Winter Fashion Essentials

Winter is at our doorstep and I know I am certainly feeling the cold. So get yourself prepared to face the long cold winter days and nights in style with these winter essentials.

Never get caught out without a coat....A good quality coat with a classic look can last you seasons. A coat is a number one must have for winter as you can throw it on over your outfit to keep you warm while travelling from place to place or you can wear it as the statement piece of your outfit....

Jaclin Coat - Morrison
https://eboutique.morrisonshop.com/soul/jaclin-coat.html

A leather jacket.... The leather jacket is great for giving your look edge, while keeping you warm at the same time. The leather jacket is great to wear on a night out over a cute little dress or throw it on with some jeans for an instant "cool" look....

Martha Chiffon Detail Leather Jacket - Missguided
http://www.missguidedau.com/catalog/product/view/id/72942/s/martha-chiffon-detail-leather-jacket/category/503/

Keep comfy in a hoody....Hoody's are great for laying around the house on a cold winters day or wear a leather or denim jacket over it to create a stylish casual look....

Amy Hoodie - Cotton On

http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/product/amy-hoodie-2-sacre-luna/black/

Plain black and white long sleeve tops....These are great for layering, you can layer them under other tops, wear them under a statement jacket, dress them up with a scarf. They are the glue that pulls your outfit together...

Ryder Tee - Sportsgirl

https://shop.sportsgirl.com.au/index.html?area=shop&dept=clothing

Scarves..Scarves..Scarves....These wonderful things not only keep your neck warm from the icy cold wind but by adding one to a plain outfit you instantly give your look a more dressed up feel! The great thing about scarves too, is they come in so many different beautiful colours and patterns, so all you have to do is swap your scarf each day and it gives you a complete different look....

Home Knit Scarf - Dotti
http://www.dotti.com.au/shop/en/dotti/accessories/scarves/home-knit-scarf

Leave your hat on....I love wearing a cute beanie to keep my head and ears warm and they can make your outfit look super trendy and edgy....

Bambi Beret - Rubi Shoes
http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/product/bambi-beret-oatmeal/

Gloves....keep your mittens warm with some stylish gloves....

Anna Leopard Glove - Forever New
http://www.forevernew.com.au/Anna-Leopard-Glove.aspx?p43696&cr=084048

Jeans....Make sure you find the perfect fitting quality pair of jeans because these will be what you live in all winters long....

High Rise Skinny Jean - Levi's
http://us.levi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12944983&page=2&&cp=3146849.3146884.3146903

Don't forget to give your lips and skin a little loving too....the cold winters wind will dry your skin right up, so keep these products in your bag to stay moisturised and glowing all winters long....

Lucas Paw Paw Ointment
http://www.pharmacyonline.com.au/lucas-papaw-ointment-25g?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=668680&gclid=CK-ewKqqt7cCFelIpgodwy0Ang

Smitten Hand Cream - Lush

http://www.lush.com.au/shop/product/product/path/225_162/id/1082/body-body-lotions-smitten



Creme Andelaise Body Lotion - Lush

http://www.lush.com.au/shop/product/product/path/225_162/id/622/body-body-lotions-creme-anglaise

Bombs Away

The bomber jacket is one hot item to get your frost bitten mittens on this winter. The bomber will keep you warm all winter long and looking oh so stylish at the same time.

Here are some of my fave bomber picks....

Ami Silk Blossom Bomber - Missguided

http://www.missguidedau.com/catalog/product/view/id/71812/s/ami-silk-blossom-bomber-jacket/category/503/

Oasis Hot Fix Bomber Jacket - Asos
http://www.asos.com/au/Oasis/Oasis-Hot-Fix-Bomber-Jacket/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2489509&SearchQuery=bomber%20jacket&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

Quilted Bomber Jacket - Bardot
http://www.bardot.com.au/Quilted-Bomber-Jacket.aspx?p442442&cr=123102

Runaway Bomber - Finders Keepers
http://www.theiconic.com.au/Runaway-Bomber-Jacket-97435.html

Afterglow Bomber - Insight
http://www.generalpants.com.au/womens/insight/jackets/afterglow-bomber-1000042294-060

Rainbow Bomber - Something Else
http://www.princesspolly.com.au/Rainbow-Bomber.aspx?p32326&colourid=353

Keep It Clean

It's time to clean up your diet!

