Friday, September 3, 2010

Favorite Things Friday - A girl's best friend



No, not diamonds, at least not for this girl. This bra, the Handful (yes that's it's name, isn't it awesome?!) is I dare say, my very favorite piece of workout clothing. Nothing makes me feel cuter than this bra, and yes, vanity is everything sometimes. I mean honestly, in my head, thinking I look good makes a huge difference in my confidence level come race day. It really does. I just think you race better when you feel confident about yourself. And I'm not prancing around shirtless all the time, I feel cute with it under my tech shirts and jerseys too. You can see it in almost all of my photos this year. Let me tell you more about it.
I've had this bra 6 months now. My first thoughts upon seeing it were three things. It's way cute, but is it a yoga bra or will it really support me, and as a triathlete, will it dry quickly? Let me address those 3 points.
Cute - SO cute! I love the colors (black, white, pink, nude, cocoa), and the pink matches my Powertri kit perfectly. Again, I'm back to the vanity, yes :) I love the thin straps, so flattering, and the back? LOVE it! The bra comes with removable pads that looked kind of bulky before I put it on, but they so totally work with this bra. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about here when I say I have grown, fed, and loved my 3 children, and as a result, the girls definitely do not look like they used to. Lets just say push up/padded bras are my friends (gentlemen if you're still reading, sorry to burst your bubble, but those beautiful babies you like to help create really do take a toll on all of us women). So I was so so so super excited upon donning this lovely creation, and just loving what it did for me. I had shape all of the sudden! And it looked natural too! Oh and those pads? Very good at concealing the whole 'headlight' effect too, definitely no worries there.
Support - does it support? Yes it does. Do I realize I'm not exactly the best girl to talk about needing a lot of support? Yes, I do. I've gotten smaller as my dear children have grown, but I've run through pregnancy and nursing and know how stinkin hard it was to deal with bras then, and I still know I never want any bounce even now. And this bra does its job. I've worn it during all types of training, and at every race but 1 this year I believe, including Ironman St George which includes a marathon of course. I've never felt like I was bouncing. That said, yes, the Handful is probably not the best high impact bra for those larger than a C. But that doesn't mean it can't be a great weight room, yoga, spinning, etc bra at the gym where let's be serious, it's a meat market anyway, so you might as well look good :)
Fabric - I was concerned as soon as I held the bra that it wouldn't dry quickly. I was worried these lovely shaped and gently lifting removable pads would just be sponges and leave me wet my whole race, but......NOT SO! I was pleasantly surprised to have no issues at all with it drying. I haven't paid enough attention (because it hasn't demanded it), but it's for sure dry within 30 minutes or so of being on the bike WITH the pads in. *I did hear of a lady soaking and then freezing the removable pads though and then putting them back in the morning of a hot bike race, interesting!*  No chaffing issues with this bra either. The fabric is very comfortable and seems to breath really well too, and I've never seen my pink one with sweat stains. The bra is easy to get on and off, which is always important. Sizing is great, and if you're falling between two sizes, I say size down. Oh and it comes in it's own little wash bag, so machine washing is a breeze.
Cost - $39.95.  No, not your Target $10 clearance special, but so worth it.  You get a bra that you'll really like the way you look in, a bra that does it's job, and it'll last a lot longer than a cheaper sports bra.  Look around at other online athletic retailers, really well made bra's typically go for $30-$50 .  This bra is worthy of it's cost.

So there you go, I love this bra. As there slogan states, "It flatters, not flattens". It feels good, does what it should, and looks great. So I thought how much I'd love one of you to have one so I contacted the good people at Handful Inc. And, drum roll please..........they're giving me a code to give to one of you for a FREE bra of your choice off their website (you only pay shipping). That's a $40 value ladies!! I'm so excited! So here's the deal. I'm super impressed that Handful was willing to give away a free bra, so I want to help them out. If you will become a fan of Handful Inc on Facebook (they send promos to fans by the way), you can have a chance at your own FREE Handful bra. Just post some brief little schpele here on my blog about why you'd like a Handful too, and let me know that you became a fan, and poof, I'll enter you in the random drawing. You have until next Thursday, Sept 9th at 11:59pm to post a comment below, and then I'll announce a winner on Friday Sept 10th. Cool? Awesome!

Your favorite tri shop Powertri carries these wonderful bras now, and I seem to recall a 15% off code on my blog somewhere to help you out  :)
  Go in and try one out or order online, you won't be dissapointed.

17 comments:

JonathanMarathonMan said...

So no real need to ask a guy why he needs a handful if you get my drift, but my dear wife is quite athletic, has been running , kickboxing etc and since her cupboards are well stocked I think a new sports bra would be very welcome, especially since I took the initiative and did this all by myself.

jamieschip said...

OOH OOH, ME ME. Pick ME! Who wouldn't want an awesome sports bra?! Thanks for checking this out for us. I'm getting sick of my Champion bras from target. They seem to stretch out once I've worn them awhile. We all know the ladies need support, especially when we exercise! BTW, Leslie, I would kill for your body. Just sayin'. ;)

Sarah Jarvis said...

You should pick me because I have envied that bra from the second I saw it. And I am pretty sure I was the first one to see it. Remember at SG training camp when you wore it for the first time? You were worried it was not gonna work out well but I a so glad you like it so much! It looks super cute and I love the pictures at the top!
Oh, and I am now a fan. Not sure how to proof it though!

Megan said...

OK. I "liked" it on Facebook. I'm thinking that bra would come in very handy after I'm done nursing this next baby. And if I wear one, will my abs magically look like yours? That really would be a special bra!

Crystal said...

Oh I want one. I am so in need of a new bra. Mine are all so old and dare I say starting to stink. Sorry for anyone who has ran with me. See so I need this bra for the good of the noses around me.

Amie Jo said...

So...I am a fan on FB and I like your blog already having just been sent here from...another website...I think it was triathletes edge. I laughed at this post, very funny description of reality. I hope to win, naturally. thanks for the fun.
amiemiller02@hotmail.com

Nurse Heidi said...

LOL at Jonathan! What a good man :).

Pick me pick me! I've been wearing the same Champion Target cheapies for the last three years now and they're wearing out...I'd love to try something with more support.

Ammie Tri's said...

Oh wow! Can I just say.... Nice freakin abs girl! I totally know what you mean... 2 kids and the girls are not the same! And no matter how many push ups I do, they get smaller which is good but everything else stays the same! And all my bras just make me flat and rectangularish! I would love to Tri this bra!

Jenni said...

I've been a fan on facebook ever since you first told me about the bra. I LOVE my handful bra and wouldn't mind another one!!!

Diamond said...

You knew your runner thread girls would all be here at some point. I want to win too. As you know, I am feeding a little one right now (well, not right now, he just started fussing though and wants to be fed), so would love a new sports bra. I use my not so supportive bras on days that are just weights, but I added another run during the week and need a bra for that day (without having to remember to put one thru the wash during the week.

JessWilson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JessWilson said...

So cute!! And padded?! Perfect! I know I already won one of your giveaways but thought it's worth a try! Thanks for the great informational post...think I might just have to buy one of these!

Erin H said...

I'm now a fan of Handful on FB. By the way....a fan of your blog too. Thanks for the info.

Becky said...

Another runner's thread lady here too! Thanks for letting us know about it. I'd LOVE a new bra! :0)

Kelli said...

Ooh! I want one. I just realized you had a blog (I'm not very observant LOL) listed on bbc.) I am trying to get back into running after a forever long pregnancy (seemed like it- I couldn't work out much or anything) and a sick/hospitalized baby. Slowly but surely I am going to be a runner again.

Sara said...

And now I'm sad that I couldn't get my computer up last night after the fair to check everything and I would've seen this in time, and I've been wondering about that bra from the first time I saw it in your pictures, so cute and glad to know it's supportive too. And I finally read through the post enough to realize where the entry was, and anyway, I'd love one if you haven't already picked a winner, and I'll go look on their FB page as soon as I get the kids down for a nap.
Sara

Leslie said...

Winner chosen - Jamie! Thanks for entering ladies! Wish I had one for all of you!!