Work It, Baby!

In the true spirit of the New Year, I have promised to (amongst many other resolutions) try and do a little bit more exercise. Easier said than done, and so far I have managed one feeble run and a single gym session.

So to motivate my ever widening behind, I've invested in a few pieces of workout gear which I hope will encourage me to venture away from watching marathons of Scandal and get fit!

The sports bra/crop top was a bargain find from H&M at £9.99! It's more of a purple hue in real life but they have a selection of really great, inexpensive pieces which will make you look like a pro without having to part with serious cash. For people who aren't confident enough to wear it by itself (*raises hand*), it could definitely be layered underneath a loose grey tank top. 

The shorts are from Sports Direct and were also pretty cheap. I'd always dismissed Sports Direct but since taking a bit more of an interest in working out, I have discovered that it is a goldmine of inexpensive but attractive sportswear! Also useful for cheap tracksuit bottoms to slob around the house in (I have no shame whatsoever)

The Nike trainers are by far my favourite item and were also a find from Sports Direct! They were only £32 and there were plenty of other cheaper trainers which were just as attractive. Unfortunately the sheep in me was instantly drawn to the little Nike tick on the side and before I knew what I was doing, I was at the counter! But I definitely think that trainers are worth investing in and these are undoubtedly the comfiest shoes I own. The coral details also make my outfits look vibrant and are just a touch more interesting than my usual plain white ones.

Alongside H&M and Sports Direct; Forever21, TK Maxx and Primark are also great options for those who are interested in updating their workout wardrobe without spending a small fortune!

The colourful Forever21 Jacket may pose a challenge to some but for those who are always looking for a little extra colour in their wardrobe, it's an excellent choice. The H&M 'GO' T-shirt could provide that crucial extra boost you need when you catch sight of it in the mirror! Whilst somewhat simpler, these TK Maxx Nike Shorts would be a staple that would see you through years of use and the same goes for the  coral Forever21 tank top which has pretty detailing in the racerback.

Hopefully that's given you some workout inspiration and I'll let you know how I get along with my resolution!

Where do you get your favourite workout pieces from? 

How To: Perfect Hair Styling

Now I know you're probably saying, 'Hair Styling? I want bargain fashion, not hair tips' but what is the point in investing in a chic wardrobe if you don't have the hairstyle to match? Whether it's dishevelled a la Sienna Miller or blowdried Middleton-esque locks, I have you covered!

Although this product list could go on for all eternity, I have shortlisted four products which can create groomed and glossy hair or a more surfer chick vibe. Did I really just use the word 'chick'? (Sorry)

In terms of shampoo and conditioner, I use Frizz Ease by John Frieda though obviously use whatever is best for your hair type. Regardless of hair style, I use a Tangle Teezer which is genuinely a life changing product. I'd heard all the hype about it but had dismissed it as overpriced and pointless. But one weekend I was away and had left my comb at home so decided to buy this as a replacement and give it a whirl! This is the holy grail of hair products and I'm not exaggerating. As a girl with wavy hair, it detangles and brushes hair easily, without causing my hair to frizz.

Look 1: Tousled and Beach Babe Hair

Although we want the hair to be wavy, we DON'T want frizz so rather than towel-drying, use an old cotton T-shirt to dry hair whilst also minimising frizziness. To ensure hair remains volumised and retains it's style, apply a liberal spritz of Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray at the roots and follow it up with an all-over misting of Umberto Giannini Grunge Glamour Tousled Salt Spray. Although you want the spray to cover your hair, don't be too heavy-handed as it can cause a slight crispiness. Now scrunch your hair and twist pieces to boost the wavy-ness of the hair.

Either leave the hair to air dry (whilst occasionally scrunching) or tilt your head upside down and dry it with a hairdryer that has a diffuser attachment. If you have a diffuser, definitely use it as it maximises the tousled look and also adds a lot of volume.

Finally, put a small amount of Moroccan Argan Oil on the ends of your locks as salt sprays can be quite drying and it can help to tame flyaways.

And perfecto! Bedhead hair is achieved. I always find that to keep it looking fresh for the next few days, spritz a little water on your hair and scrunch it again which boosts the curl. Also feel free to use a dry shampoo as this will add lift at the roots.

Look 2: Chic Blowdry

This look may require a little extra work but the satisfaction of having perfectly groomed hair far outweighs the effort. As with the first look, apply the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray but this time skip the tousling spray. Next apply a little Moroccan Argan Oil and comb it all through with the Tangle Teezer. 

For the actual blowdrying, part your hair into small sections and work systematically through them. This time use the beak-shaped (professional or what?) attachment and point it downwards to flatten the hair shaft. Wrap each section around a medium-sized barrel brush and take time to ensure that hair is fully dry before moving on. Finish up with a blast of ice cold air to set the style and add some hairspray to ensure that it stays in place.

And that's it! Your hair should swish like a princess' (or Duchess'?) now! 

What's your favourite hair styling products? 

Put a Spring in your step...

Happy 2014! January is the perfect time for starting afresh. It's the opportunity for re-invention, improvement and most importantly, new clothes! Personally I find January sales shopping to be an experience comparable only to the Hunger Games; even if I survive it, I'll be scarred for life (and there are bound to be a few injuries).

Fortunately online shopping is the answer to my phobia of sales and so this time of year tends to be   when I spruce up my wardrobe. Okay, who am I kidding, the sprucing is pretty much a non-stop activity. Is it just me that always believe that a particular skirt or handbag will suddenly make my life instagram-worthy? 

In order to ensure maximum shopping efficiency, here is a small selection of items that are set to be bang on trend in Spring....

Pride and Pastel

I know, I know- pastels for Spring is hardly a ground-breaking trend. Despite this, they were spotted all over the runway, from Calvin Klein to Oscar de la Renta, with models being styled in hues which are more often spotted in a bridal bouquet. 

My first offering is a beautiful mint coat from Topshop which has more than a hint of Kate Middleton to it, no? If you're looking for a coat that will make any outfit look chic and sophisticated, this is it! Whereas for those who want to try the trend but sway towards more bright choices, look no further than this geometric pink tote bag from River Island. The geometric print gives it a more modern twist and it's bound to match most outfits (though try to keep the outfit to one colour to avoid looking like a walking rainbow).

Ready, Steady, Go!

Yep, you guessed it- there was a definite sporting influence in many of the shows,ranging from Rag and Bone to Alexander Wang. Whilst this trend may not be my favourite, the high street has provided some items which could even tempt a complete gym-phobe like myself! Think varsity jackets, jerseys and baggy tracksuits...

Okay so I know that they're not necessarily hardcore sportswear but I can't say no to a bit of floral! This  floral bomber jacket from Pull and Bear combines both trends effortlessly and also manages to be a subtle nod to the 90's. Also thought I'd mention that Pull and Bear have a pretty nifty selection of baseball jackets on sale at the moment, which could be an excellent budget-friendly option. Finally, this floral baseball tee from New look which manages to bring together baseball (or basketball? who knows) and painted florals in a surprisingly effective way. I think this would be excellent for those who are looking for a slightly edgy update to their wardrobe without the hefty vintage store prices! 

You've been Tangoed (in a good way)

Whilst I'm happy to dodge some of the more outrageous runway trends (blue eyeshadow, I'm looking at you), tangerine lips are something that we can all get behind! Although it may seem intimidating at first, just think of it as a slightly brighter coral and pair it with a subtle winged eye. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in shade 12 is an ideal choice and Sleek's Tangerine Scream couldn't be more aptly named!

What spring trends have you got your eye on?

WHW xoxo