Recently my daughters called me out on my ‘see through’ work out pants and I knew I had had enough (how embarrassing)! I was proud of my TJMaxx hauls and have shared them many times on stories, but this time I had to see for myself if I was missing out!
I am always hesitant with new brands – I never know how the product will fit me and if I will like it. With Carbon38 you really do get what you pay for. Yes, the clothes are expensive, but they are so comfortable and high quality!! A friend of mine has a code where you can save 20% on your order which helps with the cost (Code:JCHEZ20).
I have always loved the ring of this – Spiritual Gangster. It speaks to the philosophical and edgy side of me all at the same time, and I love it. So when I found a company that speaks to the vibe, I had to check it out and not surprisingly, I loved ALL OF IT!
With fitness and clean eating top of mind at the beginning of the New Year, I thought an overhaul of my workout clothes was in order too. Fitness with a message – I could not resist.
The collection fuses ancient wisdom with modern culture and as an Asian American, I totally get that. With catchy slogans and inspirational designs, Spiritual Gangster has a style all their own! See my favorites below.
I look forward to “spring cleaning” every year! It’s my chance to be “out with the old and in with the new!” A fun place for me to start is always my closet. Every year I’m reminded of how I’ve been in rotation of the same clothes throughout the winter… especially since us Chicago folks have the ability to hide behind our parka jackets. With nice weather creeping up on us (hopefully ??) I wanted to think about how to re-surface out of my hibernation and back into the balance of life, fitness and just being ME and I have come up with 5 ways to do it!
Put away your leggings!
I have finally come to terms with the fact that summer is around the corner. My recent harsh reminder to put my leggings away was when I tried to squeeze into my jeans from last summer – not gonna lie, my fly kept falling down! Come on chicks, I can’t be the only one who has leggings as their go to piece in the fall and winter. Leggings can be a dangerous “go to” item because it’s easy to expand and not notice. Also, it doesn’t help that the temptation to grab for Spanx leggings is real since they help squeeze in the extra pounds! With March finally here, it’s time to kick back into gear and work towards getting back into shape…bye bye leggings….hello jeans, dresses, and skirts!
(For the Pink Top – Size Down- I exchanged my Medium for a Small)
Consider a Change of Hair Style or Color
The winters in Chicago can be brutal! The wind chill in the city will make you feel like you never want to leave the house. I don’t know about you, but going for a cut and color has fallen by the wayside over the last couple of months. My split ends need to be gone…pronto! I am so looking forward to a fresh change. Perhaps cutting off a few inches and going a little lighter in my highlights would be fun. Change it up and be bold! It’s amazing how the way we look can influence the way we feel about ourselves.
My biolage was done by Anna George Salon at the Illinois Center – Ivana is amazing!
Add a Pop of Color to Your Spring Wardrobe
My husband always tells me that he’s tired of seeing me in grays, whites and blacks. When I look at my wardrobe I definitely fall into a sea of similar colors, cuts and styles. There is something about spring….the flowers, the sun, and getting out of the house that gives me an extra pep in my step. When Spring shopping, I am usually looking for something with a pop of color that makes me feel like I want to smile and spread the positivity. I recently bought this really fun white blazer that is making me feel springy! A couple bright pieces is all you need. Don’t try to buy a new wardrobe — otherwise you’ll end up with several items that you don’t even wear.
Grab a Buddy and Join a Fitness Program
Over the years I have yo-yoed in my dieting and exercise routine. To be honest, I used to avoid having a workout buddy when going to the gym for fear of letting them down when falling off the bandwagon. What I’ve learned is that the accountability helps when committing to a fitness program. I recently joined ClassPass which had helped me work out with an array of different people who enjoy different styles of exercise. I’m not only getting in shape, but I am also able to socialize and hopefully work towards fitting into those jeans from last summer!
Start Planning Your Next Chick Trip with Your Tribe
I can’t believe it’s already been 8 months since my last chick trip with my chicks! If you haven’t seen it, check out our vlog to Miami on YouTube. When I take the time to focus on myself with the people I love most, coming back to home-life feels so much more refreshing. With the weather warming up, I’m really looking forward to coming together with my chicks and seeing where we are headed next (hint hint: DC and Charleston are on the horizon)!
