A Day in The Life of...

Joseph coat, Raquel Allegra knit, Primrose Park shirt, Rag and bone trousers and my faithful rafs.

This is a typical day in my ANNA life.

I start my day bizarrely enough at 6:40am wake up call for 7:10 Barrys Bootcamp! 

Breakfast usually on the run after juicing for RP. Today i am off to a few buying appointments.

 I walk to appointments whenever i can and i am lucky because regents park is my shortcut to the west end. 

OMG! I've just bumped into my BF in the park, quick catch up with her then off i go again. 

 First stop, Chinti and Parker http://www.shopatanna.com/chinti-parker/

I love Chinti and the new collection doesn't disappoint. Emoji jumpers, how cool!

 Next up, Odd Molly.

 This season sees the return of Odd Molly in ANNA.

The Tribute collection is very strong and i can see the original quirky style has returned.  

Whilst choosing my pieces for the stores i have a quick bite and some water, more often than not i drink too much coffee and eat too many biscuits in the appointments, its good to get some real food!

 My last appointment today, is Frame Denim http://www.shopatanna.com/frame-denim/

 Here i am with Sam making my selection. I am very conscious of choosing the correct shapes and washes for my client base rather than high trend driven, niche pieces. Everything in ANNA is personally picked by me. I like everything but obviously i am only ever one size and one age at one time so i can't wear everything all the time. 

I end the day with a quick meeting with the GM of ANNA who is on a shop visit at primrose hill. psssst... Yoga 6:45pm, nutter!!

Top Tips for Starting the Year

We all start the New Year with good intentions but it's often hard to stick to them, I hate depriving myself of anything because it always makes me crave it more and therefore I cave in. So I suggest everything in moderation. To lose weight cut down the intake of food or cut out a meal, but be sensible. Here are are some things I do:

1. BRAGGS ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Every morning I start with a generous swig out of the bottle... sharp intake of breath... I think you're meant to mix a teaspoon with water but I'm hardcore! This drink is a general all-round good-guy! It lifts sluggishness better than an espresso before the gym (and obviously healthier), it promotes weight loss and digestion. I mean, don't expect to lose a stone by just a swig a day but it does help eliminate unwanted toxins in your body.

2. SEVEN - 7 MINUTE HIGH INTENSITY WORKOUT
I incorporate this easy mobile app into my daily routine (if I'm not mad enough to attend a mental session at Barry's Bootcamp). I find it really works after a run or if you prefer a vigorous power walk. Running and this app costs nothing, so no excuses give it a go. I promise short bursts of hard exercise really does work, you just need the motivation, once you're in the routine it's easy(ish)!

3. JUICING
I do Bielers green soup (see recipe here) also I thoroughly recommend a Nutribullet. Vicky, my yoga teaching friend, swears by this combination: half an avocado, handful of spinach, half a pear, a small lump of ginger, topped up with plain coconut water. Fantastic for detoxing and anti-inflammatory!

4. SNACKING
Eliminate all snacks from your house, temptation is the devil! Don't eat too much fruit, it's good for you... but it's full of sugar. Remember a mango is really a Mars Bar masquerading as a fruit!
Eat 6 almonds a day, great to aid weight loss as they are rich in protein and fibre which helps you stay satiated longer... but don't eat more than 6 as the calories will outdo the good done.

5. NO PROCESSED FOODS
Try to stick to no white food... so I mean, flour, rice, pasta, processed starch. Eat fresh foods and try to buy daily from local suppliers.

Right... big tip for 2015 you want to lose weight.... simple, EAT LESS - EXERCISE MORE! In my experience this is the only real lasting healthy way to melt the calories away! No fad dieting.

The Beach Party Invite

Picture the scene you're at a party trying to be glamorous, sexy and confident…now imagine trying to do this in a bikini! Sound daunting? Well this was my predicament when invited to a friends Hen Do in Ibiza, I had a month to get beach body ready….

STEP 1: EXERCISE

Yoga is already a daily activity for me, it is brilliant for toning and strengthening everything, no one realises how strong you can get from doing yoga. I swear by my local Fierce Grace Studio in Primrose Hill…hardcore yoga!

Fierce Grace yoga class

Spinning is a recent addition to my get skinny quick regime and I can’t recommend these classes highly enough. I first tried out spinning at Soulcycle in LA, disco on a bike, wow! I was beyond excitement a couple of months ago when I discovered Psycle! This is a carefully choreographed full body work out on a bicycle. The founder, Tim Weeks, not only works you to your limit but also introduces you to new music. I LOVE THIS!

Psycle lobby

Psycle class

STEP 2: PREPARE TO BARE

A good skincare regime becomes more and more important the older you get and the body should not be neglected in this! A beauty tip a friend gave me once was....Body brushing, hurts like hell but worth it for very soft skin. When you reach 50 you definitely need Goe Oil to keep the crepey skin at bay! Suffer it, it’s worth it!

Goe Oil and body brush

A good fake tan will give you the confidence of a week in the sun on the first day of your holiday. A manicure and pedicure are essential for on beach glamour, go for shellac on the toes, it lasts for 3 weeks without chipping. I recommend choosing a pale pink, it will go with anything and enhance your bronzed bod. I get all of my beauty treatments done by Rachel (07841408589), a fab, london based travelling beautician, which is great when you are time poor! She will even pop a tent up in your bedroom to spray tan you!

STEP 4: WHAT TO WEAR? 

Melissa Odabash is the goddess of swimwear, I buy one of her pieces every season and they wear so well! My top tip when buying a swimwear is buy it when you come back! That way you have a tan and everything looks fab! I always go for a triangle bikini, I find this is the best shape for me as it balances my sporty shoulders and my small tits. For the curvier lady Melissa Odabash one pieces are great, my fave is the Ischia swimsuit featuring heavy ruching to hide any wobbly bits and a triangle in the middle to slim and elongate the torso.

Melissa Odabash, Miami triangle bikini - top £90, bottoms £90

Melissa Odabash, Ischia halterneck swimsuit, £186

The icing on the cake in your beach body arsenal is the cover-up. Playsuits are always fun in the sun, this one by Velvet is in my overnight bag for Ibiza! For something with a bit more coverage try One Season's cotton beach toga.  It has a Grecian feel and a flattering empire line tie. 

Velvet, Bielle tie-dye playsuit, £175

One Season, Beach toga, £135

STEP 4: TAKE TO THE BEACH!

Remember, carry yourself with confidence! If you feel confident you will look it too, and nothing is more sexy than confidence!