Authentic Nights

Photo taken from Sam Johnson's Instagram

I am all about the music today :-p, I attended my first reggae show this past Saturday and I will admit I did not expect to be as impressed as I was.  The venue was at the Mezzanine in San Francisco and the main act was an artist named FIJI  but the show was kicked off by Sam Johnson. His performance was amazing his voice surprised me, I went there with an open mind because I don't know that much about Reggae. Sam isn't a reggae artist  hence why I didn't expect what he gave, the best way for you to find out what his sound is for you to listen to the guy.  Follow the link and enjoy Sam Johnson - Time Machine

I was outside when the second act performed but I could hear a bit of the performance and they sounded fresh. I felt like I was being introduced to a different side of music on this night. When FIJI came on stage the crowd went insane everyone obviously loved him. I can sometimes over think situations so its no surprise that when I saw that man on stage I was reminded how the words I CANT shouldn't be part of a proactive persons vocabulary.

Follow both artists on instagram Sam Johnson - @samjohnsonband
Fiji -  @f1j1

Square One.....

Excuse my sappiness but this song has been on repeat since Friday afternoon, Jessie's Square One. I listened to this and thought of a friend of mine going through the exact situation she is singing about. Then I listened to it again because in someway I related to what she was saying as well, I wish the was an acoustic version of this song. Jessie J - Square One live click on the link and listen.

Courageous Fay

Its been a while since I last posted and I have had so much going on that I wasn't sure what to post about first. This was until I went through my pictures and was reminded of a fear I over came. Those who have read any of my previous posts will know about the scars I have on my thigh and my foot. They are part of me but for the longest time I have not been able to own it. By own it I mean wear what I like with the greatest confidence. Wearing a bikini was actually the one thing I'd told myself I would never do BUT as you can see the above picture shows me in a bikini.

I was at my friend Nicole's house and this girl always has a bikini in her car even on a cold day lol.... So it was no surprise when she said we going to the beach and her next words were "your wearing a bikini". I cannot explain the thoughts that flooded my mind about how ridiculous I would look and how people would stare. Was I ready for that??? Of-course not BUT I have one amazing friend she kept telling me how I needed to own my scars. So I did and I put the bikini on and it took some courage to take the shorts I was wearing off when we got to the beach. I was uncomfortable at first but then I just told myself that I needed to have fun. This is my adventure and if I wasn't willing to step out of my comfort zone and be proactive then I am defined by my fears.

I am not one that likes to be controlled and I wasn't going to left Fear keep driving me. I gained more self confidence on this day although it was hard. This was a battle I was having with myself, if you look at how I am posing you'll see that I am hiding my left foot. It is because I have grown accustomed to hiding my foot but I am working on stopping this. The scar on my thigh doesn't look visible in this picture but in person it is. I always say this but now I know your imperfections make you beautiful 

Catching The Sunset

I have been blessed to find two of the most amazing friends Nichole and Michal time spent with these two together and individually is always great. On this day Michal invited Nix and I to a family friends beach house. We walked in and we had no words just to let you know we always have something to say but walking in and seeing this view ( picture below). This made us speechless...

Sunsets are one of my favorite things, I love how the colours are reflected on the sea water and walking into a house with floor to ceiling windows was a dream. I want to one day own a beach house and being here solidified that goal. We sat outside enjoyed a glass of wine, some Mac Donalds and the perfect sunset. The pacific is cold whether your in it our just near it and because of that we went indoors. The first song we listened to was Kanye West - Power that got the night started. We got TURNT and even made use of the amazing hot tub

No night is complete without group selfies, the gratitude I feel for having these two in my life is over flowing. We don't often meet people who will allow you to be yourself without judgment and the 3 of us have that. We will eventually go our separate ways but the bond is something I think will remain. Catching the sunset is a beautiful thing but on this day doing it with them with a glass of Chardonnay was special. We are going to miss you so much Mikey we love you :).

Pastel Fashion

If you have read any of my past posts you'll know I have a few obsessions well the is a new addition to my fashion addiction family. Pastel colours are my new love I think Fashion is what you make it. Make it your own and own the look that's what style is all about. Warm weather fashion is synonymous with playful neons and bold jewel tones for me.

Wearing the pretty pale shades head-to-toe is unmistakably feminine, but it's also refreshingly au courant. I never used to be all girly but once my fashion sense evolved my tastes changed so for me pastels makes a style statement that's soft and girly and awesome. From oversized blazers and sexy pencil skirts to tailored blouses and chic cropped jackets, pastel clothes are fashionable, not infantile. 

