My current playlist.

1. Hold me _ Janine & the mixtape

2. Girlie O _ Patoranking ft Tiwa Savage

3. Believe me _ Lil wayne ft Drake

4. Bad Girl _ Jesse Jagz ft Wizkid

5. Deaf _ Eva Alordiah

6. Money on my mind _ Sam Smith

7. Yung L _ SOS

8. Easy to love _ Bucie ft Heavy K

9. Slow Down _ R2bees ft Wizkid

10. Loyal _ Chris Brown

Trend Alert: Birkenstocks

Could this be the successful return of the Birkenstock sandals? Oh dear Lord why?? I remember owning several pairs of these when I was younger in pinks and baby blues. I never ever knew how to style them. No matter what you can only do casual looks with these, no way to chic up or glam out the outfit whatsoever!!
It's really a love or hate with this trend. I find these shoes to be over sized and unflattering definitely not rushing to go out and buying them.

The footbed makes them look uber comfortable because it's designed to fit all the contours of the foot. All the ones I've owned always really ended up hurting my feet though :( I found that my feet were being working and pressed too hard in all angles through out the day, the pressure was being felt everywhere. If you had/have the same problem I suggest buying the soft beds.

I think most of you will agree that they were definitely reaching on some of these styles below.. like the gladiator and green birks LOL.

Celebs sporting the new summer trend

Beautiful pictures below that are ruined with these hideous shoes

Anyway they'll always be shoes that are worn by kids, grandparents and old uncles to me. This trend is a complete miss and shouldn't be worn to town! Thoughts?

Stay fabulous 

xox

N

The Bar Cart!

Well hello :)

I adore a well styled bar cart OMG and the more my love for interior design grows the more these are
starting to really stand out to me. Some attractive bottles of liquor, antique chic glasses, a vase with fresh flowers, a trendy ice bucket all placed on an interesting tray and BOOM! Golden. These aren't really meant to be used to be driven around the house LOL but as a part of the furniture setting. It really is a case of style over substance hehe.. You can't place the cart anywhere near sunlight as extreme heat spoils the alcohol over time, they're often fragile and unsteady(isn't advised to overload) plus can't store wine on there (not practical) also not ideal if you have young children around the house.
Technically if you have a massive house, you should have a built in bar but these are good for the young professionals or couples who don't have loads of space or money at their disposal.
Having said all that I think its safe to call it a glorified stand ha!

Ultra sleek..

What to look for when purchasing a bar cart:
- Sturdy wheels (all though it isn't advised to wheel this around the house) for a quick getaway.
- Interesting detail.
- A unique look.
- Versatility.
- Not too Vintage or it will fall apart on you.

I just love them and the idea. To be placed in the living room or the dining area. What do y'all think? Yay or nay?

xox

N

Handmade from Tanzania

This Dhow and Driftwood furniture workshop in Tanzania is amazing. They specialize in handcrafted products, sourced in and handmade exclusively in Tanzania. They have been making furniture from reclaimed boat timber for 10 years and have recently started hand weaving material. I love the idea of how everything is sourced and produced right here in our homeland. All their furniture pieces are so rustic and retain their ethnic feel. Their designs are slightly awkward in size but how can we expect otherwise when we're trying to get something really African and authentic? I love it.

Their furniture is made from boat timber, hardwood such as Mango and Mninga wood. This wood is all 100% reclaimed wood from old fishing and cargo boats from the Indian Ocean along the Tanzanian coast.. how cool is that? They make storage units, tables, home interiors, beds, sofas and chairs. See below a few images of some of my favourite pieces.

They use 100% Tanzanian cotton grown and spun in the country which they dye themselves to produce their unique palette of colours. They produce material with quality suitable for bed sheets, bed covers, table cloths and napkins etc.

You can visit their workshop opposite CCBRT Hospital, Uganda ave. Oyster Bay, Dar es Salaam Tanzania. They can give you a free tour plus more information about all their pieces and history behind it's craft. 

Take care

xox

N

Cocktail corner

 Hello lovelies..
Well we're a day away from Friday :-) The weekend isn't too far woopee fun times!! Most of us only live for the weekends once we're employed. That's time to relax, meet friends, hang out in town and do adults do to help them unwind! Have a drink!! A yummy drink sounds even better, so a bright refreshing cocktail is always perfect. Not everyday bar or club, too many crowds and loud noises isn't everyone's idea of a good time. You can host a small drink up for yourself and some friends which will save you the hassle of rowdy crowds and being over charged for diluted drinks.
This post is dedicated to help teach one to stir and shake up their own cocktails.

I'll start up with the The Classic Cuban Mojito which is my favourite go to drink when I cant decide what to have. 

Ingredients

- sugar

- juice of lime

- fresh mint

- soda water

- rum (white is preferred)

- lots of ice cubes

Put sugar, juice of lime and fresh mint into a glass(this drink can be enjoyed in a short or tall glass) add in your soda water then stir up a bit. Add the rum and then finish by added all the ice cubes too. Enjoy! 

Next is a Margarita.. The image itself makes me drool.. that citrus and salt is so yummy!! This drink is always bursting with flavour and I find usually is a little on the rich side. Tequila intimidates me  A LOT so I tend to have just one of these and switch to something less hazardous. If your mixing your own however, you can make it perfect for you.

Ingredients
- Tequila
- fresh lime juice
- Cointreau/ Orange juice
- Salt
- ice

Put ice, tequila, lime juice and Cointreau/ Orange juice into shaker and shake vigorously. Take a slice on lime and run it across outer edge of the glass plus the rim as this is where you'll want the salt to stick. Flip the glass onto a plate of salt so it all sticks to rim. Pour your cocktail mix into the glass and enjoy!

This here is a long island iced tea. This drink here may appear to look as the simplest one on visual but believe has the most ingredients. Its very yummy and quite deceiving as one would think its just rum and coke.

Ingriedents 
- vodka
- gin
- rum
- tequila
- Cointreau
 - fresh lemon juice
- syrup
- coke
- lime cordial
- lemon wedge
- ice

Fill your tall glass with ice, then add rest of ingredients except for the coke into your shaker, shake vigorously. Pour mix into your glass, top off with a splash of coke and lemon wedge to garnish. Enjoy!

I hope this post has inspired some of you to make your own cocktails and show you that it really isn't as complex as it seems. Drink responsibly y'all.

Take care 

xox

N

Lust haves.

Hello readers well this is most definitely a wish list.. These are all items that I spend most of my time thinking about and wondering why they still do not belong to me yet :(

Michael Kors watches are such a hit with the ladies these chunky, beautiful pieces are so versatile. They come in silver, gold, rose gold, ceramic, silicone, glitz, leather etc. I went through a phase where I wanted the White ceramic but then all the plastic ones everywhere made me think eww.. What a way to kill that. Now I love the Gold and Rose Gold.. Not too bad Price wise and a real investment.

Next is a DSLR camera.. I've been wanting one of these for ages and not particularly concerned by which between Nikon and Canon. I love photography and to really enjoy this one needs to invest in a great digital camera. It is time!!!

Next every blogger, photographer or creative head should have the appropriate computer in which to realise their full potential. Mac book Pro :) I love all Apple products, another thing that is on the pricey side but quality is always superb and products just last a very long time.  

This great trend of the transparent clutch bag which I absolutely adore!! So classy an risky(whats in your bag?) I neeeeeds me one of these please.

And lastly.. Maaahney. Hey don't judge me, one needs money to survive and be more happy. 

Sigh.. I want these things among many others, this post makes me wanna cry though.. lol. What are your lust haves?

Take care

xox

N

Janine and the Mixtape - Hold Me

Heard this song for the first time on Love & Hip Hop ATL last night and I was just hooked on.. I loved the gentle calmness of the sound before I could catch the words, now I've fully listened to it and it's perfection. Everything about this song is a glimpse of heaven.
The lyrics are too perfect for my life right now.. You know those songs that sound and feel like they were made for you :-) This song is definitely taking me all the way til the end of the month.





Her Dark Mind EP is quite dope and has just 5 tracks. I love Hold me, Bullets and Dark mind most. Her voice is blissful, she has such a lovely and unique style.

Share good music, spread the love.

xox

N

Casual Friday

Hello beauties..

First of all.. Where is the time going? We're already chasing the end of May which means we'll be in the middle of the year soon. whaaaaaat?! I am not complaining though, I feel there are so many good thing that are coming my way so I have no reason to be living in the present(sad huh?). Anyway as long as things are being done now, as long as we're laying down the foundations for what's to come then I don't see why one shouldn't look forward to the future :). Back to the title of the post. Casual Friday! Unfortunately we don't do Casual Friday at my office *sobs* but those of you lucky enough to have it, I prepared these two outfits to inspire your next Casual Friday outfits. See below.

This is a gorgeous simple outfit, the soft pinks help it stay feminine and the accessories give it the right amount of elegance.

Another Casual outfit with some cool toned colours. I love the blouse as it gives off such comfort. It is wear your civies to work day yes, but remember to be respectable and comfortable too ladies. 

Thank God it's Friday :)

xoxo

N

Spring Pastels

So It's been over a month since Spring sprung and the trend everywhere right now is Pastel Colours. In full outfits, I'm talking clothes, shoes, bags, accessories and even make up.

Personally I love Pastels on as wall paint, nail varnish, skinnies(jeans that is) and on handbags/wallets/clutches that's about all the pastels my skin tone can take actually LOL. Something about shopping with my mother when I was younger where she told me to buying things that complimented my skin tone and that has stuck with me for 15+ years now.. I still celebrate trends and rock them the best way possible on me though..
I have compiled some outfits for the Spring and also displayed make up looks and full outfits for your inspiration. 

Starting with these gorgeous handbags. I will not hold back(if the bank balance permits) on buying an expensive bag/purse because they're made so beautifully and will usually last you a very long time. You do end up getting your money's worth because of the wears you get out of it and they make you feel that little bit more luxurious when you're sporting something expensive which I'm sure most ladies like.

If we're on the lower end of the budget these bags below will make sure you're in with the crowd as well as not busting the bank balance.

Some outfit inspirations

And finally some make up looks for this Springs Pastel trend.. Be bold ladies :) 

Such pretty faces and the colours looking beautiful..

This trend is good for fair skin tones.. If I applied such colours I'd look super ashy and if one said I belonged in a circus I wouldn't be entirely surprised.

Happy spring my beauties, if you can rock Pastels entirely then that's amazing. They're such cool toned colours and very pretty on the eyes.

xox

N

I feel better when I..

Hello lovelies..

Well I've been feeling a little like how the weathers been here lately, gloomy and miserable!! You know when everything around you doesn't seem to make any sense at all.. You feel like you're alive but not really living *sobs* feeling like a mere grain of sand in the Sahara dessert.. Okay I'm sure you get it now lol.

Its really very easy to lose your mind or focus in an increasingly challenging world. There really is too many things that can trigger our minds and we slip into this downward spiral of negative emotions, this is very normal. What isn't, however is letting it consume you so much so that it makes your fail to appreciate all the great things you have in your life at the moment. We all have positives, we just have to sit and remember them all :)

Anything can cause low moods from lack of sleep, feeling overworked & overwhelmed, dwelling on something that happened with a loved one/colleague or how you handled a situation/task. The problem with letting them(low moods) continue is that it affects other areas of your life. Learn to quickly move on and carry on. We are all shaped by our thoughts and become what we think so if you're filled with negativity it's most likely that it will surround you too.

Below are some of my quick fixes to feeling better about life. I feel better when I:

- feel inspired. For me inspiration changes my mood and outlook on life. It gives me confidence to tackle life again when it seems that it's bulled me down. I feel inspired when I speak to someone who I feel is doing well in their career + hard working(my significant other), who has an inspiring story as to how they reached where they are(dad) or a positive + strong individual(mum).
I also feel inspired when I catch up on my favourite blogs on fashion, style, photography, travel and FOOD :) it makes me feel so happy within and motivated. Visual inspiration is so powerful and I love following them on their blog journey because it motivates me to carry on with mine.

-go shopping. Sorry not sorry! Retail therapy is incredible, lets just be honest. Conquering the emotional roller coaster of life one shopping bag at a time ;) I don't think I need to expand any further on this and this has got to be the quickest most instant relief lol.

-write it down. Once I write down how I'm feeling, I feel one thousand times better. I guess that's why I blog because I like to record how I feel. I am not a writer by profession LOL.. We can just somehow call it monitoring progress(or lack therefore :'( ). If you know me you'll know I've always kept diaries and note pads where I just write down random things. I also love writing lists as I feel a little more organised which always helps (revert to Clean space, clear mind post) sometimes I feel as if my priorities are out of balance and so the lists are there to help revise this.

-music and dance! As the famous Bob Marley once said "one good thing about music when it hits you, you feel no pain" it's so perfect as you can play whatever your mood desires. There literally is a song for everything or feeling. It really is some form of magic! Dancing gets the blood pumping which is important when you're trying to shake out a particular feeling plus I'm too lazy to exercise.

This image below shows exactly how I look like when I'm dancing in my bedroom, I transform into anyone from Ciara, Mya or Beyonce *krumps*

-watching some (trashy)reality TV that makes me so thankful for my rather boring, stress and ratchet free life. I'm very sure they're killing our brain cells one episode at a time.. It's too bad they're incredibly addictive though *hides*

Nene Leakes is FIRE on The Real Housewives of Atlanta LOL.

I love watching this family. Such a guilty pleasure.

There are sooo many ways to feel better about life.. It really consists of what a man is thinking of all day. You have the power to help your mind stay positive so you work on changing what you don't like about it. Inspire, create, refine, live and enjoy!

Take care

xox

N