BACK...

So I have been gone for  a minute and getting several messages that I need to put up a new post. I am glad some people find me interesting even though they don't comment *rolling eyes*. It was my birthday last Friday the 24th. Nothing happened. No elaborate celebration or surprise. I was home all day and then a movie. THE END. So I won't go into much details regarding that as it wasn't a good day neither was it a good weekend. Infact  I wish I was in a Harry Potter movie so I could remove the memory in Dumbledore's office, (yeah huge Potter fan here) but I am not  so....whatever.

On to more interesting news, I have been quite happy and excited this past few days, not sharing the news... not just yet!!! LOL. Oh, remember my 36-day-no-shopping challenge? Today is my 7th day and I must say I am doing pretty well. I didn't even know I had all the clothes in my wardrobe, some still have tags atttached!!! WOMEN!!! and when we are asked we say we have nothing to wear.

Met up with 'MR COOL' today (ok I actually just felt like dressing up and going to disturb him at his meeting. LOL). And I am glad I did because it was nice, had a good time. I wonder how people walk around the westend in heels, it's so much work. I did today and it was murder. I looked nice and all (if i may say so myself) but I was going through so much pain and thinking whatever for!!! No wonder people carry flats along or at least trainers. Me, THE DIV, thinking yeah walking in heels on Regent street is easy...NAH!!! I will never forget my flats again.

I am also on a self help program (I am in it all by myself with the help of God). I won't go into details but all I can say is nothing beats a peaceful loving woman...she is divine. i will talk more on that next time. Just wanted to share a few pictures I have taken over the last few days that I have missed.

So here are the pictures I would like to share..ENJOY :)

I am wearing: Zara navy blue blazer, Hollister ripped jeans, Gucci belt, Christian Louboutin 'madame mouse' nude shoes, Fendi red '2jours' bag, Asos black chiffon ruffle blouse and in the second picture which was on the evening of my birthday, on my way to the cinema (it rained all day, showers of blessings) : Current Elliot mustard jeans, Asos polka dot top, Gucci belt, Zara blue satchel, Jimmy Choo/Hunters moc croc wellies and of course, as always a smile ;)

P.S: I haven't been myself lately but I am back in form now so YAYYY!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE 36 DAY CHALLENGE....

I didn't post anything yesterday because I didn't feel like. PERIOD!LOL! And also because most of my readers are still personal friends. So they read and then send me messages privately instead of commenting and giving me the kudos here.LOL! Could you kindly leave your comments here? Let others know real people read my blog. Thank you.

Yesterday, 'TUMBLR' was sold for 700+million pounds. I am currently thinking of an idea that can make me that much money, so please do not tell me any of your money making ideas as I will steal them (yes I confess). He's 26 (the guy who created it) and lanky looking and all. But I bet he's gonna be in the next edition of GQ's top 50 hottest men as voted for by readers. Women!!! (and some men!!!) Yeah, I know right. Amazing how 700+million pounds catapults you to 'HOT'! LOL!

Ah! The reason for the title of today's post...Starting from Friday (which is my birthday...yayyy!!) I am embarking on a '36-DAY-NO-SHOPPING' challenge. (May God really help me) It means no shopping, no retail therapy (why oh why! The word  'NO' and 'SHOPPING' do not even match). But this is to discipline myself because 'HELLO, MY NAME IS....I AM A CHRONIC SHOPAHOLIC'*shame faced*

I have been inspired by two lovely ladies on instagram to simply wear what I have in my wardrobe and see how easy it is. I mean I wear something once and it's like...NEXT!!! That's all going to end on Friday. Why wait till Friday I hear you say? Well it's my birthday then and I may need an outfit. Don't want to start today and then need an outfit on friday and have to break the rules. So as from Friday, I will post an outfit (for the next 36days after that) that I have put together from clothes that are actually waiting to be shown some love (again) in my closet. LOL.

Today, I went back to the gym, just to tone up and release some tension. Been quite stressed lately but I am much better now. Got back home and put together an outfit but couldn't wear it to my midweek service as the weather was nippy plus I wasn't going to hop buses in heels. So I ended up changing to comfy shoes and a jumper. And I finally got to wear dungarees which I absolutely adore.

