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How To Make The Healthiest Apple Muffins

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You know the old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Well it turns out that this saying is very true. So what better way to start the day than by eating a delicious homemade apple muffin?

Apples have proven to give you whiter teeth, decrease your risk of diabetes, reduce cholesterol levels and boost your immune system. These muffins are incredibly moorish and have the added bonus of being good for your health. I’ve used whole-wheat flour in this recipe, which is high in fibre content, adding a wholesome grainy element to your muffins. Just one muffin can be filling enough for breakfast and a perfect energy booster for the day. Another ingredient used is oats, which as well as providing you with energy, contain beta-glucans, the type of fibre  that slows down the absorption of carbohydrates in your body. The result is the prevention of spikes in your blood sugar levels and keeping those unwanted food cravings at bay.

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This recipe is super easy. Literally all you have to do is place your ingredients into a bowl and mix. The batter can be stored in a sealed container in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. This means you can prepare the batter on the weekend and then simply bake them fresh during the week before you go to bed or are eating dinner. You place into muffin moulds, top with sliced apples (which are a decorative feature and therefore optional) and bake. You can eat them as they come out the oven! This makes it perfect for a generous smothering of butter – or maybe coconut butter. Besides for adding a delicious natural sweet flavour, the grated apple makes the muffins incredibly light and soft.

Enjoy!

Healthy Apple Muffins

Makes 14 large muffinsIMG_0669

Ingredients:

Muffins:

  • 2 cups whole-wheat flour
  • 2 cups oats
  • ½ plain flour
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 125ml vegetable oil
  • 500ml milk
  • 4 golden delicious apples

Topping (optional):

  • 1 apple
  • 3 tbs caster sugar

Method:IMG_0677

1.Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and prepare 14 muffin holders in a muffin tin. If you don’t have muffin holders (like me) you could easily use baking paper. Cut it into squares and then mould into the shape of your muffin tin holders.

Muffins:

1.With the skin left on, grate your apples.

2. Combine all of your muffin ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until everything is combined together.

Topping:

1.Slice your apple into as thin slices as possible.

Assembly:

1.Spoon two large tablespoonfuls of your muffin mix into each muffin holder. Top with three slices of apple, spread out in a fan shape. Continue until all of your batter has been used up. Sprinkle each muffin with a little caster sugar.

2. Place your muffins into the oven and leave to bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown in colour. Test if they are cooked ll the way through by pricking with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean, they are cooked. Remove from the oven and serve whilst warm.

Serve plain or with butter or honey.

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Happy Baking!

Ben

 Instagram @benorkin | Blog Pinterest

Snapchat: @benorks

The post How To Make The Healthiest Apple Muffins appeared first on Zanita Studio.


3 Things to Remind Yourself to Never Do

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919There are a few words we’re continually told in life by those who love and believe in us, but as is the case with most things in our frantic lives, we can easily lose sight of these meaningful, noteworthy extracts. Although they may sound cliché or mundane by now, I firmly believe in their relevance so here’s a great reminder of three things to never do in life:

Never give up.

If there is a will, there is a way. You know you’ve got a strong grip on something when it unconsciously crosses your mind so often that it basically seems too late to return to the state when you were without it. If it sticks to you this much, don’t just let it go – you’ve got to fight for it. (And this applies to people too…if there’s someone you feel that strongly about, don’t quit on them.) The hardest part about fighting for what you want is keeping up with the momentum and not giving in even the going gets tough. But if you really have a strong sense of who you are, what you want, and what you believe in, that’s all you need because that’s truly where the beauty of never giving up lies. When everyone thinks you’re crazy and has no clue what you are doing, you need to be sure enough of yourself to know that everything will turn out quite alright in the end as long as you put forth the effort and you don’t give up.

Never lose hope.

You will start to wonder if the fight is worthwhile especially when the gusto gets lost in the tide, every reason you’ve ever fought for feels swept away, and nothing is what is seems to be. If you ever find yourself in this obscurity, you’ll also probably start to feel like you no longer belong in your own dreams. But don’t be like this – don’t lose hope – promise yourself, your soul, and always believe. The ironic thing about life is that what we hope and wish for most tends to occur at the most inopportune times. Therefore, always delve within yourself and try to find even the slightest light in the deepest parts of your heart and soul to keep the fuel going – the reason to keep treading.

Never stop trying.

The first two points are both related to having a strong emotional state of mind, but taking action on your desires, goals, and dreams is equally important. Luckily, it’s also the easy part if you have the former two. There is only one route to become better and that is to keep trying regardless of what roadblocks you stumble upon. All I can think about when I first started blogging 3 years ago was that I always felt like I was talking to myself, no one was reading nor cared, and I was just wasting hours away working on something that would never be seen. Little did I know, all those efforts that seemed so worthless then was essentially helping me develop and refine my voice, which ultimately led me here today. There were times I just wanted to stop because I wasn’t getting anywhere with it, but something strong and innate definitely kept me taut and I just kept writing because I couldn’t get it off my mind. It just goes to show you that you should never stop trying even if the initial results aren’t what you expect.

I know it sounds like we’re going in a circle here but anyway, always always remember these three things –

never give up, never lose hope, and never stop trying.

XO,

– Susan

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin

Image Source Credits – Studded Hearts, Man Repeller

The post 3 Things to Remind Yourself to Never Do appeared first on Zanita Studio.

AERIAL LOVE

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Finally an editorial! Snapped by yours truly and styled by our girl Sania atop the incredible Grand Hyatt in New York City. Keeping it easy with modern classics.

