Switch it off and tune in

Modern life is saturated with digital technology. The digital world is one that I admit to only having a basic understanding of (email, my iPhone, social media and blogger are about as far as it goes!); but I can of course see the positives of such developments; it allows us to connect with parts of the world that wouldn't have previously been possible, it is supporting doctors in their surgery, and it even enables us to explore other planets to our own. However, I also often consider the negatives to a world where reality and digital are so often blurred; children under-10 posing for selfies, the constant bombardment of advertising, and the unknown long term effects of digital overload are all things that I often ponder. So although this could be considered as deeply ironic as I am indeed writing this from my MacBook Pro (a wonderful piece of modern day technology by the way), I urge you to think about switching off your technology from time-to-time and to tune in to your natural surroundings.

Polzeath, Cornwall - 2013

I'm not about to go all hippy on you, but I really do believe that disconnecting yourself from your smart phone and getting out into your natural surroundings every now and again really is medicine for the soul. Even when we go for a run or walk nowadays most of us can't leave the house without being plugged into our iPhones with Beyoncé telling us that if he liked it he should have put a ring on it. Now as much fun and as motivating as that is, it doesn't allow us to properly zone out from the digital part of our lives and to make the most of our me-time by appreciating the smaller things in life. 

Windsor Great Park, 2014

I've recently taken to leaving all technology at home when going on my runs and I can honestly say that I'm much more aware of everything from the trees, to the sunsets, and even the birds that might fly over head. When I get home I feel more refreshed and positive than I used to, and I genuinely think this is because I've switched off the technology and tuned in to nature.

Bournemouth Beach, 2014

The other week my friend and I swam the Bournemouth Pier to Pier (1.4 miles) for the British Heart Foundation, and I can honestly say that begin in the water for that hour totally disconnected from all technology really did give us both so much energy. Despite the long swim we both came out of the water giggling and energised, of course there will have been some element of adrenaline involved but I really believe it's also because we'd spent the last hour enjoying nature. 

Virginia Water Lake, 2013

There is further irony to this post in that all of these pictures were taken with my iPhone when I could have been "disconnected" and "at one" with nature. However I've made the decision to not edit any of them so that you can see these beautiful, natural places in their full glory. And actually, part of the thought process behind this post is that I need to remind myself to leave the smart phone at home from time-to-time. Reconnect with nature, go out on a walk, leave the phone at home and it will go some way to helping you on your Beautifully Healthy journey. 

So switch it off and tune in - you won't regret it, I promise!

Love Lucy x

Karlie Kloss for Nike

Last week supermodel Karlie Kloss was unveiled as the new face of the Nike Pro Bra Collection. As someone who regularly endorses exercise, healthy eating, and eating cookies (Karlie’s Kookies no less), this is a campaign that The Beautifully Healthy Project is rather excited about.

Vogue Australia has previously reported on Karlie’s relationship with exercise; she says: “Movement is everything. A body in motion stays in motion and I have a lot of body so I like to keep it moving.” 

Yes Karlie is very slender and has previously been caught up in a little controversy for being “too thin”, however if her Instagram feed and pictures of her younger self are to go by then Karlie is simply one of those people who is blessed with the slim gene. Like fellow supermodels Kate Moss and Cara Delevinge she could have chosen to rest on her blessed genes by shunning exercise in favour of constant partying, questionable substance taking and smoking, however Karlie has chosen the Beautifully Healthy path of a life filled with exercise and nutritional food.

It is well reported that Karlie grew up doing ballet and has since thrown herself into the modelFIT exercise regime, and her lean but strong figure is a great fit for the Nike brand. In the campaign she looks strong but slender, powerful but feminine – something that is resonating with many other celebrities such as Millie Mackintosh who regularly uses the hastag #strongnotskinny. And indeed, although I shall never be anywhere near as lean as Karlie or Millie, the strong not skinny ethos is one that I aspire to. It is a healthy message which encourages women to focus on their health and fitness rather than their shape and size.

So here are some shots from Karlie’s Nike Pro Bra Collection campaign:

Karlie looks incredible in these photos (there are others in the campaign in which she looks equally as amazing), and I really do think they portray a woman who is naturally slender but also healthy – there are no protruding bones, but instead lean biceps and abs which represent Karlie’s hard work in the gym but also that she does actually eat.

So I hope this neat little campaign inspires you to be Beautifully Healthy and to embrace exercise and healthy eating as part of your day-to-day life. And of course, don’t forget the Kookies! – they are an essential part of Karlie’s lifestyle as she often takes them to shows and shoots. They are vegan and gluten-free, and I’ve heard they’re absolutely delicious and give you that little bit of extra energy. If you don’t believe me have a little look at what the Voguers have to say about them…

What do you think of Karlie’s new Nike campaign?

Love Lucy x

The perfect summer dress

Summer is jam-packed with one event after another and it can be tricky to know what to wear to each different occasion. There's weddings, BBQs, festivals, picnics, and garden parties galore - but how do you keep up with needing a different outfit for each event? Could there possibly be just ONE dress that could negotiate the minefield of summer events dressing? Well it's time to explore the Beautifully in The Beautifully Healthy Project as I think I may have found THE dress.

A few weeks ago I was given a Topshop voucher for my birthday (how I love birthday Topshop vouchers!), so I simply had to go in to have a look and see what delights they had in store. And then I came across this little number:

Topshop

Island Animal Print Maxi Dress

£50

www.topshop.com

Well actually it was my Mum who spotted it first, and I was convinced that the spaghetti straps wouldn't work on me (let's just say that it would be impossible for me to go braless!) - nevertheless Mum was adamant that it would look good on so I took it to the changing rooms and slipped it on. I knew immediately that I had to buy it - it felt gorgeous on and actually you could hardly see any bra strap (nothing that a bit of long hair can't hide!).

It's the perfect dress to dress-up or dress-down; I've already worn it for a BBQ in the park followed by a night out in London, and next weekend I'll wear it to a friend's wedding. I paired it with chunky black heels and a denim jacket for the BBQ, and to smarten it up for the wedding I think I'll wear some strappy heels with a smarter black jacket. I then probably won't wear it again until next summer as although it is gorgeous I don't want everyone to think that I only own one dress! However it'll be comforting to know that if a posh picnic does pop up I'll have just the dress to wear.

Summer is all about having fun and enjoying yourself, and if you have the perfect dress to wear whilst out and about then you'll feel all the more confident and Beautifully Healthy. This particularly dress may not suit everyone, but really my point is to find at least one summer outfit that makes you feel as fabulous as you deserve to.

Do you have a go-to outfit that makes you feel fab on any summer occasion?

Love Lucy x