Here are the pictures I'd like to share today...ENJOY ;)

I am wearing: Forever 21 peach blouse with black trimmings, Zara dungarees, Next jumper, Zara gilet, Sam Edelman black sandals, Necklace (available for purchase secretstylist007@gmail.com), Louis Vuitton damier speedy 35 bag and of course a smile ;)

P.S: Pictures taken by my able photographer, my daughter who I repeat is 'SIX'.
And I still haven't bought a camera so if you are thinking of what to get me.hint hint!!!

48 HOURS LATER....

Hello folks! Been out of here since friday so here I am today, back at typing hard. I had a good weekend, though I missed church :( I was away in another part of england :) Not too far off though. Sunday was a very reflective day for me because it was my dad's 10th year rememberance (how time flies!) Still feels like yesterday I got the news.

I recieved it with mixed emotions partly because I didn't grow up with him but also because I was just building a good relationship with him before he passed on. Oh well, we all have to pass on at some point, we just pray not too soon. But it will always be too soon for those that love us even if we live till a hundred years. Always hard to let go.

I spent sunday in my 'Mr Cool's  garden, 'DE-WEEDING' the pond (is there such a word as de-weeding?) I dont know *shrug* I had gone in there to listen to some good music and enjoy a bit of sun but couldn't help myself when I realised how easy it was to pull out the weed.  Plus it seemed like fun. ( I can be weird like that). So I didn't rest till I had de-weeded the entire pond. Then I could see the gold fishes and even the frogs came up to say thank you.LOL (or maybe the frogs came up for kisses!!!could have made a prince out of one).LOL

Nothing great happened this weekend, so if you are waiting to read anything exciting about that, NO!!! And today was uneventful as well but still ended pretty good. Am on to something that will make me millions (well I believe so). I also believe tomorrow will be a great day ;) I believe that strongly. So sorry if I seem a bit boring today but hopefully the pictures should cheer you up.

Got two different set of outfits today since I didn't have any posts at the weekend.
So here are the pictures I would like to share.....ENJOY:)

I am wearing:Mango (blue) top, Zara flared jeans, Nicholas Kirkwood shoes, Dsquared sunglasses (I have put a scarf around my neck under the collar of the blue shirt and attached a brooch for detail), Asos (white) top, Banana Republic denim leggings, Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, Louis Vuitton 'damier speedy 35' (I am trying to attach as much detail to the items and their correct names incase you want to purchase anything as seen on me).

ON THE WILD SIDE...

Growing up I was often referred to as 'RESTLESS'. Even my headmistress in primary school wrote it as her comment on my report card a couple of times. And this followed me for many years, not only cause my granny would never let me forget but because I was indeed restless. It always felt like I was sitting on hot coal being in one place for over an hour. TRUE STORY!!! The restlessness eventually evolved to something else...'WILDNESS'.

Ok, not so much that kind of wildness. I just liked to party and always be out. I went to loads of night clubs, sneaking out, jumping fences, all that unecessary and irrelevant stress (well that's what it seems like now). I never tried drugs, did try smoking (hated it and still do but i am tolerant), also tried alcohol on different levels (still believe getting drunk is a waste of time and energy but people drink and get drunk for different reasons and I would never knock that). All in all, I benefited nothing from these vices. But I did learn a few things about them.

I always got into one trouble or the other with my grandma (God bless her, she means everything to me). I think after a while she stopped worrying because I would always come back safe. I remember one particular episode. My friend and I decided we were not going to miss a halloween party, so we waited for eveyone to go to bed, jumped over the fence and walked to the bustop to find a cab. To cut the long story short, we got arrested while looking for a cab because the police officers thought we were hookers. TRUE STORY!!! I got us out of that with some lies easily. She cried her eyes out because she was worried about the grief we would get back home. She had stained her dress with all her mascara running down her face on to it. As soon as were allowed to go, she wanted to go home. Not on my watch!!! We already got ino trouble this night, we might as well see it through so we did go to the party.

But I am no longer that person. Not due to age (I am old but not old enough to retire from the party scene). Let's just say, I have found some peace, peace that makes me calm. I no longer feel the need to be out there or all over the place. I like to be home (with my daughter and sometimes my man) watching tv, cooking (I cant believe I said that), doing the dishes (what's happening to me? LOL) I actually do enjoy doing the dishes and ironing..for me they are hobbies, like reading. I am sure if my aunties and uncles read this, they'll be pleased because they bore witness to my restless days (stole the key to my aunt's room once so I could wear her shoes and clothes out without permission).

