The Happy Rabbit's Guide to Style

T-Shirt Renovation

2012-01-06T12:22:00.000-05:00

Last week I was cleaning out my closet to make way for some new purchases (and to finally get rid of some things I hadn't worn for years). Sometimes it's a hard decision because I'll think "I like the print on this shirt, but not the cut" and then keep it but never want to wear it. With shirts, I have a special hate for crewneck styles. So when one of my friends told me she likes to cut her t-shirts, I looked it up online and found out about the wonderful world of t-shirt cutting. I can't believe I didn't figure this out sooner. You really just need a pair of scissors (I haven't invested in fabric scissors yet so kitchen ones will do) and a few minutes and goodbye ugly t-shirt! Here are a couple of videos in particular that inspired me that I wanted to share:

Cutting neck/sleeves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP6smgH-8CM

I have cut several shirts in the style of this video for myself and friends now. It looks so cute with a tank top underneath! You don't have to cut as far down to make it an off-shoulder top. I've had several compliments on how the sleeves turn out as well.

Laddering

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjPSdWrPfq4&feature=g-vrec&context=G22d61ddRVAAAAAAAABw

I haven't made ladders to the extent in this video, but sometimes just little panels of laddering with one set of ladders. I've also come across pictures of laddering sleeves or the top of the front of a shirt as well.

$7 Nails

2012-01-01T13:46:00.000-05:00

I've gotten a little bored with my French manicure variations so I've been trying nail stickers lately. They first caught my eye when I was in Sephora. I try to limit myself to only one nail-related impulse buy when I shop there. I saw the leopard print nail stickers and had to try them! (Also, I have a mild obsession with animal print anything)

My first attempt at wearing them didn't last more than a few days before I wanted to take them off. Then I figured out to use a base and top coat and now I'm able to get them to stay on for a week! They take about as long to apply as just painting my nails, but nail polish never lasts more than 3 days for me if I'm lucky. So it's a nice break from painting my nails every other night (because a few years ago I decided it was too unladylike to have bare nails). I also get compliments from friends and even strangers every time I wear them.

I noticed that Sephora has some on sale for $7 a set, so I've stocked up. They usually sell for $15, which feels like too much money to spend on a week of cute nails. These are a few of my favorites:

The "nail bling" ones have more sparklies and flashiness if you are into that and are a little more three-dimensional. I can only tolerate wearing them on occasion because all the time would make me feel too trashy.

These ones are just designs with no gems or sparkles. I've had my eye on the star design for a while but they've been out of stock forever.

Animal-Free Dance Shoes

2010-07-24T02:59:00.000-04:00

I made a mid-new-years resolution a couple of months ago to make a better effort to exercise and be more active. I have an on/off relationship with exercise due to my short attention span. I realized that I need to find activities that I won't get bored with if I'm going to make a long-term commitment.

I started taking some different dance classes, because it's one of the only things I can stick with long-term without getting bored. It's almost never the same class each work, so I avoid the repetition that weights and machines give me. There are so many different kinds of dance to choose from to keep it interesting as well. You can go with the general cardio/Zumba/hip hop type classes at the gym, or find a studio with your favorite specialty. One of the fun things for me with each dance form is that they all have their own style of clothing and types of shoes. For me, the outfits and shoes are part of the fun! It got me wondering about what kinds of vegan dance shoes were out there, though.

Bellydance

I first bought Dance Paws years ago for my bellydance class, and I still have the same pair (very durable!). You can find them at Discount Dance for around $26 (plus shipping). I love that bellydance is a class I can take barefoot, but it makes turns on the wooden floor so much easier. They would also work for other modern and lyrical dance styles.

Hip Hop/Zumba/Cardio

I used to take the cardio/hip hop/mixed style dance classes at the gym, but something about dance class in regular sneakers didn't feel so right. Then I found these canvas "Dansneakers" by Capezio. They look just like a regular canvas sneaker when you are wearing them, but if you look at the sole it is split so that you can bend your foot more easily. I bought these for about $56 to have when I go back to Zumba class, but I've seen them on Amazon for $44 (+ free shipping) and Discount Dance for $40 (+ shipping). I know it will be so much easier to move around with these shoes!

Ballet

I've been watching a lot of So You Think You Can Dance, and watching all the ballet dancers on the show got me wondering if there was a non-leather ballet shoe out there. I took ballet class when I was very young, but I'm pretty sure the shoes would have been leather. It turns out that there are some places that will do custom ballet shoes, but Cynthia King Dance Studio makes a vegan ballet slipper for a reasonable price of $25. They look so cute that it makes me want to take ballet class.

