Actually, I can remember the first Lululemon outfit I ever bought (or that my parents bought for me, let’s be real – I was young). I was about fourteen years old, had just started getting into yoga, and stumbled into a Lulu store at Fashion Island in Newport Beach with my family.

I tried on all the fun, bright prints and wound up going with a rockin’ dark grey short-short (I mean as SHORT as short comes!) with a hot pink waistband and hot pink drawstrings, and a matching low-cut dark grey top with hot pink trimming.

Don’t you love the things we can get away with when we’re fourteen and barely have any semblance of hips + curves?

I also got a white splatter-painted kind of tank with black and hot pink tie-dye on it. Like I said, it was rockin’. I felt stylish AF rolling up to yoga, also decked out with all the best mats + Yogi Toes on the market, because I was young & impressionable and very much believed there was no other way to yoga!

Here was said splatter-paint top, at Wanderlust yoga + music festival

BEFORE Wanderlust was the cool kid place to be, with my sissy Lisa!

The really awesome thing was, I felt good about myself when I wore those clothes. I felt like I legit yogi, even though truth be told, I hardly knew what I was doing at all back then.

Over the years, I started cultivating more Lululemon pieces. I got more and more into yoga, did several teacher trainings, dove headfirst into the yogi life, and the only thing that made SENSE for any family member to buy me (then AND now) was Lululemon.

Oh, and for the record, the dark grey + hot pink short shorts and matching top stayed in my wardrobe for a good 7 years before I finally said au revoir and replaced them with some newer, more age-appropriate (and hip-having, curve-having appropriate) looks.

Reglardless, Lulu is still MY JAM. The Lululemon store in Brentwood is one of my homes away from home… right down the street from me, and each and every girl and guy who works in there has become a close friend. I love that they are community oriented, always support what I’m up to and plan lots of fun events for our wellness-minded neighborhood to get together and sweat. (And lots of them were in Monterey with me this weekend!)

My Current Fave Lululemon Outfit //

So! After saying bye-bye to some of my very early-day Lululemon looks, I still have a closet full of their clothes. Some super current, and some pants I have legit had for over a decade. At least we know they last for a long time! The fabric is so comfy and durable and moisture-wicking and truly like no other.

Something I love about my most current Lulu pieces — showcased in this post — is that they are perfect for this WEIRD transition period between Fall and Winter!

Fall in LA is basically just like Summer, and then Winter comes on and we’re like wait… it’s sort of getting cold out. I kind of need to leave the house with a jacket today, I think.

And boom — my perfect Define Jacket does the trick! It’s light enough that I am not overly hot and uncomfortable putting it on after a sweaty yoga class, but keeps me warm when the weather starts to cool off.

Specifically being in MONTEREY all weekend, where these photos were taken (SO FREAKING GORGEOUS THERE) — I really needed something light-ish but thick enough to keep me warm!

I was lucky enough to teach a little outdoor yoga sesh to my girlfriends on the beach AT SUNSET in Monterey. If you could have heard the ocean waves crashing, you’d know why it makes me smile to even type about the thought of this situation.

It was epic, to say the least.

These high-waisted Like Nothing 7/8 Tights feel like WEARING NOTHING in the best way. They are so soft, thin, and barely feel like they’re there! So obvi they leave room for optimal movement and flow.

Fun fact: I also taught my first yoga class at So Cal Hot Yoga in Brentwood last night IN these pants!! So yeah, I really love them.

Also, the sports bra I had on underneath was also da coolest, but it was too chilly to take off my layers for the photos!

And this grey racerback tank is my all-time favorite for yoga and for running… you can wear whatever supportive bra you’d like underneath, so it works for all bodies + bust sizes, unlike some other tank top styles.

To shop my Lululemon looks (and some other similar pieces that I also own + wear the crap out of + love), you can directly shop the post below! Hope you enjoyyyy.

What are your fave workout brands + styles you go for?! Are you a Lulu girl too? Also… sunsets in Monterey are literally unbeatable. 

Another thing is having the proper gear + having the right mindset. Whenever I try to dash out the door on my busiest of days to go on a run or hit a sweaty yoga class… I often tend to forget something important that makes the workout actually enjoyable.

You know what I’m talkin’ bout — like showing up to a yoga class without my mat towel so I slip and slide all over the place, or leaving for a run without headphones or my fave grippy lil’ water bottle.

It is the WORST to be fully ready to sweat and get your heart pumping and then not have the things you need in order to make the workout comfortable, productive and worth your while.

Honestly, even sometimes if I’m not wearing comfortable enough pants in a yoga class my entire workout can be thrown off. Maybe I’m just really particular… Or maybe you guys can relate?

Either way, I have put together my staples for you below before I share my fave workout playlist so that we can ALL be on the same page when it comes to being ready for a good workout.

A few non-negotiables //

+ I try to take a deep breath & stop what I’m doing at least 20 minutes before I have to leave the house for a workout. I am SUCH the kind of person to try to squeeze in every little thing until I have about 30 seconds to get ready to leave… so I legit end up brushing my teeth, running a brush through my hair, throwing on whichever clothes are closest to me and sprinting out the door all in a 30 second period. NOT okay, lol. So I *try* to stop ahead of time and give myself the proper space to gather my things + get into the right headspace.

+ I always lay out the things I need for a good workout so I don’t forget them. Those things are as follows…

+ my FAVE bluetooth headphones from Kohl’s! These bad boys don’t need to be connected to your phone, so you can flow through a sweaty yoga home practice or go for a run or a hike without getting your ish all tangled. They’re also great for lifting weights or to wear while doing circuits in the gym! I am basically obsessed with these and they FIT INTO MY EAR PERFECTLY, which is so, so hard for me to find… I think I have small ears? Hehe. It also has a built-in microphone for phone calls ANDDD is sweat proof and incredibly lightweight. AND, they are highly reflective which is so important for safety and visibility at night. (My running coach highly approves of that last part… Right, JDF?!)

