2014 Christmas Wish List

Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas? Sometimes, I think Christmas is the time to ask people for things you've been eyeing all-year-long but haven't gotten around to buying for yourself for whatever reason. Here's my list this year, and I'm sure Vanessa will update with hers soon...

1. Tom Ford - Santal Blush Fragrance ($215.00)

This fragrance is AMAZING. It is perfect for winter - warm and woody. It reminds me of walking into the spice section of a market. You can definitely smell the cinnamon. It's very expensive for a fragrance, but because of the strength of the smell, it would take a long time to fully use up.

Top notes: Indian spices, cumin, cinnamon, carrot seeds and fenugreek. Heart: jasmine, ylang-ylang and rose. Base: Australian sandalwood, cedar, benzoin, musk and oud.

  

2. Sonos Play: 1 Speakers ($199.00)

My friend has these speakers and for their small size, they are VERY loud. You're able to stream your entire music library and internet radio through them as well which definitely comes in handy.

3. A cozy robe (This one is from Topshop - $64.00)

The thing I hate most about cold weather is getting out of the shower and running around trying to find something warm to put on while you freeze. As we enter into winter in the Northern Hemisphere, a robe is the perfect Christmas gift. It's also the kind of thing you never feel inclined to buy for yourself as it's a little luxurious, so always something nice to receive. 

4. Sweater/knitted dresses (One Teaspoon, $190.00, Urban Outfitters, $79.00, For Love & Lemons, $184.00)

Sweater dresses are the perfect way to stay warm but look like you are making an effort. There are hundreds of them in stores and online right now, but here's just a few that I like:

5. Sunglasses (Gucci, $495.00, Celine, $395.00, Italia Independent, $197.00)

It's really hard for me to justify spending a lot of money on sunglasses since there are plenty of cheap ones that do the trick, but there's something about chic, good quality shades that can really pull a look together. They almost always always end up being worth the money as well, since you use them so often. Especially if you're someone who has regular early mornings, they can really save the day. Here are some that I've had my eyes on:

Hope you all are enjoying the beginning of the holiday season and that you get whatever is on your list this year! Of course the best gift of all is quality time with loved ones.

- Posted by Olympia

Style Icon: Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross is by far, in my opinion, one of the most underrated style icons. The effortlessy flawless 41-year-old has a signature style, that is the perfect cominbatintion of "classy" meets eccentric. Her everyday style slays, just as much as when she is on the red carpet. Tracee manages to match statement vintage pieces with everyday basics to achieve such a chic look, outfit after outfit. Not to mention, her body is absolutely bangin' at her age! Most definitely my style icon and muse.

Here are a few of my favourite looks from her:

I fell in love with her even more after watching her interview on the Breakfast Club. Tracee speaks about her new show Black-ish, race, her upbringing and her infamous ass lol.

-Posted by Vanessa 

C L E A N S E

A purely visual post as I crave the ocean from Washington, and get my mind ready for travel...

All sourced from Tumblr.

- Posted by Olympia

Interview with: MsAdjei

The gorgeous Actor, Model and Talent Director...

Maame Adjei

Instagram/Twitter: @MsAdjei

                           

1. What career direction have you taken up in Ghana?
Since moving to Ghana I’ve geared towards the arts. I’ve gone completely opposite of what I went to undergrad and grad school for which was Psychology and Healthcare Administration respectively. I really decided to follow my true interests, my passions and my heart once I got here and it’s led me to do all these things I secretly enjoyed but never thought I should or could make a living out of. I’m an actor, producer, talent director, creative artist and model. It feels kind of amazing to be able to say thats what I do cause I’m passionate about each of those jobs.

2. What was your biggest driving force in returning to the
motherland?
I would say my own growth and maturity. Some people reach a certain point in their lives when they just want more and the mundane and average is no longer good enough. I had a yearning to live my dreams and basically to be happy and I just wasn’t finding that in Philadelphia anymore. I had no idea where i was going to find it or how but Ghana being my home country was my first point of attack. All my family was back in Ghana and it just felt like the right time for me to explore the country as an adult. Above all i picked Ghana because no matter what there’s a sense of peace I get here that trumps everything.

3. We are both huge fans of 'An African City'. What was the best and
worst part of filming?
Filming an African City was such a great experience. Everything was a learning lesson for me. Everything. I think the best part was working with amazing talents and FUNNY people. Laughter is everything to me so to be able to go on set with people you like and have fun while working is huge. From my fellow cast mates to the production crew we really just had a great time shooting. This is going to sound like a complete lie but there really weren’t any “worst parts” of filming season 1. It really was such a great 4 weeks of shooting.

4. You work closely with upcoming creatives in Ghana. A notable one, being the designer label, Osei Duro. What do you love about the label and your thoughts on other upcoming African inspired designers?
Yes!! Osei­Duro is definitely one of my favorite African based labels. I love how easy and comfortable their clothes are. The cuts and styles are simple and classic but the prints are really what send it over the edge. And I love that they produce everything in Ghana. There are so many amazing African brands that i’ve found out about recently: Eki Orleans, BarkersWoode, Raffia. These are all new to me and everyday I come across more designers that are just putting the continent on the map as far as fashion.

5. You are most definitely a creative yourself! You did an amazing job at transforming wooden soda crates into functional benches at the 2014 Chale Wote Festival. When and how did you grow your love for all types of art?
For as long as I can remember i’ve loved repurposing and turning one thing into another. I was the girl who would go outside and grab some twine and turn it into a belt cause i couldn’t find a real belt. lol I started repurposing furniture about 10 years ago and I didn’t even consider it art. I had just moved into my first apartment and needed furniture on a budget. I went into a thrift store and bought some cheap side tables, painted them, put foam and fabric over them and turned them into sitting stools. From there it was just something I did as a hobby. I would scour garage sales and vintage shops, make pieces for friends then i started getting commissioned to do pieces and it just went on from there. Chalewote really has been a great way for me to indulge in my form of “art”, show that to the world and take in all these insanely talented creative artists in Accra. I love anything that engages my creative senses. That is what I consider art. It can come in a myriad of forms.

6. What is your ultimate career goal?
I dont have an ultimate career goal to be honest. My ultimate goal is to pursue my passions and be happy and fulfilled with everything I put my energy into. As long as that happens I’m meeting my ultimate goal and that’s all that matters to me.

7. You rock natural hair ever so fiercely. Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to go natural? Or any products/tips/tricks that you swear by?
Do it!!! If you’re leaning towards going natural and unsure take the leap. If you don’t like it you can always go back to however you were wearing your hair. I keep it simple. I don’t shampoo often. I cowash when the urge hits me but my hair loves water so i spritz it with water every other day or whenever it feels dry. My hair product staples are Cantu Shea Butter, regular good ol’ natural shea butter and extra virgin olive oil.    


8. It is very evident that you are somewhat an old soul, trapped in a young woman's body. Especially, in your obvious love for all things vintage. What does vintage mean to you? lol! I am so very old trapped in this not so young body. I just love old things. I love wearing something that has history­ that has a story.I’m partial to the style of past decades: 80’s jewelry, 60’s and 70s dress silhouettes. I probably got a lot of my love for vintage from my mother. She is such a hoarder and keeps everything. She still has my baby clothes! I remember in highschool when bell bottoms made a comeback I was wearing actual bell bottoms from the 70s. They smelled like mothballs but they looked fabulous darling! lol

9. What motivates and inspires you? Any specific people, places, music, books, etc.?My mother's strength is inspiring. Never met anyone with her emotional tenacity.
The beach is my haven. It settles me and reinvigorates me at the same time. There’s a place about 6 hrs outside of Accra i go to sometimes. It’s in the middle of nowhere and i literally hop on a bus and disappear there for a few days. It’s by the beach and
surrounded by trees. Love it! Women who walk in their light and take risks. I love them. I try and feed into their courage as much as I can.

10. If you could work creatively with any other woman, who would she be? Oh wow! There are so many dope female creatives I would love to work with but i’m going to stick close to home and in the film realm and say Frances Bodomo. She’s a young Ghanaian film director who I met a few months ago at the Durban International Film Festival. I love her work, her energy and vibe. Would love to work with her.

Check out her inspiration and projects here.

-Thank you so much for doing the interview with us Maame! We are excited to see more of your beautiful, creative self!

-Posted by Olympia and Vanessa

Hairspiration

Sometimes on my lunch break, I find myself scrolling through Tumblr and being swamped with incredible photos. I've been especially in love with some of the hairstyles posted on there.

Currently obsessing over:

1) Clean, simple up-dos
2) Retro styles
3) Long, thick, single braids

(Source: Tumblr) 

- Posted by Olympia

Interview with :TIA WARD

Get to know the insanely beautiful London-based model, beauty blogger and make-up artist...