Flamenco

My bellydance teacher was teaching a flamenco fusion choreography, and it made me wonder what kind of vegan flamenco shoes were out there. Not a lot of selection from what I could find online. I did find one pair at Lands Far Away for $75 - the "Neuvo" model (DS-546-B).

Pole Dance

Pole dance is arguably not really a dance form, but I couldn't write about dance shoes without mentioning this one! Naturally, I was drawn to take it because of the shoes!! Walking around in six inch platforms gives you a great leg workout (take that, Shape Ups!) and holding your own body weight up on the pole has been one of best upper body strength activities I have found. I had a hard time finding vegan pole shoes at first because most of the shoes have a suede insert. I eventually found a few styles from Pleaser shoes that do not - the "Dolly" and "Candy" styles. Almost all of the pole dance boots that I have found are vegan-friendly as well, but they are more cumbersome to wear for class so I stick to the shoes.

I'm a strong believer that the "best" exercise you can do is the one that you like and want to do, because anything else you just end up quitting. So, hopefully that's enough shoe variety to keep me interested in my dance classes. Sometimes what it takes to keep me motivated is buying myself something new to wear to class. Here's to keeping my mid-new-years resolution!

Vegan-Friendly Eye Makeup

2010-07-13T15:28:00.007-04:00

For a while I have been on a quest to find a bee-free mascara. I had long since discovered a bee-free lip balm from Merry Hempsters in my local Whole Foods and health foods stores. But mascara was proving to be harder - it seems like every mascara has beeswax in it! I just don't want to put bee spit or bee secretions (ew) on my face, ok? So when I finally found a decent one and thought I would share it, along with some of my other body-fluid-free finds, with you.

I had almost given up my mascara quest because I didn't want to live without mascara and I didn't want some weird homegrown, hippie mascara either. Then I found Tarte, a cruelty-free, pro-environment company that makes the "Lights, Camera, Lashes!" mascara. Probably my favorite thing about it is the packaging. The mascara tube is wrapped in a faux-leather cover. The last mascara I tried was in a cheap plastic tube where the threading broke and became hard to open and close, so this is important to me. I'll be honest - at first I didn't think it was the best mascara ever. It was too clumpy until I figured out only to put one very thin coat on. But now that I figured that trick out, it is just as good as any other mascara I've tried (and I've tried a lot!).

I couldn't write a vegan makeup blog entry without mentioning Urban Decay. They make the best eyeshadows ever (vegan or not!). And they even have a vegan makeup section on their site. Now they are selling a Vegan Eyeshadow Palette with six different eyeshadow colors and a travel size version of their eyeshadow primer. I haven't used their eyeshadow primer before because the ingredients contained beeswax, but I've noticed that they updated the ingredients to be "synthetic beeswax." If you haven't tried Urban Decay eyeshadows before, or just like to play around with different colors like I do, this palette would be a great place to start.

Not for everyday wear, but I do think false lashes look cool for a special occasion. I don't necessarily think that false lashes or hair extensions made from human hair fall into the "not vegan" category, but I found some really cool ones that are made from synthetic fibers anyway. Urban Decay and Make Up For Ever both have a great selection (just watch out for the ones with feathers from MUFE). Some of them are subtle enough to wear without being obvious, but then there's the super-vegas-showgirly ones with inch-long lashes and crazy colors (and I really want the ones with the sparkles!).

Vegan Shoes Galore

2010-03-14T03:57:00.002-04:00

On a recent boot quest online, I came across a new (to me) shoe site with a great vegan shoe section. Endless.com seems to be the new Zappos, but even more vegan-friendly! Now instead of hunting through each shoe description to determine the construction, there are search filters to find shoes by brand, size, color, and vegetarianism. And they have the same great promotions that I have become used to, such as free shipping (free overnight on new styles) and returns.

I didn't end up finding any boots I wanted (I'm a little late in the season anyway), but I found a couple of great non-leather finds:

I remember reading about olsenHaus brand shoes in a magazine a few months ago as a luxury shoe designer whose shoes are animal-, people-, and eco-friendly. At the time I couldn't find any stores online that carried them, but I really liked this olsenHaus Grace 2 shoe. The heel is just right - enough to look a little sexy but not so high that it becomes a chore to walk in all day. I love the curvy shape of this shoe and the peep toe is always a favorite.

