Lululemon Seawheeze Half Marathon Shorts

I finally, finally got my lululemon seawheeze half marathon shorts this week.  Apparently lululemon shipped them using fedex, who attempted delivery way back on May 23rd but neglected to leave a delivery notice card.  Unfortunately, I couldn't complain until June 15th (according to the seawheeze website).  After changing my address to my work address, I finally received them.  I haven't seen any detailed posts about the shorts, so I thought I'd share a few pictures.

Here's the front:

Here's the back:

As you can kind of see, they retail for $54.00, which sort of justifies the $128 half marathon registration fee.  Although the pattern is a bit childish, I think it's cute.

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned on any blogs is the adorable images on the inside of the waistband.  My camera is really old, but I did my best to capture some of the pictures.

They're cute little pictures of trees, bridges, runners, and the seawheeze logo.  Nice touch, Lululemon!

Here's a few photos of the shorts on, because it's not nearly as fun to see the shorts on a table.

The shorts are much shorter than something I would normally wear on a run.  Also, I think they make me look hippier than I actually am.  That being said, they were "free", so I'm not going to complain too much.  In the photos, I'm wearing the Push UR Limits tank and a pink pirouette headband.  If you don't have a pirouette headband and have long hair like myself, go buy one!  They're amazing for runs, because they don't move around and keep your hair in check.

Well, I am off to pick up my run package for the Scotiabank Half Marathon tomorrow morning.  I ran 20.65 km two Sundays ago in under 2 hours and felt great.  Hopefully that means my finishing time will be much shorter than my prediction of 2 hours 30 minutes.  This is my first half marathon, so I'm really nervous, but excited at the same time.

Is anyone else out there running the Lululemon Seawheeze Half Marathon? 

How To Dress For Work in the Summer

Dressing for the office when the sun starts to shine can be a nightmare – especially if you work in an office environment or a research lab (where long pants and closed toed shoes are mandatory).

When the temperature begins to rise, there are a number of hazards that can threaten and complicate a woman’s wardrobe choices. Sweat marks, swollen feet and the temptation to show more skin than what's appropriate at work are some examples.

If your work place is relaxed and casual, you’re in luck. But for those of us who are expected to look professional all year round, here are some tricks to keep you feeling cool even when it's hot and humid outside.

Loose fabrics, such as linen and chiffon, are brilliant, allowing you to cover up without feeling the heat. Take inspiration from the Loose Women ladies who love a little linen jacket – the perfect chic cover-up on warm spring and summer days. Try one in a pastel shade for an on-trend seasonal look, with three-quarter length sleeves for a cool, casual feel.  I practically live in cardigans in the summer, and have colors ranging from light pink to forest green in my closet to match with any outfit.

A pencil skirt with a loose chiffon top will help you keep you cool and smart. Keep colors neutral if you work somewhere corporate, but if you can get away with a bit of color wear something bright and summery.

Walking to work in heels on a hot day can be very unpleasant, so travel to work in sandals to keep your feet cool and comfortable. Change into your heels once you’re at your desk.  This advice also works if you have to wear closed toed shoes.  I recommend wearing sandals to work and changing into sneakers once you arrive.  

Sweat marks on clothing are the worst! Grey is not a great color to opt for in the summer, as it advertises any sweat on your clothing.  Breathable fabrics like chiffon, linen and thin cotton will be best. Steer clear of silky materials in the heat. Store a silk top in your bag instead, and change into it come home time for a great day-to-night transformation.

Wide leg trousers are perfect for the summer too, as they are stylish, chic, and totally breathable. Linen trousers are great for the office as they look smart and are comfortable. But they’re also suited to more casual work places too. Pair them with chic heels for a sleek daytime look, and with a cute camisole for instant post-work glamour. 

I hope these summer tips help you out!

Wedding Hair!

I'm back!  I finally submitted my final term paper on Tuesday night, which means I'm back in business!  I've missed the blogging world. 

I thought I'd start off with a quick post about my wedding hair.  If you remember, I'm getting married in a few months!  I decided to book a hair stylist that will come to the wedding hotel in the morning.  That way, I don't have to a) find a hair salon that will be open at 8 am on a Sunday (on a long weekend to boot!) and b) have to transport 2 bridesmaids + my mom to said hair salon.

I wanted my hair to be down, because when I wear it up it feels too much like I'm about to do research or work out.  Also, my hair is super thick (think like a horse's tail) when it's up in a ponytail.  I can only imagine how much hair spray would have to go into it to make it stay.  It would probably be a pile of concrete, which would be a nightmare to comb out the next morning.  I also wanted my hair to be curled, because if I was just straightening it I might as well do it myself. 

On a side note, if you have super thick hair and need a product that will help you style your hair and dry it in a manageable time, try Aveda smooth infusion style-prep smoother.  I guarantee you that it works, and is well worth the money.  Check out the reviews here.

Okay, back to my hair.  I had my hair trial with the stylist, and she did an amazing job.  Mind you, there is a lot of back-combing that will hold in my super amazing veil (that I picked out and put on hold before I found the dress, thank goodness it matched!). 

I absolutely love it!  I can't believe my wedding is only a few months away.  It's all so exciting!

So I dropped off the face of the Earth...

Dear readers,

I'm terribly sorry I haven't posted in a long time.  Graduate school became much more of a time suck than I ever could have imagined, which has taken a significant toll on my Yelp reviews, Twitter, Facebook status updates, and most importantly, this blog.  I am very poor at time management, especially when I'm stressed out and balancing assignments/exams/wedding planning/volunteer obligations.  It is not fair to you readers.

I have one major exam on Tuesday, and then my schedule should calm down a bit.  Until then, please check out my Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/fashionchemist/) and look here for more posts very soon.  Please keep following, I promise it will be worthwhile!

Sincerely,

Martina