A triple bill - something to wear, something to eat and something to do!

By way of a change, I thought that I would bring you three different items in this post - something to wear, something to eat and a little exercise thought or two.

You all know how much I love anything pink - particularly a pink top or jumper (or front door) and so when I was shopping for some outfits for an upcoming event, this Sun, Sea, Sand Hush top (£40) might just have found its way into my basket. I haven't tried it on yet but it made me instantly cheery - and there would be something slightly ironic about wearing it when we're so far from the sea.

One of the main observations in the "comments" section about this top on the Hush site, is that it is much brighter in real life than shown on the site - which is a fair comment when you compare the two photos above. Anyway, if you're on the look out for a pink pick me up for your wardrobe, this could be it.

And if you're looking for a snack time pick me up, these could be them! True, I know that they don't look the most appetising ever but I love them and the recipe makes loads, so you can pop a few in the freezer and always have a healthy snack at the ready. They are the raw vegan flapjack from Jamie's "Everyday Superfoods" but without the oil or the maple syrup. I find that if I soak the dates and dried fruit in warm water for a few minutes, they get nice and soft and absorb enough liquid so that the oil isn't necessary.

I make these in the nutri-bullet in two separate batches or else it can't cope with all of the ingredients. Essentially I chuck in 200g oats, 100g hazelnuts, 50/100g other mixed nuts, 20g sunflower seeds, 100g dried fruit and 180g dates, whizz it up, roll it into humungous sized rabbit droppings and there we have about 22 power balls. They can be flavoured with cacao powder, or ginger, or other bits and bobs but I prefer them just as they come. And they're great to take out running with you...which leads me to my next part of this post.

Running. In all its sweaty, heart-pumping, achingly painful (at times) but totally mind clearing and wonderful glory. For some crazy reason, I've entered the ballot for the London Marathon again. Now it's just a waiting game until the beginning of October to see whether I have a place. And in the meantime, I shall be training for the Birmingham Marathon, which is towards the end of October. It's the first time that we've had a Marathon in Birmingham and whilst I didn't think that I had another one in me, I did a few 20 odd milers with a friend in preparation for the Boston Marathon and it was OK - so what the hec?

But at the same time as marathon training, I'm doing the "Couch to 5k" app with my husband. A more unlikely runner you couldn't find - only through lack of interest I should hasten to add. It's taken me 20 years to get him to come out with me! But he's done three runs now, he hasn't complained once and I reckon that he will be pretty nippy once he gets into the swing of it. It was his new resolution on reaching 50. So for anyone tempted, the app could be perfect - the worst thing is heading out, blasting around the streets for 400m and then collapsing in a heap never to go out again. This is a gentle, structured introduction that includes lots of walking as well.  

Oh, and the "Mind over Marathon" TV programme was brilliant. I loved seeing how running transformed the lives of those involved in such a moving and positive way. I would imagine that if you weren't sure whether you could get out there and do it (and I know that it's not for everyone) this might just be the thing to get someone to put on their trainers and give it a go.

And of course non of us ever likes how we look in skin tight lycra but again, a splash of pink or coral - or some flowers and a few layers always helps. I'm still loving the way that my Prism Leggings and Seafolly Festival Hoodie (both available at Cocobay) feel when I'm running in them. These are my running staples but I also have a good splash of pieces from GAP, H&M and Primark for running in too - so it's really not necessary to spend a lot to get going.

I hope that you all have something fab planned for the weekend, or if not, that you can just sit back and relax for a while. x

So how do you run 24 miles? (If I couldn't do it with a friend, I wouldn't do it at all!)

But before I start.....

I didn't manage to get a place in the ballot for the London Marathon, which means that I am fundraising for Coram, who do amazing work with vulnerable and underprivileged children. I feel really uncomfortable asking for donations from people, so instead I will shortly be posting about a fabulous competition that I am going to run on here to help reach my target. Do keep your eyes open! 

