More FitFlop Rumours

Well the rumour mill has certainly been working overtime this week, hasn’t it? A further rumour from the FitFlop blog foretells the coming of FitFlop SuperBoots! Like the SuperTrainer I mentioned earlier in the week, these boots will feature the patented Microwobbleboard™ technology for which FitFlops are famous. The boots will be available in a short and tall version, in leather and suede.

Personally I am very excited about these – a fitness shoe that promises to look more like a fashion boot than a sports shoe and will tone my legs as I walk? Sign me up! Sadly no images are available as yet, but as soon as I have more information I will share it with you.

FitFlop SuperBoots will be available from Fitness Footwear from around September and UK shipping will once again be free.

Outfit: Snowy Friday

I wanted something cosy and casual for today so I laid out a couple of options last night: this polo neck sweater and a grey striped long sleeve t. When I awoke to snow on the ground I decided the sweater was the way to go. I left the house in my EMU boots so I didn’t fall over in the snow and ice. It was a slippery drive to work – most of the local councils have depleted their supplies of grit this winter and so many roads are no longer being gritted. I had a few slidey moments but managed to get in OK.

Grey cardi – New Look Tall
Grey sweater – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – Gap
Green suede boots – River Island
Silver hoop earrings – gifted

Total Est. Cost £65

FitFlop SuperTrainer

Rumour has it that FitFlop are set to release a new SuperTrainer sometime in the near future. This product is still in the development stage but sign-off on the design is said to be imminent. They will then have to pass the London South Bank University ‘Microwobbleboard™ standard’ test. ‘Microwobbleboard™ is the technology used in FitFlops to give you a work out whilst you walk, by throwing your balance off slightly causing your core muscles and the muscles in your legs to work harder to keep you upright.

The shoes are so new that there are no images available yet – in fact the name isn’t even certain, but as soon as I have further information I will pass it on.

The trainers are likely to be similar to the other types of muscle toning shoes already on the market, but if you love your FitFlops and are wishing for a version that can be worn in all weathers, then the FitFlop SuperTrainer could be the shoes for you! As soon as they are available, Fitness Footwear will have them in stock and as always, UK delivery will be free.

Outfit: Grey Thursday

It is dull and grey again today. We were promised snow overnight but it didn’t materialise. I’m not sure whether I’m disappointed about that or not really. It’s still cold though.

Grey jacket – Long Tall Sally
White top – Tall Girls
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Red beads – eBay
Red shoes – Next
Red belt – Dorothy Perkins

Total Est. Cost £65

Outfit: Last Singing Practice

Last night was the last music rehearsal for the show. Next week we start on the floor so it’ll be dancing shoes at the ready!

Grey jacket – Next Tall
Black polo neck – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – River Island
Snakeskin shoes – Matalan

Total Est. Cost £95

Update!

If you tried to access the survey in the post below and couldn't, please try again as the link is now fixed.

Click here to fill out the questionnaire!

Ooo! Project!

Last week a couple of my Twitter buddies and I were discussing how the glossy fashion magazines have become very same-y recently, showing outrageous but unwearable fashions on identikit models, and how there was nothing that really offered an alternative. We all agreed that it would be great to have something similar to a fashion or style blog but in magazine form. From that discussion things progressed and now our aim is to launch just that: a magazine that is like a collection of style blogs and features real women wearing real clothes that are fitting to their everyday lives. To that end, we are conducting some research and we want your views. Please click here to complete a short questionnaire, and, if you are interested in being part of this project, leave your email address in the box at the end.

Outfit: Foggy (Dewhurst)

Wednesday dawned foggy and frosty. Despite the cold I am once again shunning a sensible coat and wearing my blue faux leather jacket for the minimal amount of time I am outside today. I’m also bringing back the Chris Randall scarves – they feel more spring-like than big pashminas.

Last night some friends came over and we made pancakes. I always say I should make them more often but then Shrove Tuesday rolls around again and I’ve not made them since the year before.

Lent starts today and I am giving up chocolate, cake and biscuits for the duration. I’ll let you know how that goes!

