The Best Hair Ties Ever: Snappee

Most of the time, people cannot believe that I can wrangle this curly mane into a pony or bun. Please believe that this can be achieved! Along with strategic finger placement and grasp, a trusty hair tie is key. For many, many moons I have purchased thousands (no, seriously) of hair ties that have butchered my strands on a daily basis with tough tugs, pulls and friction created from tying up or taking down ponies and buns. Thankfully, my friend, Keziah Okonkwo, created Snappees and has come to save the day!

Snappees are the next generation of hair ties that save your hair from damage and keep your ponies high and tight. Instead of ripping your hair tie out of a bun, just simply unsnap the Snappee and you're set!

Still confused? Check out below:

Here's me and my big hair about to work out.

Here's my trusty Snappee!

Tame the mane...

tie it up...

and voila! A bun!

Unsnap Snappee to take down.

To get more info on this amazing product and learn how you can create more looks with Snappees, click here! Quit stalling and get yourself a pack...or 30!

Look of the Day: Leopard and Lime

Once again, I took a nice little stroll to my neighborhood botanical garden near Lake Merritt. All year long, beautiful blooms and bushes sprout about and fill the air with refreshing fragrances. With winding trails and secret mini gardens, it's pretty easy to get lost...in a good way!

Obviously, I wasn't ready to get down and dirty to start digging and planting in this getup: black Else denim, Gap lime green infinity scarf, Old Navy tank, Style&co booties, and t/o black and silver leopard cardigan.

All photos are original. All rights reserved.

Look of the Day: Cut Your Heart Out Cut-Outs

As I'm yearning for fall weather to hit my thermometer, it's still hot as you-know-what. Thanks to end-of-season sales, I still get to buy summer looks for half the price.

While in Vegas a month ago, I spotted a long, flowy maxi dress from S.Y.L.K. with the type of cut-outs I've been craving for-- cut-outs in the front! I'm a sucker for prints so, this one right here just reeled me right in and straight to the cash register.

For shoes and accessories, I kept it as balanced as possible so I wouldn't overpower one with the other. I wore gold chain feathered earrings, a bare neck so I wouldn't compete with the cut-outs, custom Bobbi J stone and Swarovski crystal bracelets, and leather, strappy studded sandals that I've owned for years and years.

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Neighborhood Stroll

One of the best features about living in the East Bay is definitely the weather-- lots of sunshine, clear skies, and it will always be a minimum of 7 degrees warmer than SF. On this day I decided to meet up with one of my besties, Jessica, and have a wonderful Friday morning brunch at Crepevine in the Rockridge area of Oakland. While we were looking for parking, we cruised by beautiful craftsman and Spanish style homes with huge trees canopying over the streets. So she says, "Stop! Turn around. Let's take some photos real quick." And so we did.

So here are some shots of my simple look of the day: 

Plain Jane: Old Navy white tank, Else black skinny jeans, Aerosoles leopard loafers, Clare Vivier leather envelope clutch.

Custom necklace by Bobbi J.

Taking a stroll in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Rockridge in Oakland.

                               

Photos courtesy of Jessica Linehan.

My Golden Birthday

Yesterday, I celebrated my 26th birthday, my golden birthday. And let me tell you guys, it was a good one! It was the perfect mix of relaxation and turn-up time. I started out the day with a run around Lake Merritt followed by an uh-maaaaazing 75-minute massage and wax. Afterwards, my dad surprised me from Sacramento and showed up at my door with a decadent birthday cake and huge bouquet of flowers! To seal the deal on this golden day, I met up with 15 of my friends at one of my favorite bar/restaurants, Make Westing, where we had a blast throwing around bocce balls and tossing back drinks and cilantro and lime popcorn. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday :)

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Outside of the historical Fox Theater.

Over the weekend I scored an amazing deal on this tie-dye maxi with see-through bottom from Express for $15! I went for a neutral tone and paired tan/brown wedges along with a natural tone leather satchel from Ethiopia. For jewelry, I wanted a pop of color so, I opted for turquoise beaded bracelets with a multi-strand necklace. 

Gold eyeshadow added subtle shine and sparkle and I continued the turquoise theme with turquoise eyeliner on my lower lid line.

It was too damn hot to straighten my hair so curls was the way to go.

My running buddy, Emily with my boyfriend, Jovan.

How cool is my younger cousin? Ladies, he's single!

Stylish duo, no? Hot couple alert!

I spy my favorite blondie, Shannon!

Turn-up girls Alisia Perez and Kharriyah.

These crazy kids are too funny! Natesha and Kaimel always keep me laughing. 

Me and my man :)

Flowers from Pops.

Such a decadent cake! Purely for the chocoholics.

A couple of a girls favorite things: sweets and flowers.

Look of the Day: Crazy Striped Dress

Oh, it's amazing how a sunny day can make a girl wanna get dolled up to skip around town. Thank God this past Saturday wasn't too hot. I had the pleasure of meeting up with my oh-so-stylish, 'long lost' cousin (not really lost, but it had been a while since we'd seen each other) and have a lovely lunch on Lakeshore Avenue soaking in the sun. 

Inspired by the weather, I chose a new, crazy striped dress I swooped up from a boutique, called Sway. I swear it's like my neighborhood Forever 21! On days that I want height without the pain of heels, I strap on my peep toe, espadrille wedges. They're almost flat, but four inches off the ground! I went simple with custom Bobbi J jewelry and studded earrings along with natural makeup, but with a punch of color on the lips.

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I love my MK, but I'm craving a new look. Good thing it's my birthday next month ;)

Look of the Day: Ladies Who Lunch

Don't you just love those types of friends where you can go a while without seeing each other and then finally reunite and act like you live together? Yeah, well that's me and jewelry artisan, Jessica Linehan of Bobbi J. With our chaotic schedules, we were lucky set a date, time and location for a little lunchy-poo. On this particular day, the sun couldn't shine any brighter in Union Square and we were so fortunate and had to take advantage before the fog rolled on in. 

We decided to take a stroll down Maiden Lane before we grabbed a bite to eat before my class. Scroll on down for our looks of the day in beautiful San Francisco:

Jessica Linehan 

Handmade Bobbi J jewels. Soon to be available on bobbijsf.com