Tag "Confidence"
25 Jun 2017

Summer Stripes – A Lane Bryant Review

*This is a gifted Dress

Summers in the UK seem to get shorter with each passing year. As a summer baby born in July I crave the warm sunny days where the flowers have bloomed, pub gardens are packed and we can wear those cute summer outfits that are needed during the warmer months. I love it when I can get really cute and girly and I find that summer is the season where I most enjoy doing so. I was recently sent a cute stripy sun dress from Lane Bryant and I was finally able to wear it last weekend. Technically summer starts in June but lately in London the warm days have been few and far between but, when they do finally come they tend to be sweltering hot!

I really love this dress it’s bright, light and extremely comfortable. I really like the length and found that I could easily wear anti-chafe shorts without them being seen if I wanted to. The thick shoulders allow for any style of bra to be worn and I was able to select one that provided me with a lot of comfort and support in the summer heat. I often worry that buttons will gape when it comes to any item of clothing with a front fastening due to the size of my breasts. With this dress I found that I had more than enough boob room with all of the buttons fastened although in these photos I chose to leave a few open at the top for a little cleavage to be shown. The tie detail at the front I found to be a really cute way to accentuate the waist and showcase the shape of the breasts when fastened.

The bright pastel blue of the dress is perfect for this season and the different sized stripes I think is a nice touch and elongates the length of my 5’5 frame. I deiced to pair this one with a pair of brown leather sandals from a previous Lane Bryant collection, my signature hoop earrings and a pair of Isabel Marant Daria Mirrored glasses. I felt a little like a 70s soul diva in this outfit I have to say lol. The temperature in London was about 32 degrees Celsius when I took these pics. Even in such hot sun I was more than comfortable and felt like summer had well and truly arrived!

I love to wear a comfortable heel regardless of the time of year but a cute pair of open toe sandals or wedges really tops off a summer look. I could have gone for a white or blue shoe to compliment the colours in the dress but thought i’d go the other way and work with the sunglasses I was wearing. If there was a bit of a chill in the air then a white cardigan or a denim jacket of some kind would have been a nice addition to this outfit.

I’m really hoping that I have some more sunny days to enjoy in London as I have several summer outfits I plan on wearing! If all else fails I am taking a trip to Vegas next month to celebrate my 30th and I will most definitely be able to sport some of my summer looks in the strong desert sun! I used to dread swealtering hot days as I would want my arms covered due to lack of confidence. Now I could care less about layering up on a hot day and choose comfort before anything else. Having said that comfort doesn’t have to be safe and boring. It can fun, sexy and flattering all at the same time!

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and do it with a smile!

Posted under Fashion. Lifestyle at 3:36 pm Leave a comment | no comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

19 Jun 2017

Bad Bitch!

Hey guys, as some of you know every now and then I create a post paying homage to my all time favourite musician, Michael Jackson! To me there will never be another artist like him. I honestly can’t ever imagine seeing another musician with his life dedication to the craft, expertise, allure, talent and genius artistry. I enjoy being a Michael fan and do what I can to celebrate him. Every single MJ fan out there is loud and proud in their fan-ship towards Michael and I have to say it’s not always been a fun or easy thing to be a member of the fan community. That being said confidence is definitely something every Michael fan posses as we are used to people seeing us a little bit differently to everyone else. It is because of this that I thought it would be fun to recreate a Dirty Diana style look.  Everyone remembers seeing Lisa Dean’s very shapely legs walking in the shadows during the short film and of course that tight black bodycon dress. Now I may not have a figure like hers but as I love the leather and daring looks from the 80s (and have that alarming confidence most of us MJ fans have) I thought I would switch up the look and wear a strapless black dress, no shapewear (like I said i’m confident and not afraid of my VBL) and of course a pair of MJ style looking heels. Topping off the look with my replica tour jacket from the groundbreaking 1988 Bad World Tour (released for the 25th anniversary of the album). A pair of vintage Ray-Bans from the 80s and I was ready and set to go!