+ my wireless FitBit, also from Kohl’s, because as you guys know I believe that knowledge is power when it comes to working out. No need to get too obsessed with the exact number of calories burned, but knowing the distance you’ve gone and the steps you’ve taken can be very empowering + motivating. I’ve found that once I hit 8,000 or 9,000 steps, I am SUPER motivated to keep going to cross the 10,000 step mark! It’s a really fun thing to have, and this particular gold FitBit is SO PRETTY!

+ I never leave for a run without my running water bottle. Someone on my marathon team introduced me to these amazing grippy little water bottles, so you can keep them attached to your hand while you run! I know some people prefer to run without holding anything at all, but I’ve found that I need water on hand… I get super thirsty and it’s comforting to me to know I have it right there. (Placebo effect perhaps? Lol.)

+ obviously GREAT FITNESS CLOTHES & SHOES, but that is a story for another post because there is so much detail that goes into both of those things! Anything Nike usually does the trick for me when it comes to clothes, and these ASICS are my go-to running shoes.

Okay, Now Workout Playlist Time!!!

SOOOO my go-to workout playlists are all on my SPOTIFY account, and this one is my current fave.

For now let’s talk TBB TOP TEN RUNNING SONGS:

( FYI: You’ll se the WIDE RANGE of my music taste here! Rap, old school remixes, super creepy amazing alternative music, and moooore )

+ 10 Victoria’s Secret Models by MAX

+ Lemonade by Adam Friedman

+ Hallelujah by Panic! At the Disco

+ I Can’t Stop by Flux Pavilion

+ Stole the Show by Kygo

+ SAIL – LED Remix by AWOLNATION

+ Ocean Drive by Duke Dumont

+ Never Gonna Leave this Bed – Acoustic by Maroon 5

+ You’re the One That I Want by Lo-Fang

+ That’s All – 2007 Remastered by Genesis

I also have my YOGA PLAYLIST that I am obsessed with! Follow it on Spotify if you wanna see the new-ness I’m always adding to it!

Thoughts?! Thanks so much to Kohl’s for sponsoring this post… I am obsessed with all my new gear!

My loves!!! Springtime is here — don’t even ask me where winter went, because this year has officially been flying by faster than any other so far, in my world at least.

If you’re anything like me, the weather change has me thinking, thank god it’s warm outside again because I never really stopped wearing Spring/Summer clothes (I’m stubborn like that — and it’s okay because I live in LA where winter ain’t no thang.)

But, on the contrary some of you may be thinking, “Sh*t, it’s warm again. Do I even OWN warm weather clothes anymore?”

Not to fear. Sales on sales on sales, you guys. Including the site where I snagged these fab Electric Yoga clothes & Manduka yoga mat & mat towel — HauteLook!

HauteLook is owned by Nordstrom, and they have thousands of the top fashion and lifestyle brands on their site with amazing savings — including Electric Yoga, Brooks Running shoes & Manduka pieces that I photographed for this post! Their three-day flash sale event for Spring begins at 1pm PST today and ends at 1pm PST on Saturday (April 2nd.)

The sale includes fitness-inspired clothing, shoes, yoga mats, towels & more for up to 50% off (WHAAAAT!) !?!? They also have free shipping for orders over $100, to add onto the good news. A.k.a… Get on it! All of my staple items in a nutshell.

BTW… How beautiful is Sactown? The American River gets me every. single. time. I am in love. 

Springtime looks are the happiest. They are the bright and bold colors that we strayed away from during winter, and the fun flowy vibes that would have chilled us to the bone when it was still colder out. For me, Spring is also the resurgence of confidence in my body with clothing that bares more arm, leg, neck and chest than winter clothes — a.k.a, if you are workin’ out and feelin’ good about yourself, Spring is the time to flaunt it.

These blue & white tie-dye Electric Yoga pants make me happy, and do they not scream Spring by blending into the sky? (And by blending into my eye color… Bright blue is my jam for a reason!) And the jacket is so comfy too. 

I am not sure if I have ever fully mentioned how much I live in my Brooks Running shoes — but I do, and this bright pink & blue variation is my absolute fave. I trained for the marathon in these very shoes (Brooks Glycerin 13), and they have more arch support and cushion than any other shoes I’ve tried. Literally 26.2 miles with only ONE blister… That’s what I call a win.

This Manduka mat & mat towel are also my go-tos… No one really holds a candle to Manduka when it comes to durability and bright, fun, spring colors. I am pretty sure I have a lifetime warranty on my first ever Manduka mat, because they are THAT good and that reliable.

They translate to hiking clothes too. Say hi to my mama! Her fashion blog for women over 50 is coming soon, and I can’t WAAIIITTT to share with you guys.

And the clothes are great for swimming! JK. Not swimming. Just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to shoot these Electric Yoga pants by the water… Such a gorgeous color.

Just keepin’ it real & sharing a fave with you guys. Check out these events on HauteLook & read more here! I am so stoked about it and thrilled to hear what you think — hope you find as many great pieces as I did.

XO

Firstly… These pants. This view. Do you die or do you die? There is something so enchanting and cozy about the rain and fog in Los Angeles, because we don’t get it very often. Running in the rain has got to be one of my top five favorite feelings in the world- not only does it keep our body heat down so our bods can perform at their very best, but it also just feels so calming and cathartic. Every time I run in the rain I feel like I’m shaking off my stress & worries with every step. ( It sounds cheesy I know but it’s so true I couldn’t not mention it. )

This running journey has been such an awesome change from my usual workout routine. Never have I felt so strong or capable in my own body than when I go out for a powerful run. Yes, yoga makes me feel strong and there is something to be said for the deep stretching, intense spirituality and meditative qualities that yoga brings to the table. But there is something so strengthening about running that I can’t get enough of. It’s a full body experience where every muscle, every ligament has to work in sync in order to make it happen and to make it enjoyable.