Twenty four miles is the most that my friend and I have run whilst training for the London Marathon. "How do you do it?" is a question that I've been asked a lot recently.  Compared to some, I've run very little. Many others have run much further than this and much more frequently too.  But the one thing that I do remember is being in the position, not so long ago, where I would look at others and think "How on earth do you do that? How is it physically possible?"

On reading this I really DID ask myself "how is that physically possible?" The author is an ultra-marathon runner. 50 miles, 100 miles - it's no problem to him!

The answer is you build up to it slowly. It's not as if you just wake up one day and think to yourself "Oh I know, today I'll go and run 24 miles." Having completed the Birmingham half marathon last October, my friend and I ran the half marathon distance possibly once a month until Christmas. The day after Boxing Day we did 13 miles, the week later 16 miles, then 18 miles, 20 miles, 22 miles and then 24 miles. So like anything, if you build up little by little, it's not so much of a shock to the body.

The day before, and the day of, a long run preparation is key. We do our long runs on a Friday afternoon and we do shorter sessions, and hill and sprint work, either together, or alone, or with other super lovely friends who run, during the week.

I don't do too much exercise the day before. On a Friday morning I eat a lightish breakfast, have a mid-morning nutri-bullet and an early lunch. Then, when the running watch starts charging, together with the FitBit, and the phone - when the bum bag gets loaded up, when the key and cash get stashed in the phone holder that I wear on my arm - that's when the adrenaline kicks in.

Unlocking the key to the success of the Kenyans in distance running. 

I wouldn't want anyone to be under the illusion that we run 24 miles non-stop. After five or so miles we'll have a quick stop. Out comes the M&S chocolate flapjack, the elderflower water, the Love Hearts, Twix - you name it, we've got it. In fact, if we're honest we probably spend most of our run working out when we can next stop to eat something delicious and sweet.  We could do with a Mrs Overall style trolley for our three course meal that we take with us. And thereafter we'll stop every 40 minutes or so to top up as once you've gone past the point of no return, you really know about it.

And as for passing the time? Well we go in phases. Mostly we chat - a lot. In fact a friend of mine said the other day that she heard us coming before she saw us, which was impressive as we were wearing huge amounts of pink lycra.

We talk about our children, work, schools, things we've read and how we're going to run on the day. What if one is faster than the other? What if one needs a loo stop? What techniques are we going to use to motivate ourselves through the tricky spots? And most importantly, how are we going to communicate given that, for once, we won't actually be talking? We un-pack things that need unpacking and when the going gets tough, which is does, we try to re-set one another's brains by the use of distraction, or pretending that we've only just started and that we're full of beans, whereas really we're at mile 18 and just want to go home.

Occasionally we'll just plod along in silence - but that's usually only when we're going up hill and we're breathing too hard to talk. Then one of us will say "I'll talk at the top" and on we plod until we've made it and normal chatting is resumed.

We have run in all weathers and sometimes the harshest weather makes it more fun. Blizzards, hail, snow, rain, wind (my least favourite) - it all helps with the stamina. I think that our greatest difficulty will be if it's too warm as that is something that we're not used to at all.

And crikey sometimes we're laughing so much that we have to stop running. We've been known to balance precariously over canal locks when the tow paths have been closed. We've clambered over, under, through and around barriers of no-go areas. We've run through the industrial backwaters of Birmingham, under the M5 bridges and under railway bridges with their huge concrete supports, expecting (in my case) to find a dead body at any moment.

And then, when we run up one of the hills to get us home, sometimes we get that fourth, fifth or sixth wind and it no longer hurts. It feels as though we're flying. Not out of breath, not aching just powering up towards the traffic lights that signal home. And then we stop. And then we can't move again because everything hurts and those seconds of pure joy have passed. But still we keep on chatting...

So my tips - none of which are revolutionary or revelatory because if you're training for a distance this will have all be covered in a training plan/manual somewhere:

• If I couldn't do it with a friend I wouldn't do it at all. Of that I'm sure!
• Whilst some people love them, I'm suspicious of the gels and would rather eat proper food, even if on the day I carry little bits and nibble it slowly - so flapjack, Naked bars - it's all good stuff. And sweets really do give you that sugar kick just when you need it;
• On a long run avoid looking your watch too often. It's like going on a long plane journey - you just have to switch off and let the hours wash over you;
• The long runs for us are to get used to the miles and to build stamina - not really for the speed, although we do wear running watches so that we know how we're doing. It's the other training - the hills and the sprint work that will help with the speed and a bit like baking a cake, hopefully it will come together on the day;
• I find that core and leg work also help with strength, although it may just be psychological;
• I love reading books about runners - Running with the Kenyans, Eat and Run, Running Like a Girl, books about Ultra Marathon runners - all of them have the page corners turned down at places where I find something helpful or inspiring;
• Running is as much psychological as it is physical. Next on my reading list is "the Runner's Brain". If you can accept that it's normal to want to stop, then you're half way to keeping on going! 
• What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. You may prefer to run alone, to listen to music or listen to podcasts, to re-fuel with gels - it's all just trial and error really. But the one thing that I am sure of is that never once have felt worse after a run than before. 

Mum on the Run - I've found them, oh yes I've found them! The perfect (Nike) trainers!

On 13th January I wrote about my latest style inspiration, that being our 5 year old daughter's Clarks trainers.  Sad, I know but I just love them - and not particularly for any sentimental reasons (how bad it that?) but just because I like the style.

 

 

Being in possession of several pairs of converse, and with any new pair being eyed eagerly by our 14 year old to the extent that they have to be closely guarded, I decided that it was time to branch out into some non-running trainers. I try and walk to school as often as possible and given that it often involves running alongside a scooter, or running along side a five year old (I wonder if I have gone overboard on emphasising how good exercise is for her!) it's good to have shoes that I am not going to be tottering in, especially as we are often passing stationary traffic, where the potential for ridicule is great.  

 

So, since that post I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of trainers and these were the criteria:

They could not be white - that would make them too much like running trainers, of which I already have a pair;

I didn't want them to be flat (which ruled out Adidas Gazelles and Puma classics) but instead I wanted a slight "incline";

They needed to be a bit nerdy/1980's retro. Why, I do not know, but there we go;

They had to cost as little as possible.

 

So far I have trawled Office, Schuh, JJB, the new Sketchers store, Asics, Adidas online, Topshop, Asos, Gola, New Look, River Island, Nike for Liberty - and they are the ones I can remember - but to no avail.

 

And then this morning it hit me! Sports Direct! Now we are lucky (or unlucky) enough, depending on how you look at it, to have one close to hand. I both hate, and love, that store with a passion. It's great for the children - reasonably priced swimming goggles, shin pads, football boots and so on but the experience is pretty dire and you have to be in the right frame of mind to enter the building - which often I am not, not least because it is located right next to the Ann Summers store and I am frequently fielding difficult questions as we go over the threshold.

 

However, online it is a completely different experience and that's where I found these gems. They are exactly what I am after and being priced from £28 to £38, depending on whether they are the leather version or not, they are heavily discounted too.  They are the Nike Oceana in a myriad of colours from black through to grey, purple, pink, blue and the palest mint green.

 

 

They have the incline that I was after, are just on the right side of retro and come in enough colours to satisfy even the most discerning of customers. I quite like the ones in the top left - fuschia and lime. Great with jeans, ankle length trousers, shorts and even the odd sun-dress. I just need to order myself a pair now. Well, either that or brave the store, minus the children so as to avoid more embarrassing Ann Summers type questions.

Happy Christmas - The Seven Outfits of Christmas

 Skirt from Hush (£65), Boots Jones (now £120) sequin top & Other Stories (£49 - almost sold out) Earrings Kaaren Buchanan (£68 - gift)

I had such great plans for the blog this week but as you can tell from my absence - none of them came to fruition. However I didn't want Christmas to come and go without wishing you all a very "Happy Christmas." I also wanted to say a huge big "Thank You" for reading and for your support along the way. Style Guile will be going into its 8th year next year and I know that some of you have been with me from the start. Without you all it wouldn't be here - so thank you! Hopefully next year I will be able to make time to blog more (famous last words) so I should get to chat to you all a little more regularly. 

I love Christmas Eve - it's probably my favourite day of the year. But I'm really conscious that for many, Christmas can be a difficult time. A "first" Christmas after anything sad has happened must be upsetting, so I want to let you know that amongst the merriment tomorrow, I shall be taking a moment to reflect and to send out virtual hugs to those who need them.  

As I haven't managed to blog much - OK, at all - I thought that I would do a quick round up of outfits from the week, together with a couple of other shots. After all, Christmas is about friends and family as much as the outfits.

This week, I've managed to get out early most mornings with my running friends. Those times are so precious to us all and we love getting some fresh air, some exercise and having a chat. It really sets us up for the day. This shot was taken on top of a railway bridge near to my home, just as the sun was rising. It was such a beautiful sight and just stopping (phew) and taking a moment to think about the run that I had just had with my wonderful friends was a really special time. 

Last Sunday we went to see my Mum and her sister and that too was such fun. This is a photo of her sideboard, which she had set up for Christmas. I felt that it captured the essence of Christmas when I was young, perfectly. So many people liked this post on Instagram that I have wondered about handing my account over to my Mum. Forget the fashion - it's all about the mince pies, the cake frill and the Quality Street. Nostalgia is a powerful emotion and so many people commented and identified with this post. The cake frill in particular had lots of love!

And this was my Mum's coffee table, complete with my Aunt's slippers in shot. You can tell that the children had been at the Pringles.

I seem to have been on my feet a lot this week so it was pretty much flats all the way. Dungarees and a new blouse from one of my favourite brands, Mercy Delta (which they kindly gifted to me) was a really comfortable outfit for a full day of Christmas shopping on Monday.

Our eldest daughter is working in John Lewis at the moment and we spent hours in there, taking every single item to her till just so that we could see her briefly. We also took her for lunch and although she was working, it was a really special day for us all. She loved having us so close. Sometimes people can be horrible to shop staff at Christmas (and some can be lovely) so it broke up her day and although I always chat to shop staff, it acted as a reminder to be super nice to them.

I took our youngest to see Alice in Wonderland earlier on Tuesday and I wore this outfit from Great Plains which I wrote about in my last post. This time however I wore it with trainers from Air & Grace together with a huge scarf from Jaeger which I've had for several years now. It just gave a slightly different twist to things. And I'm still quite traditional when it comes down to what to wear to the theatre/ballet/carol service. It would be wrong to pretend that I had made a huge effort but something other than jeans feels right on those occasions.

On Wednesday I was again in jeans and trainers, which were from Air & Grace. The weather has been so mild that the issue of socks (or lack of them) really hasn't arisen. This coat from Linea at House of Fraser is also perfect for this weather and it adds sharpness to an otherwise very casual and "un-tailored" outfit. Note to self - I must wear some more skirts and dresses.

More sparkles - this time from & Other Stories. And surprise surprise, I'm in (old, Gap) jeans (hence the lack of link) and Adidas trainers -again! On Thursday I had some friends come round for brunch and it was lovely to just sit and chat - particularly as they were my running friends and most of our conversations are interspersed with "Can't talk now, I can talk at the top" or "Ooh this really hurts today" or, as in the case of this morning "I thought that somehow running on Christmas Eve would be easy." Why? Who in their right mind would actually think that, let alone voice it?! (Well apart from me.)

