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Archives for October 2016

Workout Clothes to Keep You Sexy, Comfortable, Dry, and Nice Smelling

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Workout clothes are one of my favorite things to shop for because they can be so fun and different than your everyday style. If you are one to stay pretty basic in your wardrobe, workout clothes are a time you can stray from classic and predictable to FABULOUS and LOUD. Also, if you are working out nearly every day, it’s only fair to give yourself some options.

Now that I teach at YMCA and Golds Gym, I’ve given myself a pass to get some more workout clothes. I mean it IS for work? 😉 So I thought I’d share my process in choosing the best workout clothes for myself.workout clothes checklist

I bought some new beauties that I am very excited about strutting around the gym. And if you don’t strut around the gym, that’s a sign you need better workout clothes! You should feel like a hot momma when you get to the gym, because I swear, it makes your workout 100000x better.

workout clothes

Qualities Workout Clothes Must Have a Good…

There are a couple qualities that make or break my decision to buy a workout top or pant.

Fit

Workout clothes need to fit perfectly. No one wants to be uncomfortable when they are on their last mile, or lifting heavy. The last thing on your mind should be, “wow these are tight” or “I hope my pants don’t fall off in downward dog.”

Your workout clothes should be tight enough to feel secure, but not too tight to keep you feeling self conscious and uncomfortable.

Fabric

The fabric is key! From here on out I am only buying odor repellant workout clothes. Sorry, but no one wants to hang with you after working out for a quick coffee date, or errand, if you stank. Here are some brands that I love that have this lovely option.

  • Unstinkable – Athleta has “Unstinkable” material that works well. Not to mention, how cute their workout clothes are! Why can’t we have it all?
  • Silverescent Technology – LuLuLemon has created a Silverescent technology material that prevents odor in sweat. These silver threads are threaded throughout the material. Check some of their workout clothing out.
  • Flash Dry Technology – North Face has this option for clothes that have a microporous additive that helps pull moisture away from the body, so you can workout for longer and stay dry!
  • Cotton* – Crazy as it sounds, cotton is a good workout material to wear to ward off smell. However, it unfortunately is a moisture absorbent material so you will appear quite sweaty so don’t choose this option if you’ve got plans after.

Another tip for keeping the ick smell out of your gym clothes? Don’t use softener!  A softener leaves a coating on your clothes that then can actually trap in the stench. Ewww.

Style

The style of top and pant is super important based on your body type and activity. I have body proportions that usually cause any small straps to slip right off my shoulder, so I typically steer clear from just plain straps. I like razor backs the best and on occasion a halter.

As far as workout pants go, I basically HATE pants that are flared at all, I want my pants hugging my ankles. I’m not to proud to share that I have tripped over my flared pants before at the gym. #FAIL The crop pant just works well for me. For shorts, I like them to be tight and secure.

Look

Then, once all of that is figured out, it’s time to decide which color/design you like the best. This is what completes my decision making process. I typically like pretty bright standout colors for my gym clothes but occasionally choose black because black is awesome!

What do you look for in your workout clothes? Anything to add to the list?

No Dairy? Almond Milk Latte for the Win

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Not many things in life can top grabbing a latte from Starbucks in the morning and actually having a few moments to savor each sip. First coffee, then the crazy begins.

My coffee order rarely changes, I usually grab a Nonfat latte, or a Vanilla Nonfat latte (when I’m feeling naughty). 😉 What is your go-to coffee order?

coffee

I’ve classified myself as slightly lactose intolerant. Typically a splash of dairy milk here and there, or a little in my cereal is fine, but other times my stomach gets a little uncomfortable. For instance, when I overindulge in ice cream. Who knows? It might just be too much ice cream, ha, but I blame it on being slightly intolerant 😉 If you do drink dairy milk, Fair Life is my favorite because it has more protein and less sugar.

That said, I do enjoy when I have alternatives to dairy milk and will choose that option on occasion.

Almond Milk Latte for the Win

almond-milk

Starbucks has recently introduced an almond milk  alternative to their menu for those lactose intolerant people, or maybe even just someone looking to change up their usual. I had to try it! I got my usual order, except replaced dairy milk for almond milk. And it was delicious! The drink tasted quite different to me but I enjoyed the change. There was a nuttiness flavor that noticeably altered the taste, but in a yummy way!

starbucks

While I’ll most likely typically stick to dairy, I’ll be happy to change it up and get it with almond milk on occasion. Perhaps after a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream bender.

Cheers to you Lactose Intolerant ladies!

almond-latte

I wanted to give you all the opportunity to try their almond milk for yourself. Thanks Starbucks for providing me a $50 card to giveaway! Let me know what you all think and enter below!

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5 Things Every Bride-to-Be Should Enjoy

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I apologize for being so quiet lately but it’s been busy! No complaints here though, mostly all fun stuff! Wedding countdown is almost at 50 days! To top it all off, I have two of my best friends weddings before my big day, so it’s basically party, party, party time!

