Cross + Studs

Outfit Details: Vintage Blouse similar (here), Zara Faux Fur Stole Similar (here) + (here), GAP Cropped Skinny Pants (here), Fendi Bag similar (here), DIY Studded Loafers similar (here), Cross three ring bracelet Topshop (old) similar (here)

Hey everyone for those of you who follow me on twitter and/or instagram you know I have been wedding dress shopping this week. I initially found a dress that I thought I liked but it really didn't move me. You see I tried on a dress at RK Bridals in New York (if you live in New York and are looking for a wedding dress or for those in high school looking for a prom dress definitely visit RK Bridal! Their selections and service is exquisite) in which I cried in. But I didn't order it as I live in the UK and flying to the states for a fitting would be too much of a hassle. I then wanted to book an appointment at Provonvias on Bond Street but are fully booked for December. I was emotionally gutted. Nonetheless, I didn't give up hope, I called a wedding shop that I saw in a Bridal Magazine, booked an appointment for today and I think I have found 'the' dress. One is very moderately priced the other one (THE DRESS) is three times the amount of the first. Oh what to do, what to do!!!

Anyway enough about wedding dress hunting. I hope you guys had a marvelous week, it went by so quickly!! It's freezing in London, but I still plan on having a fabulous weekend!!!

Blue Stole Theory

Outfit Details: Blouse: Vintage, Skinny Pants Banana Republic, Faux Fur Stole Asos Similar (here) + (here), Czech Necklace (ZFSowho Etsy Shop), Ferragamo Varina Vintage bag, Kurt Geiger Sparkle Court Heel(try these).

The perfect way to make any outfit stand out more is with a colorful stole. I scored this beauty during the ASOS sale. The first time I went to purchase it, it was sold out, the next time I checked the site, it was back in stock. It is something that I wouldn't usually wear in this color, however, I am slowly falling in love with it. Plus the price wasn't too bad either. What outlandish accessories are you adding you your collection this winter?

Ag's Natural Hair Products

Hey Everyone I hope you're having a peaceful weekend. I have been getting a lot of request on the products that I use for my hair. Here is a complied list of products I have and that I currently use now.

Shampoos:

Clarifying Shampoo: KMS California Clarfying Shampoo

Sulfur Free Shampoo: 6.Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo

Conditioners:

I really don't have ONE Conditioner, but I always tend to use Cholesterol Conditioners, my mom used to use them on my hair as a kid when it was relaxed, and it still works wonders for my natural hair. I currently use one of these when buying a cholestoral conditioner:

• 4. Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream
• Le Kair Cholesterol Plus 
• Proclaim Professional Care Cholesterol (I used this for the first time last week and loved it)
• I DON'T LIKE: Dark & Lovely's Ultra Cholesterol Conditioner - it didn't seem to leave my hair soft. I was very disappointed; especially as my hair is naturally soft. 

Other conditioners that I've used and generally liked the results of are:

Tresemme used by Professionals for Dry and Brittle Hair

Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Replenishing Mask

Pantene Pro-V Full and Thick Strengthening Intensive Treatment

Moisturizers:

5. *****Wave Noveau Finishing Moisturizing Lotion by Soft Sheen and Carson*****

IC Shea Butter Oil Moisturizer 

2. Kera Care Hair Milk Daily Hair Sustainer

Edge Control Products:

Olive Oil Edge Control (it doesn't last long in hot climates or if you start to sweat. I use it mainly with protective style)

1. Dr. Miracles Temple and Nape Gro Balm

Dr. Miracles Damaged Hair Medicated Treatment

Follicle Healer Deep Conditioning Treatment

Mahabhringraj Oil

NB: Not sure about how helpful they are as I don't use them consistently but I do love how they make my scalp tingle. Anyone that knows me knows I am very obsessesd with not becoming that girl with no edges. 

Protein Treatments:

I simply use Egg + Mayo 

I also put Infusium 23 in my moisturizer (Wave Noveau)

Sealants:

Natural Shea Butter

Castor Oil

Peppermint Oil

Grapeseed Oil

Almond Oil

Coconut Oil (also the only oil that also moisturizes)

Deep Oil Treatments

3. VOS Hot Oil Treatment

Pink Moisturizer Hot Oil Treatment

If there is ONE product that has made my natural hair regime so much EASIER it's Wave Noveau without it I probably wouldn't enjoy being natural as much as I do. Once I started using it, my hair was significantly softer, easier to manage, and my hair just feels greater overall. But remember this is for my hair. Try some of the these products but if they don't work don't fret, everyone's hair is different, find what works for you. Hopefully this list will help guide you to finding YOUR OWN hair regime. Good Luck and enjoy being Natural!

