Tag Archives: Fashion

Some kind of runner

Posted on 13 December, 2011 | Leave a comment

I’ve changed my tag line a few times now. It was UX designer – fashion lover – cupcake obsessive – club kid, then I switched fashion for yoga. I’ve only made two batches of cupcakes in nearly a year so I’m not quite so obsessed as I used to be. Cupcake making got replaced by running.

I thought I wouldn’t make it. I have pretty bad asthma and I love my frequent club outings. I’m busy at work and have a pretty frenetic life outside of it to maintain.

I did, however, really really really want to be good. Aside from the obvious health and fitness benefits, it actually helps me control my energy levels and keep slight mania at bay. I’m an insomniac and making sure I’m exhausted enough to sleep helps me have more energy when I need it. If left to my own devices, my lack of need for sleep becomes a pattern and before I know it, I’m burning out. Never a good look.

I’ve kind of tricked myself in to being a runner. First, last January, I aimed to complete just 20 mins at 9km/hr. Once I could do that, I moved up to 9.5km/hr. Then came my work with adidas on the MiCoach enabled F50 football boots.

Their awesome interval training plans proved to be the thing that kept me hooked. I’m on my second one and can be found at at the gym at 6.30am 3 times a week. I know, I know… I would have mocked this version of me a year ago. It was hard. It really hurt. Sometimes I didn’t want to go but I kept at it until it became a habit. 9km/hr is now the lowest limit of my ‘resting’ pace.

Since I’ve started I’ve set 23 personal bests and ran a total of 126km which has taken me 13.5 hours. I even got shin splints. To sweeten the deal, I’ve also acquired some pretty awesome running kit, mostly from Nike (sorry adidas – they have better colours). I’ve got the free runs, the wool based running top and some thermal gloves.

I cannot wait to get to run by the sea over Christmas. I’ve hit targets I never would have managed this time last year and have enjoyed it more than I ever could imagine. Not bad for someone who used to breathe like the comedy, geeky kid with glasses in the cartoons.

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The French style obsession continues…

Posted on 11 December, 2011 | Leave a comment

Photo by Maha via WeHeartIt

At the end of the year I start thinking about new year’s resolutions. A bit clichéd I know. I’ve learnt the lesson not to set the bar too high but that’s a whole other post.

Two of them are going to be French themed:

  1. keep trying to walk the path of immaculately considered yet nonchalant dressing like une parisienne
  2. persevere with not letting my French speaking skills desert me

I’m recovering from a big night out today so have had loads of time to catch up on blog reading and set my resolve. This list of French beauty tips from Glamour tipped me over the edge.

Now I’m obsessing over this gorgeous Lancaster bag in gold, I’m definitely going to buy some Bensimon trainers (raving shoe replacements) and I love these hair tutorials.

To keep committed, I’ve subscribed to the digital edition of French Glamour. I prefer their edit – it has less emphasis on fast fashion and real life stories, giving more time to street style and celebration of style icons. It also helps me keep my reading skills going.

Granted – I’ll know more fashion terms than anything else but that might not be a bad thing… They will come in handy when I’m next in Paris or Nice.

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The capsule wardrobe – one year on

Posted on 16 November, 2011 | Leave a comment

About a year ago, I decided to stop buying clothes on impulse and set myself some rules to work to. Inspired by Megan’s dream style series over at Charade Style, I’ve spent the year being hard on myself and really thinking about what I’m coveting and if I need it (actually need it, not just want it).

One year later, I’ve found myself with an actual capsule wardrobe of clothes I love to wear and that all go together. Sure, I’ve need to replace things, but that amount I’ve spent is probably less now than it ever was. I knew I’d reached that happy utopian place when I was packing to go away for a bit last week and realised that I didn’t have anything that didn’t match the rest of my wardrobe.

I’ve learnt a few extra lessons too and added those to the rules.

  1. I don’t do heels so well any more. I run too much to make those viable. I’ve still got some awesome ones that I wear out at weekends or on special occasions but they aren’t regular wear. Hence I won’t buy any more.
  2. I don’t do well with skirts and dresses. I don’t like them much in the winter. I’m a fan in the summer but the combination of tights and boots etc is hard to pull off so I won’t be buying any more for a while.
  3. I’m a denim, black, grey and cream kind of girl. I have the occasional splash of colour, like a pink shirt or a coral scarf but generally, I like the neutrals.
  4. I’m loving French style. New rule: Would a French woman wear this? If no, I’m less bothered.
So now I have a new/old wardrobe. It seems like it’s made up of sets of three which might be a rule in itself!
  • Coats and jackets – One green parka, one black leather jackets and one camel overcoat
  • Denim – Black skinny jeans, mid blue skinny jeans and light denim shorts
  • Scarves – Grey, coral and nude
  • Shirts – Cream, denim and pink
  • Tops – Cream, black and grey with a massive bow
  • Jumpers – Coral, mink and black
  • Cardigans – Nude, black and white stripe and grey
  • Shoes – Pink ballet shoes, grey toms and white high tops
  • Boots – black heels, taupe heels and black flat bikers
  • Bags – Tan with gold bling, navy and brown
  • Layers – a random assortment of grey, black, white and cream long sleeve tops and vests

I love not having to try too hard to dress myself each morning. I’m also loving feeling like I have loads of options and that I don’t need anything.
It’s also given me more money to invest in longer life items like a camel coat or a better leather bag. I seem to be able to transition through seasons without needing to change everything too – just summer tops and flip flops to put away and scarves and coats to bring out.
It took some learning and self control but once I learned the rules, this plan has turned out to be super simple and pretty sweet. As an added bouns, the amount I’ve been giving away to charity shops has finally gone down. Try it!

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