The Time I Chickened Out

Went to Lululemon (LOVE!)  

*All model pictures are from their site.

Really wanted this tank,

but was too self conscious to try it on.

So I found a somewhat similar style, but with a bit more coverage.

I had trouble picking between black and the blue patterned, but went with the blue.

I loved the long length of this tank and the cool detailing on the back.
However, unlike the model I will never be wearing a matching bra,
some days I'm just lucky to find matching socks.

I love my Run: A Marathon Crop so much that I got it in the short version.
It still has the same great deep pockets and zip key holder.
Now, it's time to pray I have finally found a pair of shorts that won't give me chub rub.  Fingers crossed guys!
I also splurged and got another pair of crops.
They didn't have the Marathon in my size,
 so I decided to try the Run: Nothing to Hide Crop.
I love that it has the same deep pockets and really like the fold over waist band.
Too bad it doesn't have a zip key pocket.

However, while I found great clothes
(My reward for finishing the Run Streak was supposed to be one pair of pants, whoops!)
I totally wussed out on my other goal.
The first time I went into Lululemon opening weekend I feel in LOVE.
Loved how cute, comfortable, and functional the clothes were,
 and loved how friendly and helpful the salespeople were.
I knew this was a group I wanted to somehow be a part of...
then I found out they have Lululemon Ambassadors.
Dream come true.  Right?
I applied, but never heard anything back.
I figured talking to people at the store was the way to go
(since ambassadors are location specific and chosen at the local store level).

I was ready....
I went on a Tuesday at 11:30 so the store wouldn't be as busy
Wore my favorite LuLulemon crops and mint green tank.
Carried my brand new blog business cards in my purse.
Was a fabulous customer buying 2 shirts, shorts, and a pair of crops.
But, did I mention anything to anyone about my application or my desire to be an ambassador - No!
You guessed it,
I totally chickened out.
Now what?
What would you all do if you were in my situation?  Help!

However, I did get a pretty walk around downtown out of it and
lunch at one of my favorite healthier places, Taziki's.
I had a Greek Salad Gyro add grilled chicken with fresh fruit as my side.
Then I stopped and got fro-yo to drown my sorrows.
Mostly nonfat no sugar added coconut with a bit of strawberry on top.
It's covered in blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, coconut, a few yogurt raisins, plus one piece each of: brownie, cookie dough, and reeses cup.

Then when I got home I had a surprise waiting.
A box of Vega Energizing Smoothies.
I cannot wait to bust into these.
You can all look forward to a review
and the chance to win your very own box next week:)

Pockets!

So I know I went on about it a bit yesterday as I was super excited about my first ever Lululemon visit.  (I have since found out that everyone except me knew about Lulu.  Late to the party as usual.)  

Well now it's time to tell it like it is.  I took my new purchases on a 8 mile run to see how they held up, and the review is in. 

Run: A Marathon Crops
Run: Tame Me Tank
Headband (that didn't slip the entire time)

I had been on a never ending quest to find capris I could run in that would fit over my curvy hips without falling off my nonexistent butt.  I finally broke down and bought a pair each of Nike & Reebok capris last week and they seemed better than anything I'd ever owned before.  I was pretty happy.  However, the Nike's were almost too tight below the knees, but I thought maybe that is just because when most people run their legs get leaner, but mine hulk up like I'm on 'roids.  (You'd think I vacationed with the Jersey Shore cast.)  The Reebok pair are beyond cute and comfy, but apparently (according to my rugby team) after running around for an hour I have more camel toe than the Sahara.  They were good, but there had to be something better out there.  Right?

Enter Lulu's Run: A Marathon Crop.  I am in love.  After a great 8 miler they stayed perfectly put, fit great, looked cute and had tons of amazing features.  I loved the zip pocket for my house key and the pockets on the side = Amazing! At first when the salesgirl pointed the pockets out I totally ignored her thinking... "When am I going to fill my pockets up and run?"  Apparently… All the time!  I never take anything with me on my runs, but that is because I don't have anywhere to put it.  I carried my big old iPhone with me today (which would make my dad feel way better about my running safety) to see how the pockets worked.  I tucked it in a side pocket and expected it to bounce around so much it would pull my pants down on that one side.  Nope.  The phone stayed perfectly put for all 8 miles.  Heaven.

Pockets!

