Fashion - Pocketful of Joules

My September Wantable Fitness Edit

I explained a couple months ago that I could really use some new running clothes, since I have been training for my upcoming Team Relay Marathon. I first tried the Wantable Fitness Edit in July (you can check it out here) and ended up falling in love with a pair of capris that have been in heavy rotation since I bought them. Then, in August I got another box and was less impressed… but ended up with a tank top that I’ve worn a couple times (full review here).

Well, I can definitely say that my September Fitness Edit will be my last one. I have a few complaints, but the main one is that their stylists don’t listen at all!

When you give feedback on each item and fill in the “notes” for your stylist to review, you’d think that they would keep that on file… but instead it is very obvious that they don’t. For example, when I first signed up I told them that I hated tops that cling to my tummy. Well, for my August box I got TWO clingy tops. When I gave feedback on my July box, I told them that I really don’t need any more black leggings. I was using the Fitness Edit as a way to find something new and fun. So, what did I get this month? Black leggings.

Enough jibber-jabber from me, just WAIT until you see what I got this month. Honestly, it’s like they read my feedback and decide to totally mess with me…

Item #1: Cory Vines The Path Crop Leggings in Onyx – $49
Hey look, it’s a pair of black leggings that look exactly like every other pair of black leggings in the entire world! They are high-waisted. They are black. There is absolutely nothing exciting or fun about them. With that being said, they are literally the only item from the box that I’ll be keeping because I don’t want to waste my $20 styling fee. Yay, black leggings. I’m wearing them in all the pictures below if you want to have your mind blown with how they look exactly like black leggings.

Item #2: Teel Loose V-Neck Tank in White – $36
Does this look like a ripped up old white tank top to you? Well, you’d be wrong. According to the order details this tank top has “a raw edge detail for a chic updated look.” Let’s take a closer look at how “chic” it is:

Aaahh, I see. By cutting parts out of the bottom and sewing the seams up crooked we are being “chic”… good to know. And here I thought it just looked like some sort of shark bite/zombie struggle for $36. Gotcha. Well, at least it isn’t skin-tight like last month’s tank tops!

Item #3: Cory Vines Neighborhood Breeze Tank in Onyx – $30
When I picked up this black tank top to put it on I literally said out loud, “What in the HOT DAMN am I looking at right now?!” Apparently it is a tank top with an opening on each side.

I’m guessing that if you are super toned and fit with washboard abs that you’d revel in the feeling of the shirt slits blowing open as you run your 4 minute mile. However, I don’t have washboard abs. Or a 4 minute mile. And I don’t really need to show everyone all my goodies, which is why I put it on OVER the white shark bite shirt. There is no disguising it, it’s pretty hideous and kind of reminds me of the crop top from Daily Look that I made fun of last spring. Blegh.

Item #4: Teel Cross Back Long Sleeve Tee in Pink – $49
So we go from trying to show off all my goodies to this. Let me just give you a minute to soak this in – the dropped shoulders, super long sleeves and butt wings. That’s right, my butt has wings. I’m literally staring at the picture trying to figure out what to say about this top and I’m at a loss. Hmm… let me think of something nice to say. Um… It’s not too small. Yup, that’s all I’ve got. Also, can you imagine me trying to run in this?

Item #5: Teel Dyed Long Sleeve Hoodie – $88
So apparently my stylist is a big fan of the brands Teel and Cory Vines, because that was all that was in this box. Oh, and she’s obviously a fan of crappy, terrible looking clothing. This hoodie is ALMOST not ugly. Because that’s what I’m looking for, clothing that is ALMOST not hideous. It’s $88 worth of ugly hoodie. Also, it’s this really heavy, fuzzy fabric that doesn’t breathe at all. So if I tried to run in it I’d probably suffocate and pass out on the side of the road… while looking like some sort of animal already crapped on me. COME ON, admit it. They are messing with me, right?!

So there you go, after three months I’m DONE DONE DONE. This Fitness Edit was just horrible. They disregarded all of my notes and sent me items that you’d find in the clearance section of a discount store. The fact that the merchandise total came to $252 for the box is an absolute joke.

In order not to waste my $20 styling fee, I’ll be buying yet another pair of black leggings. At least it was good for a laugh though!

What do you think was the worst item from the box? Are you totally jealous of my butt wings?

This or That: Converse Slip-Ons

HauteLook was having a flash sale a couple weeks ago on Converse, so I clicked on over to see if there was anything I couldn’t live without. I have a total weakness for Chucks – especially the slip-on style – for both me and Jack, so I was super happy when I found a couple different colors on sale from $55.00 down to $35.97 each.

I couldn’t decide, so I went ahead and bought two colors: black and oxheart. As cute as they are, I don’t really NEED two new pairs of slip on casual shoes, so help me decide which color to keep.

Which ones do you like best?

Fun Fact: that lump under the covers (behind the shoes) is Ollie. He refused to get out from under the comforter as I was making the bed… so I just left him in there.

Fun fact #2: I didn’t read the description very closely when I ordered my shoes, so I ordered them in size 8. However, when I received them I realized that they were listed in men’s sizes. So a size 8 is actually a women’s size 10, which is two sizes too big for me. I re-ordered the two colors while they were still on sale and should be receiving them later this week.

Speaking of the sale, if you want a pair for yourself it looks like the leftover inventory was pushed over onto the Nordstrom Rack website. Here is the oxheart, black, cactus and white swan options, all for the $34.97 price (but limited sizes).

Which color shoes do you think I should keep?

