My friend in the 2012 London Olympian

As some of you may be a little aware... my good friend of many, many years is competing in the 2012 London Olympics and I am beyond excited (can you tell?). I have been telling just about everyone... strangers on buses, trains and planes, people at work, hairdressers, postmen, people I meet at events, anyone who puts 2012 into a sentence I am proudly piping up that my friend is in "THE OLYMPICS".

Putting it just in a sentence is making me brew up with complete happiness. Katie Skelton has not only been an amazing friend but she is also an amazing role-model, she has dedicated near to a decade (if not more) to her passion of Synchronised Swimming. Her dedication and aspiration of her sport is truly awe inspiring. It puts my ‘drop out’ attitude to my early years of gymnastics and trampolinng club to shame.

Family and Friends show their support at Katie's pre-Olympic games send off! 

She has come an unbelievably long way with her sport and she has only had the determination to succeed and reach her goal. From school days Katie would Swim before school and after school and her schedule was so hectic – we always laughed that teachers would remark that she was nearly falling asleep in the dullest lessons, but boy could you blame her!

Trained at Reading Royals, which is, where I first saw her perform at their annual Christmas gala – she was absolutely incredible then so I know she will just blow my mind when I see her perform in the Olympic Aquatic centre.  ­

Katie at an awards ceremony with GB Synchro team mate Jenna Randall.

She has competed at European and World Championships and now is set to compete at her ultimate goal the London 2012 Olympics tomorrow on the greatest stage on earth. I literally cannot wait to cheer her and the GB girls on in the team technical event wave my Great Britain flag and experience a moment to cherish forever!

Words really don’t do it justice to express how pleased I am of all that she has achieved, she had to make big decisions to train for 4 years straight for the Olympics which meant 10 hour days Mon-Sat dedicating her life to her art form. She has been completely self motivated and watch her grow on her continuous journey has been truly magical.  

Team GB!

Looking back to primary school when we thought we “mapped” out our life – tragically we would marry Michael Owen & David Beckham live in a large houses we cut out from the property bit of the paper and would have a big families – yet who knew that it would end up 15 years later with myself going to watch her at the Olympic Games – beyond our wildest dreams!

Some of the Team GB girls in the Olympic Village with Bradley Wiggins 

Kitted out: Adidas Take The Stage

Team GB Synchro with Sir Chris Hoy prior to the Opening Ceremony 

How to get on TV at the Olympic Ceremony? - stand next to Tom Daley of course!

Featuring on the front cover of Stylist Magazine and a Olympic stars editorial in Fabulous magazine (to name but a few) team GB have been paramount in raising the profile of Synchro in this country and it is only set to continue.

Google Doodle Synchronised Swimmers

The Duet – Jenna randall and Olivia federici just showcased to the world their massive improvement by being the first to qualify for the finals in over 20 years and came an impressive and noteworthy 9^th a great achievement from their 14^th position at Beijing so watch out Rio team GB have arrived!

@SynchroKS @JennaRtweets @synchroD @KatieC_23 @Anya_Tarasiuk @AshaRandall @Olivia_Federici @VickiLucass @jknobbs @yvettebaker91 #teamGB

#GoTeamGB

#GoTeamGB

Cheer them on! August 9th and 10th at 3pm - Aquatic Centre. Available online and on the red button - watch your be mesmerised!  

www.london2012.com/synchronized-swimming

To find out more about Synchronised Swimming and where you can take part in this wonderful sport please see: British Swimming

Please Note: These are personal snapshots and come from various sources. Please do not re-print or use without prior permission thank you. 

VOLT MAGAZINE X ADIDAS #adidasunderground

What a visionary feast Friday night was at the Volt Magazine x Adidas #adidasunderground party. On day 3 of Adidas underground series (in succession of their Official sponsorship of 2012 Olympics) they teamed up with the oversized bi-annual (and friends) Volt Magazine. The colourfully stylish crowd arrived to take part in the interactive experience, whereby everyone had to collect a specific wristband at the car-park opposite to enter into the evenings events. Greeted by a gigantic wall covering of Bradley Wiggins at the entrance, which when you looked close you could cleverly distinguish that his face was designed as a bike... and rightly so he took centre stage as he is now one of GB's most decorated Olympian with 7 Gold Medals to his name.

 
Feeling immensely proud of Team GB we were ready to enter the "secret" Shoreditch venue, wristbands scanned and a brief walk down the adidas 'step and repeat' we were intrigued to discover the nights proceedings. Guests were typically dressed in adidas garms but all with a unique East London twist. Feeling slightly disjointed in a summery floral number I fondly reminisced of the Volt shoot where I got to wear the amazing Jeremy Scott Adidas Originals blue collection tassled tracksuit bottoms which swished with every movement and wished I had those to wear to dance the night away in.

This fab video by HYPEBEAST really shows the eclectic styles and the wonders of the event.

