Lazy Fashionista: 5 Summer Pieces I Killed...Dead
This post is about 5 pieces of clothes I killed! When I say "killed", I mean literally killed, not the urban dictionary meaning which denotes the accomplishment of "slaying" or successfully "executing a plan" or in this case executing an outfit. No, I killed these articles of fashion, some of them are on life-support and others need CPR but that's Ok, they have a year to make a comeback...that is, if they haven't formed a committee, stolen some shoe laces and escaped from my closet through my window.
My Five Summer Items:
1) Bangles
I bought these ethnic patterned babies from the Front General Store in Brookyln at the start of summer. They were made for me. I'm not kidding. Other customers were drawn to the bowl in which these bangles lustfully lay, just as I was, and they kept trying them on but they wouldn't fit. I believe I've worn them on most days this summer. They just seem to go with everything! I have killed them, in fact one seems to have unraveled but unfortunately, I have no retirement plans for them, anytime soon, so get back to work, bangles!
2) Shorts
I. Killed. Shorts. I did. You know when your mum tells you not to wear something because it's too short or clingy, and then you stumble on one of her photographs from ages ago and she's wearing the exact same thing? No doubt this will happen to me if I have a daughter but you know what? I don't care, because it was like the sun moved in next door to my home this summer. I wore shorts almost everyday, except on Sundays and that's only because church has air-conditioning.
3) Crops
A-ha I didn't rock these so much but I did try my best to wear them a few times-with the Ankara skirt and a pair of shorts because I had promised last year to try them on. They were supposed to be a motivation for a great summer bod. Then again, sucking your gut for hours is not so bad either. Presto, summer bod! Don't listen to me, visit the gym. No, no sucking.
4) Necklace
It's a summer piece because I don't wear necklaces in winters. If it's winter and you aren't a scarf, please get off my neck! This necklace is a favorite piece of mine. I bought it at the Brookyln Flea market! It fit right in with most of my outfits. I can't wait for next summer to kil' it again. Muhaha.
5) These well-broken-in Orange Aldo flats
Lol! I love these shoes. I had searched high and low for them and I couldn't find my size anywhere. Then one day I asked an attendant helping me at the Oxford Street Aldo about them and he found me a pair! It's just plain sentimental attachment and they are so comfortable. Itunu, my sister-in-law, also has one, so the sentimental attachment is pretty high up there!
Is this the end of our superhero flats?
What is your most "rocked and killed" piece ever? Are your daughters going to give you the side-eye too? Hmm, I also had my natural hair out most of the time! What style do you have on?
Hello, World! Follow on Bloglovin'
Follow
Crop-Top-o-phobia: The Fear of crop tops
Last Summer, I tried wearing crop-tops for the first time and rightly so because we were in Vegas, baby! And it was hot, baby. *Straight face* Very hot. They should have been handing out crop-tops at the airport!
Anyway, I suggested in this post that the best way to get over the dread of crop-tops is to wear it with high-waist bottoms. I still stand by that suggestion. If you are thinking about baring some tummy but are a little hesitant, try a high-waist bottom, it works wonders for your confidence and as I advised someone on Twitter, also works wonders for preventing mosquitoes from feasting on your bare midriff, assuming you live in the tropics!
Although, I think the whole point of crops is to expose your glistening, toned midriff, baby steps are required for some of us.
How to wear a crop successfully
Get rid of added sugars and limit your carb intake. Yes, you can! I just drank a latte without adding any sugar. Was it gross? Yes, indeed! Was it a decision that would help me get an even midriff and be rid of my bashfulness? Oh, yes indeed! Studies show that reducing your sugar intake gets rid of tummy fat more effectively than tummy exercises! Who knew?!
Also, switching your meal proportions around help a great deal. Let your proteins and vegetables make up at least two-thirds of your meal, and carbs, a little less than a third; which implies that my edikaikong and assorted meats should be more than my Garri/Eba.
Hey, ever tried wearing a crop-top? Do you love it or does it make you feel like food for the 'quitoes? How do you maintain a toned core? Have you ever tried cutting sugar out of your diet?
Follow me on Instagram @ikeoluwapo and on Twitter @pagesbyike
6 Ways to Get the Best out of your Shopping Experience
Have you ever gone shopping all day, stumbled home with more than 5 shopping bags but still felt like you bought nothing? You, even kind of, went over your budget and you still have nothing to wear when you look into your closet? Ok, not kinda-you literarily killed your account balance and still, your wardrobe doesn't feel like you just spent your rainy day fund.
The indicator of a wholesome, rewarding shopping experience is that moment when you set your bags down, change into something more comfortable and can't help giggling (moderately) insanely at the contents of your shopping bags. If you aren't giggling insanely, take it back, subito*!
Here are 6 guidelines that could help you make the most of your shopping experience. Hope it helps!
#1 Don't buy anything you aren't mad about.
Like I said in this post, never buy anything or date anyone that/who doesn't get you thinking about them at 2am. Some of your essentials can go without being crazy about them but ensure that most of your wardrobe pieces are items that you absolutely love. Sometimes, it's better to buy 2 items you are absolutely mad about than buy 15 items that make your shopping experience bland.
#2 Don't stalk-buy
You walk right by a dress and then someone else picks it up, suddenly you want it! You begin to stalk her around the store, hoping she will drop it. I'm yet to understand that phenomenon. Consider buying only things that catch your eye. In fact, the first thing that catches your eye might be our gem. If it didn't catch your eye the first time, you'll probably be sick of it in a week.
#3 Beware of the Clearance
Never buy something because it costs 20 cents. Don't mistake that for "never buy anything that IS 20 cents", by all means do, if the item is valuable to you. However, buying an item just because it costs close to nothing might not get you the most value for your money. I really get irritated when I buy, maybe a pair of earrings, which has like 4 reduction stickers plus another bright orange final clearance sticker which screams 80% off reduced price and then I get home, i take it off the place-board and realize how thoroughly unsightly these earrings are! Buy items that you love and can't stop thinking about.
#4 Know your seasons
What's trending this season? Off-shoulder tops, denim on denim, metallic bottoms, block heels, past-the-knee coats etc It helps to know what's trending and what's "gone". That said, do not tailor your shopping to trends strictly. When you shop, pick out pieces that will forever be graceful and stylish.
#5 Beauty doesn't need a second opinion?
When you see an outfit you love, you will know. It's almost like it comes alive and demands that you take it home. As Deji Eniola said, "Beauty doesn't need a second opinion."You just know!
If in doubt though, don't hesitate to send photos of your items to a friend whose fashion sense you trust!
#6 Take a shopping break
I used to be a vicious shopper; eyes on the prize, no small talk with the cashier, no toilet breaks, no polite smiles at fellow-shoppers, no lunch breaks . This was partly because people my size seemed to attack shopping with the same attitude. I, very often, never found my size which led me to believe that they took this shopping thing, way too seriously. After like 5 hours of shopping, your game face begins to droop, due to fatigue and hunger. It's best to break up your shopping experience into bits of two hours. Eat, recharge, attack! Shopping is war!
P.s: Imagine all the steps you could get on your fit-bit in 5 hours!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on your shopping experiences? Do you stalk-buy? Ever hidden an outfit in the store because you had intentions of returning to the scene of the crime? Lol!
subito*: "immediately" in Italian
My Worst Date Experience+a Date outfit idea!
I'm writing this post to redeem my worst date experience ever. So, there we were on that cool, sun-setting evening- as i sat down next to my date, my pants ripped...down...the...back! I am not kidding. I'm yet to find an explanation for this mis-hap! The guy was very graceful and we were good friends too, so we laughed at me and he got me back home. It was a very "drafty" journey!
In retrospect, maybe i should have worn a dress but I've never been a dress-lover (slowly becoming one though). For a date with Ed, i usually go for a pair of Capri pants and a pretty blouse, heels (subject to my mood), pretty earrings and remarkable nail polish (greatest dinner topic and #1 icebreaker, assuming ice needs to be broken)!
The perfect date outfit is first, comfortable, second, unassumingly hot and third, not prone to sudden rips up the back! Lol. What's your most "fondly-remembered" dating experience?
Top: Dorothy Perkins
Capri pants: Dorothy Perkins
Shoes: Prima Donna Collection
Earrings: Kate Spade
Arm Candy: Fitbit