Just because you’re rockin’ jeans and a white t-shirt doesn’t mean your outfit has to be boring.

With some minor adjustments, an outfit of everyday basics can still look pretty polished and chic.

For brunch today, I started with a standard white tee (this one’s theme appropriate) and my favorite pair of jeans, but instead of just slipping on some flip-flops and calling it a day, I dressed it up a bit with some silver hoop earrings, a white bracelet, a big bag and a pair of neutral snakeskin print heels.

Then I went to town on a huge stack of mixed berry pancakes!

Continue Reading…

Got a couple new obsessions…

I caught the first one at Trader Joe’s, and I warn you — their Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic is highly infectious/addictive.

Oh, man. So good, and it’s only 15 calories per tablespoon! Tablespoon — those are the big ones.

I’ve been spreading it on almost everything edible, from flour tortilla wraps filled with hummus, avocado, shredded carrots, lettuce and diced tomatoes, to veggies and grilled fish. It also makes a great dip.

And then there are rompers…

No, wait — I don’t mean with the spread. I mean, I’ve also been obsessed with rompers. And the spread. Two different things.

Okay, why didn’t I start wearing these things years ago? I found this one here on zappos.com, the Becca Jumper by designer Alejandra Sky.

I’d never heard of the line before, but their stuff gets good reviews, and I liked the look of the piece, so I took the plunge.

And I’m so glad I did!

I brought it with me to Kauai and probably wore it more than anything else (except my red camp shirt). Even since I’ve been back, it’s all I’ve wanted to wear.

Ready to romp? If you are, here’s when/where my current romper crush/fashion romp began…

For me and my 5-foot-1-inch frame, it’s neither too long nor short, and I think it’s just loose enough. When I wear it, I don’t feel over-exposed.

Then there’s the print…which has been making me very hungry for pineapple, LOL! I’ve probably eaten five since last month.

As a matter of fact, maybe that’s what happened to the sleeves — I accidentally ate them! But seriously, this has been my very first sleeveless romper, and it won’t be my last. Very comfortable, especially this time of year.

With rompers, you take care of your entire outfit with a single piece. I love that. No worrying about coordinating a top with pants.

Oh, and this one even has pockets. Two in the front and two in the back.

Best of all, the drawstring waist has a little bit of stretch to it, giving me breathing room around the middle.

Sometimes, like if there’s a cool breeze wherever I’m going (or strong air conditioning), I’ll wear it with a scarf, but usually not if it’s hot.

Continue Reading…

So, I gotta know: Do you have any clothes in your closet that are designed to be worn a bunch of different ways? I’m fascinated by pieces that magically transform from a dress into a shirt, and then, with a few twists here, an adjustment there, BAM! — you get a cape.

I have something like that called the Nikki 5-Way Dress. I wore it the other day to grab lunch and run some errands.

So far, I’ve tried it the five different ways, but to be honest, the only way I really feel comfortable in it is if I wear it off the shoulder, draped and tied at the waist like in these pics.

When I wear it with my arms through both sleeves, or as a tunic (where you hike up the dress), I feel like I’ve been devoured by material, like I’m swimming in it.

Yeah, might be a little too much dress for me… It would probably be easier if you’re taller.

Continue Reading…

Cue internal monologue:

Oh please, oh please. Don’t let the sleeve fall in the toilet! Why is this thing so hard to get out of!? It’s like origami… I knew I shouldn’t have had that third cup of tea!

Here’s the thing about rompers: I think they’re super cute! — in theory. But they can be tricky in practice, especially — ahem! — if you’re accident-prone and have a small bladder.

But that didn’t stop me! I’d been eying this Leifsdottir Scattered Wing Romper at Anthropologie for ages and finally caved.

Isn’t it cute? The color, the snazzy print, the fluttery sleeves. Oh, and it even has pockets! — which Tabs really appreciates because I use them to carry his turkey flavored Temptations when we go for walks.

My left hand (is in my pocket)!

It’s very lazy-friendly, too, and being lazy at heart, I like not having to think about matching my pants with a shirt. With this, it’s all just there, BAM!

Since this particular romper has stylish little details like the sleeves and the print, it doesn’t need anything extra to jazz it up, but you could add a favorite pair of wedges, and maybe sunglasses or a simple ring.

Continue Reading…

You may have heard the old adage, “If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco, always dress in layers.”

Some good advice right there, because despite being only 47 square miles, S.F. weather can vary wildly from one neighborhood to the next. One minute, you’re sunning yourself at a sidewalk cafe in the Mission District (here’s a city map); the next, you’re freezing your booty off by the beach in the Richmond (my old stomping grounds!).

Better to be safe than sorry.

Enter layers! — pieces of clothing you can quickly peel on/off.

Before driving into the city yesterday, I set aside a few of my favorite things to layer…

My crunchy outer shell (LOL!) consisted of this zippered faux-leather jacket I found at Nordstrom a couple seasons ago… I think the rich chocolate color goes well with black and gray clothes.

Under the jacket, because the city can get pretty cold, and because I also wanted to be able to cover my head if it started raining (which it did), I wore this zippered hoodie by Zella.

(SIDE NOTE: Zella is a line of fitness clothing kinda like a less expensive version of Lululemon. I’ve been finding their stuff at Nordstrom.)

Continue Reading…