FueledByLOLZ

Fall Products I’m Enjoying

The Fall weather has hit. I think the high humidity and temperature days are gone for the year. I can’t say I mind because Halloween is one of my favorite Holidays. Thinking out loud, there are a few new products or items that I either bought or was sent.

Saucony Omni jacket

This jacket has been super warm and stylish. I can wear it anytime and haven’t taken it off except to wash it. It comes in a couple of different colors, and I want them all. As embarrassing as it is, I think half of my Instagram photos have been in that jacket. It’s warm but not hot, and it breathes well (also protects from the wind). I’m obsessed, and I’m probably going to buy every color. Plus it’s fitted. I like to pretend I’m a fashionista, and a traffic cone orange jacket is enough to make any modeling agency hire me.

My omini jacket and I going to the diner — My omni jacket and I going to the diner

My Omni jacket and I going for a run... — My Omni jacket and I going for a run…

Garmin 220

I bought this watch a couple of months ago. My Garmin 10 began not syncing to my computer in June 2014. Since June 2014 (yes nearly 18 months ago), I have not plugged my Garmin into any computer.

Some features I love about the Garmin 220:

The obvious ability to view my runs
Ability to program workouts
Capacity to wireless synch to the Garmin app

I think this watch has changed my running a lot. I do my workouts on the road and don’t take long “extra” breaks. It tells me exactly when my 90-second break is up, and I like that. If you like heart rate, Garmin just released the 225 model that has the same features and heart rate too.

Sparkly Soul Headband:

As some people may know, I get migraines. While I haven’t had any significant migraines since college, I did have 2 in college that sent me to the Emergency room.

What do migraines have to do with headbands?

A lot of tight headbands give me headaches. The Sparkly Soul Headband does not. I use a lot of mousse to keep my hair tamed, and it keeps it in place. To be honest before trying one at Runners World Festival, I never thought I would be able to wear something tight around my head. Most of the headbands are over the top glitz for me, but they have several that I like.

Sparkley Soul Headband — The Runners World Headband!

Food:

Grape and Cherry Tomatoes:

I live in New Jersey, known as the Garden State. What most people don’t know is that there are Gardens off of the turnpike. I’m fortunate that I can go to local markets and load on tomatoes which is what I’ve been doing. I wish tomatoes were in season all year round.

tomatoesandolives — I love grape tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.

Tomatoes in the window...because it's artsy? Right? — Tomatoes in the window…because it’s artsy? Right?

I have been eating these by the gallon. I love how sweet they are, and I enjoy grilling and sautéing them as well as just eating them raw.

Sunwarrior Protein:

I was contacted by Sunwarrior protein to try their protein powders. I have been searching for a protein powder that doesn’t cause me to bloat. I have found with several protein powders that I bloat or get abdominal distress. I was lucky to try both the chocolate and vanilla and both were excellent. I ended up going to my local Vitamin Shop to purchase more vanilla afterward.

I like to have a scoop of protein powder in my yogurt or milk after workouts or races. It absorbs into my system well and I always find that I recover much faster. So far I have used about half of the tub and I haven’t had any issues! I would recommend Sunwarrior for anyone looking for a protein powder.

(The original individual packages were sent to me at no cost, but I have since bought a giant tub of vanilla).

Fashion:

Scarves and Sweaters

I could wear scarves and oversized sweaters every single day.

Question for you: What are some fall items you are loving?

Sears: Reserve it

In this post we’d love to see the following:

Share an experience when you wish you’d had Reserve It
Include #SearsReserveIt and #MoreMerry in social content promoting your posts

————-

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I am taking on my first real sponsored campaign with a company I’ve been buying clothing from since middle school…Sears! When they originally contacted me a while ago, I was ecstatic. I thought it might be a dream come true because I actually shop at Sears, they are a great company and I enjoy their products. I actually got one of my favorite green formal college dresses from Sears a few years back.

Actually looking back, I have bought several dresses from Sears. I’ve purchased many outfits in general but I would say at least half of my dress collection is from Sears.

