Wednesday 27 April 2011

Be Yourself




Lately I have been meeting a lot of new people and life has been taking me on a beautiful journey. I tend to try and read people (call it a gift or a fault) and I met one person in particular lately that as beautiful as she was, thought for some reason she needed to make things up about things she did or was doing to try and impress my friend and I. I couldn't help but want to tell her you don't have to fabricate stories for me to like you, nor does if I like you even matter for who am I? The only person you should care about pleasing is Yourself, and God!

Dress: Reconstructed Vintage/ Clutch: Vintage Ann Taylor/ Shoes: Nine West/ Ring: Aldo/  Watch: Movado/ Shades: F21




If there is one thing that I have learned in my short time on earth so far is that you should live to impress no one for no one else matters, don't become a people pleaser because some people will try to take advantage of that. It's okay to want to occasionally assimilate to fit into to new genres or crowds for example starting  a new career but when you loose yourself in the process, that is when things become a problem. So if there is anyone out there not living for themselves, take today to start to learn to love and be yourself for there is only one you in the world . . . Show it off! 

Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi 

Monday 25 April 2011

D.I.Y Ankara Sandals

I went shopping the other day and I saw these cute Jelly Sandals at River Island for only a mere £12.99 I thought woozers this is a steal. But as I examined the shoe I thought to myself I can make these and have an original pair that no one else will have. So I went to Primark and bought a pair of jelly's for £3 to make a DIY Z+F pair of ankara flats. 

The River Island Version
The Z+F Version



I will probably be making about 2 more pairs with different materials in the near future. These are available during the spring/summer: (here)

Saturday 23 April 2011

To the Harbor





The weather in the UK has been to die for lately! This Friday we went to Portsmouth Harbour. The scenery reminded me so much of Baltimore, Maryland (made me miss home the DMV briefly). T'was a lovely day full of sightseeing, shopping, and eating near the bay. To all the Catholics I hope you've had a wonderful Lenten Season!Everyone have a lovely Easter!!!  

Dress: Topshop / Bag & Shoes: Gucci/ Sunglasses: F21/ Watch: Movado  


Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi

Thursday 21 April 2011

I Am Khanh




Dress: Zara/ Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell/ Bag: Vintage/ Bracelets: Warehouse/ Sunglasses: Emmanuelle Khanh



If there is one signature accessory I cannot live without it would be sunglasses. Sunglasses (If the right pair) take an outfit up two or more notches. Now I personally do not buy sunglasses just because they are designer or because someone else has them. I don't recommend buying sunglasses online either unless you've tried them on before. Everyone's facial structure is different, thus what looks good on me may not look good on you and visa versa. These particular sunglasses by Emmanuelle Khanh were a pair I 'borrowed' from my fly older friend Lola back in the day. As time went by she forgot, I forgot, I moved, and they became mine *Insert Evil Laugh*. I told her don't worry you don't have to buy me a wedding gift! lol. Model-turned-designer Emmanuelle Khanh has been creating retro-inspired eyewear for nearly 30 years, and in the near future I plan to 'obtain' joke, buy another pair! I have Lola to thank for my favorite sunglasses, what are your favorite pair?


Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi

Sunday 17 April 2011

Block Coloring







Top: H&M/Skirt: thrift store/ Shoes: Kelsi Dagger/Ring: Topshop/ Sunglasses: F21 


I have always loved bright and solid colors! I just love casually chic bright and solid pieces, so this season I will be stocking up on pieces to add to my personal style. My favorite colors of the moment for clothing are blues, yellows, greens, and purples!! And anything stripped! I don't have a lot of red in my wardrobe either, thus I am going to purchases a couple of red articles in the near future. I have been doing some sketches of dresses I'd like to make this summer, and strips, ankara, and bright colors keep popping into my mind.  What are your current favorite clothing colors or patterns right now?
Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi

Thursday 14 April 2011

Stereotypes or Experiences?

