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.