Laughter is just so precious

 Mafans Mafans. 

This is me saying hi to my imaginary friends. 

Very necessary sometimes. 

Blazer - Meltz; Dress - gifted (but from Mr. Price); Belt - Mr. Price; Jeans - Toi; Boots - Rage; Jewellery - mother's; Watch - father's but fitted to fit my wrist. 

I always have so much fun whenever my little brother is taking pictures of me. He makes everything so effortless and I always end up laughing so hard at his silly jokes. 

Such a funny bunny. 

I was given this dress a couple years back by one of my friends and it's definitely one of my favourite pieces. I've got to say though, it started out with a lot more studs than it has now. I think I lose at least 2 studs each time I wear it but this I have come to accept and embrace.

Wore the dress as a top just to give it a different look.

Hope you're having a great Saturday!!

Cue James Bond

Since Binti (my camera) landed in my hot little hands, I’ve been getting rather trigger happy. Taking pictures has never seemed more inviting, hence the trail of awkward moments that I’ve been leaving behind.

This one time I figured that even though restaurants and malls have been pretty strict lately about taking pictures, I could still get away with it. I mean, how many bad guys do you see wearing lipstick and nail polish? I started snapping up pictures of this pretty flower at Art Cafe in Junction Mall when Mr. Bouncer, who we’ll now refer to as James Bond, decided to interrupt everything.

First of all, can I just say that my peripheral view isn’t the best and even I could spot this guy from 20 meters away. Between you and me, Mr. Bond really needs to work on his stride because quite frankly Godzilla would have been more stealth about it than James over here. But now that I think about it, I guess stealth wasn’t his first priority.

Anyway, with a couple seconds to spare before he was next to me I quickly took this picture and even though my gut told me he was coming to tell me to stop with the photos, I still hoped that he’d ask me what I wanted to drink. To which I would have responded: A Vanilla latte, stirred, not shaken. 
But, my friend, this was not the case.

What was that Mr. Bond? We’re not allowed to take pictures here? Oh, really? That's news to me. So you need me to stop right this moment? Ok James Bond. Just for you, I’ll save the world from my evil and treacherous ways masked in my photography and stop with the pictures. Just for you.

Moral of this story? Binti and I have so many adventures ahead of us. So, so many that not even James Bond could get in our way.

Well, maybe a little. 

Sheci Look 2: Colour blocking with your Accessories

Ello Ello

Hope this post finds you happy and smiling!

In the spirit of colour blocking, which we all know has been around for a while, I thought I should dedicate this Sheci style post to the trend! When I first saw this bracelet I immediately fell in love with it because of the vibrant green. 

Mi Muchos Luvos The Greenos. 

That's spanish for I really love the green.

Disclaimer: My spanish may be a little rusty since I last took classes in 199never.

White cardigan - Toi market; White tank - Meltz; Jeggings - Toi Market; Wedges - Thrift store; Belt - came with a skirt; Bracelet - Sheci; Clutch - Kariakor Market; Necklace - Woolworths; Studs - can't remember!

 I know I digress but does anyone else love B&W pictures as much as I do?

Because I wanted to draw the attention to the accessories, I decided to keep the clothes as neutral as possible by sticking to white and grey. To add a little shazzam to the mix I threw in a gold necklace. I think it elevates the outfit because now we're not only playing with colours but with textures as well --> cloth bracelet + sisal clutch + gold necklace.

Seriously people, how cute is this combo? 

If you want to see my last outfit post, you can do so here!

Don't forget to like Sheci's Facebook Page! You can see more of their products there as well.

Oh and the bracelet costs Shs350!

Get with the programme and grab yourself one already :)

Ok. 

Dinner has been served and my tummy is rumbling like there's no tomorrow. Have I mentioned before how much I love fries? And that's what we're having for dindins. Ohhhh yeeaaaaah. 

Off to eat like there's no tomorrow.

Deuces.

Vote! Vote! Vote!

I met a lovely lady this last weekend who co-owns a business that pretty much relies on her ability to approach new people and talk about her products. When I asked whether she gets embarrassed approaching these people she said something that I thought was quite profound:

It’s just two seconds of shame. You’ll get over it.

So here’s mine as I go on my knees for a second time.

Remember that Rexona competition that I talked about in this post? Well Rexona just posted a picture on their Facebook page showing the top 10 entrants and I’m number four on that list. First round of winners will be announced on Saturday, June 30, which means we have 2 more days of voting! I want this soooo bad and I really think I can win this but I’ll definitely need your help!