TIA WARD

                

Instagram/Twitter: @misstpw

1. For those that don't know Tia Ward, describe yourself and your career path?
I am a 25 year old blogger & model from London who loves fashion and beauty. Since finishing university I began my blog, and I want to eventually have my own clothing label!

2. With over 10 years of experience, how did you get in to the beauty and fashion world?  
I got into modelling at 13 after being spotted at the bus stop and from that point on was catapulted into this new world of cosmetics and clothing! That was the starting point for me.

3. You were 1 of 26 females to have the cool opportunity to design your very own Nike sneaker, to celebrate Air Max's 27th birthday earlier this year. What was that experience like? It was so much fun! Nike are an incredible, globally recognised brand and they really made the experience fun. We got to go to the design suit in the flagship store and work on our designs. I have to say a big shout out to Jimmy for helping me finalise my colour scheme!

4. How does it make you feel to know you have such a style influence in London?

Honestly, I started my blog as a style file – a way of documenting my personal style journey with the hope of looking back at it and seeing an evolution over time. I never thought it would have any influence! To hear that it is on the radar of corporate companies and the fashion pack is a huge compliment and a great motivating force to accomplish more! I’m constantly striving for better.

5. What ethnicity are you?
I am a mix of Indian, Caribbean, European & West Indian!

6. You have been dating Ghanaian presenter/host Reggie Yates for about two years. As a Ghanaian, I'm interested to know if you have any favourite dishes, or even know how to cook any (lol) ? Haha! I love Ghanaian food and learnt to cook jollof pretty swiftly! My favourite dish to cook and eat is Kelewele – because plaintains are equally loved by Africans and Caribbeans the world over!

7.  Being female already means we have to work 10 times harder. Are there any experiences, either good or bad that you can recall in proving yourself/talents? Fortunately as far as I’m aware of, I haven’t been in any situation where my sex has determined whether or not I book the job, get the opportunity or make the cut. I have definitely had to prove my ability on numerous occasions! In this industry you can talk your way to the door, bag a meeting with the right people, but its what you say and do once you’re in that determines how long you’ll be staying or how seriously you’ll be taken. I prove myself constantly by delivering what I promise, working hard & trusting my journey.

8. It’s very clear that you have a strong sense of identity; in the way you dress, speak and overall present yourself. Where did you learn to be so self-assured? My Grandmother was definitely an example of what a strong, independent woman should be. She worked hard, always looked immaculate, spoke articulately (even with her strong West Indian accent!) and stood up for what she believed in. I think this constant female presence as well as surrounding myself with wonderfully raised, self-aware men and women has helped me develop over the years into someone with a good sense of identity. You can’t surround yourself with sheep & expect to be a lion.

9.  Speaking of fashion, your style is ALWAYS on point! Who are your style icons? What are your favourite stores? So many things influence and inspire my style. From traveling, the weather, old films – anything I lay my eyes on somehow affects my style choices! I don’t really look to other people as such, but I always check the style.com fashion show reports to keep up to date & inspired!

10. What’s the best piece of advice you have received this far in your life? You were given two ears and one mouth, so always listen twice as much as you speak!

-Thank you so much for doing the interview with us Tia. We are looking forward to seeing more of your gorgeous face in the future. All the best!

For more of Tia's amazing style and beauty secrets, check out her blog here ! 

-Posted by Olympia and Vanessa

Wish List : DOPEciety

Been M.I.A for a min...but we are back!

@DenisioTruitt (Instagram & Twitter)

Thanks to Fashion Bomb Daily, I have a new found obsession and the next purchase on my wish list. A DOPEciety T-Shirt!

The effortlessly beautiful Denisio Truitt is the founder of the uniquely eccentric and casual apparel line, DOPEciety. Being of Liberian heritage, her work is inspired by her West African roots which is perfectly incorporated in her art. With some of the tees going by the name of Fulani and Afro girl, these are familiar words to an everyday African. As promised by Truitt herself, the line will be expanding within the next few weeks to accessories, menswear and their already amazing women's line. Can't wait! Definitely a brand to watch.

For those as in love as I am, you can purchase these statement Tee's for only $30 here. You can also keep up to date with them, via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @DOPEciety

FULANI TEE

FRIDA TEE

AFRO GIRL TEE

SOLIDARITY TEE

FEDORA TEE




-Posted by Vanessa