UNTITLED

Composition by Seyi Odeyemi of Essod Photography

You are the sun on a noon day sky

A city upon a thousand hills.

 

You are the reason the birds sing so sweetly in the morning

Inspired by the beauty which resides in your high places.

 

You are the reason I rise when life weighs me down

when the winds of change blow violently without regard, without compassion.

 

You are the lamp that lights my path, illuminating the harsh and crooked places.

You are the crown upon my head, the oil that anoints my head,

my very soul.

 

You are the song my heart sings,

Shall I compare thee to a summers day.

 

You so temperate, so bright

You are the joy that cometh in the morning when the weeping of the night fades away.

 

To proclaim my love for you in words is not enough.

My soul speaks of you in tongues that no man can hear, let alone understand.

 

A language so drenched in love, even the most broken hearts are mended by it.

The art of a pencil skirt

There is just something so simple and classically chic about a well fitted pencil skirt.

The right fit can disguise sadle bags, a food baby and a multitude of sins, which is beyond useful after an ill-advised trip to nandos.

Unto today's post........

Whatever size you are, I believe a black pencil skirt should be a staple in you wardrobe.

Whether it's £9.99 from H&M or £30 from Zara a simple black pencil skirt should be part of your collection of staple items.

It can be dressed up with accessories and heels or dressed down with a loose fitting tee and some converse. (You probably won't catch me in the former as I run the risk of looking like Donald Duck in trainers. 

Earrings: Dorothy Perkins, 

For this outfit I paired my pencil skirt with a pink top and chose different shades of pink accessories so as not to look like a walking barbie disaster. 

It's easy to wear a single colour but avoid the risk of looking monotonous by wearing different shades. 

Blazer: Zara, Top: random shop, Skirt: Asos, Shoes: New Look, Bag: St Johns Liverpool

One final tip I want to leave you with is the important of lipstick.

I for one prepare simple makeup, I'm not one for eyeshadow unless it's neutral (blame my inability to produce a smoky eye with out looking like I've gone a few rounds with Mohammed Ali).

I don't wear lashes (just don't trust myself) and I developed a blusher addiction so stopped using it.

Lipstick can transform a simple make up look into a show stopping affair. 

A bold red lip (try diva by mac or revlon) add an air of mystery without looking to overdone or overwhelming.

Wish you a wonderful week 

Until Next Time

xoxo

The Natural Hair War

Self Portrait By Daisy Giles

 

I recently watched an interview with Chimamanda Adichie where she made the statement “hair is political”. That statement is right in many regards because your hair can influence the way you experience the world and can give an indication about your ethnicity, religion, marital status, wealth (or lack of it). The influence is even more pronounced among black/African women. The hairstyle you wear can make you come across as an angry black woman or a new age hippy. A sad reflection of where we are as a people. Even more worrying is that this fire is being stoked by fellow black women (and men).

Hair is a constant source of debate among black women, a mine-laden field often consisting of polar extremes. At one extreme those who have obliterated the “natural” composition of their hair with relaxers. They are guilty of abandoning their “African heritage” and love for the natural in favour of the artificial (weaves). At the other extreme we have the Naturalistas. Those who have sworn the hair celibacy oath, pledging never to straighten their hair with the scalp injuring relaxer. They are often referred to as the Natural Nazi. According to the Urban Dictionary, they are “Black females with natural hair (hair that has not been relaxed) who believe that it is their responsibility to harass and scold other black women who choose to still relax their hair.”  For the neutral the question is why is hair such a divisive issue? Why the constant battle over follicular difference?

The truth is that issues relating to aesthetics and identity are deeply subjective. What is acceptable to one person is unacceptable to another. Even ancient philosophy has struggled to make these abstract concepts clearer. However at the heart of the debate over natural or relaxed hair is the question of motive- why have you chosen to be natural or relaxed?

It is wonderful to see black women comfortably wear their natural curls and kinks. I believe it should be encouraged. What then happens if I feel more comfortable relaxing my hair? Should I sacrifice my comfort for the sake of the “natural hair movement”? Surely not! What is aesthetically pleasing is purely a product of subjective assessment which means you have very little right to criticize what hairstyle I chose to adorn myself with if you aren’t me. We all experience different realities and the natural hair movement doesn't fully take this into account.

Too often we forget that our hair or our adornments are a part of us and not a sum of who we are. I have heard of individuals being told that their afros are not professional or their locks look unhygienic or their relaxed hair looks fake and plastic. When did it become possible that the sum of a person’s character can be judged exactly by the follicular crown upon their head?  I suppose anybody who cannot see beyond your hairstyle is probably not worth knowing.

