Lululemon Warm Up Crew - Not Liking It!!

I ordered the Lululemon Warm Up Crew in dune/faded zap from the website last week because it went on sale from $98 to $29.  I would never have considered such a unflattering style, but since it was so cheap and it's made of brushed luxtreme that I LOVE, I decided to get it.  Well, I received it, put it on and just can't like it even for $29.  I wish I could return it, but I guess it's going on ebay.  Unless one of my lovely readers wants to buy it from me.  =)

Well, the best thing about this thing is the material - brushed luxtreme really is lovely.  It's all warm and cozy feeling when you put it on.  The color combo is ok I think.  I'm actually not too crazy about it, but I didn't want one of the stripey ones.  I might have liked the solid black or white ones better.  But honestly I just don't really like the fit.  It is shapeless from the side, and I don't like how the back is longer than the front by a good inch or more.  And the zipper has such a long pull it's kind of strange.  Here are some pics from the website, not bad on the model, but they don't really show a side view:

And on me:

Sooo yeah, the shoulders fit tight and pull weird.  I don't have particularly wide shoulders either.  I got this in a size 4, my regular size, just for reference.  Well, this one is up for grabs!

Sunday Funday!

Ahhh gotta make this a quick one today!  I've been spending way too much time and money shopping for workout clothes lately, but I am quite happy with my collection which is finally moving out of the Lululemon-exclusive zone.  I don't know what it is, but it bothers me that every time I go to the gym I see a Lululemon fashion show.  It gets worse and worse everyday.  Is it too much to ask that the girl working out next to me to not have the same clothes as me??  Lol... This over-saturation of the brand makes me feel so unoriginal, and it's the reason I usually wait a while before wearing my newest Lulu out.  It's like Apple, when everybody starts buying it and chasing the trend, it's got to go down.  So I am glad to have added some other non-Lulu brands to my workout wardrobe.

I inadvertently went to the gym 6 times this week when I really meant to go only 5 times.  My new clothes must be making me too excited that I can't even count!  No wonder I'm all sore!  Lol!

Monday 4/22
What I did:  I ran lots of hills, ranging from 6% incline to 15% incline.  I did variation of speeds too, from running speed to fast walking speed - I actually find it harder to be fast walking a hill to the point where it is easier to start running.  Then I did some weight sets like woodchops, planks with shoulder pulls, side planks while rowing, and glutes... always glutes... if you want anti-gravity butt, you really gotta work hard for it!

What I wore:  Alo Sport bamboo Rev tank with my new Lululemon Run Sprint bra for the first time - liked it a lot!  It's very supportive.  But the tank was way too hot for this type of sweaty workout, since it's double layer and bamboo material.  I thought I was going to just lift weights but plans always change when I get to the gym!  I also wore Lululemon Team Spirit crop in coal/chirp and blue glow Nike Frees.  I love yellow, orange and blue together for some reason.  Just so bright and happy!

As to and from, I wore my Principle Jacket.  

My work outfit for the same day was fun, because I wore my Emilio Cavallini argyle tights (major love)!  Along with the Express red lacquer convertible sleeve shirt and Tahari ASL black skirt with button details.

Tuesday 4/23 - The only rest day from the gym.  But here is my work outfit.  I wore the Esley sheer sleeve jacket, with a Banana Republic tank under, and Calvin Klein color block skirt.  No crazy tights today!  Aldo Leanora pumps.  I like the monochromatic look sometimes.

Wednesday 4/24

What I did:  I did tons of weights!  I typically do 4 sets, or 6 at the most.  But I did 8!  If you care to know exactly what I did, here's what I wrote in my workout journal:

7 min warm up run
Alternate 4 sets: 16 plank & side raise (5lb) & 16 single leg deadlifts (20lb)
Alternate 4 sets: 10 incline shoulder press (25lb) & 20 incline Y back raise (5lb)
Alternate 4 sets: 10 courtesy lunge bicep curl (15lb) & 16 single leg tricep bench push
Alternate 4 sets: 15 deep squats (30lb) & 12 upright row (15lb)

What I wore:  Lululemon Push Ur Limits tank in lolo purple / power purple, with Run Passion crop in power purple, and Adidas adizero adios 2 shoes.

As to and from, I wore the Lululemon power purple 1/2 zip swiftly top.  I was power purpled-out!  I love this color...

