Fashionably Fit: Trail Shoes Edition

February 25, 2014March 7, 20141 Comment

When I first started exercising “properly”, it was in 2009, in order to lose weight for my wedding in summer of 2010. I exercised at home with games like EA Sports Active and DVDs like Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred. At home, my only concern when it came to kit was a good sports bra – any old T-shirt and jogging bottoms would do. But this year, as I’ve started jogging OUTSIDE, under the watchful gaze of OTHER PEOPLE, I started to consider my exercise clothes in the same way as I did my everyday outfits: a chance to express myself, enjoy what I wear, and feel better about myself too.

When SportsShoes.com got in touch with me to ask me to select some items from their site in order to post about fashion and fitness, I leapt at the chance – not least because that exact same day I was planning a trip to pick up some trail shoes from the Nike Factory Store at Gunwharf Quays. The event I am training for this spring is really one that requires trail shoes, as it’s basically one long mud bath punctuated with a variety of opportunities for me to fail hilariously at being sporty. But hey, at least no one will be able to accuse me of not having the right kit!

The shoes I selected from the site’s extensive range were Nike Zoom Terra Kiger running shoes (pictured above, £69.99) which are designed to cushion the foot and provide extra grip in muddy conditions! Perfect! I also selected a pair of Nike Legend 2.0 Women’s Dri-Fit workout pants – my first pair of ‘proper’ running bottoms. Previously I’ve made do with offerings from Primark, F&F and Next’s own sport range, which are all fine, but not made of technical material like Nike’s Dri-Fit products. These help to wick moisture away from the skin to keep you comfortable while you sweat like a maniac.

As I’ve never knowingly undershopped, I took the opportunity to pick up a beautiful silver reflective jacket from the Nike store on my trip (which I went on anyway, because shops). I already had a great red cycling jacket, but the Nike Flash range jackets are reflective ALL OVER, and plus, are pretty space age. Sports Shoes has a selection of similar jackets here.

Styling workout outfits is infinitely easier if everything you have can be mixed and matched, and is generally along the same colour scheme. As your trainers are your most important piece of kit (in my opinion!), I think that you should pick these first, according to your needs and budget, and then build your collection from there. These Nike Trail shoes came with a purple and grey colour scheme, so I ran with that and picked up a variety of black, pink and purple items. Pictured above with my Nike shoes and joggers are a pink Nike Jam Jam top (£20 here), my silver running jacket, a pink and grey Adidas gym bag, and NOT pictured is a pink and black sports bra from Shock Absorber (£35 here).

On my spree, I also bought a black Heidi Klum for New Balance cropped tee from Next (£30 here), and a pink Nike boyfriend tank (similar here). Combine the two, and you have an outfit which brings back good memories of netball practice at school…

I also have to mention my phone, which is one of my most essential pieces of kit. I’ve mentioned before that I’m using the Zombies 5k training app, and it’s really keeping me on track and motivated to get out there several times a week – both to keep up my progress, and to find out what’s going to happen to Abel Township next! Luckily, my Kate Spade iPhone cover matches my new trainers or I would have had to throw it away in disgust…

Finally, as it is nippy outside, I decided to pick up a reversible purple Nike headband (£9.99 here) to keep my ears warm and my hair out of my face. In all honesty, for me, this is a frivilous and unessential purchase as I always get very hot on my runs anyway, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to look as sporty as possible. And let’s face it, what’s more sporty looking than headbands, sweatbands and leg warmers?

I’m sure you’ll agree from the photographic evidence that just with the simple addition of a headband, I suddenly look 85% more sporty, and 50% more likely to be able to complete a marathon at the drop of a hat.

Nike Zoom Terra Kiger running shoes, c/o SportsShoes.com / Reflective running jacket, Nike (similar here) / Cropped T-shirt, Heidi Klum for New Balance / Reversible Headband, Nike / Nike Legend 2.0 Women’s Dri-Fit workout pants, c/o SportsShoes.com / Jam Jam Top, Nike / Ultimate Gym Bra, Shock Absorber

What do you wear when you exercise? What’s your favourite work out outfit? And, what do you think about fitness fashion in general? Let me know!

