Friend Friday #37: Fitness and Fashion

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I’m sure most of us have been glued to our television sets today, watching Prince William and Catherine Middleton marry in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey this morning. But as their celebrations continue in Buckingham Palace this evening, our lives return to normal. Ah well.


This week’s topic for Friend Friday is fitness. Not something that I confess to know too much about, but we shall see, as I answer the questions posed:




1. Do you keep some kind of fitness routine? Why?

I am lazy. I take no pride in my laziness. But when I get home from a long day at work the very last thing I feel like doing is heading out to the gym. The most exercise I usually do is swimming on holiday. If I stay in a hotel when I’m away with a swimming pool, I will always enjoy a swim in the evening and the morning. In spite of this, I hate going to the local swimming pool. However, I have recently started attending a Zumba class and have found myself enjoying it. Which is nice.

I also cycle during the summer months. In the winter it is simply too wet for me to get my bike out. However this summer I will take my driving test and am sure that the lure of the bike, even in the warm weather, will not be quite so strong as when it was the only alternative to walking!

2. Has working out, maybe training for a marathon or something of that nature, helped with your own perception of body image?

As I’m only just starting to “work out” it has yet to really change my body image or even to have effect on my body – here’s to hoping for the next month or two!!

3. When you are hitting the gym or just going out for a long walk what do you wear? Is it about functionality or fashion?

Last year I was asked to trial Reebok’s EasyTone trainers and the brand were kind enough to gift me, not only the trainers, but a complete training outfit. The kit is mainly for functionality but I do have a bit of a hot pink and black colour scheme going on. Which reminds me, I think shorts are definitely the way forward in the hot weather because hot weather + workout = hot hot HOT! Need to buy shorts!

4. Do you feel there is a cultural perception of what you ‘should’ be doing for your own physical fitness?

I have to admit that I have never felt any real pressure to “do” physical exercise but I think that in the last year or so I have become more aware of the fact that I should really be exercising for my own good – but this awareness is more from within than from anyone outside pressure.

5. Dream big… what would be your ultimate fitness goal.


Maybe a 5K run – or walk – for charity would be nice to do. It would be nice to have something to work towards. But that will be in another couple of years, I think.

How about you, do you work out? If so, what do you do? Any advice for me?


Remember to check out the other responses to this week’s FBFF topic over at ModlyChic. And if you fancy being involved each week, be sure to check out all of the information here.

SHOE SEARCH: legs, bums and… trainers!

As the summer leaves this fair land of ours and sandals and flip flops are banished for another year, why not invest in a pair of new trainers for the cooler weather? This year has been the year of the tone-up trainer and there are a number of trainers on the market now that claim to help you tone your legs and bum as you walk.

Earlier this year, I trialed Reebok’s Easytone trainers and can vouch that I certainly felt the burn after wearing them, even for short periods.

Get a pair of these trainers now and by next summer, you’ll be bikini and shorts ready – without breaking a sweat!

First up are Reebok’s Easytone trainers: Reebok’s patented muscle-toning balance pod sole technology creates a slight instability, much like walking on sand. This instability encourages toning through increased muscle activation in three key areas of the leg. Up to 28%.

These trainers are recommended only for walking. But Reebok have now created RunTone trainers for those who want an increased work out from their run: Compared to a traditional running shoe, RunTone’s 8 pods of moving air encourage more activation in key leg muscles like calves and quads and also helps to reduce overall body stress.

Reebok have also created their TrainTone trainers which boast to help you get a better butt and better legs with every step of your workout:

Of course, Reebok aren’t the only trainers on the market that aim to help you tone up. Skechers have also got in on the act with their Shape-Up trainers: Thanks to their unique kinetic platform heel and dynamic rolling sole, these revolutionary trainers from Sketchers call upon your muscles, allowing you to strengthen without any additional effort.

For me, however, Skechers Shape-Ups have come up with the best option for toning up this autumn. These cute boots will go with almost everything in my wardrobe AND tone my legs and bum as I go about my daily duties, like shopping!

What do you think of these toning shoes? Will you be investing this autumn? Have you already? Tell me, tell me!

Hello Mulberry!!

The debate about bloggers receiving samples and freebies has been at the centre of some controversy for quite a while now. In the US bloggers have had to disclose if something has been gifted, although the rules surrounding this have been a little difficult to decipher at times: there are a couple of interesting posts about this very subject on IFB, here and here. In the UK it is not quite so clear cut but the debate still rages.


There are those bloggers who refuse to receive or review freebies (and extend this to advertising) on the grounds of credibility. There are others who take every freebie offered to them with no real thought to whether or not they are the sort of thing that their readers might want to read about. And then there are still others who take the time to consider any offers that come their way and consider the audience for whom they write and then make a measured decision. This last group will also give an honest opinion about any freebie or sample.


I read an interesting post by the British Beauty Blogger which raised a different question: that of the relationship between PRs and bloggers. It seems that for a long time bloggers have strived to be taken seriously by PRs and that they – we – have worked hard to earn their respect but the British Beauty Blogger points out that whilst gaining this respect it needs to be returned. Bloggers can’t expect that they are entitled to freebies. Many of us work hard to create blogs that are credible. The respect has to work both ways.