Click here to view my entry and while you’re there please click on the ‘thumbs up’ icon. It’s only a few seconds of your time but it would mean so much to me!!

And there, ladies and gents, are my two seconds of shame as I beg for your vote.

I think I’ll embrace this new two-seconds-of-shame statement as my new motto.

Happy Hump Day!

P.s.: Cecilia, if you’re reading this, keep those profound statements coming.  

Every girl needs girls like these.

They'll give you virtual kisses when you ask for them. 

Rub your back when you're sick. 

Hold you when you can't stop crying over the men who break your heart. 

Celebrate your achievements with you.

Laugh with you. 

{Sometimes at you}

Support you.

Listen.

And Love you.

What they won't do is point out that you need lip gloss before deciding to snap up pictures.
But it's ok.
Which camera didn't love some dry looking lips anyway?

Every girl needs girls like these. 

Introducing Sheci! Look One

A few weeks back I was approached by Cecilia from Sheci - a Kenyan jewellery line - asking if I would be willing to show her customers and interested clients how to accessorise their outfits using Sheci jewellery. 

I. 

Was. 

Ecstatic. 

If you've been reading my blog for a while then I'm sure you've noticed that I've been buying a lot of Kenyan jewellery lately so to have Sheci approach me was so exciting that I couldn't help but jump on it immediately!

In the next couple of weeks I'll be wearing some of the Sheci designs (bracelets and necklaces) and showing you how to rock them with different looks. Don't forget to visit and 'Like' their Facebook page!

So let's get to it kids. 

For the first look I thought I would wear something more professional. Though to be honest I had to go for a meeting so didn't really have much of a choice there! Usually my office is really relaxed when it comes to the dress code which works pretty darn well for me.

 I think this look would be perfect for those of you who have to work in a more conservative office environment (like lawyers or accountants). The toned down colours, livened up with a pop of mustard yellow, also work well for an interview. The blouse is more mustard in real life but for whatever reason it looks more yellow in the pictures.

Blouse - Mr. Price; Skirt - Toi Market; Pumps - Bata; Bag - Edgars; Bracelet - Sheci; Earrings - vendor at Ecofair

In order to keep with the conservative/professional look, I decided to keep the bag and shoes in the same earthy tones as the bracelet. For those of you who are a little unsure of how to style this look, I would suggest playing it safe by keeping your accessories in the same colour family. Until at least you feel a little more comfortable trying a more adventurous look! 

 To be very honest, this item wasn't difficult to style. I think the colours are very neutral, easy to work with and can be included into any outfit really! Also, the bracelet goes for Shs350 which is such a bargain!

I really hope you found this helpful.

Can't wait to style the next item!

Coral Life

 I miss the sun. 

It's been pretty chilly here in Nairobi and I'm starting to struggle to find what to wear. 

This is one of the outfits I wore while in Kilaguni. I'd initially had on some shorts but decided to change when I realised we'd be going to Mzima Springs (post to come soon). How pretty is the coral shirt? Doesn't that colour just scream summer?? SUMMMMEEERRRRR. 

Hope you're keeping warm wherever you are. 

For those enjoying their summer, I envy you.

 Top - 2nd hand market (Adams); Jeggings - 2nd hand market (Adams); Flats - Mr. Price; Bag - vendor at The Mall; Sunglasses - Aldo.

Deuces.

Please Vote for me!!

I'm not sure I know where to start. 

But I have to warn you, this post is filled with a lot of exclamation marks. 

Too much happiness to contain. 

I'm in such a happy place and this week has been especially amazing!! Here's why:

1). I won a Shs5,000 voucher to Woolworths (clothing) on radio!!

2). Two of my good friends came back to town in the past week!

3). I just opened my blog to find that I'd had 317 page views yesterday! Highest number yet!! I usually get about 100 pg views per day so this was an unexpected (but welcomed) spike :)

4). Binti (my camera) and I have been doing really well and I managed to take some good pictures too!

Everything just seems to be going amazing!! 

AAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

Ok. 

Enough. 

Now onto the part where I beg, plead, go down on my knees and ask for a minute of your time :)

I recently entered the Rexona 'Get swagged out' competition and would love it if you took the time to vote for me! The rules of the competition are so simple that you should probably enter if you haven't already. You just simply upload a picture of yourself and give your opinion of what confidence means to you. You can view details about the competition here.

