Miss Jackson

Hello beautiful beings!!!!

So this post is inspired by the 60's and 70's with a twist to fit into that whole modernized boho-chic theme....

This shoot and theme was a little ray of sunshine in the middle of winter...God graced me with a lil bit of  sunshine and I thought I could layer down ....or should I say I was spring loading (feeling like it is spring already or there is hope for a lil warmth  in the coldest winter)...

For once I felt like my hair was part of the accessories of the theme..I mean what else screams the 60s and 70s than a fro and hoops honey??? So to twist it a little bit, I wore the bandanna as a statement neck-piece and to add a little light or brightness into the "all black outfit.... What I love the most about this outfit is that it can work out for the day and the night and it can be worn both in winter and spring...Notice: the green army/olive jacket is trending lately, with the whole utility look, so this would be one of the ways of wearing it in a way that allows you to still look ladylike...

Thank you for passing by...lots of love

Dress: Mr Price

Jacket: Thrifted

Heels: Madison (available on Superbalist)

Accessories: Lovisa

Encapsulated

Hello beautiful beings!!!!

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed, suffocating, tired or even worrying...what do you do?

 One thing I love to do is to

have plenty of "me-time"....What does the concept of me-time constitute, it may not be the perfect definition, but to me it is setting time aside to spend time with me,

breathe, 

get back to the core of my being, perhaps retrospect and introspect, meditate or perhaps just sleeeeeeeeep it off!!!! Most times though I need to say a lil prayer just to cool off, I am convinced that there is a lot of power in praying, mostly healing and soothing powers.

One other thing I have had to get accustom to is to make my mind a happy and safe place. As a woman or a girl, it is so easy to reside in my feelings and be overly sensitive, and sometimes it is also easy to confuse responsibility, planning with worrying. So by worrying and being anxious about every little detail of a task or life becomes such a draining process.

Especially when you start imagining or preparing your plan of action for any type of scenario that could happen....But one thing I have come to realize is

that neither worrying nor overthinking does help me at all..Instead I chose to start feeding my brain with positive thoughts, thoughts that are so pretty that I could put them in a vase. 

That does not mean that I live in a fairy tale land (in my head).

But if I had to live in a world I created, it would be one where goodness, kindness reside, where expectations, prejudice and judgement have no place...A place where a person is seen for who they are and where the good is a primary focus instead of

zooming in on the negative side of things...

The bottom line is...make your mind your safe place for you and for the rest of the world

, because news flash you are not a

a victim of biology, you have power over your thoughts....And the world needs positive vibes

If you can control your thoughts why not cultivate the good stuff there instead of harboring the junk? 

So own it honey, be encapsulated in your happy thoughts.....The reality of your life and your dreams start in your  mind, so 

maintain the place where the process begins

..be your own light of sunshine

Crop Top: Cotton On

Shirt: Fashion Express

Pants: Woolworth

Shoes: Mr Price

Jacket: Thrifted

Sunglasses: YDE

Thank you for reading, for passing by, for scrolling through...you are appreciated!

Little Lady Black

Hello beautiful beings!!!

So it is not so usual for fashion bloggers to post pictures in black and white, but to some extent I am still stuck in the whole "canvas" artsy feel...so my inspiration drew me to do a little black and white post, so do bare with me as I sit pwetty!!!

Recently, I acquired some taste for more dressy outfits..It's kind of a stepping stone to a change of style, because just yesterday I was all about hot pants and very short dresses....There was some confidence, subliminal freedom or a mirage of liberalism that somewhat came with more revealing clothing I guess, but I soon realized that I was never taken seriously and as cliche, corny or whatever you wanna call it as this may sound, often it sent the wrong messages which kind of annoyed me, coz I am just not that person......

My father once told me that perception always matters, but as a rebellious and opinionated free spirit I always negated that fact, thinking that it's just the usual lecture we receive from parents..So I always brushed it off....But with time I got to discover that he was not entirely wrong..It's important to look good, take care of oneself and look cute..But really what matters most is to let your true self reflect in all things you do, say and wear (we are talking about the core self, one's personality)...If your outfit is too revealing and clouds your personality, you may not be giving yourself a chance to be known as who you are.. Perhaps that's why it's best to balance out one's look, if you are wearing something really short, then you'd cover the bust more or if whatever top you are wearing is too revealing then you'd wear pants or a midi skirt or culotte shorts..So the secret is to create some balance, be classy and sassy not assy honey!!

So I decided to give out all my shorts and most of the revealing dresses and explore more "dressy" styles..Here is one of my favorite look, I think that it's different, lady like, and most of all I feel hella sexy than if I was wearing something more revealing, realleeeyy!!!

So here is to trying new things, including changing your style when you want to ..(evolving much?!)

Shirt: Mr Price

Skirt: Mr Price

Double-slit Top: Thrifted

Jersey: Fashion Express

Heels: Madison

Bag: Vickson (Available on Zando)

Hat: Foschini

Earrings: Lovisa

Canvas

Hello there beautiful beings!!

So this week's theme is all about exploring new styles, new ways....I am ll beanie and boots, laid back, which is not my usual thing, but where would the fun be if I never try out new things?

One thing I find primordial in life is to learn, part of the learning requires one to go out there and explore new things ad sometimes it requires to introspect...Truly we can learn from any and everything...Part of my learning process, in terms of style, consists of me tapping into my mood and the season (or weather) to influence my style. When this occurs I also like to venture into styles that I would usually not wear, go a little out of my comfort zone in order to see how it all turns out..... When I say out of my comfort zone, I mean less sophisticated.. I am not really a T-shirt and jeans nor beanie kind of girl..I like to be more dressy and stuff..but I tend to get bored quickly so I like entertain my self with different items and different looks that I would normally not rock..you gotta have fun with'it honey!

So on this particular day I was inspired by a rainy day where I would have to wear boots and layer up..In this shoot I took advantage of the sun and did not layer up like I would normally do...(Spotting the trend item: the oh so glossy wellies) ...I think that they are the prettier version of the normal rain boots really!!! The red band brought up a lil twist to what I normally see around. So I paired the whole outfit with my red checked shirt in order to have some harmony into the full look, and it also brings a lil pop of color in the dark ensemble. One thing I recommend though, when you buy items to make up looks that you won't usually try out or wear, don't spend a fortune on those particular items and make sure that you can pair them with some other items, otherwise it is a waste of money, really!

To me , fashion is art, your style is a canvas..So don't conform to the norms, don't get too comfortable with apparent "staples", don't let people put tags or put you in certain boxes...keep it fun, try out new things..surprise yourself!

T-shirt: Choice

Jeans: Gift

Shirt: Fashion Express

Wellies: Shoe Rama

Choker: Lovisa

Earrings: Gift

Sunglasses: Mr Price

Oatmeal

Hello there!!!!

This post is all about crispy clean, glamour and all things classy! Two ways to achieve the look are to wear a monochrome outfit or mix and match neutral colors, The white jumpsuit and the oatmeal coat married well with the nude sandals. To glam it up you can wear a statement necklace within the same colors as the palette you have chosen. I think that gold matches well with oatmeal, khakis, beige, cream and white. 

Jumpsuit: YDE

Coat: purchased online (Superbalist)

Sandals: Fashion Express

Neck piece: Mr Price

Ring and studs: Lovisa

Thank you for reading, browsing through and all of that :)

Grey matter

Grey matter

I have it, you have it, he has it

Yet, mine is supposedly less than his...society prescribes it

Yet I believe that we have it in equal amounts, it only comes down to how you use it

Why can't I wear floral and be heard without being vocal

No, I am not hormonal,

Far from that I am simply cultured, humbly learned and of substance

So excuse my lack of care or my refusal to nurse your intimidated face

An opinion is what I was taught to develop, not to boast or use it against others but to use my grey matter, so you were looking in the wrong place if you were looking for a minion

Education is just an opportunity, intelligence is my immunity to stupidity

So what determines my abilities is not dependent on my gender

Coz should it be all about that I would be the winner

I mean, us, women, we cook, clean, wear 6 inches and still get ripped open by 10 cm, bones broken but still manage pay bills, be vulnerable and open

So no I am not weak weak because my rationality comes with vulnerability

Nor will I face timidity and humility for you to seat comfortably

You say I should be part of the decor not the design

Oh, because how dare I be more than a corps, and think that I could be the core?

Well let me break it down to you, like He made me whole, fearfully and wonderfully made

So boxed, diminished and lowered is not what I will be made

But your perception, I will grant you that deception

I am not a candy, I am soul food, I am not just beauty I am brains

Your lack of vision still will not determine my position

She, I, we will be moguls coz we are far more than labeled no goals

That is the truth I will use against your lies, for the Word is bigger than the world and its words. 

Vest: Pick n' Pay Clothing (Basics)

Blouse: Cotton On

Skirt: Purchased online (Runway Sales)

Long Cardigan: Factorie

Heels: Utopia - Purchased online (Zando)

Clutch: Gift

Necklaces : Jay Jays

Knowtical: how to shop on a college student's budget

Hello there beautiful beings <3

So today's post is a nautical inspired look and the subject to be discussed is how to shop on a student's budget. 

