Mountain Air

It's hard to put into words the feeling I get when I reach the mountains. That first breath of fresh mountain air, that crisp cold breeze that hits you in the face (sometimes quite aggressively if its -10 and snowing), and that first ski run of the holiday when your legs haven't quite remembered what to do and you get distracted by every beautiful view you see.

Mount Tremblant, Canada January 2016

This was my fourth visit to Tremblant and every time I go it's special and I never want to leave. Yes I love a beach holiday or a city break as much as the next person, but there is something so satisfying and cleansing about being in the mountains. I truly feel at peace when I get to the top of the mountain and look out all around me to snow capped trees and gorgeous views for miles. I may not be the best skier, the most stylish or the most adventurous but who cares? I go because I love it and it gives me a chance to just be. To be free and wild and scream and shout all the way down a mountain, green run or black, who cares?

My dad and I ski, we laugh and we love it. We stop regularly and refuel on hot chocolate and crisps, we tackle icy blue runs with stumbles and no style, we race down green runs like kids and we just have the best time. We snide at the children who are all amazing, we tut at the snowboarders who sit in the middle of the piste, we laugh at each other when we fall rather than offering help. That is what skiing and being in the mountains is to me. It's true enjoyment, even when I'm freezing, tired and every part of me aches, I still wake up the next morning, bundle on all the layers, stuff my feet into heavy boots and can't wait to get back out there.

My mum is the sensible one, she enjoys the 'Après Ski' lifestyle, of swimming and spas, walks and hot chocolates around a fire place. And I don't blame her at all. This is one of the best resorts to be doing such leisurely activities, where everything is on your doorstep and you can still come up the mountain for the day, enjoy the views, have lunch in the lodge and get the lift back down too (much to my mum's relief that she doesn't have to ski down). We opted for a family day out walking for 4miles around Lake Tremblant and looking back at my favourite ski resort, that's where we captured some of these gorgeous photos.

Canada is one of my favourite destinations to visit, especially Tremblant, and I am even desperate to come back and visit in the Spring or Summer to do lots of exploring and outdoor activities. I'm just a bit scared that I might miss that crisp cold air and snow beneath my skis.

Guest Blog on Fashion Heaven Inc

 

Last month I guest appeared on Fashion Heaven Inc where I wrote about my take on Athleisure and how I adore that sports apparel is now accepted as a fashion statement. Whether you go full tracksuit, just wear the trainers with your dress or mix the 90s trend in to your working wardrobe, there is something for everyone.

 

I loved having the opportunity to write for the guys over at Fashion Heaven Inc, and if you'd like to read my full article pleases click here. I'm hoping to write some more pieces and again write more regularly, I know I have promised this before but now I have a life routine! Yes that's right ladies and gentlemen, I have a full time job and have just finished my first week and loved it. I will be sure to write about it all soon.

 

Again, to read about how to Keep On Track This Season, head over to Fashion Heaven Inc, you might even find some jobs you're interested in!

 

 

Lessons Of An Intern

There is still such a stigma around internships in the fashion industry but for me I have only had great experiences. I am a firm believer in you get what you put into these sorts of opportunities and I go in with all the intentions of being indispensable. And I'd say so far so good, I've met some pretty awesome people and learnt a lot, and not just what Starbucks everyone wants and who has a weakness for mini eggs.

My time at Allsaints started in such a whirlwind that the fact it's ending already seems a bit mad. Within one email I had an interview the next day and by the time I got home that night they had called to offer me the position as PR intern. A week later and I was there, early and dressed in my best (give the best impression on day one and then slowly wind down into rocking the trainers), ready to learn everything and soak up all that I can.

What I learnt whilst there? Well where can I begin, other than patience, working super quickly and efficiently to get the latest SS16 samples to the glossy magazines, I also learnt how to conduct myself in a professional but still totally me way! From chatting with my amazing employers about how they have got to where they are, listening to them talk with fashion assistants at ELLE and Vogue, booking breakfasts with fashion houses and writing notes to accompany gifts to send to the teams, I've learnt how you can build relationships with so many amazing people in the fashion industry.

I of course learnt lots of other valuable skills but I think learning how important it is to build relationships within the fashion industry, knowing who works for who and that breakfast is the best place to talk business are the top ones. So as I get ready to sign off and head to Canada (YES I'm going skiing for ten days and of course I'm totally over excited) I will be reading my magazines, making notes of who is writing what and preparing myself for my new job in February.

Lean In 2016

New Year, New Me? Hardly, it's a tough start to the year but I will take that and use it to my advantage (as much as I can). January is always the month of fitness, diets, health and starting fresh. For me I think I have done a pretty good job at the end of 2015 to keep myself fit and I'm only going to continue and improve. Creating a healthier diet plan is now top of my list, so I purchased The Body Coach - Lean in 15 and am already loving the recipes. 

I managed to snag some great deals before Christmas during the Black Friday sales and treated myself to some new workout leggings and trainers. Purchased from the fabulous Sweaty Betty I deliberated over what colours and styles to buy for quite some time, but after some sound advice from the sales assistant and some bounding around the shop in the trainers, I opted for Asics Gel-Kayano. They are super comfortable, brightly coloured and with the special memory foam and gel base they mould to my feet. It's as though I have purchased custom made shoes (dream!).

So 2016, I don't know what to expect, what might or might not happen but I will tackle it with all I have. Starting tonight with my first class of the year, a solid 45minute circuits session to remind me what my body can do when I try, although after all that Christmas food and drink it might be a disaster.

And as for resolutions; read more, write more, travel more and believe. Things will work out eventually.

Why I'll Never Have A Floordrobe

I will never have a floordrobe. At least not a serious one. I can't comprehend how people get by in day-to-day life by hunting through a pile of clothes in the morning to get dressed. If I started my day on the floor digging through clothes I would probably give up all hope and get back into bed. I need order, nothing too complicated or regulated but a separate draw for trousers, jersey basics and jumpers, tops (as my dad would say "oh you've bought another top?") and then separate draws for underwear. It's a system and I'm a stickler for it.

After reading the Getting Dressed feature in ELLE this month it got me thinking about my relationship with clothes and I have to say some of the statistics made me chuckle and nod in agreement. Apparently we haven't worn 13.3% of our wardrobe... I could probably go a lot higher than that. I'm a hoarder. I admit it, and I have tried very hard to let go and to reshape my wardrobe. Especially seeing as we moved house in July and I did get rid of about three black bin bags worth of clothes (honest!) but I still look in the wardrobe sometimes and have the question "why do I have that still?". But guess what? I close the door and go back to getting dressed, that animal print playsuit I wore twice one summer stays in the wardrobe. Why can't I let go?

Maybe it's nostalgia, I can pin point when I wore certain items and it makes me smile about the memories. However I know (I mean I really know) that there is no chance of me wearing it again and I give myself a deadline. In July I said "Vicki, if you do not wear this playsuit over the summer months then come winter it is out, gone, bye bye." And yet, go check the back of the wardrobe now and it's still there. Face palm. I do clear out my wardrobe but I'm not ruthless, an ELLE top tip was "Enlist a good friend who you really trust to help with a wardrobe clear-out". I agree, it's a great idea in theory, but in reality I know my friend would make me get rid of so much, she is literally ruthless and would not understand my (slightly lame) excuses on why I want to keep said top.

I believe my real issue is the "what if" question. You don't know, maybe the animal print playsuit which is a little too tight will come back into my day to day style (yes I know, unlikely). If I had the money I would do a full clear out, cut it down to the basics, rid myself of naff tshirts and ill fitting jeans, I would buy all the classics from Zara that I love, the trend pieces from Topshop and some special pieces from & Other Stories. But until someone kindly hands me over those hundreds of pounds, I can't risk chucking out clothes and being left with nothing. Because if I'm honest I probably have about 10 max good outfits that I would wear regularly, everything else would not be seen out the house.

I can pretend that I laze around my house in cashmere sweats, cute black slips, hair perfectly bouncing away and a fresh face. But in reality it's trackies (or pyjamas if I'm really lazy) and a massive hoody, hair in a bun and the hope that I don't come across a mirror anytime soon. I don't care what I look like when I'm behind the closed doors, cosy inside in a world where no one sees, no one really cares and I can just chill and watch my box sets back to back hour after hour. It's much safer here. But I guess some days, I want that wow reaction. I genuinely feel better about myself when I put in a little effort, get a new pair of jeans that make my bum look good and put on some lippy. Sometimes just one or two wardrobe updates are enough to keep me happy. Other days, I think of the space I'm wasting with crap. I'm sorry little playsuit, you may have to go.

Images via Pinterest 

BURBERRY: All Cried Out

SPRING/SUMMER 2016

"Classic coats and functional pieces mixed with elements of regalia. English lace and floor-length satin dresses with leather biker jackets. The Rucksack, regimental tailoring and The Belt Bag in oblong and square. Capes and weatherproof silks are practical and protective."

Fresh and sharp, the Burberry collection that debuted in Kensington Gardens was a fabulous combination of light sheer dresses, in sweet hues, and classic trench coats. Burberry always deliver a show stopping collection, and deliver they did. With natural light gleaming through the glass conservatory, the models circling the live orchestra lead with Alison Moyet singing, the collection was nailed there and then.

FROW faves, Cara Delevigne, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Anna Wintour and Mr Cumberbatch looked divine as always and shared laughter and approving nods as the new collection washed past them. Highlights include the new rucksack (form an orderly line now) personalised with each models initials, the lightweight trench coat which is perfect for spring (the lace detail was a perfect update to a classic), and the gorgeous sheer dresses paired with knits to cover up.

It was definitely my favourite show from LFW, keeping to the brands roots and adding that little personal touch, I would love to own one of everything (please… one sheer dress, the trench coat and a rucksack!). Oh and Mr Leather Jacket, yes I saw you there, and I think we would get on really well, so if you’d like to join my fun filled wardrobe then please do.

All Images from Burberry.com

COACH: Walk Through Fields Of Gold

#CoachSpring2016, our runway show debut #NYFW

A video posted by coach (@coach) on Sep 16, 2015 at 11:20am PDT

They nailed it. Yup. Coach's womenswear debut was stunning, set amongst fields of gold it was prairie meets punk with leather and flowers taking to the catwalk. One of the greatest things about the 21st century is how advanced our technology is, that even though I'm miles away, in a different time zone, I could watch the show live! Okay it's not the same as being there, but to witness the hustle and bustle as the crowd arrives, spot Chloe Mortez turn up (looking beautiful with the new saddle bag), and spy all the bloggers and journalists I love on the front row, it's quite special. And then the show begins, and I can see look after look appear, in front of my eyes. It's cinematic genius.

A photo posted by EyeFitU (@eyefituofficial) on Sep 16, 2015 at 5:43am PDT

I'm probably quite biased now about my love for this brand, but it's just something about it that captivates me each season. As I have mentioned, the AW15 collection is to die for, shearling and leather punk look is just perfect for winter. It makes a plain black winter outfit more exciting and daring. They showed this collection last Fashion Week but only as a presentation to a select few, so last night to see their first show come together was exciting. The brand is celebrating 75years and under the eye of Stuart Vevers, Coach is only going to blossom more.

A photo posted by Nini (@ninuca789) on Sep 15, 2015 at 2:57pm PDT

As I say, set in fields of gold, the models stomped the ground around a centrepiece of on-lookers, watching and snapping pictures. Walking to blissful beats and closed by One Love (bringing me back a few years to the days I spent obsessed by Mary J Blige and U2 cover) the music totally encompassed the whole feel of the show.  Floaty, light but with the edge of punk that Coach manages to throw in each season with ease. 

A photo posted by Buro 24/7 Singapore (@buro247singapore) on Sep 15, 2015 at 11:42pm PDT

Although some of the pieces were a bit too floral for me, one floral top mixed with denim or leather can certainly work well. It looks like SS16 will be all about the balance of fresh, bright flowers and tough colours. The teal leather skirt is perfect (literally, need it now) and I love the idea of a flower leather waistcoat, instead of an all over bohemian flower shirt. There was a long brown leather coat, it looked stylish and chic and totally spring appropriate, but at the back of my mind I could just remember one of my Bratz dolls from when I was a kid, and she definitely had that coat first (and it looked fierce)!


Until next year Coach. I leave, wandering through fields, picking flowers and wearing biker jackets.