Marta Experiments: Sally Hansen Nail Effects

Let it be known: I suck at doing my own nails. A long-time nail biter, I almost always had short nails until I got engaged and I was like, hey, I should probably have nice lookin' nails now that I have a nice lookin' ring to show off.

But I cannot master the art of left-handed nail painting, and I'm pretty unsteady. Being a neurosurgeon was never in the cards for me.

So the idea of Sally Hansen Nail Effects excited me. Foolproof nail color, right?

Well, sort of (for me anyway).

I am sort of a mess. You'll see from the photo.

I would ask for my money back if I left a salon looking like this.

My biggest issues were finding the exact right size for each nail then tailoring it perfectly to my nail. I also had a hard time getting the strip to stay put in the top corners of some of my nails. Finally I picked the color - Squeezed - thinking it was more of a yellow, but it turned out the front strip that showed at the store had been faded by the light! You can see in the picture below (lame iPhone pics) that it's a totally different color from the rest of the strips!

The middle strip is a pretty yellow - but the rest are orange. As you can tell, my fingers did not need the skinniest strips (or the fattest, thankfully).

What I'll do differently next time:
1. Line up the the bottom of the strip with the top of my cuticle more perfectly.
2. Do it in a slightly warmer room (it was pretty chilly, and made my hands cold. Sally Hansen advises warm hands for better pliability).

My other critique is that so far, they've already chipped quite a bit. Maybe if I do it better, this won't be as big of an issue?

However, even though I need some practice, I will definitely be trying these again. I'm eager to try the lattice-looking Misbehaved as well as some other neon colors!

Does anyone have any tips on how I can not suck at using these?

TruOrleans Still Getting Its Sea Legs

Hurricanes at TruOrleans

On Monday night, some fellow Tulane alum friends and I headed to H Street to check out the two-week old TruOrleans, a restaurant which boasts New Orleans flair, food and cocktails.

You might say we're something of a critical crowd, having spent the better part of four years in the Crescent City and also searching for the best po' boy in our new city.

We had high hopes for TruOrleans. Its exterior could come straight out of Bourbon Street, with a cute French Quarter-esque balcony. We settled into the bar for a cocktail, and three of us ordered Hurricanes, one of New Orleans signature drinks. TruOrleans offers three levels of strength - Categories 1, 2 and 3. Tyler ordered the 3, which I thought tasted the most authentic. I stuck with a level 2. (Don't bother with the level 1 - I tried it Friday and it was not good). We agreed that they were pretty tasty, but we missed the side of piano bar that comes with the Hurricane's New Orleans home base, Pat O'Briens.

But that's pretty much where the good times stopped rolling. We sat to eat, and when two of my fellow diners tried to order Abita (a Louisiana beer) on tap, they were told they had none on tap (even though the menu advertised three kinds - later we discovered tons of empty kegs in the basement - guess the restaurant had a fun weekend?). Settling on Turbodog bottles, we moved to order.

First, they were out of three sides: maque choux, grits and hush puppies (of course, those were three we wanted to order). The waitress didn't tell us until we were making our orders (my pet peeve), so we had to regroup. We were wondering, how can you make corn bread and not hush puppies? Better yet, how can you make corn bread and not CORN (which is the main ingredient in maque choux)? Then, the kitchen was entirely unaccommodating for my vegetarian friend's request to get a large order of red beans and rice without the sausage on top (she was willing to eat around a little meat - just didn't want giant chunks of it). So we started off the meal a little salty.

I settled on a fried platter of soft shell crab, which comes with two sides. I chose red beans and rice and cole slaw (I really wanted maque choux - bummer). This is definitely the best bang for your buck at the restaurant - $15 was not much more than what my other friends spent ordering sides and appetizers a la carte. The fry batter was so-so. The cole slaw was fine. We all agreed the red beans were a little different/less authentic than we expected or wanted. It needed some Tabasco also. Tyler really enjoyed his BBQ Jalapeno Shrimp appetizer, but wanted more food, so ordered a salad - which didn't arrive until all of our plates were cleared. Our cooked entrees came out faster than a plate of bagged lettuce.

Basically, this restaurant was a huge letdown to us. The service was mediocre at best and the food left a lot to be desired. We agreed we'd go back for hurricanes and Abita (if they ever have any).

My dining companion Jenna said it best when she said, "It's like they told me in grade school: You have a lot of potential; you're just not living up to it."

So we're not writing off TruOrleans forever, but we left wanting a lot more.

Loving Right Now: Current Elliot + Kate Spade

A few years ago when boyfriend jeans were all the rage, I had to have the Current Elliot brand - low slung, torn to perfection and also the most expensive jeans I ever purchased. Since then, it's been love.

And looking back even further - like eleven years ago - I had to have a Kate Spade black backpack. You know what I'm talking about right? My friend went to NYC and I gave her $20 to hit Canal St. She came back with a knockoff with a stuck-on label. I carried it everywhere (don't worry I wouldn't do such a thing nowadays). But the Kate Spade label envy stuck around, and now it is my shoe of preference.

So now you have the back story on my love for these two brands. And so you'll understand my excitement that the two labels are collaborating on a line of handbags.

Via Refinery29

I didn't think love at first sight was possible, but it is.

The Westward by Emily & Merritt for kate spade new york collection, a capsule range of six handbags with prices between $245 to $1,295, hits stores in August.

My First Foray Into Rent The Runway

Have you guys tried Rent the Runway yet? I haven't, but I know some girls who have and who loved it. I'm sort of torn on the whole concept though, because - if you couldn't tell - I'm sort of a clothing pack rat. I really regret giving away the Behnaz Sarafpour for Target silver skirt I bought years ago. I think about it a lot.

So why would I want to pay the price of two Forever 21 dresses to rent designer for 4 nights?  (Or, if we're being perfectly honest, what I'd really do is take the $50 right down to Neiman Marcus and buy the real thing.)

Well, smart people over Rent the Runway sent me a $50 birthday credit, and I'm aiming to find out how I like the service while also looking AMAZING on my 25th birthday


But what should I pick?

Sweet and sleek in Tibi

Sexy in sequins from Robert Rodriguez Black Label

Pretty Peacock from Nicole Miller

Which dress do you think I should wear to ring in my new year? Let me know in the comments or at the poll to the right or tweet at me!

Sign up for Rent the Runway for access to renting these fabulous dresses today.

A Word In Wedge Wise

Wedges are totally resurging in popularity. You can pretty much find any style of shoe in a wedge now, which is awesome for klutzes like me who are much more graceful with a little more sole support. I have wedges for work, wedges for play, crazy high wedges, cork-heeled wedges - the list goes on. Wedges are comfortable and now more stylish than ever.

For summer, the sandal wedge is obviously the best choice. Right now, I'm loving bringing fun fabrics to your feet for summer - denim or linen accents. I'm also loving incorporating hints of neon on my feet. 

As a side note, I feel like every summer, espadrilles are super popular, and yet fashion magazines are always like, oooh espadrilles, new and hot for summer! Just keep your espadrilles around, folks - they'll always be wearable in summer.

1. Diane von Furtstenberg Opal Linen Wedge, available at Net-A-Porter: $295
2. Tory Burch Lucien Crochet Wedge: $395
3. Stuart Weitzman Alex Espadrille, available at Endless.com: $365

For fall, suede wedges couldn't be cuter. These are work appropriate choices that will also look good with your skinny jeans for the night out. How cool are the wedges on these DV by Dolce Vita heels?

1. Loeffler Randall Deena, available at Piperlime: $395
2. Elizabeth and James Hali, available at Piperlime: $275
3. DV by Dolce Vita Dahlia, available at Piperlime: $109

Looking for a bang for your buck? Any of these wedges would be great any time of the year. I'm not so sure suede is a cold month-only fabric, but keep it light - a neutral taupe or beige. Animal print is always fabulous. These leopard wedges are vaguely reminiscent of some Alexander Wang booties, but a little more universally wearable.

What do you think of the Tinley Road pair? I have a similar pair of heavy black wedges that I got last summer from Forever 21 - and I wore them long into the fall. I actually think these would look pretty cool with some socks if you dare to try the trend.

1. Kate Spade Deb, available at Piperlime: $298
2. Jimmy Choo Folly, available at Net-A-Porter: $795
3. Madison Harding Blair, available at Piperlime: $295 (or a similar, $59 version here)
4. Tinley Road Amy, available at Piperlime: $19.97

J. Crew Collection for Fall Classic Cool

We're coming off a heat wave and the LAST thing you want to think about is long pants, long sleeves, wool, jackets and coats. I'm sweating just thinking about it.

But I can't not post J. Crew Collection's fall offerings because they are just awesome. Think: staples like pencil skirts and cashmere sweaters in rich jewel tones; warm coats with unique cuts; and super cute strappy satin heels. It's pretty preppy stuff, but it's pretty cool also.

My shopping hiatus should end just in time to pick up some of these beauts. That navy coat has my name all over it.

Via FabSugar

For more J. Crew fall goodness, check out this post at Elements of Style.

Weekend: Bloody Mary Bowls and Croquet

Croquet on the National Mall, bowl of Bloodies at Lincoln, and an adorable beagle!

This weekend was too much fun. I've been filling up my plate socially, as well as work and general life stuff. Between beginning to pack for our move, wedding planning, a busy schedule at work and maintaining my other commitments (like Junior League, friendships, etc.) - I'm just swamped! But it's actually been really fun - though I haven't been cleaning or hitting the yoga studio as much as I'd like!

This weekend, I got to try hurricanes at TruOrleans (just OK, but I am giving them another chance tonight), eat brunch at my DC favorite, Vinoteca, and Lincoln (where we tried the $32 64-ounce punch bowl of bloody marys - AWESOME), play croquet on the National Mall (in the perfect, shady, not-too-hot spot - my fiance and I won one of the games!), and hang out with not one but two awesome beagles - all in the company of awesome friends.

Not sure if life could be better.

This Week's Facts: Milk Was A Bad Choice

(via The Honey Pot)

• Fashionista lists job interview wardrobe staples.
• Refinery29 features the best ways to wear stripes this summer.
• Cheap Chicas tries (and fails) to convince me that shorts are OK for work (maybe some places, but not really here - though I totally wish! It's so dang hot).
• WhoWhatWear spotlights Rosie Huntington-Whitely's flawless style.
• ScoutMob and Gilt City both made their DC debut. Check out the sites for awesome deals.
• Wardrobe Oxygen gives a rundown of last week's Swapaholics Sip and Swap event in DC.
• Check out my guest post over at Cardigans and Couture!

Birthday Wish List

If you know me, you know I'm minorly obsessed with my birthday. OK, majorly. I don't know if it comes from the neglect felt by having a summer birthday (I never got a party in school, kids were always out of town on my birthday, etc.), or just pure narcissism, but I love celebrating my special day - even if it's just myself!

This year, I'm turning 25, and I might be quarter-life-crisising. I am OLD y'all. After my birthday, I will be closer to 30 than 20 (I just vomited in my mouth a little). Marty McFly, bring the time machine and take me with you! Anyway, it's a big one.

The other night, my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I had no idea. You'd think being on shopping hiatus, I'd have a wish list a mile long. But I don't. It's weird.

Finally, I was able to put together a brief list of things I would like for my birthday this year. PS friends: I reserve the right to edit this as I think of more!

1. This lovely J. Crew pave bracelet

Alas J.Crew informs me it is out of stock til 2 months after my bday...

2. A personal trainer to get me in wedding fighting shape

3. An Equipment Signature blouse (in any color, but I've been told blue is a good color for me)

Get it at Shopbop

4. Sunglasses from the Row (or Ray Ban aviators - I'm not picky)

Clickity.

5. Furniture for our new condo!! I don't want to jinx it since we haven't closed yet, but the fiance and I are in the process of buying a condo. We should close and move in early August if all goes according to plan! We're looking for a new coffee table (our Ikea one is pretty much dunzo), bar stools, a pullout sofa... and more eventually as we settle into our new home!

So, my list this year is pretty short. Sure, I still want the white suit, the white jeans and endless enamel bangles, but those don't make great gifts! Anyway, feel free to take this post as a giant HINT HINT.

And It Was All Yellow

There's something about yellow that makes me so so happy. From the yellow shift dress I got on super-sale years ago at Madewell in NYC (before it was online!) that always garners compliments, to my favorite yellow belt from Forever 21 that is seriously on its last legs, wearing yellow brightens my day.

I guess everyone realized what an upper yellow is, because I've seen it in a variety of shades at nearly every store. Here are some of my favorite yellow picks.

Skirt: Halogen from Nordstrom, $49.50

Leather Bag: Matthew Williamson, $1017

Loafers: Brian Atwood from Net-A-Porter, $375

Cuff: Alexis Bittar Flora, $276.50

Dress: Topshop, $95

Belt: Betsey Johnson Skinny Mini from Nordstrom, $24

Birds of a feather

You guys know I'm a little obsessed with my monthly Birchbox. (It makes me feel like I'm getting free beauty supplies every month!) A few months ago, they threw a party in NYC at which guests got feathered - high-quality feathers in a range of colors applied to your hair like a hair extension! I was a little jealous. I want cool feathered hair.

Then a few weeks ago, I was tubing in West Virginia and I was insanely jealous of this preteen who had this awesome green feather in her hair! I was like, where did you get that done girl? (She seemed super flattered that I asked, so I didn't feel too creepy).

Anyway, since then, I've been toying with the idea of getting feathered. It's like getting a badass streak of pink in your hair (something I wanted to do when I was 12 and Gwen Stefani had neon hair), but less permanent.

Well, now I know where I can go in DC to get this done: one80 Salon (1275 K Street NW) is now offering the service using Featherlocks Feather Hair Extensions.

According to the salon, like hair extensions, Featherlocks can be washed, dried, flat-ironed or curled without damage. They'll stay in up to 3 weeks, but the actual extension lasts "forever" and can be repplied as many times as you want.

The only reason I haven't run out the door to get feathered is I'm just not really seeing how it's work-appropriate to have colorful feathers in your hair (unless of course you work at a salon or for an Indian tribe or something). However, a one80 stylist Jordan Pringle says that they can put the feathers in a more subtle location - at the nape of the neck - to show only when you want them to be scene - and you can use more neutral colors. If you want to go big (or go home), you can get orange or blue near the crown of your head.

Is this a hair trend you'll try?

Bitches Who Brunch and Bottomless Mimosas

On Saturday, I had the honor of walking in the Bitches Who Brunch runway show. The fabulous event - attended by hundreds of fabulous DC denizens - featured delicious brunch from Ris, awesome tunes from DJ Raha Wala and a book signing with Helena Andrews.

I wore an awesome dress exclusively from South Moon Under as I gave my fiercest runway stomp (and tried not to trip).

Buy the dress here and show the photographer love here.

I knew those years of watching America's Next Top Model reruns on Bravo would pay off.


I had tons of fun meeting Becca and Cori Sue, the wonderful ladies behind Bitches Who Brunch. I also was had such a fun time walking in the fashion show with fellow bloggers Liz of So Much to Smile About, Nikki of City Girl in the District and Amanda of Metrocurean, as well as tons of other fun DC ladies and gents - who all looked amazing in their outfits from South Moon Under and Rue 14. So great to see Stef from City Girl Blogs, Casie from Whipped STYLE and Lacey from A Lacey Perspective - among many others - as well as meet several Twitter friends IRL!

Backstage: Liz getting prepped, models getting ready to walk, and girls getting hair/makeup!

 
The brunch was delish, the mimosas were flowing, and a good time was had by all (I think!). The swag bags at the end? Totally worth the $45 entry fee. I think I had a little mouth affair with that cupcake from Frosting - it was that good.

Some more backstage shots coming atcha:

Backstage with Liz and Amanda (Credit: Revamp)

Backstage with fellow models Lindsey and Meagan

The models backstage before the show

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported an awesome cause - DC Farm to School. Hope you had as much fun as I did.

Here are some more awesome recaps of the event:

• City Girl in the District
• So Much To Smile About
• A Lacey Perspective
• Whipped STYLE

Want to see more photos of the event? check out Moshe Zusman's awesome shots, head over to Revamp or peep Metromix.

Sunday Lust List: Cool Cuffs and Darling Dresses

1. Maison Martin Margiela 22-karat gold-plated arm cuffs: $1310
2. Miriam Haskell pearl cuff, available at J. Crew: $650
3. Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Mesh cuff: $900
4. Yves Saint Laurent satin jersey dress: $2190
5. Lela Rose jacquard-effect silk-blend dress: $1295
6. Diane von Furstenberg Della taffeta dress: $325

All available at net-a-porter unless otherwise noted.

This Week's Facts

My favorite look so far from the Duchess of Cambridge's trip: this pale Joseph dress and tweed jacket. (via Fashionista)

• Cheap Chicas tells us how to change up the look of a maxi by adding a sweater or denim jacket.
• The American Medical Association denounces the overuse of Photoshop for contributing to "unrealistic expectations" of body image, NYDN reports.
• The lovely ladies behind TheOutnet.com put together outfits for any occasion for T Magazine.
• dknyprgirl picks her Fall must-haves over on her new Tumblr. All I know is, a cape must make its way into my closet this fall.
• Trend to try: the double cuff. 
• House of Harlow releases some super chic handbags and clutches. Peep the collection at Refinery29.
• ICYMI: Forever 21 tried to shut down the hil-AR-ious blog WTForever21, but failed. The blog is back - so if you haven't already, check it out!
• FabSugar has recreated five of the best 2012 Resort looks on the cheap.
• Beauty on a budget? Fashionista has some at-home spa treatments for broke babes out there.
• The New York Times sponsors a debate over when and why did bold nail polish trends go mainstream? Do you wear bright nails to the office?
• Refinery29 features drugstore beauty buys that are just as good as your department store finds.
• I always thought I was so smart drinking Diet Coke, but it turns out it is not helpful for weight loss. Boo, FitSugar, thanks for ruining my Friday.
• Will I see you tomorrow at the Bitches Who Brunch Summer Brunch Soiree?

Behind the Scenes of Being My Bridesmaid

Did you know the average American bridesmaid spends nearly $1700 to be a part of her friend's nuptials? Holy cow, is that a lot of money.

One of my biggest concerns throughout wedding planning has been the cost to those who have graciously agreed to be my bridesmaids. They will be planning showers and bachelorettes, not to mention buying the dress and just being a part of my special day. You don't want to be more of an imposition than you already are, in my opinion.

Emily Post advises to be upfront with your bridesmaids about what they will be responsible for cost-wise. Typically, that involves the dress and the cost of traveling to the wedding location. You can also be upfront and say you'd like them to have their hair done the day of the wedding, but they are under no obligation to pay for that. And the rudest thing would be, day of, to require them to pay for a hairdo that they had no idea they should budget for! Give them notice.

Now onto the fun stuff: Dresses!  To emphasize the formal, evening feel of my wedding, I want a long maids gown, preferably in chiffon, but I'm likely going to let my maids choose the style on top since they are various - shall we say - endowments, and just different body types! In August, I'll be going to some dress stores in Chicago with my Maid of Honor to settle on a brand and color.

Amsale is my dress of choice but of course it's also the priciest.

Here's the color I'm thinking. It's called French Blue. Tres romantique, n'est pas? (Navy or slate are backups.)

My maids will pick their own style, but this is my personal favorite!

Priscilla of Boston make slightly cheaper versions of these Amsale dresses, but there is less range of color and style.

This Priscilla of Boston dress is great for curvier ladies. "Midnight" or "French Blue" would be my options.

Wtoo dresses are the least expensive of all, and the brand does lots of great knockoffs. However, the color palette is really limited - I'd have to use "indigo" which might be a bit purple...

This is a total Vera Wang knockoff - so pretty!

And another option - with straps!

Do you like what you see?


A couple tips on cost-cutting:
1. Order all the bridesmaids dresses from the same store. Have them get measured by a tailor and send the measurements to one location. Most stores offer a discount when you purchase 4 or more dresses.
2. Better yet, order the dresses from the same store you buy your dress. You've built a relationship with the store, and they will finagle the numbers for you. Some stores, like Hitched in Georgetown, offer a straight-up additional percentage off.
3. Look at knockoffs. Yes, you may love-love-love the Vera Wang, but did you know brands like WToo makes nearly the exact same dresses at a fraction of the cost?
4. Think about letting your bridesmaids make a choice. For me, my maids will be picking their own style from one brand. But you could consider giving some guidance - color, fabric, length or any combination - and let them spend as much or as little as they want to on a dress of their choice. In either circumstance, you're increasing the chance that they didn't shell out a ton for a dress they'll wear once.
5. Gift the rest. I know that's asking for you, the bride, to pay more. But if you want to require the bridesmaids to have certain hair styles, certain makeup, certain jewelry... You pay for it.

While we're on that note... if you are having a "destination" wedding of sorts, you are technically (according to Emily Post) responsible for your maids' lodging. You can say, I need you here Friday and Saturday, so you can pay for those two nights. They would be responsible for any other nights. Your maids are also responsible for their own travel to the destination.

The bottom line when it comes to bridesmaids is this: You want to talk to them after you get back from the honeymoon, right? You're entitled to get what you want on your day, but asking your friends to spend a month's paycheck on your wedding falls into Bridezilla territory.

Work Inspiration: Altuzarra Resort 2011

(via Fashionista)

When I saw this look from Altuzarra's resort 2011 collection, I was in love. I love the classic lines and colors with the edgy fabric, moto-style jacket and cuffed ankle heels.

I think this look is the perfect way to have a little bit of fun with your summer work wardrobe. It's still conservative, but is definitely not boring. And it's definitely attainable. I thought - anyone could recreate this look!

So I did. In fact, I found a couple great options to bring this look into your wardrobe!

1. Diane von Furstenberg Plateau Bee Knit Dress (This dress is sold out online but I almost bought it at Cusp in Georgetown - Check there!)
2. ALC Moto Jacket, available at Farfetch: $1143
3. Reed Krakoff ankle-tie pointed python pumps, available at Net-A-Porter: $290
4. Gap slouch asymmetrical moto jacket: $25
5. Sam Edelman Meadow Almond pumps, available at Lori's Shoes: $59.90

Lust List: Red, White and Blue

The Fourth of July may be behind us, but there's no reason you can't show your patriotism year-round. In honor of our nation's 235th birthday, here are some fabulous red, white and blue finds to inspire you.

1. Antik Batik silk-chiffon maxi dress, available at The Outnet: $148.50

2. Christian Louboutin Rolando pumps, available at Saks: $695

3. Kenneth Jay Lane star-embellished metal bangles, available at The Outnet: $89.25

4. Marc Jacobs Day to Night Single purse: $525

5. Dara Ettinger Alicia rectangular stud earrings, available at Cusp: $100

6. Diane Von Furstenberg Issie top, available at Farfetch: $154

7. Toywatch Classic Plasteramic watch, available at Nordstorm: $176.90

8. Kenneth Jay Lane multi-strand coral necklace, available sold out at The Outnet: $46

9. Elizabeth and James Emery linen blazer, available at Nordstrom: $395

TBONTB: Globe-Trotter Trolley Case

Now that my Bachelorette weekend is booked, I think I need some fabulous luggage. I love the old school glamour of this Globe-Trotter® Centenary 21" trolley case (available at J. Crew for $1350). But it's been updated and ergonomically corrected. No one looks like a glam jetsetter when they are lugging heavy luggage all over the airport. It must roll.

Plus the bright color means you'll be able to pick your luggage out easily in a sea of black.

Sadly, it's not in my price range. But I can still admire...

Fashion Facts: Read, White and Blue

Emma Stone is my girl crush. I will definitely be picking up this issue of Vanity Fair.

• Hilarious: Crushable wonders what it would be like if adults read American Girl magazine. (We used to read the Help! section and make fun of it ALL THE TIME at camp.)
• Who What Wear picks their summer beauty essentials.
• FamousDC says that Lindsay Lohan is now pimping out her Twitter with political ads for $3500. Guess she needs to pay off those debts somehow.
• Have you heard about StyleMint, the Olsen twins' new T-shirt collection? Sign up for awesome T-shirts based on your personal style. Get a sneak peek at the collection over at Fashionista.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Saturday Style: Pre-Fourth Fun

It's not quite the Fourth of July yet, but it sure feels like it. The air is hot and sticky, and patriotism abounds in our nation's capital. I'm channeling breezy casual to stay comfortable and cool - comfort is key on weekends where you know you'll be outside a lot and walking a lot. I like the splash of blue. It's like, hey America, it's almost your birthday, but not quite yet.

Barbeques await! Hope your weekend is off to a great start.

1. Anthropologie Umbra Maxi Dress: $128
2. Ray Ban Clubmaster Sunnies: $145
3. Chan Luu Black and Silver Wrap Bracelet: $195
4. Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac: $195
5. Madden Girl Monikah Sandal: $19.95

Oh goodness, it's come to this

If you're a runner like me, you know it's a pain to grab your keys, your ipod, your water bottle, an ID, your phone, your water bottle... and then run with it all! You either sacrifice and minimize, or are weighed down with items stuffed down your sports bra.

Well, the makers of the original BootyWrap are trying to make your life easier.

Wrapped around this model's waist is not a functioning sweatshirt, but a fake garment designed to hold your things and conceal your VPL when you work out. But is it just me or does this just seem so superfluous?

The BootyWrap claims to be flat and not bulky, but it seems like it's just an extra item of clothing to wear on hot summer days. And then your phone is banging around on your thighs instead of stuffed snuggly between your boobs.

Finally, I worry about your marketing scheme if you must compare your product to a fanny pack. A fanny pack! There is nothing stylish about that.

If I'm going to get extra storage gear, it's going to be a spi-belt. At least you can tell what that's meant for.