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

Hearting D'Banj in Phillip Lim

Long day.

Long night. 

I'm so glad I'm home in one piece. So glad I remembered to check the letterbox for bills, digest the amounts owing and still write. Just had dinner with my girls and its another night I'm reminded that some things never change no matter how fun. The highlight of my night has to be hearing a snippet of D'Banj's Oliver Twist playing and seeing the naturally rhythmless hold their drinks up in the air and the one or two get down in style. I feel like African music is now transcending cultures and generations. I'm so proud. 

Thought I'd share what this I-Love-D'Banj-While-He's-Hot groupie wore today and shook her sugar in for a few hours tonight. 

 

Jumper - Country Road

Skort (skirt + short) - 3.1 Phillip Lim

Bag - Louis Vuitton

Shoes - Charles and Keith

Scarf - from a street vendor in Kuala Lumpur

Hosiery - Target

Jewellery - Georg Jensen watch + Diva + BVLGARI rings + earrings 

xxx

Weekend Special Part 1

This sounds a little nutty but I could've sworn that I came down with a cold on Friday which hung around Saturday then it disappeared over a boozy Sunday brunch-come-lunch. I spent all day Saturday indoors feeling quite sorry myself reading all my favourite publications and merely skimming through my not-so-favourite ones.

I'm still yet to find a fashion magazine that I can relate to as an African woman who hasn't been raised in The Diaspora. Still haven't found one that I simply can't live without. For those of you who read my second post on Cocamoda, I'm still dreaming of a Vogue Africa with a beauty editor who is knowledgeable about products for women of colour and who dares to touch on the notion of beauty. Still dreaming of well-researched and well-written articles on my continent's quiet achievers. Still dreaming of not overly photoshopped images of lesser known fresh-faced models. I'm so tired of seeing the same unhealthy looking 'it models' with gaunt faces and scraggly weaves. Where is that publication that has a cover glossier than New African Woman's? Where is that fashion guru that celebrates my ample bosom and childbearing hips in a Jewel By Lisa ankara piece? Where is the list of shops in Johannesburg, Harare and Nairobi that stock Babatunde products? Lord knows I need a magazine that discusses issues like infertility and the challenges that women in our societites who can't bear children face? When someone finds the magazine that I am still dreaming of - do tell.

So back to Saturday------> Come 5pm-ish my tummy started telling me all sorts of things so decided to head out to Moo's salon for a whinge then cheap + cheerful dinner in Chinatown. This is what I wore.

 Dress - Country Road
Tights - Ambra
Boots - ZARA
Bag - Louis Vuitton

Jewellery - Chanel vintage earrings,
BVLGARI watch and Georg Jensen ring

The face of a hungry woman who's trying to stop a cab

 

xxx