Style Basic: The White T.Shirt.

                             Photography by Tosin
Hey hey hey..
Miracles of all miracles, i found a blog photog! *cue hallelujah chorus*
After looking for someone who can take decent photos for my style posts without asking for my kidneys as cost for AGES, i met a very wonderful young lady, starting out in professional photography, great attitude, great talent, and so yay to more outfit posts!. (hey Tosin !)
Anyway, black and white are my top favorite colours and the white tee is a basic for me as it is minimalist, easy and very versatile. Love.
Here i styled it in two casual ways-
Look 1: I added a blue denim shirt, some metal bracelets, a print purse, a pop of color with the shoes and statement necklace (above).

The Small Chop: My Hair Cut Story.

 

So, I cut my hair.
Not the 'big chop' as most natural-hair converts do, but a chop all the same.
Like most other things in my life, i have been thinking about it for a while, i have read, meditated and researched everything from the cut style, products to use on short hair, what color options i had if i wished to change it, how the cut will affect my clothes and makeup, my emotions, what options i have in case i get bored of the look, will i keep it short for a while or grow it out immediately after, and a million other things.
I'm like that. I over-analyse everything.
But once i'm done analyzing, it takes me 2 seconds to go for it. Because i want to. No explanations to anyone. No announcements.

Taking Stock: 02.

Making: Plans for the major changes i will be making towards this blog and my personal branding in the very very near future. I have evolved a lot from when i started and it's time to show that growth. So excited!

Makeup Review: Isabelle Dupont Dream Finish Matte Mouse Foundation.

Some weeks ago, while in the market for some work assignment, I came across this gem of a foundation, which I bought after the usual enjoyable-but-exhausting banter with the sales woman, meant to convince me that said product is the best thing since Cold Stone ice-cream and that I HAD TO HAVE IT! You know how that goes...

MakeUp: Chocolate Vampy Lips

Hi guys!

Today's makeup look is on the dark and vampy side. 

In 2015, most thanks to Kylie Jenner, dark-brown lip colors became in again and it looks like it'll be here for a while.

As i don't currently own any deep dark brown lipsticks, i created this look by lining and filling my lips with my eyebrow pencil- Davis No.18!, after exfoliating and generously moisturizing my lips with Vaseline, of course.

I left the other parts of my face neutral with a sheer pearly finish to my lids and highlighter.

Make Up: Smokey + Glitter.

I shot this makeup look some days back. It’s a very easy smokey-eye-with-nude-lips look, but i amped it up with the glitter below my lower lashes. ALSO, i wore LASHES! Can you see?! I felt weird with them but they made a lot of difference to the look.

5 Ways To Being Iris Apfel (And The Best You) in 2016.

OMYGAD WHO IS THAT?!
That was my first reaction to seeing the above photo of the 94 year old style icon, interior designer, textile maker and eccentric color fairy Iris Apfel.
I can't remember where i saw the photo but i remember the amazement i felt. Which is the height we should try to attain in life.
Quick summary- she is a New Yorker, became interested in trinkets and odd accessories from age 11, started her career as a Copy Editor for Women's Wear Daily, met and married her husband Carl in 1948 ('goals' or no?), he died last year at age 100 , they don't have any children because according to her, -
"I don’t believe in a child having a nanny, so it wasn’t what we were going to do, but also having children is like protocol. You’re expected to. And I don’t like to be pigeonholed".
She decorated the US White House for 9 presidents (cool, i know!), rose to fame just 9 or 10 years ago (!), has a makeup collection with MAC, an eye-wear collection with Eye-Bob, an HSN shoe line, is a Professor of Fashion at the University Of Texas, and an all-round Human of Wonder.
Some of her famous sayings include-
"Taste you can learn, but style is like charisma. You know it when you see it"
"When you don't dress like everyone else, you don't have to think like everyone else"

Taking Stock: 01.

Photo by Couverclemedia

Hey guys! Happy new year. I hope you had a great holiday with your loved ones, and i pray 2016 brings us nothing but happiness and success.

So, last year, i discovered and read, among other things, the Taking Stock series from ThisIsEss, Sydney's The Daybook and a few other blogs. 

I enjoyed them a lot and they inspired me so much, and now i am starting them here! Growth, i know.