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My Style: August Favorite Outfits

Happy last day of August! We had some absolutely beautiful weather in Maryland this month and for the first time in a long time we didn’t have any 100+ degree days. I mean, it was hot… it just wasn’t HOLYHELL hot this year!

I took a look through my August style posts and found four of my favorites for you to check out. If you see something you like, I’ve made it easy for you to steal my style with links for each item, as well as some similar styles at different price points. If you want to check out previous My Style posts, you can find them here.

Look #1: My Super Honest Running Outfit

The Tank Top
Waking up early to run sucks, there’s no pretending otherwise. However, having cute and snarky running clothes totally helps keep me motivated. This tank top is one of my favorites, because as I slowly trot by someone in the opposite direction I can watch them read the shirt and snicker a little. Here is the exact one I have, but I also own this one and really want to buy this Run Now, Wine Later one next!

The Capris
These are the capris that I got from my very first Wantable Fitness Edit (you can check it out here) and they are currently my favorite running pants. They fit great, don’t move around at all, and look cute as heck. They are also currently on sale on the Soybu website for $29.40. I also love the compression capris from Under Armour and found a pair of sassy pink neon capris currently on sale at Old Navy for $20!

The Sneakers
I love my Nike running shoes – mostly because they keep my feet, calves and back from hurting – but also a little because they are adorable. I can’t find my exact pair online (I bought them a few months ago), but this pair looks pretty similar. This pair has the added benefit of a subtle little pattern, so cute!

Look #2: Wrap Dress & Sweater Combo

The Dress
As a curvy girl with a larger bust and hips/butt, wrap dresses are totally my friend. With a little tailoring so the girls don’t pop out and greet you, of course. {This post is a ‘must read’ for fixing your wrap dress} I bought this dress on sale from Loft years and years ago and it’s still going strong. This Adrianna Papell version from Nordstrom looks really similar, but if I were buying it today I’d totally go for this navy and white polka dotted version or this pretty ikat patterned style. If you’re looking for a wrap dress on a smaller budget, check out this one, it is only $39.97 and comes in sizes 4 – 14.

The Sweater
I scored my blue J.Crew sweater at ThredUp (you can read about My ThredUp Experience here) and when I last checked they have some similar options still available (if you want a free $20 to spend on your order, use my special promo link) If pre-owned clothing grosses you out, you can also go straight to the source and buy the J.Crew Factory Clare cardigan — there are a ton of colors available and it’s currently on sale for $29.50.

The Shoes
You’ve seen these shoes before in my My Style posts, because they are super comfortable and a great neural looking wedge. I bought these Franco Sarto’s at TJ Maxx a few years ago for around $20. The Cera wedge sandal from the same brand looks quite similar.

Look #3: Color blocking tops & Flowered Swing Skirt

The Tops
I’m wearing the same blue sweater as the last picture, which proves that I basically throw a cardigan on with everything to keep warm at various air-conditioned offices. The shirt peeking out from underneath is the Chiffon Spliced Tee from Anthropologie. They’ve sold out of a lot of the colors, but there are still a few available on super sale. Since it’s hiding under a sweater anyways, you could totally just use a simple v-neck t-shirt from Target like this one — it comes in a ton of colors and usually costs $9, but today it’s on sale for $6.75!

The Skirt
Color me surprised that I walked out of a Talbots try-on session with a skirt that I totally loved. This swing skirt is made out of a hearty linen/cotton/spandex blend and keeps it shape, even throughout a 12 hour workday. I can’t wait to style it for fall with some booties or knee-boots! Unfortunately, the skirt is no longer available on the Talbots website. I’m totally loving the pattern on this version from Modcloth and of course I have to include one that I’m drooling over from Anthropologie that is out of my price comfort-zone, The Sketched Plaid Skirt.

The Shoes
These sandals are from a few years ago by Kelly & Katie (a brand carried by DSW). As much as I wish I could find them again to buy a backup, they are long gone. I did find a couple pairs with a similar gladiator + wedge look though, these sandals in the “Honey Elisabeth Snake” are so pretty and I also like how kick-ass Ariat Oro gladiators on Amazon look.

Look #4: Chevron, Boyfriend Jeans & a Moto Jacket

The Top
This top is the Pixley Edmond Chevron Print Henley Shirt from my May 2014 Stitch Fix. It has certainly gotten a lot of wear over the past year or so and is still as soft as the day I got it. I think Pixley must be a Stitch Fix brand, because I didn’t have any luck locating this shirt. I did find this chevron Henley from Lucky Brand that is pretty darn cute.

The Moto Jacket
This jacket (the Market & Spruce Elissa French Terry Moto Jacket) came from last week’s Fix and I’m so glad I decided to keep it. Initially I was concerned because I don’t really like it zipped up, but after wearing it a couple times I decided that I love it so much unzipped that I’ll get lots of wear out of it. Since it’s a Stitch Fix brand, I can’t find the exact jacket for you… but I actually found one with a very similar style from Express. So if you like the look, you can totally try that one for less than $80!

The Jeans
Oh how I love me some Kut from the Kloth! These jeans (also from last week’s fix) are called the Kate Distressed Boyfriend jean, but I’ve also seen them called the Catherine. These seem to be exactly the pair that I have and here is a version with a little less distressing.

The Shoes
I was super patient and stalked these Sam Edelman Ginger sandals for months before I finally found them on sale at Nordstrom Rack. This particular style is sold out everywhere, but I have seen a few pairs pop up on eBay if you are dying for them. We only have a few more weeks of sandal weather here in Maryland anyways, so I’m sure that the spring will see many more styles for us to lust after! If you can’t wait and must have a similar pair right this second, check out this pair called The Giselle.

Do you have a favorite look?