Swarovski Erin Crystal Drop Earrings

My latest Gilt purchase came in the mail today.  I had used my credit to get the Swarovski Erin Crystal Drop Earrings.  They were selling for $48 on Gilt instead of the retail $125 price tag.  I had $50 credit, so I got them for free except $5 more for shipping.

Though I've never owned Swarovski jewelry, I always thought their stuff is really pretty.  Maybe because of the lighting and display at the stores, but they always look so shiny and delicate!  

Well I'm very happy with these earrings.  They are this gorgeous faint green color that kind of reflect other colors around it.  The size of the crystal is exactly what I expected - a little less than an inch long and about half an inch wide.  They don't feel heavy on my ears, and the way they move and catch the light give off pretty sparkles. 

The rest of the earrings are made of rhodium plated base metal.  Total length is 3.5 inches long and 0.6 inches wide.  Fishhook closure.  They fall right around my shoulders.  

I love these!  And I love the pretty deep blue signature Swarovski box they came in too.  I think these can be dressed up or down.  Maybe not for work, but they can be worn during a night out or to a cocktail party or something.  With jeans or dress/skirts.  Very versatile!  And very classy.  Can't wait to wear them!

Lululemon Cool Racerback Tank in Little Boy Blue and Lululemon Define Jacket in Angel Blue

I went to Lululemon today because I read online that they had come out with some new colors and products.  I had been wanting a blue Cool Racerback tank for a while, but they hadn't had any for a long time.  So when I saw pictures of it on their facebook page of 2 new blue colors, I was very excited!!

The darker blue one on the left is called Little Boy Blue, and the lighter one on the right is called Angel Blue.  I think these colors in this photo look pretty true to how they look in person.  I tried on both of them today, but I only bought the Little Boy Blue.  By the way, for some reason the name "Little Boy Blue" sounds a little perverted to me lol.  Anyway, the color is very pretty.  It's a nice rich color, but not bright, which I love since I don't do neon colors. 

I also bought the Define Jacket in Angel Blue.  I've tried on the Define Jacket in store a long time ago and LOVED the fit, but never bought one because I never liked any of the colors that it came in.  I had been wanting a blue one!  So it's perfect now that they came out in Angel Blue.  I would have liked it better if it came in Little Boy Blue though, I think that is a nice color for a jacket since it's darker.  Angel Blue is pretty though.  But I think I will keep the tags on this jacket for a while and see if it comes out in Little Boy Blue or an even prettier color that I can exchange it for.  

So my jacket is the one on the left of the pictures above.  Green is also a nice color, I didn't see it in my store though.  The purple one is ok, I'm not too crazy about it, though I think a lot of people like that color based on their facebook reviews.

The Define is a Lululemon core product - it's made of luon, and fits pretty tight.  But it's just such a flattering fit, it makes the shoulders look nice and straight while keeping the waist slim.  I love the back of this jacket because underneath the flap, it's all mesh and open, so it keeps you vented and cool.  Since it's made of luon, it can definitely be worn while working out or running, but I think I will mostly use it as a to and from jacket.  Or out running errands or something on the weekends.  All my other jackets from Lululemon have hoods, so it's nice to have one without!

I also tried on the new Groove Pants that's black and reverses to coal.  It's a smart idea, because for the price of one, you get two very distinctly looking pants.  Black and coal are also two basic colors to have, so it's a great option.  But I didn't buy them because the luon felt different.  They felt silkier - like there were more polyester in them than my other luon items from Lululemon.  I don't know, they just felt a little cheap to me, but they were $10 more than normal Groove Pants at $108.  So I didn't feel like they were worth it.  Plus I tend to wear crops to work out in, especially now that summer is coming up.  I've been loving working out in Power Luxtreme bottoms (Run:Passion Crops, Run:Team Spirit Crops) instead of luon ones because they keep me much cooler, they have great compression and they are amazing at wicking sweat.  So I didn't feel the urgent need to shell out $108 on those pants.  

By the way, I just wanted to mention that I just washed a load of clothes consisted solely of Lululemon items (yes I have plenty Lulu items to make multiple loads).  Their washing instructions are: cold water with synthetic materials only (i.e. no natural fiber items such as cotton), no fabric softener, and hang to dry.  But I always put them in the dryer.  I do wash them in cold water with other synthetic materials only and no fabric softener - because same as everything, natural fibers always cling to clothes and make these fuzzy balls, and fabric softener tend to clog pores and prevent technical items' wicking ability.  But I always throw them in the dryer, under low setting though.  I have these front loading washer and dryer with lots of settings, and I use handwash setting for the washer and rack dry on low or extra low heat for the dryer.  I feel like the dryer makes my Lulu items much softer! 

