An Active Lifestyle Doesn't Mean Sacrificing Style when You're Wearing Ojai Clothing #Review + Summer Dress #Giveaway

With the temperatures warming up, we've been experiencing some truly beautiful weather in the Carolinas. The winter season was extremely long, cold and grey, making everyone in our house feel like slugs. Now that it's becoming warmer, we're itching to be outside, and we've much to do out there: extend our patio, plant our annual veggie garden, rework some of the flower beds, and play the days away! Spring and summer are always pretty active seasons for us. Since we love to be outside, we do a lot of things around our home, we go to local parks, head to the mountains for day trips, go to the beach, and travel elsewhere. We're pretty active, and the older I get, the more I realize that I am needing appropriate pieces of active clothing to compliment my lifestyle.

I won't wear just anything. For me, a plain old tee just won't do. Just because I like to be active, doesn't mean that I want to sacrifice style, which is why I was excited to connect with the team at Ojai Clothing. Ojai was founded by Anelle Beebe, and Julio Varela, both who had a background with Patagonia. Ojai was established in 1986, and named for a Chumash word meaning 'moon,' and named after the small mountain town in California, known for its pink moment at sunset.

Anelle and Julio were active in running and tennis, and thought it was time to challenge the outdoor clothing world to think outside the box. Ojai is designed to fit every part of an active lifestyle, knowing that not everyone is into extreme sports. Ojai uses a blended design scheme, with quality fabrics and craftsmanship, to keep those wearing their clothing stylish and comfortable, wherever their active lifestyle may take them.

I was excited to look through the Spring 2014 styles that Ojai had just released and select a few pieces that I thought would fit well with my personality, and fit my lifestyle. It was hard to narrow it down to just a few pieces, because I truly loves just about everything I saw in their lookbook!

Here are my style selections from Ojai, along with a personal note from the Ojai team!

Everything was individually wrapped, keeping the pieces nice and clean during their trip to my house!

As I thought about some of our upcoming day trips and travels, I wanted to select pieces that I would be comfortable in during both the spring and the summer. In the springtime, we never know whether it'll be 50 degrees or near 90 degrees, so having lots of options that work well with layers are a must!

The first item that grabbed me, Burnout Tank, Cherry Jubilee Dream

I selected this burnout tank top, because I fell in love with the design and colors! It looked like nothing I had ever owned before, nor anything I'd seen on any recent shopping trips, even in other outdoor apparel and gear stores. The burnout tank top is a cotton/poly blend, and is extremely lightweight and comfortable. The nice thing about fabric like this, is that it dries quickly! So, if you're out enjoying nature and get splashed, just forget about it- you'll be dry in no time!

For a layered look, pair with comfy jeans, a light sweater, flats and accessories...

I wore the burnout tank for the first time on a rainy day, and was so thrilled with its performance. It did dry as quickly as I imagined it would. I wore it with a lightweight sweater during the earlier morning hours, and shed the sweater when it warmed up later in the day. I loved wearing this tank, which is so comfortable! The fabric is pretty sheer, so I did layer a cami underneath, but it kept me cool and comfy all day long! It looks great with jeans, shorts, or even a pretty skirt! I love its versatility and bright, cheery design!

Without the sweater, super cute for a daytime look- whether headed to the park, or out running errands.

Details of the Burnout Tank in Cherry Jubilee Dream

The Burnout fabric is so great, we had to make a Burnout Tank. Our colorful and lightweight tank goes with almost anything. Shorts, skirts, you name it. It brightens up your wardrobe.

50% Cotton - 50% Polyester

24" Long

Made in U.S.A.

I also received the Gotta Have Short, in opal gray...

I have a tiny confession- I sort of don't like wearing shorts. For the longest time, I just plain wouldn't wear them. I have never been satisfied with the 'tone' of my legs, and unless they're in super awesome shape from doing a lot of walking or a lot of rounds of pilates, I won't wear shorts. When I do wear shorts, I am ridiculously picky about how they fit, and how they look. If they make me feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable, they're not for me!

Me, sporting the Gotta Have Short by Ojai...

When I looked the Gotta Have Shorts over, I knew they would be a great fit for me. I could tell right away, that the length was going to be perfect. I don't like 'short shorts,' and I want something that will cover me to the mid thigh, be comfortable when moving around, and be comfortable when I sit. Nothing is worse than a pair of shorts that rides up when you sit down!

Gotta Have Shorts, looking great with the Burnout Tank in Cherry Jubilee Dream!

The Gotta Have shorts are 100% cotton and seriously awesome! The length is just right, and I wore them both as they were, and rolled up once, to experiment with the length. They look great with tanks, tees, sweaters and jackets, etc., and can be worn with sandals, flats, boat shoes or sneakers (tennis shoes, as we call them here in the southeast). I paired them with the Burnout Tank in Cherry Jubilee Dream and a pair of fun gold and silver toned sandals for a stylish daytime look. The shorts are truly versatile, and have kept me comfortable in my day to day activities, on trips to the park, and walks around the neighborhood. They're the ultimate gotta have summer shorts!

Last but not least, I received the beautiful Summer Dress...

I love spring and summer dresses. Honestly, I am often more comfortable moving around in a summer dress, than I am in several different pieces of clothing. I love visiting the local markets and going on little shopping trips in dresses, because they keep me cool and comfortable all day long. One of the styles I immediately fell in love with from Ojai, was their gorgeous Summer Dress in Garden Floral.

A lightweight, sleeveless dress, perfect for summer outings and travels.

I chose this dress, because I loved the stye of it. The fit looked so incredibly comfortable, leighweight and cool for spring and summer in the south! The design printed on the dress is so whimsical and poetic, I fell in love with it right away. I love the way gray and pink are just sort of swirled together. The length is lovely, hitting right above the knee. It's important to me that I am covered up by my dresses, and this one makes me feel very comfortable. I always try to keep in mind that I have a little child, whom I sometimes have to chase after, and have to be ready for just about anything, no matter what I am wearing!

The shape of the dress flatters the shape of my body, and is a perfect fit!

Another reason to love this dress, check out the pretty lace detailing on the shoulders!

Details of the Summer Dress in Garden Floral

Cool and comfy cotton knit dress with lacy accents, a casual dress for those hot summer days. Light weight great for travel. Wear it over over leggings for a sophisticated look.

100% Cotton Knit

36" Long

Made in India

To give you an idea of sizing/fit, I am wearing a size XS in the Burnout Tank and Summer Dress, and am wearing a size 2 in the Gotta Have Shorts. Ojai has so many incredibly beautiful, stylish, comfortable and casual options for the active woman, and even the active man! If you're planning on doing some traveling this summer, I would highly recommend adding some pieces of Ojai clothing to your wardrobe. My parents are traveling to Germany in a few weeks, and I have already promised my mom that she can borrow my new Ojai pieces for her trip. We're close to the same size, and I know she'll be so comfortable and stylish touring Germany in these wonderful pieces!

Check out some of the other Ojai items that I would love to add to my spring and summer collection...

Tribal Dress: Orange Sunset

Gypsy Racer Back Top in Coral

Gotta Have Chopped Pant in Patina

Yoga Wrap in Orchid

I so love all of these fun, free spirit type articles of clothing from Ojai! Their styles are perfect for everyday wear, active trips, travel or daily exercise! I love their balance collection, as well as their yoga collection, too! Any one of these pieces would be a great add-on to your spring wardrobe, or summer wardrobe! Mix and match pieces to create the perfectly styled look, or to be perfectly comfortable wherever your active life may take you!

Want It? Buy It!

Head on over to Ojai to browse even more styles that you'll no doubt fall in love with! If you're ever in California, you can even visit their flagship store in Ojai! Ojai is social and would love to connect with you via Facebook!

Want It? Win It!

One lucky MBP reader will win their very own Summer Dress in Garden Floral from Ojai! Please note that dress style is subject to change based on availability. You'll be on your way to fabulous summer activities in this amazingly beautiful, comfortable dress, available in sizes XS-XL. $72.00 RV. This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older. Just use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter for your chance to win.

Special thanks to the amazing team at Ojai for allowing me to test the waters in their beautiful, comfortable apparel this spring, and share about it with the MBP community. Our whole community thanks Ojai for offering this amazing giveaway!

Good luck!