Monday 29 August 2011

Everything happens for a reason..

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or help you figure out who you are and or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbour, professor, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at the very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometime things will happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming these obstacles that you would have never realized your true potential, strength, will power, or heart

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by mean of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without this small test, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people that you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience help to create who you are and who you will become, even the bad experiences are learned from. In fact, they are the most poignant ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make everyday count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything you could possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before and actually listen… Let yourself fall in love again, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right too.

Tell yourself that you are a great individual and believe in yourself. For if you don’t believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets. Most importantly, if you love someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day you live.

Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday. Was it worth it?

xxx

What are you doing up there?



I ask the above question with no real sarcasm or snark, but out of simple curiosity. And perhaps a bit of impotent rage.

Lately I’ve been lucky about waiting in lines: at the bank, at the store and all the usual places lines form. I keep arriving at places to get in line and there’s only one person in front of me, which seems to signify that my wait will be the briefest it could be besides having no wait at all. There’s only one person between me and doing the thing I am waiting to do. And what could take one person very long to do anything?

But these waits always turn out to be an eternity, and I don’t know why.
For example:

1) At the ATM.
There’s one person using the ATM when I arrive. Using an ATM shouldn’t take long, and I’m mentally subtracting the time they’ve already been there before I show up. But the person has either never seen an ATM before and is confused by all the buttons and options or is doing some complicated stock trading or maybe hacking into the CIA mainframe or something that requires at least 7,943 different button presses, with irritatingly long, confused pauses between each.

Not to mention all the fake-outs, when the thing beeps and their card pops out and I figure it’s my turn. But the person pops the same card right back in and goes back to pushing buttons like they’re on the deck of the Starship Enterprise during a war with the Klingons.
And then when they really are done and the card pops out and they get their receipt (which seems like it should be 147 feet long from all the dozens of transactions they had to complete in order to withdraw their $40) they stand there scrutinizing it like it’s a new Dead Sea scroll without actually moving away from the machine so I can use it.

Even when I make a deposit and a withdrawal from the ATM it takes me maybe two minutes. I don’t know what these people are doing up there.

2) The drive-thru at 4 in the morning…

Okay, so maybe people have more complicated meal selections than I do. But once you’re done at the speaker and you drive up to pay and then drive further up to get your food, you should be about done with the complicated, time-consuming stuff.

But there I sit peering in growing confusion through the taxi’s windshield as the employee passes you a bag of food and you accept it and say something. And then they say something. And then you say something. And then they pass you a drink and a straw. And then you say something and they say something and you pass the drink back and they pass you another bag and you pass the first bag back and they say something and you say something and then they lean out the window and rest on their forearms because they’re about to say something that will last a good four minutes and you say something and they pass you a bag and you pass them some more money and then the drink goes back in and two more bags come out and you say something and they pass you some money and you pass them a receipt and you both look at it and then more things are said and then the taxi’s turns off his engine and sighs loudly as if that will clearly send the message that we are all annoyed.
I do not know what you are doing up there, seriously.


Bleh!

Wednesday 24 August 2011

Jeffrey Campbell

As you all know, I am kind of, slightly obsessed with fashion and all things related. Constantly reading blogs, checking out lookbook and weheartit for super amazing images. One of my FAVOURITE clothing websites is NASTY GAL, which I have previously blogged about. What I am getting at is I keep seeing these super radical shoes. I couldn’t resist finding out what they were and where I could get my hands on a pair.

 They come from a designer called Jeffrey Campbell who is based in America. It’s hard to explain the look of the shoes. They are based on vintage inspirations, they edgy, expressive, quirky, bizarre but somehow, in my eyes, incredibly fabulous.

 A Quick Jeffrey Campbell Bio

“Ten years old and hailing from the heart of Los Angeles, Jeffrey Campbell has slowly become the footwear brand to know in the US. As the collection has grown, changed, evolved and expanded we have worked diligently to offer a point of view that reflects who we are—who we strive to become. Our family based company, small and hard working, is forever on the search for new inspiration, concepts and details which all combine to create the many styles you see us offer each season. In short, we love what we do, and we strive to show that passion in each seasonal offering.