As a singer and songwriter I was always inspired by Michael. He musicianship, creativity, phenomenal stage presence and timeless back catalogue have been a major part of my life. Some of my fondest memories include his music and of course meeting him on November 16th 2006 with one of my best friends Pez. Unfortunately even though I have been a fan of MJ for pretty much my entire life, I was never lucky enough to experience his magic in a live concert. The closest I got was seeing him at the World Music awards when he received the diamond award for selling over 100 million copies of Thriller. I, like every over die hard fan in the stratosphere was working on making up for that when the This Is It residency at the 02 arena was announced. With several dates booked, my fan t-shirts and flags at the ready I was pumped. I then found myself stunned and in a full state of grief when Michael passed away and so, Pez and I took ourselves to the public memorial in Los Angeles.

My friends and I have always been very active within the MJ community, travelling all over the world and throwing a host of events over the years. Fast forward 8 years since Michael’s passing and we are celebrating all things in relation to Michael Jackson live! The world’s greatest entertainer did more than wow millions with his concert tours. Michael Jackson revolutionised what is expected of a live music performer! Breaking through the stage and standing frozen on the spot was genius, exiting a stadium with a jet pack strapped to his back, bringing out a giant full size army tank you name it he did it! This Is It was also set to break new ground with live sequences being combined with incredible visuals, CGI Imagery and of course phenomenal choreography and live vocals… It would have been an amazing experience to finally see the king do what he does best but I am grateful to have many memories both with Michael and around him.

The boys and I have hosted the world’s only Michael Jackson convention “Kingvention” for the past 2 years. Starting with marking the 20th anniversary for the HIStory album, followed by celebrating the 25th anniversary of my ALL TIME favourite album Dangerous. This year we are focusing on all things live, in an event we called ‘Access All Areas’. We continually try to find ways to make our events bigger than the previous ones and this one we have really taken things to another level. The live interviews will feature special guests who have worked closely with Michael in his live tours. We have Dorian Holley, who featured as a backing vocalist on the Bad, Dangerous & History World Tours and returned as the Vocal Director for This Is It. He has also worked with the likes of Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, Usher and Christina Aguilera. Dancer and choreographer Eddie Garcia is also joining us. Eddie was one of the principal dancers on both the Bad and Dangerous tours and featured in the Smooth Criminal and The Way You Make me Feel short films. More uniquely, he helped bring Spike Rabbit to life in Speed Demon by dancing alongside Michael. He will be hosting a special dance masterclass in addition to participating in the main event. Finally and by no means least we have the incredible photographer Steven Paul Whitsitt. Steven has captured Michael during some of his most iconic moments, as one of the photographers on Michael’s official team he captured some iconic stills from the Dangerous Tour & The Superbowl. Steven was also the on-set photographer for the HIStory Teaser, Scream, You Are Not Alone and Childhood. He also captured Michael as Charlie Chaplin for his single ‘Smile’ and shot the You Are Not Alone Single Cover. We will get to hear live talks from each of these amazing men who will share some amazing stories, insights and view points on what it was like working up close and personal with the King Of Pop!

We will also have an incredible photo exhibit, incredible merchandise store, screening, meet and greet and spell binding after party! The big event takes place on September 30th at the Victoria Park Plaza hotel. If you feel like pulling out your old MJ tour t-shirts and would like to hear more about how Michael put together his incredible tours and captivated the world with his amazing live vocals and dance skills come on down to Kingvention. We’d love to see you there! Any music lover would hate to miss out on this one!

Remember whatever you do, feel fabulous in it and do it with a smile!

Posted under Fashion. Lifestyle at 7:34 pm Leave a comment | 4 comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

21 May 2017

Twinning With Navabi

These outfits are gifted*

Summer is approaching and thank goodness for that because there is only so much more of this cold weather I can tolerate! We’re slap bang in the middle of May and usually we would start to see the blooming of flowers, clear blue skies and the temperature rising. I like to make the most of the good days when they come around and recently I had the perfect outfit to wear for such an occasion, in fact both Hanna and I did! We were recently sent some items from navabi; the idea was to see how an outfit would look on two women who are slightly different shape and as Hanna and I also come in different complexions we thought this might add a little something to the look…

Everyone wants the perfect pair of jeans and most would say that you can’t go wrong with a pair of Levi’s, for the first time in forever I can finally say I own a pair from the legendary brand! I will say, after having worn a pair myself I can most definitely see what all the hype is about! Their shaping super skinny jeans do just that! It’s great to have a perfect pair of light blue jeans for the summer that mould, sculpt and lift your behind. I love wearing light blue or acid wash jeans in the summer as the colour isn’t so harsh against the pastel offerings that the season brings and they work with a multitude of items. The quality of these jeans is second to none and I can tell that this is a pair that will most likely stay in great condition for many years to come! I love the distressed features and the power blue colour.

We thought it would be fun to select a top that would fair perfectly to a festival, beach party or summer barbecue and pick a cream coloured top with crochet detail. Zizzi had a really cute top that we just had to try. The fluted sleeves with their crochet detail make this one feel really light and airy and would be a really nice option on a more humid and hot day. With a plunging neckline this one can be worn a little lower to reveal a hint of cleavage and a nice viewing of the decolletage but this is an option that still remains modest and casual.

Hanna and I decided to wear different styles of shoe. I opted for my ash grey brogues from Hotter for a comfortable and casual feel. Hanna opted for a pair of sandy coloured boots. Heels are great with a hot pair of jeans as they can elongate the legs, this not only gives height but also helps to showcase the curvature of the legs. Flat shoes like I have worn here are a lot more comfortable for walking in but make the look a little less sexy and more practical.

It’s not often that I own the exact same outfit as one of my friends, Hanna and I borrow each other’s items from time to time. As friends, neighbours and wearing many things the same size I have enjoyed this as I never had friends I could share clothes with in my teens. Now that Hanna and I share a flat this is something made a lot easier but we still have those items that are just too good to share and so there are times when we both have bought something lol. The cool thing is that 2 women can wear the exact same outfit and both bring a slightly different swag and feel to the look. Varying body types, hair styles, skin tones and even make up techniques can make someone in a uniformed situation still have their own personality that shines through.

Remember whatever you do, feel fabulous in it and do it with a smile!

Posted under Fashion at 2:22 pm Leave a comment | 6 comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

6 Mar 2017

Loving The Skin You’re In

Photography By Studio 52

It’s funny how some people think that they know all that there is to know about a person just from meeting them once or from the persona they portray. I often have people writing to me or telling me in person how confident I seem and they ask me what things they can do to let their guard down and just feel comfortable in their skin. To be totally honest with you I don’t think there is a magic formula or series of steps one can take to achieve a feeling of confidence. I always refer to my own confidence as a journey, I have my good and my bad days just like everyone else but in my case I think a combination of different things has all contributed to my being the way that I am.

My family is massive! I have tons of family members on both sides and a bunch of people who may not carry the same blood line as me but they are very much a part of the bunch also. Being around so many people who have large bold personalities can make it a challenge for some to find their own way and stand out in a positive light. Many of my friends have come from situations where they found it hard to find their voice in a sense. In my case my childhood was filled with my family, friends and of course many tumultuous times. As many of my readers know I was severely bullied in school from the age of 4-18 and always struggled with fitting in and being comfortable. My weight has always been with me despite countless diets, exercise regimes and emotional headaches. I always had a constant war going on in my head because I had the confidence of a raging bull when it came to taking the stage and entertaining people whether that be singing my heart out, acting, public speaking or otherwise. The thing is, knowing that your talent shines bright is one thing but it can easily be diminished when you’re not comfortable in your own skin…

For me I had to go through many situations and experiences with people all over to realise that I get my confidence from truly knowing who I am, what I stand for and having the courage to stand by whatever it is that I believe in. I have never been the quiet silent type unable to express myself and I know already that I’m not the sort of woman who will ever become a shrinking violet. I stand high on my morals, my faith and my relationships with the people who matter most to me in my life. All of these things have allowed me to feel confident. I guess it’s that fight of flight sort of thing; you can make a decision to panic which more often than not does nothing and can exacerbate a situation or you can stop, pull yourself together and do the best you can in a situation. I tend to be someone who takes the latter option and with this my self confidence when it comes to my self image has started to get the message.

When I was 25 years old I came to the realisation that I love who I am as a person and a woman. I figured although I had a lot to learn and a lot of growing up to do I couldn’t continue to spend another day hating the way that I looked. I had pretty much spent a quarter of a century beating myself up for not looking like other women and I eventually realised that I’m not meant to be like anyone else. I need to be the best Mayah that I can possibly be and that instead of looking at my glass as half empty I needed to look at it as half full, focus on all the things I love about myself and build on those; eventually overshadowing the doubts I had in my own mind.