Sears is primarily releasing this for the Holidays but it will be available year round! I know a lot of people don’t want think about Holidays yet. I’m not sure if I’m in that majority. I love the Holiday season (except for when people think they are clever to sing “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas). I enjoy picking out what I think people will like (or in reality what people tell me they will like). I enjoy that despite the cold, people have a great attitude and enjoy life. Also, Tim’s birthday is in the Holiday season!

Anyways this year Sears is coming out with a new service called “Reserve it”. It’s a new service that allows you to browse the Sears website online and then reserve it in store. Then when you arrive at the store your selections are hand-picked, ready and waiting for you to try on (or whatever…if you just wanted to pick up in store).

With Reserve It, you can easily shop online for clothing, shoes or more, place them on hold in store with just one click and then try them on in-store. For me personally, I get overwhelmed going into a store with no “game plan”. I like to have a mental plan of what I want to do and how I want to do it. I don’t want to spend hours browsing things that I don’t really want. I end up buying things that I don’t want or need and not usually leaving with the product I wanted.

Something that is even cooler is that you can see what styles, colors and sizes are available at your local store. You don’t have to spend hours looking at Sears that isn’t carrying what you originally wanted. That is something that has happened to me several times (and a huge reason why I shop and purchase online).

Reserve is so simple to use even LOLZ can do it:

Log in in to your Shop Your Way account on Sears.com.

Select your local Sears store (the products that are available in that store are the only ones to show up).

Then Click “Reserve in Store”. You’ll get an email when they are ready and Sears will hold the item for 48 hours.

Go to the Reserve It rack located in the women’s apparel section and try your items on in-store.

Optional step: Look like a throwback from the 80s. — Optional step: Look like a throwback from the 80s…sweet Nike Pegasus too.

They also included a video of people talking more in depth about it. Sadly they did not choose me to talk about all the time I have wasted browsing Sears looking for a dress or outfit I wanted.

For me personally, I wish all stores had this. While I think it’s great for the Holidays, I think it’s the best for shopping for yourself too. A lot of the time you go into a store knowing a basic idea of what you want. Do you need a new pair of jeans, a shirt, shorts…whatever you need or want. You spend an hour or so browsing and one of these things happen:

1. You find the perfect item (but not in your size).

2. You find 10 perfect items and spend 10 times the amount of money and time that you meant too.

I have personally been enjoying using “Reserve it” by looking online and then checking if it is in the store (in my size). I beeline it to the reserve it section. I try it on (and either it fits or doesn’t fit). I might casually browse around but since I have an exact plan, I don’t spend too much time browsing. I feel like I have a much better plan because I know what peaked my interest online. Plus in both situations I have used Reserve it, I have ended up liking the product and then not needing to pay (and wait for) shipping. One of my biggest pet peeves for companies is expensive and a long wait period for shipping.

Thanks Sears for allowing me to be apart of this campaign. I look forward to continuing to use and promote the Reserve it Service throughout the Holidays!

Sears is sponsoring this post. All dresses were purchased by me.

Questions for you:

What do you think about the new Sears idea of Reserve it?

Do you try clothing on in store?

Denim.

Something I’ve always struggled with is blue jeans. I always find myself trying on multiple pairs of blue jeans and saying eh, no thanks. Or another scenario is I’ll buy them, wear them once and then never again. Oddly enough, I just cleaned out 5 pairs of good blue jeans that way. I enjoy moving because I enjoy getting rid of things I don’t use (like half of my blue jeans collection).

I wore jeans once...it was awful. — I wore jeans once…it was awful.

It wasn’t until I really realized the reason I hated blue jeans. I hate denim because I was buying the incorrect size. My blue jeans are either too big or too small. I wasn’t taking the time to see how different cuts hit my hips and how they would stretch over my calves. I wasn’t taking the time to look at different brands and how they fit my body shape. They aren’t leggings; it is not a universal three size system. Each company makes blue jeans for women differently.

Yet here I was (for the last 10 years) buying blue jeans based on a random size I assumed worked for me. It’s like when you find out your running shoes are way too small and you need two sizes bigger.

A new (to me) company that I have grown to like is NYDJ blue jeans. They have a lot of different styles from flair, to skinny jeans, to colors to prints. As most people know I am a huge fan of printed party pants. As I grow older and need to be taken a little more seriously, I have transitioned from wearing leggings to jeans, trousers and fitted pants.

