Pink Alert!!!

Because pink is prettier ....




Now if you haven't heard already Vogue are having a festival and not just any ol' festival a fabulous fashion to die for festival this Saturday in Kensington half day tickets are little steep in price at £75 but and it's a huge BUT this ticket involves a highly sought after line up with interview with Christopher Bailey no less ! As well as amaze events -Makeovers, photoshoots the list goes on. Click here for more info.

Ciao for now :o)

Had to break a few nails opening oysters....

So i've trawled through many oysters to find some beautiful pearls..!

Here is one of my favourite finds - 50s Mother of Pearl Clip on Earrings - £29.99

Available on new Rubi Rox Etsy Shop! 

Now available to you are my beautiful more affordable finds... stay tuned for Rubi Rox handmade treasures as well as more vintage ! RubiRox on Etsy.



The very early hours of this morning i was awoken to find out the Legend that is Whitney Houston  past away.. my heart aches but hopes her soul is at peace.

Check out the new shop on Etsy.com - RubiRox click here

Objects of desire....

*aaarrrrccchhhheeewwww!* had a bad flu/cold thing over the last couple weeks which left me inactive to my detriment, sadly I was unable to attend the plethora of sample sales which i talked about in my last blog. however I probably save a lot of pocket change. ..

Last week Nicolas Kirkwood had a sample sale in Bond Street with some serious fab shoes !!! But the prices weren't the sample sale prices I would have hoped for ... pumps from £200 however his shoe and boots do average about £700 at normal retail prices...

Nicholas Kirkwood Ankle Boots - £790 http://www.thecorner.com 

From Nicholas Kirkwood AW11 Collection

BROWNS Has a little exhibition in its South Molton Boutique called Le Cabinet de Curiosités curated by Thomas Erber, which are cabinets of treasures from a selection of the finest designers, photographers and writers such as Manolo Blanik, Rodarte & Lulu Guinness.These contributors have made one off bespoke pieces which are both exquisite in craftmanship and style and pushes their creativity to the limits. Le Cabinet is as interesting concept that was conceived in Geneva 2009. Recently Thierry W Dupont curated a successful exhibition in New Yorks Marlborough and Steinitz galleries.

Lulu Guiness contributed a fabulous clutch which epitomises her tongue in cheek design and wit. Go along also check out Kata Legrady originally a classically trained musician who has chosen the fine arts pathway. She has attracted international fame for her iconic series “Guns & Candies”. She tends to focus on objects of war and its victims. Her pieces I think depicts the hypocrisy of its original subject, possibly comments on how the objects have a effect on the children of war... 

Lulu Guinness. Eye of Horus - £1995

a Kata Legrady  piece 

To be continued...

Culture Vulture...

I've been meaning to blog about this for ages ...contemporaray african clothing !

a style that goes on forever... In light of this summer trend with mix prints, I think the use of various african batik style prints give a twist and elegant way of doing this trend without looking to much like one has gone through one too many charity shops :/

Sika Design is one of my favourites, advertised in glossy such as Vogue & Grazia  i may have mentioned on daily site Rubinubi Splendia about her before.All her clothing handmade in Ghana, I purchased a shirt of hers which has certainly stood the test of time..

Cherry Jumpsuit £89.00 by Sika Design

Bubble Dress - Hand Made in Ghana . £130 by Sika Design.

She has an online boutique which contain adorable african cloth dress, skirts and shirts. What is distinctive about her clothing are that they excellently executed, has great tailoring and fierce contemporary design. Outfits that can be worn in day and take you to the evening.

I recently came across amazing designer Max Osterweis film maker turned designer is the chief executive and creative director of the fair-trade clothing line SUNO. His home is in Brooklyn, his home away from home has become Lamu in Kenya. Which you'll see has inspired his amazing collection - where is incorporates vintage Kenya materials and new.

now ALDO is doing it for the high street !!

I saw these wicked wedges in Aldo today £65 not bad eh ?!

Ciao for now :) 

Afrosplendia

Oooooh I've found some more scweet tricks up my wonder web sleeves ... Rachel Stewart is a american based Jewellery web company, fortunately for us they ship world wide! Shipping to the UK is $5.00 - using todays exchange rate thats just over £3.00 which is pretty competitive !

Rachel Stewart is a mother who started her jewelery business about 3 years ago after redundancy. Checkout her standout statement jewelry, they emit such positive vibes. See below my fav pieces....

Black & Yellow $30. 00 ( now I've got Wiv Kalif stuck in me head )

The Black & Yellow earrings are particularly my favourite as they represent the sun! It just makes me smile.

DUAFE Earrings available in Wood, Silver or Gold  - $28.00

Gold Dwennimmen Adinkra $31.00

Leaving the best till last . I heart these so much not just because they ooze strength, a wicked sense of the 1990's Queen Latifah vibe. This is an Adinkra symbol - originting from the Gold Coast, Ghana whooo my mother country. Adinkra are symbols that represent concepts or sayings. These symbols are used a lot in African cloth as logos, design and used in Sculture.

Dwennimmen (Ram's Horn) - symbol of humility together with strength

There are a phenomenal amount of adinkra symbols which date back to the mid 1920's, probably a lot earlier, it would literally take a book for me to write about ... so I won't speak much more on this .
This specific symbol resides in my childhood home which also has pride of place nice and neatly in my heart.

Click Here to look at her other goodies, happy shopping....


Ciao for Now :0)

Modern ICONS

On my natural hair journey, there are a lot of things 'they' slyly fail to mention before transitioning from relaxed natural hair ...

Natural hair doesn't automatically become the picture of health...
it takes and needs great care and moisture, conditioning, moisture, conditioning MOISTURE ! Did i say moisture ?

It has become very apparent that each person's hair is as individual as a finger print ..i.e, olive oil used on it own in my hair dries the fo shizzle outta of my strands.

My hair now that  i'm trying to grow it, drinks up hair moisturisers like a sahara... one thing that has helped amongst a plentitude of other oils and potion is Lush's R & B @ £9.95 it is a bit expensive for quite a small tub(100g) but contains such nourishing, and earth friendly stuff... plus a lil does go a long way ! A pleasant smell and a lotion does weigh ...

This was recommended to me by Kera of Moody Manes ( check out interview below!). My hair seems to love this stuff. Logic tell me natural works best natural so its a given that this stuff should work really -You'll find the product is packed with goodies such as oat milk, fair trade olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil amongst a world of other goodies...

Continuing on my path i do look to every avenue for hair inspiration.. then you find because one wears a natural we are a kinda minority.. the women at the forefront rocking a natural appear to have such inspirational strength. I have come across a couple of who I've become drawn to and may well be on to their way to becoming modern icons...

I have blogged about her amazing voice before Janelle Monae, her energy speaks volumes by the way she expresses herself....

Now I never thought I'd  think this let alone type aloud but Solange Knowles is seriously  reppin', despite the great force that is her sister, she has been able come into her own... 

Nikisha

Cipriana

I have come across a few sites for our curly coiled sista.... Urban Bush Babes  is by far my favourite! founded by Nikisha & Cipriana, best friends and "pasionista's"  based in NYC they have a website  movement which is packed with insightful hair regimes, product reccomendation and fabulous vintage style and finds!

My search goes on... let me know if you have any modern ICON's you look to ?...


Ciao for now :0)

Ms Scruffy OWL

Take a seat, cuppa at the ready and bar of chocolate if you like .... for another inspirational session with another real heroe Kera of Scruffy OWL.

I met with one part of the‘Urban’ duo  don’t actually love this word… it seems to me, this was a term used for pigeon holing what black people do… that’s in my opinion. Now its turned around to address the youth culture …. What does it really mean?? Note to self do not pigeon hole!! Anywho I digress and regress.

I meet Kera part founder of Scruffy Owl, and all round creative explosion.

Kera Modelling one of her Scruffy OWL tees.

With a mother who designed jewellery, she encouraged Kera to follow her talented juices. Kera is a free spirit, oozes charm and is casually exquisite which is reflected in her character. 

Hair by Moody Manes, Make Up Ru MEL

Along with Scruffy Owl, she coifs hair through Moody Manes, her mobile stylist business  and is now learning to tattoo which should emerge in six months! All this energy falls under her brand Kinetic Moodz – kinetic referring to waves that go on forever and Moodz, changing of moods. People… she came up with this name when she was 14!! I think this goes to show the talent which is bubbling under the surface, I look forward to her peak.

http://purpleferdinand.tumblr.com

For those who don’t already follow on her on twitter you will find, she is on the pulse of all things unique, inspiring and non conformist: see picture to your left by Tortured Minds - tumblr. Re posted by Kera.

So her fashion story really began when in New York, London born but was flown to the big Apple when she was about 9yrs old.

29 yr old Kera went to an Art & Design high school in New York, Manhattan majoring in Fashion Design.

She was flown back to blighty in her late teens, and then immersed herself as a Londoner - when interviewing Kera you can't but feel NYC is still in her heart, the odd twang or still slang slips through after nearly 10years.

She went on to study at the esteemed however infamous London College of Fashion – hers was an experience that made her want to throw fashion over the fence. After her depleting experience at the London College of Fashion (LCF), Kera went on to join the rat race… on her life's journey she met her partner, her kindred spirit. He didn’t really work in fashion however had an affinity with great design.An almalgation of both their beings Scruffy OWL was born:

Scruffy Other Ways of Libertion… ( this has become my favourite name in the universe !!).

The Scruffy – is a bit of an oxymoron .. you never find a scruff owl now do you !

Check out their facebook page click here.

Follow them on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/Scruffy_Owl

And you can purchase Scuffy OWL clothing through; http://urbfashion.co.uk/shop/

Scruffy OWL is heavily influenced by hip-hop and break dance and for me what runs through is a freedom of expression.Catering for both women and men, their tees are a steal at £24.99 and really wicked hoodies from £44.99( that tee below is my next purchase ! )

Fly High Hoodie £44.99

Womens 80s rope chain T-shirt £24.99

PASSION .... Dance, her (nearly) 6foot statuesque height was her obstacle which is why she never pursued her first dream, however with her high school break dancing days (fortunately for us)  brought Scruffy OWL

WORDS FOR THE WISE ... "don't let people, their insecurities or short coming in life dictate how you feel about your art and how you feel about yourself"

MOTIVATION....God, her christianity... "the road will never run smooth" but through all the twist and turns she keeps God in her life to get through.

ROLE Models .... her Mama , as mentioned previously, her Mama's artistry helped her raise Kera, her mother didn't let life mudane obstacles impact and as is in her mother now runs through Kera's veins was a great positive outlook on life.

what speaks to her in ART is Jean Michel Basquiat (one of my favourites), and other graffiti artist such as Bansky.

favourite DECADE 70's it all about "Peace, LOVE" and the all the other funky good stuff

'No one can make you feel inferior without your consent' Eleanor Roosevelt

Whist at LCF unfortunatley the tutors did have negative impact on her learning..... however the assurance that one day soon, she will reap sweet but silence vengeance to see one of her old tutors rocking Scruffy OWL tees ! 

Stayed tune for her imerging tatoo business, she has countless tat's, 9 and counting! I for one can't wait for more her Kenetic Moodz.

CIAO ;0)

Empower begins, continues but will never conclude....

The month of April I claim it to be a month of empowering women. I will be conducting interviews with successful, and up and coming professional women. From these interviews I hope to inspire, promote and bring about sheer goodness !!

Once upon a time.... in January 2011 I was curled up with a cup of tea and digestive biscuits, the wonder of Black Girls Rock Awards shone upon me, I thought i'd bring a lil piece of the action to blighty!

The concept of Black Girls Rock is a non for profit organisation for the youth; to empower and motivate young women and turn around the negative way in which black women are portrayed in the media. The organisation seeks to mentor and build these youth with high self esteem and self worth through various educational programs

As a woman whose motivated and inspired by 'real' women what better way than to bring our true heroes to the forefront. I'm constantly filled with beaming pride when I see my peers filling the roles they have worked hard towards.

So people lets raise our glasses (cue something bubbly), here is a clink to our hard work and perseverance to attain our dreams.


Without further to do our first empowering interview is with

Chantell Walters - Fashion Designer.

I meet the beautiful Chantell in the buziness of St Pancras after she has finished from a thought provoking meeting about the next steps of her ever growing fashion line. 

Chantell  Walters

Her personality, character and talent is one which has drawn attention from various bloggers and esteemed editorials such as the New York Times fashion pages, Essence Online and Grazia Daily. Her fashion story started at the young age of 5, with the influence of her trendy young mum who she was 'embarrassed' by, because she didn't fit the norm at that time, thankfully her mum continued to regularly visit boutiques finding treasures and experimented with hair and beauty styles, and "after hours of dressing up in her [mothers] clothes" her mother ultimately became a fundamental influence in her life. Mamma Walters precious word for Chantell during her teens were that "she hadn't raised her to become a follower".

28 yr old Chantell made her first dress at 19,  after graduating from the prestigious London College of Fashion her fashion story really began.

PASSION.. her greatest passion in her life is her cute Son, his innocence and "carefree attitude to life" and aptitude for being anything he wants "if he chooses to be buzz light year, he will be" inspires her and drives her determination. Since being a mother she feels even more passionate about her goals in life, more so, to be a great role model to her son, to teach him that "working hard" will get him anywhere he wants and enable him to achieve anything.

the MOTHER, Chantell sometimes likens herself to Will Smith's character in the film the Pursuit of Happiness. Encouragingly she has a strong family network who help her to achieve her dreams, even though her trips to New York can be bittersweet being away from her son, she is able to maintain continuity in her sons life by exposing him to London's rich arts culture and relishes reading time.The hard work, juggling her mother designer role, for her is all worth it for the long term. As with all us women she has the innate ability to "multi-task".

RISK taking, it seems is fundamental to Chantell's successes, on one of her trips to New York during fashion week she walked straight through to sit front in the coveted front seats of a runway show! "If you don't go out there, no one is going to know you exist" her wise words of WISDOM for those who don't want to live with regret is "if you feel like doing something follow your instincts and go for it !"

MOTIVATION 'Carpe Diem' seize the day. To keep her in her energetic state of mind her daily routine is reading something positive and regularly listens, in particular, to motivation speakers Les Brown & Eric Thomas the Hip Hop preacher

her ROLE MODELS .. the "mad scientist of the world" such as Erykah Badu, Byork and Kimora Lee Simmons. These women are "unique in their own way and live life to the fullest!"

her main FAVOURITE DESIGNERS Alexander Mcqueen, Hussein Chalayan, Balenciaga, Ralph Simmons for his Menwear, Vivienne Westwood.

'No one can make you feel inferior without your consent' Eleanor Roosevelt

Whilst at uni one of her teachers, tried to make her feel inferior by constantly predicting her very low grades, irrespective of her unconditional offer for the university and constant high grades that surpassed average marks i.e., achieving "A", needless to say Chantell Walters survived through this and frenemies by her unrelenting "Tunnel Vision" of her goals and surrounding herself with successful, encouraging people and mentors; in addition, listening to successful business stories helps her to focus.

FUTURE is her inspiration,  her childhood interest on sci-fi has heavily influenced her designs, consciously or not.. Looking at the names chosen for her previous collections AW10 Space Odyssey , SS10 The Hitchikers Galaxy go to show she and her designs are is very much fashion forward, unique and most importantly wearable.

Chantell Walters plans to re launch herself and her brand very soon. Definitely one to watch with collections that leave a statement and beautiful fluidity with much personality.

I left Chantell feeling pumped from her infectious and positive energy.

Check out her designs, her next collection is sure to be another show stopper which are to involve interesting prints, I imagine not too far removed from her science fiction origins.

www.chantellwalters.co.uk

Just Because....

... i thought i'd share with ya'll.

I was actually looking for inspiration of new natural hairstyles, and came across these inspiring and intriguing  photographs ... both new to be and not. 

The following photographs were taken from 1901 - present. It struck me while discovering these photos that unless one goes out of their way to find these sorts of images. We very rarely see african's in this amazing light.

This following picture was taken in 1901, apart from the greyed hue of the photo. This could easily be a contemporary photo taken in 2011. 

The way in which this woman has accessorised her hair with flowers, emphasise's the notion that nothing is new! Such elegance...

 1901

I found this picture on a Flckr site taken by Gbaku. One of the comments to this photo questioned why the woman would do this? Immediately, it was obvious to me that women through all the ages, are about emphasising their best assets. It just goes to show plastic surgery even though appears to be a modern concept, is maybe not so new??!

 Taken in Liberia in 1943 by Gbaku.

"the way that I use backdrops in order to pose people for their pictures is all about transporting them, taking them to places where they don't go," he says.

After which Samuel Fosso famously began taking photo's of himself. The first time I saw this artist was at the Hayward Gallery in Southbank about 5yrs ago. The exhibition was centred on contemporary African Art, this exhibition open my eyes to the wonder of African Art... Samuel Fosso's piece below was one that has also stayed with me. Because of it extravagance, sense of humour yet poignancy.

Le Chef. Samuel Fosso. 1994

Checkout this Artist Seydou Keita (1921 - 2001), a self taught photographer based in Bamako in Mali. I'm in love with these photos they are too cool and kinda 50's chic! Taken between the 50's and 60's. Keita had a studio in Bamako. It seems he was a bit of local hero, where Mali's social elite and middle class would go to his studio to have photo's taken. He would use various props such as mopeds and car, car's which at the time were quite a luxury to be shown with. Maybe Africa's answer Mario Testino of that time? Fortunately his art wasn't too much of a well kept secret and found its way to New York, after which he became quite wealthy selling pieces as much as $16,000.

Ciao for now ! xx

Well I did wish for a White Christmas...

If like me you're probably having heart palputations about what presents to buy, we've kinda gotten through the chrimbo parties and sparkles...BUT after the weekends snow stopper, if like me you couldn't get everything online, its off to the shops we go...hi ho hi hoooo.

So here are a few ideas for the kids without being too cliche ...

For Nieces/Nephew/ and other littlens...

If your littlens are lucky enough to have a Wii console, the game of the moment seems to be Epic Mickey.. cheapest place to buy off the high street is HMV £29.99, they also give away a Bonus DVD.

Monsoon Accessorize have the most adorable girl clothes, just incase you haven't noticed . We have been having the most torrential of weathers therefore one can't avoid but invest in weather protection presents, init!

Accessorize has the most adorable wellies and a rain macs of which i'm so getting for one of me nieces! Ssssh

Vintage Rose Rain Mac - £24, Wellies - £14

So, i'm far from being a mum.. however the instincts are starting to brew a little, with my very limited knowledge, I felt the rain mac is heavy enough to protect, but light enough for layering underneath.

If you're more of a trendy momma/aunty/unc/dad how about All Saints eh?!

Without your littlen looking like an extra from Hollyoaks DON'T get too carried away But DO pick out some key pieces such as the boys cardi as shown below Children Fife Cardigan - now £35!! All Saints now have up 50% off in stores ...

Or how about a gorgeous keepsake for a new born Mamas &Papas has the most exquisite silverware including a 'Once Upon A Time' - Silver Musical Box - £20 Click here to see. They also have up to 1/2 price sale on .

Its inevitable but one can't help but come across things for themselves ish.. I'm not quite sure where the obsession with thicker lashes came from .. it seemed to have started about 3yrs ago my first introduction to the world of Bambi lashes was thorugh Shu Uemura peacock lashes (model on the left below).

I digress .. in Fenwicks Bond Street, I came across RevitaLash an intensive lash and brow treatment http://www.revitalash.com/ to be honest the interest in this product was less about me and more about the people closest to me.... It is my belief that one should only enhance ones beauty, not try to make it 'better' by changing into something that they're not..i.e, appreciate your own beauty don't try to chase others.. anywhoo Revitalash is a lash conditioner, this brand also has a Brow conditioner the story behind the brand is ... Revitalash® was developed by Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff as a special gift for his wife, Gayle, while she was recovering from breast cancer. Intensive chemotherapy treatments had damaged Gayle’s once-beautiful eyelashes, leaving them sparse, breakable and fragile.

After extensive research with a team of talented cosmetic chemists, Dr. Brinkenhoff formulated an eyelash conditioner that, after just a few weeks, gave a renewed look of vitality to Gayle’s eyelashes.

Soon friends and family wanted to know Gayle’s secret to beautiful looking eyelashes. Gayle knew immediately the perfect name for the amazing eyelash conditioner that had given her eyelashes a renewed look of vitality: Revitalash®.

Thus, a new product was born; and a formula created originally for just one special woman has become a product available to women everywhere who want to have beautiful looking eyelashes.

Gayle and Michael are committed to donating a portion of the proceeds from RevitaLash® sales to benefit non-profit breast cancer research and education initiatives.

Revitalash is to be used as a treatment, it seems a difference can be noticed in month, over six months is suppose to be the proper period to notice a real difference.

From £69 - 99 for a 3 - 6 month treatment.

LAST THING ...

After My miu miu discovery I had a mini obsession with designer/chic stationery bags for gadjety uses.. gone on have a whirl ... ;)

from top to bottom...

MULBERRY Daria Sleeve for Macbook, £350; MULBERRY Agenda Oak printed leather, 250;Anya Hindmarch Cables & Chargers nylon bag, £95;DVF Mariela printed laptop case,£100 (Net-a-porter.com); What is luxury stationary without Symthson, if like me your a budding entrepreneur this amber card case if so fierce one can;t help but take you seriously !£100.

Ciao Ciao xx