Lululemon Move It Messenger Bag - Sidewalk

 

I had to get the Lululemon Move It Messenger in Sidewalk (gray) the other day.   This came out about two weeks ago in stores, and I didn't think I needed a messenger bag then so I didn't get it right away.  Then it came out online about a week ago, and the gray one sold out super fast.  So by the time I decided that I wanted to get it, they only had black and pink left. Then a couple days later, all the colors were sold out.  I had to call multiple stores to ask if they still had the gray one, and Santa Monica had just one left that was on their mannequin.  So they put it on hold for me and I went to get it about an hour later.  They told me that someone already tried to steal it!  But they held it for me of course.  I guess everyone wants this bag for some reason and they flew off the shelves like crazy!  So I'm glad I got the last one available in the color I wanted!

I like the gray one the best because it has the pink zipper.  Plus it's a nice classic color anyway.  I think the pink zipper is a nice pop of color though, and that makes the bag unique.  Black is a little boring for me.  It would be cool if they put a teal zipper in or something, then I would definitely get it.  I wouldn't mind the pink bag, but I wish the zipper was a contrasting color too.  Besides, I think gray is a little more versatile, especially for those days that I don't feel like being so perky with a bright pink bag!

I got the Move It Messenger because it looks very cute as a gym bag or an everyday bag, or a travel bag.  It looks very slick.  And it is VERY large.  In fact, I feel like it almost buries my frame when I carry it haha.  Since my work is moving, I won't be able to come home after the gym in the mornings and drop off my gym bag before going to work.  So I figured I would use the Move It Messenger as a gym bag for a while.  That way I can have a big space to store my gym gear and still be stylish and not have to lug a gym bag or duffle bag around.

I really like how the Move It Messenger is one large bag from the flap to the bottom of the bag.  Basically the zipper on the flap is the only way to access the bag.  So you lift up the flap, unzip it, and that's how you access the main compartment of the bag.  When the flap is folded down and zipped up, there is no way anything would fall out of the bag.  Nor would anyone be able to steal anything unless they cut the bag open.  My stuff will be very secure that way.  There are also 2 big additional pouches on the front with pockets for phone and ipod, and whatever else you would like to store.  That's easy to access, you just lift up the flap a little and you would be able to reach those pockets.  The back of the bag is also a big zipper pocket, and it's supposed to be able to fit a 15 inch lap top.  Though I think a 17 inch might fit too!  Like I said, it's a really big bag.  

I used it for the first time today, and I put in a pair of high heel sandals, jeans, whole gym outfit, makeup, wallet, and other misc. little things and it still wasn't even half full.  Wow.  But since the inside compartment is one gigantic pocket, everything is stored altogether.  I think stuff could get lost in there pretty easily and would require lots of searching around. 

The bag also has no shape of its own, so it collapses when there's nothing in it.  But I think it still looks decent even when it's almost empty, it still looks like a messenger bag, so that doesn't bother me with this bag.  The shoulder strap also has room for cell phone.  That is very convenient, except it's just a little bit tight for my iphone.  I would have to shove it in.  And it doesn't fit all the way in, so I highly doubt I will use this feature unless I don't mind losing my phone.  The shoulder strap is not padded at all, and that makes the bag quite uncomfortable on the shoulder when it's heavy.  I don't like that.  What's the point of having a bag that could fit literally everything when it hurts your shoulder to carry it?  I wish they would have put a little padding on it like on their gym bags.  I wonder if I should get one of those car seat belt padding thingies and use on this bag!  LOL!  Definitely would be comfortable...

I normally carry a purse for my day to day activities.  Of course I have Lululemon gym bags that I use for the gym.  But lately I've been unhappy with my gym bags which is why I wanted another bag also.  I have the Essential Gym Bag in aruba / manifesto.  

It's a nice bag that comes with all the marked pockets, removable pouches for dirty shoes and sweaty cothes, lap top holder, yoga mat strap, etc. etc.  But I got tired of the color.  I feel too much like a middle school girl when I carry this bag.  Plus it is on the small side.  Though it's wide, and can hold my sneakers as well as spin shoes and a change of clothes all at the same time.   I just would like a little more room for extras.  I wish I had got the black one instead.  I actually got the black for my mom and she uses it to travel, she loves it!