I seriously called T as soon as I was finished with my run to tell her I found the pants I am running our marathon in and that they have pockets.  I'm super excited I can carry my phone, key, ID, credit card, and a bit of cash with me without having to try and wear some fanny pack type thing.  Woohoo!  Plus they fit great, stay put, and don't give me toes like dessert animals.

I am in absolute love and pretty sure I will never buy another type of running capris.  I may go Lulu bankrupt! (P.S.- The tank rocked too.  It was comfortable & adorable.)

Runner's World Summer Run Streak -

Day 14 = 8 miles (+ 1 mile cool down walk)

Total Miles Run = 57.5

My trail route today.

All you Lululemon fans out there... What else do I need from them?

Lulu Love

C & I started today off with a 6 mile run around the penninsula and by the harbor in downtown Charleston.

I love runs downtown, they remind me how pretty my town is - spoiled!

Then we went to the farmers' market in Marion Square which happens every Sat from 8-3.
It's amazing.  If you are ever in town check it out!

I picked up fresh pasta, peaches, plums, blueberries, and these blackberries.
Look at how huge they are!

I wanted some of the gorgeous flowers too.
However, I knew C & I still had lots of walking and shopping and they wouldn't fit in my farmers' market bag as well.

Then we walked through all the art booths that happened to be in the square from Spoleto weekend.

Next, we headed down King Street (great shopping) to the brand new Lululemon which opened this weekend.  

I had heard great things about their clothes, but never had the chance to try them on before.
The store was great, tons of cute stuff.
I had to restrain myself a bit so I didn't take everything into the dressing room.

On top of the great clothes I also saw this manifesto printed all over and I really like  everything it says.
Plus the salespeople were too nice.
One girl talked to C the whole time while I tried stuff on.

I have been on a hunt for great capris and really liked the Run: A Marathon pair.
They fit great and are totally practical with a zippered key pocket and deep pockets for my ID, phone, credit card, etc.
These might be my favorite pants ever.  So excited!  Cannot wait to try them out on a long run.  

I have also been looking for a running tank that isn't too short and isn't skin tight.  
This one is amazing: lightweight, cute, and it camouflages my stomach.
I tried it in blue, but the sales girl convinced me to try on the same green as the band at the top of the capris.  
Good call on her part.  It looked way better with my pale skin tone.
I know their stuff costs more than I usually am willing to spend on running clothes,
but I have workout pants that have been in my closet for 2-3 years, are falling apart, and won't stay up.
I'm so excited that these are cute, well built, and should last for a very long time.  
I am in Lulu Love!
Uh oh. ...
This could become an obsession.  Get the restraints ready.

Then we stopped by Taziki's for a quick, fresh, and decently healthy lunch.
I got the Greek salad gyro.
It had delicious grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, roasted red pepper, feta, and a little bit of taziki sauce.
Amazing!

Then I went with C to Croghan's Jewelry Box because she had won a $200 gift card.
They had tons of gorgeous rings and the saleslady who helped us was really nice.
However, it was a totally upscale too ritzy place (we had to ring a doorbell and be buzzed in).
They really didn't have many options for C's $200 gift card.
I thought they might have lots of plain silver rings or earrings, but that was not the case and lots of what they did have for under $200 was not her style.
She looked for a really long time and just could not find anything except this $50 pair of earrings.

She wasn't sure about them at first, but I thought they were amazing and convinced her to get them.
Since she couldn't find lots of other stuff she liked, and they had two pairs, she got me a pair too.
Not what I was going for when I kept telling her to get them, but so sweet and amazingly thoughtful of her!
I am wearing them to a Fitz and the Tantrums concert with my mom tonight.

After that super busy morning/afternoon it was nap time and then time to cook.
I used my two balls of farmers' market pasta some fresh green beans and tomatoes, a can of mushrooms I had, and 1 delicious chicken andouille sausage (thank you Costco)...

and it made all this.  Woohoo!  Leftovers.
Guess I know what I'm having for lunch tomorrow.

P.S.- Last night I had dinner at my parents house since I hadn't seen them all week and we try to do family dinner weekly.

Mom did a wonderful job keeping it pretty healthy.

Then post crab legs she kicked my butt at board games.

Runner's World Summer Run Streak -
Day 12 = 1 mile run (rest day, plus 2 mile dog walk)
Day 13 = 6 mile run 
Total Miles Run = 49.5 miles


What running clothes/gear can you not live without?