So, I tried Fabletics…

In 2013, when Fabletics was launched, I never had any interest in their offerings. I found the “celebrity launches1 X-brand” strategy to be overplayed and I was disillusioned with that type of approach by then. I quickly gave up and moved on, also deciding that the “membership-based” model was not for me. I even saw some murmurings online that cancelling may have required a phone call and I prefer that if I can click a button to join, I ought to be able to click a button to leave as well.

Cancelation policy screen-grabbed from Internet Archive of Fabletics website from Dec 2013
I couldn’t help but to be amused by this screenshot of an ad on Facebook for the company that I took in May of 2014

However, recently, I decided to take another look into the company after making a purchase at their brick & mortar location near me. Conveniently located next to the Athleta and just across the street from my local Lululemon, it was impossible not to notice the bright colors and fun patterns in the window display.

What I am Loving

I made my first purchase in January, 2023 and have since joined the membership- which you can now cancel online– and have been enjoying the clothes.

My first official order contained the Boost Medium Impact Sports Bra, Boost PowerHold High-Waisted 7/8th Legging, Define PowerHold Ultra HW 7/8 Legging and Forever Fleece Hooded Onesie.

It turns out I absolutely adore their Boost Medium Impact Sports Bras, and have purchased them in a plethora of bright, fun colors including “Electric Rose/ Wavy Cheetah,” “Celeste (blue)/ Classic White,” “Deep Navy/ Multi,” “Indigo/ Ultraviolet,” “Black/ Micro Dot,” “Neon Pink Tropic,” and “Spotted/ Black.”

Boost Medium Impact Sports Bra in Merlot

Of course, I also love getting the matching pants and have several pairs of the Boost PowerHold High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings. They are full-coverage, high-waisted, comfy and provide a tight, reliable (don’t slide down or shift out of place(!)) fit during sweaty cardio sessions.

Boost Powerhold High-Waisted 7/8 Legging in Luminary Blue/Bali Blue

Pricing / Purchasing Model

As mentioned above, I do like to buy matchy-matchy items. Thankfully, my purchases are at the “member price” level and not retail. I must recommend becoming a member if you plan to make any purchases. Unfortunately, the discounts are necessary, and I personally don’t see the value at the retail price. I honestly think it is just a price set arbitrarily high in order to get you to sign up for the membership, which I have to recommend, given my perceived value of the products. They’re great, mostly, but not worth the retail price. So, my advice is that if you want to try the brand- join the membership and cancel if you decide you aren’t actually that into the clothes.

The purchasing-decision-making process is interesting at times. You accrue one credit per month, and I do enjoy getting matching pieces, so I often find myself buying one (at the “member price”), and using my credit for the other. Many people might wonder why I wouldn’t just wait a month to buy the second item, but supplies are always scarce- especially for the prettiest items- and things always sell out. So, there have been instances where I’ve purchased the pants, but missed out on the matching bra and vice versa. Their strategy seems to be always having something going on (which makes complete sense), like one week they’ll have a pretty large product drop, followed by a huge sale on older products the following week, then, maybe an influencer-backed collection the following week, then maybe a decent discount on the stuff they dropped a few weeks prior with more limited size offerings, then another new drop, then another sale… slowly marking down the old stuff until they practically give it away once sizes are especially scarce.

Yes. I said “practically give it away.” Once the season is over and things need to move out of the warehouse to make way for new offerings, Fabletics will hold a “Warehouse Sale” and items will be priced in the $10-$24 range on average. I have ordered many a legging for only $15, or tops for $10. I just ordered a cute lilac top for $10.

One more thing: I have had to make some returns. I have had an item arrive damaged. I have also had an incorrect size show up. It happens from time to time and it’s an absolute breeze to return your items. I’ve never had any return-related issues, but just a heads up that mistakes can happen, and Fabletics seems to handle them well.