The material of the black one is a very nice and soft leather feel, versus the fabric material on mine.  It's much nicer.  Plus the inside has purple manifesto swirl which is super cute!

 

I think I will put my Essential Gym Bag on ebay soon.   I don't think I will use it again, not even as a travel bag, since it's too small for that unless I plan to be gone only one night or something.  

I got the Get Set Go Duffle when it went on sale a couple months ago and I have been using it as a gym bag ever since.  I actually used it to travel first, which was VERY nice.  It is much bigger than the Essential Gym Bag, and it fits even more in it than you would think possible.  I can definitely use this bag for a weekend trip and would have no problem fitting everything.

 

I got the Coal/Antidote color.  The antidote accent lines look yellow in the picture, but they are actually more green in real life.  It's pretty bright, and the coal portion really looks black.  It is very very dark.  I don't mind this color combo.  It gives the dark coal color more pop.  And overall it's more muted than my Essential Gym Bag since it is mostly coal still, so I can definitely use it more.  The only problem I have with this bag is that it doesn't have any shape to it.  So when it's not filled to the top with stuff, it can basically bend into any shape, which are not very attractive looking usually.  Sometimes it just looks like an odd shaped ball of fabric when I use the shoulder strap.  So I would have to use the handles instead and wear it more like a purse.  It retains its shape much better that way, since the handles pull from front and back of the bag, and the shoulder strap pulls from the sides.  But I think this bag is better as a travel duffle than a gym bag.  So I will see how the Move It Messenger works for a while, but I have a feeling I will buy another gym bag.  Just because the messenger style bag may not be the best to use as a gym bag.  Who knows, we'll see.  No hurry though, I'm going to wait until an absolutely perfect one comes along and decide!

Free Lululemon Goodies!!!

So I went to my local Lululemon store's run club tonight to do my usual Thursday night 10k runs.  I was pleasantly surprised when I showed up, and the ladies at the store told me that they wanted me to test out an item and then keep it!  Sweet!!  I mean how awesome is Lululemon??  I don't know any other stores that do this, this is really making the customer feel special!  Very smart marketing, definitely keeps me going back!

My choices were the Run:Swiftly Tech in Fruitie Tootie in size 4:

 

The Run:Swiftly Racerback in dark classic sport grey in size 6:

 

And another older gray sleeveless tank with pink accents and a drawstring on the bottom.  Looser fit.  I don't know the name of it, but it was cute.  I would have maybe chosen it but they only had it in size 8 which is 2 sizes bigger than my regular size.  

I ended up choosing the Run:Swiftly Tech in fruitie tootie.  The color will match the Astro Crops I received yesterday!!  I actually have always wanted to try this top on, but for some reason never did.  So I never knew how cute it was on!  I have the long sleeve version of it - the Run:Swiftly Tech LS.  I always thought that $68 for the long sleeve top vs. $58 for a short sleeve - meaning $10 more for more material seems like a better deal!  Haha... but hey the short sleeve is cute and probably more practical for the gym, and I have no problem wearing it around when it's free!  I also chose it over the Swiftly Racerback because the racerback is SO big, even though only one size up from my normal size.  The under arm part dipped so low that my entire sports bra underneath was showing on the sides.  Not cool.  I guess it's a different fit.  I didn't like it.  But of course will have to try it on in my size or a size down and make my final judgment.

Well, I wore the Swiftly Tech tonight right away during the run!  It's very lightweight, and feels like you are not wearing anything when you have it on.  The length is longer also so it's more flattering.  It doesn't fit too tightly around the stomach so that's nice.  It also has mesh and vent all over the place to let out air.  And silverescent is supposed to be anti-stink as well.  It was too cold to wear it alone though, so I wore the Run:Spirit Pullover over it (amazing top).  

 

It was just perfect!  The silverescent material of the Swiftly Tech wicked away my sweat like magic!  And the Run Spirit Pullover kept me nice and warm!  I love it!  I normally take off my sweaty clothes right when I get home, but tonight I was very hungry so I decided to make food first wearing the Swiftly Tech.  As a result, I discovered that during the short 10-15 minutes of cooking (George Foreman grill!), the Swiftly Tech went from being drenched in sweat to being COMPLETELY DRY!  OMG!  I could not believe it.  I know the description said "quick dry", but THAT quick?!?  I really didn't expect that!  I never knew this about the silverescent material since I always chuck away my sweaty clothes so quickly after I'm done working out.  This is really something...

