{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

{OOTD}| La Belle Muse

Skirt – Hse of Bespoke by WH | Top – Brett Robson | Shoes – Zara | Gloves – Ziba Styles (no longer in stock) | Sunglasses – Zara | Bracelets – Swarovski | Necklace - Old

Images by Layla ShaikPhotography

Hi lovelies! If you follow me on the socials you probably saw a while back that I attended the launch of the Parisian Collection by Hse of Bespoke by WH. I really adored the collection so I was super excited when the Hse of Bespoke chose me as part of their ‘Love It, Rock It, Style It’ campaign. There were no rules and we were encouraged to style the piece however we’d like. I was currently re-reading Anna and the French Kiss so the skirt arrived at the perfect time!

Hse of Bespoke is a fashion brand created by the sweet Waseefa Hutton. Waseefa aims to provide moderately modest clothing and classic pieces that can stay in your closet forever.

The ‘Midi Embossed Jupe Evasee” was picked for me and I was delighted as it was one of the pieces that stood out for me at the launch. It is high-waisted and a lovely midi length that grazes the lower calves. The fabric is beautifully embossed with flowers and it is delicate but not thin and flimsy.  It’s the type of skirt you can dress up or down. If you want that extra drama I recommend investing in a tulle under-skirt. It will give you that poufy, runway effect and you can use it under almost any skirt.

I decided to keep it Parisian but with a more quirky feel. I really love a monochrome palette so I kept the colours very neutral with a pop of pink lipstick.

This top is from the Brett Robson collection. Brett is a dear friend of mine and has served as a guide and an inspiration to me in my blogging so I was extremely excited when I heard she was designing a collection. The pieces are really stylish and so well made. Brett handpicked all the fabrics and was very involved in the production process so you can be assured that you’re not just getting something that’s just thrown together. This crop top is my favourite piece from the collection. ‘La Belle Muse’ or ‘the beautiful muse’ refers to Brett’s tattoo and it is printed on the top exactly how it appears on her skin. The fabric is really thick so as a crop top it sits perfectly. 

Because it’s chilly I wore stockings with these strappy Zara heels. I kept the accessories cute and quirky with gloves and oversized sunglasses.

You can shop the Parisian Collection at www.hseofbespokebyWH.com

Until next time

“In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise. “ – Virgil Thomson

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{Royal Obsessions} | 1701 Nougat

Hi lovelies! Today I’m starting a new little piece called Royal Obsessions. In this piece I will tell you about all the things I am currently obsessed with.

My latest obsession is 1701 nougat because nougat is one of my favourite sweet treats. Although nougat is commonly known as a French confection, it actually originated in Cremona, Italy at the wedding feast of Bianca Maria Visconti and Francesco Sforza! Further research even suggests that it could have originated in the Middle East where it is still eaten and given as a gift. Fine nougat is made with roasted seeds or nuts which are folded into a paste of honey, sugar and egg whites. Despite the use of two sweet ingredients, the candy should not be excessively sweet. It should be pleasant with a delicate honey flavour. The texture must be soft and almost like a marshmallow but should still hold together.

Image by Layla Shaik Photography x Princess of Jozi

The name 1701 relates to the year that nougat became famous in Montelimar, France. The business began in 2009 by owner Nick’s mother Lianne. It was a gingerbread-man for Lianne Scher's little daughter’s lunch box that culminated in her having an own label of ginger biscuits, chocolate chip cookies, shortbread, Florentines and crunchies and then nougat. Once Nick graduated with a BA in Brand Building and Management he decided to build a brand around his mother’s nougat. 1701 prides itself on being “handmade the French way”. The brand sticks to the basic French recipe, using fresh egg whites, good quality honey and roasted nuts. There are no added stabilizers, preservatives, thickeners or gelatine. This process means that the sweets don’t look uniform but for me this just adds to the charm of the brand. The nougat comes in 2 variants; roasted macadamia and roasted almond.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m extremely fussy about my nougat. I can confidently say that 1701 nougat is heavenly! It’s really soft and melty, the nuts are perfectly roasted and it has that distinct honey flavour with just the right amount of sweetness. The sweets are light and airy and don’t make you feel too guilty after eating more than a few ;) Another thing that impresses me about 1701 is the attention to detail when it comes to packaging. The boxes are pastel and gold and are so pretty! They make the perfect gifts! (My birthday is next month! *hint)

You can find 1701 products online at www.1701.co.za or at the following stockists.

- Broadacres Super Spar

- Hobart Road Super Spar

- Ferndale Super Spar

- Country Meat Fourways & Bryanston

- The Jungle (Jan Smuts Avenue)

- Cottage Flowers Hyde Park Shopping Centre

- Three Mary’s (44 Stanley Avenue)

- Galleon Pharmacy Hyde Park Shopping Centre

- Craighall Spar

- Monument Park Super Spar

- Thrupps

I will update the list as it grows.

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{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} | 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!

{OUT AND ABOUT} | The Skip Fashion Exchange

On Thursday I attended the final Skip Fashion Exchange for 2014. It was hosted by Bonang Matheba and held at The Forum at Turbine Hall (one of my absolute favourite venues) and I took the lovely Zakiyya from Loubi Lovers with (she found a pair of Loubis at the exchange!!). Skip describes the event as “an eco-fabulous way to share the love for clothes” and it truly was the perfect girls’ night out.

In order to participate in the exchange you have to bring three (or more if you would like) gently worn pieces with you. Basically if you wouldn’t give it to a friend, it is a no-no. We are sharing the love here! On arrival, the pieces are checked meticulously and then they are graded blue, purple or silver. You are given a card with stickers in these colours and that serves as your currency for the evening. I took along two dresses, a skirt and a jacket.

While you are noshing your scrumptious dinner and tapping your feet to the entertainment, the Skip fairies set up the store and display all the clothing and accessories according to their colour grading. After dinner it’s time to shop, shop shop and you get to choose goodies from the store. The Skip fairies have made sure that there are fitting rooms and a free tailor on hand to make sure you leave totally satisfied with the items you’ve picked. I didn’t manage to spend all my currency but I did get a most beautiful pair of leather boots. They are in perfect condition and I cannot wait to wear them! Once you’ve shopped, you get some Skip liquid so that you can take the best care of your new clothes.

The three course meal was totally divine and I must mention that they had special halaal catering for the Muslim guests. Zakiyya and I were delighted because at most events we aren’t catered for and we end up nibbling on salad leaves and bread and then wait not so patiently for dessert which most of the time ends up containing alcohol. 

While eating we were entertained by the Shoo Wop Shop trio who were out of this world amazing! Their rendition of Weekend Special was so perfect! We were also treated to a summer trend report and styling tips by the lovely Alexis Chaffe and guests could win ALL the outfits on display.

On the whole it was a beautiful evening filled with love and fashion. It really is one not to be missed and I will be sure to share with you where and when the next one will be as soon as I know!

Skip is running a fabulous giveaway and they are giving you the chance to win a R5000 voucher from Spree! All you have to do is register on Skip.co.za and share your Three Word Wardrobe (fabric, colour and mood) on the site by uploading a photo of your outfit. I’ve submitted a few looks and you can find them on the Skip website.

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

(Some of the photos here were supplied to me by Skip)