What I Bought – Cute accessories by Mockinghorse

Personally, I believe there’s a science to treating oneself. It should not be done too often as any “special” qualities will be lost and, when done, it must be for something pretty special. With this in mind, last week I bought a gift to me from me, with love: a necklace I had been coveting for a long while, a stunning magpie by Mockinghorse.

This necklace actually hangs lower, I had just shortened for the picture

This small yet talented company designs each piece by hand, and the end result is a gorgeous collection of acrylic accessories. They are currently based in London, but are relocating overseas. To celebrate such a huge event they are throwing a huge relocation sale that is worth checking out. I must confess I’m a long time fan of Mockinghorse, having received the cute dachshund design below last Christmas.

 To buy the cute dachshund brooch click here

Mockinghorse are holding the sale until the 10th of December. After that, the store will close for a while, to re-launch in 2012 with an exciting Spring collection. Personally I cannot wait to see what they come up with.

Christmas shopping anyone? Have a wonderful weekend xx

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

On Men’s Shoes

I really have a thing for men’s shoes. There, I said it. Or maybe it’s more of a thing for men with nice shoes. Some people check out a guy’s eyes, others favour the derriere, some even sneakily inspect the boy’s hands. Me? I will take a quick glance at your shoes.

I strongly believe that the choice of shoes is like the choice of car. Say you go for a vintage Alfa Romeo Giulietta: you go for timeless class, understated elegance with a dash of effortless cool, a bit of “I’m Italian design, come with tons of flaws, but I will win you over with my charm”. The vehicle you drive defines a lot who you are, but also what you want to reflect about yourself to the world.

Shoes have the exact same effect. They form part of your entire outfit, but while your choice of clothes may be strongly defined by the situation, your feet is where the true personality traits appear.

The example below is pure effortless cool, don’t you think?  Tan casual chic trainers, a bit of retro inspired style.

Cardigan: Pull & Bear
Top: vintage
Jeans: Jack & Jones
Belt: Men At Work
Shoes: Le Coq Sportif via Spartoo

Do I like the shoes? Yes, quite a lot. In my opinion, every man should own a pair of tan trainers. Comfortable, sporty yet a tad elegant, classic with an urban twist. Do I like the guy? … do you even have to ask? 😉

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

You Shall Now Be A Rug – Interior design on a budget

Ever looked around your house, felt completely uninspired but moving out is not an option? Do you rent a tiny apartment, wish for a bit of style, but have no budget to do so? Or maybe you feel a bit restless, have a pile of fabrics you never use and to create some space? Or maybe you are bored and need something brain-numbingly simple to read? You have come to the right place.

How about that beautiful scarf somebody gave you, but that you never seem so style with anything you wear? I transformed this gorgeous piece from Monsoon into a table runner. A gift by one of my aunts, day after day I found myself unable to pair it with anything in my wardrobe. Now it has a new role in life. It’s exquisitely delicate, so if clumsy like myself, take extra care so as not to spill anything on it.

Silk scarf: Monsoon

Candle holders: Ikea

How about that shrug you love to wear, but because of it’s design it keeps getting caught on everything, becoming more of a fashion safety hazard? Place it over your favourite armchair, et voilà, a cute place to seat. Ensure the dye in the shrug is not going to rub off on your clothes by giving it a good rinse before using it on furniture.

Shawl: Men at Work

Last but not least, what to do with that pretty necklace that keeps falling into pieces every time you wear it? Hang it by the window and spend endless hours staring at the cute light effects… because … you really don’t have anything more important to do 😉

Necklaces: Stradivarius, Six

Necklace: H&M

A bit of a random post, I know, but there you have it, that’s how to style your home one a budget by moi. Is it just me who does things like these?

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

Me & My Back – How Pilates worked for me

This article was originally published on The Olive Press on October 28th.

Picture this: me striving to complete my second 10-mile-run of my life, looking pretty confident… ok, maybe not that confident, and quite sweaty, drained, a tad wobbly at times. Not the prettiest of sights. Actually, I’m going to include a picture. There you go: moi wearing an orange top, April 2010 in Antwerp Belgium.

Me, when I could run, trying to look cool, most likely listening to Pulp’s Disco 2000

The first 5 miles were more or less a breeze: my iPod on shuffle, my feet trotting along. By mile 7 my back had already given me a light warning, with a subtle pain starting at the bottom of my spine, moving slowly upwards. I reached the finish line happy, relieved to have ended this self-imposed form of torture, but physically broken. I was clueless of what lied ahead: months of physiotherapy, a pile of medical bills, rushed trips to the emergency room, countless types of pain killers, all culminating with me giving up my beloved job.

After months spent visiting several so-called “back experts”, I arrived in Malaga in April 2011, terribly unfit and, quite frankly, fed up. During a bus trip from the city centre, I came across a sign reading “Pilates en máquina”, a studio under the name Afys. I had heard a lot about the practice, less so about the “machine” part of the discipline, so I was curious.

Enticed by a free try-out, I gave it a go, painfully getting through my first session. My legs were shaking, my muscles seemed non-existent, my strength was that of a fly when the cold starts… you know, when they all fly around like drunk little insects.

How does this discipline work? It involves a Reformer or Pilates bed. You use resistance to strengthen your muscles, but instead of heavy weights, the Reformer uses springs, creating said resistance by utilising your body weight.

Now picture this: 6 months after that slightly embarrassing first session, I hardly ever experience back pain, and when I do, is mild, like a silly headache and requires no bed rest or pain-numbing pills. I can walk my dog again, carry my baby niece in my arms, spend an entire day shopping, walk for miles… and I can even consider running again.

In my case, while my injury is still present, the practise of pilates has provided my back with the strength it needed to support my body. There is a fit system of muscles in place, enabling me to have my life back.

The downside? It is not cheap. However, because of the size of the machines, there’s normally a maximum of five to eight pupils per session, which means that  the experts, can monitor you closely, adapting any exercise to your own body, allowing it to strengthen slowly but surely. The guys at Afys are incredible. They have been in charge of the studio for 3 years now, and their customers are faithful fans, happily converted and hooked to the discipline.

I’m not writing this to advertise their business: I get no money or special discounts for this. I’m doing it because a year ago I was completely broken, bored of physiotherapy, convinced I would never be able to run again. Pilates is not the latest fad in fitness, it’s not a silly scam. It works in toning your physique, improving your health and changing your life. It changed mine, for the better.

If you are in Malaga, Spain, Afys Pilates can be found in 39 Av. Pintor Joaquin Sorolla, Limonar (Málaga 29016) Contact no: +34 952 225 731

Pictures: Fashion Limbo, Afys Pilates