The Art of African Jewelry Design

The Art of African Jewelry Design

Happy Sunday everyone! Being an African Jewelry Artisan has made me recognize and appreciate the creativity, skill, and talent that goes into making a one of a kind, fabulous piece of jewelry on an entirely new level.  During a photo shoot in Durham, NC one Saturday morning I grabbed a cup of coffee from a bakery in the downtown area, and noticed one of my favorite boutiques open.  As soon as I walked into Ngozi Design Collective, I couldn’t help but notice a breathtaking waterfall necklace made with a generous amount of seed beads.  While I don’t work with seed beads on this level, I quickly recognized the brilliant workmanship that went into this handmade stunning piece, not to mention the amount of time it must have taken to string the beads.  The colors were vibrant and fun which also attracted my attention.  That said, it wouldn’t take an artisan to quickly fall in LOVE! The necklace is designed by Lillian Danieli of Nashona, and is made in Tanzania.  While visiting and admiring the gorgeous african clothing, jewelry, fine arts, sculptures, and personal care, I had a nice chat with the CEO, Andrea Carter.  She reminded me that Ngozi also provides custom clothing, tailoring, and alterations for men, women and children.  This is a great idea if you have a special event and want a beautiful custom piece created exclusively for you. It warms my heart to see local businesses such as Andrea’s providing one of a kind and custom pieces of talented artisans, designers, writers, photographers, and musicians from all over the world!  Definitely check out the Ngozi Design...
Chain Chain Chain

Chain Chain Chain

Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world! – Marilyn Monroe Happy Friday Loves! YAY!  It’s time to kick up our heels!!  These fancy heels are from ShoeDazzle.  When I saw them it was love at first sight!  Have you ever noticed how wearing a fabulous pair of heels make you feel happy?  If you’re like me, once you’ve tasted this power, you crave it continually.  These heels are called Raenetta and they’re currently offered on the ShoeDazzle website for $39.95.  They’re available in three colors, but the rich red stuck a chord with me.  If you dare to be different, go grab these immediately before they sell out.  Be prepared to turn heads!         Photography by:  Sharon Bui What I Am Wearing: //Jumpsuit// Cache (Similar here or here or here) //Sequin Clutch// ShoeDazzle //Chain Belt// Vintage //Raenetta// ShoeDazzle  (Click this link to use my personal invite as a ShoeDazzle Ambassador to sign up as a VIP and get 75% off your first pair!)   Love, The Ultimate...
Posh Pumps and Polka Dots

Posh Pumps and Polka Dots

I live in Raleigh, which is the capital of the state of North Carolina.  As with other cities, we’ve experienced tremendous growth in the past several years.  In the midst of all the growth I’ve seen the struggle to maintain a community orientation, which has made me a strong advocate of not only supporting locally owned small businesses, but bringing awareness to them.  I appreciate the personal customer service and values of independent businesses compared to national chains, which can sometimes be overlooked when we’re trying to get the most bang for our buck. Today I’m featuring the “ESTHERLIE” pumps by “The Ronke Sarumi Footwear” (RSF), pronounced (Roan-keh Sa-roo-me), which is a locally owned small business near Raleigh, NC.  I love the RSF brand philosophy, which is that women should look beautiful from the crown of their heads to the soles on their feet.  I couldn’t agree more! I was afforded an opportunity to style “ESTHERLIE”.  To my surprise they arrived so beautifully gift-wrapped finished in a gorgeous bow.  I didn’t even want to open the package.  Once I finally convinced myself to remove them from the box, I fell in love with the deep, rich mustard color and chiffon shoe accessory.  They’re also available in a beautiful hunter green color that’s perfect for fall.  Upon trying them on I was even more delighted that I didn’t have to sacrifice comfort for glamour in these stunning pumps.  As you can see I paired them with a lace peplum bustier and polka dot pencil skirt. In conclusion, these gorgeous heels totally lived up to my expectations!  They are indeed exquisite,...
Keep It Classy

