Anyone For Pheasants?

It's been one of those weeks where so much has gone pear-shaped on so many levels and where I've found myself reciting Maya Angelou's Still I Rise for strength. This is my favourite part of the poem: 

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I riseI rise

I decided to catch up with friends for Friday drinks before strutting my stuff home to freshen up for dinner and a movie. I'd been dying to watch Delicacy, a French film starring Audrey Tautou and was determined to watch it tonight! Tonight in leather shorts and cramp inducing heels. The thing is - one wee wine later, I was in a department store sussing out Mary Katrantzou's Spring 2012 Ready-To-Wear Collection rethinking my grand plan. 

I didn't strut anything home. I didn't make it to dinner. I didn't wear the leather shorts or the heels. I did however, watch Delicacy and I highly recommend it to lovers of beautifully shot foreign films. 

This is what I wore today.

The pants were from Ralph Lauren's men's section and the minute I saw the pheasant embroidery, I wasted no time in trying them on. I'd been flirting with the idea of an androgynous look but had only gone as far as buying masculine-style loafers and brogues. Both Adewale and I love these pants dearly.

Trench - Scanlan and Theodore

Shirt - Uniqlo

Men's Pants - Ralph Lauren

Belt - Hermes

Shoes - Sergio Rossi

Jewellery - Kazuri earrings + EA Drew ring +

 BVLGARI watch

Remember to follow me on Twitter @HarareMbama where I share products and chic fashion finds. Have a great weekend!

 xxx

Meet Adewale

Feeling a tad bit overwhelmed with my personal shopping gig, writing a piece entitled "I Am Not My Louboutins" and the departure of a dear friend in early June. I find it very difficult to tell my closest ones, with the exception of my brother, how much they mean to me so its going to be hard saying goodbye. It's the end of long conversations and hours of people watching. There will be no more trips to ZARA to scan the new delivery, no one to play Spot The Tightest Outfit with me and no one to whinge about portion sizes at 'wanky' restaurants.
        

I'd hoped to spend some time with him on Sunday but Moo, being the social scene whore that he is, had other plans. Gutted, I did solo brunch at my spot and accepted an invitation to a late afternoon 'engagement'. This is what my alter ego, Adewale, wore on Sunday.

I've decided to experiment with new lip colours and thought I'd rock a new lippie and gloss from MAC. The lipstick is Up The Amp Amplified Creme Lipstick and the gloss is Narcissus Cremesheen Glass. Pop into a MAC store near you and try them along with any others. Do tell what great lippies you come across.

Jacket - Belstaff

Top - Ralph Lauren

Jeans - Levis

Shoes - Jil Sander

Newsboy cap - Ralph Lauren

Jewellery - EA Drew ring +

earrings from a Harare street vendor

Another hood pose dedicated to my parents who don't know that I also
look to them for fashion inspiration. One day soon I'll tell them about the 
blog and hopefully they'll understand their influence on my style and 
realise that they are in everything I see and do.

XXX

Viva FASHIONOPOLIS!

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending Nuffnang Fashionopolis, Australia's first ever fashion blogger networking event. If it wasn't for Miranda of Miranda's Inside Scoop, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to attend the all day affair and mingle with movers and shakers of the fashion blog sphere and fresh blogger talent looking to develop their skill sets.

Fashionopolis, sponsored by Sunglass Hut Inner Circle and Reward Style, was much more than I'd expected after having attended fashion related seminars and star-studded events in past years. Never before did I feel such positivity in a room and like I was in the company of new friends. Felt like I amongst like-minded people who see the beauty all sorts of little things be it stitching or a finish and who take fashion risks day in day out often sacrificing 'normal jobs' for their passion. I'm so thankful to my fashion blogger friend Miranda for making sure I snapped up a ticket before the online deadline. I'm so thankful to the organisers and my fellow bloggers. I'm motivated beyond measure.

Thought I'd share some random images with you and what I wore to the event.

Miranda of Miranda's Inside Scoop and  Nuffnang's Dave Krupp

Reward Style President Amber Venz 

Estelle La Mode's sister duo

Little J Girl whose Givenchy Nightgale I've coveted for the longest time

Miu Miu sunglasses on my wishlist

A force to be reckoned with

Top - Country Road

Pants - Gorman

Shoes - Chanel

Jewellery - Forever New earrings + 

H&M bangles +Georg Jensen watch

+ EA Drew ring

xxx

Special thanks to:
TeamAFRICA's Miranda's Inside Scoop @SaKhino + Estelle La Mode @Estelle_La_Mode
Phoebe Montage @LadyMelbourne
NuffNang @nuffnangAU
Sunglass Hut @sunglasshut and their amazing team
Reward Style @rewardStyle
Fashion Torque @fashiontorque
Steve Madden @stevemaddenAus
1000 Pound Bend @1000POUNDBEND  
Domain Flowers @DomainFlowers
Patty Huntington @pattyhuntington
Sarah Gale @sarahgaleAUS
Amber Venz @VENZedits
David Krupp @davekrupp
The Wonderful Jenny Banister @jennybFT
Philip Boon @PhilipBoon
Kyra Pybus@PybusPR
All the bloggers who braved the weather and attended Fashionopolis

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

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

Mad Busy Monday

Its been one hell of a hectic Monday and I'm so glad its nearly over. Feel like I ran around like a headless chicken for much of the day. Headless chicken in four inches! So a walk in the park was in order. There's nothing quite like walking out your surface issues then whipping up a light dinner, having a little wine and putting on some heavy house. Lord and The Ancestors know I love me some old school R n' B and reggae but there's something about those Durban (Dhebheni) beats. Hela!

This is what I wore today.

  Shirt - Uniqlo

Parka - Vanessa Bruno

Jeans - AG Adriano Goldschmeid

Shoes - Miu Miu

Bag - cheap and cheerful from a Bali market

Belt - Edgars

Jewellery - Hikari pearl studs + Victoria Mason for Maker's Mark necklace

EA Drew ring + BVLGARI watch

Big shoutout to these Twitter loyalists ----> Shona Vixen @shonavixen, Aphro @Phroetic, The King (crown here) @LOCHnation, Zanele @glamgirlZ, Diasporan Darlings @DiasporanD, Chira @KairaB, Anisia Michael @NiseyMiyake, Lisa Folawiyo @lisafolawiyo and the best brother anyone could wish for @SirNige. I am so thankful to all for your support and words of encouragement. Handife ndakazvikanganwa izvi:)

xxx