Also, running can be hard in a way that other workouts just don’t really come close to. It tests our boundaries. High intensity interval training is hard. Yoga can be very hard. Pilates can be freaking unbearably hard. But distance running is one of those curious types of exercise that puts our bodies to the test and really shows us what we are made of not just physically but also mentally. You can stop to take breaks, but if you have a distance or a time goal in mind there really is no choice but to just pick yourself up and keep going– and I love that about running. The act of running and sticking with it has strengthened my mind way, way, way more than I could have ever imagined.

I told you guys about how much I loved running the 10k a few weeks ago for a few different reasons. One was because the shorter distance was pretty wonderful after running a full 26.2 miles 3 weeks before that, but another was because I tested myself a little bit and ran at a much faster pace than I am used to. It made me feel like a real “runner” in a way that I hadn’t exactly felt before or even realized that I hadn’t felt before that, if that makes sense. It brought up so many emotions and so much reflection about where I am in life right now, my relationships, my focuses, and more. I couldn’t believe what a full mind trip was going on while I was basically full-on sprinting. Coolest feeling ever.

I’ve also gained a new perspective on self-care, balanced nutrition, stretching and resting thanks to all the running I’ve been doing. You can’t run distances without being seriously cognizant of how you’re treating your body when you’re not running. It makes you think twice about the food that you eat so that you are always properly fueled and don’t have any yuckiness in you that’s going to weigh you down, and it makes SLEEP and muscle restoration so beyond important. For me, that has been a HUGE explanation behind why I caught the “running bug” so quickly — I needed that permission to rest. I needed that massive reminder that I was living life at way too fast of a pace for my own comfort.

The self-care I’ve developed has even helped me realize certain things about my personality that I didn’t know, like how much alone time I need in order to recharge and how much better I feel when I get into bed super early and wake up early… Ah! Even thinking about it makes me happy. (Lol, I am a dork.)

Where Am I in My Running Journey Now?

I have taken some time to rest and recharge after the marathon in February, but I have slowly but surely been getting back into my shorter runs during the week and I am going on my first long run in a while this weekend. I am training for the Vine Body Sole half in Napa this May… And I’m excited to get back in the game and train! With my personality, having something to train for really helps me stay on top of my goals. Otherwise, I have so many other things going on that other parts of my life start to take precedence. It’s that extreme personality thing. If you have that type of personality too (a lot of us do), all you need to do is reflect a little and figure out what you need to do in order to stay on top of your goals & keep your routine in check. Then do it! It’s okay if that means doing things differently than a lot of your friends and other people you know — that’s the beauty of being YOU.

LUNAREPIC SHOES! Best Thing Ever.

So now. Let’s talk about these Nike LunarEpic shoes. They are freaking awesome. They have a great fluid-feel to them because of the precision-lasered Lunarlon that they use in the sole, so every step you take feels smooth and supported. They are SUPER soft (a must for me when it comes to any kind of shoe) with a pressure-mapped outsole to provide targeted cushioning. The coolest part of the shoe, to me, is the top– they are considered a mid-rise flyknit so there is a little sock-like portion at the top that keeps them extremely comfortable and secure on your foot.

They’re good for jumping too… Don’t worry, I tested it out for you

You also may know that I am a pretty extreme person, so this combination of excited yet super nervous emotions isn’t totally out of my comfort zone. Before I get into full detail about how my training program is going, I want to touch on the importance of cross-training.

Wearing Victoria’s Secret athletic wear. In honor of their mystery product launch, you will receive a free sport pant with the purchase of any reg priced sports bra! All details lower in post!

Cross-training

I am not a runner by nature. I didn’t grow up running, and most of the sports I played didn’t include a ton of running. I have always been more of a yogi, dancer, Pilates, HIIT kind of girl with short intervals of running. I have run three half marathons before, but all of them were wayyyy out of my comfort zone and I somehow along the way each and every time lost my motivation to train properly.

This time, I am doing it differently. I am running about four days per week, but I am also highlighting the importance of cross training. When I signed up to do this marathon, I knew that in order to stay on my A game I was going to have to incorporate workouts that I was already really comfortable with and have loved for a long time in order to make the training work for me. So in between my long runs and easy, slower paced training runs, I do a lot of YOGA, HIIT (high intensity interval training) and lots of long walks in my neighborhood.

The yoga aspect of the training is huge for me. I have had such an intense, loving, and at times super up and down relationship with yoga for the last 10+ years. In a way I feel like yoga has saved my life (I’ll talk about that in more depth another time), and in a different way the practice has been one of the most challenging and personally competitive parts of my fitness and wellness journey. I have gone ALL IN with yoga, doing a 200-hour teacher training, taking classes twice daily for years, going on retreats to exotic locations, forming super close bonds with my yoga teachers / mentors, driving WAY too many miles to check out a new cool studio, etc. You get the picture. I have also fallen off the wagon with yoga for certain periods of my life — and I have been determined not to let this marathon training program be one of those time periods.

I can safely say that right now I fall somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. I am not 110% dedicated to yoga as I once was (and sort of would still like to be), and I have also not completely abandoned it for my running program. If anything, yoga has become infinitely more important to my body, mind, spirit and pysche while I train for this marathon. After I did a few of my first 12+ mile runs, I was in need of some SERIOUS stretching and zen. And because I am getting so much cardio from the running, it has allowed me to lighten up on myself with the levels of yoga classes that I have been taking.

Instead of focusing on really fast-paced, cardio-centric hour and a half yoga flows that leave me drenched and feeling high on life, I have been taking a lot of hour long slow burn classes that aren’t necessarily for the workout but more for recovery and mental relaxation. This is a huge shift for me, and to be honest I am really proud of myself for allowing my body to take a break and slow down in between my long runs. Being able to use yoga as a tool to do that makes me feel like so much more of a yogi than when I was busy trying to twist myself into an upside down pretzel in Level 3 classes twice a day.

