Weekend Shopping: Pre-Birthday Haul

I had THE BEST shopping trip today.  I think it's because it's one week before my birthday so I got lucky!

I'm just glad the rapture never happened, because now I'll be able to wear all of these clothes!  (totally being sarcastic here). Here's the damage:

But first things first. Here's what I wore for my little shopping trip (which was pretty short, I was a gal with a plan on this shopping excursion!)

Top- A'Gaci
Shorts- American Eagle boyfriend shorts
Sandals- Steve Madden
Nails- Essie "Mint Candy Apple"

I received several comments today from randomly sweet strangers today about my embroidered shirt from A'Gaci so I'm really glad I got it because it really is such a pretty piece. I know there are tons of shirts like this in various stores, but this one had embroidery that felt a little different.

Okay, let's begin with my pre-birthday haul. I'll start with my Sephora & MAC purchases:

Living Proof- Straight---This product is said to help straighten hair and keep it straight---you can also use it to refresh your style the next day.  It also helps protect against humidity, which I need here in Houston.  I will review once I've had a chance to try it out.

I used 500 of my Beauty Insider points to get this Ole Henriksen skincare kit. I don't usually use my points but this line is amazing and I can't wait to try these products. I've already used samples of the Invigorating Night Gel before, and it's amazing.

At MAC, I picked up a StudioFix Powder foundation since I am running low (my color is C3, for anyone wondering).

Next on my shopping excursion, was a stop at American Eagle where I got a cute, loose striped top and some white shorts.

I believe the shorts were originally $36.90 and they were on sale for $24.95 and I got an additional 15% off my purchase because it's my birthday month. Woot! The pink top was $24.50.

Next up, I got these very cute workout shorts at Lululemon. Now that it's hot out, I need to wear shorts to work out, it's way too gross outside to wear pants.  They are the Run Speed Shorts. FYI Houston gals: a new Lululemon store is now open in the Galleria---it's near Macy's and across from Club Monaco.

You can't tell in the photos, but the waistband is actually baby pink with teeny tiny white stripes.  So cute!  I love these so much! I got them in a size 6, for anyone wondering.

Next up is this amazing hat that I got for $12.50 and cute feather earrings that were $6.00, both from Charlotte Russe.  The hat is perfect for the beach or pool (I hate exposing my face to the sun for long periods and always wear a big floppy hat). For $12.50, I just couldn't resist!

Next up, I got this pretty-in-pink top at Hollister Co.  I know that store is totally for teenagers, but it was too cute to pass up. I saw it on fellow blogger Heidi's blog and she just looked so great in it that I had to get one for myself.  You can visit Heidi's blog "As the Foreste Grows" here. She has the cutest little girl! This top was on sale for $29.50:

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I tweeted about THIS AMAZING TOP from Gilly Hicks Sydney a few days ago.  Well, after making my purchase at Hollister, the cashier hands me a coupon and says "this is valid for 20% off of your purchase at Gilly Hicks, today only." Perfect, I thought, I was just on my way over there to try on THE AMAZING TOP. Did they read my mind or what!?

This may seriously be my BEST and most favorite purchase so far this year.  It is SO pretty.  The 20% off didn't hurt either since it retailed for a steep $79.50. Behold:

I also got the sweet tank I'm wearing underneath it here.  It had a cool shape and was super-long, which I love. I got the tank in a large and the lacey top in a medium.

I am really excited to wear all of these lovely purchases! Finally, I leave you with Lulu. He got shaved down this week and he is obviously not very happy about it:

"where did my fuuurrr go mamma?"

Wishing everyone a very happy weekend! Let me know what you bought this weekend in the comments below! I tried to link all of my purchases in the text above, so if I'm missing something I probably couldn't find it online!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Weekend Shopping: LuluLemon Loveliness & Uninspired at the Mall

I went shopping this weekend for a few hours with Candice and it was the most uninspiring shopping trip in my recent memory. 

I felt like every single store we entered had nothing to offer. I guess maybe stores haven't fully sprung into spring just yet, but I have to say I was extremely bored by what I saw and had to spend an hour online window-shopping when I got home just to regain my belief in shopping and the joys of finding the perfect dress for spring.

Admittedly, the lack of shopping done on the shopping trip was awesome for my wallet.  I think my H was pretty surprised when I came home with one MAC eye shadow (a replacement for one I had used up) and a Victoria's Secret "lacie" thong, which I got for FREE with a coupon (score!)

I've been wearing so much black lately that it's starting to get depressing.  I haven't been doing OOTD photos because I feel like my outfits are uninspiring right now.  I promise to wear more color come spring.  Even I'm getting tired of all black, all the time (did you ever think I'd say that?!)

I decided it was time to infuse a little color into my life and since the mall wasn't providing me with anything I wanted to spend my hard-earned pennies on, I decided to head somewhere that I knew would bring a smile to my face (and a dent in my bank account): LuluLemon.  Here's what I got:

Hot Class Bra

Speed Up Tank

I can't find this one online---but it has cute little drawstrings
on the side and I love the back of it!

