Category Archives: Fashion

IRUNLIKEAGIRL…do you?

Images for IRUNLIKEAGIRL shoot of Jennifer Hellickson

What do you get when you mix a few friends with great active apparel, a camera, some flattering lighting and bit of running and biking around the most scenic spots in San Francisco?

Well, if you’re me (aka the one doing the running and biking; that Twin Peaks hill is no joke), the answer is ‘pretty sweaty’ — otherwise the result is a really fun and hopefully inspiring photo shoot for IRUNLIKEAGIRL women’s activewear.

Kelly McCloskey, a friend and creative director of the brand, teamed up with the fabulous duo of Cody and Natalie at C+N Creative to catch me in action while training for my first Olympic triathlon. Check out the write-up on it here.

Images for IRUNLIKEAGIRL shoot of Jennifer Hellickson

But I also decided to turn the tables on Kelly and interview her here so you can get to know her brand and the incredible dedication and passion she brings to every hand-picked piece in the line.

We caught up recently, and here are a few of her thoughts on the importance of friends, fitness and female empowerment when it comes to both getting active and getting down to business.

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KineticFix: Thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of your new campaign! So tell us about the inspiration behind IRUNLIKEAGIRL. What does it mean to you?

Kelly McCloskey: IRUNLIKEAGIRL is all about heart. It’s about going after something that makes you feel alive. And then being able to share that ‘moment’ with a friend. For me, IRUNLIKEAGIRL lives at the intersection of my love for running and dream to run my own business. We’re driven to create fun, flattering and functional active apparel that you can identify with; it’s like wearing a feeling. The ‘I’m going to make this happen’ feeling.

KF: You’re big on empowering and encouraging females to get active and involved in the running community. How does IRLAG facilitate this?

KM: My favorite thing about running is racing. The training, the long runs with friends, the buildup, the having a goal that gets you out of bed to run when you just want to sleep– it never really gets old to me. I’ve met and continue to meet incredible people through running which is why I started Team IRUNLIKEAGIRL.

It’s an international program; our team of IRUNLIKEAGIRL ambassadors each select a goal race in their city and recruit local runners to train for the race together. I’ve experienced nothing quite like working towards a common goal with friends and teammates. When we get together and push each other forward we challenge the limits of our comfort zone and rise up to our best.

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KF: I love that! Can you tell us a little bit about your own running – what are you training for, current race goals, etc?

KM: I’ve been running since I was 12, and competed on the XC/track teams for the University of New Hampshire. I was always more of a hurdler and middle-distance runner but post-college I met my love for the marathon. Next goal: Boston, baby! And to break the 1:30 barrier in the half marathon. Right now I’m training for the Santa Rosa marathon in August in effort to run a new marathon PR/qualify for Boston 2015.

KF: What inspires the IRLAG line, and what’s your favorite piece at the moment?

KM: There are a few things about apparel features and fit that I’m fanatical about, and I focused on them while designing this line. Fun color, extra length, flattering fit and soft-yet-functional fabric. I’m all about the little things too, like adding thumbholes, playing around with where we feature the logo and adding an armsleeve pocket that can fit an iPhone.

My favorite piece in the line is the Racer Girl tank. I wanted to make something for race days that brought to life those special feelings of anticipation and excitement. Its bright colors are unique, and the supportive, soft and super quick-drying fabric all came together nicely. If you look good you feel good, and you need to feel good on race morning, right?!

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KF: Couldn’t agree more! So, where do you hope to take the company from here?

KM: My long term dream is to have an IRUNLIKEAGIRL truck that travels around the country to different races. We’d drive in and meet with our ambassadors and local runners. The pre-race energy would be high with music, laughter, friends and IRUNLIKEAGIRL active apparel, of course. It would be a ‘fitfashion’ truck. And this truck would also serve cupcakes. Because cupcakes and running are the perfect pair.

Kelly, I like where your head is at 🙂 Huge thanks for sitting down to chat!