Thursday 4/25

What I did:  I took 2 classes back to back at Equinox!  First one is Metcon, which is 8 exercises for a minute each, repeat 3 times total.  Second class is an abdominal class, but it's actually quite similar to the Metcon exercises... i.e. kettlebells, plyo work, lots of core exercises.  It was tough because my legs were so sore from the workout the day before already!

What I wore:  Alo Sport Zen Layer tank with Lululemon Free To Be bra in faded zap.  This tank was great for sweating!  It's super cool with the open back and loose fit, and when it's wet it remains the exact same color as when its dry so nobody can tell you are sweaty!  I love it paired with faded zap.  I think my faded zap bra is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  And Lululemon Run Empower crop in coal/passion.  Passion is pretty similar to the Alo tank color.  Adidas shoes again.

I like the back of this outfit

I wore the Alo Sport cozy collar pullover and to and from:

Friday 4/26

What I did:  Yoga class.  It was a chill class, a lot of stretching, which is good for me because I felt so tight from the week's workouts.

What I wore:  Lululemon cool racerback in static very violet/very violet (softest cool racerback EVER!  I don't wear it to the gym a lot because I like wearing it as pajamas!) with Lululemon Free To Be bra in laceoflage, and Lululemon wunder under crops in bordeaux drama (looove these!), oh yeah and I wore the Zigi Kickin wedge sneakers to the gym.  =)

And I stuck to the same color family and wore the Alo Sport off-shoulder top as to and from.  I like it because it matched my yoga mat which is the Manduka Equa towel in sangria purple.

I liked my work outfit from Friday, because it was more casual and super comfy!  I wore a sleeveless tank from Zara, with the Calvin Klein essential cardigan over, Express wide waistband editor pants in white, and Sam Edelman Mallory slingbacks.

Saturday 4/27

What I did:  Pilates reformer class at Pilates Plus in Beverly Hills.

What I wore:  Lululemon Scoop Me Up tank in caspian blue with Lululemon Ebb & Flow crops in deep indigo.  Course wore my Zigi sneakers again dutifully.  I seriously love these shoes!  Super comfy and makes me taller lol.

I wore the Hardtail Forever open back sweatshirt and to and from... loving it still...

And then afterwards, since it's been so hot this weekend, I wore the Bella flowy racerback tank in blue marble with white Abercrombie Tori shorts and Steve Madden Haywire wedge sandals.  Oh and Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in eggplant.

Sunday 4/28

What I did:  75 minute spin class, then a round of weights.

What I wore:  I wore my new Lorna Jane Erika Excel tank that I got yesterday, and OMG LOVE!  I'm so in love for real.  My spin class was super hot because the AC was broken (teacher didn't share this info till after class), so I was soaked like a sea monster.  But this tank is so fabulous.  I wore it with my Lululemon Run A Marathon crop, and I wore my Nike Frees of course.  Blue + orange = win.

I wore the Lululemon Principle jacket again as to and from.

i wore the jacket largely because I planned to shower and change after working out, into the Alo Sport Yoga Double Layer dress.  And I thought the jacket would look cute with the dress too, but I didn't end up needing it.  I just wore the dress alone with my Vegas wedge sandals lol.

Ok now time for dinner!  I am starving after working out so hard and only eating one meal (bad idea).  So I hope you all had a great week/weekend and ready for the new week!

Beginning of Lorna Jane Love Affair!!!

Seriously, I think I'm in love with this Australian brand Lorna Jane.  Why didn't I know about this brand when I lived in Australia???  Did I ever mention that I moved to Australia (Melbourne) for a year when I was 20?  I actually turned 21 there but it was not very special since people can drink when they are 18 there!  Anyway, my pilates studio had a Lorna Jane trunk show today.  I was blown away by how pretty everything was as soon as I walked in!  I almost skipped class to try stuff on lol.  But I was good and I waited till afterwards.  They only had 2 racks of clothing, but I swear I could have bought everything!  I had to restrain myself so much, because this stuff ain't cheap.  And I didn't want to go crazy and regret it later.  So I tried on a million things and only came home with 3 items!  In stark contrast, I went to Lululemon afterwards to return my pinkalicious Inspire crops, tried on a bunch of stuff there and was 'mehhh' about everything so I came home empty handed.  I guess Lorna Jane has 17 stores in the SoCal area which I didn't even know about, so I could always go visit.  But of course they offered 10% off at the trunk show which you wouldn't get at the store!  That's basically saving tax money...

I really really liked all their tanks and bras, and tanks with built in bras.  They all have supportive bras with the ability to put inserts in!  Yay!  And their inserts are much more substantial than Lululemon's!  I mean, they feel like Victoria's Secret push up bras!  LOL!  Of course you can take them out if they are too much for you, or you can substitute with thinner pads.

So the first thing I fell in love with was this Erika Excel Tank/Bra combo, the colors are neon apricot and neon fucshia (this is how they spelled it on the tag).  I can't find this tank on their US website, but it is on their Australian website.  It's actually this picture on their home page!

Isn't it soo cute!!!  I love both the fit and the material.  It fits loosely but doesn't look like a preggers tank.  The material is similar to Lululemon's circle mesh so it's very light and breathable.  I wouldn't have thought of neon orange and purple combo, but they look great together!  I loooove how the back looks with the tank straps going through the back of the bra.  I got this tank in size small.  It's a dream.  But it comes with a hefty price tag of $85.99!!!  So even with my 10% off, it's still pretty expensive.

The second tank I got is actually pretty similar in style to the Erika tank, but totally different colors.  It's the Analisa Tank in Teneriffe Blue.  The back is different from the Erika tank, and there is a pretty big zipper pocket.  I love it.  The colors are great too.  I don't see it on the US site either, and on the Australian site there is only "hot tomato" color left in size XS.  It's very pretty too, and it's on sale for $65!  Mine was $85.99, and size S.  But I guess these prices are the same in Australia and the US... even though the USD is now not worth as much as AUD.  So crazy... when I lived there, the exchange rate was like 80 cents USD to 1 AUD!  

Inside of the pocket

This tank appears to be a mesh tank too, but the mesh feels different than the Erika.  It's thicker and a little more stiff than Erika.  It feels nice as well, just different.  I'm so happy with both of them!

Here's the tank on the model in hot tomato color:

The 3rd item I got is actually on the US website too!  I almost didn't even try it on, but when I was waiting for the girl to ring me up, I decided to put it on just to see.  And woah!  I fell in love immediately and told her to add it on.  It's the Sophia Excel L/Slv Top.  The website only has black, but at the trunk show she had black and hot pink.  I liked both, but thought I'd wear black more.  It looks great with a bright colored bra or tank under.  It's like a running top, but you can wear it for anything and everything.  The fabric feels kind of like Lululemon's luxtreme, but a bit more "cottony", if that makes sense.  It's stretchy and super duper comfortable.  The fit is fabulous as well, the pictures seriously don't do it justice because black stuff never come out looking that great on photos.  There's mesh detail in the front and back, and thumb holes too!  I got it in size XS.  So apparently I wear XS in tops, jackets and tights, and S in tanks.

Here are the web photos:

And here it is on me, worn over my Lululemon pow pink Free To Be bra.

Anyway, I'm in love with this thing and am sad that so much detail gets lost in pictures.

I came soooo close to buying these two items too, the Inspire Excel tank, and the Hannah 7/8 Tight with cool mesh inserts.

These Mosaic tights have matching orange inserts!  Super cute.

The prices of Lorna Jane's tights are actually not bad at all.  They are around 80-100 depending on lengths and feature.  That's very comparable to Lululemon prices.  But tanks are definitely higher than Lulu's.  Tanks without bras seem to run around $65.  I thought it was a bit steep, which is why I didn't get the Inspire tank.  I almost bought the tights too, but figured at the last minute that since I've been buying so many pairs of tights lately that I should probably hold off for a while.

I also tried on this Peppa Excel tank which was very figure flattering and comfortable.  The material felt a lot like luxtreme but more buttery and seemed to stay in place better (my luxtreme tanks always like to ride up).  I didn't have $75.99 to spend on it, but if you do, I'd highly recommend it.

Lastly, this Pretty Maxum Full Zip Through jacket is hot!  It doesn't look nearly as good on their model though as it does in person.  It's a beautiful fit.  The material is very thin and the ruching makes it very figure hugging and flattering.  And it's only $89.99!  Lol. If I was in the market for a black jacket, I totally would have got it!  The girl told me that it is a very popular item that it's all sold out in stores but it's still available online.

Anyways, I can't wait to go to an actual Lorna Jane store!  I have a feeling they might have a lot more than the website!  So far I really like the material, fit and style of the things I've seen.  The tags say that their material is shrink and fade resistant, anti-pilling, 100% UV protective and 4-way stretch.  I can't wait to actually wear them to workout in and see how they hold up.  The girl that rang me up actually told me "welcome to the new addiction"!  Uh oh, I might be in trouble!