Confidence isn’t something that I feel you can buy through any sort of beauty product or clothing item. These are things that can help enhance what may already be hiding beneath the surface. I think the key is learning to love parts of yourself that you previously may have hated. Take my hair for example, I have always had a constant war with my hair and when I finally realised that it is the way it is, I learned to find things about it that I enjoy and I build on those. I think the same can be said in other aspects of who you are. If you love to be creative then surround yourself around creative people who will uplift and inspire you to do the same for yourself. If you want to be more introspective then find ways to channel that energy in a positive light and the rest will follow. The old saying can also be true “fake it until you make it” it worked for me on many occasions. I think basically it’s a trial and error sort of thing and is a process that takes time. I have those days when I look in the mirror and think ewww I look hideous but I try and just take it for what it is, a bad day and I keep pushing on. What I’m saying is that when you’re having a down day try and focus on the aspects that you love about yourself and don’t feed into that negative energy. Eventually the paradigm of your thoughts will change.

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Posted under Beauty. Lifestyle at 1:20 pm Leave a comment | 4 comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

23 Feb 2017

A Different Kind Of Vintage – A Dolly And Dotty Review

I love getting a pretty new dress. There’s just something about a cute dress that can make you feel girly and beautiful; I always find myself thinking of exactly where I might want to wear it and how I would style my look. I tend to gravitate towards vintage dresses that have a deep cleavage and a wide circle skirt but, when vintage inspired company Dolly And Dotty contacted me recently to see if I would like to try out one of their styles I was really excited. I love vintage clothing and I find that more often than not most vintage style brands on the market don’t cater to my dress size or proportions. I’m always on the hunt for vintage brands which include plus sizes and it’s often difficult finding that perfect little dress with something a bit different. Things have most definitely improved in that area and most of my readers would have seen some of my favourite looks that I like to wear. Give me a swing dress and a petticoat and I know exactly how I’ll wear it!

I wanted to try something a little different this time and so I selected the Anna dress to try out, a special little number that reminds me of something that the legendary actress Audrey Hepburn may have worn. I love the navy and white mix with block colour bodice and horizontal striped skirt, for me this gave a slightly new twist on a sailor dress. The weather in London has been pretty dire the past few months and so I didn’t want to wait until the summer time to try out this gorgeous dress. I decided to bring it along as one of my looks during my recent shoot with Studio 52. In most cases I would wear this dress with a white jacket, white heels or trainers, blue bandana and hair my hair in a series of twisted curls. This time I’m wearing the dress without a petticoat and no other accessories.

Looking back on these photos and seeing myself in a vintage dress sporting a full afro got me thinking. I wonder how times were for women who look like me back in the 40s and 50s? A lot has happened over the past few decades and a lot of things we begin to talk about today with regards to politics leans towards more of a negative feeling about where we are as people. As a woman of colour though I am aware of the changes that have happened throughout history and I am happy to say that for the most part we have all come along way with how we look to other people and how we treat them. I know that very few women who look like me would have been able to wear a beautiful dress, in a beautiful setting with a gorgeous velvet chaise lounge, feeling glamorous having lovely photos taken of them… I’m pleased that times have and do change and i’m happy that this is an experience to which myself and others like me can thoroughly enjoy.

I look forward to wearing this dress in the warmer seasons of the year and having fun playing around with different accessories and vintage style items. I do love that even though this is a vintage inspired item that it can easily be worn with some more modern items with a little creativity and flare.

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Posted under Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle at 7:07 pm Leave a comment | 4 comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

12 Feb 2017

Embracing My Blackness

*Photography By Studio52 Clothing From Evans Clothing, Live Unlimited And Hotter Shoes

It seems that the entire planet is talking about America at the moment. They have just elected the new president, enjoyed the Superbowl Halftime show and black history month is in full swing. I’ve been watching a lot of American TV shows and news postings lately and even though the celebration of black history month doesn’t come to the UK until October, it got me thinking about the icons who have inspired me, important people in my family and of course my own blackness…

I come from a multi racial family as many of my readers know. My mother is half Irish and Trinidadian and my father is Jamaican. In both sides of my family the Caribbean influences have hints of Indian and Chinese. Having said all of that people are often interested to know where my family are from and having been exposed to all sides of my culture I have always identified as a mixed race person. I personally find that embracing a part of myself doesn’t have to mean ignoring the other and I try to merge the different areas of my background into the various areas as life such as my diet, the music I create and listen to and of course when it comes to my looks to name a few.

