workout your workout (clothes)

Ok, first of all -- Hello! Seriously, in my head, I feel like I've come up with some many blog posts - like about the wineries we went to when we played hooky from work a few weeks ago or my birthday week or the books I've read or our trip to MN...but instead it's been all quiet on the blogging front.  I do apologize. I am going to try to be more chatty here on the blog. 

I'm a big fan of doing yoga and running.  (Not at the same time... duh!)

No, I really like to run on the hottest days of the year (which are right now) for some reason I don't mind running at the late afternoon when it's still 100 degrees.  It helps that we don't have high humidity but still it's hot...and I like it. While I've never tried Hot Yoga, I'd probably like that too. Especially because that would mean getting some hot yoga clothes, which are obviously different than regular yoga clothes. (I might, just might, have an addiction to lycra, but it's ok. First step is admitting it.)

To aid in my addiction, I recently tried out Kate Hudson's new line of clothing - Fabletics.  I have been so impressed.  When you sign up you get an outfit for 50% off and free shipping (SCORE!) so it basically runs you about $25 for a complete outfit (you can't even find a sports bra for $25 most places, and you get 2-3 pieces for $25!).  I mean, c'mon, you might as well sign up just for the one outfit and then you can quit right after that (this is what I thought, but you know...ahem, lycra addiction, cough cough.)  I am going to try not to purchase something every month, and just build out my errand running, Barkley walking, lounging nightly wardrobe with a few pieces here and there - like for instance, I might have just gone over board at Athleta with a few new pairs of capri tights for my birthday, so I'm good with the bottoms.  I just need some cute tops to go along with it, which is why I also purchased a sweatshirt/sports bra combo.  

Belize

I loved this green tank so much for running that I purchased it in black too. They are super light weight, and fitted but not too fitted that while you are working out you feel like you need to suck it in because your shirt is glued to you. The running skort is super cute too - the little fancy pants underneath are of the same multicolored pattern that the waist band is. Which was a fun surprise.  I love running in skorts, in fact I don't think I've run in my running shorts all summer, the skorts are way more comfortable and less constricting.  And as a bonus, if you need to run to your financial advisor's office before going for a run, you can, just toss a motorcycle jacket over the top of your running tank/running skort combo and you look normal...speaking from experience.

Bay

This sweatshirt is super cute on - great length and color.  And, I'm in love with this sports bra. It's not a sports bra to run in for me, it'll be more for lounging in the evenings and yoga.

Everything that I've purchased has been high quality, pretty much on par with Athleta or Lululemon (which by the way, I may have an addiction to yoga clothes, but I have to draw a line in the sand someplace, Lululemon's clothes are just plain old too pricey for me to justify an entire yoga wardrobe. That said, I did just get my first Lululemon jacket for my birthday from Mike - he's the best. Sensing a theme here?  There was a lot of lycra purchased for this girl's #34 year.)  Anyway, the Fabletics clothes are the right price, they have great designs, and are made well and I'll be a fan for life.  

If you want to join, help a sista out! Everytime a friend (like you!) joins, the recommender (me) will get $10 to use on a future purchase. How great is that?!?! I know! Now you need to join and then tell all your friends so that they can help you buy another outfit.  And because I'd feel bad if I didn't tell you all the fine print (no, I'm not long long sisters with Kate Hudson), when you join, you are then sent a monthly email with outfits picked out just for you on the 1st of the month.  You have until the 5th of the month to say if you want to pass that month or if you are going to make a purchase.  I don't think that you need to make that purchase within the first 5 days, but by day 6 if you haven't said you are going to pass for the month, you will be charged a specific amount -- which doesn't just vanish into thin air or sent straight to the man who invented lycra, it's applied to your next purchase.  Just wanted to give you the complete 411.  I (obviously) haven't cancelled my membership, but if you want to, you just have to call their customer service line. I've done this for other clothing memberships in the past and they always seem to be nice and understanding, not pushy in any way.  So you don't have to worry that you are going to be stuck in a gym membership like Chandler from Friends. Aww yes, it was a great one. 

Oh yes, and here's my Fabletics link. Enjoy!

everlane

My wardrobe consists of a t-shirt, skinny jeans/cords, flats/flip flops/running shoes and a cardigan.  Simple recipe for dressing myself everyday, don't you think?  Sometimes I think man, I should really change it up and go out on a limb and say, wear a button down shirt. But then I remember I really only leave the house to walk the dog...and frankly a button down shirt may be overdoing it.  So I stick with what works. But every so often I need to toss out the old faithful t-shirts and reload with some new-not-so-grungy ones.  After a while even the nicest t-shirt screams "Don't wear me out in public anymore!"  And I must listen.

So I've tried Pickwick and Weller.  They are great. I really like the Hanna shirt. But at $32 per t-shirt, my inner cheapskate shudders a bit...it's just a t-shirt after all!

Then I came across Everlane.  I ordered the v-neck and the u-neck versions last fall.  I really liked the v-neck. It washes up well, super soft and high quality and isn't too boxy or slouchy looking.  And, hello, at $14 per shirt it's a steal!  Plus if you order 2 items, shipping is free! Holla!! The u-neck on the other hand looked completely ridiculous on me. I think it's because I'm too short, I blame my height on a lot of things...u-neck t-shirts included apparently.

All this to say, spring is a great time to toss out the cruddy t-shirts and start with some fresh ones...in case you want to be twinsies with me - I just ordered the white and huckleberry v-neck shirts, and pictured below is my navy v-neck.

and yes, my abilities to take a selfie are pretty much, top notch. :) 

obsessed:

Lately, I decided that all my cheap nail polish needed to be tossed. I say this like I keep bottles and bottles of polish around. Nope, I'm no hoarder of nail polish, I'm a one polish at a time kind of girl. (This might explain why I also eat my food in a clockwise manner, finishing one item before I move onto the next.  It's ok, you can call me odd. I don't mind.)  So the old bottle was getting a bit gunky and it was time for an upgrade.  I went with Essie's Tour de Finance (which is such a wonderful name) and I'll be admiring my toes all summer long. I'm a big fan of the ultra-bright-pink-Barbie-would-be-jealous color. 

My other obsession (other, like I only have one - no no, I have many, like pinterest, reading blogs, starting craft projects, watching reality tv, drinking wine, grooming my outdoor plants) but let's get back to the obession that I just wrote 3 paragraphs on and took 2 pictures.  Ahh, that one.

I also just got my first shipment from StyleMint.  I love it.  What could be better than getting a little gift in the mail from 2 of my closest (albeit they don't know me) friends - Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen?  Hello!

I am really digging this racer back tank in yellow and cream.  I think I'm going to get plenty of use out of this baby for the sweet price of $29 bucks - although when you first join, they give you some sort of discount, which I used on this shirt, so I think it was under $25.  Also, it's not just tshirts that you can buy, they have skirts, leggings, and tunics - all depending on that specific month.

If you do join StyleMint, be sure to pay attention to how it works - I am still learning, but from what I have gathered so far: 1 unit = $29.99, there is free shipping, membership starts with your first order and then you need to stay on top of it every month to either order a new item  within the first 5 days, or opt out.  I opted out of the June collection because frankly I just don't need anything else right now.  The great part is that you only receive what you order (with free shipping), however if you don't decide to opt out of a particular month, you will get charged one unit, but as long as you opt out within the first 5 days, you aren't charged.  Check it out for yourself: here.  

ten big ones

Wanna know what $10 (and some change) (and then some shipping) will get you from Amazon?!?

My most favorite pair of jeans ever - they are the brand S.O.N.G. (cheaper sibling to the It! brand of jeans that I have always loved). so favorite in fact. I followed my dad's advice - when you like something, buy it in ever color. good idea, dad. unfortunately, amazon only sold the one color, but i went with it anyway.  frugality wins here. 3 pairs of jeans and about $30 later, i have my collection of blue jeans covered for the next year. sweet.

fun facts:

1. I'm a bit addicted to shopping on amazon.  Actually I should clarify, I am a big fan of price comparison shopping and Amazon is always a must visit on my online shopping escapades.

2. I wear jeans every day. (except when it's 177 degrees outside = too hot for jeans. lucky for me, the temp cools down quickly here in the east bay, so most days, you still might need to toss on a pair of jeans at night.

3. I have no butt - so a bit of stretch in the jean is always appreciated.

4. My left knee always always always gives out on my blue jeans. and my corduroys. (but we aren't talking cords today. I'm just telling you that it happens to them, too.)

5. These have more stretch than Stretch Armstrong's left arm. (not tested, just assumed) - see related point #3 as to why this is important.

6. I think i had too much coffee and sugar today...can ya tell?

toodles! i better go run around the block a few times.

stanford

Every so often, Mike and I need a fix of campus life.  Few things are better in life than sitting on the grass in the middle of a college campus watching the world go by.  Since Cal's campus is in our backyard, we get a weekly fix of the liberals, but on occasion, we'll take a drive to go hang with those smart republicans on the peninsula (i.e. Stanford).  On this recent visit, we witnessed a few bridal parties and the most awful quinceanera photo shoot ever.  (I couldn't bear to take a photo, but let me paint a picture for you - think in your mind that the wicked witch ate the entire emerald city and then she threw it up and out popped 12,000 yards of seafoam tulle in the form of a dress fit for a 15 year old birthday girl.) 

If you are headed to Stanford, you should be sure to go up to the top of the Hoover tower.  It's a fantastic view.  (Dogs are not allowed on account that the professors frown upon that...however, we were not aware of that on the elevator ride up so Barkley may or may not have enjoyed the view from the top.) 

When we go to Stanford, we also make sure to spend some time at the Stanford Mall - just a hop, skip and a jump away.  It has nothing to do with the actual school, but it's one of our favorite malls (and we like malls...we come from the land of the world's largest monster mall, for goodness sake.) 