The best way to keep healthy and stay in shape is to forget about any silly fad diets and to eat clean and stick to a few simple guidelines -

1. Eat within half an hour of getting up, this will get your metabolism kick started for the day.

2. If you eat bread/complex carbs for breakfast do not eat them for lunch and vice versa. (Try to eat only 2 slices of bread a day).

3. Try stay away from simple carbohydrates and sugary foods but if you can't curb the craving you are better to eat these in the first half of the day so you have the rest of the day to burn it off and try to stick to only one cheat day a week.

4. Eat fruit in the first half of the day as it is high in natural sugars and you will have the day to burn these off.

5. Portion control your meals and have 5 to 6 small meals a day. This helps speed up your metabolism and keep you energised throughout the day.

6. Stay away from processed foods and stick to clean, natural, organic foods.

7. Have a high protein snack in the afternoon around 3:30pm, such as almonds, a protein bar or protein shake. The amino acids in the protein help you to stay awake and keep you feeling fuller for longer to help you tide over until dinner.

8. Dinners should be a piece of meat preferably chicken, fish or turkey and occasionally red meat. Pair the meat with vegetables, preferably green ones such as peas, broccoli, asparagus, beans, spinach etc.


Here is an example of a clean eating plan to help give a guideline when trying to come up with your own clean eating plan -

- Breakfast
2 x boiled eggs. Eggs are high in protein and you can boil them in advance and put them in the fridge so you can grab them and eat them on the go.

- Morning tea
3 - 4 tablespoons of organic yoghurt with 3 - 4 strawberries cut up or a handful of blueberries.

- Lunch
Wholemeal bread, chicken breast and a slice of cheese toasted and a piece of fruit such as an apple or banana.

- Afternoon tea
10 x almonds and a protein shake

- Dinner
2 x turkey mince rissoles and a mix of steamed round beans, broccoli, spinach and asparagus.

Here are a couple of clean eating recipes I like to whip up for dinner when I feel like indulging a little and am craving something a little more fancy and not just the usual meat and veg.

Chicken Bruschetta

Ingredients
Chicken breast sliced in half
1 x tomato
1 x Avocado chopped
2 x garlic cloves crushed
1/2 red onion diced
Basil leaves chopped
1 tbsp extra virgin oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to season

Method
1. Combine the onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper and set aside.
2. Combine the tomatoes and avocado in a large bowl with the garlic, basil and onion-balsamic mixture. Set aside and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
3. Season the chicken with a little salt and fresh pepper and cook it on the grill.
4. Plate the chicken and add your bruschetta mix on top and garnish with some extra basil.

Mini Sweet Potato Pizzas (I got this recipe concept from the instagram user @twohealthy these girls have some amazing healthy clean recipes)

Ingredients
Sweet Potato
Pesto
Garlic crushed
Spinach
Eggplant diced
Zucchini diced
Sundried Tomato
Feta

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180c
2. Slice the sweet potato into 1cm pieces and cook in the microwave for 5-10 minutes, just to soften the potato a little.
3. Bake the sweet potato in the oven for 10 mins so the outsides start to crisp a little.
4. Take the sweet potato out of the oven and spread with pesto and top with garlic, spinach, eggplant, zucchini, sun dried tomato and feta. Put them back in the oven until the cheese starts to melt.
5. Serve sweet potato pizzas and enjoy.

Get The Look....

Absolutely loving these leather look slouch pants. I will be living in mine this winter! They ooze chic yet edgy, comfort yet sophistication. Here's how you can get this look -

Sierra Slouch Pant - Sportsgirl
https://shop.sportsgirl.com.au/index.html?area=shop&dept=clothing

Slouch in Style Pant - Lucy In The Sky
http://www.lucyinthesky.com/shop/slouch-in-style-pant

Layla Pants - Camilla & Marc
http://www.theiconic.com.au/Layla-Pants-97840.html

Slouch Leather Crop Trousers - Boutique
http://www.topshop.com

Match your slouch leather pant with a pair of these hot leopard print heels and you'll be ready to paint the town red.

Lexia - Diavolina
http://www.wantedshoes.com.au/LEXIA.aspx?p66049

Wild Thing

Go wild and add some of these animal prints to your wardrobe. It will be hard to pick just one cute animal to wear each day.

