LOSE TO WIN

Today's post is very different from what I normal feature on my blog and its something that I've felt that I just needed to get out there as a source of encouragement.

Today's blog post is aptly titled Lose to win.

 

Each and everyone of us has a plan, a vision of how our life should go. We know at what age we will be doing this, at what point we will be doing that and even exactly what time certain events in our life will occur.

Yet things don't always go exactly to plan, there is a detour, a turn in the road somewhere or even pause in your journey. That does not mean the journey won't be completed or that you will not reach your destination.

As I am writing now, I am a person who has been told countless times that certain dreams and aspirations I have could not be achieved. I've also found myself in situations where I felt that there was no way out, no route of escape.

One of my teachers whom I respected told me that there was no way I would receive a place in university for pharmacy yet even with that negativity I am here today having been successful in that journey.

 I didn't do as well as I thought I would in my as-levels and at that point I honestly felt like I wouldn't progress, like I was stuck in this dark moment. Yet here I am having fought that battle and been successful. 

That brief pause in my life taught me a valuable lesson, that no matter how far you think you have fallen, you can still rise up to higher heights than you even thought capable. I learnt not to rest on my own abilities but on God.

Now I understand if you don't believe in God, but still know within yourself that you may not fully understand the potential that is within you. These situations occur to strengthen you and provided you with the tools and equip you with the weapons to fight later on in life. 

 

I'm thankful for the parents I have and the people I have been blessed with who have constantly seen the potential in me especially at times when I didn't see it myself. These people have been examples of strength and courage especially during times in which you would expect them to give up and accept defeat.

If you have such people around you, take encouragement and inspiration from them. Be prepared, they will tell you things and truths you don't want to hear, that you aren't even ready to deal with. When you look back though, you will be able to call yourself victorious.

There are many examples of people who have had stumbling blocks in life who look back on their experience and are thankful for it. It is by no means an easy experience to go through and can be extremely painful however I encourage you to just keep battling on. This time is a pause, a brief intermission in your story not a full stop, sometimes you have to lose in order to win.

 

"Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory"

William Barclay

 

"Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble (or trials) come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

James 1 v 2-3

 

Until next time

xoxo

all things lace

                     

 

 

For the first time in what seems like about a century the sun decided to return from sipping gin and juice in Dubai and actually grace us with its presence and trust I took full advantage of this.

 Unto today's post.

 

Lace is a classic and versatile fabric that continues to feature from season to season and can be found in collections by fashion house from Oscar de la Renta to Tadashi Shoji. It's use on the simplest of garments can transform an otherwise simple outfit into one with impact and drama.

 

 

This H&M top,  I can honestly say is one of my best finds. It was love at first sight. It's intricate neck detail drew me in instantly and I promptly found myself picking it up and purchasing.

 

 

 

 

When styling white or pastel pieces, you can experiment with accessories and bright/bold colours.

With this outfit, I chose a pair of purple/blue Zara trousers and added some bright orange red platform heels from New Look which are the most comfortable six inch heels I've ever owned.  Incorporating these pieces allows you to make a statement with relatively low key and simple pieces.

 

A small note of caution, don't not I repeat do not attempt to try that jump/walk pose. How models attempt that pose without a casual trip to A&E after is beyond me, my head was almost introduced to a tree.

 

Who needs beyonce's wind machine when you can be gone with the wind fabulous with just the cold hard British wind harassing your hair.

 

 

 Hope you are having a beautiful week.

Until Next time

xoxo

Blue skirt, Grey skies

                 

 

I apologise profusely for my lack of blog posts but you see the way my life is set up failing my final year exams is not an option. If you are naija student I'm sure you can sympathise. Thankfully I'm done with exams and looking forward to graduation. No more 9hr revision session looking like the hunchback of Notre Dames's less attractive sister. 

Yes you heard that right, after four years of blood, sweat, tears and back pain I'm officially done with uni.

 

Anyway I digress, today's blog post.

                                 

Just for the sake of fashion I braved the gale force winds to take these pictures. Damn near got blown away thanks to this parachute like maxi skirt.

Pretty much everything I'm wearing apart from the lipstick (MAC Darkside), shoes (Macy's?), watch (Asos) and necklace (Miss Selfridge) is from Primarni (aka Primark).

Primarni have been selling these skirts for a few seasons and have now released a new collection of versatile colours which can be worn from season to season.

 

                                    

             (Don't mind me, I just had to get my miss congeniality beauty pageant contestant on)

 

          

The primarni top I'm wearing is actually a peplum top. Another way to reinvent your peplum top is to tuck the peplum part into a flowy maxi skirt or fold underneath if you want to wear it with fitted or body con skirts. 

 

Revamping pieces in your wardrobe can potentially save you money. For example, a maxi skirt can be worn as a strapless dress whilst a peplum top can be worn as crop top. Just two money saving ideas.

                   

 

Hope you are having a wonderful week.

