A Guide to Beginning A LuLaRoe Obsession

If you're like me, it seems like every one of your friends has started a LuLaRoe shop online. Also, if you're like me, you probably have been rolling your eyes out of your head because you've been down this road before. That girl that you went to elementary school with was selling Scentsy and then your friend from college was selling Mary Kay and then your friend with the hot pink hair and the 93 piercings went the more scandalous route and decided to sell Pure Romance.

(A note: If you don't know what Pure Romance is and you choose to look it up, I hereby waive all responsibility for what your delicate constitution may witness. You've been warned.)

I get it. I do.

But as a wise Psalmist once said (probably), "The way to a girl's heart is by girding her legs in fabric so soft that it's like a baby angel decided to massage her." And the Psalmist did endorse LuLaRoe leggings. And they were good.

So far, I've tried a few different styles and I've loved all but one of them for my particular body type. I've seen all of them look good on different people, so please don't let my lack of enthusiasm for one (AND ONLY ONE) design, dissuade you. My wardrobe consists of Randy (a raglan-style top with 3/4 sleeves), Lindsay (an oversized, draping cardigan), Carly (a short-sleeved hi-lo dress that I have fallen deeply and madly in love with), and, of course, the leggings.

As someone who was incredibly skeptical, I can promise you that the hype is legit. So let me give you a few observations.

• The clothes are modest by pretty much any standard you look at. Let me get real for a second for the sake of brutal honesty. I am more...blessed than most in the upper body region. This is to say that my...uhhh...bustal area carries quite a bit of mass. (I'm being delicate because Google search, but if you don't know what I'm saying, please ask your mom to give you that special talk). As a result, some of my clothes are more low-cut and it's really not because that's my goal and it's rare that I can find something that will hold the girls in and not show them off. LuLaRoe has been that exception. With both the Carly and the Randy, I haven't had to worry about falling out or anything like that, which is an amazing perk in and of itself. 
• The sizing is generous and flattering. A large skepticism I had was that most (but not all) of LuLaRoe business is conducted online. As a decidedly plus-size woman, this has its occupational hazards. Will I buy the dress and look like a manatee? Will I have to squeeze into it like a sausage casing? Will my friends and family point and laugh at me? There are so many possibilities! However, I've not really had that struggle for a few reasons. First of all, most of the clothing is based on a size range rather than a strict number system, so the likelihood of my finding something in one of the sizes I can wear is pretty good. Second, for the things that you are skeptical about, that's what the consultants are for! I shop primarily with two consultants, one of whom is a delightful lady that I went to high school with who is based in a different state, and one of whom is a delightful lady that I went to church camp with growing up. Both of them have been great about being honest in regards to how sizing works and what is most likely to fit and flatter their clientele. And because Kait is local, I tried on some of the styles when I went to pick up my first order and get and idea of what sorts of things looked good on me and fit me. There are many consultants that are happy to do this for you (but obviously check with them before showing up on their doorstep). 
• The pricing is reasonable compared to value. I will not lie to you and say that you're looking at discount store prices with LuLaRoe clothing, though pricing isn't outrageous or unreasonable. Leggings are $25 before tax (and shipping, depending on where you're buying from) and the most expensive item that I've seen (I think?) is the Sarah cardigan which is in the $90 range if I'm not mistaken. Most dresses (my go-to) are in the $40-70 range. It's comparable to my other fashion options such as Lane Bryant or Torrid with the added bonus that...
• They have exclusive, limited prints. One of the main selling points of LuLaRoe is what they do with their prints. The company makes and distributes and incredibly limited number of their items in a certain print. There's no way of knowing where, when, or if you'll see another print again. This is both a curse, for when you let a beloved print get away (I'll never forget you, purple floral Carly!), and a blessing, when you're like me and can't stand when people copy your super unique and trendy style (too conceited? I'll dial it back.) But seriously. Who hasn't purchased that perfect dress in the perfect print only to show up and find 3 other girls in the same dress, prompting them to literally fight the others settle their disagreements civilly? I know I have! And while the business model doesn't completely eliminate this possibility, it brings the probability way down, which I love. 
• Those leggings tho. Okay, but listen. Let's talk about leggings. I live in leggings and cardigans. I feel like you all should know this about me. Leggings are God's gift to us in this dark and tumultuous world that we live in and LuLaRoe has perfected them. They are the softest, stretchiest, most comfortable things I have ever placed upon my bodacious hips and I would literally live in them if I could and if people wouldn't judge me. They come in two sizes, One Size (OS, roughly sizes 2-12) and Tall and Curvy (TC, roughly sizes 12-22). This scared me because how on earth is something going to fit someone with teeny size 12 legs and mine at the same time, but let me tell you, it is some Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants-esque witchcraft, that's what it is. It is magic because they do fit and they're glorious and they don't cut off your circulation, bless the Lord. I'm on the top of the TC end (I wear a 20/22) and the leggings are still roomy and comfortable, which is amazing. 
• You're supporting people who are supporting their families. Both of the ladies I buy from are amazing people with kids and families that they're supporting with their business start-up and this is just icing on the cake. I can purchase a GREAT product while also feeling like my money isn't going to a huge corporation...it's going to individuals that I know. This is a great incentive to continue doing business with them. 

So there you have it. I'm still a LuLaRoe baby with a small number of items in my wardrobe, but I will undoubtedly purchase more. I highly recommend at the very least trying out their items and seeing for yourself. Seriously though. Try those leggings. 

Note: I don't have any pictures at this time because my roommate is a horrible cat who won't help me support my reviewing things venture. When I get pictures of the various items, they'll show up here and/or on my Facebook page. 

*****As an added bonus: I'm actually hosting a Pop-Up Shop on Facebook on Cyber Monday. So if you get an invite from me and see an excess of fashion blogging posts, well...that's why.

Halo Top Ice Cream

Let’s establish a few simple truths.

1.     Ice Cream is, by nature, delicious. It has to be. It is in its nature. It is required to be a tasty treat.

2.     Health food is not delicious. I don’t want to hear arguments. If you’re going to argue with me about this, kindly stuff your face with some kale before ultimately finding a pint of some ice cream so that you can live your life as our lord and savior Jesus Christ intended it.

3.     HEY! Did someone say PINT OF ICE CREAM?

That’s right! Who among us hasn’t come home from a long day and binged on a pint of brownie batter ice cream while watching standup comedians on Netflix?

Just me? Cool.

Well, trust me on this. Pints of ice cream are a delight until you get to the bottom of the container and realize that you’ve consumed upwards of 1.5 billion calories. Nothing ruins the bliss of ice cream like checking the nutritional facts on the side of the container.

Add this to the fact that I’ve started watching my caloric/sugar/etc intake because 1.) I want to be healthy and 2.) I need to fit into a super cute bridesmaid dress in December and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy recipe for ultimate self-loathing for one. (Note: Don’t loathe yourself for real. You’re beautiful and your body is a treasure. Don’t hate it. Shame on you. But not body shaming. This is a safe place.)

More fun facts, I was a vegetarian for five years and was pretty careful with my protein during that time frame. When you’re a vegetarian, you expect that you’re going to have a protein deficiency and you find ways to compensate. But after switching back, I just assumed that chicken nuggets were a decent source of protein and didn’t give it another thought. Once I started tracking my food, I noticed that I was eating waaaay under my protein goal and needed to find tasty ways to supplement.

Enter Halo Top.

I learned about Halo Top from an Instagram ad and it seemed too good to be true. But I was having a rough day and needed some ice cream in a big way, so I figured I would at least price it and find out.

The site has a handy locator so you can see if your store carries it, and it probably does. It’s just in that section with chia seeds and non-dairy ice cream (which is an abomination). The ice cream is priced comparably with Ben & Jerry’s, maybe a dollar or so higher if anything, but if you use Ibotta for your purchases, they offer a handy rebate that will offset that nicely. Plus, like you’ll find out if you search on social media, each pint (not serving, PINT) has 280 calories or fewer and at least 24 grams of protein. Note, this is as of October 5, when I’m writing this. I say this because the company has been teasing new flavors on social media this week and I can’t confirm protein/calorie counts yet.

But how does it taste? I was super skeptical about this. I mean, low cal ice cream? This has to be a cheap scam, right?

Wrong. It’s so tasty. It’s so, so tasty. I want to eat it forever. And it’s healthy enough that I can log it in MyFitnessPal without it yelling at me. In fact, all it does is praise my high-protein choice. Score!

I bought two flavors, mint chip and lemon cake. Lemon cake is a clean, soft flavor that is my new favor. Mint chip is similarly tasty, but admittedly not the most flavorful of mint chocolate chip ice creams that I’ve had (which is a hefty number). My goal is to taste test more of the flavors, but those are the only two I’ve got my hands on so far.

Final analysis: You need to try this at least once. Use Ibotta. Find a coupon. Do something. Just try this ice cream.

It’s tasty. It’s low cal. It’s high in protein. What more could you want in an ice cream?

Ulta3 Nail Colour

 I didn’t used to care about my nails at all. Then one day, my best friend introduced me to SimplyNailogical on YouTube, I learned quick cheats to do my nails in all kinds of fun ways (EASILY!) and became a manicure convert.

Because of my love of nail polish, my Ipsy bag typically includes at least one nail polish type product in it. For my first two bags, I received muted tones (soft pink, nude beige) so I was psyched to find that I had a glorious, fiery red in the September bag.

Full disclosure: I’m a China Glaze/ OPI girl traditionally because that’s what I can find at Ulta Beauty on most days for $10 and less and also, both brands go on super smooth. Ulta3 is an Australian brand (which I’ve found is true for most of the best brands, e.g. Fun Lacquer, Picture Polish, etc. What’s up with that, Aussies?). Typically I don’t get to try any of those brands because shipping is positively outrageous so I went into this prepared to be wowed and, quite honestly, inspired to spend all the money on shipping.

I slapped on some nail polish last night with the typical regimen, but I left out the top coat because, one, I wanted to see how it wore on its own and two, it was late and I was feeling lazy, to be honest. However, most of my nail polishes have gone the no-top coat route at least once and are good for a couple of days before they start to chip. Not so for Ulta3.

The chipping was immediate, the first bits sloughing off during my morning routine. As I’m typing this, three of my nails have at least half of the polish chipped off. That’s insanity. I’ve had drugstore brands that have lasted longer than that. The color is phenomenal, but that’s hardly helpful if the color won’t stay.

Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara

An ode to mascara.

Oh mighty mascara.

You raise my eyelashes so they can stand on mountains

And also so that they can pick up a stiff breeze on said mountains

Eyelashes for days.

Amen.

 

If you’ve discussed makeup at all with me, you know that mascara is my go-to and my number one staple. I got pinkeye last summer and was devastated not only because, you know, pink oozing eye, but also because it meant that I had to discard ALL OF THE MASCARA.

Imagine the joy when I got my September Ipsy bag and found Tarteist Lash Paint. I’ve used Tarte before; I have a liquid lip color from them and was excited to try out their mascara. When I put it on, I was instantly in love. My eyelashes extended to my eyebrows (note: exaggeration, not actual fact) and they were beautiful and thick. I was so pleased.

For about two hours.

Ipsy described the mascara as long-lasting, but this wasn’t the case for me at all. The days that I tried out the mascara were humid and hot and I sweated a lot. Unfortunately, my mascara didn’t run, it pooled. It gathered into a dusty line at the base of my lower eye and made me look like I’d lost a fight. My friends noticed it too. Argh!

I’m waiting for some mascara that I ordered from Mary Kay to come in and am using the Lash Paint in the meantime. To be fair, without the sticky humidity, I’ve not noticed as much gathering at the base of my eye, but it still doesn’t stay put.

Maybe it’s my body chemistry; I’m not saying this won’t work for everyone. But I certainly won’t spend money on this product. Tarte is still a great brand and I highly recommend their lip color. If you have a subscription to a makeup box or something like that, it’s worth using from time to time if you don’t need long wear. But that’s all that I can recommend myself.