Think lady-like stilettoes with pointed toes, knee-length hemlines, dainty florals, hats and classic purses. Try pairing jackets and flowing dresses for day wear, skirts and soft blouses for the office, or structured trousers and a floral-print bustier for the evening. Experiment with fabric textures; soft feathers, light felts, flowing organza, structured linen and layers of lace upon silk make for the most classic yet sophisticated take on the pastel trend. Add a modern twist with over-sized sun glasses or practical ballet flats to truly emphasise this girly shade. This style is all about being daring with feminine beauty and embracing the true female form; and it’s a good excuse to be overly chic!

The Boyfriend Jean

How is it that they name the most comfortable,  adaptable and stylish pair of jeans after a boyfriend? Maybe because it gives us everything we want in a real boyfriend lol. Besides the cuddles and kisses anyway when these first came out I hated how baggy they looked on me. Then I realized how great they were because I could dress them up with a fitted top and high heel sandals. Sometimes I just wore my high top sneakers and they still worked.

We all have to admit we have a love affair with out jeans and the boyfriend Jean for me is my favorite because I can be adventures.  The versatility they give make dressing up fun and Unrestricted. They flatter with crop tops, get cozy with turtlenecks and the classic white shirt.

They may have been named because of their baggy fit but trust me their this season's trusted go to. My border - line obsession with torn jeans comes through here because even with this pair I needed one that was torn.

Cowards Don't Inherit Kingdoms

So recently I have become an observer, I used to be the girl who would voice out when I felt someones partner was being unjust towards them. I quickly learnt that many don't want you telling them anything negative about their relationship. I think its because it is either they know and choose to over look it or they just plainly do not want an opinion on what they have already made their made up on.

Many make an excuse or say "He loves me but he just has alot going on" or "She was brought up by a single mom so she needs her independence". Why cant we call a thing a thing? Why do many of us both male and female give away the keys to our Kingdoms to cowards who do not deal with themselves?.  I define a coward as a person who knows they have a  problem but choose to avoid facing it, fixing it or working through it. They are so deep into their own denial that they are willing to hurt the people they "love", it is difficult loving someone who has walls up.

You try and break them but its like a war zone. The best thing to do is move on because it doesn't matter what you do, you cannot change them. They have to change on their own, to the women who is emotionally abused you are someones queen. To the brother who suffers through being put down by his woman, the is a queen who is willing to celebrate your manhood. 

We want to commit to people who will end up changing us into bitter people, people who will find negativity in the good of others because we envy them. Your inner man is shouting to be let free of the gated walls he is in, do not let a coward inherit what you have built.

Pretty Hurts

What we see in the mirror does not always satisfy us, is it because we are subjected to what perfection looks like?. Many people blame the media and forget that the people who are around us carry the most influence. Sadly we aren't all born with tough skin, I will admit I am one of those people who is sensitive to what is said to me. Over the years with maturity I have learnt to deal with it better yet I have been the subject to many "Your way too skinny" comments.

I wish i had known then that everyone's definition of beauty is not the same. They may not see you as beautiful but those who see fault are often the ones who have the bigger problem. I still get people telling me that I am too skinny even when I mention I have gained weight. I am not defined by your thoughts of my image what matters is my thoughts. Self hate is the worst kind of hate don't let others make you hate who you are or how you look. Know that many always walk past the treasure because it isn't what society tells them it looks like. Those who look deeper are the ones you want around you and those are the amazing friendships.

We are all flawed.... learn to embrace it because you have to live in your own skin. May as well love the skin you are in because darling it will forever remain. Whichever size you maybe that does not define your beauty, find what true beauty is to you. Be happy with who you are or suffer the emotional bullying given by others.

Venice Beach... Hollywood

Day 1 in Hollywood and we had to see the walk of fame, we did our walk through early in the morning which was the best idea ever. This place gets so busy as the day goes it would be hard to actually pay attention to all the stars. You may think I am a little lame but my favorite was Tinkerbell :), my childhood obsession with her isn't as over the top but I still dig her. I also loved Mr Depp *sigh*

So they close down the road that leads you to the Hollywood sign meaning you walk up this big hill. Its well worth it when you get up there and see the view. When we reached the top I took a second to myself because I needed to catch my breath and also because I had to enjoy the scenery. When all that was done the selfies began hahaha I had to get a picture with my progressively transitioning natural hair hence the picture you will see below. I'm kidding my friend just failed to tell me my heart was missing the holly in Hollywood lol *smh*.

Our last stop was Venice Beach I was so happy to walk on the beach because although I currently live near the beach the sand here is black. So Venice Beach was my normal for the weekend, the water was cold but I loved every minute of it. Everyone was wearing bikinis and by everyone I mean all sizes, I loved that people were so comfortable that they walked around with whatever they were comfortable in.

Rodeo Drive.....

Early this month four friends and I took the car and drove to L.A for a weekend. I was so excited about the prospect of having hot weather for a weekend that I'd forgotten about the fashion. To be honest it only sunk in the next morning after we had arrived that I was actually in L.A. I'm a South African woman who never thought she would be walking the streets of Hollywood or even Rodeo Drive. So for me this is a BIG deal, this was the highlight to my trip. Seeing these stores planted a seed of motivation in me, I want to be able to walk in to such places and for that to happen I have to work smart.