For the past few months I have been wearing my hair natural and it has been an interesting journey. I had no idea how much work and upkeep is required in taking care of my hair or how I would be perceived with the different styles I might wear. I’m still trying to get used to it to be honest with you and at times I find myself frustrated. I am finding that the most supportive people around me on my hair journey actually happen to be my white friends. I had expected in all truth that I would be bombarded with people asking questions about my hair and wanting to touch it out of a somewhat negative interest but, I was pleasantly surprised in that area and was received with positivity and enthusiasm. My friends seem to really love the “REAL” part of me and think that I should take my look to the next level with more experimental hair styles. In contrast to this I have found that some of my own family members have had some minor issues with my hair and how I have chosen to style it on occasion. I have been teased quite a lot recently and given the nickname Harriet Tubman. What’s awkward for me is that this has been given to me in a negative sense. I guess wearing my twists with scarfs or bandanas reminds some people of the kind of images we see from times past or what we see from documents surrounding slavery or something. In truth I am slightly saddened by this for several reasons. For one thing I have a lot to learn when it comes to taking care of my 4c hair but I find that using a woman like Ms Tubman as an insult is insane! For one thing she was a humanitarian, abolitionist, american spy and armed scout during the civil war, what an incredible women with an amazing legacy.

I will always enjoy a variety of different hair styles, wigs, natural and styles in between. One thing that is apparent though is that a black or brown woman wearing her hair natural to some people looks like a rebellious action or a political statement. I never would have thought that sporting the very hair that grows from my scalp would be viewed in such a way. The thing is, I will continue to use these situations as a talking point to raise awareness to things. Many of my friends and even some family members had no idea how time consuming, expensive and difficult wearing natural hair could be until they were witness to what I go through. Washing your hair can take between 3-5 hours sometimes, luckily stylists advise that women with hair like mine only wash their hair every 1-2 weeks!

I am enjoying embracing myself and learning more about influential and special people who play a huge role in black history. As a Londoner I can honestly say that what is taught in schools about black history is so minimal and it’s a shame because there are so many amazing things that can be shared. I don’t think of myself as a particularly political person but I do have a big opinion and the readiness to share it if asked or if the moment requires it.

*Photography By Studio52 Clothing From Evans Clothing And Live Unlimited

I simply think that with what’s going on in America at the moment and to a degree here in the UK; that it’s important for everyone in the world regardless of their ethnicity or their experience to speak out and share their stories. I really believe that the only way barriers are broken down, people come together and change is a possibility is through talking and sharing. People don’t understand or they can be fearful or what’s new or different and I find that even something as simple as one’s hair can be an interesting place to start and get the dialogue going. These are the things that brought for the civil rights movement, feminist movement and spawned the welcoming change to the LGBTQ community all of the world. We all have rights, we all want acceptance and love and I just think that people really need to listen to that old saying our parents told all of us “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. The thing is we have become able to experience different genres of music, various styles of cuisine and even adopt customs from our brothers and sisters. I really think a lot has been achieved but  we need to take the time to look at the topic of skin colour and the areas around it, otherwise we stand still or even worse move backwards in our way of thinking.

I may see myself as a woman of mixed race but I have always embraced areas of my blackness and I’m proud that I can do more of this through something as small as wearing my hair the way God intended for me to have it!

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Posted under Beauty. Lifestyle at 3:05 pm Leave a comment | 4 comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

27 Dec 2016

Take The Jump – A Navabi Fashion Review

Hi everyone I hope you’ve all enjoyed a lovely Christmas with your family and friends. I’m sorry I’ve been quiet here on the blog over the past couple of weeks. I have pretty much been working non stop running up to Christmas and have barely had the chance to get online. I’m enjoying the end of the year and taking some much needed me time to catch up with friends and loved ones, eat loads of amazing goodies and just kick back.

This time of year people tend to dress to their best wearing stylish and elegant items to the family dinner or work Christmas do. In my case I have wanted to keep things smart, sophisticated and comfortable. I enjoy trying new things and experimenting with my look and 2016 has been the year of many fashion firsts for me. This year was the first where I have found the perfect strapless bra, incredible high heeled shoes and discovered some new hair and beauty tips. A few weeks ago I also picked out my first ever jumpsuit. Now I will be honest my body-shape and the way I like to look has been the reason for my delay in getting a jumpsuit…

I have what I describe as a split belly lol. The waist line where most of my jeans and trousers sits is across an indent in my stomach area, many curvy girls have this issue and I don’t like to enhance this as I find you can have an over-spill situation where the top half of your belly pokes out lol (thank god for spanx lol), the other reservation I had about wearing a jumpsuit was the chance that I may end up with a camel toe lol.