Basically, for me, these posts are a way of introspecting, self-checking, life appreciation and updates, all at once. So, yeah.

Here goes-

Making: plans and taking steps to actively pursue and hopefully fulfill some of my dreams. Before now, i wasn't one to do the cheesy New-Year-Resolution, etc, thing, but now, I've actually written down goals that i want to achieve in the short term: 6 to 12 months, with how i plan to achieve them. I left the big, 5-year, what-i-want-to-be-in-the end plans till later. Too heavy.

Eating: lighter meals, leaning toward the veggie-ish-sshy-ish. (look i'm Nigerian, Igbo, and i love my rich meals ok?). The bikini bod and clear skin that i crave will not create itself, so, cleaner eating it is.

Drinking: Lemon infused water 1 out of 2 times i drink water. I've been doing this for like 10 days now and It's super nice actually, but THE PRICE OF LEMONS IN LAGOS?!! Cue bankruptcy.

Reading: Mister Weekender and Man Repeller. Boy, if i could create such content..

Wanting: To revamp my wardrobe and learn to drive.

Playing: The brick game on my phone. I just NOW figured out that to get far in this game, you have to look at the 'future'. Like, you have to figure out where the 'future', 'incoming' bricks will be fixed before they drop on the screen, that way, you are not panicking, looking for where to place your bricks when they eventually arrive. Deep life lesson there. 

Creating: More content for this blog. I shot and wrote a lot during the holidays. I'm happy.

Watching: the 5th Season of The Walking dead. My god! Who creates these things? The BEST T.V series ever!

Liking: how the weather's been here for the past month. A nice, mild harmattan.

Rediscovering: Lady Gaga and her genius. That You & I track is on repeat. When is her next album??

Hoping: that 2016 will be a rousing success.

Thinking: new paths in life.

Feeling: Optimistic. For the first time in a long time.

Best of 2015. Hello 2016!

Seasons greetings to you all!
I hope you and your loved ones are in high spirits and are enjoying the holidays.

So, 2015.

I've been seeing posts online asking folks to summarize how their 2015 went, a retrospection-introspection of sorts.
For me, summarizing this year in few (faux-)profound words is very difficult if not impossible.
The year was not the greatest, to be honest. Loads of low moments, goals not achieved, long periods of self doubt and zero energy to the point where waking up daily was hard, i was the most unhealthy and unfit that i've been in a long time, etc etc.
HOWEVER, i have blessings to count. Plenty blessings, looking back now.
1) I was blessed to travel a little (went to Cape Town in August and hoping to close the year in Benin Republic yay!)
2) I purchased something i've been wanting for a long time; my new Nikon camera.
3) I wasn't sick a lot
4) I didn't lose anyone in my family
Any many more.
I'm not one to wax poetic, but i'm really grateful.
ALSO, i discovered some pleasures that blew my mind-
1) The photo website UNSPLASH . My god you guys! photography so good you'll get emotional going through them. One of the best things i happened upon this year.

Zaron Cosmetics Lip Pencils: Swatches & Reviews.

Hi guys!
So today is all about a little gem of a makeup line that loads of folks might have been sleeping on- Zaron Cosmetics.
I got a couple of their lip pencils from one of their distributors last year and has since added some other shades from here and there, plus their black velvet eyeliner pencil, face primer and gel liner, so i have quite the extended experience with their products and i can say they are an A!
Anyway, these lip pencils are soft, applies very easily on the lips, creamy with a somewhat matte finish, sufficiently pigmented so you can wear them as liners before applying your lipstick, or alone.
Here are some of the colors i own-

2015 Birthday/Holiday Wish List, If You Love Me...

I envy all of you who get gifts during your birthdays and holidays and just-because moments.

Like, how does it feel? 

Do y'all give happy cries and high squeals when you are presented with a nicely-wrapped perfume or shoe-boxes or bank credit alerts?

According to Instagram, some of you even get Louboutin shoes! and diamond jewelry! and all-expenses paid trips to Dubai, London, Paris, etc! and get engaged!? What?? 

I hate all of you, because.. 

I hardly ever get gifts for anything. OK, i remember one pair of slippers some 10 years ago, and oh, a close friend gave me a bottle of perfume after he came back from overs', out of the bunch he got for other people, so yeah.