Buying jeans reminds me of a running shoe store if you will. They have taller cut jeans, wide leg jeans and my personal favorite trouser style jeans. Like running shoes, every shoe style fits a little differently. A Saucony shoe fits differently from a Brooks shoe. An Asics shoe feels completely different than a Hoka shoe. Different brands have a different cut, feel and style. The same has held true for blue jeans.

There are two things I (personally) like about NYDJ blue jeans as opposed to other brands. The first is many of their jeans don’t have a direct and easily noticeable pocket design. The general public knows the back pocket clothing designers such as Abercrombie, Hollister or American Eagle. I am a fan of the more modest and less apparent back pockets. I honestly don’t need anyone looking at my butt to see what brand I’m wearing. That being said they do have interesting and unique pocket designs for those who want it.

The second reason I like NYDJ blue jeans is they fit at the natural waist. For me, I don’t have hips. I wish I did but I don’t. These sit a little bit higher and give the illusion that I do. So I like that there is more of a rise to these jeans.

All in all, I’m glad I have put more time and effort into finding blue jeans that fit me well. In my personal situation, I find that more people take me seriously when I’m not wearing leggings. I feel more put together.

I was contacted by an outside source to promote NYDJ jeans. All opinions and writing is my own.

Questions for you:

Do you like moving?

What are your favorite jeans?

Adding a Triple 0 Size

Yesterday I was listening to Good Morning America. I like to wake up and watch GMA. It’s always been part of my routine. I like to find out current events, interesting fun facts and whatever else is going on. Yesterday, I heard that the company J. Crew was adding a 000 size. Yes, triple 0.

An Overview Here

At first I thought is that a childs size? Why not go to a childrens store?

Then I realized in J. Crew sizing, I am a size 0. I’m not built like a size 0 but in J. Crew I wear a size 0. J. Crew’s size 000 will be fit for a 23 inch waist. At first thought it baffles me but then I thought about size 5’0 females that have problems buying professional clothing. This would be so beneficial for them. When I worked in Oswego, I often found it hard to find professional clothing and I’m not petite built. Of course taller woman might be a smaller waist as well but there are many woman that are 5 feet tall and will never have larget than a size 23 waist while being at a healthy weight. Similarly, there are many 6’0+ woman that will have a large bone structure despite being thing.

After more research, I came across the sizing methods. J. Crew (as well as othercompanies) use vanity sizing. They purposely make their sizes bigger so customers may fit into a smaller size. For instance I’m around a size 4 in most brands such as Target or BCBG.

They want you to feel like you are wearing a smaller size so you purchase more of their clothing. They want you to feel good. Since the majority of the US is average size or larger, going down a size or two feels great. Of course there is a minority of people that are underweight that this has such a negative effect on.

Adding a triple 000 size does not fix any problems. It would be a lot easier if woman’s sizes were like men’s (by waist size) or Europen sizes. Why add a third 0? Why not just go into negatives at this point?

These are just various points and concepts I’m sure have thought about. I propose instead of adding a 000 to J. Crew (or other brands who also use vanity sizing), they change their sizing to be more true to size. Why don’t all companies go by waist size? Is anyone truly looking at the inside of your pants tag to see?

Unfortantely it’s not up to me. I won’t say I’m against the 000 idea, because there are woman that need such sizing. I will say that it’s frustrating that picking out clothing is so difficult when you have vanity sizing, true sizing and just different brand sizing.

What are your thoughts?

Random Life

I haven’t posted a lot in my day to day life because I haven’t done a lot. Look at me being exciting! But it’s Friday and the weekend is almost finally here. It could be the fact someone has had rooster hours and working at 6 am but I’ve been up earlier and this week has gone by extremely slow. I just hope the weekend goes just as slowly.

Let’s see what I’ve been up to the last week. Besides a nice week of no traveling and down time, I’ve been cleaning off and on. I’ve had a doctor’s appointment and I got to hang out with a fellow Oiselle NJ teammate, Brennan. Way back in the day (read: At the Nike half last year) Brennan and I met at the starting line. Now we get to hang out frequently considering we live 45 minutes apart.