I'll admit that I was drawn to these shoes because of the name - Dollhouse Virgo (it's my sign). I like the metal lacing that keeps it from being a boring flat. All the ballerina flats I see either have jewels at the toe or a bow, and it was nice to see something different for the detail.

Dollhouse just might be my new favorite brand. The Dito Flat is so cute and perfect for wearing with jeans. I've been looking for a flip flop alternative and these might just be it!

I don't know if I love these or hate them, but these T.U.K. pumps are certainly interesting. I definitely would have liked them in my gothier days.

Another Cosmo Rant

2010-01-20T15:13:00.005-05:00

Not content to publish just questionable fashion advice or unlikely "safety" advice (don't let people discover your address by leaving your mail lying around the house??), the latest issue of Cosmo featured some very ridiculous diet advice. Health foods that might be bad for me? Oh, do tell. Let's digest (pun intended!):

Watch out for WRAPS, as they could contain up to 300 calories. God forbid your lunch should contain 1/4 of your minimum calorie intake to maintain your starvation level. Let's get those meals into the double digit calories!

Also, did you know salads are bad for you? Well, by salads being bad they mean that pouring half a bottle of salad dressing is bad for you, but who didn't know that? Well, clearly the only way to solve this problem is to stop eating salads since they don't fit within our maximum calorie per meal of, apparently, 300 calories. And let's face it: if you really are overweight, it's probably not because you eat too many salads.

I don't know why this stuff makes me so angry but I'm so tired of our anorexic-driven society. People with perfectly normal bodies worry about endlessly losing weight and losing more weight and then losing more weight. Articles like this are just feeding the disease. I enjoy reading the magazine for entertainment purposes but it disturbs me that someone might actually read "advice" like this and take it seriously. If you are trying to lose weight, there are no shortcuts: it's hard work. You have to be disciplined about what you eat. There's no magic pill you can take (at least, not if you have a reasonable expectation of retaining your health) or video game you can play that will do it for you.

And while I'm at it, the concept of dieting is ridiculous anyway. If you want to achieve a certain state and REMAIN in that state, you have to make a lifestyle change. This concept applies not just to fitness, but relationships, work, school, etc. You don't achieve a great relationship or job and then you're done with the work, you have to maintain it! And that's why "dieting" doesn't work unless you are actually changing your long-term habits.

So my point is, rather than publish silly and misleading "diet" advice, educate people on how to stay healthy. Because being healthy is a goal that anyone can relate to, while weight loss should not.

Crazy Runway Shows

2009-12-10T17:30:00.002-05:00

I think runway shows are interesting more for their aesthetic value than for fashion inspiration. But I have to admit that I most enjoy seeing the crazy ideas that designers come up with. Some are crazy in a "that looks really cool in the photo but it would make me look insane if I wore it to the office" but some are just WTF moments. This year has not disappointed! Last season it was bunny ears (so appropriate to this blog):

And also fetish clown lips:

Then the spring 2010 shows featured Bram Stoker's Dracula-inspired hairdos:

So I can't wait to see what the themes will be next year. Maybe cat tails will be the accessory of 2010. Or maybe Marge Simpson hairstyles. What do you think?

Spring Forecast: Tis the Season of Neutrals

2009-12-04T00:48:00.005-05:00

Winter hasn't even officially begun yet (December 21st), but I already can't wait for it to be over. I miss wearing a tank top and flip flops, walking around in the sun at 9 on a summer night. As I was wondering when the warmer days will come back, I got to thinking about what fashion trends they will bring with them. Upon reviewing the spring 2010 runway shows, here are my predictions for next year's trendy colors.

Beige/Neutrals

The number one color on the runway seemed to be beige and its variations.

I love some of these nude colored dresses in the pictures, but ladies be careful if you wear a dress too close to your skin tone. In particular, blonde hair with pale skin and a pale dress is usually just the right formula to look washed out. Finding the right shade can make a different from looking flattering to looking sickly. If you are thinking about buying anything in this color, definitely try it on and check it out under good lighting.

Head to toe white can be very pretty (but it can also be very Miami Vice), but follow the same warning as with beige colors. I personally wouldn't even attempt this except for a wedding dress.

