YOLO! Show A Little Leg

I've had an amazing day and feel like I'm in a really good place right now. Nothing particularly life-changing happened today although I did meet someone interesting, an architect of Chinese decent who was born and bred in Zanzibar and who identifies himself as an African. Mama Africa has so many children and its saddens me when some of them box not only their own but many like him. I worry. After our chat, I felt like I needed a wee glass of wine and a little Amy Winehouse to relax my mind so off I went to one of my haunts. Thought I'd share what I wore today.

Jacket - White Suede

Top - Uniqlo

Skirt - Donna Karan

Shoes - Prada

Sunglasses - Prada

Jewellery - Kazuri earrings + Diva ring + 

BVLGARI watch

The skirt is an oldie but a goodie I scored at a Donna Karan family and friends sale in London about seven years ago. I remember spending my entire rent at that sale and then playing Dodge The Landlord for a good two weeks until I got paid. Yes...yes I've been there! I've been to Planet Look Good Without Two Cents To Rub Together. I thank The Universe, The Ancestors and all The Gods (and Goddesses)  I learnt my lesson sooner rather than later.


I wear the skirt with simple racerbacks in the warm summer months and then team it up with fine knits in the cooler. I love its draping and how it almost feels like its dancing with each step. Oh I love being a woman!

xxx

A Girl's Gotta Eat

Its been a rather tame weekend and for the first time in ages I've had hours and hours to myself. Hours to look for my National Gallery membership card, read camera reviews, email new contacts and work out the quickest way to get my hands on 'New African Fashion' by Helen Jennings, Editor of ARISE Magazine. I've had hours to admit to myself that I'm not getting any trimmer and some of my treasures aren't getting any larger so I need to fix a date for my Have A Wine Swap A Treasure Event. A wise woman embraces her true size, works with her flaws and knows when and who to show her assets. A wise-ish woman also knows when its too late to defrost a chicken and its best to head out for a super casual dinner. This is what I wore.

Top - ZARA

Jeans - ZARA

Shoes - Sergio Rossi

Jewellery - Diva + EA Drew rings + 

Georg Jensen watch

*Psssssst---> nail polish is OPI Brights Power*

Enjoy the last few hours of your weekend.

xxx

I Spied With My Little Eye...

I popped into one of my all time favourite boutiques to check out new season garments I've being seeing on the fashion elite and to scan if anything was on sale. I do almost all my shopping online so walking into a store and touching a piece, already on my inspiration-slash-vision board, has become a real treat. A quilted clutch and a number of Carven pieces winked at me but it wasn't until I was about to leave did something grab me. Enter the Balenciaga printed shirt that demanded I ignore its price tag, ask for my size and try it on. My Saturday was never going to be the same. Thought I'd share the shirt with you.

How would I wear it? I'd roll up the sleeves, team it with fitted black pants or jeans and play on the shirt's dashes of electric blue and red for footwear. My accessories would be inexpensive, sleek and kept to a minimum. Nothing worse than a 'busy' garment with even 'busier' accessories.

xxx

Baby Pink And The Basket

Thank The Universe, The Ancestors and the gods (+ goddesses) of all the different religions its Friday! I haven't had an overly stressful week but I can't wait to:

• shave my head tomorrow morning
• read all the weekend papers in bed
• check out a culinary bookshop just a neighbourhood away
• watch two films back-to-back at a nearby art house cinema  
• kick back with a glass of wine in hand and listen to D'Angelo as my oxtail slow cooks
• talk to my brother without interruption or having to dash off somewhere
• start the search for a good-for-budget peplum top and the perfect pair of boyfriend jeans in an age-appropriate wash
• research costs associated with attending Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) this August and work out if going actually makes financial sense 
• check out the five fashion and beauty Tumblrs everyone who's interested in fashion or beauty should know according to the Editor-in-Chief of Fashion Bomb Daily, a blog I religiously follow

Today, I'd agreed to meet my hairdresser friend for lunch in one of Melbourne's well-known food lane ways and when he changed venue, I suggested meeting on the steps of Parliament. This is what I wore today.  

More often than not, generally nice wholesome people forget when exactly they purchased a fashion item, the person who might've assisted them, the transaction itself and what other events took place on the same day that their purchase was made. I, on the other hand, remember every single detail as if there are prizes to be won for this sort of meaningless information. I remember the vendor who sold me my basket, the different colours and sizes that they came in and the tedious haggling that took place. He was stoned and I was broke. He got tired of my whining about the price and gave in. The basket, like the Taxi Earrings, makes my heart sing and I know I will never tire of it.

 Shirt - DVF

Pants - Vanessa Bruno

Basket - Vendor at Harare Festival Of The Arts (HIFA) 

Shoes - Anna Fiori

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Jewellery - Diva + EA Drew rings + Georg Jensen watch +  

bracelets from a Johannesburg market 

My next post features Amelia who I spotted in the street. Her outfit popped in the sea of grey and black and as she walked past I couldn't help but compliment her on how well-put-together she looked. Sweet Amelia doesn't know this but she is the sole reason I braved the ZARA after work rush in search of something bright and trans-seasonal.

Woza Friday!

xxx

Patent Power

It's been a wet and miserable Anzac Day, a public holiday here in Australia, so it's been another excuse for good friends get to together, overeat and openly discuss their issues. Another day where we throng a family friendly establishment in different shifts and spend a good few hours talking over each other. Early lunch turned into late lunch for the strays so I decided to head out and go to the cinema for some me-time. I share my apartment, my sacred spaces and this city with so many people - I find myself yearning to be alone. 

This is what this social butterfly whose wings certainly need to be clipped wore today.

I have a weakness for all things patent and absolutely loved the booties' smooth and patent leather combination.

Trench - Ralph Lauren

Jumper - Country Road

Jeans - Levis

Clutch - Isabella Rossellini for BVLGARI

Booties - Giuseppe Zanotti

Jewellery - Thousand Things I Love earrings +

 BVLGARI ring

All I needed was a little sun.

xxx

I Heart Taxi Earrings

Having what I'd like to think are serious computer issues and waiting for a tech savvy friend to call back about where Saturday's post entitled Viva Celine! could've disappeared to. Its gone and I'm on the verge of having one of my classic meltdowns. A meltdown that involves a dinner fit for a king or a childless Miss Independent with credit, a pricey pair of shoes, a case of wine and tissue. I'd rather be down in the dumps with bloodshot eyes munching on a Wagyu beef knowing that a pair of Bawse Lady pumps and wine are on their way. 


While deleting photos on my camera earlier, I came across images of random things pinned to my vision board and things that have caught my eye over the last few days. Little things and places of significance that have me squealing with glee, seeking out new underground spots, researching homewares and listening to all kinds of sounds. Thought I'd share the only decent photos of what I wore to yesterday's not-so-boozy brunch and things that inspire and influence my fashion style. 

I bought these earrings from a stall at HIFA, Harare Festival of the Arts, nearly two years ago. I love fine jewellery but feel like no Harry Winston, De Beers, Cartier or even BVLGARI piece has anything on my taxi earrings. I don't wear them often for fear of losing them but when I do they make my heart sing.

Knit - Country Road

Cargo pants - J Brand

Shoes - Jil Sander

Bag - Bottega Veneta

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Jewellery - EA Drew ring + HIFA stall earrings + 

bangles from a street vendor

Random inspirations...

 

I wonder what sort of things inspire you and your style. Do tell.

xxx