Fitness Friday: Gear

Is it just me or can half of the fun of a workout be the gear? Clothes, shoes, accessories - you can have fun with fashion while working out! There are times I definitely enjoy having fun with my workout gear but I also like to find the balance between fun and practical.

My Gear

First off, don't think you have to drop a lot of cash to get great workout stuff. I've gotten some work-out clothes lately at Joe Fresh and Gap that are not wildly expensive and that allow you to get more bang for your buck. Although I don't think you need to spend a lot of money on the clothes, I do recommend making sure you have actual workout clothes. Workout specific clothes are designed for physical activities - from yoga, to running, to kickboxing, and everything in between! The materials of the fabric are designed for your body chemistry - like the general heat your body creates or your sweat. If you don't have the right clothes on, an unpleasant reaction may happen. I've always worn workout clothes so it's never happened to me, but I've heard about it and read about it and it does not sound good (rashes and such)! Also, workout clothes help support your movements in your exercise! No matter what your workout of choice is, there is an outfit designed just for you - but in the interest of saving money (should that be something you want to be mindful of) just look for basic versatile pieces that will take you though any kind of exercise. For example, a good black crop works for every workout under the sun! 

If you want to splurge on something then I tend to believe that one thing worth doing that with is something important like your shoes. Having a good pair of shoes for your workout (whatever it may be) is super important because they are built to enhance your performance as well as protecting you. When I say protecting you, I mean protecting the soles of your feet, your ankles, your knees - pretty much every part of you! You need a shoe that reduces the impact on your body if you are working hard. When I mention a shoe can enhance your performance well, that's why shoes are designed for different activities. There's no need to wonder why there is a running shoe, tennis shoe, basketball shoe, etc. Each activity has it's own movements and requirements so a shoe was made to accommodate that. And if you're not a runner or don't play a lot of specific sports, there's a trainer! I had often wondered how often one should replace their running shoe. After some research I found an article a while back that recommended replacing every 1,000km. If you're not a runner working with that value might not mean as much to you so it would more depend on your work out style, intensity, and frequency. For me, I try to replace them ABOUT every year to year and a half. Nowadays too there are so many colours and styles you can totally have fun with the shoes too. Like I said before though, make sure they're the right shoes for your activities! :)

Do you have any workout staples or a particular style? Colours or basic black?

Neons and Mint

I don't know about you but when I'm browsing fashion or making up my wishlists, I've noticed that at any given time I'm drawn to a certain theme of things, mostly relating to a certain colour scheme. For example: just last month, everything I was looking at and coveting was white, black or blue. I have no idea why, but one day I started to notice this trend in all the pages I was bookmarking or all the wishlists I was creating! Right now I'm onto a new trend that appears to be made up of neons and mint. Those don't necessarily make as much sense as the former colour scheme but it is what it is! With spring collections rolling out I suppose there is some rationale to where the inspiration came from. From looking at all the spring fashion previews months ago, and with the spring collections that are coming out right now, I'm pleased to report that it looks like neons and mints are here to stay for at least another year!

Simply out of curiosity, I decided to pull together a sample outfit to see if this colour scheme even works! Well, this is the outfit I put together - three items I own and one is on my wishlist. What do we think? I think it looks mighty fine and like a perfect outfit to rock the second spring reveals itself! :)
  
 

Irrational Fear

I saw this humorous little picture on Pinterest the other day and it totally rang true to me! Anyone else? Anyone? I hope so! I’ve already shared that I am a serious outfit planner, but this adds another element to it all...

You know when you've just bought a new outfit or a new piece of clothing and you're so excited to wear it! But you don't wear it just yet, because the right opportunity hasn't presented itself: the opportunity where you will be with a few of your peers, or in a public place, or a special occasion of sorts? Well this happens to me more often then I'd like to admit. In addition to this picture someone on a TV show recently mentioned this fear, and I laughed at how silly the fear is BUT also how I definitely experience it. Does anyone else "save" their outfits so that they can be premiered appropriately? I can't imagine I'm alone on this one! I think part of the fear comes from how excellent it actually feels when you DO wear a fabulous outfit to the perfect occasion!

I've noticed a lot of people are making it a resolution to shop at stores less and shop their own closet more - I'm hoping to do this as well - I happen to think that will help the issue some by getting those great outfits into circulation more. Hopefully... :)

Festive Duds: Christmas Parties

I always love the holidays because not only can you put glittery things on your Christmas tree, but on your body as well! The more sparkle, shine, glitter the better and more festive you look. Sadly this Christmas season I do not have any "formal" parties to go to that would require a fancy dress or outfit. But that doesn't mean I can't live vicariously through Pinterest! It also doesn't mean I will be wearing anything boring. At every chance I will be rocking sequins and/or festive shoes and/or lots of jewelry! I vow to light up my work lunch and over dress for my low key house parties. Maybe even throw in a red lip just because it's the colour of Santa's hat! But, back to living vicariously through Pinterest, here are a few of my festive faves for Christmas parties...

Probably my fave due to simplicity

Gold!

Black Sparkle

And let's not forget about the potential to throw in some Winter Whites! What are you going to be wearing this holiday season?

Fancy Graphics

Graphic t-shirts and sweaters have existed since the beginning of time (or close to it, right?). Regardless of the form that top comes in, it's usually seen as more of a casual piece. Well I think it might be time to switch gears and think of graphic tops a little differently. 

I've recently seen many instances where graphic shirts (ones with words over the ones with pictures) have been matched with some fancier pieces, like skirts and heels. In an effort to get more bang for your buck by getting full mileage out of your wardrobe, this is a good thing. And I happen to think it looks kind of cool! Everyone's seen a graphic shirt under a blazer - maybe this is a new version of that! Also the skirt/heel pairing allows you to showcase the top a bit more.

Outfit at NY Fashion Week

Rachel from Pink Peonies

What do you think of this style? Is it for you?

Casual Sequins

When I think of sequins I automatically think about an event or occasion. I love wearing sequins for New Years, my birthday, Christmas, etc. What I never thought about until recently, was making sequins a bit more casual - a bit more wearable for any day. I saw on Pinterest several such outfits that took a sequin piece and made it more casual. Or rather gave a casual outfit some elegance and sparkle!

Now a days sequin clothing comes in all shapes and forms. You can get sequin blazers, tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, pants - you name it, they make it! Similar to clothes with leather or stud embellishments, these pieces are everywhere, and made to mix and match. Previously I had posted about how shoes can take a casual or comfy outfit to the next level - why not do the same with sequins? 

The pictures that really caught my eye have gold sequin tops mixed with a light denim. Maybe this hit home because I have a gold sequin top collecting dust in my closet. I have (sadly) only worn it once, and that was last New Years eve. Not only can you add sparkle to an average day (who wouldn't want that?), but a sequin top can become your ultimate accessory. Oh the outfit ideas... I can't wait to break it out now!

Style Icon: Victoria Beckham

I know I'm Captain Obvious with this selection, but come on, Victoria Beckham IS style! Plus, it's New York Fashion week, so what better time to honour this fashionista/designer?

Starting out her celebrity status as Posh Spice of the Spice Girls, she definitely demonstrated a simplistic chic style right off the bat. You would usually see her in black mini dresses and simple black strappy stilettos. Fast forward to today, she's built and empire. She is brand. 

From her jeans, to perfume(s), to her own fashion label, this girl seems to be able to do anything in this industry and it will turn to gold. I love her style because she is always so pulled together and polished. She takes that "you can never be overdressed" saying to heart - and I love it! Whether in a dress or jeans, her sky high heels are a constant. 

The only accessory I think she's missing sometimes is a smile. It's hilarious and she does make fun of it herself, but you don't tend to see her with a big grin. Not sure if anyone watched that short reality show from when the Beckham's moved to America, but she smiles all the time. She's definitely a funny and happy girl, her lack of smile is simply a part of the persona she built and she's sticking to it. 

As a final note, in the off chance you're not familiar her fashion line, all her outfits below are from her own label. Genius and gorgeous. Maybe I should put "own a Victoria Beckham dress" on my bucket list... 

Victoria's polished style

Warning: there will likely be future posts having to do with Victoria Beckham. I can't get enough!

Style Icon: Nicole Richie

Around 10 years ago if you told me I was going to think of Nicole Richie as a style icon... well, I probably would have laughed in your face and called you crazy, but here we are! 

She has transformed. I love her style. Even when she is dressed to the nines there is a certain element of comfort. I think that has something to do with how her style always seems to have some bohemian undertones to it. Light and easy. Classic and cool. You can see that mindset reflected in her own fashion lines Winter Kate and House of Harlow. Both incredible. 

Even when she was pregnant she rocked the heels and clothes that weren't typical of maternity wear. And now as a mom, well, the photos speak for themselves... she's awesome!

Some favourite Nicole Richie fashions.

Style Icon: Blake Lively

Whether she is on Gossip Girl, on the red carpet, or just rocking her everyday, Blake Lively has an enviable style. 

Every time I see her, she is so well put together and super chic. She's all about colour. She's all about cut. One thing I really appreciate is that's it's all her own doing. She doesn't have a stylist. Impressive right? She says it herself that too many times you will see a celebrity on the red carpet and immediately know who dressed them. Plus, who wouldn't want to take fashion into their own hands and have fun with it!

As time passes I think her style gets better and better. If I could clone a closet for myself, it would probably be hers!

Some recent red carpet faves.

 

Outfit Planning

Do you plan your outfits in advance? If so, how far in advance?

I am an EXTREME outfit planner. That being said, it's not random outfits, but rather I plan for specific occasions. You might think that sounds reasonable; here's the extreme part: those occasions can be months away. It's August and I'm already thinking about New Years Eve! No idea what I'm doing for NYE, but I am brainstorming what to wear. 

I think what happens I see a photo of an outfit, or am shopping online, and suddenly I'm trying to figure out where I can wear that! This sounds like a chicken and egg riddle: which comes first, the outfit or the occassion? This is one outfit that got me thinking about New Years:

Pretty cute and festive, right?! Maybe it would be a good outfit for my birthday? (Also, in January)

I'm sure you can see how this is a slippery slope. I should just take a deep breath and focus on what to wear next week... because let's be honest, I've got this week figured out :)