April Birchbox Recap

Sorry this is a little late! I just signed up for the Birchbox beauty program and received my first month's box last week. Since I got it much later than everyone else, I'll just post pics of what I received. Next month's box will be a full review.

 

I was so excited to receive my pretty pink box.

 The card detailing this month's products.

 

 

All natural cleansing towlettes (nice size)                                        Tinted Moisturizer

  
  Birchbox's signature wrapped surprise

 Contents of the wrapped package: argan oil, exfoliative face wash, Taylor Swift Wonderstruck fragrance, and facial lotion.

Proper Footwear for Running

Let me start by saying that I have flat feet, which are not the most ideal for running.  With that being said, I used to buy my sneakers at places like Dick's Sporting Goods or Modell's.  While the prices can be quite cheap, in my experience the sales associate usually has very little knowledge about the most appropriate footwear for your specific foot type.  I spent years wearing shoes that were very inappropriate for my feet.  Then I found the light and started going to smaller stores that specialized in running shoes.  In these types of places the owner(s) and sales associates are often runners themselves.  The smaller specialized stores also have a much better variety of shoes and more brands than just Nike and Adidas. Although the shoes here are not as heavily discounted as they are in major retailers, the service and one-on-one attention you receive are well worth the increase in price. (Don't forget you can still ask for discounts!  My running store always gives me an extra 10% discount or $10 off a pair of sneakers.)

Before we jump to shoe pictures, I wanted to give you a quick rundown of common foot types.

• The most common foot type is the normal or "neutral" foot (meaning your arches are just right).  Neutral feet are compatible with a wide range of shoes and are least susceptible to injury...lucky. 

• Another type is the "high-arched" foot, which tend to roll outwards during motion (supination/underpronation).  Depending on how highly arched your feet are and your activity level, you may benefit from orthotics.  Even if you don't need orthotics, high-arched feet often require shoes that have more cushioning and flexibility in the midsole to help with shock absorption along your arches during impact.  

• The last common foot type is the "flat" foot, i.e. no arches (me!).  Since the natural arch of the foot tends to collapse with every step, flat feet tend to roll inward during walking and running.  Another term for this inward-rolling motion of the foot is overpronation.  See a trend here?  People with flat feet often require orthotics and need shoes that emphasize stability and motion-control.  This means that the shoes are less flexible so that the excessive rolling motion can be limited.

For more information on foot types and appropriate footwear, I found this site to be a good resource.


Once you know what type of foot you have and you've checked out some shoes that work best for your foot type, you'll want to pick out the size that is best for you. Always remember that sneaker size is not necessarily the same as your regular shoe size.  While I wear between a 7-7.5 in flats and heels, my sneakers are always anywhere between an 8-9.  Some tips for buying proper fitting sneakers:

• Sneakers should fit with a little extra room to give your feet space to breathe!  Your feet often expand as you run, so you should take this into account when trying on sneaks.  A good tip is to have a friend/the sales associate press on the tip of the shoe to make sure there is a thumb's width of space between the front of the shoe and your longest toe.
• If you have orthotics, bring them to the store with you and make sure they fit well in the shoe!
• Test out the fit and comfort in store by walking around in the sneakers.  My running store actually encourages their customers to run around the store in the shoes they are trying on and also has treadmills for this purpose as well.
• Ideally you should replace your old running shoes after you've logged 350-500 miles in them.  For an avid runner who runs about 5 miles 5 days a week, this will be about 3-4 months. (I'm actually not the greatest at replacing my shoes on time and often run in them way longer than I should.)

Note: The rest of this post is dedicated to my own personal shoe experience.

Now, onto the shoes! Here are a few pictures of some of my previous running shoes. The pair on the left is an older version of the Nike Air Equalon series (now discontinued?).  This shoe was advertised as having maximum support and stability.  My Nike's were actually very comfortable, but I believe they tend to run a little wide and have an especially large toe box. These shoes are pretty heavy and really bulky.  Someone once commented that I looked like I was wearing clown shoes haha. As you can see in the photo below, both outer edges along the heel are severely worn down, which means I logged a lot of miles...and I still tended to overpronate in these.

Left: Nike Air Equalon, size 9

Right: Asics Gel-Fortitude 3, size 8

The sneakers on the right are Asics Gel-Fortitude 3 (current version here), and they are much lighter and slimmer than the Nike's.  These are touted as giving maximum support for large framed runners with a neutral gate.  While I am neither large framed nor a neutral foot, my running shoe lady wanted to try these after my obvious overpronation in the Nike's.  Since I have an orthotic to help bring my foot to the correct position, I no longer needed special shoes geared for people with flat feet. Shoes for overpronation, in conjunction with my orthotics, gave me too much support along the arches and thus caused my feet to roll out (what I was trying to avoid in the first place).  These shoes didn't fit properly as there was a gap between my orthotic and the upper portion of the midsole, which caused my feet to constantly rub against the edge of my orthotic and gave me blisters.  But my mom has since put them to use, so not a total waste!