The App Experience

The app is super easy to use, to order, track your orders, and set up returns. I have zero complaints, and I don’t find it clunky- except when trying to find my size in certain items. Sometimes, I filter by size and things that don’t exist in my size show up in my search results anyways. But overall, great app experience with easy navigation. I have not had to reach out to customer service ever for any problem because the app has everything I need available. They even use Happy Returns for returns and that has been a seamless experience.

TLDR

Bottom Line: Fabletics is great value at the member price. Sign up if you’re interested to get the initial offer, and see if you enjoy the clothes and the unique shopping experience. If it’s not for you, it’s pretty simple to cancel.

  1. Technically, JustFab had already been established in 2010, but Kate Hudson began the Fabletics offshoot and promoted it heavily at launch. She continues to hold 20% of the company in equity. ↩︎

My FIRST Pair of Tieks

Hello everyone!

I finally dove into the fine world of luxury-to-me ballet flats. At approximately $200 a piece, Tieks are mighty pricey, but I have seen the hype and have been wanting a pair for years now. Well, it’s Mother’s Day and this mama deserves some luxury.

I got them in the mail only a few days after ordering, so props for fast shipping! They came in a box, in a box- with a flower bow. Their signature bright blue, confetti and quality HAND-WRITTEN note adding to the ambiance of the packaging.

I ordered these in Metallic Champagne. They are really pretty. Very well-made, real leather. They even smell nice.

My only issue is that they do need to be broken in. The leather is gorgeous, but it needs stretching out a bit. At least for me it does. Let me know in the comments if this is true for you too! Or not 🙂 all opinions welcome!

The flats come with this bag in a bag, so you can store them or keep this in your purse if you want to take them off for any reason

Anyways, let me know what you think of Tieks, do you have any? I have seen some huge collections. I am not obsessed… yet… 😆 Would love to hear from you!

Comforts & Pretties

Hello there, Internet Friend 🙂

I just wanted to interrupt our regularly scheduled Lululemon content to share some things with you that I’m enjoying during this unprecedented shared experience. The following are a few things that are bringing me comfort and a small amount of pleasure during these uncertain times. Also: One wish list item for mother’s day. (Hopefully he reads this.)

David’s Tea

This may be the first time I talk about David’s Tea on this blog, but it is unlikely to be the last. TBH, I thought I had included it in a holiday wish list, but I can’t find that post… Regardless, after Teaopia closed down, David’s Tea became my tea provider of choice. I love my tea- I enjoy at least 3 cups a day. My favorite is Earl Grey of any kind, and I loved this one called Princess Earl Grey that Teaopia used to have, but they are gone now, and so is it. It literally had rose buds in it. Not rose petals- buds. It was majestic.

Since clearing out my tea collection of old stock, the stale, and stuff I had to admit that… well, it just wasn’t my cup of tea- lookin’ at you Strawberry Rhubarb Parfait, (How does this have 4.8 stars!?)- I had very little selection left and decided to freshen up my collection. I also started putting dates on my tea, so I know when they entered my possession. I try to use loose leaf teas up within 2 years. That way the flavor stays fresh, and the tea doesn’t go stale.

So, I ordered a full caf, black, Organic Cream of Earl Grey Tea, and its caffeine-free cousin, Organic Earl Grey Rooibos. If you have never tried rooibos, I highly recommend it. It isn’t technically tea, it’s actually derived from a bush, but it has an inoffensive taste and tends to just pick up the flavors of what it’s paired with- kind of like the Tofu of the Tea world. I guess, if I had to describe it, it has a woodsy-sweet taste to it, but any flavors added to it really stand out. I’m actually enjoying a cup of it right now 🙂

If you’re unfamiliar, David’s Tea does have a points program, which is OK, I usually earn a couple of free 2-oz bags of tea each year. But it’s not amazing. I only order 2-4 times a year, so it is really more for people who actually go in-store and buy a tea every day. But that’s okay though, I’m not going to complain about free stuff. I only wish we had one in my area so I could actually go in and buy teas made in-store.

Speaking of free stuff. They almost always are giving away free tea-tins. They are always high quality and really cute. I ordered two 4-oz orders of each tea, and got two free tins. I chose the same ones. They’re so cute. The final, and essential thing, I ordered is their pack of 200 loose-leaf tea filters. They come in a 100% recycled paper box and they’re biodegradable too.