The large industrial space had been transformed with various areas and guests were flowing in to occupy them. Gathering our bearing we wandered round to take it all in...  'checking in' at the first wristband scanner we announced our arrival via Facebook automatically too,  the bar was buzzing with Absolut Vodka producing a range of cocktails which guests could scan their wristbands to receive their complimentary drinks.



All the while incredible projected imagery danced across the large moulded screens around the venue in time with the thumping music bringing the place alive with vibrancy.

The line-up for the night was:

- Mark James – This Dull Ache screening

- Rocket Number 9 LIVE SET - Kutmah DJ set - Live audiovisual set from Night Customer (Joel Martin & Gareth ‘Cherrystones’ Goddard)- Mr Wonderful (Femi Adeyemi) from NTS Live DJ set- Joost Vandebrug – special film screening 

One area which was great fun and a novel idea was 'snack busking'. In the corner of the venue was a popcorn/ ice cream/ confectionary stall - no ordinary stall it was a stone, paper, scissors battle for the  various snacks and popcorn flavours (from wasabi to chilli) - to which if you won you didn't pay,  the popcorn was free, however if lost at the simple hand game you had to pay-up to John Quilter who was in charge of the game/popcorn proceedings. Just as engaging to watch the battles take place as to take part it was great to see the stakes taken a notch higher with one lady fighting for the prize of an Oreo cookie vs John receiving a kiss. With the first round tied it was a tense few moments until he drew for scissors she drew for paper and that was it battle lost and John made sure he got his bet - the kiss!    

Having previously engaged in some research on NFC (Near Field Communication) and the future of this I had seen this immersive experience technology with the use of RFID wristbands used before at an Ibiza hotel so it was great to see this being embraced in London with guests being able to swipe their wristbands on the photobooth screen which then took a picture which once accepted will directly uploaded to their Facebook page with the #adidasunderground tag. This use of social media to create an all engaging environment is only set to grow and allows others to get an instant slice of the action.

When the beautiful archive Olympic footage was cast onto the screens in time with the beats of the music it was really spectacular and everyone was completely mesmerised watching... see for yourself on my short video below:

It was such a great moment to see all the Volt Magazine team with Adidas in such a memorable way with an incredible event. The publication was born out of a passion of those who created it for the pure love of fashion imagery which is represented in parallel to the athletes that work so hard also for the love of their sport. Well done Volt and to all those involved.

Volt / Adidas Party Advert on the back of Friday's Metro Newspaper. 

Although some of the images are mine (with a dead battery on the night) I unfortunately had to borrow a few from other sources: 

Image credits: 

HYPEBEAST check out their Facebook page too for all the images. 
FLYDIGS 
Via #adidasunderground image on twitter
As always all images used are for illustrative purposes only however should you not be happy with any image which is used please let me know and I will be happy to remove from the blog.


Thanks to VOLT MAGAZINE issue 11 out now available to buy online or at various stockists including
Magma Stores / Selfridges / Serpentine Galleries / Harvey Nichols find a full list of stockist here.

& #ADIDASUNDERGROUND - follow on facebook and apply for other #adidasunderground events

London 1948 > 2012 Olympic Games

The official poster for London Olympic Games in 1948 by Walter Herz. Image via BBC

With the 2012 Olympic Games now just days away the excitement is building! Yes some may grumble about the increased traffic, the Olympic lanes, the bustling crowds and costs of hosting etc. etc... However we should embrace the Olympics gracing our great capital once again after 64 years (the last time the Olympics was in town was back in 1948).

Known as the 'Austerity Games' post world war II Britain was still on strict food & clothing rationing and housing was in short supply - athletes were even asked to bring along their own towels to the games as part of the cost saving measures.

I decided to delve into the photographic archives to look back at the 1948 London Olympic Games - we are sure the comparisons are small, however it is fascinating to see how times have changed over the past 60 years and how London has developed again into the 2012 host city.

One "Best Kept Secret" I cannot contain... Kérastase - Cristalliste

I have discovered an absolute hair miracle... and sorry but this is one "Best Kept Secret" I cannot contain...

Kérastase - Cristalliste...  not usually one to see an online product review and immediately want to try it out myself, however this one seemingly seduced me. Specifically for long hair and dry lengths (yes, hand up that is me) I wanted to see if my hair could be restored from the abuse it has received from various heat styling tools I use. 

So I popped into my local salon, Harrington's in Reading to have a look over the selection of products and in particular have a look over the Cristalliste range - which  displayed in beautiful light cubes in the window enticing me further.

Kérastase is one of those aspirational luxury haircare brands that I had always been treated to when I visited salons such as Harrington's, however never realised how  achievable it was to get the ' just stepped out of salon' feel at home. 

Remembering back to when a friend purchased the Lait Vital when we were younger and the retail price almost seemed way above our pocket money allowances however this new range seemed to be more accessible that I once imagined with the Lait Crisalliste Luminous perfecting conditioner coming in at £16.90, the Bain Cristal Cheveux Épasis Luminous Perfecting Shampoo - £13.90 and the finishing Lumiére Liquide serum - £16.90. 

The assistant in the salon explained that the products "smell really nice, leaves a soft texture - no residue"... noticing the travel size versions of the shampoo & conditioner duo on the counter I thought they would be perfect for sampling the range and also handy for popping into your hand luggage (approved airline regulation size) when off and away, retreating to some summer sun. 

So once at home I could not wait to trial them both on my admittedly lack-luste and slightly neglected tresses... in need of some pampering I was excited to lather on the products. The shampoo a clear soft liquid with a subtle exotic fruit smell was easy to apply to the hair and almost glided on. My inital thoughts were that this surely could not be cleansing deep down to the roots however after rinsing it already felt completely detangled and refreshed. Then onto the conditioner opaque thin consitancy which was equally easy to apply especially to the lengths - the product grabbed hold of hair as I glided it down and therefore I wasn't left with cupious amounts still in my hands once I reached the tips. This hinted that the product was being fully absorbed and working it's magic. Leaving it on for around 2-3minutes before  I rinsed the product out - my hair immediately lied flat and felt silky even when damp.

When drying my hair with a gentle heat my hair felt so much more manageable to style and to me it felt it dried with triple the amount of shine it had before. There was no need for straightening irons, as 1. I am trying to keep off them and 2. I naturally have straight hair and after washing it with Cristalliste it seemed to enhance this.

Usually I am not keen on my wearing my hair down when freshly washed as it seems to highlight it's awful conditon (in my eyes) and usually takes a millennium to style and not seem so fly away, however on this particular morning it took hardly any effort and I put this down to the shampoo & conditioner used. My hair felt light weight and I just wanted to do swooshing motions (ok maybe I did a little), the split ends had pretty much disappeared as if they had been chopped off and the multifaceted colours of my hair was shining through in every strand... it was this exerted confidence in my hair that was perfect for a day of important meetings and presentations, knowing that I did not have to double check my reflection at every opportunity to ensure it was still how I intended and did not resemble that of Caroline's out of big brother, especially after exposed to the changeable weather.

I really could not fault how wonderful it made my hair feel and vainly I could not stop clasping and inspecting the length of my hair in my hands throughout the day. Having since used my usual shampoo & conditioner it has only accelerated the difference between the two. I did not enjoy the return and like a spoilt kid "I want my salon feel hair back"... think this will now have to a regular hair investment and one which I can use to impress my hairdresser with instead of being surly embarrassed everytime I return to the salon and hastily asking them to just cut all the dead ends.  


www.kerastase.co.uk          

Have you used this range or similar products, what do you think? do you have any hair suggestions or hair "secrets" you would be happy to share?

Vintage Style Ascot 2012

50's cat eye shades image via Zimbio

Hats galore at Royal Ascot this year and the whackier the better I say... enough to make even Anna Dello Russo feel right at home (especially the cherries on-top). Nice to see that many race-goers opting for unique and classic vintage pieces to accessorize their looks. I've picked out the best vintage and 'vintagesque' looks from 4 day Racing event which caught my eye - the pouring rain sure didn't put off these starlets... 

Nichole Fitch, (artist and vintage store owner) wears a beautiful light peach vintage dress matched perfectly with Kurt Geiger shoes and vintage floral hat. Image via Vogue.co.uk

Time for Afternoon Tea anyone? Image via The Telegraph

Image Via Telegraph: Caroline Sieber,  (Stylist) in a Chanel dress, Maison Michel headpiece and Louis Vuitton shoes. 

Amanda Holden was one of the few celebs to hit the right mark with her Ascot look - a 50's style floral print tea dress with oversized bow with her nude pink Aspinal Hepburn bag and Hat by DeDe Valentine. Image (lrft) via Telegraph Fashion & Image (Right) via Yahoo.

Many also paid homage to Her Majesty's 60 year reign of the British Monarchy with Royal colours and English connotations. Some went that little further than others...

Full English Fry up:  Ebony Silk, (burlesque performer and model) in a hat by The Libertarian, wearing a Stop Staring dress, Vivienne Westwood necklace and a United Colours of Benetton stole accessorised with vintage gloves. Image via The Independent

Princess Eugenie in a cream and red floral fitted dress on Ladies Day - Image via Elleuk.com

Jenson's Girlfriend Jessica Michibata stood out in a vibrant red dress with white veiled hat and union jack clutch.  Image (right) via The Telegraph Fashion

Jubilation: red white and blue - image via The Guardian.

With a black cherry on top - image via Daily Mail

Fantastic girl band the Tootsie Rollers looked fab in their matching outfits when they performed on Ladies Day. Image via The Independent