It’s Friday! Time for Some Weekend Shopping

Posted by hellyontherun in Running, Shopping and tagged with Accessory, Running, Shopping, SPIbelt March 14, 2014

I always look forward to Fridays. Even though I’m a parent now and weekends don’t bring the same luxuries as before, it’s still so nice to get to this day–mostly because my husband is home and that makes me happy 🙂

except naps don’t really happen with 2 under 2 lol!

Anyway, weekends at our household usually mean going to Target and Walmart for our weekly grocery and necessities. It’s the kind of shopping we’ve been doing more of lately jaja!!

But, I do have something pretty awesome I recommend you buy this weekend. I recently was given a sweet SPIbelt to review and like many, I only have good things to say about it.

This was the beauty I received:

Before I had this awesome accessory, I would run with a water bottle that had a little zip pocket. I don’t mind running with it but when I would go for short runs where I didn’t really need/want water, I’d carry it just to put my keys in it. I even ran a few races carrying the water bottle solely for the key purpose. Kinda annoying. (This is another reason I like running with my husband. He becomes the key holder). I’ve tried putting my keys in those little pockets they put in shorts and pants now, but I could feel it when I’d run and didn’t trust that it’d stay put.

I also don’t run with my phone–no room and I don’t like wearing arm straps.

Then I read a few reviews on the SPI belt and a few of my buddies in my run club had them and I was intrigued. My first question was, “Will it jiggle or bounce when I run?” Well, I got the answer when I took it on my first run–NO 🙂 It really doesn’t move. I even forgot it was there during my 4 mile test run. And a bigger plus, no dangling straps. No one likes straps dangling while you run.

It fit my Samsung Galaxy S3, my keys, and my Chapstick. I could even fit more stuff if I wanted but I’m not that high maintenance (when I’m running anyway 😉 ). I was so pleasantly surprised that even with the weight of my phone, I didn’t feel the belt when I ran. This made me very happy as I mostly run at night and like having my phone for security. Before, I always felt a little uneasy but didn’t have much of a choice unless I wore an arm strap or put it in my sports bra (um….no).

The belt is also fashionable and not in the gaudy-look-at-me kinda way. There are quite a few color and design options with the belt and different sizes. They even have plus-sized belts and kid belts (I definitely see one in my daughter’s future) and pet belts/leashes. And if I wanted something specifically to hold my keys and only my keys, SPIbelt offers a SPIband Wrist and Ankle Pocket–perfect if I didn’t want anything around my waist.

Source

I’ll be running Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid, Spain soon and I’ll definitely be sporting my SPIbelt during the race and while I tour Europe. It’s not just a runner’s accessory. You can use it while you go for walks, hiking, biking, or like me touring a city 🙂

So, if you’re in the market for an accessory belt, you’ve got my SPIbelt recommendation. You won’t regret your choice and you’ll see firsthand why it’s such a popular item.

Treat yourself to some online shopping this weekend. You deserve it! SPIbelt.com

–Do you carry stuff when you run?

–Do you have a SPIbelt and love it?

–What would you put in your SPIbelt?

Have a great weekend!! Good luck if you’re racing and have fun if you’re long running 🙂

I did receive my SPIbelt gratis, but the opinions expressed in this review are solely my own. I really am glad I have this thing!

Get Your Swirl On! (Swirlgear Review)

Posted by hellyontherun in Clothes, Running, Shopping and tagged with Clothes, Fashion, Review, Running, Running Clothes, Shopping, Swirlgear January 3, 2014

I recently became a Swirlgear Ambassador (you might have noticed my pretty swirly badge there on the right). One of the appeals to me with this brand is that as you already know, I love clothes. And I love running. So when I came upon Swirlgear, a women’s clothing brand made specifically for running, I immediately wanted to check it out.

I ordered my first shipment to arrive by Christmas—my little gift to myself : )

The first piece is this short sleeve number. What caught my eye initially were the black seams along the front. This detail allows for slimming and flattering look. I also liked the uniqueness of the print on the sleeves and sides and I liked the length. When it arrived and I was finally able to put it on, the length was a super plus. I like my shirts a little on the longer side and this fit was absolutely perfect.

I’m very big on fabric and this moisture-wicking poly blend is super soft to the touch. When I’m running, the last thing I want is an itchy shirt and this top is far from itchy. In fact, it’s my softest running shirt to date.

The shirt is tagless which is a running shirt necessity but this also tricked me at first. The top is so good looking inside out that that’s how I put it on the first time! It didn’t come in the box that way, but as I was inspecting it, I turned it inside out and forgot to fix it. My first run in it was worn that way! Needless to say, I had no issues in my 10 mile run that day : ) (You can see in the first pic the black seam across the collarbone area. It’s not there in the second pic when I wore it correctly lol!)

inside out

worn correctly

I’m 5’7 and on the curvy side so a size Medium fit perfectly.

