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Why I Love Making New Year’s Resolutions

Published by Sheree Milli

At the end of every year, I set aside a few hours, get comfy, grab a cuppa and the remaining Quality Street from Christmas and set to work on my New Year’s resolutions. Every year without fail. Some people laugh at this practice, “oh what’s the point, you’ll only break them?”, well, I actually try not to break them.

Each new year I treat as a reset, a fresh slate. I like to focus on what went well that year and things I achieved and enjoyed, as well as reflecting on the bad bits or where there is room for improvement. I find it really helpful to kind of soak it all in, we’re all busy, when do we ever take the time to to take stock of our lives?

Apparently the most popular resolution for both men and women is to lose weight, no surprises there, and yes I’d always like to lose weight. But as I’ve got older, I’ve learned that these kind of abstract resolutions are designed to make you fail. Either be super specific and say, I’d like to lose 7lbs by May, or resolve to do things that will help you achieve that goal, like taking up a new exercise or cycling once a week.

There’s nothing wrong with trying to improve yourself, and there’s a whole self-help industry worth billions to that effect, but don’t use your resolutions as a means to punish yourself. Throw some treats in there too, I always like to include a list of exhibitions, galleries and restaurants I’d like to visit in the coming year. Which actually comes in really handy when I’m at a loss for something to do.

At heart I’m an optimist, so perhaps my annual resolution making is a manifestation of this, but I won’t stop because of the naysayers. Who doesn’t want the next year to be better than the last? So yes, in 2017 I want to do more yoga, stop spending so much money at Pret (I’m an addict), travel to Goa, find a boyfriend, learn a new language and generally have more fun. How about you?

My Top 10 Moments of 2016

Published by Sheree Milli

I’m writing this as an antidote, purely for selfish reasons, to all the doom-mongering about this past year. Yes 2016 has been a f*cking weird one, politics was like watching a car crash in slow motion and everyone and their mum (literally in the case of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds) popped their clogs. It was an odd year for me too, but on the whole positive, there were downs but what’s the point of focusing on the negatives? There were some moments I feel so lucky and privileged to have had, some amazing experiences and fun times that I’ll never forget. So here are my personal highlights of 2016…

1/ Going to India

I’ve wanted to go to India for as long as I can remember, it’s always been my number one dream travel destination. This year is the year I made it happen, and after saving for a looong time I spent a month there in February. I spent time in bustling Delhi (and even went on a crazy Tinder date there), the blue city of Jodhpur where I ha the best samosa I’ve ever tasted, saw the pink city and the Palace of The Winds, stayed in the most beautiful hotel in Bikaner, trekked on a camel into the Thar desert, watched the sun rise on the river Ganges and made some great friends along the way. It really was the trip of a lifetime and I’ll never, ever forget it.

Read my India travel guides

2/ Seeing Skepta at Ally Pally and Field Day

Shut Down. I just love Skepta, and even though I don’t know him, I’m so proud of him. 2016 was definitely his year with a number 2 album and a Mercury Music Prize under his belt – all this as an independent artist. I saw him a Field Day which was sick, but Ally Pally was a moment. I honestly had tingles when he came on stage. Here’s to an even greater 2017 for him.

3/ Getting a new job

I quit my last job to go travelling which was a scary thing to do, so coming back to the UK I was worried about getting back on to the career ladder. I don’t mind admitting I applied for about 100 jobs (and not even half as many replies) and had countless interviews before I signed my contract at Dr. Martens. I’m genuinely proud to work for such a cool brand – I’ve always worn Doc’s, so in a way it’s surreal to be in charge of their Tone of Voice globally. I’m looking forward to really making the role my own in the coming year… and expanding my shoe collection too!

