5 Reasons you need to go on a Fitness Retreat!

Hello!
Currently writing this blog feeling completely refreshed & relaxed, not to mention totally accomplished & motivated, after spending a weekend away on my first - but certainly not my last - fitness retreat!
This weekend took me back home to the beautiful setting that is The Cairngorm National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. I took just 2 days holiday from work either side of the weekend and returned to the office feeling rejuvenated and ready for any challenge we face in our busy lives.
Totally worth it just for that feeling I'm sure you'll agree. In a world where we never stop; Our phones constantly a focus, work emails reaching us far beyond the office hours, we worry about daily chores which probably don't even matter that much, - it's never been more important to take a few days out and totally shut off. You owe it to your wellbeing - and with the health and wellness industry booming, more of us are realising how important it is to look after our bodies, enter Fitness 58.

'An unforgettable fitness experience in an unforgettable location' is the promise and I'm here to give you the guarantee. I genuinely loved every minute of the weekend and have spent the whole journey back down South thinking about how much fun I had and how needed it was.
It's easy to think you can book a holiday to lie on the beach for a week and that will be the answer to all your stresses, for some that will do it, for me, I love a challenge. A sense of achievement is a very powerful thing in terms of the mind and your personal happiness, pushing yourself to limits to see what your body can do brings a remarkable feeling of pride in yourself that you can't get any other way.

So here's 5 reasons you should do exactly what I did, and book your first fitness retreat;

1. Shut out normality - I cannot express enough how refreshing it was to forget the usual routine, no worrying what to make for dinner or feeling guilty for chilling out and simply doing nothing! Although the retreat offers several workouts & physical challenges over the weekend, there's plenty of 'free time' to lose yourself in a book in the lounge, chill out in your room or even have a nap in the middle of the day - why not! 
   
2. Meet new friends - I met the loveliest bunch of girls on this weekend, having gone on the trip on my own it was so nice to be assured of the team spirit that the retreat brings. The group gelled instantly and we easily found common ground with each other despite all being from different parts of the country - one girl even came from Norway! Everyone pushes each other to work hard in the physical challenges and we got to know each other in the days chatting away while we walked through the picturesque mountains and in the evenings reflecting on the day in the cosy lounge after dinner.
   
3. Push yourself - As I mentioned above, there is no greater feeling than achieving something you've worked hard for. Throughout the weekend there are a number of challenges to overcome, everyone's different and someone's everest might be another's mole hill! This is where the team morale comes in, Sam, the fitness instructor who heads up the retreat is the King of motivation! His enthusiasm is truly infectious and he instills a level of confidence in to the team that means no-one is left with any regrets come the end of the weekend. Challenges include hill sprints, a mountain hike & zip lining through the forest (I definitely overcame a fear of heights to do this and loved every minute!)
   
4. Kick start a healthier you - We spent most of the weekend outside and it was gloriously refreshing to get outdoors! Something we often don't realise is how much we sit indoors, for some, it may be driving to work, sitting at their desk all day, driving home only to spend the evening sitting on the couch because you feel 'tired.' If you're thinking oh no that's me! Don't worry - we've all been there. However, if you take a step back and think of it like this, no-one is doubting you feel drained from a busy day, but your body has energy left to burn that your mind is blocking out with the powerful emotional messages and until you do exercise you won't know what you can do! It's hard to explain as you can probably tell from that terrible summary, in short, get up and go out even for a walk and I can guarantee your body and mind will thank you for it! 
   
5. Explore a new part of the world - I know I mentioned I'm from the Cairngorms so this point may seem hypocritical but I genuinely rediscovered my love for Scotland this weekend. I've been to all of these view points many times as a child, some I have stronger memories of than others, but I think until you visit and feel like a stranger, whether that be because you've left and returned or never been there before, you can't begin to take in the real beauty of the views where the retreats are held. We were so lucky with the weather but even if it had rained, the solace and peacefulness in these parts of the world is hauntingly beautiful and somewhere I believe everyone should see in their lifetime. 

