Can't Make You Love Me

I used to be so naive when it came to relationships and love, and maybe I still am in certain arenas, but I now know a lot more than I did before. One thing I have learned from my past, my friends and family is you can't make someone love you, and even when you love someone it doesn't mean that it's forever.

I've seen people in love that for one reason or another their relationship didn't transform into a permanent union: marriage. I have been so sad when I see couples that I am rooting for breakup; however, for various reasons it didn't work and they may really love each other, but realistically they wouldn't have lasted forever. So they end it, deeply in love yet realistic of their separate futures. This is when I learned love does not always conquer all. And that failed relationship may lead you to the relationship you're meant to be in.

Or when people just grow apart. The love fades, the connection is no longer there, and things just aren't the same. You try to reach for that love and rekindle that passion but it doesn't re-flame. The candle has burned down to it's last days and you can't make the other person love you anymore. For whatever reason, love just couldn't conquer all.

You can't make your heart feel something it won't, and you shouldn't settle in a relationship because your afraid of being alone. These relationships either end in divorce or a loveless and bitter marriage/partnership. Why continue something that you know in the back of your mind won't last forever. When I say forever, 'forever' in itself doesn't come easy. Love is something you work at. My mother always tells me make sure you go out, and cherish each other now so you can have fond memories to remember when times get hard, and they will. But what keeps these relationships going is there was love and respect there from the very start. You can't force love and don't try too.

No matter how hard it hurts to separate from someone, if you notice there is no love; let go! It's better to cry now and your wounds heal now than to continue on, than one that never heals. Love doesn't always conquer all, and when you find love it takes work and dedication to make it last. I've learned and luckily found someone that I want to spend the rest of my life with. I'm no love specialist I am still very young myself and still learning, but I do know that when you love someone and someone loves you, you'll know. You should never have to fight for someones heart...because you can't make someone love you, and you shouldn't have to.

This Tank Vide has so much emotion and speaks to the heart! I love his version!!!

Clear-Out

Sample Ankara Clutches Z+F

I have finally taken pics of most of items that I am going to sell for dirt cheap, to clear out my closet. I need to downsize!!!! I forgot about all these sample Ankara Clutches I made a a few years back, and so many other things but it's time for them to find new homes...Stay Tuned...

Sneaker Mode

Growing Up I was a certified tomboy. My mom wanted to teach me how to cook, I didn't care and would go outside and play football and ride my bicycle. My mom liked putting me in dresses. I tolerated it, and even liked it sometimes, but I never felt more comfortable than when I was in sneakers. As an adult my, style has changed but I still love sneakers. and I may not wear them often, but when I do it takes me back to a time in my life when life was so simple and carefree.

My favorite sneakers are classic low top converse, and nike: sprint sisters, rift's, and blazers and , and addidas sambas. I am currently in love with the new MIU MIU A/W2011 glitter diamonte sneakers as well!! Sneaker Envy.

 I can't till I wear these so much that they have that very worn and loved look to them!

  Top:GAP US/ Skinny Pants: GAP UK/ Cardigan: Vtg Ebay UK/ Bag: Gucci/ Converse Low Top Sneakers

Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi

Harlem Drums

I think posting pictures from the summer is making the sun come out in South Yorkshire!!! I am elated, even though by the time I get off it's dark, but that's another story I digress. I love and miss Harlem, with my Ace. One thing I regret not doing was being too lazy to vintage shop and Ace told me about mad spots I should have hit up, oh well maybe next summer, God willing. One thing I do love about Harlem is it's always lively when the sun is out, there's always something to do! 

Excuse the lack of effort in my outfit I literally just arrived in New York and went straight out! 

Missing the Sunshine

The weather in the UK, well at least up north in South Yorkshire, has been deary and the sun is hiding. At least in the states when it's winter, we have a little bit of sun. This type of weather makes you search for inspiration. No sun and it's almost always cold and wet. How I long for another vacation somewhere hot, a mild climate, anything but the weather I've experienced this week! I'm currently dreaming about this summer in Nice, France. 

After 4 years in the UK and counting, I still can't get used to this weather! I can deal with cold weather but just give me a little bit of Sunshine!

 Sunglassess: Emanuelle Khanh, Leotard: American Apparel, Shorts: UO USA/ Vtg Gucci purse

Have a Blessed weekend!

Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi

Leopard Music

 My New Best-friends! #BertieUk

 Knit Jumper: Topshop/ Slack: H&M/ Shoes: Bertie/ Bag + Faux Stole: Zara/ Earrings: Thrifted

I think I am currently in love with men shoes! I.e: Brogues, Fringed Loafers, Penny Loafers, and Slipper Loafers. I can't get enough of them!! I started noticing that they are becoming apart of my daily uniform.... I wear them virtually everyday! I love loafers and brogues right now.... On the hunt for all shapes and sizes. Literally. 

Identify with Happiness

On my last blog I used to talk about everything and did less fashion, but now I am gonna do it all! I am gonna blog to make me happy, release my thoughts, opinions, have fun with it, and be able to look back at it years later and know I blogged my heart out, if you like it! GREAT!! If not, *shrugs* well everyone doesn't like the same things so it's cool *smile*.

So who are you? Do you know who you are? But most importantly do you like who you are? I have noticed especially in the last few weeks that there are a lot of unhappy jobless people out that there that do not know who they are. And if they do know who they are, do not embrace it, or look to gain a sense of themselves by putting other people down. I have come a LONG way... and no one, absolutely no one will steal my identity; nor can they change who I am or what I am becoming! Only God has that power no one else!

When I was younger growing up in the DMV I was subject of a lot of ridicule because I was brown skinned, didn't always rock what everyone had (I mean I had Nigerian parents they don't care about fashion jor!!! It's about the BOOKS, think about clothes later!), was chubby, and wasn't really boy crazy. Okay I was but again I had Nigerian parents you couldn't even mention bo-y...I think that's why my parents secretly sent me to an all girl high school (actually I know why my parents sent me to Seton but that's another story)!!! I didn't really fit into the mode of any group to be honest, but was cool with everyone to a certain extent. One thing I remember was people always knew me as the girl who could sing, and I guess that's how I made my mark.... by being me and expressing my God given talents.

My confidence level as a teen wasn't very high, and people that know me now may not believe me, because I say whatever I like now (within reason, learning to try and hold my tongue more) and I tend to be very assertive and pro-active, I don't like taking No, for an answer. But people don't understand it took years of discovering who I was, and accepting who I am. I had friends like Moji, Lola, Esther and my Ace to help me along the way. They always listened and had my back and never laughed at me and my dreams and/or aspirations. Those are people I will cherish forever. I now love who I am! Because I knew what it took for me to get here! I know the nights I cried because I wasn't happy with who I was or how people treated me. In High School, I learned very quickly people will treat you how you allow them to treat you. I re-learned that at Howard and re-learned it again when I started my Master's in the UK.

Nip things in the bud when people try to overstep their boundaries. All in all be diplomatic with people and be nice, but most importantly: be happy with who you are! If there is something about yourself that you don't like....Change it! What's stopping you?!?! One thing I always tell my friends is a man won't make you happy, money won't make you happy, fame won't make you happy, only you can make you happy. So live for no one else but your damn self! (Excuse my French)

One thing I will say is that when you believe in something and stick by something that is apart of your identity, and people will respect you for it. Where you come from, what you think, your ideologies are all apart of your identity, but most importantly know you decide who and what you are! You decide your identity! You have to choose to identify with being happy no one else can do that for you no one! So please if you aren't happy with your life, change your future today into a bright one full of happiness and an identity that you can claim wholeheartedly.

SuperNatural- Water

Do you live in the UK and is the hard water causing your hair to break? Now if you grew up in the UK, then
water may not be an issue for you. However, for people like myself who have moved to the UK from other climates like the United States, the British water is quite hard on natural hair and even relaxed hair.

Limescale is often an issue for British appliances, so imagine that type of build up in your hair over a period of time (not literally exaggerating a bit). Now some people have no issues with the British water, I myself do not have issues, but people have asked me what they could do to prevent their hair from breaking in the UK, as the weather here is harsh/cold and the water is hard. 

I replied with two things, in the winter you MUST use protective styles, moisturize, and leave your hair out only when needed, if you're hair is prone to breaking in cold climates. Two if the water is causing your hair to dry out and you've been moisturizing daily, do not wash your hair with tap water. Wash your hair with Bottled Water. I know you're thinking isn't that going to be expensive?!? It actually isn't that bad. Tesco, Morrison and Asda all sell Still Water 2L bottles that cost around 15p each. Thus you could buy 10 bottles for under the price of £2.  If you wash your hair twice monthly, then that is a mere £4! In the end, your hair will be less prone to breakage, and the results will be well worth it.

