Kenny Does Yoga, Shares Activewear Styles

This is my first ‘re-blogging.’ The original post is a Cleveland Fox News station’s ‘yoga’ video (advertisement for Lululemon and not real news- but that’s not what I take issue with), and in it, the ‘educator’ (Jenny) named both women’s jackets incorrectly. I wrote a comment, but it has not yet posted to the site.

My comment is still ‘awaiting moderation’ so, I will simply reblog this- with my thoughts attached. This is the comment I made:

“Unfortunately, Jenny is incorrect. I don’t understand why the educator would have mislabeled the products the way she did. However, “Di,” the first woman is wearing a “Nice Asana Jacket” (I believe it is in ‘Cadet Blue’), not an In Stride jacket. Lululemon has ceased production on the In Stride (and the Stride) jackets. Although, there was recently a vote held to bring them back into production. The second woman is not wearing a “Define” jacket, she is wearing a Forme Jacket. The two jackets being worn can be found here: http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/jackets-and-hoodies-jackets/Forme-Jacket-II?cc=13608&skuId=3540657&catId=jackets-and-hoodies-jackets AND HERE http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/jackets-and-hoodies-jackets/Nice-Asana-Jacket?cc=10262&skuId=3534137&catId=jackets-and-hoodies-jackets. I hope that a correction is made in the future.”

In addition to the correction, I also hope that my comment is posted.

Hooray! The Fast Track Short has Returned!!!! And Fit Review.

As you’ll recall, (or maybe you won’t 😉 LOL!) I wrote about the Fast Track shorts in my Last Post of Last Year, and I loved them. I know that they didn’t get a lot of love, and they even went to Mark Down last year, but I really liked them. I paid full price for one pair and got another pair on sale. I loved them but most people complained that they a) rode up and b) they were too compressive and pretty much everyone (including myself) had to size up. So far this year, people are saying that they stayed true to size and that they don’t ride up, so perhaps they’ve re-worked the design, as this time around we’re purchasing Fast Track Shorts “2.” I know all the “Camo” ones sold out, but I knew that would happen. I don’t much care for Camo- but I’m going to wait & see if the other ones go one sale so I can grab another pair. If some of the other colour’s sizes sell out- I’ll bite the bullet and pay full price. But if I can save 30%, why not wait it out. It’s still freezing where I am, so it’s not like I’ll get to enjoy then any time soon. If (or rather when) I do buy another pair, I’ll post an update & do an comparison review between this year’s and last year’s model.

 

Here they are! Lululemon Fast Track Shorts ii in  black / angel blue / lullaby
Here they are! Lululemon Fast Track Shorts ii in black / angel blue / lullaby

 

 

Officially caved! I was hoping to wait for these to go to markdown, but I just ordered this pair… I was going to wait for the sale, but size 4 sold out, they’re actually getting good reviews this time, and there are only two colors, and one is black. So, I figured I’d better jump on these before my size is sold out in them as well, because I won’t buy plain black ones. It’s only been a couple of weeks since these were released but the weather is finally starting to warm up & I might be able to use these babies sooner than I thought! I’ll update with a fit review once they arrive!

UPDATE: I got them in & I prefer this year’s version to last year’s version and am wishing they made them in more colors! The fit is exactly the same and I still feel like these are a “bra” for my butt. The only difference is last year’s version had a 4-inch inseam, and this year’s version have a 5-inch inseam. This change made them even more awesome somehow!

UPDATE: UPLOAD!!! (April 14, 2014) My wish came true! They came out with another colour in the Fast Track shorts this upload!

Fast Track Shorts in Soot/ Pow Pink Light/ Pretty Purple
Fast Track Shorts in Soot/ Pow Pink Light/ Pretty Purple

So Pretty! They will be mine! *cue evil laugh*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time Out for the 105 F Singlet

Hello! I know that every new product seems to be my fave lately, but I absolutely love my new 105 F Singlet!  I think they’re going to be perfect for summer. I got a few for myself recently & I hope they come out with even more colors! I love that they’re made of Seriously Light Luon, that they have Silverescent in them & the scalloped edge is a really nice detail. I think all hot yoga tops should be made with Silverescent, it gets stinky in hot yoga. The only thing I don’t love is the price, they’re $52 when they should be $40-ish. But they’re selling out online in the more popular sizes, so the only ones making it to markdown are size 10s. I do suggest sizing down, in terms of fit- they’re very loose. I like them that way, so I stayed TTS. I also love how they cover my bum, so that I can feel comfortable wearing them with Wunder Unders over a CRB. They’re really soft and feminine. I can’t wait to buy more!

These ones are mine, so far. Zing Pink Light, Baroque BLue, Lavender & Black.
These ones are mine, so far. Zing Pink Light, Baroque Blue, Lavender & Black.
This is one in Paris Perfection, Lululemon is sold out in my size, but I already have Zing Pink, so I guess that's ok. ;)
This is one in Paris Perfection, Lululemon is sold out in my size, but I already have Zing Pink, so I guess that’s ok. 😉

 

Which 105 Singlets are in your collection? Do you like them as much as I do? Why or why not?

Don’t Be A Unicorn Thief- UPDATE!

Today Lululemon changed their resale policy to reflect the values of their customers. I am very pleased to announce that they’ve included a clause that covers the very real issue of Unicorn thieves. Their resale policy does not affect people like you & I who sell our used Lulu so we can buy more, but it specifically targets those who buy and sell newly released products at a mark up. I am ecstatic that Lululemon has finally recognized that the resale value of their clothing affects their sales in general. And that protecting the small re-sellers, while punishing the large scale profiteers is in the best interest of both the company and the customer. I’m always prepared to spend more on Lululemon because I’m aware that if I lose weight or lose interest in an item, I can always resell it and replace it with a new pretty. Lululemon’s Frequently Asked Questions document has been updated thusly:

“RESALE/COUNTERFEIT

what is your position on the re-selling of product?

We do not support the re-sale of new product, especially if it is at an elevated price point. Sometimes re-sellers also include used product in their inventory, however our focus is on new product re-sales, especially items listed at an elevated price point.

Our position on re-selling is in response to guest feedback when they see well-loved product being bought out immediately, and re-sold at an elevated price point.  In addition, we always want to create the best experience for our guest, which includes educating them on the items they are purchasing to ensure they have the best product for their sweaty pursuit.  Bottom line, if it doesn’t come from us, we can’t educate, we don’t know the history of the garment, and we can’t guarantee its’ authenticity.”

So happy to see change moving in the right direction. Thanks Lululemon!

New Year’s Resolution #1: Skin Care, follow-up

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to post and update about my New Year’s resolution regarding skin care. I’ve always had pretty decent skin, but since I moved, it’s gotten a little greasier, and I’m experiencing blackheads, enlarged pores & other unsightly, unpleasant side-effects. I’ve been trying a few different things over the past month or two, but the truth is I still don’t know what the heck I’m doing. I know almost nothing about skin care, and I really can’t afford to spend a ton of money to go visit a dermatologist. Also: I’m afraid that if I go she will laugh at me. Honestly, my skin problems aren’t that bad, my main problem is that my skin has changed. I used to have problems with dryness, now I have problems with oiliness & it’s all very shocking.

DISCLAIMER: I am not an expert. BUT this is what I’ve found so far in my search for knowledge. I’ll just stop and remind you here about my last post about Glam Glow, and also my first post where I initially talked about developing a regular skin care routine. The following are photos of the products I use most often.

Aveno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, Purity & Total Matteness by Philosophy, Glam Glow & The Body Shop's Tee Tree Mask.
Aveno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, Purity & Total Matteness by Philosophy, Glam Glow & The Body Shop’s Tee Tree Mask.
Tee Tree Skin Clearing Toner, DDF Amplifying Elixir, Tea Tree Pore Minimizer
Tee Tree Skin Clearing Toner, DDF Amplifying Elixir, Tea Tree Pore Minimizer
Aveno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub, The Body Shop's Tee Tree Blackhead Exfoliating Wash, Neutrogena Oil-free Moisture with Sunscreen, Clinique Turnaround Overnight cream, Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion, The Body Shop's Aloe Soothing Moisture Lotion, Neutrogena Naturals Nourishing Moisturizer, Take a Deep Breath moisturizer by Philosophy.
Aveno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub, The Body Shop’s Tee Tree Blackhead Exfoliating Wash and Skin Clearing Lotion, Neutrogena Oil-free Moisture with Sunscreen, Neutrogena Naturals moisturizer, Clinique Turnaround Overnight, The Body Shop’s Aloe Soothing Sunscreen, Philosophy’s Take a Deep Breath,

So, I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube beauty gurus lately, but some of the products they recommend are a little pricey, so I’ve been trying to use their advice, but to find products that are less expensive, but still meet my needs. My favorite YouTube beauty gurus, for skin were Veronica Gorgeois, who can be found here, and Ingrid Nilsen, who can be found here.

I have developed the following routine for myself:

In General, twice a day:

Cleanse: I usually use Total Matteness by Philosophy, $25, in combination with my Clarisonic Mia 1, $125, and totally worth it. I use my Clarisonic every day & I love it. You should change your brush every 3 months & I’ve found some good deals on duo packs on Groupon.com & Overstock.com. On the Clarisonic website the 2-packs are $40, but you can get them for around $25 on Groupon & Overstock. I sometimes use Purity by Philosophy and Aveno “Clear Complection” Foaming Cleanser, but it just depends on how hard I’ve been on my skin in other ways. I think Total Matteness is a good medium cleansing treatment. Purity is very mild and the Aveno ‘Clear Complection’ has Salicylic Acid in it, so in my view, it is more invasive.

Exfoliate: Technically, I think this is a second exfoliation, because the Clarisonic exfoliates on its own, but I do use an exfoliant after I cleanse. I have two different exfoliators. One is from The Body Shop’s Tee Tree Oil line, which I love & I have almost every product in that line. Specifically it’s called “Tee Tree Blackhead Exfoliating Wash,” which is perfect because my number one complaint is enlarged pores resulting in blackheads. The other exfoliator I use, which is more mild, is called “Aveno: Active Naturals *positively radiant* Skin Brightening Daily Scrub.” I use the milder one more often, but I really like the Tee Tree one too.

Toner: I currently use the Tee Tree Oil toner by the Body Shop as well. I like it because it has the same “shake to activate” indication as the Clinique “Acne Solutions” Claryfying lotion, but is cheaper & I was unable to find a full ingredients list anywhere, so I figured I’d stick with what I knew. The main difference between what I use now & the Clinique is the Salicylic Acid & menthol in the Clinique. The Salicylic acid is good for acne treatment, but the menthol just irritates the skin, so I figured I could do with out it.

Serum: I currently use a sample I got in BirchBox called DDF Amplifying Elixir. I’m not sure if it works, but I do like it. I don’t know if I’ll buy this when it’s done, just because it’s kind of pricey and I’m trying to develop a routine that’s affordable. I’ll look for a cheaper alternative with similar ingredients.

Moisturize: In the morning I always use a moisturizer with sunscreen. In the evening I use a night cream, recently I’ve been using Clinique Overnight Turn Around, but I doubt I’ll be buying it. I also use The Body Shop’s Tee Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion, but because it does target acne, I sometimes find that a little drying, so sometimes I end up using “Take a Deep Breath” by Philosophy. I also re-apply moisturizers at varying points during the day, usually sunscreen, and usually not more than twice more.

Other: I also use a pore minimizer once in a while, from The Body Shop’s line and I Glam Glow three times a week. I also sometimes do an acne treatment and I am still using a 2% Salicylic acid treatment. It’s the strongest I was able to find.