Army green is one of my favorite neutrals because it can go with a lot of other colors without looking too boring itself. I also have a soft spot for camo prints (2nd favorite print after pinstripes) so I hope to see more of that next spring as well.

Bright Orange

Orange is another tricky color to wear. Ever time I see it, I remember hearing my sister describe it as the "most comical color." I don't know if I'd have it as an all over color, but maybe as an accessory or accent in a pattern.

Royal Blue

Royal blue is one of my favorite colors to look at, but for some reason wearing it makes me feel uncomfortable. I guess it is just not a color for me but I know I'll enjoy seeing it around in the spring.

So I can't say I'm too excited about any of these colors as they aren't terribly flattering for my complexion other than green. Oh well, maybe next season. Which ones are your favorites?

Virtual Stylist

2009-11-27T00:10:00.006-05:00

Fashion shows and magazines talk about having a mix and match wardrobe, but it can be hard to put a really great outfit together. Even when you think you have mastered the art of mixing and matching or come up with a great formula, over time that once-fabulous outfit has become boring and overworn. So where does a girl find new ideas these days?

Looklet is my favorite new web site for fashion inspiration. It's a lot like Closet Couture, but instead of mixing items from your own wardrobe you can use real clothing items available for purchase. Use it to "try on" clothes online before you buy them, or use it to play e-dressup.

The site features styling contests and voting for the best looks of the day. The selection of items seems to grow every time I visit the site. You can also choose between a variety of models to style and change the backdrop to anything from red carpet, runway, nature scenes, subways/street scenes, etc. Your "photo" shoot gives you a front, back, and close-up shot (all necessary - how many times has an outfit looked great only from the front and not the side view, or vice versa!).

Here was one outfit I created while contemplating a look for the upcoming holiday parties in December:

And another one typical of my work-wear "formulas" and how I like to mix patterns:

From a technical point of view, the dressing room is intuitive to use and has some very helpful features. You can dress you model by either dragging and dropping clothing items or just clicking on them from the menu. The clothes seem to know how to layer so you can put a jacket over a shirt over a tank top (other web sites where you dress an avatar only let you pick one "top" and one "bottom). You click on the items and tell it where to layer clothes (move one piece under another, or tuck a longer shirt into pants, for example). If you add a belt to a dress, it will know how to cinch in the dress around the belt. The model's height will even rise depending on the style of shoe that you use. I think all of these things contribute to the most realistic experience that I've seen online.

An Argument Against Fur

2009-11-16T22:35:00.003-05:00

I've always been very offended by fur, and not for the obvious reasons. Fur is tacky. Much like double denim, bike shorts, and harem pants, it's just ugly. Ladies, it ages you by at least 30 years. And men, it makes you look like a 70s pimp.

"But I need it to stay warm"

There are SO many other flattering coats and materials you can wear. Or just learn to layer more.

"It's a family heirloom"

That doesn't mean you should wear it. Also, if it's that old it smells even worse.

"It's a status symbol"

If you want to look like a rich old lady, sure. But where did this wearing a dead animal hair thing come to be a status symbol? Why don't we make rings out of animal eyes, and sell them in expensive stores so people will want them? Don't fall for the psychology here: the more expensive something is, the more you are likely to want it. I bet if fur coats cost the same as other types of coats, not as many people would want them.

Winter Winners - Best Boots this Season

2009-11-06T23:53:00.003-05:00

It's about time I posted one of those "my boot pick for winter" blog entries. I will admit that boots are probably the hardest thing to find without leather that are also stylish. The best brands I have found are Madden Girl and Chinese Laundry. Even though I live somewhere warm enough to probably still wear sandals in the winter, I am still craving these finds.

I love these cute boots by Chinese Laundry. They come in a few colors but the brown color caught my attention. It seems like I only find black boots that I like and all the brown ones look too "cowgirl" except for these:

Here is a great slouchy boot from Madden Girl. Like jeans, it probably goes with just about anything and can be dressed up or down. I am also a fan of converting summer dresses into winter attire but adding knee-high boots and a cardigan.

Slightly edgier version of the basic black boot, these would be such a great contrast with a former spring skirt:

Designer Shoes vs Vegan

2009-10-24T17:27:00.009-04:00

Sometimes I am grateful that my veganism is the only thing standing between my credit card and a closet full of designer shoes. But I do feel the itch to have designer brands once in a while. I finally found a way to do this without having to compromise about wear leather: flip flops! I am already a huge flip flop wearer (even moreso since I moved to California), so it was an extra plus. These are some of the ways I found to "cheat" with shoes this summer:

Dolce & Gabbana:

Juicy Couture:

Kate Spade:

Emilio Pucci:

WWSD: Winkers Jeans

2009-09-10T22:06:00.003-04:00

Ever since I started watching What Not To Wear, I find myself often thinking "What Would Stacey (or Clinton) Do?" I had such a thought when I encountered Winkers Jeans. The bottom of the pants pockets have an "eye" that looks like it winks as you walk. I have to admit that it is a funny concept, but I don't dress to make people laugh at me.

I hope that some years from now I see Stacey or Clinton throwing these jeans away on a future episode of What Not To Wear. I can't wait to hear what they would say about them. It's hard enough to find jeans that flatter the figure, and these are unfortunately doing nothing for that cause. Would you wear these??

Guilty Indulgence: Motorcycle-inspired Jacket

2009-08-31T22:26:00.001-04:00

I was out shopping this weekend in my new residence of San Diego and I stopped in one of my favorite stores with a gift card to spend. I saw a very cool jacket and I thought no way it's going to be leather... but then to my surprise it is vegan!

This jacket is so cute and although it isn't my usual style, I was in the mood to try something new. What I really love is that it doesn't look too masculine because the cut is pretty slim - it hits just at the top of the hip. Just put it with a great print (I found a red & black print tank at the same store) and some dark jeans for a very cool going-out look. If you are really brave you could pair it with some black pinstripe pants and a blouse for a wear-to-work look. (Minus the) Leather Belted Jacket from Express

Trends Not to Follow

2009-08-30T01:39:00.004-04:00

It's always fun to see what fashion trends will come up each season. Some are not for everyone and you have to use your judgement about which clothes work best for your shape. However, there is at least one trend each season that is not meant to be worn off the runway. Last year it was harem pants. This year I am reading more and more about wearing over-the-knee boots. Please, unless you work in the adult entertainment industry, don't wear these outside of the bedroom. I am a fan of knee-high boots and I do like all boots in general, but I just can't see wearing boots that high being appropriate in social situations.

It's Like e-Barbie...

2009-07-15T18:16:00.005-04:00

Recently I wrote about Closet Couture, a virtual closet web site where you can create outfits from [photos of] your clothes. Now one of my favorite stores to shop at, The Limited, has a virtual dressing room on their site. I do a lot of online shopping and I think this is a great feature for e-tailers to use. If you have ever done this, you know how hard it is to try to guess which colors and patterns will really go together, or if putting two pieces together will make a flattering silhouette. And sometimes you order clothes only to find they aren't quite the shade or cut that they looked like in the picture.

In our increasingly Internet-dependent society, with video games looking more and more like real life, I am awaiting the day when shopping for clothes online is as efficient as shopping in person (just without any heavy bags or crowds). We still have some ways to go, but the trend of virtual dressing rooms is becoming more and more common on web sites. So check out the dressing room at The Limited, and see what kind of outfits you can come up with. Or just appease your inner child that wants to play e-Barbie.

Fun and Sexy Summer Shoes

2009-07-12T21:09:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you, but I love to wear open-toed shoes. So naturally, summer is my favorite season! I must confess that I occasionally commit the fashion crime of wearing flip flops to work (but in my defense, it's a casual office and people wear sweatpants to work). Here are some shoes I found that would be great to wear right now:

These shoes by Madden Girl would have been great to wear for 4th of July this year (and much better than a tacky flag t-shirt). They also work for a cute nautical theme, and looking at them just makes me think of summer. This comfortable wedge also comes in solid black, brown, or red.

I love me some sexy sandals. Metallics are a must-have for me. They are perfect to wear with jeans or your favorite dress.

This one caught my eye because I don't see orange shoes that I like very often. I tend to be drawn to animal prints, especially with shoes and purses (it's the easiest place to wear animal prints without looking like the tacky leopard print suit lady). These heels are gladiator inspired, which has been a big trend this past season. They also come in a really pretty shade of green.

Makeover Show Gets a Makeover

2009-07-07T11:10:00.004-04:00

I am an avid watcher of both the "What Not to Wear" and "How Do I Look" tv shows, and I was excited to see a commercial the other day that How Do I Look will be starting a new season with a new host and look for the show. I will miss Finola because she always reminds me of my soap opera-watching days, though.

