Fitness gear review: Lorna Jane

I recently got treated to some new gear by Lorna Jane, an Australian based fitness and lifestyle brand. They've been producing women's activewear for 20+ years, but only recently became available in the US. I decided I needed to try their stuff out after I saw a student wearing a pair of super cute leggings from the brand.

Their clothes have these cute little tags on them:



Here's the strappy tank top (with a polka dot sports bra underneath) after teaching a double last week:


(Can't find it on the LJ website!)
The tank top is made of a super light material. I cut out and threw away the tags already otherwise I'd tell you what they're made of. I know you can't tell from the pictures, but it has really beautifully done mesh inserts. It wicks sweat well and felt great on. It was the perfect fit - not too tight, not too loose, and it moved comfortably with me through my full range of motion.

Here are my new super fun neon! printed leggings:


Lorna Jane Dimension 7/8 tight

The leggings are a sturdier, thicker material than the top, but they still wicked sweat really well. The neon is super vibrant and the pattern is great. They were not see through at all, even in deep squats and full forward bends. They didn't sag or stretch out at all.

Here's the whole ensemble:



Don't mind the funny face.

After more than three hours in the hot room in this outfit, they were still mostly dry to the touch. Both the top and the leggings washed really well (with no fabric softener, and air dried, of course) and they seem like they will be durable, but only time will tell. Overall, I love the clothes, and I'll definitely consider more from Lorna Jane in the future.

I was told in the store that the material will stretch up to15%, which is so practical for the full extension and stretching of a good yoga class. It's also good if you're between sizes. I found them true to size and completely comfortable to wear. The brand offers new styles on a monthly basis, which means they also always have stuff on sale. Their mission statement is "to inspire women to live their best life through Active Living" which is something I can definitely get behind.

Making Cocktails: the Hot Toddy

Head on over to queenofthequarterlifecrisis.com today to see my recipe for the Hot Toddy!

Happy weekend

Here's some interesting reads I found this week:

Yoga

Everyone's going on and on in the internet yoga community about this article. The assigning editor wrote her response. Another writer from the same site gave her opinion. Personally, I liked this smart response. And now I'm officially over it, which brings me to...

Feminism

...this interesting piece on feminism's toxic Twitter wars. Luckily I mostly read, and not post on twitter about my opinion, but I could see how difficult it could be if you are heavily invested in the medium and receive a lot of backlash. 

Food

Are you a property owner in the LA area with fruit trees overburdened with their production? Sign up here to donate your excess to a good cause. If you don't have that particular blessing of too much fruit, but are still looking to give in another way, you can register here for various events to help collect and harvest fresh food. Food Forward is an amazing organization that rescues fresh, local produce that would otherwise go to waste, connecting this abundance with people in need. I plan on joining in myself.

The benefits of Food Stamps (definitely worth the click through)...

Which will be cut by $8 billion over 10 years by the recently passed farm bill.

Random

The Napoleon complex, explained. As a short person, this might explain a lot. 

This physical art is so beautiful.

Happy Friday.

Print by 55 hi's on Etsy, $25

I'm not going to lie. I'm feeling a little bit exhausted. Starting a new job and acclimating to a new space, new energy, new politics. It really has been draining. I'm extremely grateful to be where I am, and I'm definitely learning new things, which is all I really was hoping for this opportunity to be. And it's only my second day. After being freelance/unemployed/underemployed since October, it is a bit of a harsh shift for me, not even considering the fact that I was very spoiled with a cushy position in my last job. This is a whole new ball game. 

Print by TheMotivatedType on Etsy, $12 to $65 depending on size

And, speaking of ball games, apparently it's the Super Bowl this weekend. I won't be watching this year (!) since Rob will be working and I'll be free to watch anything I want. Most years we have people over and serve up fun food, so at least I'm paying attention to being a hostess, instead of the sport: last year we did quesadillas to order, one year we did a big batch of chili, and one year we did wine and cheese pairings. Because of course wine and cheese go with football - in my house at least. If you're going to make me watch a sport I'd better get to enjoy what I'm eating and drinking. Honestly, I don't think I've watched more than a few minutes of football over the years - and I like it that way! Well, anyway, If you're watching the game, have fun! and don't eat too much junk if you can help it. Think of me - I'll be spending my weekend sleeping late, doing yoga, and relaxing. And not watching football.

Gift Guide: Valentine's Day, part 2

Here's some of the things that I would love to get for Valentine's Day this year. Just in case you're thinking of getting me something.

This dainty hearts necklace, $23. 

This necklace is definitely dainty but links a series of hearts together, keeping it from being too clearly a heart-shaped Valentine's Day gift. 

A beautyblender, $15.50

I'm expecting the rave reviews to be true - that this blender beats out the others with quality material, shape, and durability. For me to practice my HAC-ing for date nights.

Kate Spade reusable tote, $17

A cute reusable tote like this one - because we can all use more reminders that we deserve to be treated well, and most especially to treat ourselves well.

And for a little romance (since it is Valentine's Day and all), this collection of love letters between my favorite poet, Rainier Maria Rilke, and Lou Andreas-Salomé, described as "remarkably rich and dimensional in its entirety, each of the 200 letters revealing a different facet of Rilke’s exceptional heart and mind, and of the universal commonalities of love itself."

Making Cocktails: the Lemon Drop

The second in my series of cocktails for my internship with Queenofthequarterlifecrisis.com, The Lemon Drop, posted today! It's a refreshing and delicious vodka cocktail, and I highly recommend it. It takes a bit more work than the Paloma, because it requires either a hearty shaking in your cocktail shaker, or a simple syrup - but trust me, it's worth it.  

Shopping for: the White Button Down

Today's my first day in my new full-time job (hooray!) and of course I've already planned what I'm wearing for my first week, since it's already Wednesday and my week's only three days long. I'm dreaming of a new perfect plain white button down blouse, and I'm loving these:

Equipment Slim Signature $204 

Equipment Signature $208

I worry that the Equipment blouses are a little sheer for a corporate professional environment. I also think the Signature is a bit loose cut to plan to wear with a traditional suit jacket, but I'd love it or the Slim with jeans or on a casual Friday.

BR White Silk Utility Blouse $90

This white utility blouse from Banana is a decent budget silk option, and keeps the double-chest-pocket styling and has a cut that seems right in that perfect space between fitted and loose. BR blouses tend to fit me really well, but in my experience, you're looking at a few seasons at best, which means you'll need to replace it and end up spending more in the long run anyway. For something that's as classic and timeless as the white button-down, it would be worth it (imo) to spend the extra cash for a higher quality version.

Burberry Brit Basic Button-Down $225

If you're looking for a more traditional fit, this basic button down by Burberry Brit is a tailored, slim-fit style, and you're getting the quality materials and durability you're probably looking for in your white-shirt wardrobe workhorse.

Joie Marru top $208

I know, this one's not your classic button-down style, but I had to throw it in because I LOVE it. Such an update on the classic, with simple, clean lines and the perfect balance between fitted and loose.