#EXTREME, I know.

So, that’s my cross training regimen. Yoga a couple of times a week (ideally I would go more often, but homegirl only has so many hours in the day), a long walk with a friend once or twice a week, and usually a class or two of HIIT. Then three short ish runs per week with one long run on the weekend!

Plus, lots of stretching… Always!

The Gear

If you’re anything like me, you can’t get into the proper mental headspace of running if you are not comfortable from head to toe. This means having running shoes that fit you like a glove and don’t make you uncomfortable for even a second (until you’re so worn down from a long run that any shoe on earth would feel pretty freaking uncomfortable), and having ATHLETIC GEAR that is comfortable, doesn’t rub you in weird ways, doesn’t get itchy when you break a sweat, and also makes you feel confident in all the right ways.

I mix and match my athletic wear, as you guys know, and today I want to share my newfound love for Victoria’s Secret activewear. I am being compensated by them to write this post, but all opinions are completely my own (as always on this bloggy!). First of all — has anyone noticed how CUTE their workout clothes are right now? They are an awesome combo of style and sass, and obviously we know VS knows how to shape a woman’s body to make it look and feel good. And good translates directly to confidence, so I am all about it! When you are training to run a marathon… You need all the confidence you can get!

And workout clothes are not just about looking / feeling good, they’re also about performance. I do not wear or give positive reviews to workout clothes that get uncomfortable WHILE you’re actually working out. I wore my VS Knockout Capris on a 7 mile run in NYC yesterday, and they were ridiculously comfortable. I also got a ton of compliments… And then kept them on when I went to a yoga class at night! Can you say versatile?

And because it’s wintertime right now, I am all about this VS Zip Jacket… It also makes me feel like such a serious runner for some reason — it kinda screams badass woman athlete to me. Just sayin’.

Underneath: VS Player Tank (a must-have), and the cutest and comfiest Incredible Sports Bra. The bra is a brand new item and ladies let me tell you… It is supportive. This chick with the 32D’s would know. (Wow, I’m really baring all today, aren’t I?)

The PEOPLE

One of the absolute best parts of my training program thus far has been the people that I’ve met. When I began the program in September, I was going through a bit of a rough time in my personal life. Inevitably, on my superbly long runs with my new teammates, I ended up pouring out my heart and soul and then some. I also got to listen to what was going on in their lives and get to know these brand new people in my life in a super intimate way. At the end of the day, the most important part of any experience to me is the meaningful connections you walk away with. I am so glad that my coach JIMMY DEAN FREEMAN encouraged me to do the NutriBullet training program, even if he not so subtly asked me if I was planning on dropping out the other day because I have been gone so much… #thebloglife doesn’t allow a lot of room for a steady schedule. Which brings me to my next point…

The Challenges

Okay, so my two main struggles so far are really obvious to me. The first one is the mental struggle, and the second one is a time issue. The mental struggle can be broken down into two smaller categories: anxiety and fear. I am a very anxious person to begin with, and having a huge goal/challenge on the horizon that 100% depends upon my physical and mental preparation for it TERRIFIES me. 26.2 miles. Before I started training, that was double the longest distance I had ever run in my life. So there is a lot of fear mixed in with that… Will I be able to finish? Will I get hurt? Will I break down at mile 20 and feel too fatigued to go on? Will I eat the wrong thing the morning of the race and have stomach problems the whole way? Will I be able to fall asleep the night before? Will I get hydrated? Will I disappoint my family/friends waiting at the finish line?!

At the end of the day, I know those are all irrational fears. I know that I will be prepared and if the WORST happens, I will start and I won’t finish. That won’t be a life breaker. I really don’t think that’s going to happen — but if that’s the WORST, then why be so afraid?!

And the second issue is really just that of time. I am a notorious overcommitter, and I have a lot on my plate right now. I am used to my hour ish long workouts every day, but this training is intense and requires a lot of time and diligence. It has been great for me to learn and also to teach myself that I am capable of buckling down when it matters the most. So really, my struggles end up having a positive twist too, because learning to let go of fear and anxiety and also learning to hold myself accountable even when time is spread thin are two things I’ve needed for quite some time.

The NOW

Right now, where I’m at in my training program is pretty much 16 or 17 miles. That may leave me a little bit behind some of my teammates due to the fact that I have been gone so much and also due to the fact that I have a mental block right now about running further than that… So let’s see where these next few weeks take me! ALSO, I am running a half marathon this Sunday with my team so I am excited for that — it will be my first half marathon that I am actually TRAINED for, so I have high hopes that it will be more enjoyable than my last.

ADVICE?!?

I would love advice from any experienced runners and/or marathon vets. I have gotten so much incredible advice from readers so far, so keep it coming! I appreciate it more than you know.

THE CLOTHES.

You can shop the post below! I hope you like the Victoria’s Secret activewear as much as I do. If Gigi Hadid can rock it and look like a legitimate MEGA BABE, then YOU CAN TOO!! Gigi is life.

Also… this Sherpa zip up, though. #obsessed

ALL PHOTOS BY THE EVER FABULOUS ISELIN + HALE

Readdyyyy? Let’s get it goin’!

▷▸▹► Kitten Snugs. So if you follow me on social media, you are well aware that I am in love with my four month old kitten Hudson Riley. Obsessed. Cat mom central. I may as well plan to never leave LA again because every time I leave him (with friends/fam, of course) for even a few days, my heart aches for him so badly and I have to actively try very hard not to think about him or wonder what he’s doing at every waking second of the day. One of my absolute favorite things as a first-time pet owner is how SNUGGLY Huddy is. He nestles himself right up into my chin to fall asleep at night, and while I write on the couch during the day he wraps his furry little arms around my legs to get in some good cuddles while he naps. I may sound like a total kitten mama freak to you right now, but anyone who has had a serious bond with a pet knows what I’m talking about. It’s just me and Hudson at home — no roommates, no significant others, no nada. We have developed a super intensely close relationship, and from the moment I got him I tried to get him used to being around people / cuddling / being held in my arms. When he stares into my eyes I can FEEL his little soul connecting with mine, and it’s one of the best feelings in the world. My baby Hud has my whole heart.

Below photo taken by the fab Iselin + Hale, a.k.a Huddy’s beautiful Auntie Danika

▷▸▹► Good photography. I am an absolute sucker for great photography. Actually, I’m a sucker for anything creative that is done well and done with passion and good intentions. I had such an amazing day shooting for Eddie Bauer with the talented Katie Shuler a few weeks ago, and while we were snapping pics we had an incredible conversation about branding. We discussed the difference between someone who is super passionate and clear about their brand identity versus someone who “sells out” to try to either copy someone else’s brand, be the next big thing, make the most $$ possible off of their brand, etc. There is a fine line when you’re creating a brand based around creativity and personality, because of course you have to monetize it (for me, that means brand partnerships), but people are really there to hear you write and create content from your SOUL. Katie experiences similar feelings when it comes to branding her photography business, as far as only wanting to take on clients’ tastes that radiate the aesthetic she is most passionate about. Where I’m getting at with all of this is — Katie Shuler’s photography brought me to TEARS when I saw the photos we’d taken. They were just so, so, so, so ME and so what I am going for with The Balanced Blonde (remember in yesterday’s post I talked about honing in on my focus). My emotional reaction to her photos from our day was such a beautiful reminder that while sometimes I have to pump out content like it’s my job (because it is), it is SO important to wind down, reflect, and really think hard about partnerships that I agree to. This blog is my baby, my muse and my livelihood, and I want it to have as much longevity as possible — a.k.a I want to do it forever! Cheeeers to good photography to supplement the messages and stories I am so passionate about sharing.

▷▸▹► Making up my own hashtags. I spoke on a panel at Social Media Club LA on Tuesday night, and I found myself giving this advice to the audience of creative entrepreneurs: make up your own hashtags! Be silly with it. Use them to showcase your personality. Stray away from the #thinspo, #thinspiration, #skinnybitch kinds of hashtags because to be honest, those aren’t empowering women at all. They are promoting one lifestyle, and usually they are promoting one singular way of eating and/or living. I am ALL about gaining inspiration from people on social media and the Internet, but wellness advice and weight loss advice do not go hand in hand. I am not a medical professional and I have never claimed to be– I am all about sharing real life experiences with real life people! #nodisclaimerneeded, because I just share my tips and tricks and use hashtags like #TBBisobsessedwithkale and #TBVapparelallovertheworld and #thebloglife and whatever I feel like typing in that very moment. I am all about that real time talk — being REAL with my audience has never served me wrong. Don’t try to be cool, try to be you.

 ▷▸▹► TBV Apparel partnering with Elite Daily! One of the coolest things about working in the social media influencer space is having the opportunity to connect with other influencers who are KILLING it. Elite Daily is beyond the prime example of that (they’ve grown to 1 million followers from about 40k earlier this year and we are obsessed with them), and we were lucky enough to partner with them for a shopping spree giveaway to TBV Apparel! Congrats to miss Jennilynn F. on Instagram for WINNNINNNGGG – we cannot wait for you to pick out your swag!

▷▸▹► GRAZE Snack Boxes! I am all about the healthy, portion-controlled snack options out there — because while I am all about balance and listening to your bod, I also know that a lot of people who are trying to find and maintain a healthy lifestyle need a little bit of help in the portion department. I love Graze because their subscription snack boxes customize a selection of healthy snacks that come in fun little containers with the coolest names — like Banana’s Foster (banana chips + nuts + little fudge pieces), Berries & Cream Gelato (white chocolate buttons, mini dried strawberries, dried raspberry strings, yogurt covered strawberry pieces) and all sorts of combinations of dry-roasted, unsalted nuts. The snacks are all pre-packaged and light-weight, so you can pack them with you and take them on-the-go (I like to snack on them in the car after a day of meetings / before yoga), and they aren’t going to overly fill you up before your next meal. Check them out on their website, and tell me this service isn’t one of the coolest ever…

I also did a Q&A with them that you must read! So fun. **Lastly, use code BBLONDE to get your first box of Graze FREE!!!**

▷▸▹► Seeing my BOOK on shelves at Barnes & Noble!!! Okay, honesty: I haven’t been into a B&N yet since the book has launched (life has been too crazy for words), BUT a lot of my friends, family, fellow bloggers and even my mama have spotted the book at B&N and sent me fun photos and videos! It is truly a surreal feeling to know that the book is out there and reaching people that have never seen my blog and are not yet familiar with my story, and that makes me so happy I could burst. Here’s a photo my mama snapped at the book store and then uploaded to her Instagram on her OWN (very impressive, as I often post for her…!!). It made my day like you wouldn’t believe.

▷▸▹► Almond milk lattes. YEP. I put “almond milk lattes” on our TBV Apparel “Loving Lately” tee when we created that list over a year ago, but in all honesty I was way more of a cold brew with almond milk kinda gal. Lately I have been ALL about my iced almond milk lattes from Alfred (my place, you know this) — and I add an extra shot of espresso for that extra fuel. I’ve been getting it nearly every single morning so I couldn’t not share. It’s definitely on the list.

