Triathlon Training, The Next Installment.....

Swimming!

So my big challenge when I started was to take up front crawl and this has been a big hurdle since the beginning.  I can swim don't get me wrong but everyone has been explaining how front crawl is a more effective and faster for the event.  Our recent trip to Tokyo got me swimming three times that week but purely because I could walk from my room to the pool and no effort was necessary.  But I can't do more than 2 lengths with front crawl, I just can't get the breathing right and the coordination of arms and breathing plus I feel like my body is a heavy weight and not gracefully cutting through the water!  I have taken drastic action and contacted Virgin Active for adult swimming lessons.  

This week was my first session and besides feeling a bit stupid using flippers and floats in the swimming pool the count down is on and commit to this challenge and learn the skill that got me into signing up for the Triathlon in the first place.  He starts with the basics and then we put it altogether for a final few lengths drowning as I swim he explains that actually practise makes perfect and I should be swimming four times a week!  Who has time for that I ask but I think with a month to go I have to make this happen so this weekend is spent swimming and the following and the following.  It's good to have a challenge to work towards its the only way to get fit and stop you feeling guilty when you still smoke!

For anyone grown up out there who fancies joining me and learning to swim properly contact Virgin Active gyms and get a personal trainer its well worth it and doesn't matter how old you are! 

Uniforms.....

Always on the look out for interesting styling ideas my recent trip to Tokyo gave me just that.  We came across a shop selling chef's aprons, tops and anything else related to their uniform but I was so inspired I thought that this style of clothing could be great for everyday use.  So below are the pieces I bought to show you how thinking outside the box can be extremely fashionable!

TIP...the iconic chef's jacket is even better in grey and I have worn a long sleeve t-shirt underneath to give this a more relaxed feel to the top that looks best done up so the t-shirt softens the look.  I also added a skirt in white to match the piping of the jacket and the shoes in stripes adds a simple bold print, don't wear this look with fussy print, bold and simple is key

TIP... who would have thought an apron would be so cool, in orange gingham again the print is bold and simple and I have styled it with a top and skirt so the apron acts as a print over the top of a simple and plain outfit 

Triathlon Training.....

This week I have braved the elements and have been cycling (terrifyingly) across London!  I have built up my miles as well as attending my spinning classes each week so feel ready to go up hills and steeps roads etc etc.  But having been so determined my last challenge was whether I was a fair weather girl or not and with the heavy rain of last weekend my answer to that I might not be the best but I will do what is needed.  Having booked my class at Psycle for Saturday morning I decided to keep up my daily cycling routine and cycle there and back but as I left the torrential rain started.  Obviously I got drenched and cycling in the rain you need windscreen wipers for your eyes!  I was late they let me in but didn't have time to change so had to do the class in wet tracksuit bottoms and hair and didn't know whether I was sweating or just wet!

From now on I will be prepared and have ordered a waterproof poncho which will be perfect for these weather days and stops the temptation to say no and not go!

poncho by Ilse Jacobsen

The Blue Sweater.....

What a better way to start the summer than a sweatshirt and shorts and here are two of my favourites

TIP... a simple square print on the front of a jumper looks simple and chic I prefer the simplicity of the writing and the fact that it references a creative icon in a subtle way seems less obvious than a lot of the slogan tops out there.  Great with denim cut offs and pool shoes this is a great jumper to throw on for the weekend

sweatshirt by self portrait

shorts by free people

shoes by addidas

sunglasses by thierry lasry

TIP... once a big fashion house does a sweatshirt you know this trend is here to stay and kept simple this paint job is the ideal jumper to dress things down like these leather shorts add a flat and this can be a great day to night look just switch your shoes

jumper by chanel

shorts by carin wester

shoes and sunglasses as before

The New Season.....

This month marks the season the sales and I wanted to give you an intro into the new season ahead so you can shop wisely and look out for things that you can start adapting into your wardrobes already!

TIP... 

1. grey is my personal top tip for aw14 its a really easy colour to work with as it compliments colour, pastels and neutrals
2. buggy bear is back and tactile pieces like this giant faux fur jacket is all you need to add over anything the bigger the better
3. culottes are the new skirt try in a shade of grey wool to stop them look too workwear
4. add a trainer in white this winter the tones of trainers have gone metallic or neutral and for me white always freshened up the look

jacket by whistles
jumper by maison martin margiela
culottes by dorothy perkins
trainers by nike

photographs by johanna nyholm

The Shirt Dress.....

The shirt dress is the effortless piece of summer clothing but why not experiment with colour and try bold 70's or graphics prints.  This is a vintage dress by LANVIN and you can WIN the one am wearing in the blog today just retweet the blog or leave a comment below to enter!  Deadline Saturday 24th May...good luck!

TIP... casual summer dressing doesn't get easier than this all you have to do is add a cool accessory like oversized sunglasses to promote this bold look but adding a trainer will totally update a vintage look (I am also having a big romance with these AF 1 style of trainer as they seem to look good with everything!)

dress by lanvin at william vintage 

af 1 trainers by nike at schuh

sunglasses by thierry lasry

The White Shirt.....

What is the most classic thing you can own in your wardrobe this summer?  answer: a white shirt ... and here are two of my favourite options a cool short sleeve option and a masculine inspired textured one.  This week you can WIN the one am wearing in the first look just leave a comment below or retweet the blog to enter, deadline Saturday 17th May...good luck!

TIP... layer with white to update a classic shirt and add a sexy skirt for a pop of pastel tone plus all white trainers its the way to go for cool summer dressing styling tip is to leave collars up for a touch of the riviera

shirt by the fold

jumper by maison martin margiela

skirt by altuzarra at matches

af 1 trainers by nike at schuh

TIP... personalise your shirt this summer with your initials which looks great on a collar, cuff or pocket and give it a mod edge with ripped skinny jeans and simple white trainers just pick the jeans stile that suits you to replicate and big open short sleeve are flattering for the upper arms and also loose and easy for summer

short by peridot 

jeans bi frame

sunglasses by prada

trainers as before