My Nike Zoom Terra Kiger running shoes and Nike Legend 2.0 Women’s Dri-Fit workout pants were sent to me by SportsShoes.com for the purposes of review on this blog.

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6 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Sugar Plum

December 6, 2013Leave a comment

A pretty pastel shade for Friday – it’s Sugar Plum under door number six of Ciate’s Mini Mani Month advent calendar!

Ciate’s description reads: “Baby doll parmaviolet. Delicious creams create a colour perfect for the spring and summer. Unique and flirtatious that screams pass me my floral skirt and pussybow blouse.” You can purchase a full bottle here.

Pastel shades aren’t really my thing, although this is a pretty shade if you want to fully embrace your girly side!

I also gave it a whirl under a matte top coat (bottom left – although I didn’t really dry it enough, the finish is much more matte than it appears there!). What do you reckon to this colour – are you a Sugar Plum fairy?!

21 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Fade to Greige

December 21, 2012Leave a comment

Today’s colour is Fade to Greige, a cool, grungy, grey-purple.

This creme is described by Ciate thusly: “A violetly grey that delivers a unique take on the fabulous taupe trend colour. Perfect for adding an edge to black and teaming with silver jewellery.”

I love this colour – it’s a very dark purple, but that taupe edge just stops it from tipping too far over into Halloween territory. It totally doesn’t go with the outfit I planned for this evening, but hey – it’s Christmas! You can wear what you like on your nails, right?!

20 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Magic Carpet

December 20, 2012Leave a comment

Today’s colour was another advent calendar exclusive – Magic Carpet, a shimmery purple glitter. Like Glass Slipper, it needs multiple coats before its true beauty shines through…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

The polish consists of a fine glitter with larger specks inside – the formula is very thick and gloopy and hard to apply, and like Glass Slipper, I think it’ll start to peel off before the end of the day. But while it’s on there, it’s a very shiny, cheerful colour – I think I prefer it to Glass Slipper.

What did you all think of today’s colour?

5 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Cabaret

December 5, 2012December 14, 2012Leave a comment

Aah, I really love those bows… Do you think everything would be better with a little bow on it? Looking around my study: Coca Cola can – yes. Computer screen – yes. iPad – yes. Keyboard – yes. Cat – yes! Could it be, I am onto something? Let me wander further… hmm, the bathroom. Toilet – err… Okay, I give up. Bows have their place in life – and I definitely think they look like they belong on these pretty Ciate bottles!

Onto the colour! Today, it’s another creme – Cabaret! The website says: “Creamy purple with lashings of pink. The perfect mix of cuteness and sophistication. Incredible when paired with dark suits for stylish work wear.”

I love these style tips from Ciate, it really adds something to the description and lets your imagination run wild. Cabaret is also the colour paired with the Berry Poncho Velvet Manicure Set, which is sold out (boo!). I’d love to try the velvet one day – I have the Blue Suede version, but I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. Let’s say, I’ve had my hands full trying all these other shades. HO HO HO!

In other news, yesterday I tweeted a picture of my Prom Queen Caviar Manicure to @ciatenails – and won a matching Paint Pot! Every day this month the company is giving away a matching Paint Pot – all you have to do is tweet your photo to them and add #minimanimonth. Great fun! I hope everyone gets a chance to join in so we can all see your lovely nails!