I had a very good run tonight, finished my 10k in 40 something minutes which is probably the fastest for me!  I'm so glad I'm improving more and more each week.  I really can notice a big difference from just 2 months ago when they first formed the run club.  Or maybe my performance tonight was due to my new Lululemon Ultimate Running socks?!?

 

I had never tried on Lululemon socks before tonight but picked these up from the store yesterday.  I was wary to shell out $14 for ONE pair of socks.  Seemed like a rip off.  But since I do work out a lot, I figured good socks may make a difference so I decided to give them a try.  The description made them sound pretty awesome - wicking, protect against shoe laces, minimize blisters, etc. etc.  I liked them but not sure if they are worth that much.  They were comfortable and cute, but I didn't notice that much of a difference from my Nike dry fit running socks.  I may have to wear them more to tell.  I also got a pair of the men's version of this sock for my boyfriend who always gets huge blisters from running!  They seemed to work well for him tonight since his feet don't look nearly as destroyed as usual!

Speaking of him, I forgot to say that he actually got a free shirt at Lululemon too!  Since we usually go to the run club together, the girls wanted to thank us for always being there, and as a "Valentine's day gift".  Haha... so cute!  He got the Metal Vent Tech SS in classic sport grey / Split Pea.  It's the same shirt that Bob Harper always wears on the Biggest Loser, in blue though.  It's made of the same silverescent material as the Swiftly Tech and retails for $64.  Pretty cool shirt!  Very nice feel and also drys SUPER fast like mine.  It's my boyfriend's first Lululemon item ever!  Well other than the socks I bought him yesterday.  This is a very exciting step hehehe.  Maybe now he will understand my obsession and stop rolling his eyes when I spend $100 on a pair of pants or whatever.  Sometimes you really do get what you pay for! 

 

So after we finished our run tonight, we got another great surprise!  All the girls received free Luon Headbands, and the guys got Luon Running Caps.   

 

I got the purple one like the picture above, and a very pale pink one, almost white.  My boyfriend got the running cap in bold blue, which is a dark blue/purple color.

I have lots of Lululemon headbands, such as the Slipless Headband, which has a silicone grip on the inside that sticks and supposedly makes it stay in place.  But they never stay that well on my head.  I think I have a somewhat larger head, or lots of hair, so it's just a little tight on me, and tends to slip backwards (and eventually slip off if I don't keep fixing it) if I do any high impact activities.  So I guess it ain't "slipless" afterall.

 

I also have the Satin Pirouette Headband, which is very pretty.  It's a thinner headband, and the material is shiny - not sure if it's really satin or just looks like satin.  I like how it says "lululemon" in small print on it, vs. the silver logo like all the other headbands.  That way it is more inconspicuous.  I actually hate having the big old reflecting logo on my forehead most of the time so I always rotate my headbands so that the logo is either hidden or to the side.  The satin pirouette headband also has grip on the inside.  The end has 3 closures so you can adjust the fit based on the size of your head.  But this headband is extremely tight on me.  Even using the last closure, it's still very very tight, like barely fits.  And it does not stay in place well as a result.  I have to put bobby pins on it in order to make it stay.  But once I do that, it actually stays perfectly.  So I just have to do that extra annoying step.

 

I had never tried on the good old simple Luon Headband until tonight.  I think I might like it better than my other ones!  It's definitely looser and fits more comfortably on my big head.  It doesn't have slipless grip on the inside, but I think it just might stay better since it feels lighter and is more stretchy.  I don't know, we'll see when I try it out in spin class tomorrow morning!  

I put on my boyfriend's running cap too.  It's actually cuter than I thought it would be.  I know his is for men, but it's actually big enough for my head.  Though it does resemble a swim cap, I think it would be pretty good to wear on the chilly Southern California nights since it's lightweight luon!

But hey, I am thrilled to have gotten my free stuff!  I feel like I worked hard for them though!  It's definitely great to have worked hard and gotten reward for it!  I have almost logged 50 miles total with the run club, I think two more 10ks will get me there.  The first 10 people of the run club to reach it also get Lululemon gift cards which will definitely be useful to me!  My boyfriend already said I could have his too hehe.  We are pretty much guaranteed to be among the first 10 people, we have not missed a single week.  So I'm looking forward to that too!  

I hope I will still be able to go to the run clubs after my work moves next week though.  I will be in downtown LA and 15 miles away from the Brentwood Lululemon store.  =(  So sad!  But if I left downtown at 5 pm, I just might be able to make it back by 6:15 in traffic.  Thursday night traffic is the worst too so maybe I will have to leave like at 4:30.  We'll see I guess.  Definitely NOT looking forward to that though!  I guess my 2 years of good fortune of being able to walk to work is wearing out.

Lululemon Astro Crop - Black / Bon Bon / Paradise

 

I bought the Lululemon Astro Crop in Black / Bon Bon / Paradise from ebay the other day and was so excited to find that they were delivered today!  I really missed out on these when they were in stores.  I remember not being able to find my size anywhere except the blue ones, but I just can't rock blue pants.  All my pants are black or gray, with different colored waistbands of course.  However boring that is.  I just can't branch out to different colored bottoms!  Maybe I would consider navy... shirts would be a different story - I have the whole rainbow spectrum!

Anyway, so ever since these were sold out in stores and online, I had been looking for them on ebay.  For at least 6 months now.  They are never on ebay, the only time I saw one in my size was all black, with dark gray accent in the front "V" part.  Not ideal, but I bid on them anyways.  But someone outbid me!  I was very surprised, because I have the whole ebay bidding technique down pretty good.  It is very rare that I would lose out on an item I bid on.  So I was sad to have lost those.  But the wait finally paid off!  I couldn't believe it when I saw the black/ bon bon/ paradise ones for buy it now or best offer at $65 brand new with tags!  It's one of 2 best colors that these pants came out with in my opinion.  Well, I was very close to buying them right then for $65, but then I thought maybe I'd put in an offer for the price they went on sale for at Lululemon, which was $59.  That way, after paying $6 shipping, I would be paying $65 total, which would be the amount I would have to pay for taxes if I bought it at the store.  So I did that, and the whole time I waited, I was so nervous that someone would snatch them up for the full price before the seller made a decision on my offer!  But fortunately the seller agreed to that price, and I won them just like that!  It only took 3 days for me to get them, but I was very very anxious the whole time.

So tonight was very exciting for me!  I couldn't wait to rip out the package and try them on!  Of course, true to all Lululemon items, they are so comfy and super cute on.  I love the wide waistband, and these are lower rise than the Groove pants.  Since I think Grooves are a bit too high, these are just perfect.  The front has 3 different colors and they form a "V" shape.  The crops are shorter than other Lululemon crops too.  They hit right below the knee on me.  This is another big plus for me because I hate how long the crops are usually (about calve length).  I think that weird length makes me look shorter and disproportional, like super short legs.  So I always get my crops hemmed to right below the knee length (thank God for their free hemming service!), just like the length of the Astro Crops!  The end of the legs on the Astro Crops don't flare out or anything, so it's a pretty straight leg fit.  These fit pretty snug around the thighs.  But the fit around the hips are not as snug as the Grooves, which means they might fall down a little during exercise.  I do wish they were just a wee bit tighter, then they would be perfect!  Maybe they aren't meant to be worn during high impact activities.

But I am very happy with them, and I can see myself going to the gym or lounging around in them.  Though most shirts I have will completely cover the pretty waistband, I do have one shirt that matches the colors perfectly!  The Move Tank in light heathered bon bon!  The straps and satin details are exactly the same color as the pants so yay!  I got the shirt hemmed a bit shorter too so perhaps some of the waistband will peak out when I'm bending or jumping around at the gym wearing this outfit.

 

I really hope Lululemon comes out with some new pretty crops like the Astro Crop for the spring, in pretty colors and different designs.  It's not looking like it though because it is now already February and all they are doing is coming out with bright pink or blue Wunder Under tights.  Ewww.  That is just so 80s, or for 12 year old girls?  I like my black or denim Wunder Unders from Lulu, but that's as far as I'll go.  So maybe the summer will bring more pretty crops?  I can only hope.

