by thinkmarsh | May 11, 2017 | fashion, product review
Spring is here and it is time to #getraceready. Get The Label is an online boutique that offers a variety of clothes for men, women, and children. They also have a strong fitness collection that includes tops, bottoms, trainers, and sports bras. All the top brands are there too- Adidas, Nike, Under Amour, Reebok, Asics and more, but at a fraction of the price. Seriously- a lot of the fitness stuff is about 40% off RRP (inlcuding trainers!). Get The Label generously let me pick out a few pieces which I thought would be great in this transitional spring weather (chilly mornings and cool evenings) as training season ramps up again for summer races.
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| My new outfit |
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| Cold Gear leggings |
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| After my spill. So sad. |
The bottoms are Under Armour Cold Gear leggings which are lined with a warm material but also wicks away moisture. The leg panels are water repellent, which is helpful in misty weather. The waistband is high and elastic, which makes it very flattering on my body (and stays in place when I run).
These became an instant favorite during the last weeks of my marathon training. I tend to have trouble managing my body temperature during workouts but these always kept it just right. Can you believe I tripped and fell during an Adidas Runners morning session and ripped them? Absolutely gutted and I am going to try to mend them. If I can’t, I will be ordering a new pair soon.
As I mentioned before, I am trying to replace my old sports bras that are sad and ragged. The description of the Reebok WorkOut Ready bra sold me- ultimate support and moisture wicking (are you seeing a theme here?). I have worn it for both spin classes and run sessions and been happy with the suport it gives my chest.
Finally, the Nike Air Drape Hoody looked so bright and cosy, I had to have it. I love wearing something around my neck to keep warm when there is a breeze, and the cowl neck hoody allows me to bundle up or cool off a bit. There are a few design details, such as the pointed cuff, printed hood and zippered pockets, that add to the unique design. The material is 96% cotton and soft. I wear this top on the way to morning sessions but also when I am home on the couch at the weekends.
I am really happy with the quality of items I was sent from Get The Label. As I mentioned, I will be reordering the Under Amour leggings (only £29.99) if I can’t find a way to patch the stretchy fabric. I will be checking back every month to see what new products they have added to their shop.
Get The Label generously sent me these items to review. As always, all opinions are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | May 11, 2017 | fashion, product review
Spring is here and it is time to #getraceready. Get The Label is an online boutique that offers a variety of clothes for men, women, and children. They also have a strong fitness collection that includes tops, bottoms, trainers, and sports bras. All the top brands are there too- Adidas, Nike, Under Amour, Reebok, Asics and more, but at a fraction of the price. Seriously- a lot of the fitness stuff is about 40% off RRP (inlcuding trainers!). Get The Label generously let me pick out a few pieces which I thought would be great in this transitional spring weather (chilly mornings and cool evenings) as training season ramps up again for summer races.
|
| My new outfit |
|
| Cold Gear leggings |
|
| After my spill. So sad. |
The bottoms are Under Armour Cold Gear leggings which are lined with a warm material but also wicks away moisture. The leg panels are water repellent, which is helpful in misty weather. The waistband is high and elastic, which makes it very flattering on my body (and stays in place when I run).
These became an instant favorite during the last weeks of my marathon training. I tend to have trouble managing my body temperature during workouts but these always kept it just right. Can you believe I tripped and fell during an Adidas Runners morning session and ripped them? Absolutely gutted and I am going to try to mend them. If I can’t, I will be ordering a new pair soon.
As I mentioned before, I am trying to replace my old sports bras that are sad and ragged. The description of the Reebok WorkOut Ready bra sold me- ultimate support and moisture wicking (are you seeing a theme here?). I have worn it for both spin classes and run sessions and been happy with the suport it gives my chest.
Finally, the Nike Air Drape Hoody looked so bright and cosy, I had to have it. I love wearing something around my neck to keep warm when there is a breeze, and the cowl neck hoody allows me to bundle up or cool off a bit. There are a few design details, such as the pointed cuff, printed hood and zippered pockets, that add to the unique design. The material is 96% cotton and soft. I wear this top on the way to morning sessions but also when I am home on the couch at the weekends.
I am really happy with the quality of items I was sent from Get The Label. As I mentioned, I will be reordering the Under Amour leggings (only £29.99) if I can’t find a way to patch the stretchy fabric. I will be checking back every month to see what new products they have added to their shop.
Get The Label generously sent me these items to review. As always, all opinions are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | May 8, 2017 | exercise, outdoors, product review
Did you know that May is National Walking Month? Set up by Living Streets, the UK charity for everday walking, the aim is to create a nation where everyone enjoys the simple act of walking. People often overlook walking as a form of exercise, but it is a great one. The impact to the joints is less than running and it can still raise the heartbeat. According to the NHS, walking has even been shown to reduce the risk for chronic illnesses if done at a moderate intensity. Walking can be done anytime, anywhere. It is free and just about anyone can do it.
We chose our flat as it is near a large park and I get in at least one walk a day by taking our dog for a romp. I leave my phone at home to unplug for a bit too and just enjoy being out in nature. But if you don’t have a dog or a nearby park, there are plenty of ways to get your steps in.
The easiest way to accumulate steps is to walk for part of your commute. Walk to the next bus or subway stop or get off one stop early. You could also make your tea break or lunch hour a time to leave the office and walk around the block a few times. When you get back to the office, rack up a few more steps by taking the stairs instead of lift.
In the evening, why not create a new family tradition of going on a walk with the family rather than relaxing in front of the TV? Your children will learn from your example and benefit from being unplugged for a while too.
The Cinnamon Trust is a great way to get involved with your local community and walk more. With this organization, you volunteer to walk elderly or disabled neighbor’s dogs (there are other pets available to care for too if dogs are not your thing). Not only will you get your steps in, but the doggies will be happy too. When we lived in Mill Hill, I walked a dog on Sundays that I was paired with through the Cinnamon Trust. Now, we have Oldland so he gets us outside at least twice a day, if not three.
On our dog walks over the weekend, I tried out the new Keen Terradora mid-walking boot. I had heard of Keen before (I have a pair of their sandals which are great for casual cycling and water sports) and knew the boots would be comfortable as soon as I put them on. The boots have a wide toe box (a signature design aspect of all Keen footwear) and a cushioned panel to support the Achilles. This cushioning really appeals to me, as my Achilles are very tender and I find some shoes irritate them more.
The Terradoras also have a heel lock linked to the laces which can give extra support if needed, depending on the activity you are going to take part in. I have a narrow foot and this ability to tighten the shoe to fit my foot is great. The tread is good for fields, city streets and icey conditions, but the footbed support isn’t designed for use with heavy rucksacks. The shoes are superlight, so for me it is a fair tradeoff as I don’t do any serious backpacking.
My style is a bit more ‘function over fashion’ or sporty, but I think the Terradoras would also work with a bootcut jean if you were travelling on a walking holiday and wanted to head to the pub. Or if you spent a day exploring the town rather than the mountains, you could wear these boots and still have comfy feet.
Being waterproof boots, I know Oldland and I can walk in the park no matter what the weather. On the weekend, we go as a family with my husband too. With our close friends starting to have children, we have found that walks to the playground with the kids are a nice way to spend the afternoon too. We also take walks with the in-laws when we visit them. Walking is a bit harder to do when we go back to America to visit my family. America is designed for driving, not walking!
When do you find time to go for a walk? Try to aim to get 10,000 steps a day or more this May in honor of National Walking Month. Just remember to carry water with you if you go out for a long walk, just in case you get thirsty (or lost!). If you need some inspiration, check out these sites:
John Harris’ Walking in England– links to free downloadable maps
The National Trails- explore the diverse landscapes of Britian (has info on horse riding trails and cycling paths too)
Walking For Health– search for a health walk scheme near you. Over 1,800 free short lead walks are offered a week.
London For Free– 12 free self-guided walks of London.
Free Tours By Foot- another bunch of free walking tours of London
The boots were given to me for a review. All opinons are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | May 8, 2017 | exercise, outdoors, product review
Did you know that May is National Walking Month? Set up by Living Streets, the UK charity for everday walking, the aim is to create a nation where everyone enjoys the simple act of walking. People often overlook walking as a form of exercise, but it is a great one. The impact to the joints is less than running and it can still raise the heartbeat. According to the NHS, walking has even been shown to reduce the risk for chronic illnesses if done at a moderate intensity. Walking can be done anytime, anywhere. It is free and just about anyone can do it.
We chose our flat as it is near a large park and I get in at least one walk a day by taking our dog for a romp. I leave my phone at home to unplug for a bit too and just enjoy being out in nature. But if you don’t have a dog or a nearby park, there are plenty of ways to get your steps in.
The easiest way to accumulate steps is to walk for part of your commute. Walk to the next bus or subway stop or get off one stop early. You could also make your tea break or lunch hour a time to leave the office and walk around the block a few times. When you get back to the office, rack up a few more steps by taking the stairs instead of lift.
In the evening, why not create a new family tradition of going on a walk with the family rather than relaxing in front of the TV? Your children will learn from your example and benefit from being unplugged for a while too.
The Cinnamon Trust is a great way to get involved with your local community and walk more. With this organization, you volunteer to walk elderly or disabled neighbor’s dogs (there are other pets available to care for too if dogs are not your thing). Not only will you get your steps in, but the doggies will be happy too. When we lived in Mill Hill, I walked a dog on Sundays that I was paired with through the Cinnamon Trust. Now, we have Oldland so he gets us outside at least twice a day, if not three.
On our dog walks over the weekend, I tried out the new Keen Terradora mid-walking boot. I had heard of Keen before (I have a pair of their sandals which are great for casual cycling and water sports) and knew the boots would be comfortable as soon as I put them on. The boots have a wide toe box (a signature design aspect of all Keen footwear) and a cushioned panel to support the Achilles. This cushioning really appeals to me, as my Achilles are very tender and I find some shoes irritate them more.
The Terradoras also have a heel lock linked to the laces which can give extra support if needed, depending on the activity you are going to take part in. I have a narrow foot and this ability to tighten the shoe to fit my foot is great. The tread is good for fields, city streets and icey conditions, but the footbed support isn’t designed for use with heavy rucksacks. The shoes are superlight, so for me it is a fair tradeoff as I don’t do any serious backpacking.
My style is a bit more ‘function over fashion’ or sporty, but I think the Terradoras would also work with a bootcut jean if you were travelling on a walking holiday and wanted to head to the pub. Or if you spent a day exploring the town rather than the mountains, you could wear these boots and still have comfy feet.
Being waterproof boots, I know Oldland and I can walk in the park no matter what the weather. On the weekend, we go as a family with my husband too. With our close friends starting to have children, we have found that walks to the playground with the kids are a nice way to spend the afternoon too. We also take walks with the in-laws when we visit them. Walking is a bit harder to do when we go back to America to visit my family. America is designed for driving, not walking!
When do you find time to go for a walk? Try to aim to get 10,000 steps a day or more this May in honor of National Walking Month. Just remember to carry water with you if you go out for a long walk, just in case you get thirsty (or lost!). If you need some inspiration, check out these sites:
John Harris’ Walking in England– links to free downloadable maps
The National Trails- explore the diverse landscapes of Britian (has info on horse riding trails and cycling paths too)
Walking For Health– search for a health walk scheme near you. Over 1,800 free short lead walks are offered a week.
London For Free– 12 free self-guided walks of London.
Free Tours By Foot- another bunch of free walking tours of London
The boots were given to me for a review. All opinons are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | May 3, 2017 | fashion, product review
Towards the end of last year, the lovely ladies behind La Redoute UK contacted me to try out some of the kit in their sportswear shop, as well as offer my advice to their customers about how to stay fit and healthy. You can check out their 2017 fitness guide here, which includes a few interviews with other fitness blogging friends too.
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| Dip in the pool at Champney’s |
I hadn’t heard of this site before they got in touch. The selection of sportswear is huge and includes many big brands, such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Rebook, and R Essential. Every time I have a browse, I see their selection has a lot of classic pieces that will always be in style, as well as a few items that are brighter and bolder. There is so much selection that I had trouble picking out which clothing items to try.
In the end, I went with a one-piece Arena swimsuit with pink fish on it for my trip to Cape Town. Unfortunately, I only wore it under a wet suit on my cage dive because the water there is too cold for beach swimming. I hadn’t heard of Arena before but the product is meant to be chlorine resistant. I tried it out at my Champneys Spa break in early Febraury. It fits well but I knew to go order a few sizes up with my apple body shape.
Next I got a new sports bra to replace some of my Shock Absorbers that look a bit dingy. Have you heard you are supposed to replace your sports bras every 6 months? I struggle to find bras that are supportive enough for me, so I tend to stick to one brand and style. On the La Redoute site, The Z Sport Virtuosity bra claimed level 5 support and the color was bright so I though I would give it a try. I have worn it spinning and it did the job pretty well. It also supported my ‘kids’ well on a few Sunday long runs so I was able to discard my saddest looking Shock Absorber.
 |
Way outside my comfort zone here with a ‘topless’ photo. At least my bra matched the Overground decor.
Photo by Chloe Knott |
Finally, I gravitated towards the print of grey Puma capris, which fit really well and have a supportive waistband. To complete the outfit, I also ordered the grey branded Puma shirt to match. The bottom of the shirt flares out a bit, which would cover my bum. The shirt is made of cotton (I tend to prefer technical fabrics) but it is still really comfortable and fits me well.
The clothes are high quality and the prices on La Redoute are really reasonable for the brands and selection they offer. They have street wear as well so it might be you new go-to site for one stop online shopping. The collections are constantly being updated (which is why I cannot link to all of the kit I tried), so set it to your favorites and have a look around every once in a while.
Big thanks to La Redoute for the complimentary clothes and including me in their fitness guide. All opinions and body image concerns are my own.
by thinkmarsh | May 3, 2017 | fashion, product review
Towards the end of last year, the lovely ladies behind La Redoute UK contacted me to try out some of the kit in their sportswear shop, as well as offer my advice to their customers about how to stay fit and healthy. You can check out their 2017 fitness guide here, which includes a few interviews with other fitness blogging friends too.
|
| Dip in the pool at Champney’s |
I hadn’t heard of this site before they got in touch. The selection of sportswear is huge and includes many big brands, such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Rebook, and R Essential. Every time I have a browse, I see their selection has a lot of classic pieces that will always be in style, as well as a few items that are brighter and bolder. There is so much selection that I had trouble picking out which clothing items to try.
In the end, I went with a one-piece Arena swimsuit with pink fish on it for my trip to Cape Town. Unfortunately, I only wore it under a wet suit on my cage dive because the water there is too cold for beach swimming. I hadn’t heard of Arena before but the product is meant to be chlorine resistant. I tried it out at my Champneys Spa break in early Febraury. It fits well but I knew to go order a few sizes up with my apple body shape.
Next I got a new sports bra to replace some of my Shock Absorbers that look a bit dingy. Have you heard you are supposed to replace your sports bras every 6 months? I struggle to find bras that are supportive enough for me, so I tend to stick to one brand and style. On the La Redoute site, The Z Sport Virtuosity bra claimed level 5 support and the color was bright so I though I would give it a try. I have worn it spinning and it did the job pretty well. It also supported my ‘kids’ well on a few Sunday long runs so I was able to discard my saddest looking Shock Absorber.
|
Way outside my comfort zone here with a ‘topless’ photo. At least my bra matched the Overground decor.
Photo by Chloe Knott |
Finally, I gravitated towards the print of grey Puma capris, which fit really well and have a supportive waistband. To complete the outfit, I also ordered the grey branded Puma shirt to match. The bottom of the shirt flares out a bit, which would cover my bum. The shirt is made of cotton (I tend to prefer technical fabrics) but it is still really comfortable and fits me well.
The clothes are high quality and the prices on La Redoute are really reasonable for the brands and selection they offer. They have street wear as well so it might be you new go-to site for one stop online shopping. The collections are constantly being updated (which is why I cannot link to all of the kit I tried), so set it to your favorites and have a look around every once in a while.
Big thanks to La Redoute for the complimentary clothes and including me in their fitness guide. All opinions and body image concerns are my own.
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