Based around vintage inspirations, runway trending and the grind of daily life, Jeffrey Campbell has emerged as the footwear choice of fashion nomads globally. In recent years, Jeffrey Campbell has become more available in Europe, popping up in high concept boutiques and on the shelves of top retailers across the continent. With our focus on an international fashion conscious client we have been thrilled to see our collection being offered globally, arriving on the doorsteps of more and more top boutiques around the world each season. We are sold regularly across all of Asia, Canada, Australia, The UK, New Zealand and the list of countries grow, as we continue to develop our brand.” 


Here are some pictures of the shoes... They can also be found on Nasty Gal

The Heels...














Some of their flats... AMAZE!









I hope this brand comes to South Africa... love the heels.

Here is their website- check it out

xxx

Wedged for life...

I must admit, I have never been a fan of wedges. They actually used to scare me, and for the last year or so, they keep coming back with vengeance. So, lately I have tried to keep open minded. I went shopping this weekend and found the most gorgeous wedges from Aldo, however they did not have my size- this made me very sad.  So now, I am on a mission to find a gorgeous pair for summer.


Wedge heels have become must have shoes for this summer… and it’s great because:
  • They’re comfortable (Really, they are!)
  • You can wear them with almost anything; skinny jeans, skirts, dresses. Avoid wearing wide jeans with these – that will look bulky.
  • They are feminine and edgy at the same time
  • They make you taller – a lot taller!
  • They are bold and daring and different
There are many different colours and details when it comes to wedges. I suggest buying a pair that you know you can wear with a lot of different items without getting tired of them, as you will get addicted to these shoes.

Here are some of my favourite looking wedges...

Need some of these...


These are the ones I wanted from Aldo in Beige...(below)









How Do I Wear Them?

Wedges are suitable for both day and night, however some of them are a little too extreme to wear to work, for instance, so use your common sense. You know best what’s suitable for your workplace.




xxx


Thursday 18 August 2011

Let's talk fashion...


Chipo 101       



Today at work, I couldn’t help but notice what Chipo was wearing. Love what she looks like today and couldn’t resist but take a quick snap shot of her.


Let’s talk Fashion



Describe your sense of style

“The way I dress is very spontaneous and random. It's hard to even call it a style as I just wear what I love. I wouldn't say it's very specific either as I seek out little treasures everywhere so it's very mixed. I'm a bit of a chameleon that way

What inspires your style/fashion taste? 

“I am a popular culture obsessive who likes to see everything, read everything, watch everything and go everywhere and I think my wardrobe represents that. My life is inspired by the different elements around me and it sort of adjusts to those elements. Whenever I move to a new city I pretty much develop a whole new wardrobe. In London it was very bold and crazy. In Paris it is very sombre and dark. Here it's very easy, expressive and a bit of a mish-mash because that's Joburg isn't it? Above all I just love fashion. High fashion, street fashion, non-fashion, all fashion inspires me.”

What are your favourite fashion sites? 

Where to begin....

Dazed Digital
Nylon Magazine blog

These are my daily reads. There's not enough time in the day!”

What are you wearing today?

“Sweater & necklace from my Granny's wardrobe

Scarf from my Mum's wardrobe
Jacket from Topshop

Leggings from Topshop (from Lorr's wardrobe)

Ankle boots from Woolworths

"(I'm a bit of a mag-pie, collecting stuff from people's wardrobes :-/)"


Cut. It. Out.

Summer is oh so very close and I love cut out shapes in tops and dresses at the moment. I am seeing them everywhere from Lookbook to Chictopia.

This is a must have for summer.

It’s time to show a little skin.















Wednesday 17 August 2011

Scarring the Beautiful ones...



These past few days i have been listening to songs from the past and one that seemed so appropriate for my mood and ambiance at this stage, would be Copeland’s, 'testing the strong ones'. I truly love these words .

