Athletic Gear for Less!!

Have you ever walked into Target and left empty handed? Think about it. This is THE store that once I have one foot through the door, my shopping list grows and grows; I am guaranteed to walk out of there with at least a total of $75 well spent. I think you all know what I'm talking about. I love a good deal and am a sucker for them. This generally turns into an easily justified $5 purchase and then another and another and another until they amount to $100. But they were such good deals!!! OH how I love you Target.

I am a runner. One thing that means is that I will spend a good amount of money on a pair of running shoes that will give me the support that I need-- there are no substitutions. But for running tops, bottoms, bras, hair bands, etc. Target has got it all and at wonderful prices. I love Under Armour and do have quite a bit of it in my athletic wardrobe, but when working with a slim budget it's ridiculous to spend $30 on a tank top that I am really just going to abuse anyway. The tank pictured is my FAVORITE running top. I have the tanning lines to prove that I wear it every day. It costs $14.99- that's half the price of the highly sought after Under Armour apparel. It's got the built in bra, the amazing fabric that wicks away the sweat and the stretchy material that's just right. Check out Target for your athletic gear. Whether it's yoga, walking, hiking, or running they have it all and best of all it fits the bill.

Webbed Shoes- are we kidding?

I really don't understand why comfort means sacrificing all things remotely attractive. The other day I was shopping around town. I noticed a lovely couple that definitely had their own "free hippie spirit" about them. I am cool with that. It does not bother me that some people find the hippie look stylish- to each their own, as they say. But what really bothers me is when these people don't bathe and think it's cool to be individual to the extent that what they look like is hideous. Back to this couple. . . I look down and glance at their footwear (as I always do because I am obsessed with shoes-- this is sometimes dangerous as living in a beach town in San Diego means some people think it fine to walk around barefooted); anyway, I lost the ability to speak as I almost threw up in my mouth. He was wearing the webbed shoes. WHY? What is this about? I am so confused. I think they do have a purpose- in the freaking water. It was plainly obvious he did not come from the beach, his head was dry, his clothes were dry and he was clearly in street clothes- hippie linen pants and top, the girl was in jeans and a flowy top. It wasn't the first time I had seen them either. I just don't get them. Why do people wear them? And the excuse, "because they're comfortable," is crap. I will take you shopping and show you that other shoes can be just as comfortable and look alright. Even white socks and sandals would look uber stylish compared to these Donald Duck shoes.

Perfect Body Wash

I'm always on the hunt for an amazing body wash. I have found my favorite and GUESS WHAT? It's affordable. "What's that? $5? I think I can swing that." It is by Softsoap and it's called: Body Butter Scrub. My favorite is the Coconut scent. It's perfect for this time of year. The perfect combination of a fruity Pina Colada and that delicious cocoa butter tanning lotion you secretly want to wear as your perfume make it absolutely perfect leaving your skin soft and smelling yummy. Buy it online here or stop by CVS or Walmart to pick it up.

Harper's Bazaar A.K.A. Fashion Bible

Christianity is to the Bible ::as:: Fashion is to Harper's Bazaar. I mean really. Some people complain that Harper's Bazaar is just full of advertisements, but if you're into fashion, you look at these advertisements as if they were verses in the bible. They are full of high end fashion trends and perfectly constructed outfits that provide the readers with a template, a spring board, if you will, for all of us looking for some guidance. As I flipped through the pages of my Harper's Bazaar and then consequently surfed the pages of harpersbazaar.com, my eyes were drawn to the always incredible Bottega Veneta {right}. He drew his inspiration from a kids karate class. The end products are easy on the eyes hues and feminine lines. One thing to take away: "ladies, get a basket weave tote!" Burberry {left} brings to the runway Safari Chic, which is all the rage this Spring and my guess, Summer too. Grab a feminine, flowy top in taupe or light grey, pair it with a trendy gathered cargo skirt and be sure to bring it all together with a versatile and casual fabric belt in a neutral. Safari Chic calls for some killer neutral caged sandals too, but please skip the socks. Thank you Harper's Bazaar for always being there for me.

