I did some blathering during the winter about how much I love and adore Icebreakers base layers and I mentioned that their Sprite sports bra was the next thing on my wish list. So, I wished, I shopped, I acquired and I've been testing three of these babies all summer for weights, tumbling and outdoor chores. Results? This bra = YAAAASSSS. What do I love? Practical things first: the bra is a smidge tight to put on, but once on, it supports the girls beautifully...even during tumbling ;). (Note: I am an A cup, so support happens pretty easily. If you're a larger cup size, check out the Rush bra instead, which is designed for higher impact activity and offers greater support). This bra washes super easily - soak it for a few minutes in a mild soap and water, rinse out and lay flat to dry (no sun needed: shade..or under the bed on a towel (not that I do that ;))...also works). Boom. Done. The fabric gets even softer as you wash it. One of my favorite things about this bra is that even when I sweat in it, I don't get cold! You know that disgusting clammy feeling you get when you start to cool down after sweating because your clothes are wet? Not in this bra! It dries quickly on the body too! Great color selection is another plus: a couple of neutrals and some fun colors. The bra is unlined, but features inner "pockets" which would easily hold foam inserts if you want to be sure of no show through (steal some from an old bikini ;)). Alternatively, you can use the pocket to hold Kleenex or other small, items (if you don't care about weirdly-placed lumps, chapstick, a credit card or an inhaler would fit. One reviewer mentioned keys - I think one would be fine...a whole set might be..ouch..but, still, it's a nice option!). Bottom line: if you're looking for a mad practical, comfortable workhorse sports bra, this is definitely one to collect!

Every closet, unless supercritically edited, acquires a few of those pieces: the ones that, when you look in your mirror, you can see the headlines "Brie Wears Lumpy Sweater And Questionable Footwear At The Emmy's!". Ugh. And back in the closet it goes. I have a few of those pieces. I have, occasionaly, managed to make them work but it generally takes desperate acts of fashion. Then, there are other items that, no matter when and how you put them on, they look like "Brie In Ralph Lauren's 20-- Spring/Summer Campaign". They just magically alter every look and you have to convince yourself not wear them with everything, every day, 24/7/365. These two types of pieces are like lovers: you have the crazy ones that you're sooo attracted to that cause you nothing but drama...and the sane and solid ones that save your keister form every possible kind of jam. How's a fashionable gal supposed to end up with a mix of daring and tried and true? The way I edit my closet is " the rule of love". If I don't love it, I let it go.  And part of love is that it has to make me feel amazing, again and again, the kind of pieces I can take pretty much anywhere and know they won't embarrass me, the kind of pieces that make me feel like ME, that fit just right, that *are* just right in color, texture, fabric, day after day for years. Those pieces, I keep. For life. The pieces that don't do that, that don't give me that feeling? We break up. Mostly it's sooner, sometimes it's later (it can take awhile to figure out that a piece just isn't the one for you ;)), but they go. There's no room in style for pieces that are too complicated to wear, no mattr how long you searched for them or what you paid for them or how amazing you thought they were going to be. Sometimes, for whatever reason, it just doesn't work out. No use crying over it; just move on. Anything lightly worn, no stains, no holes/rips/pulls etc., I donate. Almost any kind of clothing can go to a good home these days...even prom/bridesmaid dresses). Ebay is another opton for items in good shape that you really need some money back on. So don't hold on to what doesn't work. Open your (closet) doors to new things and let love rule your fashion :)