For my part, I know that I would only ever accept something that I genuinely might think about buying myself. Or that I would lust after – as I’m not saying I would turn down something just because I couldn’t actually afford it in real-life (Hello Mulberry!!). My blog is about me and the things that I like and if other people like them too, then that is a bonus. When I was offered the chance to trial Reebok’s EasyTone Trainers – for example – I jumped at the chance. If I had been approached to trial running trainers I would have had to say no because – frankly – I don’t run. But – as I found out after a little research – the EasyTones are specifically designed for walking, which I do a lot of, right? Ok, maybe not a lot of, but you get the picture!


The debate will no doubt continue to rage but I thought that I would add my two-penneth. And maybe give you a little insight into my thought process behind any offers I get – both for my readers and for any prospective PRs (Again, Hello Mulberry!!).


More soon. Love, SG

A Bit Of A Bummer!

I was going to post my thoughts on Sex and the City 2 today but that has been put on hold for a little rant. 


After a weekend of relaxing with family and friends I thought I should catch up on what’s been happening in the world of twitter this morning and was intrigued by ReebokToning‘s tweet: 

News of the World thought it was v silly too…http://bit.ly/aOsvbm. 

So, naturally, I clicked through to the link:

Council ban is a bit of a bummer

I understand that there are some women out there who think the EasyTone advert is sexist but I’d have to disagree. Sorry. In advance. 

I’m not sure there are many women who don’t dream of a firmer, more toned bum (and legs, let’s not forget the legs!) and wouldn’t want to achieve said dream bum in the easiest way possible. I mean, who has time for the gym these days? EasyTones promise just that – and so far, mine seem to be delivering on their promise! A toned bum – and legs – as you walk. What could be better than that?

I admit that I am a little in awe of the image of those perfect pins and that dream bum that are displayed in the ad but that is the point – every time I see that picture I am motivated to put my EasyTones on and go shopping!! It doesn’t make me feel demeaned just a little bit flabby!

The ladies of Glasgow decided to show their councillors that not everyone feels the way they do. You can read Transatlantic Blonde’s post here.

What are your thoughts on the ad ban?

Watch out for my SATC2 post later today (or tomorrow!) and a proper review of the EasyTones coming very very soon!

More soon. Love, SG

Street Style Stalker: Paris #2

Spotted: this French femme out for a little walk in her Reebok EasyTones near the Champs-Elysées. Love. 

How to… wear harem pants

They were a Tuesday’s Tricky Trend a while back and the consensus among most of the people who left comments on my outfit post from Sunday seemed to agree that it is difficult to know how to style harem pants, I thought I would put together some dos and don’ts and some good and bad outfit photos:

♥ First, do not put a baggy top with a pair of baggy harems (top left). It makes you look much bigger than you are. Not a good look.


♥ I am wearing: River Island top, H&M harems, Asos pendant and Primark sandals. ♥

♥ Do team harems with a slim-line tight top that will balance out the proportions, like my Sunday outfit or the one top right.

♥ I am wearing: Dorothy Perkins boob tube, H&M harems, Office slippers and Topshop accessories. ♥

♥ Do wear heels with your harems. As with the outfit above, they will help to balance out the proportions (bottom left).

♥ I am wearing: Topshop tee, H&M harem pants and New Look heels. ♥

♥ Finally, why not try to channel the “Sports Lux” trend? (bottom right)

♥ I am wearing: H&M harems, a Reebok training top and Primark sandals.♥


Which outfit do you think works? Have you tried the harem trend?

Trainers that tone your bum as you walk…?!

Is it real you ask? Or is it just some fabulous dream?!


Before I answer those questions, let me explain.


Yesterday, Helena and I were in London to join other bloggers who were invited to trial Reebok’s newest innovation, EasyTone trainers. According to the sport’s brand, their new EasyTone trainersincrease muscle toning in your glutes (a posh word for your bum, apparently!) by 28% and in your calves and thighs by 11%!


How do they work you ask?


Well, they have these fancy pods in the soles (invented by a former NASA engineer, don’t you know?!) that create instability as you walk. It is supposed to be a little like walking on sand.


At £75 a pair it does seem a little pricey when you are a little sceptical about believing the hype. So the lovely people at Reebok offered me a pair to try out and tell you all if they actually work!


I am a complete gym-phobe. I’d like to be able to say that I don’t have the time to go but even if that were true, in reality, I’m too lazy. My one reason for ever thinking about exercise is when I think that it might be nice to toen up for my summer holiday. But – and here is my main problem – exercise is a gradual thing and I have little patience. I want instant results and if I don’t get them I’m simply not interested. Walking, however, is something that everyone can fit into their daily routine. I walk to work every day.

EasyTone’s tag line is, Take The Gym With You.

How do they feel you ask? More importantly, do they work?

Well, yesterday we had a walk along by the Thames sporting our lovely new accessory! And they definitely feel different to any shoe or trainer I’ve ever worn! It feels little springy, like trying to walk on a trampoline. Maybe. My leg muscles were definitely feeling like they’d been working out. A bit. But then that could have been walking all over London for a day.

I will be trialing them over the next month or so, wearing them to walk to and from work each day and I will be updating you regularly on how I’m getting on. So watch this space folks.

More soon. Love, SG