KineticFix readers: Get a 20% discount on IRUNLIKEAGIRL apparel through 6/25/14 (valid site-wide) with the code “save20percentKF” 

Images for IRUNLIKEAGIRL shoot of Jennifer Hellickson

Fave Fix: Retail therapy is a cinch with Stitch Fix

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I’ve been meaning to check out Stitch Fix for some time. Last spring, I was at the salon when I overheard a few women raving about the personal styling service. It sounded A) fun and B) convenient. But I wasn’t totally convinced I needed it because I like to do my own shopping (i.e. the thrill of the hunt!).

Fast forward to this past March, though, and I was home when my sister received her shipment. I watched her experience a whole new kind of thrill to get a package with five items that had been handpicked for her by one of the company’s  personal stylists.

Ah, but it’s probably pricey, I thought.

Actually, no. The styling fee is $20, which you can use as a credit towards your order. And if you keep all five items, you get an extra 25% off everything.

Hm, the clothes are probably either too expensive or I won’t know how to wear them, I figured.

Nope. You can pick your ideal price range, but items are $65 on average. Plus, each item comes with a card of styling tips on how to dress it up or down.

Ok, sounds good in theory, but there’s gotta be a catch — shipping’s probably a pain in the butt, right?

Wrong again. Returns are free…and easy. Just place unwanted items in the provided prepaid envelope, and drop it at any USPS mailbox.

Well, shoot. Officially out of excuses — and in desperate need of “real” clothes since I wear workout gear 99% of the time — I figured it was time to check it out. So I signed up, filled out my style profile on the site, and a few days ago my first fix arrived!

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Did I mention I’m terrible at surprises? I did sneak a peek at my account ahead of time, so I totally knew what was coming — a dress, sweater, shorts, maxi skirt and necklace — just not the exact styles and colors.

Everything arrived neatly folded, and included in the package was a note from my stylist, Jennifer, with some comments about why she chose what she did, as well as styling cards with a few suggestions for wearing each of the pieces.

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She nailed the color profile; I had mentioned in my comments that I was looking to update my wardrobe with some basics for spring and that I wanted to see seasonal hues.

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Of course, I had an initial reaction to each piece, but I decided I’d withhold judgment until actually trying everything on. After all, this is all about broadening your fashion horizons with the input of some outside help, so it’s best to keep an open mind!

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First up was the Finnegan Roll Cuff Denim Short ($58). Honestly? I may or may not have wrinkled my nose when I first saw them…yellow is not my go-to color, and I’m super picky about shorts. But, after trying them on, I was immediately converted. Great fit, great style, and in bring color to help me spruce up my look for spring. Awesome!

Next was the Rowson Colorblock Striped Sweater ($58), which was pretty and soft and almost perfect…except that the fit was just a tad baggy around the stomach and waist. Otherwise, everything else about it was spot-on; I love where Jennifer was going with the stripes up top to give me some extra width in the shoulders.

Third was the Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace ($34), which I’m wearing in the third picture. It’s a versatile, neutral piece that I could wear with a lot of outfits. But I already have a few necklaces that are similar to this style. Plus for that price, I’m looking for more special statement jewelry, not basics.

In that same picture is the Dawn Jersey Chevron Print Maxi Skirt ($58). I don’t have many maxi skirts, and this one is a nice bold pattern that can be dressed up and down. Jennifer suggested it as a great piece for brunch with the girls, which I loved. The fit, length and style were all terrific, too, but the material was just a little thin for my taste.

Finally, I tried on the Regina Cut Out Shoulder Sheath Dress ($138), which I had the highest hopes for in this particular fix. I mean, who doesn’t love a funky, bright dress for spring?! But, as you can see, it’s probably just one size too big, so into the return bag it went.

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The final verdict? I’m keeping one of the five items — the shorts — and am calling my first brush with Stitch Fix a win.

Why? Two reasons: First, a good pair of shorts is notoriously difficult for me to find (kudos to Jennifer for nailing it). And second, shipments should get more and more accurate every month with feedback, so I gave detailed comments and can’t wait to see what she picks for me in the next round.

Ready to try Stitch Fix for yourself? Feel free to use my referral link to fill out your style profile and get started!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I simply love the service and think it’s fun to share my experience. I pay for Stitch Fix on my own. If you sign up for Stitch Fix using my referral link I will get a credit…and Hubby will love you forever for getting me to wear something other than gym clothes 🙂