Nude is taking over (Pt 1) featuring Estare

  The first image that comes to ones mind when "nude" is mentioned is a naked body,thanks to this dirty mind of ours! Anyways, the nude that is mentioned in this blogpost has nothing to do with exposure of the human body but a flamboyant color that has taken wave and kicked other colors to the curb. 

   On today's post,the beautiful Esther (Estaregrams on Instagram and Estarelive on YouTube) is being featured, not only because of her style and unique fashion sense but also because of her kind heart.

   She has been a big inspiration and motivation to me ever since I came across her in 2013. Born in London, but raised in Lagos,Nigeria and later relocated to London where she has been residing for the past 22 years. She has always had an interest in fashion but developed a passion for fashion at the age of 21. Having being blessed with a beautiful physique,she went into modeling at age 18 and also worked with a music artist which brought her into the world of styling and production. A year later,she met Nasir Mazhar, a men's and womenswear fashion designer and began modeling his designs which enabled her broaden her fashion and style sense more and based on her experiences,her style varies from different ranges.

  The beautiful Estare has made me view nude color in a different way than the ordinary, she makes the color appear more sophisticating than it originally is. In her own words, "I think nude tones are so feminine  and sexy, I love the fact that there are so many colors that can be considered as "nude" because there are so many skin tones and completions,there is always a shade that will suit you."

  Funny how we coincidentally have similar looking tube maxi dress that we styled almost alike!!!

   True definition of great minds think alike!! If you are not a fan of nudes or ever considered it, she will definitely make you have a rethink about it.

  This is the part 1 of this topic,part 2 is coming up soon and it will be featuring another stunning stylist.. So stay tuned!!

To see more of the beautiful Esther, you can check her on;

Instagram: Estaregrams 

YouTube channel: Estarelive 

Have fun reading!!!

Healthy Dining with Mprex-Yam and Plantain Porridge

 Hello beYOUtiful folks, today's post is a  delicious dish prepared in most Nigerian homes called Yam and Plantain Porridge. It is an inviting meal that can be cooked with whatever ingredients  you so desire but the steps at which you put the ingredients are important,thankfully my YouTube video will guide you through.

Ingredients:

Yam

Plantain (preferably ripe)

Fresh tomatoes

Scotch bonnet pepper

A bulb of onions

Mixed vegetables (optional)

Chicken (Optional)

Ground crayfish (optional)

Maggi seasoning 

Salt

Palm oil

Time to cook!!!!

Step 1: Peel,wash and dice up the yam into cubes. Pour a considerable amount of water into the pot of diced yam, put on the stove, and leave to boil for a while then dice onions into the pot of boiling yam.

Step 2: Blend your tomatoes,pepper and onions without water. Slice your plantain in a round shape and set aside.

 

Step 3: Season and cook your chicken,then set aside to cool down. You can either separate the bone from the meat of the chicken or just leave it to be whole.

Step 4: Check the boiling yam for softness, if you are able to poke the yam without any issue,pour the sliced plantain into the pot. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes,then pour in the blended tomatoes,pepper and onions and allow to boil for 5 minutes.

Step 5: This step is optional  because you may not want to put mixed vegetables,crayfish or chicken in it but if you want to,then you need to follow this step. Put the mixed vegetables,crayfish and chicken into the pot of yam and plantain. 

Step 6: Put salt and Maggi seasoning into the pot, remember to always put the salt little by little if you are not measuring it.

Step 7: Then shake and pour in a considerable amount of Palm oil,allow to cook for 5 minutes.. YOUR FOOD IS READY!!!!!!

 

Link to the tutorial is below;

http://youtu.be/sFaVNxWLkuQ

Give me a flannel

   I used to think that "flannel" just recently became a fashion trend until I read an article where it made me realize that it has been in existence for a super long time, as far back as the 16th century in Wales. Funny thing, I initially thought that it was only worn by only men but some fashion pioneers made me realize that it is a unisex material and can be worn and styled to ones liking. 

   Her way of styling the flannel is sophisticating, she brilliantly mixes masculinity and femininity to bring out the beauty of the flannel,which for one makes her outfit unique.

   Flannel has also been made to replace sheer material kimono,this particular one from Akira caught my eyes almost a year ago and I always run to it when I am short of ideas of what to wear.

   My first flannel shirt is this XXL shirt I got from the men's section at Goodwill thrift store about a year ago. It took me two months to incorporate an idea of how to style it because of how large it was on me when I first wore it. I like the fact that it is green because green is one of my go to colors or more like a khaki shade.

  Flannel shirts can either be dressed up or dressed down depending on you, and the occasion. We both have similar looking flannels but we styled them differently but wore them the same way lol. I know that I may have confused some of us with that statement,it is a brain teaser.

So yeah, have fun with flannels even if it looks like a menswear,women are at liberty to incorporate it into whatever style they choose to.

Floral Sunday

  Today,being the last Sunday of the month of July,2015 turned out to be fun. Started off by going to my father's house to start off the week in a blessed note.After which,I had a lunch date with my beautiful mother, a much needed mother and daughter bonding.

Church Outfit:

Believe me when I say my dress is 11 years old because it really is. My mum bought me this dress when I was 10 years old and it still fits me like I bought yesterday. I know I gained weight and grew taller but I do not know how to explain how this dress still fits me perfectly.

 Dress- Marshalls

 Bag-Aldo

 Shoes-Sheikh shoes

After church service and lunch date with my mother, I had the opportunity of hanging out with a good friend. Guess what I wore? Another floral print dress but unlike the first outfit,it was a colorful floral print dress.

Dress-Akira

Bag-Forever 21

Shoes-Forever 21

I used similar accessories for both outfits and sincerely,I cannot remember where I got them from.

Which outfit do you prefer? Personally,I prefer the church outfit because I love my nudes, I am not into loud colors. 

Jidenna--Classic Man

Who is Jidenna? 

  Jidenna Theodore Mobisson was born on April 5,1985 in Wisconsin Rapid, Wisconsin. He is an American musician and performer signed to Janelle Monae's Wondaland Record Label. Born to an American mother,Tama Mobisson and a father of an Igbo heritage,Oliver Mobisson. 

  Jidenna is a founding member of the Fear & Fancy social club that was established in California in 2006. The society,a reminiscent of the social aid and pleasure club of New Orleans is an international collective of entrepreneurs, educators, activists,scientists and artists that is set out in hosting soirées, dinners and demonstrations.

He came to the limelight after his songs "Classic Man" and "Yoga" was released this year, 2015. What really warmed him to all and sundry is his style!!! His outfits are to die for,I mean literally. He represents his song title "Classic Man" in the way he mixes his style and prints especially the African prints. 

  So, there is an uproar about an interview where he (Jidenna) made a statement that most Nigerians do not agree with and there has been a debate on if what he said is true or not. 

Below is the link to the interview that was carried out by Vlad TV;

http://youtu.be/maWvjIfB9LE

My personal question for my readers is not if what he said about how there is a different treatment for light skinned in Nigeria from dark skinned folks, although being a dark skinned Nigerian, I have never experienced such because I have light skinned friends and relatives. What I want to know from my readers is if what he said is due to his upbringing here in America or due to what is really happening in our beautiful country,Nigeria? 

Enjoy reading and debating about the said questions!!!

Peplum is here to stay

  Peplum was highly demanded in the fashion world about 70 years ago but it made a quick comeback in the 1980s. Based on it's high demand by all and sundry, I do not foresee peplum disappearing into thin air anytime soon. 

  What is peplum?

 It is a piece of material attached to another material at the waist area to accentuate the hips. It was initially attached to tops but in recent times, jackets,skirts, and pants has been added to the lot.

 Why peplum?

 Personally, I like peplum because it goes with anything. Whenever I go shopping, I pick things that will complement my other clothes, and peplum, is perfect for such mentality. 

 Another good thing, the peplum style can be sewn with African materials.

  It can also be casually worn to school by dressing it down.

  With Peplum,ones sense of  style creativity has no bounds. 

  Peplum is also a friend to every size and shape, be you slim or thick! With the full coverage that peplum gives around the waist,no one has a reason to not try wearing the peplum.

  Peplum is most certainly here to stay!!

Gray is the new black

 Something about this color gives me the shivers, I have discovered a new black. Gray is my new black...

A simple color that complements any other color, you do not believe me? Scroll   down then ⬇️⬇️⬇️  

Gray and nude

 Gray and white 

All gray and a splash of white

Dark gray and pink

Gray and black

With gray,you can be a dare devil with colors and patterns. You are not restricted, so be free and experiment with the color "gray". I believe that this should be applied to every color but based on our skin tones.

 Outfit Details:

Peplum top-Target

Gray palazzo pants-Forever 21

Gray hat-Charlotte Russe

Black heels-Forever 21

Black Purse- H and M