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2013 Blog Archive
2014 - Jan . Feb . Mar . Apr . May . June . July . Aug . Sept . Oct . Nov . Dec
2015 - Jan . Feb . Mar .

Feb 26th Bold Orange Colour Striped Knitted Tunic Dress :- to plus-size UK24, from M&S Ireland

EXTRA CARE WARNING - DO NOT TUMBLE DRY !

After a sickness induced break, I'm back to 'nearly' normal. Today's dress comes from the Per Una Range at Marks and Spencer Ireland.  Usually I consider Per Una to be targetted at an older woman so imagine my surprise to find this tunic dress in a nice bold seasonal orange colour.

This is a half wool and half acrylic knitted tunic dress with broad stripe detailing throughout.  I am 5'9"tall and I am wearing size UK18 (which is true to fit).  The dress is available from a UK8 - UK24 and is priced at €60.

I'm drawn to this dress due to the tunic cut style (which is complimentary on women like myself who have a larger tummy) and the wide round neck line.  This is also a no fuss, easy care easy wear dress so it's ideal for day wear.

I love the casual feel and intend wearing this dress with slouchy cardigans, big treatment scarves, opaque tights, and boots.

In the photo I am wearing the dress with black opaques and boots.  This dress will also look great worn with green, wine, brown and also navy (all with the relevant coloured boots and opaques).  You are not limited with this orange colour.

In the video below, I show the dress off in greater detail and point out the features.

To buy the dress click HERE

To view the new SS15 Collection from Per Una click HERE 

AGAIN I MUST STRESS - DO NOT TUMBLE DRY THIS DRESS.  It's not recommended as it will cause the wool in the dress to shrink. Wash on a delicate wool cycle, spin and hang up on a clothes hanger to dry, somewhere where it can dry naturally. (e.g. with the hanger suspended from a clothes horse )

Until next week.  Diane XXX

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Feb. 2nd. Operation Transformation inspiration (despite the snow and cold) - Affordable Fitness Clothing from Marks & Spencer Ireland

January is a great time to kick start a new health and fitness regime (especially if you've put on a bit of weight at Xmas).  New Year, New You !!!

It is also hard to escape the media campaigns about getting fit, reducing one's waistline and avoiding health issues associated with obesity. At present Operation Transformation is on both radio and TV. We can't disagree either with the growing amount of medical evidence. Obesity in itself is a major problem. That said, what I have found most interesting is recent coverage in the UK Press which suggests that inactivity is an even greater threat to health and well being than being obese. Being obese really becomes a problem if you are inactive and unfit.

So my belated new year's resolution for 2015 is to improve my overall fitness and thus increase my activity levels. I'm also going to try to get my husband Brian away from the computer to take more exercise.

Like most working mothers large amounts of my daily routine are sedentary.  I drive to work, sit at a computer and/or stand in front of a class of students and then drive home again.  In between times I also do the usual driving runs with my teenage girls to take them to and from other activities outside of school.  When I come home in the evenings I get the family dinner made and then sit again, either in front of a computer or occasionally in front of the TV if I have time.).

Latest research says that 20 mins of good exercise per day is all that is required to maintain a general level of fitness and increase your healthy lifespan by several years.

We are now in February, and for many the new year resolutions have started to wane.  I am struggling but I am determined to keep up with my desire for change.  I am not doing anything radical.  Brian and I try to get a 20 mins walk every evening (rain, hail or snow).  I also have joined a weekly Zumba class . I think that I am more likely to succeed by making small changes rather than attempting anything more radical.

I have been impressed with the new Fitness Range of Clothing from the M&S Collection at Marks & Spencer Ireland.  I find all the pieces affordable and very practical.  There are many separates that you can buy to mix and match your entire ensemble. The range I'm wearing also has cool comfort technology which is a registered trade mark of M&S.  This means that all of these items allow your skin to breath and cool down whilst exercising.  You do not get sweat staining on the garments and at all times you feel cool in them.

Have a look at the video below to see more details of the separates.

In the video I am wearing the following items

Thinsulate Padded Jacket with storm wear - €80 - To buy click HERE

High Impact Active Colour Block T-Shirt with Cool Comfort Technology - €24 - To buy click HERE

Reflective Cropped Leggings with cool comfort technology - €30 - To buy click HERE

And finally here are a few pics of me wearing 2 other tops which are all part of the separates which can be mixed and matched within this range

Quick Dry Scoop Neck T-Shirt with cool comfort technology To buy click HERE

Colour Block Marl Vest Top with cool comfort technology - To buy click HERE

Until Next Week.  Diane XXX

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