I have put all that restlessness into my christian life and of course, my fashion. So now I am proudly wild in my love for God and my fashion ;)
Here are the pictures I would like to share today which inspired the title of my post...ENJOY :)

I am wearing: H&M print leggings, Converse 'ALL STAR' flat print trainers, top available here (email: secretstylist007@gmail.com for details) and as always, a smile :)

P.S: Today is my sister's birthday. She's actually my first cousin but no one deserves to be called my sister more than her. So Happy Birthday my darling.
And my personal photographer (my daughter) has been jumping all over the place as I type, should I be worried ;)

CANARY WHARF-ING...

Today the weather seemed promising. The sun is shining, well perhaps I should use the word 'was'.
I had planned what I was going to do today since monday and I looked forward to it with excitement. Like a kid going to Legoland. I was going to have lunch in the city with a very dear friend. Lunch at Canary Wharf, where all the city guys gather in one place. As my friend said, you may not know much about them but you know the essential, they are working men that are at least well paid. (No I am not looking for  a man, I am VERY satisfied! This information is for anyone looking).

Until last night, I had no clue what to wear!!! Yes i had an idea in my head but, unfortunately I didn't have the clothes in my wardrobe to implement it so....NO! Anyway, I did find something I thought would allow me blend in a little (mind you I wasn't trying to blend in at all *not interested face*). A skirt and a blouse. Isn't that what people usually wear to work? Well, the difference is I am ME, so of course my skirt and blouse will be different. (Caused quite a stir in that skirt standing in the station waiting for my friend to pick up her phone). She works in a very impressive building where the lobby's bigger than my entire flat. I sat down there patiently waiting for her and observing passers-by (Mrs H taught me a term for it :PEOPLE WATCH).

She eventually turned up or should I say came down after 20 minutes (so late) wearing a purple dress, bright green bag and blue suede shoes( I love the colours she put together).  And so we headed to the restaurant for lunch, somewhere called 'THE PARLOUR' . Nice food, nothing special, at least you won't leave the way you came in;  'HUNGRY'. We ordered light lunches, quickly catching up before our meals arrived. There's a table tennis table (sounds odd typing it) right outside the restaurant and there are people playing. I mean everyone's walking around seeming busy and there's table tennis going on right in the middle of all that seriousness.

Lunch over, bill paid (thanks for lunch darling) and it's time to get to my own business! PICTURES! The idea was to find people or anyone wearing something out of the ordinary and take their picture but that didnt happen as everyone seemed to be wearing black shoes, black suits, all black everything. If  i worked there, I'd probably turn up in pink, orange, green, yellow...you name it. LOL! Anyway all in all, I enjoyed my time at Canary Wharf.

So here are the pictures from Canary Wharf-ing :)

 

I am wearing: Zara top, Miss Selfridge skirt (oh how I love this skirt), Calzedonia tights, Gucci shoes and as always, a smile :).
I have included a sneak peek of my wonderful friend's colourful outfit. She made Canary Wharf come alive with her bright green Michael Kors bag, purple dress and blue suede shoes. We took turns taking pictures. Sorry about the pictures, I am defintiely getting a camera this weekend. Thanks to everyone who's read and keeps reading and encourages me. I promise it will only get better. ;)

P.S: You can see a bit of my 'BREAKING' hair. LOL

 

NEW LOOK...NO NOT THE STORE!!!

I am doing this really late tonight because I have just been busy and that's the truth. Now I am tired and on the phone at the same time, so my brain isn't really functioning. Ok, off the phone now so I can concentrate. Oh! but I actually lack what to say or type in this instance. So i'll just, as they say, 'FREESTYLE' (type whatever comes to mind). Usually that's what I do as in I type as I go but they are usually words that have been carefully thought out. Today I had no energy or rather have no energy for that.

