Purity Belle Nature and Photography Blog: September 2016

Oysho Sportswear Review

by Cliona Kelliher - Saturday, September 17, 2016

First up, this isn't a sponsored post. I discovered the Oysho range whilst on holiday in Orihuela in Spain and I absolutely loved it. It was a bit more than I would normally spend on sportswear (although very reasonable for the quality) but as it was my birthday, it was the perfect present for me :)

I loved the colours and the feel of the fabric - the shop is based in the La Zenia shopping centre so I had a good look at all that was on offer. Oysho also do swimwear and lingerie but my main focus was the sportswear as it's a bit of an obsession of mine!

The style was what struck me first - and the bold colour combination. I find a lot of sportswear looks the same so I'm always on the lookout for something different. The blue and black and white combo is striking I think, and also very flattering.

The top and leggings felt super soft to the touch. They did lose this total softness after a couple of washes but both were so comfy when I put them on first!

The shape of the leggings is really flattering, the waistband is secure and comfortable and sits just on the tummy. The stripes add a dash of colour and the fabric is not too thin so has good structure and support.

The top also has stripes cleverly placed to flatter the shape - fabric in the top is thinner and super light. The shape is loose and free and I really like the blue straps which cross over at the back.

The true test, of course, was to actually wear them and so far I've worn this outfit to Zumba (super sweaty), running, and to my core stability class which combines yoga and pilates moves.

I found the top particularly great for Zumba as it's loose and doesn't stick to the skin when I get really hot. The leggings are perfect for everything really, they have good stretch so I'm not yanking them up when I'm doing floor exercises and they stay perfectly in place when running.

One flaw (and I minor one) is that I would prefer a slightly larger pocket - there is a small zip pocket at the back of the leggings but it's a bit of a squeeze trying to get my car keys in when I'm heading for a run.

I'm a size 12/14 so I selected a large which is just perfect for me - picture below gives an idea of what it looks like on. (Please excuse bad photo quality, I'm rubbish at mirror selfies!)

The top can be tucked in or left loose.

You can purchase the leggings here (at time of posting) for €29.99 - Tricolour Leggings

The top is available here (at time of posting) for €22.99 - Tricolour Sleeveless T-Shirt

What do I love about the Oysho Range?

Quality is key here - the fabrics are fantastic and long wearing.

Style - they are a little bit different and designed to flatter with stripes and colour blocks.

Value - although, as I said, they are a little bit more pricey than my normal sportswear, they are totally worth it. I will definitely be investing in some more.

Let me know if you have any stylish sportswear to recommend and check out my review of Lidl Sportswear for a cheaper alternative.

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The Positivity Trap, why being positive doesn't always work.

by Cliona Kelliher - Saturday, September 10, 2016

This is a topic I've wanted to write for some time but couldn't quite formulate what I needed to say or clarify the jumbled up thoughts in my head.
After watching yet another 'don't ever give up' video recently, I decided I'd finally try to put down what I believe about the subject because I really feel that it's a false and misleading message.
It's so prevalent at the moment. I'm sure you have all seen the positive memes, videos and sayings on social media, all giving the impression that all you have to do is try to lift your spirits and think positively.

Don't get me wrong, I think words of encouragement can sometimes help to focus your head or give that little message of support you might be needing at a particular moment in time.

The problem for me is that the implication that positive thinking is the answer to all your problems is simplistic, and worse, can make you feel like you are failing when you can't muster up enough good thoughts in a difficult situation.

Photo courtesy of canstockphoto.com

Unfortunately no amount of thinking can change actual stressful life events. If you are in debt, grieving, suffering from illness, these are things that are sometimes beyond your control and whilst dwelling on the negative won't help, neither will trying to find the positive. Because, honestly, being in a tough life situation is like being on a battleground with every inch gained a small success but the final goal a million miles away.

As for myself, I'm naturally disposed to try and make the best of things but after a series of events beginning with losing my Dad last year, my ability to stay strong and cheerful completely deserted me. I realised, recently, when things started to improve, that sometimes you need to relinquish and let go and accept that lack of control is just another part of life.

It wasn't an easy lesson to learn but I think it's an important one. And that letting go can manifest in many different ways, it can be a literal letting go of things or routines that we can't manage any more. It can be an emotional letting go of a sense of self that no longer seems quite true. And it can be a letting go of a belief that we control everything about our fate.

Which is why the 'think positive' message sounds a false note for me and is counterproductive if things are really bad. Frankly, looking at a picture of a glowing woman on a beach with an inspirational tagline attached can serve as a reminder of how helpless and uninspired we feel. It can have the opposite effect of the intended message and make us feel like we are not quite up to par because with can't ride the storm with sunshine and joy.

I found this interesting article on the topic and it refers to another important point that should be highlighted - masking our real feelings of helplessness doesn't always lead to better things.

'If you feel that the world completely sucks, then telling yourself to think positive isn’t dealing with your real feelings. You can't just put a happy mask on whenever you're feeling miserable and think that's going to solve all your problems.
You need to face your feelings and go through them.'

This ties in with my idea of letting go and accepting what is happening - an experience that won't be achieved by using glib phraseology to pretend that everything is wonderful when it really isn't.

I think the answer for me is hope, I always hope that things will get better and know that life is ever changing and moving forward.

And it's ok to be negative and feel sad or frustrated, accepting that it's how life is at a particular moment makes us human.

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Wedding Journal Show Giveaway

by Cliona Kelliher - Monday, September 05, 2016

*GIVEAWAY*

Purity Belle is teaming up with The Wedding Journal Show to give away two pairs of tickets to the Dublin show in the Citywest Convention Centre on the 24th & 25th September. For your chance to win a pair, answer the following question:

In what venue will The Wedding Journal Show take place in Dublin this September 2016?

Send your answers to puritybelle@gmail.com by Friday 17th September to enter.

The Wedding Journal Show is back!

The Wedding Journal Show returns to the Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th September with an action packed all-new show!

With over 300 of Ireland’s top wedding suppliers and businesses under one roof, this really is a wedding show not to be missed.

Couples will have the chance to Win a Honeymoon like a Celebrity at the show; a life-changing prize for anyone. The lucky winners will go on a once-in-a-lifetime luxury honeymoon to South Africa, taking in Cape Town, the Winelands and a wildlife safari, with business class flights from Ethiopian Airlines. Visitors to the show can enter this incredible competition for free, with the winner being revealed during the exciting live final on the main stage on Sunday.

Couples can celebrate their upcoming big day in style in the luxurious VIP Lounge where VIPs will be treated to a glass of bubby and a fabulous free Benefit goody bag.

The renowned International Bridal Catwalk will run three times daily featuring the very latest wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ gowns, occasion wear and grooms wear from world-renowned designers and manufactures. Collections are modelled by a team of professional dancers who really know how to put on a show.

Providing more fashion inspiration, the new Bridal Boulevard is a unique shopping area where brides-to-be can view, try on and buy wedding dresses. This stage will also host daily Benefit beauty masterclasses.

Wedding Journal Show visitors will also have the opportunity to talk to wedding industry experts about every aspect of their wedding day, from venues and stationery, to cakes and cars, that all-important honeymoon and a lot more besides.

At the Alternative Wedding Village couples will be introduced to some of Ireland’s most creative and quirky wedding suppliers. New for Autumn 2016, the Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Pavilion provides the perfect platform to plan that dream honeymoon or wedding abroad.

Opening times: Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September 12pm-6pm. Save 25% with online tickets at WeddingJournalOnline.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

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