In short is your water too harsh? Substitute your water! You'll be amazed at the results!

Weekend Love

I loved Leicester so much last weekend, we went back to visit Gbeke again!!! Living directly in City Center is so convenient. I had a marvelous weekend. Relaxing, Good Food, Good Laughs, Good times. This weekend I realized that I don't often thank God enough for the life he has blessed me with. Weekend Love. I love life and I wouldn't change my life for the world.....well actually a lottery win would be nice! LOL

 Leather Jacket: Calvin Klein/ Dress: Primark/ Faux Fur Stole: Zara/ Shoes: Bertie via Topshop Oxford

I'm Literally in Love with these brogues, Or Brogues period for that matter!

Have a Blessed week everyone!!! And be Thankful!

Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi

Giveaway Winner

The Giveaway winner is Yinkusolo!!!

OneYear - Giveaway

I have been blogging for one year, now!!! I hope you've enjoyed reading this blog as much as I've enjoyed posting. So here's the time where you can give me constructive feedback. What do you like on this blog? What would you like to see more of? Lastly, if you could add one more thing to this blog what would it be? I am a believer of reflecting and having people help you in making something better if and when it can be done.

Now for the fun part. How much do you really know me?? The first person to answer all of these questions correctly will win this sample Zelda+Festus Ankara clutch (only available to UK and/or USA residents because of postage).

Five Questions:

What is Ag's full Name?

What does Ag prefer flat's or heels?

What is Ag studying in the UK?

Who is Ag's favorite artist of all time?

Why is this blog named Zelda+Festus?

Email your answers to: zeldaandfestus@yahoo.com

Good Luck

GoodMusic - Eric Roberson

If there is one thing that I CANNOT live without it is music. I literally wake up singing at times, that's how much I love music, it is an addiction. I love all types of music but lately I have been on that Neo Soul tip, minus the constant Kanye West, but besides that I love the oldies, and just plain good music. I also love seeing artist live!!! There is nothing like seeing an artist perform live, especially if they can draw the crowd in and continually be entertaining. 

Eric Roberson is just that. I fell in love with the fellow HU alumni when I was at Howard, didn't even know he walked the same yard that I did. I love every song he has ever put out. He has also written for the likes of Dwele, Jill Scott and etc.. He is one of those musicians that you can listen to from beginning to end without skipping a tune. I had the opportunity to see him live a few weeks back in Birmingham and meet him afterwards. He called me a youngin in regards to HU Alumni, lol. Nonetheless if you don't know about Eric Roberson you need to buy all of his albums immediately!! TRUST me you will not be disappointed. 

Don't forget to purchase his new album Mr. Nice Guy!!! 

 

 

Curt is a monster on the guitar!!! Every member of the band is Amazing! #Lovelivebands

 

Eric took an audience member's camera and was singing to it while it was recording, I know she was elated!!

A close up with Eric because *cough cough* someone forgot to bring the regular lens!

Watch the Dealing Video from his last album ft. Lalah Hathaway

Support GoodMusic.

Road Works

 Blouse: GAP USA/ Pants: Zara/ Blazer: Vtg Lord & Taylor/ Shoes: Zara/ Scarf: Primani/ Bag: Vtg Gucci

 The story of this bag is in retrospect funny. I bought it online for my younger sister, as she had done a marvelous performance in high school, graduated with Honors, had a great SAT score and got multiple full rides to univerisites! I was the proud big sister! So I decided to buy her a vtg Gucci bag as a surprise graduation gift.

But when I received it I thought it was Fake, because it wasn't like any of my other Gucci bags, current and vintage. I requested a refund and bought my sister another bag. At the end of the day, the lady said no because it was real. I was fuming and said I will get it authenticated. So I mosey on down to Old Bond Street in London to get it authenticated, and they tell me it's real! I looked at the man like it is what? He said yup I am 90% sure it's real only the zipper has been replaced as with vintage Gucci bags, that was usually the first thing to go....I left heart broken, because I really didn't want the bag...I just wanted a refund! lol

Nonetheless, I am forcing myself to wear it more, but deep down inside I still swear it's fake. Yes I got issues sometimes. Hopefully I'll fall in love with it. Do you have any crazy purchase stories? If so what was it, and did you keep it?

Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi