Fragrance fanatic 01

Hey Dolls..
So I've decided to start a series of 'Fragrance fanatic' posts to help my readers with choice. There are so many different scents out there and more being launched every day, the industry is making the selection process increasingly difficult for us(not complaining). There is much to know where perfumes are concerned, you really shouldn't be walking around smelling like winter in the summer or like night time during the day LOL.

I believe that yes, one can have a signature scent that they stick to their entire life(makes life easier) but why limit yourself? I guess the reason why people do that maybe is because they'd rather wear only what they know and the familiarity is comforting. Very resistant to change. Personally I enjoy different beautiful smells, they all tell a different story and hold their individual memories. I have certain perfumes that remind me of different places and times in my life, isn't that special? A scent can bring back a memory(whether good or bad) same way a song can and that is magic :)

First in the series is

MARC JACOBS

Honey.

This here is Honey perfume for fall 2013.

This is so cute and charming with the little bee's buzzing around the 'Honey' bottle.

10/10 for packaging! Its a sweet floral scent perfect for summer(as if the bottle isn't obvious enough) or a lovely daytime fragrance. 

Notes: Pear, juicy mandarin, orange blossom, peach nectar, apricot, honeysuckle, honey, golden vanilla and smooth woods.

Dot. 

The above is Dot perfume for Spring 2012.

This delightful bottle has little polka dots on it and it just reminds me of ladybugs :)

9/10 for packaging just because I feel the heart flower petals(in black) are slightly too large so out of proportion(a little). This floral, sweet and fresh scent is ideal for spring plus warm summer evenings as the strong hints of coconut water and red berries are suited for that. 

Notes: Red berries, dragon fruit, honeysuckle, jasmine, orange blossom, vanilla, driftwood, coconut water and sensual musk.

Daisy Black.

Daisy Black edition launched in 2008.

This luxury black and gold magic in a bottle is a classic. It's still popular til this very day.

10/10 for packaging as its so sleek and sophisticated.

This is perfect for winter and night time as the woody, powdery scent is fitting for when the sun goes down. It's a more elegant(grown up) fragrance, intense and stays on for hours :). 

Notes: Violet leaf, wild strawberry, jasmine, musk, white woods, vanilla, gradenia and blood grapefruit.

Daisy Eau So Fresh

Daisy eau so fresh launched in 2011.

This is a very feminine bottle and with the pretty flowers up top.

10/10 for packaging because its really very girlie and delicate.

This fragrance is packed with sweet, fruity, floral smells which makes it perfect for spring/summer and mornings. It will leave a sweet, fresh smell on you, perfect way to start your day :)

Notes: grapefruit, raspberry, pear, jasmine, rose, violet, litchi, apple blossom, plum, virginia cedar and musk.

Marc Jacobs will forever score high with me where packaging is concerned because their bottles are so beautiful. They sit very pretty on your dressing table/vanity desk and that makes them such great gifts. I have Daisy Black and I absolutely love it. I love perfumes and I don't think a lady can have too many lol. What have you sampled and what perfume are you using at the moment?

xox

N

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