Today's Obsession: F21 Activewear

Remember back in the day when Limited, Too was the one and only cool place for clothes? Everyone had the same pajama bottoms from there and the same pleated denim mini skirt (what were we thinking?).

Forever 21 is the grown up Limited, Too. Only I’m betting it’s probably cheaper. I love Forever 21 for a variety of reasons. They certainly are up-to-date on the most recent trends and they’re prices are amazing, but the quality : cost ratio is oftentimes downright terrible.

I’ve found that it’s best to stick to what I know is good. And thus far, I’ve narrowed that down to Forever's $10.50 skinny jeans (love), their bras and their Love 21 line, which features more “conservative” styles and is basically classier stuff in better fabrics and pastel, pretty colors. It’s all meant to fit your body, not mutate it.

I haven’t checked out Forever’s recent activewear section, though, and I must admit that they have cranked out a bunch of cute, colorful stuff. As I mentioned before, wearing bright workout clothes helps to motivate me to actually, you know, work out.

I’m typically a fan of the Nike goods, but I got to say, this cami top quickly caught my eye. I love the spaghetti straps and the slightly-sexy, just-a-little-extra-skin back. (Also, a shout-out to their halter top. Too many options!) My only beef is that I wish it came in more colors (pink gives me a headache… where’s the blue? Green?). Plus, if it came in blue, it could match their black and blue biker shorts. Obsessed.

Forever 21 Athletic Cami Top, $12.80

Struggling with Buyer's Remorse?

I went shopping yesterday. I ripped my pants SpongeBob style and needed a pair of new jeans so I braves the Times Square madness to hit up Forever 21. I found my $10 go-to jeans in about 3.2 seconds, but continued to look around the store. I found this pair of shorts I've been lusting after online for weeks (damn you online shopping!) and thought I'd hit the jackpot.

I didn't bother trying on my jeans because their the same jeans I always buy that slowly fade from dark wash to overly-loved. They're a total ten. For $10. A win all around.

And I didn't bother trying on the shorts because the lines for the dressing room were longer than the checkout lines (Why do tourists insist on shopping at Forever, of all places?). Big mistake.

I also hit up Victoria's Secret, but left empty handed, and Zara, my new obsession. When I got home and tried on the shorts, they were--how do you say--unflattering? Terrible? Disgusting? Fat? Needless to say, I will be returning them, unfortunately only for store credit. They were a two. Mayybe.

It was funny... when I was buying my jeans, I felt so good. I was on a buyers high, so when I saw the shorts, the ten mentally slipped a little bit. And it ruined my night. I couldn't even enjoy my time at Zara, where I found these perfect black pumps that were super comfortable, my size and on sale. I passed them up.

The post-buy high and subsequent crash were partly due to the fact that this is the first time I've bought myself any clothes in the city. But to see that hard-saved cash wasted is a punch to the throat. Oof. Here's hoping my lesson is learned.

The upside, of course, is that my jeans look fabulous, not fat.

Today's Obsession: Bahamas Beachwear

So I'm super excited. There's a chance (fingers crossed!!) that I will be going to the Bahamas with my parents the first week of May, which would be amaazzziinnnngggg. I'm puckering up for some major Daniells' butt kissing. Anyway, today is a beautiful, sunny day, but the weather is below freezing. So I'm that much more excited.

Naturally, today's obsession is beachwear. I'm more than excited for the sunny sunshine (yes I just said sunny sunshine. Whatever) and cocktails and have been scouring Victoria's Secret for some beach-ready ensembles. Though I'll be saving my money to help pay for the ticket, I can dream nonetheless.

The suit: Salad Dressing syndrome stepped in on this one. I can't decide, but I'm loving this suit... and this one, too! I like that they have two very different strap designs so I don't have insane tan lines once I return to dreary, cold New York.

Forever Sexy push-up Bandeau Top and Foldover Scoop Bottom, $66

Very Sexy (R) Embellished Racerback Triangle Top and Low-rise Bottom, $86

The accessories: I'll be sure to pack my Neutrogena face sunscreen, but would love to fight the rays with these super-stunner aviators from Forever 21. I've been on the lookout for aviators that flatter my face since, well, birth and here's hoping these cheapies do the trick.

I'm kind of hoping that my hair is a significantly lighter shade by May, but when I'm not sun-bleaching my hair, I can hide it under a nice wide brim hat like this one from Jigsaw (told you hats weren't out of style).

Forever 21 F0806 Sunglasses, $5.80

 Jigsaw Wide Brim Straw Hat, ~$52 (32 pounds)

Reading material: The most important part :) While I'm not devouring the most recent Marie Claire editions (heck, maybe I'll have a byline in one of them!), I'll be reading from my list of beach reads that I will have somehow managed to cram into my suitcase. Although when you're traveling to a place that requires minimal clothing, there's a lot more room for the good stuff. Some potential sunbathing reads include: 

• Bumped by Megan McCafferty--McCafferty is the author of the Jessica Darling series, which are all very digestible reads and basically got me through high school. Whenever I feel like my writing isn't sassy enough or true to self, I pick up one of her books as a gentle reminder. This book isn't a part of the series, but is sure to have the same sass. Plus it comes out the week before I would leave!
• Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress--This book actually comes out tomorrow, but I likely won't get around to reading it until later. I've been very interested in literature that focuses around the South because my beloved biffle, Lauren, is currently living in Georgia. Childress also wrote One Mississippi and Crazy in Alabama.
• 1984 by George Orwell--I know 1984 isn't exactly a beach read, but it's on my bucket list to read five books on my list (Yes, I have a list that refers me to another list). And I've been meaning to read it since I read Animal Farm, basically in the hopes that it wouldn't be as bad. I typically like dystopian novels and hope this one would be just as enjoyable as an Atwood or Huxley.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a cute bag to throw all my books and sunscreen into. The World Food Programme sells shabby-chic bags and shirts from American Apparel. Each Feed Bag purchased pays for food for a foreign child for an entire school year. They aren't cheap and only $20 goes to the actual charity, but it's a bag and a gift all in one. Winner?

Feed Bag 1, $60

Lots of goodies on today's obsession... and to think, just a few hours ago, I had no clue what I wanted to feature. Can't wait for a little Vitamin D therapy and a chance to see my parents. Here's a **BIG** kiss to you, Mom and Dad. I love you!! Woof.

P.S. Obsessed.