Clothes to Sweat In

{by alexis} I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I love to work out. The truth is, I don’t. It eats up part of my day and you guys, it’s HARD. But I do love the feeling I get when I finish whatever idiotic workout kick I’m currently on: I have energy, I’m happier, and I feel good about myself. These are the reasons I exercise.

If you follow us on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed that we’ve got a membership with ClassPass, a new way to exercise around the city. We’re having a great time picking classes and trying new things (like HOW IMPOSSIBLE PURE BARRE IS), so I’ve been building up my gym wardrobe considerably in the last few weeks.

Whether you’re getting back into the swing of things after the holiday eating contest (what, just my family?) or whether you’re trying to make good on those new year’s resolutions, you’re going to need something to wear. My stance on fitness fashion is that it should be inexpensive and comfortable. That’s it. You’re not going to find any $100 pair of Lululemon leggings on my list. I’d rather spend money on clothes I’m happy to wear. You know, like blardigans. So check out the places that I bargain shop for gym basics.

Nordstrom skews on the more expensive side of my spectrum, but I legitimately cannot live without my Zella leggings. They’re super supportive and hold everything in and smooth it out. They look equally great paired with sneakers and a tee and riding boots and a chunky sweater. These are a must.

Alicia is a fan of the active wear collection at Old Navy. And who can argue with their price point! This funnel neck pullover is a great layering piece for in and out of class, or for a brisk dog walk. The ruching detail on the tee is cute but not too much.

Gap is a no brainer. There stuff is also priced reasonably and you can almost ALWAYS find a coupon code. I own these pants, and they’re a great alternative to the tight or legging. And this tank is cute without being obnoxious.

Amazon is a little trickier. Their stock is so large, you have to use a million filters just to get to a manageable amount of products. They’re good if you know what brand you’re looking for. These Soybu yoga pants are a new addition to my collection, and I’ll tell you the fabric is SO SOFT.

Target is obvious, right? It should be. You can snap up stuff from the clearance section or for full-price and you’ll never pay too much. A perennial favorite of mine is the boyfriend tee, available in a rainbow of colors. I also favor these sports bras for weekend wear. They’re not the most supportive, so I wouldn’t recommend them for running.

Finally, Victoria’s Secret is also a solid choice for active wear. They have plenty of cute pieces like this baseball tee or this scoop top, but they also have inexpensive basics. Wait till they offer a free shipping coupon and stock up.

There you have it! Almost all of my active wear was purchased from the retailers you see above. You don’t need to blow your paycheck on clothes to wear to the gym. Wear what makes you happy and comfortable, and enjoy the burn!

Presents to Self

{by alicia + alexis} It’s the time of year for the gift guide, no? We’ve posted one, and some of our favorite bloggers have posted their own versions, too. But what you don’t often see is what the bloggers are buying themselves. In this post, we’ll both list the treasures we picked up for ourselves while shopping for the other folks in our lives.

{Alexis’ List}

one. This is the season for warm, over-sized sweaters, and, in my opinion, no one does it better than Vince. I picked this up on Gilt during Black Friday sales and paid next to nothing. Pro tip: do NOT size up. Not a member of Gilt Groupe yet? If you’re curious enough to give it a go, consider using my invite link; then I could buy more sweaters!

two. These are the Dannie pants from J.Crew. You hear a lot about the Minnies, and even the Curators, but these are the true unsung heros. In total, I’ve got four pairs of these pants, including a version with leather details. I like a work pant that’s slim, but not tight around the ankle. They come in three flattering dark colors, and the best part? They’re machine washable!

three. Ask Alicia: I’ve been hunting for a planner for MONTHS. After all the searching, I ended up buying the first one I looked at, which is this spiral bound beauty from Paper Source. It’s got enough room to write, and keeps the monthly calendars together and separate from the weeklies.

four. Anthropologie is my kryptonite. I was NOT disappointed by this beautiful blazer, though it needed a good steaming once it arrived.

five. I’ve been trying to hold off on buying any home goods till we buy a house (STILL LOOKING), but I couldn’t resist this gold constellation tray from C. Wonder. It can catch jewelry, nightstand minutiae, or even mail.

six. This is the Kate Spade cupcake skirt I’ve been lusting after forever, and I can’t wait to wear it on Christmas eve! Don’t worry — I did not pay as much as you see on the link. This was another one of my Gilt finds.

seven. Sephora has been running a good amount of deals this month, and I’m always more than happy to pick out a present for myself. I’ve been into masks lately, and here’s a collection of trial sized goodies that won’t break the bank.

eight. Speaking of breaking the bank…I have been coveting this Tory Burch York Buckle tote, but it has been excluded from literally every sale she’s run on her site. Cue dramatic tantrums and epic frustration. But! Shopbop saved the day with their sitewide discount, and I saved myself a cool $50. (Still expensive, I know but it’s something.) This bag is the workday BOMB.

nine. Another Paper Source purchase! This personalized notebook is perfect for throwing in my bag for on-the-spot notes. I chose the “bombshell” font for a more whimsical look. No, I didn’t order one with the name Jeremiah Potter on the cover.

ten. Anthropologie strikes again. This removable fur collar won me over, and it’s coziness earned it some space in my closet. It will be perfect Christmas morning present-opening and pup-snuggling.