I have yet to ever speak about anything that isn't related to fashion on this blog yet, my last blog I spoke about everything under the sun, I was a bit more open and relaxed maybe I'll make this a lifestyle blog with articles here and there. So I am going to speak on relationships and the stereotypes or for some experiences that come with them.

Now being a black Nigerian-American female in her mid-twenties, I have often heard guys that are a good 'catch' whatever that may mean; bash women of their own race. Then I meet females that tend to bash men of their own race and culture and I start to wonder, are these opinions based on stereotypes or experiences? I personally never dated outside of my race, I have dated only Nigerians and one African-American in high school, I didn't seek to date only Black men I dated what I was around, because I do find men of other races attractive. However, if I am honest I do love black men, I can't and will never hide that. Nonetheless, even with my bad experiences that I may have had in dating some men I never really bashed Nigerian men, because to me that would be bashing my father and my brother. I realized that these were traits of the individual not of the masses.

I have a friend that states she would never marry a Nigerian man because her views on life are different from what the 'typical' Nigerian man wants. For example, she wants to move to France for a couple of years to learn french then later re-locate to Sweden for a long portion of her life. She said what Nigerian Man would just up and leave their job and follow their wives dreams, she replied none! I couldn't help but disagree with her, and I wondered if her reply was because she was still very young. First and foremost no man of any race or culture I can imagine would up and leave a job without knowing that they would be able to find a job where they are relocating. Secondly, I know many Nigerian men that love to travel and make it an effort to see the world as much as they can! Thirdly, in a relationship when decisions are being made the two parties talk and compromise, that is what marriage is a life long relationship of the two CC's: communication and compromise. She rolled her eyes at my response saying, "Please the average Nigerian man will say no without thinking and say its my house or because I say so, plus many of them cheat."

I sighed, infidelity is not an African trait. It is a trait that men and women alike, regardless of race may experience when they do not have self control and/or was at that wrong place at the wrong time. If one does not have morals nor self control that is when men and women alike fall into situations of infidelity. I am sure Indians, Asians, Hispanics and Caucasians alike all have these issues saying their men cheat, but to put that on a whole race or culture is unfair. There are black men that cheat but their are White, Hispanic, and Asian men that cheat as well. Please do not label one race with this trait unless you can talk from experience and even then it is only your experience.

Another friend of mine was dating a black woman from the Dominican Republic a well behaved and respectable girl, had a job and no kids, she seemed perfect! I knew they were gonna get married after university but they didn't because his family wanted him to marry a Nigerian woman. I paused and listened to him. Inside I was angry you wasted three years of this poor girls life and you are breaking up with her because your family wants you to marry a Nigerian girl? Then he made a comment like I have dated white girls and they are more docile and don't have attitudes like black girls. I laughed. He wondered why I was laughing. I replied: 'First and foremost your black girlfriend that you just broke up with is docile, respectable, pretty, and well-behaved, and you broke up with her because she wasn't Nigerian. Fair enough. But then you go onto compare black women to white women. All black women don't have attitudes, and not all white women are docile. And finally if you are honest with yourself, you do want to marry a Black woman specifically a Nigerian woman because if you didn't you wouldn't have adhered to your families wishes and broken up with this girl. You would have fought for your love and stood your ground because you love this girl but you didn't! Why? because deep down inside you really want to marry a Nigerian girl." He looked at me shocked because I told him as friend point blank about himself.

In both friends I saw a bit of confusion as well as preconceived bias about Nigerian and/or black men and women. I have no problem with inter-racial dating but I strongly dislike those that bash men and women of their own race. If you consistently bash black women or black men and never date them: I automatically think you have issues. There is a sense of internalized self hatred and you are trying to avoid any and everything that reminds you of who you are. I just don't understand how a man can bash a woman of his own race, because indirectly you are bashing your mother, your sister, and future daughters...sadly.