So that's my 5 reasons you need to go on a fitness retreat this year! I hope you feel inspired, and I would love to know if you've done something similar or are now going to book on after reading this post! Sam offers retreats in the Cairngorms throughout the year with the next dates coming up being the 8th -11th of June! However it doesn't stop there, Fitness 58 travels to Maderia in August and Norway and Iceland next year, all of which you can book on to now, all fitness levels welcome so what are you waiting for!? To find out more information about all of the retreats visit the website here!

Finally, why Fitness 58 in particular? From the seamless airport transfer to the base on Friday, to the stunning home cooked healthy meals all weekend I felt truly spoilt; Ensuite bathrooms in the lodge, warm homebaked cookies (yes cookies you read correctly!) provided after challenges and the constant personal customer service provided by Sam both through hospitality and motivation throughout the weekend is truly excellent, I left the retreat feeling motivated, relaxed and refreshed just as you would want to feel after a break. Cannot recommend this retreat enough! 

I'll leave you with some pictures & videos of the best weekend of 2018 so far! Thanks girls & Sam for a brilliant experience.
L x

Spring Fashion Edit - Superdry Spring Picks & 30% OFF!

Hi guys,
Writing this on yet another wet March day, dreaming of sunnier skies and warmer temperatures! The weather may not be ready for Spring, but the high street sure is. The past few weeks I have been loving watching new season haul videos on YouTube, spotting spring colours creeping in to 'outfit of the days' on my favourite Instagram accounts, and endless #TBT's of everyone's fave summer outfits from last year! The general consensus is, we are all craving a new season of colour, fabric and trends; the perfect wardrobe updates that won't break the bank & pieces we can wear now - despite the weatherman's tragic version of 'Spring!'
With this in mind, I'm playing the Easter Bunny this Good Friday & giving my blog community the opportunity to get 30% off in Superdry this Easter weekend! Just show the below voucher in store to make use of this exciting discount. It's valid until Tuesday so plenty time to get to the shops over the bank holiday! Find your nearest store here!

Here's my top picks from the new Spring range & what I'll be buying this season;

I'm obsessed with macs in Spring time, and these lovely Belle Trenches are perfect - 6 colours available, my personal favourites are of course the bright red & classic stone, also available in Navy, Khaki, Baby pink and Pale blue! Take 30% off this weekend and they are yours for just £70, Usual RRP £99.99. Click here to see all the colours online. A wardrobe staple when the weather is still questionable outside, I'll be styling mine with jeans, boots and a plain white tee for a fresh Spring look.

Ah, dungarees, is there a comfier way to wear denim!? I think not. I absolutely live in Superdry black dungarees from last Autumn Winter, so it's time for a new pair! I'm loving the Jodie Boyfriend dungarees (bottom row), the black are definitely going in the basket but I do love the distressing on the blue also! On the top row are 2 of my favourite short dungarees, arguably not warm enough for them yet, but if you are looking to take advantage of the voucher this weekend, then no harm in stocking up for summer! I'm torn between the plain & the badged, absolute sucker for a branded elastic! - Very on trend this season. The Jodie full lengths are £45.50 with the voucher, usual RRP £64.99! The shorties are both £38.50 after discount, usual RRP £54.99. See the full range of dungaree's here.

Another Spring pick that has me pining after the sunshine is the gorgeous Alexia off shoulder dress. It comes in 4 colours and I'm not lying when I say I want every colour! Such an easy wearing, flattering shape for everyone and gives you effortless style! Just £28 with the voucher applied, usual RRP £39.99. My favourite's (if I had to choose!!) are the red and black! Click here to pick your favourite!

Next up on my Spring hit list is a pretty white top for every occasion. These 2 gorgeous numbers fit the bill perfectly! The top one is the Charlie embroidered top & comes in 6 colours! Click here to see the other colours! I think the lace hem is particularly pretty and is perfectly subtle and fresh for Spring. I also love the broderie styling on light spring colours so this shirt is perfect for Spring! If you are also after a white top then there certainly isn't a shortage of variety at Superdry! Click here to find the perfect one for you!

Of course, Easter wouldn't be Easter without a Sunday Roast & an abundance of chocolate eggs! If , like me, you are looking for a bit of motivation in the gym, then why not treat yourself to a new ombre set to give you some serious fitness inspiration to get back to it on Tuesday! I've spent weeks umm'ing and arr'ing over which colour to go for, I think I've finally decided on the Coral! Which one is your fave? If you can't decide here's a bit of price point motivation; usually the set would cost you £63, this weekend you can get the bra and matching legging for under £45 with my friends and family voucher! Honestly the comfiest seamless gymwear ever - even if you aren't going to the gym in it! ;-) Try and decide on a colour here!

And finally, if you really are looking for a good deal & investment in to your gym wardrobe then these are the products for you! Superdry Sport's new compression performance range! I have the white noise leggings (far right, see them here!) & have been wearing them to the gym loads recently, only to receive non stop compliments. - Nothing like feeling good & looking good when you want to get the most out of your workout! The compression technology reduces muscle oscillation when working out and in turn will reduce delayed onset muscle soreness - The dreaded DOMS! My next purchase is going to be the bionic legging and half zip set, I have an 100KM cycle ride in the summer & this set will be perfect for my training rides! At the higher price point, what better time to get involved in some quality tech gym wear with this weekends discount!

I hope this post has given you some inspiration and you treat yourself to something gorgeous! Comment below what's on your list & if you do get in to store to use this fantastic Easter offer! ;-)

Until next time, Happy Shopping,
L x

PS - If you don't make it in to store you can still get 20% off online with code SUPER20 at the checkout! Take advantage of it here!

The perfect prep for Race Week

Hello!
Happy New Year! It may be Feb already but as my last post was in 2017, I feel I should say it!
This year, for me, has started with a busy Jan but I have finally got everything under control 'life admin wise' and I am back to the blogging!
So last week, I was invited down to the Cheltenham branch of Molton Brown for an evening of pampering in collaboration with The Stuart Holmes Salon, (if you didn't catch my blog on my salon experience there click here!), the lovely girls from Beards Jewellers and the very talented Lisa Von Hallwyl; who designs the most beautiful fascinators & hats - popular amongst the Royals & celebs!

Now, one thing that everyone thinks of when they think of Cheltenham - it's the races. I remember when I first thought about moving here for a job opportunity and all I knew was that Cheltenham was where the races were! 3 years later, I feel very much invested in the run up to race week and race week itself. The Cheltenham Festival brings a buzz to this town and rightly so. Ladies day is the one us girls look forward to the most; the outfits, the hair, - it's a real showcase of fashion and trend - albeit freezing round a muddy racecourse is not quite as glam as it looks at times, but that's all part of it! Most people would agree with me when I say the getting ready part is half the fun of it. So as we are only just over a month away from ladies day - here's my tips and tricks on how to prep and feel like a queen all day - even if you don't make any money on the horses!

1. Prep your body! - Just as you would for a holiday or a wedding, looking your best in your outfit is key. With 5 weeks to go there is plenty time to do few home workouts in the evening or even better get out to the gym and work hard to look your best! Aside from getting toned up to fit in your fave dress, give your body the TLC it needs by pampering your skin. If you start now you will have a most beautiful glowy skin come race week! Exfoliate weekly, moisturise daily or every second day and if you are really committing, then a body brush works wonders for increasing blood flow and circulation. See below some of my favourites from the Molton Brown range. My favourite scent is the coco and sandalwood, it gives me serious holiday vibes! The body polishes come in 4 fragrances, they are great for a luxurious scrub but I wouldn't recommend mixing the scents, so if I'm using the Gingerlily polish (my 2nd fave scent!) then I'll moisturise with the Gingerlily body lotion afterwards too! On the left is a body brush which you can pick up from a number of stores fairly cheap! This one is the body shop, it's handle is ideal for brushing in circular motions as you should on your arms and legs. I was going to go in to detail on fake tanning here also but I think it warrants it's own post so look out for that soon!

2.  The hair. Now we all know that you're not fully dressed until your hair is done, and the races is no different! Whether you go for a lovely bouncy blow dry, loose curls or a full on up do, I think we can all agree it always looks amazing when you walk out the salon! Stuart Holmes offer a great range of services for the day but book in soon to make sure you get a space. Here's a few pictures of my favourite race day hair inspo, all of which would look fab with a fascinator;

3. Finally the best bit, the outfit! Pastels are back in big way again this Spring which is ideal if you are attending a summer wedding where you can recycle an outfit time and time again and don't need to feel any guilt buying a new dress for the festival in March! Here's a few of my favourite dresses that have just launched on the high street this Spring, I have a thing for Navy so I've picked my favourites alongside the pastel colours;

4. Accessorise the outfit! Once you've picked the perfect dress, it's time to choose the bling, the shoes and the fascinator! I absolutely love coloured stones in necklaces, rings and bracelets so this is something I always look out for when choosing jewellery to wear to an event. In terms of the hair piece, I love feathers, flowers and quite natural looking pieces but love adding a pop of colour to my blonde hair. and finally the shoes, my one piece of advise is pick the comfiest pair! An outfit only looks fabulous if you can last the day in it! I usually go for a wedge or a platform heel, or even a mule - anything but a stiletto!

I think that's my top 4 tips! I had the loveliest evening chatting to the experts from the salon, the girls from the jewellers, and in awe of Lisa's beautiful head piece designs! We enjoyed lovely hand and arm massages from the Molton Brown team and felt truly relaxed! Here's some pictures from the event;

Thank you for reading part 1 of my race week prep, I look forward to sharing part 2 including my full (fail safe) tanning routine!
Until then,
L x

Black Friday Glamour, Premium Service, Bubbles and Perfect Hair - The Stuart Holmes Salon

Black Friday is very much a 'love it or hate it' day in the calendar. A manic week in the world of retail, constant emails and busy streets, so when Stuart Holmes asked if I'd take part in their #BlackFridayBloggingWeek, I of course accepted the offer to visit the salon and relax, all the while being treated to a colour refresh, cut, and blow-dry at the hands of the colour experts that are 'Team Holmes'.

The moment you arrive at the salon you feel like a VIP, walking up the red carpet steps and in to the warmth, only to be greeted by smiling staff; it's the beginning of a great experience.
After checking in for my 1.30 appointment, I was offered a refreshment straight away, as the lovely receptionist took my coat and showed me through to the waiting room. At this point I just want to share with you the importance of customer service; I know some people suffer bad hair experiences in their life, much like those who fear the dentist. - Although I have luckily never felt this way, I have had my fair share of hairdressers I wouldn't go back to; Mainly because they aren't accommodating to individual customers. They book appointments, cut hair, and send you on your way expecting you to book again - just another customer through the door. At Stuart Holmes, you are made to feel so important; from the attentiveness of the staff to the salon look and feel, you are there to be treated to a wonderful experience and nothing less.

Hannah collected me from the waiting room (more like a lounge - complete with Christmas tree, sweets and all the gossip magazines you can name.) with my latte on a silver platter - okay tray, but I'm still feeling like a queen at this point!
We talked through my hair colour and what my ideas were; every customer is entitled to a free 10 minute hair consultation ahead of their appointment which would put anyones mind at ease and allows you to be clear on what you want from your appointment.

We chatted away as she applied the foils for my full head of Smartbond highlights, I was offered further refreshments throughout this process, and was provided with several magazines which I didn't even end up reading one page of as we were too busy nattering! I mean, I'll be honest, I'm not the quietest of people so of course we spent the whole time talking, but if you prefer some more 'me time' then the team at the salon happily leave you to read the mags or just chill, as I mentioned before, it's all about you!

After I had sat under the rotating heater (so cool, didn't even have to move seats!) I was ready to have my hair rinsed and washed. Up another flight of beautiful, garland decorated stairs and in to the room filled with sinks. Feet up, height adjusting sinks (no awkward neck pain) and an optional head massage all contributing to the luxurious feel of the salon, even getting your hair washed is glamorous here! Hannah applied a toner at this stage too to bring out the bright ash blonde colour I had asked for. After the allotted time for the toner, apprentice Sam washed my hair with Shu Uemura colour lustre treatment shampoo which they also sell in the salon, ideal for coloured hair - it prevents fading, is sulphate free and balances the hair's natural fibres. - Sam was very knowledgable and talked me through the whole rinse, toner and wash process.

When I returned to my seat in the main part of the salon, my complimentary glass of fizz was waiting for me, if that's not service I don't know what is!