Victoria’s Secret

Long have I been an enjoyer of a decent modal pajama, and now, more than ever are they keeping me comfortable around the house. I bought two sets of these 3 weeks ago, and have been enjoying them since they arrived. They are so, so, so sososososososo soft! Comfy factor of ten.

Twist-tie Crop Tee in Heathered Plum Dust

They are still on for 2/ $49.50. I got the Heavenly by Victoria Supersoft Modal Twist-tie Crop Tees in Heathered Plum Dust and Pure Black. And I got the Heavenly by Victoria Supersoft Modal Wide-leg Pant in Vintage Rose and Heathered Plum Dust. They are just great for lounging around in… Aside: Been really into their scents lately after a positive experience with Rebel (which is on clearance now!) and ordered Love Spell Fragrance Mist. Can’t wait til it arrives! Expecting at least a 2-week wait, which is fast all things considered.

Modal Wide-Leg Pant

Macy’s

Macy’s has been having some really decent sales. I picked up these shoes for about $25, and I got the ABH Carli Bybel palette for half off too. Since the “Safer at Home” order started, I’ve been trying to take better care of myself and I’ve been putting on makeup every day. I feel better when I look better- and that’s the truth. I remember wanting this palette when it first came out, but I didn’t pick it up, because ABH was having so many releases at the time that I really couldn’t get them all. So, this one got left behind. It’s now on sale at Sephora too! I also ended up picking up Michale Kors Sexy Blossom Eau de Parfum spray, because it was on sale- and I couldn’t find it at either Ulta or Sephora. If you do, let me know!

Hobby Lobby

Speaking of trying to keep myself pretty- I have been uber focussed on trying to learn how to do my nails at home. I used to go to the salon and get them done every couple of weeks as an outing with my mother-in-law, and now, well, all the salons are closed and I really miss having pretty nails. So, I’ve been consuming all sorts of YouTube videos about how to do nails. I really like Long Hair Pretty Nails, and have been learning a lot from The Nail Hub. So, in preparation for doing my nails, I am trying to be careful and not get everything all at once- especially since everyone recommends so many different tools, BUT this seems to get very high praise, and I’ve always wondered how I could apply crystals to my nails in a precise and simple way, so I ordered this Krystal Katana from Hobby Lobby. The reviews are mixed, only 3 out of 5 stars, but the nail community on YouTube seems to have reached a consensus regarding this tool’s effectiveness. Also: Hobby Lobby always seems to have some sort of coupon going on too. So, keep an eye out if you want to get this. I got mine for 40% off. Anyways, one of these days, I’m gonna do my own gel manicure… or acrylic… or dipping powder… I haven’t decided yet. But whatever they are- they’re gonna have super cute nail art on them.

Wish List Item

As promised: My wish list item is a super expensive perfume called “LYS 41” by Le Labo. I can’t find it in the original larger size, but I found a mini pack of 3. It’s $165. I don’t generally spend that kind of coin on perfume, but I would be super stoked to get it as a gift.

Anyways, I hope this article finds you well. Thanks for reading my random list of cute things I’m using to keep myself comfy and distracted during these most interesting of times – to put it mildly. Thanks, as always for stopping by.

Tell me what you’re doing/ using to keep yourself busy in the comments- Or come find me on Twitter~ Twitter.com/LululemonExpert I would love to hear from you!

What I am LOVING Right Now

Hello there! I hope you’re doing well. I miss writing and filming and am so excited to finally have a chance to share my finds over this quaranseason. Tell me how you are in the comments, or come visit me on Twitter (@LululemonExpert), I would love to hear from you!!

The first thing I want to talk about is this Fleece Flurry Jacket. I absolutely love it! It is water resistant, and cozy on the inside. I bought it a while back- I had seen it in-store (in the before times) and immediately had to pick it up! The comfort and function of this jacket makes it a perfect transition piece. If it’s still kind of in that icky cold-damp phase of Spring where you are, you might want to pick it up for now, or for Fall. I am still getting use out of it IN MEMPHIS! (Where are you, warm part of Spring?!? We are ready.)