{Alicia’s List}

one. Since I’m all about comfort these days, I have been living in this furry hooded parka from ASOS. It’s warm without being bulky, and I got it for an absolute steal during the madness of Black Friday.

two. Francesca’s is my go-to shop for statement necklaces, and it didn’t disappoint when I was looking for some sort of bauble to jazz up my holiday frock. I especially like this one because of the multicolor beads–it complements so many outfits! It’s also great for ramping up your everyday look without being too dressy.

three. My skin is hideously dry in the winter, and this light cleansing oil from The Face Shop gives me an extra surge of moisture while melting every inch of makeup off my face. Don’t be afraid of putting oil on your face. This cleanser doesn’t clog your pores in the slightest, especially when you follow up with a gentle foam wash.

four. I work at a startup, so the dress code is pretty lax. Though I try not to be a total slob, I took my footwear a step further and adapted these moccasins into an office slip on. The furry lining keeps my feet extra warm which is great for those of us with poor circulation, and I’m cozy all day long!

five. Do I even need to explain this one? It combines all of my favorite things into one perfect shoe. Cake! Polka dots! Pink! Conversation starter! I can’t wait until spring when it’s warm enough to bust them out every single day.

six. My mother is Korean, therefore my skin regimen is super Korean (she’s in her fifties and her skin is to die for, so my night routine is like 10+ steps). This also applies to my makeup regimen. There is a total difference between real BB cream imported from Korea, and the stuff I find in the states (which is more like tinted moisturizer). So, I tend to sway towards Korean brands like Skin Food and Tony Moly for my fix. Target is now carrying Laniege (another awesome brand), so I had to try their BB Cushion. This handy compact makes it easy to swipe on in the morning and touch up during the day. PLUS, it has SPF 50! Bonus!

seven. I love how this watch from Rakani is reminiscent of Dali’s melting clocks. Plus, I wanted a cheerful color for these gray winter days and this pink and rose gold combo fits the bill nicely!

eight. Philosophy’s  3-in-1 washes are the best. Not only do they smell delicious (I always want to eat the bottle), but they multitask, and take up less space in the shower. When I saw the Pink Frosted Animal Cracker scent (I almost wrote “flavor”), I had to have it!

nine. Blanket scarves are a game changer. Between these and my sweater cape, I am authorized to go into public swathed in a throw. You guys, blankets are parading as clothing and it’s socially acceptable! What’s crazier is that I get daily compliments on my said blanket outfits. Comfort fashion for the win!

ten. Adult onesies are genius. Don’t we all secretly want to revert back to childhood? Sure we do! I unabashedly rock a plush, cat-print version on the weekend (no shame), and it’s like I’m a cozy bear. I hear you laughing. Don’t knock it until you try it!

Saturday Morning at Easton Town Center

{alexis}

On Saturday morning, Alicia and I were invited to attend a blogger brunch at Marmi Shoes. Put together by your favorite Girl About Columbus, the event was a great way to meet all the other folks who love Columbus as much as we do. There were a lot of laughs, a lot of interesting stories, and hopefully the beginnings of some new relationships — if nothing else, I’ve got a lot more reading material!

When the brunch was over, so was the rain, and I found myself with a sunny morning at a nearly empty Easton. I had planned to go right home, but here was an opportunity! I shed my jacket and strolled down to Madewell. I don’t always have the best luck there, but I never give up! This day I was even luckier than usual — the store was hosting a pop-up shop by On Paper, a darling stationery store in the Short North bursting to the brim with some of the most beautiful products I’ve seen, and an endless selection of custom options. I even got to meet the proprietor herself, Joan Schnee, who showed me around the table and pointed out a few of her favorites.

The stationery and the Madewell accessories complement one another pretty well, don’t you think? You’ll see note cards, writing accessories, and greeting cards of all shapes, sizes and styles. On the far end was a charming collection of Mother’s Day cards (REMINDER: GET YOUR MOTHER A GIFT) that I leafed through for quite a while.

On this other side, you’ll notice some examples of their custom invitations. I know they do beautiful work on wedding invitations, and I’m sure they can guide you through what is often a complicated process (what do you mean there’s an envelope inside an envelope?). You’ll also see supple leather journals, and even a cheeky throw pillow or two! It really was a neat set up right in the store. And, as part of the event, Madewell had run out for snacks!

I knew I was fated to be here as soon as I saw the Pistacia Vera. I limited myself to one (possible only because we had a box at home in the fridge), my new favorite flavor, strawberry lillet, and got to shopping. Today was really my lucky day, because I picked up two, seriously marked-down, seriously cute frocks, perfect for the summer.

It looks very different on me, more Betty Draper-esque, as the skirt seems a bit fuller. It will be perfect for a work event husband has coming up. After ringing up my purchases and waving good-bye (thanks for the chat, Joan! thanks for the help, Suzanne!) to my new friends, I headed down the way to my favorite store, Anthropologie.

Anthropologie is bizarre, and beautiful, and whimsical, and a feast for the eyes. I am famous for my devotion and enthusiasm for the space and their clothes, and could spend hours here feeling the fabrics, examining the tchotchkes, and piling my arms with strange and wonderful garments. When I lived in Boston, I stopped in at least once a week. The huge store always had a towering new display to see. The Columbus store, though not quite a flagship, has a lot going on, too.

That, ladies and gents, is sand. Sand! In the store! On the hardwood! Who even cares about those comfy-looking, printed pants, when I am dealing with sand indoors in Ohio. These displays are no joke. Not impressed with this? Perhaps you need something on a bigger scale.

Oh you know, just a non-permanent, sparkling chandelier. They even coordinated that scarf to the sofa. This place is no joke.

Last weekend they were having a 20%-off-sale sale (which NEVER HAPPENS), so I grabbed even more than usual (don’t shop with me — I will embarrass you), and headed into the fitting rooms. Because I try on everything that has a remote chance of being flattering, I usually end up in outfits so comical and odd, I have to record them with photographic evidence. These pictures are usually sent to my mother, and my girlfriends for a laugh, but even afterward, I have a hard time deleting them from my phone. Here’s a favorite from over a year ago.

I originally thought this was a maxi, but was delighted to find pant legs. Look how happy I am! I do this ALL THE TIME while shopping. The more nonsensical the better. But now that I’ve shown you a classic, I fear nothing on Saturday could compare. I picked up a classic pair of jeans, and a casual summer dress.

So next time you feel like a laugh, let’s meet up at Easton. I’ll try on anything you want, and have a great time doing it.

Made LOCAL Market

{alicia}

This past weekend, we took our own advice and spent the afternoon at the Made LOCAL Market. After we dubbed our friend Megan an honorary blogger, the three of us dodged the raindrops (which later turned into snow, naturally) to find shelter at the Bridgewater Banquet Hall. While we hid from the rain, we took a peek at the Boutique Truck that was set up at the entrance. As you probably guessed, it’s a mobile fashion truck that carries a wide array of tempting clothes and accessories.

Alexis and I were besotted with this fetching number (below). Partly because we were freezing cold and could have used another layer, but mostly because it’s awesome (studs+tunic style=yes).

We would have liked to poke around more, but our sodden clothes and feet had us begging for warmth. Once inside, we were overwhelmed with choice. With over 60 local vendors in attendance, you can see why.

There was a lot to take in, so we took a lap down each aisle to get our bearings. Along the way, we stumbled upon this gem of a T-shirt from LMN Apparel (reminder, we are like twelve years old).

There were quite a few T-shirt companies set up at the market, many of them available at Simply Vague. I ended up getting a super comfortable shirt via Where I’m From, a new apparel company that had literally debuted that weekend.

That purple Ohio shirt now has a good home in my closet.

As we like to eat (big shocker there), we had a tremendous time sampling all of the local offerings. Mel’s ‘Zels had these batshit amazing dipped pretzels ranging from flavors like key lime pie to birthday cake.

We highly endorse these crazy delicious pretzels.

And Alexis found a salsa that seriously lived up to its name:

You had us at #totalchipmagnet. These vendors get an ‘A’ for their witticisms.

Ridiculously good was the only way to describe this gastronomic wonder. We chatted with the owner for a little while before Alexis bought a batch. That was another nice aspect of the market, meeting local artisans who are passionate about what they’re doing and actually seeing the person behind what you’re buying.

We also met this guy, but unfortunately, we couldn’t buy him:

I just can’t take it.

This dapper spokes-dog was the face behind CollarDoos, clip-on bow ties for your canine. Not only did this Great Dane win me over, but the clever names  of the bow ties (bahaha, “mutt stache”) made me want to buy a bunch. Note: I don’t even have a dog.

Megan (our honorary blogger) is expecting another child, so we had an excuse to stop at all of the adorable baby-centric displays. I mean, look at these patterns we found at Little Luvins.

I wanted everything at LL’s display. She also had these cozy (unpictured) little baby blankets. Note: I also don’t even have a baby.

There was a ton of handmade jewelry at the market, but we were especially attracted to the Tutes booth where the specialization was wire jewelry.

Alexis picked up this dainty Ohio bracelet, but there were also lovely necklaces and rings on display.

While we browsed, local musician JT Hillier did a brilliant job of entertaining the crowd and livening up the mood.

Our personal favorite was his rock/folk rendition of TLC’s Waterfalls. This morphed into a discussion of our favorite covers of R&B and rap, i.e. Ben Folds covering Dr. Dre and Dynamite Hack’s version of Eazy-E (then I let the Alpine playyyy). And if you’re feeling especially swingy, Richard Cheese covering ANYTHING.

But I digress.

Bottom line, we had an excellent time, and you need to check out these local vendors. If you missed the marketplace this time around, there will be two more events held this year (summer and winter, dates TBA). As for us, it was off to 101 Beer Kitchen once we finished making our rounds, but I’ll let Alexis tell that tale. Hint: it involves brunch. Another shocker, I know.

Marmi Grand Opening at Easton

{alexis & alicia}

This week, we were kindly invited to the grand opening of Marmi Shoes. So together, we let the balloon bouquet lead the way and we popped in to see the selection. First I must say how kind everyone there is: we got a lovely tour, and a great description of the products. Here is just one wall of the store.

A lovely set-up, no? Okay, real talk. Shoes are hard for me. I happen to have really wide feet, thanks to my bizarre, born-with-’em bunions. All those delicate, strappy sandals? They make my feet look like jungle beasts that were tied down to prevent escape. Stiletto heels? Not happening. I’m about as graceful as a lumberjack. To make a long story short, looking for shoes is a great labor of my life. But Marmi is great for that: They specialize in carrying uncommon sizes (4-13), and most of their shoes come in varying widths (HALLELUJAH).

Looking around, you’ll see shoes meant for all age groups. And, before Alicia pipes in, I thought I’d show you some of my favorites.

Given the foot problems I described above (charming, aren’t I?), ballet flats are my go-to. But I love the little heel on these: the height is so flattering, and the material gives it a modern update.

Driving moccasins are always a favorite of mine. They look so polished and can be so comfortable! I’m always looking for a good pair of these for traveling–and these would be ideal. They have a sturdy rubber sole for gripping, and a super cushy foot pad.

And then there’s these beauties! I could hardly put them down to take the picture. I know I just whined about heels, but we all know that wedges don’t count. I’m obsessed with all things metallic, and don’t these just scream summer to you? The wide band near the toe is also super-flattering for bunions (this word is so hideous, I’m sorry); that part of the foot is shielded without being constricted too much. And, with wear, the leather will give a little to fit juuuust right. Also: that clutch in the background? So cute.

{alicia}

I have to second the clutch situation at Marmi. I lost count of how many little bags I wanted for my very own.

Exhibit A. AMIRITE?

This bright clutch, that Alexis so kindly modeled for me, was one of my favorite things in the store. Strips of wood banded with colorful stripes makes for a unique statement piece you can carry both day and night. It also comes with a chain, so you can can wear it as a cross body or as a shoulder bag. Versatility is our friend, guys.

Speaking of which, I suppose if I had to describe this place in one word, versatility would be it. Anyone, whether they are in their twenties or fifties, can find their perfect (and comfortable) shoe. They have a wide range of styles, sizes, widths, and materials. I’m talking from sensible loafers to something a bit more avant garde:

Or casual options for spring (it’s bound to be warm someday, right??):
And even formal pieces:

Comfort is key at Marmi, but you won’t be strolling out with a pair of bizarre, orthopedic whatnots. Style is not sacrificed for the sake of being comfortable. There is a happy marriage between both, and as someone who ruined her feet in stilettos during college, it’s a welcome concept.

Marmi will be celebrating its grand opening through Sunday with 10% off for customers who donate a pair of gently-used shoes for the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless (in addition, 10% of the sales will go to the cause).

Marmi is located at the Easton Town Center (right by C. Wonder) at 4026 The Strand East. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10:00 AM-9:00 PM, Friday-Saturday: 10:00 AM-10:00 PM, Sunday: Noon-6:00 PM.