Halloween Marshmallows

October 13, 2009November 18, 20122 Comments

This weekend I’ve had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with Life is Sweet, by Hope and Greenwood, which is, as it so rightly says on the cover, a collection of splendid old-fashioned confectionary (buy it if you get the chance! It’s very reasonably priced and ever so good). I’ve made marshmallows, fudge and cinder toffee, and although the cinder toffee wasn’t the best I’ve ever tasted, I was particularly pleased with the fudge. However, as Halloween is coming up, I thought I’d make some spooky Halloween marshmallows by colouring them purple. The vanilla marshmallow recipe in Life is Sweet is unfortunately misprinted and the ingredients list is screwed up, so I’ve adapted my own from the recipe for Mallows D’Amour. There are a few technical aspects to this recipe which might prove difficult – you need a stand mixer (although I did experiment with an electric handheld whisk, and the patient might just be able to cope like this, holding it for around 15 minutes!) and a sugar thermometer. I had to borrow both of these, but a sugar thermometer is a great investment for making fudge, toffee, caramel and jam.

Halloween Marshmallows (adapted from Mallows D’Amour, Life is Sweet by Hope and Greenwood)

INGREDIENTS

450g (1lb) granulated sugar
1 tbsp liquid glucose
1 sachet powdered gelatine
Good dab of purple colouring paste (I used Wilton’s Violet)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
Cornflour and icing sugar, to dust
Purple sugar/black stars or any Halloween themed decorations

METHOD

Line a 20cm/8inch square baking tin with baking parchment or greaseproof paper and dust with cornflour and icing sugar. I’ve found you need a heck of a lot of this to keep the marshmallow from sticking.
In a deep, heavy bottomed saucepan, add the sugar, glucose and 200ml of water and stir. Place over a medium-high heat and add your sugar thermometer. Keep cooking until the temperature reaches 127C or 260F. This could take 15 minutes or as long as 25, so keep an eye on it.
Whilst this is happening, put 100ml of boiled water in a bowl and sprinkle over the gelatine. Stir well until dissolved. This will really smell. Gelatine is not suitable for veggies, and from the smell of the gelatine, you will know why. Don’t panic, the smell goes away, and there is no taste of the gelatine whatsoever in the finished marshmallow. Now that would be Halloweeny…
When your gelatine and water is mixed well, add the vanilla and a good dab of purple colouring. For Halloween, you could also try black, orange and green – just remember that the colour will fade because of the egg whites, and the dusting of sugar and cornflour. When you add the food colouring, you should get a very dark colour. So much that you are secretly thinking ‘oh dear, I put too much in’. This will most likely give you a subtle shade…
When your syrup has reached the right temperature, you need to have a little panic attack and start jumping up and down and worrying you’re not ready. Don’t worry if you haven’t mixed your gelatine yet – I did this and it turned out all right. Just add it to the pan of sugar syrup and mix well. It’ll bubble, so watch out.
Get your stand mixer and whip the eggs until stiff peaks form. Turn the mixer down as slowly as it will go, and add the syrup and gelatine in very gently. Slow, slow. This could take a while… The heat from the syrup is heating the egg whites, so if you pour it on too fast, it’s likely the word could implode.
When you’ve done this, you turn the speed up to superfast and leave to beat for at least 15 minutes. The mix is ready when it holds onto the whisk well, and is thick and shiny.
Pour into your dusted pan. Leave it to set for a long time – the book says 2 hours, but I’ve left mine overnight before.
Turn the marshmallow out onto another dusted piece of parchment paper. If you’re like me, the mix will still have stuck to the bottom of your originally dusted piece of paper, so dust all sides until nothing is sticky. Then, slice and dust, slice and dust, into whatever shapes you like. Once you’ve dusted your marshmallows, you can shake off the excess coating by throwing them gently from hand to hand. Store in parchment paper.
Serve with edible sugar, as above, or with anything suitably Halloweeny…

How about black sugar stars, like the first photo? Or purple sanding sugar, like the photo above?Or, if you want to be more sophisticated, why not keep your mallow mix white, and then decorate with tiny gold stars? (I got mine from Jane Asher’s site.)

These are too good to give to Halloween trick or treaters…

Hampshire Farmer’s Market – part two!