Keep It Classy

Let’s face it!  In a world of ever-changing fashion trends it’s tempting to routinely get caught up in wearing the latest styles.  Unfortunately some of the trends I see are less than classy.   Have you ever thought about why things are called classical?   The reason is because despite the amount of time that passes, classical things remain nice. Classical is regarded as representing an exemplary standard; traditional and long-established in form or style.  For this reason, I suggest my clients think about deliberately incorporating some classic pieces into their wardrobe from time to time.  Since there are classic cuts for every body type, this isn’t hard to do. There’s a common misconception that classic means boring and dated; however, classic cut pieces come in various patterns and textures that can look current and exciting.  These type of classic cuts can be mixed in to create a more modern look however they still remain timeless. Today’s outfit inspiration features a classic cut straight skirt in lime green, combined with a textured pattern.  This is a perfect example of a classic cut piece with a lively look that doesn’t feel dated. As you can see, I paired the skirt with a sleeveless silk blouse, and lace cardigan (also classic).  To complete the look, I topped it off with a vintage fascinator.  If you don’t know me, I’ll often have a hat nearby to complete my looks.  I realize everyone doesn’t love hats as much as I do, but this is where personal style comes to play.  I would love to know your thoughts on keeping it classy and whether you...
ShoeDazzle Top Picks

ShoeDazzle Top Picks

For the past month ShoeDazzle has had some amazing products from shoes to clothing!  I’ve decided to post my top 5 picks wishlist for June.  Take advantage of becoming a ShoeDazzle  VIP by using my special link here. Nelli – Sexy and playful for any evening soiree, Nelli features allover fringe with a peep toe and open-back counter. Style her with shorts and a blouse or skinnies and a tank. Odina – Odina is the perfect office heel. She’s exceptionally chic with her turnlock closure at the ankle, and wears well with all of your tailored outfits. Janis – The laced-up heel is the must-have style of the year. Go for Janis by Izabella Rue to get in on the trend with her woven laces and pretty tassel accents. Alucard – You?ll love the high-end look of this zip top faux-leather bag by JustFab, featuring a belted hardware accent and dual top handles. It?s perfect for any season or occasion. Cold Shoulder Maxi – Flirt a little with this charming off the shoulder maxi by JustFab, which features dual shoulder straps and a cinched waist.   As you can see these styles are amazing, but don’t take my word for it.  Check out the ShoeDazzle for yourself.  You won’t be disappointed!   Love, The Ultimate...
Everybody Loves The Sunshine

Everybody Loves The Sunshine

Now that summer is officially here, I’ve been enjoying the sunshine and sipping my favorite summer time drink.  You guessed it!  “Lemonade” 🙂  It’s been a hot season so far, and this is the time when most people reveal their bodies more than ever. Today I’m featuring an outfit post to help those who don’t feel quite as comfortable about their bodies, or just want to cover certain areas.  Keep in mind that layering isn’t just for colder temperatures!  There are actually many ways to successfully layer in the summer. This unexpected layering look was created with a basic white tank and shorts.  I chose white because it’s the most versatile color that goes well with any other color or pattern.  White screams a clean, sleek and modern look which suits everyone. The white tank and shorts look great together, but what turns this outfit from ordinary to extraordinary is the long statement duster, which is perfect to seamlessly transition from the heat to the air-conditioning.  This look is somewhat edgy and perfect for an event such as a concert or festival. Lightweight statement dusters, vests, jackets and pullovers paired with stylish separates are the key to summer time layering.  As you can see, I finished the ensemble with a pair of my favorite strappy heel sandals by JustFab. Until next time…. long live summer!  Cheers! Photography by:  Em Grey Photography Shop a similar look below: JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.   Outfit details //Duster// (Vintage) //Tank// (Old) //Shorts// Cache //Sandals// Nayelina by JustFab //Sunnies// Fendi   Love, The Ultimate...