I had seen some of my friends wearing jumpsuits and looking amazing doing so, i decided it was finally time for me to try one out for myself! I picked up this gorgeous two tone pewter and black one from Navabi. This has fast become a favourite outfit of mine to wear and it was actually a Christmas outfit of mine this year. I loved the wide legs, batwing style arms and heavy fabric. This jumpsuit comes with a zipper at the back but to be honest I have been able to get this off and on without ever using it, simply stepping into the garment. What I love about this piece is that it works as a multipurpose item and can pretty much be worn anywhere.

I will be honest though, this is a little long for my 5’5 frame and so I decided some high heeled sandals were a must to go with this one. Velvet being the fabric of the season I had to wear these gorgeous platform heels from Evans. I really love the way they fasten around the ankle and I should also note that these are also available in cherry red. I thought I would keep the rest of my look fairly simple by just wearing my signature hoop earrings and basic makeup.

I say you can look incredible as well as feel comfortable and this is the time of the year when everyone is focusing on looking and feeling glamorous and stylish. I am so glad I finally took the plunge and picked up a jumpsuit and I should let you all know, I’ve already selected some more that have been added to my wardrobe.

I also wanted to say to you all that if I don’t get to post again before the start of 2017 let me just say have an amazing new year, I hope you all get to experience some amazing things next year and that many of your Christmas wishes come true!

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Posted under Fashion at 4:25 pm Leave a comment | 4 comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

28 Nov 2016

Another Part Of Me

A lot has been happening recently. I’ve been on a train that just doesn’t seem to want to stop with loads of things happening with the blog, a busy work schedule and making an effort to pack in more time with family friends. Whilst things have been hectic and a lot has been shifting and changing; I’ve had a lot of time to reflect and evaluate on some things, of course the first thing that needed some personal attention…me.

I’ve experienced a year that has been full of drama and so I had to take some time to take care of a few personal health issues. With all the time I’ve had to address with regards to my body I have also been looking at how I think about myself and, how I treat myself. I’ve come to realise that being in my twenties has been a really awkward period. Of course you hear people speak about how much they loved this time in their life and how they wish they could re-live it all. In my case i’m really looking forward to getting into my thirties. I have heard many women say that this is the decade when you really start to embrace yourself, find your feet and really take life by the reigns. I’m in the final year of my twenties and with that I have lost some very special people in my life, made some incredible friends, seen some amazing countries and ended some personal and professional relationships. The one thing I have spent a lot of time on the past few years is building my self confidence.

I spent many years working as a professional singer and musician alongside doing boring and mundane day jobs. Music is and will always be my biggest passion and I will always spend my days and nights with something amazing playing along and surely enough, becoming the soundtrack to some of my memories. I miss the stage, I do. It’s not something I’ve hidden but the truth is, in time I came to realise that the music industry is full of many corrupt people and circumstances and I never wanted anything to dull my love of the craft or the art form. With this and my increasing age I decided to keep music as a huge love and passion that I will always create and perform but without putting so much pressure on myself.

Confidence is something that for me comes with experience. People who have known me forever will say that I have an abundant amount of it but in truth that would only be in some areas of my life. I can take a stage and sing at full force in front of as many as fifteen thousand people and do it with conviction and confidence. Why is this? Music is what I do and it’s one of the things I know how to do best and something I have always excelled in. Having said all of that everyone knows that a huge part of a good performance is the look of the performer, whether that be in their clothing, make up or body type. The music industry is one that appreciates and puts a strong emphasis on image, beauty and sex appeal. Many years ago talent was at the forefront but as we came into this new century in some parts of the world this took a back seat to image.

