{FASHION NEWS} | Pandora Rose

Last week I attended an astoundingly beautiful and luxurious launch for Pandora’s 3 new collections for AW16. One of the collections launched on the night was the Pandora Rose Collection, which I HAVE to tell you about.

Pandora Rose was introduced to us by the gorgeous Lalla Hirayama in a custom David Tlale dress.

The collection brings together romantic, soft-pink metals with Pandora’s classic and recognisable aesthetic. The jewellery is incredibly charming and romantic and also features delicate, sparkling stones and crystals.

Rose gold is a pretty hot trend right now and I don’t see it leaving any time soon. The pieces in the Pandora Rose collection are all exceptionally dreamy but also very sophisticated and wearable. I would suggest getting in a ring that you can stack together with other jewelled and sterling silver rings. I also think that investing in the bracelet with rose-gold clasp is a good idea because you can vary the types of charms you choose to adorn your bracelet with.

With the holidays coming up I can definitely see some Pandora Rose pieces making it onto quite a few wishlists! ;)

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

*Images from Zebra Square

Pre Birthday Spoils with Pandora

This week was pretty exciting! On Wednesday I was invited for a little pre-birthday spoil with Pandora.

I visited the new Pandora store in the Mall of Africa which also happens to be the biggest one in the country. The interior of the store is warm, welcoming and luxurious with lots of lovely, soft pink touches. I’m so in love with the gorgeous pink glass light fittings. I wish I had taken a photo to share with you but I only had shopping and jewels on my mind ;)

Pandora started as a small family run jewellery store in Copenhagen before establishing itself as an international luxury brand. The Enevoldsen couple Per and Winnie opened their store in 1982 and sold imported jewellery from Thailand. Today it is the third largest jewellery company in the world in terms of sales (behind just Cartier and Tiffany and Co.!) and boasts a presence in 80 countries including South Africa. 

Despite the brand’s dramatic growth, the original values and aesthetic remain the same. Pandora’s production site still exists in Thailand and they source the finest metals and stones to craft their jewellery. 14k gold and sterling silver are married with Murano glass and enamel, gemstones, stones and cultured pearls to create the beautiful pieces we know and adore.

The charm I picked for my bracelet is a cute little Panda. I chose it because it was just too adorable to resist. I absolutely love Pandas and now I have one that can go everywhere with me. I’d like to name him but I haven’t thought of anything yet. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

I’d also like to share a small tip with you on cleaning and caring for your Pandora bracelet. If you find your bracelet is a bit dull or it has picked up some dirt soak it for 5-10 minutes in some lukewarm water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub it if necessary and then dry the bracelet with a soft cloth. Use a polishing cloth (available at Pandora stores) to polish it afterwards. No jewellery cleaner or harsh chemicals necessary!

In just over 2 weeks we will be celebrating Pandora’s new AW16 collection. I can’t say much but I do know that if you love jewellery you are going to fall head over heels!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OUT & ABOUT} | Pandora SS16

 Last week I attended an event at the picturesque Shepstone Gardens to celebrate Pandora jewellery and their exquisite SS16 collection. . I’m pretty sure you’re all totally familiar with the Danish jewellery brand. As far as I know there is a Pandora piece on every girl’s wishlist!

The dress code was “all white” and everyone arrived looking fresh and glowing.  Against the gorgeous gardens, it was an absolutely perfect reflection of the SS16 jewels.

After walking through the Spring room, where we viewed the Spring collection in the company of (real live) fluttering butterflies, we were fed pink sushi (yes!) and snacks while we explored the stunning gardens.

We were then seated and treated to a magnificent ballet performance by the Johannesburg Ballet Theatre. The dancers began slow (like the blooming of Spring) and progressed to a faster, Summer inspired dance which brought the recital to an end. It was quite beautiful and really cemented the ambience for the rest of the evening.

The next bit was a fashion show. The jewellery was worn with a collection of white outfits created especially to showcase the collection by renowned designer Gert Johan Coetzee. The show was fantastic! The models were beautiful and ethereal (with white hair, by Boyd) in the clothes and jewels but it was all very entertaining and theatrical. Let’s just say rose petals were thrown about ;) Gert Johan Coetzee’s outfits provided the perfect canvas to show off Pandora’s SS16 jewellery.

We then walked through the Summer room where the Pandora jewels sat amongst hundreds of stunning and bright pink flowers. The evening ended with warm conversation with the fashion family over eclairs, pink velvet cupcakes and delicious pink macarons.

I can’t say much to you about the jewellery just yet because most of it isn’t in store yet. What I can tell you though is that although the collections are new they are still timeless. Think 14k gold and sterling silver married with Murano glass and enamel, gemstones, cubic zirconia and cultured pearls. Rings are absolutely huge for SS16 and Pandora has tons of gorgeous options. You can wear them alone for a dainty look or get a few and stack them for something edgier.

The Spring collection will be in stores on March 17 so I suggest to head to your nearest Pandora and have a look.

Until next time

Love and sparkles (and jewels)

Zaakira xox

{FASHION NEWS} | Pandora AW15

Hi lovelies! I hope your week was better than mine. There were a few hiccups but it’s all over now and I can look to the next one with renewed positivity. A few weeks back I was invited to view the new AW15 collection with Pandora. I’m pretty sure you’re all totally familiar with the Danish jewellery brand. As far as I know there is a Pandora piece on every girl’s wishlist!

Pandora started as a small family run jewellery store in Copenhagen before establishing itself as an international luxury brand. The Enevoldsen couple Per and Winnie opened their store in 1982 and imported jewellery from Thailand. Today it is the third largest jewellery company in the world in terms of sales (behind just Cartier and Tiffany and Co.!) and boasts a presence in 80 countries including South Africa. Despite the brand’s dramatic growth, the original values and aesthetic remain the same. Pandora’s production site still exists in Thailand and they source the finest metals and stones to craft their jewellery. 14k gold and sterling silver are married with Murano glass and enamel, gemstones, stones and cultured pearls to create the beautiful pieces we know and adore.

The AW15 collection is nothing short of spectacular. I’m going to tell you all about it without giving too much away. I suggest you head over to your nearest Pandora store or counter and have a look.

For autumn the design team looked to mythology and fairytale for inspiration. The result was the Majestic Feather series paying homage to the mighty phoenix, known for its strength and ability to renew itself. The collection might sound flashy but it is actually very ethereal and classic.

For Winter, the thought was simple and beautiful, a journey to a place frozen in time. Think icy tones; glittery blue and translucent crystals and sparkling cubic zirconia on sterling silver. The crystallized snowflake charm is naturally the star of the collection.

The Autumn collection is currently in stores and Winter will be in stores on 30 October 2015. Bracelets are priced from ZAR799 and charms start at ZAR445.

I hope you are already filling up your holiday wishlists because I will be posting the product shots on Facebook soon ;)

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{CLOSED} | Nicci ♥ You!

I don’t know about you but I always find myself at Nicci Boutiques when I’m at the mall. They always have the most well-tailored, unique pieces and the service is always great. I can also get my shoe fix at Nicci with Lemon Jelly, Hunter Boots and Melissa shoes.

I’m also a huge fan of the accessories you find at the store. Today Nicci has decided to spoil you with some of those fabulous accessories to complete your Winter wardrobe. You can win a scarf and crystal wrap bracelet just like the ones pictured here. These pieces will glam up your look, whether it’s a denim and tee combo or a chic skirt or dress.

To win all you have to do is find the photo below on Instagram and tag 5 of your friends in the comment section. Please make sure you are following both myself (@LadyZaa) and @NicciBoutiques to make your entry valid. If you do not have Instagram you can tweet me (@LadyZaa) and tell me why you’d love to own these pieces. For extra entries you can share the giveaway on your social media platforms.

Please read the Competition Rules before entering.

The winner will be announced on 1 June 2015.

Best of luck my lovelies!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{FASHION NEWS} | Anni King SS14/15

This week Anni King’s new collection of purses for Spring/Summer hits stores. If you aren’t familiar with the Anni King brand, let me give you a bit of a background. Anni King is a South African brand which was started by Joanna Chen. The name comes from her middle name (Anni) and her Dad’s name (King) and she founded Anni King so that she could provide women with beautiful leather bags that are made with quality materials and manufactured well. Johanna designs all the bags herself (lots of hard work and sleepless nights) and is also very involved in the manufacturing process so she can ensure you are getting the total best quality. It’s so refreshing to speak with someone who took an idea they believed in and worked hard to get it out there. I’ve seen how Joanna puts her absolute all into Anni King and it’s become a brand I really believe in too.

The SS14/15 collection is quietly breathtaking. There is no fluff and pointless embellishments, just lovely leather bags in beautiful shapes and soft and bright summer colours. The bags are appropriately named after flowers so they totally get you in the mood for the warmer months. You can choose from a “Hydrangea” tote in buttery yellow to match your florals or if your style leans more towards the grunge side of things then the black “Petunia” backpack is definitely up your alley. My favourite has got to be the “Sweet Pea” in pink because it looks like something off the set of Gossip Girl.