I have always favored WNTW as a makeover show, because they actually teach the contestants how to shop for their body type, what colors work best for them, etc. How Do I Look has the friends and family members shop for outfits (and let's face it - these people are not all qualified to be stylists). I do like the contest element of the show, where the contestant must pick a collection. However, I often disagree with the outfits that their friends and family pick for them to wear. Their protests are often met with "oh, you don't dress well to begin with and this is what you should be wearing." It's the worst when the guest stylist for the show picks something very unflattering for the contestant!! I do also question how much the friends and family pick out on their own. Whose husband knows how to pick out a flattering dress and accessorize it with shoes, purse, and jewelry?

But I digress, and I wonder if the new season will change the whole process of the show. I'll still be watching because makeover shows are a great way to get inspiration for new outfits (even if so many of them are ugly, hahaha). The new season premieres on July 23rd and 9pm, so set your DVR!

Tummy-Camouflaging Swimsuits

2009-05-29T12:24:00.001-04:00

I decided to buy a new bathing suit this year after I realized the ones I had were getting old and I hadn't been shopping in years. I went to my usual bathing suit stop, Target, but all the bikini bottoms there were "low rise" - which isn't very forgiving on the kangaroo pouch. It seems like bathing suit options were going to range between the old lady one-piece suits and super-revealing/low-rise juniors sections swimsuits. Where were the bathing suits for the 20 or 30 something gal!?

Then I decided to try my luck at one of the swimsuit-only stores in the mall, trying my theory that more expensive clothing items and higher end brands have a better cut. It seems to be this way with regular clothing. It was then I found it... the ruched bikini bottom. Just from looking at it, I knew it was going to fit but I tried it on just to be sure.

Behold the tummy-camouflaging bikini bottoms! No longer confined to the skirted swimsuit bottoms for those of us without the Playboy model flat stomach:

This sashed hipster from Tommy Bahama comes in a few fun prints. This was the very style that I tried on and... shocking... didn't look fat in it. The matching tops come in halter, strapless, and tankini styles.

I also like the twist front hipster from Tommy Bahama for camouflaging a little tummy. This style comes in a few different solid colors like black, pink, orange, and brown. The matching tops come in a variety of styles including halter, underwire, strapless, tankini, and tie-front.

For the first time I am actually excited to wear my bathing suit and don't feel super-self-conscious. Tommy Bahama also has a lot of cute coverups that go with these bathing suits.

Must-Have Summer Dresses

2009-05-26T13:05:00.005-04:00

So I was shopping for my honeymoon this weekend, and I found some great summer dresses while I was out that I wanted to share. I love cotton summer dresses because they are perfect for wearing to the beach or just around the house. I even layer sweaters or t-shirts over them to carry them into other seasons.

First, this great halter dress from Express comes in a few different colors. I sometimes have problems with strappy dresses because the straps are too long, but since you can tie this one yourself, it will be more forgiving in the adjustment.

I know What Not To Wear always yells at people for buying multiples of the same item in different colors/prints, but I really love this dress in the bright orange/pink print too!

I love this strawberry color for the summer. The embroidery at the top is a great extra detail, too.

Now just throw on some cute flip flops and let's head out to the beach!

Every Purse Should Come With One!

2009-05-13T17:29:00.002-04:00

I was walking through the purse section in Macy's this weekend (dangerous for me, I know) and I happened to unzip one of the Franco Sarto bags. They are now made with a tiny light inside that automatically turns on for 30 seconds when you unzip, and shuts off once you close it. This is such a great idea! Why doesn't every purse have one?

I searched inside the purse (with the help of the light) for a tag that would help me determine its veganism, but sadly there was no indication one way or another. But since this designer also makes some non-leather purses and shoes, I can only hope that future designs will include this new light. And let's hope other designers follow this lead, too!

Can a Shoe Replace Your Fitness Routine?

2009-05-07T13:13:00.004-04:00

I see a trend in what I like to think of as the "laziness" approach to fitness in the last few years: I want to get in shape, but I don't want to actually exercise and end up feeling sweaty and sore. Can't I wear some sort of belt to shake off the fat? Can I play a video game and somehow get in shape? How about some sort of shoe I could just wear all day so I can magically get in shape?

Well, if that sounds like you, Skechers has Shape Ups, a shoe that it claims will make you build muscle and lose weight without having to ever go to the gym. It's the sneaker version of the FitFlop.