▷▸▹► Foray Collective. Okay, so this is awesome. A few lovely gals I know started Foray Collective as a new kind of shopping platform to discover both style inspiration and cutting-edge designers. They’ve gathered a mix of influencers from all platforms to help tell the stories of each brand, and I am lucky enough be sharing my passion for fitness and comfort/athleisure in partnership with one of Foray’s athletic wear brands Booty by Brabants. I certainly love a good pair of neon pants, especially when I am headed into a yoga class or when I’m running at night (it gets dark SO EARLY NOW and I like to stand out so cars don’t see me). Their stuff fits so comfortably and has that extra stretch and versatility that makes them especially perfect for gym-to-errand activities (a.k.a my life in a nutshell). Check ’em out below! Wearing their Rosa Leggings & Spandex Tank Top. Love both, for the record.

▷▸▹► VIRTUAL BLOG TOOOOUR: Breaking Vegan is being shared on so many lovely blogs that I admire and read on the daily. Yesterday Andie Mitchell featured the Pumpkin Spice Smoothie recipe from the book on her blog, and today the lovely Hanna Montazami & Kelly LeVeque will be sharing. Stay tuned for Davida of The Healthy Maven and Lauryn of The Skinny Confidential  to share later this week — along with some fun giveaways sprinkled in!

What are you guys loving lately? Anything I mentioned here strike your fancy in particular? PS, I CANNOT believe that next week is Thanksgiving — headed to Cabo with the fam and I am so exciiited!!

I thought I was going to spend the month settling into my new place, getting back into my routine and getting my bloggy bloggin’ on every day, but… such as life, new things pop up with every day that passes. Exciting new things of course.

Like… A trip to Chicago to speak at the awesome conference for women in the digital space Create + Cultivate, where I am speaking on using the digital space for good via blogging, commerce, content and more. The conference is on August 15th and I would LOVE, love, love to have you there if you live anywhere nearby. I attended the conference this last year in LA and learned so much I could burst (my recap of the experience here), plus got to meet so many cool & inspiring people. I would highly recommend it.

After Chicago, I am going to Palm Springs for my cousin’s bachelorette party  (woo!), and then straight to Seattle for an Eddie Bauer brand summit and week of outdoor adventure. Ummm, sweet? YEAH. More travel than I planned on this month? Yeah. The new apartment decor can wait.

So, back to the title of this post.

I’m rambling, I know, and it’s because I am excited to update you guys on everything that’s going on over here. OH, and for those of you who are subscribed to my newsletter, I didn’t send one out this Sunday and will be hitting you with a double whammy this coming Sunday. Don’t worry, your email did not glitch!

No wait, now really back to the title of this post.

Okay, so, you guys may have noticed me posting some Instagrams with the links & tags “@LIKEtoKNOWit” and “LIKEtoKNOW.it,” and you may have been like, “Uhhh, what is Jordan doing cluttering up her caption box like that when she is usually such a psycho about having a really conversational, generally semi-concise caption?”

Or at least that’s what I thought when I saw bloggers like Gal Meets Glam & Pink Peonies using it far earlier than I did. Then I started working with rewardStyle and came to learn that the Like to Know It feature is actually the coolest thing ever — because it connects us from blogger to reader/follower, and allows US as bloggers to basically do the shopping for you.

Because of the nature of what I do, there are two main things I strive for with blogging: 1) to entertain and inspire you, 2) to make your life easier. (Maybe that’s 3 things? #whatever)! Like to Know It actually serves all three… especially the last one. It allows me to share my favorite outfits, home goods, etc. with you, and all you need to do is “like” my photo on Instagram (yes, double tap it, so easy) and you will get all outfit or product details delivered straight to your email inbox.

For example, I am about to post the below on my Instagram with the LiketoKnow.it widget. ALL you need to do is sign up for LiketoKnow.it (takes two secs and it’s way free), go to the photo on my Instagram, double tap it, and then you have all of these outfit details. Boom done, your shopping for the day/month is donezo. Because you’re a busy person and you don’t have time to peruse & browse around until you’ve found the hottest new fitness clothes!

No, that doesn’t mean that you automatically get charged for a purchase. Once you get the link sent to your inbox, you just go to the respective website and order it. You still get to pick your size, details, and/or change your mind about the purchase entirely, BUT the hard part is done. I have done the shopping for you. And with the extreme abundance of killer fitness clothes I have access to because of what I do, with “Like to Know It” you will be some of the first to discover some rockin’ new brands and styles.

Look, I told you I wear a lot of workout clothes…

Annddd a lot of other clothes too I suppose (lots of stripes! And PJs!):

Basically, I just want to help you guys live easier, more fit & active anndd stylish lives. Because when you feel good about what you’re wearing, your confidence increases tenfold. That’s what I want for all of you. Happy, healthy lives bursting with confidence, joy and a whole lot of fun. And yoga and running and late night lounging in comfy workout clothes and all that good stuff.

So, in conclusion: sign up for LiketoKNOW.it, double tap my outfit photos that have the link, and get the clothing info sent straight to your inbox. And if you’re not an Instagram person, that’s cool too. There’s always the bloggy, and I have included this handy dandy “Shop the Post” widget below in case you liked any of the clothing in this post!

And as always, if you have any questions just EMAIL ME and I am happy to answer them & help you out. I have a new email address, thanks to my boy Ty, and you can now reach me at jordan@truthbalancevirtue.com… it’s way more legitimate than the pretty unprofessional gmail account I’ve been using for years, and it suits us in our TBV Apparel expansion just swimmingly.

Thoughts?! Did you ever wonder what LIKEtoKNOW.it was?! Now ya know, and you can shop, shop, shop away! Any suggestions for the next few LiketoKNOW.it posts I should do for ya?!

P.S. If nothing else, you must, must check out this Spiritual Gangster hoodie from the collab. Photos below, but I had to share it up front because woah. I saw it on the racks pre-shoot & ran to it.

TBB x Carbon38

Wearing: Rio Legging | Tencel Racerback Tank | Koral Activewear Divert Jacket | Dance Crop Sports Bra

It’s no secret that “balance” is something I largely prioritize in my life. But, what a lot of people don’t know is that I don’t always consider myself an entirely “balanced” person. I actually struggle to find a middle ground with a lot of different things. I am a very extreme person, so every day I have to check in with myself and make sure I am practicing the art of balance & moderation.