I wasn't even trying to hide how fascinated I was by everything around me lol now imagine what happens when I walk by Vera Wang. My heart does this little dance when I see her name so walking by her store well my heart was done with the little part of the dance. ;-) 

The next store that had me in heaven was Versace the only item I've ever owned was a fragrance from this store. The love I have for the quality of the brand comes from learning how the brand works and how it has come to where it is today. Back home when you were in your teenage years you always dressed to the 9s when going to the mall. the people who seemed to be from here were dressed to the 9s yet I think that was they regular dress code.

It Doesn't interest me

The best form of happiness for me has been when I have been honest with myself. I have seen countless beings who easily judge others but have not a speck of courage to be honest with themselves. When difficult times are seen as a weakness growth is non-existent in your life. When the the external matter's and those factors determine who you let around you. Growth is yet to knock at your door. 

This weekend I learnt that I am not above anyone I see, it was a scary experience that gave me peace. Learning to look for the positive even in my worst mistakes. God put's us in the situations we see ourselves in, I am proof that you are not ruled by circumstance.  It does not interest me that you take the bus instead of having a car. What interest's me is how your looking forward to putting in the work to earn your way.

Lord help me to allow the people who see beauty in the small things in my life, the people who will see the bigger picture and not just their picture. People who bring positiveness but never be afraid to bring honesty. People who will not judge you because of your past mistakes but those who understand those mistakes were lesson's that play a part in who you are. 

It Does Not interest me who you were before what I care about is who you are now. 

It Does Not interest me what they label you as, what I care about is who you see yourself becoming.

For everyone who is on the road to discovering who they are, those who fear reality, those who see reality but turn a blind eye to it and to those who feel like they failed themselves too many times. 

The is still time.....

Clipper Nation!!!!

I am a girly girl till the last tip of my toe BUT i LOVE basketball and the LA Clippers are my team. Last night I watched game 7 of the first round of the play offs. I was so nervous because the Warriors were making us work really hard for this win. The was a point i actually thought we wouldn't win but i remembered that Chris Paul is our captain and Doc Rivers is our coach. We could do this and indeed we did. :) 2nd round here we come #ItsTime #ClipperNation we can win this!!!!!!

Make Your Own : Ripped Jeans

My obsession with ripped jeans, they can be done in a classy way. Here is how you can make your own.

Make sure you don't take off too much, you have to leave enough to make it look classy and not high school trashy. Your a woman :) dress like one #Elegant 

100 Days of Happiness

Excuse the bunny slippers and the foot with no shoe on :) it was a test shot

So I've been seeing so many people posting about 100 days of happiness and thought to myself why not do my own. I started today, although I've been attempting to start for sometime now. Today happened and I knew it should be my day 1. I never wear anything short in public because when I was 8 years old I was involved in a bus accident that left me with 2 big scars. They both look like bad burn scars and because I am self conscious about them I avoid wearing anything that exposes them.

Today was different I woke up and thought what the heck? I can do this, I'm wearing that short dress and I'm going to be okay. Stepping out of the house was hard and the first person who looked at me made my body tense up. As the day went on I became more comfortable and to Gods honest truth. I have never had so many people tell me how beautiful and confident I looked. It made me so happy that I gave myself this chance hence why this is my Day 1. 

#100DaysOfHappiness

High Waisted Skirts

I have a love affair with color and high waist skirts #fashion #highwaist #print

My crazy idea of photography

These were obviously taken at different times but looking through my photo's I see I have a slight obsession with taking these kind of pictures. I love the angle and I obviously love the shoes but in the one picture the main focus was meant to be the sidewalk skeletons.

My style has evolved since I have been in California, I am less afraid to wear print. Which I wouldn't dare to do back home, iv found my niche. Who knew one had to move so far for all this to occur, I thought I had all this down back home. I though I could even school others on it but here I am thankful I didn't because I'm growing into my own. Patience... lol okay I'm also starting to find lessons in everything, does this make me boring, wise or just proactive?

The real point of this post to find out what this angle is called, i know its not real photography well it isn't photography at all. Id love to learn though :)

Best Dinner location ever!!!!

So Mike and I have the most random fun together sometime last week he picked me up. We went to subway and parked at a spot where the ocean was the view. We got to see the sunset which is always amazing in Pacifica. This was all until we got cold lol we closed the top of the trunk (which from the pictures you can see is where we were sitting).

Our legs was the only notable thing that showed that the were people in the car. The back window is tinted so every car that drove past us would either hoot or slow down. I assume they thought "well their having a make out session". It was so funny, see what i meant about that random fun? and that dinner was a bonus so was this.....