Note on my Glam Glow use: I used to apply Glam Glow to my entire face, but I found that my cheeks were getting ultra dried out & I was getting blemishes on them, so I started applying Glam Glow only to my T-zone and it’s working out much better for my skin. I still love Glam Glow & I find that it’s making a positive impact on my skin.

I’ll update again when I choose a primer or find new or better products, but I just wanted to let y’all know how it’s going and maybe give you some ideas. Like I said, I’m not an expert, so if you have any ideas for me, I would love to hear them in the comments below!

Race with Grace Pullover Fit & Review

First off, I must say that Lululemon has really outdone themselves. This is quite possibly the best pullover they have ever made, from a features point of view. I’m going to start at the top & go down.

First in front we have a zipper garage, pretty standard, but the zipper is dual and runs both ways. I don’t exactly know when I would use this feature, but it’s available. Then, mesh venting begins under the arms. In the back, there is also mesh venting located underneath the openings at the shoulder blades. Around the elbows begins the first half of the 4-way reflectivity. It’s hard to see in the photos, but trust me, it’s there & expertly concealed. At the waist we have a kangaroo pocket with a media management system and at the back, the last half of the 360 degrees of reflectivity plus really cute rushing details. Finally, the thumbholes and cuffins on the sleeves round out this fantastic running long sleeve. I will also mention that this is made from Brushed Luxtreme, and I would wear it in 12-20 degree celcius or mid 50s- late 60s degree fahrenheit weather. Those are approximations, but what I mean is I would wear this for cool, but not absolutely frigid weather, jogging.

Race With Grace in Baroque Blue
Race With Grace in Baroque Blue
Race With Grace Back
Race With Grace Back

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fit: I found this to be a fitted true to size. While it is fitted throughout, I managed to wear it today layered over a CRB, but under a Scuba hoodie. (Don’t know what a CRB is? Check out my post on Lululemon Slang!) I didn’t find it tight in the shoulders, too short or too long. For reference, I’m 5’6.

I hope you snag one of these, there are still full size runs online, as of today.

 

Update: Some of these made it to Markdown! A full size run of the black, and some of the Fresh Teal ones as well. So I snagged a black one. They were marked down to $69 from a retail cost of $98.

 

 

 

Tips & Tricks for New Glam Glow Users

Hello! I just wanted to write a quickie update to my last post about my New Year’s resolution to develop a better skin routine! So far, it’s going well, but I think my skin is going into a “purge” phase. My acne is getting worse, but I’m not worried because Glam Glow just pulls everything to the surface & I’ve already noticed that my skin is more vibrant! I’m still working on developing a solid routine, butDO have some tips for those of you who are new to Glam Glow.

1. I know it’s pricey, but Sephora is awesome & they will sample anything, so all you have to do is go in & politely ask for a sample if you’ve never tried it before. Maybe you have sensitive skin & need to see how your skin will react to all the (awesome) ingredients?

2. Warn your significant other that you are Glam Glowing. I have terrified my husband more than once with my Glam Glow face. Or, don’t warn them, and let the spooking fun begin!

3. I like to rinse off my Glam Glow mask in the shower, then Clarisonic with a gentle cleanser (usually Purity by Philosophy), so before you put on the mask, you might want to remove all of your top layers of clothing, lest you stain your Lulu. Then you’d have to read this post.

4. I like to pat my mask on, rather than spreading it. I feel like I get more even coverage patting it on, even though I might use a smidgen more. That said you should use a thin layer. This mask needs to dry completely, and you don’t need a lot to get results.

5. Find out what works for you. I like to leave my mask on for 15 minutes, but I don’t have sensitive skin & I have slightly oily skin. This mask is slightly drying, but not really drying like other masks I’ve tried. If you have sensitive skin, maybe you should try using it for only 10 minutes, or if you need a more intense treatment leave it on for the full 20 minutes. It’s all about finding out what works best for you & your unique skin type.

6. Relax & enjoy. I like to catch up on my favorite YouTubers or watch an episode of The Big Bang Theory while Glam Glowing! Have Fun!

 

UPDATE:

I just wanted to write a quickie update to this post to say that while I found Glam Glow to be a little drying, it was mostly on my cheeks, so I’ve since stopped applying it there and have continued to use it only on my T-zone. Happy Glowing!

UPDATE:

I’ve now been using Glam Glow for 6 months and I thought I should do a little update. First: over all, I found this masks only works for me on my t-zone. If I apply it everywhere, it dries me out. Second: I do still really like it, but I do find it pricey. Thankfully, by applying it only to my t-zone, I get quite a few more uses out of it. Third: I have started using it only once per week. I used to sometimes use it twice, but I think it works best for me once a week, and I use other masks throughout the rest of the week. (Some hydrating, some skin clearing).

New Year’s Resolution #1 Better Skin

I know, it’s fluffy. I don’t want to save the whales or feed the homeless. I recently relocated & the air here is a lot more humid than what I’m used to & my skin has suffered the consequences. That said, I’d really like to start controlling my humongous pores & new “face friends,” (pimples) with a skin care routine. I know a lot of people already have this stuff down pat, but I’ve never had so much acne in my life & I think I need some serious intervention. Clean & Clear is just not hacking it anymore. So this year, I would like to develop an effective, inexpensive (or at least as cheap as possible) skin care routine that will combat acne, wrinkles & the humidity of my new city.

I have some ideas.

1. Clarisonic. I recently purchased a Clarisonic Mia 2. You can find them here. I think I’m using it correctly, I’ve been spending about 3 minutes a day with mine, usually in the shower. I love it because it makes my skin feel clean & it’s waterproof, so no leaning over the sink hoping water doesn’t drip down your arms.

2. I also recently gave in to the “Glam Glow” hype & bought a jar of my very own. I’ve tried it twice & I’m still not sure what I think. It’s good because my skin feels nice after I use it, but I don’t know if it’s an effective acne treatment. I’ve put a few tips in my next post.

3. Stronger Salicylic Acid treatment. I currently use a 2.0% Clean & Clear treatment, I am going to search for something stronger.

4. I’m very satisfied with my current cleansers. I use Philosophy “Total Matteness” with my Clarisonic in the shower, but if I have already done a Glam Glow or other drying mask, I use Philosophy “Purity.” As for “other masks,” I have also used The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Face Mask. It doesn’t “dry” on your face like most masks do, but I definitely think it works. It’s not a moisturizing mask, -it’s more of a acne treatment/ prevention type of mask which works for me because I think I need something a little more abrasive than most.

5. YouTube videos: Some of my favorite YouTubers are beauty video girls. They review makeup products and share their hauls and unboxings (opening BirchBox or other beauty subscription service box) on YouTube. I plan to watch some of their videos for new ideas on what my routine should be & which new products I might want to try.

Once I develop a new routine, I’ll write a new post with all the details.

What do you do in your skin care routine? Do you have a “routine,” or do you ‘wing’ it, like I do? What are some of your favorite skin care products? Link them below! Thanks for reading!

My Last Post of the Year

This has been a very transitional year for me, but I hope I get to say that every year. I started this blog this year and am grateful for all of my readers. I began writing this blog with the intention to inform people about the marketability & investment value of Lululemon clothing. I have since posted about beauty hauls, nail polish and fitness, among other topics. I plan to continue to write about the things I love, with a continuing focus on Lululemon. I also want to share my New Years Resolutions with all of you and plan to write about how I’m doing with those.

In order to add a little flavor to this otherwise bland post I will share with you my Top 5 Favorite Pieces of Lululemon Acquired This Year:

Parallel Stripe Wunder Under crops.

Plum Dance Studio Jacket

Gratitude Wrap in Deep Zinfandel

Fluff Off Pullover in Surge

Fast Track Shorts in Twin Stripe Spry Blue/ Black

My Top 5, 2013
My Top 5, 2013

I can’t really put them in order, and I know my list mostly consists of pieces from the last quarter of this year, but I was bored until Plum came along. I really like the Fast Track Shorts because they hold my butt up and the large pocket on the side is big enough for an iPhone. Plus, the waistband is super comfortable and doesn’t dig in.

