Trainers.....

As fitness has become the bane of my life what a better week than now to inspire you all and show how you can get fit plus wear your same running trainers in a modern fresh way still in keeping with the trends.  On top of that this week you can WIN yourself a pair (size 7) of the latest Nike trainers just leave a comment below or RT the blog to win...deadline Friday 23rd August, good luck! 

TIP... winter florals are great teamed with colour and why not try it with the latest skirt shape for winter the kilt tuck in the top to show off the buckle detail and will show off the shape of the full circle skirt low rise trainers are great with longer length skirts to show more leg and balance the longer lengths

jacket by mango

grey marl tee by american apparel

skirt and cap by asos

trainers by nike

leather cuff by comptoir de cotonniers

TIP... stiff metallic fabrics make great pencil skirts and wear with an oversized top that cover the bum area to give the skirt a sharper shape add a colourful trainer this time as next season is all about clashing colours and prints just have fun be confident to clash

top by dilara findikoglu

skirt by jaegar

trainers by nike

sunglasses by bottega veneta

Natalie Hartley Runs...Up That Hill

Never has Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' rung so true!  I have walked past this running path in Primrose Hill many many times and seen loads of nut cases running up and down with heavy rucksacks training for god knows what and yesterday that hill became my new friend too (sadly).  

Reason being is I had my first personal training session with the lovely and super fit Jocelyn the in house Nike trainer.  She was part of the reason I wanted to join up, something I never thought I would ever pay for myself so this seemed a treat (in a very romantic view of it all).  

We started with her 'subtle' lunges, which was enough for me, but then led into sitting on a bench, one leg out, arms and and had to pull myself off the bench using one leg strength to pull me up from sitting...well, I couldn't do it on my left leg and my right was marginally better but still had to push myself up with my hands so now back to square one as now need to not only run but build up a lot of leg strength.  It is really starting to become apparent that my illusion of a couple of runs a week is all thats needed is fading fast into the distance.  

The running hadn't even started yet and then as we walked over to 'the hill' I was told to run up and down three times while she timed me giving it 40%, 60% and then 80%.  This run is half mental half physical and have done it twice I gave my final efforts, ran at my fastest and did the last run in 36 seconds, hurrah!  San Francisco is full of hills and even though I tried to push this to the back of my mind I have to train for it and this is now becoming the focal point of my weekly training with her, lucky old me. 

However despite the shock of how much I might need to put into this whole experience I am actually starting to enjoy it and more importantly have never slept so well in my life!

NatalieHartley Runs....5k

 

 

So have been feeling a bit hard on myself thinking that am not improving and have been running every other day for a week and still don't feel like I am enjoying it more or going for longer. I went away this weekend and have never been to a gym Ian hotel but this time I had the guilt hanging over me if I did nothing! So off I went to this room (with a very nice view) and actually found that I quite enjoyed running on the treadmill, so much so that I ended up running for 30mins and ran 5k! It was a Saturday night too and this is my big running tip .... Get out and run before you go out instead of trying to pull yourself out of a rest day or night like sunday or mondays! It actually wakes you up gives you loads of energy after and most of all you really feel like you deserve that drink!

 

The Fifties Sunglasses.....

The catseye sunnies are the biggest style of sunglasses this year and this week you win these amazing sunglasses by cutler & gross available at avenue 32 just retweet the blog or leave a comment below for your chance to win deadline friday 16th august ... good luck!

TIP... I wouldn't take this style so literally and just add to a white tee or simple denim shirt to give this style a more modern edge
sunglasses by cutler & gross at avenue32
denim dress by osman yousefzada
rings by zoe & morgan

Natalie Hartley Runs.....

 

 

So my dilemma tonight was that my Nike running gear is in the wash and I don't have enough stuff to wash each time if I am going to run or exercise this much. Any other time this would have been a great excuse to not do anything and laze on the sofa. I have though been feeling that wearing proper workout attire makes gets me more in the mood, a bit more formal or ready for the task in hand and my normal baggy tee and vintage shorts suddenly don't feel quite right or professional enough. I did even try and take the worn shorts and vest out of the washing machine but the smell was bad and so my old 'Doors' tee and vintage shorts had to come out! I did though ran 3 miles tonight which despite being on my feet all day was impressed that i even managed a run. I didn't wash my hair after (bad I know but washing your hair all the time is another reason to put you off doing exercise no?! ) and what's wrong with a bit of grease ....? style tip....it adds texture for the next day! Anyway mission accomplished another run down and I am feeling run down.

 

Natalie Hartley Runs...in the rain

Tonight I dragged myself through the rain and ran 2.5 miles through regents park and realised I actually quite like running in the rain.  Not only does it wash away the sweat it cools you down and if you keep your hair greasy and needing a wash then this is the perfect weather conditions (obviously I mean that you would wash your hair properly after!)  It did beat me tonight though and stopped earlier than I wanted but at least I made the effort and got myself out of the house and say that I am no fair weather runner!