Our model Samira, quite the bombshell, a German/Moroccan free spirit and an absolutely delight to photograph. Though I have a couple crazy fashion weeks ahead of me, I’m going to endeavour to shoot more and more of these editorials – with an aim to feature at least one a fortnight. This is my true passion! It’s the coolest thing, being able to share it with you all after all this time.

So in other news, we have a new format and feature coming to the site very soon! I’m sure you’re going to like these changes, especially when it comes to presenting imagery like the ones pictured here.

Look 1 & 5 – CH for Carolina Herrera boots and coat, Jimmy Choo bag

Look 2 & 3 – And Other Stories earrings, Gina Tricot shirt, models own leather pants

Look 4 – Hillier Barton bag, Greta Trousers, Gina Tricot blouse

Look 6 & 7 – Monki top, Karen Walker jeans, And Other Stories earrings

Photography, Zanita Whittington

Styling, Sania Claus Demina

Model, Samira @ Wilhelmina Models

Assistant, Rebecca Speiser

See our previous Editorial work, HERE

Shop The Editorial…

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12 Affordable Gorgeous Coats To Invest In This Fall

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It’s already mid September and so the yearly coat hunt has officially begun! 

Time to really put summer behind and be ready for fall. I personally LOVE coats and do have a pretty good collection of cool pieces. They’re hiding in my moms apartment at the moment though so the first thing I’ll have to do when coming back to Stockholm from New York is to go pick them up. Looking forward to adding a few though so I scrolled through the internet and found some really awesome goodies! Here are… 

12 Affordable Gorgeous Coats To Invest In This Fall: 

The post 12 Affordable Gorgeous Coats To Invest In This Fall appeared first on Zanita Studio.

MFxZanita – The Perfect Dress

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2A5A9990Hello from shiny, sunny London!

I’m just excited to be keeping abreast of the situation at this point. As I get older, I don’t cope so easily with lack of sleep (or nightlife for that matter) and being alert and productive is paramount to my FW success. So Fashion Week is really the time to be driven – of course there’s buckets of fabulousness to go around – but it’s so important to be switched on. It’s like a huge forum for networking and you can be hot one season and forgotten the next. Fashion Week is a huge financial investment and you gotta really dig your heels in to make the best of it, it’s challenging when everyone around you is also doing their best to make a mark.

I happy to do it my own way though, working hard and doing what I love, snapping pics and sharing it with all of you. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you need to live up to another person’s standard, to be THAT cool girl wearing the latest and hottest pieces. While I’m lucky to have some pretty amazing fashion at my disposal, I really just want to wear what I love, what makes me feel comfortable – and wearing outfits that are really fun! So I’m doing it!

Hopefully my content will get better for all of this. Promise me you’ll give me a holler if I ever seem out of touch!

And now back to this outfit – I love the easy style of Preen By Thornton Bregazzi dresses, loads of colour, plenty of options with sleeves, flowing and flipping around my knees, sexy details, fun and spirited. I could fill my whole wardrobe with them! A firm favourite.

I snapped loads of my outfits in NYC and I’ve still got them to share, so expect way too many posts coming from me over the coming weeks.  Look forward to hearing your thoughts!

dress, Preen By Thornton Bregazzi

bag, Mark Cross

boots, CH for Carolina Herrera

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Shop the Look at Matches Fashion…

The post MFxZanita – The Perfect Dress appeared first on Zanita Studio.

The Happiest Dress at NYFW

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In case you haven’t been introduced to Marimekko, here’s a (quite loud) introduction.

The Finland based brand is know for it’s original prints and colours, born out of a post WWII era with a mind to make people smile with vibrant hues and design. Most excitingly, they have newly appointed Anna Teurnall who came over from And Other Stories as their Creative Director and the new collection is chicer than ever.

I wore this dress to attend shows at NYFW and it was one of my favourite looks, for it’s ease of wear and that print, it really felt like a celebration! I love the way the fabric moved also, whipping around my body – making it incredibly fun to photograph.

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Thanks so much to Marimekko for sending me this fabulous dress! Comfortably one of my most favourite and memorable looks from NYFW.

dress, Marimekko

bag, Hillier Bartley

shoes, Nike

sunglasses, Celine

Photography, Rebecca Speiser

Editing and Art Direction, Zanita Whittington

The post The Happiest Dress at NYFW appeared first on Zanita Studio.

Here’s EXACTLY what makes Brit style so great: Topshop Unique SS16

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Topshop Unique brings us a pared down glamour for their latest SS16 collection – time to throw on some lace and a boyfriend blazer and head for cocktails!

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IKate and Zanitat’s a definitive mix of luxury and effortlessness, romance and rock’n’roll.  For me, the 80’s were the hey-day of British style and yesterday’s Topshop Unique show really heralded that moment.

Speaking to Topshop’s creative director Kate Phelan (left) backstage of how the 80’s ‘Brit Girl’ was a consistent inspiration, “I love digging into British culture and heritage – it’s a never-ending Pandora’s box of ideas.”  There was a scene of an incredible editorial shoot running through my head, snapped in a retro recording studio or green room – models draped over instruments, drinking cocktails, decked head to toe in the runway looks.

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Wearing Unique AW15 Dress

This season the Topshop Unique girl seemed quite the rebellious beauty, throwing on lace dress, belted with her boyfriend’s blazer and heading out, the sort to never miss a social engagement. “She’s taking a tea dress from her Aunty’s wardrobe and slashing it up to the thigh, she’ll take her Grandmother’s marabou jacket and wear it with her jeans.”  explained Phelan of Unique’s new vibe. “We’re also looking towards Savile Row, an established institution in tailoring – alongside prints from Wedgewood china.”  

So heritage is answer for Unique SS16, a collection dedicated to the free spirited and social, London girl of the 80’s.

topshop-unique-5Next were the was the questions I had been dying to ask Kate – what does it take to be creative director of one of the world’s most innovative brands? Where do we even start?

“You need to consume and enjoy fashion, it’s an amazing and interesting industry to be a part of – but there’s a health warning attached to that – you’ve got to be ready to do really hard work. You can’t just take a camera and think you can just Instagram what’s happening, it’s about really getting involved, doing something important, moving the industry forward and really celebrating everything that’s so fantastic about fashion.” 

And Phelan should know, having helmed Vogue UK as it’s co-creative director (with Lucinda Chambers) for 18 years before signing on as creative director for Topshop, she’s really been at the forefront of shaping Britain’s style identity. I could have stolen her for an entire afternoon, it would be such a rich experience to pick her brain and learn so much more about her style and business philosophies. Tipping my hat to Kate for a rich and spirited collection, it was such a delight to be a part of the Unique experience this season – looking forward to getting those pieces in my wardrobe for the pending spring/summer!

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Extra Extra!

I also have some fun news for Melbourne based Aussies, my girl Kate Waterhouse (and fellow Fashion Bloggers alumni) is hosting a Styling Session at Topshop Emporium on the 29th of September. Get down there and find the best digs! RSVP is essential so please email rsvp@tstm.com.au so you don’t miss your place. xx

Photography, Gustav Carlson

Editing, Zanita Whittington

Special Thanks to Topshop Australia for making this possible! Stay tuned for our video coming tomorrow.

The post Here’s EXACTLY what makes Brit style so great: Topshop Unique SS16 appeared first on Zanita Studio.

How To Start Living A Happier Life Today

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Everyone wants to be happier and while there’s no secret formula to achieving a happy life, we can definitely take mental notes of where we currently are on that scale and adjust in the areas we need to be happier than we were yesterday. Here’s how you can start:

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Do everything with a purpose.

What makes you happy – family, success, friendship, inner peace, money? Figure out what happiness looks like to you and then surround your life activities and the people in it around precisely that. The outcome of everything you do won’t always turn out as planned and not every activity you undergo will be enjoyable, but as long as you know that there is or was a reason for doing it, then I can assure you there was a purpose.

Whatever you do and whatever decisions you make, I hope it manifests the dreams you hold within.

Slow down.

We’re all so busy working hard to climb a ladder of some sort and getting ahead in life, trying to make more money, and nurturing our families, we hardly even have time to breathe. Too often do we just go through the motion of life without much giving thought or assessment to where we currently are. Bad idea. Don’t forget the importance of staying alive and present. Stop and smell the roses – take on each moment and enjoy what you’ve got going on, but then also re-assess, make a change, and move on. Self-evaluation is so important to ensure that what you’re currently doing still aligns with your desires, which can change often. And although I’m an avid supporter of enjoying life and living in the moment, it probably isn’t a good idea to live all the days of your life this way. You should still prepare for the future, set goals, and look forward.

Accept where you are & cease comparison.

Everyone has their own path in the world – what works for someone may not work for you because all of our circumstances are different from the way we’re born to how we currently live. But regardless of what that may look like, you too have your own purpose so stop comparing yourself to everyone around you and most importantly, stop thinking you’re not good enough.

Your ideal situation may not come as fast as you’d like it to and in other aspects, might even take a little longer, but if you don’t already know, you’ll learn that your struggles make you exactly who you are especially when you can connect the dots backwards. Life isn’t a race so embrace where you’re at, stop looking at what everyone else around you is doing, and focus on what you need.

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Let go of the things that no longer matter.

Out of comfort and security, we have a natural penchant for staying where we are even if it’s not the best thing for us – unhealthy relationships, old friends that never change, and jobs that we hate. You usually know if someone or something is no longer a good fit for you, but as humans, we tend to cling on to them. What are you expected to do if that’s all you’ve ever known? Just learn to let them go. It’s always scary at first, everyone has that fear, and you should always do something that scares you at least a little; otherwise, you’ll never have the strength to live purposeful life.

Getting rid of people we love, but are no longer right for us, sucks. It can hurt like hell, but believe that every single heartbreak was meant to be. People are there to teach us lessons – make us happy, support us, and help us grow emotionally and mentally. When that purpose has been fulfilled, it’s their time to leave.

They can break us down completely and leave us so hopeless that we’re forced to nothing else but change. And although it’s basically impossible to understand and see good during these times, it’s so grand and necessary for us. Be thankful.

Another thing we can get so caught up on is our past – the things that went wrong, the bad choices we made, and the wonderful what-ifs, could haves, and would haves. But if it should have, it would have and clearly, it wasn’t so let it go, forgive yourself, and be proud of where you are and how far you’ve come.

XO,

– Susan

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin

Image Source Credits – Hawaiian Coconut, They All Hate Us

The post How To Start Living A Happier Life Today appeared first on Zanita Studio.


15 Questions with Nike’s Master Trainer: Kirsty Godso

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Meet Kirsty Godso, one of Nike’s Master Trainers from Auckland, New Zealand. Kirsty knows a thing or two about getting up and moving and how best to do it.

Her inspiring belief:

     ‘If you’re not having fun while exercising you’re not doing it right.’

It makes her the perfect person to get you motivated to start moving which gives you more energy for the fun stuff. I spoke to Kirsty about being a Nike Master Trainer, how she spends her time away from the gym and life in general.


Morning routines can set the mood for the day, what does your morning routine look like?

If I’m not training people first thing in the morning then I’m straight into a healthy breakfast at home of eggs, avocado and black coffee! Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day so I always spring out of bed excited for it.

…what does the rest of your day typically look like?

My days can vary quite a lot but typically it will always involve the following:

  • 2-3 workouts
  • 2 coffees
  • A LOT of food
  • A lot of laughing
  • 3 sneaker selfies
  • 4 wardrobe changes
  • Hip Hop music – always, especially when I’m planning workouts
  • Too many emails
  • Chill time with my boyfriend, flat mate and cat at night :)

NikeTechPack_Kirsty__MG_3729 1080x1080What famous quote do you live by?

This might sound a little corny but it’s definitely got to be ‘JUST DO IT’. I feel like people are permanently talking about things they want to do but making excuses as to why they can’t or aren’t following their dreams or trying new things etc. I think if we all adopted the JUST DO IT attitude a bit more and backed ourselves there’d be less talk, more action and more happiness.

 Judging from your Instagram you keep very busy, do you have a certain way to organise your day?

I will always plan my day around my workouts, always! I’ll look at when I am taking others through workouts and then schedule in when I can do my own workout on top of that. Food is the next most important thing. I demand a lot from my body, so it is really important that I make time to eat and eat well. I prefer to make my meals at home, but I have a few favourite spots in Auckland where I can get a good healthy breakfast or lunch that will fuel me for the next part of my day.

Being a Nike Master Trainer trainer looks pretty damn awesome, what do you love most about being a Nike Master Trainer?

It really is a dream :) If I had to narrow it down to a few things I would say it would be the sportswear, the sweat and the smiles. There’s nothing better than doing what you love with incredible people and wearing clothing that not only makes you feel your best but perform at your best. Being able to wake up every day and be excited about work and feel motivated to be your best is a real blessing.

You live an amazing lifestyle, what’s your favourite part of the life you live?

Definitely the workouts! All the shoes and sportswear is definitely a close second but I live to move and can’t imagine living my life any other way. I am so lucky that my job has me traveling the world working with amazing women everywhere doing what I love the most.

If you could only pick one type of exercise for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Functional training because this is training your body in the way it needs to move in everyday life. I’m personally a big fan of very intense training such as HIIT and strength conditioning workouts but you can only do these workouts 2-3 times a week max and they’re not sustainable forever.

NikeTechPack_Kirsty__MG_2895 1080x1080A lot of people are talking about the importance of sleep, tell me your opinion on how much you need/why?

Sleep is definitely incredibly important, especially when you are adding extra training to your weekly schedule. It gives the body an opportunity to rest and recharge so you can take on the next day in full force. Different things can affect how well we sleep such as stress, nutrition and breathing so it helps if you can try to wind down your mind and start to switch off about 40 minutes before bed. I’m not a great sleeper personally – I have a habit of waking up at 2am every day much too excited about my first training session of the day, so I’m always working away at mastering a perfect sleep of 7-8 hours. Be careful of the opposite problem of over sleeping – this can actually make you more sluggish during the day.

When you’re feeling lazy or tired but really need to smash a workout, what’s your go to remedy?

Usually I have no trouble getting myself to a workout, but sometimes when I’m jet lagged or have been really busy training other people I need a little extra motivation. On these days I will try and train with a friend, or I will opt for something like a game of basketball which is fun and works up a great sweat!

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Everyone likes to indulge now and then, what’s your go to treat?

Definitely raw cheesecake! There is this amazing raw cafe called The Raw Kitchen near my house that makes the best raw cakes so you can satisfy that craving without all the nasty sugars.

You obviously travel a lot, and have been lucky enough to travel the world as a Nike Master Trainer. Where is your favourite place you have been so far and why do you love it?

That is a really tough question!! This year I have been fortunate enough to go to SO many incredible places. Mexico City at the start of the year was probably my favourite trip because it was so special. I filmed my first workout for the Nike+ Training Club App there and shot my first global campaign for Nike Women. It was also a huge bonding experience for me and the five other Nike Master Trainers who were in the shoot. They have become some of my dearest and most inspirational friends. We’re more than a team, they feel like my sisters. 

NikeTechPack_Kirsty__MG_2936 1080x1080Keeping motivated for a lot of people is hard, music is a great way to inspire and motivate people what are you three go to songs that get you going overtime without fail?

Kanye can sweet talk me through any workout! I’m a hip hop girl through and through. Whether its old school hip hop or something a little newer, a heavy beat and some slick lyrics will always keep me going. Three of my favourite tracks are:

Gotta Have It by Kanye West and Jay Z

Got Your Money by Ol’ Dirty Bastard

Gossip Folks by Missy Elliott

A lot of people believe they do not have enough time in the day to fit in exercising; do you have any tips into incorporating exercise into their everyday life?

Commitment is a choice. Sometimes we need to look at our busy schedules with more opportunistic eyes and see windows of time where we could fit in some exercise. You don’t need an hour to workout, sometimes you might only have 15 minutes but if you can really focus on your workout for that 15 minutes it’s still better than nothing! The Nike+ Training Club App has over 100 workouts ranging anywhere from 5-45 minutes in duration, so you don’t even need to go to the gym to get a good workout in. You can smash out some yoga, barre, high-intensity training or functional training in your office, home, local park and so on! Sometimes there are days where working out is just not an option at all so my best advice on those days is to not stress yourself out about it and focus on what you can do the next day.

What are your top 3 tips for getting your fun and healthy lifestyle started and keeping it on track?

  1. Be in it for more than the aesthetics. If you can fall in love with the way you feel rather than how you look when you work out you’re much more likely to stick to it! The looking good part will come as a bonus anyway.
  2. Workout with friends. This is not only a great way to catch up with people when you’ve all got busy schedules but it will also make you more likely to commit the workouts. Also, there’s nothing like a little friendly competition to make you work a little harder.NikeTechPack_Kirsty__MG_3886 1080x1080
  3. Find workouts that you enjoy doing. Fitness should be fun, if you hate every second of what you’re doing you’re probably not going to commit to it. This doesn’t mean avoid all the hard stuff, but if you can mentally come to terms with the fact that (for example) 60% of your training is a style you really enjoy and 40% of it is really challenging, but you know you’ll be better for it by pushing through then you’ll be on a fast track to establishing a good routine. I always recommend finding a training schedule that incorporates a good mix of training styles. This keeps you from getting bored and keeps your muscles guessing and the results rolling in.

What’s the most valuable thing you have learnt in your career?

Run your own race. Don’t get distracted by jealousy or comparison. We are all incredibly different and that is one of the beautiful things in life. Focus on yourself and your own goals and you will go so much further!

 Thanks so much Kirsty for giving us an insight, we can all learn more conversing with women of ambition!

Follow Kirsty on Instagram

 

Article by Mon – M.B Harper

Get the Nike Tech Fleece Cape Here 

 

The post 15 Questions with Nike’s Master Trainer: Kirsty Godso appeared first on Zanita Studio.

The Insider Experience – Topshop Unique Runway SS16

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Come along for the Unique ride…

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Can you spy Bella Thorne among the crowd??

This is perhaps one of my favourite videos to date, you’re invited with me backstage and front row at the Topshop Unique show London Fashion Week. How great is my dress?? It’s from last season’s Unique collection, felt so special to be able to wear it. I also had the chance to chat to Creative Director Kate Phelan about her inspiration, how she keeps her ideas fresh and her advice for someone starting out in the industry – and you can see all about that in my previous post.

So grateful to have had this 360 experience of the Unique show, one of my favourites of the season – not only because the clothes are ultra covetable and cool – but because I know I can afford them once they land on the shelves in the coming months.

Video and Photography, Gustav Carlson

Photo Editing, Zanita Whittington

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Extra Extra!

In case you missed it I also have some fun news for Melbourne based Aussies, my girl Kate Waterhouse (and fellow Fashion Bloggers alumni) is hosting a Styling Session at Topshop Emporium on the 29th of September. Get down there and find the best digs! RSVP is essential so please email rsvp@tstm.com.au so you don’t miss your place. xx

 

The post The Insider Experience – Topshop Unique Runway SS16 appeared first on Zanita Studio.

MFxZanita – Ladylike in London

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My look for Day 2 of London Fashion Week…

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Dressing like a real lady is a little out of character for me – but for me – personal style is totally instinctual. I tend to combine a whole load of  influences and references I’ve picked up as I travel through life, from movies, magazines, people. So sometimes I will be feeling like a lady and I’m going to rock that floral pencil skirt – ESPECIALLY if it’s from Erdem and I’ve had the great fortune of being invited to the show at LFW.

The show itself was quite moody and dark so unfortunately I couldn’t really score great pictures to share with you but it was one of the most romantic runway presentations I’ve seen, totally captivating in it’s style. Check out the British Fashion Council’s video of the show below… wish it had the same opening sequence and the soundtrack!

top, See by Chloe

skirt, Erdem

shoes, Chloe

clutch, Christopher Kane

So many more outfits to come! Look forward to sharing them all with you.

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Shop the Look at Matches….

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Become A Better Friend

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Life is for sure a precious thing, full of surprises both good and bad. And for that reason, good friends are an absolute necessity to facilitate us through the bad. While we essentially feel like clairvoyants when things are cool and calm, we can quickly transform into a disastrous mess when in dismay. Since we know this so well and will experience it at one point or another, we should strive the be the best friend we can be to those we hold dear to our hearts and are in dire need of a good friend. Do you need to be a better friend today? If so, here are your top priorities:

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Be Loyal.

Regardless of how often you talk to or see a person, if your friendship is real, you’ll be able to pick back up where you left off. They should always be able to rely on you and you should be readily available. It’s better to be nonexistent than a pretense so if you really don’t plan on being there for someone, don’t say you will. And if you’re really there, don’t share their secrets or problems with anyone else and most importantly, don’t lie. Always, always follow through especially in difficult times; otherwise, you’ll just leave them feeling even more alone.

Don’t Judge.

It’s easy to look at someone and assume their decisions or actions are irrational, but we’ve all been there. We tend to make bad choices when we’re emotionally shot down and hopeless. If you truly want to be a good friend, this isn’t the time to force your own values and opinions on the person who needs you most. Attempt to see things from their perspective without judging them.

Listen.

Sometimes, a person who is hurt or confused simply needs to express their feelings – they’re really just venting and want an ear to hear them out. No talking, no opinions, no negativity. Just show genuine interest and be wholly there.

Be sympathetic, but honest.

The truth can hurt, but if you really care about someone, they need to hear it. At the same time, you should genuinely put yourself in their shoes – validate their emotions, try connecting with what they are saying and going through, and then share what you know from your own experiences. During times like this, nothing means more than someone who can relate and share an authentic opinion.

Be an outlet.

A true friend wants to make you feel special and tries his/her best to cheer you up when you’re at your worst. So if you really find value in someone, you easily recognize when they’re hurt, torn apart, and broken down – that’s your time to be an outlet for them. Buy some wine, make a home-cooked meal, or take them out. The important thing is that

You’re a positive person who reinforces the good and partakes in activities that can help ease the pain. You might be the only person who can drive them forward.

XO,

– Susan

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin

Image Source Credits – Elle, John Schell

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Ralph Lauren SS16 – Because Real Style Lasts Forever

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I first developed my obsession with the Fashion Industry when I was a little kid, around the beginning of the 90’s. I loved everything about it – the models, the clothes, the editorials. I would steal magazines like Elle and Bazaar from my Mum’s friends (my Mum didn’t read them) pore over the images and try to remember all the names. Till this day, 80/90s photography greats Bruce Weber and Peter Lindbergh are the men who taught me (indirectly) how to capture beauty and in a photograph (should also mention that these two gentleman are still great!). It’s also the runway shows of the 80’s/90’s that enthralled me, the effortless but astounding beauty and the laid back glamour of the ‘All-American’ girl.

And then there’s Ralph Lauren.

Iconic is the word that comes immediately to mind and it was a delight to see this beautiful new/classic collection in motion. My dream would be to bundle up the whole lot and steal it away to shoot on the French Riviera… with Claudia Schiffer to model it for me! Or maybe Robyn Lawley!  Something along the lines of THIS editorial. Can you picture it?

Two pieces I’d love in my wardrobe – the multicoloured trench, which I adore  – and then the leather lace up hoodie which is basically the definition of laid-back luxury.

I hope you like my imagery of the Ralph Lauren SS16 NYFW – and of course, our new logo which I really represents our little team. So proud!

Photography and Editing, Zanita Whittington

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Make A Case For Khaki

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Zanita Set 4

An exciting development!

I’ve felt like the current layout hasn’t really done true justice to editorial imagery – especially anything in portrait style which is either too big or too much or just a bit awkward. Now we have a new feature where we can create a scrolling feature to see the images, which I think is so much better to get an overall view of an image series, especially if there’s quite a few. Hope you like it! Will be great when I shoot an editorial with more landscape imagery.

Anywho – we snapped these pictures awhile ago, working with German label SET, creating this little editorial for Stylight magazine. I’m really impressed by the quality of these pieces – the merino knit is gorgeous – but my favourites are the two tencel khaki pieces, the drop-crotch cargo chinos and the trench. Do you guys remember tencel jeans? I recall them being huge in the 90’s and my mum owning about 10 pairs in all different colours (even fluoro yellow!). It’s an incredibly soft fabric and if I ever start my own label, everything is going to be made out of Tencel. This trench is my life, so warm. I’m ready for winter!

All Clothing, SET

Look 1 trench coat – black trousers – grey long sleeve tee 

Look 2 striped merino knitkhaki cargo chinos

Shop the Post…

 

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8 Easy Tricks That Instantly Will Make Your Outfit Look Expensive

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This is all you’ll ever need to know about how to make your outfits look expensive!

One of my favourite things to do when it comes to styling is to make cheap clothes look expensive. It happens very often that people think I’m wearing designer stuff when actually its all very much budget. Styling is key and there are tricks I keep applying when I try to make high street appear as high end. I am very excited about sharing this list with you as its very easy things you just need to have in mind! Really hope you’ll enjoy it and please share any other tricks you might have!!

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1. Steaming / Pressing / Ironing

It’s absolutely crazy how much a piece of clothing can change by just having it ironed/steamed/pressed! Wrinkles make anything expensive look cheap and having cheap stuff pressed instantly looks way more luxurious than it might be. A steamer is usually an easy and cheap investment that will change your closet forever. If you have the privilege of living somewhere where it doesn’t cost you a fortune to have it pressed, do it! And whatever you find in a store that is rumpled, just leave it there. Don’t, I repeat, don’t bring it home. 

2. Take Care Of Your Things

Just as making sure things are well steamed is important, taking care of your stuff in general is. I rather go spend money on sending in a bunch of boots and pumps to the shoe maker than get new footwear. It’s also a very environmentally friendly action, important!! Worn out heels don’t look sexy, just go get them changed, takes no time and usually will cost you close to nothing. You’ll be surprised about how new they seem. Best part? They don’t feel new = no sore feet. Awesome!! Also, make sure you have your leather polished, suede brushed and whatever you wear got to be clean. Stains can really ruin your look. If a button falls off, get it back on, ASAP.

3. Always Have A Lint Roller Nearby

Your lint rollers are just as important as your lip balm. You gotta have them laying around here and there. I always carry a mini version in my handbag. Fluffy things like to get stuck on coats, trousers etc and it can really ruin your look.

4. Make Sure Your Clothes Fit You

A blazer that doesn’t fit well might look like a cheap thing you found on the forgotten sales rack, no matter where its from. Same goes for outerwear, trousers and so on. If you get a pair of trousers and they’re too long, fix it. If you have a blazer that has too short arms, roll upp the sleeves. If isn’t perfect around your waist, get a cool belt. There are plenty of tricks to make sure your stuff fits you, or at least seem to. Don’t wear anything too small, its like a shortcut to looking cheap…

5. Stay Fresh

Really, if you got your manicure and pedicure done, your look will easily have a more expensive vibe. Take a shower, wash your hair and style it a bit. Wash off your make up every night and so on. All those beauty related things that keeps you fresh will help you on your mission of looking like a million bucks. Take the time (doesn’t have to be much at all). It’s worth it!

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This whole look is made of clothes from a high street
brand and many of my friends were surprised
by the fact that this skirt costs less than 40 euros, the bag
was less than 20 euros, the jumper also under 40 euros.
A thing I didn’t add to the list but that is worth mentioning
is that sometimes a monochrome look will also have
an expensive looking effect. You’ll find the full look
with credits here.

6. Timeless Pieces

A trenchcoat, black blazer, little black dress or black pumps are just a few of those classics you most definitely will look expensive wearing no matter the price tag. As long as you follow the rest of this list, you’re all set.

7. Change Up The Details

Looking expensive is a lot about knowing what looks cheap – and avoid it. And very often it’s about spotting the details. Changing the buttons on a blazer or coat for example, will make a HUGE difference. I have a coat that cost me about 50 bucks and the moment I changed the buttons on it everyone keep asking me what designer I got it from. Also, removing excessive hardware might help a lot. Recently got myself a pair of lace hipsters at a high street shop. They had this little bling thing on the bow at the front which made them look tacky cheap so I cut it off and now can walk around pretending I got some Stella McCartney undies on. Win!

8. Invest In Great Accessories

It doesn’t have to be designer stuff (it helps though and is totally worth it) but great accessories can work wonders when it comes to styling yourself. I got myself a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps many years ago and I swear they could even make my pyjama look like couture. If you’re on a tight budget, just keep your eyes open during sale periods or search on outlets. Or stay tuned for for all great shoppingtips that constantly pop up here on Zanita Studio.

 

Really hope you liked this list and please share your own thoughts and ideas in the comment section below!

Sania Claus Demina

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MFxZanita – The Gucci Girl

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2A5A1797Fashion dreams come true, wearing Gucci in Milan.

Right now I might be a little confused about what day it is – but I do know that this outfit makes me feel like I could conquer anything.

I wore this look for events and other adventures on my second day here in Milan (for more of that, follow my Snapchat Story – MATCHES.FASHION) and I gotta say, this city has really delivered.

Not to play favourites… but it’s actually the best. #sorrynotsorry

So many great places to eat and to shoot, beautiful light, great weather. My schedule isn’t quite as stressful and I’ve been able to walk to meetings… and I went to Versace!! Can’t wait to get more of that content down on the site – but right now I’m running out the door for my fitting at Missoni. Come along with me on snapchat!!

 

Viva Milano!!

 

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Shop the Look with Matches…

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Shopping Tips: This Week’s Best Fall Fashion Bargains

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Here are 9 awesome bargains that will transform your fall wardrobe. Your wallet will barely notice!

I just got home to Stockholm from an exciting trip to Copenhagen and while Zanita is still racing between shows, shoots, meetings and fittings I’ve been having the chance to browse around the internet for some fall goodies to share with you.

Since there is so many fun trends going on, it’s great to find budget pieces that then can be styled to looking like any designer piece. If you haven’t read the article about how to make your outfit appear expensive, you can check here

Some trends I’ve been eyeing are:

  • Striped long sleeve knitted dresses. Preferably colourful. I was wearing one in New York and now found the piece of perfection below. Dying over it!! As soon as I finish this post I need to make an order ♥
  • Cognac-coloured anything. Bags, shoes (preferably suede) ! You name it. Loving these platforms and the very perfect every day tote. These three actually all make a great outfit together.

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1. Colourful knitted striped dress  $72 
2. Platform sandals  $45 
3. Perfect every day tote  $43 

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  • Denim, denim and denim. Just can’t get enough of it right now. Loving this crazy cute playsuit! Plus points for the big pockets. I would wear it with a white or light blue shirt underneath, add some minimalistic golden jewellery and then top it off with sneakers.
  • Does that model’s amazing hair come with the outfit? Gorgeous!!! Anywho, this mustard-yellow jumper would also look cool with a white or light blue shirt underneath.

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4. Denim playsuit  $58 
5. Mustard-Yellow sweater  $54

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  • Oh and shoooes, I always shop shoes in periods. Sometimes I don’t get any at all and then suddenly I’m finding myself shopping a bunch of pairs within pretty short periods of time. These four are all must haves this fall. You could get them all and it would still cost less than half of one pair of designer shoes. Cray! But fine, if you only get to pick one pair, which ones would you choose? I think I’d go for the boots, since it already got really cold over here… would love to hear your thoughts below!! ♥ 

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6. Velvet (!!) Sneakers  $40
7. Black booties  $61
8. Patent slipper shoes  $33
9. Cut out lace up heels  $54

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That’s all for this week, check back in soon for more. And please let me know if there is anything in particular you’d like me to make a shoppingtips on. I’m here to make it easier for you guys!

Happy Shopping ♥

Sania Claus Demina

The post Shopping Tips: This Week’s Best Fall Fashion Bargains appeared first on Zanita Studio.

How To Start A Side Hustle

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What do you do when you haven’t quite landed your dream job? Most of us occupy ourselves with good company or invest our free time in a particular hobby. If you’re doing the latter, guess what – it may be a great opportunity for you to start making some money. And if you’re not quite there yet, now’s the time to start. You’d be surprised at the things people are willing to pay for. Here’s how:

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1. Find a hobby you excel at.

By now, I’m sure you have a pretty strong idea of what you’re good at and what you have no business doing. Think about it – do you have a knack for making crafty little things? Are you outstanding at a particular task your friends and family always ask you to do for free? Some of the most popular categories nowadays are makeup artistry, home baking, graphic/web design, and photography – but you can probably guess that there is also an abundance of talent overflowing these classifications. So how do you stand out?

Figure out what the majority is doing and then take off in a completely different direction.

For example:

In Makeup Artistry, everyone is digging that super contoured and highlighted Kim K look so there’s become an enormous pool of artists to choose from. But not everyone wants to look like a Kardashian, so why don’t you offer a different style of makeup, perhaps a “look like yourself but better” – whatever that may be.

In Digital Photography, the film-esque vibe has been huge deal over the years and lately, there seems to be an increasing popularity in de-saturated images. You could be focusing on clean, minimalistic colors or perfect your people-directing skills so your clients don’t look “posed”.

Key takeaway: Find a hobby and then specialize! What makes you different and worthy?

2. Refine and refine.

The market is saturated in almost everything you can possibly think of and we always hear people talk about shaking things up in an existing industry or offering something novel that’s never been done before. The thing is, unless you’re almost genius, it’s hard as hell to do something completely original and innovative. So don’t necessarily focus on inventing a new product or service, but figure out how to do it better than the ones that already exist.

The only way to do this is to dedicate a massive amount of time to your “specialization” until you become so good you can’t be passed without someone noticing.

Key takeaway: Practice, Practice, and Practice – that old saying “practice makes perfect” is real!

3. Test the waters.

Take advantage of your exposure on social media, especially Facebook and Instagram since the people you’re connected to there typically comprise of a more personal network. Then see how your friends and associates respond – is anyone wowed? Does it seem like there’s someone out there willing to pay for your product or service. Post pictures of your work frequently without bombarding their feed. You don’t want to come off more annoying than talented.

Key Takeaway: Find out if people are willing to pay you before jumping in wholeheartedly.

4. Make it known.

Once you get a pretty good gauge of the amount of people who are willing to make a purchase, tell everyone what you’re doing, put up rates that align with your skills, and market yourself without being too aggressive. Sometimes the process takes longer than you think, but if you’re consistent and constantly refining, someone will eventually want to pay you.

Key Takeaway: No one ever gets paid without exposure and the right kind of marketing.

XO,

– Susan

Follow me – Blog Instagram Pinterest Bloglovin

Image Source Credits – Gary Pepper Girl, My Modern Met

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These Are The Best Jeans In The World

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Bliss-mischief-hillier-barton-denim-rooftopOne of the things I’m really grateful for in my life is that I’ve found a purpose that makes me so happy and fulfilled, it’s makes some of my other problems seem less important.

And I hope that all creatives out there can find this much bliss in what they do – because that’s really the whole point. This is an outfit we snapped on the Grand Hyatt rooftop after we lost direct sunlight and had to stop.  I posed up a storm, which isn’t always easy to do when you’re on the fly. Typically when having your photo taken, how you feel is written all over your face. So if someone is uncomfortable or distracted, they wont be able to look their fancy best in the snaps. I was feeling focused and elated, thus the great energy and confident movement. It’s just science guys! Haha!

If I ever only throw up a couple images in an outfit post, I was probably stressed out while were snapping and scowling through all the images. Can’t post those.

This also happens to be one of my FAVOURITE outfits of all time. In fact I love these Bliss and Mischief jeans so much that I would like request here and now: Bury me in these jeans. I’m going to write it in my Will.  They’re actually custom vintage Levis and the most perfect comfort, style and quality. If my hip pocket approved, I’d buy ten pairs.

Anyway – I have SOOOO many more outfits and posts to share with you over Fashion Month, fingers cross I can send them all your way while they’re still relevant.

jeans, Bliss and Mischief 

shoes, Marni

bag, Hillier Bartley

shirt, And Other Stories

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Bliss-mischief-hillier-barton-denim Bliss-mischief-hillier-barton-denim-marni
Bliss-mischief-hillier-barton

Shop The Look…

 

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What I Wore To The Bloglovin’ Awards

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Fashion Month is such a whirlwind, on one hand it feels like we snapped these pics yesterday and on the other it feels like months ago.

I cropped-jeans-silk-top-bell-sleeves-black-bootsdon’t think I’ve ever had this much content backed up in my entire 7 year career blogging career. Outfits and shows and photo diaries… something I didn’t really get to capture? The Bloglovin’ Awards was one place I didn’t bring my camera – it’s because for the most part I planned on celebrating with a few drinks… and then later karaoke in Korea Town.  Gratefully I have this little piece of photobooth fabulousness which happens to have a whole load of my closest friends in it! Cute huh?

What a magic night!

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So as you might have guessed by now, we didn’t win – but I’m sure we must have gotten a great look in! Thanks so much to all of you who supported and voted. You guys are the best! Wouldn’t be anywhere without you.

So my outfit? Gratefully provided to me from H&M, who also supported the event. I’ve actually worn the black dress a whole load of times since, it’s my go-to event look. Also so happy that I have a pair of cropped jeans in my possession, they are surely the jean trend of the season.  My girl Sania helped me photograph it earlier in the week so I could feature it here for you all.

Anyway, I need to get back to packing… I’m off to Paris!  xx

jeans, dress and booties, H&M

clutch, Edie Parker

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The post What I Wore To The Bloglovin’ Awards appeared first on Zanita Studio.

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