Friday 31 March 2017

Olive fever





Anyone who knows me knows how much I love olive green, besides black and burgundy olive is my favourite colour. I attended SA Fashion week last night and I decided to design this maxi, slip dress for myself and of course it had to have a high slit because I love my high slits lol.I paired it up with another personalised denim jacket, a statement neckpiece and nude, strappy heels. I really love seeing an outfit I created in my head work out as I had imagined it . I felt so sexy in this dress and I wore it with so much confidence, like Marilyn Monroe says; "Give a  girl the right pair of shoes and she'll conquer the world".

Thursday 30 March 2017

Products I use

I am so bummed that  I haven't been blogging this week. Work has been so hectic I hardly have time to do anything else but work. I must admit trying to balance between work and everything else can be so tricky,today I just wanted to share the products I use for my natural hair. I made sure I stuck to these products for a whole year( I am not a fan of product hopping) and they have made my hair much healthier than what it used to be.

African black soap: My hair loves this soap.I have stopped using shampoo on my hair because the one I used made my hair feel dry, African black soap leaves my hair feeling soft and moisturised because it contains Shea Butter.

Shea Butter: I use Shea butter to moisturise my hair and to keep it hydrated throughout the day. I also love mixing my tub of Shea butter with olive oil and castor oil. Castor oil is known to make hair thicker and promotes hair growth, olive oil makes hair stronger and shinier.

ORS hair scrub: I use this on my hairline every time I take out any protective style. This is to ensure that my hairline does not thin or break from all the braiding.

Hair mayonnaise: I use this product to deep condition my hair after long periods of having my hair in braids. It makes my hair  stronger, softer and makes detangling my hair less painful.

Jamaican black castor oil: I use this oil twice a week on my hairline,I'll massage my hairline area with the oil for 5 minutes. Jamaican black castor oil is  known to promote hair growth and make hair thicker.

Thursday 23 March 2017

My natural hair journey


I started my natural hair journey 5 years ago, after years of relaxing my hair I just decided to completely stop and embrace my natural hair.And that was the best decision I ever made. Although I began my journey 5 years ago, my afro is only a year old. A year ago I decided to shave off all my hair and start all over again because my hair was badly damaged from using too much heat on it and not taking proper care of my hair, I can say I had to lose my hair in order to learn how to take care of it properly. In that year of going through a big chop I decided to dedicate some of my time to researching products that were good for my hair and learning better ways to take care of it. A year later, I can honestly say my hair is looking much thicker and  healthier and I can attribute that to my new hair routine and banning heat completely. Starting my natural hair journey has had it's ups and downs but I wouldn't have it any other way.I have grown to love my hair.

Tuesday 21 March 2017

Perfect pair

 I have become a sucker for beautiful shoes, especially heels. I swear, if I could wear heels every single day, I would. Last week I bought a stunning pair of nude, strappy heels which I had been searching for since December. The problem was  they didn't have them in my size ( I am between a size 3-4,it really sucks to have small feet sometimes).So last week I decided to look for the same pair again and after running around like a headless chicken, I found them in my size.They're quite comfortable and look amazing on my feet.

Monday 20 March 2017

My favourite handbag

This is by far my favorite handbag.I bought it online a year ago and I must say,the quality of the bag was quite impressive.I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought it because buying online  can at times  be disastrous.The gold handle is my favourite feature on the bag.

Wednesday 15 March 2017

Grecian evening dress


I love this evening dress.It looks like something straight out of the grecian era.This is another beautiful creation from House of JM Designs, my business partner,Jacky made it  and it looked stunning on the client who ordered it.To view more of our beautiful designs go to @houseofjmdesigns on instagram and
House of JM Designs on Facebook

Tuesday 14 March 2017

Lost


Variation of the scorpion pose

 
This is a variation of the scorpion pose. When I first started practising  this pose I struggled quite a bit, I kept falling off the mat and I could not balance on my elbows properly. But after practising a couple of times and being patient with my body I finally managed to get it right.
Although I have become good at this pose, I must also add that it is an extremely difficult pose to pull off it requires one to be extremely flexible, you must also be focused when you do it and I never do any advanced poses without warming up.

The scorpion pose or Vrischikasana is an inverted backbend pose. This is an advanced pose, it is recommended that you should consult a yoga professional before you attempt it so that they can guide you through it.
These are the benefits of the scorpion pose:

*Strengthens the legs, forearms and shoulders.
*Helps expand the hip flexors, chest and shoulders.
*Not only does this pose improve flexibility, it improves stamina.
*The pose challenges balance, co-ordination, strength and perseverance. It improves your sense of balance.

For more yoga benefits visit www.stylecraze.com
  

Monday 13 March 2017

Ruins


Caged bralette








I have always had a thing for caged bralettes. The first time I saw one I promised myself I would learn how to make it, and I have made a couple of bralettes since then. The thing with bralettes is they look so edgy and I always have fun making them. Bralettes are extremely versatile you can wear them up or down depending on where you are going, if you are headed to a concert you can pair up your bralette with jeans, a fringed kimono or a parka and combat boots for a boho look. For a more formal look with bit of fierceness  you can pair up your bralette with a tailored suit  and heels.

For this look I paired up the bralette with a long, sheer skirt that has a high slit and because I am such a hat lover I decided to add my hat to the mix. The reason I paired up  the bralette with a flowy skirt is because I wanted to add a bit of softness to the whole look. I had so much fun shooting this outfit because it's not an everyday look that you can just rock on a normal day, it's a risqué look that requires one to be comfortable in their own skin in order to wear it. I love experimenting with different looks and I have always tried to be open minded when it comes to fashion. Fashion should never be boring it should always be fun.

Sunday 12 March 2017

Inspiration kit

Happy Sunday everyone.
I call this my inspiration kit.Whenever I run out of Ideas for my looks,designs or decor I page through Elle magazine which is always packed with inspiration.Sometimes I'll log onto pintrest which is my go-to site for endless inspiration.I could spend hours on end pinning everything and anything I love.And last but not least,my digital camera helps me capture anything that will spark up inspiration when I'm going through a creative block and I also rely on it to help capture beautiful images.

Thursday 9 March 2017

Self love


Yoga and Meditation

    I attend yoga classes once or twice a week, depending on how hectic work is .I used to practice yoga on my own but I felt like I needed a bit of guidance from a professional yoga instructor. So last year I came across a poster that said there was a lady who gave yoga classes around our area, I gave her a call and started attending her yoga classes. Now I am more in love with yoga than I have ever been and I try to make as much time as I can to practice it, even when I cant attend my  classes I practice at home. The benefits of  yoga are incredible, I will discuss them later on. I also practice meditation which has helped me a lot with anxiety and also helps declutter my mind. Practising yoga and meditation has done wonders for my mind and body. These are some of the benefits of  yoga and meditation;

*Regular yoga practice helps reduce stress responses in the body.
*Meditation is also an effective stress reducer that is used to help reduce, anxiety, panic disorders and agoraphobia(Unnatural fear of certain places and situations).
*Yoga poses focus on stretching and lengthening the muscles. Increased flexibility will help you with daily movements such as lifting and bending.
*Both yoga and meditation improve mental focus and provide a general feeling of well-being. Meditation provides an emotional boost through deep relaxation and it can be done anywhere. I usually pick a quiet place in the house and meditate for 20 minutes in the morning and before I go to bed.
*Yoga and meditation bring inner peace. Inner peace  refers to a specific state of being mentally and spiritually  at peace with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong during phases of stress.
*Yoga practice tones our body muscles and also makes them strong which helps improve our body posture when we sit, sleep or walk.
*Meditation helps you sleep easily.I meditate 30 minutes before I sleep and I have noticed that I fall asleep much easier after meditating and I wake up feeling refreshed.
*Meditation helps with relaxation and rejuvenation of the mind and body.
*Meditation practice helps regulate mood and anxiety disorders.

The pose I did on this picture is a variation of the wheel pose.

For more information on yoga and meditation benefits visit;
www.artofliving.org
www.thefitindian.com

Wednesday 8 March 2017

Don't invite negativity into your life


Sketching

After sketching a couple of ideas I decided to design a long kimono with the fabric I uploaded earlier.

Birds of a feather

I went fabric shopping a week ago and this beautiful fabric caught my eye.
I love how the little,red birds stand out against the navy background. When I saw it I imagined creating a long kimono that I can pair up with jeans,a plain white top and heels.Before I make anything I sketch a couple of ideas first then I'll decide which idea  appeals to me.I will post a picture of the garment once I have decided what to make out of the fabric.

Monday 6 March 2017

Return to yourself


Lbd paired with a denim jacket




 For this look I decided to pair my little black dress with a denim jacket to create a street style inspired look.

Little black dress with a fierce attitude







Every woman needs a little black dress in her life. A little black dress is a timeless piece so it's always wise to invest in one. When I made this dress I wanted to add a cheeky, playful look to it. So I added fringe and an open back to the design and that transformed it into a little black dress with a fierce  attitude. I paired the dress with my favourite bag,strappy heels and a red lip for a dramatic effect.

Sunday 5 March 2017

Personalized denim jacket



Besides running a fashion company,we also specialise in embroidery and screen-printing.I didn't think I would enjoy doing embroidery until I started personalizing my clothes now I am obsessed with adding embroidery on my garments.This denim jacket was sitting in my cupboard for a really long time.Then one day I decided to add the words "not your babe at the back" and just like that I was in love with it again.

Saturday 4 March 2017

Expand


I love juicing because it has so many healthy benefits.My favorite go-to juice is cucumber juice,I have it first thing in the morning before I have breakfast because it has energy boosting properties and it's also good for my hair and keeps my skin beautiful.Here are the top 5 benefits of cucumber juice:
1.Cucumber juice provides the body with a good supply of vitamins
2.It Re-hydrates  the body and replenishes daily vitamins.
3.It helps with hair growth.The silicon and sulfur content in cucumber juice makes it especially helpful in promoting hair growth.
4.The greatest and most important skin benefit of cucumber is that it helps in revitalizing and rejuvenating the skin.
5.Helps keep you energized.Cucumbers are enriched with B vitamins which make them ideal as an energy drink.A glass of cucumbers will give you more nutrients than any artificial energy drink and help you stay active during the day.

For more benefits of cucumber juice visit
www.stylecraze.com

Friday 3 March 2017

Flaws

In between fashion,yoga and my everyday life I also do a little bit of writing.I used to write a lot during my high school days but then I just stopped for a really long period only to start writing again this year.Writing is a way of expressing how I feel and releasing my emotions.It's extremely therapeutic for me.So now and then I'll drop a thought or two.I was extremely nervous to post any of my thoughts on the internet because it means I'll be showing my vulnerable side but after going back and fourth I decided to just take the leap and share what's on my mind.

Burgundy evening dress





Nothing beats the feeling of finally completing a garment.My client looked stunning in her dress and I was really proud of my work.

You can check out more of our beautiful dresses by following
@houseofjmdesigns on instagram
House of JM Designs on Facebook

Design process



So much time and energy goes into creating beautiful garments but in the end seeing a client happy is what makes my job as a designer worth it.I really loved making this burgundy dress,because I am completely obsessed with anything that's burgundy and I love the stunning details of this dress.I always say"It's the  small details give a dress character"

Thursday 2 March 2017

Ankara print suit




I honestly love suits and I have always wanted to make myself one.I finally did and I must say I really love how it came out,it fits my body perfectly and the print adds a chic look to it.This specific print caught my eye when I went fabric shopping and I must say I am a fan of prints now.