Feeling Active Everywhere in prAna Spring Wear!

Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with prAna. I selected the pieces and prAna graciously provided them complimentary to me for my honest thoughts. Opinions are provided solely by me.

Spring is in the air! Can you smell it!? I know, I know... maybe that is wishful thinking on my part. I live in Michigan, after all. It often seems like winter lasts until May in these parts. Last week we had a beautiful, sunny, 60 degree day... and today it happens to be snowing. Despite the snow, I can feel spring peeking out here and there. My daffodils are pushing through the soil in my garden. The grass is looking a little greener. The daylight is lasting a little bit longer. My dog is itching to get out of the house and take as many walks as she can.

Speaking of getting the winter willies out... I had a chance to try two pieces from prAna's new spring 2018 active wear line. When prAna reached out to me, I was excited to give their new yoga pants a whirl. My husband and I recently joined a new, bigger gym because we were looking to increase our enthusiasm in working out and a friend of mine became a personal trainer at the gym we joined. It was perfect timing to start something new! I have a decent amount of active wear in my wardrobe but am always looking for the perfect, comfortable pant that will provide me with the coverage I feel comfortable in. I started with taking a look at prAna's yoga fit guide to get an idea of what they offer and the fit I might like best. I chose the Leda pant in Volcanic Plum Aster since I personally will always choose a printed pant over a solid. Life is just more fun that way. :) And while this style is labeled as a pant, I would place it into the legging category to be more specific. I couldn't be more happy with the fit. I like to use my active wear for a variety of purposes: gym sessions, workout classes, walking my dog, and lounge wear, if I am being honest. These pants fit every need. They are super soft, super comfortable, fit perfectly to the point where I feel supported but not suffocated and look great paired with sneakers for the gym or boots for some shopping! And, drumroll please... They are not see through! This girl has no tolerance for see through ANYTHING and these pants certainly deliver on that promise!

OUTFIT DETAILS

• Leggings: c/o prAna - Leda Pant in Volcanic Plum Aster [exact / use AEKKS18 for 15% off!]
• Sweatshirt: c/o prAna - Ostara Top in Coal [exact / use AEKKS18 for 15% off!]
• Tank: Thrifted [similar]
• Shoes: Brooks Pureflow 6 running shoes [exact]

Next, I selected the Ostara top in Coal to pair with my new pants. While I usually find it easy to find work out tanks/tops in the stores, I often feel like I am always wanting more when it comes to a heavier layer on top. Sweatshirts and jackets never provide the length that I am looking for. I was pleased with the fit of this top because it is a bit longer than usual and find it provides a nice, boxy fit as well. I want to be comfortable when I am working out or walking my dog. I personally like a looser top layer to provide some warmth - both for the winter cold and also to keep my muscles warm while working out at the gym. The Ostara top has the look and feel of a sweatshirt with a bit of a heavier drape to it. The lace up detail on the sides provides a cute addition!

CHECK IT OUT!
Learn more about prAna's re-imagined new line of yoga pants... designed and tested just for you by women just like you!

If you're thinking about investing in some new, quality workout gear, I cannot recommend prAna more. They use organic cotton and other natural materials and believe in fair trade and sustainability. I'd say that is reason enough to give them a try but the added bonus here is that they make great looking pieces to boot! Here's to walking out the winter willies and heading straight into spring - being #activeeverywhere in my #prAnaSpring18!

SAVE NOW!
prAna has kindly offered my readers a discount shopping code! Use promo code AEKKS18 and get 15% OFF any non-sale items at prAna.com. Hurry - the code is only valid through APRIL 6TH!

Getting Fit & Fab in Active by Old Navy

So, I'd like to talk about fashion today but not the usual type of fashion you're used to seeing here. Let's have a little chat about active wear AKA gym wear.

First off, you should know that I am no gym rat. Sometimes I take my workouts really seriously and go on a regular basis. More often than not, lately, I have had a hard time motivating myself to get there - but we'll talk about that more later.

Now, I'm not typically the type that cares very much about what I am wearing to the gym. An ancient pair of stretchy pants and an old tshirt and I am pretty much good to go. Spending a lot of money or time thinking about what I am going to wear to the gym just isn't my thing. I just want to throw it on after work, wipe any makeup off, throw my hair up and head out. Work out, sweat out the day's aggressions and go home. The gym is not my runway. I think you will find that evident...


However, when I had the chance to check out some new active wear, I jumped at the chance. Like I said before, the gym has not exactly been my favorite place lately. And when I say that, I mean I've probably been there once or twice over the past three months. It just hasn't been in my list of things to do but, unfortunately, I am paying the price and need to add it back into that list. When I don't go to the gym on a somewhat regular basis, I become crabby, sluggish and all around blah. Plus, I've been feeling a little bit on the meatball side which is never desirable when you go to put on your jeans, am I right? :)

So, maybe you're wondering where I went for this new active wear, right? I think you might be surprised!


Yes, seriously, Old Navy! I love the place when it comes to everyday fashions but gym wear... I know, I know! I had the same thought! However, never one to say no to a trip to Old Navy, I headed over to one of my favorite local stores with my best friend, Alicia, to check out their selection of activewear courtesy of Crowdtap as I am part of their Old Navy Style Council.


The minute we got there, we were excited to check this stuff out. I had done a little window shopping online prior to coming to the store so that I would have an idea of what they had to offer and what I wanted to try on. I knew for sure that I wanted a pair of the compression pants, not capris, as capris would be too chilly to wear to the gym during the winter. I also knew that I wanted a sleeved top, not a tank as that isn't something I normally wear to the gym without something else over top of it.


We each grabbed a few different pieces and headed off to the dressing rooms. (Oops.... how did that non active wear get into my room!? Hee Hee...) That magenta top was one of the first pieces I grabbed from their Active line - I really liked the color and the detail near the shoulders.


After trying a couple different pieces on, I ended up deciding on the two you see above. Although I liked the color of the prior jacket, I felt I could get more use out of a black one. I also liked that this jacket zipped down all the way, making it easy to quickly take off while working out if need be. Additionally, the black jacket fit me nicely, which made me kind of excited to wear it! Who would have thought - like your outfit and you might want to wear it! Why have I never applied this to the gym before!?


The pants I selected were also extremely comfortable, breathable yet snug enough to keep my body in check while working out. One of my favorite things they included in the design was this little zipper pocket located in the back of the waistband that you can stash your car key or some cash in. So thoughtful!


Delighted with our picks, we headed to the register. We ended up buying the same jacket and the same pants. Great minds often think alike, do they not? :)


And off we went with our new active wear! I was pretty excited to try it out... it actually gave me the push I needed to get back to the gym that week. I guess a new outfit can work wonders in all types of situations...


Jacket: Old Navy Active Performance Jacket, c/o Crowdtap
Pants: Women's Active Compression Pants, c/o Crowdtap
Tshirt: Pacific (old)
Sneakers: Reebok Easy Tone


After using these pieces at the gym for the past two weeks, I can honestly say that they are so much better than my old gym wear. They kept me cooler and drier and I honestly feel much more pumped about going to the gym. It didn't take a lot, but I feel a lot more put together when I head out than I did before.


I'm ready to PUMP you up!
I was a bit apprehensive to think that good workout wear could come from Old Navy, but now I'm a believer! The frosting on this cake is that the prices fit my budget, which is something I require. For example, the jacket I am wearing above is currently on sale for $35, while the same jacket in a different color is just $19! That is great! Plus, as an avid Old Navy shopper, I know they often have coupons that can be combined with their outstanding sales.

So, now let's chat: Where do you buy your workout gear from? What is important to you in your gym wear? Do you wear old sweats to the gym or what? Why? I want to know!

My Old Navy Active jacket and pants were paid for with a coupon I received from Crowdtap. As a member of the Old Navy Style Council, I was able to redeem this coupon for one pair of pants and top of my own choosing. In addition, they provided one additional coupon for a friend. I was not required to give a positive review.