The power of visuals and story telling...

Beyoncé has stunned the world with her new visual album 'Lemonade'. In a time where pop music doesn't tell much of a story and can also be very similar to each other, Beyoncé being Beyoncé has been sure to break free of that with an album that represents a 'conceptual project based on every women's journey of self-knowledge and healing'. After watching this visual album I decided to look into other fashion films that tell a story for promotion and came across one of Adidas originals. A short video called 'Your future is not mine'. I found it a very powerful video with it demonstrating real life situations and issues that growing up we do all face...(make sure your volume is on so you can hear the lyrics!!)

"With a clear message of individuality and empowerment, this short film by Adidas, directed by Terence Neale, follows some of today’s most influential pop culture figures, artists and content creators, including stylist-entrepreneur Luka Sabbat (named the Internet’s coolest teenager) and Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Iman Shumpert, as they chart their own path through a haunting landscape of gang violence, social media clones and soulless nine-to-five jobs."- BOF

Early mornings and floral duvets

I have always been a morning girl, I'd much prefer to wake up at 7am and get going than sleep in till 10/11am...I just would get nothing done. Now that the weather is getting warm and summer is definitely creeping upon us, I have been very motivated to get up first thing and exercise. That could be going on a walk up the hills in Nottingham or doing my Charlotte Crosby Belly/bum blitz...i have even gone and bought her new Live Fast Loose Weight book. If anyone has been thinking about ordering it, I would say YES DO! It makes you realise all these no carbs, lettuce only diets are pointless, they are not sustainable and will not last long! Everyone knows what food is good for them and what isn't but the book reminds you we need everything in moderation. You could have a cheat meal once a week and it will make no difference to you as long as the rest of the days your good if you want that pizza make it your cheat meal and just be sure to work extra hard at the gym the next day. You can go out with friends and have drinks, just be really good with what you eat in the day, then again work up a sweat exercising the next day!

Here are some of my favorite recipes from her book that I will be trying soon...

Banana and oat shake- Almond milk, 1 banana frozen, greek yogurt, porridge oats and a tablespoon of peanut butter and blend! This is perfect before you exercise with it releasing energy slowly.

Goats cheese, spinach and red pepper frittata- Heat the veg in a pan until soft, cook your eggs in a pan until the bottom is set and then add all the veg and put under the grill until golden and bubbly! You can have this hot and cold, so use more eggs if you want some throughout the week!

Sweet potato brownies- Cook the sweet potatoes and blend them along with some cinnamon, add coco powder and salt and some boiling water to form a paste, wisk 2 eggs and vanilla extract and combine with the purée and bake for 20 minutes....WHO KNEW THERE WAS SUCH A THING AS HEALTHY BROWNIES!!!

These are just a few of the recipes, but the book has so much more along with cocktails that are less calorific!

Live Fast Loose Weight- Charlotte Crosby

Fashion styling / Monday inspiration

 I have always been one to take along shopping if you need a straight forward answer if something looks good on you or not, in a polite way of course or to help put an outfit together. Sometimes a product looks amazing on the hanger but doesn't work for your body shape, but this can always happen in reverse...an item may not look all that much on the rail but may suit your body shape perfectly. I have always been into hair, makeup and clothes...but I have always loved the editorial and extreme ends that could make you look a little crazy going to work in, but that doesn't mean you can't play around with these looks. 

I have become a little obsessed with Pinterest recently as its a major role of collecting images for my uni course. I have been really inspired by stylists such as Kate Young, Rachel Zoe, Grace Coddington and Monica Rose...I have really been inspired to focus on this route as a career along with my love for running events! I love the fact there are no limits, you can go as extreme as you feel required to get the look you need. Over the summer, I am excited to build up my portfolio for styling and have some fun with shoots that are creative and push the boundary to the unexpected.

Coachella 2016- the looks so far...

The most talked about festival of the year has begun, day 1 of Coachella is complete and its time to see what our favourite celebrities decided to wear and what trends we need to prep for this summer.

If you remember last year Kylie Jenner stunned us with her aqua blue hair last year so expectations were high for what colour hair she was going to deliver this weekend. She went for a gorgeous peach wig and kept her outfit simple. White t-shirt, jean shorts, netted tights and a statement necklace! The question is what will she be wearing over the weekends, will she keep it simple or will there be a bold look that's being kept quiet?

The queen of Coachella, Vanessa Hudgens. She has ruled Coachella for a few years with her perfectly styled boho look. This year she has gone with a simple mint high neck piece, a statement gold choker and beautiful tight curls=perfect.

Kendall and Gigi didn't disappoint either with simple looks but statement jewellery. Kendall wore a beige embroidered maxi dress with two little buns and various silver necklaces. Gigi wore black shorts and a crop top and added a tassle jacket then a statement waist piece. 

Taylor Hill and Josephine Skriver were seen taking pre-Coachella photos looking very chic. Again looks were simple but effective. Flairs, crop tops, shorts and shirts...looks that are very easy to recreate!

With Coachella only just beginning I can't wait to see what other looks are to come, but so much it seems to be a focus on simplicity but statement jewellery...but anything can happen...A$AP Rocky brought out Kanye West so who's to say more unexpected looks are not to appear!

IVY PARK, it has arrived...

Active meets Casual

There has been a big hype over the new active sportswear range co-founded by Beyoncé. Everyone loves Beyonce so that's no surprise. With it being in-store at Topshop and it also being a Beyoncé collection I was expecting prices to be through the roof, but surprisingly everything is rather reasonable!

Take a look at the advert, this for me won me over... a very well communicated advert making you want to take a look at the range.

Here are a couple of photos from the shoot which I absolutely LOVE, for me Beyoncé symbolises strength, power and being proud of who you are. The range has everything from hoodies, t-shirts, shorts, beanies and sandals! Don't waste a minute...go and take a look at Topshop.

SS16 Candy Galore Trend

We all know pastels in spring are a yearly trend, but this year the focus is on the sweet sugary candy shades. We are talking minty, peach and nude tones, let's get ready for summer ladies!

Pastel perfection = summer!

Here are some of my favourite looks of the new trend, why not start a mood board of the ideas you like and be sure to look on websites such as Publicdesire.com (20% OFF FOR STUDENTS AT THE MOMENT, HURRY!) , asos.com and missguided.com for the best pastel looks!

Easter blues...but summer is on its way!

I am back, I know I haven't been very good with keeping up to date with blogging recently but I have been super busy since being home for easter. I have been visiting friends, spending time with family and uni work...oh and of course the odd easter egg or two. 

We all love easter egg hunts right, and I know they are meant for when you're a kid but I don't think I will ever grow too old for them, not my auntie and cousin's easter hunt anyway, clues that lead you to a family member or a place in the house...but not just any clues I am talking top notch brain working clues that gets everyone thinking!

Now though after consuming a large amount of chocolate...my guilty pleasure is cold chocolate so when I find leftovers in the fridge I know it's going downhill and fast! But now I have ensured my brother removes every form of chocolate out of my eye sight and I am ready to prep for summer. I used to do elite gymnastics for over 10 years so I know a little about hard work and dedication but since stopping gymnastics about a year and a half ago it's no longer as easy to stay in check with what I'm eating and my exercise routine. I am generally a healthy eater but I am a big snacker, but with a holiday booked its time to get serious!

I am not a huge fan of the gym, I hate running machines, I hate being inside and not actually doing something exciting...running on a machine, inside, not going anywhere, no not for me. I am however a big fan of Charlotte Crosby's fitness DVD's, the '3-minute belly blitz' and '3-minute bum blitz'. Now let me tell you, these make you work so hard and sweat like crazy, I did all 12 rounds of the 3-minute belly blitz outside in the sun today and my legs still currently feel like jelly. So, I am going to start these DVDs on more of a regular basis! 

I will update you on how it's going and hopefully will not be so jelly like after the workouts by next week!

Where is everyone going this summer, and if you have any fitness or healthy recipes or tips be sure to comment below!

LETS DO THIS!