim. They offer a selection of over 300 premium whole leaf teas , tea smoothies and chai lattes basically anything to do with tea they have it. I even found out that there is an African based tea, rooibos, that contains no caffeine and has been known to be healthy for babies.

The ultra modern and earthy interior matches the cool state that having one of their iced teas puts you in. I ordered a white tea called white divine temple a blend of white and green tea with a delicious blend of all kinds of fruits. I ordered it for right there not knowing what I would get and was pleasantly surprised to find a clear small cute pitcher that almost looked like a beaker, filled with iced tea. I filled my cup that also had ice in it and tasted the best tea I ever had so refreshing and natural. What I love the most about this place is that I feel comfortable here and not like I am searching for a trendy spot to have trendy drinks. Theres no sugar drenched coffee drink nor is there a tea bag in my cup.

One of the owners kept checking up on me as if we were neighbors for years, with his European accent and an extra big smile we talked about the benefits that the different teas could have for one’s health. We also talked about the many tea pot options for how to make the tea. I too felt like I was talking to an old friend.A place where I can be myself and still be treated like the most important customer. Next to all my favorite boutiques on a lazy day this the best three dollars spent.