I was always aware of my weight and my dress size and until I reached 25 years old, this affected every area of my day to day life especially my life on stage. I have always loved fashion and it wasn’t until I started to really see myself as a beautiful, sexy woman that I embraced fashion for myself and didn’t just appreciate it on others. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone and into new circumstances is how I build my confidence. I started with bright and bold colours, edgy and fresh clothing options and wearing clothes that previously I would have been to scared to even try on! I felt empowered, liberated and fun and, with this my blog was born 3 years ago. I try to get women to see what they can do with their look despite whatever demons they may have to face from their past or present life using myself as an example.

A few months ago I was challenged once again when financial circumstances and the voices of many friends encouraged me to wear my hair natural. I spoke about his in detail in my ‘Back To My Roots‘ post. Being of mixed race I have always made the joke that my hair is the blackest part of me lol. My hair totally natural, right out of the shower without blow dryers, wide tooth combs and various products shrinks down into a tight Jackson 5 style afro! I have what’s described as 4C hair; meaning that I have an undefined curl type and my hair is extremely tight, coarse and can be rather dry. I decided to do a photoshoot to mark the final year of my twenties and so, I returned to the studio that shot me on my milestone 21st year; Studio 52. In many ways I feel I have come full circle and have learned to really love every part of myself including my insane fro and, even though I will always enjoy wearing a good wig or weave, I wanted to shoot myself without any barriers and so I donned a full afro!

A couple of shots from my shoot marking my 21st year with Studio 52

For clothing I decided to wear some hot an sexy items from one of my favourite brands Lane Bryant. Wearing their Lightweight Strapless Bra with detachable straps (the first ever strapless bra I have found with perfect fit and support). With this I pulled on their Point D’Espirit Tie-Neck Top. I don’t wear this one as well as Ashley Graham but I still had to have it myself lol. I thought a pair of wet look leggings that I’ve had for ages would go great for the look I was after. Finishing off with these amazing Over The Knee Faux Suede Boots, some large gold hoops and I was set. I wanted to bring out the R&B diva in me, only this time with a new swag and new found confidence.

By and large i’m still the same woman i’ve always been, only a little older and now with a new perspective of life, myself and others. You know what I always say…

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Posted under Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle at 4:03 pm Leave a comment | 4 comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

14 Oct 2016

It’s All In The LBD!

There are many terms and phrases that are applied to the clothes that we wear and many of them are amazing at describing a particular garment or style. I have my very own fashion phrase, I often refer to wearing a power colour. For me there are 3 power colours that I always enjoy wearing, can easily and comfortably style and know that whatever my makeup or hair style I can rock! These would have to be red, blue and of course black! Black is that staple colour that everyone has in their wardrobes. Some people rely on this shade for their signature look and work it into all of their outfits, others like to use it as a statement choice or for a more sophisticated finish. I used to pretty much live in black and it’s not hard to see why, every other colour works with it, any season appreciates it and everyone knows how to rock it!

All women are pretty much told that it is essential to own at least one black dress that can work for all occasions and situations. I have to be honest whilst I have many black dresses I have only recently gotten one that works for any occasion and it would have to be this amazing midi dress from Zizzi. This is a brand I have loved since I was first introduced to their fresh and fun style and, I have to say everything I have worn of theirs I have felt amazing in! This dress in particular is from a previous collection of theirs. I should note that they have some fab options similar to this available from many online and in store outlets in Europe. We Brits are fortunate to be able to get some of their hot items from UK outlet Navabi.

I can’t quite say I have a particular style of dress that I favour but I do tend to gravitate towards dresses that are midi length with 3/4 sleeves. I guess it’s because I know what shoes I would pair with them or what jacket lol. What I loved about this dress when I first saw it was how simple it is in it’s style whilst still having some small but very striking features. I really love the split at the front with the asymmetrical cut and the broach detail at the waist for a little added bling. The gathering is really flattering and also can help on those days when you just don’t want to wear any shapewear. I like the scoop neck detail and long sleeves with baggy upper arms. This is a dress that nips and hugs all the right places and flows across the curves beautifully.

You all know how I am when it comes to colours, coordination is key in my look and lucky for me having black hair makes things easy at times. I decided when styling this one I would keep things simple. My Vanity ankle boots from Hotter were a must for height and comfort. I wanted a boot that was simple with a little added flair and the gold zipper detail was perfect for my choice of accessories. In keeping with the gold of the boots I wore a supper long, skinny gold necklace. I’ll be honest I couldn’t find my gold hoop earrings anywhere and so my silver ones were worn. It worked out well though because my black, gold and silver bangle came in handy and my sequin clutch was the perfect bag to pull it all together. I just so happened to be wearing silver chrome nail polish too lol. My look was simple staple colours and tones but it all tied in together well. This dress is fast becoming one of my favourites to wear, I have worn it to work, out with friends for dinners and as somewhat of a modest party dress.