But like every self-torturing? hopeful human, i wish i could get gifted with stuff every now and then. 

It has to be gifted, otherwise, it might not mean as much, at least that's what people who get gifts say, the rats, and i am known to be reluctant to purchase stuff generally (no, i am not laudably frugal, i'm just broke-with-high-anxiety-about-lack-of-money), so i might not go through with buying these things, even if i were given the chance.

Anyway, it's my birthday next week..*pauses, clashes cymbals repeatedly* and the holidays are coming, so here's me putting out my wishes to the universe, hoping that this time, a miracle happens.

Now the list, in no particular order of importance-

1) My family's health and happiness. I mean this. Half of my life's worries would be over if my family and friends are all healthy and happy.

2) Money. Truck-loads of it. Like, I'm so over not being rich. Ugh. There are things to do, places to travel to, and things to buy for goodness sake!!

Speaking of things to buy...

3) Nude/Gold minimal-ish high-heeled sandals. These perfect creation are Valentino.. I need.

4) White-ish/Metallic-ish minimal-ish sandals. If i had these Tom Ford Silver & Gold Padlock pair, i would carry it on my head everywhere, 'cos my feet ain't worthaayy.

5) The Nikkor 50mm 1.8 lenses. This would make my entire year! please God, please!

6) Flat simple sandals to please me.

7) White sneakers for those smart days. I'm aghast that i don't already own a pair.

Style Inspiration: Striped Chic!

Striped Chic! by sky-chi featuring a blue skirt

Hi everyone!. Still in the light of my being inspired by all things French this year, i bring to you Stripes.

They are classic, super versatile, flattering on various body types and complexions and easy to style. An all round style staple.

All you need add to go from Jackie to Jacqueline are the required red lip and classic sunglasses.

Keep Walking!

Makeup: Bare Purple + 1st 2015 Ramblings & Body Issues.

Hi guys! A Happy New Year to you all. I've been away for way too long. Again.
It's good to be here, especially in this fresh brand new year 2015.
Hope you had a great holiday, i spent mine dozing (i know, i still did not get to do anything exciting like I've been planning to do for yonks, like, you know, sky-diving...) and eating, so it was OK.
Now to the makeup.

Let me say some things. I am not a makeup artist. I'm not a huge fan of the Instagram-famous Nike eyebrows 'on fleek' (eye-roll)/extreme contour & highlight/fire-fire makeup 'on fleek' (a sigh and another eye-roll). 

I am more into the clean/edgy look. 

The look i have on here is what I've been rocking of late. Clean lid, small/sharp Gary-Pepper-Girl (Google her)-esque eyeliner, mascara, clear/subtly highlighted face and in the case here, a purple lip for edge.

Face- Zaron Primer//Mary Kay Foundation//Milani Concealer// L.A Girl Pro Concealer//Sleek Contour Kit in Medium//Milani Compact Highlighter//Ponds Oil-control Powder

Brows- Davis Pencil//Zaron Brow Powder

Eyeliner & Mascara- Local Liquid Liner (the name's cleaned off)//Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara

Lips- Zaron Purple Lip Liner//Zaron Lipstick in Full Moon//Zaron Lipgloss in Very Berry

 

I am trying to get better with my photography and editing, it's been hard to do with the little-to-no proper equipment.
It's new year and all that, so i'm saying NO to waiting for the perfect situation and going ahead to do what i want to do, even though it'll be far from perfect.
Which leads me to body issues.
It's really hard to just accept oneself, body and soul, the way it is.
I look at my face in the mirror everyday and i see flawed form and scarred skin.
I apply my makeup, take photos for posting, look at them and see more flaws, get depressed and delete them all.
I've wanted to be a broadcaster all my life, but i stutter and i think my voice and speech is not good, so i doubt that dream.
And so on.
So confidence erodes, we rationalize the negativity and BS that we shouldn't, depression gets worse, faith in God and the purpose of existence shakes, dreams and the pursuit of happiness are abandoned, and zest and energy for life is lost.
But wait.
It shouldn't be this way.
I am already made. I'm not the worst. I have some beautiful qualities. I am who i am.
I think one good way to go forward is to be french about oneself, that is, effortless, accepting, romantic and chic!
I will wear makeup and post them as much as i like.
I will smile at a nice (available) man i see, if i feel like it.
I will pray and talk to God very openly without feeling inadequate.
I will wear swimsuits without crying about my stretch-marks and big thighs.
I will start a podcast and laugh as loud as i feel like without worrying about my voice not being appealing enough.
In fact, just call me Frenchie :)
So here's to me and any other person who is in this struggle. May we flourish even in our imperfections.
Let's go forth and kick butt and be happy and win.
French is the word.
Cheers!

The Midi Skirt.

Ulyana Sergeenko, the Russian queen-goddess of fashion is the very epitome of bold and fearless femininity as far as fashion goes. I mean, who rocks full, balled-out midi-length skirts with fierce shoes and pursed lips like her? NO ONE.
We mere mortals can only try.
The midi skirt is one piece of clothing that is utterly feminine and flattering on most body types, as long as the choice of fabric and length is right.
It might not be the easiest thing for everyone to wear, but if Ulyana's way of rocking it is too bold for you, you can try toning down the look with the ideas below-

This is a good choice for an easy day that you also need to dress up. The light tee tones down the fullness of the skirt, while giving the torso a lean, slim fit, and the slinky ankle-strap sandals, gold link chain watch and necklace keep it modern and dressy.

These are two other great options for two different occasions, Formal/Work and Casual to run some errands, or meet-up with someone for food and drinks.
One thing to keep in mind when wearing this look is to keep your top fitted and simple, keep your shoes nice, and keep your confidence fierce. That's all!
Wait, there is a moral to this err story- Don't be afraid to try new things, in fashion and other areas of life.
Cheers.

Outfit: Sunday-Casual Jeans and Tee.

Sundays are usually bipolar for me, because after all the hassle of the work week, i either want to sleep and lazy about, or dress up and have fun. This past Sunday i was in the middle, and this is the no-brainer laid-back uniform- Jeans, tee, nice sandals and small purse.

Cheers!

Make-Up: Dark Lips

SO I've finally joined The Dark-Lips Coalition, and I'm loving it so far. Granted, it's not for the shy, but if rocked properly, I've found that it just pops so well and makes your face bright and nice. 

This look has gone beyond the goth, and can be classy and edgy, depending on what you use to achieve the look. I say avoid the very-matte lip colors, and go for a lightly creamy lip color instead.

Normally, it is advised to keep the rest of your face bare or minimally made-up, so as not clash heavily with the dark lip, but i say you can play around with some neutral-toned make-up around your eyes and cheeks, like some gold or bronze shadow, a bronzer, a subtle metallic or brown liner on your eyes (Like J.Lo above). The key is to make sure the look is clean and balanced.

          This is me with my dark lips. (Purple Liner- local brand/Plum Lipstick- Jackline)

It is important to line your lips with a dark liner first, to ensure that the lines of your lips are clean and not messy. 

If you don't want to invest in a dark lipstick, as it's not really an every-day look, you can get a lip pencil in any dark color of your choice, use it to line and fill your lips, and then top off with any red or deep-pink lipstick you already own, the results are very similar.

Cheers!

New in: Color-Block Sandals.

Me and other shoe-lovers all over the world fell deeper in love with Solange Knowles when she rocked this delicious Fendi color-block sandals last year.

                    Fendi Grosgain Color Block sandals

Well, i couldn't find or afford these Fendi ones, so i got something close to it that i absolutely love.

This is my new favorite sandals, i got it from a local market here in Lagos.

Cheers!

Make-up: Colored Eyeliner.

The colored eyeliner is a very fast and effective way of spicing-up your make up and playing-up your eyes. Celebs like Kelly Rowland and Beyonce are fans of this trend, and there are different ways to wear it whether for your everyday face or for more glamorous occasions.

This is my everyday-face colored eyeliner look, using blue eyeliner in the inner corners, and a sassier green in the outer corners.  If i were going out to somewhere fancy, i'd amp it up with some eye shadow in same colors.

Love it.

This look is best worn with a subtle lip color, leaving the eyes to grab all the attention. 

Ermm, please pardon my eyebrows, they are going through a phase...

Cheers!