In the meantime, I am going to continue looking for Astro Crops on ebay.  I really want the Coal/ Aruba/ Heathered Aruba color.

 

It's gorgeous!  I know they also came out with running tights in this color combination, I forgot the name of them though.  So if I happen to see a pair on ebay or something, I will be sure to snatch them up too!

Everyone Worth Knowing - Lauren Weisberger

 

I just finished reading Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger.  She's the same author that wrote The Devil Wears Prada, which was immensely popular especially due to the movie with Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.  Hard to believe that The Devil Wears Prada was her very first book ever to have published!  I personally didn't find the book that great.  In fact, it gave me a lot of stress reading it.  But I do think it's a cute idea (and a great title) and I did like the movie a lot.  Then I read her next book Chasing Harry Winston, again another great title to get all the girls to grab it right away.  I liked it more than the first one, and I heard that they are making it into a movie or a TV show too.  But not sure if/when that will happen.

I think Lauren Weisberger definitely came out at the right time with all this "chick lit" stuff being very popular as a result of authors like Candace Bushnell (think Sex and the City, Lipstick Jungle, etc.).  I guess there is something very captivating to read or watch about the lives of the "young and fabulous".  It's like watching Heidi and Spencer on The Hills, hating them but can't stop watching at the same time just to see what stupid shit they are up to next.  The main characters in these books are always a "regular" girl, very relate-able to the rest of us, and quite content being invisible.  But they somehow always manage to get their foot into the "other world" of the elite society, however willing or unwilling.  Of course the girls always have a job like a writer most of the time (for fashion and social magazines and newspaper columns), an aspiring writer, a fashion designer, or in PR.  The stories are pretty similar too, the girl will either have a rich girl friend or meet a nice rich guy (who they fall in love with) who introduces them into the other world.  They will in turn have fabulous high end designer shoes, purses, clothes, accessories, but they always remain true to their former selves, and realize at the end what truly matters.  Ok there, that's the gist of all the plots in every single one of these books.

Of course, however predictable the plots are, I still have read all of them!  They are just fun and entertaining to read.  If you start reading them knowing that they won't be the next greatest English novel, then you will most likely enjoy them more.  I guess I could use my spare time more wisely by reading classics, but sometimes I just don't want to think too much!  Haha... these books are totally easy reads that I can finish in a few days.  They don't use big words, and they have some funny plots/conversations and pop culture references.  I'm sure the authors bank on this type of books though, especially when they get made into movies or shows.  Not a bad life at all!  Maybe I should look into this... afterall, it doesn't seem to require much writing skills to be able to become a chick lit writer!  I just need to have some decent ideas, come up with an amazing girly title and cover, and really learn about all the high end brands and popular restaurants/places (I'm almost there already!).  All in the name of "research".

Anyway, back to Everyone Worth Knowing.  Like I said, the plot and writing style are pretty much exactly the same as the other books.  The main character Bette starts as a girl with a regular banking job in NYC, gets fed up and quits.  Then stumbles upon a job in the "it" PR firm, then her life transforms and she's frequenting fabulous places with fabulous people.  Of course there is a guy or two in the plot as well.  I don't want to spoil too much.  It seems that Lauren Weisberger has been developing her characters a little better than her prior books.  For example, Bette comes from an extremely hippie family, and she has a gay Republican uncle.  So at least there are some more colorful characters that are memorable.  All in all I enjoyed reading it.  I would give it 3 stars out of 5. 

My Recent Lululemon Ebay Sells

I've had to sell a few Lululemon items on Ebay lately because my closet and drawers are overflowing with them.  I have so many things that were worn only a few times and thrown to the back of the closet and forgotten about.  What a waste!  So I thought I'd try to recoup some of my money by selling them to someone else who might actually find better use for them.  In my experience from the past, ebay has a HUGE Lululemon market, and I am able to sell most of my stuff for about the same price I paid, sometimes more!  Depending on how popular / hard to find an item is.  For example, I got the Lulu Bomber Jacket on sale for $52.

I put it on ebay for starting bid $49, thinking that it would maybe go up 10-20 bucks, that way I would make back my taxes and ebay/paypal fees.  But it ended up getting over 30 bids and sold for $180!  Crazy!!