What did I do today? Hmmn...I took out my big afro weave and decided it's time to go 'NATURAL'. People associate being 'NATURAL' with being 'BOLD, I associate it with all kinds of things but not necessarily 'BOLD'. As a black (and beautiful)  woman, if your hair's breaking you are advised to leave it and let it grow so you dont have a choice, not that you are being 'BOLD'. If you can't afford to go to the salon every other week, either because you don't have the time or money, then you don't have a choice. You are not being 'BOLD'. Am i making sense? Well I didn't decide to go 'NATURAL' for any of those reasons even though my hair is breaking (lost almost all the front hair). Hair breaking is losing hair due to chemicals or all the stress you've put it through (well that's what's causing mine to the best of my knowledge). Anyway, I am walking around town with my 'REAL HAIR' and not because I am 'BOLD'.

Finished with the hair and went to church in the evening for prayers (I am in church every wednesday evening...PLEASE NO PHOTOS *Kanye West voice*) LOL and I just got home about half an hour ago.
So now I want to share my outfit of the day, I must say it was rather cold today (Summer where the heck are you???).  I couldn't do much today because of the weather, just took a few shots and I am wearing a pair of shoes I have had for three good years. And found a picture of Nicki Minaj in the same shoes so posted us side by side. I am not a big fan of her 'STYLE'. Yes I used the word 'STYLE'. She does have 'STYLE' but that doesn't necessarily translate into 'FASHIONABLE', but does fall under 'FASHION' (hope I am not confusing you). Everyone has got 'STYLE', that's their own identity. Now the added value is 'FASHIONABLE'. Your 'STYLE' may not be regarded as 'FASHIONABLE' but it doesn't mean you are not into 'FASHION' (sorry I am too tired to expantiate on that).

Here are the pictures I would like to share today...ENJOY :)

I am wearing: Calzedonia push-up tights (they are amazing), Giuseppe Zanotti gold open toe booties, M.UK top (available here,one size only. please email secretstylist007@gmail.com for enquiries) and of course a smile :)

P.S: Picture credits to my talented daughter (no she didn't take Nicki Minaj's picture) LOL and it's a very dear dear friend's birthday today. I just want you to know I love you and I am glad we became family, through whichever way it happened ;)

LADY SINGS THE BLUES...

I  wake up everyday thinking about all sorts. I have issues..and so do you! Period!!! Don't even try and deny it. But what can we do? Life goes on. I didn't wake up in the middle of the night (as I did all weekend) tossing and turning. I slept well. You want to know why? Well, I am not telling. LOL.

I had planned my day the night before, and included in that plan, (well actually it was my utmost plan) was the plot to visit my 'Mr Cool'!!! I call it plot because he's meant to be working and I devised a way to get into his day.(Please don't ask me how I did it, I more or less forced it) Got out of bed to get my daughter ready for school, while thinking of what to wear. Wanted to impress him as I hadn't seen him in a while. But I know what impresses him and clothes do not play a major role in it. ( You filthy lot...am sure you are thinking sex already).LOL.

I was going to take the train but it started drizzling so I ordered a cab. Now the good thing is I have been using this cab company for over 12 years, so it was quite easy requesting a particular driver, who had also become a friend that I enjoy having long conversations with (And this was going to be a long drive). I found out today, he was a manager with 'Topshop' for over 12 years (To me that spelt you must know about fashion). So we had a really long conversation about that till it was time to alight.

Finished my business where I had been dropped off as quick as I could because I just couldn't wait to see 'Him' *big smile* and also because it was raining now and I needed to be indoors (somewhere warm at least). Ordered another cab and I was on my way. Fascinating chap, this particular driver. We had some conversations I cannot believe we had (story for another day).

I got to my destination and.....THE END!!! Ok not really. LOL!
I am wearing different shades of blue today, down to my handbag hence the title of my post. (Please is the bag blue or green? not sure! you tell me).

I am wearing : Joseph pants, Zara turtle neck jumper, Zara blazer, Gianmarco Lorenzi shoes, Gucci belt. (Note how I have comfortably mixed high street with high end)
Oops, there is no bag in any of the pictures, well I guess I'll save that for later.

P.S: It was drizzling while taking the pictures so I couldnt really stand around posing.
 Pictures were taken by someone I really think should be a model ;) thank you.
The necklace is from a charity shop on my high street. (Yes I do go round scouring charity shops for jewellery, accessories and fine china, real treasures are buried in those places)