Instagram still life

Like many Bloggers and social media enthusiasts I am addicted to instagram! Here a a few pics of what I've been up to lately...or even a few years ago. I post all kind of things on there so check it out.

If you've got instagram follow me at myheartbeats. I'm also on twitter @myheartbeats84 if you ever want to tweet me.

       

Fair trade and fashionable - Bags to love

As a dedicated blog reader, I have spent months watching my favourite bloggers like Jen from Little Bird and Susie from Take-out in Couture sporting satchels from Cambridge Satchel Company. 

These amazing bags were all over New York Fashion week last year and celebs can't seem to get enough either so of course I want one. 

Even though I don't go to university or school and therefore don't really have a specific need for a satchel (and I received a beautiful Mimco satchel for Christmas) I still really, really want one of these bags.

Not only are the Cambridge Satchel's company satchel's available in a rainbow of hues but they can be embossed with your initials and are handmade in Britain which makes them none other than fair trade fashion. 

I do believe that's what we like to call a Win-Win people. 

The biggest problem is choosing which one to buy...should it be a classic colour, a gorgeous green and navy one or a designer leopard print one that is exclusive to asos.

Cambridge Satchel Company Classic Green and Navy

Cambridge Satchel Company ASOS Exclusive Leopard Pony Skin Pocket Satchel

Cambridge Satchel Company ASOS Exclusive Leather Plum Satchel

Thoughts?

Of course Cambridge Satchel Company aren't the only British, fair trade company creating amazing leather goods. Zatchels is hot on their heels producing fun and quirky bags to boot.

You can purchase a pink and white polka dot satchel, a satchel printed with love hearts, lady bugs or flowers or one that's simply a Kaleidescope of colour. 

Zatchels satchel in Yellow

Zatchels Pink and White Polka Dot satchel

Limited Edition Zatchels Kaleideskope Satchel

Zatchels Colour Block Satchel

Of course, DIY is another great part of ethical fashion so if you love the look of these bags but aren't too excited by the price head of over to the wonderful DIY blog Glitter 'N Glue to see Kristen's amazing Cambridge Satchel Inspired tutorial here. She is one talented lady!

Which bag is your favourite? Do you have a Satchel by one of these wonderful fairtrade companies? I'd love to hear from you.

xoxo Kirst

Lustworthy Summer threads by Mister Zimi

Despite the pouring rain outside, I can't seem to escape thoughts of long summer days and balmy nights. I'm hoping summer returns to us if only so I can buy and wear the entire Summer 2011/12 collection of Mister Zimi.

Mister Zimi is the brainchild of Zoe and Jimi Paul - a bright young Australian couple living in Bali. They produce beautiful on trend clothing  (some of the most standout pieces I've seen in a while) at super reasonable prices.

I already have a number of their pieces on my wish list including all of the following. The current collection seems to have that effortless and relaxed glamour I am always attracted to in clothing...hence I must buy some.

With my Birthday coming up I think I might purchase either the Red or Green Tina Mexican Dress provided it doesn't sell out first...fingers crossed.

All Photographs available at and courtesy of www.misterzimi.com. No offence of infringement is intended in the publication of these photographs. Any issues or requests for withdrawal will be attended to immediately. Please contact me if there is a need for problem resolution. 

Flowers for my valentine

With Valentine ’s Day just around the corner I’ve taken it upon myself to belt a little more romance into my wardrobe.

Inspired by the beautiful and stylish Mez from Domestic Divinity and the GORGEOUS Alannah Hill Belt she wore with her wedding dress to her pre-ceremony (scroll down her beautiful wedding post and you'll spot it) I scoured my local Spotlight for some suitable ribbon, tulle – whatever I though could work. I found a lovely reel ribbon with red flowers (also available in black if you’re interested) of which I bought three to use.

This is such a simple and easy tutorial but I apologise for not taking photos along the way.

Step 1. Double over a length of red fabric (I used 100% cotton) making sure it’s wide enough to sew the flower ribbon on to it and long enough to fit around your waist. Cut the fabric but be sure to leave an extra centimetre on each side for when you stitch it up.

Step 2. Place the flowers on the centre of the fabric (where they will sit on the belt) and measure where you want to taper your belt off. Draw or mark fabric to guide you then cut.

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Step 3. Sew around three sides leaving one end open.

Step 4. Turn the belt inside (rightside) out

Step 5. Hand stich on flowers. Following this hand stich the unsewn end of your belt and sew a button onto it.

Step 6. Mark a couple of button holes on other end of the belt and sew them in. If you don’t want to use a button you could always hand stitch a couple of hook and eyes on if you prefer. 

Step 7. Button up and Wear! I think it will look best with a white, black or cobalt blue dress but the choice is yours.

See easy…and oh se feminine. Granted it's not quite as beautiful as the inspiration for it but I personally love it and I hope you will too!

Oh and apologies for the awful photographs...not my best work!

Byron Baby

What better way to spend a holiday then lying on the beach at Byron Bay? Sunshine, great night life, good friends, and quality time with The Boy makes me one happy girl. So enjoy these...a few holiday snaps from my break.

Hope you're January is peachy.

A Step forward: my progress so far

The holiday season was never going to be an easy time to dedicate myself to getting healthy and fit but I honestly haven’t found it to be too hard because of all the preparation I did.

That’s right ladies and gents – preparation is key if you’re trying to make a permanent change to your health!

So where do you start?

Well, Instead of inhaling chocolate and guzzling champagne throughout November and December, I’ve spent my time overdosing on fitness and health related blogs, magazines, books, tweets, and websites along with the odd fashion and beauty blog too!

Check out mevsthebulge.com and runthreeseven.com if you want to get FIT-spired!

Have you all discovered Tanya Burr? Her youtube channel has the most beautiful make-up tutorials and has me hooked hardcore…but make-up tutes are for another time.

First off let’s talk diet.

I’m not on one. I have however, changed my eating habits. I have never eaten particularly poorly but I recently made the decision to stick to clean food as much as possible. I’ve tried to remove all sugar from my diet (with the exception of some berries or mango on the odd occasional) and processed food is all but gone too. I’ve increased my protein and veggie intake and also reduced starchy carbs like potatoes.

I do miss sugar a little bit (that stuff is like crack) but the less I have the more I less I want it and the easier it gets to say no. I love food and I still very much enjoy it but now I am much more conscious about what I eat. I think to myself, 'What will this food give my body?'

‘Will it energise me and make me feel strong or will it make me feel guilty and sluggish?’
‘Will it help me push my limits to run further or lift heavier or will it make me tired and push me further away from my goal?' 

It's pretty easy to work out the answer to these if you're over the age of 15.

My general rule is that if eating something (e.g. creamy pasta) will take me further away from achieving my goal it’s put into the no go zone. Even if I am dying for a bite of chocolate once I put eating it into perspective with my ultimate goal it just doesn’t seem worth it!

But what about alcohol you say. How do you say no to all those festive drinks? The champagne… the cocktails?

Luckily for me, this part has been really easy. I tend to have a better time when I’m not drinking and I adore/am slightly obsessed with soda water so going alcohol free hasn’t been a problem at all.

Give me a soda water with some fresh lime and I can party all night. Make the switch and your body will love you for it too. Seriously, why would you want to wake up reeking of booze with a headache and blood shot eyes when you can wake-up refreshed, ready for some cardio and feeling great?!

The other key ingredients: Exercise and Staying motivated.

Diet is key if you want to lose weight, feel healthier and become leaner but exercise and staying motivated are equally as important.

My whole life I have tended to focus my efforts on what I look like and not worry too much about my health or fitness but this time things are different.

Instead of being motivated by looks alone I'm focussing my energy on getting my fitness back, becoming stronger, faster and leaner.

I've made goals and I've ramped up my gym sessions to put me on the path to achieving them.

I want to lift more, run further and faster and generally feel like a strong, sexy woman. Increasing my weight training has definitely made a difference to my appearance.

My weight hasn’t changed much in the past month but the muscles in my arms and legs are more prominent and I can see a difference (even if no one else can).

It is motivation enough to stay focussed this Christmas and New Year. I want minimal wobbly bits for my birthday in February – hard work is going to get me there J

Until next time.

Xx Kirst

Photos courtesy of Google and/or Tumblr. Find links to them here: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/kiki-kickass

Band Crush: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinoaurs

The Boy has been listening to this band for months and months but they've only just started to get airplay here.

Their name pretty much won me over but if it didn't there is no way I could not fall head over heels in love with this song.

Listen and dance people...listen and dance!