Product Reviews

Question for you: who wore this yellow coat better — me or Paddington Bear? 🤣

OK, so, the fact that I‘d be able to channel Paddington’s vibe wasn’t the only reason I got this bright yellow waterproof raincoat from Eddie Bauer! (It was one of the main reasons, though. Ha ha ha!). It was also (and still is) marked down 50%, from $189 to $89.50.

It’s been pouring off and on for a few days here, and this coat has kept me dry, even without an umbrella. The rain practically rolls off the material (it’s 62% cotton and 38% nylon), which is warm, but sill breathable enough to be comfortable, and it moves just enough to feel structured but not stiff.

The hood is wide and has a subtle brim — apparently, this is *totally key*!

The brim prevents raindrops from hitting my face and my glasses so much more effectively than the raincoat I bought at Target a couple years back. I still love that coat, but last winter I got caught in a few downpours and was soaked through, which is why I wanted a new one.

This coat, though, won’t let water in for nothing!

Other reasons I love it…

1. Zippered pockets! Oh, gosh, there are so many zippered pockets, and it’s glorious — two on the sides of the front pockets and one on the inner lining. I carry my phone with me everywhere, and the zippers on the pockets give me a little extra peace of mind.
2. Subtle branding. It’s there, but it’s not splashed across the chest like on a lot of Eddie Bauer coats. There’s a small logo embroidered on the wrists of both sleeves, but you can’t really see it unless you look closely.
3. So many sizes available. The coats come in your standard-issue XS, S, M, L and XL, and in a bunch of height options including Regular, Petite, Tall and Plus. I ended up getting a Regular in XS. It fits, but it does run a little big, so it’s roomy on me. I don’t mind, though, because I can layer a sweater or a thick sweatshirt underneath.
4. It’s cute! I like the J. Crew-ishness of this coat. Plus, the yellow color is so fun.

It also comes in beige, a dark brown and navy (which is super cute too), if the Paddington Bear stoplight yellow color is too bright for you.

I’m into it… Now all I need is a red hat to go with my coat. 🙂

Bring on the rain and the rainbows!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Why didn’t I heed their advice sooner? I should’ve known the ladies in my HIIT class — the women who lift heavy, run fast and push me every time I step into the gym — would steer me in the right direction. For years I heard them rave about Athleta workout leggings, but I never considered buying a pair for myself because they’re like $100 a pop!

Super. Crazy. Expensive.

However…when something is good, and I mean really, REALLY good, the calculus may prompt me to go there. And I totally went there.

What ultimately pushed me over the edge was a secondhand pair of Athleta tights my friend Nicol gave me. She teaches the HIIT class I take, and she happened to have an extra pair that didn’t fit her, and she passed ’em to me.

First time I tried them on — and immediately after I stuffed everything I could into the pockets, of which there are SO MANY — I started to wonder if I’d ever wear another pair of pants again, because daaaaang… They were so soft.

Then, of course, I bent over in the mirror to see if they passed the squat test…

They totally did. 🙂 No underwear peeking through!

Next, I wore them to class and could not stop staring at my booty in the mirror, because the pants somehow transformed it into J. Lo’s (#GOALS), LOL!

I didn’t have to pull up my pants once, not once, during the entire class. Also, the waistband stayed up and held in my tum-tum the entire time, and the material stayed intact and didn’t stretch out at all, either, so no baggy knees.

When that class was done, I knew it… I’d be drinkin’ the Athleta Kool-Aid with the other girls soon.

Later that week, I ended up going to the Athleta store in Corte Madera to buy my first pair, because someone in class mentioned there was a sale happening. I left with the camo ones up top (yup, they’re still on sale!).

When I told the sales associate that it was my first Athleta purchase, she told me all about their generous return policy (if you work out in your clothes and don’t love them, you can still return them with a receipt), then gave me a discount on top of the sale for being a new customer.

SWEET!

If you’re into working out, or otherwise particular about your stretchy pants (as am I), I think you’re going to love these. I’m officially saving up for my next pair.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen