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The Outnet: Luxe Activewear

Posted on January 17, 2017

For someone who has just cleaned out their activewear drawer, the January sales come as a bittersweet reward. I’ve now currently divided my leggings into sweat-worthy, workout suitable and travel appropriate. So when The Outnet.com (an online designer discount haven) emails me to say HEY, come check out our new luxury activewear, what am I supposed to do… not look?

Styling it as an ‘essential,’ this shiny new workout wear with golden logos has me reaching for my wallet before i’ve even clicked through the emailer. But in all honesty, the clothing that see’s the most usage in my wardrobe is the ones I care the least about sweating in… i.e. older collection/print, slightly too loose (or tight) and would maybe consider painting a house in (the formula for all my clothing that is to either remain hanging or be forever drawer-ed.)

So just where will these new pieces go? My theory is that if I can picture it with a large jumper, boots and a nice wooly scarf, they are ski-suitable and will end up on the travel appropriate pile, just like a plethora of other leggings that I have saved away for those ‘special occasions’ (once every 2 years!). But if you expect me to actually workout in them, then they need to be softer than soft, skin-like and not remotely see-through in a downward dog, so realistically – after the high-calorie holiday – not required right now.

Channel your inner Cara Delevigne and travel luxe in these shiny new pieces:

New Year, New Workout Gear

Posted on January 5, 2017

Ever feel like your workout wardrobe is better than your evening one? I certainly do… but that means it’s time for it to get a bit of a karmic cleanse too (I mean who wears neon to the gym anymore!?). I always wear my newest gym gear, because like everything, when it’s new, I feel confident in it. Admittedly there’s a few colour heavy/trendy pieces mixed in with the more classic black leggings, but all in all, I can honestly say I’d be happy to downward dog in just about everything in there.

Even though it’s my current favourite gym wear, it’s worth recycling the pile every so often. If you can’t work out what to throw out, turn the pile upside down and see if you go for those forgotten leggings next time you book a class or if you pull from within the pile itself!

For me though, a workout isn’t just in the gym! My swimwear also gets a refresh every January – to whittle out those few favoured bikinis that are turning a little see-through…

Check out my fave new pieces you can buy online in the U.A.E!
THE UPSIDE paddle suit from Sun & Sand Sports

DHARMA BUMS leggings from yApparel

BODY LANGUAGE capri leggings and crop top from Sun & Sand Sports

fashion

Dedicating Time With D1 Milano

Posted on December 7, 2016

There’s elegance in perfect simplicity.

What started as a marketing thesis by Dario, who currently heads the company with sister Alessia and long-time friends Alessandro and Mattia, quickly gained ground as one of the Italy’s fastest growing fashion accessories brands. Born in Milan during the MFW 2013, it’s now present in the world’s leading fashion stores, and here in the U.A.E it’s exclusive to Harvey Nichols!

D1 Milano is actually pronounced ‘The One’ and is known for its rubberised style, which has a huge following in Asia. Launching their first local pop-up at SOLE DXB this year gave them an urban edge, as their affordable luxury collections were in high-demand, having just launched their exclusive and lim.ed. ‘Dubai’ watch too.

Here’s what I was wearing…

fashion

Ray-Ban: Eye Candy Redefined

Posted on November 21, 2016

If we think about it… accessories are much more than just eye candy, they are adornments of culture, individuality and status (anthropologically speaking). But more than that, they help us to defy authority and regiment by interjecting elements of our personality outwardly.

I can try to rationalise why I have 400,000… earrings, rings, necklaces at home, but really, we buy accessories because they make people notice that little extra bit of effort you put in, that little added detail. Out of all my hoarding, i’ve got a real penchant for sunglasses, they frame the face and automatically make people (me) more attractive I think.

Which is why Luxottica’s press day at the gorgeous Culinary Boutique hotspot on Beachroad had me wishing I had more heads to wear them all on! Ray-Ban is a brand in particular I feel suits my lifestyle well. There’s an element of heritage, style and yet we’re not dealing with full on face-furniture 😉

Timeless style, authenticity and freedom of expression from its debut in 1937, I think their pieces are particularly perfect for the beach – bar scenario which is most of my weekends at the moment. Here’s my favourite pieces from the Ray-Ban at Luxottica round up:

And of course… my pair:

fashion Fitness

GAP Fit Launches in the Middle East

Posted on November 7, 2016

Famed all-American clothing brand Gap has partnered with Al Tayer Group to launch the first Gap Fit standalone store in the world! Based down at JBR, The Beach, the shop is full on fitness so it’s only natural that we had to put it to the test.

The Warehouse Beach gym played host to a morning of circuits, and even though it was first thing in the morning, being outdoor in the not-yet-wintry weather made it tougher still. The GapFit gear held up nicely despite the rigorous testing it got, so we headed straight to the store to stock up!

GAP is an iconic brand that’s really best known for its denim, but by launching GapFit this year, it’s opened up the brand again for me personally. Expect a collection full of activewear and i’m especially fond of their leggings that offer good compression, breathability, stretch, and their new blackout technology. Not strictly for women either, the launch has a full range of comfy activewear for guys too!

fashion Recommended travel

Vitamin Sea with Sapia Simone

Posted on October 18, 2016

In there like swimwear… I just cannot get enough of this brand. Not only is its founder, whose long-steeped history with fashion design, Sapia Simone a lovely human being, she launched her first collection at only 23, so she’s a total inspiration to me. With vitamin sea vibes, Sapia Simone was born and her SS17 collection is now officially live.

It’s more than just swimwear though, her resort collection features some gorgeous trousers and shirts that’ll make you feel totally tropical. Her pieces can be found in over 12 stores globally, but she’s based in Dubai now. Not so far a cry from having originated the brand where else, but the original sunshine society, Miami!

With an Italian background and education at Instituto Marangoni, (where D&G and many more hail from) Italian born Sapia Simone herself knew from a young age where her passion for fashion was taking her, and one incredible adventure in Zanzibar brought the dream to life.

Making it her aim to encourage and inspire a fresh perspective on ‘beach chic’. Her mission is to make playful and beautiful swimwear silhouettes, styles and resort wear that celebrate the active and adventurous female living across the world in a variety of sunshine societies.

I’m sold.

fashion

6 Swimsuits We’re Coveting This Summer

Posted on August 2, 2016

Summer means swimwear! Everyone right now seems to be in Greece/Spain or the South of Italy soaking up the (normal) sunshine, but even though it’s actually too hot to go outside in Dubai, i’m still scouring the shops for one pieces to wear round the pools as I test out my Privilee card!

Shopping online is a lot easier for me, but I’m not your average body shape – smaller ribs, wider hips and a bum that my mum isn’t even sure where it came from, means two things – I have to work harder to keep it all together AND I do not suit these high riding bikini bottom styles that are everywhere right now… nor for that matter do I look particularly symmetrical in the harry high-pants either.

Swimsuits are my ultimate piece of summer apparel. When I go shopping, their stylish simplicity means I’m not fighting the crowds looking for two different sized pieces that match! Also, with the bodysuit making a resurgence this season, I’m perfectly on trend pairing my one piece with a pair of high waisted shorts too.

Here’s my current covets from some of my favourite brands:

Acacia Swimwear

Sapia.Kang

H&M

Billabong

Vitamin A by Amahlia Stevens

L*Space

fashion Recommended

BaemBu: The Dubai Based Eco-Brand

Posted on July 21, 2016

It’s said that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is today. The Earth is in need of our help and there’s no better time to really be living authentic and organic!

Fashion is an industry that’s producing TONNES of waste, besides that you should also be conscious about where your clothes come from, who made them and what material they are being made with! (After all, you don’t really want your clothes to live longer than you do).

The key to being a conscious consumer is to look for that guarantee. One of my close friends started her ethical journey a couple of years ago now and is helping to persuade the region into adopting a more sustainable style. Did you know that 80% of the environmental impact of clothing occurs post-purchase, so it’s a great reminder to cool wash our clothes and hang dry!

BaemBu is her collection of unique blended T shirts and hoodies, comprising of 70% bamboo viscose & 30% organic cotton. Completely organically grown, sourced and made under fair trade regulations, Aimee Changco and her partner Matthew King ensure that even the printing on them uses organic water based ink.

Having received accreditations that include ‘Fair Wear Foundation’, ‘Soil Association’ and ‘Confidence In Textiles’, we can be sure that BaemBu is nothing but eco-friendly. They have some amazing natural properties too, such as being; hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, UV protection, moisture wicking as well as insulating, so you can literally take them everywhere!

You can get your BaemBu T’s here or spot Aimee and Matt around the UAE from Cocktail Kitchen to Market OTB, The Change Initiative and in a variety of cool pop-ups across the city. Not only do they help promote a more sustainably sourced future for Dubai’s fashion landscape, they also run the ‘Shoebox Love’ campaign during Ramadan so make sure you follow them for more ethical initiatives coming up!

fashion

Summer’s Sorted with Omasi

Posted on July 5, 2016

Im a real water baby at heart but I love everything the summer has to offer! You can consistently find me soaking up the sun on weekends in Dubai, either relaxing poolside or paddling at sunset beach. What you won’t find me doing though is sitting on the sand. I have a very real (but unexplainable) freak out if I get sandy. I’m not talking toes as such, but if I pick up a towel, I have to inspect every inch of it first! Either way, I’d be lost if I moved somewhere without access to the sea.

Which is why I’m a massive fan of beachwear too… (the name kinda gave that away right), so I wanted to introduce you to OMASI – for those who haven’t already heard of them, Omasi was created by two lovely long-term Dubai residents who also had a passion for this city and its beach life. Finnish born, Hanne and Terhi started Omasi 2 1/2 years ago and having spent lots of summer’s in the sunshine, they were constantly picking up beach products the world over. With this in mind, they saw a real niche here for locally designed and produced products that you can get online.

Their products are comfy, very wearable (I take my poncho everywhere) and are even brand-able. What’s even greater, is that they are the perfect presents – they can be customised with either initials or your full name! Currently found in a wealth of hotel shops like Atlantis, Sofitel and Kempinski, as well as specialist stores like the SurfHouse, Adventure HQ, expect to find their label on most of your holiday hit-lists.

Pick up your own personalised poncho here!

fashion Fitness

Jumping On This Yoga-Brand Bandwagon

Posted on May 17, 2016

My activewear drawer is probably my most well-rounded wardrobe department, so this yoga brand addition’s been a long time coming… not only is this Canadian company making waves everywhere from the US to AUS, with all my friends coveting their comfortable collections, it’s constantly being paraded around the barre by my beloved instructors!

Lululemon is the yoga-inspired apparel brand who’s high-waisted leggings have revolutionised form-fitting activewear.

Minimising distractions (like escaping muffin tops and creeping camel toes) whilst maximising comfort, these leggings are the epitome of effortless dressing. Having not tried out their bra tops yet, I can only speculate that they are indeed as boob-huggingly soft as they look.

Here’s my latest covets:

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