White is the new black

Recently and quite evidently to my friends, I have become completely obsessed with monochrome, again.

There is something about a strikingly crisp white that catches my eye and gets my hands itching. Matched with a pitch black - magic.

Excuse the excitement, but I did forewarn you.

Now black on bottom and white on top can really give off the office, stuffy vibe. I tried it the other weekend and it didn't work. But, match it with some quirky white shoes and the look is way more exciting.

I 'happened' to stroll through Selfridges the other night past the Topshop section and instantly fell in love with numerous of their pieces in which resulted in me creating this Topshop Monochrome mood board. I've been desperate for a summer, smart jacket and this white blazer was perfect - great cut, quality weight, smart, fitted and clean white. At £48 I thought this was a great price in which my bank balance will have to agree.

The shoes was an adventurous try on and I was really surprised how light weight and slimming they were. £46 is normally more than I spend on shoes, I'm quite tight with shoe spend but these are definitely are on the wish list.

A skort is my new go-to for nights out and I have this in white and LOVE IT. I would definitely invest another £38. I am loving the sports luxe look with this tee (£14) and a dark, smoky eye is always my night look with flirty lace (£22). The rucksack, well, it was just perfect for my monochrome obsession (but expensive at £100).

Oh a girl can dream...

Work hard, play hard.

I had the amazing opportunity to visit Switzerland last week for work and I had to share some photos. Please note: no filters neccessary.

The trip began flying into Zurich in which my college and I made our way by train to our company's home, Ibach-Schwyz. Before even getting off the plane, though sleepy, we were immediately buzzing with excitement at our first work trip abroad. 

The views on the train (double decker trains - cool!) were simply refreshing compared to humid, smoggy London we had just left behind. Typical Swiss, large roofed chateau's with shuttered windows sat on mountainsides surrounded in lush green countryside. Lakes occupied the other window view with mountains as high as the clouds, dusted with snow at the peaks. Someone pass me a canvas and oil quick!

After a quick few tourist snaps at the train station we were whisked to the office for a day of meetings and a tour.  Retreating to the hotel, we tried to hide our over excited faces pulling up at the hotel that faced this beautiful lake, Lake Lucern.

Entering my bedroom I was allowed to let loose of my professional demeanour - it was quite frankly like a scene out of pretty woman. Having not been on holiday in a  while you may understand my sheer excitement...

Plump pillows decorated the large double bed and the bathroom was filled with brand new packaged compliments. I jumped up and down at the thought of staying at such an amazing room all to myself for two nights.

Next, the most amazing view I have ever seen came into sight as I flung open the balcony doors. A squeal exited my mouth followed by what one might envisage as some crazy snoopy dance and unflattering jumping.

Mountains hugged either side of the crystal blue Lake Lucern at Brunnen, my cast ironed balcony sat in front of the spectacular view with a terrace just below. Lush green and red floral plants decorated umbrellas and fairy lights where people dined for the evening. The clouds sat high: fluffy and white with the whole view holding this clear yet poignant blue aura. I felt like I was in a movie, Lord of the Rings without the hobbits and magical creatures. A real sense of zen was in the air.

Rushing down to take in the views at land level my colleague and I waked down to this open green area where perfectly formed trees decorated the river walk with strangely a 'Miami' vibe. This openness was incredible with more mountains in the distance. Everything was so peaceful, calm, I felt like I had arrived in paradise and quite honestly, I didn't expect it to be in Switzerland.

That afternoon, the work shift was nothing to complain about. Sat on the balcony with a traditional English Tea, laptop and a view even my screen saver couldn't compete with I thought: 'Life is good.'

It can be so refreshing to escape reality for a little while and enjoy natures greatest. I am incredibly lucky to have such opportunities, to work for such a generous company and one that is situated in such a beautiful part of the world.

Next to clear waters and watching sunsets it really helped get my inner zen. (Zen being my new favourite word).

Sadly I didn't get chance to explore much due to work commitments but anyone looking for a mini break to get away - Brunnen, Switzerland is the place to go.

12 Memorable Moments: June

June saw the unthinkable. The unimaginable. Minds boggled at hearing what I had chosen for June's memorable moment.

The Wolf Run.

The Wolf Run is a 10K off road obstacle course that is made of man made and natural obstacles and....a lot of mud.

Now anyone that knows me knows that this is obserd. I am not the sportiest person out there. Infact, I only went to my first and last sports day out of pure dislike for anything competitive.  May I add, running is a particular dislike of mine. Now, I have warmed to it in the more recent years, done a little jog here and there but honestly, I just can't do it.

In a moment of spontaneity (and optimism) my friend and I signed up for the Wolf Run. For a little taste, watch the video below.

June soon came around and after a failed attempt at training due to a mixture of laziness, busy schedule and well lets face it, fear the day was soon upon us. Pushing to the back of my mind the fact I could barely complete 4 miles two days before, I went energetic.

People go as 'packs' (yes a witty pun on The Wolf Run title) and you are then put into time slots. We watched all the packs before us in fear. I remember thinking, why are they already walking? as I watched people slowly emerge from the first obstacle, a river.

After a warm up session with the coaches I was already concerned about what was ahead. But too late we were running and jumping into the river. I emerged, shell shocked at the weight of the water pulling me back down and looked up to find my friends already out screaming at me to come on.

Lets be honest, I had it coming.

I have no fitness capability and no upper body strength which was tested at the next hurdle of jumping over some big tractor wheels. My calves were pulled as I yanked my leg out of sinking mud and trembled as I watched people loose their shoes under the swap.

Drinking water wasn't in sight until half way and I have never been so happy to see little white cups filled with clear H20 (and an excuse to stop without looking like the unfit one of the pack).

Moving swiftly on I remember being faced with a wall that I had to climb not long after yet another muddy meeting. The wall only had two slots for your feet. The wall was made up of curved wooden poles and was covered in mud from the previous obstacle making it impossible to get any grip. No upper body strength and a fear of heights I thought I really had met 'the wall'. My friends soon helped me up and after balancing on top of what felt like bloody mount everest when you are afraid of heights I dropped down and high fived my friends with immense happiness. It really spurs you on knowing you are achieving something and you have the support of everyone around you.

The middle section got easier. admittedly I was still pretty awful but I was running more than I ever had before and was just getting on with it. It's hard running through all the mud when you are slipping all over the place trying not to twist your ankle. Even if I finished 5 hours later, I wanted to finish.

Other obstacles included a water slide where everyone jumped head first and dodged the camera man who conveniently stood in the middle of the track to film you. More mud appeared, rivers, climbing walls, hay bales and fields that seemed to stretch far further.

When it came to the end I started to feel 'the wall' again but told myself, this is a race for myself (what all losers say haha). I stopped when I needed to and pushed myself when I could.

Unfortnately there is noway you can take pictures on the way round. People lost shoes so I don't think my Samsung Galaxy would have made the cut.

Finishing was a feeling I haven't felt for ages. Wading through the last river hand in hand with my friends seeing the finish line was so amazing. I can certainly remember the adrenaline rush I felt for the rest of the day, the pure sense of achievement and overwhelming happiness. I definitely should have trained more but knowing what I had just endured was incredible.

I can honestly say this was the best memorable moment yet. We finished in just over 2 hours and for someone who could barely complete 4 miles before is an amazing achievement. Make it all better I raised £220 for Help For Heroes, a charity I really think help makes a difference. Despite the moments I thought I would never finish, was up to my waist in mud, sat at the top of a wall fearing I would break my neck and all bumps and bruises , I will always remember it as a great experience.

It has really highlighted to me what you can do with just a little fitness and what I could achieve if I had and do do more. It really is something everyone must experience and as for Team Wild....WE DID IT!