Reebok EasyTone Shoes - Halfway Point

I'm halfway done with testing out my Reebok EasyTone Shoes (click here for the first post), and so far, so good!



Style
The Reebok EasyTone shoes look just like regular tennis shoes. Many fashionistas may find this shocking, but I actually like to run errands in tennis shoes from time to time...especially when they're doing double-duty like these are! Like I said...I love to multi-task! I found these shoes worked well with both workout gear and with jeans and a sweatshirt to run errands. I know...Stacy and Clinton would not approve, but some days, you just want to bum out. What can I say? We can't wear stilettos everyday 24/7, now can we? Ok, some people can, but I'm not one of them. Some days, I choose comfort over What-Not-to-Wear-style! Besides, jeans and tennis shoes can be pretty cute some times.

Shoe Use
When I first started wearing the shoes, they felt very..."bouncy" (yea...that's the only word I could come up with). Seriously...I felt slightly like I was in one of those kiddie moonwalk things. The bounciness was slightly awkward at first, but I quickly got used to the feeling. I first wore the shoes to run errands and noticed pretty quickly that I could feel something in my legs. I didn't feel any specific muscle twangs or anything like if I were pressing weights, but it was more like the feeling you get when you've been walking or jogging for awhile - a gentle soreness that tells you you're working your muscles. Since my walk was so short, there was barely any muscle sensitivity at all...it just felt like I'd done a light walking workout.

I took my shoes for longer walks and the feeling was amplified. I could tell I was using my leg muscles more than I would have had I just used regular shoes for my walks. Though I could tell my muscles were being worked a little more, the difference was, once again, gradual. I like how simple the change has been for me and that the difference has been effective but not a drastic change.

I can't wait to see how the last couple weeks go...

Has any one else tried these shoes out? If so, how do you like them?

Casual Chic Work Outfit

They recently changed the work dress code so I can now wear khakis! I'm super excited because I love to rock my khakis and now I can wear them a lot more...not to mention there have been a lot of fab khaki outfits in the latest J Crew catalogs.


Recently, I went for the blush-pink look for a toned done work outfit. I wore a scarf to help stay warm in the cool, windy weather outside and the icy internal temp of the office.


Under, I had a lacy-topped cardigan, shirt, and one of those Gap cardigans I recently lusted after. I don't think it's the chicest thing I've ever worn to the office, but considering how comfy it all was, I think it was a great combo.

Tank Top: Banana Republic
Shirt: Gap
Cardigan: Gap
Khakis: Banana Republic
Peep-Toe Pumps: Banana Republic

Nice Casual Wedding Attire

Recently, I went to the wedding of a long-time family friend with my husband and my family. The dress code was "Nice Casual", which I interpreted as "Nice But Not-Too Formal Dress." I don't know why, but upon investigation of my closet's collection of dresses, I realized that my dresses seemed to fall into 2 categories: 1. casual 2. formal. Luckily, I recently made a stop at the Banana Republic outlet where I scored this dress:



I love yellow clothes. Yellow clothes are just so fun and uplifting to wear...they kinda just make you happy, in general. This yellow, strapless dress seemed dressy enough, yet not too dressy to fit the bill for the wedding's "Nice Casual." Not to mention I found this dress at full price $89.99 but had a 20% off coupon to use! Score! Add some cute yet easy to wear (and dance in) heels and some pearls and you're good to go!

Dress: Banana Republic Outlet
Shoes: Banana Republic
Leather Purse: Chanel

Reebok EasyTone Shoes - Workout Solution for Busy Girls

I don't know about you, but there are days when life gets hectic and though I have good intentions to stay fit and workout, the day slips me by and the next thing I know, my day is over sans a good workout. Enter the Reebok EasyTone Shoes. These shoes incorporate special technology to help you get fit while you're enjoying (or frantically rushing through) a regular day.



