Zinkata, Lagos

I remember the days when only Western fashion made the big waves in Nigeria. African made outfits were only "permitted" at traditional events like trad weddings and the like. Celebrities and the wealthy wanted to show off their Versaces, Guccis, Balenciagas and Ferragamos. These days, Africans specifically Nigerians are incredibly proud of its own designers. We have Jewel by Lisa, Bridget Awosika, Amede, etc., most of which are making waves internationally... and by that, I mean outside the African continent as well. It fills me up with pride and hope for a continent that could be much farther in wealth and standard of living than it is...

Anyway, as I often do, I was browsing through the bellanaija site the other day when I came across a lace outfit I love: in lime, red, etc. I had to blog about it. Apparently, a Nigerian stylist named Ezinne Chinkata opened a boutique in Lagos, where she sells a whole range of outfits that include Nigerian-made. I have never been to the store but if her outfits fit as well as what she has on below, sign me up. I'll be there. Anyway, if you'll be in Lagos anytime soon or if you live there, you may want to check out the boutique: Zinkata at 13b Awori Road, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. Let me know how you find it... 

From bellanaija 

Michelle Williams in Giuseppe Zanotti?

I'm not sure who caught your eye at the MTV VMAs this year but I'll tell you who and what caught mine. Michelle Williams of the former Destiny's Child and her high heels. Michelle went from pop to gospel,  belting a very popular Nigerian song called "When Jesus says yes" with representation from DC sisters Beyonce and Kelly Rowland.

Michelle's animal print dress does a lot for her, showing a definite growth in fashion and style since leaving the Beyonce and DC cloud. The elaborate alligator on her heels screamed designer Giuseppe Zanotti to me, though I may be wrong. If I am, prove it. A good number of celebrities shop GZ as shown in the photos below.

GZ shoes' details work for me and I plan to add them to my collection sometime soon. Enjoy.

Justjared

GZ Spring 2013 Collection from shoerazzi

Shoerazzi

Shoerazzi

From stylewatchers

"The Body Book" by Cameron Diaz

I was delighted to see that Ms. Cameron Diaz recently published a book on the female body. She's someone I think has taken such great care of herself over the years. She's aging well: not just in her body but seemingly in her mind as well. When you watch her with women, you feel she has a strong sense of sisterhood. This is confirmed in Harper's Bazaar's August issue, where she was interviewed. In the article, she talks about how at peace with herself she is. Unlike the recent Hollywood trend where unmarried women go ahead and have babies without a father figure for the babies, she has not gone that way. This, even though she is known to be a huge lover of family. If you can't already tell, I really like Cameron. I wrote about her in my first post. Find it here.

Anyway, the official title of the book, which has 4.5/5 stars on Barnesandnobles.com website, is "The Body Book: The Law of Hunger, the Science of Strength, and Other Ways to Love Your Amazing Body." The very sexy cover of the book is below. Plan on purchasing? We would love to know how she gets her body looking this amazing and how she stays so confident!

Image from thebodydepartment.com

See this picture of Cameron with her other ladies from her new movie "The Other Woman."

Image from huffingtonpost.com

Photos below are proof that Cameron did well by writing a body book. Enjoy. :)

Image from garancedore.fr

Image from iphotoscrap.com

Image from comicbookmovie.com

Rihanna, Iman and Naomi for Balmain in the W Magazine

It's always beautiful to see beautiful black women show-stop. Balmain's campaign couldn't be any better with his choice of Rihanna, Iman and Naomi Campbell in the W Magazine. He showcases three generations of black (or tribal as another site called them) women: Iman who started her modeling career around the 70's, Naomi who started hers in the '80s, and then Rihanna who became some sort of fashion icon in the 2000's. Interestingly, the older women are aging well and look just as young as Rihanna in the cover.

I love love love the edgy personality of Balmain's outfits: from his pants for women to his dresses, and the jewelry here is to be had!! I wouldn't mind just 5 minutes in a Balmain outfit on a stage: Lights! Camera!! Action!!!

Here is a sketch and a winning photo.

From HaydenWilliams Tumblr account

From BellaNaija.com

The Most Stylish of the Most Stylish of 2014

Harper's Bazaar, which you probably know as my favorite magazine,  recently published "The Most Stylish of 2014." Now, I have a regular professional job. I'd hate to deceive you into thinking that I spend my time each day poring over fashion and gossip magazines looking for styles but I don't. I don't have enough time for all that unfortunately. However,  I feel obligated to share what I find attractive as I come across styles I LOVE in the magazines, websites, etc.

The article includes the likes of Amber Heard, Angelina Jolie, Beyonce and all the expected big names. Of all the picks, here are my faves. Most are ready to wear. 

I'm a sucker for Cameron Diaz and knowing that white is not always easy to pull off, I had to share this nicely done combination.  In all honesty (though), I love the purse more than the outfit.

Cara D. is stunning just about all the time. She looks delish in this photo. I love her poise in the photo. I wouldn't wear what she's wearing: I'm a bit cautious wearing outfits that expose front skin. Back exposure (literally the back) is more comfortable for me. LOL.

I believe in simple and great. So, Emma in this dress and those heels works for me.

I don't find the color of this dress flattering BUT it's stunning on Jen: the neckline is amazing. I like that she did not wear any jewelry. Just letting her face, lips, legs and body do the work!

Classy classy. See a trend here? White, black and white-black combos do the trick. ;) 

I'd kiss you if you got me this Kate Bosworth dress. :*

Sooooooooooooo... I got to number 60 and decided to take a breather. These are my best photos up to Most Stylish 60.

Have a lovely week!!

Colbie Caillat Doesn't Think You Should Try

I have always been a Colbie Caillat lover. No, I'm not gay, just saying. I find her soft voice soothing and her lyrics uplifting. I first fell in love with her when I heard her "Realize": "Take time to realize that your warmth is crashing down on in...If you just realize what I just realized..." I'm what my college friends used to call a hopeless romantic. Romantic behind closed doors (the awww's in books and movies) but cynical in real life. LOL. Colbie Caillat lets me be just that: my long flight, airplane medicine.

Well, mi dear Colbie is touching women with her new song "Try." She's saying we don't have to do too much to be beautiful or to love ourselves. Isn't that so true? Manis, pedis, so much makeup that you can barely feel your face? Let's not try too hard to be beautiful because what makes us beautiful really is on the inside.

Her cover photo of half-straight (no makeup) and half-made (mega-makeup) for Elle would cause you to do a double-take. It barely looks like the same person... smoky eyes on one side and something light on the other. How different do you look with your makeup? Do you need it?

Whatever, just be happy with you... 'cos she's happy with YOU. Xoxo!!

From Elle Magazine

Doesn't she remind you a bit of Celine Dion in one side of the pic, though?

From savpeople.com

 That's the professional Colbie. I usually see her dressed down in pictures...

From uthmag.com

 The chillin' Colbie I'm more used to. Know she just learned to play the piano? She's so laid back and cool!

From grammy.com

She's won the Grammy's y'all and still appears so humble. I don't ever want to try to hard to be beautiful on the outside. I'm beautiful already. So are you. Thanks Colbie for the reminder!!

MyHabit Your Habit

A few months ago, I received an email from Amazon.com inviting me to check out their MyHabit site. The email was attractive: nice clothes and jewelry. I checked out the site and even downloaded the app. Till today, I haven't purchased a thing from the site. Maybe it's because I'm not yet sure how it works. Is it an online discount store, a consignment store or a regular store selling items for the same price as the retailer? One of these days, I'll find out.

I have not unsubscribed from it yet (double negative... I could say I am still subscribed, but anyway...). So, as can be expected, I received another eye-catching email today tempting me to the site. I fell and am not unhappy I did [double negative again :-) ]. I spotted a sweet Cynthia Rowley dress I would wear in a heartbeat. You guessed right: it's a print dress.

Check out other items that tickled my fancy.

From $410 down to $205, my lovely dress is now SOLD OUT!!

Y'all know I love me my DVF but I'm not too huge a fan of this dress (from $365 to $183). It might be a bit too printy for me, as a friend so wickedly pointed out... I now own a few too many leopard print items.

Though I like how this looks, I'm seeing too many of them around to even consider purchasing it. DANNIJO necklace from $995 to $498 on MyHabit.

Now ladies, it may be beneficial to point out that I would not expect you with wear any necklace with the first print dress. If you must with the second, keep it a simple black or nude. The Dannijo necklace should only be worn with a simple (solid-colored) blouse... definitely not anything printy.

Till next time, xoxo!

Nothing Sexy about the "Naked Dress"

Elle Magazine shared a post through tinyurl a few hours ago on "The Evolution of the 'Naked Dress'." If you are confused about the "naked dress," think Rihanna at the CFDA Fashion awards. I believe she started the whole bizarre dressing thing after Lady Gaga launched fashion craziness. :) While I am a strong advocate of women's confidence and the beauty of a woman's body, I am in no way a supporter of giving confused teenage boys a reason to drool.

Yes, it's displayed on the runway to "show the true beauty of a dress" but a dress should look beautiful the way it is WORN... not just for art. Yes, it's perfect for a tease in your husband's house. However, on the road, it leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination except for maybe a sudden urge to puke.

Too much is NEVER cute. I've never seen where "too much" made any sense. If you have, let me know. All your skin out is NOT tasteful, ladies. Not in the '60s and definitely not now!

Here a few pictures from Elle's "naked" post.

Marilyn Monroe in 1962

Kate Moss and Naomi in 1993

Toni Braxton in 2001

Kelly Brook in 2004

Iggy Azalea in 2012

We all make fashion mistakes but I will de-friend any of my friends or family who lets me step out in any of this mess! By the way, in case you didn't notice, I made sure to leave out Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and The Lady Gaga in this post. Later gators!

Fabsugar's Celebrity-Inspired Bridesmaids Dresses

In a recent issue of Redbook magazine, the absolute cutie, Brad Goreski, dresses a young lady up in a nice maxi dress and instructs readers to wear to a wedding. That is, as wedding guests. The picture is below.

Brad Goreski, French Connection Dress, Redbook picture 

Now, while I think the dress is adorable, I had shared with my friend that I would more likely wear it to a beach chill-out event with girlfriends than a wedding. It speaks casual to me... too casual. Through my profile, you'll learn that I love simple! However, simple has levels that do not mix. You do casual simple (day at the mall or hang-outs) or you can do occasion-simple (party, wedding, etc.). A wedding is totally an "occasion-simple" outfit event.

Fabsugar writers picked much better could-be-worn-to-a-wedding dresses in the article "Bridesmaid Dress Ideas from Celebrities." I'd wear the dresses to a wedding in a heartbeat. Maybe in different colors but absolutely most of the styles. Yes yes... the suggestions are for bridesmaids but I'd tone down in somewhat lighter colors (attract little enough attention, hehe) and sit just fine in the audience.

My picks from Fabsugar's post are below.

Does Kerry ever go wrong?

While I am not sure if this silhouette would flatter most people, I enjoy the uniqueness of the dress. A wide-hipped, small/moderate-boobied lady should look good in the dress.

Stunning Charlize!! I'd prefer the dress in a light pink.. The dress might stir up competitive/hateful feelings and thoughts from the bride and bridesmaids. So, wear at own risk. :)

I love the simplicity of this dress but I would pair with a slim gold belt.

Competition-muchooooo. Don't care. I'd still wear it to a wedding... Fine! I might be nice and wear a lighter blue but just as fitted.

This says I'm a beautiful innocent princess... Works for me.

Alright, alright. Done for now. Look out for me later. Xoxo.

Just for You by Bloomingdales

I'm not a fan of subscribing to lots of sites but it seems almost impossible these days to shop/window-shop outfits without subscribing to sites: ideeli, Rue la la. You name it. I've been forced to relegate a number of daily emails to Junk Mail 'cos it gets overwhelming at times. 

The one subscription that is yet to bother me is the one to Bloomingdales. In fact, their emails are usually pleasing and to my taste. I recently received one of their "Just for You" emails that tickled me nicely. The first dress had me purring: huge temptation for the week. Other highlighted accessories and outfits are below. 

I can't remember the designer of the dress anymore but all I know is that I love it. 

A slightly similar print dress by Mara Hoffman for $208 is below. 

This size 12 Nicole Bakti gown is now on sale for $310. 

This Kate Spade pendant is $58. 

Check out Bloomingdales for more inspiration...

Seduce: La Perla

The first time I put up a post on La Perla, I had assumed it was simply a Victoria's Secret competitor. That is, most girls (American and otherwise) think V.S. when they want sexy lingerie. Would you permit me to say La Perla is a luxury V.S.? Higher priced, as creative or even more creative than V. S...

La Perla advertises itself as European intimate apparel for men and women. Not sure how long they've been out but it's obvious they are now marketing to the US crowd. They've been showing up on American fashion & high fashion magazines. 

I call La Perla apparel "strictly seductive": some pieces leaving ideas to your imagination, others telling you a full story. Here are some pieces from the site. 

Soutache lingerie slip for $788... 85% silk

95% silk nightgown $428

Iconic slip for $505

Below are from campaigns. 

From A Couture Life blog

It's Another Nigerian Wedding

It's painful that I can't write about Nigeria right now without thinking of the plight of over 250 young girls kidnapped and likely being mistreated by a number of unfamiliar men. Unfortunately, occurrences seem to continue cropping up that keep us in a state of stupor over what man does to fellow man. That's in general. With regards to cruelty against women, the free women in Nigeria and other parts of the world must not let these hateful men win.

While some mourn, in the same country, thankfully, real love is consummated through natural marriage for other women: women who get to choose/date their men and don't get sold into marriage. Nigeria is not a place of selling into marriage. The Boko Haram men must not succeed!

A lady wedded her sailor... her pictures tell her story. (Pictures are from BellaNaija.)















Where pain resides, joy still thrives. Let it be so: let joy thrive!!