Why, Beauty?

We are never really prepared for heavy snow in the UK, are we? Not in terms of transport or even on a personal level by having heavy duty outdoor clothing, as I found to my cost in our recent wintry weather.

I live out in the sticks and the heavy snow made getting to work virtually impossible. Unfortunately, my children’s school didn’t close, so I found myself venturing out to take them to school. I got them there okay but on the way home, semi-disaster struck! My car got stuck in some heavy snow on one of the little roads leading onto the main A road. I got out and scraped as much as I could away from the tyres. I pretty quickly discovered that my pretty woolly gloves were as helpful as a chocolate teapot for all practical purposes in the snow! My hands soon became wet and frozen and I realised that only heavy duty, warm lined leather or thinsulate gloves are any good in those sorts of conditions - oh the glory of hindsight!

Even worse though, as I made my way round all four tyres, was the gradual and extremely uncomfortable realisation that most fashionable boots may look appropriate to wear in the snow but actually aren’t. My feet were soaked and pretty soon I couldn’t feel them. I’ve always resisted, since we moved to the country, getting a decent pair of wellies (you know, all the ‘green wellie brigade’ comments). Really wished I’d invested in some then though. I’ve since found that wellies come in all manner of designs - I’m now the proud owner of a smart black pair, covered in fluorescent paw prints - which probably have the added advantage of being visible for miles around, should you get buried from the knees up in a snow drift any time! The other big advantage to wellies is the grip, something else which most ordinary winter boots are significantly lacking in. I was very relieved to be wearing my woolly hat and puffa jacket though - at least my top and middle bits were warm.

I think I’ve learnt my lesson finally and have now invested in decent outdoor clothing for the whole family. It seems an unnecessary expense most of the time but the discomfort and misery, not to mention wrecked footwear, we incurred in this cold snap has convinced me that it’s well worth the investment, even it if truly comes into its own only once every couple of years.

Stress can and will affect us all at one point in our lives and can be down to so many things. It doesn’t have to be a big event or drama. Stress can build up from series of small problems which on their own would be no hassle at all. But together can give you sleepless nights and high anxiety leading to health problems such as high blood pressure.

Lately there has been lots of chatter about how the stress of being a President ages a person over the stretch of their incumbency. This physical impact is not just in our imaginations, and it doesn’t require the strain and toil of the highest office in the world. Stress in general, a new study has found, can age us in very visible and evident ways.

For the study twins were used as twins are destined to age in genetically identical ways. Researchers looked at them to see how varying stressful life experiences further changed their appearance. The primary example was of twins who had gone through a divorce and ended up looking at least two years older than their identical siblings who were single, married, or even widowed.

Additionally, use of antidepressants appeared to make subjects look older. Researchers attribute this to the medication’s tendency to cause sustained relaxation of facial muscles, which can lead to sagging of the skin.

So what does all this tell you…..DON’T STRESS.

You should always try and sort all your problems out quickly and don’t hold them in tucked away, try to always look on the bright side on things and not just the negatives. This can be hard but if you want to keep looking young when you’re older then you need to take a step back and try to chill.

When spring comes difficult decisions have to be made, do you shed the heavy winter coats for a strappy top and sacrifice the warmth? It’s this transitional period that can cause great dilemmas due to the sun being out but it’s still really cold. Transitional dressing is the way to avoid this unpredictable season and make the most of those cold, crisp sunny days.

Start off by checking your wardrobe for any spring clothing that’s already there hidden away at the back. Then separate your heavy winter items from your lighter clothes. White and light pastel shades are these seasons’ colours and go well with the cool weather. Switching fabrics will make a big difference to your wardrobe such as wool to wool blends and silk to cotton. Put a few of your warmer weather outfits back into your wardrobe as well as a warm waterproof coat, if the weather takes a turn for the worst as it can turn very quickly and you don’t want to be stranded with nothing to wear.

Now, it’s all about swapping, changing and accessorising. Thick tights with a tunic instead of wearing it with jeans will give it that spring look and still keep you nice and warm. Pairing a light coloured dress with a few different darker coloured autumn cardigans with keep the outfit looking different, new and fresh plus will have the added bonus of keeping you warm. The same can be done with belts giving the dress a new statement each time it is worn.

Having a spring suit in the closet is an essential; Roman Originals have great new spring additions for a classy neutral look. Suits can be used for all occasions in your spring diary, just by accessorising they can be transformed from business to party and will give a great fresh look.

