Over the years, we’ve found that some of the hardest types of apparel to buy from local designers are the most practical pieces of our wardrobe. Challenge us with finding a one-of-a-kind necklace or fabulous coat you won’t find anywhere else? No problem. But everyday gear needs – from socks to underwear to workout apparel – have been known to send us (regretfully, of course) running down the mass-produced trail.

Because of that, we’re always thrilled when we find a local designer who can help us in our mission to put as much of our money back into the local economy while supporting independent designers and entrepreneurs. Our latest find: Doce Vida fitness apparel, a two-woman operation based both in San Francisco and Florida that offers stylish gear for yoga, workouts and the errands most of us run on our way to and from the gym.

We love the fact that founder Jordan Veatch-Goffi left her corporate job with Gap Inc. to launch the Doce Vida (Portuguese for “sweet life”) line of figure-flattering workout tops and bottoms for all sizes, and that this woman-owned business donates 10 percent of its sales to the Heal Breast Cancer Foundation. For Jordan and co-conspirator Lisa Pidge, the independent route has certainly worked out (pun intended).

They’ve been featured everywhere from O, The Oprah Winfrey Magazine to Self since debuting in 2006 and are in the process of launching a new line dubbed Urbana. And if that’s not living the sweet life, then we’d sure like to know what is….