Ann Taylor Dress & Skirts!

I have to confess that I had been against Ann Taylor for years.  This is because when I first started working right out of college, my mom had bought me a bunch of work clothes from Ann Taylor.  This was close to 10 years ago (gasp!) by the way.  I thought they were ill-fitting and old lady like... LOL!  So as silly as it sounds, I never wanted to step foot into that store.  Well... last week I saw a facebook ad (I'm one of those people that clicks on facebook ads) from them with super cute looking clothes, so I clicked on it and started browsing through their website.  I was surprised at how much cute stuff they had!  I could have bought a lot!  Maybe I now belong to the "old lady" category... lol... but whatever, I just had to give Ann Taylor another shot.  They were (and still are) having 50% off sale items, so I picked up a couple things not knowing what size I would be exactly.  But my friend who is always the same size as me told me 0 would work for pretty much everything so I took a gamble.  Most of the sale items were final sale, so I restricted myself to only 3 skirts lol.  I also bought 1 dress that is full price and 1 belt on sale that is returnable.  Anyway, they all arrived today, in 3 different packages I might add.  Weird!  But I actually really like all of them!  The size is definitely spot on.  Hooray!  I love it when online shopping works out.

This is the only full priced item I got - the Mod Scarf Print dress in river blue:

I think this dress is very cute and different from what I normally wear.  It almost looks like a kimono.  The sleeves actually go all the way down, so you have the option of wearing it rolled up like the model, or having long sleeves.  Here's what it looks like on me with the sleeves down:

I got the dress in size XS.  I love the fit.  It's exactly how I wanted it - loose but still has a nice shape.  I love how easy this dress is.  It's kinda pricey at $139, but whatev.  I used some coupon code they had so I actually spent less than that.  I think it was 40% off, so it was like $85.  I'm ok with that.  This is definitely one of those pieces that I can either wear to work or to a nice dinner out or something.  So it meets my criteria of being totally versatile.

The three pencil skirts I got that are final sale were actually all quite a good deal.  I love them all too!  The first one is this Wild Jacquard Skirt.  I love the pattern.  With 50% off sale price, it was only $30.  You can't really beat that price for a lined pencil skirt.  I got it in size 0 regular.  The waistband is elastic which is quite comfy.  There's also a zipper on the back.  The length is perfect too.  I'm very happy with this.  I love the shoes they styled this skirt with!

Here it is on me:

So I had this Calvin Klein colorblock pencil skirt I loved, as seen here:

But 1. it was getting a little big on me, and 2. I washed it in the washer with like colors like the instruction said, and it completely bled onto itself!  Totally ruined.  I was so sad!  But I found this Zip Back Colorblock skirt at Ann Taylor (it seems to be sold out online already though) that is exactly the same from the front, but black with zipper on the back.  The CK skirt was the same on the front and back.  Not a big deal.  I'm happy to have found a close substitute!  Best part is this one fits better!  It was on sale for $80, but with 50% off sale price, I paid $40.  Not bad.

I love this look, it's so slimming!  Here's the side view... it's like some of you just disappears lol:

The back is actually two zippers.  The one that zips from the top stops about a quarter of the way down.  The zipper that zips from the bottom is separate.  So, no chance of it accidentally zipping all the way and falling apart on you lol.

The last pencil skirt I got was the Icicle Tweed pencil skirt.  I love tweed and herringbone and all these winter patterns.  I've been wanting a white-ish colored pencil skirt for work.  This one is exactly what I've been looking for!  It's an off white color.  And it's thick so it's not see-through at all.  I love the tweed pattern in this color.  Again, this is a size 0 regular.  Also on sale for $80, so I paid $40!

On me...

 

Lastly, I got this Two Tone Leather Belt in black/ivory.  This belt is only $17 with 50% off sales price.  It's super cute!  I love the two toned look.  

 I got it in size XS/S.  I might need to add a couple holes to it since it's pretty loose if I want to wear it around the narrowest part of my waist.  But if I wear it a bit lower towards the hips, it is ok.  Here's what it looks like on me over the Icicle Tweed skirt:

 

I could have so much fun playing with this belt and seeing what items it would go with in my closet.  

So that's my order from Ann Taylor!  I gotta keep an eye on this brand from now on and put my unjustified prejudice aside!

Nike Camouflage Burnout Tank - Gray!

I hunted down the gray version of the Nike Camouflage Burnout tank that I had bought in black a while ago!  When this tank went on sale at Sport Chalet, it was all sold out in smaller sizes in the store I went to.  I needed a size small, so they had to order one for me from a different store and have it shipped.  It took a little while, but it finally arrived!  I'm happy because I love the style of this tank and I don't really own any tanks in this athletic gray color, let alone a burnout tank which has been one of my favorites lately.