Side note: Online, I found that this jacket had been sold in a light pink color called Mink Berry, and I thought- ‘ooooh Pretty! I should get that too!’ Then I remembered that I would not be able to keep it stain-free. It just would not happen. Between me and, well, mostly just me, it’s an impossibility. And then I discovered that it was sold out in all sizes except zero anyways, so… it was not meant to be.

Next! Sleek Performance Half Zip Hoodie (!) in Magenta Glo. This was just released in February, and it’s already on sale, but I LOVE it. It reminds me of the old school Sun Blocker pullovers. Those are the only SPF fabric pullover I own(ed) from Lululemon and I did really like the Run in the Sun pullovers from 2012 too, but I never bought one. Honestly, considering that it is on sale, I might get a second one. They come in black, and this really interesting “Algae Green” color too. I might get the green one. … … I’ll Tweet it out if I do 🙂 pssst: follow me on Twitter. I love it- I am there all the time. If you @ me, I will reply.

The “Uplifting Scrunchie” in Cosmic Shift Multi is ON SALE and not yet sold out as of the publication of this article. I also couldn’t resist adding the one in Formation Camo Deep Coal Multi to my cart. They’re really nice “small” scrunchies. Basically, they’re not as thick as what you imagine a regular scrunchie to be. Very cute.

Another thing I am loving right now are the All The Right Places pants in Wild Bluebell. First off- and I feel like I say this every time- but how CUTE is this color! I’m obsessed. We are very likely to see more Wild Bluebell in my future. I saw a Perfectly Oversized Hoodie – which I already own in Black- but I missed out and it sold out before I could buy one in Wild Bluebell. These things are REALLY popular. The pants were pretty popular too- and are also sold out! WOW! they JUST came out in March! You can still get the your fill of Wild Bluebell in the Free to Speed Crops– this mama is loving that high waistline, just sayin.

Free to Speed Crops in Wild Bluebell

This Vinyasa Scarf in Incognito Camo Multi Grey honestly just tempted me so much only because: camo. I kind of have a penchant for it- not just because I like camo, but because I feel like Lululemon’s version of camo is iconic. Note that this is a *Cotton Vinyasa Scarf and they feel different from the Rulu, which, I honestly do prefer, but… Camo.

Behold! The Flow Y Bra. I have not talked about these in FOREVER! I know y’all know the Energy Bras are my thing now. I need the extra support when working out. However, I still have a bunch of Flow Y’s and I can’t resist them on sale. So, I bought this one in Nightfall Blossom Multi ON SALE(!)and am loving it. I am wearing it right now, actually- and it is so comfortable I actually don’t even know it’s there. Ah, Nulu, is there anything you can’t do? Only a few sizes left online in this one, so, in case you missed out, I also like the two different types of camo they have and this moody grey, (well, technically, they called it: Diamond Dye Pitch Grey Graphite Grey)

Finally, if you’re feeling an Ombre Speckle vibe, which, I must credit you- that is a very specific vibe you’re feeling!- you can get your fill with these Wunder Unders in Ombre Speckle Stop Jacquard Black/Thermal Red. I bought them on sale and they’re almost sold out now, but they do have a few sizes left!

Wunder Unders in Ombre Speckle Stop Jacquard Black/Thermal Red

I know we’re all spending a lot more time indoors lately, so this No Limits Stretching Strap is bound to be useful during our at-home yoga sessions, and will come in handy when we’re able to head back out to the studio too. I got one and it is just really high-quality. The metal buckles and “inhale” message are nice touches to an already great product.

That’s all I got for now! I hope you and yours are doing well! What have you been loving lately? Let me know in the comments below!!

Lululemon Fall 2019 Faves

Hello Everyone!

I am ABSOLUTELY adoring every single thing at Lululemon right now! I picked out a few items, and I’m going to talk about them here, and on YouTube, where you can find me too!

