I have never been given my own wardrobe in a changing room, nor had my name beautifully written on the door and been addressed as a best friend…until I went to Anthropologie.
For those of you who have never entered into the world of Anthropologie, you are missing out, because this shop is a jungle of textiles, sights and smells…a true feast for the eyes. Spaced over several floors that are linked together by a large wooden staircase and a luscious garden on the wall, find yourself effortlessly moving between products. Whether you are interested in wallpaper, leather notebooks and handbags, or door knobs, jewellery and clothing, ensure that you don’t leave the shop without a visit to the fitting rooms.
Usually trying on clothes is an ordeal, however in Anthropologie you are welcomed into the fitting area like a long lost friend. Your first name is written elegantly on the changing room door in perfectly fluid handwriting and your chosen clothes carefully placed in your very own sleek wardrobe. The personal experience is amazing; you feel at home and can’t help but relax and find yourself thinking up elaborate excuses to visit the shop again soon.
However a word of warning, it is near on impossible to leave this shop without a bag of purchases delicately wrapped in tissue paper and secured with branded scotch tape.
That is the question.
We are all familiar with the UGG boot. Australian brand, highly priced, fluff overdosed and hideous. Hideous may be a slight over-reaction, but let us face the truth ladies and gentlemen, we have all laughed in the face of an UGG boot gone wrong once in a while. Whether it’s the squashed heel and wonky dragging shoe or rain vs boot dilemma, we have each smirked in the face of fluff at least once in our lives. Myself included.
So, why after months, perhaps even dare I say years, of rebelling against this craze have I found myself owning a pair of knock-off UGGS? Let me begin to share the method in my madness.
For a start, these boots are ridiculously warm, and lets face it, England isn’t getting any warmer these coming months. Heading out in the early hours of the morning can be slightly mind, and toe, numbing, so facing the alarm with a pair of these hidden away is never a bad option.
Secondly…they are warm.
Without repeating myself again, a third reason is not possible. But I think I have made my argument clear. So, whether or not you have agreed to UGG your way through life like myself…please do not judge my foot-wear attire. However if it is raining, you shall find me barefoot.
And just remember ladies and gentlemen, these are not just any fake UGG boots…these are M&S fake UGG boots.
(Marks and Spencer genuine-fake-UGG boots available in brown and black: £15)
Hot yoga is a trend highly on the rise. With benefits claiming to tone the skin, gain a younger appearance, loose numerous pounds and gain increased energy, it is no wonder that so many are reaching for their yoga mats and water. However this idolised sport is not one so glamorous. Whilst sites brag about the amazing results you can gain and the sense of peace you shall receive, what they don’t tell you is the pure agony felt when entering a room at 40 degree heat, and then forcing your body into the most unnatural positions.
Entering the yoga studio, not only is a wall of unbearable humidity thrown in your face, but so is the stench of sweat. Simply imagine a windowless room full of sweaty men, old shoes and no deodorant, whilst mixed with an excruciating heat. Not glamorous. However once the shock of stench mixed with humidity and 40 degree heat has settled, now you can force your body into bizarre positions and balance.
Seems simple enough right? Balance, heat, humidity, stench…now that you are five minutes into the class, notice how your clothes have stuck to you in the most unflattering ways. Notice that the studio floor is swimming in sweat, and not just your own. Want to wipe the dripping sweat from your brow? Go ahead, but good luck with your already sweating hands. It is raining sweat, pouring into your eyes, your mouth, up your nose. Need a sip of water? Go ahead, but be aware that your bottle has been sweating too and instead of the beautifully chilled water you so cleverly put in, you are rewarded by your efforts with luke warm liquid. Not pleasant.
But hey, only another 50 minutes to go…
My only advice to anyone wanting to go to hot yoga…Good luck!
G x
- James Blake at Brighton Komedia
It takes a lot for an artist to impress me these days, however Mr James Blake, I applaud you, for last night’s performance at the Komedia was flawless.
Mix a heavy bass, light show and eager crowd with James Blake and it’s destined to be a good night, for last night Brighton’s Komedia was certainly put in its place as the electronic meets dub-step musician took on a big crowd with some even bigger bass notes. The speakers were rumbling and the floor was shaking as the heavy drum and bass beats were dropped.
Known primarily for his chart hit ‘Limit to your love’ Blake proved last night that he is no one hit wonder. Re-mixing and working his tracks, he showcased not only his ability to drop brave bass notes, but his ability to make bodies shiver and weaken with his incredible voice.
But the track that stole the evening for this fella has to have been CMYK. Claiming the Brightonians to be the first to hear the ‘red coat’ number, the response was clearly a positive one. Working the song, and crowd, into a frenzy this song stood out high above the others despite flawless performances of tracks such as Wilhelm Scream, Limit to your Love and Lindisfarne.
Any fellow Glastonbury goers out there, James Blake is a must see, for when those tracks are played through festival sized speakers you need to strap in for one hell of a ride.
Glastonbury Festival, Saturday , The Park, 21.30 – 22.15
See you there!
G x
Garra Rufa Fish in action
Having fish nibble away at dead and dry skin is a relaxing, and natural way to pamper the feet…a little bizarre yes, however the desire for Fish Therapy is one on the rise.
Originally used to treat psoriasis in Turkey, fish therapy is a relaxing, indulgent, and highly natural means of removing dead skin from the feet. Proving a winner in Turkey and Japan, Fish Therapy has taken one successful dive into the world of spa treatments. Spreading across the world these little fish bringing hundreds of people smooth and soft toes!
Being very small fish with no teeth, the Guarra Rufas slowly eat away at the dead and hard skin on the feet, whilst also providing a light nibble-massage. With individual tanks full of approximately 150 – 200 of the fish, participants have to submerge their feet into the tanks for around 20 – 30 minutes. The sensation is completely painless, and supposedly provides a feeling like a light massage, with occasional tingling and tickling as the fish get to work.
Submerging your feet into a pool of water and watching your dead skin being eaten away is not a past time many would opt for, however, this new Fish Therapy is a rapidly growing trend that has recently brought itself to Brighton. Asase Garra Rufa Spa (www.asasespa.co.uk) has recently opened at 19 Brighton Place, and with prices from £20 for a 20minutes, anyone can enjoy having a little fish nibbling session.
For me however, I think I shall stick to the pumice stone.
DITCH THE SLEDGES LADIES AND GENTS…for I have just witnessed THE most amazing new sliding apparatus; A Quality Street Tin Lid.
As the snow has set once again this weekend, the plastic sledge bought as a child was dusted off and brought out from the attic. However, my beautiful, bright red sledge has been well and truly shown up by a two young children.
Seen gracefully sliding down my road on a Quality Street Chocolates Tin lid, I have decided to instead ditch my plastic sledge, and instead join this new craze of Sweetie Lid Sliding. Not only is this original, unique, cheap, and recyclable…but it clearly works damn well.
It doesn’t take a genius to recognise metal slides faster on ice than plastic. So…here goes, break a leg as they say!
A Classic Christmas Knit
One classic jumper. One classic fashion trend. The infamous woolly jumper has once again brought itself out from the cupboard, and back onto our high-street.
Once found in charity shops amongst moth balls and drool, the woolly jumper has since moved away from its granny connotations and instead fallen into the desires of not only OAP’s but top stylists and designers.
Autumn/Winter 2010 catwalks witnessed the woolly look with designers such as Prada, D&G and Chanel all layering up models with thick wool and chunky knits, along with a healthy dose of classic Christmas designs.
So, following in hot pursuit of the fashion gurus, high-street stores and vintage shops have flooded their rails and mannequins with colourful knitted jumpers and chunky cardigans in response to our cold winter needs.
Not only is this classic Christmas trend practical and warm, but easily worn. Team with the usual jeans and a scarf for the ultimate easy winter warmer. Shapes, styles and sizes vary, with anything from a granny style knit, and bright colour, to a classic pattern or animal face. For added comedy value, watch out for excess pompoms, bells, and anything remotely shiny.
Naturally, to avoid the typical knit, opt for the vintage stores, second hands, and trusty charity shops, however do be warned, fighting over a chunky woollen cardigan with an elderly woman does not go down well…
Faux fur hat steals the limelight this season
Grab the winter warmers ladies and gents, for we have a frost a coming!
