Cassey Ho's Blog, page 33

The Blogilates Date Yourself Challenge: 14 Days of Self-Love!

Hey guys!

So I was thinking…what if we did a new challenge EVERY MONTH of 2023?!

I guess you could say I’m just not ready for the vibe of our January challenge to be over! Because I enjoy coming together for a challenge SO much. You really motivate me!

Plus the Good Mood Challenge truly put me in a GOOD MOOD (yay it worked!). I loved the reminders every day to do something for me – I looked forward to every little challenge! Plus I never felt obligated like I do sometimes with a strictly fitness challenge. Instead, each day felt more like an opportunity. Why not keep that going?!

So that’s the goal…a new journey we can embark on together each month. But these challenges won’t just be another version of the Good Mood Challenge – Some will be fitness-focused, some will zero in on nutrition, and we’ll touch back in with whole-body wellness when we need it.

For February, the theme is self-love.

We’re a month into the year, which is when a lot of us are hard on ourselves. Maybe you didn’t stick to your New Year’s resolution as well as you wanted….or maybe you gave up completely. Maybe you were diligent with your plan but you’re not seeing the results you hoped for.

Before we embark on a journey of challenges through 2023, the first challenge must first be to accept and love yourself where you are right. now.

So with that, I hope you’ll join me in…

The Date Yourself Challenge

Download JPEG

A 14-day self-love challenge

We tend to be our own worst critic. We are so hard on ourselves every chance we get, and sometimes, we overlook the things we should be proud of.

BUT NOT ANYMORE.

After spending 14 days loving on yourself and doing things for YOU, you’re going to fall deeper in love with yourself. We’re taking ourselves on min wellness dates (think fitness breaks and movement goals), treating ourselves to our favorite things, and taking the time to do what we love.

Your first task is to create a mixtape-like playlist for yourself, and then listen to it! Think of it like your self-love anthems for February!

Ready to date yourself?!

 

You can do this challenge Feb 1- 14 so the dates line up, or you can start any time you want! This is your self-love challenge, so do what works for you!!

Let me know if you’re IN in the comments! Omg and should we make a hashtag and share pics from our daily dates with ourselves??! Let’s do #dateyourselfchallenge !!

15 Non-Cheesy Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him

*This list of Valentine’s day gifts for him may contain referral links for products we love, and all opinions are our own. Blogilates.com earns a small commission from these links, at no additional cost to you.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there’s not much time left to get done shopping for the special guy in your life. For most people, you can’t go wrong with some chocolate and a flower bouquet. However, for your him, you might be looking to spruce it up a bit with some hygiene products, daily essentials, cooking tools, and more.

On the other side of the spectrum, you may want to trigger the nostalgia with some childhood favorites like video game controllers and teddy bears. To help you narrow down the list, we’ve gathered 13 of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for your boyfriend you’ll want to get your hands on before February 14 rolls around.

15 Non-Cheesy Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him

You really can’t go wrong with any of these picks to show your guy some love this V-Day (or any time, really!)

1. Dylan’s Candy Bar Variety Tackle Box 

Dylan's Candy Bar Variety Tackle Box

Something sweet always makes a winning Valentine’s gift for him. This gift ventures away from the classic box of chocolates and allows for something more unique while still providing a sweet treat. To make it even more special, Dylan’s Candy Bar provides the option to add a customizable note so your special someone knows it’s from you. 

 

2. Grazia Drizzle & Sizzle Bundle

Graza Drizzle and Sizzle

If your partner is a master in the kitchen, then surprise them with this duo pack of extra virgin olive oil. The easy-to-squeeze bottles make it a breeze to add on top of many dishes or to saute vegetables to add some enhanced flavor. Even better, if they are looking to make you a romantic dinner, they can use their new EVOO to give their dishes a quality upgrade. 

 

3. ThreadWallets Black Elastic Wallet

ThreadWallets Black Elastic Wallet

We hate to say it, but some boys are just disorganized (not all, but some.) When it comes to keeping money, credit cards, and ID’s secure, give them this minimalist pocket wallet. The tight knit elastic provides little room for unwanted movement and it’s small enough to fit in the tiniest pockets without being too bulky. They are available in different colors and patterns from black and chocolate to hound and bonsai. 

 

4. Bean & Bean Cold Brew Kit

Bean & Bean Cold Brew Kit

For the coffee-lover in your life, especially if he likes it strong. This valentine’s day gift comes with everything he needs to brew his own cold brew at home, including some beans specifically roasted for cold brew. The best part? You can use this kit to brew hot coffee too.

 

5. Urban Skin Rx Exfoliating Face Wash + Scrub

Urban Skin Rx Exfoliating Face Wash

Skin care isn’t just for girls — everyone should have a skincare routine. This exfoliating face wash and scrub is made with salicylic acid, jojoba beads, and niacinamide which work to minimize and wash away dirt while buffing away dead skin cells for a more even and smooth complexion. The best part? It’s sulfate and paraben-free so there’s no need to worry about harsh ingredients causing potential irritation and unwanted redness.

 

6. Backbone One: Xbox Edition

Backbone One for iPhone

If you don’t have a game controller to use, then turn your phone into one with a connector that is compatible with any phone from iPhones to Androids. It has a lightning port to direct it onto a larger screen and charge the phone at the same time. Your partner can use them on the go whether that’s at work, at the gym, or anywhere in between.

 

7. Pair Eyewear The Twain

Pair Eyewear - The Twain

Give the gift of sight this Valentine’s Day with eyeglasses from Pair Eyewear. These glasses have more of a rounded shape to frame the face, particularly designed for those with smaller heads. You can get them with a prescription or without and can choose from progressives, readers, and single vision. And they are scratch resistant and anti-reflective. 

 

8. POPFLEX Vegan Suede Yoga Mat

POPFLEX Vegan Suede Yoga Mat

Whether he’s hitting the gym, working out at home, or joining you in a yoga class, a high-quality mat is a must. The POPFLEX Vegan Suede Yoga Mat is famous for it’s comfy cushion for joints and it’s vegan suede that gets more grippy as you get more sweaty. And for the first time ever, you can snag this mat in solid navy.

 

9. Knock Knock What I Love About You Book

What I Love About You by Me

Ditch the super sappy card and fill out this “What I Love About You” book for your boyfriend. Not only will it make you reflect on how lucky you are, but will let them know how much you appreciate them. Find prompts inside like “I love how you…,” “I am kind of obsessed with your…,” and “you have the greatest taste in…” 

 

10. Brooklinen Super Plush Robe

Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe

Made from Turkish cotton, this soft robe is a great way to dry off our lounge around in style after hopping out of the shower or coming home from work. It features wide sleeves, pockets, and an adjustable tie waist to keep it in place. It’s available in four different colors including white, striped flamingo, smoke, and graphite and in sizes XS to XL. 

 

11. The Small Everywhere Zip Backpack

Away - The Small Everywhere Backpack

This backpack is ideal for those spontaneous adventures and dream vacations with its water-resistant nylon fabric and breathable back panel to keep your back sweat free. There’s a 13-inch laptop sleeve, water bottle holder, and a detachable key clip to keep everything together while on the go. And for travel, it’s the perfect size for a carry-on so you can keep the essentials on you at all times.

 

12. Therabody Theragun Prime 

Therabody Theragun Prime

For those days when you’re not around to give your boyfriend a massage, this handheld massage gun will do the trick. On a full charge, the massage gun can last up to two hours and uses QuietForce technology for an essentially sound-free and relaxing treatment. And with five built-in speed settings, there are ample ways to relax the muscles and let the body destress. 

 

13. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 Bluetooth Speaker

Ultimate Ears Bluetooth Speaker

Whether at the beach, by the pool, or in the kitchen, this bluetooth speaker is the best way to crank up the music for everyone to enjoy. It can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes and is dirt-resistant, drop proof, and portable for easy travel. Choose from one of four colors including black, pink, gray and blue. 

 

14. Quince Bamboo Sheet Set

Quince Bamboo Sheet Set

If your boyfriend is a hot sleeper, then you can give him this set of bamboo sheets for Valentine’s Day. The sheets are made to regulate body temperature, wick moisture away, and minimize unwanted odor. And not only are they comfortable and lightweight, but breathable so they don’t feel too heavy as you lay on top of them at night. 

 

15. Audible Membership

Audible Membership

And last but not least, arguably one of the easiest Valentine’s Day gifts for him – A gift membership to Audible. This is great for the guy who doesn’t need anything, or maybe the one who has a long commute. With Audible, he can listen to books or podcasts while he drives, works, exercises, or does the dishes.

That concludes our list of Valentine’s Day gifts for him!

Hopefully this made your shopping a little easier! Come back to this list any time you want to make the guy in your life feel special.

 

A Playlist of Self-Love Songs to Celebrate YOU!

A playlist full of self-love songs – or should we call them your February anthems?

Calling all boss babes! We love our Blogilates community so much and hope that you’re all giving yourself some love this Valentine’s season! Whether you’re nourishing your body with one of our delicious recipes or treating yourself to your dream workout wardrobe, it’s time to treat yourself. 

Our Valentine’s gift to you? A playlist full of self-love songs that’ll have you feelin’ yourself and dancing all day. We’ve put together a list of 37 confidence-boosting anthems to encourage that self-love feeling. Listen to it while getting ready for a Galentine’s brunch, getting some work done (you go girl!) or even while working hard at your workout.

Find our playlist of self-love songs on Spotify!

Sing along with confidence queens like Lizzo, Beyoncé, and Miley Cyrus. Belt your favorite verses with Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande. And with M.I.A., Rihanna, and Doja Cat on deck, I dare you to resist an all-out dance party for one.

 

What songs make you feel like a boss? Comment them below!

What playlist do you want to see next?!

Let us know in the comments! If you’re loving this playlist, check out our Y2K Workout Playlist, 2022 TikTok HIITs, and Cozy Vibes Playlist playlists too!

 

6 Non-Scale Victories Totally Worth Celebrating

Believe it or not — we are nearly one month into 2023! 

You may be rounding out January by checking on your progress toward your goals, including analyzing the number on the scale or the size tag on your “goal” jeans tucked in the back of your closet.

While these metrics can certainly help determine your progress towards some of the health and fitness goals you may have bounded into the gym or group fitness studio with on January 1, they are certainly not the full picture of your progress and your overall health. And, more than that, they take time and don’t often follow a linear path (that’s life!). 

Weight is a snapshot of a day — not your overall health.

Most of us grew up hearing otherwise, but we’re here to tell you: weight isn’t the most accurate picture of health. 

While a pound is a pound, it’s not always equal. Muscle is denser than fat. Thus, the number on the scale may not reflect the changes to your body composition. 

Beyond that, your body has mechanisms for keeping your weight stable (within 2-10 pounds), so it can be hard to shift the number on the scale significantly in just a month. 

What are non scale victories?

If you’re feeling discouraged that you haven’t already hit your 12 month fitness goal on January 31, don’t get down yet. Instead, get mindful and motivated by paying attention to non scale-victories (NSVs).

These metrics and benchmarks can often go unnoticed if you’re focused solely on the scale or pant size, but NSVs are key health improvements that can help you tap into a more comprehensive picture of your overall health, which is multifaceted. And, health is the ultimate goal, right? 

If you’re looking for signs that your tireless efforts on the mat, at the weight rack or on the local trail are paying off, here are a few markers that you can pay attention to and celebrate. 

1. Energy Levels + Performance Metrics

Have you noticed a boost in your energy outside the initial endorphin spike following a sweat sesh? Perhaps you can walk up the stairs without pausing or haul groceries through the front door without the usual feeling of exhaustion.

These wins may seem trivial at first, but instead, they showcase how functional fitness is positively impacting your daily life. If you want to assess energy in terms of exercise, notice if you are pushing for five seconds longer in a HIIT interval, shaving a few seconds off your mile time or adding an extra push up or squat to your circuit. 

2. Sleep Quality

Have you been settling into bed easier without counting sheep for hours? Have you been waking up feeling more rested and ready to take on the day? Research suggests that losing belly fat may positively impact sleep quality, so while you may not visibly see the loss, your body is reaping the reward of deep sleep, which is crucial to your long-term fitness journey.

Deep sleep helps repair muscles, regulates the production of appetite-inducing hormones and modifies your cortisol levels, which are often correlated to inflammation. Peep your Fitbit or Oura Ring to see how your sleep is stacking up month over month.

3. Pain Relief

Have you noticed less joint pain and stiffness both in your workouts and throughout your daily routine? If your weight is slowly decreasing, you may be feeling less joint pain as weight loss can reduce the stress on your weight-bearing joints (think your knees and lower back!).

If daily stretching is on your 2023 habits list, you may also see additional pain relief in sore muscles and some of the areas that ache after a long day of sitting at any desk job. Muscular relief can help you move around easier on the day-to-day and push you in workouts along your fitness journey. 

4. Clear Skin

Are you glowing? Have you used fewer acne patches in the last few weeks? It’s not just a rumor: sweat and a plant-forward diet can help your skin shine. While it seems contrary to popular belief, sweating during exercise actually helps your skin detox and remove toxins that can produce acne and clogged pores (just remember to wash your face after the gym!).

Plus, a diet full of fruits and veggies nourishes your skin with all the nutrients it needs to shine. And, if you’re considering long-term health, a diet full of antioxidant-rich foods can help prevent DNA damage from sun exposure. So today’s glow is just the start.

5. Blood Pressure

Has your blood pressure dipped? You may associate blood pressure with the tight-gripping mechanism at the doctor’s office, but it goes deeper. Blood pressure, which is largely impacted by nutrition, exercise and stress, can help indicate if you are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Whether you use an app like Blood Pressure Companion or ask your doc to read your BP next time you are up for a physical, take a peek at the stat to see how your overall health is looking month to month. 

6. Good Mood

Have you been feeling peppier or more resilient? Regular exercise, nourishing foods and good sleep can slash stress levels and improve your mood, which is a victory we will certainly take. And, shameless plug: if you’re looking for other ways to boost your mood, check out our 30 Day Good Mood Challenge.

Shift your focus to non scale victories

Here are two tips to help you shift your focus from the scale to the many other amazing things your fitness journey is doing for you.

Your journal is your new BFF.

All of these NSVs may seem overwhelming, and some may seem subjective to measure. That’s why we recommend taking pen to paper. 

Throughout the course of your fitness journey, take daily or weekly notes on the metrics above. Over time, you’ll start to notice subtle shifts, which will build into big changes and big results.  

Patience is a virtue.

Amid lots of social media chatter and one-month progress pics flooding Instagram and TikTok, it can be challenging to stay motivated if the numbers aren’t where you expect them to be in a month. 

But, celebrate your non scale victories. These mean your body and your mind are changing! And, above all else, keep in mind that your journey is your journey and that you are brave and powerful for your consistency and commitment! 

The Blogilates February 2023 Workout Calendar!

Hey guys!

Okay so let’s check in. We’re one month into the new year, and fresh off of the Good Mood Challenge. Did you complete all 30 days?! I hope it helped you sail into 2023 with confidence and clear motivation for what you’re truly capable of.

And if you’re still working through the challenge, keep going! That’s the beauty of a challenge like this one. There’s no end date! You can take your time, or repeat the days that felt realllllly good.

Anyways.

January ended kind of weirdly for me. I discovered that Shein stole one of my designs, which I knew would happen eventually but I was still NOT prepared for it to actually happen. I spilled alllll of the tea in a blog post and encourage you to read and share so people can see how truly damaging this company is on so many levels.

For all of the kind comments on this that you’ve already sent – THANK YOU. I cannot say it enough.

NOW for some exciting news

The February Workout Calendar is HERE!

Download JPEG

How to follow the February Workout Calendar

Check the Blogilates YouTube playlists to find all of the videos you need for this month’s calendar!!

OR you can get everything you need (and more motivational tools!) on the BODY By Blogilates app! If you don’t have the app yet, it will making following along to this month’s workouts even easier! You can access not only the calendar, but all of the videos in one place. Find challenges and free programs like the Glow up Sessions and the 200 Ab Challenge there too!

Now that you know where to find your workouts, here’s what you can expect each day of the February Workout Calendar. You ready?!!!

SUNDAY: Recovery
MONDAY: Total Body
TUESDAY: Abs
WEDNESDAY: Booty
THURSDAY: Total Body
FRIDAY: Arms
SATURDAY: Legs & Thighs

Do each video once (unless otherwise stated) and check off as you go! Most days will be 45 min max of exercise.

If you get the BODY By Blogilates app, your workout calendar and workouts will all be in one place! And it’s so fun and motivating to get that “Workout Complete” checkmark

And you MUST check out the new Social feature in the app!

The Blogilates community is the BEST. So, I wanted to create a space where we could all feel a little more connected to each other! The social feature (in the most updated version of the app) is a place where you can share photos and/or text thoughts and comment on each other’s post. Think the good ol’ days of Instagram!

If you're just getting started...

Or want to ease into working out, my Beginner’s Calendar is a great place to start! It’s a free 4-week program to get you stronger so that you can join in on the monthlies when you are ready.

Let's do a little check-in

Now that we’ve completed the first month of the year, how are you feeling?! What progress have you noticed? What goal are you crushing this month?

[image error]

Shein stole my design so I’m spilling all the tea and it’s PIPING HOT.

Well. It finally happened.

They stole my design.

SHEIN STOLE MY DESIGN.

I wish I could say “I can’t believe it!!!” but actually, I can. I’ve seen numerous videos and articles written about Shein straight up robbing independent designer’s designs, but guess what? As much as the comments may show sympathy and anger, it’s the dollar that speaks the loudest in the end.

Shein is now worth over $100 BILLION, which to give you some perspective, is more than Zara and H&M COMBINED.

Yes, I am angry that Shein stole my design (numb actually), but I am 100 billion times angrier that a business that runs on robbery is being supported and rewarded like this. What confuses me is that Gen Z, the generation that comes off as very ethically conscious, sustainability-focused, and authenticity oriented, is also the group that is fueling this monster’s rise. Women under 25 is the target demographic of Shein…and also happens to be part of my audience’s demographic as well.

There’s so much I have to say on this topic, but let’s start with the design theft.

Last night I was relaxing on the couch with Sam after dinner, and then he says “omg”. I turn quickly and say “what? WHAT???”

He’s silent for a sec and doesn’t want to show me his phone. But then I see a hint of some black skirt on his screen. I demand him to give his phone to me.

And there it was.

The moment I knew would one day come, but the moment I hadn’t actually prepared for.

In my hand stood this DM from a fan:

Shein stole my Pirouette Skort design!!! In that moment my heart paused. I didn’t know how to feel. Because…

1) I knew this would happen one day.

2) But then it ACTUALLY happened and I wasn’t ready.

3) On the other hand, I was thinking, is this some twisted rite of fashion designer passage? Like should I be flattered??? But it’s kinda hard to be when you were just robbed in broad daylight.

So how do I feel? I feel like the things that happen in my life, happen for a reason, and as painful as it is – it is now my duty to do something about it.

Now, back to the POPFLEX Pirouette Skort. I had originally designed this back in 2021. Sketch below.

Original tech pack dated October 14, 2021:

We ran into numerous issues sourcing the perfect mesh for this skirt. It took months to find a fabric that would flow with the lightness I needed, but would still give that ballerina’s tutu feel. Finally, over 10 months later, the Pirouette Skort was released.

On August 15, 2022, I posted a video of me explaining how I came up with the Pirouette Skort. I had no idea if you guys would love it or hate it (I had never seen a workout skort like this before but selfishly needed it for myself). To my surprise, it went crazy viral (26 million views on YouTube!?) and completely sold out in a matter of days!

After that wild response, I knew I would bring the Pirouette Skort back, but I wanted to make some improvements first – like removing the front seam to prevent camel toe, lengthening the back of the skirt a tad for more booty coverage, and removing the elastic from the top waistband to prevent pinching. Even though it seems simple, any change to a design will delay its production as we are VERY thorough in our prototyping process! You guys know how serious I am about quality and fit. I don’t take shortcuts!

A lot of customers were frustrated with the wait, but it’s because fast fashion giants like Shein, Zara, H&M, Forever 21, Boohoo, ASOS etc have completely ruined a consumer’s perception of how long it actually takes quality clothing to be made.

On January 5, 2023 (over 5 months later) I was able to release the Pirouette Skort again with all the improvements my heart desired! BTW the black and white ones will be restocked in about 1.5 weeks.

And then just a few weeks later on January 28, 2023 Shein released their version. Ready for this? Here we go.

POPFLEX’S ORIGINAL DESIGN VS SHEIN’S COPYCAT:

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Wait hold on. Not only did they copy the pocket…they also copied THE ENTIRE STYLING OF THAT PHOTO!!!

And then because they are Shein, a company that thrives by manufacturing fashion in “real time” (aka they see what is trending on social media and they legit just send it straight to their factories to copy within days, max 1 week), they even took that extra calculated step to casted an Asian model to emulate me.

SHEIN COPYING MODELS TOO

I already know some people are gonna read this and say that I am reaching. But trust me and read on, Shein is smart and calculated with their moves. They know exactly what they are doing. Every decision is one that is driven by sales, and I guarantee you that they chose an Asian model so that once one of their ads pop up, people will subliminally associate the Shein skort with me modeling the Pirouette Skort in my viral video and boom – add to cart. It’s so obvious.

Still don’t believe me?

Other times Shein has blatantly copied independent designer’s designs and ALSO copied the model and the styling:

Check out designer Mariama Diallo’s tweet below:

Not only does the dress look the same, but the model is also black. Don’t think it’s a coincidence?

How about this one? Check the full figured (hispanic, I think) model in Baiia’s photo vs the model Shein casted for their copycat swimsuit.

At it again with a copy of Loudbodies‘ checkered ruffle dress and a curvy model to match.

Shein stealing other designer’s designs is nothing new, but what REALLY surprises me is how long they have been allowed to go on like this. And not just GO ON like this, THRIVE like this. Become the NUMBER ONE fast fashion company in the world like this. How has Shein not been canceled yet?!

SHEIN PRETENDED TO CARE ABOUT INDEPENDENT DESIGNERS

Shein is so aware of what they are doing that they straight up tried to pretend like they cared about independent designers in a poorly produced low budget show called “Shein x 100k Challenge”…

…that no one watched. Like literally the entire 4 episode series hosted by THE Khloe Kardashian got 1,048,000 views total.

According to a PR release: “The online series program is one of many large philanthropic initiatives from the brand in 2021, and aims to bring people together in celebration of fashion.”

I have so many problems with that statement and this entire show. First off, after episode 1, the footage just straight up cuts off to this screen. I have no idea why the text doesn’t even end up spelling out SheinX100K but ends at 1…it’s like they stopped paying their editor so they just stopped editing and uploaded whatever. I mean, totally on brand I guess??

Secondly, did they REALLY say this show was “PHILANTHROPIC”??!!!! OMGGGGGGG.

There is nothing philanthropic about this show. SheinX100K is basically a job interview where candidates fight for money and then help Shein make even more money. Philanthropy is about giving for the sake of others, not for yourself.You can’t pretend you’re all about GIVING when you built your business off of TAKING – especially from those who have soooooooo much less than you!

Oh and thirdly, I don’t know how much they paid Khloe to barely be in the show but I would bet you it was more than the $100,000 those 30 designers were fighting for.

So who really benefited in the end?

The truth is Shein plays the game and they know how to win. They KNOW they can sell you a cute dress for a FRACTION of the price of the original one.

But how can the price be so low? Good question. I’ll tell you.

You see, my stolen Pirouette Skort sells for $60 on popflexactive.com and the counterfeit version sells for only $13 on Shein.com. Though I don’t have their version on my hands (yet), I can tell you exactly what they are not paying for that I am paying for:

COST OF PRE-PRODUCTION:

They stole my design, so they didn’t have to pay me for the trend prediction, the idea, or the viral videos I made. They didn’t have to take any risk.They didn’t have to pay my technical designers who made the tech pack and who graded all the sizes. I did.They didn’t pay my patternmaker to figure out how to make the pattern. I did.They didn’t pay my samplemaker to make the the numerous samples we tested over a course of several months. I did.They didn’t pay my fit models to attend fittings 2x a week for several months to test out all of the samples coming in until we perfected the fit. I did.They didn’t pay my product development and design team to run those fittings and make adjustments to the garments. I did. (Which btw, our design team consists of 5 people including me. Shein has 800 designers/thieves.)

COST OF WORKING CONDITIONS:

I can’t be certain what Shein actually pays their workers, but I did find this:

Workers who make clothes sold on Shein get as little as 4 cents for each item they make.Workers work seven days a week, 18-hour days with one day off per month.Workers are expected to sew 500 garments per day.Some workers even wash their hair on their lunch breaks because they have so little time left after work. (MSN) Workers are hit with a fine amounting to two-thirds of their daily wages if they make even one mistake. (Insider)

 

Looks like human rights violations on top of human rights violations.

But does POPFLEX do better?

In a recent audit of our factory by BSCI, the Business Social Compliance Initiative, which is an industry-driven movement that aims to monitor and assess workplace standards across the global supply chain, our working conditions are as follows:

The regular working times are 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.During peaks, workers may work up to 10 hours a day from Monday to Saturday however, overtime is paid at 150%-200% the normal rate of other factories.Workers are paid by an hourly rate not a per piece rate.The hourly wages are equivalent to local minimum wage.All workers are at least 18 years old or older.

 

Can we do better? Always. But this is where we are right now, and let me tell you – I will never sacrifice human rights and human happiness for the sake of fashion.

COST OF PRODUCTION:

I don’t have the Shein copycat skort in my hands (yet) but I can already tell you how they got their price lower in addition to paying their workers next to nothing.

Shein is not using the quality fabric that we took months to source. I can guarantee you that my price per yard of fabric is much more expensive than theirs. Fabric is the bulk of the cost of a garment.

Shein is most likely not using as much fabric as we are for the skirt. I bet you their’s is not a full circle skirt. Will confirm when I get theirs.

Shein is not using customized trims like we are. In fact, I can tell that their drawsting is literally a shoe string.

Shein is not using an activewear-appropriate flatlock stitch like we’re using. The single and double needle stitches are not sturdy enough for the movement and performance of a workout skort and will break with usage.

Shein took out the flatlock accents on the waistband to cut costs.

Shein most likely did not remove the front seam from their skort as this significantly makes the price go up. I will confirm once I get their copycat skort.

Combined with the complicated craftsmanship that goes into the making of this specific design, the raw price per Pirouette skort without counting steps 1-6 and without counting freight, duties, taxes etc. is already beyond $13 a piece.

But wait, there’s more.

COST OF SELLING:

Once I put this on social media, and once it went viral, it was like putting a big ole target on my back. Shein isn’t just fast fashion, they call themselves “real time fashion” because when they see trends on social media, they can manufacture it and sell it faster than any company has been able to do in the history of EVER. Oh and get this, Shein releases 6,000 new styles a DAY on their website. (Fast Company)

So yeah, as you can see, Shein can sell things for super cheap because they’re not paying for the product development process and then on top of that, they skimp on quality materials and construction. What you pay for on Shein is stolen goods from other designers.

SHEIN’S UNSTOPPABLE RISE

And you know what? Unfortunately for me and pretty much every other clothing brand out there, Shein’s unethical business model has only rewarded them with massive growth.

Here is Shein’s site visits since over the past 6 years. They are currently sitting at over 163 million site visits a month. (Data via Semrush)

For perspective, this is how many visits their competitors (Zara, H&M, Forever 21 and ASOS) are getting over the past 1 year. Shein is on top AND GROWING.

Oh and just for funsies I wanted to check how POPFLEX compares in site traffic to Shein.

It’s not even a comparison. Shein likes to take from smaller brands because they know we don’t have the power or the money to fight them.

In July 2021 designer Elexiay tweeted how heartbroken she was to have Shein steal her sweater design. This went super viral with over 103.9k retweets. Hmmm….

Kinda weird that their “philanthropic” YouTube design competition show came out a month later on August 22, 2021. Perfect timing to try to “rewrite” their narrative.

Anyway, there is it is. All the tea with all the receipts.

I have 3 big hopes with this blog post:

That Shein removes my Pirouette Skort OFF of their website and NEVER steals any of my designs or other independent designer’s designs again.That I can help shed some light onto this completely messed up excuse of a business, and help you find better ways to spend your hard earned money. I am not saying you have to buy my stuff, but I am just saying that you shouldn’t support a business that robs from hard working people and then sells it back to you for profit.That you stop buying from Shein.

Remember, in the end, the only language Shein understands is money. And if we stop giving them our dollars, we will begin to take the power back into our own hands. #boycottshein

We Did Our Own Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards!

Trader Joe’s announced their 14th Annual Customer Choice Awards winners this week, and after noticing several of our favorite items were missing (rude), we decided to have our own little Blogilates Team Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards.

Maybe we need to work on the name of our version if we decide to make this an annual thing. And if you’re wondering, my vote is that we absolutely should. IMO, revealing the best Trader Joe’s items was more exciting than watching the Oscars.

Anyways, here are our picks for the best Trader Joe’s items in a random set of categories.

I was surprised to see how much our list differed from the official Trader Joe’s awards. Let us know in the comments if you agree with our picks, or if you side more with TJs. Promise you won’t hurt our feelings.

Best Salad Kit Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit

We CRAVE the toppings – lemon basil vinaigrette, parmesan cheese, and chopped almonds.

 

Runner Ups:

Southwestern Chopped Salad Kit

Brussels Sauté Kit

Best Savory Snack Popcorn With Herbs & Spices

A must-have for bingeing Netflix.

 

Runner-Ups:

Elote Corn Chip Dippers

Fancy Cheese Crunchies

Best Sweet Snack Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallows

Dare you to eat just one.

 

Runner-Ups:

Sour Scandinavian Swimmers

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Best Vegan/Vegetarian Mushroom Medley

A go-to side dish.

 

Runner Ups: 

Spicy Mexican Style Riced Cauliflower

Soy Chorizo

Best Appetizer Mac & Cheese Bites

So crispy and delicious.

 

Runner Ups:

Mini Chicken Tikka Samosas

Steamed Pork and Ginger Soup Dumplings

Best Beverage Sparkling Black Tea With Peach Juice

Sweet, but not TOO sweet.

 

Runner Ups:

Winter Wake Up Tea

Organic Coconut Smoothie

Best Cheese Cranberry Chevre Goat Cheese

Add this to your charcuterie boards.

 

Runner Ups:

Unexpected Cheddar

Pizza Bread Cheese

Best Seasoning Everything But The Elote

Cassey’s fave! Try it on rice cakes with guac.

 

Runner Ups:

Everything But The Bagel

Umami Seasoning

Best Dessert Ube Ice Cream

You know we love Ube around here.

 

Runner Ups:

Brookies

Vanilla Bean Mini Sheet Cake

What are YOUR top Trader Joe’s picks?

Let us know in the comments!

13 Ways to Treat Yourself This Valentine’s Day

*This list of ways to treat yourself may contain referral links for products we love, and all opinions are our own. Blogilates.com earns a small commission from these links, at no additional cost to you.

Valentine’s Day can feel hard if you’re single, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fun on February 14th! Why not be your own Valentine and treat yourself to something special this year?

Even if you’re not single, this is your sign to treat yo’self. After all, self-love is important all year round.

Here are 13 ways to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day.

Celebrating Galentine’s Day? Your bestie would appreciate any of these gifts equally.

1. POPFLEX Brunch Sweater

POPFLEX Brunch Sweater - $82

Who doesn’t want to be comfy and stylish at the same time? The brand new Popflex Active The Brunch Sweater is a super soft sweatshirt ideal for well….brunch, post-workout layering, or just for those days when you want to binge-watch Emily In Paris and nap. This sweatshirt even has side pockets ideal for stashing your phone or lipgloss. Choose from several colors including Burnt Olive, Black, and Merlot.

2. A dupe for the viral Versed headband

Bubble Headband - $23

If you’ve been influenced like the rest of us with the viral Versed bubbled headband, good luck finding one. The beauty company stated in a recent blog post that the limited edition headband is not currently available. However, Amazon is here to save the day! Treat yourself with this dupe to keep the hair out of your face during your skincare routine, and look cute doing it.

3. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk On The Go Set

Pillow Talk On The Go - $55

Treat yourself to a little makeup this Valentine’s Day with this Charlotte Tilbury Set. A universally flattering color for all skin tones, this kit comes with several pieces including a cream eyeshadow that is super easy to apply, an eyeliner, a lip liner, and lipstick, all of which are travel sizes. It’s just perfect for keeping in your gym bag or for midday touch ups at the office. 

4. A French Macaron Baking Kit

FOOD LA LA French Macaron Baking Kit - $97

If you love to bake or just enjoy trying new things, gift yourself this French Macaron Baking Kit. FOOD LA LA sends you the most beautiful box filled with almost everything you need to master the art of French Macarons – edible glitter and aesthetic gift boxes if you choose to share included. Plus you get 1 year of access to their virtual macaron baking class.

5. The fragrance that we can’t get enough of

Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist - $24

There’s a reason this scent has gone viral (although the “Alix Earle” effect certainly helped). Everyone knows about the addicting scent that is Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream.This hair and body fragrance gives you that same delicious vanilla-y scent that lasts all day.

6. George The Jeweler Diamond Heart Stud Earrings

Diamond Heart Stud Earrings - $300

Buy yourself jewelry this year. These heart stud earrings from Kardashian-favorite brand George The Jeweler are made in rose gold as well as yellow gold. Adorned with .15 carats of diamonds per pair (you can also buy singles if you have multiple holes), these timeless yet casual earrings look fabulous with just about anything in your wardrobe. 

7. Maude Vibe

Maude Vibe - $49

Just because you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day by yourself doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. It can also be used with a partner. Completely latex-free and made with 100% platinum-grade silicone, we love how Maude kept the design simple and discreet. 

8. Beia Body Intimacy Serum

Beia Body & Intimacy Serum - $42

Whether you’re playing solo or with a partner, you want things to go smoothly, right? Just add a few pumps of Beia Body Intimacy Serum and let it glide. Best of all, we can’t help but love the pretty packaging with a glass bottle and gold top. It looks like anything but lube, so feel free to leave it out on your nightstand for easy access and spontaneous moments.  

9. Blissy Silk Pillowcase

Blissy Silk Pillowcase - $67

Want to get better skin and hair overnight without any effort, lotions, or potions? You should be sleeping on the Blissy Silk Pillowcase. Made from 22 Momme 100 percent pure mulberry silk, it’s not just soft, it’s extra luxurious. Unlike cotton, silk helps your skin and hair retain moisture, keeps cool, and also prevents tugging and snagging of the skin and hair. It’s made for standard, queen, and king-sized pillows in a variety of colors including pink, white, and even black.

10. Blogilates Loop Bands

Blogilates Loop Bands - $15

Love to workout? Then why not give yourself the gift of being able to exercise anywhere with Blogilates Loop Bands? Ideal for exercising on the road, at home, or just to have around for those days when you can’t make it to the gym—this set includes four bands with different resistance levels—Light, Medium, Heavy, and Crazy. We also can’t help but love the on-trend neutral colors. 

11. Printfresh Queen of Hearts Sleep Set

Queen of Hearts Sleep Set - $138

Nothing really says “treat yourself” like a new set of pajamas, right? Made from 100% organic cotton poplin, this set gets cozier the more you wash and wear it. The adorable heart pattern makes this the ideal Valentine’s Day gift, but there are other prints too if hearts aren’t your thing.

12. A luxurious mat upgrade

POPFLEX Vegan Suede Mat - $59

These POPFLEX Vegan Suede Yoga Mats are thick enough to make your joints happy, but also grippy to support you while you workout. Plus how could you NOT feel inspired when you roll out a mat this beautiful?

13. A bouquet a la Fresh Sends

The Send - $64

Cue Miley’s “Flowers,” AKA our anthem of independence atm. It’s fun to get gifts in the mail, especially when they’re fresh flowers. And who says you can’t send them to yourself? Fresh Sends’ staple bouquet “The Send” changes daily, which means you’ll always get the freshest pick.

How will you treat yourself this Valentine’s Day?

Is gifting your love language, or will you treat yourself to a massage or some quiet time on the couch? Whatever you decide, make it a point to show yourself some love more often than just Valentine’s Day.

The (Charcoal) Tea on Kim Kardashian’s New Health Trend

Here I am just scrolling through Instagram at noon on a Tuesday… and I see  it. Do you ever see something, and you are like is this the future (but not like in a good way?). Well, in this case it was Kim Kardashian subtly introducing a new health trend (yay!)… Charcoal Milk Tea. 

 

via GIPHY

Yeah. That was my reaction too.

Honestly, it looked very unappetizing — like dirty dishwater after you finally washed the pan you burnt dinner in last week. But the question we are all asking is: Will this health trend put all the health girlies on my feed in a chokehold for the foreseeable future? Is it actually healthy!?

I think the fact that it is zero percent appetizing will just make people love it even more, right? We have to punish ourselves always (eye roll).

So let’s dive in. Is this really just a grey hot cup of tasteless liquid that has zero health benefits, or are the Kardashians actually on to something?

What is charcoal tea?

Great question, I’d love to tell you (cue: Elyse Myers). I did some digging, and it seems like the base includes:

Activated charcoal powder (dissolved in hot water)A milk (or milk substitute)Sweetener to taste (maple syrup, etc)

But does it actually TASTE good!? Teakoe founder, Pete Jokisch shared that “The charcoal is almost tasteless which makes it easy to incorporate, adding a fun component to the aesthetic.”

Charcoal vs activated charcoal?

The reason that the word “activated” gets added on is by the way that it is processed. According to Aline Petre’s article in Healthline, “Activated charcoal is charcoal that has been treated with oxygen at very high temperatures to make it more porous.”

So basically, this process increases its surface area so it can absorb more (which is what you want, in theory).

Is charcoal tea good for you?

Really, the jury is out on it on charcoal as a whole. Jokisch shared that charcoal is still “very polarizing within the wellness community and often difficult to educate general consumers.” Healthline quoted that there was a huge gap in research on charcoal and a lack of conclusive studies (and recent studies!).

Which kind of surprised me, because the idea of charcoal as a trend is not new — we’ve been flooded with charcoal toothpastes, charocal face masks, charcoal pills, etc. Even Kourtney Kardashian (are we sensing a trend?), just launched the Poosh Smoothie at Erewhon and it includes activated charcoal. 

Credit: Poosh

But what does it actually do?? Research suggests charcoal in general may help with the below:

Bloating. Basically active charcoal absorbs things (good and bad) in your gut, so it may help remove toxins and gas in your gut. But too much may be not so good, and also timing is key — if you take medicine or supplements, sipping your charcoal tea after can actually mean that its absorbing all the goodness with the bad.

 

Diarrhea. (Similar to above) it helps absorb the toxins and bacteria that may be the root cause of your frequent bowel movements. My mom swears by this (we had charcoal tablets growing up… TUMs, who?), but also there is this research study on it if you don’t believe my mom.

 

Hangovers. While this is a suggested benefit there is no direct research that shows that charcoal absorbs alcohol. But hey, if the idea of taking is a placebo to you feeling hungover. All the power to you. You know what the best cure to hangover is? Skipping the alcohol entirely, and enjoying a mocktail. Same deliciousness, no hangover.

 

Overall, these benefits can sound great. I mean who likes bloating? But it seems like there have not been conclusive studies on the benefits of drinking charcoal. And that begs the question, will a forecasted boom of interest from celebrities using it fuel MORE research into it?

Or will people just blindly follow along?

What is the future of Charcoal Tea?

I’m always so curious about the tailwind of these trends. We all know how powerful a Kardashian moment can be, but how far will the adoption go?

When I spoke with Pete Jokisch, he shared that he is not in a rush to bring any charcoal ingredient to his line-up. Sharing that charcoal “We’ve found that keeping our formulations and flavor profiles approachable, makes consumer adoption a little easier, but we’re certainly not against incorporating it.”

So what makes an ingredient approachable? Will charcoal have a moment as a consumable, is the Kardashian influence strong enough to see this become mainstream. I guess we’ll find out.

Charcoal Milk Tea recipe:

Nyssa’s Kitchen was the first place I could find a recipe for how to even make one of these at home. Everywhere else was like go to a local Boba spot (which honestly sounds like a way better option)… but in case you want to take your future in your own hands here you go.

Credit: Nyssa’s Kitchen

And here is her recipe. She claims it tastes better than it looks, but honestly hers already looks way better than what graced my story feed this morning. Like I could dig that… the ombre?!

So, should I go and find some Charcoal Milk Tea and report back? Should we make our own recipe with a Blogilates twist (that actually tastes and looks good?!) Let me know in the comments.

Oops! Got Your Healthy Coping Skills, From the Experts

Credit: annaxsitar and brookemonk_

If you’ve been on TikTok in the last few days, then you may have seen the newest trend circulating the Internet. Here, a voiceover says, “Oops, got your coping skill, now let’s see what we got” followed by something that is typically not a healthy coping mechanism. Think along the lines of cutting one’s hair, online shopping, isolating or over exercising.

@annaxsitarwhat about visiting and making friends with baristas..?♬ original sound – Mikaela

While the trend makes light of a more serious situation, let’s face it, we’ve all been through a breakup, a loss of someone special, or another traumatic event. In these types of scenarios, it can be difficult to cope in the aftermath, especially if it’s not a situation you previously encountered.

How we deal with stressors, anxieties and negative events can be influenced by the people around us, emotional maturity, and having access to resources and support.

Identifying Your Coping Strategy

“Coping strategies range depending on the individual and what they personally resonate with,” explains Jillian Amodio, a mental health advocate and founder of Moms for Mental Health, a peer support center in Annapolis, Maryland. “Identifying coping strategies as either positive or negative can help ensure that you are operating from a growth-focused mindset.”

The first step when identifying healthy coping skills is figuring out the underlying issue or root of your troubles. According to Amodio, there are so many common issues like family dynamics, eating disorders, anxiety and mental health conditions, career struggles and others that may be underlying issues. 

However, no matter what the problem is, it’s never too small. All of us cope differently, and there are some coping skills that are healthier than others. So, while retail therapy, emotional eating, or changing one’s appearance might all seem innocuous, they do not necessarily deal with the issue you might be facing and are only temporary solutions. 

Healthy Coping Skills That Work

According to Amodio, here are some healthy coping skills that will actually help to relieve your stress, anxiety, or depression.

While dealing with family and interpersonal relationships, ask yourself what your values and priorities are. Identify your own strengths and separate them from the larger family system and set boundaries and expectations. And of course, family therapy is a great coping mechanism to work through conflicts and improve social dynamics.If you’re dealing with body dysmorphia and any form of eating disorders, seek the help of a mental health professional, and/or a nutritionist, outpatient treatment, or inpatient treatment. Ignoring this issue is not the answer.Prioritize your mental health and separate yourself from anything (including anyone) that causes you anxiety or stress.Engage in mindfulness exercises, yoga, meditation or outdoor adventures. Get your body moving! Any movement is helpful, even if that’s a long walk with your best friend or walking your dog with your favorite podcast on.Find hobbies that you love and make you feel invigorated. If you’re not sure of what your interests are, join a social media group or attend local free events to meet like minded people and perhaps try a new activity.Journaling. Writing is not only cathartic but will help you organize and process your thoughts more.Therapy is a great resource and can include advanced techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy. But, if that’s not accessible to all, even dietary changes, physical exercise, pharmacological interventions, and sleep habits adaptations are healthier choices. Coping Skills That Don’t Work

Sure, we’ve told you what mechanisms work, but we should still talk about the ones that don’t. If you find yourself in denial or simply avoiding the problem that’s bothering you, slowly experiment with some of the coping mechanisms above. And of course if you’re currently coping with substance abuse or self-harm, the best thing you can do is get help. There’s no reason to go through these things alone! 

@spamspamalexOh well…♬ original sound – Mikaela

Coping mechanisms take time to implement. Be easy and patient with yourself, and understand that this is a journey and that you are never alone.

“It is important to acknowledge that change and growth take time, and that healing is often not a linear process. It can be helpful to have a third party, such as a therapist to help guide you on your journey of growth and healing and to help hold you accountable to your goals,” adds Amodio.