InstaLife - ZeldanFestus

I have only been on Instagram actively for 2 days and it's so much fun. I should have joined earlier. You see I am a BlackBerry Messenger DieHardFan, so it took a lot for me to get the new iPhone. I ended up still keeping my Blackberry though, I mean five pounds extra a month isn't that bad to stay in contact with family and friends mainly in Nigeria + the States. Fashion + Vintage Finds, ZFSowho Shop additions, Fashion Inspirations + Ag'sLife. InstantLife it is!

I hope everyone had a lovely and eventful Thanksgiving. I was sad I couldn't be home this year, but I am happy I'll be home for my Birthday + Christmas, to relax and plan my wedding; so I am very thankful! To all the Black Friday Shoppers, be safe and SHOP till you DROP! Have a Blessed Weekend!

Follow me on Instagram

With or Without

Outfit Details: Zara Blazer (OLD) get similar (here) + (here), Cream Vintage Blouse similar (here), YSL Belt (here), YSL PomPom Heels, and Vintage Shoulder Bag similar (here)

I was wearing this Zara blazer from last season that I found in my closet on Sunday, and I realized, after a few shots that I didn't like the blazer with this outfit. So I took it off. I actually prefer the look without the blazer; however it looks a bit odd being that I am wearing tights and no jacket or coat.....Nonetheless it's the look I prefer. Which look do you prefer with or without the jacket. If I could do this outfit again, I'd probably skip the earrings....hey you live and you learn.

On to other news, I am now on Instagram, or as I tell my friends Instalife, lol. So what are you waiting for? My instagram just might be more interesting than my blog...I joke...no but seriously maybe. *smile* Follow me on Instagram at: ZeldanFestus. 

Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi

Vintage Latte

I bought these particular Suede and Leather Boots from Ebay for a steal at £30.00. They are vintage Deadstock, thus were never worn and were in perfect condition, or so I thought. The only problem is the leather within the boots is shedding. I'll get them relined later. I can't really complain they were only £30.00. In the meantime I'm enjoying these beauties and wearing vintage boots with any and everything. 

Outfit Details: Esty ZFSowho Vintage Necklace get last one (here), Snood (here), Gap Slacks (here), Vintage boots get similar (here), Vintage Mohair Cardigan similar (here) + Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo Varina Bag (here). 

Rust World

Outfit Details: COS Peplum Coat get similar (here), Orange Tights (here), Chanel Flats similar (here), Zara Bag (here) , Asos Sunglasses different color (here), and Assorted Silver Bracelets similar (here) + (here). 

This morning I woke up and felt on top of the world ...literally! People, Situations, or just life in general can try to bring you down but life is way too short. Always try to see the silver lining in every storm. I'm so happy + gingered (Nigerian Slang for pumped up) and I am loving the feeling. 

Meanwhile don't you hate when trends come back and you throw out everything you had regarding that trend. So colorful stocking and tights are back on trend and I threw all my non grey or black tights out in July when I was moving. Now I regret that act because, I want my rainbow collection of tights back. Well it's nothing to cry over, I'll just nip into Topshop or Primark to stock on my favorite colors. That way I don't break my pockets too much. Tights are a terrific way to brighten up any outfit effortlessly, I see me doing this a lot more this winter.

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. I sure did! Life is definitely GREAT!

Take Away

Outfit Details: AA Leotard (here), Reiss Skirt (similar here), Assorted Bracelets: Similar (here), (here) + (here), Turquoise Bracelet: Similar (here), Vintage Christian Dior Similar (here), + Vintage Pearl Embellished Shoulder bag worn as a clutch (Shoreditch)

It's Ironic that just several years ago I couldn't stand skirts or dresses, all I wanted to wear were jeans and cargo pants, oh how our styles change... in my case I Thank God! I am currently always on the lookout for nice unique skirts, so when I saw this Reiss Skirt I was instantly in love. I kept trying on two sizes as I couldn't tell which looked better, and almost didn't buy it, I'm glad I did now. 

Unfortunately, all my pencil skirts are collecting dust currently in my wardrobe until I drop a few more pounds. I don't like my stomach showing in my outfits as much as possible, and it's incentive to continue to eat and live healthy (and I don't want to buy skirts in a bigger size). Slowly but surely, I'll be fitting into my fabulous pencil skirts, until then, tutu designed, a line, and maxi skirts are my current best friends. So instead of eating that take away make a nice healthy wrap. Note: No take away was purchased whilst taking these photos, lol.

Photographer: Oluwatosin Ogunlesi

Ebay 101

I have been an avid lover of Ebay for several years. It is a fantastic site. I know many people who sell on Ebay for a living it is a great way to earn money for extra revenue and it's great way to find savvy finds. I go to Ebay for a lot of Vintage finds. If I was still in America I probably wouldn't be on Ebay as much as there are plenty of accessible vintage shops, thrift stores and designer outlets. But in the UK it's a bit more accessible for me. 

First and Foremost: Only buy what you would buy in the store. Don't buy something because it's cheap (although I do this, this is where I say "Do as I say and not as I do" you'll thank me later). You really don't need 10 pairs of vintage boots, or maybe you do, I don't know we all have our obsessions! I've bought several pairs of several boots in the last 5 years and 5 of those boots were on Ebay.

Two. Beware of fakes. I love my Miu Miu Glitter Sneakers so much that I wanted to buy another pair but not for full price. And since they sell out fast and don't go on sale, I thought to myself I'd check out Ebay every now and then for an additional pair. This is when I learned that there are Fake Miu Miu Sneakers. I couldn't believe it. I thought people are bidding on these things and they're not real!!! So here are some tips to avoid buying fakes:

• Buy brands you are familiar with. Brands you already have in your closet so it'll be a bit easier to spot a fake. If not buy from sellers that have great feedback. Read their feedback; if someone says they sold a fake, then do not bid. Try to authenticate items (Gucci has their authentication/care team store on Old Bond Street in London) and return them if they are indeed fake. Finally leave feedback so other sellers can be weary of them in the future.

• It's best to buy items in which the buyer has the original packaging, shows numerous photos, the serial number, the receipt, the dust bag, designer cards and etc... 

• See if they accept returns, but this does not necessarily mean they are selling fakes if they don't. They may be like me and do not like the hassles of returns.

• Ask questions, ask questions and ask more questions. 

• If it is too good to be true it probably is. Nonetheless, there are some people out there in which Givenchy is their Primark or Walmart so they are just having a closet clearout for cheap. I love these people *smile*

• All in all trust your instinct and go with your gut feeling. If you don't feel confident that it is real then do not bid.

All in all, I have had a few bad experiences but more good than bad, and I have ALWAYS gotten my money back. I don't play those types of games, I work hard for my money and don't wear fakes so I take it very personally. Realize that everyone is not genuine and there are people looking to make a quick buck out of a naive buyer, so be VERY cautious. 

Three. Save your searches. My favorite searches currently are vintage bracelets, vintage belts, and vintage boots.  Also save your favorite sellers

Four. People make mistakes. I've learned some people spell MiuMiu like this MuiMui and it's real. So sometimes people type in incorrect spellings of designers or have typ-o's and you'll be amazed at the number of lovely items that come up with misspellings. Again I love these types of people.

Five. Know your size. For Example I am a UK size 12 in Topshop, a UK 10/12 in COS and I have learned that Vintage Sizes in the UK tend to run smaller. So a UK 14 in a Vintage dress is actually a UK 12....get my drift?

Six. Have patience. You may not always see what you want when you want it but it will inevitably show up, trust me. That dress you wanted from Zara, Topshop, Opening Ceremony or Marni that sold out quickly someone is selling it online. But some people do take advantage of this, and sell for a bit more than the original price. The perfect example is H&M designer collaborations, they are always going for much more than the original selling price on Ebay....but hey you can't knock them, to them it's business.

Seven. Last but certainly not least. Leave feedback so you can get feedback. Some people are stuck in their adolescence and only leave feedback if you do. They have a tit for tat mentality; sad but very true. So leave feedback to gain a good Ebay rep.

I'm all about quality. I'd rather buy something that will last me 3-4 years if not longer than 2-3 wears (this excludes trendy items). Ebay is a place to find exceptional pieces both modern + vintage. Follow these tips and you'll be amazed at what you find. If you become addicted please don't blame me! *smile*

P.s. If you are an Ebay junkie, I always tweet that I am cutting my habit down, if you have a smart phone save items in your watch list. Hours before an item ends you'll get an email stating that a certain item is ending soon....again if you become addicted don't blame me. *wink*

It's Friday beautiful People Make Tonight a night to remember! Kisses. 

Casadei Editorials

Editorials of Casadei's RW2012 Footwear Collection. 

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