{OOTD} | Cool for the Summer

Jeans – Salsa Denim | T-shirt – Divided @ H&M | Shoes – MrP | Bag – Steve Madden | Necklaces – Istanbul | Sunglasses – Mahmutpasa Street Istanbul | Bracelets – Istanbul and Swarovski

Hi lovelies! Today I’m sharing an outfit that I put together with very basic pieces. My hair is quite long here because I shot this look a while back.

In summer it’s quite difficult to put together stylish outfits because of the intense heat. I’ve learned that you can’t really go wrong with a great pair of denims and a white tee. Invest in good quality basics and build your outfit from there.

Accessorising is key because you can turn something really simple into a something stylish with the right accessories. For this outfit I chose statement sunglasses, a snakeskin box clutch (because snakeskin is in!) and simple jewellery.

I finished with white heels to give the outfit a cool clean look.

How do you wear your basics?

Until next time

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” - Sam Keen

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OOTD} | That Monochrome Feeling

Pants – Shop Brett Robson | Vest – Woolworths | Shoes – ZARA | Sunglasses – Mahmutpasa Street, Istanbul | Necklace –Istanbul | Scarf – Jay Jays | Clutch – Religion | Bracelets – Pandora and Swarovski

Hair – Boyd at Carlton Hair

Hi lovelies!  If you haven’t already heard, my friend and blogger Brett released her own line of clothing earlier this year. These sublime, faux leather joggers are from the first collection and now there are some new pieces available on Zando. She’s got some really fantastic stuff coming so keep your fashion eyes out!

Pants like this can be styled in so many different ways. For this look I decided to keep it simple slightly edgy. 

I really love my monochrome and I feel a white tee or vest is a wardrobe essential and provides a great canvas for any look. Add some cute sunnies and strappy heels and you are good to go!

I’m sure that everyone goes through that “monochrome” stage every now and then. Sometimes I go through a phase where my life just feels so flat and dull. 

One of the things that really cheers me up is this piece of graffiti. It was commissioned in memory of the late Brenda Fassie and really brightens me up. It takes me back to long Saturday drives, belting out Weekend Special and it’s also a reminder of the incredible artistry and talent we have in this country. There is so much colour and so much to be grateful for!

What makes you feel better when your world is a little “monochrome”?

Until next time

“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place” - Iain Thomas, I Wrote This For You

Love and sparkles

Zaakira x

Photography by Layla Shaik 

{OOTD} | Not Today!

Leggings – Cotton On | Top – MrP | Shoes – ZARA | Clutch – Steve Madden (Gift from Zakiyya) | Sunglasses – ZARA

Images – Layla Shaik Photography

Hair – Boyd @ Carlton Hair

Hi lovelies! Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Do you know that feeling when you’re just not up for anything? You know, that urge to just say NOPE to everything? Well, that was me for the last 2 weeks! Blame the retrograde, the heat, … I really just wasn’t up for much so when I saw this top at Mr Price I just had to have it!

Thankfully there is very little like a great, fun shoot to get you back on track. Layla works so well with me and I absolutely love these photos.

I’m not going to talk too much today though. It’s just a simple, casual outfit with some glam shoes and matching sunnies. Also, it’s Monday and you know, “Nope, not today!”

#NotAFlatlay

Have a wonderful week!

Until next time

“When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.” – Elon Musk

 Love and sparkles

Zaakira x

{Royal Obsessions} | Turkish Delight

The Turks are famous for their sweet treats but nothing is as quintessentially Turkish as Turkish Delight (known as ‘lokum’ in Turkey). On my recent trip to Istanbul we were greeted with the candy as we boarded our Turkish Airlines flight and when we arrived at the hotels. In the 10 days I was in Istanbul I’m pretty sure I consumed over a kilogram of the candy. Needless to say I’m pretty obsessed!

Lokum means morsel or mouthful but can also come from the Arabic phrase “rahat-al-hulqum” which means “comfort of the throat”.

Turkish Delight or lokum is said (although unconfirmed) to be the invention of confectioner Bekir Effendi, affectionately known as Haçi Bekir. He lived in a small Anatolian mountain town and moved to Istanbul in 1776 where he set up a sweet shop. All the candy available at the time was very hard in texture so it was only a matter of time before the soft, chewy lokum found its way to the royals.  Haçi Bekir’s business still stands today and you can find it on Hamdiye Caddesi near the New Mosque. I popped in on my visit and was pleased to be told that his descendants are still very much involved in the business.

In the 19^th century an unknown Briton who travelled to Istanbul fell in love with the sweet and reportedly shipped cases of it back to Britain under the name ‘Turkish Delight’. The candy soon gained status as a major delicacy in Europe amongst the high society of the time. It was common for upper class socialites to gift each other Turkish Delight wrapped in silk and lace handkerchiefs. (Girls, we should bring back this tradition!)