At the end of the day each and every one deserves to adorn themselves as they please. We should endeavor to encourage each other to be who we are and be the best. Seeking to admonish and not discourage. If natural hair works for you, well done! However be sure to respect the right of others to decide on what to do with their hair. There are other pressing issues to split hairs about.
 

 Until Next time

xoxo 

Written in collaboration with  Mr C. Tama of

http://corneliustama.blogspot.co.uk/

 

 



 

 

 

 

The Classic Cut

                                        

If you have followed my blog for a while, you will understand my continual love of all things Zara. Imagine my surprise when I rolled up to Zara Liverpool and this beautifully crafted blazer called my name.

I immediately dashed off my Internacionale jacket and put on the blazer.

When I tell you I felt like I'd just had a fresh weave installed I am not joking (granted I haven't rocked a weave in a while but this blazer took me back). You know that feeling when you just got you hair did and stroll out the place like you're Naomi Campbell *flips weave.

 

Unto today's post....

 



                                        

I can't stress enough how important it is to have a classic well tailored blazer in you wardrobe. It can take an otherwise dull outfit and give it a whole new identity.

The added benefit of this Zara blazer is that I paid just 17% of the original price.

Currently the way my account is set up, I ain't paying full price in Zara. It's always about knowing when to invest and when to wait.

 

Moving on......

 

        

Wearing all black can often be a bit "heavy" or overwhelming. One way to add some life into the outfit is to add a splash of colour.

 The clutch paired with this outfit was a random purchase at H&M and its proven to be very versatile.

With bountiful space for all your essentials and a pair of flats (just in case) there is an added functionality to the clutch.

Clutch bags can often be impractical, excessively small and hard to work with.

Choosing the right cut can save you money in the long run. A simple box clutch in a block colour can be worn both casually and formally, transcending all seasonal trends.

 

                    

        

 

Blazer: Zara, Turtleneck, Trousers & Earrings: H&M, Shoes: River Island

                                                            

 

Another tip would be to learn how to sew. We often spend an unnecessary amount of time online or on the high street looking for items that we already have in our wardrobe.

The black trousers I am wearing in this post were originally a straight leg, relaxed fit. I personally prefer a skinny or cigarette fit so I adapted the trousers.

The danger, if you're blessed with shortness like me, is that a loose fit may make you look boxy or even shorter IF you don't choose the right fit.

                                                       

 

These are just a few simple tips that may save you time and money in the long run.

 

  

 

Before I go, I just want to give props to my new photographer Mr S.

Below are some of his amazing edited pictures side by side with the originals.

 

Until Next Time

XOXO

                           

                         

                                        

                          

                          

WHITE OUT

It is only when you purchase a pure white blazer that you realize that there is no gain in fashion without pain

 

I'm not quite sure exactly what I was thinking when I decided to rock this jacket to dinner at an Indian restaurant. Yes I indeed wore a white blazer to an Indian restaurant and proceeded to eat with it on. Needless to say, I took my first ever trip to the dry cleaners a week later. Chicken madras and white blazers don't mix. My blazer fought a good fight but it just didn't stand a chance.

 

Unto todays post.
 

 

Blazers are some of the most versatile pieces in any wardrobe. A simple outfit can be transformed simply by adding a patterned or detailed blazer.

Seeing as my ill-gained white blazer was receiving emergency treatment I was at a loss as to what to wear for a valentines day event.

 

 

(No not on a date, I'm still waiting for Idris to drop call me, heyyy)

Anyways.......

  

Both outfits feature the same Zara and Jeans from Topshop only differences are the blazers, shoes and bags.

And let me tell you a felt absolutely fabulous in both. There is nothing as wonderful as finding a pair of jeans that fit you beautifully and a pair of shoes that don't cause you to want to divorce your feet. Its a struggle I know.

 

The shoes paired with the blazer have been featured countless times on this blog and were worth struggling through the retail hunger games that was the boxing day sales. The shoes worn with the patterned blazer, which I had the pleasure of purchasing in Atlanta almost 3 years ago, were bought at New Look.

 

I've always been an avid supporter of blazers. They are essential to any wardrobe and can be paired with a multitude of items from maxi dresses and skirts to a plain t-shirt and jeans.

 

Invest in a versatile blazer (I suggest Zara, H&M or Topshop) that will transition seamlessly  between seasons.

Try something a bit outside of the box and you may find a worthwhile investment.

 

Until next time

 

XOXO

 

 

                             

Inconsistency (& fear?), The constant enemy of progress

                      

                 

I have achieved many things throughout this year ranging from graduating, starting a blog and entering the world of work however it is with the things that I have started and not finished (like my blog) that I will focus.

 

Whenever we commence a new job or a new journey in life, we are filled with a sense of achievement and are encouraged by the endless opportunities that exist along that way. As time goes on, we get distracted and occupied; we set aside the pursuits that bring us joy and a sense of peace. Even with our God given pursuits we can fall short as a result of many pressures both negative and positive. Joseph Addison’s said “... Inconsistency with ourselves is the greatest weakness of human nature”.

Since I can remember I have been an avid artist and I've always had a love of all things creative. In my earlier years, I was absorbed with producing my own pieces with dreams of one day presenting my work. As time and age has increased it seems I have set these pursuits aside getting pre-occupied with the pursuit of education which in itself is a very great asset. So while, I don't advocate the “New Year New Me” attitude, I aim to walk into 2014 the same person but with a renewed mindset and an attitude that speaks to planning and seeing these plans to fulfilment; hoping to use my 24hrs to the fullest. Not setting aside one pursuit for the other but ensuring continuum and symmetry.

Yes! Life’s journey offers us constant change, detours along the way are to be expected, a few brief pauses; however this does not mean we stop but rather evaluate our position and press on. 

I had the great pleasure of not doing so well in my as-levels (I can say that now). I was inconsistent with my studying which led me to achieve below what I was/am capable of. What this major event in my life taught me is that inconsistency should have no place in your journey. This brief pause in my life pushed me to work harder and constantly encouraging myself by visualising exactly where I wanted to be at the end of the journey. 

Strife and anguish, have proved to be something of a springboard to success to some of the most respected men and women the world has ever known. In their pain some would say they were at their best. In the words of Sigmund Freud “Out of your vulnerabilities will come your greatest strengths”.

                                                      PAIN/DISAPPOINTMENT 

 

Pain, (while not necessary for growth) can be quite powerful as a tool for character building. Never ever should we build people or situations up to the point where when we are disappointed it taints our mind set and perception of life.

 

There have been instances this year where I have let the actions and opinions of a minute few dictate the pursuit of my God given purpose. The danger of meditating on these disappointments is that they begin to metastasise, infecting other aspects of our lives.

 

If Nelson Mandela a man who was not perfect in himself, had let the disappointments he faced alter his mindset would he have made such an impact on the world. If Martin Luther King had chosen to keep quiet because some would not accept his beliefs would segregation still be alive and well? 

 

I am by no means saying these men and others like them achieved these feats alone. They were part of a progress fraught with fear and disappointments. Instead of retreating, backing down or questioning, they used fear as a driving force for great achievements.

 

In 2014, do not let pain, disappointment or inconsistency rob you of your drive. Take a brief pause, learn your lesson, dust yourself off and continue on your hustle, we must always remember... “Failure is the Fog through which we glimpse Triumph. Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm”. Winston Churchill.

 

                                              HAPPY NEW YEAR Until Next Time

                   

 

BLOCK:COLOUR:DAYS

Although blogging is one of my favorite past times it is slowly becoming apparent that its not as easy as it seems. There are some days where I have chosen an outfit to wear which I think is just spectacular but when it comes to viewing the pictures it looks more like a spectacle. its definitely not so glamorous when you walk into a tree or end up looking like the Michelin man after attempting to layer.

 

Sunday was such a day. I tried on a series of different outfits that had me looking like a colour confused clown coming back from the circus. 
Just not a good look. 

There are also days when after destroying you wardrobe you try on the last two items not angrily thrown on the floor and the outfit actually works.
 

Onto today's post.

             

The last few years, the fashion industry has focused heavily on colour blocking, prints and elaborate patterns but honestly there are some days where simplicity is golden. 

The two items worn in today's post were bought at least two years apart. The H&M shirt from the most recent season and the oasis trousers from three or four years ago. This is prime example of purchasing pieces that transcend the short term trends that seem to pop up every season. 

 

 

Shirt: H&M, Trousers: Oasis, Shoes: Next, Jewellery: Dorothy Perkins & Topshop

Like everything in life there is a natural evolution, a change in what you like or dislike. Invest in pieces that are chic, classic, well tailored and well made.
Most of all stay true to yourself, people won't like always like what you wear or appreciate the things you do.
Be comfortable, Be you.

Until Next Time
xoxo