Boxing

For the past few years, my Saturday ritual has been going to my favorite boxing class at the gym.  The class used to be in the boxing room with real hanging bags a couple years ago when it first started, but it could only hold 6 people max, so it moved to the bigger main studio with free standing bags (not as good of course, but does the job for us amateurs).  The instructor Brian is very good, and he would set up different stations for the students to rotate to.  The stations could be either punching the bags using different combinations (speed, power, etc.), or doing push ups, sit ups, weights, resistant bands, ropes, balls, etc. etc.  He is very creative!  So we would rotate from one station to another every few minutes until everyone has been to every station.  The hardest one though, is the one on one session with him.  He wears these mits and holds them out and tells you what punches to throw.  I'm always breathless within 30 seconds of my session with him.  But it's so fun!  And he is very encouraging.

Well yesterday was his last class.  He has a wife and kids and I guess Saturday class is getting to be too much for him since he wants to spend it with his family.  So yesterday he kicked our asses!  Not too many people showed up, so he could really work each of us individually hard.  I did one of my best sessions ever with him, and he said that I had become a much better boxer.  My back feels sore today, which is rare nowadays since I do box so often.  I remember the very first time I did it, I literally couldn't move for 2 days after!  My body hurt all over in places I never thought existed, even laughing or coughing hurt like hell.  But of course if you work those muscles often enough, they don't get like that anymore.  So for me to be this sore today, I know I worked out hard yesterday!  Boxing is definitely one of the best work outs out there.

But I'm so sad that now it's over.  What am I going to do on Saturdays now?  I've tried other boxing classes, but none have even come close to Brian's class.  You just can't substitute certain instructors.  Same as my Wednesday spin class instructor - they just got rid of her class out of nowhere and it was immensely popular!  Very upset that I'm paying over $150 a month for my gym membership and all my fav instructors are gone.  The only one I like now and can go to is my boot camp class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings but that's hardly worth the hefty membership due.  I mean I know I get to use the nice amenities such as Kiehl's products in the locker room, but for $150 a month I can go buy them over and over again.  Ugh!!!

This definitely feels like the end of an era.  I've been already slacking on going to the gym lately, and this does not give me motivation to go back.

Lululemon Scoop Bra - Fruity Tootie

I've been looking for a pink bra for a while, and when the Lululemon Scoop Bra in fruity tootie (hot pink) went on sale online end of last week for $29, I decided to get it. 

I have quite a few Scoop Neck Tanks, but had never tried on the bra.  However, I figured it would fit exactly the same as the tank so I went with my regular size. 

Well I was right, it fits pretty well.  And the color is exactly what I was looking for.  But I was a little disappointed to find that when I put my Cool Racerbacks over it, the neck line makes a pretty obvious indent underneath the tank.  I got this bra just to wear under my Cool Racerbacks since my other work out tanks all have built in bras.  I like that the color of the bra peaks out from the tank but I wish it would lay smoothly underneath!  

Oh well, I guess I can still wear it under my Run:Swiftly Tech shirts and other long sleeve running pullovers.  I'll have to play with it under different Cool Racerbacks too to adjust the fit and try to make it look better.  

By the way, I like this bra for the support and style.  The wide straps make it very comfortable around the neck.  It does not dig in at all, like the Flow Y bra does sometimes.  And it's not as tight as the Deep V bra.  The mesh in the back also cools you down.  So all in all, I think it is a good purchase!

Lululemon Dance Studio Pant II - White! Update!

I wrote a couple days ago that I got the Lululemon Dance Studio Pant II in white in size 4, and was debating whether to keep them or not.  I thought that they weren't as flattering as my coal ones in size 2 because the legs are wider, thus adding pounds to my silhouette.  But since they are SO rare and hard to find, I was tempted to just keep them anyway.  And they are oh-so-comfortable.  Since I very recently became a fan of these pants and found it justified to spend $100 on, I'm still in awe of how comfortable they are.

Well, today I called the GEC (again) to check their stock, which they told me they did not have a size 2 in their central warehouse (again).  I also called the Beverly Hills and Santa Monica stores near me, both of them said their size 2s were sold out within a day.  Argh!!  I'm always a day late calling!!  So I asked the GEC to check the stock for ALL the stores near me, which luckily is about 10 stores if I'm willing to drive an hour to the furthest one.  So luckily they told me that in fact some of the local stores did have size 2 in stock!  The Newport and Irvine stores in Orange County, and the El Segundo store in Manhattan Beach.  The El Segundo one is only about 15 miles away, so yay!  I called them right away to put them on hold and was going to go get them when I got off work.  But then my amazing boyfriend actually went and got them for me while I was at work today!!  I'm soooo happy because when I put them on, I found that the size 2 is MUCH BETTER than the size 4 in these!  Maybe because these have lining, vs. the coal ones I have which aren't lined and are almost indistinguishable between size 2 and 4, but the size 4 in white has so much more excessive material!  Size 2 has a much more fitted look, and I'm now a happy camper!  

Speaking of my coal pants, I took them in to get fixed since some stitching came out after minor wear.  But I guess the store sent them to the tailor with a description on it to fix, but the tailor didn't do anything!  They just sent them back to the store!  So the store had to once again, send them to the tailor and they said they were going to follow up with a call to explain.  What the heck?  They left a pretty detailed note for the tailor and attached them to the pants.  How could the tailor not see it?!?  And more importantly, how could he not have called the store to ask before sending them back with no work done??  Ugh!!!  Sometimes people really baffle me.  Well, I hope that they get fixed, it's just annoying that I'm having to wait like 2 weeks!

Express Editor Wide Waistband Pants - White and Neutral

I went to the Express store yesterday and bought two more pairs of the Editor Wide Waistband Pants.  I swear by these pants when it comes to my work wardrobe, same as I swear by Lululemon stuff when I work out.  Hehe.  They are just the greatest pants for work - super comfortable and flattering at the same time.  I don't like the regular Editor pants because I think they fit me weird.  But for some reason the wide waistband ones are a perfect fit.  Not gonna complain about that!  I think the wide waistband gives it a clean and professional look, great for wearing with a button down shirt or a sweater or something.  The length of these pants in regular inseam is perfect for me with heels on so I never have to get them altered. 

I already have like 6 pairs of them, but I need a little bit more variety instead of one for each day of the week.  Most of mine are dark, and now that it's Spring, I felt like lighter pants are in order!  Even white!  Is it bad to wear white pants to a professional work environment though?  Hmm...

(By the way, why do their stock photos show white pants on white background?  Seems kinda dumb.)

So the white ones are actually a different material than my other "Studio Stretch" ones.  They are the Cotton Sateen material, which is of mostly cotton with 3% spandex or something.  They are $10 less than the other ones, at $49.  I'm actually not too much of a fan of this material because it wrinkles easily and looks horrible if you wash them in the washer as the washing instructions suggest.  You have to dry clean them with starch to make them stay in nice shape.  I know because I have a pair of pants in this material that I got on sale, and after I washed them they are totally ruined!  They look so old and used up, no matter how hard I ironed.  I just can't wear them anymore because they make me feel like a slob.  =(  I got them on sale for like $20 so that was a good guinea pig I guess.

I got the white ones though because I just wanted white pants.  I'm going through a white pants phase.  And the material also gives it a more casual look - good for my business casual Fridays dress code for work, as well as for the weekend if I want.

The other ones I got are neutral color, which is a light tan color with dark brown stripes.

The stripes are subtle, which is good.  These pants are not the famous Express "Studio Stretch" either, but I think they are made of similar material.  The description just says Synthetic/Spandex.  They are the same price as the other Editor Wide Waistband Pants I have - $59.  They feel lighter and flow-yer than my Studio Stretch ones.  But I also have a pair of Studio Stretch ones in grey stripes and the material feels very similar to these, so I don't know.  I have a feeling these won't stay their shape as well.  Perhaps I will dry clean them with starch and see if it helps.  

They also seem to run a tiny bit bigger.  I got both these and the white ones in size 00 - same size as all the ones I already have.  But these feel looser.  If I lost a little bit weight I wouldn't be able to wear them anymore.  More incentives to eat chocolate!  LOL!

So I had yet another discount card I got from Express in the mail, which gave me $30 off if I spend over $100.  These went just a little over $100!  So I was able to get $30 off and ended up getting them at about $40 a pair after tax.  Pretty good deal!  I love these pants and will continue getting them when new colors come out!

Dance Studio Pant II - WHITE!

So by some miracle, I got a voicemail last night from the manager of my local Lululemon store saying that she found a pair of the Dance Studio Pant in white for me in my size!  And instead of putting it back onto the floor, she held it for me.  YAY!!!  How nice!!!  So today I went by the store again to pick them up. 

I got size 4, which is one size bigger than the size 2 I got in the same pants in coal.  But the white ones are lined (since they would be super see through if they were unlined) so I figured 4s would be good.  And they don't have any size 2s, so I got the 4s without even trying them on.  They are cute, but for some reason I thought they were not as cute as my coal ones.  Hmmmmm.... not sure why this is.  Maybe because they are lined so they look heavier?  I don't know, I feel like they make my legs look shorter and fatter.  Maybe it's because white is not as a slimming color as a dark color?  Or maybe it was just me being crazy.  I actually called the GEC asking if they had a size 2 in white, and again got the answer no.  So I'm going to sleep on it tonight and try them again tomorrow.  If I really don't like the way these pants fit, I guess I will have to return them and save me $110.

I was really hoping to fall in love with them though.  Because white just looks so cute!  And they would be great when the weather gets colder (I know it's not even summer yet, call me crazy!) because they are quite warm.  Another thing is, since the inseam on these are 35 inches, I have to cinch them up.  But I have to be careful not to drag them on the ground because they will get dirty in no time!