Until next time

xoxo

 

Black ati Yellow

 

My sincerest apologies for my lack of blog posts but I had to take a brief break to go and vanquish my dissertation. I will definitely be popping bottles & frying some puff puff (nigerian delicacy, a sure way of gaining poundage) the day I hand it in. Unto the OOTD

 

For the first time in a long time the sun decided to make an appearance hence why I was freely able to take pictures outside otherwise I would have relocated myself inside the house. 

And for the two poses in the above pictures I'd just like to say Tyra taught me.

 

 

Top & Skirt: H&M, Shoes: River Island, Earrings: Miss Selfridge

 

 

Hope you had a wonderful easter.

Until next time

xoxo

Reflections

Today's blog post is titled reflections as I'm felling very sentimental. After 4 years of hardgraft, late nights, many a grey hair (well just two) and lower back pain, I have come to the end of my pharmacy degree.

Now I know technically I have a dissertation and three exams to finish but  I'm a firm believer in saying things in faith.

 

The above picture sums up exactly how I feel about the last four years of my pharmacy degree. I am now at the point where I can look back and smile ( or in my case smize).

For anyone or for most people who have gone through university it is a given that you will not end the same person you started.

 

 

There have been ups and down but in the end I've met some wonderful people who have had a profound effect on me as a person.

Some have taught me to aim for the very best, to stand by my own beliefs regardless of what others believe or think and finally in every situation look at and for the positives.

 

A piece of advice I'd like to give you regardless of what stage you are in life, is that things may not always work out in your favour, you may not be where you want to be at the moment or you have lost people along the way that you throught would always be around.

 

Do not be discourage because sometimes it is necessary for us to endure a climb before we can reach the mountain top.

 

At the end of the day, those difficult and sometimes discouraging times can strengthen you and build you up preparing you for a greater time in the future.

 

So don't be discouraged but remain ever positive with your mind focused on the good.

 

 

 

Philippians 4:6-8

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

 

Until next time

 

xoxo

Mother's Day

On a wonderful day such as this it's only right to go all out. I apologise these pictures were taken inside because firstly it was cold as hell and pneumonia and I don't have a very good relationship. Secondly I recently freed my hair from a weave so I'm rocking my clip-ins which I'm sure you know do not go very well with the wind. Zero to baldness with a simple breeze.

Expect to the see the fro shortly, I have freed myself from the creamy crack (aka relaxer). Trust though there are sometimes I see someone with beautifully relaxed hair and just for one second I envision reaching for that organics olive oil relaxer. But never fear, I promptly rebuke such things, I've left the days of partial baldness and unintentional high tops behind.

Onto the outfit of the day.

This H&M combo is very dear to my heart as it was one of the looks I had for my 21st birthday (minus the shoes and earrings). When it comes to affordable clothing with a high end twist, H&M are my go to high street store. They currently have the red version of this but alas, I am broke and my bank account has suffered enough.

 

 

The shoes were from matalan about five years ago. *Quick side note never ever throw away those replacement heel caps you get with your shoes, I had the unpleasant expereince of having to pay £5.20 to have them replaced. Trust me when I say I almost collapsed when I was told the price. Add £1 and you've got yourself a nandos meal.

 

Anywhooooooo, the bold colour of the shoes stands out against this otherwise dark navy blue ensemble. 

Just to finish today, I hope you had a wonderful mothers day. Remember appreciation of your mother and indeed your other loved ones does not require a specific day. Each and everyday with the ones you love and appreciate is a blessing. Never take them for granted and always share you love with them.

Wish you a beautiful and joy filled week

Until Next time xoxo

Coming to America

 

Now anyone who lives in the UK, knows that the weather has moments of utter confusion. It decide to casually snow one minute, then the next it decides to lightly toast an already toasted individual like myself.

So it was a major surprise to me that many people were draping their jackets over their shoulders during London Fashion Week.

I don't know about anyone else but I'm not about that pneumonia life. In my pursuit of fashion however, I thought hey why not try it. So I elegantly draped my jacket over my shoulder (well at least I thought I did). The ability to balance ones jacket or coat over ones shoulders takes a level of ninja-like precision I am yet to master.

Musings aside let's get to today's OOTD.
 

I'm not entirely sure why, but I woke up this morning with the movie Coming to America on my mind. If you haven't seen it, this link features a clip of one of my favourite parts of the movie "She's your queen to be".

Sooo I leaped into my closest (well not literally as I value my neck) and pulled out this Ankara top (traditional Nigerian fabric). The peplum component of the top was perfectly placed which isn't always the case with some peplum tops. This is a testament to my very talented seamstress.

Due to the bold print on the top, I thought it best to pair it with some plain black jeans from Zara which might I add fit beautifully. I rounded off the look with some Next shoes (on sale of course my bank account would suffer otherwise), jewellery from Topshop and my beloved New Look coat.

 

I believe that mixing traditional pieces with subtle and subdued colours really helps the traditional pieces stand out. A large majority of fashion houses used prints in their fall/autumn 2013. Be on the lookout for high street interpretations.

Hope you are having a wonderful day

Until next time xo