Prices start from ZAR2250 and you can find Anni King bags at the following locations

Johannesburg

Cloth & Label

Morningside Shopping Centre, Morningside

Urban Lifestyle

Hobart Grove Shopping Centre, Bryanston

Stolen Muse

Nicolway Shopping Centre, Bryanston

Cape Town

Purr Clothing

Lifestyle on Kloof, Gardens

Durban

For The Birds

Salt Rock, Durban

You can also order Anni King bags off their Facebook Page.

Email Joanna@anniking.com for more details

Visit anniking.com for more details and follow @AnniKING_

Which is your favourite?

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{Trending} | Loom Bands

So the freshest trend among primary school and middle school kids is not a video game, a TV show or a movie. It’s not an app, a song with an accompanying silly dance or a boy band. The latest thing that kids are crazy about is a crafting phenomenon called LOOM BANDS.

So basically, loom bands are these colourful rubber bracelets that you make by weaving these little rubber bands together with a hook. I can’t make them myself because I have two left hands but my 10 year old brother is a pro. He is so into making these bracelets that he passed on a Guardians of the Galaxy Lego set and chose to get tons of those rubber bands instead at a toy store over the weekend.

What I love about this trend is not only that it encourages kids to use their hands and get creative but it also has aesthetic and fashion value. You can stack a few for some unique arm candy or add an edgy charm. Even Kate Middleton was spotted wearing a few so they are definitely on-trend in the fashion world.

Here is some "loomspiration" for you. ;) The packs of rubber bands cost anything from R15-R40 and come in tons of different colours. There are also various videos online that will teach you how to loom but I suggest you go to your nearest little sibling, cousin, niece or nephew and ask them to make you a few. You can pay them (R5 per band is the going rate I think but you should pay extra for the more intricate ones) for their effort, give them a huge confidence boost and be on trend all at the same time!

How do you feel about loom bands?

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Valentine’s Day | A Flashback with Iron Fist

When I first moved to the City of Gold, I was lucky enough to collaborate with Iron Fist. I really love the brand and I own many many many pairs of Iron Fist shoes so it was a dream-come-true.

I once went into the Rosebank store wearing a necklace I created myself. Thanks to the keen eye of the manager Megan, I was approached by the owner of the store to design and handcraft a collection of necklaces that they would sell for Valentine’s Day. It was an amazing opportunity and I created a few pieces that were photographed with the Iron Fist shoes. I was terribly nervous but thankfully, they sold really well. The store is now closed unfortunately and Iron Fist stock is quite difficult to come by in South Africa but I always be grateful for it and cherish the memory. It was the first time that I actually felt I could do something in fashion.

I thought I’d share this special memory with you. Here are some of the photos shot by Anabela Lourenco.

Until next time

Love and Sparkles
Zaakira XOX

THE GREAT GATSBY IS COMING + A LITTLE DAISY DIY

Yesterday the 2^nd trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s remake of the classic F Scott Fitzgerald book released, further intensifying my excitement for the movie which will be opening the Cannes Film Festival this year. The trailers tease us with scenes of opulence that defined the 1920s and features the music of Lana Del Rey and Florence and the Machine who are only two of many artists that will be featured on the soundtrack. I have been a huge fan of the book since that defining day in 11^th grade when our English teacher  handed us the book and my friend Philandra and I were so sucked into the Jazz Age we both finished the book I one afternoon. Oh and I’m also a Leo DiCaprio lover as any sane girl should be ;)

Daisy Buchanan (played by Carey Mulligan) in this version has always been some sort of fashion icon. I’ve come up with a little DIY that will help you copy her style. I actually stumbled upon it a few weeks ago when I needed something to in my hair for a wedding I attended. My Mom had given me some brooches that belonged to her and my grannies and it was a last minute put-together that ended up being the best accessory on my outfit.

JEWELLED HEADBAND

WHAT YOU NEED

A Brooch (I used the ones my Mom gave me but you can find some at Sass Diva, Forever New, Lovisa and even some bargain ones at Chinatown)

A stretchy fabric headband in the colour of your choice (I got mine for ZAR5 at Chinatown)

Some tulle (optional) (I got the glitter black tulle from a fabric store for ZAR25/metre)

WHAT TO DO

It’s so simple really, just pin the brooch onto the headband and make sure it’s quite secure (we don’t wanna get stabbed in the head with the pin!). There you have it!

If you’re using the tulle, cut off a strip about 5cm in with. Bunch one side together and use your desired brooch to secure it to the headband.

Have fun!

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

p.s I hear The Great Gatsby is releasing in cinemas here in South Africa on the 16^th of May!!!!