My next purchase were these shorts. It’s cold out (for Arizona) but I knew I’d get a lot of use of them come spring and summer. The black color is a nice deep black—this is important to me because some “blacks” are lighter than others and that drives me nuts. I also like the white piping along the bottom.

The shorts are also moisture wicking and have built in briefs for support. The logo is reflective which I thought was a nice detail. The shorts do not have pockets. I’m a size 6 and purchased a Medium. Perfect fit.

boy, that mirror is dusty

Both of these together, I must say, make a great running outfit. I have my days when I don’t care about looking good while I run but every now and then I like to have a good looking combo to feel pretty in : )

I’ve washed both of these in a gentle cycle and both washed well. I didn’t completely dry them (I don’t with any of my running clothes) but took them out about ¾ of the dry cycle and then lay them to completely dry.

I chose to purchase warmer weather items but Salt bought some winter wear and you can read her review of her pieces here.

If you think these clothes are as awesome as I do and are interested in gifting yourself or someone some Swirlgear, you’re in luck! Enter the code swirlon at check-out to get FREE GROUND SHIPPING. Yay!!

I’m pretty positive you’re going to love this brand. I may not be the best runner out there, but I do feel like I know my clothes : )

Hope you have a fun Friday!!!

NOTE: I did receive these pieces for 50% off as part of the Swirlgear Brand Ambassador program but I purchased them myself and these opinions come solely from me.

–Do you love shopping for running clothes?

–Do you make running “outfits”?

The Great, Big Question

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Closet, Clothing, Cole Haan, Daughter, Fashion, Nike, Running, Shoes, Shopping, Wardrobe November 13, 2013

You know you’ve been asked the age-old question, “What do you think about when you run?” When people have asked me, I usually always say my family, my work, books I’ve read, or that I think about the song lyrics I’m listening to.

But I’m lying.

I think about clothes.

Yes, clothes. But until recently, I’ve been embarrassed to admit that I think about my closet when I run. And since having my daughter, her closet too.

I feel like people expect for you to say something meaningful and profound when they ask this question. Like you’re supposed to be solving the world’s problems when you run.

But really I’m thinking about what different outfits I can come up with.

I don’t know what it is about clothes that I love so much. Okay, I do know. I love how creative you can be with clothes, how much it says or can say about you. I love the variety of fabrics that are out there, the colors, the gazillion ways you can wear different pieces. I love the stories behind a particular outfit—where you were, who you were with. I love how a great dress and high heels can make you feel powerful, how dainty flats and a cardigan over a sundress can make you feel delicate.

When I’m running, I think about these things. I also think about what I can wear with a specific pair of jeans I own. What tops will go with them, what shoes I can wear them with. Do I need to buy something new to spice them up?

That burnt orange dress I haven’t worn in a while—what’s coming up that I can wear it? Is it too dressy for Thanksgiving with family?

I recently just ordered a new pair of boots so yesterday’s run was spent thinking of what I could pair them with.

Along with the boots, I ordered these Cole Haan sandals.

I am obsessed with this style of Cole Haans. They have the Nike Air soles which make them SO comfortable. Seriously, I could run a 5k in them. I have probably 7 pairs of this type of style and two flats with the Nike Air sole. I also invested in black Cole Haan riding boots two years ago that have that sole.

Four miles last night were dedicated to these two new additions. As I ran, my mind went through my entire closet thinking of what I could wear with them and when. Before I knew it, my run was over and I felt I could’ve kept on going—running and thinking about clothes.

I’m finally owning up to it. I don’t know when the turnaround happened but one day I was asked the big question and I answered honestly and without hesitation. I got the look I expected—crinkled eyebrows and what looked like the beginning of an eyeroll but I didn’t flinch. I don’t know if they were expecting an, “I’m just kidding,” but I didn’t give it to them. What I got in return was, “Oh, that’s different.”

Clearly, this person didn’t know me personally because if they did, while it’s not a typical answer, they wouldn’t be surprised. I’ve worked in retail for many, many years and have since probably birth read countless fashion magazines. I can’t help that fashion inspires me. And that it helps me run.

Since having my daughter, I’ve become obsessed with clothes for her. The high light of my SAHM day is getting her dressed. And then taking a billion pictures of her.

One day, when we were playing in her closet, I noticed her running her fingers through the clothes that were hanging. She’d stop at a particular dress and stroke it and then move on. Stop at a next piece, study it, and then keep going.

All mommy did was smile. And take a picture.