Now, about the zoo. I almost entered, I really did. I walked through the front door and immediately knew this was not going to work for me. I cannot stand the smell of animals. I don't even go near the animal food section in Tesco because of the smell, so imagine me walking into a zoo. The smell was exactly what I was trying to avoid, so I turned around and left immediately. No shame in knowing your limits. I went back outside and carried on walking around the park instead, taking in all the greenery and watching some people playing football. I actually loved that part of my visit because there was something so simple about just wandering around, breathing in the fresh air and letting my mind settle. I also had my first ever taste of potatoes with curry that day, and honestly, it wasn't bad at all. Calderglen Country Park is on Strathaven Road in St Leonards, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ, with parking facilities including a main car park and accessible parking. There is plenty to do whether you want a peaceful walk, a family day out, a picnic, some food at the Courtyard Café, a little adventure with the children, golf, nature photography or simply somewhere to escape after work. For me, though, it was just a late afternoon visit that turned into a really lovely memory. Sometimes that is all you need.
I received some amazing gear from Under Armour recently—they actually sent over two full sets of activewear, including their latest shoes!
My partner and I took a trip out to the Inversnaid RSPB Nature Reserve on the eastern banks of Loch Lomond, and I couldn't wait to share the photos with you all. That trip is actually where these photos were taken, because on a whim, I decided to wear one of the shoes Under Armour sent—the UA Velociti Distance—out on the trail.
Oh my goodness, it turned out to be the absolute best choice.
Anyone who knows me knows I hike a lot. For years, I’ve been tramping around in traditional, stiff hiking boots. The thing about heavy footwear is that you get so used to the weight that you don't even realize how much energy it saps out of you. You finish a long trail thinking your legs are just tired from the distance, when really, half the battle was swinging those heavy soles with every single step.
Wearing a high-cushion road runner like the Velociti Distance on a nature walk was an eye-opener. It made me reflect on just how much running footwear has evolved over the past few years.
How Footwear Has Evolved
It used to be that running shoes were stripped back to almost nothing or were so firm that your knees took the brunt of every footstrike. But brands are shifting. Today, the focus is squarely on leg preservation, joint protection, and keeping your body feeling fresh whether you're logging 15 miles on asphalt or spending five hours on your feet outdoors.
That’s where the UA Velociti collection really shines. The UA Velociti Distance is technically designed as a max-cushion, high-mileage road trainer built to protect your joints during long marathon prep and daily recovery runs.
Here is a brief look at what’s going on inside the shoe:
Cushioning: A generous 38 mm heel stack and 32 mm forefoot (giving it a balanced 6 mm drop) filled with UA’s responsive HOVR+ foam.
Ride Feel: Stable, slightly structured, with an incredible heel lock that stops your foot from sliding around.
Weight: Roughly 344 grams (11.8 oz).
Ideal For: High-mileage road runs, recovery days, and—as I accidentally discovered—long, scenic walking trails.
Why choose a running shoe for the trail?
When you take a shoe with a 38 mm stack of plush HOVR+ foam off the pavement and onto woodland trails, the difference in fatigue is night and day. Because the cushioning absorbs so much of the ground impact, your ankles, knees, and hips don't take a beating. Combine that protection with a shoe that weighs a fraction of a heavy leather hiking boot, and suddenly hiking feels effortlessly smooth and so much less tiring.
I’m definitely not trying to sell you anything here—just giving an honest, personal perspective from someone who loves spending hours outdoors. Under Armour sent the gear over, but the experience on the trail was all mine.
I actually posted a quick hiking video over on my Instagram if you want to see how the trail looked (and how the full set looked in action!).
If you’ve been feeling battered or exhausted after your usual long weekend walks or runs, take a look at what you’re wearing on your feet. Modern cushion technology isn't just a marketing trend—it's a game-changer for keeping your legs alive and enjoying the outdoors a whole lot longer.
There is something unmatched about a proper day out in nature to reset the mind. Recently, I took a trip up to Loch Lomond for an absolute dream of a day, filled with a solid hike, some incredible views, and even a freezing, refreshing open-water swim to cap it off.
When you're packing for a trip like this that involves shifting from rugged trails straight to the water, your gear has to be versatile, comfortable, and tough enough to handle whatever you throw at it. Here is a breakdown of what I brought along, how it performed, and the story behind the collection.
For this adventure, I wanted to put some technical running pieces through a real off-road test. Here is the exact kit I wore:
UA Infinity High 2.0 Bra (1384112-001) in White: Super supportive and breathable, making it easy to stay comfortable whether you're scrambling up a steep incline or cooling down after a swim.
UA Velociti Tights (6009493-498): Completely unrestrictive and lightweight, giving me total freedom of movement on the uneven terrain.
UA W Velociti Distance Running Shoes (6006031-104): Honestly, I wasn’t totally sure how a dedicated running shoe would hold up off-road on a rugged hike. But they completely surprised me—offering solid, reliable grip and keeping my feet feeling great the entire time.
The whole vibe and purpose behind the Under Armour Velociti collection is precision-engineered performance tailored to the miles you're logging. Under Armour designed this lineup to give runners specific tools for different phases of their training:
The Velociti Elite: Built as the ultimate, high-energy race-day super shoe. It’s packed with explosive propulsion for when you’re chasing personal bests on the pavement.
The Velociti Distance: Your go-to high-mileage workhorse. It features deep, plush cushioning and support designed to protect your legs and keep you comfortable when you're out on long, grueling training sessions.
Turns out, this gear isn't just fast on the road—it transitions surprisingly well into a full day of outdoor exploring.
If you’ve been spending too much time indoors staring at screens lately, consider this your official push. Pack a bag, grab some comfortable gear, and go for a hike or a long walk this weekend. Whether it's tackling a local trail, exploring a scenic loch, or just getting some fresh air, your mind and body will thank you for it.
Do you have any plans for the weekend? happy weekend.
Stylewe recently reached out and sent me a lovely package containing some products to try and share with my readers. I am happy to disclose that these items are gifted, but you already know that won't stop me from giving you my 100% honest opinion on the quality and wearability!
Today, the spotlight is on the absolute star of the package: this stunning orange off-the-shoulder cotton midi dress. You can find all the specific product details directly on the Stylewe site here.
Let’s start with the basics: the fabric. I was really pleased to find that the material isn't bad at all; in fact, the textured cotton feels high-quality, breathable, and structured. This was especially important because I wore this dress to church last Sunday and then later for a lovely boat ride (I will save the boat ride details for another post; for now let's focus on the dress!). It was comfortable and held its shape perfectly all day.
As for the fit and style, just look at it! I always used to think that the color orange looked so bad on me, but I have to completely disagree with that thought now. The dress features these beautiful, structured puff sleeves and a sophisticated wide-band waistline that creates an elegant hourglass silhouette. It is the perfect balance of modest and striking, which is why it was my first choice for church last Sunday. You can also wear this dress to a wedding, graduation, court hearing, meetings—I mean, literally any event you want to.
This brings me to the fashion problem I want to solve today: How on earth do you style a bold, monochromatic orange dress without looking crazy or bland?
It can feel like a really high-risk color. Let’s take a look at the alternative styling, where the model is pairing the dress with an all-orange bag and matching orange shoes. While some people can absolutely pull off that stark monochromatic look, I personally would never recommend that styling for myself. For me, it risks making the look too 'matchy-matchy' or, ironically, very bland.