"Everything Is Hard Before It Is Easy"

As I have been extremely dedicated to fitness and a healthy lifestyle for quite some time now I decided to enter a long distance race for charity. I have been road running for a few years now and after running the 5K Race For Life two years ago I promised myself I would gradually build up my stamina to run further and further. I have unfortunately never been blessed with a fast metabolism which means if I didn't work out or eat right I would gain weight. Although I feel absolutely terrible when I've had a few days of eating badly, in a weird way I am happy that I'm not someone who can eat an unlimited amount of junk food and never get fat. I actually really enjoy exercising as its the best anti-depressant around plus by having a healthy lifestyle I have so much more energy than I used to.

So I signed up for the Bupa London 10,000 where I would donate all my sponsorship money to Alzheimer's Society, a charity close to my heart. I did plan to train specifically a lot more in running than I did but I got so carried away in the gym that I didn't spend as much time out road running as I planned. I genuinely enjoy gym classes so much that I couldn't tear myself away so I wasn't expecting to do amazingly since so many people there would have trained so hard, running everyday.

 

So on Sunday 25th May I ran the race. I always said I would be completely happy to finish within an hour but I was aware that was a long shot. I ate a bowl of porridge a few hours before and then a banana closer to the race for some extra energy and drank lots of water. As I stepped up to the start line I felt surprisingly good and really positive. Mo Farrah was the celebrity guest and he sounded the horn for the start of the race.

The start line. Ready to go.

Feeling good just after I crossed the line

Me and my medal

I am so proud that I managed to run the 10K in 54 minutes 39 seconds I actually cant believe it. I came 4520th which sounds a lot but out of 15,000 runners I am really happy with especially as I came 1090th out of all the female runners. I think the fact that there is crowd cheering you on practically the whole way round is the best motivation to keep pushing. Its also a massive eye opener to see so many people running for different charities for so many personal reasons, I actually felt really emotional at one point to think of what some of the people running and supporting have been through/going through. Everybody has a different story and I think its important for everyone to stop and think about it sometimes.

A well earned mocktail afterwards

After how amazing I felt when I finished I would really like to push myself to do the half marathon next year and eventually go for the marathon.

To anybody who wants to get fit, lose weight or tone up then do it! Once you start to see an improvement you will never look back!

Yours Fashionably
Sarah Victoria


 

A Night With Katy Perry

I have had such a fun week so far, mainly because I have been to see Katy Perry in the Prismatic Tour at the Manchester Phones4u Arena (basically the MEN to any Northerners). I have always enjoyed her music, ever since she released 'I Kissed A Girl' I was a fan however she wasn't on the top of my list of people I wanted to see live. She was firmly placed behind Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake to name a few. That was until my mum bought me tickets to see her Teenage Dream tour a few years ago for Christmas and as soon as I saw her live I found a new love for this woman that has only grown more since. The Teenage Dream tour was that good I saw her at the o2 London and then booked to see her a week later at the MEN.

I think the reason I love her so much is not only the feel good songs she releases one after another but the fact she doesn't take herself seriously at all and I think for a female in the public eye these days, that's very rare to see. She's usually in the press for doing or wearing something crazy and her music videos usually involve her acting like a fool which I really appreciate. Anybody who hasn't seen the video to her new single Birthday follow this link and watch it... it will give you a laugh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEUg7OplvIQ as she crashes 5 different parties disguised as 5 ridiculous characters.

So the Prismatic tour that my friend Jess kindly invited me with her to see was not a disappointment as I questioned if she could beat her last tour. Since me and Jess go to University miles apart as she is in Leeds and me in London we rarely get to properly catch up. We decided to head for cocktails in Manchester before the show and discovered a great bar near the arena called Zinc. I ordered one of my favourites, the Cosmopolitan. Although the price was steep they were really well made and tasted GREAT! As we had VIP tickets we had an amazing view of the show which I am glad about as some the things the dancers were doing was incredible. It was also nice to see the costumes and set up close. She changed the set at least 5/6 times which kept the show interesting and made up a nice structure. I like the fact she gave the musicians and dancers time on their own to take the attention of the crowd as I think we sometimes forget they are there and how amazing they are.

Here are some pictures I took of the show and some I have taken
from Google for you to see her costumes in detail because they were incredible. Hats off to the costume designer.

And here is what I wore for the occasion. I wanted to keep it relatively casual as high heels are always a mistake for concerts, I draw the line at heeled boots. Its still nice to make an effort for an evening out though. I wore my River Island sandals and wide leg trousers which have been a god send so far this season, a standard Topshop cami and jacket which I love more every time I wear it. My hat is from H&M and was an absolute bargain and my bag is from River Island also.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Yours Fashionably

Sarah Victoria

Positive Vibes

Happy Sunday everybody. It really has been a happy Sunday with this beautiful weather, it was needed after a week of dull rain showers.

I have had a particularly busy time since last Saturday as I have travelled to London twice. Firstly I was at the HOTHOT Trends shoot for issue 2 out at the end of this month which I am very happy to be working on after such an amazing debut issue. We shot trends including jumpsuits and wide leg trousers which I am completely on board with as a list of my recent purchases would prove. The only problem with working on fashion shoots is that I always want to sneak a few items into my handbag whilst no one is looking but unfortunately that is not how it works. My second trip involved me working at hairdressers, yes I know what you're thinking... why on earth would I go to London for that? Again, I was on HOTHOT duty for the work experience feature in the magazine where I had to go to Gielly Green Boutique Salon for a day and write an article on 'a day in the life of a hair dresser'. I really enjoyed writing something different, don't get me wrong I love writing about fashion but it was a refreshing change. Although travelling back to London regularly isn't ideal right now, while I am off for summer I need to hold on to my jobs for when I get back in my little Bethnal Green flat... I am already so excited.

To top off a fab week I got a little part time job in my home town so I can save up for next year since I will be living in zone 2 of the capital. I also received an offer from LOOK magazine to go and work there for 4 whole weeks with the fashion team which is amazing news! Then with two outdoor boot camp sessions, three spin classes, kettlecise, abs blast, body pump and pikiti classes I would say its been a pretty great week PLUS I got a tan this weekend.

I have an outfit post to follow including my recent outfits and lots of pictures so keep a look out.

Good night all.

Yours Fashionably
Sarah Victoria

Outfits Of The Weekend

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Last weekend I celebrated my 19th birthday and I must say, I have mixed emotions of how I feel about it. My 18th year was by far the best for many reasons and I was quite sad for it to come to an end however anybody that knows me will know I LOVE birthdays. I love celebrating everyone's birthday but especially my own, its just the best day ever (I say day but I actually drag it out a good few days).

This year I kept it low key and dedicated the weekend to family time. A lot of my closest friends had already gone back to University after the Easter holidays so we were spread across the country. Lucky for me though I had already finished my first year so I could just relax and enjoy.

On Friday (my birthday eve) me and Mike, my boyfriend went to Alderly Edge. It is one of the most beautiful places in Cheshire with so many amazing bars and restaurants it is the number one choice for an evening of lovely food and cocktails in such a beautiful area. We went to The Alderly Bar + Grill, one of our favourite places around. It has classic décor with nothing too fancy but they really don't need it, I have never tasted food as good as the 'Asian Sharing Platter' so I would recommend this place to anybody.

I wore a polka dot jumpsuit from Misguided. I bought it because I loved the open back and halter neck but when it arrived it was so much more flattering than I imagined and when I wore it out it didn't crease too much either. I wore it with my River Island flatforms and my white blazer from Topshop. The only issue I had was that the legs were far too long so I had to take them up and added a belt which shortened the length so it wasn't too noticeable in the end, any petite girl will feel my pain.

 

 On my actual birthday I started it off by hitting the gym for a morning workout. Me and some of the other women completed an outdoor session with Kettlebells and TRX in the sunshine, it was such a positive start to my day. No pain no gain right?!
I then opened all of my amazing presents including Swarovski jewellery, Michael Kors purse and clutch and some great work out gear. It became clear from my gifts that my family know me very well. I then spent the day relaxing before heading to The Living Room in Manchester, somewhere I hadn't been before but I am hoping to return soon. The food and cocktails were so great for such a reasonable price and the restaurant layout was perfect for a relaxed atmosphere.