4/ Discovering Classpass

This sounds so geeky, but honest to Cher, Classpass has changed my life. I now can’t imagine a life without exercising. And it’s not an aesthetic thing, because to be honest, I haven’t lost weight, or drastically changed my body shape – I just enjoy the feeling of having a strong and fit body. Classpass introduced me to boxing which I’m pretty damn good at, reformer pilates and some fantastic and fun classes. Next year I’ll be continuing to train frequently and I’ll be trying out lots of new classes too. Oh, and I’ll never miss a week of Bikram again – I need that 90 minutes to align my chakras, whatever they are.

Try out Classpass with £30 from me!

Read my Fitness articles

5/ Swimming with Elephants in Thailand

This was an amazing experience, and unlike anything I’ve ever done, I’ve never even been on Safari. I got to share it with my friend Sinead and this was probably one of the best days of my life. We were in Chiang Mai and went on a day trip to an elephant sanctuary where we fed, bathed and swam with elephants, then went white water rafting, then on a massive hike to waterfall then bamboo rafting. Obviously we were knackered by the end of it, but what an experience.

6/ Seeing the Taj Mahal

This is obviously such a bucket list item, I mean, it’s a wonder of the world. It’s so surreal seeing something you’ve seen in a million photographs, up close and personal. I touched it, I’ve been inside it. Well, me and millions of others, but it doesn’t make it any less special. It really is a beautiful building and it lived up to the hype. Seeing the Taj will always remind me of the EPIC dosa I had round the corner too… it was delicious.

7/ Going to Budapest

I enjoyed this city break so much, it was one of the most smoothly planned and executed trips I’ve ever taken and has made me want to do more European short breaks. Me and my pal Soph had such a good time doing all the touristy things and eating lots of bread. Also we listened to the Serial podcast every night before bed… a few years ago I’d have been dancing on tables, but as you get older, your passions change. Anyway, I’d highly recommend a visit.

Read my Budapest city guide

The Terror Museum

8/ Visiting the Gili islands

I dream of Gili T all the time. It is paradise… I’ve never felt so instantly at home anywhere in the world, it’s right up my street. Maybe it’s the simplicity – no cars, limited wifi, no police, no worries. Or more likely it’s the delicious food, the cold beers, the friendly and hilarious islanders and the crystal blue sea? Just thinking of my friend Lulu and I cycling round listening to One Dance on a crappy speaker, the fun I had with my pals from NYC, Amanda and Candice, and my African mate Collins at Harry’s bar makes me break into the biggest smile. Thankfully I’m going back in 2017. I can’t wait.

Read all about Gili T

9/ Spending time with my friend on Koh Tao, Thailand

Sinead, my old housemate, and I had a f*cking hoot on this Thai Island, every day was one for the record books and just so hilarious. We were girls gone wild and spent everyday swimming, sunbathing, drinking, snogging boys, skinny dipping, watching fire dancers and making memories. I can’t say too much here but it was fantastic!

Read about Koh Tao

10/ Like, realising stuff

This is a miscellaneous entry but special mention to my friends who let me crash at their houses while job hunting and even fed me, Broad City for getting me through down-time while travelling, Lulu for getting a bro tat with me. Also, this year we found out my friend Lauren has breast cancer – this was a blow, she’s so young and too special for this to happen – but she’s a fighter, go and read her blog to see how she’s (somehow) styling out cancer and making it all look easy. Solange’s album. Golden lattes. Also this is the year I realised red is really my colour.

What were your highlights of 2016? Share them below.

Winter Dressing with V by Very

Published by Sheree Milli

Christmas is a hectic time and it literally rinses out your finances with gifts for Mum, Dad, Bruv, Sis, your extended family, work’s secret santa – not to mention the 101 social engagements your signed up to. So it’s often a time of year where you don’t treat yourself. I say, let’s flip the script. V by Very has some amazing items that are utter bargains as well, I got my mitts on a gorgeous military coat, some very high-fashwan frilled jeans and a top with a little sparkle. I’ll be wearing this outfit when I go to visit the relatives over Christmas – and well into next year too. So go on, treat yourself.

Coat £70, Jeans £25, Jumper £25 all V by Very

*DISCLOSURE: These items were all gifted

Christmas Wrapped Up: A Gift Guide For The Girls

Published by Sheree Milli

Take the guesswork out of christmas shopping and get the girl in your life something she’ll love. Or… let your inner greedy guts come out and just shop for yourself. ‘Tis the season for giving, doesn’t matter who to!

The Fashionista

The fashionista loves a label or anything bold, bright and contemporary. A pair of shoes never goes amiss, ditto a new niche perfume by Le Labo or Byredo. For a smaller budget a cute new phone case or some chi chi notebooks so she can bring some style to the office.

Dr. Martens 1461 / Byredo perfume / Skinnydip phonecase / Hill & Friends bag / House of Hackney notebooks / MAC lipstick

The Fitness Fanatic

I guess you could call me a health nut – though as I write I’m powering through a bag of Percy Pigs so maybe not. I do love to workout, try new classes and whip up a smoothie or two. For the fitty in your life they’ll love a new sports bra (you can never have enough), trainers, healthy cookbook or a ClassPass subscription or gift card so they can try next year’s latest fitness trends.

Nike Sports Bra / ClassPass Giftcard / Nutribullet / S’Well water bottle / Trainers / Cookbooks

The Classy Beeyatch

Classic ladies will adore timeless gifts like the ubiquitous Diptyque candle – I read somewhere that a candle is the laziest gift you can give – well excuuuuuuse me. I ask for one every Christmas because it’s a treat you wouldn’t necessarily buy yourself. Other than that a Bloom and Wild one off gift or subscription for beautiful flowers is a fab pressie or a beautiful 2017 diary (Paperchase is always a safe bet).

Flowers / Liberty Tote / Bella Freud Jumper / The Girls book / Diary / Diptyque Candle

If you’re still stumped for gifts then I find a bottle of wine, nicely wrapped always does down well, gift cards take the guesswork out and hampers are also a wonderful gift that you can give to a couple or family rather than individual gifts.

*This is a collaborative post*

How To Make Your Rented Space Look Super Stylish

Published by Sheree Milli

Unless you’re a banker or lucky enough to have someone bestow a large deposit upon you, I’m guessing you don’t own your home yet. It’s a constant annoyance that the property ladder is so far above my head I’d need a another ladder just to reach that one, but on the bright side, when the boiler breaks it ain’t my problem.

So we’re generation rent, which means we piss a huge portion of our wages away on our shared accommodation each month and we can’t paint or renovate… BUT… there are some easy ways to make your space your own that aren’t permanent. Then when you move you can pack them all up and start again. I’m a firm believer in interior therapy and I truly think if you have a home environment that is representative of you, you’ll feel happier. Here are my top tips for making your rented home your own.

Printed Cushions

This is a foolproof way to add colour and interest to your home. A sofa or bed without cushions just looks naked. I treated myself to some statement House of Hackney cushions recently (in the sample sale, obvs) but H&M Home does the best cushions for rock-bottom prices. Be bold with colour and print and you can always move them to different rooms for different combinations.

Coffee Table Books

Boos are a great way to show your personality so don’t hide them away – especially the nice coffee table books you get for christmas. Play around with placement and display them with other home accessories for a chic look.

Posh Candles and Easy-to-Care-For Plants

I’m a firm believer in a great candle to make you feel like a proper grown up – so what if they’re £40. It’s a status symbol. Just make sure your housemate knows NEVER TO BURN IT. Succulents and cacti are very on trend and not so easy to kill as other plants. Supermarkets do some great plants and they’re purse-friendly too.

Display Your Best Beauty Bits

Some beauty products like Aesop and Byredo are just too pretty for the bathroom cabinet – show them off! It’s very Pinterest-y to have your cosmetics dotted around the house. They’re useful too.

CHECK OUT MY HOMEPORN PINTEREST BOARD. IT’S LIT

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals and Codes

Published by Sheree Milli

Black Friday is officially here people, I know those pennies are burning a hole in your pockets. Lucky for all us shopaholics there are some SICK Black Friday/Cyber Weekend deals around. So you can buy christmas presents, treat yourself and save some cash while you’re at it. Below is a roundup of the best deals and all the codes you need. Simply click on the name of the retailer to shop and paste the codes when you checkout.

ASOS

20% Off everything. Code: GOGOGO

& OTHER STORIES

50% Off selected items

BOOHOO

50% Off everything. Code: FRIYAY50

PRETTY LITTLE THING

40% Off everything. Code: THANKS40

URBAN OUTFITTERS

Buy 1 get 1 50% off

OFFICE

20% Off. Code: WONDER

LA REDOUTE

40% Off. Code: BLACKFRIDAY

SELFRIDGES

20% Off (10% off beauty). Code: SELFCCE

AVENUE 32

30% Off everything

SHOPBOP

25% Off. Code: STYLE20

LOOK FANTASTIC

18% Off everything. Code: RUSH

THE BODY SHOP

40% Off. Code: GREENBF116

Loewe 001 Perfume Review

Published by Sheree Milli

Ever since fashion wunderkind JW Anderson took the helm at Spanish leather house Loewe he’s transformed it to fusty heritage brand to the must-have label for those in the know. While I, sadly, can’t afford to buy any of his beautiful leather goods or clothing (well, if I plan on paying rent) I can indulge in a bit of beauty retail therapy.

001 is the new Loewe fragrance by Johnathon Anderson, it comes in two complimentary parts – the male and female – designed so that you can layer them together to create a third scent altogether.

Both perfumes feature zingy citrus notes, bergamot and warm musk. The women’s scent has the addition of notes of sweet vanilla, while the men’s version features amber. They’re both lovely, autumnal scents that are quite unusual but I opted for the men’s version because I love amber.

The bottle is a chic, angular glass affair with a wooden lid and the box features exclusive black and white still photography making either perfume a great addition to your dressing table.

Loewe 001 Man and 001 Woman are both available exclusively at Harrods

Athleisure is The Trend That Won’t Go Away

Published by Sheree Milli

Athleisure took hold of our collective consciousness a couple of years back when suddenly everyone was working out, into hashtag #fitness and the training gear that celebs wore to spin their butts off (literally) at SoulCycle started spilling onto the streets. It was soon picked up on the catwalks, Alexander Wang being the poster boy for this new trend, and then high streets the world over. Like most fashion trends many people thought this would be a flash in the pan, but we were all proven wrong. It’s still here.

So why this trend? Why is athleisure going from strength to strength? For me, I like to wear sports gear because it’s comfortable. When you lead a busy lifestyle comfort is key. It’s nice to be able to do a BOOM Cycle on a Sunday and then throw on a swear with my workout leggings and still look passable.

Plus, sportswear fabrication are often pretty technical and offer support and dry technology so that you actually look better in your gym gear than your mufti. A good gym kit makes you feel powerful and like you can really kick some ass. When I put on my sucky-in leggings and sports bra, I feel great.

To wear your workout clothes for real life the trick is to not choose wacky patterns and colours. Stick to classic black like Gigi and Kendal and mix with jersey fabrics and a cool bomber jacket.

Are you into athleisure?

This post is sponsored content

12 Amazing Gym Classes to Try in London

Published by Sheree Milli

I have a love/hate relationship with fitness… I basically hate working out, but I love the afterglow when all the endorphins are rushing around your body and you feel invincible. However, it is a struggle for me to get to a class, I fight against it all the time. So knowing that a class is going to be fun and the showers are better than my own at home helps motivate me. Here are 12 of the best in London.

Rumble, 1Rebel

45 minutes of punching the crap out of a punch bag, in the dark to a soundtrack of grime and hip hop. Lots of horrible burpees but very luxurious showers and changing rooms.

1 Rebel, Broadgate London

EMS, Excerceo training

The class where you get electrocuted while you work out. It doesn’t actually feel that bad, plus, you only have to work out for 25 minutes. Bonus.

Exerceo Training

TRX Yoga, Ethos

A mix of yoga and TRX that really works on strengthening your core, it’s pretty hard but yields great results. The juice bar here is phenomenal.

