Archive for the ‘lifestyle’ Category

I had gained more weight in the last few months due to the crazy work schedule changes and constant moving around the states for work. But, we have decided to settle in Tempe, AZ for a while and joined 24-hour Fitness to see if we can get in a good schedule to work and exercise and get back in shape.

We have been keeping up the good work for a couple of weeks now and I feel like my pot belly has been reducing in size.

Our friends Dave and Brenda has introduced me to the fun and love of shopping at thrift stores. I love shopping at the handful of Goodwill retail stores here in Phoenix, AZ.

Last week, I spent a good morning trying on jeans from three different Goodwill stores around town and had no luck finding a new pair of jeans that fit me. I also hate the idea of shopping at regular stores because of the new slim/skinny/straight leg style jeans, which just does not look flattering on me… since I have extra fat/muscles around my lower body than most teenage/young women. My extra rings of “Jacq’s Roll” around the waist does not help neither.

This past weekend, I broke down and started looking for new jeans at GAP for replacement jeans. The reason is that I bought a pair of GAP Long and Lean jeans in size 6-Regular from a Goodwill retail store in Michigan and it has been one of the most perfect fitting, curve hugging jeans I have ever bought since I gained the 25 lbs I came to America.

To my surprise, I found out that they have the Curvy jeans on the shelves and they are $25 off regular price. It was a big relief because I have been buying jeans for under $7 a pair from Goodwill for the last two years and the thought of paying more than $15 for a pair of jeans is just crazy for me. But I do need a new pair of jeans, because my favorite pair is now torn around the hemline and worn out…

Here’s GAP’s description of the Curvy jeans on their website:

Our curvy jean hugs all the right places to compliment your curves.
We added a little more room through the hip, seat, and thigh.
A contoured waistband shapes and narrows the hips resulting in a sexy, feminine fit.

• Redesigned to fit true to size similar to standard designer jeans.
• Medium wash.
• Premium stretch denim jeans retain their shape.
• Low rise, with contoured waistband that eliminates the gap in the back.
• Designed to lift and flatter the seat.
• Curvy in the hip and thigh to sculpt your shape.
• Boot cut leg opening.
• Five-pocket styling.
• The water used in the process of washing and dyeing these jeans has been specially treated to ensure it is safe and clean when it leaves the factory.

I took the time and measured my waist and my preferred inseam length a few days before while researching for replacement jeans had come in handy in the GAP store. They apparently started putting measurements in the sizes instead of just the silly size 1, 2, 3… they added waist size and have three different inseam lengths available for you to choose from.

I tried on two sizes of the Curvy jeans in the medium wash; size 6 / 28″ and size 8 / 29″, both at ankle length inseam. To my surprise, the size 8 /29a fits me like a glove! I was expecting to have to go up to size 10 or 12. This pair of jeans hugs every curve on my lower body as if they were made just for me!

The petite and ankle length inseams are both 30″ long, which is perfect for my short legs. No more torn up hem for my jeans! I wish more women’s pants/jeans/skirts are sized with the measurements, really take the guessing game out for hunting and trying on jeans that the size just does not really mean much since their measurement vary so much from brand to brand and style to style.

I was struggling and finally convinced myself to only get one pair of the Curvy jeans. The reason being that my plan is to lose more weight in the next month or so, and I can see myself loosing one or two inches around my waist with no problem at all if I keep up with the kickboxing, zumba, biking, hiking and rollerblading every week.

So, we will see in about 4-6 weeks if I can fit in the size 6 / 28a.

However, I wanted to share this with all the curvy girls out there, the new GAP Curvy jeans are worth a try if you are as sick and tired of the fashion trends not thinking about women with different body shapes and blindly push for fashion trend and style that just does not work for us curvy girls.