UK WOMEN'S FASHION, FITNESS AND LIFESTYLE BLOG

WHAT TO WEAR AT CHRISTMAS: WEARABLE PARTY WEAR

Although I love a Gin and tonic as much as the next, I've hardly been out this season. I've much preferred sitting in watching Christmas films with my niece and nephews than painting the town red. So what happens when you're going out but you're not in to the whole 'party wear' look?

If there's one thing I love, it's finding a new place to shop and discover new brands. Very Exclusive has been on my radar for a few months now, home to brands such as House of Holland, Rag & Bone and Saint Laurent you'll be sure to find exactly what you're looking for.

As we sign off from 2015 and head into the unknown, all our fave brands slash their prices for the ever waited Boxing Day sales. So before you head in to your local town centre to snap up a bargain, check out my top sale picks for the home.

In a post last month I talked all about how to wear layers in Autumn/Winter, but since the days have gone colder I thought I'd do a quick update outfit that's really simply to recreate.

I've seen so many comments about everyone wanting a boyfriend when it comes to the colder months, but is it really that important for somebody else to make you happy? Obviously it would be great if everyone had their fairytale ending and was madly in love, but for some of us we've not quite made the first chapter yet. That's why I'm determined to enjoy Christmas as much as ever, just me myself and I!

If like me you enjoy buying the perfect present at Christmas, then look no further than the Debenhams Gifts For Her Guide! There's everything from exclusive fragrances to lingerie and nightwear sets fit for any Princess. No matter who you're buying for you'll find exactly what you're looking for.

You know that over used quote you see on Insta pretty much every day 'excuse me do you have this in black?' Well that's the story of my life! Black has got to be the most easily wearable colour, there's nothing worse for me than a clashing outfit of colour and prints - I'd look ridiculous!

It's always super hard to find the perfect men's gift don't you think? Well save yourself hours of scoping out websites and those long days shopping and follow this fool-proof plan to picking the perfect present this Christmas.

If you've followed The Fashion Rubiks from the start, you'll know I've always struggled with my weight. Back in 2013 I decided to finally make a positive change in my life and cut out bad food and join the gym. At first it was fine, the weight dropped off and I really began to enjoy fitness classes and learning about nutrition and what to eat but that soon changed.

So here I am, after weeks of not finding the time to shoot or blog and I'm at a complete cross-roads. How is it possible to find the balance between work, more work, blogging and a social life and what's the key to getting the balance right?

So the news is out, Very Exclusive have seriously stepped up their brand game by becoming a Calvin Klein stockist! Think oversized crop tees, skimpy jersey bralets with matching briefs and denim pieces are branded with the super iconic CK logo - drooling yet?

The best thing about Autumn; layers! There’s nothing I like more that slipping on an oversized knit and long coat, there’s just something so cosy about being all wrapped when the temperature's so cold outside!

As you've probably seen on Instagram (if not follow me NOW :) ) I headed off to Marbella for three days to host the Mark Hill new-look product launch. Shepperding 13 press and bloggers through Gatwick airport we made it out to Malaga to reveal the brand new packaging and products that have been in the making for years!

YEYYYYY it's coat weather!! Honestly I'm such a Winter lover there's something I just love about the colder days and darker nights - the moment it's acceptable for leather pants I'm all over it. Give me a hot chocolate over a Pimms any day!

So there's a new website I'm a little bit in love with and it's Lyst.co.uk! You can shop from Alexander Wang to Topshop and everything in-between. No matter what you want you'll be sure to find it by simply searching specific items such as 'grey skinny jeans' or by selecting the brand/designer... Pretty cool isn't it!

If you're a serious foodie like me, there's nothing better than picturing a runny egg over fresh salmon and a toasted muffin - mouth watering yet? APPROACH WITH CAUTION! The next few images will make you extremely famished and you'll be wishing it was time for brunch!

As the second part of my London Fashion Week experience, I opted for my usual casual look. There's something so draining about FW or it might of been the fact I'd not had a day to myself all month so I opted for something easy to throw on.

I'm so over Summer, bring on the roll necks and floor length coats. I've never really been a fan of Summer fashion, I'm all about layers and autumnal tones. I can't wait until that first bit of frost that allows for hats and knitted scarfs!

Don't you just love Fashion Week? For me it's a chance to catch up with all my faves down in London for the weekend. Although I practically go down every week anyway, but this is my time to relax and enjoy seeing everyone I practically speak to everyday!

Whilst in Marbella earlier in the month with Mark Hill Hair I finally got chance to shoot with Emily Cocklin, after a hectic few days I made sure I woke up super early to fit in a mini shoot before heading back to rainy Manchester.

FINALLY a chance to snap this stripe co-ord! The babes over at MG sent me this to shoot whilst I was in Marbella, given the jampacked weekend I had to push it back slightly but I managed to take a few shots whilst down in London for the weekend.

So not only did we get chance to preview the new store layout last week at Karen Millen last week, we were also taken for an exclusive private dinner at the newly opened Hawkmoor in Manchester, Deansgate.

Last week I was invited along to the store relaunch of Karen Millen at the Trafford Centre, after the brand changed direction last year I couldn't wait to see how the store looked. I always felt like Karen Millen was a more 30+ womenswear brand, like my Mum would go there to get an outfit for a special occasion. But Karen has almost been reborn again into a new, younger, cool Millen.

As I've mentioned before on my Eight 20: Fitness Plan post way back in 2013, I've literally tried every diet under the sun. It wasn't until I'd decided for the last time I was going to change the way I thought about food and start to eat the right stuff. In a four part sequel I'm going to talk you through some of my favourite healthy easy meals to make at work, starting with the most important meal of the day: breakfast.

