Mountain Air

It's hard to put into words the feeling I get when I reach the mountains. That first breath of fresh mountain air, that crisp cold breeze that hits you in the face (sometimes quite aggressively if its -10 and snowing), and that first ski run of the holiday when your legs haven't quite remembered what to do and you get distracted by every beautiful view you see.

Mount Tremblant, Canada January 2016

This was my fourth visit to Tremblant and every time I go it's special and I never want to leave. Yes I love a beach holiday or a city break as much as the next person, but there is something so satisfying and cleansing about being in the mountains. I truly feel at peace when I get to the top of the mountain and look out all around me to snow capped trees and gorgeous views for miles. I may not be the best skier, the most stylish or the most adventurous but who cares? I go because I love it and it gives me a chance to just be. To be free and wild and scream and shout all the way down a mountain, green run or black, who cares?

My dad and I ski, we laugh and we love it. We stop regularly and refuel on hot chocolate and crisps, we tackle icy blue runs with stumbles and no style, we race down green runs like kids and we just have the best time. We snide at the children who are all amazing, we tut at the snowboarders who sit in the middle of the piste, we laugh at each other when we fall rather than offering help. That is what skiing and being in the mountains is to me. It's true enjoyment, even when I'm freezing, tired and every part of me aches, I still wake up the next morning, bundle on all the layers, stuff my feet into heavy boots and can't wait to get back out there.

My mum is the sensible one, she enjoys the 'Après Ski' lifestyle, of swimming and spas, walks and hot chocolates around a fire place. And I don't blame her at all. This is one of the best resorts to be doing such leisurely activities, where everything is on your doorstep and you can still come up the mountain for the day, enjoy the views, have lunch in the lodge and get the lift back down too (much to my mum's relief that she doesn't have to ski down). We opted for a family day out walking for 4miles around Lake Tremblant and looking back at my favourite ski resort, that's where we captured some of these gorgeous photos.

Canada is one of my favourite destinations to visit, especially Tremblant, and I am even desperate to come back and visit in the Spring or Summer to do lots of exploring and outdoor activities. I'm just a bit scared that I might miss that crisp cold air and snow beneath my skis.

Lean In 2016

New Year, New Me? Hardly, it's a tough start to the year but I will take that and use it to my advantage (as much as I can). January is always the month of fitness, diets, health and starting fresh. For me I think I have done a pretty good job at the end of 2015 to keep myself fit and I'm only going to continue and improve. Creating a healthier diet plan is now top of my list, so I purchased The Body Coach - Lean in 15 and am already loving the recipes. 

I managed to snag some great deals before Christmas during the Black Friday sales and treated myself to some new workout leggings and trainers. Purchased from the fabulous Sweaty Betty I deliberated over what colours and styles to buy for quite some time, but after some sound advice from the sales assistant and some bounding around the shop in the trainers, I opted for Asics Gel-Kayano. They are super comfortable, brightly coloured and with the special memory foam and gel base they mould to my feet. It's as though I have purchased custom made shoes (dream!).

So 2016, I don't know what to expect, what might or might not happen but I will tackle it with all I have. Starting tonight with my first class of the year, a solid 45minute circuits session to remind me what my body can do when I try, although after all that Christmas food and drink it might be a disaster.

And as for resolutions; read more, write more, travel more and believe. Things will work out eventually.

Frimley Fun Run

On Sunday I took part in a charity fun run to raise money for Frimley Park Hospital. It was a great event, a little damp on the outset, but with everyone there with high spirits ready to race we all felt the love.

I decided to take part not only to raise money for such a great cause but also to challenge myself. A 2.5km fun run may not be a marathon but it is a start. It is important to live a healthy and happy lifestyle, I find that running not only makes my body feel good but it helps to clear the mind and get the endorphins flowing. That's good all round.

We ran the race in 15mins45, we witnessed a lot of fantastic fancy dress from families and we received a lot of support. We are raising money to help the hospital raise money to build a centre dedicated to early diagnosis of Breast Cancer, a disease that we want to beat.

If you would like to donate to my fundraising page then here is the link

Friday Feeling

 

I have definitely got that 'Friday Feeling' today. This week I have worked hard, I've worked out and I have got a result! Keeping it hush-hush for now but it is safe to say I am very excited for things to come. Oh and bonus, this time next week I'll be in KL on my stop over before I reach beautiful Bali to reunite with my friends. So now to enjoy some sunshine and the weekend with some tasty chocolates and my favourite magazine. Yes, today is definitely a dance-around-the-room Friday Feeling. 

Keep pushing

After a long day at work, I really didn't feel like heading to the gym last night. However, I got myself into my gym gear, out into the rain and on my way to Circuits. As always, one workout was all it took to switch my mood around. Each time I feel like I can't be bothered or feel like giving up I will remember the feeling, the feeling of accomplishment and the smile I have on my face at the end of a workout. Exhausted, sweaty but feeling more energised and happy. Last night I beat my PB of 12 full push-ups, maybe to some that seems like a small achievement, but for me, a girl who has always struggled with upper body strength and weak arms, I was very proud of myself. I will keep at my sessions and I will continue to document my progress, living a healthy and happy lifestyle. So now for a cup of tea and Mentliast marathon; it's all about the balance.

Trends to Track

Trends to Track

I have always had an interest in fashion combined with sport. Ever since seeing the Fashion V Sport collection at the V&A back in 2009, I loved how the juxtaposition of a catwalk and the running track could actually work side-by-side. This mood board explores some current collections that are combing catwalk style with sports.

Currently loving the new collection by Jack Wills with the new creative director Richard Nicoll, you can expect to see the classic JW sweatshirts and sweatpants, with a more modern twist with shirts and dresses, alongside a new monograming tool to customise your clothes with JW & London inspired patches. How can I forget about the fabulous new Stellasport collection created by Stella McCartney for Adidas. This younger and more affordable collection is bright, fun and right on trend. Get your trainers and head outside; to the gym or to the office, you can make sports style work for you.

Take a look at my mood board and let me know how you feel about sports style on the catwalk.

Chantelle launch their first Sports Bra and join forces with Surrey Storm Netball

This season Chantelle Lingerie are launching their first sports bra. With over 150 years of expertise in the lingerie business it's safe to say that this sports bra is made to the highest quality.

Chantelle is dedicated to creating lingerie which is beautiful and functional, it takes pride in it's fitting service to make sure that you are wearing the right size bra. The importance of wearing the correct bra for everyday and for fitness is to give you the support you need, to prevent damage to the breast and to prevent pain and discomfort. 

Wednesday night Chantelle unveiled their sports bra at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. They are the new sponsors of the Surrey Storm Netball Team and what better way to celebrate this collaboration then by hosting an evening of fittings, drinks and a presentation by the Chantelle team to enlighten women about how sport can effect your bust.

I was delighted to be part of the Chantelle team to help the event run smoothly and hear the women's views on our sports bra; and yes the women felt supported, comfortable and stylish in the bra. So get yourself ready to start this year right, keep fit and healthy and be supported along the way in Chantelle's Sports bra.

Available here for £44

 

It's 2015

New Year Resolutions

I decided that rather than create a list of what I will stop eating and start doing I would create a visual board. This board is here to inspire and encourage me, rather than shouting at myself when I have a hangover and need a McDonalds or when I skip a gym session because I'd rather be in bed watching Revenge. There's no need to punish myself for not following a unrealistic list.

So 2015 is all about 'This is the year' to enjoy, to celebrate, to travel, to be fit and healthy on my terms. It is also the year to challenge myself and find that dream job. Wish me luck!

What is your New Year Resolution?

Sunday Run Day

Sunday mornings are made for lazing around in bed. But once I had crawled out of my pit I decided that I should probably get out for some fresh air today.

During the week I regularly attend Circuits and Pilates classes down at my local gym which I absolutely love. I didn't realise how much I would enjoy taking part in these classes but some days they are the highlight of the working week, they give me something else to focus on for a change.

However as this week is Christmas, there are limited classes and I have more shifts at work so won't be able to attend, so only thing for it was a Sunday run day.

I gave my Sweaty Betty Leggings their first intense running trial today, as so far they've only been worn for indoor classes. I can confirm they are perfect. Comfortable, movable, supportive and flattering... Everything I'm looking for in my workout. They're also surprisingly warm for a standard fitness legging, I know it's not freezing outside but the wind makes it feel cooler and yet my legs felt protected enough for the run. 

Happy Sunday everyone x

Leggings available at: http://www.sweatybetty.com/clothes/bottoms/leggings/black-level-workout-leggings/

Sunday run day

After an alcohol fueled weekend, celebrating birthdays with close friends, it was time for a well needed run. The next two weeks I am working at Next PR and figured starting my week with a health kick would probably help get me started. 

I may not run far or fast, but I run. Just to get out there for 20minutes helps refresh my body and my clogged up mind. So now the alcohol is out of my system, I've had a fruit day and plenty of water, and my mind is ready to learn and be challenged for the next two weeks of work placement.

Go out and get those dreams, run those miles and challenge your mind. 

Open your heart to the sun..... And breath

Three days hard work and early mornings has pushed me this week. However I have enjoyed these shifts; I've been involved in merchandising the new collections in store, presenting the marketing displays, combining accessories and basically making sure the clothes look desirable to our customers. It's much more the area of fashion I want to be involved in and I feel privileged that my manager allowed me to have this responsibility to be more creative at work.

After these early days, heavy lifting and long shifts, Wednesday nights Pilates class was just what I needed. Sometimes the last thing you feel like doing is excericise after a long day, you just want to curl up in bed with chocolate and watch a film. But with a class booked, I had to get off my bum and go. 

The workout was tough, lots of thigh and bum strengthening and toning. With the sun gleaming through, pumping my legs and breathing hard I felt like I was working out all the stress and tension from the last three days. As always those last three minutes of just laying, breathing and fully relaxing and pushing out any thoughts in my mind were beneficial. Mind clear, body pushed, feeling good. 

Open your heart to the sun... And breath

Fitness update

Last night at my Pilates class we were introduced the fitness balls... this lead to lots of hysteria as our improving balance was tested and our core strength was pushed to its limits.

Since I started Pilates when I arrived home from Australia in March, I have found that it really helps to build up my core muscles and also help me to relax. Just an hour once a week is the beginning of feeling healthier inside and out. Because it is a local gym we go to, me and my mum can walk to the session each week which just adds to the work out and it's an hour and a half where I completely shut out the world; no technology and no communication with anything outside my class. I definitely need this time to just think about myself, my body and not worry about everything else going on.

Along with Pilates I am attempting these 30 Day challenges and I will admit sometimes I do miss a day so it will take me longer to complete. I find that even though I'm not noticing physical changes from the Ab workout, I have noticed a change in my strength and do find each movement easier each time and it has helped out with my core strength for my Pilates classes. Squat challenge definitely improves the tone and perkiness of the bottom. In general I am feeling stronger and leaner, I just struggle with sticking to a healthy diet and not snacking so much, but I'm sure I'll get there soon enough.

It's just best to remember that doing a little bit of exercise, whatever it is, helps not only your body but your mind. Sometimes we stress too much about things we can do nothing about. Just switch off that phone, close your mind off to the outside world and just stretch, run, jump and smile

30 Day Challenge

And so it begins. I am setting myself a goal over the next thirty days to complete the '30 day ab challenge' and the '30 day squat challenge'. Whilst the World Cup has well and truly 'kicked off' (excuse the pun) I have decided that now is as good as time as ever to attempt to complete some challenges and tone up ready for summer.

My first couple of days of squats has been okay but tomorrow it goes up to 75 and that does sound a tad more of a mountain to climb for me, but I will give it a go! 'Motivation in key, but habit is what keeps you going' taking this motto and hoping that I will be able to complete my task.

I will give weekly updates to share how I'm going and the effects I'm feeling after the work outs. Wish me luck!

Each workout is a free app I've downloaded onto my iPad 

Introduction

A new blog for a new era. After graduating university, taking time to travel and settling in back home it turns out that life does become more challenging. As the new chapter in my life is whipping through the pages faster each day, I am going to take more time to enjoy the things I love, this being photography, fashion and fitness. I am setting myself goals and not letting any mountain be too high to climb.

So here it goes; Chapter one.