Turkish Delight is made from starch and sugar which is formed into a gel. It can be flavoured with rosewater (the most common), mastic, lemon or other fruit like pomegranate and orange and filled with dates, nuts and dried fruit. It is then dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Turkish Delight contains no gelatine. The sticky, jelly like texture is created by the boiling of the starch. If you are purchasing Turkish Delight or you’d like to try a recipe do check the ingredients and make sure that it doesn’t contain gelatine else it won’t be the real deal.

Turkish Delight is not overpoweringly sugary. It should have the perfect amount of sweetness and you should be able to distinctly taste the delicate flavours. It is usually eaten alone (in abundant, almost illegal amounts) but it the perfect accompaniment for a strong cup of Turkish coffee.  

My favourite one has pistachios in it but I also love the plain rose and lemon versions.

I brought home some Turkish Delight from the famed Hafiz Mustafa which is one of the oldest confectioners in Istanbul.

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Where I’ve Been

The Hagia Sophia

Hi lovelies! I haven’t posted in a while and if you follow me on Instagram and Snapchat you probably know that I’ve been in Istanbul. I got back last week and I’m still in major vacation mode but I’m also really excited to tell you all about my trip.

View from Suleymaniye Mosque

Now, I’m by no means a travel blogger but I really want to share my experiences with you. Istanbul has moved up to my favourite city ever. It was truly an incredible experience and I recommend it for everyone.

The Blue Mosque

Apart from sightseeing I did lots (LOTS) of shopping and eating too. I also got to stay in an amazing boutique hotel so there is definitely a lot to talk about.

My shoes visiting Gulhane Park

I’ve already received an email or two asking for specific info and tips but if there is anything you would like me to write about please let me know. You can pop me a mail or just comment or tweet me.

Apart from my trip I also have a special outfit and some reviews coming up soon.

Until next time (I promise the wait won’t be so long!)

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

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{OOTD} | Pink Pashmina

Pashmina – Dubai | Denims – Salsa | Shoes – Sissy Boy | Glasses – Versace | Bracelets – Swarovski

Hi my lovelies! I’m back from my Ramadan hiatus ;) If you observed the month I hope it was spiritually fulfilling and that you had a fabulous Eid.

It’s still full on Winter here in Johannesburg and so all the warm clothing still has some time in the spotlight. I’ve mentioned before that pashminas are one of my favourite pieces for the cold weather. They look so chic and are so versatile. I wear them with jeans, dresses, skirts and even to cover my hair when I need to.

Nothing beats an accessorized jeans and tee combo. It’s the perfect blank canvas and you can accessorize it with unique pieces. This pashmina is pure wool with a bit of hand embroidery and the deep pink colour makes it the perfect statement accessory. With something like this you don’t have to go too glitzy with the rest of your outfit but you still look glam.

I originally wanted to wear my black ankle boots with this outfit but when I opened my shoe closet these heels just screamed, “WE MATCH!” and I had to wear them. I love the oddly shaped heel even though I struggle a bit to walk in it.

I love how this quick outfit came together and it’s the perfect post to get me back into blogging. I hope you missed me because there is so much more to come!

Until next time

“Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OOTD} | Chasing Pink

Dress – Topshop | Leggings – Woolworths | Boots – ZARA | Frames – Prada

Today I am (finally) sharing the photos I shot with Zeenat from Pursuing Pictorialism when I was in Cape Town. I had literally just gotten off the plane (a 7am flight!) and I was feeling like the walking dead.  Zeenat, however, was so good and patient with me and managed to make me look so calm and refreshed!

I felt that since I was going for a MAC event I had to go with a black outfit.  It was one of the last warm days and I got to wear this lovely jewelled collar dress from Topshop. I love wearing my dresses with leggings and if you get it right with colours and textures you can end up with a really chic look. Also your legs are warm and cosy! I’m wearing my favourite Zara boots again. As I’ve mentioned before, they are so versatile and can be worn in many different ways!

I really wanted the pink lipstick to pop because it was the only colour in my outfit. I wore a mixture of Candy Yum Yum and Viva Glam Miley (obvs) and Zeenat really managed to capture the vibrant pink. You can still get your hands on Miley’s hot pink Viva Glam lipstick (ZAR210) and lipglass (ZAR200) at your nearest MAC counter. Remember that 100% of the selling price goes to the MAC AIDS Fund to help adults and children living with HIV and AIDS.

I really loved working with Zeenat on these photos and I hope to work with her again in the future. She even managed to get my thick glasses (#BadEyesightProblems) in with no glare! You can find her on Instagram @PursuingPictorialism. If you’d like her contact details for a booking please pop me an email or tweet and I will forward them to you.

