{OOTD} | Red Coat and African Prints

Skirt – Custom | Trench Coat – Studio W @ Woolworths | Shoes – Aldo | Clutch – Aldo | Necklace – Zuri | Sunglasses – Gift Bag

Hi my lovelies. Today I am sharing the outfit I wore to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SA with you. I wear lots of black and monochrome so I decided to go a little bright with this one.

I chose this African print skirt and used my accessories to compliment the colours in the fabric. Most of the pieces I wore are old. These yellow shoes have been in my closet for a while now and just brighten up any outfit.

The coat was a last minute thought because it began to pour with rain just before I left home. The rain (thankfully) stopped just ten minutes later. I really do love how it all looks together though. I finished the look with some Ruby Woo lipstick and a pair of quirky sunnies. After all what is Fashion Week without sunglasses?!

I hope you all have a fantastic week! Don’t forget that there’s a One Direction giveaway you can enter here. You can win 2 tickets to the Johannesburg show!

Until next time

”You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him” – Audrey Hepburn

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

P.S Hope you got my Pretty Little Liars reference in the title! ;)

{OOTD} | Tempered Bollywood

T-shirt – Edgars | Sari Pants – Sewn (vintage fabric) | Shoes - Lalla Hirayama x Legit | Ring – Mauritius (Gift from Mom) | Midi Rings – It’s a Bling Thing | Necklace – ZARA | Earrings and Cuff – Zuri | Bag – Forever New (Old) | Nails by Midori Eco Salon

I wore this outfit for the first day I went to SA Fashion Week last month. Unfortunately Johannesburg experienced a crazy sandstorm and none of the shows went ahead so the outfit was wasted. Luckily I snapped a few photos so I can still share it with you.

The pants is really special because it’s made from a sari that my Gran gave to me. It was bought for her in India in 1974 so its 40 years old! She wore it for a wedding and I was to wear it for a wedding too but I felt a bit restricted wearing a sari and I told my Mom I wouldn’t be able to walk and I’ll fall and die (I was 16 and dramatic! Okay fine I am still dramatic…). She ingeniously suggested we get this pants made. We also got a matching top made from the sari matching top but it doesn't fit me too well now.

I really love this sari fabric. It is French chiffon and hand embellished. The colours remind me of a majestic peacock and the gold sequins are just enough to not look tacky. If you’re getting an outfit sewn and you’re looking for beaded fabric saris are a great option. They are so beautiful and come in such a variety from really bling to soft and pretty.  You get about 6 metres of fabric per sari so it almost always works out cheaper than buying beaded fabric per metre.

I chose a simple white tee to temper the look and so that I could accessorize like crazy. The outfit was calling for a lovely neckpiece so I chose these pearls from ZARA. I love that it’s quite big and dramatic but the pearls soften it and keep it from becoming too much. I added more drama with the gold cuff and ring which matches perfectly with the pants. I was struggling to find a shoe that would work with the outfit when I saw these white and gold Lalla x Legit shoes. Bright pink (Kelly Yum Yum) lips and nails finished off the look.

I hope you’re having a good month. Rainy Johannesburg is really throwing me off my OOTD game! :/

Until next time

“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.” – Mahatma Ghandi

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Heritage Day with Zuri

On the 24^th of September we celebrate Heritage Day in South Africa. To join the festivities, Zuri chose six South African bloggers to each represent a colour on our lovely flag. Blue was chosen for me and it is supposed to represent the oceans and our beautiful blue skies.

As a South African I am grateful for so much. We walk on land that reminds us every day that absolutely anything can be overcome. We are the walking hopes and dreams of so many of our ancestors that believed in a better, brighter future and fought for a way out of oppression. Sometimes I wonder if we are the luckiest people on the earth. We have so much rich, diverse culture and an amazing country. From our bright blue, sunny skies, mountains, sea and the magnificent big five, to our world class cities, talented designers and creatives and friendly, awesome citizens. We truly have a lot to celebrate this Heritage Day and every single day!

This Heritage Day I will be visiting a few Heritage markets and of course, I will be braaing (barbeque).

Zuri has decided to spoil one of you too! To win the two necklaces and earrings like ones I am wearing in this look, just tell us what makes you proud to be South African.

Please read the  Competition Rules and make sure you are following both Zuri and I.

ZURI Facebook
ZURI Twitter
ZURI Instagram

Princess of Jozi Facebook
Princess of Jozi Twitter
Princess of Jozi Instagram

How will you be celebrating Heritage Day?

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Iconic Women’s Day with ZURI

This week I got to have a little fun and play dress up with Zuri. As you probably know, August is Women’s Month here in South Africa (Women’s Day is on the 9^th of August) and Zuri is celebrating iconic women. I was given Cleopatra and I was asked to choose and wear jewellery inspired by the great Queen of Egypt.

Cleopatra was always adorned with the most opulent and unique jewels so I tried to put myself into her shoes when choosing the jewellery. How gorgeous are these pieces?! I’m pretty sure Queen Cleo owned something like them!

(Sorry about the cleavage, Liz Taylor is just so stunning as Cleopatra that I had to include the photo)

Cleopatra was the last active Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt and ruled over the nation successfully for 21 years. It has been said that wars began over her stunning and unique beauty! Her romance with Mark Anthony was rumoured to be so great that Shakespeare wrote an entire tragedy based on it. Although there are some unpleasant and not so admirable things that Cleopatra did in her lifetime, the fact that a woman ruled such a powerful nation successfully for so many years in ancient times is something all us girls can look up to. If you ever feel like you don’t want to get out of bed or that you can’t do something, just think of this iconic woman!

Zuri has decided to spoil one of my lovely readers too! You can win your own cuff, collar necklace, earrings and bracelet (the hairband is mine and REALLY old so it’s not included, I just thought it would add a lovely edge to the outfit) just like the ones I am wearing in the photos! Just follow ZURI and I on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (links below) and leave your email address in the comments below or on my Facebook wall.

ZURI Facebook
ZURI Twitter
ZURI Instagram

Princess of Jozi Facebook
Princess of Jozi Twitter
Princess of Jozi Instagram

You can share the giveaway once a day for an extra entry.

This giveaway is unfortunately only open to readers in South Africa and will run until Wednesday 13^th August 2014. Please read the Competition Rules before entering.

Good luck lovelies!

Until next time

“All strange and terrible events are welcome, but comforts we despise.” - Cleopatra

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

P.S the dress is from SB Couture. They have the most stunning couture dresses and abaya... Please pop me an email for more details. xo