I'm absolutely IN LOVE with that minty green and gorgeous purple color LuluLemon is doing right now in their collections. Such pretty, spring-y colors! Both tops that I got are very flattering and supportive in the bust area which is great!

These purchases definitely hit the spot for me, and it was a nice little reward to myself for my hard work at the gym!

Did you buy anything this weekend, or were you as uninspired as I was? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
xoxo,

Veronika.

Motivation Mondays: How Do You Measure Success? & LuluLemon Picks!

I got a question on my formspring page today asking me whether or not I've lost weight or inches from working out.

I've definitely lost inches on my body---and gained muscle mass--- but I only know this because of how I look and how my clothes fit. I don't weigh myself or take measurements.

I'm not on a weight loss journey like some health and fitness bloggers are, so weigh-ins and measuring are not part of my life, nor do I want them to be.  When I watch shows like The Biggest Loser or Heavy, I completely understand the weigh-ins because they really have to track their progress to make sure that they are losing the amount of weight they should be and to ensure their eating and workouts are effective.

When I made the decision to work out regularly, I did it for my health of course and to improve the look of my body by toning it.  So, that's how I assess my progress nowadays---by what I see in the mirror and how I feel. 

In the past, I've weighed myself regularly and measured myself and I became obsessed with the numbers and that's not where I want to be. 

I want to feel good about how hard I work and in order to do that, I can't obsess about the numbers on the scale or how much my hips measure. I've been there, done that---and I never feel happy because I feel like I'm not getting results (even when I am.)  Now, all it takes is just looking at myself and pulling my skinny jeans on to know that the results are there.

I was shopping at LuluLemon with Candice this weekend (and OMG do they ever have amazing stuff out right now!) and I even proudly flexed in the mirror as I tried a tank on.  That's how I measure success these days. 

How do you measure your workout success?  To clarify, I'm not saying I never weigh myself---I do. Maybe once every 3 months or so.

Speaking of LuluLemon---hello gorgeous!  I'm absolutely loving all of the stuff they have in store right now and I'm tempted to pay a visit again next weekend and make a purchase or two.

Here are my top picks:

Lulu Lemon Scoop Neck Tank

 

Run Speed Short

Wunder Under Crop- Organic


Speed Up Tank

I just love that minty green color they're featuring in a lot of their styles right now! It's so fresh and pretty! They also had these adorable pleated mini skirts (or skorts, I think).  If I played tennis more often I'd definitely have bought one!

In more health news, I finally switched to regular oatmeal for breakfast and I LOVE it!  In my last post where I mentioned it, a lot of my lovely readers encouraged me to switch because the flavored formulas had so much sugar in them.

This morning I tried the Quaker brand rolled oats for the first time and they were awesome.  I prepared them just with water, put it into the microwave and then I added some honey and cinnamon powder.  To top it all off, I also added fresh blueberries and strawberries. YUM!  The best part? It kept me full until lunchtime at 12:30 p.m.

Isn't it so pretty!?  I'm really glad I made the switch and thank you to all the ladies who pushed me in this direction!

I had my veggie soup for lunch, almonds as a snack, peanut butter with Kashi crackers as a snack, some chicken and pasta for dinner and a few bites of H's cinnamon bun for dessert (I had to restrain myself from eating the entire thing!)

Since my colonoscopy is next week, I want to start eating well now and continuing to eat well after "the great cleanse of 2011." I'm praying the cleanse will eliminate my sugar cravings.  I can hope, right?

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Review: LuluLemon Wunder Under Pintuck Tights

Happy Friday everyone!  I ended my Friday night right with a Power Pilates class.  Afterward, the husband and I ordered yummy Mexican food and I ate lots of guacamole...and then Skittles for dessert. I am obsessed with guacamole. I used to think it was disgusting because of the color and then I had some avocado in my tortilla soup one day and fell in love. It took me awhile to try avocado guacamole-style, but now I'm addicted.

I promised I'd post pictures and a review of the LuluLemon tights I bought last weekend. I've been wearing them to classes all week and I LOVE them!

They are the Special Edition Wunder Under Pintuck retailing for $78.00. This is what they look like:

Like all LuluLemon pants I've worn, these are so comfy, durable, feel great on and are flattering on the body. I don't know how they do it, but they do.  It's incredible. Their fabric is unlike any other workout lines I've tried. There's just something about it. The special edition pintuck ones have this cute pintuck pattern at the bottom of the leg part and it gives them a bit of a feminine flare and some texture.

I worked for LuluLemon when I was in college over the holidays and they have a very cool corporate culture and really encourage their employees to be fit and healthy and follow the brand's lifestyle which I think is great.  It was so awesome to get the discount too!

What are your favorite workout clothes?  I always like to wear cute gym clothes because it motivates me to look cute while getting fit.  I know a lot of women think it's silly to care about wearing cute clothes to work out, but I say if it makes you feel good and motivated then do it!

Tomorrow Candice and I are going to do a little shopping and maybe check out a new Forever 21 that's opening.  We'll see...but I'm sure I'll have a post up later tomorrow.

xoxo,

Veronika.