2017…

I shot these quick images sometime last year (before I cut my hair obvs.) and I completely forgot to use them except for the 2 I posted on Instagram. I’m wearing a skirt from local brand Dear Makena Apparel which is run by the lovely Karen and houses the quaintest selection of handmade cotton skirts. Find them on Instagram here.

2016 had been a real challenge of a year. Not only was it one giant dumpster fire for the entire planet, but I also experienced some real challenges in my personal life. I generally don't really do resolutions because I believe I am always a work in progress and there is always room to learn and evolve at any point in time in the year. However, with everything that I went through; I don't think I've been taught as much as I have last year than in any other year. I thought it would be a nice way to begin my blogging year by sharing some of what I am taking with me into 2017 and beyond.

Don't be a hypocrite. This one is so important. If you don't like things being done to you (e.g. lying) then why would you do them to anyone else?

Self-care and self-love are tremendously important. No one is going to care for you as much as you should care for yourself. It's okay to be selfish sometimes and take care of your own needs. Try not to hurt anyone in the process but also don't over think especially if you are uncomfortable or hurting. Be unapologetic in your need to maintain your own sanity and contentment.

Don't let anyone make you feel like you are worthy of anything less than respect and don't let anyone make you feel inferior. We are all trying.

It is okay to ask for help but it's not okay to hold that help over someone if it is given. Remember that even the left hand should not know what the right hand gives.

Advise the ones you love but try to support them too if they don’t take your advice. You were obviously asked to weigh in because your opinion matters and that should be enough. They do know what they're doing most of the time and you will be so surprised at what they can achieve.

Leave old prejudices and thought processes behind. Be open to new things as long as they don't compromise your beliefs.

Spirituality is so significant. I know that some of you reading this perhaps do not follow any religion or maybe don’t believe in God but I just want to share what I personally experienced here. Waking up before dawn to pray has literally changed my life in ways I cannot even explain. Reflecting and unloading on the prayer mat has gotten me through the bad times and even helped to guide me through the good ones.

Do not allow people to get away with treating you badly because of their position in your life or relation to you. Relation is no excuse for garbage behaviour toward someone!

Respect people and their choices and their ability to make these choices. So simple but so important.

Don’t be afraid to love the things you love. It’s so difficult in the age of social media but try not to live for others. You only have to fit in with yourself.

Respect the things that people love and their beliefs too. For example, a celebrity death may mean nothing to you but it can mean something to someone and you will never know why. Your views and opinions aren't the only ones out there.

When people insult and disrespect you it says more about them than it does about you.

And finally, it begins with YOU! Don't become complacent because something does not affect you directly. (E.g. Donald Trump, I've seen so many just brush it off because they won't be the ones suffering through his ridiculous and dangerous ideas). Fact check that thing that you post first. Evaluate your ethics. Familiarize yourself with your preferences (we all have them) and asses them. THINK about racism, THINK about rape culture. Do not just brush it off or share that meme because likes. There is so much more I can say here but I’ll stop and just say once again, IT BEGINS WITH YOU!

I really hope that you all have a fantastic year. I want you to be happy, healthy and to never ever feel like you are alone.

I’d love to hear what you’ve learnt and what you will be taking with you into 2017. Pop a comment below or tweet me @LadyZaa

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OUTFIT} | Oui C’Est Moi + Frayed Denim DIY

Hi dolls! Frayed bottom denims have been very much on trend lately. I’ve seen them in countless different shades and shapes in street style at the various fashion weeks and I think they’re just so chic.

Fortunately this is a trend that won’t scare your bank account. You can revive an old pair of jeans with a simple DIY that I am sharing today.

What You Need

- A really sharp pair of scissors. Fabric scissors are ideal but you can use any pair you are comfortable with as long as they’re extra sharp.

- Ruler

- Chalk

- Clean Tweezers

- An old pair of denims, still in wearable condition. Any pair will do here, but for the specific look in this outfit you will want to go with a skinny fit or slim fit.

Step 1

Make sure the denims are clean and ironed. Put them on and decide where you’d like them to sit once they’re cut. Be 100% sure because you are going to cut the jeans. Make a small mark with the chalk.

Step 2

Remove the jeans, measure (for accuracy) and mark off where you’d like the new length with the chalk. Make sure that it’s fairly even on both sides of the leg.

Step 3

Cut straight across the line you just drew. Try to cut in one motion so that the cut is straight and even. It doesn’t have to be perfect but you also don’t want it to be completely uneven or unmatched. Repeat this on the other leg.

Step 4

You will see lots of loose threads at the point where you cut the denims. Using the tweezers, pull at the threads horizontally. Do this until you’re happy with the level of fraying. It does help to see the frays better if you fold up the bottom of the denim.

Step 5

Remove all the stray threads and dust off the denims. Try the jeans on again to make sure you’ve got the look you’ve desired.

Step 6

Wear your new frayed denims and join the chic club ;)

About the Outfit:

Denims – Koton (Customised as above) | Shirt – ZARA | Shoes – ZARA | Sunglasses – Guess

I bought these denims at Koton when I was in Istanbul last year and even though they are incredibly comfortable I hadn’t worn them that often. It is a very classic blue skinny cut and I thought that they could do with a little trendy update. Now I can’t stop wearing them!

In this look I wore my newly customised denims with this chic high-low cotton shirt from Zara. I love the shape and the cute embroidery! I complimented the shirt with these exquisite red heels and a swipe of red lipstick. Naturally, a pair of sunnies finished the look!

Have you done any DIY and customising with your denims? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @LadyZaa

Until next time

"We must never confuse elegance with snobbery." —Yves Saint Laurent

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OOTD} | POW!

On Saturday, after my brothers and the husband got home from rAge, we were having a chat about the revolting culture of misogyny in gaming. This went on to the general culture of misogyny. They were all pretty appalled and disgusted at how a presidential candidate could brag about sexual assault. They were very much insulted by the fact that he chalked it up to “locker room talk” because that is not a normal way for men or boys to talk. What is even worse is that the only defence in last night’s debate was basically just like, “Well, at least I’m not as bad as ISIS.”  (!!!!!!!!!!)

The fact that I feel  ”happy” and “lucky” to be married to someone who is so vocal about the rights of women says a lot about the choices we have. The fact that a 12 and 13 year old think that they have a thing or 2 to teach grown men about how to respect and treat women should tell you everything you need to know about the world we live in.

It has never really been “easy” or “comfortable” to be a girl or woman on this planet. Despite this, women and girls have gone through life displaying great amounts of bad-assery and awesomeness in absolutely everything they do! Pow! You go girl!

About the Outfit:

Tulle Skirt – ZARA | T-Shirt – ZARA | Boots – ZARA | Sunglasses – Thrift Store | Choker – Custom | Ring – Pandora

I absolutely love tulle skirts; they are just so extra and filled with drama! ;) Needless to say, I couldn’t resist getting my hands on this one from ZARA. It’s a little more casual than a full-on tulle tutu but the glitter gives it a nice finish. Be warned though, this skirt sheds and the glitter goes EVERYWHERE. I’ve been sweeping up glitter since I got it!

In this look I wore it with a sequinned t-shirt and boots for a cute but edgier look. Of course, the theme is monochrome! I saw a similar choker on Gigi Hadid (let's also not forget about how yet another man who thought he could grab a woman without her consent. You go Gigi!) during Fashion Week and I really wanted to replicate it so I tied some net fabric around my neck. If you'd like some ready-made options, you can find some really exquisite chokers on www.shopbrettrobson.com 

I finished the look with a swipe of MAC’s Viva Glam Ariana II which is a lovely, vibrant matte mauve colour. You can still pick one up at MAC and remember that EVERY CENT of the selling price is donated to the MAC AIDS Fund which assists children and adults living with HIV and AIDS.

Until next time

“There are still many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made.” – Michelle Obama

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OOTD} | 1980

Jeans – Jet | Bodysuit – ZARA | Jacket – MrP | Choker – Shop Brett Robson | Necklace – Forever 21 | Tote Bag – Pigments SA | Boots – ZARA | Sunglasses – Thrift Store

Lipstick – Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Heartless

Hi dolls! Today I’m sharing yet another black and white outfit with you. I LOVE monochrome and I wear it so much that the husband has starting calling me MSDOS. (Developer joke?)

We snapped this look really quickly before a launch I was attending. It was that time of the day when the sun was just disappearing between the buildings, hence that hazy look.

I was still recovering from a bad bout of the flu and I don’t even know how I managed to put a whole outfit together that didn’t involve a fluffy dressing gown and panda pyjama pants. Even more surprising was that I didn’t smell of Vicks for the first time in a week!

I’m really excited at how my style is changing and evolving into something less gimmicky and more classic and wearable. I still love those quirky and edgy elements though!

Until next time

Be kind!

“History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside.”  - John F. Kennedy

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox                                                            

{TRENDING} | The Bomber Jacket

 

Street style has been flooded with bomber jackets recently and I can’t say that I am complaining! Bomber jackets are really versatile and comfy but can also be incredibly chic.

They can be worn over ripped jeans and a plain tee, a sultry dress; honestly anything your heart desires. I’m actually really keen to throw one over a huge silk or satin skirt for SA Fashion Week.

What’s really cool about the bomber jacket trend is that they come in so many different types and styles so they’re aren’t committed to one type of look. I’ve seen soft metallics, lace fabrics, pretty delicate flower patterns, graffiti, fierce prints and embroidery and tons of phrases and sayings. I must mention that there’s also a lot of Japanese inspiration floating around, especially at Zara, and it’s absolutely stunning!

I invested in 3 different jackets so far (all from Zara), 2 of which are pictured here. I’ve worn the silver one over my jeans and a pair of black culottes and the red one over velvet leggings. I’m really excited to play around some more though.

Bomber jackets are perfect for transitional weather and that little Spring chill. Check out Zara and Mr Price who both currently have some really ace options!

Would you wear the bomber jacket? Which one is your favourite? Comment below or tweet me a photo @LadyZaa

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xxo

{OOTD} | MUSE//MEWs

Hooded Top – Shop Brett Robson | Jeans – H&M | Boots – Timeless Shoes (Gift) | Sunglasses – Primark

The hysteria of Pokémon Go was at its peak when I was in the UK and I spent a great amount of time hunting and catching with my brothers. It was loads of fun, of course, and we also managed to see and identify loads more monuments and landmarks than we would have without the game. The downside was that we didn’t have power banks or portable chargers so our adventures were short lived.

Honestly when Pokémon Go was announced all that time ago I really didn’t think it would take on this well. I’ve always loved Pokémon, it is a warm and safe place for me and it’s something I can share with my brothers despite the mega age gap.

If you’re a regular reader you’ve probably seen my previous Pokémon themed posts. If not you can have a look here and here.

This is a very casual outfit and for running around (and catching Pokémon) I’d probably switch out the boots with sneakers. The hooded top is another winner designed by friend Brett. There’s tons of gorgeous stuff in her store right now so best you have a look. ;)

The lipstick is Urban Decay Vice in Violate. I am OBSESSED with these lipsticks. More on that soon though!

Now, best I’d get going. Jigglypuff is trying to alert me of the Mew (MEWS/MUSE haha!) that’s lurking about.

Until next time

“Even if you lose in battle, if you surpass what you've done before, you have bested yourself.” – Marshal, Unova Elite Four

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

P.s I’ll be sharing some travel photos, tips and hauls soon. Let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like to know.