My first day at Social Media week #SMWLagos2016 fashion fix

Last week, I attended the Social media week #SMWLagos2016 forum hosted by Tomiwa Oladele the Creative Director of style by Ayaba. It was called fashion fix and the panel which was anchored by Mimi Onalaja saw Ozinna Anumudu, Denola Grey, Adaku Ufere, Dodos, and Tomiwa Oladele chair the event, taking questions and educating us on how they grew their social media platforms, differentiating brand and personal social media and basically sharing experiences on how they had grown to this point. It was quite educating, I promise to share what I learned in general in tomorrow's post but here are some pictures from the event.

L-R Mimi Onalaja, Dodos, AdakuUfere, Ozinna Anumudu

Model rocking Style by Ayaba

All models in SBA evening wear

Style session hosted by Tomiwa Oladele of  SBA

Selfie with Uju of Sleek Nigeria

L-R Desola Mako, Ezinne Ousagwu, Uju Ikegbune

Uju Ikegbune

Boxy Sihouettes: How to get comfortable in outfits you're not so comfortable in

I planned to attend social media week yesterday, so I styled my pants with this sequined embellished blouse. I must confess it wasn't my first choice, I planned to wear it with a fitted shirt, but it didn't feel right. I then decided to try this on, though I did feel a bit shiny at work but who cares. I had two problems. I might like boxy silhouettes but sometimes they can make you feel unflattering. I always wear a fitted piece when I wear boxy clothes but the pants were loose and so was the blouse, I looked uncomfortably into the mirror but I was already late for work so I couldn't change it. There are three  things I do when don't feel comfortable in my outfits.

  

1) I wear heels- There is a feeling you get when you wear a fly pair of heels, they improve your walk and boost your confidence. So even when think you're getting funny looks, don't worry, they are only admiring you.

 

2) Colours that pop: Bright colours have a way of improving your mood. When you feel uncomfortable, get a bright coloured purse, lipstick or accessory that draws attention away from your outfit.

 

3) Look at me bags: This also helps shift attention away from you. You might not like your outfit, but people will surely compliment you and your bag. I left my purse at home so I turned my camera pouch into my makeshift bag for the event. I used the card of my church bulletin to line it so that it had some structure, I stuffed my things in and off I went. This was a very happy outfit for me o. Wink*

 

I hope this helps. What's most important is to remain confident, no matter what you wear. Confidence can turn any drab outfit into a fab one. Any more suggestions guys?

Do you ever struggle to be liked? This is a tale of plantain chips. Honestly.

Someone ate some of my plantain chips which I hid in one of our office cabinets as a quick snack for days when I crave... well, a quick snack. Isn't it funny how little things you'll come to laugh about tomorrow can raise so much turmoil in your soul. LOL, I choose to stay civil till I can laugh about it again.
Yes it was important to me (the chips I mean).

You see I like to tell myself that I'm a happy girl, I'm always cheerful, I love to smile, I love to see the good in people but I'm honestly not very tolerant, every day I pray for patience and humility because if God can cope with my excesses then I should make an effort towards my neighbours. With this mindset I am constantly battling with blurred lines- where does tolerance become long suffering? In our lives, we struggle to climb the social ladder, struggle to live, eat, and struggle with that constant need to be liked. That last part I tossed in the gutter during my school days, If you didn't like me you could burn in hades, see if I'd flinch, that changed as I grew older. I find that in life, no matter how wide you smile, there are those people who'd never see anything good about you. From your heels to your well-styled dress, they write you off immediately-
 "I don't like that girl". 
"Why?" 
"I don't know, she dresses too much, and she's  friendly, that's very fake".
That's the story of my life. I started out life early so constantly I find myself in the midst of my seniors, thus I'm forced to bridle my tongue because our elders don't expect you to express your angst about anything- it's plain rude. Oh the fuckery.

I'm not perfect, I can be an annoying person too, but someone once told me, treat people the way you want to be treated; with respect. So I'll try to remember this when people eat my plantain chips and it pisses me off and I'm struggling with the temptation of unleashing a tirade of very hot words and rather, pass on my query in a civilised manner, just because that's how I'd like to be treated if tables were turned; and not because people who hate you already will add that slip of tongue to their list of "1001 reasons why you should hate her too" (because who cares anyway?)

I did a shoot for an upcoming clothing brand, St. Charmynn, they specialise in corporate wear and he gave me the honour of styling the looks and shooting them. I loved his collection and all his pieces are made in Nigeria. I had fun with it, It was a simple dress, yet I wanted it to appeal to the working woman who wanted to buy office ready clothes and still keep them versatile. These are one of the looks, and I'll follow up with more pictures subsequently.

 

Dress: St.Charmynn

Model: Jennifer Raymond

Photo credits: Yours truly

xoxo

Linda Ikeji's Hermes bag- The cost of being successful and single

I read a story about Linda Ikeji's fake Hermes bags, and the comments followed got me thinking, "Don't you just hate a woman who is so successful and unmarried." I might hold minority opinion on this topic but I love that woman; call her proud, call her bush, but she rose above the dirt that was her life. I visit her blog every day because I'm sorry, no matter where I go, gist just seems sweeter on that platform. I know a woman who bashes her and calls her names all the time, but still shamelessly admits that that's her go-to blog for gist.

Dabota Lawson was showing off her billionaire wife skills on Instagram and everyone seemed to  want her  "blessing." Show me the way, they said, I want to be like you, they famzed, (Who names her business after her billionaire husband anyway?) Ini Edo posted her shoe closet the other day, social media swooned (I wasn't impressed anyway, it never translates into her personal style, but I digress) Linda Ikeji then posts her Birkin and trolls march into her comments space and even go as far as photoshopping a message from Hermes? What is she doing that any of us don't already do? Celebs show off new cars every day but Linda Ikeji can't?

We get engaged we flaunt our diamonds, we buy new cars and we rush to post on Instagram, Davido buys a wrist watch that cost two cars and social media sings Osinachi, but Linda Ikeji buys a Birkin and she shows off too much. HYPOCRITES!!! This fuckery is what drives me to succeed, married or unmarried. My goodness! Women, rise above this pettiness, let's be real, if I were Linda of course, I'll get angry at some point, why always me, why can't I be on Instagram and use it like any other person, why do people pick on only  me!

Look, Egbon social media, if you want the bag, go and take it! 

 

I wore my dress as a jacket today because the economy is getting bad and I have to wise up and save. Recycling and restyling your clothes is a great way to stay stylish without breaking bank. I changed jobs recently so I have more time on my hands for rants and random thoughts. I will share them once in a while. E go better my people.