Breaking in the Boots (Part II): On a Shopping Spree

Summer school has officially ended for me. Woot woot! I was really tired of studying hard every single day, especially because I took two classes this past session. I gotta say it was totally worth it though. I learned a lot from both classes. You know how on class evaluations, they ask if the class has contributed to your morals and values? I actually marked one of the classes as being a total life changer. Yes, it was that great. Although that's really another story.


The point is I moved out, and now I'm in that awkward, in-between period where I'm waiting to fly home. So I'm staying with my cousin in LA and packing/cleaning up the room. Then today I decided to go to Santa Monica and visit the REI store.


Gotta use that $10 discount before time runs out! :)


What a great opportunity to try the other pair of socks and to continue the process of breaking in my boots. Today, I decided to wear Thorlos Thick Cushion Hiking socks.

Just as a reminder, last time I wore Thorlos Moderate Cushion Light Hiking Socks.


Both of them feels very comfortable and soft. However, the one that I wore today is definitely for colder days. My feet were heating up a little, not to the point where I would take the socks off, but it was warming up nevertheless. It would be perfect for use in the colder time of the year, definitely. But hey, it's been getting quite hot these past few days, what was I doing wearing boots and socks anyway?


Bottom line: I'm not returning this pair and will be keeping them for winter adventures, hikes, etc.


I walked a couple of blocks to get to the bus station and rode down to Santa Monica. I was so happy there wasn't any traffic, considering it's the fourth of July weekend. Regrettably, I forgot to take my camera with me (I have got to just stick it in my purse!). I was really hungry, so I ate at this place called Bellagio, which was literally in the middle of the promenade.


I had this super awesome hot chocolate (even though the weather was a bit warm; but I decided to get it probably because I was cold from the AC inside the bus) and a kickass salame panini. Salame's the best!


Then I walked over to REI.


I bought more than I was expecting when I first walked through those front doors with pickaxes as handles. Really, I'm not joking. I thought that was a nice touch. Anyway, so I went to look for the base layer. Smartwool was recommended to me. I looked at other brands as well, like Patagonia and The North Face, but Smartwool seems to be the most comfortable out of all those. So I tried on different colors and got one microweight and one midweight crew shirts.

Smartwool Microweight Crew in Lavender

Me with the shirt on :)

**I usually don't take pictures of myself, especially not in front of the mirror, but I just wanted to let you guys see what the shirt looks like on an actual body. So, because I don't have a manikin, I had to use myself.

Smartwool Midweight Crew in Aegean Heather

The shirt on a body!

As you can see in both pictures of myself, I was trying to suck in my tummy as much as possible. Hahaha! And also the fact that I wear a Spongebob boxer at home for comfort. (Yes, it says Bikini Bottom.)

Moving on with my shopping day, something else caught my eyes. It was a sportsbra. I already have one, and it works pretty well, but looking doesn't hurt right? Well, it kinda did hurt my wallet. Because I ended up buying it.

I bought the blue Serena Seamless Sportsbra from Moving Comfort.

**Sorry, but I don't think I should model for this product. ;)

Not only did the color (which is a little brighter than in this picture) catch my attention, but the fact that it was soft and smooth. I love soft clothes! And when I tried it on, it was pretty comfortable. I jumped around a bit, and there was still some bouncing. It's only a medium impact bra though, so it was fine.

Here is the bra that I had before:

I bought this online from New Balance. It works pretty well. I used it when I went running or whenever I do any exercise. I've read people complaining about how a certain sportsbra would rub on their shoulders/clavicle and leaving behind red marks. I never had any of those problems with this one. It fits well and doesn't rub against my skin when I run.

I plan on testing out the new bra this weekend. Joel and I made a plan to go out running on the beach. :) So that should be challenging. Tammy recommended me to train on the beach because she wants to take me backpacking in the Sierra, and there are a lot of gravels which crumbles down to becoming almost like sand. We'll see how the running session turns out.

I probably won't be able to run as far as Joel, considering how I am less fit than him. Hehehe.

Continuing with my shopping story, I finally got to the clothing item I actually went into the store to get. The North Face pants. There was actually my size this time, which made me really happy: x-small, petite. :D

They are SO soft and comfortable I had to get them! :) They are quick-drying as well as protects my skin from the sun (UPF 30). I don't know exactly if I will be needing them for my trip with Tammy, but I couldn't possibly miss out on this piece of the cloud!

I also went to buy a charging cable for my iPod because I seem to have misplaced it. I can't believe how busy it gets in that store. I probably stayed in there for less than five minutes. The sales guy that was helping me out had a guide dog. He was really nice and the dog was super timid. I got to touch him/her (I didn't get a chance to bend down and see its true gender). I think it was a black lab.

After that, I took the bus back. Now, I wish I could have gotten gelato or something. I don't know why I didn't. Oh well. It was a day well spent nonetheless.