Fashionable Fitness Gear

There's nothing better than looking good and feeling great at the gym. It sure is a motivator to get in and get fit. Get some fabulously fashionable fitness gear by Marika at Bertha Church starting next week!

Performance and Style: When performance is a priority and style is a necessity. The Marika Fitness Collection combines functional fitness apparel with stylish details for today’s active woman.

Check out the link below to see the entire collection. We hope you like what you see!

http://www.marika.com/apparel

The following pictures are of the styles we are going to carry at the store:

True Tie Dye Flat Waist Pant

Weekend Yoga Pant with Spot Print

Bell Sleeve Hoodie Cover Up

Capri Legging with Embroidery

Spring Fling Tee

Printed Paisley Sport Tank

Printed Paisley Capri

All of this, plus more. We would love to hear your feedback on other styles you like!

Size me up please!

First of all, I would like to address the fact that no woman has ONE bra size. Wouldn't that be nice if we could just buy bra's that are appealing to us without taking the time to to try them on? Well sorry ladies, it just doesn't work that way. We see it all the time. Woman come into the store and buy bra's in "their size" without trying them on first and most of the time they come back unsatisfied. So what are some reasons for this madness?

1. All companies cut their bra's using their own measurements

2. All styles are cut differently. For example, full coverage bra's run differently than demi cut bra's, etc.

3. The material that the bra is constructed with plays a big roll. Does the cup have a lining in it? Is there a pad?

So then why take measurements at all? Measurements really just give you or the professional who is doing your fitting a place to start. Honestly, as a professional I come up with a more accurate size by looking at you than I do with measuring tape and no, I am not incapable of when it comes to the tape.

How do you get measurements using measuring tape? Make sure you are wearing your most supportive unpadded bra for this process in order to get the most precise results.

Step 1: Take the measuring tape and measure directly under your bust line with the tape parallel to the floor. Round up or down to the closest whole number of inches. Add 3 to that number and this will give you your likely band size.

Step 2: Measure around the fullest part of your breast with the tape parallel to the floor. Round up or down to the nearest inch as you did with your band size. Subtract your band size from this measurement. Use the chart below to match the difference with the likely cup size.

Difference (inches) Cup Size

0-1 A

1-2 B

2-3 C

3-4 D

4-5 DD

5-6 DDD or E

What is the best way to bra shop? Find a small boutique that performs bra fittings. Here they will be able to spend proper amount of time with you that you need. Make sure it is a place that you feel comfortable with because bra fitting can be a vulnerable experience for some ladies. Also, make sure that you trust the employee's there and are confident that they have you're best interest at hand and nothing else.

11 must have's for Spring '11

Commando Cotton Bikini $25

Her Look Cleavage Cupcakes $40

B*Up Tank and Short set

B*Up Cotton Robe

Betsey Johnson Romper $49

Betsey Johnson Babydoll $69

Chantelle Icone bra

Fleur't Tres Jolie Tank and Short set

Felina Uptown Girl Push Up bra $38

Coobie Bra $24

Cosabella Wireless bra

The Importance of Proper Bra Fit

Medical experts in several different fields of medicine agree that the importance of a proper bra fit is undervalued by most women. In fact, it has been estimated that 80% of American women are wearing the wrong bra size! A bra that does not fit correctly can result in back and shoulder pain, improper posture, an uncomfortable or exhausted feeling, or even failure of the lymph nodes to adequately drain (which leads to many more health issues itself).

This all makes sense. If you think about it, your bra is working around the clock for you supporting "the girls" all day long. If the bra you have been wearing has not been doing it's job accurately then you are in for some physical damage for sure.

On top of an improvement in your physical health, wearing a suitable bra for your body figure will boost a women's self image and make her look like a million dollars! No more uncontrollable cleavage spilling out the top of your shirt, no more back fat, no more visible bra lines through your shirt, no more red marks on your back, etc. The right bra will uplift your boobs as well as your spirit!

Remember, a woman should always be wearing undergarments that are flattering, well fitted and proportional, and suite the purpose they are trying to achieve. Being a woman is stressful enough; we don't need something that we can control, such as wearing an ill fitted bra, ruin our day.

"A woman is never sexier than when she is comfortable within herself" - Famous fashion designer Vera Wang