Sandals and Socks- "An Ali Rant"

{I just have to preface this: I am a very passionate person and when I feel a rant coming on, I have to go with it. And so we have it, my first rant on this blog.}

I wake up to sunshine, I walk in the sunshine, sunshine is all around with all its warmth. I see the green leaves, yellow, purple and pink flowers spanning the hills. It's gorgeous and it means one thing. . . Spring is in the air, at long last. I am so excited about the flowy girly dresses and cute caged sandals I'll be wearing. EEEEK! I'm giddy with excitement. One thing that makes me slightly cringe- no I have to correct that, the one thing that makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs and almost puts me in tears, is when people sport the white socks (any color socks actually, and I'm not talking cute tights) with sandals. WHAT IS THAT? WHY? With Spring just around the corner, I fear that I will see this terrible and seemingly invincible fashion faux pas resurface. Oh it drives me insane. When will it end? It truly makes me want to walk up to these people, tap them on the shoulder and let them know that they CAN look good; you don't have to look like such a clueless to fashion victim. Quite simply- just DON'T do it. Yes, designers such as Burberry (2009), for example have tried to make sandals and socks a fashion trend, but I am predicting now that we will look back on this trend and think the same thing we think now about slouchy aerobic socks of the 80's- 'What were we thinking!' Oh and if you're wearing socks because you have nasty un- pedicured feet, then put on some closed toed shoes and leave your sandals alone.

I'll be back later in the week with what TO DO as Winter turns to Spring and a few fashion musts! Stay tuned and keep the socks away from your sandals. Thanks.

Snuggies on the Runway

Holy Cow! Do you remember when you saw your first Snuggie infomercial? I am sure that half of us thought 'oh, what a brilliant idea,' while the other half of us thought 'are you serious, never in a million years.' I was part of the latter half. I mean cover yourself in a fuzzy blanket from Target and let's forget about the Snuggie.

Well, it sure turned into a phenomenon. Snuggie parties to Halloween costumes and people just buying them to say that they have a Snuggie. It really swept the nation and has become commonplace in living rooms all over. Despite all of its popularity and profound success, I could have never guessed it would take the spotlight in a fashion show. Yes, a Snuggie Fashion Show. In September 2009 the Snuggie Fashion Show debuted. Introduced to the line was the Zebra Snuggie, the Tye Dye Snuggie and others. I'm still shaking my head. Is this a surprise to anybody else? Oh fashion can be so surprising sometimes. Now when I see the Snuggie infomercial I pray that I see the small white dog wearing spectacles and reading a book. Watch it here. Maybe I'll be converted.

Defying Laws We Once Knew

I've heard it once, read it twice, seen it thrice (in three different magazines), so it must be true. Spring 2010 is bringing us fashion that is definitely a break from the norm and expected. Not skin tight? Mix and match patterns? Wear lots of metallics? YES! I've included a video from the Today show. It gives you a good idea of the up and coming trends for Spring 2010.

I really do love it all. Like I have said before, the flowing fabrics I am going to sport no problem. But to be honest, I don't know if I can rock the striped shirts paired with floral skirts look. I have to admit that I admired Punky Brewster when I was a child. I mean, she was cool, a rebel, had an attitude and a style all her own. She rocked the heck out of color blocked high tops (which I owned, sadly) and other mixed matched outfits that inspired my begging for clothes just like her to my mother, which must have driven her insane. Anybody else?

I spent the next decade and some years discovering what fashionable trends I loved and learning my own style. I have learned that I love black and rarely wear bright colors. Matching my wardrobe is a piece of cake. All of a sudden (and this is what is so fun about fashion) we are being told to forget what we've been told and mis-match it all. Let's not go hog wild here. There are some guidelines to wearing different patterns. Like staying with a color theme, or being more bold with the top and less kapow with the bottom half. But, I sit here and shake my head. Can I do that? I think it defies my personal style. No seriously. Wearing a floral skirt would be a giant leap for me, let alone a floral skirt with a loud top. That's not to say I can't appreciate it because I do. I know that I'll see plenty of it all season long and I can't wait. It just won't be on me. How about you, could you mix patterns?

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