My current running shoes are the Brooks Dyad. Love these shoes!  Like the Asics, they are lightweight and also quite slim for supportive running shoes. I also find the toe box to be more narrow than the previous two shoes, but still wide enough to be comfortable for my feet. This shoe is characterized as being ideal for "Neutral flat-footers and those requiring extra room (for orthotics)".  Perfect for me.  You'll notice some wearing down in the heel portion, but it is less one-sided than my Nike's.

Brooks Dyad, size 8.5, width Medium (B)

I'll end the post with a quick view of my beloved orthotics.  If anyone would like more information on orthotics or footwear, please let me know!  Since I am dating a podiatrist, I am more than happy to share the information that I have learned :)

My Fitness Regimen

I am a huge fan of running.  Nothing is better than taking a long run on a beautiful and sunny day with a nice, cool breeze.  Not only do you get to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, breathe fresh air, clear your head, and get your daily vitamin D, you also get to burn calories and fat, strengthen and tone your muscles, release endorphins, and improve your cardiovascular health.  To me, running is the best type of exercise out there.

I started running in middle school after seeing my mom run around the neighborhood.  This ultimately led me to joining the high school track team.  While I was mainly a long and triple jumper, I still enjoyed running whenever I get the chance.  While in college, I became a little more of a running fanatic and would go on 45-60 minute runs as often as possible.  After being plagued by many bouts of knee pains and shin splints, I was referred to multiple physicians, physical therapists, and podiatrists.  I won't go into all of the details of my past medical history, but I will tell you some of the important key points I took away from all of this.  (I'll be doing a more detailed post on footwear and orthotics in the near future).

• Proper workout gear is key!  This includes sunscreen, sunglasses and/or hats!
• Not all sneakers are alike!
• Custom orthotics can save you a lot of pain and protect your body from injuries, but they are not necessary for everyone. 
• Stretching is an important part of your workout. Targeted stretching can also help with hip and knee problems.
• Rehydrate!

Nowadays I've scaled back my running to only 3-4 times per week in order to preserve my knees.  I like to give myself at least a full day off in between runs when I can (which can be so hard when you have back-to-back sunny days in the Northeast).  Variation is also important, and I mix in some yoga or light weight-lifting on days between runs.  I've also tried out other modes of exercise to mix up my routine (including hip hop classes, circuit training, and barre classes), but more on that later!

This photo was taken in San Francisco, CA. It was so serene running/walking here. SF has the best running trails!

H&M Reviews

H&M, you really know how to get me into your stores! With last week's 20% off coupon, I popped into my local H&M to check out the inventory.  I had seen a couple of the items on other blog reviews, so I already knew what I was looking for.  Note: the coupon that I used has expired, but if you sign up for the mailing list on http://www.hm.com/us/ they will email you a coupon for 20% off one item (valid until 5/23/12).

Conscious Collection Knee-Length, Straight-Cut Dress

Size 2, item #042750, $14.95 ($11.96 after coupon)
I really like the cut and feel of this dress.  It's made from 64% Lyocell, 33% cotton, and 3% elastane, with a lining made from 100% recycled polyester.  The material is thick and retains it structure well, but has a little give from the elastane.  It also looks like no other dress that I own, making it a unique addition to my wardrobe. Love the pockets too!
Verdict: Purchased.

Conscious Collection Knee-length Lace Pencil Skirt and Sleeveless Blouse

Dress Size 4, item #021285, $14.95 ($11.96 after coupon)
This dress was available in two colors: coral pink and powder pink.  I really liked the delicate, feminine look of the powder pink version, but it was very sheer!  The material 70% organic cotton and 30% polyamide, with a lining of 100% recycled polyester.  The material is thin, feels a little flimsy, and the lining really is quite see-through in the lighter version, which is why I ended up choosing the darker color.  You'll need slim shapewear or undies with this skirt, because any lump or bump will stick out in this material.
Verdict: Purchased both but will keep the coral version.

White Sleeveless Blouse with Pockets (above)
Size 2, item #059678, $12.95 ($10.36 after coupon)
I have several shells for layering under cardigans, but none have the over-sized pockets like this sleeveless blouse.  This is just a great basic piece and the pockets and price are what sold me.
Verdict: Purchased.

Navy Polka Dot Dress

Size XS, item #031063, $34.99 ($28 after coupon)
Sorry for the not so great picture.  This dress is really form fitting and definitely hugs your curves.  The material is 95% viscose and 5% elastane, which makes it stretchable.  No lining.  I like the V-neck and the side ruching, but I wonder if this dress is maybe a little too tight on my hips.  When I tried to size up, the neckline gaped open.
Verdict: Purchased but will probably end up returning in favor of the Loft dresses that I bought.  My boyfriend liked this one and dubbed it "the sexiest" out of all the dresses I picked up, which means that I probably should not wear this to work haha!

Loft Reviews

This past weekend was pretty good for sales.  Ann Taylor and Loft had their 40% off Friends and Family Sale and H&M had a coupon for 20% off one item (H&M post to follow).  I just wanted to post some fitting room photos and thoughts.  Any ideas as to what I should keep will be much appreciated!

Loft Reviews
Final Sale Items

Modern Straight Leg Corduroy Pants

Size 0p, $12 after discount
Fit was pretty comfortable.  Length was good.  Came in a berry color as well as beige.  After discounts these pants came out to $12 in store, but it looks like the online price will come out to $7.73 ($12.88 pre-discounts)!
Verdict: Passed.  This looks too casual for work, and I'm not sure how long this colored pants trend will last.

Striped Sweater Dress

Size XS, $9 after discount (not on Loft website)
Fit was a little big on top.  The dress was pretty comfortable, but the sleeves were very baggy unrolled.
Verdict: Passed.  I already own some sweater dress, including a BR striped one that I like more.

Printed Knit Dress

Size XS, $12 after discount (not on Loft website)
The knit material was very stretchy, but I thought the style and cut was a bit too matronly.  I have to admit I only tried it on because the price was $12.
Verdict: Passed

Not Final Sale Items

Striped Knit Dress- Navy

Size S, item #10943496, $38.99 after discount (not on Loft website)
The material was pretty substantial and also pretty stretchy.  I would prefer a slight V-neck or boat neck, but I guess I'll have to settle for this cowl neck. I also do like the ruched details along the right side. The dress material is 70% rayon and 30% Tencel Lyocell, with a polyester lining.
Verdict: Purchased and still deciding.

Striped Knit Dress- White

Size SP, item #10946491, $35.99 after discount (not on Loft website)
The material of this dress is a little lighter than the navy version, but still pretty stretchy.  This dress is the same material as above, with ruched details on the left side.  I do like the neckline of this dress, but am not sure if this is too casual looking for work.
Verdict: Purchased and still deciding.

Earth Day Freebies!

I went over to the mall today with a companion, and we stopped at both the Origins Counter at Macy's and Sephora. Both stores are doing the recycling program. After recycling four beauty product containers, I came away with all this!!

Each free full-size moisturizer (1.7oz) retails for $35-$46.  Pretty nice incentive to get you to help out the environment!  I always try to recycle anyway, so I especially love getting prizes to do so.


My mom and my boyfriend's mother will be getting a nice moisturizer for Mother's Day in their gifts this year :)


I've done the Origins Earth Day promotion for two years now, and I just want to add that they do recycle empty beauty product containers year round.

Amrita Singh Reviews and H&M necklace

I recently purchased two Amrita Singh necklaces from BeyondtheRack.com (BTR), a daily deal sample site similar to Ruelala or Hautelook. I chose the Amrita Singh Milot necklace in Amalfi Turquoise (originally $150) and the Shelter Island necklace in Coral Haze (originally $150, but marked down to $100).  These two necklaces were being sold at a much lower price than any other sample sale site I had seen in the past and were also only a fraction of their retail price! 

As you can see, I only paid $22.99 for the Milot and $24.99 for the Shelter Island.  Not a bad deal!

After putting my order in, I checked out BTR reviews and became a little nervous.  There are some pretty bad reviews out there, but I decided to wait and see.  BTR items don't ship out immediately, but I ended up receiving my package 14 days after I placed the order, which is within the estimated time frame I received.  Now onto the reviews...

The Milot necklace 

See my most recent outfit pairing with the Milot necklace here.

The Amrita Singh website description reads, "Length 18-20''. 18k gold-plated brass bib necklace with round resin beads. Adjustable lobster closure."

I would say this description rings true.  The necklace is very lightweight.  The turquoise resin beads look like coated glass or plastic beads up close.  The gold plating is very bright!

The Shelter Island necklace

The Amrita Singh website description reads, "Length 16-19'' adjustable chain. Pendant Length 2.75'' Width 2''. Smooth cabochon resin stones. Multi-stone flower drop. 18k gold plated over brass."

This necklace is my favorite of the two. I would say this description also rings true.  The necklace itself looks like it should be quite substantial but is actually quite light.  The resin beads are also very pretty and look like polished stone.  The gold plating here is more subtle. This necklace also looks pretty similar to the popular Amrita Singh Nello Necklace.  I played around with two different lengths below.

I also just wanted to quickly update about an H&M necklace that is in stores now.  This necklace looks very similar to the J.Crew Bubble Necklace, but is only $12.95.  It's really light and obviously very affordable.  The stones/beads (?) obviously do not look as nice as the J.Crew version and have a geometrical look to them instead of a smooth polished surface, but I think the overall look from afar brings about a similar appearance.  With the 20% off coupon available until tomorrow (4/22/12), this will be a steal at $10.36 + tax.  I chose to keep both Amrita Singh necklaces, and I returned this one.

 (please ignore that monstrosity in the background that is my closet)

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