Off to a festival this month? There’s no need to slum it in a sea of sweaty tents – sleep in style in a bell tent, camper van or even a comfy lodge.
Four camping alternatives for festival goers
July 22, 2014 § Leave a reply
Author Archives: sian
Review: Vivo Barefoot Ulysses sandals
July 14, 2014 § Leave a reply
Laugh in the face of flimsy flipflops with Vivo Barefoot‘s beaut new sandal, the Ulysses (£75), inspired by the ancient Tarahumara running tribe. Well if it’s all right for them…
How to: Cycle in a skirt without flashing everyone!
July 13, 2014 § Leave a reply
Do you like to ride your bike? Are you a lady (or indeed a man) who enjoys wearing skirts? This video is about to change things forever. The best life hack ever, and all you need is a penny. Check out the awesome lasses behind the revolution at Penny In Yo Pants.
How to: get easy festival hair
July 3, 2014 § 1 Reply
Glastonbury may be over but never fear! There are plenty more opportunities to dance in mud with strange things in your barnet. Here are four easy ways to hide the greasy disaster that is festival hair, and the best news is that they all work better on unwashed locks. Clever eh?
Competition: Win a Nikon Coolpix L310 camera with Duracell
June 30, 2014 § 44 Replies
I’m fresh back from Glastonbury (well, maybe fresh is not the word) with a very exciting competition indeed! Win yourself this lovely Nikon coolpix camera and rechargeable batteries, courtesy of Duracell, and get set for a summer of snapping.
Review: Merlin 23 litre backpack from Mountain Warehouse
June 26, 2014 § Leave a reply
Who said decent gear had to be expensive? This nifty Mountain Warehouse Merlin 23 litre backpack costs a pocket-friendly £16.99 and will see you proud on your travel and sporting adventures.
How to: survive in the wilderness
June 24, 2014 § 2 Replies
My guide to Bear Grylls-style skills for the next time you get lost in the woods. Because, you know, your iPhone might not have any signal. Just make sure you have a few matches on you…
How to: commute on a bike – a guide to urban cycling
June 23, 2014 § 2 Replies
If you want to ride to work on your bike but find the idea dodging traffic, staying dry and negotiating roundabouts a little overwhelming, I’m here to help! Here are my top tips for zipping about safely and stylishly, gleaned from years of cycling in cities and shouting at bus drivers.
Places to stay: Big Blue Diving, Koh Tao, Thailand
June 19, 2014 § 2 Replies
Heading to Thailand this summer? Avoid party islands Koh Samui and Koh Pha-Ngan and head instead to Koh Tao, their chilled out white-sand-and-jungle little brother. This tiny weeny (21 sq km) but bountiful island is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Gulf, a diving haven stuffed with bright coral and undulating manta rays. Try some gentle snorkelling or get serious and scuba dive with Big Blue Diving.
Climbing on the Dorset coast
June 18, 2014 § Leave a reply
Getting a serious adrenaline rush climbing the beautiful cliffs and quarries of the Dorset coast. My hands are ruined and I can now tie a nifty figure of eight knot – I must be a proper climber.
Review: Adidas Solo Stealth approach shoes
June 17, 2014 § Leave a reply
Scrambling about in Adidas’ new solo stealth approach shoes, £95. Grippy soles + lightweight comfort + rad red and black styling = instant favourites. Plus Shauna Coxsey‘s a fan, so you know they’re going to be pretty cool.
A visit to the Farne Islands, Northumberland
June 16, 2014 § Leave a reply
A boat ride to the magical Farne Islands, where clownlike puffins potter about by your feet, grey seals loll lazily on the rocks and arctic terns try their best to beat you up.
Lovely bits of kit!
June 13, 2014 § 1 Reply
More things that I, like, totally dig. A little roundup of awesome gadgets, useful gizmos and things that are just downright pretty that I’ve been fangirling over recently.