Until next time

“Pink isn't just a color, it's an attitude!” – Miley Cyrus

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OOTD} | Brunching

Jeans – Salsa Denim | Coat – Forever New | Silk and Wool Pashmina – Kashmir (Mom’s) | Shoes – Bershka @ 32 Clothing | Snakeskin Clutch – Vintage | Sunglasses – DKNY @ Sunglass Hut

Hi lovelies. Winter is here! Today I am sharing a full on winter outfit with you. I took these photos at my new favourite brunch spot, Industry Bakery in Greenside. Not only are they halal but they also have the most scrumptious food and baked goods. I recommend the stuffed croissants or flapjacks for breakfast and the almond croissants and cupcakes if you’re just looking for a sweet pick me up.  

I really love dressing up and layering in winter because there is so much you can play around with. I recently raided my Mom’s closet and “borrowed” a few of her pashminas. She has so many different ones, made with diverse fabrics and embellished with so many different types of embroidery. She’s gotten them from so many parts of the world including Kashmir, Dubai, Argentina, China and Pakistan to name a few. I love how a statement pashmina can bring an outfit together and it keeps you warm too!

The pashmina I’m wearing here is from Kashmir and it’s a blend of silk and wool. I wore it with my favourite Salsa Colette denims and a cream coat. Denims and a coat make the perfect canvas for pops of colour and accessories. I love these ridiculously high Bershka heels which I scored at a bargain price at 32 Clothing. They also go perfectly with the pashmina. The orange accents in this outfit are enough to brighten up the dreariest of winter days.

The clutch also belonged to my Mom and its genuine snakeskin. The feel creeped me out a bit at first but it’s really a statement piece that I always get complimented on. Sunglasses are also a must in winter because the sun gets pretty harsh. Keep warm and don’t forget the sunblock!

Until next time

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” – Victor Hugo

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

P.S Congratulations to Quathar who won the Nicci Loves You giveaway!

{OOTD} | Stilwater, Michigan

Hooded Top – Mr Price | Leggings – Cotton On | Boots – ZARA | Necklace – Vintage | Sunglasses – Thrift Store | Spiral Ring – Swarovski

Hi lovelies! I hope you are all doing fantastic! I had a fairly crazy week and yesterday I flew to Cape Town for M·A·C’s SS15 trends class. I will be sharing those trends as well as some insider tips with you closer to SS15. I also got to shoot with Zeenat from Pursuing Pictorialism while I was in the Mother City and I am so ecstatic to share those photos with you. Today I am sharing a quick street look that I wore a few weeks back.

I have never played Saints Row despite the reference of the title in the post. I spotted this graffiti while driving around and thought it was a pretty good backdrop for what I was wearing. I love how video gaming culture bleeds into real life and I am always inspired by it (in an artistic way, don’t go thinking I’ll be stealing cars after playing Grand Theft Auto!). I really love this hooded top from Mr Price. Worn with leather look leggings and boots looks pretty kick-ass but you can also wear it with jeans, sneakers or up the glam with a pair of heels.

I’ve featured these boots in a previous look and I’m going to be featuring them over and over. Not only do they look killer but they are so surprisingly comfortable. I wore them through cobblestoned Cape Town sidewalks, down 7 flights of stairs and in 2 airports yesterday and my feet didn’t even take a beating. I hope that with the next few outfits I can show you how one key item can take you through many different looks.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time

“[Video game] Players are artists who create their own reality within the game” – Shigeru Miyamoto

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OOTD} | Harajuku Lite

Crop Top – Mr Price | Skirt – Mr Price | Shoes – Clearance Sale (Very Old) | Rings – Swarovski, Claire’s, Sass Diva | Hair Clip – Fashion Market | Sunglasses – Mr Price

Hello from chilly Johannesburg! Tokyo is one of the cities on my travel bucket list. I have been intrigued by the city and its culture from a very young age and I am especially interested in the Harajuku district. This is the area around the Harajuku station in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo. Harajuku is often deemed the “fashion capital of the world” as it is known for its unique street fashion.

Harajuku is also a term for the distinctive way in which girls in the area dress. The girls wear everything from candy coloured wigs, huge baby doll skirts and pop culture inspired pieces to gothic makeup, pigtails and kimonos. Metallics, neons and plaids also feature quite prominently.  It is such a rich and expressive form of style that really celebrates the individual so naturally it really speaks to me.

 Today I am sharing my very diluted take on Harajuku style. I chose to wear this top that is currently in stores at Mr Price with a cute skirt and printed heels.  I added this cute handmade clip that I found at a market a few years back. I can’t even remember the name of the store but how I wish I did because the pieces were so cute! You can find a close- up of the clip on my Instagram. Some cute matching rings and red lipstick finished off the look. It isn’t full on Harajuku of course but it is my take.

I hope you’re all having a wonderful week! There’s just one day left to win tickets to One Direction in Johannesburg. Find the giveaway here.

Until next time

“Because even the smallest of words can be the ones to hurt you, or save you” - Natsuki Takaya

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox