Why Write This Run motivated me to sign up for my first 50 (km that is)

18 May

“Fifty kilometres? That’s more than a marathon. Are you mental?”, friend number one said quizzically as we tucked into our Thai dinner on Wednesday night. “Oh come on, she (as in me) told me she ran to Hampton Court via the motorway on Sunday,” friend number two piped up. To clarify, I wanted to get in my long run for the week so  I decided to run to the location of Write This Run.

This seemed like a good idea on Saturday night and I’d packed my bag with everything, including a change of clothes and Muc-off dry shower. But when you still have four miles left to go (according to Google Maps) at 9:25am in the morning and the conference starts at 10am, you know you’re in trouble. Thankfully, I got there (huffing and puffing) in just the nick of time and am so glad that I did because every minute of Write this Run was valuable.

Indeed, the day, which incorporated inspirational speakers, health and nutrition experts and a community of bloggers and runners, was the reason I found myself registering for the Royal Parks Ultra Marathon on Sunday evening.

Here’s why Write This Run motivated me to sign up for my first 50km.

1.  The importance of goals

One of the common themes to come out of Write This Run was this idea of goal-setting. From the 52 Marathon Man Kevin Betts, who set himself the task of running 52 sub-4 hour marathons in as many weeks to the Paratriathlete Donna DeWick and GB Olympic marathon runner Scott Overall, the speakers were all motivated by a goal. When I first started running many years ago, my goal was to complete a 5km. I quite enjoyed that so I thought why not increase the distance? I just kept going. Now with several marathons under my belt, I have already been toying with the idea of upping the distance. Can I run a little bit further? Perhaps. This um-ing and ah-ing came to a head after hearing all the speakers at Write This Run and I waved goodbye to any indecisiveness. So thank you guys for giving me the impetus to go hell with it and register for my first 50km challenge.

GB Olympic marathon runner Scott Overall talks about his experiences at Write This Run

Apologies for the rubbish picture but you can just about see GB Olympic marathon runner Scott Overall talking about his experiences at Write This Run

 

2. Mimi Anderson

Not only does the pint-sized blonde Mimi Anderson hold three World Records, she’s also incredibly funny. Quote from Twitter: “Taking HWMBO shopping to Bluewater, slightly concerned as I tell him everything I buy is free – might get caught out!” Mimi is a lady after my own heart and her steely determination has seen her complete some of the world’s toughest challenges. The Marvellous Mimi has almost run across almost every continent. She has run epic races such as the Double Badwater in South Africa (and been the first British female to do so) and also shown the boys who’s boss. In short, Mimi is exceptional. And when I find that the going gets tough during training, I’m going to think what would Mimi do? Answer: she would never give up.

2. You can train smarter not harder

Finally, after years of plodding the streets, over-training and, quite frankly, wasting far too much energy training inefficiently. Write This Run really brought it home that perhaps I haven’t been training as well as I could. It’s not like I haven’t read up on running techniques but I’m a bit impatient when it comes to  putting theory into practice. Let’s just blame the internet and say I have a short attention span and nothing at all to do with the fact that I’m a little bit lazy and stuck in my ways. Thankfully, Karen Weir was at hand to stir things up and offer her tips on how to run better. The words “squeeze and lean” were a moment of clarity and I’m already putting this idea into practice. If you see a crazy blonde lady with a confused look running around the perimeter of Regent’s Park, then that’ll be me concentrating on the following three ideas: three steps per second, picking up my legs at the back to create 90 degree angles (I may have to rope the boyfriend into videoing me) and squeezing the “credit card” between my butt cheeks. Yup, training for the Royal Parks Ultra will be unlike anything I’ve ever done before.

4. Writing this run will change my attitude

One of the funniest questions of the day (well, I thought so anyway) was when someone asked Mimi about the best goody bag she’d ever received but the end reward is only part of the race. I already train (haphazardly) for various 10km and cross-country, so why write about my training for the 50km? This could actually work in my favour as I’m fairly undisciplined when it comes to training programmes. In fact, and this is the crux of the matter, I have never followed a training plan in my life. Call me Forest Gump without the deep South American accent. I’m Miss Plodalong, who runs to work during the week and fits in a long run before buying a coffee and paper for the boyfriend in bed at the weekend. Maybe it’s time to change my attitude and actually find a training plan to stick to and then validate it through words. I don’t want to sound presumptious but I hope you guys will be my checks and balances, my support network and my running  buddies on the way.

5.  The ready-made running community

I already know what a lovely bunch of people runners are. When we see fellow runners struggling during a race, we offer words of encouragement to spur them on. And yes, I’m feeling quite emotional just thinking about the times that other runners have encouraged me to keep going when I’ve contemplated giving up. We even have a code (well some of us) known as the runners’ nod. Translate this to the World Wide Web and you have runners who tweet each other, share their experiences online and support each other through the good times and the bad. I’ve already experienced this post-London Marathon but just knowing that (to borrow a phrase from the personal trainer Stuart Emory) Twitter can make you fitter and the virtual community are ready to help is a real boost. It feels like Write This Run was just the beginning to what could be an amazing and well-informed running community.

Beki @MissWheezy and Laura of life.laura.london enjoy lunch including Chobani yoghurts - protein-packed snacks, yum!

Beki @MissWheezy and Laura of life.laura.london enjoy lunch including Chobani yoghurts – protein-packed snacks, yum!

And if you have any tips for running a 50km, please let me know. I really am all ears.

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Bienvenue Rentez-Vous – would you rent my wardrobe?

13 May
Rails of clothing from Rentez-Vous

Rails of clothing from Rentez-Vous

If I told you that I owned pieces from the likes of Peter Pilotto, Emma Cook, Sonia Rykiel and more, would you be interested in at least taking a peek? Of course you would. I know I’m always itching to investigate the wardrobes of my stylish friends to see if there are a few pieces that I can borrow. It was with this idea in mind that the Parisienne Fiona Designi set up Rentez-Vous. She took the idea of swapping clothes between roommates to the next level, so fashionistas can share their wardrobes and discover new looks and young designers without parting with the big bucks.

This suits me down to a tee. While I love shopping, my current wardrobe is busting at the seams. I’d love to be able to rent out a few pieces that I only wear on certain occasions. On a practical level, I do not have the space to house any more clothing. When it comes to my own unique style, I have to admit that I’ve become pickier with age. I’d rather have fewer, higher quality pieces than the latest throwaway fashion.  This all sounds very well and I do try and save up but in reality, (and as a property owner), I find myself number crunching and wondering if I can really live on soup for lunch as I gaze at the beautiful creations on Net-A-Porter, Matches, MyTheresa and more. Rentez-Vous offers me the opportunity to up my fashion game at a minimal price.

The fact that it’s already a hit in the my home from home Paris also means it gets a thumbs up from me. Those chic Parisiennes certainly know when they’re on to a good thing. By now you may be wondering how Rentez-Vous works. Well, essentially it’s a low-key event held in a bars or cafes, where you can browse the rails of clothing from bloggers and young designers. Owners set their own prices (the equivalent over here of the range of prices would be between £10-£40) and those attending can select what they want. You pay for the garment, rent it for three weeks and organise and pay for that piece to be dry-cleaned or washed, according to the owner’s instructions. After three weeks, you deliver it to one of the drop-off points around the capital. It really is that simple. Rentez-Vous are also keen to encourage up’n'coming designers to rent out their wares. If you like a certain piece from their latest collections, you may also have the chance of purchasing it later. Yes, you can try before you buy.

I’m sure that Rentez-Vous could catch on in a country. It’s a similar concept to the phenomenon that is Airbnb (check out my property in Bath here) but instead of renting out a home for a set period of time, you are renting out a garment.  I’m not going to deny that a certain level of trust is involved in the transaction but, as with Airbnb, a contract is drawn up between the owner and the renter with a deposit.

Rentez-Vous really is like sharing between an extended network of fashion ‘friends’. And don’t just take my word for it. I was one of a few bloggers who attended a secret Rentez-Vous event in London organised by LDNbloggers at the weekend and we all agreed that it was a fabulous way to temporarily extend our wardrobe without the hefty price-tag.

The LDNbloggers at #secretRTV

The LDNbloggers at #secretRTV

We were all asked to bring five items of clothing with us and then name each piece. We then had a go ourselves at creating new looks from the clothes on offer and then choose one piece to take away with us for three weeks (more on that later). The owners of the pieces that we had chosen then explained why they called them that word and the history of the garment, which explored the association of clothing with memories and really brought the garments to life.  It was also interesting that everyone loved the clothing provided by the guest designer Evelina Romano and shows that Rentez-Vous really could be a showcase for new designers.

It really is all very exciting and you will not have to wait very long until the next event as it’s on 30 May at The Old Shoreditch Station. Sign up on their Facebook page for more news.

What do you think? Will you get involved in Rentez-Vous?

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We Own The Night with Nike

10 May

With only a week to go until the big race, I thought I’d talk a bit about my experience of training for We Own The Night with Nike and Elle magazine.

When it comes to organising a race, Nike pull out all the stops. And with We Own The Night, they have thought about everything, no really.

From Master Trainers to opportunities to run with popstars (yes I sound like my Dad but am referring to Ellie Goulding), they are doing a great job of motivating the women of London to don their most stylish training gear and get training for a run to remember. They even have an area in Niketown London, where you can select a look from their sportswear collection, edited by Elle magazine, and have your photo taken. If that is not enough, they’ve asked loads of popular bloggers to create their own teams of runners.

Nike kit edited by Elle

Nike kit edited by Elle with those leggings.

It didn’t take much to persuade me to sign up as part of Team Naturally – Naturally, Leah’s gang – but I couldn’t help feeling like a bit of a fraud. After all, this is not my first 10 km run. More often than not, events like this are geared towards beginner runners, which is no bad thing. But when you’re experienced, you kind of feel a bit like a show-off. It’s like you’re shouting, “Hey, look at me guys and how fast I can run – bet you can’t catch me”, without actually saying anything at all. And I have to say, after two Monday night sessions, I was completely wrong.

The first training session, they had us doing hill training, as in running up and down Primrose Hill, where you can enjoy awesome views of London once you have finally caught your breath. Then, to be really kind, they pushed us to do a fast few kilometres back to base. The following week, they had us doing tempo runs and despite the fact it almost killed me, the Nike Trainer Gemma, made me really appreciate having someone there to tell you what to do. She had me running four lamp posts at a fast pace, followed by four at a recovery pace. I have to say that I would never mix up my training in the same way if I was running by myself.

I am really looking forward to the last session on Monday and will be sad if they do not continue them throughout the summer. In addition to the Monday night, Nike offered Train to Run sessions on a Wednesday. My team leader, Naturally, Leah also organised a special training event last nigh,t taken by the Master Trainer Gil Cramer, who put us through our paces and offered some useful tips. These included – do not eat anything you haven’t tried before on race day, eat a heavy breakfast and then lightly throughout the day and keep hydrated. Gil also told us about the latest school of thought when it comes to powering your races – use your glutes and hamstrings for more efficiency. I’m definitely going to try and keep this in mind on my runs. In fact, he fired up our glutes something proper and I’m feeling it a little today.

All in all, my experience with We Own The Night has been extremely positive and it’s definitely spurred on my training to get back in shape to beat those PBs. I also have put a pair of those Nike sunset leggings on my must-have list. They would look perfect with my vivid orange race day t-shirt.

Nike, you have done your job well, extremely well.

If you do want to find out a bit more about me, check out my post on Naturally, Leah.

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My five make-up must-haves

30 Apr
Make-up essentials (clockwise) Lush

Make-up essentials (clockwise Lush Feeling Younger, Giorgio Armani Face Fabric, Young Blood blush, Illamasqua compact, Bourjois Volume Glamour mascara)

Everyone has their staples – you know, the make-up products they couldn’t live without. Well, here are the top five essentials in my make-up bag.

1. Lush Feeling Younger, £12 for 20g

I used to swear by Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat until I discovered this little beauty from Lush. With a souffle-like texture and packed full of light-reflecting particles that Lush says are a ‘magic orange’ pigment, this really is my go-to when I’m feeling a little fragile from the night before and need to cover up the old dark circles. When mixed in with my Dr Jarts, it instantly lifts my complexion. I also like to use it as a highlighter on my brows, cheeks or even as an eyeshadow when I’m going for a fresh-faced look.

2. Giorgio Armani Face Fabric, £31

Light-weight and easy to blend, Giorgio Armani’s Face Fabric offers extra coverage without weighing down the skin. You don’t even notice you’re wearing it until you see an even complexion in the mirror. Created with what they call 3D  Micro–fil™ technology, you can build up layers and blend to create skin-enhancing contours. What I most love about Face Fabric is the texture – it feels like silk on the skin. Great coverage may come at a price (it’s £31 for 41ml) but as every make-up artist will tell you, get the foundation right and you’re halfway there already.

3. YOUNGBLOOD Rose Quartz blush, £24

This is the perfect blush for those who want a light glow.  It has a slight iridescent finish but this simply warms up the complexion. Rose Quartz is especially flattering if you’re blessed with the  colouring of an English Rose. I tend to apply the creamy texture to my cheekbones in the morning and it lasts all day. The formula is also oil-free so your face doesn’t feel caked in make-up. And if you’re after more intense colour, you can always use it as a base under powder. YOUNGBLOOD blush is a fantastic alternative to Benefit’s Benetint and only one product from a range of mineral-based make-up from the States that deserves a bit more of our attention.

4. Illamasqua Generation Q – Empower palette, £34

Illamasqua Generation Q Empower palette is the perfect blend of colours for day and night. You can choose to wear one of the four eyeshadows - Synth (iridescent pale pink glitter), Fervent (reddish brown with multi-tonal shimmer), Blink (soft beige nude) and Slick (charcoal grey metallic) – alone or you can wear them all at once, building up the layers. I particularly like to go smoky by wearing Fervent over Slick (which is the only creamy eyeshadow of the palette).  This combination of colours make your eyes pop.

5. Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Care mascara, £7.99

The baby sister of Chanel make-up never fails to impress. Their Ultra Care mascara coats every one of my lashes and adds volume, thanks to the soft fibres and generous brush. This is a great mascara for those who, like me, wear contact lenses or have sensitive eyes as it doesn’t itch. The formula also contains nourishing cotton and sweet almond oils, so it conditions your lashes too (bonus).  If there was one thing on this list that I couldn’t live without, it has to be this lash-boosting mascara. It instantly lifts my look in the flash of a mascara wand.

What are your make-up must-haves or beauty essentials that you really can’t live without?

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London Marathon 2013: The verdict

23 Apr

London Marathon 2013: The verdict

It was hot, it was tough and, boy, the London Marathon 2013 taught me a valuable lesson.

It’s not like I didn’t know what I was getting myself in for. I mean I have run eight marathons including London.

You could say that the London Marathon is why I am a little bit addicted to 26.2 miles. After all, it was my first – so spurred me on to try more – and it was also my weak spot. Back in 2011, I had to pull out during the race as I felt like I was going to keel over. This in turn gave me the push I needed to prove to myself that I could a) complete a marathon and b) get used to going the distance.

And it was with this complacency that I went into the London Marathon this year.

Did I train as hard as I had done before? To be honest, no. Partly because I was hesitant to really push myself as I did not want to aggravate my injury and partly because I went on holiday for two weeks in February and have been here, there and everywhere over the past few months.

Was I as fully prepared as I could have been? Probably not. I mean I knew what the drill was but I still hadn’t got my stuff together until the night before.

I think I was probably a little deluded – shall I call it a false sense of security? I believed that as I had done it before, I could do it again without putting in all the effort. I guess you could liken it to re-taking your driving test when you haven’t been in front of the wheel for three or so years. You’d be a little bit rusty, wouldn’t you?

And I wasn’t just rusty but full-on corroded. The first 10 or so miles were fine, I was feeling good, powerful, strong. My boyfriend had kissed me goodbye at the start, I was headed towards my folks, who were standing just over the other side of Tower Bridge and the crowd was on fire (London has the best support hands-down). But as the temperature increased and I felt a dull ache in my calves, I started to ask myself questions. Could I still run marathons? Maybe I should have trained a bit harder, taken it a bit more seriously. How can a man in a mankini run faster than me?

My legs became heavier, my stomach was turning somersaults and I was feeling the burn. The only thing that kept me going was a promise that I made to my long-suffering boyfriend, who incidentally rose from his slumber to see me off at the start-line. I told him that I would come back in one-piece; I was not going to have a repeat of last time. And once I got over the fact that I wasn’t going to do my PB or even close to it, I changed my tempo and tried to enjoy the atmosphere until the bitter end.

I’m not going to lie and say the London Marathon was the best thing ever – it wasn’t. In fact, in terms of marathons and races, it is way down there on the list. But I only have myself to blame. I now know that I have to train harder and smarter to smash my PB. And maybe, that is always what the London Marathon will be to me, the catalyst that reminds me to truly get my running act together so I can confidently race a marathon once again.

What was your experience of  the London Marathon 2012?

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From Paris with love: the French label Tara Jarmon

18 Apr
From Paris with love: the French label Tara Jarmon

Copyright Tara Jarmon

If you want to know how to wear colour this summer, use Tara Jarmon’s spring/summer collection as a guide.

The Canadian Paris-based designer has really nailed it this season with her combination of simple Audrey Hepburn-esque shapes in eye-catching colours.

From figure-flattering dresses such as this pretty Ottoman sleeveless shift (it looks so much brighter in real life) and cigarette-style trousers  with a bold floral print, this spring/summer collection wouldn’t look out of place in Betty Draper’s wardrobe.
Tara Jarmon

Choose to go all-out in colour or select from a wide number of separates and accessories –  Tara Jarmon’s simple cuts of silky tissues and soft fabrics are guaranteed to brighten up your summer wardrobe.

Here are just a few of my favourite pieces to refresh your look this season:

Tara Jarmon picks

Tara Jarmon yellow coat, orange trousers and playsuit

It’s super difficult to track the collection online but I found an amazing selection in the Tara Jarmon shop on Bond St, London, or on the site monshowroom.com

All images taken from monshowroom.com

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Eight marathons and counting, my top tips

9 Apr

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After eight and three-quarter marathons, I’d like to think that I know a little bit about going the distance. I’m not by any means near Olympic standard but I have felt the pain and exhilaration of going the distance. Yes, I’ve had my fair share of great moments and times when this-hurts- like- hell but that hasn’t stopped me from signing up for my next big challenge. While I know that there is no perfect marathon formula, it may be worth casting your eyes over this for some last-minute tips.

1. Find your own rhythm

If you’re aiming for a particular time, then try and stick to it. Don’t, whatever you do, get so excited that you “sprint” the first half, only to find that you’re somewhat unsurprisingly lagging in the energy department during the latter stages.  I always think of my favourite children’s fable about the tortoise and the hare. I’m not exactly a tortoise but I know that I need to keep it steady.  You may think that you can give the fit bloke next to you a ‘run’ for his money (and perhaps you can) but a marathon is as much about running 26.2 miles as it is proving your speed. Pace yourself during your training so you know when you have to slow down and take time to find your own rhythm.

2. Don’t overdo it with the water

There’s no denying that you put your body through a hell of a lot when you run a full marathon. You’ll certainly feel it for days afterwards. Drinking and refueling is a given. Go easy though on the water front.  It’s pretty obvious that if you drink too much, you may feel the call of nature on the way round (and there’s nothing worse than trying to find a portoloo during a race). But more seriously, drinking too much water by itself can affect the salt balance in your body, leaving you feeling weak and unable to carry on. I always add a few zero salts – Berocca-style tablets that aren’t the best in the taste department but have a good balance of electrolytes – to a bottle of water and drink before I go. These also help to stop the dreaded cramp in bed late on post-marathon night.

3. Think about your outfit

Now you don’t have to colour coordinate or channel the latest sports luxe look from the catwalk (but if Richard Nicholl is listening, I’d totally do your look for the London Marathon 2013), a little bit of thought behind your outfit however can make or break your performance. You want to feel comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing. I remember one year I wore short shorts and the chaffing on my inner thighs post-race was pretty painful and not pretty. I soon invested in a tub of Vaseline. Also watch out for rubbing under your arms, the dreaded cracked heels, blisters, bruised toenails, the list goes on. If you can afford a splurge, buy some high-tech compression socks. I’m not going to recommend any as I stand by my Boots’ flight socks. They may grannify my outfit but they sure do help during the last stages of the race. And don’t think it’s a good idea to trial out your new trainers on race day. Your feet and legs will not thank you for it.  Remember to take clothes that you can slip into easily afterwards, including a dry T-shirt. Struggling into a pair of tight-fitting jeans when your muscles are on fire is not the best.

4. Make arrangements prior to the finish

It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or a beginner, it’s always a good idea to have someone to meet you at the end. You never know what state you may be in. It was super-tricky trying to find my boyfriend and folks after my first-ever marathon because I didn’t realise that half the entrants surnames began with the letter ‘B’ (or maybe they didn’t but it certainly seemed that way). The phone networks were also down and I was so glad I spotted my dad in the crowd as I was feeling a little bit worse for wear. At the busy marathons such as London, my advice would be to choose a letter like ‘X’ or ‘Y’ to meet your supporters.

5. Don’t eat curry the night before

For obvious reasons. Stick to something plain like pasta with sauce and forgo the alcohol for one weekend.  There may be some truth behind the urban legend of a runner who had ten pints the night before and then skipped around the course but I wouldn’t follow his example. Alcohol dehydrates the body and causes your blood sugar levels to drop so you will not be able to function at your full capacity, that’s if you can function at all. I don’t really change my diet pre-marathon and I’m not one of those who can gobble down a full-English pre-race. In fact, I can barely eat at all (shock horror).  When it comes to food, everyone has their own regime and gets to know what works best. It’s worth considering what you’ll take with you on race day in terms of fuel. Try a range of different fuel such as bananas, gels, sweets, bars etc… out before the big day to find your magic ingredient. Mine happens to be jelly beans and I pop them in a plastic easy-to-open bag for when I need that extra burst of energy.

6. Have fun

You may be aiming for a PB or sub 4 hour time but don’t forget to absorb the atmosphere and the surroundings. Granted, London isn’t the prettiest marathon of them all but the crowd really lift your mood. Get your name written on your vest so people can shout it out and spur you on. City marathons really put on a show so enjoy it. From the African drums down near Bermondsey to the brass band over at East India, it’s really a big party and you (and 38,000 other runners) are the special guests. Embrace it!

7. Remember failure makes you stronger

The photo at the top of the page was taken the day before my second London Marathon. At the time I was psyched, feeling stronger than ever and all ready to beat my PB. And then I made all the wrong moves, including eating curry the evening pre-marathon. Cue a big disaster waiting to happen. From the moment I woke up, I had a niggling feeling that it was going to be a struggle, and it was. By about mile 10, I was running on empty and my legs were heavy. And at mile 18, I had to give up for the sake of my health. After months of training towards this day, it felt like the world had come crashing down on me and I was both mentally and physically crushed. So what did I do? Well, I signed up and completed four more marathons that year. Don’t let one bad run break you completely. Learn from it and you’ll be a much stronger and more confident runner.

Well, that’s it for now. Let me know how you get on if you’re joining me next week at the London Marathon.

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My running medal haul

7 Apr

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Coming home to the folks is always a joy, especially at this time of year. Last night I was discussing with the folks how I was feeling about my training for the London marathon, when my mum piped up: “You’ve got a tin of medals upstairs, which you may want to look at.” So post-run this morning, I dug out my medal haul and the photo above is the result.

I have to admit that at this stage I’m rather nervous about the London marathon. After all, it is the first marathon since my injury last year and I don’t feel completely on form.

Nevertheless, if I needed any encouragement, this tin was the right way to go. Simply the sight of these medals has lifted my mood. Now I’m not the type to count how many races I’ve done and if you ask me even now, I’m not even sure. It’s more the memories attached to the medals and races that make me smile.

Take the Santa Race, for example. I remember running the five (or maybe six) km course around Battersea Park in a full-on Santa outfit, including beard, thinking I wish I could just strip out of this ruddy hot costume. But I didn’t. In fact, nobody did because the entire point of the race was to look silly and join in with your fellow Santas. Sure, there are some races that you compete in to get your PB but there are others that you do to be a part of something. And I guess we all wanted to get hot in a red felted disguise together and be the proud owners of a Santa costume afterwards.

Other memories spring instantly to mind when I look at these medals – like my second Silverstone half, when I had to race to the starting line as we were stuck in a traffic jam. Or my first Paris marathon, where I was amazed by the handing out of wine (I joke not) at mile 22.  For every medal I look at, it’s like a flashback to the race in question.

If anything, laying out my life of races like this reminds me that no matter what happens on race day, it will be more than just a another memento to pop in my tin.

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Colin Leslie, Leyla Razavi and an afternoon in East London

1 Apr
Colin Leslie, Leyla Razavi and an afternoon in East London

A quintet model Colin Leslie’s Bamboo sunglasses on a sidewalk near Brick Lane.

I’ve not shot street style for years but when the opportunity to show off Colin Leslie’s fabulous collection of bamboo eyewear arose, who was I to say no? Armed with a selection of his glasses, including cool Ray Ban styles and aviators, my friend the photographer Leyla Razavi and I headed to the trendy parts of East London to see how the hipsters would wear them. And we’re pretty pleased with the results. Who do you think pulls them off best? Let me know in the comments section as they could win a prize!

@AnnaPeill teamed them with dip-dyed locks.

@AnnaPeill teamed them with dip-dyed locks.

@Amycarey looked good in Tortoise.

@Amycarey looked good in Tortoise.

We captured @applesucker carrying a bunch of white flowers.

We captured @applesucker carrying a bunch of white flowers.

A fab contrast with the red lippy. @chels_francesca

A fab contrast with the red lippy. @chels_francesca

@conniejeffreys Showing off the shades.

@conniejeffreys Showing off the aviator shades.

@excesschillstep does the geek look.
@excesschillstep does the geek look.

@kristianagrant shows off her colours.
@kristianagrant shows off her colours.

@sarahlsmith4 pink and retro red - what a combo!
@sarahlsmith4 pink and retro red – what a combo!

@sonofwillye Old Skool 90s denim and white tortoise.

@sonofwillye Old Skool 90s denim and white tortoise.

AnnaGrinbergs-Saull

Anna Grinbergs-Saull

Ben Sanchez in his beanie.

Ben Sanchez in his beanie.

What a cute couple.

What a cute couple.

Damien Leroy in a flat cap and black retro glasses.

Damien Leroy in a flat cap and black retro glasses.

Katie Bray having a 60s moment.

Katie Bray having a 60s moment.

All the glasses are available at Colin Leslie’s website and start from £45, which I think is a pretty good price for ethically sourced bamboo frames. In fact, the entire frame is ethically produced and includes features made from recycled acetate and plastic products. Colin Leslie has already shown at London Fashion Week and his glasses were selected to be a part of the BRITs’ 2013 official goodie bag.

All I can say is that if you’re looking to upgrade your eyewear this season and want something a little different from the norm, take a look at Colin Leslie’s collection.

All photos copyright Leyla Razavi.

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From Paris with love – the French label Bensimon

26 Mar
Bensimon shoes

Bensimon Liberty print Tennis

It all started with a pair of shoes. Not the ones pictured here but a plainer version of the famous Bensimon “Tennis” shoe that I sold while working at the boutique Koh Samui in Covent Garden, London. Unlike ba&sh, I hadn’t heard of the French brand Bensimon when I was living in France, which is a shame because I love their style. I guess you could describe it as a mixture of casual basics with a twist or Gap’s slightly cooler older sister.

According to the blurb on the Bensimon website, the adventure began pre-Converse in the mid-80s. Serge Bensimon was inspired by old army style sneakers  and his cool, yet understated designs were soon picked up on by the French glitterati. Indeed, the fact that they don’t have a logo splashed across them and are fairly neutral are a real selling point and the shoppers at Koh Samui seemed to agree. The “Tennis” was one of the bestsellers because you can wear them with anything. They also cost from around £25 and last for ages, so they’re a fantastic buy for fans of the dress-down look. I picked up the pair of Bensimon Liberty print  Tennis (pictured) at Found, Bath and they make an appearance teamed with a pair of jeans, shorts or even dress every summer.

If like me, you love what you see, you’ll be pleased to discover that Bensimon have expanded their range to include colourful basics, a trendy collection called B.Team, bags, luggage, lifestyle products and even music. From great little finds such as this « Les pieds dans l’eau  » pillow by photographer Cécile Brulé for Chardons bleus (78 Euros) to their own label multifunctional travelling bag, Bensimon has become a on-stop concept store.

Cécile Brulé

Cécile Brulé cushion

Whether the idea behind Gallery S.Bensimon  and the store would work across la Manche remains to be seen but I’d like to think that all the hipsters in Dalston would embrace the no-fuss, utilitarian yet chic style of Bensimon.

Here are a few items from the clothing range and price-wise, it’s pretty reasonable:

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denim skirt

The grey cardigan is 34,50 Euros and the skirt is 29,50 Euros.

Do you think Bensimon would work over here?

All photos (apart from the top photo) are copyright of Bensimon.

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My beauty stash: Skin Wisdom Instant Benefits Line Eraser

20 Mar

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They say with age comes wisdom. In my eyes, the only sage piece of advice I need can be found in a tube called Skin Wisdom Instant Benefits Line Eraser.

While I still have the get up and go of a young 20-something, my face tells a different story. Hence why this handy piece of skin kit helps smooth out those early signs of the aging process.

As the name suggests, the line eraser does just that, helping to reduce those laughter lines around mouth and curiosity crinkles on my forehead. This is perhaps because the most active ingredient (according to the list) is a type of silicon called cyclopentasiloxane or CPS. Before you get put off by the long name, it’s important to say a bit about this chemical. Essentially, CPS acts as a barrier on the skin, leaving it looking silky and smooth and filling in the cracks. The result is a more youthful appearance when it’s applied over your moisturiser.

It’s also part of a range of extremely affordable Skin Wisdom products created for Tesco by skincare queen Bharti Vyas. It may cost the equivalent of a grande latte from Starbucks (£3.50) but the science and care put into this handy tube is worth a whole lot more. It’s high-tech skincare at a price that everyone can afford.

Have you ever tried Skin Wisdom from Tesco? What did you think?

 

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That Nike Training Club post on Facebook

19 Mar

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As a self-confessed Fitness Freak, who loves nothing better on a Saturday morning than heading out for a Parkrun or getting muddy in Victoria Park as I attempt to do umpteen burpees, I couldn’t have been more pleased to become part of the Nike Training Club community.

It’s the perfect answer to my fitness conundrum. By attending these weekly classes, I can work on muscles that I usually ignore due to my single-minded running mentality, and I don’t have to pay for the privilege. Bonus! But seriously, I love going to a weekly class with other like-minded individuals. No matter what the weather, we’re out there, getting grubby and working up a sweat. Mostly make-up free (and sometimes slightly hungover from the night before), we love the buzz from an amazing workout. And from all their previous campaigns, I thought Nike understood – that was until I saw THAT post on Facebook.

Put simply they posted a photo of a picture-perfect young girl reclining across a bed of leaves underneath the question: “Flat whites and chit chats. Hot baths and gossip mags. What do you do after a tough workout?” My first reaction was “are they having a laugh?” There I was, (ironically) sipping on my hot chocolate after my 19 miler on Sunday, about to jump in the shower with Nike asking if I was going to “chit chat”. I couldn’t agree more with LungesandLycra who suggested this abnormal post was a massive fluff-filled girl-over. What next? Tips on how to prevent your lip liner from smudging when running a marathon? While I understand that some may not have a problem with this and my partner thought I was exaggerating. But come on ‘chit chat’? If you ever see me post-race or NTC, then you’ll know last thing I want to do is ‘chit chat’. It’s like they’ve forgotten who some of their audience are.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good gossip, coo over a pair of Louboutins and have been known to wear plastic bags over furry footwear (in case they were ruined by the wet weather). But it’s a whole different ball game when I’m in training mode. Hell, I’m fiercely competitive, determined and darn right fearless. I embrace the dirt, throw myself into it and don’t care if I’m a hot and sweaty mess when the hour’s over. That’s why the blood, sweat and competitive nature of Nike Training Club appealed to me.

So this is an appear to Nike to stay true to your roots and keep encouraging women like me to find our inner workout warriors.

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My beauty stash: Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask

14 Mar

aromatherapy-associates-anti-ageing-overnight-repair-maskAfter two weeks of Sri Lankan humidity, my skin is crying out for moisture and balance. Cue Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask.

Perfect for lazy girls like me, all you do is follow you usual cleansing routine, which in my case consists of a double-cleanse to remove the London grime, then slather on a thin layer of the stuff. They suggest that you leave it on for at least two hours but if you tend to hit the sack at 10pm (like me), why not go the whole hog and wait until morning to wash it off? I’ve tried this twice already this week and my skin is noticeably smoother because Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask is packed full of skin-plumping ingredients.

As the name suggests, Aromatherapy Associates pride themselves on combining the best essential oils to produce products that not only work but also have an impact on how you’re feeling.  I have been a fan of theirs for over three years because you can really tell that a lot of thought is behind every new product.  The founder Geraldine Howard has in-depth knowledge of the power of aromatherapy, having trained under one of aromatherapy’s pioneers Micheline Arcier, and she really is a master of her craft and an inspiration to all young women wanting to make their mark in business.

The blend of rejuvenating rose and frankincense oils of the Overnight Repair Mask calm both your skin and your mind, while the strawberry seed extracts get to work by feeding your skin with fatty acids.  Not forgetting the addition of rice germ and millet seed, which helps protect your skin against environmental damage. The result is a plumper, firmer face in the morning and a happier me.

What I also love about this product is that it contains no nasties, such as mineral oils, parabens, SLS, GM ingredients, which means they’re also fantastic if your skin is slightly sensitive.  Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask may be in the higher price range but the results are worth every penny.

Have you ever tried Aromatherapy Associates products?

 

 

 

From Paris with love – the French label ba&sh

12 Mar

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I’ll give you two guesses where this is. Oh ok, let’s make it three. When I lived in Paris a few years ago, I would pop into this place on my way home from uni to stare in awe at all the wonderful creations on show. From Chanel handbags to John Paul Gaultier’s latest creation, you could say that this was my catwalk.

This beautiful building that had stood in the 9th arrondissement for over a century was also the place where I really fell in love with ‘la mode en France’. And I’m not just talking the designer stuff.

In this great store, I discovered some quintessentially Parisian brands that I always keep my beady eye on when I visit the City of Light. In the next few posts, I’m going to be writing about these cool labels that are starting to make their way across the channel.

First up is ba&sh (photo taken from the website).

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Before I returned to the UK to complete my degree, I made it my mission to buy myself a little memento of Paris. Cue my first purchase, (well two purchases) of ba&sh clothing. Fresh and feminine, the clothing created by the duo Barbara Boccara et Sharon Krief is a mix of easy-to-wear daywear. The kind of garments you know you’ll feel comfy in but also look incredibly chic. In fact, you could say they epitomise the Parisian girl – understated, unfussy and undoubtedly elegant. ba&sh does not follow but creates classics that you can pull out of the wardrobe season after season. And I’m living proof, as my ba&sh buys continue to come out every year when the sun shines.

Here’s my five favourite looks from their spring/summer 2013 collection, what do you think?

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Nothing says casual chic more than a stripe top, blazer and jeans.

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An easy look for the office.

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A vibrant maxi to take you through the season.

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Nothing says summer more than a sunshine yellow dress.

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Team denim shorts with a blazer and shirt.

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London Fashion Week: Nasir Mazhar

21 Feb

Nasir Mazhar © catwalking.com

As the fashion editors wrap up another season at London Fashion Week and deliberate over the autumn/winter trends (think high shine, deep red, prints, sheer, gothic, black and, of course, pink as seen at Simone Rocha), I wanted to find a blend of Vauxhall Fashion Scout and Blow’s off-schedule creations. I finally discovered Nasir Mazhar’s eclectic designs, which broke the rules and seemed to imitate the street style of trendy Dalston.

And what I can tell from the photos of his collection is that his rather dramatic display played homage to his background in theatre.

While the backing vocalists donned sportswear-style crop tops, maxi or mini pleated skirts in shiny fabrics (one trend nailed) and animal print furry jackets (another trend nailed), the star of the show wore a figure-hugging combination of a long red figure-hugging skirt, furry red cropped jacket and matching earrings. The link between it all was his patches of faces (presumably him?!), which he embossed on several of the outfits.

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 Finished off with pornstar shoes (you know what I’m talking about – high-heels you’d totter in with see-through platforms) and lots of attitude, the milliner Nasir Mazhar was proof that you don’t have to stick to convention to show at London Fashion Week.

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He may not have received the column inches of his counterparts but by breaking a few rules and putting the fun back into fashion, he took the capital back to its roots.

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London Fashion Week: Erdem 2013

18 Feb

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The Canadian designer Erdem always has a trick or two up his sleeve. Think back to his spring/summer 2012 collection and you’ll recall light, fluid creations in feminine floral prints that seemed to drape nonchalantly off the shoulder. Whether it was the nape, shoulder or decollete, he created an “undressed look” for the lady and won over many a fashion follower. And his autumn/winter 2013 collection, shown today, may have secured him a place among London’s greats.

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Rather going down the rather ladylike avenue of last year, Erdem Moralioglu has created a darker and dramatic collection, which explores textures as well as his staple prints.

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From black lace overlays and velvet applique to ostrich feathers and tweed, Erdem’s not afraid to show off a little bit of flesh or even sequins and print but all was seductively hidden under sheer chiffon. There’s nothing sexier than this idea that you can look but you can’t touch.

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With cropped jackets flashing a little bit of flesh, knee-length skirts, slightly flared feminine dresses plus Edwardian-style collars, he confidently polished off the collection with a dramatically layered long lace black dress. If anything, Erdem’s definitely convinced me that he can pull off Gothic romance.

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London Fashion Week: Bora Aksu AW2013

16 Feb

London Fashion Week: Bora Aksu

London Fashion Week: Sophia Webster

13 Feb

Shoe designer, cordwainer, mistress of the heel, whatever you want to call the talented Sophia Webster, one thing is clear: she has been creating ripples of excitement among the fashion crowd for over a year.

Heels

Heels

The former assistant of hot shoe stuff Nicholas Kirkwood launched her debut collection of playful heels on Net-A-Porter last year to rapturous applause from the likes of Vogue UK and Style.com. I certainly think she’s worth making a fuss of and has bowled me over with her creativity. While I love Louboutin and one day will be a proud owner of a pair of red soles, I think Sophia’s designs put the fun into fashion.