As weather forecasts warn for a fortnight of frost, sleet, and snow, we are being forced to not only bulk buy tins of beans, but stock up on warm clothing. For me, this meant trawling the high-street for a hat. But not any hat could cure the cold head and chilly ears…
Faux fur. After being given a firm nod of approval from the designer gods, the fluffy material has elbowed its way to centre stage in not only the winter catwalks, but our very own high-street stores. Paraded around in the form of jackets, heeled boots, bags and hats, it seemed only natural to hunt down my very own flurry trapper hat.
Despite having been already witnessed in last year’s winter fashion, faux fur has made a strong re-appearance, and has since been flooding the shops with warm clothing and accessories. Seen in various of high-street retailers such as Primark, NewLook, and Topshop, fur hats have unsurprisingly been fighting their way to the top of the fashion ladder for both men and women. Providing not only intense warmth, but a quirky look, the trapper hat is this week’s top buy to cure the winter chills.
Last week the onesie won the love, however this week the furry hat has stolen the limelight with pride. Note to self: Don’t wear the two together…disastrous fashion move.
There was never going to be an easy way to share this news. So, instead of becoming a teary mess each and every time I talk about it, I have decided to put my feelings into words and share this information to everyone in one hit. This is certainly not the easiest thing I have ever written, nor anything I ever planned to write, but I feel it is the best way to get out what has to be said. So, here goes…I’m ready with my box of Kleenex and ready to share with you the story of Jess.
A dog is a man best friend. And mine, was called Jess.
A best friend is always loyal, and there for you when you need them. They listen, dry your tears, and bring you happiness. Jess was all of those things, becoming more a family member than a dog. She was a best friend, a sister, a companion, and my security.
She helped me greatly through my teenage years, listening to my worries and licking away my tears. She listened when I was scared to move to University, and knew exactly how to cheer me up when I was down. She danced with me. Played with me. Ran with me.
She trained for 3 marathons, went camping, chased the wind. She caught sticks, found old tennis balls, chased waves on the beach. She licked snowflakes off her nose, rolled in mud and would bite at buses through the car window.
She became an annoyingly good alarm clock, vetted any boys I liked, and ate too many biscuits. She liked shreddies and bananas, and took great pleasure in nicking the cat’s tuna each day. She loved her tummy rubbed, ears tickled and squeaking her toy bone.
She hated buses, sheep, cows and fireworks. Was never keen on horses, and disliked small and irritating dogs…
I couldn’t have asked for anything more from my hairy and wet nosed best friend over the years, so I would like to say Thank You Jess, for being so loyal, sociable, and a pleasure to have known.
Now that Jess has unfortunately gone, I shall know that I am not alone in saying that she will be greatly missed. But, if it brings any ease, her ashes shall be scattered in Stanmer Park by the dew pond, the area where she loved covering herself in mud each time she passed and digging in the dirt.
I know that I am not alone when saying that she shall be greatly missed,
Jess, you will always be in our hearts,
x.
Embrace the tiger onesie!
As the all in one sleep suits spread into high street shops several weeks ago, I swore to myself that I would never lower myself to write this following blog…
The all-in-one sleep suit, or more commonly named ‘onesie’, is an outfit no longer made purely for young children. Now, thanks to high street retailer Primark, the fleece outfits are now available in adult sizes, and in a variety of colours and patterns. Anything from sheep patterns and giraffe spots to army combat or tiger print, the choice of which onesie you decide to humiliate yourself in is all yours!
Unflattering is an understatement when it comes to describing this foul fashion fad. Made of fleece fabric cheap enough to turn hair static, and showcasing an undeniably awful design for any body shape, this outfit doesn’t exactly nip in the waist and flaunt the curves.
However, made primarily for lounging around the house and escaping the winter chills, this suit does function well for the cold couch potatoes amongst us. Caution must be made though for not only making quick dashes to the kettle or door, but also when making that last minute dash to the loo. Despite coming complete with foot grips, slipping is highly likely, and when paired with a stuck zipper panic, the combination make for pure disaster.
But…despite the unsightly design, slipping hazard, potential stuck zippers and cheap fabric, I am afraid I must confess; I too am now the proud owner, and wearer, of a onesie. And I tell you what, my tiger print fleece was the best £10 spent this week!
Georgina Whittle 