Cherry Legs

My mobile phone barely three weeks old has died and I'm really annoyed because I've lost all my contacts, photos and notes. They're gone! Mr Sony Xperia's death and then a roughish day meant a trip to Brunswick, an inner city neighbourhood yuppies have coined onto, for a kebab to perk up. Yes I heart kebabs but only from one establishment called Tiba's on Sydney Road. While others sulk, drink or shop their worries away, I almost always walk out niggling issues to this multicultural neighbourhood with a True Love magazine tucked under my arm for one. Only a lamb kebab with extra pickles and a small tub of tabouli for later could've cheered me up. Funny how my precious contacts, photos and style notes all became mush as I took my first bite. 

I'd planned to come straight home, dissect what Giovanna Battaglia, a demi fashion goddess, is wearing in all of Scott Schumann's shots on The Sartorialist and research new developments in the marketplace. Had planned to brush up on my product knowledge because while many of you think I know a lot about fashion, the truth is I know only a slither about the industry. There's always new designer. There's always a new retailer. There's always a slightly different cut and an increased use of new fabrics. What's comforting is that even the greatest creative forces never stop learning. 

Thought I'd unload some of my Tuesday drama, confess that I heart kebabs and share what I wore today.

 Coat - DVF

Top - Dotti

Skirt - ZARA

Scarf - Hermes

Bag - Louis Vuitton

Tights - Columbine 

Shoes - Yves Saint Laurent

Jewellery - Hikari Earrings + Swatch watch + 

Georg Jensen and BVLGARI rings

*Pssssst----> nail colour is OPI  Charged Up Cherry

I can't keep up with Melbourne's changing temperatures so I've decided that wearing lightweight coloured opaques might just be the way to go. Thought I'd wear them today with a basic top, yet another pleated skirt from ZARA, a coat I almost wrestled someone for in an underground sample sale and YSL booties I spent weeks hunting down. These booties had me calling stalking a Korean friend who I needed to call a store in Seoul for my size and staying up at odd hours waiting for retailers around the world to commence trading. I finally found the booties and only because of them, I know world time zones.

How about you? Have you ever had your eye on a particular item you moved heaven and earth to find?  Do share in the comments or on Twitter if you tweet!

xxx

Fat Day 101

I caught up with a girlfriend for what was supposed to be Lunch-slash-Gallery Day but we never made it past Table 18. A good part of this working day was spent flirting with the idea of checking out the exhibition we'd come to see, taunting an American waiter and discussing happenings on Planet Relationship in Dave Chapelle's Rick James voices. While we ate very little food, copious amounts of wine were involved on this Harare-Mbama-Feeling-Fat Day.

I'm convinced there isn't a single woman who doesn't have a couple of fat days every month. These are the days when loose tops debut, diets go out the window, treadmills are distant memories and loved ones + lovers are on the receiving end of irrationality. For me, these are the days I also pull out some reggae music that makes me laugh out loud like no one else in this building or cry like I've just been dumped. Yes this is a fashion blog but its important you all know that I'm real. I'm a real woman with real issues. Got days when zits appear out of nowhere, when I just want to chill  in my pyjamas all day and eat a whole flattened chicken, when I'm frazzled after an old boyfriend gets in touch, when I hiss my teeth at some teenage girl in her micro mini and when I put Monica's Don't Take It Personal on repeat until I master her every murmur.

These fat days are the days wide leg pants and a silk scarf come out to play. I thought I'd keep it casual with a singlet, some bangles from H&M and a Harare street vendor and throw in a little high fashion in the form of Louis pumps I adore. As expected, the weather turned and I wore a cardigan that can be worn several ways.  

Top - Supre

Pants - DKNY

Cardigan - DKNY

Scarf - from Beijing market

Shoes - Louis Vuitton

Bag - Barneys New York

Jewellery - Hikari earrings + Georg Jensen watch + 

H&M bangles + wooden bangles 

from a street vendor

 xxx

The Playful Print And Pearls

It's been another awesome day topped off with a walk home via The Carlton Gardens, a green space only a block away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD. Never thought I was the outdoors type but I've found myself looking forward to early morning walks in the park and chit chats about different plant species with my senior citizen buddies. I'm told when you start talking plant related anything and befriending senior citizens - you're getting old. 


In addition to new eateries, footwear and delights only a pedestrian can spot, I've started taking photos of the littlest of things and artworks in city gardens that inspire me. These are the latest images on my inspiration board.

Another warmer than usual day so I decided to wear another oldie but goodie with a pair of Celine pumps. I have a real love-hate relationship with Australian high street retailers purely based on price-point but I couldn't help falling for this dress. I've worn it countless times and to all sorts of occasions. There's no point in parting with money for a printed piece that you'll find difficult to wear.

 Dress - Cue

Belt - Prada

Bag - Louis Vuitton

Shoes - Celine

Sunglasses - Prada

Jewellery - Hikari earrings + necklace

What's a must-have piece in your wardrobe? A classic cut dress with a print that speaks to you.

xxx

A Change Is Gonna Come

Happy Friday everyone! 

I had a crazy day dealing with urgent tasks and preparing for a meeting with someone who needs a little help with their wardrobe. Busy busy Friday but I couldn't help drifting off into my own little world and reflecting on a friend's question about five fashion mistakes I've made. I've made so many in the past and still make many now. I can admit that I've been in denial of my true size when it comes to underwear and have developed a thong-related muffin top. Deep down I suspect it's somehow Thong Song related [cringe].

I'm so thankful to Kuka, one half of the talented Diasporan Darlings, for asking me a question that has led to self-improvement. This morning, I woke up earlier than usual determined to fix the fixable noting where I've gone wrong underwear-wise and what I'm in desperate need of. I've started a list of the essentials and researching the non-essentials that can a man howl. Yes ladies howl! Nothing like shirt dress and four inches to quick start great change. This is what I wore today. 

Dress - Elie Tahari

Bag - Louis Vuitton

Shoes - Alexander McQueen

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Jewellery - Sportsgirl cuff + 

Georg Jensen watch + Hikari pearl studs

 

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