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

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