PS - the Stanford mall loves dogs.  If you (or your dog) have an aching of a dog biscuit, be sure to head to the jewelry store, among others, but that's one of our stops (mainly because my husband has a watch fetish) and the treats for Bark Bark just turned into a bonus.

what happens in vegas...

I'm pretty sure I don't have an ounce of luck in my body when it comes to slot machines...so why on earth I thought the giant slot machine would change my luck was beyond me.  It's still fun however that you must pull the lever.

This giant slot machine is at the New York New York hotel & casino, which is also where we called home for Valentine's day weekend  - I know what you are thinking, that was over a month ago.  I do apologize (sorry Kerri!) for the delay in blogging - that lack of the internet is really putting a kink in my blogging.  But now, back to Kerri, you see, Kerri's been waiting so patiently to see what I wore since she was my stylist for the trip.  I heeded her advice to a T, but unfortunately I just realized that I didn't take pictures the first 2 nights we were there however, so I just have one outfit for you, Ker.

NY NY was a centrally located hotel for Mike's conference that brought us to Las Vegas in the first place, however it probably wouldn't be the hotel we pick for future stays in sin city.  NY NY smells of old smoke, whereas the new hotels like the Cosmopolitan, Wynn or Encore smell of not-so-old smoke (there's a difference).  However, it wasn't on our dime, so I'll just appreciate the fact that this girl went there in the first place.

 As I said, we went for a conference for Mike.  So you know what that means - shopping for oranges. Luckily I found them.  These here are located in the Swanky McSwankerson mall in the Aria hotel.  After I found the oranges on the first try, I had 3 days to shop for other things, I also found some uber high end shops that made me feel as if I shouldn't touch the clothes...don't you worry, I touched them. I didn't buy them, but I caressed the finest goods at Hermes, Tom Ford and some other places that I only read about in my In Style magazine, and then I proceeded to drool over the Harry Winston jewerly.

Here I am standing next to the most famous pillar in all of Las Vegas.  Just kidding, it's not famous.  I made Mike take a picture for Kerri.  I had some ultra Vegas shoes for the entire trip. They were snake skin platform heels, but then the first night (admittedly, a bit tipsy) I nearly broke my ankle.  What happens in Vegas: Lessons learned.  I will not drink, wear heels and try to walk. I'm not that coordinated to begin with and then I think to add 4 inch heels and alcohol.

bad idea

Back to the outfits, this dress is from Nordstroms.  Do you know what the best part is? It has POCKETS! And it's lined in neon yellow swim suit fabric.  Hello! How great is that?!?

I had to take a picture of this because I really liked this light. I have no place to put it, so I'll allow it to stay right where it's at - the Wolfgang Puck's deli with the most delicious cookies in the whole wide world, called The Pods. 

Ferry Building

[dogs are not allowed inside, quite the contrary to every other shopping mall in the Bay area]

The Ferry Building is located on Embarcadero and the end of Market. It was built in 1898 and served at the hub for all the Marin County computers entering the city by ferry for many many years. Unfortunately the rise of automobile and the creation of the Bay Bridge caused the Ferry Building to fall to the wayside. In the 1950s, the Ferry Building had fallen on hard times and the stately entrance was covered up by a hideous Embarcadero highway. Then the great quake of 1989 happened. Ah yes, the Loma Prieta earthquake. It destroyed the Embarcadero highway but it could not destroy the 1898 craftsmanship of the Ferry Building. When the Embarcadero highway was removed, the Ferry Building came back to life. And boy, can you just feel like the life inside! It is a wonderful place. (and that, my friend, is you history lesson for the day...and you thought you were just here to read about my random escapades!)

This is one of my most favorite places in San Francisco. There are just so many really cool places in the Bay area, however this is really at the tip top of my list of coolness. The hustle and bustle of the people shopping, going to and fro on the Ferry and working on the second floor all just makes me so happy. AND then! to top it off, it is full to the brim of foodie shops: wine shops, cheese shops, organic gift shops, everything you would ever need to pack your picnic basket full. All the shops promote the idea of sustainability and that eating locally and seasonally can really be tasty. This place is just great. I took my parents there when they were visiting and we really enjoyed walking around and taking pictures of all the store fronts.

a store that makes me happy

I found a new favorite store. I have yet to buy a single article of clothing but I love the stuff and I could just walk through the store everyday admiring their Cotton/Lycra blends and be the happiest girl on earth.




This store is Lulumon Athletica. There's a mothership of a store on a street that I walked past recently on my way to the entrance of Chinatown in SF, but forgive me...I only know BART stops, not streets, so I have no idea what street it was on. I was won over at their Walnut Creek location but now that I've been in one, I've noticed Lulumon stores coming out of the woodwork. Lulumon athletica has all sorts of yoga, running and relaxing kind of clothes for both men and women. There are more yoga pants there than one could ever need. one word. heaven.



Lulumon also has free yoga classes and running clubs. I have yet to check those out, step one, become fully clothed in Lulumon gear. step two, join their clubs. There's a process people.


And by the way...this cute little store front pictured above is located in Cow Hollow [photo credit], which I found on site girlsguidetocitylife.com.