Click here to view my entry!!

If you could spare a minute of your time to 'Like' my entry I'd really appreciate it! The winner gets a shopping spree from Shs30,000 which I could really use. 

Can I get an Amen.

If you do decide to enter the competition, please let me know by commenting on this post and I'll like your entry!

The competition is only open to Kenyans by the way. Sorry international readers!

Oh and you can only like the page once so make that 'Like' count people. Make it count. 

Don't forget to like my entry!

Enjoy your weekend loves. 

Sending all the love I could master out to you, wherever you are!

So what is this layering business?

 Blazer - 2nd hand market; Knitted sweater - Forever 21; Tank top - can't remember, had it for ages; Boots - Lu Yi Lin; Jeans - 2nd hand market; Belt - Mr. Price; Jewellery - My mum's.

So...

 {Start with a singlet.}

 {Then add your knit of choice.}

{And top it off with a blazer/coat/jacket.}

It's been getting pretty chilly in Nairobi lately, chilly enough to warrant some layering. To be very honest I've never really understood the layering business but after watching some of Wendy's YouTube videos, I was able to wrap my head around it. It used to seem so complicated before but alas, Wendy's your girl when it comes to layering tips. So who exactly is Wendy? She's the awesome blogger from Wendy's Lookbook. Check her out already. 

So what do I now know about layering? Well, 

1. It's often safer to stay in the same colour family. In my case I knew I wanted to stick to cool/neutral tones (browns, blues and greys)

2. Try ensure that you've still got a figure under all those layers by adding a belt to synch in your waist. 

3. Don't be scared to play with different textures!

~ The End ~

Photography Challenge: Life in Yellow

This time round, the photography challenge was rather straight forward:

Life in Yellow.

Just that. 

Just 

Life in Yellow.

Tsavo Day 1: Thirty Pictures & Counting

WARNING: This post has over 30 photos. 

DISCLAIMER: You can't really blame a girl for getting trigger happy when she only got her camera a week before. 

NOW: Enjoy :)

Guys is it me or does your family get more fun to hang around when you're older? Is it the same for you?  My family and I took a short vacation to Tsavo this past weekend and it was the bomb. 

 We found this little one that isn't really so little standing bang in the middle of the road but it quickly got out of our way when we got close. Giraffes can be so elegant, don't you think? 

 This place was the motherland for all geckos. I'm talking the Cradle of Gecko-kind. 

What's weird though is that if I had my camera in my hand, I would get really up close to take a picture and wouldn't freak out. It's like Binti (my cammy) gives me super powers. I heart Binti. 

 Pasta and with some marrow. mmmmmmm

 My brother's dessert. 

This was pretty to photograph but I don't think it tasted all that good.

 This little sucker wanted a mug shot. So I took one.

And then it's profile. 

We stayed at the Kilaguni Lodge which also happens to be the first lodge that was built within a park in Kenya. It had gone through some renovations since we were last there as a family (almost 15years ago) and was looking pretty good. 

 Loved, and I mean loved, these lamps!

 Like I was actually going to attempt crossing over to the wild to feed them. 

 Can you spot Amani in the reflection?! 

Oh and btw, my dad is totally rocking my fedora. 

Go dad. 

 These two are hilarious. They spent 20mins threatening to throw each other in the pool! 

 Hiii

 Amani looks like she's in her teens in this picture! She's only turning 9 in a few weeks though. 

 Just thought I'd flash you. 

 Peek-a-boo baby

 This bikini was such a good find for only Shs280!

 The sunset was breathtaking, I couldn't stop taking photos.

I'm really happy with my cammy but the lens isn't the kind you wanna take along on a safari. When it comes to zooming or taking wide angles, Binti really does struggle to deliver so it was difficult trying to snap up good pictures of the animals that came to the waterhole.. But I shall make the most of it. 

If you're keen to visit Tsavo National Park, Kilaguni is a pretty good place to start. However, the kind of experience you get at Salt Lick compared to Kilaguni in terms of interaction with the wildlife is phenomenal. It really is out of this world. Both Kilaguni and Salt Lick are situated within Tsavo National Park but different sections. If you want a quick blast from the past, you can read more about our trip to Salt Lick here. The animals would come soooo close and sometimes you'd wake up to find hundreds of buffalos and herds of elephants just outside your window! Salt lick is pretty kick ass. No doubt.

Anyway that's pretty much it from our first day at Kilaguni.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!