Sophia Webster Yayoi heels

Sophia Webster Yayoi heels

Her collection is like an assemblage of the 60s meet Barbie with a dash of Japanese eccentricity thrown in. I simply love the way she’s pieced together the yellow and pink patent leather discs of a pair called Yayoi, which Net-A-Porter say are inspired artist Yayoi Kusama’s graphic dot paintings. Every detail is considered and she seems to be fond of transforming the heel into an eye-catching feature. From pink peep-toes with a flash of citrus yellow to sequin-sprayed PVC and black leather bows, I certainly want to step out in a pair from her collection this summer.Sophia Webster PVC and black leather bow Sophia also boasts a small but carefully crafted clutches are also worth a look to add a bit of razzmatazz to your little black or should I say white dress this summer. I can’t wait to find out what this bright young thing has up her sleeve for autumn/winter 2013.

What do you think of these heels?

(All photos © Net-A-Porter)

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Nailed it – red acrylics with matching gems

11 Feb

ImageIt only took me 30 years to discover the power of first acrylic nails. Despite my love for all things beauty and excitement about the latest products on market (yes, I’m talking about the Clarins Double Serum and Jane Iredale’s Pure Gloss), I’ve never been one to take care of my nails. I love the ‘Nailolympics’ at Pure Beauty and really appreciate other people’s creations but am a bit of a chronic nail-biter. It seems that no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to shift the habit.

Don’t get me wrong, there have been times when I’ve managed to go for months without chewing on my talons. Last year, I sported various shades of lacquer over the summer months and even became a bit of a pro at ‘doing my nails’. But as the sea of life took hold and I sank into the depths of anxiety, my nails became the first victim. Pretty deep, huh?

Well now I want to grow them again as I’m a bridesmaid at my brother’s wedding in October. Instead of simply paint them and hope for the best as I would normally do, I’ve taken drastic action, gone the whole hog and for the first time ever, had acrylics done.

I have to say, I’m pretty impressed so far. Granted, it took three hours of my life to decorate my very dinky fingers with tips, acrylic, varnish and gems.

To be fair, it was my choice of gem decoration that took all the time to painstakingly and patiently apply to the red varnish. But now my 3D embellishment is rock hard and, boy, don’t my nails sparkle?

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You could say that my Wizard of Oz nails have worked their magic transforming my talons from tools to jewels.

As for the nail-biting, I can confidently say that these fingers will only be going near my mouth when eating a sandwich. I hope the hard stuff will kick-start my journey to elegant nails.

What do you think of my nails?

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London Fashion Week: Peter Pilotto

7 Feb
Peter Pilotto Spring/Summer 2013

© style.com

With London Fashion Week just a week away, I’ve been reflecting over my favourite designers of the last few years whose designs have blown me away. First up, the Belgian duo Christopher De Vos and Peter Pilotto who are behind the eponymously-named Peter Pilotto. Their innovative digital printing and use of luxe fabrics has made them stand out as daring to be different.

It was time last year that they made a cold and gloomy day into one bursting in colour at the Topshop Catwalk venue next to the river Thames. It may have been a collection for Autumn/Winter but this didn’t put them off sending models complete with digitally printed puffa jackets, slimline trousers and cut-out panelled dresses down the catwalk.

The Spring/Summer 2013 also followed suit. Flashes of tropical orange and citrus green added an extra dimension to their digitally-printed fabrics and were used to accentuate a ruffle here and a peplum there. In fact, the mash-up of prints, cropped jackets and flouncy tiered skirts set Peter Pilotto apart as masters of the digital print.

Tropical orange

© style.com

It’s fantastic to see how they’ve evolved over the years. I looked back at their Spring/Summer 2009 collection, which showed inklings of digital work but nothing quite as advanced as their last show. The final pieces to hit the runway were a feast to the eyes in terms of embellishment and beading, which again harps back to some of their earlier stuff.

Peter Pilotto Spring/Summer 2013

© style.com

Peter Pilotto certainly know how to awaken the senses and use their carefully crafted techniques to wow the fashion crowd.

Personally, I can’t wait to see what is next in terms of their game plan. Bring on London Fashion Week.

What are you looking forward to most about London Fashion Week?

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1974 Biba poster by James Wedge

29 Jan

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After two years of sitting in a cardboard tube, I’ve finally framed this 1974 Biba poster by the iconic photographer James Wedge.

My boyfriend bought me this Biba poster a few years ago for my birthday and it’s not until now that I’ve wondered about the history behind it. After some research on the old internet, I’ve unearthed a little bit of information about the picture of a nude.

According to my style.com, this Biba poster was commissioned by Barbara Hulanicki’s fashion store in 1974 to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Unfortunately, it was not to be. The store that represented the fresh and high-spirited youth culture of the 60s and 70s was forced to close in 1975. This beautiful poster created by James Wedge was forgotten about until the online poster gallery 55Max unearthed them a few years ago.

Thank goodness they did as it means we can gawp at his mastery and ability to capture the essence of Biba and mood of the times. Romantic, sensual and perfectly proportioned, the nude is feline, heavenly almost, with a gaze that draws you in.

From the depth and richness of colour to the nude’s confident pose wearing nothing but a pillarbox hat, lace fingerless gloves and dramatic make-up, Wedge has symbolized what Biba stands for.

Gone is the stiff upper lip of the 50s and perfectly put together look of the 60s (think Jackie O), the Biba girl lives by her own rules, harps back to a romantic era of the and, to put it simply, loves to experiment with this new found fashion freedom and creativity.

I’m so glad I have this Biba poster on my wall. Not only is she beautiful but she’s a constant reminder what I love about fashion. Namely the fact that it is creative, artistic and most importantly fun!

What do you think of my poster?

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Trainer heaven

3 May

Trainer heaven

This is when you know you need a new pair of trainers. After just one marathon and umpteen training runs, I’ve finally worn down my New Balance.

What should I buy next? Answers on a postcard (or here on my blog please).

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