Growing Up/Item Lusting

I made the mistake of walking into Lululemon yesterday when I was waiting for friends at the mall, because I fell in love with the new Method Wrap.

I tried it on and it fit wonderfully.  The only thing that isn't wonderful is the price.  It's $118!  That's really high for a wrap.  I just can't justify spending that right now.  I think what's also stopping me from purchasing it is that I don't like how it looks when it's not zipped up.  I'd have to commit to wearing it zipped up at all times.  Even with this, I still want it.  It didn't help that the store staff were like "you look amazing in it!" (yes I'm aware they probably say that to everyone that tries anything on).  Let's see if I can resist buying this, at least until the inevitable price drop.  Maybe I'll luck out and find it on the Lululemon Exchange on Facebook in a few weeks.

I'm also wanting a new purse.  My old one that is seen in a lot of my previous blog photos has a rip in it.  I know that I can take it to a coach store and they can repair it, but the whole purse is going downhill (probably because I take it everywhere and overfill it) and I fear if I get this fixed another part will rip.  I've been looking at purses online and the one I like the most is the Chelsea Signature Jayden Carryall, which retails for $298.

Then I go and have thoughts like "well if I don't buy the wrap then that saved money can help pay for the purse".  Which is a really good point, and shows I'm growing up.  Grown up me also believes I shouldn't be buying anything since I don't start work/graduate school until August and I've bought enough things lately. 

I think the biggest problem is that now that I'm grown up, I'm no longer interested in a lot of my high school/undergraduate wardrobe.  I suppose it's a blessing that my top half has stayed the same size for the past 7 years while my bottom half has shrunk, but that means I have a ton of clothes that I've acquired over the years, plenty of which is old and not my style anymore.  I've started revamping my wardrobe to make it more adult, but because I was an emotional spender during my undergraduate I have a lot more clothes that I could part with.  I got rid of 10 bags before I moved to California, and a gigantic tote bag worth before I moved back to Canada, but I still have a lot.  Perhaps it's time for some ebay action.

Lululemon Lab: Big Circle Scarf

One thing I've been coveting for ages is the circle scarves offered at the Lululemon Lab.  Now that I'm in Vancouver, it's really easy for me to travel there.  A few days after I moved here I made a trek to the lab to finally purchase one of these coveted scarves.

I ended up buying myself a black big circle scarf.  I also purchased two green scarves (well my boyfriend bought one), one for my mom for her birthday and one for a friend in the Bay Area who's Lululemon collection and desire for a circle scarf matches mine.  The scarves are very similar to the Vinyasa Scarf that was on sale a few months ago (minus the snaps), and feel absolutely fantastic. 

Actual size of the scarf (it's a circle, so it's kind of folded in half):

It's absolutely huge!  In order to wear it, the first thing I did was fold it in half twice to make it 1/4 the size.

That looks much more like a scarf.  Once it is folded, then I wrapped it around my neck once.

If you make the loops more symmetrical, you can make this look:

If you want to use this scarf for more winter weather, wrap it around twice and your neck will be nice and toasty warm.

I think this scarf is fantastic and I look forward to wearing it when it's a bit cooler outside.  I actually sent these same pictures to my mom to show her how to wear the scarf.  If I could find a purple circle scarf at the Lululemon Lab that would be fantastic, so I'm going to keep my eyes open and watch their facebook page.

A quick story about the t-shirt I'm wearing in the photos.  I saw it in a store on Pier 39 of Fisherman's Wharf in May, but I wasn't a huge fan of it.  A few days before moving, my boyfriend and I went to the Ferry Building at Pier 1 to go to Boccalone to get one last cone of meat.  For some reason, this shirt popped into my head.  We only had 3 hours between arriving at the Ferry Building and having to be home to sell some kitchen supplies, but I really really wanted this shirt.  I managed to convince my boyfriend and the friend we were with to walk with me to Pier 39 (this was not a short walk) so I could buy this shirt.  In exchange, they got some mini donuts and I got this awesome shirt that I absolutely love. 

Lululemon Goodies

This post is a bit late because as I've learned the hard way unpacking and other items on my to-do list are extremely time consuming.  Anyways, in the span of everything I managed to make a trip to a Lululemon store.

Two items that were missing from my Lululemon collection were running shorts and an exercise bra.  I own a pair of shorts for hot yoga (which I never do), and one pair with a padded bum for the exercise bike, but no pairs that could be used for running.  I normally run in groove crops, but in the summer they're simply way too hot.  As for the bra, when I run I normally layer a Push UR Limits or another Lulu tank underneath one of my running pullovers, but I found I was getting overheated.  Thus, a bra is now necessary.

I started with searching for the bra.  My chest isn't large by any means, but I needed support especially since I would be using the bra solely for running.  The bra I ended up going with was the Shape Me Bra, which has similar straps to the Push UR Limits and offers a lot of support.  I tried it out for a run the other day underneath my Mind Over Matter Pullover and it worked out wonderfully.  I didn't feel overheated and the bra was super supportive.  I didn't feel comfortable posting a picture of me in the bra, so here is a stock photo from the website.

For the shorts, I wanted something mid-length because I don't like having a lot of my backside exposed.  I also wanted a pair that had a pocket in the back where I can zip in my keys so they're not rattling around in my pullover pocket.  I ended up going with the Turbo Run Shorts because they felt super comfortable and were also recommended by one of the sales staff.

I'm only 5'2, so these shorts are a bit shorter than mid-thigh.  The shorts are really lightweight, and I look forward to trying them out on a run next week.

I've been debating whether or not I should pick up a Run: Sunbeam Pullover.  I noticed it just went down to $79 CAD and it is getting great reviews online.  I'm just not a huge fan of the colors (but then again I wear black or pink most of the time when I'm working out).  I might have to try it on in store and see.  If anything I'd probably get the blurred grey pullover since I'm not a huge fan of white anything and I really don't like the toothpaste color.

On a side note, I'm glad that the Deep V Tank is back.  I have a hot pink one that I bought years ago and I wear it quite often when I'm doing cardio.  I wish the color selection was a little more exciting but I'm just glad to see Lululemon is selling them again.

Moving Update

I feel really bad that I haven't posted in over a week!  We've been incredibly busy preparing for the move back to Canada.  I've also been busy training my replacement in the lab I work at.  So far we've managed to pack up the living room and we've been making a dent in the kitchen and closets.  We're very fortunate that my boyfriend's parents will be coming down to help us out with the remainder of the packing, so we can spend this week focusing on tying up loose ends.

We've also started selling things on Craigslist.  So far we've gotten rid of the couch, two bookcases, my boyfriend's bicycle, my exercise bike, and two lamps.  I haven't used the exercise bike in over a year since I took up running instead, so I'm very glad that it found a good home.

Goodbye exercise bike, we had a good run.

For a last hurrah in the Bay Area, we're planning a final trip to Napa and Vacaville.  We're also planning to go to the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade, because it was quite the experience last year.  Unfortunately I don't think we'll have time to do anything else, but you never know.

I'm also going to try and find these wonderful Tory Burch Reva ballet flats.  I've been wanting them for months.  They were out of my size at Holt Renfrew in Montreal, and I finally have enough money saved to buy them.  Hopefully a store in San Francisco will have a size 8 in stock.  Fingers crossed!

I've also been on a Lululemon ban of sorts.  I haven't gotten anything from there since my parents came to visit in the middle of May.  In all honesty, I haven't been tempted by anything either.  I'm probably not going to buy anything new until I'm settled in Canada (and can go to the Lululemon Lab).

On a related note, I was disappointed to hear that Lululemon is raising the price of the Scuba hoodies.  I think $108 is about the maximum amount I will spend on a hoodie, so increasing the price to $148 for the "special edition" styles is bordering on excessive.  The price will definitely stop me from purchasing another Scuba hoodie.  I'll never stop buying Lululemon clothing outright (the quality of the workout clothes is excellent) but I hope the price doesn't increase on other items in the store.

Lululemon Fitting Room Review

It's been such a busy week for me.  Between visiting with my parents and training a graduate student at work, I haven't had any time to write a proper blog post.  A post about sightseeing over the weekend will come soon, but until then I will blog about my visit to Lululemon this past weekend.

Scoop Neck Tank/Run: Speed Skirt

I've been looking at the scoop neck tanks for a while now and finally decided to try one on.  I chose to try on one in Black/Fruity Tootie (Fruity Tootie is a really nice hot pink, but it doesn't photograph that way on my camera).  I wasn't sure how flattering it would be, but I think it looks great.  It feels really comfortable in the bust area.  I would definitely wear this tank at the gym.  I also decided to try on the Run: Speed Skirt because my boyfriend commented that it looked really cute.  I didn't realize the skirts had shorts underneath, but the shorts are really comfortable and the elastic isn't ridiculously tight around the thighs.  As you can see in the image, the skirt comes down to about mid thigh, which is a comfortable length for me but I'd recommend the Tall version if you wanted a longer skirt.  I ended up getting both items and I'm really excited to try them out in the gym.

 

Pranayama Tank in Pink Mist

I have been in the market for a light pink workout tank for a while.  I thought this tank top looked really cute on the rack, so I immediately tried it on.  I was tempted not to post this image, but I think it's a good example of the bad qualities of this tank top.  For one, I could not get the design on the bust area to sit properly, and a few of my friends have said the same thing.  Another flaw is the sheerness of the top.  I know pink mist is shown to be sheer in the Run:Sun Blocker Long Sleeve but I know I would layer it with either a cute workout bra or a tank top underneath.  In this case, the bust area wasn't the issue (it is thankfully not sheer), but the actual shirt itself.  I don't know about other girls, but I prefer a little more coverage with my workout clothes.  I passed on this shirt.

Mudra Wrap

I've been really into wearing cardigans and wraps lately, which is why I was excited to try on the Mudra Wrap.  I had only tried on the Iconic Wrap from Lululemon before, but a sales associate had to help me put it on properly and my mom told me that if I got it I should never take it off if I'm drinking because I'll never get it back on.  Needless to say, I didn't buy the Iconic Wrap.  Anyways, I was really excited about this wrap when I saw it on the rack, and it is incredibly soft.  However, I found that the fit of the wrap was awkward.  I also didn't find it to be very flattering.  I read through the product reviews on the Lululemon website, and if it's pilling as much as reviewers say then this wrap is definitely not worth $118.

   

I also got the Black Run: Mind Over Matter Pullover, mostly because of the zip pocket in the back that my Run: Pacesetter Pullover is missing (it only has a front pocket that doesn't zip, which makes it difficult to carry keys).

I attempted to try on the Loop De Lulu dress, but the store I was at only had a 4, and the bust is ridiculously tight.  I fit in size 4 Lululemon clothes for every other item in the store, and I just could not get it on.  The dress feels quite heavy for a summer dress.  I know this is because it is reversible, but it would be way to hot in the summer heat.  If you don't mind that, then I would recommend you size up.  If I see a size 6 later on I'll try that on but I don't think I'd ever purchase the dress.

It was a great shopping day at Lululemon.  My mom was kind and bought me the three items I wanted, so they do not count against the Anthroholic Shopping Ban.  I also convinced her to get a Spirit Tank in green and some Groove Crops because I practically live in mine at the gym.

Pleased to meet you!

My name is Martina.  I am a 20-something chemist who enjoys fashion, celebrity gossip, yoga, running, and a good book.  I decided to start this blog for two reasons.  The first reason is because in all honesty I am not the most confident person, and having a blog is the best place where I can openly share my opinions.  The second reason is because I spend an incredible amount of time on my laptop reading other blogs and websites, so it was about time I started my own blog.

There are a few things you should know about me:

1.  My favorite magazines are Vogue, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan.  Tim Gunn, Clinton Kelly, and Trinny and Susannah are my style icons.  My favorite celebrity gossip websites are Celebitchy, Lainey Gossip, and Perez Hilton.  I can’t stand the tabloid magazines and refuse to spend money on them, but I will happily read gossip on the web.

2.  I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (with first class honors) in 2010.  My specialty is bioanalytical chemistry, with a strong background in separations.  I decided to get a chemistry degree because I really enjoy learning how things work, and it is a great way to get involved in the cosmetics industry, which is my dream.

Wearing my convocation gown.  The shoes I am wearing are Jimmy Choo Quiet Peep Toe Sandals, and were a present from my dad for graduating with honors.

3.  I am addicted to Lululemon.  I bought my first remix hoodie and pair of yoga pants in 2007, and ever since I have been hooked.  The addiction intensified in 2008 when I joined a yoga class that was hosted in my apartment building.  Currently, I own at least 30 items of clothing, along with 5 headbands, a black manduka yoga mat and a namaste yoga tote.  I can honestly say I have worn every item many times, so at least I’m not spending money on something that just sits in my closet.  I was very excited to visit the Lululemon Lab a few weeks ago in Vancouver, and now that I will be living there in a few months I’m sure my Lululemon collection will continue to grow.

Standing in front of the Lululemon Lab in Vancouver, BC.  I am wearing my Lululemon movement jacket.

4.  I am actively working on my fitness, and my goal is to be able to run a 10K race next year.  I got serious about my fitness a year ago, and I make a strong effort to attend a yoga class and go for a run outside every week (running on a treadmill doesn’t even compare).  Ideally I would like to work out 5 times/week, but I will admit that goal does not always happen.

I hope you enjoy my blog!