Spring is fast approaching, as is British Summer Time. British Summer Time begins Sunday, 28 March 2010 and soon we’ll be enjoying loads more sunlight and warmer weather. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been cooped up a bit too long and sadly I’ve packed on a few pounds over the long winter. Spring is that special buffer season where I can shed all my winter weight in preparation for summertime. I’ve considered my exercise options–I really am not much of a jogger–it’s really just a bit too intense for me. Hiking, on the other hand, offers the workout that I need along with the opportunity of enjoying the outdoors. No gym in the world is as refreshing and renewing as nature. If the weather is right, nothing can really beat the fresh air, openness and views of hiking outdoors.

Workout with Friends

There is a drawback to hiking and that is that it’s not very safe to go hiking in the wilderness solo. You should definitely have a companion on hikes and because of that often times hiking needs to be planned. On the flip-side, hiking is one of those rare exercise routines that fosters bonding and conversation. Yeah, you can go to the gym with friends or jog with friends, but you obviously can’t comfortably carry on a conversation. Often times, I find that my best companion on workouts is my iPod. Hiking allows us a rare opportunity to workout our bodies as well as our social skills amidst the revitalizing backdrop of nature.To me, that has much more value than a gym membership.

Hiking Essentials: Walking sticks, Jackets and Shoes

If you’re convinced that hiking is something you’d like to try this spring season, make sure you’re properly suited for the workout. Like any other kind of physical activity, hiking has a few essential pieces of equipment that can completely enhance your workout routine. Depending on where you’re planning on hiking, you should consider buying a walking pole. If you’re going to be hiking relatively steep terrain, a walking stick can totally revolutionize your hike. Even a gradual climb can seem like a totally different experience with a walking stick. Walking sticks don’t take away from the workout either, it just offers you more balance and comfort during your hike. A few things to look for when purchasing a walking stick are durability and lightness. I would suggest the Leki Carbonlite Pole if you’re looking to purchase one because it offers both crucial features at a reasonable price. Made from high modular carbon, the Leki Carbonlite Pole is extremely light and strong and comes with a safety wrist strap which can be more useful than you think. It also comes with Antishock technology which reduces impact on joints, ligaments and muscles, making hiking a sustainably low-impact exercise routine that is perfect for all ages.

Working out at higher altitudes and possibly in the shade means that you’ll stay pretty cool. It may be hot at home, but when you get to the mountain it can be easy to underestimate how cold it’ll be during you’re hike. Hiking jackets are made from fabric that is specially formulated to keep you cool while protecting you from the elements. Hiking jackets are typically made of specialized polyester because it’s lightweight, allows for ventilation and it can block you from wind, and to a certain extent, rain. If you’re going hiking, consider something like a Berghaus Gtx Jacket. Berghaus makes exceptionally crafted hiking jackets that are stylish as well, which is pretty hard to find. It has 2-layer Gore-Tex–that means the jacket is lightweight, well ventilated, waterproof and is guaranteed to protect you from wind and rain.

Lastly, and most importantly, you need to make sure you are wearing the right footwear. I made the mistake of no wearing proper hiking shoes and I injured myself pretty badly on what should have been a mild hike up a hill. You’ve seen all those clunky, unattractive hiking boots before with laces that go on to no end. As hiking is becoming more and more popular, a new trend in hiking boots has emerged–velcro hiking walking shoes. Hiking shoes are all about comfort and ease, and really what’s more comfortable and easy than velcro shoes? They’ve typically been for children in the past, but now they’ve been redesigned for adults looking to simplify their workouts by quickly slipping in and out of their workout shoes. It’s the simplest and easiest solution to buying practical hiking shoes without the hassle of having to lace up. An added benefit is that your shoes never come untied while making your way around the mountain.

Did you know?

Hiking exposes you to natural light which increases the level of the hormone serotonin in the brain. Serotonin regulates sleep patterns, weight and appetite, decreases stress and improves your mood. So be a happier, healthier you this spring, hit the trails and enjoy the outdoors!

-Miljean

1. Buy vision care online – Since 2004, Glasses Direct has been selling prescription glasses online and cutting out the middleman. Back in 2004, the average cost of a pair of glasses bought at big high street chains was £148.85. Now you can get quality spectacles, custom made to your precise prescription for just £24. And for those of us who use contact lenses, ordering a pair online makes great savings.

2. Buy hearing aids online – Our very own Jamie Murray Wells launched his new start-up venture this month designed to save the British public even more money. Jamie’s new venture Hearing Direct is offering the public hearing aids at affordable prices, which can be bought via the Internet in the comfort of your own home. The average spend in the UK for a hearing aid is £1000.00, while Hearing Direct prices starts much lower.

3. Buy pharmacy products online – There are a number of legitimate online chemists who supply cheaper products online and deliver the products to your door within 24 hours. Similar to the way in which Glasses Direct operates, once you don’t have expensive high street shops to rent you can pass on the savings to the customer.

4. Purchase private health care online – For those who can afford it, private health care is an alternative to using the NHS. Private health care isn’t cheap, but some of the health care providers will offer you some type of discount if you purchase a policy online. In some cases even if you phoned in to complete the purchase, you can still claim an online discount. In any event, it never hurts to ask.

5. Keep online tabs on your health – Living a healthy life style can help you avoid certain medial conditions from flaring up. It’s true that some medial conditions are harder to avoid than others, such as deteriorating eyesight or hearing, however others are avoidable. There are a number of online resources which could help you live a healthy life style such as Qwitter for those who want to stop smoking and Hungry for Science a nutrition blog by Andrew Wadge, Chief Scientist for the Food Standards Agency with information on healthy eating.

There’s never been a better time to look and feel great for less.

Did you know…?

The Italian inventor Leonardo da Vinci was actually accredited with the first ideas for contact lenses in 1508.  But it was more than 300 years later before contact lenses were actually fabricated and worn on the eye. In 1956 a  Czech chemist begins making contact lenses with a soft, water-absorbing plastic.

Guest Blogger:  Rick Duncan of Glasses Direct

The bicycle is usually an easy way to sweat. Apollo bikes are fantastic entry level bikes to start your commute with. Apollo even produces folding bikes which can be taken onto the Tube or buses. Often, people don’t want to cycle to work because they are sweating and then they can’t find a shower to freshen up. Well, check out your offices–usually there will be a shower somewhere in the building.

As we know, our mind is the biggest hurdle to overcome habits. Good luck and have fun changing your perspective.

Did you know…?

Sweat is not an indication of low fitness levels. It is really just a reaction to stress and some bodies react with more sweat than others. Indeed, sweating is very healthy.  It regulates body temperature, it detoxifies your body and it keeps the skin clean and pliant.

- maricki

Tog ratings

You may have heard of tog rating before. It’s a system that measures the thermal resistance of a duvet cover, meaning it measures how warm the item will keep you at night. The higher the rating, the warmer the duvet. In the UK, most duvets rank anywhere as low as 4 to as high as 15. In the summertime, you’d want a duvet with a lower tog rating while in the winter you would definitely need a duvet with a ranking above an 11.  A duvet tog 13.5 would be absolutely perfect for the springtime.

Material & Wash-ability

Duvets come in a variety of different kinds of materials. While an important consideration is obviously the texture and comfortability, one other incredibly necessary thing to think about is how easily that fabric can be washed. One of the greatest benefits and reasons for having a duvet is the fact that it allows us to skimp on having to wash or dry clean our down comforters which can be a particularly daunting task. If the duvets themselves are so luxuriousness and need to be dry cleaned, it defeats the point of even having one. For that reason, if you are choosing a duvet cotton is probably the best bet because it can easily be machine washed with the rest of your laundry.

Size

This may sound obvious, but duvets come in different sizes. You need your duvet to fit your comforters, and although down comforters tend to come in sizes that fit mattresses, sometimes they don’t. Before picking a duvet, make sure you lay your down comforter down and measure it. When buying a duvet, make sure your measurements match up to the duvet you’re purchasing. If you have a down comforter that is sized and packaged for a standard mattress size (for example, if you have a Sealy king size mattress and you’ve purchased a king size down comforter), you can feel safe in purchasing a king size duvet. If you’re not sure, go ahead and make some measurements before heading to the store.

Thread Count

Thread count is a basic numeric way of telling how soft or comfortable a fabric will feel. The higher the number, the better. Thread count is typically a standard that is mostly used with sheets rather than a duvet, but a duvet with a really, really low thread count might feel like sleeping with a potato sack so it’s important to consider thread count when choosing a duvet. And if worse comes to worse, all you really have to do to determine if the thread count is high enough is to just reach out and touch the duvet. You’ll know if it’s something you can sleep with or not.

Did You Know?

The term ‘tog’ is originally an informal word for clothing. It doesn’t just measure thermal resistance in duvets either–a tog rating can be used on almost any kind of fabric. A typical men’s suit, for example, has a tog of one.

-Miljean

Here are my top 5 perfumes for Mother’s day. Or as they are perfect for Spring/Summer as well treat yourself to one of these lovelies:

1. Daisy by Marc Jacobs. This is soon turning out to be a modern classic. Millions are being sold and it has already been reinvented in a variety of colours and limited editions. I was lucky enough to receive this one for Christmas and it is fantastic. It lasts all day and just gives off a lovely and simple floral smell.
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2. Miss Dior Cherie. I was won over as soon as I saw the breathtaking adverts (the television advert was directed by Sophia Coppola and the print adverts were shot by Tim Walker. What a team!) and the perfume itself didn’t disappoint. It will look gorgeous on your dressing table and its girly feminine scent is equally fabulous.

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3. Vera Wang Princess. This really is a no brainer present and best seller. What better way to make your Mum feel like a princess than buying her this stunning perfume. Its fragrance will lead to envious sniffs from other ladies I can promise you.
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4. Chance by Chanel. This is a simple perfume with a clean, fresh and simple smell. So if your Mum is more of a classy lady and wouldn’t want anything too over the top this is the one for her.
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5. Stella by Stella McCartney. This is the first fragrance which Stella McCartney has done but it has been well worth the wait. The top designer has obviously waited to get the best results for her debut perfume and this pretty purple bottle definitely doesn’t disappoint.

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Did you know…?
Virgin Experience Days has an incredible Mother’s Day Special: Get your mom (and you) a “Design Your Own Perfume Session”. It lasts for about two hours and a perfume studio consultant helps you to create your own perfect scent. The best: At the end your mother receives a gift-boxed 20ml perfume bottle!

- Guest Blogger Beth Ruby Lambert from Amore Fashion Blog

Fenn Wright Mason has amazing tops that are designed for work but also for casual wear. Check out their colours this season–beautiful shades of yellow and blue. Fenn Wright Manson can really add some colour to your wardrobe this reason. It feels like wearing a sunflower field and walking under a bright blue sky.

The style this season also presents nicely decorated cuffs and collars. Everything just fits beautifully together. One beautiful summer combination would be the yellow trench coat mixed with a blue top.  You would capture the spirit of summer in your fashion style. 

Be brave and bold and make a statement this season with your style.

Did you know…?

Fenn Wright Manson has a Mother’s Day competition going on and you can win Nature’s Gate Organics Lemongrass & Clary Sage Body Lotion and one year’s free UK postage on all orders from Fenn Wright Manson. Check out their website for more information.

-Maricki

1. Compare smartly – Back in the day you had to spend the entire day going from one high street store to the other which was time consuming and counterproductive at times. Nowadays, you can very quickly compare prices, quality and even read customer reviews by going directly to a kitchen worktops sellers or using a leading price comparison site to compare kitchen worktops for you.

2. Narrow-down your choices – Kitchen worktops come in many shapes and forms, from granite stone to laminate and of course solid wood worktops. Each worktops has a slightly different price tag to it, a different method of installation and will suit a certain type of kitchen. It is important that you narrow-down your search and focus on finding the best deal for the type of worktop construction most suited for your budget and kitchen.

3. Ask for a sample – There are many sellers of kitchen worktops and some are better than others. To limit your risk, ask the online store to send you a sample. Some sellers will openly offer to send you a sample, normally for a small nominal charge to cover its postage. On the other hand, if you have seen a type of floor you really want but the seller does not appear to offer a sample, contact them. Chances are they will respond to your request.

4. Read what others are saying – Most online sellers will have a review or testimonial section where you can read what their customers are saying, but you can also go a step further and search for online reviews on the web.

5. Just before you order – When you visit your local high street store you normally see the worktops on the shelf so you know they are in stock. However, as we said before, some online sellers are better than others so you need to make sure the worktop is in stock unless it clearly notes that all the worktops you see are in stock. Normally if you buy from reputable seller, you don’t have to concern yourself with this.

6. Ask for maintenance tips -  Due to its quality, with the correct maintenance, wood worktops will provide natural beauty in your kitchen for many years to come. All you need is to ensure it that you get the right maintenance tips from the online seller. These will comprise of the occasional oil re-coating and basic care. Here’s a handy guide to maintaining hardwood worktops which we put together for our customers and non customers to read and download.

Guest post by Wood and Beyond

Ahh, Hush Puppies…the name alone conjures up memories of my grandmother, the smell of freshly baked bread and..well..really, really clunky old lady shoes. Hush Puppies have been around for decades and have been synonymous with the words extremely comfortable and extremely ugly. Imagine my surprise when I saw the newest collection of Hush Puppies Sandals. It feels wrong to even put the words ‘hip’ and ‘hush puppies’ in the same sentence, but after taking a look at their new line of sandals, it seems that the company has managed to reinvent themselves from ‘Your Grandma’s Footwear’ to ‘Hip, and ridiculously comfortable footwear’.

To be honest, I’ve always wished the Hush Puppies were a bit more hip–they are renowned for being some of the most comfortable shoes ever created, and as a woman, comfortable shoes are often hard to come by. It sounds too good to be true–the comfort of Hush Puppies, without the old lady look–but check it our for yourselves. They have cute open-toed sandals with heels, business shoes and even gladiator sandals. Yep, I said it, Hush Puppies Gladiator Sandals. If that isn’t a definite sign of a major reinvention on the part of the Hush Puppies brand, I’m not sure what is.

There has been a huge demand for brown sandals lately, you know the horrid ones I’m talking about, simply because of the need for comfort. If comfort is a priority on your list, and you’d rather not sacrifice style, check out Hush Puppies Sandals. You’ll really be pleasantly surprised.

Did you know?

The brand named itself after a desert called Hushpuppy, that originated from the American South. Hushpuppies are made from deep-fried cornmeal batter that are moulded into balls. The food was cheap and thrown to dogs to quiet them down or ‘hush them up’ during cook-outs. The brand applied that name to the colloquial phrase, ‘barking dogs’ meaning ’sore feet’. Since 1958, Hush Puppies Shoes have been hushing up barking dogs everywhere.

-Miljean

Open windows as much as possible to let in fresh air, loaded with oxygen. Your bed should be the biggest piece of furniture in the room. Make sure the bed is balanced by two pieces of bedside furniture. These tables don’t necessarily have to be the same, but you should have one on either side of the bed. In order to rest properly, you should get a strong headboard. Basic rule of thumb says that good colours to choose for the bedroom are skin colours. Therefore, Oak furniture is a great fit to get the energy flowing. Oak wardrobes can create space and storage in your bedroom. Clean up the room and store clothing properly to create a fresh feeling in the  room.  A 3 drawer wardrobe is useful for all the clothing that you can’t hang–just place them in one of the drawers.

Since the bed should be the biggest piece of furniture, you could add a small leather sofa to the bedroom mix. It’ll create a relaxed atmosphere in the bedroom and invites reading and relaxing. To increase the flow of energy, remove all electrical devices from the room. Get rid of tellies, hifis and exercise equipment. Even anything work related should not be stored in the bedroom. If you can use candlelight in the room rather than harsh electrical light, that would be easier on the eye and, if they’re scented, they can add a great fragrance to the room. If this is not possible, try and dim the light. This should put your brain at ease and allow you to get ready for a healthy sleep.

Did you know…?

Feng Shui is an old Chinese practice which creates energy flow and balance in rooms where we live and work.  According to Feng Shui, the design of our surroundings affects our well-being over time.

-Maricki

Ankle Boots

If you clicked on this post because of the thumbnail, then you’re obviously a fan of ankle boots. Women’s ankle boots are a newer style and lately there’s been a million different kinds of styles to choose from ranging from casual to formal. The ankle cut is a stylish alternative to the knee high boot–unlike typical boots, ankle boots are easier to get on in the morning. Some women have a tough time wearing regular boots because of the zip and it’s often hard to find boots that match your shoe size and fit around your calves and jeans. Ankle boots look a lot less intimidating and also serve as an easy transition to adding boots into your wardrobe, if you’ve not been too keen on boots before.  It also is a great way to give your wardrobe an infusion of fresh style. I have a ton of knee high boots and sometimes you need a change of pace and ankle boots are the perfect answer. What is also great about ankle boots is that it is possible for one pair of boots to never make you feel overdressed or under-dressed in any situation. They come in flats and heels and in all shapes and sizes. The versatility, comfortability and stylishness of ankle boots is really remarkable and it would be wise to invest in a lovely pair of ankle boots.

Knee Boots

Knee boots are a basic item that all women should have. The real challenge comes in finding the right pair of knee boots for you. As I mentioned before, it’s often difficult for women to find a boot that fits their shoe size and their legs since often times we tuck our trousers into the boot, making it hard to zip up or pull on. If you have that kind of issue with boots, perhaps the best kind of knee-high boots for you would be stretch boots. These boots stretch to custom fit your legs. Investing some time to finding the perfect pair of knee boots, whether they have heels or not, is essential to really being happy wearing boots. Black knee boots are my personal favourite and I’ve worn down quite a few pairs to date.

Wedge Heel

I cannot walk in heels. I do a bit of walking throughout the day, so if I do want to wear heels, the most practical and stylish option available to me is the wedge heel. Wedge heels are chunky, wider heels that provide more balance and stability than typical heels which are thinner and require a grace that I am desperately lacking. They are classy and stylish and they don’t look like training-wheels for heels, which, for me, they are. I have a ton of flat boots but sometimes I want to wear something a bit more feminine and sexy while at the same time, not risk twisting my ankles on the way to work or falling on my face in front of my co-workers. If you have a similar perspective, I’m telling you, the wedge heel is a God-send.

Cowboy Boots

Not much to say apart from, I LOVE COWBOY BOOTS!! They ooze western style, look so different and look rough and feminine at the same time. I’ll let the picture do the talking.

Flat Boots

These boots are made for walking. If you’re not comfortable in your own shoes, it really shows. Flat boots are the most comfortable kind of boots to wear on a day-to-day basis. The nicest thing about flat boots is that they don’t compromise style for comfort. They still make you look great and your feet won’t be hurting at the end of the day. If you want the most comfortable boots possible that have no heel and can be worn casually, Ugg brown boots are incredibly popular. Now, people either love Uggs or hate it with the fiery passion. They’re low cut and comfy, but if you hate them but still want the same kind of comfort that Uggs provides, try black Skechers boots. They have a higher cut and look a bit more sophisticated but are still incredibly comfortable to walk in all day long. My favorite style is the Skechers Women’s Keepsakes-Coozy pair.

Now if you don’t fancy either of those styles, there’s a plethora of other kind of flat boots that will be sure to please. There are a million different styles of no heel, suede boots that are just lovely. I personally love black patent boots with a little bit of a heel. They have a small chunky heel that is comfortable and gives you a bit of height as well.

And finally, if you’re into hiking and the outdoors, walking boots for ladies are the best for those type of activities. Nothing can really beat the durability and comfort of a walking boot when you’re doing outdoor activities. They say you never really know a person unless you walk a mile in their shoes. If you take my advice, believe me, you’ll have a ton of people wanting to know what it’s like to be you.

Did you know?

High heels are bad for you ladies. Doctors have reported that wear heels over time will potentially cause severe damage to your feet and joints. So don’t feel bad if you can’t walk in heels–you’re not meant to. And if you love the look of heels as much as I do, try not to wear them every day or for an extended period of time and add some stylish flats to your collection of shoes.

-Miljean