Monday 18 August 2014

A/W 14


This year's key winter pieces have been well-documented thus far and the coming season brings with it a delectable selection of dream-like details and otherworldly outwear. It is not a season to perfect minimalism but to embrace the imagination of fairy tales and magical quality of the colder months.
Go forth with your own adaption of a winter’s tale, embellishing without restraint as soft layers call out for decoration and feet deserve more protection than summer overlooked – stop press: knee boots are in.
Some picks from the high street await so don’t wait around too long or else you’ll be left out in the cold… (literally, so you better have a coat). Here are the Lunge's Top 5 Autumn Winter 2014 trends and their high street heroes.


1. A FUR A DAY

Real, faux, purple, neutral, literally whatever, but generally the bigger and cosier the better which is ideal for those colder autumn nights to throw other a little dress. Prada was a highlight for the extrovert where silky slips were covered up by shearlings in contrasting colours and metallic sheens. Not for the faint-hearted. Isabel Marant had cosy pieces that lent to her boho vibe, enabling the smooth transition from the summer to winter wardrobe. Gucci's 60s influence was clear throughout, and this included the array of shaggy coats in pastel and muted tones coats.

Prada AW14

Isabel Marant AW14

Gucci AW14 


TAKE II: HIGH STREET

 French Connection black gilet reduced from £150 to £45
 




 Pepe Jeans green jacket reduced from £175 to £73



2. EMBROIDERY TALES

The more dreamlike collections tended to focus on embroidered details to set themselves apart, creating pieces to be worn as an outfit's focal point if not as the whole ensemble itself. Ideally, the usual influx of winter blacks and greys will serve as complimentary backdrops to the often over-the-top surreal selections in this style.
The always romantic Valentino stepped up the game with a more folky twist with coats, capes and dresses being stand-out pieces. Both D&G and Mary Katrantzou continued with this delicate theme with Dolce incorporating the darker hues of winter and Mary including sensual sequin for evening.

Valentino AW14

Valentino AW14

Dolce & Gabbana AW14

Mary Katrantzou AW14



TAKE II: HIGH STREET

ASOS dress £95

Boohoo crop top £20


Not technically high street  - but on sale! Vanessa Bruno Athé dress at Matchesfashion.com reduced from £280 to £140


3. (NOT NECESSARILY LITTLE OR RED) RIDING HOOD

The return of the cape was a noted addition to this seasons' shows both at once a comforting blanket of the softest materials and an elegant coverup for a very grown-up feeling monochrome ensemble. Burberry's nod to bohemian Bloomsbury girls was evident with the personalised cape/throws that models sauntered down the catwalk with whilst both Ralph Lauren and Hermes were a lesson in understated luxury with their sumptuous capes adding a air of sophistication to any woman.

Burberry Prorsum AW14

Ralph Lauren AW14

Hermes AW14 


TAKE II: HIGH STREET
ASOS cape reduced from £42 to £29

Topshop cape £32
Massimo Dutti cape £125


4. THE 60S ARE COMING

As briefly mentioned, the 60s were a key point decade for Gucci among an abundance of other designers. Hemlines were hiked up with chunky boots both at ankle and knee height. The freeing spirit of decade was mirrored in unexpected materials and colour combinations, with Gucci's stunning muted notes shouting of youthful energy. Saint Laurent carried on with it's grunge edge but with spinkles of sparkles and black tights whilst miniskirts and go-go boots really ran the 60s message home. Flippy skirts and polo necks were a common thread throughout Nicolas Ghesquiere's first collection at Louis Vuitton inducing envy over high-shine materials mixed with an array of different skins.

Gucci AW14

Saint Laurent AW14

Louis Vuitton AW14


TAKE II: HIGH STREET

ASOS leather skirt £37

Jigsaw skirt £85

ZARA patent boots £69.99


5. EARTHY TONES

Fashion went back to basic with an emphasis on colours often considered 'boring' or 'ugly' but now embodied with a glamourous ambience. Again, Isabel Marant used a palette focused on neutrals with green bringing a touch of colour and a natural aura. Lanvin used a mix of dark, moody tones focused on the evening woman wearing luxurious textures of fur and leather - highlighted by an envied green trenchcoat. Balmain continued their military theme with deep greens enhancing the tough leathers and utility jackets and studded dresses. 

Isabel Marant AW14

Lanvin AW14

Balmain AW14


TAKE II: HIGH STREET

ASOS coat reduced from £440 to £85

Mango shirt £39.99
ZARA dress £59.99

xxx

Thursday 23 January 2014

How To Be Fit Now


Let's get fit - people like to make a lot of New Year's resolutions about that.
I’m not one to take too many selfies during a workout à la Adriana but I share some rather fundamental and excellent tips with you that I’ve gathered over the years.




First of all being abroad in a warm place is the perfect place to kick off some fitness or improve on yourself. The heat makes you work harder and when you eventually fly home it will seem much easier. 

Key point – sweat is good. Embrace the sweat.
And obv if you’re embracing sweat you need to embrace water too, lots of it, to keep hydrated. Maybe even a rehydration sachet afterword if you’ve really pushed it.




Sprint training along any road is perfect as it doesn’t need to take long and can be done anywhere.
Try sprinting for 2 lamppost lengths and jogging slowly between one. The changing heart rate is the bomb for fitness and can be done properly in 20 minutes.
Doing smaller intervals up hills is even better. Learn to love an incline. 
Sprinting for 10/20/30 seconds full blast up a steep hill and jogging back down (repeating for as long as you can) is enough to see improvements really quickly.


If you’re abroad and staying by a beach then it’s the perfect surface for fitness, the resistance of the sand making you work harder but you also get to enjoy some cracking scenery. Win-win.
Doing it first thing in the morning is ideal due to it being cooler and there’s not as many sunbathers to avoid as later in the day.

It’s ideal to incorporate strength training alongside any cardio. 
Repeat after me: weights are friends not foe. 
If you want to tone (who doesn't?) then it is so necessary.

I apologise for the following image (and if you've already seen it) but you need to know if you don't already:

From the MTV VMAs in August, on the left a booty owned by Lady Gaga, on the right, something on Miley Cyrus. Take your pick (Gaga does weights).

At home if you’re a member of a gym sign up to some weights classes like body pump to get motivated. 
You’ll find muscles you never knew you had.


Whilst traveling you may be without gym gear but your own body weight does perfectly, including moves such as the classic push up, sit up, plank, lunges, squats and tonnes more moves. If you're at home there are so many youtube videos about quick exercise moves requiring no equipment to make it super easy.
Or how about taking a break half way through a run to find some space and get to it.




Jog on.
xx

Sunday 19 January 2014

Shawtay-shorts


So in the spirit of summer dressing I’ve been whipping out the shorts in South Africa, see Exhibit A:





The shorts are Bitching and Junkfood and the shirt, bag and shoes are ZARAduh (form hence forth any clothing purchased from ZARA will be referred to as ZARAduh, because well, duh).
Yes these shorts are extremely short so make any physical activity quite possible, if rather prone to exposure.


Later on, we paid a trip to the charming vineyard Constantia Utisg for dinner at its renowned restaurant La Colombe.





Poached duck egg!

Add truffle sauce and you're set


The menu is French and portions are small but filling to enjoy the delicate flavours, my kinda food.
Safe to say it was a successful meal.

xxx

Sunday 12 January 2014

Cape Town Food Break


So I’ve been out of the loop over the Christmas period, away in South Africa avoiding the treacherous weather of home. In fact it was a miracle our flight got out of the airport at all but that’s another story.

Now the best thing about seeking out winter sun is the inevitable summer wardrobe that can be worn 6 months ahead of usual - genius. A
longside this is how tempting the great outdoors become when it’s 30 degrees and the sun in shining. The perfect excuse for exercise, except perhaps when the temperature has dropped just a little. Otherwise you’re sweating like it’s Bikram yoga up in here.
Anyhoo, with all of this activity you need fuel, what better time to source out the best foodie places when you’re abroad. 
Lets have a taster eh?

I’ve travelled to Cape Town previously but am always on the lookout for new places to visit, this year I did a bit of forward planning using Wallpaper and Suitcase magazines, both very cool for travel info.
First up, in the Cape Quarter, a renovated shopping and eating centre in the city, lies the dainty French café La Petite Tarte. Chic interiors add to the decidedly French menu.
My cup of tea. 








Whilst in the Quarter you CANNOT miss out on a visit to Nap, my favourite South African homeware, jewellery and clothing store. Kind of like Anthropology in muted tones. Chic.
I need to decorate my house with everything here and then lounge around in some stone-coloured pyjamas.




Now for lunch?
Yes, well the place to go is Tashas even Cheryl went, so it’s got to be good. 
We only went once which is a tragedy as I want to try everything on the menu but settled on avocado, artichoke and feta on toast with the sister having poached eggs and spinach.
Again, the décor sets it apart as well as the delicacies on show.










Aaand now I'm hungry. Damn.

xxx