When I took these pics I was in a pretty good mood. You know when you’re having a day when you like how your make up came out and you think your hair is pretty much on fleek? I always wear a rich red lip when i’m wearing a fully black outfit. I find the small but sharp pop of colour adds a little extra something to the look. I also love how the contrast between my hair and the outfit combined with the red lipstick makes my teeth look so bright and white.

Confidence is the most important accessory you can bring to any look. I always find that if you feel good in what your wearing you tend to feel better during the day. You feel ready for whatever task is at hand, can walk with pride and get the job done! A Little black dress may be an essential element to the wardrobe of every woman, but it has to be something that makes you feel a million dollars when wearing it! I have to say I have a lot of fun wearing this dress and find that I get a little extra spring in my step as I feel so amazing wearing it!

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Posted under Fashion at 7:08 pm Leave a comment | 4 comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

3 Oct 2016

Sophisticated Chic – A Junarose Review

*This Dress Is A Gifted Item

There are many things I love about the current options plus size women have when it comes to fashion and beauty. One in particular are the multipurpose clothing items out there. Many of us are busy working women, some even have the added challenge of raising a family. We all have our things to do and time can be taxing so it’s nice to have comfortable casual style options that work between personal and professional, night and day.

I love dresses of all shapes, colours and styles but I have to admit my closet holds only a few strapless items. Like many curvy girls out there my arms have been a sore spot for me confidence wise and it’s only been about a year or so since I realised having my arms out doesn’t bother me at all anymore. I guess you could say I was worried about my biceps being a little too chunky. As time has passed things like that don’t really bother me in the same way that they used to. Those of you who are familiar with my blog will know that I’m all about wearing what you like and not really thinking about what other people’s opinions are…

I was recently given the chance to go through some amazing Junarose samples and one dress that caught my eye is this wrap front maxi dress. I instantly knew that this dress would be perfect for some casual wear, a day out with friends or even a business lunch. Stopping just across the calf this one makes for a nice length on my 5’5 frame. Perfect if you want to show off a little skin without showing too much. In a soft periwinkle blue with added tie detail this strapless number is most definitely a multipurpose dress! The wrap front with lapel detail gives off a tasteful amount of cleavage and the ties are a small but really nice addition.

I decided to wear this one with some strappy black sandals and a simple clutch. A cute blazer, denim or even a biker jacket would help in bringing this dress into more of an evening look. The block colour also makes this one work with gold or silver adornments and accessories. I recently had my hair in braids so with this look I decided to sweep them up into a bun and wear simply diamante stud earrings. I kept my makeup simple, wearing a deep pink lip for a bit of added colour.

This dress is currently on sale, available from the Junarose website.

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Posted under Fashion at 5:51 pm Leave a comment | 4 comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MAYAH

Hi guys I’m Mayah, I'm from London. I’m a total die hard Michael Jackson fan, fashion and beauty enthusiast, (In Love with Vintage, Pinup and Rockabilly looks). Music is on 24/7 with me and laughing is essential!

For More about me read here.

FOLLOW MY SOCIAL

      

Archives

PEOPLE I FOLLOW

Hanna Wears ‹ Hanna
Lu zieht an ‹ Luciana
An Autumns Grace ‹ Isha
What Laura Loves ‹ Laura
Fashion Loves Photos ‹ Diana
The Duchess ‹ Ana
The Lady Loves Couture ‹ Marjorie Harvey
Fuller Figure Fuller Bust ‹ Georgina
Brussels Fatshion ‹ Mouna
Prince Cassius ‹ Prince
The Curvy Fashionista ‹ Marie Denee
Plus Mimmi ‹ Mimmi
Curves On A Budget ‹ Nicole
Migg Mag ‹ Marie Ospina
A Fashion Forte ‹ Rosie Fortescue
Nicolette Mason ‹ Nicolette
Curvy Claudia ‹ Claudia
Musings Of A Curvy Lady ‹ Thamarr
I Am Weesha ‹ LuAnne
Plus Size Princess ‹ CeCe