Fashion

As winter turns to spring I can feel my mood lightening and it feels like the world around me feels the same.  The mornings and evenings start becoming lighter.  Spring flowers start peeking though. There’s blossom on the cherry trees and the magnolias are in flower. I’m so much more motivated to get out and about in the fresh air.  Going for a walk becomes a real pleasure.  Okay there are still showers, but there’s a long of sunshine too.

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is ‘the first good weather weekend of spring’.  The first time I came across this, it seemed like I and every person in Birmingham had driven out to the nearby Clent Hills with the same aim in mind.  Since then I’ve been determined to make the most of that precious first weekend of spring, but without the traffic queues.  So this year I sought out a local beauty spot that I could reach without driving.  Our local park was so important during the lockdowns.  Sometimes it was really busy.  It has a golf course which is usually off limits, but during the lockdowns we were allowed to stroll on it which meant there was a bit more room to escape the crowds.  Now that we can go further afield to walk, it’s quieter spot but still a great place to get some fresh air and exercise.

We set out on a family walk with me wearing the new clothes I was sent by Lighthouse.  I’m wearing the Seashore T Shirt in the Cloud Pale Blue Stripe colourway.  It’s a great quality T shirt, well cut and there’s a nice weight to the material.  It’s great for spring as you can easily use it for layering up or down depending on the amount of sunshine and the temperature outside.  I like that the T shirt has a good length to it – I have a longish body and it’s nice to have a little extra length, but I think it would fit most people well.  So far it’s washed well too and hasn’t shrunk or faded, although I hasn’t been through the wash a lot of times.

I’m also wearing the Long Beachcomber Jacket in Dandelion.  As you can see it’s got this slightly nautical stripy blue lining in soft jersey which adds an extra layer of warmth for chillier spring days.  The same material lines the hood too which makes it feel very cosy.

The Beachcomber jacket is a great quality jacket and I love the bright yellow colour.  It’s a very springtime shade reminding me of daffodils.  The lining provides a little warmth. But it’s a jacket that’s intended for those in between days of spring and autumn, although it would get some use in any season depending on the day.  The 3/4 length means that you are protected from the worst of the weather if it gets a bit damp.  The jacket has waterproof, breathable and windproof features  with fully taped seams giving protection against April showers. The outer is a polyester microfibre peach finished. I love the two front pockets which are generous and perfect for keys, or just to keep your hands out of the wind.  You can also make use of the secure, zipped internal pocket.

My springtime walk was lovely and I felt properly dressed for the occasion thanks to Lighthouse.  I know these items will take me through spring and beyond.

Disclosure: I was sent this clothing by Lighthouse for the purposes of this review.

Wedding bands are an important part of the wedding ceremony. It is a symbol of commitment, it is something that you wear on your hand for the rest of your life.  If there’s a time for going for high end jewelry, then this is it.  Choosing the right ring is essential. One should take into account all aspects of choosing wedding rings or bridal sets, from style to size to budget.

What is Your Bridal Set Budget?

The list price of the diamonds in the set is the most important factor that determines their price. The better quality diamonds you want, then the higher your budget should be.

Your budget will also depend on if you want a solitaire engagement ring and wedding band, or just one of them.

If you’re looking for a bridal set, but aren’t sure how much to spend on it, we recommend following these guidelines:

– Check what your maximum budget is and stick with it. There’s no need to spend more than you can afford.

– Consider buying a cheaper engagement ring and investing in a more expensive wedding band or vice versa, which will save some money for other wedding expenses that come up later on.

Do You want Something Classic or Modern?

Maybe you’d like to keep it simple and have just been looking at classic wedding rings.  It will certainly help your budget to focus on just a classic wedding ring.   If you are an advocate of less is more when it comes to design, this might be the choice or you.  Of course, you can choose to team up a classic wedding ring with a more elaborate engagement ring.  In fact, the simpler wedding ring can set off an engagement ring very well.

Another option is to consider moissanite bridal sets for a pair of rings that work well together.  It’s much easier to find rings that work well together when you buy them as part of a set.

What is Your Style?

Antique rings are typically more ornate, with delicate filigree and curved bands, whereas modern rings are typically more sleek, with angular cuts and straight bands.

A lot of people can’t decide which style they prefer because each has its own merits. If you’re not sure about what style to get, just try both on!

Do You prefer Yellow Gold or White Gold?

The colour of gold is a matter of preference, and there are no real rules to how to tell one from the other. It’s a question of whether you prefer the warm tones of yellow gold or the cool tones of white gold or even platinum.  It might be worth considering which colour goes better with your skin tone before you decide.

Conclusion

There are many different factors to consider when selecting your perfect groom’s band, bride’s wedding ring or bridal set for your wedding day.  I’d suggest looking at lots of rings and trying them on to see which styles feel comfortable for you to wear and that suit your hands.  Once you have an idea of the style and colour you want, you can fine tune your search and focus in on finding the perfect rings for you.

Yoga, swimming and walking are my main forms of exercise.  For yoga and often for walking too, I prefer to wear leggings. Leggings are so easy and comfortable when you are exercising.  They have plenty of stretch too, so they move with you when you bend and stretch.  They keep you warmer than shorts which is good for outdoor exercise or when you are doing less intensive yoga sessions.  Leggings can suit any number of different workouts from cardio to weights, pilates to running.  I usually change after exercise, but if there isn’t time, it’s easy to dress leggings up with a nice top and you are good to go almost anywhere.

Trainfit recently asked me to try out something from their selection of gym clothing and cross training gear.  They have a great selection and they don’t do boring.  There are bright colours and prints to choose from which I find really cheerful.  I find wearing that sort of gear when I’m exercising helps keep me motivated.  I decided to pick out some Trainfit leggings because I am always on the look out for great leggings to exercise in.

I picked out the Leopard High Rise Roll Down Leggings by Halo Fitness.  It was a difficult choice because there were so many great options.  I’d recently admired some animal print leggings on someone else at a yoga class though, so that was what swung it for me. I was really pleased with my choice when they arrived as they looked great and felt soft and smooth to the touch.  If you are not a fan of the leopard print then Trainfit also stock a range of funky gym leggings in a variety of different styles and colours to suit varying tastes no matter how bold!

These versatile high-rise tights were designed to fit like a second skin, which makes them perfect for yoga or the gym. I found they were a really good fit for me.  They are made with single-lined, lustrous material that allows for unrestricted movement.  This meant it was easy for me to do any yoga pose from downward dog to chair pose in them. The four-way stretch fabric is sweat-wicking, which helps keep you cool and comfortable, even when you are working hard.  I love that the fabric is breathable.

Whilst exercising the leggings feel supportive on both my legs and tummy.  The high rise cut is flattering and I prefer to wear them high waisted as it gives a bit more coverage.  But, they are easy to roll down if you prefer the low or mid rise look. They come in a range of sizes from Xtra Small to Xtra Large.  I couldn’t find a size guide on the Trainfit site, which was a shame.  However, I take a size 14 bottoms usually and I found that the large was a good fit.  I felt they looked good on me and were flattering despite being a good, close fit.

They have washed well and I’ve found they spring back into shape quickly after being worn.  I’m hopeful that they will last me a good long time and wear well.

Disclosure: I was sent the Trainfit leggings for the purposes of this review.