Wearing: Teeki Eagle Feather Hotpant | Labyrinth Luna Explorer Bag (*Love) | Zoe Karssen Stripe V-Neck (SO COMFY.)

Need examples of my extremeness?

I am obsessed with Orange Theory Fitness (a rigorous high intensity interval training class), and I went through a phase where I went every single day of the week. It might not sound super intense to you, but it IS. Even the owners of the studio had their eyes popping out of their head when I said I’d been in every day for three weeks straight. Then I didn’t do Orange Theory for nearly a month, mainly due to travel, but still. I am on ONE end or the other.

I am either doing yoga twice a day or once a week. I struggle to just do something a normal amount… whether it be fitness, eating healthy (we all know I went way overboard with that), writing, working, etc. I am ALL or nothing.

Wearing: Spiritual Gangster Hoodie (!!!! OMG. Perfection alert. THIS HOODIE.) | Nat + J Tatiana Tank | Alo Yoga Ascendant Legging

Soooo, because of that, I have had to teach myself a few tips & tricks to stay on top of the art of balance. It kind of reminds me of when I was in high school & was diagnosed with ADHD after years and years of struggling to concentrate in school. The doctors told my parents I got by for so long without being diagnosed because I had taught myself ways to compensate — by asking my friends what the teacher had instructed us to do, by scanning the room to see what people were doing when I didn’t know what it is was that we were supposed to be doing, by distracting from the fact that I was distracted by making people laugh/pretending like I was just too immersed in my drawing/doodling to care.

It’s kinda like that with balance, too. Because it’s such a struggle for me to escape my extremes, I have had to learn some basic tactics.

Wearing: Michi Hydra Crop Legging | Throttle Tank | ALALA Neoprene Jacket | LeSportSac Large Weekender Bag

I’ve teamed up with Carbon38 to share my 7 Secrets to Finding Balance in this Crazy Life, & you can go here to read them and check out our full editorial on the site.

Sidenote: I had soooo much fun working with Carbon38 on this feature. Those girls know what they are doing when it comes to activewear, photography, styling & everything in between. I am a full-blown fangirl of what they are doing with their company. (Women-run business, yes yes yes.)

Wearing: The Upside Yoga Pant | Nux Exhale Tank | Nux Paloma Bra

Sooo let’s just finish out the post with a bunch of pics & outfit deets! You in?

Wearing: Alo Yoga Coast Legging | Koral Activewear Slope Pullover Hoodie | Vitality Crop Top

Wearing: Koral Activewear Dart Vest | The Upside Yoga Pant (Left) | Rio Legging (Right) | Nux Exhale Tank (Left) | Tencel Racerback Tank (Right) | Nike Juvenate (Left) | Topshop Platform Sandal (Right)

SHOP THE POST…

& CHECK OUT THE FEATURE!

If you guys were in need of activewear / yoga clothes / cute, versatile & comfy clothing, I hope this post gave ya some guidance!!!! Who’s in for another TBB x Carbon38 collab soon?! I know I am!

Sooo I’m keeping today’s post short & sweet because I wanted to share all of this Old Navy awesomeness with you, and I am headed to a fun photo shoot for the rest of the day… 36 hours in LA, let’s go! Then HAWAII tomorrow. Cannot wait. Will definitely be rocking these clothes on the beach… Or at least before the beach.

And BTW, how freakishly cute are these workout clothes? I’m dying.

I am so excited to share this post with you because it showcases something I am ever so passionate about: making working out fun. You don’t think I’m such a fitness addict because I spend time doing workouts I am not entirely in love with, right? Right. Everything I do fitness-wise I do because (through lots of trial & error) I love doing it. Life is too short to waste time or energy doing things you don’t thoroughly enjoy. Might sound silly or cliche but I mean that wholeheartedly.

I do not waste my valuable time doing things I do not like… Including taking fitness classes from a teacher I have never tried or never heard any great recommendations about. It might sound a little harsh, but I know myself and I know that I am the type of person that feels like time has been wasted if I finish a workout class I didn’t enjoy doing.

Our time is too precious for that, my loves!

And if that makes me harsh then I am okay with it, because that was Step 1 in my journey to choosing & solidifying a super consistent workout routine that works for me.

There is an enjoyable workout out there for all of us.

Hate running? Try yoga, pilates, hiking, HIIT, rowing, weights, volleyball, jumping rope, swimming, kickboxing, surfing, rollerblading, spinning or biking to name a few.

Hate group classes / sports? Try out solo activities like running, home practice yoga (there are so many great podcasts you can download), weights and non-equipment workouts you can do at the gym.

Yeah, I’m not buying it if you tell me you aren’t into working out. If you haven’t found what you love yet, that’s a whole different story! And I am here to help you do just that. : )

In order to do so… I’ve partnered with Old Navy to remind you that our workout clothes are #BuiltForPlay! A.k.a, we’ve gotta have fun doing what we’re doing, or else there is no use doing it at all.

Here I am balancing it up in these super comfy cropped yoga pants (see the design peaking out?! Where are my purple lovers at?!) & grey Go-Dry tank with pink straps, and black sports bra (SO COMFY).

Here I am meditating in Malibu in one of my favorite Old Navy #BuiltForPlay outfits. Meditation is a huge part of my life and my fitness routine. When I work out, I work out HARD. It’s part of my personality — I take a lot of stress and anxiety out on exercise. It’s an amazing release. Because of that, I have to make sure I set aside time to be kind to my body, mind and spirit. A bunch of pavement pounding and cardio flow body classes are great for the bod, but they don’t do a WHOLE lot for our innermost psyche. So, I have to balance my tough workouts out with zen, zen and more zen. Meditation does the trick for me, along with stretching and yin yoga classes.

