March // The Faux Glamour Around Turning 18

So last week Sunday I turned 18. I could tell you how different it feels and how I am now a "grown woman and can do whatever I want" but I'd be lying and I respect your level of tolerance for played out clichés way too much to feed you that one my dear friends!

Truthfully, all I feel is a sense of uncertainty . I feel more child-like than I did at 23:57 on Saturday evening. A rush of rebellion came over me, as if urging me to live a little more, love a little harder and really not give a damn. All whilst using my non existent kick boxing skills to kick down the boundaries society sets up sky high for us females (something I stay and will forever stay preaching) .

I've struggled with my image and identity for almost seven years now. I went from "too fat" to "too skinny" all the way back to an in between,awkward size that was neither bad nor good/sexy enough - all according to society and it's rule book that we follow so religiously! And I realised how exasperating it is trying to box yourself up into a category that doesn't even account for half of your personality . All these years I have spent trying to figure out exactly where I belong. Well you know what? Home is where the heart is and my heart is in whatever touches my soul. So tonight I'll sleep with my turban on because I'm deep within my spiritual feels (yes, turbans are spiritual to me), tomorrow weave my hair,  the next  day I'll squeeze into a vest with a V-line plunging so low that my double D's make you uncomfortable! Simply because being 18 and going with the motions and wherever your heart leads you too (also taking into consideration the amount of Fendi's* you give on that day) is so much more easier and flippen peaceful for the soul!

So 18 year old me says to you .. " whatever is good for the soul, do that!"


This was my before 18 look//

Outfit

Skort playsuit - Cotton On 

Platforms - Cotton On 

Stay blessed x 

Look Post // You aint even know

I have been swamped with work and overwhelmed with feels of confusion regarding where my almost-eighteen-year-old self thought I would be at this point and I must say I am disappointed. Not that things have gone side-ways as of late but that is just it! They havent gone ANYWHERE and that's worrying because I know there are BIG tings gwaanin in me head but I just need the right/perfect platform... and then it hit me. I've been waiting around for the right platform to come instead of creating my own . Being a creative means CREATING yet I havent done much . I've always believed nothing good/big/great ever comes to anyone sitting around on their size 34 butt yet I've failed to take my own advice. Subconsciously,  that is what I've done.

On a brighter note, I needed to be brutally honest with myself, stop feeling so intimidated and go play with  the other kids. Speaking of the other kids, there are three beautiful ladies that have been on my radar for some time. Insanely talented creatives who you should be talking about and if not you will after reading this ! These ladies are flourishing and are an absolute inspiration to myself and I'm certain to other aspiring bloggers, art directors and boutique/online store owners.

1. Khensani Mohlatlole from the Glitter Daiquiri blog and new Glttr Betty online store which is sure to blow up amongst us vintage/tumblr feels lovers.

2. Zama Marubelela from the Ya-Girl blog. Zama is stylish, preppy and from my interaction with her an absolute sweetheart. Her fashion and lifestyle blog will keep you hooked. Her look posts have to be the highlight for me. They're always executed so effortlessy and make you actually want to try the look out !

3. Stephanie Mzee. The ebony beauty that is Stephanie shares my love and passion for Art Direction. She just recently hoped on her first project called Fading Art Direction (check the page out on Facebook) with the first series being African Pride . This kid is insanely talented and ignited my flame too ! Cannot wait to eventually work with her.

Shine-fly dust to these mamies and keep on keeping !

Oh and yes, this is a look post. That's what I do when I need to pick myself up, throw on the sickest pieces of clothing (almost always past down or thrifted because I believe in reinvention you see) and strike a pose in front of the camera . I was channeling the "I can look anything darn fly in anything I wear " feels and I definitely felt that way . Who said sporty attire was only for the athletic? They clearly dont see fashion as an art form, a form of expression.

Dress - Diesel

Cap - Nike

Shoes - Adidas Torsion


Bless You All x

Monochrome // The Bold Fashion Statement

"Black compromises everything. So does white. They posses absolute beauty: they are in perfect harmony." - Coco Chanel

Monochrome is a timeless trend that dates back centuries but more famously brought to life by Coco Chanel around 1926

 with the Little black dress and the Lady Suit. Before this, monochrome was popularised by "The Suit": the male attempt at "getting dressed up" (This made me chuckle!). With black being the traditional colour worn to funerals and white the purity of a matrimonial ceremony, it was uncommon to have the two brought together (unless in uniform) as a fashion statement . In the case of Coco Chanel , she killed two birds with one stone. A legendary fashion statement was made as well as the breaking down of gender stereotypes in fashion . The notion that women could not where suits  (especially the black and white suit traditionally worn by men) was shut down. A win for fashion. A win for the females. ( whoa. I feel my feminism creeping into this post. Ha). The trend paved way for structured, masculine pieces for women as well as bold prints that gave the 1920s mini dresses a twist. Monochrome has always given me a since of edge, a bit of gies to strut my duck walk down that flippen street. Come summer, autum, winter and spring.. monochrome is no trouble fitting into your wardrobe for all the seasons. Mixing and matching different shades of a colour (because we all know monochrome is not just black and white, right ladies and gents?)  to tone you down or give you that edge or even when it's just the easiest thing to put together when you are lazy/late, monochrome will always be your go-to trend.

My top monochrome influences (local and international) have to be :

1. Black Coffee by Jaques van der Watt
The Imprint Summer 2013 range at SA Fashion Week 2013 and his summer 2014 range had monochrome pieces with bold, geometric patterns and print that left me teary-eyed they were so gorgeous !

2. Alexander Wang
Am I the only one who thinks of this genius when I think of monochrome? I shouldnt be. Personally Alexander's monochrome aesthetic is what made me fall head-over-heels in love with his creations.

Erykah Badu x Ricardo Tisci

"You a Bad(u) girl and your friends Bad(u) too ! Oh, you got that swag sauce, you drippin' swag-goo !"

My love and obssession for this woman will never waver . Whether she's belting out sultry tunes or making a fashion statement with her headwraps or  high top hats looking like she stepped out of the Dallas, Texas version of Alice in Wonderland, Mama Badu is always on point. She embodies the whole "Listen I love this piece and I'm gonna rock it in the most unconventional way and slay" look , something I aspire to be as my sense of style evolves .

Erykah was named the face of the Givenchy Spring 2014 campaign. We see her rocking her signiture afro to quickly transitioning to sleek hair and that quirky top hat in the campaign shoot and looking nothing short of a goddess.

In recent internet news ( that I stumbled across on tumblr ) Creative Director for Givenchy, Ricardo Tisci and Mama Badu did a spread for Paper Mag ( Yes, the same one that Kim did the nude shoot for - which she slayed tbh ) . The snaps taken at a train station, had some "lumming with the homie" type vibe and then that one shot that had a hot and steamy lovers scenario going on which I absolutely loved ! Here, Ricardo reveals how Erykah is one of his idols and the definition of style. He goes on to say, I quote "
Erykah is the perfect Givenchy woman. She has that ambiguity, that contrast of high-end fashion meeting street culture. She'll wear an haute couture dress with Nike sneakers without ever doubting the association". Erykah Badu undoubtly embodies unconventional glamour and oozes raw elegance . (read more about it here ) .

Pictures by Theo Wenner

Walking Into Summer | Cotton On Buys

As Cape Town has basically throttled full force into summer, my wardrobe has been lagging breathlessly behind. I've found myself struggling to put together proper outfits that fit my stylish personna. I've even caught myself rumaging through my 13 year old sister's wardrobe. What I expect to find there ? Please don't ask but desperate times call for desperate measures .

So I've been bargin shopping and scouting as well as basically digging for gold in the dump that is my wardrobe . Which found me bagging rad pinafores and a boho chic style dress that I had thrifted years ago and I'm so thrilled to have found use for again ( will do a post on those later) . Anyway so I popped into Cotton On this weekend ( which ALWAYS  has great deals by the way ! ) and went straight to the shoe section because I realised that I wouldnt be able to pull of my All Stars with every single oufit this season ( my style has totes evovled from that ! )  . I found a prettier version of the now in trend Ugly Sandal as well as these cute black mini platfroms both for 300 bucks. I was so stoked!

My quest for a boho chic summer wardrobe is well underway !

Bless x

Outfit Post | The turtle neck vs. The maxi-length skirt

" I apologise for waiting to tell you for so long.. I am not human . I am made of bacon, fairytales, pixie dust .. I dont feel. "

Basically all items are either thrifted, passed down or borrowed.

Bless.

New month, self shenanigans : Outfit Post

As I rummaged through my timeless wardrobe .. I came across this super cool mini that umama bought for me at a sale five or six years ago . Of course then I thought it was super hideous but now it's unusual . I love unusual. So I love the skirt now and I just had to put on my favorite Anisa skirt. Ugh I just always feel sax in it.

Also I put on some oversized shirts and vests and rocked my over sized dungaree. Bad hair day and badly done faux freckles.. I rocked it because I can. 

Bless. 

Photographer: Olwethu Rani 

Outfits: Mini-woollies, other mini-Anisa Mpungwe mrp line, oversized vest-Mrp , Men's tshirt - Cotton On , dungaree - Cotton On , Old primary school cap , All stars and iknee highs zika mama 

Solange Knowles x Puma : Girls of Blaze Disc Collection | How I Would Style it

Solange Knowles x Puma : Girls of Blaze Disc Collection | How I Would Style it by luthandolove featuring a floppy hat

Backless dress
$15 - amazon.co.uk

White turtleneck
etsy.com

Opaque tight
dillards.com

Alexander Wang leather messenger bag
shopbop.com

Watch
$115 - kikisboutique.com

Topshop floppy hat
topshop.com

Puma Puma X Solange Girls Of Blaze Disc Rainbow Sneakers - White Swan
shopbop.com