And on Friday I was in....yup, jeans and trainers! These jeans were from Whistles a while ago now and are generally on the tight side, so the fact that I managed to get them on and keep them on all day was a result. I don't know why I decided to do double denim but I like this shirt from Zara and I haven't worn it for a while - so it kind of seemed like a good idea at the time.

We had 9 for dinner that night so there was lots of running around to do, hence the trainers. As we're going away on Boxing Day we had to start our Christmas food celebrations early, so as not to have any left overs. So, our Christmas pudding has already been eaten and the trifle already made and eaten too. I should have photographed it - the cut glass trifle bowl is from my Mum and it's a beauty. I figured that the trifle didn't quite look the same after the first portion had been served.

And look! I'm not wearing trainers! Although I am wearing jeans (Mango from nearly a year ago) and a sparkly top (again) - this time the Great Plains Suraya top (again limited in size). This is clearly not a place to come for outfit inspiration - unless you like jeans, a sparkly top and a splash of colour in accessories.

And then here we are at today and I'm wearing the first outfit. To set the scene, the children and their friends are watching Harry Potter and the Snowman will be on soon, which I love. The tree lights are on, the table is almost set for tomorrow and shortly we're off to Pizza Express before coming home when I will read "The night before Christmas" to the "children". On Boxing Day we're heading for some sun so next time I appear on here, it may well be in a bikini. And if that's not an incentive to keep off the mince pies then I don't know what is. Well, apart from turning a blind eye and breathing in, which is what I will probably do in reality.

I hope that you all have a truly special Christmas. Do come over and follow me on Instagram if you would like to see what I am up to - you can find me here And if anyone is feeling a little blue or in need of a chat, please do just drop me a line anytime. See you on the other side!

Mum on the Run - On the red carpet

Now, I've managed to get myself into a bit of a pickle and I should be really grateful if you could help me to get out of it.

For a while now, Easy Living Magazine has been running a feature entitled "schoolrunway". As well as running a feature in the magazine, they have been asking people to send in photos, via twitter, of what they wear on the school run every day. As I do that already for the blog, it was really easy for me to flick them over to Easy Living too. 

However, it has now been turned it into a competition and yesterday Easy Living suggested that I should enter.  So, what now happens is that the photos are posted on Facebook with a request for people to "Like" the entries. Whichever photo gets the most "Likes" wins the competition.

Now this is where it gets tricky for me.  Unlike twitter, where a) things move on so quickly they are soon superceded by something else, so that even if you look an idiot it doesn't last for long and b) I never get to know if anyone has looked at the photo or not - the whole facebook thing is so much more visible. So, if you felt able to go in and click the "Like" button on the facebook page next to my pic, by following this link  http://www.facebook.com/EasyLivingUK?ref=ts, I should be really grateful.  I don't expect to win but it would be nice to get a couple of votes - double figures would be nice - I'm not greedy!

Progressing on to last night's Style Event... 

Here's a picture of me last night before we kicked off. As you may have noticed, I am wearing the same skirt that I wore for the Marie Claire awards. I chose this skirt for two reasons: First, I knew that I wouldn't have to walk very far in it and so was therefore unlikely to encounter the same irritating hurdles that I encountered when I wore it to the awards in i.e. not being able to move in the flippin' thing and desperately wanting to get home so that I could take it off. Secondly, I thought that the new dress I had intended to wear would work well on one of the models, so I selflessly(!) gave it up for her.

Once I have the OK from the others that they are happy with the pics, I will post a few more.  For now however I am afraid that it is just my mug shots that I can show:

Me being wired for sound - a la Cliff Richard,

Starting my presentation and chatting to the audience before introducing the models and their outfits;

As our eldest said "Well that's as close to the big screen as you're ever going to get." Yes, thank you for that one sweetheart.

Everyone was lovely - the audience, the models and everyone who was there to help with the smooth running of the event.  Can't wait until the next one.

Today I headed back into town and during my trip I spotted these Marni pieces in the window of H&M. They are on display in preparation for the launch of the collaboration between H&M and Marni on 8th March. Predictably I liked the spotty items and some of the jewellery. I am still undecided though about the tribal prints.   

I would love to have been a teacher in our daughter's school yesterday.  Her class were doing a 7 hour sponsored silence for the charity "No child born to die", which is part of Save the Children. What a perfect day! Imagine the sound today though. OK, maybe not.

Toasty whilst running in the snow, thanks to Cocobay

We awoke on Saturday morning to a sprinkling of snow, which I really love running in. It was so pretty out, although it didn't last long and by the time that we got home, the snow had nearly disappeared.

I was so toasty and comfortable in what I was wearing, thanks in part to these bodyglove leggings from Cocobay which are totally brilliant in this weather. They are made from moisture wicking fabric and one of the great things about them is that they kept me at a constant (warm) temperature for the entire run - and have done so on previous long runs too.

Somehow these leggings look so more exotic in the sun!

One of the other things that I love about them, is the waistband. When I first tried them I wondered whether they were a bit snug around the waist but in fact they're not. After a minute or two I'm totally unaware of the waistband, which is wide and fitted and it doesn't shift, not even a millimetre, on a really long run. So whereas before I was stopping and hoiking (I'm not sure if that's a proper word - but you know what I mean) my leggings up every few miles, there's no shifting with these whatsoever. And I know that they must be good because now when a long run is suggested, these pop into my mind as being the leggings that must be washed and ready for action.

I'm also wearing the Seafolly Flower Festival Windbreaker hoodie, also from Cocobay. I really love the print and styling of this jacket and the hood offered perfect protection from the elements without making my head over heat, which hats can do. There are toggles on the hood so that it can be pulled tight enough so that it doesn't fall off. It really is a most attractive look from the front!!! When the warmer weather comes I will be able to lose my heavier jacket but for now at least, I like to layer them up together.

I shall be interested to see how the leggings feel in the warmer months and whether they adjust to the heat. They will definitely be coming skiing with me next week as I think that they will be great under salopettes....that is if I get as far as the slopes. But if not, they will be great for running in (if the conditions permit) or for HIIT training (am I allowed to say whilst watching Joe Wicks without his top on - which is actually quite a pleasant sight)?!

Oh and don't forget that you can get 15% off Cocobay's new range of Activewear with the code BETHACTIVE

Mum On the Run

Mum on the Run is a new daily feature on my blog. Each day -well, that is the plan - I will post a picture of what I am wearing. 

As a "Mum on the Run" I face many of the challenges that lots of you face on a daily basis - too much to do, too little time.  Like you, in any one day I may go from a business meeting, to meeting a client in the shops or at home, to doing the school run, dashing home and doing dinner and homework before getting on with the evening chores.

I am lucky in that styling people is my job - so I ought to be able to do it for myself - but there are always hiccups along the way - right coloured tights, wrong place (the wash maybe), right heel height, wrong shoe.  Black outfit but only a blue coat to go with it, the various lengths of clothes not quite working.  Does it matter?  Together we can find out. 

There are lots of blogs - many of them fascinating - where women have done something not dis-similar.  At the Uniform Project, Sheen Matheiken wore the same dress for a year.  Others create as many different outfits with as few a pieces as possible.  I am not trying to do either  - first,  because they have already been done so well but secondly because I wanted this to be a little different.

There will be successes and failures but what I hope to be able to do is to give you some ideas on how to dress stylishly without breaking the bank, using pieces that you already have in your wardrobe.  Sometimes you may like the colour combinations, sometimes not.  Sometimes you may like the principles of the outfit but not the outfit itself.  My advice is to take on board the positives and leave the rest. If nothing else, I hope that it gives you a giggle.  Fashion is meant to be fun!

A word of warning - I fully expect some of the photographs to be less than perfect but that's fine by me. Whoever happens to me near me on a particular day may get the job of photographing me - so watch out - no mean feat because I hate having my photograph taken!

Why have I called the feature "Mum on the Run"?  Because it has many meanings.  In a literal sense you may be running around - from home, to school, to work, out to lunch, back to the office, back to school - the list goes on.  Or, you may be running from someone - yourself perhaps - or something - or to someone - or something.  Perhaps you are running on empty and need inspiration.  Whatever it may be, I hope that Mum on the Run becomes a pleasurable part of your day.

So, tomorrow is the day to get started.  Let's see how we get on...Gulp!

Mum on the Run day 6 - Colour and Cashmere

Today was the day when I knew that there would be no holds barred running around - and I was right.  Talk about Mum on the Run! 

Not being a fan of jeans with running trainers, I went for the next best thing - converse style pumps. I read in a magazine that it was not the done thing to wear converse in January as it was too cold.  However I figured that February was fine and that it was more important that little one didn't get squashed whilst we were out walking.  In any event running after her kept my feet warm.

Given that it was also a cold grey day I wanted to brighten things up, which I did with a cashmere jumper with a long sleeved top in the same colour layered underneath.  I also added a statement necklace to lift the outfit, which was short enough not to hit the little one in the face when I bent down to her.  I am pleased to say that it all did what it was meant to for the day - unlike others I could mention.

Outfit - Gap jeans long and lean, French Connection long sleeved top, Jigsaw cashmere jumper, Jigsaw necklace, Marks and Spencer sequin pumps (children's).

House of Fraser Activewear - not what you might expect!

Biba Jungle Jaguar Jersey Short (£12) Jungle Jaguar Vest (£17)

Historically, House of Fraser wasn't somewhere that I would have visited, or looked at online, for active wear. And probably if I had, I would have been disappointed, because it wasn't until the end of March this year that they launched their own active wear collection. Their range includes a collection from their own house brands Biba and Label Lab plus pieces from Seafolly, Bjorn Borg and Ted Baker all of which really are worth taking a look at individually - particularly now that many pieces are in the sale - and collectively they are amazing. I don't think that I've ever seen such a wide range of prints, colours, styles and brands in one place. And whether you're after performance wear, or something more fashion related, there's definitely something for everyone.

  

Jungle Jaguar Vest (£17)

This is the vest that I am wearing in the above shot. I actually love it - the colour, the print, the feel and the fit are all amazing. For those who prefer their activewear to be fitted but not skin tight, this is incredible. Stand sideways, breathe in, breathe out and the top looks exactly the same. That's all you need to know really when it comes to its fit! And the fabric has a great weight to it - it must be the 87% polyamide 13% elastane combo - meaning it doesn't leave you feeling exposed and self-conscious.

Jungle Jaguar Jersey Short (£12)

And these are the shorts that I'm wearing. Again they aren't tight, which is perfect for this hotter weather. They will be coming out with me tomorrow on a run, when the temperature is forecast to reach 31 degrees. Eeek. I think we'll be heading out early doors!

The great thing about the Biba Body range is that there are lots of different pieces within the one print, with lots of plain pieces to complement them. So for anyone who doesn't fancy the jersey shorts, there's the Biba  jungle jaguar capri (now £15, instead of £30).

Or for the winter time, or for those who prefer the coverage that a full length running tight gives, there's the Biba  jungle jaguar legging (now £17 instead of £35).

And for those who prefer a shorter short, there's the Biba jungle jaguar running shorts which are now £10.

Now, in addition to the jaguar print, there are also some other gorgeous prints and styles. I've also slightly fallen for the Lazalea Leopard Ombre Tee (£12 down from £28). And I've identified what it is about this range that's so appealing. It's that the active wear comes in prints that I would actually choose to wear in my everyday clothing, so I actually like it for its design and aesthetics, not just because it comes in a capri, or because the capris have a high rise, or because it has a flash of orange on it.

Lazalea Leopard Ombre Tee 

Love this tee from the back. It's just a bit different!

And this print also comes in capris (£15) and leggings (£17) - I've linked to the full range here and in particular I love this lazalea leopard bra top

Or there's the zebra mono print shown in the capris below (the link I've included is to the entire range) which also includes leggings, running shorts a bra top and a bomber jacket.

Or finally, there's the black stallion print which contains lots of pieces but by way of an example, here's the vest;

I've linked to the entire Biba Active Range here as there are a number of plainer pieces that can be layered in amongst the printed pieces to break up the look.

For now I'm heading off into the distance in my full on jaguar jungle vest and shorts with huge thanks to House of Fraser for gifting* these lovely pieces to me. I shall be adding to my collection for sure!

*Just by way of clarification, whilst the active wear was gifted to me, all words and views are my own.

Oh and huge thanks to my friend Ellen, for taking the photos. She was patient beyond belief - active shots in active wear are very tricky to get!

Marathon Moments....

Firstly, I owe so many of you a huge thank you for your support in the run up to the London Marathon. From those who donated to my fund-raising page, to those who bought items from my Style Guile Sale. To those of you who bought the cakes that I made, who offered Good Luck wishes via cards, email, text, Facebook, Instagram and twitter and of course thanks to those for the words of wisdom that rang in my ears: "Your brain will always tell you to stop but just keep turning the legs." Wise words indeed at mile 25 when I really DID. JUST. WANT. TO. STOP! 

And of course thanks to my friend Libby (I would never have done it without her) and to our long suffering families who endured the journey with us, turning out on the day complete with banners and food for afterwards and by no mean logistical feat, making sure that they saw us as often as they could. 

After all of your support, it's only fair that I share a few photos. Not the most flattering but I love them nonetheless.  All of them are taken somewhere between miles 14.75 and mile 22 - apart from the last one which, as is pretty evident, was taken at the end. 

The day was fantastic. In fact the whole weekend was fantastic. It was really like a girls' weekend away for us with a bit of running thrown in. We were disciplined and didn't do any shopping, or sight seeing as we needed to keep off our legs -  but we went to the Mae Deli (Deliciously Ella's Deli) for our pre race dinner of sweet potato, roasted veg, rice and hummus plus (in my case at least) the most enormous piece of peanut fudge brownie - which was delicious.

In our hotel room the night before, we managed to spend five hours doing nothing other than eating, fixing our race numbers to our tops, sorting out kit, attaching the chip to our trainers, checking and re-checking kit and our race bags. Talk about a lot of time spent doing - well not a lot really.

As to the race itself, the volume of runners was phenomenal. The atmosphere was incredible - a bit like a huge party but also tinged with sadness given the causes for which people were running. Oddly the miles whizzed by which sounds crazy. How can you run for 4 hours and for it to go so quickly? A lot of time is spent checking your watch, altering your pace, overtaking, taking on water, remembering to eat, watching for the family, checking you're still both where you're meant to be and so on.

We were really, really lucky. Neither of us got cramp, stitch or blisters. Neither of us needed the loo or hit the wall (well it wasn't likely really given the flapjack, sweets and fudge that we managed to get down us!) and nor did we need to walk. The only real surprise - other than finishing - was that we both got slight sunburn. For those who like a bit of race geek talk, all of our 5k splits were pretty even, averaging about 27/28 mins per 5k. We finally came in at 4.00.13 - just a few seconds more than we would have ideally liked - but not enough to go for a re-match!

You see that's the good thing about having a Physiotherapist for an Aunt. Although it doesn't really look much fun does it? That lactic acid stuff hurts - but only really when I stopped.

And another by product? For a few minutes I couldn't talk, so the only way to retrieve my running bag from the lorries that they are put on was to lift my top and thrust my chest forward with my race number on it to the young man who was handing the bags back. Not once, but twice. Because still I couldn't speak. And now I bet neither can he. Traumatised he must be. Traumatised.

I'm so happy that I managed to raise just over £2000. Thank you again for all of your support. Please do let me return the favour sometime. Beth x