I'm wearing the Lorna Jane Sunrise bra in pale flouro orange under it, which matches the Nike logo of the tank.  :)

Sunday Funday!

Omg I'm so tired I wish I had taken tomorrow off work!  LA FitExpo was this weekend and I worked both days for Elisabetta Rogiani's booth.  If you haven't heard of her, she makes couture fitness clothing.  Her brand is the #1 go to brand for fitness photoshoots, so you have probably seen a lot of models and magazine covers featuring her products.  She also makes really awesome 3/4 workout tights too, in many fun colors!  I can honestly say that her fabric quality is the best, bar none.  You can tell by just feeling it.  When you stretch it out, you can tell that it's much denser than other brand's yoga pants.  But it's not too thick and won't make you overheat at all, so it's really great.  I actually haven't worn any of her products until this weekend, so I can't wait to actually test them out during a workout.

I don't think I'll ever work at an event like this again though.  Physical work is tiring!  Lol!  You stand on your feet all day and... my body is just not used to that anymore due to sitting all day at my desk job!  I'm getting too old for this kinda thing.. lol!  But I am glad I did it this weekend.  I saw and met a lot of super fit and inspirations people, many of whom are fitness models, or just regular people in really good shape!  The LA FitExpo is the biggest in the country so there were many rather famous guest appearances there (you can check out their website for the full list of celebrity attendees).  We had one ourselves!  Maria Kang, the "no excuse mom", was at our booth both days.  Many many people stopped by to take photos with her and meet her.  She's very sweet.  If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, you probably already saw this picture I took with her during a tiny break when no one else was around!  We are both wearing head to toe Rogiani of course.

Anyways, so before I get my old butt to bed, here are this week's workouts and outfits!

Monday 1/20 - Rest day!

Tuesday 1/21

What I did:  My circuit #1!  Then 30 minute cardio on 15% incline treadmill as usual.  I know you have been asking me to write more detailed workouts and I promise I will do it soon!

What I wore:  Splits59 Sabrina tank in granita, with Lululemon free to be bra in power purple under it, and my new Athleta Chaturanga crop in purple plaid, and Nike Free Bionics in black.

I like this tank with these crops, because they both have gray and purple!

The purple in the top is not exactly the same as the purple in the pants, but good enough.  :)

I wore the Splits59 Dallas hoodie in twilight/nude as to and from:

Wednesday 1/22

What I did:  Circuit #2!  Then cardio again.  I only had time for 15 min of cardio, but I figured 15 would be better than 0.

What I wore:  New Lorna Jane Team LJ tank and Victoria's Secret Supermodel Cami bra in sweetest orange. I love the look of this tank but as I mentioned previously, the number and stripes that are heat pressed on tend to be sticky on the stretching floor.  I had to literally peel myself off lol.  I wore deep indigo Lululemon Ebb & Flow crops since they match the navy in the tank.  Nike Frees in violet.

Splits59 Vail cutout pullover in ice/marianna blue as to and from:

Thursday 1/23

What I did:  Well, it was rest day from weights, but I went to pilates!  I love pilates.

What I wore:  Splits59 Ashby tanks in yucca over white, and Lululemon free to be bra in white under it.  Super matchy-matchy Splits59 Joan B 3/4 tight in yucca on the bottom.  

So, I actually wore the same top to work that day too.  Lol.  But I put the Express oversized drape neck sweater over, and wore it with the Express tweed corset pencil skirt and Sam Edelman Mallory slingbacks.  I think it actually doesn't look like workout clothes at all!  Hehe.

Friday 1/24
What I did:  Circuit #1 again!  Despite really not wanting to go to the gym.  But I made it, yay!  I even finished my cardio.  :)

What I wore:  Lululemon Cross My Heart tank in silverspoon with Beyond Yoga Gathered Legging in mojave and Nike Frees in gray/crimson.

Alo Sport hooded sweater as to and from:

Saturday 1/25

What I did:  I went to do my last workout of the week before heading to the FitExpo.  So I did my circuit 2, and then had to cut short my cardio again!  Oh well.

What I wore:  Splits59 Sabrina Razor in teal/navy/fire, Lululemon free to be bra in faded zap under, and Lululemon Inspire crop in deep zinfandel.  I am really happy with these Inspire crops and very glad I got them.  Love the color!  I wore the Nike Frees in gray/crimson again since crimson goes so well with the orange "fire" color of the tank.

I love this tank... the fit is relaxed but still flattering.  

I was supposed to do my 20 minute stadium stairs workout today, but I didn't make it.  I was too tired from yesterday so I slept in a little.  Then all I had time to do was have brunch and then headed to the FitExpo again.  Didn't get home till like 8:30 pm!  I feel like I didn't really have a weekend!  Then I still have 5 more work days to go.... whaaaaa!  :(  Time to head to bed.  Goodnight everyone!  Hope your weekend was more relaxed than mine!