Black sweater – Long Tall Sally
Black cords – Topshop Tall
Blue scarf – charity shop
Blue patent shoes – New Look
Silver hoops – gifted

Total Est. Cost £68

Hair Care

What is your hair care routine? Do you use a specific hair treatment, such as a conditioning mask, regularly? I wash and condition my hair with a brunette colour enhancing shampoo and conditioner. Every other day I use a leave-in conditioner. Before styling with my straightening irons or curling tongs I use a heat protector spray and once my hair is styled, I finish with a spritz of hairspray. That’s 4 or 5 products a day. Do you use the same number, more or fewer?

Outfit: Slightly Snowy Tuesday

When I got up this morning it looked damp out, but not snowy. By the time I left the house it was white over and I drove through short bursts of heavy snow to get to work. Nothing much seems to have come of it though. However, it looks like flat boots and warm trousers were a good idea.

I am doing the ASDA shop on the way home this afternoon, and then we have friends coming over for tea and pancakes so it will be another busy one.

This cardi is getting plenty of wear this winter. I always have the urge to stroke the collar when I have it on.

Lilac cardi – Pilot Outlet
Purple tank – New Look Tall
Grey wool trousers – Dorothy Perkins Tall
Purple boots – Priceless Shoes
Purple belt – Ethel Austin
Purple flower necklace – Dorothy Perkins
Silver earrings – gifted

Total Est. Cost £70

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing boots – guess what? The snow is set to return.
…reading the March issue of Lucky
…watching Glee on the 4oD catch up service
…listening to Beyonce’s Single Ladies
…eating pancakes
…shopping for nothing

Outfit: Blue Monday

It’s Monday. Again. Is it just me, or does it seem like it’s Monday morning ALL the time? I’m sure it comes around faster than any other time in the week. At least it is half term this week so the traffic is not as bad in the mornings.

I have on bright blue tights but no one knows that unless they see me walking.

Blue cardi – Dorothy Perkins
Black wrap dress – Luxuriously Tall
Blue tights – Accessorize
Black belt – Primark
Black OTK boots – Priceless Shoes
Blue ring – Dorothy Perkins
Silver earrings – gifted
Whitby Jet cross – gifted

Total Est. Cost £71

Saturday Shopping – Long Tall Sally

For the first time in about 2 years I was able to visit a Long Tall Sally store on Saturday (my local store closed about 2.5 years ago) and so I was able to have a good rifle through the sale rack. (Yes, I was very good and walked right past all of the full price merchandise.) Using the money that was burning a hole in my Paypal account, I bought the following:

Black shrug, £15

Pink sweater, £15 (it is much pinker than it looks here)

Purple PJs, £15

Black gloves, £5

I also got a mascara for free with my Boots Advantage Points – an Estée Lauder Projectionist one. The lady on the Estée Lauder gave me a free sample of lash primer and their new moisturiser as well. Got to love Boots!

Weekend Recap

This weekend we headed to visit some friends in Reading. On Saturday the young man & his mate did some DIY fitting security lights and electricity in the garage, whilst the other friend and I went into Reading. A little shopping was done in Long Tall Sally (well I had to take advantage of the fact that there is an actual shop in Reading) and we had a lovely lunch in a little Italian restaurant. In the evening the four of us ate at Colley’s Supper Rooms. It is a restaurant like no other and I know about it because there used to be one in Bristol when I was a student there. It is a set price, 5 course menu and each starter, main course and dessert option is presented to you to view before you make your choice as to what you will eat. In between there is a soup course and a sorbet. You can also have 2 desserts – definitely my kind of restaurant. You sit down between 7.30 and 8pm and the doors are locked. As there are so many courses it is spread out over the entire evening and we didn’t leave until around 11pm.

On Sunday we all slept late and then cooked a full English breakfast (amazingly we were hungry again) before heading home.

On Saturday I wore pretty much what I wore on Friday. I got a shot of my evening outfit which is above. On Sunday I wore the new pink sweater from Long Tall Sally, with my jeans and black over the knee boots.

Purple dress – Redherring @ Debenhams (eBay)
Black shrug – Long Tall Sally
Black leggings – New Look Tall
Black OTK boots – Priceless shoes
Whitby Jet Cross – gifted
Silver earrings – gifted

Total Est. Cost £48

A Question About Toothpaste

Clean, healthy teeth are an important part of every girl’s beauty routine. To that end, I was wondering what sort of toothpaste everyone uses? Would you consider teeth whitening as an option, whether professionally or with an at home kit? I drink my tea black and am conscious of it staining my teeth, so I use a whitening toothpaste, Macleans 2x Whitening to be precise. I try to buy it when it’s on offer as it is about 3 times the price of the ordinary one. I am happy with the results I get from it but I am interested to know what other people think on this subject.

Outfit: Friday!

At last, it’s Friday! I feel as though I haven’t stopped all week. Today’s outfit is nothing exciting, but it is functional, comfortable, and fits in with my weekend plans (which I will divulge on Monday). I put my bright blue faux leather jacter over this. It is not nearly warm enough for the jacket really, but I am tired of it not being warm enough out and decided to wear it anyway. I am not planning to be outdoors for more than about 5 minutes at a time so I should be fine.

Black cardi – New Look Tall
Black sweater – Long Tall Sally
Jeans – Topshop Tall
Tan boots – Barratts
Turquoise leather belt – H&M
Cream pashmina – gifted

Total Est. Cost £103

25% Off at Warehouse

Want 25% off at Warehouse online? Just use the code ELLE0210 at the checkout until 5th March!

The Search For a New Foundation

Up until this month, I was happily using Clinique’s Superbalanced Compact Foundation. Sadly, this product has been discontinued and so started the search for a new foundation. I was looking for another compact one, preferably with an SPF. I tried the new No7 compact but found this made my forehead very greasy. I tried Max Factor’s compact but this has no SPF and the coverage was too light. Even with the application of concealer in addition, blemishes were still visible. I am currently trying out Estee Lauder’s Resiliance Lift Extreme compact foundation and so far, I like everything but the price tag! I will review it properly in due course. In the meantime, if anyone can recommend another compact foundation, please do so.

Outfit: Remix #3

I said I had a bunch of ideas for remixing this dress, didn’t I? Well here is outfit number 3 build around it. I thought leopard print would go great with it and added my favourite boots. I’ll have to try leopard print shoes another time. I feel remix #4 coming on for next week! There is also some subtle pattern mixing going on here with the scarf and the cardi.

Leopard print cardi – Primark (eBay)
Grey dress – Long Tall Sally
Grey tights – Levante (MyTights)
Tan boots – Barratts
Tan Obi belt – ASOS
Silver earrings – gifted
Silver necklace – gifted
Brown & silver scarf – mall market stall

Total Est Cost: £103

Skechers Shape Ups Update

You may remember a while back that Fitness Footwear sent me a pair of Skechers Shape Ups. I have been wearing them weekly to the gym, but also for general walking around. I think they are the most comfortable trainers I have ever owned and I am so pleased that I was lucky enough to be offered a pair to test out.

Skechers Shape Ups promise to improve your posture, tone your muscles, improve circulation and reduce cellulite. So, how well do they measure up to what they promise to do?

When I walk in the shape ups I definitely stand taller and walk with a better posture due to the rounded angled shape of the soles. I can also feel my legs and core muscles working harder to maintain balance when wearing the shoes as I am used to either a flat sole or heels, not something with a curved sole. My legs are certainly more toned than they used to be. Overall I would say they measure up very well to what the label promises and would be happy to recommend these shoes to my friends and blog readers.

I would definitely recommend these Skechers Shape Ups to anyone who enjoys walking as a form of exercise as they are a good way of putting in that extra bit of effort without you really noticing. If you are a fan of Fit Flops these shoes are a great winter alternative – after all, a flip flop style shoe is not much use when it is cold and raining outside.

I have thoroughly enjoyed testing out the Skechers Shape Ups and will continue to wear them through the coming spring and summer months.

Skechers Shape Ups are available from Fitness Footwear in men’s and women’s sizes. A variety of styles and colours are available, from the traditional trainer style to the new Mary Jane style and faux fur lined suede boots. They are priced from £79.95.