The first thing I want to chat about is the new “Swiftly Speed Racerback
Shine.
” Now, I totally admit that it is a gimmick, but I think the *Shine* fabric is SOOOOO cute! Plus, they did a really good job with it too. I don’t know if you’ve ever touched items by other brands that have tried to include a shiny fabric in their weave, but usually it is gritty in texture and not pleasant to the touch. While I wouldn’t say that what Lululemon achieved is perfection, I will say that I hardly noticed the fabric the other day when I wore this to the gym, and that it does feel mostly soft to the touch.

The Sculpt Tank 2 offerings right now are cute, and I just want to quickly mention them, since I’ve spotted some on sale for half off(!) locally. Even though, I do prefer the Sculpt tank 1’s, I still enjoy the fit and feel of the new Sculpt tanks, so here’s a couple I had picked up- note: they’re not on sale online yet- I bet they will be come Black Friday/Cyber Monday

The next thing I wanna talk about IS on sale (YAY!) and that’s the Fast & Free Crops! I love the little bit of reflectivity on the base of the calf & the sheer comfort of these. It’s one of those items you forget you have on, and Lululemon has made these perfect for the gym. I wore them the other day and never had to pull them up once! I might get another pair, since they are on sale, and I did enjoy the experience of these. No zipper pocket or cute ruching at the base, so not exactly like the Speed tights, but similar.

I also want to talk shorts: Align vs Fast & Free. I really like both of these, but I think they have different purposes and are for different people. If you like Yoga, you might want to go for the Aligns. If you’re planning on wearing them jogging, then I’d go for the Fast & Frees. Bottom line though: As we know, Nulu fabric just isn’t going to stand the test of time the same way that Nulux is, so if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, pick up the Fast & Frees. However, the aligns are crazy soft… So, if you love that feeling, you might want to grab the Aligns instead- or as well.

As we all know, I simply can’t have enough Rulu in my life, and the Runderful Long Sleeve is simply gorgeous this year. It is a form-fitting long sleeve with reflective details on the sleeve and includes the thumbholes and cuffins we all love. I like the black and am into the Camo- but I would love to know what the knotted Jacquard feels like, I wonder if it is as soft as the other colors?

Next up: Align Super High-Rise Pant 28″ Velvet

Oh my goodness are these ever SOFT! I think the velvety goodness adds a little holiday flare, which, basically does preclude them from use at other times of the year, unless you don’t follow rules like that in which case, rock on, you rebel! I love them. They’re so cute & soft & fun and I want them all. But I do think the Garnet is particularly nice. Here they are in black though:

My FAVORITE Fall item over the last 3 years has been the Ready to Rulu pants. They’re Rulu, so comfy, comfy, comfy! They remind me of the Base Runners of old. Big pockets, great colors, comfortable, good quality- I even used to wear my black ones to the office, yes, really! They’re amazing!

Next, we have a very giftable item, the Fast & Free backpack. These little things are great! Anti-bounce for those long runs, and hydration-pack compatible: hello CamelBak, Lululemon is coming for you! LOL Jk. Everyone can use a little backpack for runs- but the price is a little luxury at $128, so I’m sure whomever you gift it to will feel super special!

Honorable mention to the Perfectly Oversized Crew. Perfectly oversize, and perfect for chilly, lazy days. I can totally see myself wearing this over the holidays. It’s comfy & cozy, and will fit over basically any other top, so it’s good for to & from as well. Otherwise boring, this would actually make a good gift.

Thanks so much for stopping by! And if you made it to the end…. why not come visit me on Twitter? See you over there!

What do you think of my picks of the season? Let me know in the comments below!!!

What I’m Loving Right Now

Hello friendly internet people!

Fall is upon us, and Lululemon releases some of their absolute greatest hits during the Fall season. Prior to [American] Thanksgiving (after which, they release giftable items- think staple pieces in black, grey, white and bright pink (usually)) Lululemon releases their best pieces of the year, IMO. That’s because they know that prior to Thanksgiving, their customers are shopping for themselves, and afterwards, they’re buying gifts for friends and family.

So, right now, I have a few favorites to share with you- and a few things I think will go to markdown after the holidays are over. Note: Lululemon institutes as special holiday extended return policy, so if you buy something you like after November 2nd, but it goes on clearance online, as long as you haven’t worn it, you have until the 24th of January to return it- so, you could buy the item on sale online, and return the unused item to a store if you’re interested in arbitrage in that way. I usually can’t wait to pop the tags off a new item, but if you’re patient, you might be able to save some $$$-so long as the item actually makes it to WMTM. If it never goes on sale: well, At least you waited and tried? No big deal. Also: you can still return it if you think full price is too expensive.

The first thing I want to share is something I saw in-store, the Down For It All Vest. This one is in “Dark Adobe.” I saw this in-store and it is so comfy. This is my favorite color of the three released- it looks a lot like Bordeaux Drama 🙂

Next up: this Define Jacket in Scatter Blossom Jacquard Garnet Black. I know, it’s not shocking that I found a new Define jacket to love, but I really like the texture on this one- I know it is not going to be soft like the other Luon ones I have- since the Jacquard ones just aren’t soft like that- but it has an interesting texture and color quality that makes me like it because it is unique.

This next item, the Cinch It Dress reminds me of an awesome dress I have from 2012 called the “It’s a Cinch Dress,” which is pictured alongside it below. The “Cinch It Dress” is pictured in Black, while the dress from 2012 is in the very floral “Blurred Blossom,” one of my favorite colorways Lulu has ever produced! It’s difficult to see in the photo, but the main difference is the Cinch It dress only has cinching on one side, while the It’s a Cinch Dress (2012) has cinching available on both sides. Also: The backs are different with the It’s a Cinch Dress (2012) having a “Racerback.”

Both are lovely, and I will probably pick this up in the black. It also comes in Heathered Medium Grey, but I have the It’s a Cinch Dress (2012) in that color already.

Right now, and literally since they were released (!) I’ve been loving the Train Times Shorts. I only have them in Black, but they are super compressive and great for high-intensity activities. Full-On Luxtreme is good for those types of things. They have them available online only in a few blacks and various shades of black.

These are gorgeous- they’re Wunder Under 1/2 Tights in Heathered Black, I’m betting they’re super soft too partly because of my familiarity with this fabric and partly because people are complaining in the reviews about pilling, which usually coincides with softness. I love that they’re hi-rise, but also only land just past the knee. Big fan of that particular combination. These are available online only, and I am probably going to pick them up!

 

 

Will it Go on Sale? Future WMTM Predictions

Now I want to talk about a few items that I think will go on sale, so if you like them you can probably hold off- but I could be wrong, so if you really love something, you should just grab it- and tell me how wrong I am about it on Twitter… go ahead an add me now @LululemonExpert I have been loving Twitter lately!

The first thing is something that reminds me of the Uba Hoodies of early 2013. Here are some photos of those:

So, what you’ll notice it that it appears that this is a two-layer item, but what it actually is is a hoodie with a detatchable dickie in the front- on the last photo you can see how it zips out. This makes the hoodie feel slick on the inside, and it is not as cozy as a traditional Scuba Hoodie, as I recall.

This year, they have this online-only item, same as last year, called the “Scuba Hoodie Glyde.” I think these may be leftover from last year, since they also sold the Boysenberry color last season as well, but I could be wrong. The other reason I think these are left over is because there is no Black. Lululemon always releases items in black, so the fact that there is none is interesting. The reviews are all positive, but some say the jacket is short-ish, so if you’re long in the torso, this one may not be for you.

I don’t think it is a secret that Lululemon’s winter gear usually goes on sale, I’ve seen this stuff go on sale every year after Christmas for ages. The only question is whether it goes to markdown or if it is shipped straight to the outlets. These are on my list of potential markdowns: The Endless Summer Ankle Warmers:

Endless Summer Ankle Warmers

These are kind of cute, but the price is just way too high, in my opinion. At $34, I think these will be marked down to $19 after Christmas.

The next thing I think will go on sale are the Dance Studio Jackets with the ribbed sleeves. Not only do I think that the ribbed sleeves are not particularly cute, I remember that the re-released Dance Studio Jackets went to markdown as well. Personal preference: Anything with color-blocking is not the cutest, imo.

 

Let me know what you think about my picks in the comments!

Anything you think will go to markdown? Let me know what I missed!

What are your favorites from recent uploads?

ENDED: Giveaway! $200 Amazon Gift Card

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED- THANK YOU SO SO MUCH TO THOSE WHO ENTERED!

CONGRATULATIONS to Laura Cartledge on winning the giveaway!

Hello readers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I am finally ready. Ready to pursue something I’ve been contemplating for a long time and ready to reach out and introduce myself. Hi, my name is Shannon and I am the resident blogger here. A lot of y’all already know me, but I want you to get to know me better. That is why I am starting a YouTube channel. I want to create even more, even better content and some of the things I want to show you require video. I want to share my product favorites and fails, story times, Lululemon-related reviews all peppered with my own quirks and personality.

I am so excited to announce the launch of my YouTube channel!!! In celebration of this occasion, I am hosting a new subscriber giveaway! All you have to do is subscribe to my YouTube channel, like my video and leave me a comment about what types of videos you’d like to see! My channel is going to be focussed on Fashion, Beauty and lifestyle, with a few storytimes thrown in. I am so excited because this platform will give me a chance to communicate with y’all on a more personal level and it also gives me a chance to let my personality shine through! Thank you so so much for reading and, please come check me out on YouTube and subscribe to win a $200 Amazon Gift Card!!!

*The rules are that you have to like, subscribe and comment with a video idea. You can’t know me personally, and you have to reside in Canada or the US. Giveaway winner will be announced on all my social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube- as well as here, on my blog.

Thanks again for everything, y’all. See you over on my channel!

Update: Jan 3, 2018

*I will be announcing the winner on January 15th and I only have about 50 qualifying entries so far! Those are great odds of winning a $200 Amazon gift card!

The Most Hunted Unicorn to date

Speed Shorts, $623. Speed Crops: $712. Speed Tights: $800 Speed Shorts: $910 Speed Shorts: $980 Hats for $300 and bras for $200.

It is evident that Lululemon’s Rainbow Reflective Splatter Print is popular. The Speed shorts, which retailed at Sea Wheeze this year for $128 CAD, have been selling online for hundreds of dollars.

They, in my opinion, are the most gorgeous item that Lululemon has put out in… years? They have really outdone themselves.

Lululemon Speed Tights 5 Rainbow Reflective 3lululemon speed tights 5 rainbow reflective

I am literally in LOVE with all of the things. Especially the Speed Shorts and Speed Tights. I had a conversation with a my mother-in-law that went along the lines of “What would you do with $800- other than buy these pants?” Responses included: Pay the mortgage, pay my car note for 3 months, – buy 12 pairs of REGULAR Speed Shorts? The dollar amount acknowledged- These are totally gorgeous and I am stoked for anyone who can get their hands on them. I hope they get plenty of love & wear. 🙂

What do y’all think of these?

My Glyder Crop Collection

Hello everyone!

I thought it would be fun to talk about Glyder again, since it’s been a little while since my last post about this brand. The other thing that made me want to post about this brand is the fact that there has been some chatter about these pants (pictured below), that are sort of reminiscent of the Quiet Stripe pants by Lululemon, a very highly sought after unicorn.

screen-shot-2017-01-31-at-2-42-12-am

These are black & white striped, which is worth noting because Lululemon’s Quiet Stripe pants are a dark Navy & White, with the same stripe pattern. So, while they are very similar, they are not identical. QSWD, Lululemon’s color code for Quiet Stripe, stands for “Quiet Stripe White/ Deep Indigo.”

Here they are today, listed on eBay:

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Wowza!

Glyder’s offerings are $74. And if you’re looking for a Quiet Stripe alternative, you might want to check them out.

I’ve spoken about how much I like Glyders before, but this time I want to show y’all my collection. I am a HUGE fan of their Mantra Crops because they’re basically exactly like Wunder Under crops, only cheaper. The fabric content is a mix of Nylon/ Supplex, just like Lululemon, and I find them to be equally comfortable.

Without further ado, my collection of Glyder Mantra Crops:

 

Glyder – Another Favorite in Yoga Apparel

Hello friends!

I want to talk to you about another favorite brand of mine, Glyder. I know a lot of people, including myself, who are concerned about the rising prices of Lululemon. Many people already only buy Lululemon items from the sale rack, and personally, I find much of the raise in prices unjustified. And I am not alone. Along with Agent Athletica’s thoughtful article, here is one from Business Insider. I will continue to shop at Lululemon, but I have noticed the price changes and they do affect my purchase decisions. I’m a lot more likely to have a “wait and see” approach to items I’m not 100% in love with to see if they go to WMTM. For example, I am currently loving the new Ready to Rulu pants. I got them in the Heathered Navy color, tried them, got compliments on them, loved them and went back for more. I honestly would like these in every color- they are amazing. But, since I think that the Spray Jacquard color will go to WMTM, I picked up the black, since black (almost) never goes to WMTM, and I will ‘wait and see’ with the Jacquard color. I am just not wanting to pay more than I have to- especially since all sizes are still stocked.

Anyways, moving on to the point of this article: Brands I’ve been enjoying other than Lululemon- namely, Glyder. I first discovered Glyder a couple of years ago through the Lululemon Facebook groups, as I recall. I bought my first pair of their Mantra crops on sale, I think I paid about $45 after tax & shipping, and really enjoyed them. They come in a variety of fun colors- here is a selection of what is currently available on their website:

The first ones car called “Electric Berry Heather,” but look a lot like Lululemon’s Ultra-Violet *comparison photo below*, and the second are just “Black & White Stripe” but look a lot like Lululemon’s Parallel Stripe pants from a while back. I really like these “Mantra” Crops because they are a slightly less expensive version of the classic Wunder Under crop. They’re usually comprised of a Nylon/ Spandex fabric, just like Lululemon and they are just as comfortable. Also just like Lululemon, fabric content does vary, so please do look at each pair individually, as fabric content is listed on the site, but on average, I find the fabric quality to be comparable to Lululemon’s.

Did I mention that they cost less? A pair of Mantra Crops- regular price- are $60, and there are some on sale (in XS only!) right now for $33.60. Meanwhile, Lululemon’s Wunder Unders are now $88.

Basically, I think that if you are disenchanted with Lululemon, perturbed by their more expensive prices as of late with no accompanying increase in quality or features or just want to try something new that is of similarly good quality, you should give these a try.

If you’re interested, they sometimes have items for sale on Zulily *** as well. Caveat: Most Zulily**** items are non-returnable. However, I have had success with returns, personally, when I was making them due to errors on the website. They had listed the fabric content as being Nylon and it was Polyester. Other than that, or incorrect items shipped, I don’t know that there is much wiggle room in the way of  returns. However, they were very gracious- customer service always responds within hours and I even received a $10 for my next order. Just make sure you read the fabric content listed on the website, if that’s of concern to you.

If you do end up getting something from Glyder, let me know! Do you already have Glyder items? I’d love to hear what you think!

*Lululemon’s Ultra Violet vs. Glyder’s Electric Berry Heather. Glyder is shown on top.

***Note from above: Link goes to my Pinterest page because at the time, those were items that we on the Zulily site, however, depending on when you read this, those same items may no longer be there, so I pinned them and that way you can see what was for sale and not receive a 404 Error message. You can still try the embedded links in the photos on Pinterest, but the pictured items may have sold by then.

****Next Zulily link is an affiliate invite link- If you sign up and buy something I get $15. If you don’t want to sign up through my link, just click the first link, then click the picture on Pinterest- that link is non-affiliate. This is something that anyone can do too, so once you sign up you’ll receive your own affiliate link and you can share it with your friends and get $15 too!