So, my latest sells are as follows

Athletic Deep V in black pinstripe

 

I LOVE Athletic Deep V tanks, and own about 5 of them.   They are so figure flattering.  The A line style falls perfectly to give a very nice skinny waist look.  There is mesh on the neckline, under the rib cage, and all over the back for breathability.  It's very supportive, but since it's low cut, many people with bigger boobs have to go up a size.  I find that I don't really need to go up a size, but the built in bra band is a bit tighter than my other Lululemon tanks.  So maybe if I went up a size it would be more comfortable!  There is an ipod pocket in the back too which I love.  It is big enough for my iPhone!  The first version of the Athletic Deep V tank also has a plastic ipod cord holder on the side which is pretty cool too.  Not sure why they got rid of that feature in later models.  I guess it could be a little bit annoying having it hang there all the time when you are not using an ipod.  But anyway, that's minor.  

This tank is a very iconic Lululemon design.  It's definitely on the short side.  While I like longer length tanks in general, I do like the length of this tank because it allows the colorful band of whatever pants I wear to show.  I know it's silly, but I love the designs on my Lululemon pants around the hips (I never buy all black pants, I always buy ones with pretty designs on the band), and feel like it's a waste when they don't show through because my tank is covering them!  I wanted to sell this tank since I have so many other colors I like better that I never got around to wearing this one.  And now I'm trying to stop buying this style because it kind of makes me feel like a soccer mom (soccer mom types usually sport this around and seem to love it lol...).  So this tank retails $52, but I got it for like $30 or something.  Sold for $30 as well for 100% return!

Next, I have sold two of my Salutation Tanks.

These are organic cotton tanks, and I love the design of them.  They have thick straps on one side of the shoulder which are very supportive.  The other side has satin thin bra strap which is removable, so you get two looks in one!  They have built in bra shelf with option of bra inserts.  They are pretty long in length, but both sides have strings to pull and cinch them up to adjust the length however you want.  I love the colors too - heathered lolo purple and heathered oasis.   I had to let go of them though because 1. since they are cotton, they are not exactly best to work out in.  And 2. I found they cut in weird under my armpits to kind of push some skin out and give the illusion of armpit fat.  Ugh.  Super annoying.  I felt very self-conscious when I wore them, which is why I never really did wear them more than once or twice.  I bought the purple one at the SoHo store in NYC when I visited last September, and fell in love with it, so I bought the oasis one when I got back home.  After I got two, I realized that I really didn't like the "armpit fat" factor.  I got them both on sale though for $39 each.  I was able to sell the purple one for $40 and oasis one for $27 on ebay.  Not bad.  There are actually tons of this tank on ebay, but they are all buy it now at something ridiculous like $79.  They retailed at $52 so I don't know who would want to buy them at $79.  Whatever.  I started my bid on these at $24.  

Next, the Hip Slit Crops in black / frisby sunset floral, which is a very pretty blue floral print.

I liked these, they are low rise crops, and they have snap buttons on the bottom of the legs to adjust opening.  I actually got them new with tags on ebay for $42 before.  Wore them under 5 times.  My main problem with them was the low rise.  I thought that I would like it, because I find the Groove pants a little too high, though lovely.  But these were just a bit too low that they tend to fall a bit when I'm working out, and I hate adjusting my clothing when I'm working hard.  So, as much as I love the blue floral print, I had to let it go.  I was able to sell it for $45.  I started the bid at $34, so yay!  Got my money back on this one too.

I had the perfect tank to match these pants as well - the Rock It Tank in frisky / aruba sunset floral.

I love the color scheme of this tank because the front had a very soft blue and the back looked like a different tank with the bright blue!  Of course the same floral print on one side, and white on the other.  Very unique.  It was also a long tank with open back so it kept me cool during my work outs.  It's made of luon light which is awesome to work out in too, like the Cool Racerback tanks which I adore.  I got this tank when it was on sale for $39, even though it was a size 6.  I loved the print so much that I thought I would be able to wear one size up!  Well, I was wrong.  And Lululemon sale items are final sale, so I couldn't return it.  It was just a tad big!  When I was working out in this tank, the straps kept on falling off my shoulder.  Very annoying.  It was just a little too baggy all the way around and did not look put together.  I was very sad to have to get rid of it.  I started the bid for it at $19 and only got two bids so sold for $20.  Oh well, at least it made someone happy!  Maybe I will keep my eye out for the same one in a size 4 on ebay.  

The Shade Tank is my last latest sale. 

I think this tank (in different colors) has been on sale on the Lululemon website for like the past year?!?  Well, I guess I can see why.  I mean, it's not bad.  It's very thick, like much thicker than my other Lulu tanks.  So I guess that could be good or bad.  Good because it NEVER showed my sweat.  Inside could be soaked, but looked 100% dry from the outside.  Bad because it was just too thick!  It has nice features like the cut accentuates the curves, and it's got hidden pockets on the side of the tank for keys, gym cards, etc.  But I was never too crazy about it.  To me, it was just a whatever tank, I wore it maybe twice and got tired of it.  I rather buy Cool Racerbacks if I wanted a normal tank.  At least those are light weight and super flattering!  Plus I wear them to hang around the house too, not only to the gym.  I just could never like the Shade Tank enough to wear it around on a regular basis.  I also listed it at $19 and sold it at $19.  Good.  I was scared no one else would want it either!  

Ebay has been a great help in selling my stuff!  Love it!  I do buy quite a few things from there as well.  I'm just glad that it provides me with an outlet to get some of my money back from my impulse purchases instead of having them go to waste.  Their fees are quite high though, combined with Paypal fees, which really sucks.  But it makes me feel a little better when I decide to buy a "final sale" item from Lulu that I've never tried on before, knowing that I could always resell it on ebay if I hated it.  Speaking of which, they just uploaded a BUNCH of stuff on the sale section on their website today!  Mostly older items no one has seen in years.  But some really cute stuff too!  Like they have the Tri Babe Shorts which are probably great spin / triathlon shorts.  And also the Globe Trot Short that are also tight shorts that end around the knee area with a cute little reversible belt.  Both for $29, which is a great deal.  But they both only have size 6 available, which I am seriously debating getting anyways.  Since they are tight shorts, maybe I could get away with one size up!

Lululemon Clarity Vest & Principle Jacket

Lululemon Clarity Vest

 

While I was at the Lululemon store last night,  I tried on the new Clarity Vest that just came in this week.  They didn't have the white color as pictured though.  They only had the pink one, which was cute too but I would probably like the white one better.  It was very very light, when I put it on it felt like I wasn't wearing anything.  It was like a very light windbreaker, except I don't think it would do anything to keep me warm and the wind away.  So it's pretty much like wearing a plastic bag with arms cut out.  The fit was fine, seemed true to size, and length was good.  But it was priced outrageously at $98!  So needless to say, I had to pass on it.  Woah... I mean come on, I would consider buying it for $60 *maybe*, definitely not for $98.  It was cute but nothing special.  For how thin it was, definitely a rip off.  I don't understand why Lululemon thinks this is a reasonable price for it while we are still in this recession!  I can't imagine anyone would want to pay that price for it at any time actually, especially considering it doesn't do anything for warmth!  I'm waiting for a big price adjustment and then I will reconsider.

Lululemon Principle Jacket

  

I had been eying the Principle Jacket for a couple weeks now.   Admittedly, I did think it was weird looking in the beginning, and I don't think it looks very attractive on this model.  But it was also a little intriguing at the same time.  I read on the Lululemon Facebook page that a lot of thinner girls seem to love it, but girls with bigger mid section thought it was unflattering.  Well, good thing I work out hard to keep my stomach flat!  Hehe.  So I had been wanting to try it on for a while.  But the past 3 times or so I'd been to Lululemon stores last week, I was either sweaty (the Santa Monica store is a block away from Equionx fitness at the Promenade that I go to sometimes), or wearing something too thick to put anything over it, and was too lazy to go into the fitting room.

Well, they were out of my size 4 at the store last night so I tried on size 6.  It was definitely a little big so I think size 4 would have been perfect.  But I actually really liked the collar.  I didn't zip it up as high as the model in the picture, and had the collar popped up a little bit.  So it looked very chic.  I also like the black and blue contrast.  The bottom of the jacket stopped right around the thinnest part of my wasitline, so it was a flattering look.  I think it made me look taller and thinner!  But I can definitely see how someone with a pooch in the stomach or love handles may not like it, because it will definitely be showing out there!  

I actually didn't see the double blue lines down the back of the jacket when I tried it on, so I thought the back was completely black.  I'm not sure if I like those lines.  I think they make the jacket look more like a work out piece, which would not be my intended use for it if I bought it.  I would probably wear it out shopping or running errands, or something like that.  The thinner material and short length is perfect for the mostly warm southern California weather.

Well obviously I wasn't going to buy the jacket when it wasn't even my size, but even if it was the right size, I still probably would have passed.  Because, it's priced at $108!  For half of a jacket!  I can get a thick Lululemon Remix Hoodie, or a very technical running top for $98 - $99, why would I want to spend $108 for a thin half jacket thingy?!  Again, would definitely reconsider my decision if the price was say $30 cheaper.

Maybe this item will be price adjusted too?  Since a lot of people think it's ugly.  I can only hope!  I'm quite proud of myself now for not spending a single cent in weeks at Lululemon, especially considering how often I go to the stores.  But perhaps it's because they have not had any exciting items lately, I know I don't usually have that much self-control when I really want something!  Maybe this is why I've been looking for older things I missed on eBay (Run:Hills Pullover from my post yesterday...)

Lululemon Run:Hills Pullover

I bought the Lululemon Run:Hills Pullover in heathered ivory stripe from ebay the other day.  It arrived in the mail today.

Though I have a lot of Lululemon run tops (Run:Spirit Pullover, Run:Sport Henley, Run:Brisk, Run:Energy Pullover, Run:Swiftly Tech, etc. etc.), I actually had never bought the Hills Pullover before (hard to believe since it is a pretty popular Lulu piece).  When I decided to finally get one, it was sold out everywhere.  That's why I had to resort to ebay.  I had never tried it on before either, but I bought my usual size 4, and I was just hoping that it ran true to size.  I paid more than I'd liked (grrrr!!!) but whatever I guess, since it looks so cute on!

The black side panels definitely have a major slimming effect.  It is a tight fitting shirt and hugs every curve.  I feel like I can't hide anything in this so it will motivate me to work out hard everyday!  The zipper in the front of the shirt when zipped all the way down is pretty low - shows some cleavage.  But it's cuter down (or 80% down) than up in my opinion.  It fits really perfectly around the shoulders, arms and chest.  The length is really perfect on this shirt as well.  It hits about half way down the butt when it's completely pulled down.  I like slightly longer fitting shirts, especially work out shirts, since they tend to ride up a little with movement, so the longer length will ensure that no skin will be showing.  Of course this shirt also has mesh down the arms, thumb holes, cuffins, and hidden pocket on the back (a really big one too!), which are all pretty standard Lulu features.  I LOVE the slightly bigger pocket - it will have no problem fitting my iphone as well as some cash and credit card. 

I went on a 7 mile run tonight and tested the shirt out.  It's made of luxtreme fabric, so it's not as warm as running luon.  Tonight was a bit cool so I was cold at the beginning.  But when I started running it was perfect.  The material had very good wicking ability.  I was wearing luxtreme bottoms (Run:Passion Crops - can you tell I love the Lululemon run line?) as well, so I stayed pretty dry!  I was amazed because the shirt didn't ride up at all.  I expected it to ride up, since it's luxtreme which is pretty slippery.  When I wear my luxtreme pants with luon shirts, the shirts usually ride up because of the slipperiness of the pants.  Since I was wearing luxtreme in both top and bottom, I thought for sure I would need to adjust it a lot.  But I didn't have to pull it up - not even once, not even a little bit - during the entire 7 mile run!  What the heck?  Maybe when it's luxtreme on luxtreme they stick to each other or something?  Hahaha probably not but it was pretty awesome!  I guess I would have to credit the design of the shirt for that.  My other run shirts from Lululemon don't move much either, but every time I run in them, I would have to pull them up a few times.  This one was very impressive!

So, I hope this shirt makes a come back in more different and fun colors/patterns!  I will definitely buy another one.  This may be my favorite run shirt from Lululemon.  I do wonder if it ever came in running luon material though.  That would just make it absolutely perfect!