Jacob was cutting my hair for me, so as with the colour part of my appointment, we discussed how I wanted my hair and ideas that would give my hair type the most volume (I mean I didn't think it possible!) I had a little taken off the length, and a shorter look at the front that framed my face how I liked it. He then blow dried it, giving it some amazing volume and added some curls to the back.
I left the salon feeling so happy with my hair and thoroughly relaxed.

I also vlogged my afternoon at the salon which you can watch below to give you a real feel of the salon!;

If you would like to book in with the team for Christmas, you'll have to be quick, you can book online here!
Follow the team on their social platforms for more details of services available;
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

And it wouldn't be Black Friday blogging week without a discount for you all, so here's what's currently on offer;
£10 off your first appointment when you sign up to the newsletter
20% off colour when you book in on a Tuesday for a colour, cut and blow-dry package.
If you are looking to treat someone or yourself this festive season, buy a gift voucher in salon or online now and it can be redeemed between Jan 2018 & Nov 2018 with 20% off your treatment!

Thank you Team Holmes, another happy customer!
L x

Autumn Lookbook | YouTube

Hi guys,
Hope you enjoy my first ever lookbook video, I love this time of year; especially days like this one where the sun peeps through the autumn trees. We filmed these clips at the beautiful Westonbirt Arboretum, if you are in Gloucestershire I'd definitely recommend a visit! Outfit detail, still shots & inspiration post to follow this one, please do subscribe to my Youtube channel if you would like to see more!

Thanks for watching!
L x

How I fundraised for the London Marathon

A year ago to the day I found out I had been accepted by Cardiac Risk in the Young to be a part of their charity team to run the London Marathon. I posted the below photo on Facebook to announce my news to my friends and family, it's so funny to think the girl in that picture had no idea what lay ahead! 

I posted several updates on training and the challenges that comes with the physical aspect of running a marathon. You can read the training posts here! I didn't however really touch on the fundraising side of things as much as I would have liked. It is a huge part of the marathon, if not the biggest. The Virgin Money London Marathon is the largest annual fundraising event on the planet – runners have raised over £830 million for good causes since the race began in 1981. For some runners, the thought of accepting a charity place can be quite daunting. If you are given a place from a charity you have to commit to a pledge of usually around £1500 - £2000. This is partially why the ballot is so competitive, as a place in the ballot means you are under no obligation to run for a charity, although most do, but without the added pressure of a set target, anything they raise is just a bonus for their chosen charity. 
I applied to the ballot as well as to Cardiac Risk in the Young, but by June 11th 2016 CRY had offered me a place, with the ballot results not being announced until October, I decided I didn't want to risk missing out, so took my place. I was always going to raise money for CRY in memory of a school friend but as I mentioned before the charity place target is high and I had no idea how I was going to achieve that sum of money. That said, from the moment I accepted the place and posted the above picture to Facebook only to receive a whirlwind of love and support, I knew I could do it.

So, here's my top fundraising tips on how to hit that charity pledge and no doubt exceed it!;

• Social media - Use your social media platforms to make people aware, yes you will feel like you're boring everyone with marathon chat, but you know what; if they were running the marathon they would be doing the exact same thing! So have confidence that what you're doing is an amazing and inspirational thing and anyone who views it negatively, probably isn't worth your time anyway! Obviously try and keep things interesting, no-one wants daily updates on how many blisters you have or how sore your legs are. I posted my training runs via the Map my Run app to Facebook, again I've heard people moan about seeing workouts online, but it allowed me to show those following my journey that I was getting the miles up. Often you'll find people will see you've done a 12 or 14 mile training run and decide that's the time they'll sponsor you, so link your fundraising page in your MapmyRun posts. 

• Themed fundraising - Making use of celebrations, holidays and current occasions that everyone can relate to. For example, many people will want to go out or have a party at Halloween or bonfire night, you can use these to organise a fundraiser and you are guaranteed a wider audience than just throwing a party on a random weekend. A good idea for bonfire night might be to make a big pot of curry or chilli for your friends, get some hot cider on the go, you can charge people a set price for the meal and a drink and will definitely make a profit. I took the opportunity to make Christmas cards, I wrote a post on this which you can read here! 
  

• Involve the office! - Time is something we all find difficult to manage, no matter what it is, the moment you take on an extra challenge you have to adapt your time to fit it in. As we spend on average 40 hours at work each week, what better way to hit your target than by fundraising in the place you spend most of your time. My team moved office's last year and when we moved, much to everyone's horror, the new office didn't have a vending machine! So one of the girls came up with a great idea of creating our own charity tuck shop, all items cost 50p, each month whoever stocks the shop, takes home the profits for their chosen charity. I was lucky enough to get 2 months for my charity and made over £350. I also made pick'n'mix in addition to buying multipack crisps & chocolate. They were really popular and I was even asked to make 100 additional bags  last week for a supplier conference at work - it seems I've started a bit of a business!
• The classic bake sale is a always a fail safe if you work in an office, however they don't tend to make much money for the effort that goes in so maybe stick to one or two evenly spaced out over time. I also asked friends to bake for me too so I didn't have to do it all myself, you'd be surprised how happy people are to contribute their 'signature bake' if you give them enough notice! 
• Finally, be sure to check if your work offers a match funding programme, I was able to get £250 extra from work which was a great bonus! 

And one year on from that first photo, here I am, a 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon finisher, and have officially raised Two thousand, four hundred and fifty pounds for Cardiac Risk in the Young. There is literally no better feeling, the marathon itself feels like months ago, when in reality it's only been just over 6 weeks! I didn't think I could beat the feeling of crossing that finish line on the mall, but seeing my final fundraising total this week has given me such a buzz! I'm honestly so proud and grateful to everyone who showed me support throughout the marathon journey this last year, it's honestly the best thing I've ever done. 
So if you have applied to the ballot and don't get a place, I urge you to still apply for a charity place, don't be put off by the large figure, it all comes together once you get going and it will be one of the best experiences of your life.

Massive thank you to all who sponsored me and supported me, reading back through messages to write the post today has been such a lovely reminder of race day and one I'll never forget!

L x

Homeware Lifestyle brand Hema | Wish List!

After popping in to the Hema in London Euston last week, I fell in love with the fun, vibrant, summer vibe of the store! As I was only in for a quick look before my train, I picked up a few bits I needed, which you can check out in my youtube haul below. However, I definitely could have bought so much more, so I thought I'd do a Hema wish list for you all to get some inspiration for the summer ahead! 

My favourite range by far is the Party range; from foil & confetti balloons to pineapple poms and watermelon confetti cannons - It's all so cute! Whether you're throwing a summer BBQ or a birthday party for some friends, there's a decoration for every occasion that guarantees to wow your guests. My top picks are pictured above, I particularly like the light up 'PARTY' letters, they just seem a little nicer than the latest craze; light boxes, now that B&M are selling them they have become a bit more mainstream! There is every letter in the alphabet available, at 20cm tall and only £5 each, you can buy several letters for the price of 1 or 2 from a higher end store. You can even decorate them with paint/tape/stickers etc as you can see over on the website here!

I also absolutely adore Hema's update of the classic paper plate - It's not just kids with the fun party sets these days guys! - You'll be spoilt for choice, from the watermelon set to the gold and white Kate Spade esq set, simple but gorgeous! Shop the collections here!

Finally, a party is not a party without something hanging from the ceiling! These paper poms are so colourful and really effective alongside bunting or lanterns - both of which you can also find on the Hema website. I love the fact that you can get ice cream shaped ones! All we need now is the sunshine!?

Oh unless of course you are one of the lucky ones who is jetting off to guaranteed rays - then you NEED one of these;

I mean, the pineapple rings sell themselves, but just imagine all the basic brits on their flamingos and donut inflatables (so last year right!?) and you float past on a caramel stroopwafel or even a cream slice! What's that famous saying? - In a world full of donuts be a caramel waffle! Shop all inflatables here!

There is such a variety of bits and pieces over on the Hema website. I'm so excited to have discovered a new budget brand that can be my 'go to' for; celebrations & birthdays, stationary, storage solutions, seasonal homeware updates and beauty bargains! 

As there is so much to cover, I thought I'd split this out in to a few blog posts and cover another wish list category another time, the stationary is so beautiful, that might have to be next, so look out for that!

In the mean time, please let me know if you pick up any great finds or even have shopped the brand for years and are thinking 'how is she only on this now!?' Let me know what you buy in Hema in the comments below! 

Happy Browsing,

Take me to Hema!

L x