GET FIT… AND STAY AT HOME!!!!

Although getting fit isn’t on my BucketList it’s still something I want to blog about as fitness for me is just one of the several key ways for happiness and health. I absolutely love keeping fit and eating right. Yes I still love my Chocolate!! But I do also love a good work out.

This past year I’ve struggled to find time to go to the gym (not an excuse I promise!), Okay, maybe a little excuse… I just didn’t want to leave the house in the morning! But I also didn’t want to give up getting fit either so I searched high and low for a fitness regime that would work around me and low and behold I found Fitness Blender. I swear by these guys! They are amazing. Alongside my Vegan protien shake I work out with these guys on Youtube atleast 4 times a week and I can see the difference already.

I do sometimes run in addition to this, however if I’m not up to running one day I can lie in guilt free knowing that I can just work out with these guys…

Below are my top 3 favourite videos from Fitness Blender.

I. Fitness Blender –  Butt & Abs Tabata Workout – Fat Blasting Cardio Interval Workout

This Video is my most frequently used video. I Love this one. It’s not to long and it’s not to short. I can fit it in perfectly with the day ahead, whether that be in the morning before work or after I return home from work!

II. Lower Body Tabata Workout – HIIT Workout to Burn Belly Fat & Tone Glutes & Thighs

Good Abs & Good Backside… enough said. However do remember guys, about 80% of your abs are made in the kitchen. An Abs workout does not cancel out the large fries you’ve been eating every night!! It’s both a combination of good, clean food and a good workout.

III. Express Calorie Blaster – Toning & Cardio

This baby I discovered the other day. I really wanted to work out but I didn’t have enough time in between work and meeting up with a few friends to do a full routine. So I looked for a high intensity 10 minute workout… and tadaa! I love it! It did leave me wanting more as it was only a quick 10 min session, but for a quick Workout it definitely did it’s job well!

I would advice that before any work out, if you have any health concerns or injuries consult with your doctor first!!

Let me know how it goes!!

Love ya,

Leah.

contactpage55@gmail.com

Inspooo.

 

Gotta love some inspiration… Just a few random bits and bats I came across that I absolutely loved!!

I didn’t take any of the photos nor do I originally own them.

My Bucket List

Behold! The Bucket List! I would’ve liked to been able to say that after watching the Award-nominated film ‘The Bucket List’ I was deeply touched and moved to create my own Bucket List..,. But it didn’t quite happen like that. I was just simply bored and I was bored of being bored! So I created my very own BucketList….

Now ha, some are serious and some are not so serious and one does in fact include ‘Having a Selfie with Beyonce.’

I have currently written down 9 out of the 10 things I hope to do before I die, and I’m going to use this blog so you guys can journey with me and see how it is all panning out. I won’t reveal them all now. But I will reveal them to you as I go along. The whole purpose of doing this is to a) Challenge me in life and b) to simply have some fun!!

I would encourage you guys to do the same! Spice up your life and install into it that little bit more of fun! If you want to swim with Sharks DO IT. Or maybe like me, you’re more than happy to leave the dangerous and deadly sports to the crazy people and you just want to live in another country for a few months. Whatever it is, write it down and invite others on the journey with you!!

For more Updates on my Bucket List you can also follow my instagram: @leahsolisx

I can’t wait!!!

Love ya,

xxxxx

‘Don’t Drown in Shallow Water’ – TD Jakes

Okay.

Apologies for not posting for a while. It’s been a crazy few days with various different things going on.

But despite all this, I really wanted to stop for a moment and encourage you guys.

I’ve recently been stressing over and becoming a little frustrated with sewing and designing clothes (especially leggings!!). You know those days where things just seem to not be going how you planned? You’ve got it all sorted in your head, you know exactly how you want it. But then when it comes to putting your plans into practice, the reality of it is that it looks so much different to how you had planned and alot more hard work than you had hoped for. I guess I’m referring to a place of frustration but I had to stop and ask myself ‘What do you do when things don’t go how you had planned?’. Do I a) Sulk and be the only guest at my very own pity party? or do I b) Manage my expectations?

I recently came across a preach by an amazing Pastor called TD Jakes and He spoke on an uh-mazing message… ‘Don’t drown in Shallow Water.’ The ENTIRE MESSAGE WAS BRILLIANT. But I want to share with you a few notes and thoughts I had picked up on throughout his speech, but before I do so, let me add some context to where I’m at and why I feel so passionate to share this with you guys…

So, above I posted a photo of part of a sewing machine. Now this isn’t just any kind of sewing machine, this is a one of a kind evil, ‘out to get you’, ‘I’m not going to sew for you’ kind of Machine. This beast of a machine just wouldn’t work for me. I spent over 1 hour and a half trying to stitch together one side of a sleeve for a Jacket I am making. Now you can imagine the frustration I was going through. When all I wanted to do (In the already limited time that I had) was stitch up a sleeve and continue on to finishing my Jacket. But It just wasn’t going the way I had planned and I was beginning to get a little fed up. I don’t have many spare hours in the week as it is, and the only time I am able to set aside to pursue what I love was being wasted by this evil sewing machine. I began to get really worked up by this. I began thinking things like ‘Is this really what I should be doing in life?’ ‘Is fashion design really worth my time and effort?’ ‘Wouldn’t it just be easier to just stop this, and work for someone else.’ and in the end I just packed away my things and threw a great old pity party and left it.

After I had taken the emotional balloons down and cleared up the emotional buffet table from my pity party of one, I decided to find a few encouraging preaches online that would give me the strength to get through this… Which led me to ‘Don’t drown in Shallow Water.’ – TD Jakes.

Point…

I. When you are closest to the shore – things can be most difficult.

– Don’t Slow down when you’re closest to the shore

– Don’t doubt  and don’t loose strength

– Shallow Water is easily Mastered.

The beginning of a journey is always easiest as you have the most energy. You have the most will power and you’re thinking is 100% positive – you know you can do this. You could win this race hands down. However it’s when you are closest to the end of the race, when you’re nearest the shore that you begin to slow down. You become that little bit more tired and weak. You start doubting whether you’re going to make it to the end or not. You’re slowly loosing your strength. And before you know it, if you hold onto a poor mindset, you can begin to drown in Shallow Water. You drown in the thing you can easily Master. We can all stand in shallow water. Most of us can even sit in shallow water – Shallow water is easy to master. However we are most vulnerable in Shallow water. Don’t stop. You may feel weak and like you want to give up. But they’re only feelings. The fact is you’re at the end of the race. You’ve almost made it.

II. Don’t Take the Presence of the storm to indicate the absence of God.

– Secret Storms

– Walk by faith not by Sight

– God’s in the storm

For many of us we always think that God isn’t in the storm. He isn’t with us when the going gets tough. When we have the bill to pay, or when our work load gets that little bit more crazy or when the children don’t seem to want to get along. However we need to change that thinking that God isn’t with us when ‘all these bad things are happening to me.’ It says in the 2 Corinthians 5:7 that we ‘Live by faith and not by sight.’ Have you ever been in a bad storm and seen clearly? We can’t see clear in a storm. God won’t appeal to our senses in the storm as we aren’t seeing clearly.

Know that God is right in the midst of the storm. When God promises something get ready for trouble. People don’t promise the obvious. A Women won’t promise her husband that she is a girl. It’s obvious. He knows she’s female. We only give a promise when something is going to come and doubt us. You may not see the promises of God in your storm. But that’s because we cannot see clearly. We doubt. But trust the things God has gifted you with. Trust the things he has told you.

III. Don’t preserve the temporary.

– What if the ride breaks down?

– The Promises of God

– Surviving with something broken

What do you do when God gives you a ride? And by Ride I mean that something that will help you get to the other side… Maybe a friend? But what happens when it starts to fall apart? The relationship begins to break down? What do you do when that thing God gave you to help get you to the other side of your journey begins to come apart?… You remember that God’s promises aren’t in the ride. They’re not in the things he gives you. His promises are with you. God says he promises to be with me not the ride, (Deuteronomy 31:6).

If it was meant to stay… it couldn’t leave. You can think you’re in the house you’re meant to buy, or you can think you’re in the job you’re meant to retire in or you can think you’re in the relationship that will last forever. But these are all temporary blessings. If it was meant to stay… it would.

Stop grieving over the lost shape of your ride, maybe the broken relationship?, or whatever it is for you. Sometimes we get too caught up in what we HAD we forget that we can still get to where we need to be when the ‘ride’ has changed it’s shape. Yes the ride may have changed a little. It may had gotten broken, it may have lost a few parts to it, it may have gotten harder to work with, but it is still there. It hasn’t ceased to exist. It has simple just changed it’s shape, it’s taken on a different form. Stop trying to fix everything. Just because something is broken, it doesn’t mean you wont survive.

Stop focusing on what you’ve lost and start living on what you have left. 

I really hope these notes have helped someone somewhere. It’s an encouragement that I believe we all need to hear once in our life. Something to keep us going and strength us. To remember that feelings are just feelings not fact. And that we can make it to the other side even when we can’t see it. Don’t give up.

Any Q’s or Comments please don’t hesitate to contact me at contactpages55@gmail.com Or Fill out the form below.

Thanks,

Love ya,

Leah xxx

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Kasnalkaaaa Launch.

she’s alive….

Okay, So. As promised to you wonderful and oh so very patient people. I have finally published my Kasnalka stock onto Asos Market.

There you will find 3 of the 4 items I am selling;

The Black Tassel Necklace. (Click Here)

The Grey Feathered Necklace (Click Here)

The White Feathered Necklace (Click Here)

And those of you who are after my… Black Feather Necklace. Please don’t hesitate to contact by filling in the contact form below…

Additional Information:

Kasnalka’s Necklaces are a selection of beautifully Handmade and unique statement pieces that will enhance your Jewellery collection. They have been made fairly, without the use of Sweat Shops and forced labour. Our pieces are designed from various different materials, however it’s mainly Plastic, metal and Suede. They are most definitely one of a Kind and when you decide to purchase these uh-mazing items, you will also be super stoked to know that you would currently be one of the very few people in the world (and for real, no exaggeration there guys!) to be wearing these exclusive pieces. So why not wear Kasnalka this Christmas?

Love ya,

xxxxx

 

 

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Wake Up O’ You Sleepers!!

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. – Paul Valery

 

I LOVE this quote. At first I was quick to just skim over what I was reading. But when I went back to the quote, stopped and thought about what was said I was just struck with a sense of urgency.

Not a panic typed urgency but a realisation that this is life. This is my life. I only have one shot at it.

We can spend all day, daydreaming and then all night dreaming again. But the only way to make our dreams a reality is to just wake up. So many of us dream big and wonderful dreams, but that’s all we do. There will come a point in life when we need to wake up and start putting things into practice. Maybe it’s picking up that instrument once again and giving it another go? Maybe it’s applying again for that job you once got rejected from or maybe it’s practising the skill you had once been so passionate about. It could be anything. What is it that you need to do to get back on that horse? Don’t be scared of failure. Failing isn’t always a step back, it’s just an opportunity to try something again. To work harder and use another strategy. Failure is an opportunity to grow, learn and be strengthened. 

The decision that you make today, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time, will grow into something much greater. No matter the size of the seed that is sewed, it is still vital to the growth of the harvest. 

I really want to encourage you guys to dream again. And not just dream. Practically make the choice to do whatever it is you need to do TODAY. Google something. Ring someone. Text someone. I don’t know… POST IT ON FACEBOOK… DO SOMETHING. Dreams need to be worked for and you’ve got way to much potential for it to just sit there!

I really want to share a song with you that I absolutely love. It encourages, motivates and moves me everytime I listen to it. I’m left thinking ‘Wow, there is so much more!’  I have an amazing friend who runs an Online magazine called LIOL. ( You should totally check her out) and not long ago a couple of our friends got together and used the amazing skill they have, to sing a cover to a song by ‘ALL The Sons & Daughters’, and of course, yes. It is about dreaming! I know you’ll love it too…

Love ya,

xxx

LegTastic!

Okay! So My bad! I haven’t blogged for a few days! But only because I’ve been working on these babies!!

I found this really cool material at a store in Yorkshire. If you don’t believe in Love at first sight… Then you need to go material hunting! I fell in love instantly.

It’s only one picture but I will try and get some good photos with a complete album up soon!

Those of you waiting for updates on Kasnalka (see previous blogs if you haven’t a clue what Kasnalka is) I will be publishing them next week! So hang tight!!!

Love ya!
xxx

No more TopShop Tears!!!

Okay okay! So just a quick post before I go to work!
I’ve finally come to the point in life where I no longer needlessly cry over the overpriced Leggings in TopShop! But at last, I can finally laugh and make my own!
Okay yeah so it may take a bit more effort making them than reluctantly handing over my cash at the TopShop counter but at least I can say I’ve made something to be proud of!

The Leggings above are made of black velvet but I’m thinking of making my next pair out of some bizarrely patterned material! Your Ideas are more than welcome!!

For more posts and updates follow my instagram… @leahsolisx

xxx

Photographer anybody?

Okay! So firstly my apologies… My trusted photographer aka friend aka ‘forced into taking photos of me’ friend. Wasn’t around when I wore this number to my Fashion Design Class. So I had no choice but to use the good old Iphone & Mirror tactic. (Don’t judge me… we’ve all been there. 😉 )

I Love this Outfit because it’s so simple and classy. I feel as if I’ve just stepped out onto the streets of Paris rather than ‘Good old’ Yorkshire. Maybe next time I wear this I’ll greet people with a ‘Bonjour… Ca va?’ Rather than bellowing ‘ELLO LOVE. ‘OW ARE YA?’ across the road!

I was debating whether to wear a chain or something with this outfit but in the end I decided against it, I wanted to keep things simple and jewellery to a minimum as I didn’t want to distract the attention from my Uh-mazing vintage skirt.

I guess if you were keen to add the old accessory a small simplistic necklace would look great along side some simple rings. Sometimes more is less!

Dress: Asda (George)|| Skirt: Urban Angles Charity Fashion Show|| Shoes: UGG Boots.

(I also added black tights too!!)

So why, Pages FiftyFive?

Photo found on Page 55

The other day, a dear friend asked me the question ‘Why, Pages FiftyFive?’

So, For those of you that are not so keen on reading…The short answer… ‘Oh, because I was just inspired by a picture found on Page 55 within a magazine.’

And whilst this answer is very much true. There is so much more about this truth that I need to explain.

Since my early teens I have dreamt about creating something from myself, working for myself, and by doing so making a difference to someone else’s life.

I’ve always been interested by fashion so it made sense that there would be no better way than to pair the two together and create an environment where I could help, encourage and love on another person through fashion. My aim is to design garments for people that suits them and meets their personality, rather than them having to fit into something that society would class as acceptable. I want people to learn new skills for themselves and learn how to dream and think Outside of the box.

Years went by and after numerous attempts and hard efforts to try and make my dream a reality, I began to start loosing my ‘Passion for Fashion’. I forgot about my dream and began to settle in life, miserably existing rather than zealously living.

It wasn’t until earlier this year when I met someone who had too dreamed big dreams and spent years working hard to make their dream a reality. They understood the hurt and frustration I was going through as they had too tried and failed, tried again and fail again. It took them a few years and alot of determination and hardwork but they can finally say they have succeeded and met that dream. Now that goal’s been reached, they’re dreaming some more. I tell you…they have the Potential & determination to be a World Changer.

By watching and listening to their stories and advice, their enthusiasm and determination for dreaming began to rub off on me. I was learning how to dream again. But not just little dreams, Big dreams. Outside of the Box dreams. ‘What kind of dream is that?’ type of dreams. They lovingly gave me every piece of advice they could and presented to me as many opportunities they could find for me.

So what has this got to do with the photo? Well. It’s one of those inside Jokes my friend and I like to share I suppose, But we like to call him the ‘Underwater Astronaut.’ Months went on, my friend left the country, and I still hadn’t developed the confidence to start putting any plans into place to make my dream a reality. It was only when I came across this photo (See above) on Page 55 in a Fashion Magazine that I started to remember everything the ‘Underwater Astronaut’ had taught me. It’s crazy what the slightest memory can do to you, but this photo kick started something within me and gave me the motivation, passion and determination to dream outside of the box once again.

The most successful people in the world are the ones that got back up when they failed, and not just after the first failure.. after the 4th, 5th, 6th and so forth.

I want to encourage you all to not let those dreams you once spent hours dreaming about die. Those dreams that kept you up at night and gave you that butterfly feeling in your tummy are still there waiting there for you to reach.  I want you all to find your own Page55. Whether it be a picture a person or a purpose. Find something that will motivate you, encourage you and patiently love on and help you get to where it is you want to go.

I am forever grateful,

Lots of Love,

Leah xxx