Shopping is my guilty pleasure, my favorite thing to do....As much as I love it, it has led me into trouble but also the logistics of working around a student's budget imply that I will not be able to afford everything that I want, therefore that calls me to prioritize and do my best to be wise about it..

So a little story, when I started my second year of college (February) , I decided to take a little (it was less than 10%) of my tuition fees to shop. Granted my parents had already given me an allowance, which also catered for a little bit of shopping, I just wanted more. So I told myself, hey since I pay my fees myself (as in my parents do not send it to the school account, I deposit it instead) why not take just a little bit from the tuition fees and use it and I will pay it back later. However what happened was that I kept on pushing the payment, until it was September and I had to pay it or else I would have not gotten a spot at the student residence for the following year. So when I received the letter from my school, I could not call my parents for my dad is a no nonsense man and well he wouldn't have paid it lol (till this day he does not know anything about this). So I went to my aunt and asked her to pay for it, and at the end of the month I would pay her back. So since my birthday is in September I had to use my birthday money and some of my allowance to pay my aunt back. Since that day I promised myself to never, ever use money destined for something to shop. I had to learn how to use what I have or not just shop at all. 

I also had times when I would shop way over what I should have and for example eat ramen noodles for three days. Yet I could have spent wiser and still afford a healthier meal. There are times I also shopped more than I went out to explore and try out new places or afford to go out with my friends. So I got to a point where I asked myself what is the point of buying all these clothes, shoes and bags I have nowhere to wear to anyway? A little epiphany you say? Naah more of a reality check!!!!! Never starve for style chil'!!!

The beautiful thing with life is that you can learn from your mistakes, so what is the right way to go about this

Whatever amount you have per month (we are working on a monthly frequency or how to afford shopping every month), whether it is : your allowance, your salary/stipend, whatever disposable income or sum you have 

1) Take 30% of that total amount out and put it aside. Additionally take 10% of it and save it in a 32 days account or anything where it will require so much effort to get it. 

2) The 60% you are left with, before you buy any clothing item or shoes, first pay the bills if you have any and pay up the small loans if you have any. Paying the bills includes buying food and toiletries that you need (ain't nobody needs a stinky around them and once again, never ever starve for style it's just not fashionable or cute)!

3) Once all bills and the groceries are paid for, now you can go ahead and shop as you wish. Since you cannot buy "all things" that you need, make up a list. That list has to be organised according to priorities (basics, trend item, a bonus item). The first thing that we all need is a basic item from jeans to a white shirt, to a trench coat etc. Those I don't mind going all out on them because the better the quality of the basic item, the better and the longer it will last the less you have to buy. 

4) Thereafter you can buy any trend item, anything new that is trending for the moment. At the moment where you are making the choice, make a conscious one " needs grow". What does this mean needs grow? The media and the producer, using  advertisement, create certain needs in all of us, or you see someone wearing it and then hop you wanna get it too...I try all my best to first ask myself whether I really need it, or whether it flatters my body type, whether I even like it...Do not let any storm carry you along with it, the bandwagon effect is not IT believe me...So buy that trend item if it just makes you happy, or it's affordable so if it goes out of style you will not regret buying it and most importantly do not buy it because you are about to fit in, score cool points, look like so and so, or be better than so and so!!!!

5) Any bonus item is bought whenever you still have any money left. 

6) So you may wonder what do you do with the 30% you had put aside?  Well (according to me = does not have to hold as true or some kind of universal truth or rule of thumb) the 30% of your income is to be used to live! What do I mean by living? I want to be able to have some money left to enjoy a precious and priceless moment with my friends (i.e. dinner or lunch), I want to enjoy the place I am at by exploring sites, I want to be able to use some of my money for tithing, even if you are not religious it won't hurt to use some of your money to buy a meal for a homeless person or even something as small as buying some coffee for your friend, or anything that can benefit another human being.....

7) If there is something you really want and it is quite pricey, I suggest you save for it or instead of buying a basic item and a trend item, simply buy the wanted item (if your budget allows you to). Always remember that style has nothing to do with brands, neither do you become more fashionable by buying items at the most expensive places. 

Long sleeved tee: Pick n Pay Clothing (for those in SA, their quality of basic items is so good)

Jeans: A gift (Thank God for sisters)

Flats: Legit

Jacket: Traffic Live

Belt: Jet

Jewelry: Lovisa

Those were my two cents, thank you for reading and remember to rejoice in what you already have! Peace :)