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Dubai

Fitness

Crossfit with the Fittest Women Alive

Posted on November 30, 2017

Total inspiration… Having won the Reebok Crossfit Games 2017, Tia Toomey is officially classed as the Fittest Women Alive, so when Reebok and the new Goldbox gym in Business Bay brought her across to help us all get a bit more physical during the Dubai Fitness Challenge, I was initially in two minds.

Not usually a Crossfit fan, (I’ve maybe only tried it once or twice in the past) I can’t say a morning of burpees and squats amongst a room full of Crossfit instructors was quite my #morningmotivation, but I wanted to hear from the once Olympic weightlifter about her shift in training.

Toomey is fairly young too, but having recently married to her coach, she has a few insights to share. The key with her training has been communication and actually acknowledging that her partner is doing what’s best for her, so listening to him 100% out on the floor is non-negotiable. Off the Crossfit floor however… 😉

Having been asked which she preferred between this and the Olympics, Toomey said “the games have an unbeatable atmosphere, something which helps push you through the toughest parts. It’s all about the fans, family and community out there who are literally willing you to win.”

Well, I was certainly beyond sore the next morning, and as much as Toomey gave persuading me a good go, Crossfit isn’t my forte. But I love the feeling of inner competition it gives you, especially as a team, so it won’t be my last.

fashion

Bedouin Studios X Houndsditch

Posted on November 25, 2017

It’s great that locally based brands are taking the #PLASTICfreeSEA ethos seriously. Andraya Farrag of homegrown brand BEDOUIN just took a jump into the world of swimwear, launching in collaboration with Lisbon-based, London-born brand, Houndsditch for SS18.

Houndsditch is an environmentally friendly brand that produces their collections using post-consumer recycled materials, including plastics that would otherwise end up otherwise polluting the oceans.

“I wanted to make buying swimwear as fun as wearing it,” says Andrew Young, founder of Houndsditch.

Their gorgeous hand designed prints, with exotic hints of flora and fauna are processed into fabrics, which are then used to make the custom-made pieces. Houndsditch’s production line is predominantly made to order, which helps to further minimize fabric wastage – a relatively new concept for the conscious consumers, but one which is making a mark.

“I couldn’t wait to join forces [with Houndstich] and create a capsule collection of swimwear that perfectly compliment and co-exist with the BEDOUIN SS18 RTW collection.” Farrag of Bedouin

Designed to be mix and matched with the ready to wear collection, the Bedouin swimwear boasts an overarching Cuban theme, whilst also influenced by the elements.

Exuding cool tones of white, wheat, shades of pink, green warmed up occasionally with a hint of orange and contrasted by black. Leopard, beetles, moths and fantastical foliage are interwoven into an array of multi-colored prints.

*Cover image shot poolside at Vida Downtown*

fashion

Sapia Simone Launches Wetsuits for SS18

Posted on August 3, 2017

Whether you’re surfing in Sri Lanka, wake-surfing in Dubai or scuba diving in the cooler waters off Oman, for a couple of months a year, wetsuits are going to be part of your gear.

Dubai based designer Sapia Simone launched her label in the cooler months of 2016. It can now be found in 15 stores worldwide as well as online on Farfetch.com and seen on the pages of Conde Nast Traveller, Harpers Bazaar Arabia and Emirates Woman. Having originated in Miami, the brand exudes a tropical essence, focusing on nature, travel and fantasy across its collections.

The brand’s aim is to encourage and inspire a fresh perspective on ‘beach chic’. Sapia Simone’s design 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.

Designed to provide functional support to all our aquababes, wetsuits are normally your traditional black one-piece (ok it’s sometimes grey too) what they aren’t… is very fashion focused. Yet.

Launching for the first time, September sees one of my favourite brands, SAPIA SIMONE, focusing on the more active and adventurous women. Activating in two colours, these neoprene wetsuits are modest yet sexy, with patterned sides and a front zip for wear-ability.

Why not co-ordinate with your accessories too? Who doesn’t want matching wetsuits and surf bags, designed to be completely watertight and seal in all your important belongings, so that you can surf, skate or ski with peace of mind out on the water.

Recommended

Have a Great Hair Day

Posted on July 13, 2017

I’m not a very conscientious ‘girl’, that is to say, I don’t spend a lot of time or effort finding out about the latest hair treatments or cuts and i’m certainly not ‘in the know’ when it comes to celeb stylists or beauty trends. I do spend a lot of time washing my hair, thanks to various fitness classes and of course being in and out of the water on an almost daily basis, so I do care about my hair and whether or not it’s healthy and shiny.

One person I do go for advice on all thing beauty related is my sister. With a wealth of beauty editorial positions complete with a beauty APP under her belt, she is my beauty guru. So when she said somewhere is a ‘must’ then it’s a must… and i’m SO glad she did.

Rossano Ferretti salon is Dubai’s hairdresser du jour, where you walk in to their hotel-esque villa on Beachroad, order a fancy tea and they just cut. It’s really a modern yet magical experience, having transformed by straight-ish thick locks into a shorter, more manageable and lighter style.

For the first time ever, i’m happy to leave my hair down, without fear the humidity will have me looking like Monica from friends in the Caribbean! I didn’t go for a colour, as the sun is thankfully kissing my hair naturally, but the cut is a guaranteed blow-dry free shape, created using their signature technique.

Fitness

Testing Out: 1SIX8 NuPowerYoga

Posted on June 17, 2017

Yoga is all about bending, stretching and breathing right? So power yoga… something a little stronger perhaps? Described as where strength meets flexibility, NuPowerYoga was introduced to us last week at one of my favourite hotspots, Hautletic, through Dubai based fitness studio 1six8. It cites more than just using weights in its vinyasa flow, with innovative Nubell-technology designed, circular hand weights, which are created to be ergonomically optimal, providing an even, all-round weight distribution for your hand, wrist and (occasionally) ankle too.

The benefit of all this is that it helps to alleviate any stress or tension on your joints, often seen with other weights and bells. I know from personal training that I much prefer kettle bells to barbells as I feel I can keep my wrist more controlled when using them. The creator of these circular designs did so due to an accident where he needed to regain strength in his hands and wrists.

Created in the States (of course) there’s been a real trend towards combining different fitness techniques and classes, to ultimately try and create a more thorough body workout. What Nu Power Yoga does is aid those long muscle movements in yoga by adding a little more resistance, helping to get everything firing and ultimately engage with more core.

NuPowerYoga classes start in June, at their hotspot in 168, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai.

Fitness

Getting To Grips With AnimalFlex Yoga

Posted on May 30, 2017

I thought i’d pretty much tried my hand at everything yoga wise, from aerial to Bikram and everything in between, so as soon as I saw we were trying AnimalFlex, I was intrigued…

Not your average workout I have to admit, but a lovely 7am start down in the Marina (why can’t all workouts be outside), with the crew from Fit Squad Dubai and Exclusive Yachts, aboard a double decker boat that carried us around the Palm whilst we soaked up the morning sun and tested out what’s sure to be the new fit trend.

AnimalFlex is a curious combination of yoga with what I can only describe as playing. It isn’t for kids though, oh no… this is a test of balance, core and agility with well-known yoga positions like the scorpion and crab. To top it all off, our mini-workout saw us racing in cat (or was it cow) from one side to another. The fun of it all certainly helped keep your body from realising the brutal ab and thigh practice too.

To continue the #MINDBODYSEA experience of the morning though, we headed downstairs to enjoy a little meditation. I have to say, trying to keep my mind aligned and body focused after all that running around was trickier than i’d imagined, but it was a thoroughly uplifting recovery. Here’s to more workouts on the sea!

Fitness

Waking Up With Roxy Fitness

Posted on May 11, 2017

What better way to kickstart the day, especially now the weather’s getting hotter, than an early start down by the sea. I’m totally a water baby and I love the way we get energy from it too, so when ROXY, a brand I haven’t seen in ages, calls us all in for a #RUNSUPYOGA event, i’m 100% in!

ROXY’s a brand I grew up with but I have to admit, I haven’t noticed much of their presence here in the region in a long time. Promoting their new activewear, which is surf to sand appropriate, we tested out their latest pieces down at sunset beach with Surf House Dubai.

Kickstarting the morning with a beach yoga session to wake up our tired limbs, we put our balance to the test before heading out in two groups for an SUP fit session with the Surf House team. Harder than it looks, even for the most practised SUP’er; balancing, squats, push up’s and burpees when there’s a few waves underneath you is a testing experience to say the least.

A brand inspired by both the mountains and the sea, it launched in 1990 with the first women’s specific boardshort inspired by Lisa Andersen, and have been mastering the art of fashionable surf wear since…

fashion

Alilia.com Launches In Dubai

Posted on April 27, 2017

Online shopping has to be one of my absolute favourite ways to fill up my wardrobe with season staples and i’m super excited about this new portal! Alilia is a Swedish based brand that is launching its first collection and Ramadan specials here in the Middle East.

Walking into the press day felt like taking a step into St. Tropez. A fully boho-chic white wardrobe on one side, full of embroidery and broderie pieces that can be worn anywhere from weddings to walks on the beach, and a day-night collection on the other side that promotes a more bohemian way of life.

The brand is based on creative designer Ali ́’s eclectic life journey, who has collaborated with some of the leading fashion houses throughout Europe including most recently Zara. “Alilia is a brand that evokes feelings of freedom, memories, creativity and love. The passion and emotion put into every detail results in collections full of timeless pieces. I don’t see fashion in individual shapes and forms. I see women who know they are all unique and will let their story be told with Alilia.”

Have a scroll through all the colorful dress prints and lacy tops, beaded skirts and chic kaftan’s which are made from fine fabrics and feature a real attention to detail. Check out my favourite pieces below…

Fitness

Testing Out: Tabata at Motion Fitness

Posted on April 24, 2017

You’ve probably heard the word thrown around and if you’re like me, you’ve assumed rather incorrectly that it was a form of either yoga, meditation or some sort of martial arts. Little did I know walking into one of Motion Fitness‘s classes last week, Tabata is actually a HIIT workout.

Discovered by Japanese scientist Dr. Izumi Tabata and his team from the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo. It all started as a science experiment with two groups of athletes. The first group trained at a moderate intensity level, while the second group trained at a high-intensity level. The moderate intensity group worked out five days a week for a total of six weeks; each workout lasted one hour. The high-intensity group worked out four days a week for six weeks; each workout lasted four minutes and 20 seconds (with 10 seconds of rest in between each set).

The results; Group 1 had increased their aerobic system (cardiovascular), but showed little or no results for their anaerobic system (muscle). Group 2 showed much more increase in their aerobic system than Group 1, and increased their anaerobic system by 28%! So all in all, soup two faired much better out of their seemingly smaller workouts.

I can vouch for the intensity level completely, what started as a normal kettle bell class turned into a sweaty circuit course that was honestly exhausting. From burpees to lunges, squat jumps and of course weights, it kept us moving and yet also gave us a bit of a break too, so naturally, i’m now hooked!

fashion

New In Town: Alexandra Miro Swimwear

Posted on April 14, 2017

Summer’s almost here, which means we’ve skipped the whole ‘get into shape’ season and we’re caught with our trousers down… literally. So when your group whatsapp blinks and someone’s suggested a little Nikki Beach action, rather than avoiding it or coming up with an excuse, brave the tan lines and put on your best swimwear!

In this case, there’s a new brand in town who’s making waves, Alexandra Miro is our new go-to online swimwear brand, designed to fit snuggly to your body, whilst flattering your bosom and torso too! With only 7 styles at the moment, the key is not necessarily individuality, but comfort and luxury combined. Whether you’re a gym-bunny or you prefer the Easter bunny, Miro has a design in mind for you.

Miro’s background is in lingerie so we can be assured that she’s seen her fair share of naked women, and most likely, knows a thing or two about the wobbly bits we all want to hide, so she uses a neoprene fabric, which ‘sucks you in’ where you want it to.

Finding the perfect swimwear has long been a passion of mine, so i’m rather excited about the new beach-brunch season getting underway now… check out her collection here:

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