About the Reebok EasyTone Shoes:
* EasyTone- Reebok’s innovative footwear technology that helps to “tone as you go” and is suited to match the demands of the modern woman

* Contain unique balance pods built in under the heel and forefoot of the shoes, which are designed to create natural instability with every step

* The pods force key leg and glute muscles to adapt to instability and encourage toning- increasing Gluteus Maximus toning by 28%, and hamstring and calve muscles by 11%

* Testing at University of Delaware proved EasyTone to be up to three times softer than conventional foam-based shoes

* From work, to school, to shopping, these stylish training shoes allow you to “Take the Gym with You”

legal disclaimer: *Increased muscle activation up to 28% Gluteus Maximus, 11% Hamstrings, 11% calves. Based on tests comparing EasyTone Go Outside to a typical foam based walking shoe (Reebok Hex Express). Testing does not include EasyTone Flip.



I'll be testing out these shoes over the next 30 days, so I'll let you know what I think of them as I go. I'm so glad to learn about a fitness solution that fits into my busy lifestyle!



I'm a big fan of multi-tasking, so it will be fun to see learn more about how easily I can incorporate fitness with every day life. Check back in a couple weeks to see how the Reebok EasyTone shoes are working out!

Relaxed Shirt Dress Look - Casual Chic

I found the cutest, off-white, shirt dress on sale at Tar-jhay (Target) awhile back for a mere $20, so I of course snagged it immediately. The only problem with the dress was that it was practically see-through and was in major need of some sort of lining.



Yesterday, the weather was nasty and rainy, and I was really feeling boots. After perusing my closet, I settled on trying out that shirt dress along with a lining dress from another one. I loved how easy the dress was - so nice and flowy and not at all binding. I used a simple brown belt to cinch the waist in so the look wasn't too dowdy.



I'll def be sporting this one again...it was so easy and comfy and just relaxed!



Up-close of the belt!

Dress: Converse from Target
Lining: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Via Spiga
Belt: Urban Outfitters

Spring Day Suit - Blue + White

I think there may be some rule about not wearing white yet or something, but rules are meant to be broken, right? I've become an avid weather-report-watcher over the years and always check the weather before getting dressed or selecting an outfit for the day. Today's weather report called for a lovely, sunny, warm 70 degree F day, so I was feeling white pants.

Although the weather outside was supposed to be quite warm, I knew the "weather" inside my office would be another story, so I added as many layers to my outfit as I could fit.


I started with a simple, blue, top from a recent shopping excursion...got this at the BR outlet for around $20! I also added this lightweight scarf that I found on the sale rack at BR for a mere $7...down from like $50!


Then, I added a Gap cardi...


...then a BR blazer to match the pants! I always try to get matching blazers to pants if I can afford to...it's so nice to be able to wear a full suit to work sometimes. I'll always regret not getting the suit jacket that matches my fave ever dress pants from J Crew.

Sadly, nearly this entire outfit, except the cardi, but including the shoes, is from BR. As much as I love BR, I really prefer to mix up different brands a bit more...gonna have to work on shopping in some new stores this season!

Still, the cool, crisp white seemed to be the right color for the wonderful weather we had today. Good thing I wore my white pants today...it's supposed to rain tomorrow!

Basic Business Casual: Khaki + Sweater

Sorry for my non-posting, but my fashion + shopping self needs a bit of a jump start. I'm hoping now that my credit card is paid off and I'm shopping (carefully, of course) again, that the love of clothes will return.

In the meantime, I haven't been sharing many outfit posts because lately my outfits are usually pretty basic (read boring) office wear outfits, like this:



Our dress code has recently been downgraded and we're allowed to wear khakis! I'm so excited because when the weather gets warmer, I'd like to work some of the super cute khaki looks I've been seeing in my J Crew mags. Till then, I have to bundle up to combat the chilly weather both outside and inside with layers including long sleeve tops and warm sweaters.

Khakis: Banana Republic
Top: Banana Republic
Sweater: Banana Republic (what can I say, I love my BR!)
Boots: Nine West
Necklace: handmade by me