Under 40

I scored this dress on sale last year from Zara for £19.99, the bag is vintage £5.00 and my shoes were also dirt cheap £12.00 from Next during the Christmas sales. Thus my entire ensemble was £38.00. Which comes out to around $63.00, Now that is a steal... I had to prove to one of my friends that I can shop on a budget!!!!

However, after buying so many shoes in the states (blame the summer sales not my old habits) I decided to leave the shoes for my sister. I'm sure she'll put them to use more than I would have! I had a fabulous weekend, we had a cook-out at our house to welcome me back to Edinburgh and it was great to be around family and friends. Be fabulous and stay blessed!

Photographer: Femi Paosin of Paosin Photography 
Now Listening to: Mavado ft. Nicki Minaj - 'Give it all to Me'

Greener Pastures

With the wedding a month away, I am happy that the process will soon be over, wedding planning can be so stressful. I'm blessed for God to have given me a great friend and husband, and embarking on a career and other endeavours that I'll love. If I can give anyone advice I'd say do what you LOVE, and LOVE what you love without any exceptions. Money and happiness will follow trust me.

Greener Pastures are ahead and I'm happy to be at this point in life. I've learned so much in the last year.... looking forward to new beginnings.

 Outfit Details:

Dress: Bespoke Ankara Dress by my tailor Alfa in Lagos, Nigeria

Like this (here)

Oversized Africa Ring Available (here)

Vintage Half Moon Clutch

Assorted Bangles similar (here)

Miu Miu Peep Toe Ankle Strapped Heels similar (here) + (here)

Vintage Hammered Earrings similar (here)

Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi 
Now Listening to: Veronica King (VKing Music) - 'Rocks and Sand'

Blazing Staple

What item in your closet is a staple that transcends trends and fashion seasons? Mine is blazers. I just love them you can wear them with crop trousers, shorts, and dresses to add a preppy twist to a normal dress. I wasn't always a blazer addict, it all started when back in the States when I discovered the beauty of Thrift Stores and the large array of colorful jackets + blazers that were timeless. Several years later, they are still a blazing staple in my closet.

 Another Blazing Staple in my closet are Salvatore Ferragamo's.

My favorite blazers, are the Marks & Spencer Double Breasted Blazers in Green and Black worn previously (here) + (here). It seems I always wear them with Ferragamo's too... Are blazers a staple in your wardrobe? If not, what items seems to stay in your closet regardless of the current trends?

Photographer: Teresa Dickson of Glanceobservecapture 
Now Listening to: Musiq - 'Time'

Vintage City

Outfit Details: Dress, Faux Fur Stole + Clutch: All Vintage, Shoes: Christian Louboutin Pigalles (here), Ring: Old, Bangles: ZFSowho (here). 

At the end of January, I went to a flea market in Edinburgh and scored this lovely faux fur Stole for £8.00. The seller originally wanted £10, but it was the end of the day and I talked it down (last price as if I was in Lagos). I have literally been wearing this stole every week. It's warm and very large making even the simplest of outfits spark.

The vintage dress I bought about 5 years ago at a thrift store in Maryland and I never got around to wearing it. What drew me to this dress was the quality of the fabric but more importantly the detailing on the arms! I seem to have a lot of dresses that I have bought and never worn laying around in my closet (habits of the old me buying on impulse). With me trying my best to not shop before the wedding, I'm wearing pieces that I've stored away in my closet. This slight spending freeze isn't so bad after all.

Get the Look here:

Photographer: Theresa Dickson of Glanceobservecapture 

Pearl Components

The classic accessory that has stood the test of time are pearls. Here I had a very lazy day, so threw on a simple outfit with pearl accessories to make it classic. The pearl necklace I purchased on Ebay, the David Yurman Inspired Bangles and rings in New York this last Thanksgiving.

Outfit Details:

Jumper: COS (here) get this cheaper (here)

Gap UK Trousers: (Old SS13) get this (here)

Shoes: Janey J Crew Flats (Sold Out in this color) get captoe version on sale (here) 

Also love these on sale (here)

Clutch: Ann Taylor Vintage Clutch Similar (here) + (here)

Pearl Cuff Bangles: get similar (here) + love this (here)

Pearl + Sapphire Inspired Necklace: get (here)

 On another note I literally have 3 months to my wedding and I have actually gained weight not lost, for reasons which I know: my diet. Thus for the last two weeks I've been watching what I eat more, going to the gym, drinking loads of water and got a PT (personal trainer); as a result, I lost 1 kg. I am determined to not be a chubby bride, I hope to loose another 1kg by the end of the month. I know a lot of people call fat curves; however, I am naturally curvy. I just have to get rid of the extra weight I've gained in the past year, and I shall loose it before the wedding! 

I also got featured on Fashionbombdaily last week Thursday, Check it out: (here). For the most part I got positive feedback, which is good! Hope you're having a great week thus far. I'm currently working on my first jewellery collection for class. I'll start posting photos of the process on the blog soon, in the meantime stay tuned via my instagram, twitter and facebook accounts. I post different things on all social media platforms.

Photographer: Theresa Dickson of Glanceobservecapture 

I'm All Ears

Sometimes, I try to step out of my box and be a bit more playful with my dressing. I saw these bunny ears in Forever21 and thought, 'why not? they are cute!' I paired them with this oversized Topshop boutique dress that I bought last year and Louboutin Pigalles.

I believe every girl needs a pair of classic black pumps in their wardrobe, it is the accessory that goes with any and everything. I chose the Pigalle's personally because of the amazing arch. These are the Pigalle 100's. I won't lie they aren't easy to walk in, the 85's, however are a breeze! Gianvito Rossi has an amazing arch in their classic heels as well. I've selected a couple of black classic pumps that are timeless, yet won't hurt the pocket and a link to the Rossi's!

 Outfits Details: Topshop Boutique Frill Dress (soldout) similar cut (here) + Like this (here)
 ZFsowho Vintage Czech Necklace (here)
Patent Leather Vintage Clutch like this (here) + (here)
MS Tights
Christian Louboutin Pigalles (here) + (here)

Everyone have a great weekend. I have class today (hopefully I'll finish my first ring today) then I'm dashing to London for a mere 4 days to relax, do a little shopping, get pampered, and see my family + friends. Make sure you have as much fun as I will!!! I've actually missed London...a bit!

Back to Black:

Next Step

I have been residing in London for about a year and a half now after graduation and as much as I am not a fan of London. Don't get me wrong I love the fashion and night life; however, I despise: the crowded tubes during rush hour, how the central line seems to always randomly shut down on my way to work, the unruly children and tweens (which is why I avoid taking the bus on school days no matter how beautiful the weather), people are generally rude (we Americans are so much more forthcoming and nicer) and I spend way too much money on Oxford Street. Living 15 mins from Oxford Street is not a good thing...thus my bank account will breathe a sigh of relief!

Yesterday, I went for a walk with my friend to catch up. As she left I realized as much I may not love London like I used to, but I will miss it and I know I will be coming to visit often when I move to Edinburgh finally in a couple of months. I am starting to Love Edinburgh more (now if only they opened an & Other Stories and COS I'd be super happy).

For the moment, I am done with higher education, working on completing my two year milestones before I have kids and my wedding. We may be back in London in a couple of years who knows; however, for now I am happy to be taking this next step... and thankful to God for his many blessings even when I didn't realize some short comings were indeed blessings in disguise. 

Now to start packing....sigh. 

P.s. I have no foundation on in these pics, I just contoured my eyebrows. I was lazy this Sunday before Church.

Now Listening: The Foreign Exchange ft. Shana Tucker and Eric Roberson - 'Better'