Video: Scare away the dark, Passenger
June 11, 2014 § Leave a reply
So much love for this video by my favourite wandering minstral, Mike Rosenberg. If you’re spending too much time in front of a computer and not enough in the summer sunshine, this is for you. Now please excuse me whilst I go and run around a field in my pants.
Review: Maximise Active Hen Project weekend
June 10, 2014 § 1 Reply
Hitting the big smoke for the Active Hen weekend, in which I got covered in rice attempting to make sushi, won gold at the Shoreditch Olympics and practised yoga with an epic view.
Places to stay: The Art House, Isle of Skye
June 5, 2014 § Leave a reply
This is the Art House, a cosy slice of Scandinavian chic nestled on Skye’s rugged coastline that is filled with good things. Like epic views, a warm welcome and a dog named Watson.
Summer dressing for lazy girls
May 28, 2014 § 2 Replies
Hello sunshine! Here’s some fashion maths for you. Summery striped dress from Joules + sandals from Aldo at House of Fraser = easy peasy warm weather dressing.
Wild swimming at the Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
May 25, 2014 § 1 Reply
Take a dip somewhere a little bit magic – the Fairy Pools on Skye. Crystal clear icy water flows from the foot of the Cuillin mountains, forming lagoons and waterfalls that’ll both enchant you and give you serious brain freeze.
Review: Thule RoundTrip Transition bike case
May 24, 2014 § Leave a reply
My review of the Thule RoundTrip Transition case, £444.95, which makes taking your cherished bike on international trips a breeze. As modelled by Katie, on an epic cycle around Lake Como.
Review: Merrell Grassbow Mid Sport Gore-Tex hiking boots
May 23, 2014 § Leave a reply
Got me some new hiking boots! Here’s my review of the Grassbow Mid Sport boots, £120 from Merrell. They’re super lightweight (1.4lb, which is less than half a bag of sugar). They’re waterproof. And they have nice laces.
How to: plan a long distance cycle – the best UK routes
May 21, 2014 § Leave a reply
Part two of my collab with Sustrans to send you on your merry cycling way. Once you’re prepped and ready, these are some of the prettiest UK routes you can get your biking teeth into.
How to: plan a long distance cycle – the ultimate checklist
May 21, 2014 § Leave a reply
Itching to get out on your bike this weekend? I’ve put together this handy guide to getting into long distance rides with cycling charity Sustrans. Just tick off these ten steps and you’ll be pedal ready.
Review: Hi Tec V-Lite Nazka trail shoes
May 19, 2014 § Leave a reply
Meet my newest trail running kicks. The V-Lite Nazkas, £64.99 from Hi Tec, are a budget-friendly shoe that’s perfect for transitioning to barefoot running.
Ciré handmade wax canvas bags
May 16, 2014 § Leave a reply
I have a serious case of kit lust. Ciré‘s wonderful waxed canvas creations are designed by outdoors nut Alison Vard, who finds inspiration in the mountains and the sea for her practical yet beautiful sorbet-coloured rucksacks, wash bags and wetsuit bags.
Places to stay: Borgo Pignano, Tuscany
May 14, 2014 § Leave a reply
World, meet somewhere I should probably keep secret – the wonderful Borgo Pignano, a medieval estate turned eco farm nestled in the Tuscan hills.
Review: F1T1 storm kettle from the Storm Kettle Shop
May 12, 2014 § Leave a reply
I’ve got a new storm kettle! It’s a little portable F1T1 from the fantastic Storm Kettle Shop (£49.99). It boils up water for two cuppas in a jiffy and it makes everything smell like woodsmoke. Score.
The wonderful world of Keiko Brodeur
Meet Keiko Brodeur, artist and owner of the Small Adventure Shop. Warning: you are about to fall in love with her beautiful illustrations, inspired by escapades into the great outdoors.
