Sunday Best: ‘These boots are made for walking…’

‘These boots are made for walking, that’s just what they’ll do and one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you….’

Love that song! Something about it makes me want to find boots that leave me feeling super hot, empowered and confident. But unlike Nancy Sinatra, I’m not about to trample on a cheating guy. But a couple of days ago, I did found my boots.

Disclaimer: Apologies for the white socks showing. Did everything to cover it up in the morning and then I decided to kick my leg up….ah well.

Jacket: River Island/ Scarf: Next/ Top: Topshop/ GREAT quality leggings: Warehouse/ Boots: Zara (available now)/ Necklace: Accessorize

I love this necklace, there is definitely something in the water at Accessorize as of late…

‘Come on boots!’

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Instagram: @bychioma

Sunday Best: Black and Sequinned Gold

 

 

I was having one of those Sunday’s when I had to frantically rack my ‘wardrobe’ brain. I usually find my  nicest outfits with the least thought… it’s when I try that it gets a little frustrating. After 5 minutes of ‘no, no, that’s gonna need ironing…MISS!’, I finally found something.

Skirt: Monsoon/Camisole:(lasts for YEARS) Marks and Spencer’s/Bolero: Debenhams/Belt: Next/Bangle: Que Craft on Etsy/ Earrings: Stall at Deptford Market

This embroidered bolero sums up my taste so well. A vintage edge, with a bit of glam and a playful edge. It was a gift from a dear friend, I don’t think she knows that I teared up slightly when she gave it to me. Now you do.

Sunday Best: Stripes and Leopards

This outfit was new ground for me, but I’m a great believer in trying something new. I usually do one print a time, but tried otherwise this time. After a long break from Primark(years long), I decided to give it a try. When I saw this shirt I knew I had to have it. And at £12? Bargain! I have a couple of other ideas for this during the winter, but for now this will do. Oh…and new shorter hair too…

Monochrome Striped Shirt £12 at Primark/ Belt: Primark/ Hoop Earrings £5 at Deptford Market Stall/ Horseshoe ‘Lula’ Necklace £12 at Orelia/Jeans: Mango/ Shoes: Nine West

Photography courtesy of the lovely upcoming photographer and artist S.Alatise 😉

Permed to Natural: Part 1

This is a bit a of an unusual blogging post…but it’s ok because difference is good! Questions about my hair are brought up all the time through comments and private messages. The time has come for me to give  you all some snippets of information!

I will make every effort to explain everything as clearly as possible. I appreciate that we aren’t all clued up on black hair(just like I’m not massively clued up on caucasian hair). I believe political correctness can be overplayed, sometimes I think you need to call a spade a spade!

Picture 1: ‘The Permed Phase’

In the first picture, my hair is permed(chemically straightened). My hair was permed the summer before I started secondary school. This was carried out under the illusion that it would make my hair more manageable, and without great background knowledge. The truth is my permed ‘sraight’ hair only lasted for two days and after being permed I always had to pay extra so they could hot comb( a hair straightener that looks like a comb) afterwards anyway! My hair is super stubborn.

My Opinion on Permed Hair:

There is nothing wrong with the decision to perm your hair, it’s your choice. My only problem is the reason it was first created.

Black perms were created in a time where anything ‘black’ was frowned upon and anything European/Western in nature was seen as better. Unfortunately it was believed that straighter was better, having similarities to most caucasian appearances and hair types.

The truth is beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes. Somewhere along the line  our society has created a hierarchy.

It’s the same sad reason, that so many black people use bleaching creams to lighten their skin. Shocking?…I know!

I believe any style should be worn proudly, it’s human to have insecurities…we just have to attempt to deal with them! hee hee…

The journey to freedom entails learning to love yourself for who you really are. How do you go about doing that….by seeing and embracing yourself in your natural God given state….cue the big chop! BAM!

In what ways have you learned to love yourself ? I would love to know…

Leopard Printed Statement

When it comes to coats and jackets I am extremely picky. In fact, in the last four years I have only bought three. I have wide shoulders, big hips and even bigger thighs ha! Anything that doesn’t nip me in at the waist makes me look a bigger than I am. Coats need fabric that is durable and waterproof(to a decent extent).

This trench is from Topshop….I call it my ‘summer coat’. Warm when necessary and cooler when I need insurance against British weather. It’s almost a mustard colour, which compliment my skin-tone pretty well….almost a ‘black’ nude ha! These shoes are the love of my LIFE! I lost one….(don’t ask how) but I’ve been re-united. Elegant and risky all at the same time. Boom…

Trench Coat: Topshop/ Black Pencil Dress: Asos/ Leopard Print Shoe’s: Nine West/ Bag: Asos

I owe a massive thank you to a good friend of mine who seems to get dragged into taking all my photo’s! We havn’t settled on a name for her enterprise, but when we do I’ll let you all know about her. Love you!