I think the biggest must for the spring are hats. They are a great compliment to most outfits and can be worn throughout the day giving you a chic look and will keep you warm making the transition to summer that bit easier.

Building your spring wardrobe is no easy task and with the credit crunch taking full force buying any new attire can prove expensive. Shops are feeling the strain as much as we are so try shopping online to get some great deals. Make sure you accessorise this spring to get the most out of your clothes, be creative with cool airy colours and enjoy the return of the sun.

Today’s outdoor clothing industry now involves a huge amount of sophisticated technology in order to keep us warm and dry especially in extreme conditions. Gone are the days of simply throwing on your old waterproof jacket and sweater and heading for the hills.

If this modern technology was around when Edmund Hillary climbed Everest he would have been far more comfortable. He wore woollen garments that are warm to begin with but become very heavy and uncomfortable when they get wet from either rain, snow or sweat. The wool holds the moisture for a long time allowing the wearer to get cold.

Gore-Tex launched the first waterproof, windproof and breathable fabric in the 1970’s. It was invented by W. L. and Bob Gore and in doing so they completely transformed the outdoor clothing market. Gore-Tex outer fabrics are made from a micro-porous structure that water cannot penetrate. It is also breathable as the pores in the membrane, which is the layer between the outer fabric and the inner lining, are hundreds of times bigger than a droplet of water so sweat can easily pass through the membrane, thus keeping you dry and comfortable. Windstopper is Gore-Tex’s sister product. It is similar to Gore-Tex since it is windproof and breathable but is also stretchy. It is more suitable for pursuits such as cycling and running because it is not waterproof. All Gore-Tex products are put through vigorous testing in laboratories to ensure they meet high standards and the materials are in use by millions of outdoor enthusiasts the world over.

In the 1990’s a new innovation called eVent became the latest fabric in the breathable/ waterproof market. The eVent web site claims that it lets the sweat evaporate faster than any other breathable waterproof fabrics. eVent fabrics are not just used for jackets; the technology is used in making gloves, hats, trousers and even sleeping bags. It is used today in garments and equipment made by many well-known manufacturers.

Scientific research continues into finding even more innovative fabrics to improve the comfort of those involved in outdoor pursuits. I think Edmund Hillary in his wool scarf would have approved!

The credit crunch is hitting people hard, with rising bills and threats of redundancy it doesn’t mean we still don’t want to be trendy and up to date, sporting the latest fashion accessories. We need a collection of handbags for work, days out and to go with our evening wear. Where once we may have bought an expensive designer bag (or two), nowadays it’s hard to justify the expense so instead we rely on cheap handbags to stop our craving for the designer lifestyle. We have now recognised that there are ways to save money while still making a ‘fashion statement’ with accessories.

These days even the celebrities are bypassing expensive designer labels in favour of cheaper variations of their favourite handbags. It seems that no matter how much money people have, everyone is looking for ways to save money by spending less and why not? Just reading the headlines makes you want to go back three years and stop yourself from buying all those “treats” for yourself.

Whatever style of bag you prefer, whether shoulder bag, roomy tote, or small, glitzy clutch bag, there are bargains to be found and the name of the new ‘must-have’ bag is the cheap handbag; sold by many discount designer retailers!

Of course some people consider buying replicas of their favourite brands in a bid to save money, but why not buy the same brands but at discount prices? Or even push the boat further and buy a cheaper variation that may not be the most known brand; but the point is that it saves you money! Plus, cheaper replicas are not finished nearly as well as their expensive relations so why not buy a cheaper bag with better quality.

With the massive difference in prices, trendy fashionistas with an eye to the latest designs can collect several bags to match with whatever outfit they choose to wear that day. They can afford a bright red patent clutch bag to team with a belt, a black roomy bag for work, or other bags to match accessories already owned. These are the advantages with buying a cheaper handbag; you can buy more and you would still be spending less money than if you had bought that designer label you saw on your local high street.

There are bargains to be found everywhere! You can compare the price of handbags for stores on the internet against those on the high street and in some cases; stores will have a ‘special’ internet price which is not available on the high street. Use the internet to your full advantage and I can ensure you can find a cheap handbag that you like!

If, at the end of the season, the bag is becoming shabby and tired looking, just throw it away (but try to recycle) and look for other bargains. With heavily discounted price tags, bags can become disposable and easily replaced. Even though the recession is of major concern, a fashion conscious girl can set the trend whatever the occasion by being a clever shopper.

With winter getting into full swing the mountain tops around Europe and North America will be turning whiter and whiter in preparation for the forthcoming skiing season. Skiing is a hugely popular sport as well as hobby for many people across the world, especially in central areas of Europe such as Switzerland and Austria. Skiing is such an attractive sporting prospect to many people because of the diversity that it can provide all in one sport.

You can have simple long distance skiing which will could be compared to a long distance running race or you can have the exciting slaloms which take place down steep mountain sides at incredibly high speeds but require high amounts of skill and technical ability. This type of skiing discipline is extremely exciting to punters as it is made up of countless sharp twists and turns and you can witness some dramatic falls. In addition to this you will find that the Super-G and downhill events are extremely popular too because they are solely based upon high speed and who doesn’t love speed!

Why would you want to ski? Not only is skiing an exciting sport to observe it is also an excellent hobby to take up. Skiing is now hugely fashionable and many top designers are now producing collections of ski wear. It really doesn’t matter whether you are the next great talent or just fancy the challenge, skiing is a just great sport to enjoy. First of all, the health benefits are excellent. High amounts of strength are required in skiing in order to balance out the wide variety of forces that act upon you.

This would work your core muscles excellently. The sport of skiing also improves one’s suppleness as your body is required to lean and change body shape in order to complete the turns. Perhaps the most important health aspect involved with is the cardiovascular workout it provides, you will soon feel your heart pumping as you descend the slope!

However, it would be silly to forget the fun involved and the adrenaline rush that it provides! There are more skiing options now than ever before and you don’t always have to travel abroad to go skiing. Scotland has quite a good skiing industry and you have many options there, especially during a good winter and I think this year may be one of them. Alternatively, you have the countries that surround the Alps, such as France, Switzerland and Austria. These countries always have reliable snow totals. Even further afield you have many ski resorts in America and Canada but it is a long way to go to ski!

Perhaps the most convenient options are the artificial slopes, there are now a few centres dotted around the UK and can provide the skiing experience without the expensive trip and the perishing cold! These are good ways or getting some good experience before hitting the real slopes.

Global warming is a serious and very real threat to not only our generation but also generations after us. We all know that we need to recycle more, use our cars less and just use far less energy in general but sometimes it can be difficult to make so many changes to your life.

One great change that is so simple and cost effective is to grab yourself some thermal underwear and thus decrease the amount of heat needed in the home. Thermals can make a huge difference to the amount of energy your house consumes; by turning the thermostat down by just 3^oC can reduce your heating bill by up to 10%. As well as getting a massive saving you can also feel great about knowing that you are doing your bit to help curb the ever increasing threat of rising sea levels and fuel shortages. With the money you save from the heating bill you could buy a more fuel efficient car and in turn save even more money.

Now I know you’re thinking to yourself that you wouldn’t be seen dead in thermals but they have changed a surprising amount from that awful long john image. I too was sceptical but having seen thermal expert Damart range of colourful and fashionable thermals my opinion has changed considerable, the thermals range was trendy and the garments could even be worn as standalone pieces.

Other clothes made from natural fibres such as cotton, wool, hemp and recycled materials i.e. fleeces and some synthetic threads are great for reducing your carbon footprint due to the lack of chemical and industrial processes involved however avoid petroleum based synthetic threads as they cause hazardous waste and don’t biodegrade which isn’t too great for the environment.

With the world’s economic crisis getting into full swing, the price of energy can only go higher so if you want to reduce this cost as much as possible and help with the global warming crisis then dress green the easy way – don some thermals, have low fuel costs, feel good about yourself and be the envy of your friends.

Hiking and outdoor gear has become stylish and fashionable, particularly designs from manufacturers such as the North Face and Berghaus.  The range of brightly coloured, Berghaus fleeces and hiking gear is not only being worn by intrepid hikers and fell-walkers, but also in the high street.

To ensure maximum warmth while hiking it’s best to wear clothes with thermal or fleecy linings.  This type of fabric enables the skin to breath and traps heat within the layers.  Fleecy woollen hats, gloves, trousers and boots also help to keep you warm on the fells, and the range of designs is becoming increasingly stylish.

When deciding on a hiking trip in the winter months it’s necessary to be dressed suitably for whatever the weather brings.  Thermal underwear is a must, topped with North Face Polartec Salathe pullover, priced at £50.  This design comes in dark colours, such as black, grey/black and deepwater blue.  Complete with the North Face logo prominently displayed on top pocket, this top not only looks great but feels comfortable to wear.

Berghaus, Regatta and Sprayway also do great ranges of fleece hiking gear, it’s hard to go wrong with any of their styles, they vary in price from £36 for a Berghaus women’s Spectrum jacket in a fabulous range of colours.  Craghoppers, Kiwi, along with other manufacturers offer large ranges of hiking trousers.  All are hardwearing, practical and weatherproof.  Most ranges aren’t considered stylish but jeans or cords which are always fashionable, would be suitable for hiking anywhere.

A hat is necessary for colder winter walking and there are many stylish designs on the High Street.  Fleecy berets bobble hats, or even a snood would keep out the icy cold, and look great wherever you are walking.  The colours are great, from burnt orange, red, icy blue or cool greens.  Pulled well down over your ears, they look stylish, while keeping you warm and comfortable.

For hiking over rough terrain a strong, sturdy pair of boots is essential.  Timberland leads the way with some stunning designs.  Men’s Shackleton range boots are stylish wear anywhere, but are extremely expensive with designs starting at £130 upwards.  Timberland Earthkeepers boots look fantastic with a tartan inset in the leather. They are very hard-wearing, and with the correct care, will last many years.  They’re definitely a good investment.

Hiking and walking are becoming increasingly popular past-times, and designers such as Sprayway, North Face and others are designing up-market, stylish clothing and equipment suitable for wear.

It really does depend what type of clothing you are looking for and the climate you are operating in. The US made clothing will cover a broader spectrum of extreme weather types for instance; you have the extreme cold of the Alaskan winter to the extreme heat of the Californian summer and desert, and in the middle, there is a large area of America that gets the same weather we do.
Here in the UK we have a very temperate climate, where the weather fluctuates with the seasons instead of the geographical area.

If I were looking for a winter coat for use here in the UK, knowing that the US clothes cater for more severe weather, I would be tempted to buy the US make just in case we have a very severe winter if it were at the correct price. However, if the price difference was to extreme I would stick with a normal Berghaus jacket that caters for our season’s weather.

I think the bottom line with all clothing here in the UK is price, we do not always have a need for the ‘extra’s’ that US made clothes offer, simply because of our weather structure. Also let us not forget the price comparison between UK and US can be extreme. In the US clothing is much less expensive in fact the same item here in the UK you could pay double or even triple.

My conclusion is, unless I was on holiday in the US and brought some US clothing cheaper than I would find it here in the UK, then I would not buy US made clothing to wear in the UK unless I was buying a very good deal because there is simply no need.

A lot of summer outdoor wear is pretty basic – therefore feel it doesn’t really matter which make you choose UK or US, because of our weather structure being based on seasons rather than area’s it only really matters with winter wear a small amount and is not really worth the extra expense.

In the damp, grey, snowy English winter, practicality is of great importance when it comes to children´s footwear. Kids love to play outdoors, especially if there´s enough snow to build a snowman or throw snowballs, and in this kind of weather you can´t go wrong with a pair of wellies. These have to be an essential item of footwear for children in the English winter, especially as we look to be heading for winter earlier than normal this year (snow in October? Who can remember that?) So it will be wise to make sure that your children are prepared for outdoor fun.

These days, wellies don’t need to be boring; there are a wide variety of colours and patterns available, and you´re bound to find some displaying your child´s favourite cartoon character. Wellies are ideal for rainy days, and for the slush that so quickly follows snow; they won´t let the rain or snow in. They don´t need to be expensive, so can be easily replaced when the child´s feet grow too big for them. They are easily cleaned, and simple to remove upon entering the house; even the smallest child can pull a pair of wellies on and off. They are also practical for changing out of when the child arrives at school.

Boys may not be as keen on wellies, especially as they get older, but they can go out and play in a good sturdy pair of boots. There are plenty of rugged lace-up short boots that will keep the feet warm and dry providing the snow is not too deep, but it is important to ensure that they protect the feet from damp. Leather is more resistant to damp, and the thicker the soles, the better. Shoes can also be treated with sprays to keep them waterproof; there is nothing more unpleasant and uncomfortable than damp feet!

Considering how quickly children´s feet grow, it may be worth buying winter shoes a size bigger. Normally this would not be recommended, but in a season where girls are wearing thick woolly tights it may be practical to allow a bit of extra space. Any extra space can be padded out with two pairs of socks, which may be necessary anyway as temperatures drop! This may even allow boots to be used for a second winter, although there are no guarantees, of course. If so, it would ease pressure on the parental purse!