Fitness Fashion goes Festive

There’s no denying it. Come January/February, there’s gonna be a whole influx of the New Years’ Resolutioners handing over their credit card details and practically begging for membership to the gym, crossfit warehouse, yoga studio and boot camp.

While you can’t buy ongoing motivation, you can dress for success. Why not be strategic and prepared by putting your Most Wanted pieces on a list for Santa? Or your mum, boyfriend, best friend, brother. Because looking gorgeous in gym gear is a public service (no see-through leggings and low-rise hipsters here!), so really, others should get on board.

Here’s my tried, trusted and true fitness fashion picks. They have been through gym workouts, yoga, pilates, Ballet Sculpt, last-minute grocery runs and everyday-living business. No fading, no tears, no loose threads, and no shrinking.

Onzie

Made in LA, every piece is an artwork that is genuinely made for movement. The crops, singlets, capris and leggings all fit impeccably and are super flattering. I am especially in love with my high-
waisted polka dot print leggings. I love pulling them down over my heels as the length allows – all of a sudden, you’ve elongated yourself like a Dali painting. The floral crop is making me smile every time – photo real print and the pink and purple is reflected in my shoes, of course.

www.onzie.com

 Onzie on Facebook

 Onzie on Instagram

Skins

When compression gymwear first became a ‘thing’, it was Skins that was the leader of the pack with their scientifically engineered, hard-wearing but fashionable tights and tanks. Though the market has been flooded with cheaper, generic “compression” gear – I haven’t discovered anything that even nearly matches the long-lasting grip-your-muscles effect of my Skins leggings. While the gurus are still debating the effectiveness of compression – and it is probably more a matter for endurance athletes than the everyday gym guy or girl – it is undeniable that the whole range of Skins gear looks high-tech, sucks in all the things it should, and has a bit of a Halle Berry in Catwoman look about it. Winning.
I AM coveting the rainbow-hued Amazon Feathers running shorts and capris. Get in fast!

http://www.skins.net/au/

 Skins on Facebook

Funkita Activewear

Australian made – in fact, only a few suburbs away from me in Collingwood, Melbourne – Funkita has 10 years of swimwear design and athlete collaboration under their belts so activewear was a no-brainer. They have slam-dunked it too, with bright colours, sharp fit, great material and no-fade colours. Every time I’ve worn their bright pink crop and rainbow-stripe leggings, I have been asked what I’m wearing – the ultimate test of lovability! I’m wearing their full-length leggings and matching crop in Pink-Feline Fever.

Support the Australian economy, it’s an act of kindness!

http://www.funkita.com/

 Funkita on Facebook

 Funkita on Instagram

Henry Holland for MRP



He does crazy prints for hot girls. Henry Holland will cost you the mortgage normally BUT oh my god-oh my god-oh my god, he has done a collaboration with fashion brand MRP to deliver some amazing sports luxe wear at bargain prices. The ad campaign features the best pieces and I've snatched them up. The quality is impeccable and I was a little sceptical considering the spare change I spent on it!
That crop I'm wearing? $11!

My genuine dilemma was How Can I Wear Every Piece At One Time? Totally recommend the leopard print crop and matching leggings, the MEGA hoodie ($20!) and the pink camo dress. Who doesn't need one of those, after all?

MRP on Facebook

  MRP on Instagram


Cocorose London

As David Bowie would say, Let's Dance.
These are Space Oddity shoes too - don't you love them? Cocorose London does gorgeous, dance-specific and dance-inspired flats for fashionable and functional dressing. I have these crazy gorgeous silver and black ones, but I also have a very sensible pair of black flats for everyday travels. Whether you're a pro dancer or a loungeroom shuffler, these are a must.

http://www.cocoroselondon.com.au/

 Cocorose on Facebook

 Cocorose on Instagram

The First Run, The New Hip, The IT Band explained!

Post hip surgery - with my brand new pink mini-hip, I'm ready to run. Well, I'm ready to attempt to run, more accurately! I used to run daily, around 13 - 15km. While it resulted in regular injuries and I eventually stopped this madness, I did enjoy the mental challenge of creating ways to keep myself occupied and motivated to keep going. Every 2 minutes, I'll change the pace or the incline - every time there's an ad, I'll up the speed 0.5km!

This is all a lead-in to the main issue I'm concerned about. I have a tendency to get tight through the IT Band and I have seen many runners have issues that stem from overuse and stress on the IT Band.

Your ITB (Iliolotal Band) is a bunch of fibres that enable your hip to move away from the centre of your body - or lifting the leg out to the side from the hip. It connects to a small muscle near your knee and also to your glutes - basically, stretching down the outside of the upper leg.

The most common cause of problems and pain is having a lazy glute medius. If it is weak, just like a lazy person would, it throws the task over to another area - one that isn't equipped to take on the load though. In this case, the compensatory action causes inflammation, pain and a feeling of "tightness".

Don't self-diagnose however - DO go and see a physiotherapist or sports doctor if you are concerned.

Nick Seller is a Sports Therapist and Remedial Massage Therapist at Balanced Bodies. I asked him for the most common factors that lead to ITB issues and also for his methods of treatment.

"Factors that can cause the ITB to be sore include  not doing a proper warm up/cool down before exercise, excessive hill running, having a really high arch in the foot or a really low arch in the foot.
When I treat someone for the first time that has ITB pain, my first two questions are, do you sit for longer periods with your legs crossed in front of the TV or at the desk at work? And, do you run on footpaths a lot?"

Guilty.

"When we have our legs crossed for long periods of time our ITB is doing lots of work stabilising the knee," Nick explained. "If we make the ITB do this for long periods of time we tend to stress it out, as it has to be activated for long periods of time. If we cross our legs for 2 hours at a time, 7 days a week, already just in one week the ITB is doing 14 more hours of strenuous work."

So the strenuous work has taken it's toll...time to hit the massage bed, right?

"A remedial massage therapist will help relieve the pressure on the ITB using some of the following techniques; massage, cupping and, if qualified, dry needling.
Be aware these techniques mightn’t completely fix the problem on the first treatment - we aren’t magicians! But it will help start to alleviate the pain and get you back on track to being pain free.

Your massage therapist will also have a look at the non painful ITB and the surrounding muscles, such as the quads, hamstrings and glutes, to see if they are tight as well. By loosening off these muscles too, it will ensure the next time you go for a run you don’t have a lopsided feel, and it may be that the other tight muscles are the cause of the problem!"

Be smart - strengthen your glutes with targeted workouts (hello, Pilates!) and be aware of the habits that you hadn't even thought might aggravate the pain and tension (UNCROSS YOUR LEGS!).

Next up in the Back To The Treadmill saga, I'm doing the big switcheroo from Nike to Mizuno runners. While my Nikes look fash-friendly, the Mizuno are high-tech, raved-about-by-runners, gear for performance. I have done my research, believe me.
Will I last longer than 10 minutes? It won't be for lack of preparation and performance gear!

Follow Balanced Bodies on Twitter
Check out Mizuno on Facebook

Oh Sweet Almond!

Today the God of Sweetness delivered me philosophy Almond Glazed shampoo/shower gel. Every Christmas philosophy release a covetable Christmas range. I totally recommend you lather up with Cinnamon Buns and then soothe the skin with Snow Angel ('tis the season...)
If you're looking for a present for me, can I just point you towards
David Jones to pick me up a Christmas Cookie? Thanks!

philosophy at David Jones online

Movie Madness, Fashion Fest and...Portrait of a Ballerina

A Christmas break calls for a time-out from the world in general. I find this in my workouts, in my reading, but most of all in watching movies, documentaries and series that totally absorb me. I tried...I tested, I did the hard yards for you.

If you are...a Fashion Lover:

You’ve most likely seen The September Issue (9 times or so...), but it is a beautiful tribute to the relationship between Vogue editor Anna Wintour and her long-time eccentric sidekick, Grace Coddington.

Love your Vogue editors? Don’t go past ex-Vogue Paris editor Carine Roitfeld in Mademoiselle C, which documents the making of The CR Book – Carine’s ultimate tribute to fashion in her signature rock chic/eyeliner and glitter style. Karl lovers keep an eye out for The Kaiser.

The Tents – big breath, calm down. It’s the New York Fashion Week film. That is all.

One of the the original street photographers, and a true valentine to New York fashionistas, Bill

Cunningham: New York is Richard Press’ once-in-a-lifetime insight into Vogue favourite, Bill Cunningham’s unique existence. He lives for photographing fantastic clothes and has no interest in going beyond the sidewalks of New York from his trusty bicycle. Will revive your passion for street fashion even though everyone seems to be a street style specialist.

If you are...an Art House Mouse:

Tom Hardy in Locke. A one-man powerhouse, this is a movie just made for the theatre. Despite being in the car with Locke for the entire movie, multiple curious and dramatic characters are introduced via phone calls and the tension is palpable the entire time. I loved it.

Only Lovers Left Alive. Tilda Swinton, anyone? Killer soundtrack to accompany a couple of vampires in Jim Jarmusch’s highly rated poetic follow up to Dead Man.

Doll & Em: a reality-cum-fiction series from writer/actress Emily Mortimer who plays herself as an actress who hires her best friend Doll to LA to take on the role of personal assistant. Exploring the catastrophic potential of paying your best friend to DO STUFF for you. We all know friends are free slave labour...come on Em.

The Lunchbox: So many of my class participants said this was heartlifting, entertaining and totally fun. So drop your beret and thick black glasses into the second drawer down and enjoy having a laugh at a film that doesn’t have serious arthouse credentials, but a whole lotta love.

If you are...a Ballet Sculpt Belle:

Come with me aboard Ballerina. This promises to be “an intimate portrait of five ballerinas from The Kirov”. Consider the insane political environment these dancers are working in, the hours of practice, the tensions of a whole lot of extraordinary talent in one small room and add a camera. I can’t wait.

All titles available from Madman Entertainment - NO POSTAGE FEES for all spends over $30.

Vitamin C and the Natural Look Unmasked

One skin and makeup look that will never go out of fashion is the “natural” look. What it says is “Me... But Better”. So, no dramatic contouring or bold, neon colours. Just an effortless glow with shadows and highlights in the most flattering shades and shapes.
The best asset you can have for achieving a perfect natural look is great skin. That means clear, even tone without swelling, heavy lines, dark circles or acne.

The two key ingredients to look out for in their most potent form are Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Both are powerful antioxidants with the ability to renew skin cells and boost the “plumpness” of skin over time. A 2002 study published in Dermatalogic Surgery proved that vitamin C applied directly to the skin significantly improves the appearance of skin after environmental and sun-damage. It was shown to boost collagen levels, hydration and reduced appearance of wrinkles.
I recently had Laser Genesis at Natural Look Medical Aesthetics (as you know, because you read my blog every day) which leaves the skin renewed but also sensitive. Megan, my awesome laser therapist, recommended vitamin C as the best ingredient for maintaining the skin-renewing effects and speeding up healing/redness.
Fortunately, you don’t need to go to the dermatologist for a prescription. There are high-quality, high-tech vitamin C products on shelf. These are my tried and tested top of the C-Class:

Direct Delivery Vitamin C Serum is a gel that applies easily and weightlessly. Danne Montague-King products are developed in the lab by dermatological wizards so don’t expect to see them at the chemist. Your best bet is to buy direct from a clinic. Locate one here!

Alpha-H is currently 25% off Alpha-H orders with code AH25 at Skincare Store (free delivery too) so if you needed an extra reason to entrust your precious face to a high-end skincare range, this is it.  Their Vital C with Grape Seed gives instant glow. I have been using it at night which seems like such a shame because I look dewier, more radiant and years younger. You’ll just have to trust me on it!

Now that you’ve mastered the skincare, here’s the makeup must haves to make sure you play up your amazing skin. Try to go for shades that are not too far off your natural skin tones. Any colours with a beige, honey, tan, yellow-pink base are going to suit.
I swear by Clinique High Impact Lip in Honey Blush ($36 @ David Jones)
Diorskin Star Foundation has licorice extract and doesn’t make me break out while giving great coverage. Worth the extra dollars for everyday use!
Illamasqua Nymph is coral-hued and so flattering on pale and olive skin tones. Not half as bright as it appears – a light sweep picks up your cheekbones and brightens your eyes. Apply with a big domed brush – I love ecoTools Domed Bronzer  ($17.95 @ The Beauty Office) made of bamboo and recycled materials. It comes with a little pouch for easy handbag storage. I also have real Techniques retractable bronzer brush  ($24.95 @ The Beauty Office) that has a heavier handle and a nice “feel” to it! Gives great coverage too.

Saturday Supercharged Food Session

I have the best of intentions around eating super-healthily, working out in a way that serves my body and meditating regularly and without boredom....

Sure, some days! What I've discovered is that if you make it easier to make those choices then it doesn't feel like such an effort. To that end, I collect recipe books that are beautiful, inspiring and most importantly, SIMPLE things I actually know I'll cook.

This weekend, I'm opening up Lee Holmes' Supercharged Food (Eat Clean, Green and Vegetarian). There's over 120 recipes with vegetables as the main ingredient and they are simple, beautiful and appealing to both vegetarians AND non-veggies!

Lee Holmes is a certified holistic health coach, yoga teacher, wholefoods chef and I've also mentioned her previous
books, Supercharged Food and Supercharged Food: Eat Yourself Beautiful. Lee writes for Wellbeing Magazine, The Huffington Post, Lifestyle Food and also won the BUPA Health Influencer Blog Awards in 2013 for www.superchargedfood.com

Because no epic retreat to the kitchen is really complete without a soundtrack, I'll be jazzing around to Chillout Sessions XVII. Because I make it my endless mission to have you feeling loved and prized here, I have a 3-CD Set to giveaway.

You must be in Melbourne. All you need to do is Like Ministry of Sound on Facebook and then post "Chillout Giveaway" on my Facebook page.

Saving Face - laser genesis and IPL for collagen renewal

It used to be a social faux pas to admit to anything so extravagant as Botox or hair removal to anyone other than the professional wielding the laser, but in an age of Kardashians with ever-changing faces, it’s inevitable that women (and men, to a lesser extent) are coming clean on how they retain their youthful appearance.

In the case of Kylie and Danni Minogue, fronting the latest Harper’s Bazaar, they look even better now in their 40s than in their teenage years (Google Neighbours, kids.)

A study from JAMA Dermatology found that in less than 1 percent of cases, injectables and lasers have minor side effects such as bruising, skin discolouration or lumpiness. In a review of 20,399 cases carried out by 23 dermatologists, Dr Murad Alam determined that only one procedure had resulted in unwanted side effects. Researchers warned that experienced practitioners were preferable in avoiding negative side effects.

In the interests of saving you time, angst and money, here’s what you need to know.

Do your research – that means ask around. If someone has eyebrows frozen in a permanent state of shock, find out where they get their anti-wrinkle injections and DO NOT GO THERE.
The point of procedures, from a simple facial through to anti-wrinkle and filler injections, is ultimately to look like you, enhanced. That means natural, not fish-lipped and frozen-browed. And whatever Nicole Kidman might say about not doing anything since a once-off with Botox many years ago, none of us are fooled. I suspect Keith is in on the appointments also... just saying.

Find out from the start what the costs are, the length of appointment and what qualifications and experience your practitioner has. Did they just complete a short course in using Laser? Can you see examples of their work? Many practitioners have portfolios of clients they’ve seen and the work they’ve done. Make sure you are talking about the same thing as far as what a procedure entails in the clinic and what the results will be.

Also, how long will the results last? I have frown lines that I don’t want to deepen so I justify a few hundred dollars as a procedure I only need to get done every 9 months. It also prevents headaches and I find I feel less anxious when I’m not frowning at everything!
I don’t want to look like someone else and that’s not what I set out to achieve. I just feel that in my early 30s, with an active lifestyle and a propensity to sleep badly and get highly stressed, I’m not doing my skin or my face much good with high quality skincare alone.

Megan @ Natural Look Medical Aesthetics

Though you must tread your own path, I highly recommend my practitioner in Port Melbourne, Megan. She is extraordinarily professional, and the amazing Sue works her butt off in the business she has founded and runs herself. I have so much respect for Sue and Megan's commitment to their clients and making sure every person is tailored to and receives the time and energy she’d be given as royalty.

Sue @ Natural Look Medical Aesthetics

Sue runs Natural Look Medical Aesthetics which has a really comprehensive website that hopefully answers your initial questions about what treatments are available, who they’re designed for and what they involve.

In my initial phone consult with Sue, I mentioned my concern over redness and dull-looking skin. She recommended Laser Genesis Skin Therapy, which reduces redness, evens out skin tone and leaves the skin looking plumper and dewier. This was a much better option for me than alternative treatments which had a few days’ downtime. This treatment is also recommended for rosacea, enlarged pores and treating acne scars.

The heated wand was akin to the feeling of the face getting a bit hot and flushed during Bikram yoga – certainly not painful but apparently some people do ask to take rests during the procedure when it gets a bit too hot. Depends how tolerant you are and how sensitive your facial skin is.

I had no redness 20 mins after and with a bit of tinted moisturiser, nobody was any the wiser!

The fabulous Megan (she really is!) then zapped some broken capillaries around my nostrils that were not majorly noticeable but they bothered me. My dad has the same issues that are made worse by sun exposure. I am really careful not to be in direct sunlight too much but hayfever can worsen the little collection of broken capillaries around my nostrils and the bridge of my nose. Thankfully, one zap “vanished” most of them instantly with the others to “coagulate” and be re-absorbed into the blood stream over the next day or so.

Painless. Friendly. Discreet. And there's a whole lot of fab shops and cafes in Bay St Port Melbourne you can investigate before and after your appointment - bonus!