Natalie Hartley Runs, The Schedule.....

and this is only the start of it....ahhhhh!  I must also train on top of this and put in my own runs etc etc.  There is more to the than I bargained for.....

The Denim Jacket

Denim jackets are the perfect cover up for when the weather is so changeable and here are two styles that I think are wearable and on trend for autumn. This week you can win the jacket in the second outfit just leave a comment below or retweet the blog to win, deadline Friday 9th August...good luck!

TIP... Go oversized with your faded denim try buying a few sizes bigger than normal for the easiest way to try this out wear simply over a white cotton shirt

Jacket by somedayslovin

Shirt by h&m

Sunglasses by bottega veneta

TIP... The biker shape work really well in denim but try indigo denim as the darker shade work well when the shape of a jacket is more defined add 50's style sunglasses to complete the look

Jacket by gap

Sunglasses by cutler & gross at avenue 32

Natalie Hartley Runs

 

Yes this is sweat not water...I have finally got off my arse today (even with a severe hangover) and run round regents park doing 3.2 miles in about 23 mins ..... whoop whoop the run is on!

 

Natalie Hartley Runs....part 2

 

All I can say is end of day and jelly legs. Had an hour at Equinox gym today and it's not a great start but have been put through my paces of my first gym session and pleased to have started. It's a posh gym with hilarious people watching a good distraction from my efforts. A short run on the treadmill, lunges, squats on power plates I have never sweated so much probably in hindsight doing so little. Am not sure I will improve but each day as it comes. Am also realising that I really will need to start really fitting this into my life only 11 weeks to go and can barely run and talk at the same time. Clock watching I couldn't wait for the shower (kitted out with Kiehls products!) and sadly a celebratory cigarette (hopefully my trainer won't be reading this!). I have booked myself into my first gym class with my other marathon mates; 'Tread & Shred' doesn't sound like the most inviting of classes but will give it a go! Have also googled the distance from home to work and its only 4 miles so might give that one a go at some point although I was sure it was the full 13 miles so my marathon run would effectively be there, back and back again....shit

 

Nike...Just Do It

For those who don't know I have signed up with Nike to run the half Marathon in San Francisco....for those who don't know I smoke and drink and not sure that I particularly wanted to put these things to one side but I do also want to get fit and thought this would be a great opportunity to challenge this. Another struggle (or excuse) is I am not sure how to fit exercise into my schedule and this will be another obstacle, I would always say yes to a drink after work than even think of doing exercise...will this change?! I am intrigued to find out.

So I said yes and today I find myself at Equinox gym with my assigned personal trainer explaining how I got myself into this mess and maybe I now regret saying yes!

But deep down I am really excited about the next 3 months and hoping this might be the kick start I need to get fit! Nike have kitted me out in all things black and white and wearing my new trainers (this fashion and fitness thing is fun), I have been analysed and assessed and this Thursday I will get my full training schedule.

After this I will get a personal trainer once a week and if this wont work to get me up and out then god knows what will! But aside from all the gimmicks I actually have to get off my ass and run for myself and this is the biggest challenge. So from this weekend here it goes.....Natalie Hartley Runs

I am going to document this experience on the blog and maybe inspire some of you (or not) but hopefully the journey to fitness and San Francisco will be a fun one! I will also be raising money for charity and that's an inspiration in itself.

Checks.....

The print this season is CHECK but there are 2 ways to go... are you the punk girl or the future girl?  Take your side here and accessorise as you wish but t help you along you can win the latest necklace from Eddie Borgo that I am wearing in the first outfit.  Just leave a comment below or retweet the blog for your can to win! Deadline is Friday 2nd August...Good Luck!

TIP... check shirts dont have to be reminiscent of the 90's why not wear a classic check shirt in a more grown up way by mixing embellished textures against the check and wear a loose shirt like this tucked into a pencil skirt for a modern update that can also be great for the office or a night out and wear with brogues 
shirt and skirt by no.21
shoes by jil sander
sunglasses by topshop
necklace by eddie borgo at shopbop

TIP... strong graphics look great on oversized shapes wear with a pencil skirt to balance the look another good tip is to use a jacket as a top try which works perfectly if they are bigger in shape
jacket by lucy offen
skirt by joseph
trainers by new balance

New Season Tips.....

 This week's heat wave means you can win the sunglasses from the first 

look just retweet the blog or leave a comment below for your chance to win Deadline closes Friday 19th June...good luck!

TIP...print is everywhere for autumn clash it or maybe try monochrome 

silks for a sporty twist next season

Dress by Josh Goot

Sunglasses by Marc Jacobs

 

TIP... Look out for camouflage go traditional or experiment in colour and add to anything plain ideally a full circle skirt ( it's the shape to be seen)

Vintage jacket from Rokit

TIP... Finally add a metallic shoe to your outfit I love a plain 

statement heel but flats are great for this style too, perfect to dress upyour jeans too!

Shoes by Chloe

 

InStyle, August issue.....

Chloe Moretz

Shot by Sofia & Mauro

Road Tripping

Route 1 road trip in California...see you in a couple of weeks!