Parallel Wunder Under Crops were a must. The hype was a little unwarranted, but they really do make your butt look nice. I always notice how every time I see a cheap brand of pants, the stripes or pattern never lines up, but Lululemon takes the time to make sure the stripes line up. I appreciate that.

I absolutely love my Fluff Off Pullover in SurgeI even wrote a post about the gorgeous Fluff Off line and splurged a little. I loved seeing it on Fox Sideline Reporter, Laura Okmin at the Steelers/ Lions game on November 17th. Here’s a photo:

Laura Okmin wearing a Surge Fluff Off Pullover
Laura Okmin wearing a Surge Fluff Off Pullover

I wear my Plum Dance Studio Jacket all the time. I love plum, it has been my favorite color Lululemon released this year and it’s a darker one, so I find it more flattering than the other colours I loved like Surge & Paris Perfection. Of course, I like the overall design with the hood & the thumbholes, the reversibility etc… But I also love the deep pockets and the length.

Finally, I have really been enjoying my Gratitude Wrap in Deep Zinfandel. I wear it around the house a lot. I think the color is gorgeous and again dark & flattering. I also bought a Vinyasa Scarf & Bang Buster in this color. I also really liked the Rose Herringbone printed Deep Zinfandel Scuba Hoodie & ordered it as well. The Gratitude wrap’s tight sleeves don’t bother me, except a little at the wrists, especially if I’m wearing a bracelet. But other than that the fit is very flattering. The versatility of this very casual piece is sure to find it’s way with me to class on many chilly days. The length is perfect for the more modest ladies, but it is fitted through the waistline, so it maintains a feminine shape.

I am so happy to write and watch my blog grow. I hope you all enjoy my posts & share your love of Lulu & experiences with me in the coming year. Thanks for reading!

New Items to Help You Spend Your Christmas Money!

         I am so happy to see that the Track Tee made it to North America. I featured it earlier, when Australia got it & it has finally arrived! I have yet to see it in-store, but will add a fit review to this post if I see it. I am having a very hard time swallowing the price. $68 seems pretty high for a t-shirt made from *Seriously Light* Luon. Even though I’m 100% sure the Track Tee in Heathered Baroque Blue will look awesome with my new Bhakti Yoga Shorts, from my last post, I am also quite sure it will go to markdown. I just can’t see too many people paying $68 for a Track Tee, when they can pay $58 for a Swiftly Short Sleeve. Just my opinion. But, for those who are interested in getting one now, they come in black, heathered medium grey/ white, Fresh Teal & Baroque Blue.
Track Tee in Heathered Baroque Blue
Track Tee in Heathered Baroque Blue

 

I’m also happy to see the Bandit Track pants uploaded. I saw them in-store a couple of days ago, and I tried them on. They fit very similarly to my Work It Out Track Pants from last year. I found them to be a somewhat looser, true to size, but the pockets on the side stick out, just a little. It’s hard to tell on the website that the pockets stick out on the sides a little because in every picture the models have their hands in the pockets. I got the Work It Out track pants on markdown for $49. I think I’ll wait to see if these go on markdown & get them then, as well.

Work it Out Track Pant in Dune/ Bleached Coral
Last Year’s: Work it Out Track Pant in Dune/ Bleached Coral
Bandit Track Pant in black/ mini hyper stripe fresh teal
This Year’s: Bandit Track Pant in black/ mini hyper stripe fresh teal

 

Finally, an item I am willing to buy at full price:

The Inspire Crop, specifically these:

Inspire Crop in micro macro stripe black soot/black
Inspire Crop in micro macro stripe black soot/black

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven’t seen these in-store yet, but there’s still a full size-run online, so there’s no hurry for me to rush out & buy them.

What Lulu are you most excited for this New Year? Or does nothing intrigue you? Let me know in the comments below!