Product Review: Brooks Women's D'lite Mesh Tank

OK so I ordered the Brooks women's d'lite micro mesh racerback last month when I was training for my Divas Half Marathon and the weather was never quite warm enough to wear this tank so it just sat in the plastic wrapper it came in on my dresser. I finally decided to pull it out for my first real run of May last week since I've been sidelined for what it seems like forever with health issues. 

I found it on sale on the Brooks website when I was perusing the shoe options after first seeing Jenelle from Mile 28 wear it on her blog for a beach run. This tank was only $18 and there are 5 other colors also on sale but there are 3 color options that are regular priced ($28) and that seems a bit hefty to me based on the quality of the tank.

I liked this top since it was super lightweight and the mesh was VERY breathable but for some reason, it irritated and rubbed under my arms quite a bit! I like how it's a longer tank that I can layer with a compression tank! For this run, I just had my compression capris on but I think that this tank would look really great with my sparkleskirts, which would be an even more comfortable outfit than with the capris!

Here is a closer-up view of the tank.  The edges look like they're unfinished and it isn't the most polished looking tank but I think it totally got the job done since I am a heavy sweater (gross) when I run and I just know this will keep me cool during all of my summer runs!

As for cleaning, I'm still trying to figure out how I should wash this.  I let it air dry after my run and it's still on the hook on the back of my door since I haven't figured out if I want to hand wash (probably) or put it in the machine on gentle.  There isn't a tag so I can't really use that and there weren't instructions on the little slip that came with the tank.

Ultimately, if you're into tanks for working out, then definitely check this Brooks D'lite mesh tank out! I love it!

***DISCLAIMER: The opinions and statements about the Brooks Women's D'lite Mesh Tank are my own and I was NOT provided any products to sample or compensated to include on this blog.***

Outfits of the Day (Thursday)

Today was quite a busy day for me! This morning, I had a quasi-interview and then I ran home to change into something a little more casual for work since the entire office was closed for a training session so I had the whole place to myself to get work done uninterrupted (and I did)!!! I had such a productive day that included some fun outfits.  Right now, I'm about to go for a run- my first in 25 days (which included an infection, virus, & a couple rounds of RXs)! Hopefully I survive and don't pass out!

Here is my morning outfit (for the quasi-interview):

• Suit: Kasper
• Shirt: jcp
• Pearls: my very first string of pearls my mom got me in 2006
• Earrings: Pearl earrings from my 27th birthday
• Shoes (not pictured): Black pumps 
• Watch: Rolex (law school graduation present)
• Rings: VT Class Ring & David Yurman Petite Wheaton in Black Onyx
• Bangles: Malani Jewelers

Annnd here is this afternoon's outfit from work:

Skirt & Shell: LOFT
Cardigan: Old Navy
Jewelry: All the same from the morning
Sandals: Charming Charlie

I was doubly excited to wear this new skirt since it was the first time I could fit into it since I bought it! I guess that GI virus is great for my closet options too!! Since the office was closed today and no one was there, I took advantage of the situation and wore some comfy sandals since I knew I would be at my desk all afternoon catching up on uninterrupted work! My foot stupidly ran into my vaccum cleaner last night and so I now have another toe on my right foot that has a layer of skin missing and in severe pain.  Hopefully I can keep it clean and prevent an infection like what happened a couple weeks ago on my left foot!

AND since the weather is so beautiful, here are some gorgeous flowers in my front yard! My amazing mom planted these gorgeous marigolds and gerbera daisy on Mother's Day weekend and my roses are finally blooming! I think Greensboro skipped spring and went straight to Summer!

Go Hokies!

 

What's your favorite thing to do in this great spring/summer weather we've had lately??!! 

 

 

 

Outfit of the Day (Wednesday)

Here we are again for another OOTD post!

I had a lot of fun with today's outfit since the temperatures were inching towards 90 and I felt like I needed a change from my typical black/white/red/fuchsia options. So what do I pick? BLUE! A color I usually loathe but when I saw this skirt in the store a few weeks ago, I was in love!

• Blazer & Shell: LOFT
• Pencil Skirt: jcp
• Necklace: Roberto Coin Diamond Heart Pendant 
• Watch: Rolex (law school graduation present)
• Rings: VT Class Ring & David Yurman Petite Albion Ring in Garnet
• Bangles & Earrings (white gold/diamond hoops you can't see in this picture): Malani Jewelers
• Shoes: Etienne Aigner via Marshall's 

I am pretty much obsessed with these shoes! I've had them for what seems forever and they are perfectly worn but still look great! I love the mini wedge heel and that they are still professional looking enough for work when it's warmer out!

In other world news, I'm feeling a lot better but still pretty tired and I can't really stomach any food and I keep dropping weight (which is a great thing if you ask me haha but my mom doesn't think as much).  I had a pretty good day at work and this outfit gave me a lot of confidence too! It's funny how wearing a great outfit you love gives you so much confidence and really uplifts your mood! Tomorrow will be an interesting day since the majority office will be close for a training day but I will still go in to catch up on some work before the holiday weekend coming up!

What was your favorite thing you wore today?

My Beauty Essentials

I thought I would share some of my favorite beauty items this week instead of Playlist Wednesday while I'm still recovering from that horrible virus. I created this set on Polyvore so be sure to check my page out there and follow me on there too!

Beauty Essentials by mppvt08 featuring a sugar lip treatment

Estée Lauder black eye makeup, $22 / Buxom false eyelash / Face moisturizer / Clinique sugar lip treatment / Palmer s beauty product

Beauty Essentials by mppvt08 featuring a black eye liner

 

1. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick: I love this for everyday all day! I use it on my lips in the mornings and every night before bed.  This is also great for cracked heels (after wearing pumps all day or even running!), or dry spots on your knees &/or elbows. I've been using this for probably the past 4-5 years and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon! I keep a tube of this everywhere, on my nightstand, purse, my car, etc.
    
2. Oil of Olay All Day Moisturizer with Sunscreen: OK so this option came from my mom. After YEARS of watching my mom put this all over her face, neck, arms, & everywhere else when I was little, I knew this was the one thing that I would use as an adult.  I've actually been using Oil of Olay on my face, neck, and arms since I was in college.  I credit this moisturizer for my lack of breakouts, etc and it keeps my face feeling fresh and not greasy/oily all day long.  I want to try the new Olay BB cream since sometimes I layer a tinted moisturizer with my daily moisturizer so that might be a better option for those days!
    
3. Estée Lauder Pure Color Intense Kajal Eyeliner in Blackened Black: Again, this is an absolute favorite of mine. I'm pretty low-key when it comes to makeup but I never leave the house without applying my favorite eyeliner! This eyeliner reminds me of Indian Kajal eyeliner my mom/relatives used to get me from India that also had a reputation of staying on all day without smudges/running.  I also love how easy this particular liner goes on and very rarely smudges or runs after a long day at the office. I've tried my share of eyeliners from both high end and drugstore brands and this one is without a doubt the best for my skin.
    
4. Clinque Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color in Mega Melon: This lip balm is one of my favorites and I literally have some color option of the chubby stick in every probable location-makeup bag, in the car, purse, etc.  I love love love how much color a few swipes gives but there is no heavy/sticky mess that most lip glosses have!! Clinique recently came out with an "Intense" version of the chubby stick but I'm still not quite sold on those. They do not not last for more than the typical time but the one upside is that the colors are much more intense and vibrant.
   
   
5. Buxom Lash in Blackest Black:  Oh this goes along with the eyeliner as the only makeup I refuse to leave the house without applying.  I love how this mascara makes my piney eyelashes look full and thick. After using this mascara, I never have to worry about clumps or flaking, etc. I first got this at Sephora in a gift set and I've gone through so many tubes of this mascara since the Buxom line began it's crazy!
    

What are some of your favorite beauty products? What is your favorite product you use everyday??

Where Have I Been?

Sorry I've been MIA since last Tuesday..I was victim to a terrrrrible GI virus all last week.  Everything was fine and dandy last Monday and then everything went to shit and went downhill when I came home from work that evening.

When I got home, I laid down on the sofa and eventually I had a fever when I woke up from an unintentional nap--I checked my temperature Monday night when I got in bed and it was around 102.3 so I did what any normal individual would do and took some Tylenol and went to bed.  I woke up Tuesday feeling just as gross but chalked it all up to missing my Monday night dose of antibiotics because of that nap. Well, Tuesday morning I threw up on my walk with Rusty and I had a fever all morning even with taking Tylenol but I figured it would eventually go away so I went to work anyway with a massive headache and fever.  Let me just say, Tuesday day was unbearable. When I got home, it was like a repeat of Monday night but worse. My fever had gotten up to 102.9 so my mom told me to take more Tylenol and then go to sleep so I did. WELL, I woke up Wednesday feeling TERRIBLE.  I started throwing up around 7-7:15am and it didn't stop until around 11am when my mom got to my house.  In between running to the bathroom, I called my mom and my doctor and I made an appointment with him in Danville for that afternoon so my mom left to come pick me up from my house since I could barely hold my head up.  It was so uncomfortable because I was beyond nauseous all morning/day/afternoon.  My mom got me to Danville in time for my doctor's appointment and that took almost two hours so that was a lot of fun. They tried to take blood (when one arm fails, just try the other one!) and then I fell asleep while we waited for the results and from there my doctor told me it was a virus, gave me an RX for a super powerful anti-nausea medicine and we were off.  My  mom took me to Target to get my meds and stock up on gatorade  since it was/is the only thing I can stomach. After, I just passed out for the next 18 hours. Annnnd that was my Wednesday & Thursday last week.

The rest of the week were a bit of a blur with a dash of depression on Saturday because I was way too weak to run in one of my favorite 5Ks in Danville- the Nestle 5K they hold every year during Festival in the Park weekend.  Also depressing= missing Festival.  My mom took me to Festival just to get a little change of scenery on Saturday so I went and was totally exhausted after.  When we got home, I literally slept for 5-6 hours without any benadryl inducement! 

Needless to say, the past week away from my blog (I left my computer here in Greensboro all week) was rough but it was nice to be able to get rest, sleep, and recover from the virus without the distraction of keeping up with my blog posts!  Don't worry, this week I will be back in full force with my posts, even though I'm still too weak for any kind of exercise (still can't stomach any food). 

Finally, i would like to dedicate this post to the 3 things that got me through last week: Rusty, my momma, and yellow gatorade.

love her so much!

he kept me company when I fell asleep on my mom's bed :)

 

How do you deal with unexpected illnesses? Do you still need your mom's TLC when you're sick like me??!