Call me old fashioned, but I still believe that there are no shortcuts to being in good shape just like there are no shortcuts to good nutrition. I think if your fitness regimen includes hiking and going for walks, this shoe may be a great thing to add in for some extra intensity. But I really dislike this idea as anything other than a supplement. It's the same way I don't believe that you can eat whatever you want, but then take a multivitamin and assume your healthy diet needs are covered. These shoes might be comfortable and improve your posture, but they certainly aren't your only options in that department.

Also, I think the gym wardrobe should be for the gym only. I wouldn't wear my dress shoes to the gym and I don't wear my gym shoes to the office. I just can't see myself walking around all day in an unstylish flip flop (which I guess you are only in shape when it's warm outside) because I am too lazy to go to the gym a couple of times a week or find some other sport or activity that I enjoy doing.

Well, what do you think? Would you trade in fashion for fitness? Do you even think it would work? I have never met anyone whose secret to weight loss and sculpted biceps was all in the shoe, but I'd definitely like to hear about it.

Fashion Pet Peeves

2009-04-29T17:31:00.005-04:00

I could probably make a huge list of this, but I wanted to share my top 3 current fashion pet peeves:

1. Wearing jeans/black pants (any neutral, really) with a solid color top and the same solid color shoes

It's even worse when it's a bright color light green or yellow. It's also 100 times worse if you follow this pattern every day, swapping out a different shirt/shoe color. If you must match your shoes to something, match them to your pants or choose a metallic.

2. Double denim

Stop right there, cowgirl.

3. "Skinny jeans" that come in sizes over 4

And I haven't worn a size 4 since some time before high school (and still barely fitting into single-digit size pants) so don't get me wrong on this... I just think on a more full-figured frame it gives way too much unwanted emphasis and exaggeration to the midsection. I really want them to stop selling these in my size so it's easier to browse through the pants at The Gap.

So what looks do you never want to see again?

Athleta: Workout Fashion

2009-04-23T12:04:00.006-04:00

One of my favorite stores, The Gap, has just acquired a new brand for its lineup. Athleta sells athletic-oriented clothing for women. They a a great selection of swimwear and activewear, and now you can order it along with anything from Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, or Piperlime with a flat $7 shipping no matter how many stores you choose from. Here are a couple of my favorite new offerings:

I always have to buy my pants in a "tall" size because I need a slightly longer inseam. I have found enough stores online to sell casual and dress pants, but it's the hardest to find workout clothes. Unfortunately, these pants only come in a standard inseam, but many of the other activewear pants comes in short, regular, and tall lengths.

This really cute organic cotton hoodie looks so cozy and it would go really well with the pants above.

The Aquarius shoe would make a great slip-on for going to and from yoga class or a great walking shoe. The insoles have memory foam so you know it's going to be comfortable!! Both the olive and pink colors are 100% vegan. I have seen these shoes on Zappos before, where there are even more color options. If you just want to buy the shoes it's probably better to buy them at Zappos where you can get free shipping, if you don't need any new activewear.

I couldn't resist posting a cute summer dress! I think you could even throw on the hoodie above for a cooler spring day.

I don't know about you, but there's nothing like some new workout clothes to renew my interest in exercise!

Nordstrom Dress Sale

2009-04-18T20:13:00.006-04:00

Spring is here, it's wedding season, and do you really need any more excuses to go dress shopping? I checked out some of the dresses at Nordstrom because they are having a Dresses Under $150 sale, and here are my favorite picks:

I mentioned this LBD in a previous post, but now it's 40% off.

Wear this dot chiffon dress with it's cute ruffle top detail to work, or pair it with red heels and wear it out!

This is a cute take by Michael Kors on the safari trend that I have been seeing a lot of lately. I sometimes have a hard time with the fit on shirt-dresses like this, but I'm sure a lot of other women can pull it off.

I love bold colors like the bright blue in this wrap dress by Ralph Lauren. It's a great alternative to the LBD for an evening look, too.

On the topic of wrap dresses, I could not resist posting one indulgence from Diane von Furstenberg. I love love love pinstripes and with the added comfort of a wrap dress (it's very forgiving on the large lunches, unlike pants), we can overlook the fact that I picked this dress from outside of the "Dresses under $150" section.

So if you have any special events coming up this spring or summer, or if you just need to freshen up your wardrobe, check out some of the dresses at Nordstrom. You can definitely find something that will work within your budget (and if not, just go downstairs to Nordstrom Rack!).