Memo 180: The Braai-ght Side of Things

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 17, 2015

Subject: Chaf Pozi and N'em

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No visit to Johannesburg is done right without a proper Braai. We stopped over at Chaf Pozi (on a slow day) in Soweto and got our entire life. Lucky for us, this didn't take hours upon hours. See, you first have to choose your meat (kind of like at a butcher shop) and then they put it on the braai (better known as the barbecue). If it's busy this can take up to 6 hours to get your food. Six. It's worth it though. You just have to plan accordingly.

What's a Braai without the perfect summertime relaxed and casual look. We were doing a lot of touristy things and I wanted to make sure that I was comfortable for the occasion. I lasted the entire day in these Jeffrey Campbell Gladiators (my designated shoes for the week), H&M Seersucker Shorts and Tory Burch Tunic.

And of course the Bo Derek inspired cornrows were the perfect icing to this look. I forgot how low maintenance braids can be. Who doesn't appreciate a get up and go hairstyle. Just pray for my edges. Amen.

The South Africa Travel Clique in front of the Orland Towers. They were used to supply power to the surrounding suburbs and caused a great deal of pollution in Soweto who was not able to actually benefit from the power supplied by the towers. Now the towers are used as a landmark and for bungee jumping.

Get the look:

Tory Burch Tunic - Similar here, here and here

H&M Seersucker Shorts - Similar here and here

Michael Kors Belt Bag - Similar here

Halston Heritage Hobo Bag - Similar here

Jeffrey Campbell Gladiator Sandals - Sold here

ASOS Necklace - No Longer Available

Memo 179: Paris Is Always a Good Idea

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 15, 2015

Subject: The Layover Visit

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11 Hour Layover in Paris? Why not.

Note to self: Check the weather, first. Again, CHECK THE WEATHER. Where I was coming from (Arizona) and where I was going (Johannesburg, South Africa) the weather was perfection featuring sunshine with temps in 70s and 80s. However, my dear sweet Paris was on it's own program with 50 degrees accompanied by temperamental and sporadic gusts of wind. Why Jesus?

Sipping on expresso at La Coincidence

But the show must go on. For the first stop, we went to meet my friend at her beau's restaurants, La Coincidence at 15 Rue Mesnil. Who am I?! I have a friend who with a boo that owns a restaurant in Paris #WhatIsMyLifeAbout.

My friend with the boo who owns the restaurant. I like to capture the more candid moments #ShesProbablyGoingToKillMe 

The next stop was to Colette Paris. I don't shop here, I just dream, wish, hope and pray here. I call it the Urban Outfitters elevated to the 2nd power. I visit Colette to window show and toss pennies into the air and make wishes upon my favorite pieces. 

The Mannequin Parade at Colette

These shoes are for the boys but I can get them in my size #JustSaying

Get The Look:

H&M Cargo Jacket - Sold here

Zara Dress - No Longer Available

Ecote Hat - Similar here

Jeffrey Campbell Gladiator Sandals - Sold here and here

Halston Heritage Bag - Similar here

Necklace - Similar here

Cuffs - Similar here

Memo 131: Bad Hair Day or Nah?

To: All

From: Me

Date: May 8, 2014

Subject: Turban To The Rescue
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I love this short hair cut, I really do, and I love working out (most of the time). 

But the short hair cut doesn't like that I work out and working out could care less about the short hair cut. They just don't get along at all but they need to co-exhist in my life right now. So, when a visit to the salon isn't in my immediate future, I depend on several trusty hats and turbans. 

I just bought this one from ASOS and she's a beautiful little addition to the collection. Welcome.

Top: H&M, Pants: H&M, Bag: ℅ Halston Heritage, Shoes: L.A.M.B.

Turban: ASOS, Bangle: H&M, Ring: ASOS

Top: H&M, Pants: H&M, Bag: ℅ Halston Heritage, Shoes: L.A.M.B.

Get the Look:

H&M Top - Similar here and here

H&M Striped Pants - Similar here, here and here

Thanks to Halston Heritage Hobo - Sold here

L.A.M.B. Sandals - Similar here, here and here

ASOS Turban - Sold here

H&M Bangle - Similar here

ASOS Rings - Sold here

Memo 126: Fringe Benefits

To: All

From: Me

Date: April 15, 2014

Subject: I'll Take that Fringe with a Side of Studs!
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This week I'm hyper-focused on prepping for Coachella. I'm T-3 days out from the much anticipated road trip to Palm Springs. I'm a first timer and I'm completely and absolutely not sure of what to expect. More importantly, I have no idea what I'm wearing. I seriously don't have even a little bit of a clue. I'll go sit on the floor of my closet until it comes to me. 

Thanks to Instagram, I've been able to see what people wore last weekend and I've been taking notes. All week, I've been looking at pieces and calling them "so Coachella". Used in a sentence, "These clear sunglasses are so Coachella."

Here's my first attempt at a look that may be "so Coachella" (minus the wedges, of course).

Fringed Kimono: Warehouse, Blouse: H&M, Skirt: H&M

Shoes: L.A.M.B., Bag: Courtesy of Halston Heritage, Sunglasses: Marni for H&M,  Cuff: Mango

Fringed Kimono: Warehouse, Blouse: H&M, Skirt: H&M

Necklaces: Banana Republic and Nordstrom

Get the Look:

Warehouse Fringed Kimono - Similar here,  here, and here

H&M Striped Blouse - Similar here, here, here

H&M Studded Skirt - Similar here and here

L.A.M.B. Sandals - Similar here, here, and here

Hobo Bag Courtesy of Halston Heritage - Sold here 

Marni for H&M Sunglasses - Similar here and here

Mango Cuff - Similar here and here

Banana Republic Necklace - Similar here, here, and here 

Nordstrom "Perfect Match" Necklace - No Longer Available