Ethos, Spitalfields

BLOK Core, Blok

This class will give you instant abs. I’m not kidding. You’ll be in agony for a few days but your stomach will rival Britney’s.

BLOK, Clapton

Velocity, Core Collective

A good all-over workout where you’ll push things, use ropes and do a lot of crawling. Millie Macintosh uses this gym.

Core Collective, Chelsea

Pound, The Refinery

Working out using weighted drumsticks. This will unleash your inner rock chick and tone those arms.

The Refinery, Homerton

Classic, Fierce Grace

A great hot yoga class that will have you feeling rejuvenated and is a good way to combat muscle soreness or tightness.

Fierce Grace, Various Locations

BLOK Fit, BLOK

Try if you think you’re hard enough.

BLOK, Clapton

Upper Body Reshape, 1 Rebel

A mix of treadmill sprints and lots of weighted work that will sculpt and shape those arms in record time. Not for the faint-hearted.

READ A FULL REVIEW HERE

Disco Barre, The Refinery

A seriously cool soundtrack of 70s and 80s disco and lots of ballet-inspired moves to lift that bum and shape your thighs.

The Refinery, Homerton

Seen on Screen Fitness

Dance workshops where you can learn routines to songs by Drake, Rihanna and Beyonce – you’ll work up a sweat but have so much fun you won’t notice.

SOS, Various Locations

Elements Yoga, Ethos

Quite possibly London’s classiest hot yoga studio – complete with water features and complementary ice-cold tea tree-infused towels to help you cool down post work out.

Ethos, Spitalfields

GET £30 OFF CLASS PASS BY CLICKING HERE!

Workout of The Month: Tribe Ride at Pure Ride

Published by Sheree Milli

Now that I’ve joined the amazing Classpass (check out my review here) – the workout subscription service or ‘Netflix for fitness’ as I like to call it – I check out an awful lot of new classes around London, so as my raison d’être is to share knowledge, or anything, with as many people as possible I thought I’d review, in-depth, a class each month to help you on your fitness journey.

This month it’s Tribe Ride at Pure Ride, a spin class with a difference…

Overview

I think Pure Ride is owned by the cheapo gym chain Pure Gym, not this is something that I could google but I don’t want to. The reason I think this is the name and that Sir Chris Hoy, the cyclist, is spokesman for both gyms. Anyway, there is no similarity between the gyms, Pure Ride (which is located in Moorgate, heart of The Square Mile, and yuppie central) is state of the art, gorgeous and new. They just do spin classes, hence the name.

The workout

I mean, it’s a spin class, there’s not much more I can say – as they’re all pretty similar. In my opinion this one is elevated by the excellent bikes which show your RPMs, cals burned and all that other useful stuff and they’re the comfiest spin bikes I’ve used. Also you’re given cleats at no charge to wear which really helps. The class combines cycling, dance moves and weights. The choreographed dance move s that you do with your arms are quite hard to pick up but they distract you from how much your legs hurt which is good.

The instructor

Sonia is the only teacher I’ve had so far and she’s a Spanish pocket rocket who is super high energy and motivational. It doesn’t hurt that her body is to die for, so that does inspire me to spin harder. She does come and check you’re hitting your RPMs so beware. Sonia is really helpful with setting up your bike and choosing weights and I really like her style of teaching.

The facilities

The gym is NEWWWWWWWWWWWWW, like everything is pristine, it is honestly the cleanest gym I have ever been in in my entire life. It’s also really spacious and pretty cool. There’s free towels in abundance, lots of water taps, and free lockers. Plus there’s hairdryers, straighteners, hairbands, deodorant and loads of beauty products. The showers are great and there are loads of them.

Points to note

If you don’t like spin class I would try this one, it makes it a little more interesting.
Each ride is £20 but you can get discounts for buying bundles. Or use Classpass like me to get 3 rides per month.
They do some really early morning rides – great if you want to fit one in before work.