We decided to head to Cherry Hill Mall, eat at the Lux Café and window shop. Lord knows I don’t need anymore clothes or need to be spending anymore money for a while…but I can never resist a good sale. (Luckily I found nothing I needed).

I think I’ve mentioned that my favorite store outside of working out is BCBG. I love their style and I love it even more when it’s at an outlet store. Regardless, we went inside and looked around. There is a lot of new and fresh style ideas that I’m digging lately. Such as the rose gold trend. Brennan and I decided to try $500 outfits on at BCBG because we are adults and store managers no longer follow us around wondering what we are doing in the store. Plus I had my Russian hat on, which screams I make a lot of money. (or at least it pretends too).

This post was really scattered like my brain as been lately so I apologize. Since that was the highlight of my week I have nothing else to add. I’m honestly just happy for the weekend and a possible 5k on Sunday.

Questions for you:

How was your week? Do you have any weekend plans?

What is your favorite nonathletic brand?

Real Life Musings

I normally have Monday’s off of both works. Though I would much prefer a weekend day, I cannot ever complain about having a day off at all. Normally on Monday’s I try and make it my long run or double workout day since I can’t generally fit it in other places and then of course relaxing and not worrying about work. When mom asked if I wanted to go to the outlet malls in Williamsburg and was off work as well I wanted a day to forget workouts, forget working and be a real girl.

The previous two weeks I haven’t been having runs that I would really consider enjoyable. While I finish the runs injury free and not in pain, they haven’t really felt great. At 5:15 in the morning I was just grumpy and running was not happening then. When I didn’t sleep well and had no interest in running…I didn’t. I also didn’t sleep in either because honestly I was just wide awake. So with that I crawled out of bed and just relaxed at home while mom woke up.

We generally like to turn our shopping adventures to the outlet into an all day event. On the hour journey north, we couldn’t decide on a restaurant so using trusty foursquare we found a Greek restaurant “The Grecian Plate”. It was good but it wasn’t enough food for me. It also wasn’t terribly expensive so I wasn’t too upset.

Before I divulge too much into my shopping adventure, it’s no secret I’m on a budget but I decided to treat myself to a day of shopping and not worry about it. I work to enjoy and spend money that I earn occasionally and not feel guilty about it. To give you a remote idea, it was more then I’ve spent in the last week then I have in the last month. Oh well.

Some key purchases:

Immediately when I saw this romper at BCBG, I fell in love. I knew it was going to bust my wallet but I also knew it would be a perfect date night outfit in Texas.

I also bought some new MAC makeup at the cosmetic company store. I know some people don’t wear makeup…but I do and I like MAC. It lasts a long time and for me that is also a splurge I take.

The other splurge I take is my biannual new wallet purchase from Fossil. In January I treated myself to a fancy red wallet. This time I decided to go with a nice tan leather wallet.

Questions for you:
Favorite places to shop? (food and grocery does not count…)
Last thing you and your mom did together?

My Life Through Instragrammed Coffee and Sunsets

What have I been doing this week?

Your guess is as good as mine. Sometimes I really think my life consists of wake up, eat, work, gym, eat, sleep….or something like that. I find that instagram allows me to look back at my week and find the most important things, though most of it is #coffeeaday and sunsets. Some glamor shots of course….

Friday instagram day I guess.

#coffeeaday winner goes to Thursdays coffee. Gas station coffee with about 6 inches of whip cream. It’s cool, I know I’m the ephiphany of a health blogger when I post photos of 300 calorie coffees.

Views:

view1 — The famous Powerplant towers. Such a lovely view from my room…

Other points of interest:

My arthritis medicine makes my skin bruise very easily. No I’m not doing anything dangerous, this is from foam rolling. I can’t apply any pressure without getting a bruise. I’m also not anemic that is just a side effect of the medicine…fun right?

legbruise — None of this is painful…just weird…

I did an hour session of 100% full body resistance the other day…it kicked my butt (literally).

Also regarding yesterday’s protected post, I will not be giving out the password. Thank you for understanding but it was a point for me to personally vent that I do not need the world to see.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get to work and then relax this weekend. I think I’m going on an unnecessary shopping spree for no reason.

Question for you:

1. What did you do this week?
2. What are you doing this weekend?

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