Speaking of varying up my usual fast-paced workouts, here I am getting my stretch on post-yoga in the same fab outfit:

If you are going to work out hard, then you absolutely, 1 milllllionnnn and fifty percent cannot forget to stretch.

And if you aren’t an indoor fitness person, I highly recommend doing one of a few things:

1) Getting outside.

2) Putting aside all judgments. (I.e: “I’m not a good runner, so I’m not going to run.” or “I’m not flexible, so I can’t stretch in public!”). Save those judgements or hesitations for someone who is not ready to take the plunge & fall in love with their workouts! I know it can be challenging at first, but you wouldn’t believe how nice it can be to get outside and clear your head by doing something active.

3) Try either running (on the beach, if you’re near one!), hiking, walking your dog / with friends, or going to a calm, peaceful place and doing some stretches and meditation. I promise once you’re done you will feel on top of the world. And if you don’t, accept it as a learning experience & know that it’s time to try something else next time!

Hello, beach run! The shirt says 24/7 because that’s how dedicated you should feel when you are working out – in my opinion. Wellness is a 24/7 commitment, baby. Not to be obsessed over, but to be enjoyed and prioritized in a healthy, balanced way. And I love these shorts — I am still wearing them as I type! It’s hard to find a good, comfortable, well-fitting pair of running shorts when you have short legs…

My personal favorite workout: It’s no secret that I love yoga, and I love the beach. So you can’t be too surprised when I say that my ideal workout is an intense yoga class on the beach (in the SHADE!), with people I love / a kickass teacher, and then some deep stretching and a dip in the ocean. The yoga class, to be my most ideal, would get my heart rate pumping & would definitely make me pour sweat. I would probably vary it up with a run the next day, so my body doesn’t get too burnt out doing one thing. I may get addicted to workouts I love, but I know that the burnout is REAL and I have to vary in order to be consistent & on top of my game!

Beachy breeze meditation in this awesome grey tank that I want to wear every day of my life & print TBV Apparel phrases on (!!!). : )

And some smiles, because yoga makes me happy. Also… these pants!! Ocean pants. Make me feel like a mermaid.

And last but very certainly not least… Yoga. My lifeline. My zen. Also, this black tank is life — I will be wearing this baby everywhere.

How do you have fun with your workouts?! These comfy, breathable, sweat-friendly & super cute clothes certainly help motivate me to get outside and get my heart pumping each & every day!

Yo! The seasons are a’ changin’ over here… and even though I am a California girl again, there is no denying that there are certain workouts that are just easier to do in the summer.

When it’s warm out, I like to swim, hike, bike, and go on super long nighttime walks with my friends and fam. When the winter starts to creep up on us… even us So Cal peeps are forced indoors a little more often. That’s why it’s been especially fun lately to try all different types of workouts. You know I am a yoga junkie, but I have also been having a blast with spin, treadmill conditioning, weights and Orange Theory (combo of sprints, weight training and conditioning while wearing a heart monitor).

However… I know we are all different, and not everyone enjoys the same things when it comes to exercise, food, relationships, life in general… you feel me. Because of that, today’s post is all about tips for staying active as the season changes, no matter what your preferences are!

Ready? Let’s go!

Tips for Staying Active as the Seasons Change

1. Stay Active to Feel Good, Not to “Look” Good

Keep in mind that while wintertime is for cozying up by the fire with hot chocolate and marshmallows and cuddles with our loved ones, it’s notttt an excuse to do that every night instead of getting to the gym or staying active. It’s something to look forward to after we get our workout on! Sure, Christmastime is a GREAT reason to be jolly and merry and eat cookies in our onesies, and I would even go so far as to say take the whole week off if you feel like it, but then get back on the grind. There is no worse feeling than January rolling around and feeling sluggish from excess food, alcohol and lack of workouts throughout the holidays. Stay on top of your workouts so you can FEEL good throughout the whole season!

Hiking because it makes me feel great + because working out with friends is the way to go!

2. New Years Goals Are MUCH Easier to Achieve If We Get a Head Start

Let’s be real. Who here has ever had serious success with New Years goals? I get it, we are all super excited about them for the weeks leading into early January and maybe even into February if we are really on top of it, and then at a certain point our goals drop off and we save them for the following year. The most success I have ever had with New Years goals is making a LIFESTYLE change. And guess when I made that change? November. Come January, I was feeling incredible and nothing was going to get in my way or stop me. I was able to kick start my health and maintain the great way that I felt because it was more about maintaining than beginning. Start now so you can maintain feeling amazing into the New Year!

3. Find Exercises You Love So You Can Be Consistent With Them

No one is going to remain consistent with a workout they aren’t excited about. And there is no reason to feel bad about disliking a particular type of workout. I love yoga, but Pilates kind of bores me. I adore spinning and running and weights, but certain types of conditioning classes just kill me and I don’t enjoy them. Find what you love so you can stick with it… And yes, that requires trying new things! Get out of your comfort zone!

Yoga is a way of life, baby

4. Make Yourself a Damn Good Playlist.

Good music makes every good workout even better. Just do it. What have I been loving lately? T Swift, Hozier, Eminem (ALWAYS) and a whole lot of country amazingness. Oh, and weirdly I have also been loving the Kinky Boots soundtrack (specifically, the song “Soul of a Man” — AMAZING.)

5. Remember That a Short Workout = Better than Nothing

The holidays are busy! We will all be juggling family, friends, shopping, get-togethers, cooking (or grocery shopping…!), tying last minute things up at work, etc. If we can spend 20 minutes of the day being active instead of sitting on our butts… you better believe that is better than nothing! A 20 minute treadmill run will get your heart pumping, and a 20 minute stretch sesh on the ground is incredibly good for our joints and our muscles.

Stretching it out before a run

How are you going to stay active this season?! If you ever feel at a loss, glance at this list and hopefully you will find a bit of inspiration. Sending you all a whole lot of love!