Olympic Fever

I am one of those Londoner's who has been scare mongering about the O word... You know how it is, "Not looking forward to getting the tube during the Olympics" 

"Bloody tourists"

 and so on. 

However, after being lucky enough to see the torch pass twice - once through my home town of Romford and then again through Oxford Circus the buzz and excitement of it all has got to me, and lets be fair, after the opening ceremony last night, who didn't feel excited or proud to be British? 

Danny Boyle did a fantastic job (worthy of a Knighthood),  I did think 'What is this?' when it first came on but when the story became apparent I was loving it. 

From the Women's Rights Movement to the moments pause for those lost in the World Wars and 7/7 attacks, it tugged at the emotional heart-strings but was lightened up with Mr. Bean, that fantastic stunt from the Queen & Bond, and the beautiful David Beckham. 

However it was the musical references to era's that really did it for me, The Jam, The Specials, Paul Wellar, The Sex Pistols, then amazing performances from everyones favourite East London boy Dizzee Rascal and the Arctic Monkey's.

 (I wasn't feeling Paul McCartney quite so much, maybe its time to give someone else a turn rather than wheeling him out at every big event we have... soz)

So now we have shown the world what we are really all about, it's time to get some gold. 

#TeamGB

London Reppin'
What I'm wearing: Skirt - Topshop, T-shirt - H&M, London Necklace - Vintage, Trainers - Nike X Liberty Hyperclave.

Olympic Torch passing through Romford 22/7/12

Olympic Torch passing through Oxford Circus 26/7/12

The whole of East London enjoyed a magical show of fireworks. 

Sporting Greatness

So with the Olympics creeping ever closer, there is no escaping the faces of our Great British Athletes in magazines, on TV, Billboard posters. It is something I see as a welcome change, as these are actually people who work hard and deserved to be celebrated (unlike your Kim Kardashian's and Jordan's). 

This is something Nike agrees with, and to celebrate athlete greatness, they have taken their iconic Nike M65 jacket and custom crafted a unique edition for eight British athletes it partners with. 

Each jacket is personalised to pay tribute to each athlete's unique journey. 

The Nike M65 jacket has become a symbol of inspiration. Printed in patriotic red on the inside, each mantra embodies the spirit of athletic commitment and success. In addition to the personal mantras, a bonded wove Union Jack is stitched on the left arm, with the athlete's name embroidered on a Velcro name plate.  

The eight athletes from a range of sports have been presented with their jacket by people who would have inspired them, for example Basketball legend Scottie Pippen surprised Luol Deng with his customised jacket at the Nike World Basketball Festival earlier this month in Brixton.

When Track and Field legend Carl Lewis presented Perri Shakes-Drayton with her bespoke M65, it was seen as a truly special moment for Perri to receive her jacket from an athlete who has achieved such greatness at a time when she is aspiring to reach new heights herself in this Summer's games. 

The photo's of athletes receiving their jackets really do make some beautiful inspiring imagery. 

Scottie Pippen and Luol Deng

Paula Radcliffe

Carl Lewis and Perri Shakes-Drayton.

Personal Mantra's 

Paula Radcliffe - 'Be the best you can be each day'

Dai Greene - '100% effort, 100% of the time'

Perri Shakes Drayton - 'Train hard. There are no shortcuts.'

Hannah England - ' Every rep. Every session. Every race'

Holly Bleasdale - 'Believe in yourself and magic will happen'

Mark Cavendish - 'Remain the fastest. Stay the greatest'

Mo Farah - 'Go hard or go home' 

Luol Deng - 'I'll return to deliver'

What's yours? 

I'm bringing Sporty back...

Anyone who know's me well will tell you I am the most un-sportiest, laziest person. Ever. I couldn't give two hoots about the up-coming Olympics and I even once said 'I don't do activities' a quote that always gets bought up against me and has haunted me since.

However this week I have never been so active! Partly due to the mini heatwave we had I agreed to go swimming with a friend on Monday.... I don't mind swimming, I just don't enjoy public pools (I have every excuse under the sun to avoid exercise). But I'll admit I enjoyed it and came out feeling fresh.

So then on Thursday when I was invited to a work out event by Nike, I thought I'd give it a go... Seeing as I am interning for them now I thought why not. I got to choose a whole new kit and work out trainers (which I love).

It is actually an event run by Nike from their flagship store on Regents St. that anyone can attend, you just sign up via their Facebook page here. Named the Nike Training Club, it is a women's fitness community, who offer expertise, inspiration and motivation and its FREE!!
They have even been known to hold special events such as one a few weeks ago, where they did a work out session in Altitude 360 in the Milbank Tower whilst Katy B performed.

I won't lie, I found it hard, the warm up was grilling enough for me... a 15 minute to run to Regents Park where we continued with drill sessions (I told you I was unfit ok.) But I really did enjoy myself. Having suffered with stress and depression, they do say exercise is a good cure and I couldn't agree more.
I can't wait for a session they have coming up soon... Hip Hop Yoga!!

And what a better incentive than being able to choose a new pair of trainers courtesy of Nike.

 My new Nike Training Free XT Motion Fit Trainers. 

What I'm wearing: Top - Sass & Bide, Leggings - unknown - Trainers - Nike.

I continued the Sporty theme in to the weekend by going to watch some the boys I know play a charity football tournament at the West Ham grounds. They didn't quite make it through to the finals but did get  to the semi's. Well done boys!