There's just something about a denim dress that takes me back to being seven again, although I decided to leave my stripy tights and suede Kickers in the memory box this time! So when I spotted this little number on Laundry Boutique I knew I had to have it.

Last week I was invited along to trainer specialist size?'s latest event to celebrate the new womens flagship Manchester store launch and ongoing #LadiesThatLace campaign. Hosted at the Foundation Coffee House in Manchester's Northern Quarter, the event was not one to be missed.

Half of the battle at the gym is choosing the correct sportswear to enhance your workout but most importantly protect you from any injuries. Now I'm not talking 'do I wear my pink or purple kit?' I'm talking the trainers you choose. Whether it's for cardio or weight training, Metafit or HIIT training, trainers support you differently so make sure you choose the correct ones for you.

As National Bikini Day approached there was only one way we planned to celebrate; champagne, sunshine and Swimwear365 of course!

Last month we held our second blogger event for the UK's leading provider of surgical and non-surgical treatments, Transform. After the success of the New Cavendish event we hosted back in November, where bloggers such as Lulutrixabelle and That Pommie Girl began to enquire about surgery, we thought we'd head up North to see what they thought of non-surgical procedures.

On a recent trip to Glasgow for the Transform Non-Surgical Event (post to follow) we spent the night at one of six Citizen M hotels. Known for quirky decor and interior, Citizen M was not one to disappoint... But then anywhere with a giant portrait of Kate Moss in the entrance gets two thumbs up from me!

As some of you may have seen on my Instagram, just a few days after my trip to Marbella we headed to Wales with Label PR to launch the Lydia Rose Bright collection at the Celtic Manor Polo. In Lydia's own words 'It seems the perfect idea to launch my SS15 collection, the same way I met the love of my life, seven years ago. At a Polo event! All good things happen at the Polo!'

At Label PR we like to get creative and host unique events that really accentuate the client and align them with similar brands. So for Swimwear365 we decided to treat a small selection of bloggers to a 'Get Bikini Ready' fitness class with celebrity personal trainers Russell of The SBCollective. Who could resist a private session with Millie Mackintosh and Suki Waterhouse's personal coach ey?

So before our event with Swimwear365 and The SBCollective (post to follow) we'd been researching yummy but healthy food we could provide for the bloggers who attended. Coming across the The Natural Kitchen through my work buddy, I knew I had to try some more of the menu. So as I prepared myself to eat out alone (something that us Northern girls don't do often) I headed down to The Natural Kitchen to see what all the fuss was about.

As always, here's this month's top blogger tips that all us 'Blogger Outreachers' want you to know...

After heading down to our London office for a new client meeting, the Label PR team and I stopped off at The Blues Kitchen on Curtain Road in Shoreditch for lunch... Boy was we pleased!

As you may have read on my Eighty20 blog post my good friend Sasha qualified last year as a Personal Trainer. Bursting with nutritional information and exercise regimes Sasha has put together a second E-book tackling the perfect summer body in just 12 weeks becoming a strong, leaner and fitter you.

Now let's talk diamonds...

One of our clients at Label PR is diamond expert Vashi. Based primarily in London, Vashi is the diamond specialist that should be on your radar. Now we’re not taking manufactured same cut diamonds, we’re talking one of a kind, hand picked, ethically sourced diamonds – the ones that are definitely a girls best friend!

Sweet treats are defiantly something I miss but if I can find a nice healthy easy recipe, for any of my favourite sweet treats I'm on it. Pancakes are one of my favourite breakfasts, all I use to crave was thick American pancakes with Nutella or topped with lemon and sugar, then I saw on Instagram how to make easy protein low fat pancakes with just a few ingredients I was all over it!

As mentioned in a previous post here on SEO blogger tips and advice I'll be sharing a few tips each month on various ways to get your blog or website more readable to Google and to gain a higher click through rate.

Whilst on one of the many trips that were provided for us by the Kempinski Resort, we headed out to The Breakers water sports centre in Soma Bay for an afternoon of paddle boarding, wind surfing matched with a BBQ overlooking the sea front.

Label PR organised a press trip to Soma Bay, Egypt as part of Swimwear365's latest spring/summer 15' campaign. Taking 10 of the UK's most influential fashion editors and stylists from publications such as Heat, Daily Mail, Fabulous and OK! along with two fashion bloggers who won the #5DaysOfSoma competition we headed off to the Kempinski Resort for a jam-packed week of sun, sea and most importantly - SHOOTS!

To launch the SS15' collection for Rare London we decided to host a blogger breakfast at The Savoy Hotel to showcase the new collection whilst bloggers could relax before the busy day ahead. Organising four very talented students from London College of Make Up and Hair Styling, bloggers had an artist on hand for any touch ups and hair styles requested.

When I've got late in from training all I want is a quick healthy lean meal, nothing to heavy before I relax and head off to bed. Salmon is one of my favourite types of meat, packed with protein and omega 3 it's the perfect after workout fix. Eating anything high in carbs after lunch is a big no-no, carbs turn into energy in your body if you eat them late in the day before your body is about to switch off for the night they've got more chance of turning into stored fat. Living by this rule I stick to high protein packed evening meals with tasty veg instead.

Since starting my new healthy eating plan earlier in the year, I've really concentrated on trying to eat fresh healthy meals with little processed food with additives. I saw a simple recipe on Instagram for chicken avo wraps a few weeks back and decided to make my own healthier version.