22nd January, 2014 
WORK IT
      
hoodie: American Apparel | top: Topshop | trousers: c/o Gilly Hicks | trainers: Nike c/o Zalando | bag: c/o Mi Pac | headphones: c/o Bowers & Wilkins
As I mentioned in our last fitness-related post, I love wearing bright colours and cute prints when it comes to working out. It just gets me in the mood before I’ve even arrived at the gym, and a little burst of colour always seems to give me an extra dose of energy! This outfit is actually one of my more subdued workout looks, but sometimes a few flashes of brights and patterns are enough. I adore the pretty floral detail on the waistband of these yoga legggings from Gilly Hicks (sadly sold out now but they have others in their sports range here) and the star print of this holdall bag from Mi Pac is super cute too.
Of course, another exercise must-have is a good pair of headphones to blast that leg-pumping music! As I said before, I’m not a fan of long stints in the gym, but with my running soundtrack at high volume I can enjoy a quick go on the treadmill or cross-trainer. I find in-ear headphones always fall out when I workout (any else have the same problem, or do I just have weird earholes ..? Or Maybe I just run too vigorously :P) so I’ve actually started using proper headphones. These Bower & Wilkins P3 ones are gorgeous – there’s just something about sleek white headphones – and they’re slim enough to use when exercising. While the sound quality is good, I still prefer my Skullcandy Navigators, but Callum has cheekily stolen them from me! To be fair, he does rock the pink pretty well 😉
This look was shot as part of a Take 10 challenge, so check out the other lovely blogger ladies’ looks below! I had a feeling I’d be the only one going for a workout style, so it’s great to see all the ways you can style up these headphones into everyday outfits, too. Links to the blogs below x
Dearest Deer | HiFashion | Pretty Much Penniless | Media Marmalade | Magpie Girl | Girl in the Lens | Love Cloth | Shiny Thoughts | What Olivia Did | We Shop Therefore We Are
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19th January, 2014 
LEATHER AND BOWS
      
jumper: ASOS | skort: c/o My Dress Room | coat: c/o Sugarhill Boutique | bag: Topshop | boots: Jones
I don’t know about you ladies, but when I love an item of clothing, or a bag, or a pair of shoes, I tend to wear it so often I wear it down far too quickly and then sob when I realise it’s no longer stocked by the brand and I can’t replace it. It’s so silly. I should really just learn to buy two of the same item when I know I’ll be wearing it so much! Anyway, recently I’d just entered the sobbing phase of my love affair with this coat when I spotted this burgundy beauty from Sugarhill Boutique and – crisis averted! Saying goodbye to my poor, falling apart coat has been much easier with its replacement already in my wardrobe. I love the more ladylike style of my new coat, with its bows on the sleeves and black faux fur trim, and the colour is the perfect pop for these cold winter days. Happy Tasha.
In other news, a little apology from Callum and I for the lack of posts recently is in order. Ideally, we’d like to be doing 3-4 a week, but at the moment it’s trundled down to 2. It’s so frustrating, as it’s not for lack of effort – we’re even busier than ever with blog things at the moment! But we’ve got a top secret project on the go right now which we can’t share with you until mid-June or so (I knowwww, ages away) and that’s taking up most of our time, as well as the ongoing blog redesign – which to be honest hasn’t really got going yet because Callum hasn’t had enough time. But he is pottering away on it every spare moment, and we’re hoping it’ll only be a couple of months until the big reveal. Keep those peepers peeled.
So I hope you’re all having a more relaxing weekend than us and we’ll see you next week with a few new posts! Happy Sunday sweeties 🙂 x
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12th January, 2014 
TARTAN IT UP
      
jumper: Hollister | skirt, scarf and boots: c/o Chicwish, bag: Topshop
Bundling up in a big, cosy scarf has to be one of winter’s sweetest pleasures. My one from Chicwish came in the post last week and now it’s always a sad moment when I have to take it off at the end of a day. It’s one of those amazing pieces in your wardrobe that seems to go with just about everything, and makes a statement whilst still being super cool and laid-back. I wore it here with a little wool skirt, grey jumper and black boots for a preppy, schoolgirl-ish vibe. Earmuffs were an added necessity! I’m sorry I can’t remember where these ones were from. I got them years ago, and I often choose them over a hat to keep me warm as they don’t make your hair all frizzy and you also avoid that annoying too-hot forehead feeling!
Special shout out to my parents for getting me the gorgeous bag you see in these photos. It was a very happily-received Christmas present! It’s sold out now unfortunately but here’s a very similar one from Topshop. My mum knew I had been umming and ahhing over the bag for ages and decided to surprise me with it! I’m really glad she did. When I find a bag I love, I go through that infatuation stage of using it all the time (also of course is the fact that I can’t be bothered to keep moving my bits and bobs between bags each day!), so you might be seeing a lot of this one in posts to come!
Hope you are all having a lovely weekend so far 🙂 see you next week! x
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9th January, 2014 
WORKOUT CUTIE
top | running shorts | yoga leggings | pants | sports bra | trainers | body spray | lip balm | scrunchie
I’m betting one of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to go to the gym/exercise more. It’s such a great incentive for sure, starting the new year fresh and active and healthy, combatting all that Christmas indulgence and parting with some good old-fashioned working out. For those of you who are going for it this year – awesome! Good luck! Starting is definitely the hard part, so if you’ve already got going then huge congrats. I’m sure you won’t regret it. I began exercising regularly last summer and it’s already made a huge difference to my life. I feel fitter, healthier and happier, and it’s a great way to break up a long working day sitting at my laptop. It’s also really helped with the pain and stress I get from my health conditions. Now I just wish I’d started sooner! My resolution this year is just to keep my workout routine up and continue having fun with it.
I think the trick is finding a workout regime you really enjoy. There are so many different options when it comes to exercise, so just keep trying different things until you find the ones that really make you feel good and resonate with your lifestyle. Personally, I don’t like a long session in the gym – it just gets a bit boring for me! 15-20 minute stints on the cross-trainer or treadmill suit me just fine. Alongside that, I do a variety of fitness classes and love running outside when it’s not too cold. If you’re new to exercising, I’d definitely recommend classes. I’m a huge fan! They’re great motivation since you’re less tempted to slack off when you’re around other people, and they’re just really fun too. Plus, instructors are encouraging and should cater for health issues if you have any. I have problems with my spine, joints and heart, and my instructors – whether in a yoga, Pilates, body pump or legs, bums and tums class (such a fun one, I highly recommend) – adapt certain moves or routines for me to make sure I’m not doing myself any damage. I’ve also found classes are great for socialising, and I’ve made some good friends through them. It definitely helps keep me motivated to come back every day.
Of course, for fashion-loving girls like us, another good motivator is wearing cute, colourful sports gear when you go to the gym. I love colourful pieces – they give me a boost of energy so I’m ready for the workout ahead and just radiate positive vibes. Gilly Hicks is my go-to for sportswear. They have some of the cutest, most playful pieces. My yoga instructor always reads out what my GH tops say to the class! They’re insane value too when they’re in the sale – and there’s one on now, so go take a look! For trainers, I’d recommend Nike. In my opinion, it’s worth the higher price tag as they’re just the most comfortable and supportive trainers, and they have some super cute designs too – how sweet is this adorable blue and yellow pair. When it comes to make up, I like to keep it simple when I’m exercising with bare but curled eyelashes and a slick of tinted lip balm. Please don’t put anything on your skin – it needs to breathe when you’re working out! A playful scrunchie like this one and a splash of fruity body spray (I love Forever 21’s grapefruit one, it’s super zesty and yummy) are the only accessories you need at the gym.
My final workout tip is to find inspiration in the female athletes you most admire. With bwin looking to celebrate women in sport, and the spotlight on UK athletes from the Olympics last year, it got me thinking about my own sporting role-models. My number one has to be pro-surfer Malia Manuel. She has such a organic, grounded approach to life in general as well as her sport, which is super inspiring, and believes in dedicating yourself to what you’re passionate about in life. It’s all about being happy and healthy. For me, that’s what I work out for – feeling good on the inside and out. I really think that’s such a key thing to keep in mind when you exercise. Focusing on how great you feel during and after a workout is every bit as important (and in my opinion, much more so) as keeping track of how you are looking.
What about you girls? I’d love to hear your workout tips and inspiration too, so do share them in the comments below 🙂 and for those of you starting the year with a fitness resolution – have fun! I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly x
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*This is a PR collaboration post*
5th January, 2014 
A WINTER WALK
      
coat, top, trousers + boots: c/o Boohoo | necklace: c/o Swarovski
Hello first post of 2014! How exciting that it’s already a new year, fresh full of possibilities and excitement at what’s to come. 2013 was such a manic year – take a look at my summary here – and I’m sure this year will be just as crazy. Have you all made your resolutions yet? I just want to keep up all the things I started in 2013, especially my new healthy, fit lifestyle, which has helped so much with the pain and illness I suffer from my health conditions, and the beginnings of my career as an author. I’d also like to relax a little more and force myself to actually take days off. Being self-employed, it’s so easy to work all the time, but taking time for yourself is so important.
I’m super happy we’re starting off 2014 with this shoot as Verulamium Park in St Albans is one of my favourite places in the world. I can’t believe we’ve never shot an outfit post here! Callum and I love taking morning walks at the weekend through the frosty, chilled grounds, cuddled up in our warm coats, meandering lazily round the lake and chatting about our weeks and all the things on our minds. It’s our chill-out spot in summer too – and pretty much the whole of St Albans’, because man does the place get busy with sunbathers! – but there’s something hard to beat about a wintry morning walk.
It’s especially nice to do it all cosy and warm in my new parka from Boohoo. With its furry animal-print lining, it manages to hit the perfect balance between an easy, everyday coat and something with a little more detail. I’m also super excited about finally having found a pair of leather-look trousers that actually fit! These skinny quilted pair are exactly what I’ve been after – and if you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ll know I’ve been looking a looooong time. Until I stumble upon thousands of pounds to buy a real leather pair from Balmain (easy!), these will do me just fine. I love how they look with this cute little tartan top. Total highlander chic 😉
Hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend sweeties. See you next week! x
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