I wore a dress from Topshop and heels from New Look with my Swarovski jewellery and Gucci watch and I took my Michael Kors clutch out for the first time.

 
 

 
 
 
 

 

Then on Sunday me, Mum, Nan and Grandma went for afternoon tea at Willington Hall which has lovely grounds and stunning views of the Cheshire country side as we ate finger sandwiches and super sweet jam and cream on our scones. It was the perfect end to the birthday weekend and as the weather was nice I got to wear one of my many hats (I have a new obsession with hats). I wore a white dress and blazer from Topshop, sandals from River Island, hat and sunglasses from H&M and bag from Harrods.

 

 

I have a few more birthday treats to look forward to but it has already been the best way to celebrate my last birthday as a teen. Here is to the next year, hopefully it will be just as great.

Yours Fashionably
Sarah Victoria

 

 

Cosmo Blog Awards

Hi All

It has come around to the Cosmo Blog Awards again and for the first time I am taking my chances to maybe be shortlisted but I cant do that without your help! I am entering the 'Best Newcomer' since my blog is still such a baby and not even a year old yet. Before you rule it out, there is absolutely NO spam so don't worry about being bombarded with promo emails just because you voted for me. Please just follow this link: http://www.next.co.uk/cosmo-blog-awards/

 

Then type in my blog address: www.sarahstoneley.blogspot.co.uk and enter the nomination for my blog!

I am so aware of the amazing blogging talent out there so I am certainly not expecting anything but if there is chance it may as well be taken, and it cant hurt to try right?! My blog has helped me in so so many ways and I try my best to keep it interesting so it would be amazing for it to be recognised.

I am not telling lies when I say it will take you 30 seconds and I would really appreciate it!

Lots of love

Yours Fashionably
Sarah Victoria

Spring Wardrobe Treats - River Island

I don't mean to sound like the stereotypical fashion student here but I absolutely love shopping! Everybody who has ever seen the amount of clothes I have bulging from my wardrobe will tell you... I constantly feel like I need new clothes yet I refuse to throw any of my old ones away.

I took a trip to Oxford Street for a last minute browse before heading back to Cheshire for the holidays and leaving the flagship stores behind. As expected, my browsing involved more spending than originally planned but I have to say I feel SO content with my purchases.

I don't usually rate River Island, I am not sure why but I don't even go in most of the time. Since I hadn't seen anything I liked anywhere else I thought I may as well go and have a look and I found SO much in there that I am pretty angry that I have bypassed it for so long. Although I have already dropped a dress size from a lot of sweat and almost tears I also find River Island sizes are quite big which although takes longer to find the right size, it is a nice confidence boost!

I have a current obsession with wide leg trousers and jumpsuits so I was on the look out for wide leg anything and came across these black trousers. They were SO comfortable and were a perfect fit! Sometimes wide leg trousers will be that floaty if the wind picks up you might fly away but these ones were so flattering and only £32 I just had to buy. Although they are supposed to be casual I have worn them for a shopping trip and a Saturday night meal with my friends so they are really versatile and can be dressed up and down. The best part is that they do not crease at all! I hate standing up to see that I have developed creases around the crotch but these trousers look freshly ironed all the time!
http://www.riverisland.com/women/trousers--leggings/wide-leg-trousers/Black-slouch-trousers-649951 

I also treated myself to these flatforms. I practically lived in my ankle boots over winter so as it was the start of spring I wanted get some more suitable footwear. I wasn't sure when I would wear them but I have already worn them three times and they are AMAZING! I wore them on Easter Sunday when everyone from my home town goes into the town centre and celebrates the Jazz Festival, it is an all day event and my feet didn't hurt once in these shoes and I just wiped them clean after. I am sure I will wear them throughout the summer for so many different events, such a great purchase and for £50 I don't think they are over priced at all.

http://www.riverisland.com/women/shoes--boots/heels/Black-chunky-strap-flatform-mules-648554

Yours Fashionably
Sarah Victoria