MOVE IT, MOVE IT | 5 Active Looks We're Loving Right Now

via Reitmans (really)...

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I have my reasons. I mean, there was Christmas and all of the holiday sangria and cookies and boxes of Turtles that came with it. Then, there's the weather. I mean, I tell my kids that running on ice is dangerous, so what example would I set by doing the same? Then, of course, there's simply the fact that until this very moment, I just haven't felt like working out.  But then, I went shopping. And I've started seeing the coolest new leggings that I have to have. And looking at all the rad new running shoes that make my current kicks look old-school in the worst possible way. Sexy cut-out tops make my old workout tees look so 'mom' it hurts. Not to mention the fact that my pants are so much harder to do up these days. Sigh....

All signs point to the fact that it's time to finally get moving again. First, the mall. Next the yoga mat where I'll finally conquer that headstand. Then, the Zumba class where I'll shake what my mama gave me. And finally, a run that doesn't involve getting anything with the word 'grande' in it when I'm done.

Check out these 5 workout looks I'm loving right now. After all, looking the part is half the battle ;)

SEE THE LOOKS HERE...

WORK IT. OWN IT.

Need a little extra motivation to get moving? As the Vaughan Mills Official Stylist, I was tasked with rounding up a shortlist of my top fitness picks for 2016. These 7 fitness game-changers will get you to the gym looking extra cute this season...

WORK IT | Spring's Most Stylish Workout Gear

Karlie Kloss via Nike

Originally posted in The LOOK

I don't know about you but it's really easy for me to get to the gym. It's the staying at the gym that's a problem. Every year around this time - you know the time where you see ads everywhere for beautiful girls in bikinis - I realize how badly I need to get my butt in gear. But this year, it feels different somehow. 

From Instagram to Snapchat, fitness fanatics are everywhere right now. And while getting fit is an especially huge trend at the moment, it feels less like a passing fad and more like a movement. Women I follow on social media not only look amazing in their bright workout gear but they look strong, powerful and crazy confident as they run marathons, hit the boxing ring and do mind-blowing yoga balances. Instead of models simply posing in pretty workout gear, you get the sense that they're actually doing the workouts in their daily downtime, too. Since having kids, I've never been so inspired to get fit.

While I think personal trainers are great, nothing motivates me to get my body moving more than cute workout gear. Luckily this season, the stores are loaded with the prettiest printed sports bras, bright tanks and sleek bottoms that will make you envy of any fitness class. As they say, looking good is half the battle ;)

Scroll through the slideshow for my top spring workout gear picks. You can do it!

 

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BENCH | #LOVEMYHOOD

It's a running joke in my house that I have a Kinesiology degree. Why? Well, I ended up doing my post grad in fashion and am now a full-time fashion blogger. While I exercised regularly my whole life, having kids changed all that and now, cute gym gear has become more important to me than the act of working out itself. I've gotten in the habit of laughing off my laziness but as I get older, turns out I just can't get away with skipping the gym anymore. My sedentary state has produced undefined arms, less than rock-hard abs, and a sitting-is-the-new-smoking phobia since most of my work is done from the cushy confines of my couch. 

When Bench asked me to work with them, I jumped at the chance (literally, see above). I'd already decided I wanted to recommit to an active lifestyle and so, the partnership seemed like the perfect kickstart. I didn't own a single Bench piece so couldn't wait to see what the buzz was about. I headed to my closest Bench store and tried on everything in sight, leaving with a perfect pair of leggings, gorgeous green and white tanks, and a black cinch-waist spring jacket. I'm not big on overt logos so had mentally written off Bench as 'not my thing' in the past, but was happy to discover the store is stocked with loads of subtly branded pieces. 

It's been a few weeks and I can honestly say that I LIVE in my marled made-in-Canada Baddah leggings (the BEST, seriously - ask anyone) and am super impressed by the quality of everything I picked up at Bench. I've figured out that hardcore workouts just don't work for my busy lifestyle right now. And so, I simply try to fit in activity whenever I can. I play tag at the park with my kids, do ModelFit videos in my living room after they go to bed, and have even managed to squeeze in some treadmill time at the gym. Do I look like Gigi Hadid yet? Not even close. But my new workout gear helps me look good while I try to get there.

Thanks for getting this girl in fighting form, Bench. And seriously, I really #LoveMyHood.

 

My Bench spring picks. 

Let's just call this the 'before'. 

My favourite pair of leggings EVER. No joke. 

Serious selfie before I attempt to run. Please don't pass out. Please don't pass out...

Yup, still got it. 

Downward dog.

Think Fonzie's form might be better than mine. #PlankOff

#Amazing: Instagram x Adidas

If you're like me, Instagram has become the most recent in a steady stream of social media addictions (read: time killers) from Facebook to Twitter to Pinterest.  And so I was like #instagood, I totally 'like' this and I should probably tweet about it, but it's way too good to cram into 140 characters. Thank goodness for my fashion blog. Okay, get this: Adidas is launching PhotoPrint, an app which lets shoppers customise their kicks with their own Instagram photos. With a few taps, users are able to print their favorite snaps straight onto a new pair of Adidas ZX Flux trainers. Whether your cute pooch, your kids, your cottage, or your one true love, the possibilities for personalization are endless. And you won't have to wait long - the app rolls out on iPhone and Android starting August 2014.  How fun is that?! Let me answer that: SO fun.