Friday, 31 May 2019
Thursday, 30 May 2019
This $22 Dress is a Must-Have May 30, 2019 at 12:45PM
Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Tuesday, 28 May 2019
This Trench is the Ultimate Wardrobe Essential May 28, 2019 at 05:30PM
Monday, 27 May 2019
WMBW Fit at 40 with The Arrow Club – Powered by Adidas About a year ago…okay…maybe a little more than a year, I decided that when I turned forty, I was going to be rocking the best body of my life! I started with a simple challenge of 100 push-ups a day for 30 days with every intention to move on to bigger and better workouts and of course bigger and better biceps, pecs, quads and all the rest. The challenge was a success, I completed 100 push-ups every day without fail. With great determination, I pushed through the shoulder pain in week two and ignored the advice that repetitive movements would just result in injury. What I should have done, was not do a 100 push-up’s a day. It totally messed up my shoulder and I was pretty much out of action for a year! Yep, in the end, I entered my 40’s the same way I left my 30’s. Squishy! Now, with 41 on the horizon, the itch to get into shape started looming its squishy head and I decided the challenge was still on. Maybe it’s a mid-life crisis, but I didn’t like the fact that someone told me I had a “dad bod” (you know who you are) when I hadn’t even had the privilege of becoming a dad yet. So, I decided to show all the young guns out there that us 40-year-olds still have some juice in the tank. Man, I sound old! Who even says “juice in the tank” anymore!? As fate would have it the folks from The Arrow Club reached out to me with the offer of a 3-month body transformation. Better still, they decided to take both Elzaan (not that she needs it) and I on their journey of training, nutrition, education, and mentality together! We’re both relatively fit and lead a reasonably healthy lifestyle (or so we thought) so we were definitely up for the challenge. To up the ante, however, we decided to put it all out there for you to see – nothing like a bit of an online audience to keep you accountable right? SPOILER ALERT!!! At the end of this post, you’ll have some before and after pics to judge us on : ) The Arrow Club is the brainchild of body transformation specialists Mark and Georgia Garlic who after running The Arrow Club successfully in London, decided to make Cape Town their new home. Who can blame them? Their gym is located at their home in Vredehoek, but this is no home gym, in fact, you never see their home and the training studio is better equipped than most gym’s in Cape Town – but you probably got that from the picks above. It does, however, have the benefit of a Cardi G, the worlds most chilled Boston Terrier puppy who sits in his bed and watches you as you perform your reps, giving out a little motivational nod every now and then to keep you going! You don’t get that in most Cape Town gyms either! As I mentioned above, The Arrow Clubs approach to training is a little different, rather than focus on only one aspect of your fitness they take a holistic view of your health. I thought the best way to describe it all was through our personal experience with each. Nutrition This has probably been the biggest learning curve for both of us. Elzaan and I always thought we were healthy eaters and we prided ourselves on our good choices – when we made them of course. Basically, carbs were the devil and our morning smoothies were filled with so many nuts and seeds that we were basically birds. It’s not that we didn’t like carbs (I mean…who doesn’t), but does anyone eat rice and potatoes anymore? The Arrow Club has completely changed this for us by working on the most scientific approach of energy in and energy out! Your body needs a certain amount of calories to perform its daily functions, eat less than it needs and you’ll lose weight, it more than it needs and you’ll put on weight. Simple. They gave us each a bespoke eating plan with our calorie allowance (we were put on a calorie deficit) as well as a macronutrient breakdown of our recommended daily allowance for protein, carbs, and fat. The process of weighing food and tracking your calories does take a little getting used to but it serves a bigger purpose. Understanding the caloric value of food really helps you understand portion size as well as the energy contained in those portions. They recommended My Fitness Pal to track our calories and gave us a plan with 4 meals a day. After a while you start getting a handle of portion sizes and the scale starts being less important. I can without a doubt say that we’ve never enjoyed a ‘diet’ more. We’re back to eating bread, rice and potatoes and even enjoying a glass of wine and piece of chocolate at night. We’re never hungry and we’re never tired which just makes it super easy to stick to. Training Elzaan and I have both been doing high-intensity training for the last few years. Some HIIT workouts and a little CrossFit thrown in seemed to be the best way to burn the calories and achieve those #BodyGoals. Only that it mostly didn’t and it was exhausting with very little muscle building results – at least for me. Elzaan would shape up quickly but find her arms getting bulkier than she wanted and her waist would square out as she lost body fat. Having suffered from neck and shoulder injuries my whole life I would very easily find myself spasming out during a session and living on anti-inflammatories for a couple of days. In the end, neither of us ever got the results we wanted. The Arrow Club has a 4 step approach to training which goes like this: Mobilise, Activate, Overload and Condition. Mobilising is basically a very slow warm-up that gets you ready to start moving. Activating is preparing your muscles for the