I am blessed with an amazing wedding planner (shout out to Judy Lehmbeck) so I can’t complain and probably don’t know ALL that goes into planning. That being said, these are my favorite 5 things that I have done for the wedding that I think should be treasured and enjoyed for every bride-to-be, no matter how involved or uninvolved you are in the process.

Tasting Wedding Cake

wedding cake

Now, this is a treat! No complaints here for doing the honors of trying frosting after frosting. I actually learned some really interesting things about frosting. For instance, do you know the difference between American Buttercream and Swiss Buttercream? Nope, I didn’t either. American Buttercream has a taste of powdered sugar, while the Swiss Buttercream is more buttery tasting. Who knew I liked Swiss better? If you’re interested now, like I was, check out this post on buttercream, because who has anything better to do? 😉

As far as the actual cake part, we tasted carrot cake, red velvet, chocolate, brown sugar, and finally vanilla. They all were so delicious and so hard to choose between!

wedding cake

Spending Time With All Your Loved Ones

wedding shower

There are only so many times that you can choose exactly who you want to come to an event in your life. There is also only so many times that you can get an exact group of people into one place. It has been very special to spend time with mine and Colton’s family together and I’m trying to treasure all these moments. While the countdown is starting to feel like it’s taking forever, I know I’ll look back at this time and wish it went slower.

Registering for FREE Presents

I don’t think I’m the only bride-to-be to say that I felt like I was just picking out all these dream presents FO FREE. It was amazing and fun to take that gun and point it at one hundred items I would never buy for myself but would love to have. I enjoyed imagining with Colton what should be in our kitchen now, and for years to come. I learned about some kitchen utensils for the first time in my life, and immediately needed in my life. What had I been missing?!

And finally I received the entry into wife-hood… a KitchenAid mixer.

kitchenaid mixer

Picking out the Prettiest Dress I’ll Ever Wear

Picking out my wedding dress was luckily not very stressful. I went in there open minded, wasn’t expecting a “moment,” and left my second shop after trying on a total of seven dresses very happy with my selection. I think the trick is to not try on too many and overwhelm yourself with choices. I actually just listened to a Ted Talk that was awesome explaining how we have way too many choices and how it makes us less satisfied because no matter what we choose, even if it’s the right choice, we will feel that we might have made the wrong decision. Therefore, don’t try on too many or you might just stress yourself out!

Photos of the dress to come… 😉 That’s one secret I’m not sharing until the big day!

Taking Cheesy Photos with My Future Husband

enagement photo

There are only so many times that Colton would let us lean over the table to touch noses, so this was a pretty epic moment. Ha. Also the one by the light, I had a vision and went for it, while I was kind of kidding, I think it actually turned out kinda cute! Guys you have to agree, I am the bride 😉

engagement cheesy photo

Other bride-to-be or past brides what would you add to this list? 🙂

Oklahoma City Fall Fashion – Suede Skirt and Bow Booties

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Fall is officially in gear! You have to be careful with the fall season because it quickly comes and goes, especially in Oklahoma City. I blinked and we are almost half way through October and I have no pumpkins to show for it.

In OKC, you have to take advantage of the chillier weather, when it’s not way too hot or way too cold, because that’s sadly a rarity. I have been immensely enjoying this fall weather and wearing my favorite fall pieces back to back, or all together, like my suede skirt and bow booties. Switching from my summer to fall wardrobe brings me so much happiness 🙂

I love pulling out my favorites from the previous year to admire and wear again, it’s almost like seeing old friends. My first fall outfits of the year have to be carefully planned and selected with care. If not, I’m afraid I would walk out of the house with one or two fur accessories, a plaid scarf, and a selection of booties to swap out throughout the day. Anyone else with me on this?

fall fashion

suede skirt

So far my favorite look for fall is the combination of different fun textures. In this look I’m wearing a chunky cable knit sweater with a beautiful suede skirt, essentially the two most comfy fabrics ever! This sweater is perfect because it’s cropped and short sleeves so it’s a great transition piece from summer to fall. In Oklahoma, we usually step outside bundled up in the morning and by the evening have taken off as many possible layers as publicly acceptable. The suede on this skirt is so luxurious and definitely will be a keeper this season.

You may be wondering, yes I’m a tad behind on posting this look because my hair is still long in this post. It of course immediately makes me miss it! I always go on a rampage to get my hair cut and without fail regret it. I know I’m not alone in this.

fall wardrobe

knitted sweater

These bow booties have to be one of the cutest pairs I have ever owned. I’m a sucker for bows on anything and think the bows on these booties automatically dress up any look I wear. They are great to pair with an outfit like this, or just basic skinny jeans and a simple long sleeve top. Hold shoes and accessories like this near and dear to your heart because they can be life savers if you don’t know how to dress for an event. Dressy? Casual? Grab pieces that swing both ways!

fall fashion look

fall clothes

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and go crunch in ALL the leaves with the cutest booties on. Which fall piece are you most excited to pull out of your closet? What’s the weather like in your city?