There's an angel by your hospital bed
Desperate to hear his name on your breath
As he looks down you're not making a sound
Open your eyes look at me
I'll bring to you whatever you need
And I'll tell you I'm sorry

That I can't take this pain away from you
And I'd put it on my own body if I knew how to
Can't you see?
I've gotta bust you outta here somehow
I've never seen your heart this tired
I've never seen your spirit held down
I know that you say
This is what you get
For being a bad child
But I know this will be your reward
In just a little while
In just a little while
Its testing the strong ones
Scarring the beautiful ones
It's holding the loved ones
One last time
Its testing the strong ones

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Fashion Freaks



A few weeks ago, someone said comment that made me think about the things we wear every day and why we wear them.

She was asking for advice on what to do when people ask …“why are YOU so dressed up?” As if wearing something appealing that makes you feel good is a “bizarre” thing to do!
That comment got me thinking about dressing up and what that means.

Since when did it become an abnormal thing to put effort into what you wear and have fun with fashion? Since when is anyone not wearing sweatpants and a hoodie breaking unwritten social rules? Why should “dressing up” be reserved for special occasions only?

I was instantly motivated to create this list. I firmly believe in “dressing up” every day of your life, and I think you should too! #justsaying

Here are the 25 reasons why!

1.      Because life’s too short to blend in. Don’t settle for common- that’s just sad.
           
2.      Because you’re only young once. You’re way more stunning than you know & have a magnificent body you’ll one day look back on and wish you had! Take advantage now and show off how fabulous you can be.

3.      Because fashion is a method of self-expression. What are you trying to say?

4.      Because you never know who you’ll run into Ryan Botha at the grocery store? Hey, stranger things have happened. #justsaying

5.      Because it clearly annoys some people (like the guy who asks why YOU are so dressed up). The fact that it annoys them so much is all the more reason to keep doing it. Har har har




6.      Because you never know, there’s always a chance you could get snapped by Elle Street Style…

7.      Because you deserve to look your best at all times.

8.      Because you’ll never advance your sense of style if your default look is “I give up”.

9.      Because dressing up helps you weed out friends who don’t love you for you. If they have a problem with the way you dress, they’re not the kind of friends you want around. Okay that is probably a lie, I’m trying now.

10. Because pretty clothes and accessories are a great conversation starter. Wear something fabulous and people will ask you where you got it.



11. Because parties aren’t the only time to make merry.

12. Because that fabulous party dress in your closet cost too much to only be worn once.

13. Because it’s amusing!

14. Because even if you live in an “unstylish” city & are scared to dress up, cities don’t become trendy without someone going first. I know it sounds cheesy, but be the change you want to see in the world. Everyone else can follow your great lead.

15. Because dressing up helps you make fashion mistakes and get past them. Mistakes happen to everyone and that’s how you learn what not to do – get them out of the way now!


16. Because it’s a test of your self-confidence. Dressing alternatively forces you to develop the self-assurance necessary to stand out from everyone else.

17. Because fashion is one of the rare instances where art comes alive. What creative statement do you want to make?

18. Because if you’ve got it (great style, killer poise, amazing legs), it’s just wrong not to display it.



19. Because someday when you have a 9-5 corporate job and are required to wear business suits, you’re going to miss the freedom of dress you had in the early years.

20. Because glamour isn’t only reserved for the affluent and famed, even though maybe they’d like you to believe it is.

21. Because if conspiracy theorists are to be believed, the world might end on 12/31/2012 – that’s only 1211 days from now! Even though we all worried about Y2K too, why not be on the safe side? Don’t spend the hypothetical 1000+ days you have left in sweats.

22. Because Carrie Bradshaw would not approve of your sweatpants and UGG boots. (Seen far too many UGG boots in public this winter- Shock horror) You can do better than that. And deep down, you know I’m right.

23. Because dressing well means you don’t have to do your hair at all – you’ll have that ultra fabulous, slightly dishevelled Kate Moss look.

24. Because nothing beats the rush you experience when you look in the mirror and LOVE what you see.

25. Finally, because you want to. That’s the only reason that matters.

Images taken from shopnastygal.com- Obsessed with their clothes.

xxxx