Three Eurostar adventures by bike
May 8, 2014 § Leave a reply
If you’ve got a case of itchy feet this weekend, hop on the Eurostar and go see a beautiful new place by bike. It’s quick and easy, and before you know it you’ll be getting lost in Amsterdam, following the Pilgrim’s trail to Provence or pootling around Paris.
The Maximise Active hen do project
May 5, 2014 § 1 Reply
Not a fan of L plates or willy straws? Snap! That’s why I’m part of Maximise’s fantastic new Active Hen project, which is teaming up fitness and lifestyle bloggers to create a brand new kind of hen do, aimed at a more adventurous kind of girl.
Review: Arc’teryx Epsilon hoodie
May 1, 2014 § Leave a reply
Do have a little perusal of my review of the very fetching Arc’teryx Epsilon hoodie (£150), a versatile, breathable softshell layer that’s ready for all your springtime shenanigans.
Places to stay: Surfing in Morocco
April 26, 2014 § Leave a reply
A sunshiney week on the coast at Taghazout, Morocco, staying at Mint Surf, exploring the souks of Agadir and pretending to be in Point Break (but only on the little waves).
Competition: Win a beachy getaway worth £750 with Parkdean
April 24, 2014 § Leave a reply
Hey globetrotter! Reckon you know your Newquay from your Nice? Take this addictive Home or Away Quiz to be in with a chance of winning a beachy British getaway worth £750 with Parkdean Holidays.
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How to: go camping. The ultimate packing checklist
April 20, 2014 § Leave a reply
Crackling logs, the smell of canvas, charcoal-like marshmallows burning your fingers… camping is pretty great, isn’t it? If the weather’s looking on the clement side and you’re itching to run for the hills and set up a tent in the wilderness, here’s a handy checklist of all the essentials you need to stay warm and dry. Plus whisky. Don’t forget the whisky.
Sponsored Video: Longer days with The North Face
April 14, 2014 § Leave a reply
If the clocks going forward has filled you with as much unmitigated joy as it has me, you’ll love this great new campaign from The North Face. Watch this super-inspiring video and then share your experiences and win shiny prizes with their new Explorer app. Longer days are here – go out and grab them!
Lazy Sunday afternoons in Weird Fish
April 14, 2014 § 1 Reply
I love sunny Sundays. To my eternal chagrin, I don’t have my own sunsoaked garden in hang out in, so instead I spent the last one at Pete’s, having nice naps in his hammock and pottering about trying to grow things in my new togs from Weird Fish’s spring collection.
Let’s Grow Wild: interview and competition
April 10, 2014 § 8 Replies
Hey! Ho! Let’s grow! Wonderful new campaign Let’s Grow Wild is fighting to save the UK’s native wildflowers and encourage the creation of beautiful urban spaces. I caught up with guerilla gardener Richard Reynolds to find out how he’s collaborating with the project, plus I’ve got three wildflower seed kits to give away.
Places to stay: Beachcombing in Beer
April 9, 2014 § Leave a reply
A wander around the little seaside town of Beer, Devon, which has fishing boats, nice shells and about a gazillion deckchairs. Oh, and maybe the best name ever.
Trail Running: my favourite kit
April 8, 2014 § 2 Replies
My idea of a nice jog is definitely less pounding the pavements and more getting lost in the woods (and covered in mud in the process). I’ve been very good at training for my fast-approaching Endurance Life coastal trail run in Exmoor this weekend, so I’m rewarding myself with some of this lovely gear.
Places to stay: Damp on Dartmoor
April 7, 2014 § 2 Replies
It was my birthday last week (oh hello middle-to-late twenties!) and a big gang of us went to stay on Dartmoor for sunshine and barbeques. And then it rained a lot, so instead we went walking in bogs, met the Hound of the Baskervilles and drink a lot of gin by the fire.
Guest post: Wine tasting by bike in Argentina
April 4, 2014 § Leave a reply
My travel-mad mate Karina Kold goes wine tasting on two wheels through the sunny vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina. I’m not jealous AT ALL.