Tiger Dress - Sabo Skirt
https://saboskirt.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=1230

The Arising Jumper - Lucy in the Sky
http://www.lucyinthesky.com/shop/the-arising-jumper?pid=10660&sid=17306&d=2013-04-10&tid=1

Skater Dress with Animal Print - Asos
http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Skater-Dress-with-Animal-Print/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2324487&cid=8146&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=9999&sort=-1&clr=Print&affid=5561&WT.srch=1

Rainbow Pony - Wildfox
http://www.princesspolly.com.au/Rainbow-Pony.aspx?p34197&colourid=131

Gentle Legging - We Are Handsome
http://wearehandsome.com/shop/products/gentle-legging/gentle_panda.aspx

Ivy Flat - Rubi Shoes
http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/product/ivy-flat-zebra/

Jungle Socks - Rubi Shoes
http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/product/jungle-socks-natural-leopard/

Leopard Print Felt Floppy - Morgan & Taylor
http://www.theiconic.com.au/Leopard-Print-Felt-Floppy-101110.html

Kitten Blouse - Dotti
http://www.dotti.com.au/shop/en/dotti/clothing/clothing/kitten-blouse

Applique Unicorn Flat - Cooperative
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22891436h&parentid=WOMENS_SHOES

Sequin Animal Sweater - Sportsgirl

https://shop.sportsgirl.com.au/index.html?area=shop&dept=clothing

Leopard Print Canvas Sneaker - Vans
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=26428110&parentid=WOMENS_SHOES

Work It At Circuit

Circuit training is a combination of resistance training and cardio vascular training - in other words circuit training is the best kind of training for working all the muscles in the body, as well as getting your heart rate up and this can all be done within 40 minutes to an hour. Circuit training is sequenced in a way to alternate between muscle groups and is a great way to improve and maintain general fitness.

Here is class one in circuit training from House of F's.

This circuit is to be performed in 30 second sets with a 10 second rest between each exercise and performed 4 - 5 times, depending on your fitness level.

Dumbbell Squats
Beginners use a 3kg or 4kg dumbbell and more advanced use a 5kg, 6kg or 7kg dumbbell.
Ensure to hold the dumbbell close to your chest and keep your elbows pointed out.
When squatting keep your back straight, push your bum out while keeping your hips forward and transfer your weight through the heels of your feet.

Mountain Climbers
Start in a pushup position, keeping your body straight with your bum down low. Start by lifting your right knee in towards your chest and back to the start position, then do the same with your left leg and continue for the duration of the set.

Kettle Bell Swings
Beginners use a 3kg or 6kg kettle bell and more advanced use an 8kg or 10kg kettle bell.
Hold the kettle bell with two hands in between your legs and squat pushing your bum back first, then stand up and as you stand swing the kettle bell up to around level with your nose. Then repeat by dropping the kettle bell back down into a squat position. Remember to keep your back straight and your arms straight with your elbows slightly bent.

T Pushups
Start in a push up position, perform a push up and as you come back up lift your right arm up in the air to the side by twisting your body. Then repeat with the other arm, perform another push up and lift your left arm up. Continue for the duration of the set.

Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks or also known as star jumps. These are self explanatory start in a star position then jump into a straight position and continue for the duration of the set.

High Knees
High knees are running on the spot and raising your legs up as high as you can, while moving your arms in a running motion. Try do these as fast as you can for the duration of the set.

Side Hops
Use a rope or bar and hop from each side of it for the duration of the set.

Standing Arm Rows
Beginners use a 2kg or 3kg dumbbell and more advanced use a 4kg, 5kg or 6kg dumbbell.
Start by standing in a lunge position and lean your body forward slightly, keeping your back straight. Holding the dumbbell push it out in front of your body and slightly down, then pull the dumbbell straight back, keeping your arm close to your body and your elbow pointed straight back. Perform this exercise 30 seconds on one arm and another 30 seconds on the other.

3 Way Lunges
The three way lunge is performed by lunging forward, to the side and then backwards.
Perform this exercise 30 seconds on one leg and then 30 seconds on the other leg.

Vertical Leg Crunch
Start by lying on the ground and raising your legs in the air and crossing them over. Put your hands at your temples and crunch for the duration of the set. A good tip for when crunching, is to find a spot on the ceiling and keep your eyes on that, this keeps your chin up when performing the crunch.

Oblique Twists
Use a 3kg or 4kg dumbbell and hold it with both hands, sit leaning back slightly with your legs bent and feet slightly off the ground. Twist your body from side to side, moving the dumbbell from side to side. Make sure you twist your whole body as you go from each side.

Perform this circuit 4 - 5 times to achieve the best results and don't forget to stretch once you've finished.



If you enjoyed this circuit, make sure to keep checking back with House of F's for the next class in circuit training and for more fitness and health inspiration.