The stereotypes of  black women having attitudes, being too aggressive, or having multiple children out of wedlock is aggravating. People in general may have 'attitudes', and I hate when a black women is assertive it is seen as aggressive. When I moved to England from the DMV (Washington, D.C. area- D.C. MD and VA) I have met many Asian and white women that have these so called stereotypical traits of black women. I have seen countless white women with two to three children out of wedlock on benefits in the UK, and white and Asian women that have attitudes. However, when other races have these stereotypical traits it is seen as: 'oh they are from a lower socio-economic class.' Yet when black women possess these traits or have this baggage it is a trait of black women regardless of class. Not everyone that is poor is uneducated, ghetto, or unintelligent and just because someone has money does not mean they are well poised, intelligent or as the British say 'posh'.

All in all stereotypes exist for all races, cultures, and classes, unfortunately it seems the black race suffers most from them, or maybe I just feel this way because I am black (who knows). Thus whether you are White, Asian, Hispanic, Purple, or Blue; every race has their own stereotypes, but to internalize these stereotypes and bash people of your own race is disheartening to me. There are good people out there, be open minded and don't let stereotypes or past experiences cloud your judgment. Now from what I have seen most people are not talking from experience and if they are how many experiences would justify writing off an entire race, i digress.

So the question is: are these stereotypes or personal experiences?

Ag

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Blog Crushes

I was blog hopping the other day and I came across some blogs that really stood out to me! I am loving these blogs: in no particular order.


That GOOD GOOD Blog
She features exquisite photography that just feeds your creative appetite! definitely a blog to watch out for. I absolutely love how she always tends to feature African prints, photographers and bloggers, Like I always say regardless of the bad press Africa may get at times I wouldn't be anything else!



His blog features fashion from African Designers, Sad that I just ran across it today! I am so late.com!



Twenty year old girl from Australia that has a classic, chic, yet funky sense of style. I tend to dress in only classic pieces, thus I love when I see people look equally classy + stylish with their own individual twist... Definitely check out her blog! you will not be disappointed!




Designer and DIY Maverick! Azede is the definition of someone who knows her own style! I love her DIY rompers! She definitely gave me ideas to make old thrifted men's shirts into rompers and dresses. I think I will add a ankara twist to them. You know I love ANKARA! her blog is refreshing and original!

Check out all these fabulous blogs. I am also going to start a weekly look of the week post, I'll be rummaging through blogs but you can also send me your own personal photos via email at  zeldaandfestus@yahoo.com I  hope you are having a fantabulous week! *kisses*

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Green Maxi


The weather in England has been beautiful as of lately, let's just hope it stays this way for a little while. I've had this particular skirt for almost 3 years now yet, I've never worn it! I took it upon myself to make sure I wear pieces in my closet that I've had for years. I tend to shop and buy things that I don't wear. However, I'm putting an end to that, and only buying what I need these days (crosses fingers).

 Top:American Apparel Leotard/Skirt: Vintage maxi skirt/ Clutch: Vintage/ Earrings: Thrifted Bebe



Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi

Sunday 10 April 2011

Blue Gate



The weather in England has been beautiful as of lately. I rarely wear Sneakers or tees these days which is quite weird because growing up I was a certified Tomboy. I still love sneakers but rarely wear them. I need to start wearing them more, and just be casually chic. Hope you've had a good weekend!


Tee: J Crew/ Jeans: Banana Republic/ Shoes: Chuck Taylors/Bag: Gucci/ Sunglasses: Forever21/Snood:American Apparel 



Photographer: SI

Thursday 7 April 2011

Night Life




I haven't gone to a party in London for awhile, blame it on Professional School. Either way it was nice to go a lounge and see a couple of familiar faces and be amongst a different crowd that I wasn't used to. It was my boyfriends Cousin's B-Day and she looked LOVELY!!! I still can't really wear heels out that much (ankle still recovering) so I had to settle for a jumpsuit and flats (insert sad face here)....


Jumpsuit:Zara/Vintage Stole (I need to retire them*wink*)/Shoes: Lela Rose/Earrings: Vintage



Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi