style: sporty spice.

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I’ve mentioned before how I never used to pay much attention to wearing “cute” workout clothes. I was that person who was perfectly fine wearing a big old college t-shirt with gym shorts and calling it a day. Not that there’s anything wrong with that ;)

Over the past few months, though, I’ve found myself becoming the activewear junkie I swore I’d never be. I never realized what a huge difference the right, good quality activewear can make! And I’m not just talking about for the actual purpose of exercising.

Discovering that I actually enjoy fitness classes has really made all the difference. Using ClassPass and going to SoulCycle over the past few months has been the first time I can truly say I started to love working out. It has given me a confidence I never got from just going to the gym and doing the normal “30 minutes cardio, 30 minutes weights.” And with that, I want how I feel in my clothes to match the confidence I get from working out. Especially considering I work from home and often wear activewear all day long.

Unfortunately I’ve come to learn that the high quality activewear doesn’t usually do my bank account any favors. BUT, as I’ve always tried to do with my style/wardrobe as a whole, I’ve found the the key is balancing the pricier pieces with less expensive ones, and learning which are worth investing more into.

For example, I’ve found that it’s much easier to get decent workout tops that are less expensive. I love the activewear sections at stores like TJ Maxx, Forever 21, and Old Navy. I scored this Calvin Klein top from Marshall’s.

Calvin Klein activewear

Calvin Klein activewear

Calvin Klein activewear

Bottoms are where I’m okay with spending a bit more. I’m really picky when it comes to the fit of workout shorts/pants because they must be super comfortable or it will bother me the entire time I’m working out. Some of my favorite brands for great workout pants are Athleta, Bandier, and Crane & Lion.

Despite the trendy look of these Lululemon leggings, they are actually ridiculously comfortable and great quality. They’re also cute enough to just wear out and about!

(I’m not seeing these on the Lulu website, but I got them in a their store just 2 weeks ago.)

Lululemon mesh leggings

My girl friends and I refer to embracing this look as “Sporty Spicing” it. I mean, hey, if it’s perfectly acceptable to wear comfy clothes and still look/feel cute, I’m entirely in favor of that.

{photos by Sam Ruby}

What’s your favorite activewear brand?

what i’m loving right now.

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loving lately

1) fun leggings. Mesh, patterns, cutouts - I love it all. Ever since I started working out more, cute workout clothes are all I want to wear! Both of these are from Lululemon (Rachel’s to the left, mine on the right - my first ever Lulu purchase!).

2) MAC Burgundy lip liner. I love wearing bold lip colors, but I always get nervous that it’s going to be on my teeth (rightfully so, because it often does). So what I did was start wearing lip liner over my entire lip, which works like a lip stain, but even better. Then I just go over it with some clear lip balm to smooth it out.

3) Nespresso VertuoLine. I’ve swooned over my Nespresso before, but I really can’t swear by their new VertuoLine enough. I actually did the math compared to when I was buying coffee every day, and I save so much more money now - AND I get an even better, more decadent cup of coffee. It’s a win-win.

4) Gluten Free Banana Pancakes. I’ve been making these babies almost every day for breakfast recently. They’re so ridiculously good - you’ve got to try them! Super fluffy and the perfect vessel for melty peanut butter ;) I’ve been throwing some dark chocolate chips in there too. You can find the recipe here.

5) Scandal (Netflix). What the EFF took me so long to get into Scandal?! I started it a little over a week ago and am already on season 3. I’ve heard a lot of fans saying they don’t like it going into season 4, which is a bummer, but I’m still 100% loving it. Olivia Pope is my new idol.

6) fringe. Definitely one of my favorite trends going into spring. I love anything hippie/boho, and this new cross body from Dolce Vita Handbags is a great way to add the perfect amount of fringe to your look.

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What trends are you loving going into spring? Any breakfast/meal “kicks” you’re on lately?

from working remotely to fashion advice - how I use Skype.

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As someone who has worked from home for most of my adult career, there are certain resources I use that I absolutely could not live without. Working remotely is a tricky thing - in some ways it can be even more productive than working in a “normal” office, but in other ways you face certain difficulties - especially when it comes to communicating with colleagues and clients. For me, that’s where Skype comes in. I honestly don’t know how I would be able to work remotely all these years if it weren’t for Skype! Whether it’s doing interviews with a new client who lives in Los Angeles, or even jumping on a quick call with my partner Jessi who lives just 20 blocks away, Skype makes it so easy and convenient to instantly communicate with others no matter where I am. skype2 I’ve actually been able to form professional relationships with people I’ve never met in person through Skype. There’s just something so much more personal about being able to see someone face-to-face, and it makes working relationships that much more beneficial because I feel like I actually know the people I’m communicating with, rather than just hearing a voice on the other line or reading their email. Skype has also proved useful in other areas of my life that I didn’t expect. A little known “side job” of mine that I gladly do for free is give fashion advice to my friends and family. My mom and sister especially love my opinion on what clothes to buy and the latest trends, but it’s not always easy considering we live far away from each other. So what we’ve started doing is communicating by Skype so I can visually help them put outfits together! We even sometimes mobile communicate via Skype so it’s almost like I’m right there shopping with them. skype In my life, Skype has proven to be more than just a tool I use - it has changed the way I’m able to communicate with others, schedule my workday, and as I mentioned before - even build new relationships. I honestly don’t know what I would do without it! Are you a Skype user? What’s your reason to communicate with others via Skype?

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