Winter wonder

Now don't get me wrong I love the sun and the summer and all it represents, alfresco dining, shorts, lovely long evenings but it's the change of a season and to people like me thats means shopping!
We have been very lucky in London town as it's November and still quite mild and I'm so glad as I have been able to wear my midi skirts and dresses and not cover all of my recent purchases with a heavy over coat or spoil an over all look with 50 denier tights.

If you have read previous blogs you will know that I sometimes worry about my purchases and whether I really need any of it.  I usually get over myself in a matter of minutes and the answer is always yes to needing everything.  I am reminding you of this as I seem to have accumulated quite an array of new season bits and a few sparkles for the Christmas season, of which I am really looking forward by the way.

An Asos spree with a Vivienne Westwood mens shirt, over sized on me of course but great with some skinnys. 

Always loved Boy London stuff.  This seasons Chelsea boot from Zara and  some Topshop slipper type flats.

Studded top and leather trim knit both from Zara

That black shape is a very gorgeous tuxedo jacket from Zara and I couldn't pass up this seasons metallic trend also from Zara. 

I think that by my next blog I shall be relatively over my winter/Christmas wardrobe but if I'm not I will make no apologies as it makes me smile.

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A few sweeties ;-)

Not my full blog today just a little taster of my favourite things!  

With the cold weather quickly creeping up on us and the party season just around the corner I thought it only right to bring to light some of my new buys and some bits that have caught my eye.  There is no in depth discussion or intellectual pondering just shoes. 

Take a look at the designer first.

Acne 

Mou

Brian Atwood

Chloe

Cobra Society

Etro

Jil Sander

Lanvin

Louboutin

Missoni

Mui Mui

Mou

Rick Owen

Thakoon

Mouth watering huh?  Now our high street equivalent.  Topshop.

Zara

There are so many more but I thought I'd leave you wanting more....

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Marvonation: Hey peeps, I am going to go back a little bit simp...

Marvonation: Hey peeps, I am going to go back a little bit simp...: Hey peeps, I am going to go back a little bit simply because I can now show pictures from the Britney shoot for "Criminal". Now I try and p...

Hey peeps, I am going to go back a little bit simply because I can now show pictures from the Britney shoot for "Criminal".  Now I try and portray myself as a cool cat but the fact of the matter is I am not! I have the old albums and yes I know most of the words to "hit me one more time" and the like.  So it will be no surprise to you to see pictures of me as a glorified extra on this video.  I mean without us the video wouldn't  have been possible!  Creating the very sophisticated party atmosphere and some (Carmelle Rudder) taking abuse from Britney herself (well jel!).

Was so proud of myself for not getting in her face and screaming can we be best friends!

The ladies again.  Coleen, Carmelle, Me, Kelly, Amber and Debbi.  By the way the price of our dresses put together
would make you blush.

Britney gush over.  I would like to address the more serious subject of Speed dating.  I part of me feels like I should be embarrassed about attending one of these parties but I am not.  The concept of speaking to 20 odd people in a short space of time was pretty intriguing as in general people usually go out and stick to their friends and at most speak to one extra person so this was like condensing 10 nights out into one minus the dancing unfortunately.  

So after a quick look on line I booked two tickets to an event at Carbon bar West End. I know, if I was really brave I'd have gone by myself but I not, so I roped in the help of good friend Cem Ahmet.

Now obviously we had a quick drink before for some Dutch courage at the pub opposite to check out the prospectives and the competition and to be honest it wasn't looking very promising but I'd bought my ticket and was game.  

It turned out to be a very funny night, a good insight into people their body language, how they deal with certain situations and the use of alcohol as a crutch (me included) .  

Us girls sat at a numbered table while the guys moved around.  The bell would ring after four mins, it generally felt very quick but on some occasions that bell couldn't have rung quick enough. I mean I know there is shy but leaving me to do all the work is just plain rude!  Then there was the overly confident funny man.  I little to touch feely and obviously drunk.  Although I have only been once and will probably never go again I found that the majority of people were normal hard working professionals be it a bit shy and secluded (there were a lot of IT dudes). In 20 people only two were a bit strange which I'm sure is the normal ratio of these types in a group plus who's to say that Joe Blog didn't find me a bit off key!  I went to the event with no expectations and I'm glad as no one bowled me over apart from my friend Cem of course who in the break filled me in on findings and they were that we shouldn't have been there.  Ha this could have been true but I'm game for these faddy events he on the other hand has previously been named "God bod" so you can gather he does not lack attention.

I would definitely not rule this kind of thing out completely as I'm sure there are great success stories and to be fair dating is generally a numbers and timing game but I've had my fun, back to intermittent eye contact in a bar or on the tube or at a traffic light.  A quick day dream then back to the hustle and bustle of life.

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p.s if you can think of any shenanigans I would enjoy feel free to put in comment box hehe  

Skin deep

Hey peeps.  This week I could tell you about the work I've been doing or the great things I've bought or seen people wearing but instead I'm going to address a subject that could make some of you a little uncomfortable or maybe it's me that feels uncomfortable as when you talk about a subject like this one some people get that look on their face, you know the one, they are thinking "what are you talking about, that doesn't happen" or they change the subject really quick because they know it happens but don't want to address it because it doesn't affect them.  I am talking about the lack of dark skinned black women like myself in the media.  See some of you so want to stop reading but I'll carry on as I'm sure I'll be back to my  frivolous account of the world as I see it next week.
So why do I feel the need this week you may wonder? While looking through a well known internet fashion sites free magazine I came across these shots and adverts and was happily shocked.

Why you may ask.  Well because the there are beautiful dark skinned models in them and this is not seen very often at all.  You may beg to disagree but when you truly look at the media black women are usually represented by women of mixed race with "none offensive" features.  I used the term "none offensive" because this a terms I have heard used with regards to different racial visuals.  I do not like the term and find it offensive but while I'm on one I'll just put it all out there.  Now I could go into a full on political rant but these photos show me that things are changing very slowly but surely for the better.
I have had the privilege of being brought up by parents who consciously or not made life very open and mixed and relatively chiponshoulderless.  I say this because I am not coming from a place of feeling held back by my colour in anyway, it may have happened but I have a brain that chooses rightly or wrongly to ignore it.  However I am not totally blind and am aware of societies and the medias attitude, it is obvious.  Things are a changing! I can feel it in my waters and I see it in the eyes of people I talk to when going about my work and play.  I am no fool and I know some people and corporations do not want change and are happy to ignore true beauty whatever the colour of its face. To you I'll give a little pity and turn away I'm not into banging on brick walls.
Anywhoo I have but touched on a very deep rooted and sensitive subject.  I won't go on as I feel there are others who can and do put a very educated and valid points forward.  I have somewhat of a flighty mind that just wants to think about fashion, parties and dancing but I will say, I am very proud to be who I am.  I love my people with all of our perfections and flaws.  I love people with all their flaws.
Maybe in a couple of weeks I'll tackle the subject of hair! Ha! Minefield.

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Hollywood vs Coolish Britannia

So being a Londoner I used to count myself as quite a cool character.  You know never getting star struck because it's my world right? I see celebrities all the time right?  At any point you can and will bump into some actor or musician around town at work or at play.  You can't trip over yourself every time this happens or scream "I love yous" at them willy nilly.  You just look, maybe a little nod of acknowledgement and if you're feeling super cool and collected a casual "hi, how are you doing?".  This past week showed me just how uncool I actually am and to be fair to myself I don't feel bad about it.
Again unfortunately I cannot go into a hugh amount of detail but keeping it simple I came face to face with Hollywood star Brad Pitt!  What was strange was that I didn't even notice who I was staring at at first.  I just found myself mesmerised by a person with magnetic energies and a choir of angles continuously singing around him.  I can honestly say I was never one of those girls that went crazy over these Hollywood stars but I sooo get it now.  They exude a certain quality only Hollywood could ever give you.  Me,  I exuded dumbstruckness  and a new found talent of not having to blink.  I'm so cool. Not.

I would love to say that my uncoolness stopped there but no.  Later in the week I come face to face with none other than Britney Spears!  I so wanted to strike up a conversation about something, anything, shoes maybe but alas I put professionalism first and the fact that her body guards looked like they would have taken me out in a second put me off slightly.  In between these to meetings I worked with comedian and British institution Lenny Henry.  This man has a great presence and I felt very privileged to be a part of the team and although being around someone that everyone looks to in awe it felt a lot easier to talk to him.  Maybe this was because I had grown up with him on my telly every Saturday evening and his Britishness feels like home.  Next time I come across some Hollywood I am just going to pretend they are British and pretend that I am so used to seeing them, I think that will work.  Wish me luck!

Lovely ladies Dominque and Charlene.

Beautiful ladies on Couture.  Colleen, Carmelle, Me, Kelly, Amber and Debbi.

Last but by no means least I popped down to see some fellow dancers in "Beauty and the Boys" last week.  It was fabulous!  I haven't seen many drag shows so I don't have much to go on but the fact that the show had a great star beautiful and talented dancers and amazing costumes made it my favourite.  Wish i had more photos!

My fav cosy on Sarah.

Oh look me.  Monochrome gone crazy.  House of Holland Shirt and Kate Moss fringe jacket. 

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I'm torn!

Wow people I am a woman that is torn.  It may sound all a tad dramatical and yes that would be true I guess.  My dilemma? It's a new season and there are lots of things to turn a girls eye. I have indulged in a few items yes and then just as I'm about to go full throttle in to a retail assault the voice of reason booms at me! "do you really need any of this?" the answer is obviously no as I know a piece of fabric or animal skin(leather shoes) is not essential to me being a happy healthy person but maann its some seriously great entertainment! I mean, whats better in life than playing dress up and showing everyone through fashion what your thinking in you minds eye?  We've all walked past someone in the street and thought you looked in the mirror before you left your house and thought "I'm feeling and looking sexy/fruity/comfy/strong or just a little nuts" and then walked out to show the world.  Fashion is fun and I suppose the reason I feel torn is that it is superficial in the media and sometimes grossly over priced but I love it all the same.  Finding or making a piece and then wearing it for the world to see how I'm feeling about myself without actually having to speak to anyone is pretty fabulous.  Of course I understand that clothes do not maketh the person and it really doesn't matter how much you spend as if you have a style any style it transcends wealth but they make me happy!!!

So I guess I'm not really torn at all.  I know my mind and I love FASHIONSSSS!

Here are a few bits I found.

Emma Cook dress

Chole suede skirt. Love the colour and length

Jumper by Gargoyle

Bertie boots

Now I write this on September 11th and it's the 10th anniversary of the Twin towers.  Watching the footage over is absolutely saddening and in a very selfish way I had to stop watching it.  So I'll do all I can and send out love and light into the world and to those that have suffered.

HUGE AMOUNTS LOVE AND LIGHT PEOPLE.

DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY!XXX