Dashiki Reflections

This is not going to be one of my usual fashion posts where I will be talking about the outfit alone. I want to discuss a little about the outfit and much more on 2015.

I wore this dashiki dress in the summer, I was not going to post it but my dear sister-friend convinced me to put it up. Summer time is my favourite time of the year, I love the weather and you can wear more interesting and colourful things (you already know how I love colour and lots of it). I wore this dress before actually way back in sixth form, during a Black History Month event that I was involved in, so to my brothers who think I copied them, lies you tell twinnies.  Please do follow and check out their blog www.uptothepoint.wordpress.com

Dashiki Reflections 1

Dashiki Reflections 2

Outfit:

Dashiki dress- Made in Ghana

Wedges- Dune

Necklace- Wallis

Bangle- John Lewis

Bag- Modalu

Looking at the pictures again made me reflect on the year 2015. This year has been an interesting one, a mix of highs and lows. Through it all, one thing that I am most thankful for is growth. I am not where I was last year, I have grown in certain areas of my life. Firstly my walk with Christ has grown and matured, I am not where I used to be in 2014. At the beginning of this year I said to God, I want more of him. I was tired of just receiving the word from other people, waiting for encouragement from others and wanted to have a personal relationship with him. Secondly, my friendships and relationships have grown. Growth in friendships does not just mean you increasing your friendship group, it means bettering individual friendships and also allowing people into your life who are positive .This year I met someone and within three months we became so close. I truly believe God put her in my life, because at that time I was praying about something and when she walked into my life she answered my prayer with one bible verse. Why I say God put her in my life is because at that particular time I felt like God was not listening to me and she gave me a bible verse to mediate on. She had no clue that the verse she gave me was the answer to my prayer until later on.  Additionally, this year some people that I have known for a while have been cut off (not necessarily drama)  just some people are there for a certain time and you move on.

Thirdly, I learned this year that a ‘private life is a happy life’. I have always been private and will continue to be so. I do not like letting the whole world know my business and in particular in 2015 learnt not everything that happens in your life needs to be told. This relates to the first growth point, this year God told me to stop running to people when I was always disappointed or when I was rejoicing. There were times when I would pick the phone up and dial the number he would say,  ‘Rae put the phone down and speak to me first’. The first person I have learned to run to is God with everything and as the song says ‘Jesus be the center of it all’. This does not mean that you should keep everything to yourself, it is just striking that important balance. It depends on the type of person you are, some are extremely private and some blab out everything- its important to find the middle ground

Fourthly this year, I have learned to ‘launch out’. Many of us have wonderful ideas and visions, but because of fear we hold ourselves back. Late this year, I told myself I will no longer do to that myself. I am going to live life in such a way, that if I have an idea I will set out to do it. I encourage all that if you have been thinking about a venture you want to get into, or a new career or to set up a business or whatever it may be do it! Don’t wait for others to give you the go ahead otherwise you will be waiting forever. Many of us are sitting on ideas that could potentially be great but I encourage you to look into your hands. Ask yourself what are these hands good at doing? Are your hands good at drawing? Use that artistic ability. Are your hands good at writing? Use that creative ability.

What for 2016?

This time next year I will be reflecting back on the year and thinking of what I have done, what I achieved and what I could do better. I think reviewing yourself is so important, it gives you a fresh mind and the urge to do better. However do not wait to the end of the year to review yourself, you can have reviews throughout the year.

What to expect from the blog in 2016? More great posts on fashion, faith, politics, law, business, art etc. There will be a post a week (sometimes more than one). With the fashion posts expect more than ‘what am I wearing posts’ or ‘OOTDs’.  I love discussing with friends the history behind fashion and the business of fashion, so I will be writing more posts on that. This goes with other blog posts too.

Stay Blessed x

How to do suede justice?

Suede is one of Spring/Summer 2015 biggest trends. Suede was seen all over the catwalks, it is the fabric of the season alongside denim. Denim is the easiest out of the fabrics to style- everyone has denim in their wardrobe and everyone loves it. However with suede it is a little more difficult. Suede can be layered up as we have seen on the catwalks, at Chanel a loose suede top was worn with suede trousers. If you’re afraid of drowning in suede, try suede accessories- maybe a suede handbag or a suede tassel bracelet to start off.

Suede 1  suede 2

(From L to R, Derek Lam, Ralph Lauren and Burberry below)

suede 3

Here are some  suede looks that I came up with:

 Look 1- Conservative Suede

Conservative Suede

Brown Suede A-line Skirt– Marks & Spencer

White Shirt- Mango

Lace Up Sandal– Stuart Weitzman

Diamond Stud Earrings– Nina B

Handbag– Gucci

This is a simple no fuss suede look. Match a white shirt (roll up the sleeves) and pair it with a line suede skirt. Keep the accessories simple and neutral to get the conservative and effortless look. The Marks & Spencer suede skirt shown caused a stir when it first came out (online waiting list had 800 names on it within a hour) and was worn by the likes of Alexa Chung and Olivia Palermo. At £199 its not cheap  (sadly suede doesn’t come cheap but look at it as an investment, buy a suede classic piece that can be worn all year around with boots in the winter and sandals in the summer ) but Marks & Spencer has a cheaper suedette version of the skirt for £31.60.

Look 2- Matchy Matchy Suede

Matchy Matchy Suede

Suede Crop Top-Oasis

Suede Pencil Skirt-Oasis

Black and White Mules– Miu Miu

White and Black Clutch– Givenchy

Pearl and Black Double Back earrings– Thpshop

This look is inspired by the double layering suede outfits seen at Derek Lam and Chanel.

Look 3- Festival Suede Life

Festival Suede Life

Fringed waistcoat– Miss Selfridge

Denim Shorts– Topshop

White lace crop top– New Look

Semi Precious Wrap Necklace– Topshop

Brown gladiator sandals– Carvela Kurt Geiger

Aviator Sunglasses-Saint Laurent

Straw hat– ASOS

Suede fringed Handbag-ASOS

Suede is perfect for the festival outfit, wear a fringed waistcoat with on trend denim shorts or a white lightweight gypsy dress.

Stay Blessed! x

Bring me flowers

This is an outfit I wore to Church today. It has been such a sunny and lovely day. I finally could put a pair of sunglasses on. I hope it stays the same throughout the week. Maybe, that’s a big ask…lol.

It seems that florals are never going to go out of fashion. Last summer it was in and it is still in now. I guess it is a statement that says ‘BANG, here is the Spring and Summer Season!’. Nothing but florals and bright colours say Spring and Summer better.

Bring me flowers 1

Bring me flowers 2

Bring me flowers 3

Bring me flowers 4

Bring me flowers 5

Bring me flowers 6

Bring me flowers 8

Bring me flowers 9

Bring me flowers 10 Bring me flowers 11

What I was wearing?

Dress- Marks & Spencer

Shoes-Kurt Geiger

Earrings- Topshop

Pearl Bracelet-Topshop

Bag- Zara

Stay Blessed

x

FLOWER POWER

FLOWER POWER

Florals was one of the key trends for Spring Summer 2013. Florals as a trend has been running for many years. It has been a firm favourite. If you Remember, Miranda Priestley’s statement in Devil Wears Prada-‘Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking’. It is a reminder that Fashion has a never ending love affair with florals. It is not stopping anytime soon. For the 2013 look, florals come 3D with oversized motifs and appliqués. This was seen at the Erdem show-the Master of florals. 

Florals are all about having fun. It looks pretty and flirty in spring. It looks vibrant and exciting in the summer. I went for the girly floral look for my Flower Power OOTD.

Here are some Pictures:

Flower party 1

Flower party 2

Flower party 3

Flower party 4

Flower party 11

Flower party 12

Flower party 13

Flower party 14

Flower party 16

Flower party 25

Flower party 26

I was wearing:

Floral dress- It was made in Ghana

Brown Wedges- Bertie (John Lewis)

Necklace- Wallis

Gold Bangle- a gift

Stay Blessed

x

White Everything

White Everything

Who said it can only be black everything? Who said that black is the only colour for a monochrome look? Girls, Aunties and Yummy Mummies it can be done in any colour. Orange everything, Blue everything or Yellow everything-it can be done! I will definitely try a monochrome look in one of these colours and post it for all of you to see.

For this outfit, it was the ‘White Everything Look’. Summer has been lovely this year, especially by British weather standards lol. Nothing is better than wearing white, which will keep you cool in the summer heat. An all white look signifies class, sophistication and all things diva. When I was wearing this outfit, I felt I was in Saint- Tropez *I wish*. Instead I was in good ole Essex.

Here are some pictures:

White everything 5

white everything 6

White everything 7

White everything 13

White everything 8

I was wearing:

White Sleeveless Shirt-Old

White Palazzo Trousers-Old

Glass sandals- Marks & Spencer

Chunky necklace- Wallis

Gold Cuff- Wallis

Stay Blessed

x

Candy colours

Candy colours

 

You can probably guess by now, I love bright colours and patterns. The Candy Colour trend has continued into Spring and Summer 2013 with it still being a key look. This was an OOTD for church.

Here are some pictures:

multi-colour platform wedges

pink dress 2

pink dress 3

pink dress 10

pink dress 5

pink dress 6

 pink dress 8

pink dress 9

What am I wearing:

Candy Colour pink and orange dress- Marks & Spencer

Chunky silver necklace- Wallis

Platform Wedges- Kurt Geiger

Stay Blessed

x

Dots & Stripes

Dots & Stripes

Hey everyone. Hope all is well. I recently went to Paris for a little get away at the end of June. I will be put be putting the pictures up very soon.  This outfit is what I wore when I came back and took a stroll to my local shopping centre. When I came back, the heat wave in England had begun. I am loving this weather. I have been complaining, I will not deny it. Some days have apparently been hotter than Accra & Lagos, that is crazy!  At least there air con is in most places. I just detest, the ‘sweat and the thirsty look’ as I call it. It is not a good look! It is essential in this heat to be carrying a bottle of water and some spray. Anyway, let me stop complaining because I would definitely not like it if started to rain. Hey ho, the UK hardly gets this kind of weather so I am going to appreciate it. It gives me a chance to wear all my colourful and patterned clothing. I was hoping for the sun to come this summer and I got more than I wanted. 

Monochrome trend is a hot look for Summer 2013. The best thing about the look it can be versatile-so you can go for a edgy or  a classic look. One of the best ways to achieve the Monochrome look is to go for polka dots, colour blocking or stripes. I chose to clash a small polka dotted top with striped white and black jeans.

Here are some pictures:

Dots and Stripes 2

Dots and Stripes 3

Dots and Stripes 1

Dots and Stripes 4

What I was wearing:

             Polka dot top- Old top (cannot remember where it is from)

             Striped Trousers-H&M

             Belt- H&M

             Black bag- DKNY

             Black flats- Got it from my mum

 

Stay Blessed

x

PLACE TO VISIT- bath

PLACE TO VISIT- bath

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Last week my girlfriend Marina and I took a day trip to Bath. We originally wanted to go to Brussels but it did not work out. After this trip I have realised you do not always need to go abroad to have fun. There is so much to do here at home. So many of us do not take advantage of the wonderful places in England to visit. I am one of them. The only let down I guess is the forever changing British weather *sighs*.

So my friend and I acted like tourists-you know the annoying ones and they ask you to take so many photos. That was us! One person even lied and said he did not know how to take pictures. Then we caught him taking pictures of his friends ha.

We had so much fun, we took the city and skyline bus tours of the city. There was a hilarious guide on the bus who gave us an in depth history of the city. He was so excited to tell us the city was established by the Romans, transformed by the Georgian era and how it is now. He was also eager to tell us about Jane Austen and that her books were heavily influenced by the city. Apparently she did not like Bath at all but everyone there loves her. Wherever you turn it is- Jane Austen, Jane Austen and Jane Austen.  What I found really interesting was that to have planning permission in Bath, buildings must be of Bath Stone. This is because they want Bath to keep its distinctive appearance. I fell in love with the Georgian architecture of the city, there is something so glamorous and sophisticated about it. I am already thinking this could be the perfect retirement place. I know what you are thinking, yes I am no where near that stage of life yet but it does not hurt to think of the future.

We also visited the Roman Baths, which was fascinating. The Romans were really into their spas and bathing in the hot springs. I think it was mentioned Bath is the only place in the U.K that has hot springs. After all the fun, we ended the day with yummy frozen yoghurt.

Here are some pictures :

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Stay Blessed

x