Fitness Fashion

With less than a week to go until Laura, Alex & I set off on our world adventure, a bikini bod is number one at the top of my wish list! Because I am obsessed with food, instead of dieting (tried and failed) I have just been going to the gym more than usual.

I'm a true believer in looking your best at all times, even when at the gym! I'm not talking nice hair and makeup, but gym kit is important, and when there is so much great stuff out there, there's no excuse for going in a pair of holey leggings and the t-shirt you slept in last night.

Personally, I am a huge fan of Nike when it comes to sports clothes as you can see...

Can you tell how obsessed with Nike I am?

But bias aside, here is my pick of the best gym gear available at the moment so you can still look fashionable whilst working out...

Top Row L-R:

1. H&M Sports Bra in Pink Marl £9.99 - the picture doesn't show that this sports bra is actually neon pink... amazing!
2. Forever 21 Colorblocked Ankle Pants in Grey/Neon Coral £16.75
3. Adidas by Stella McCartney Women's Run Performance Tank in Black £65 - Although it's quite expensive, no list of the best fashionable gym kit would be complete without something from Stella McCartney's Adidas collection, and I love the mesh panelling on this tank!
4. Sweaty Betty Flaunt It Dance Vest in Black £59 - I just love the lace trim on this top.

Bottom Row L-R:

1. Nike Free Run 3 Hybrid Shield iD Women's Running Shoe £105
2. Nike Free Run 2 iD Women's Running Shoe £95
3. H&M Sports Bra in White/Patterned £9.99 - love the pattern!
4. Sweaty Betty Eco Yoga Mat in Pink Charcoal £39 - the useful handle doubles as a yoga strap and the mat is made from fully-recyclable non-toxic plastic - who doesn't like products that are environmentally friendly these days!
5. American Apparel Diagonal Strap Gym Bag in Camel/Natural £40 - this bag is available in 12 different neutral colour combinations. Camel is my favourite because I love tan accessories!

If the thought of a bikini body combined with all these gorgeous items doesn't provide some inspiration to do some exercise, then I don't know what will!

Keep an eye out for my next blog entry on packing for travelling for the fashion- (and hair and make-up) conscious!

x

Les Mid

Over the past few weeks I have found myself doing a serious amount of internet shopping, to pass the time until I go travelling - only 33 days now (AHHH) !

My favourite new purchase has to be a set of ASOS midi rings that I bought myself as a birthday treat. I am absolutely loving all things midi at the moment - not just midi rings, but midi skirts and midi dresses as well. Below is my pick of the best available at the moment...

From L-R:

1. Bohemian Collective Wishbone Above Knuckle Ring £12 - this is my favourite of their gorgeous collection of 9 sterling silver midi rings.
2. Topshop Green Double Layer Tube Skirt £20 - I bought this Topshop skirt for NYE and it is so comfy!
3. ASOS Vintage Finger Tip Ring Pack £15 - These are the rings I bought myself for my birthday - I have to say though, I bought the S/M and they are too big for me which is a real shame! 
4. Ark Black Evie Midi Dress £19.99 - Ark sell a really great selection of midi dresses including a 'Heidi' range with 5 tie dye midi dresses - what's not to love!
5. ASOS Marketplace Rose Gold Above the Knuckle Rings £11 - these gold-plated rings are such great value for a pack of 4.

My ASOS midi rings from the collection seen above

That's all for now... x

Ski Couture

My old hotmail address - which I would like to add I created at the age of eleven - was shopnski@hotmail.com (wow)! But in all fairness it sums me up pretty well, because other than shopping, and of course the obvious things - friends, family, Ed - the thing I love the most in the world is skiing.

I started skiing at the age of three and went on to become a ski racer at the age of eleven, finally hanging up my race boots last Easter, after ten amazing years!

So if anyone knows about what to wear when skiing, then I guess it should be me (excusing the fact that I have spent the majority of my life skiing in a lycra catsuit!).

Me racing in my last GS race - Saalbach, Austria, March 2012

Ed and I are off to the French ski resort of Les Carroz on Saturday, which will be a nice treat before we head off on our travels! So today I am packing for our trip and after so many years of skiing, I have a huge list (I love a good list) of what to take with me so I don't forget anything - although I probably know it off by heart by now! So if you are off on a ski trip then here is a condensed version of my list, featuring the most important things...

Packing for a Ski Holiday:

❄ Ski jacket
❄ Salopettes
❄ Thermals
❄ Ski socks
❄ Hoodies
❄ Snood
❄ Ski gloves
❄ Goggles
❄ Helmet/hat

Then, obviously, you will need a few outfits for the evenings (although I often find myself slobbing out in my thermals or pyjamas), a bikini - I always take one in case the lifts are closed one day - and Ugg boots - because although they have NO grip when walking on snow, they are just so warm!  

A beautiful view of Les Carroz which I took a few years ago!

Here is my pick of the best goggles, ski jackets and hats currently available...

Top Line L-R:

1. Shred Soaza 2013 goggles in Need More Snow - Ted Ligety is my favourite male ski racer, so naturally, I love his brand!
2. Trespass Swindle ski jacket in Ghost £74.99
3. Trespass Dolce Vita ski jacket in Black Embossed £119.99
4. John Lewis Hear-Phones Headphones in White Sand £12.95 - such a brilliant invention!

I really rate Trespass for ski jackets, as they are so cheap compared to many other ski brands, yet they still have all the features you could possibly need, such as, lift pass pockets, powder skirts and air vents, which you don't always find in more expensive jackets. They also sell matching salopettes for equally low prices.

Bottom Line L-R

1. ASOS Faux Fur Pom Boyfriend Beanie in Black £13
2. Faux fur headband - fur is really on trend this winter and headbands are great for warmer days! There are loads available from ASOS Marketplace
3. POC Iris X goggles in Pink 

You'll notice I haven't included goggle prices as these can really vary due to conversion rates and sales so you have to shop around online to find the best price!

Me in my Trespass jacket, ASOS hat and POC goggles

If you're hitting the slopes this season then I hope this blog has been useful for you!

Happy skiing x

Gladrags and Globetrotting

So where to begin? Well the reason I'm writing this blog is probably a good place to start. In March next year I'm off travelling round the world with my gorgeous friends Laura and Alex - hence 'globetrotting'. I had always planned to write a blog when travelling, then recently I thought why not write my blog with a focus on another huge interest of mine, fashion - and that is where 'gladrags' comes in.

Alex & Laura

At this point, I ought to say thank you to my very thoughtful boyfriend, Ed, who helped me come up with the name for my blog! Ed is also heading off on a round-the-world trip next year, but unlike me, he has very little interest in women's fashion (this is mainly a good thing!), with him recently telling me he hates anything high-waisted or with studs on - so basically, half my wardrobe.

My boyfriend Ed (on the right)

As this blog was originally meant to be about my travels, I ought to say where I will be starting my adventure - my lovely home town of Sheffield, where until the 4th of March my blogs will be written from.

The place I call home

Until next time... x