upcoming workout. This really has been a game changer for me. Activating makes use of exercise bands and movements that target the range of motion and tells those muscles “yo, wake up”. In doing these activations alone, I’ve realized how much I have struggled to use the correct muscles during the most basic exercises my entire life – It’s also stopped me from getting neck and shoulder injuries during overloading. Overloading is, well, just that, giving your muscles more resistance than they are used to. The exercises here are usually very simple movements with a MASSIVE focus on form, Mark and Georgia are constantly telling us what needs to be where and what we should be feeling. Every session ends off with a bit of conditioning, which basically takes whatever energy you have left and sucks it out of you on the assault bike! Mentality and Education I think I’ve touched a little on both of these above. Guiding us through a mindset change on food and exercise has been prolific in this journey. Understanding calories and how they affect your body has totally changed how I look at food and what I considered clean eating to be. One conversation with Mark about Ketosis helped dispell all the myths around this holy grail of fat loss – in short, he said “Obviously every experiment shows that people on ketogenic diets burn fat for fuel…they’re not eating anything else” Never thought about it like that before! My approach to exercise has also changed, thinking that longer and harder sessions were the way to go and that being stiff the next day was a sign of a good session has been completely smashed! My ego was put to the test when I told Mark I didn’t feel we were doing heavy enough weights as I wasn’t sore the next day. He replied with ” I can’t send you out on to the PGA tour if you don’t know how to swing a golf club”. The attention to building strength through the correct form and posture has become paramount and the constant adjustments and corrections make all the difference. Their approach has shattered every view I’ve ever had of a personal trainer – It sure beats the hell out of someone turning the treadmill on for you while he scrolls through his Instagram! In the end, the proof of the pudding is in the eating right? What were the results? Also, now I feel like pudding! Nearly 5 kilos down and over 2% drop in body fat, I’m pretty happy with the results. When I think about the fact that I’m never hungry and can still go out and enjoy a drink or 2 with friends, it makes me realize what a massive achievement it really is. I wasn’t the biggest guy, to begin with, but was definitely skinny fat. Not that my squishyness is all gone just yet, I can definitely feel the 4 CM loss around my waist in how my clothes fit – for someone who wears a lot of fitted suits I don’t have much wiggle room. The biggest visual improvement is definitely in my posture and my back, with a hint of abs popping out I’m pretty excited to see what the next 4 weeks will bring. I’m a little disappointed to not see any measured gains in my chest or arms, but I’m aware of all the groundwork being done to build muscles that have never been built before! In the spirit of complete transparency, I just wanted to drop a quick disclaimer: For those who have been following the journey on my Instagram stories, you will notice a change in my starting weight. We were using a 15-year-old scale at the start of this journey and when it started spitting out ridiculous weights every time we got on it we purchased a new one that gave us a more accurate reading on our weight, body fat and water percentage. Our before and after pics were also taken in totally different lighting conditions so I’ve kept the images black and white and pretty flat so as not to enhance or hide anything. For someone who looked amazing to begin with Elzaan has had a massive transformation. Loosing 3,2 kilos and 2,5% body fat on such a small frame is incredible! Her visual changes are really impressive. Most impressive though is how easily she has stuck to this eating plan and how much she enjoys the food. Not one for being deprived for too long Elzaan tends to rebel against strict diets and fall of the wagon into a pizza, bag of crisps or slab of chocolate – she’s going to kill me when she reads this. She has also gotten incredibly strong very quickly and I’m really excited to see where she ends up in 3 months! For those who saw some training gear they want to get their hands on, all items (except Elzans prized Stella McCartney sneakers) are available on Adidas.co.za – I highly recommend the ultra boosts 18 for running and training, hands down the most comfortable trainers I’ve ever owned! That’s it! I’ll be back in about 4 weeks with another update! In the meantime, you can keep an eye on my Instagram stories for what’s going down! Okay. Stay fit and fancy. whatmyboyfriendwore
Saturday, 25 May 2019
Friday, 24 May 2019
Thursday, 23 May 2019
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
The Biggest Sale of the Year is On May 22, 2019 at 05:41PM
Tuesday, 21 May 2019
Monday, 20 May 2019
Sunday, 19 May 2019
Friday, 17 May 2019
Thursday, 16 May 2019
This Feminine Trend is Everywhere Right Now May 16, 2019 at 12:45PM
Wednesday, 15 May 2019
Tuesday, 14 May 2019
GWC Playlist: Spring Refresh May 14, 2019 at 12:45PM
Monday, 13 May 2019
Sunday, 12 May 2019
Saturday, 11 May 2019
Friday, 10 May 2019
Thursday, 9 May 2019
This is what I Can’t Stop Wearing May 09, 2019 at 12:45PM
Princess Eugenie pays sweet tribute to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby
Words by Maisie Bovingdon
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their first baby into the world on May 8th, and just two days later the couple made their first public appearance as a family of three.
A few hours later the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their son was called Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor with an adorable family photo of Queen Elizabeth, Doria Ragland and Prince Philip meeting their child.
The duo have been flooded with congratulations and well wishes, and Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie has also reached out to them.
The 29-year-old royal – who married Jack Brooksbank five months after Harry and Meghan tied the knot in May last year – shared a black and white photograph of the new parents walking through Windsor Castle, holding Archie, but with their backs to the camera.
She captioned the sweet photo: ‘I’m just so happy for you!! @sussexroyal.’
Harry’s brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, also congratulated the pair on the exciting news.
He previously said: ‘ I’m very pleased to welcome my brother to the sleep deprivation society that is parenting!’
Meghan’s former Suits co-star, Patrick Adams, also reached out to the family. He tweeted: ‘Just heard that the world just got heavier by 7 pounds and 3 ounces. Much love to him and his incredible parents. Learned first hand 7 months ago how transformational becoming a parent is and couldn’t be happier for Meghan and Harry as they begin this adventure.’
Former US First Lady, Michelle Obama, gushed: ‘Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! Barack and I are so thrilled for both of you and can’t wait to meet him. #RoyalBaby.’
The post Princess Eugenie pays sweet tribute to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby appeared first on Marie Claire.
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Wednesday, 8 May 2019
How To Grow Out Your Hair As you’re probably aware I’ve had short hair for most of my twenties, going back and forth between a lob and bob, until last year when I decided I wanted to change things up and commit to growing it out. Perfect timing, as now I’m 30, I’ve entered a new decade and my hair feels like it’s reached the perfect, low maintenance length I’ve been searching for. Short hair at first is easy, but to be honest after a while I found the daily styling to be more time consuming than I first thought, and ended up wearing it pulled back in a bun most of the time. I’m wearing my hair out so much more now that it’s longer as it sits more naturally as its weight pulls it down and all I need to do is give it a brush through in the morning and I’m good to go. So what did I do? Firstly it’s all about hair health, and I’ve spoken about this a few times in the past, so more ranting from me on this topic. I stopped dying my hair, and let my natural brown colour grow through. The colour I put through it wasn’t all that different, but I skipped the subtle highlights and lowlights to give my hair a rest, which I believe helps with keeping breakages at bay. I’m pretty low maintenance so this was easy for me to commit to, but if you’re not sure you can get away with forgoing your colour, go for a balayage look where your roots are natural so at least you’re not going back as often. I also switched to using the new Dyson hairdryer for its hair health attributes, as it doesn’t fry your hair like others on the market. I honestly could never go back to a normal hair dryer now and think it’s well worth the investment. Lastly, and it’s the one I believe has made the biggest difference in the speed of the growth and that’s using BondiBoost after a girlfriend recommended it to me. I’ve been using the Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner for about 9 or 10 months now and absolutely love it and believe it 100% works on speeding up the growth of the hair. The products are formulated with rosemary and peppermint oil which helps stimulate hair growth, prevent split ends and breakage and help hair feel thicker. I also like how BondiBoost is made locally in Australia and it’s made with natural and organic ingredients, it’s not tested on animals and no animal products are hidden in the ingredients. Thinking that there are animal bi-products in my haircare really weirds me out! In addition to the shampoo and conditioner, I use the Intensive Spray a couple of times a week and the Miracle Mask just once a week for a deep, nourishing treatment. Now that my hair is at the length I want, I’m still using the products as my hair loves them, and they’re just a nice product to use in general. I also think it helps keeps my hair healthy and full of body. When I’ve had long hair in the past for some reason my hair has felt thin when it gets to a certain length, but I haven’t felt that happen this time around. Not sure how long this new ‘long hair, don’t care’ attitude will last, but I’m currently absolutely loving the change. *Shot in Collaboration with Bondi Boost Photography by Ana Suntay-Tanedo Harper and Harley
the vacationer edit May 08, 2019 at 03:17PM
The best tinted moisturisers for healthy-looking skin
Give your skin a boost with the right formula for your skin type
On a daily basis, more and more of us are leaning towards a paired-down, natural look over layering up the best foundation for a flawless finish. Enter the best tinted moisturiser to add a little bit of sparkle to your complexion.
Bringing with them a whole host of skincare benefits, tinted moisturisers can offer UV and sun protection as well as coming in moisturising, mattifying and oil-free versions.
You won’t get a whole lot of coverage here: Instead think of it as your skin, but just that little bit better than usual. (If you do want a bit more coverage, look to the best BB creams and best CC creams.)
Intrigued? Read on for the formulas that pass the Marie Claire test in the best tinted moisturiser department.
Best drugstore tinted moisturiser
No7 City Light Tinted Moisturiser, £13, Boots
Available in three shades to complement the Match Made range (light, medium and medium-dark), this one is a great lightweight alternative to foundation. With UVA and UVB protection of SPF 15, your skin will be protected from the elements and some of the harsh effects of the enrivonment, like pollution.
Buy now
Best tinted moisturiser for oily skin
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifant, £16.50, Lookfantastic
For acne and blemish prone skins, there’s a tinted version of the famous Effaclar Duo+. It has all of the original’s skincare benefits – salicylic acid to break down blockages, niacinamide to calm blemishes – plus a slight tint to help reduce the visibility of breakouts. A great buy for excessively oily skin.
Buy now
Best tinted moisturiser for dry skin
Clarins HydraQuench Tinted Moisturiser, £32, John Lewis
Dry skin needs something that’s going to keep it soft and smooth for the long run. Crammed with hyaluronic acid, this tinted moisturiser packs a punch. Continuously moisturising your skin while you wear it and providing three layers of UV protection, this beautifying cream will do your complexion the world of good.
Buy now
Keep scrolling for more tinted moisturiser chart-toppers.
The post The best tinted moisturisers for healthy-looking skin appeared first on Marie Claire.
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Tuesday, 7 May 2019
How to Wear White Jeans with Confidence May 07, 2019 at 12:45PM
Every spring, white jeans are a hot topic because most women have a love-hate relationship with them. On one hand, they look really clean and fresh and pair well with so many summer tops. But… we’ve also been fed the myth that white bottoms make us look “bigger,” and that you have to be a certain shape or size to pull off the look in a flattering way.
Don’t believe those lies. One of the reasons I continue to incorporate white jeans into the outfits I share here, is that I want you to see firsthand that white jeans really can be worn by anyone — you just need to know how to shop for, and style, the right pair with confidence! Here’s how:
Monday, 6 May 2019
Sunday, 5 May 2019
Friday, 3 May 2019
Thursday, 2 May 2019
3 Must-Have Shoes for Spring/Summer May 02, 2019 at 12:45PM
As someone who’s truly shoe obsessed, I’m always shopping for shoes. And honestly I’m not sure if it’s because I have big feet (tall girl size 12 here!) so shoes are harder to come by, or if I just really love shoes, but I’m always searching for seasonal must-haves to add to my collection.
Here are 3 of-the-moment styles I’ll be wearing on repeat over the next several months:
Wednesday, 1 May 2019
The Power of a Suit Wearing: Joseph blazer, Joseph pants Give a woman a well fitted suit and she can conquer the world, or at least feel like she can. This is how I feel in a matching blazer and pant combo. I don’t necessarily wear them to work, as would feel far too overdressed in our undone office, but I find suits the perfect dress alternative when going to events and are particularly great for winter weddings. I love wearing them with just a bra underneath, or a V neck camisole to keep the clean V lines of the jacket This cream matching blazer and pants from Joseph is a dream. I’m such a fan of their coats and they know how to tailor, which is exactly what you want out of a blazer and suit pants. *shot in collaboration with Joseph Photography by Ana Suntay-Tanedo Harper and Harley