September 15, 2009November 12, 2012Leave a comment

I love the farmers’ market. This is a photo of one of my favourite veggie stalls, Secretts. My favourite thing they sell is these purple, yellow and orange carrots, but they also do a really good pick and mix leaf salad as well. Purple carrots are cool, but to be honest, when you peel them, a lot of the purple skin comes off. It’s only purple on the surface! And, when you cook them, the purple gets a little muddy. Multicoloured carrots are pretty – but weirdly, carrots weren’t commonly orange until they were bred that way by the Dutch in the 17th century – orange for the House of Orange, you see. It’s probably cooler if you’re a 17th century Dutchman, I guess…

Secretts also sell red spring onions, which are a favourite around here, and I also spotted some really pretty radishes. Multicoloured veggies are so beautiful and appetising when they’re raw – can you imagine using these beauties in a bento box, for example?

I wish I was the kind of person who could walk around a market and carefully pick one amazing piece of produce, then come home and lovingly create a gorgeous dish centring around it, so I can enjoy it at its absolute best and congratulate myself on being a fantastic person all round. Instead, I’m the kind of person who buys everything in sight and hordes vegetables in the fridge, and only uses them when they’re wilted and nearly ready to die a death in the bin.

So, I promised to tell you all about Isle of Wight garlic. This is some phenomenal stuff, I tell you. It’s grown on The Garlic Farm, which also has its own online shop, bricks and mortar shop, cafe, and even its own festival. You can buy seed garlic from them, as well as regular garlic bulbs (actually, enormous monsters), elephant garlic (even bigger!), purple garlic, and my favourite, smoked garlic.

As well as all this, they also make a range of pickles, chutneys and relishes, which I highly recommend and have also won a few Gold Taste Awards in their time. My favourite is Vampire’s Revenge, a hot chilli and plum combo which is fantastic with cheese or ham. Sadly, I’m the only one around here who eats pickles and chutneys, so I can’t buy it often, but when I do, it’s heaven. Maybe come Christmas, eh?

As you can see, the purple garlic is a true thing of beauty… Ah, mother nature. So stylish and good at matching colours, you are. Just like me, in fact! (Snark.)

Another one of my favourite sellers is The Tomato Stall…

One of their specialities is oak-roasted tomatoes, smokey, oily little nuggets of sun-ripened sweetness in a tub. These are also bloody fantastic with cheese, and have to be bought in strictly limited quantities to prevent me turning into a heifer and being dragged off to market myself. The Tomato Stall has a blog with a post all about how these beauties are made, and what to eat them with, so check it out if your taste buds fancy a good old teasing.

It’s physically impossible for me to look at tomatoes too long without wanting to eat them, so it’s not surprising I was a sucker for these golden cherries – must be tried? Then please, my good man, fill up this bag with them so I may feast!

That’s exactly what I did, and I took them home and ate them with my fancy fleur de sel de Guerande (best sea salt in the world, don’tcha know?). Tomatoes and sea salt are delicious. I don’t care about hypertension. (Might I also add, the old salt and tomatoes trick was taught to me by the same dear old nan who used to put sugar in my coca cola to ‘get rid of the bubbles’? We’re all about health around here.)

All that and I still haven’t covered all the neat stuff at the farmers’ market? Hmm…

A Halloween cupcake preview…

September 14, 20092 Comments

Over the weekend, I’ve acquired some food colouring paste, numerous sprinkles and cupcake cases, and an obscene amount of butter, sugar and eggs. I’ve also learnt how to mould fondant into mini pumpkins (and, more importantly, found out what fondant is and where to buy it from). All of this is for a good cause…

More cupcakey Halloweeny goodness when it’s actually October… I just couldn’t resist posting these babies now!

Food, Fashion and Fitness

Style, beauty, health and recipes

Tag: purple

Fashionably Fit: Trail Shoes Edition

6 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Sugar Plum

21 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Fade to Greige

20 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Magic Carpet

5 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Cabaret

Halloween Marshmallows

Hampshire Farmer’s Market – part two!

A Halloween cupcake preview…

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