BA&SH After Hours: I Do Yoga & Drink Tequila...

I have long since been a fan of ba&sh, the French fashion brand which allows us to access that effortless Parisian style we all covet, with a welcome twist of California cool, on our very own British high streets. 

Season after season, their never-out-of-style, fresh and floaty bohemian aesthetic, with its touch of rock and roll, urban chic, is the direct result of a beautiful friendship between Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief.  Fifteen years ago these life-long, joined-at-the-hip besties decided to create the now hugely popular lifestyle brand, filled with feminine and timeless wardrobe must-haves fit for any occasion.  

I was really excited to be given the opportunity to help spread the good word about ba&sh’s first yoga capsule collection, a collaboration with Ana Hart, a young brand co-designed by interior designer and yogini Amanda Ibgui, and her former yoga teacher and mentor Rachel Novetsky. 

On the first properly sunny day of the year, surrounded by show-stopping, instagram-worthy blossom trees in a nearby private Notting Hill garden (all so very "Whoopsie Daisy," Richard Curtis), I wore some of the pieces to a Jivamukti yoga class with the fabulous Dannii Jordana from the famed Sangye Yoga School.

Wearing the ba&sh x Ana Hart Romy Jumpsuit. 

The perfect balance of ba&sh’s natural fabrics and feminine styles, alongside the technical support of Ana Hart’s designs, has made for a unique, contemporary and super soft collection with a deliciously cheeky edge.  In fact, the hero t’shirt I wore might just sum up ba&sh in une nutshell; 'I do yoga and drink tequila.' 

Above:  Wearing the ba&sh x Ana Hart Kloe leggings and Moove T'shirt.

Above:  Wearing the ba&sh x Ana Hart Moti T'shirt.

This capsule collection is created for women that love to keep fit and healthy, but also like to have a little (or a lotta) fun… Ladies who balance out their green juices with their cocktails and their warrior poses with their table dancing… Which sounds an awful lot like many of my friends!

Speaking of my friends… I was thrilled when ba&sh invited a group of my nearest and dearest along to a special ‘After Hours’ drinks party at my local Westbourne Grove store, where I introduced them to not only the new yoga capsule collection, but also to the latest ba&sh Spring/Summer’18 designs. 

Above:  Hosting my friends wearing the ethereal, metallic Pipa Dress.

As suspected, it didn’t take my buddies long to get well acquainted with the stunning ba&sh designs (or some of the first rosé of the summer), and most predictably, shopping bags were soon filled with some seriously enviable wardrobe additions. 

Complimentary hugs were issued with every ba&sh purchase... 

Soon after we piled into cars which took us to a private apartment on Golborne Road, my favourite road in my neighbourhood, where a sumptuous vegetarian feast and a plethora of cocktails awaited us, beside an edit of my favourite ba&sh Spring/Summer’18 pieces.  

Each of my guests also found gifts from the ba&sh x Ana Hart yoga collection on their seats, and took home posies which made up the beautiful bouquets around the room. 

The entire night felt dreamy; like a birthday celebration (or in my case, a 'Kellybration') where you got to enjoy all the feels without having to turn another dreaded year older…!  I loved seeing so many of my girlfriends and my energy and love levels were sooooaring (more hugs, anyone?! Anyone?!!)

Merci ba&sh for such a spoiling evening. xx

In collaboration with ba&sh
Yoga Photography: Frances Davison
Catering and Floristry: The Hill Food Company
Hair: Taylor Taylor London
Nails: Sophie Gass

The Lomax Way

I was recently invited to Lomax Victoria to experience ‘The Lomax Way’ - a combination of bespoke fitness, tailored nutrition and holistic wellbeing...

Step One: Podular Training

Founder and personal trainer Jonny Lomax’s concept of Podular Training consists of you exercising (either alone, with a trainer, or in a class) in one of their eight fully equipped personal fitness pods, each offering several different work out options, including spinning and circuit training. With no monthly fees or contracts – the pay-as-you-go rates for Podular Training range from £20 - £65 (or if bought in bulk, £10 - £55.)

Daunted by my 40 minute personal training session with Jonny, I felt obliged to mention that not only am I NOT a gym-bunny (worse, I haven’t moved quicker than a strut in over a decade) but I am also seriously mal-coordinated and that this whole ordeal could be really rather embarrassing. After some confidence boosting and a motivational pep talk, I was soon spinning away and circuit training (“Sets” and “Reps” - evil, evil little words!)

Apparently I am not as unfit as I think and I even began to enjoy my 'Gazelle Jumps' (soon renamed 'Giselle Jumps') as I eagerly hopped up and down onto a high box without any complaints or squeaks... Unlike my turn with the weights... Unfortunately my frequently used excuse of ‘not being built for lifting’ did not get me out of that particular exercise!

Apparently if I were to do this twice a week, the results would come fast and furiously – and after 2 days of various muscles I never knew that I had mercilessly aching, I felt bouncy, energetic and ready to do it all again.

Step Two: Nutritional Consultation

If I had previously felt apprehensive in revealing my lack of natural athleticism to Jonny, that was nothing compared to the anxiety I felt over my meeting with Zoe Copesy, the nutritionist at Lomax.

However, sitting in the Lomax cafe with Zoe (left, a gorgeous, glowing example of what she preaches) whilst we sipped on Vita Coco and munched protein Bounce Balls, she showed no judgment whatsoever over my daily diet (ummm... chocolate, Cheerios and cupcakes) but instead gave me some brilliant, accessible, advice on how I can fit better eating habits around my lifestyle. I was then given a freshly prepared foodbox from the Lomax café, based upon my own health goals and protein, carbohydrate and fat requirements.

Step Three: Wellbeing

At Lomax, professionals from around the world aim to help you achieve a physical and emotional balance, offering physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage, holistic facials, acupuncture, homoeopathy and meditation.
I was spoiled with a relaxing massage, combined with metatronic healing, leaving me feeling more refreshed and balanced than I had felt in weeks – I believe I could also benefit from two of these sessions a week!

Thank you to all at Lomax Victoria!

I am now very excited to see the new Lomax Chelsea venue which opens in February at 293 Fulham Road... With even more fully equipped pods and an expanded class roster they will also be offering sit in/take away nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, a juice bar and delicious Monmouth coffee. There will be 5 treatment rooms and also a studio for pilates, yoga and barre classes. If you pre-register with them at Lomax Victoria now, you will receive 50% off all services during your first month in Chelsea… Sign. Me. Up.