Yellow Stripes

I love stripes; however, I am well aware how detrimental stripes can be to some peoples figure. I have a pear shape (smaller on the top, and bigger on the bottom) thus I try to only wear vertical stripes on my bottom half to give an illusion of a slimmer frame. I'll only wear horizontal stripes on my top half. All in all, I prefer vertical stripes as they don't make you appear bigger than you are. I am a firm believer of knowing what works well for your figure. 

Shade Junkie

I love Sunglasses, over the years I've collected 50+ pairs. There is NO WAY I can justify having that many pairs of shades, as I'm moving to London soon. I've cut my current collection of shades in half. My favorite pairs are the Emmanuelle Khanh Vintage (that I obtained from my friend Lola *insert sheepish smile here*), Vintage Valentino Navy Sunglasses and the H&M Faux Snake Skin Shades. I don't think someone can ever have too many sunglasses there are SO MANY various shapes and sizes! 

All in all, most of my shades I've noticed are vintage. I'm not surprised, vintage shades are the absolute truth! Whenever I discover a new Vintage Ebay store, website, thrift store, charity shop or boutique, I ALWAYS look for sunglasses. My favorite Sunglasses Designer would definitely have to be Emmanuelle Khanh, the quality, shapes, and uniqueness of his sunglasses/frames are one of a kind!!! What are your favorite pair of sunglasses or favorite sunglasses designer?

Mint Condition

I bought this Topshop Eyelet Tunic this winter at Topshop. When I bought it I absolutely loved it. Now i'm thinking I'll get rid of it via Ebay, as it's just okay. Since I'm having to drastically downsize before the end of July, and I know I won't miss it much. I'll be posting items on Ebay under my user name asowho84 throughout the next two weeks. 

When Downsizing, I tend to think to myself, do you really need this? How long has it been since you've worn it, and why did you buy it? You're probably thinking why would you ask yourself why you bought it? I noticed that a lot of items that I get rid of were impulse buys. Items that I saved for, hunted for and dreamed about (yes I dream about certain items when I leave the store) I keep. It's actually a great way to save money and curb your shop-a-holic addiction (if you have one). So next time you go shopping, go to a store try on a dress you like and don't buy it. If you are thinking about that dress at the end of the week then buy it. If you've forgotten about it, and most times you will, you would have probably saved fifty or so pounds. I also notice sometimes I buy things that mimic what I really want and I end up wasting money. In the end, I buy what I really wanted and the money I spent on the 'mimics' could have gone towards the real thing. Try my logic when it comes to shopping TRUST me it works!

However, some things that I find it hard to get rid of are magazines, books, sunglasses, bags, and accessories. But I'll try. 

Blessed for the gift of new beginnings.

Photographer: Maki A.

Sea Side Siren

Brighton is a fabulous city. Loads of vintage shops, great food, and the view from the sea side is amazing. My hair is back out and I LOVE rocking my fro. It's surprising how now even guys are complimenting me on my hair saying I love your Afro. One guy went on to say how his girlfriend just went natural and she does this and that as her regime. Let's just say I was shocked at the amount of information he knew in regards to his girlfriends hair, now that's LOVE! It left me thinking does my other half know that much about my hair?!? Knowing him he probably does... *laughs*

Photographer: Tosin Ogunlesi

Muhammad Ali for Louis Vuitton

 Louis Vuitton has definitely stolen my heart by featuring Muhammad Ali and his adorable grandson for their 'Core Values' Campaign! Muhammad Ali is the epitome of excellence, three time world heavy weight campaign, Olympic Medalist, and Steadfast in his beliefs. He is a great addition to Louis Vuitton's Core Values Campaigns, and in my opinion the best to date! You don't know how happy I was to see this photo. It is just epic in and of itself! Louis Vuitton Kudos for this campaign, I'll start wearing my vintage Louis Vuitton Speedy again to thank you... *smile*

PrintWorks

If there is one thing in regards to fashion that I absolutely love, it's clothing and accessories that have PRINT! Printed clothing and accessories just work for me! I love how you can mix various prints to make a unique and distinctive look. I love creating and thinking of new ways to mix prints and other fabrics. My style is very minimal and classic so prints make me stand out a bit more without trying too much. I mixed these two prints (ankara + the white+black one I have NO IDEA what it is called. I bought it in Balogun Market) last summer in Nigeria and LOVE the results. This dress is definitely one of my favorite dresses right now. 

The Clutch, is a bag I made for my Ace YEARS ago. I saw it in her closet and thought: 'I made this?!?' I wanted to steal it back but she wasn't having it. I don't blame her though, I wouldn't have either! Hopefully, I'll have time to finish more this summer.

SuperNatural: Trend or Lifestyle?

Many females are going natural today, some to be healthier, others to embrace their natural curl, and others to grow back their edges, but whatever the case the natural hair phenomenon has taken the world by storm! I went natural seven years ago as a Sophomore at Howard University. I had a lot of reasons for why I went natural, but the main reason was because I hated perms. As a child, I used to despise perms, I hated the ridicule I would receive when I didn't get a touch up and people laughed at your 'kitchen.' I thought yea it's my real hair! I hated the scabs I would get on my head if the perm was left in too long, or having to not scratch my head because I knew it would make my head tender and relaxer burn. All this to look more 'beautiful'?? I hated perms.

I am nine years older than my youngest sister and I used to braid and cornroll her hair as a teenager, one day she came home in the 4th or 5th grade asking my mother to perm her hair. For some reason I was furious, I shouted: "No Mommy don't perm her hair! Leave it alone," but my sister was adamant about relaxing her hair and my mother allowed it. I was angry at the mere age of 15 or so because I now that I think of it was jealous of her hair. I had never known life without a perm. My mother permed my hair from a very young age and all I knew was the relaxer, so I was jealous. My sister and I have very similar hair types soft and curly maybe a 4b/4c pattern.. I was convinced someone in her class made fun of her 'nappy hair' but I didn't say anything to her I was just upset that she wanted to relax her beautiful hair. Years later I would cut my hair off and go natural. I didn't know it was the 'Big Chop' I was just doing what I innately loved, being me in my natural state. I received so much banter from my parents, family and some friends for cutting off my hair. but I didn't care, I have thick skin and shrugged knowing I'd have the last laugh. Now all my sisters are natural, and the natural hair trend is spreading fast!

Everyone cannot be natural, it's a given, but I hope that everyone going natural now isn't for the trend but for the lifestyle and embracing your natural hair pattern. Besides we can always rock weaves, or braids for a more versatile looks. With recent studies showing there may be a link to relaxers and fibroids in African-American women, it makes me think if their is any linkage to relaxers and breast cancer. As a Chemistry major and future Pharmacist, I have thought if I should do a Ph.D on this topic, but thought need a break from education right now.

For all those natural today. Why did you go natural? For the trend or was it a lifestyle change?

Emeli Sande

I sing, well used to sing a lot more when I was younger, I usually just sing in the shower or Mass these days. As I'm getting older, I don't know how I'll use this voice, then I wonder why God blessed me with this gift, if I haven't really used it. I do sing and write for therapy as it helps to be able to sing out your happiness and pain sometimes. I need to think of a way to use it more, even if it's just to lighten up my friends day. 

Thus when I hear artist like Emeli Sande it makes me smile, knowing that there are people with raw and genuine talent that use it their God given talent! I haven't heard a song by her that I haven't liked. She is super talented and I LOVE her hair. She's a mix to me between Amel Laurrieux and Adele. Singer, Writer, and Piano player, Emeli Sande and Brit Award Winner! I can't wait to one day see her live!

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Senseless Devastation

Yesterday's Tragedies in Nigeria left me at a loss for words and in tears. No one I knew personally perished in the plane crash; however, some of my friends family members and friends did. (Just when I thought no one I knew lost their lives in the plane crash, my mother calls me yesterday and told me her friend from High Schools daughter and 9 month old son perished in the crash. I remember meeting her in Lagos when I visited a few years back. May God be with her husband and family. It's still surreal to me) It makes you question why?!? It makes you sad, then angry, then furious!!! As a Nigerian born and raised in America, my father used to always tell me about so many people like himself in his age bracket that went to school abroad with the purpose of going back to make Nigeria better, yet to no avail.

Many that went back were faced with adversity, recultant and/or greedy government officials or other person's in power. Many people fail to realize that the more we allow these senseless acts to occur the more we are putting our personal lives at risk. How many of use know family members that fly locally from Lagos to Abuja, monthly if not weekly? I am sure we all do (Nigerian readers that is). How many times could we been the victims of Dana? It saddens me and makes me upset. We as Nigerians need to change our mentalities and focus on what's important (not renaming Univerisities) and put value to the human life, first!! Our greedy and corrupt system has no value of human life and it needs to change, now!

Why are our aircrafts in such horrible condition, why is Nigeria a dumping ground for Western Countries rejected aircraft's, why aren't the NCAA doing better? I have read many of the stories that are unfolding that state the aircraft has been having issues with Dana from time, yet were ignored to maximize profits?!?! People are now coming forward revealing the how many of these airlines operate.So human lives are worth nothing when it comes to money?!! I despise our nation for not doing better, and the foreign investors that take advantage of this corruption, because families are now morning due to this senseless tragedy. Where are our Morals?

I cannot call the Dana airplane crash an accident as the signs for maintenance and the aircraft being unfit for travel were seen yet ignored. I have family in Iju, I immediately called frantically praying and hoping the aircraft didn't crash in their house or neighborhood. The 5 minutes that I couldn't get a reply seemed like the longest 5 minutes of my life. I searched pictures of the plane crash and tried to access the area to make sure it was not the case. In the end, they were okay. But other families were less fortunate. I cried when I heard of an entire family wiped out a wife, a husband and four beautiful children. I just broke down, not because I knew them but because that could have been anybody!!! Preventative and reactive measures need to be put in place when it comes to the aviation industry, motor industry, healthcare system, and etc...

Yesterday's tragedy could have involved any of us, whether you were flying, or in your house; anybody! Nigeria is a beautiful country with so much potential and the money to make our country one of the safest and most sought after countries in the world, yet corruption and greed overshadow this. I hope this opens eyes to our government and those responsible will be brought to justice. Knowing Nigeria, I am trying to be more optimistic and less pessimistic. Dana should cease to exist and all aircraft's of local airlines inspected and discarded of, if deemed unfit for travel. Dana is the fourth major plane crash in ten years: Senseless Devastation. We Can Do Better.

Yellow Heights

I'm obsessed with thrift stores and vintage shopping, it never gets old! I found these nice high waist vintage slacks in Maryland during Easter this year I was soo happy as it's very hard for me to find high waist trousers and items that fit my shape and don't make me look awkward. Meanwhile, if you follow me on twitter you know, I'm clearing out more items from my closet this weekend, via the blog and Ebay.co.uk. I am going to be moving out of Bradford soon so a lot of items I have I need to get rid of and significantly downsize. I'll tweet when I list the items this weekend.