Athleisure is quite in vogue right now, but I’m not sure there’s another place more well-suited for this brand of athletic style-meets-leisurewear than Southern California. This is the place where people get up early, hike/spin/yoga, and then hit up the farmers market or brunch right after. Just walk around the Hillcrest farmers market on a Sunday, and you’ll see—athleisure as far as the eyes can see.
Since moving to San Diego, I’ve certainly upgraded from ratty T-shirts for the gym to fluorescent, dri-fit tanks and patterned leggings for the yoga studio—and I like it! Given the weather and look-good-feel-good attitude in Southern California, being active is a big part of life here, and I like that I can exercise my right to style even during a boot camp class.
So I’ve partnered with San Diego-based Road Runners Sports, the walking and running store with locations around the U.S. and an online store, to show off a look from their in-house line, R-Gear, and offer a $100 giveaway to My SoCal’d Life readers (more on that below).
I wanted a mix of pattern, color, and comfort. Hot pink is one of my favorite colors, so this Fast and Fab Singlet in poppy pink was an easy choice. It’s lightweight, which is ideal for hot days and sweaty workouts. Nice criss-cross pattern in the back, too, no?
As for shorts vs. pants, I prefer leggings, but it’s hard to find ones that are flattering without being crazy expensive, but these SpeedPro polka dot compression capris keep you looking lean without the suffocation factor. And for me, $50 for high-quality pants that’ll last especially when I use them 1-2 times a week is worth it. Side note: That’s me in crow pose. It took me six months to get there, and though I’m not sure it’s 100 percent correct, it feels pretty awesome to hold myself up finally. And now I’m this close to nailing a headstand without a wall. Second side note: The shoes were from a previous Road Runner purchase. They’re my first pair of black kicks, and I dig ’em.OK, yes, I like to work out, but this R-Gear Cozy Cardi is my new favorite piece. It’s flowy and warm and feels like a blanket without making you look like an Olsen twin drowning in fabric. The arms are fitted to lend structure and the back detail gives it style, but the rest is drapey-chic, as I like to call it. And since I’m always, always cold, it’s ideal for post-workout when I’m running errands and also for plane rides when I’m usually chilled to the bone.
And now for a giveaway! One lucky My SoCal’d Life reader will win a $100 gift card to Road Runner Sports. You can buy anything you want, whether it’s from their R-Gear collection, Nike, UnderArmour, or the other lines they carry. Here’s how:
1. Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. There are multiple ways to enter, so the more times you enter, the better your chances of winning.
2. The contest will run until 11:59 p.m. PST on Monday, June 1, after which a winner will be chosen at random.
3. Open to U.S. residents only.
Plus, use the code CX15F216 at checkout for an 11% discount off R-Gear products + free shipping. Good luck—and werk it!
I know hardly anything about makeup and still don’t know how to deal with my curly hair, but skincare? Skincare I know and love. Ever since I received my first Clinique 3-Step kit, I’ve been diligent about scrubs, moisturizers, SPF, eye cream, and everything that goes along with it, and part of my morning routine involves reading about other people’s routines on Into The Gloss‘ Top Shelf column.
Here’s a little rundown of what I use, what I love, and what you should try:
Gift guides can go one of two ways: 1. They can be beautiful but totally unattainable with ludicrous prices or 2. They can be well-edited with every budget in mind. I’d like to think mine is of the latter bunch. So here are 10 giftables for her, him, the kids and the home, all from San Diego small businesses!
I’m that girl (woman? person? what are we saying nowadays?) who will get up in your grill if you don’t slather on SPF. I’m that girl who feels unlike herself if she doesn’t moisturizer her face after washing it. And I’m that girl who is devoted to weekly exfoliating sessions, not to mention face oils and eye cream every day.
So you could say, I’m a wee bit into skincare. I’m not a makeup fan, but I get so much satisfaction out of nurturing and nourishing my skin. A part of it is vain (wanting great skin when I’m older), and the other part is common sense (avoiding skin cancer).
So when Simple Skincare asked me to review some of their products as part of their Kind to City Skin campaign, I figured it was a great fit. The campaign is a global initiative to help women understand the impact that city living—both environmental and lifestyle-related factors—can have on their faces. My years in New York City came with plenty of skin assaults, from the pollution and humidity to the stress and late nights out, but San Diego presents its own set of challenges, the biggest of which is the constant sun and need for SPF. (I know, life is really rough.)
Simple prides themselves on zero harsh chemicals and zero artificial perfumes or dyes, and these days I’m looking to eliminate as many negative ingredients as possible. Bonus points for the brand’s efforts to keep prices low; you can find Simple at Target!
Here’s a look at what I loved, along with a chance to win a skincare pack giveaway!
I told myself I wouldn’t do it, but I chopped most of my hair off yet again. The first time was back in 2007, during my senior year of college. I was going for a Victoria Beckham-inspired graduated bob—trust me, it was trendy at the time—and I loved it, except for the fact that it required frequent trimmings and was a mother to grow out once I was over it. (By the way, I’d get my trims at an Aveda school—very cost-effective!)
For the last few months, I had been kicking around the idea of lobbing it off, and it got to a point last week where it just had to be done. Last night I did it—with inspiration from here and here—and it’s like a weight’s been lifted. Sure, I’ll hate growing it out when the time comes and I’ll look 12 when I don’t style it properly, but I just needed to rid myself of the physical and emotional baggage.
The wildfires that have been raging through northern San Diego are just terrible. More than 10,000 acres have been burned, people have been evacuated, homes have been destroyed, and so far, one burned body was found. Sad and scary. I’m thankful that my worst problem is our sweltering apartment. Thankfully today the temps will start dropping, and the weekend should get the city’s thermostat back to normal. Fingers crossed.
I’m obsessed with reading really detailed food and beauty diaries. This Cindy Crawford piece is no exception.
Now for a giveaway! Australian activewear brand Lorna Jane will be hosting an event tomorrow in La Jolla with a workout led by LJ herself, Drybar blow outs, healthy juices from L.A.’s Juice Served Here, and for the first 5 My SoCal’d Life readers to show up, a $50 credit to spend in the store. Just tell them “My SoCal’d Life sent me.” I’ll be there, so I hope to see your workout-ready selves tomorrow, too! Here’s all the info and you can RSVP right here:
I may be a writer by trade, but I love using this blog as a platform for exploring good design and style. And when I find something good, you better believe I’ll share it with you.
Case in point: These genius fashion illustrations created by Singapore student Gracie Ciao, who bends, shapes, and positions real flower petals into stunning dresses. Besides the vibrant colors, I love how just a little finessing results in texture and volume.
Athleisure is quite in vogue right now, but I’m not sure there’s another place more well-suited for this brand of athletic style-meets-leisurewear than Southern California. This is the place where people get up early, hike/spin/yoga, and then hit up the farmers market or brunch right after. Just walk around the Hillcrest farmers market on a Sunday, and you’ll see—athleisure as far as the eyes can see.
As for shorts vs. pants, I prefer leggings, but it’s hard to find ones that are flattering without being crazy expensive, but these SpeedPro polka dot compression capris keep you looking lean without the suffocation factor. And for me, $50 for high-quality pants that’ll last especially when I use them 1-2 times a week is worth it. Side note: That’s me in crow pose. It took me six months to get there, and though I’m not sure it’s 100 percent correct, it feels pretty awesome to hold myself up finally. And now I’m this close to nailing a headstand without a wall. Second side note: The shoes were from a previous Road Runner purchase. They’re my first pair of black kicks, and I dig ’em.
OK, yes, I like to work out, but this R-Gear Cozy Cardi is my new favorite piece. It’s flowy and warm and feels like a blanket without making you look like an Olsen twin drowning in fabric. The arms are fitted to lend structure and the back detail gives it style, but the rest is drapey-chic, as I like to call it. And since I’m always, always cold, it’s ideal for post-workout when I’m running errands and also for plane rides when I’m usually chilled to the bone.
