The Luxe Mix

I’m compelled to write this post for 2 reasons…

1. The flubber around my belly is stubbornly refusing to go away with my usual diet and workout so I’m getting ready to dose up on my workout regimen and I need new stuff to flex my flub!!

2. When I check my Typepad Stats I’m shocked to see how many of my Luxe Mix visitors are looking for something “fashionable” to wear to the gym.

I wrote a post over a year about the importance of looking your best at the gym and how you can-not-must-not-please-don’t drag yourself into the gym with those ratty undesirable things you normally throw on for your work out. It seems this is popular topic because so many people click this page.. I suppose in hopes of finding something to wear that will inspire them to get to the gym. That’s awesome ladies!! Keep it up and in the meantime here are some more links and workout looks to get you jump-started for your next sweat fest.

Top 10 Fashionable Workout Clothing Designers

1. Stella McCartney for Addidas

While I’ll admit her clothes are not exactly things I’d wear everyday to the gym, I had no choice but to put at the top of my list because.. well it’s Stella. Stella (Yep on a first name basis) obviously puts some real design into her fitness line. There’s interesting details that add intrigue to her pieces.. strategically placed seams, zippers, straps, ruching, ribbon.. these help turn something basic and expected into the unexpected. Guess if you’re going to shell out $100 for a workout top it should stand out from the crowd right?

I’d love to see more variation in the color tones. As you can see she Stella’s line is all about soft muted neutrals. It gives it a more feminine and soft appeal. You hard bodies our there might prefer something else below.

Available at Stella at Addidas.com

2. Lu Lu Lemon

This Canadian-based Yoga clothing company puts out the clean, simple, sporty pieces that work well for us clean, simple, sporty Americans. I’ve noticed a lot of workout clothing companies are based out of Brazil. No wonder those Brazilian hotties have such smokin bodies! They must work out all the time. See.. it does take hard work Focus!!! I also heard the quality of these pants make them indestructible.The only problem here is that I haven’t found any reputable online retailers of Lulu Lemon so you’re on your own. Check their website (link below) for locations.

Look for store locations or retailers at Lululemon.com

3. Zobha

This company is based out of Mill Valley here in the SF Bay Area. I can’t remember how I found them but once I saw their activewear I was impressed! The clean sleep style is very Eco-Organic-conscious-looking. Very fitting for the Nor-Cal fitness queens. And I don’t mean that in a bad way, but it is true right?

Available at Zobha.com

4. Anatomie Style

Anatomie scored high on my list back a year ago when I did my first post, but this year I’m a little disappointed by the lack of good inventory on Anatomie’s website.. so I no choice but to place them at #34 I hope they get their act together and put out some more of the stylish gear we need!!

Available at AnatomieStyle.com

5. Fitness Fit

You’ll like Fitness Fit if you’re more into looking active than prissy at the gym. I find their workout clothes to be sporty but still stylish.

Available at FitnessFit.com

6. Bluefish Activewear

Based out of Miami, Bluefish Activewear claims to offer stylish workout attire that you can get away with wearing comfortably to post-workout errands. Nice gear here but generally standard stuff.

Available at BlueFishActivewear.com

7. Planet Body
Another Brazillian company. A bit sexy (not too mention a little funky) for what I think we American gals can get away with but hot nevertheless.

Available at Planet Body Activewear.com

My friends that is my list for 2008. I hope to share more goodies in this area of looking fashionably fit with you next year!

(more…)

It’s Friday night.. I’m home alone.. what better way to pass the time than to look around for shoes and handbags that I can’t afford?

The bow is more of a knot (I’m rationalizing).. and the coldness of the silver helps to offset any girliness of this shoe. I’m just imaging how tall I’d look in these!!! ooooouu.. i love this so much i feel like crying.

Somewhere I’d heard a golden rule that before you walk out the door remove one accessory. The thought being we tend to fuss getting ready for hours and end up looking overdone (in either a slutty or circus-like way) without even realizing it. You know… the big earrings with the bulging necklace or the false lashes with the vamp red lipstick… one without the other would have been hot but everything together was just wrong.

Along the same lines Juicy Couture’s Handbag line has always scared me. They’re clothing line is chic, very trendy but still maintains a good balance. Take one look at some of the bags from previous seasons though and they were a mess of hardware, straps, and bling. It looks like Juicy was finally able to use the same restraint we all should be using before walking out that door. Simplify!!! The new bags are streamlined and have an upgraded classiness to them.

Juicy Couture JC Medallion 90 Percent Couture Handbag in Cotro (Luxe for Less)

I love the warm tone of this buttery soft-looking leather. The arm strap looks strong but comfortable and I imagine this bag will look amazing once worn in and continue to wear nicely through the years.

JC  Bag available at RevolveClothing.com

Now compare this Juicy bag to my Celine bag.
I got my Celine bag from the Duty Free Shops on Guam for $1000 or so. I
thought that was a good deal. Juicy’s bag is great Luxe for Less option. I’d buy it now if I didn’t already have mine. I can’t promise the Juicy bag will endure the trials and tribulations my Celine has gone through.. coffee spills.. Rocky (my dog) paws pawing… but my bag has held up like a champ.

My Celine Bag (Luxe)

Whether or not you like the JC Medallion Handbag.. I hope you do take away the take away here.. Less is More!

I’ve never been a die hard fan of Missoni. It’s a bit granola for me (granola-luxe that is!). From far away the prints and stitches look kinda nice but the minute I get up close to the piece I have a change of heart. Maybe it’s a taste maturity thing and one day I just may grow into Missoni.

Perhaps their new line of bags is just what will help me make the cross-over. This one below, the M Missoni Gallery Silver Woven Large Double Handle Bag in Chevron/Creme, looks like something I’d carry during the summer months. $517 seems like a reasonable price for a Missoni bag but guess that would depend on where it’s actually made. It still feels a bit mature for my speed but I’m drawn to it. What do you guys think? Beautiful bag or Bag for a Hag??

Missoni Bag at RevolveClothing.com

It’s about that time that I start scouring the web for my Luxe for Less picks!! I’m on a strict budget (says my husband).

Here’s what I’ve found so far but will keep it comin… Everything should be under $100 or less (ish). No guarantees

Urban Edge

For Kicks

The Extras

I meant to post this sooner but if you live in the San Francisco area, I wanted to let you know about an event going on this Wed and Thur (June 4th and 5th) called Shecky’s Girls Night Out. I’ve never been so I can’t promise it’s going to be all that but I’ll be there this year so maybe I’ll bump into you while clawing for the goodies. I’ll apologize now in advance if I get out of control.

From what the website says, they’ll be serving cocktails while you shop till you drop, sample products, and get to go home with a Shecky’s Goodie Bag. The admission is $25 for two which is a bargain for an entire night of guilty pleasure.

Hope to see you there!

I meant to post this sooner but if you live in the San Francisco area, I wanted to let you know about an event going on this Wed and Thur (June 4th and 5th) called Shecky’s Girls Night Out. I’ve never been so I can’t promise it’s going to be all that but I’ll be there this year so maybe I’ll bump into you while clawing for the goodies. I’ll apologize now in advance if I get out of control.

From what the website says, they’ll be serving cocktails while you shop till you drop, sample products, and get to go home with a Shecky’s Goodie Bag. The admission is $25 for two which is a bargain for an entire night of guilty pleasure.

Hope to see you there!