Something Old Something New Something Borrowed Something Blue

I hope your week has been fruitful thus far. I feel like I have accomplished quite a bit this week. I managed to get all my admin work up to date, styled a photoshoot and finally started laser again! I used to have laser done about a year ago but never made it to my follow-up appointments. Laziness accompanied  by the drive there made it impossible. Lucky for me, Simply Laser has relocated to Windermere (Lilian Ngoyi) Road which is just a stone throw away from me. I was quite impressed by the set up and service as the staff were friendly and so helpful! They also have a new machine which makes the treatment almost pain-free!

After my treatment I stopped at Cafe Saint-Germain (French Fusion Cafe) across the road, they're part of the Fusion cooking school which is run by the students as part of their practical training. I just popped in as I needed a quiet place to work, which this place was! Watching the students brought back so many fond memories of my time at chef school. The waitress' face was so sour. When I asked for a table she looked at me blankly as if to say "so have a seat, why are you asking me?" Looking at her made me think about the long hours I had to endure forcing a smile at patrons when all I wanted to do was sleep (on the filthiest, disease-infested couch in the student room). At the time, that couch was heaven for anyone who was on their twelfth hour of work. 

Reminiscing about the good old days puts a smile on my face. It was the most difficult year of my life but if I had to do it again I most definitely would! The best part of chef school was all the free food! Every day I ate the best food, needless to say I gained a whole lot of weight too! I don't work as a chef but I'm sure my training will come in handy one day.

What I'm Wearing:

The title of the post is really fitting; the top is borrowed from my sister's wardrobe. I sometimes grow tired of looking at my cupboard. After a few hundred times of looking in my cupboard, all the clothes start to look like one. That's when I know it's time to start shopping in her closet! The jacket was bought from Zara whilst shopping with my friend. I wore it for the first time for this shoot so it serves as a new item and a blue item! I really do love it but Durban is still too hot and humid for it so it will have to find it's place in my wardrobe until Winter. The bag is from Topshop, which was purchased about a year ago so I guess it's the 'old' item. 

Jacket - Zara // T-shirt Dress - Cotton On // Tights - Cotton On // Sneakers - Christian Louboutin // Metallic Bag - Topshop //  Sunglasses - Prada at Sunglass Hut // Necklace - Mr Price

Photography by Pagiel Chetty www.pagielchetty.co.za 

Instagram: @pagielchetty

Tunnel Vision

Great News! I am officially the newest member of 4 Elements Media! I'm quite excited to be a part of their amazing team. The year has already gotten off to a great start and I'm excited for what this year has in store for me!

These images were shot just before sunset so we didn't have much time as we were chasing day light. When I put this look together I saw myself at an African safari hence why I needed the lightweight fabrics and light colours. I modelled a few options for my mom and this one was the winner. As I grow older, I find myself choosing looser cuts and silhouettes, especially in Summer. The worst thing for me is wearing something thats' stuck to my body and making me feel like I'm wearing a sausage casing. 

I especially liked the lace-up detail and the pockets of the shirt, which is very on trend at the moment. The pants is actually the same pants as my previous post in a different colour. I am like that though. If I really like something I want it in all colours.

I slept really late last night so I'm going to take a nap. Have a great weekend! xoxo

Shirt - Zara // Pants - Zara // Brogues - Hudson // Hat - Gifted To Me // Watch - DKNY

Makeup done by myself // Photography by Pagiel Chetty.

www.pagielchetty.co.za or Instagram: @pagielchetty

2016

Hi everyone! It's been too long! I feel like I should say Happy New year even though we're nearing the end of the month. Wow! I can't even... Why is time going by so quickly? Anyway, I hope you all had a relaxing holiday. I didn't take a holiday last/this year which is partly why I have been absent on my blog - I was so busy with life. I won't reflect on the past year because, truth be told, I can't remember. It feels like one big blur. I will however, mention that everything I prayed and worked so hard for came true so I am extremely grateful. With that being said, this year I plan to work just as hard to make my dreams a reality and so far, I'm off to a productive start. 

It took me some time to get myself into gear with blog content but it's finally gotten done! This past week alone, I had to get myself to both my jobs (makeup and styling), plan and host a baby shower, shoot some content for the blog and try to fit in family and friends. I don't know how, but it all got done! I did start a new book but sadly it had to take the backseat for the past week. Hopefully this week I'll allocate some me-time and get a few hours of reading in.

What I'm Wearing:

During the December holiday I managed to do a bit of shopping. I was quite disappointed because I didn't find anything I fell in love with. I feel I bought clothes just because I needed new stuff. A few friends and I were chatting and we all came to the conclusion, Cotton On was the only store we found  decent items in. Eventually I had to stop. I don't want my wardrobe to consist of Cotton On only (even though I love their clothes). The Pants is from Zara - I got this one on sale. It was priced really reasonably so I took it in two colours. The denim Shirt is from Cotton on and the necklace is from Colette Hayman. The shoes (Zara) and hat (Mr Price) are from deep within my closet...

Denim Shirt - Cotton On // Rust Pants - Zara // Cobalt Heels - Zara // Pearl Necklace - Colette by Colette Hayman 

Makeup: Done by Myself // Photography - Pagiel Chetty www.pagielchetty.com //  Instagram: @pagielchetty

Onyx By Aneesa Solomon Summer 2016

Hi everyone. Last year I flew to Cape Town for the Summer 2016 Range for Onyx by Aneesa Solomon. I documented it on my Snapchat as well as wrote a post about the Brand. If you missed the post, you can view it here

I'm excited to announce that the collection is finally available! Please visit the website (www.aneesasolomon.com) or the Facebook Page (Onyx) to view the entire collection as well as purchase. Also, for all the European and Middle Eastern followers, the garments are exclusively available to you via www.haute-elan.com

Coffee Break

Can this year end already??? Its the final stretch and boy am I am feeling it! On a happier note though, work is almost over and I can't wait to relax! I have been watching everyone's snaps on Snapchat - most of them are on holiday. One of my friends is giving me major envy with all his Thailand snaps while I'm snapping myself at work! I don't have anything planned this year however I do wish to spend quality time with my family. I feel like I haven't seen then all year! 

Pagiel and I shot this at the Durban Botanic Gardens after a shoot we had done. We needed something to cool us down after working in the blazing sun all morning and ended up doing an impromptu photoshoot for me. My look was casual and cool, allowing me to move freely and work efficiently in the heat. The satin pyjama-style top is from Zara, it's probably the coolest shirt I own. The jeans are from Mr Price which was purchased for a photoshoot but made it's way into my closet. Lastly, the shoes are from Zara, which are still in stock in some stores.

Satin Top - Zara // Denim Jeans - Mr Price // Pointy Cut out Shoes - Zara // Leather Bracelet - Louis Vuitton // Sunglasses - Her Collection

Photography by Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za @pagielchetty 

Joseph Ribkoff Event

Last Friday 4 Elements Media and Stuttafords Gateway invited  myself and a few others to attend the launch of the latest collection by Joseph Ribkoff, stocked by Stuttafords. Guests were treated to welcome drinks and a selection of hors d'oeuvres which included spicy prawns and mini salmon and potato rosti towers. Guests were given a little insight about the Spring 2016 collection which perfectly complements the modern woman. 

The theme for the season is 'ease of dressing' which is translated through the softened silhouettes of draping, overlapping and asymmetrical lines. The key fabrics utilised are silky knit and sublime georgette which play perfectly into the effortlessly sexy look the brand emphasizes. Special design features include fringe trims, zippers and gold hardware. Black and white accompanied by stripes are the leading prints for the season punctuated with pops of colour and spring florals.

My look for the evening was understated glam. The black draped dress was part of the latest collection which I accessorised with some key items from the latest Ted Baker collection, also stocked by Stuttafords. The black cut out heels were incorporated to add a bit of dimension to my look as the colour palette remained monochrome.

Black Dress - Joseph Ribkoff at Stuttafords // Necklace - Ted Baker at Stuttafords // Flower Cuff - Ted Baker at Stuttafords // Flower Bracelet - Ted Baker at Stuttafords // Cutout Heels - Schutz 

Photos by Al Nicholl

Allure

It's the first of December! I can't believe I made it through this year. So much has happened and changed for me. I still remember talking about my objectives for the year on New Years Day with my friends. It's comforting to reflect on this year as I have accomplished most of my goals. This year was a year dedicated to work and nothing else and exhausting as it has been, that is all I have been doing thus far. I still have a long road ahead in terms of my career but I'm proud of the progress I've made. I literally had to put family, friends, and my social life aside! I think the most frequent question I got asked was "where are you?" and "why are you so lost?". 

Next year has already got me thinking about what I wish to achieve and in which direction I want my life to go in. It's so surprising to me that my aims for next year are so different to this year! It's bizarre how we change in the short space of a year! Next year is going to be more balanced. Family is of utmost importance to me, I feel like I missed out on so much this year and I know I will never get back the lost time but I can make the most of the time I do have with my loved ones. 

This week's look was shot at the Botanic Gardens for Allure Couture. This gorgeous cobalt Jumpsuit immediately attracted me when I previewed the collection. I was commissioned as the makeup artist and stylist however, this beauty caught my eye so I modelled it for the brand. I think it was the simplicity and 'cleanness' of the garment that attracted me. As you know, I like a clean look with a hint of drama therefore I incorporated a little sparkle and glam with midi sequinned blazer which I purchased some time back from Lipsy. The heels are from Zara which I impulsively purchased. I grew tired of looking at the shoes in my cupboard...

Cobalt Blue Jumpsuit - Allure Couture // Sequinned Blazer - Lipsy London // Heels - Zara

Allure Couture: Instagram - @allurecoutureza Moonira Joosab 0837865439

Images by Pagiel Chetty. www.pagielchetty.co.za Instagram: @pagielchetty 

Onyx By Aneesa Solomon X Cape Town

Last week I spent a few days in the city my heart truly belongs to - Cape Town. As you all know, I have been associated with the Onyx brand for the past two seasons. Naturally, I was on board when Aneesa briefed me on the itinerary for the this season's shoot. I feel it is important to bring fresh ideas and influences to a brand whilst maintaining the brand's identity. Aneesa's aesthetic is simple but timeless and this translates clearly in her work. Onyx isn't a trend oriented-brand, in my opinion, but rather the brand you would go to for a timeless piece that is going to stay in your closet for seasons to come and still be relevant. Maybe this is why I resonate with the brand. I find myself gravitating more towards classic, versatile pieces than trendy items. Onyx is, for lack of a better word, Old Money! 

We started off the morning getting to know each other. I'm sure the rest of the team where well acquainted as they're all from the beautiful Cape. Nabilah Kariem the other model who is infact a modest - wear blogger was such a delight to work with. I had been following her for a while so I was glad to have met her. Razana Omar, the talented makeup artist who worked magic on my face. If you don't believe me, the pictures speak for themselves. Nuraan - the beautiful lady responsible for my curly tresses and Shezan and her sidekick Ederees who made me feel so comfortable in front of the camera.

As per usual the food spread was nothing short of amazing! Special mention must be made of the most delectable doughnuts from Save Supermarket. Aneesa transported them all the way from Pietermaritzburg but it was well worth the effort! I'm craving one now while writing about it. I'm sure there are many flavours - we had the chance to taste the nutella-filled doughnut enrobed in a rich and creamy chocolate with a generous sprinkle of crushed oreo biscuit and a drizzle of white chocolate to top it off. How moreish does that sound? If you get the chance to pop into the bakery in one of their many stores... Definitely try it out and let me know what you think!

The new collection will be available for purchase from early next year. Please visit the website www.aneesasolomon.com for more details or to place an online order. Alternatively visit the Onyx page on Facebook.

Fashioned By Me x Mora Ammo

Last week Mohammed from Mora Ammo and myself collaborated. The brief was for me to style a few key items from his latest pret-a-porter collection. The items included a floral midi top, a black full length skirt and a silver dirndl skirt. My favourite look is the black and white pairing. It's very Carolina Herrera. Classic and elegant... 

I styled the pieces the way I would wear it which isn't necessarily how I'd style it for someone else. My look is very understated. I don't wear much accessories nowadays as I prefer a cleaner look. It's not often that I'm wearing print especially floral but I really loved this floral print - I'm considering investing in a few floral prints for this season. I feel like sometimes I channel Sara Donaldson from the blog Harper and Harley - her colour palette is black, white, grey and nude. I do think her style is great but she seriously needs to add some colour to her wardrobe. With that being said, I am going to introduce more colour to my every day wardrobe.

My hair was done by the talented Sawleha Hansa of @glamhairdontcare and the photography is by Mohammed himself!

All of the Mora Ammo items are available for purchase. Contact Mohammed on 0820788999 and follow him on Instagram @moraammo

I did post the pics on Instagram already but here's a few more...

 Top - Mora Ammo // Pants - Forever New // Heels - Luella // Cuff - Lovisa

Sequined Cardigan - Guess // Leatherette Dress worn as a top - Mora Ammo // Dirndl Skirt - Mora Ammo // Bangle - Accessorise 

Hat - Cotton On // Shirt - Massimo Dutti // Skirt - Mora Ammo // Necklace - Unknown //            Lips - Russian Red by Mac

Blown Away

It's Monday again, back to the rat race! I wish time would slow down already so I can catch my breath! Last week was such a busy week for me, I had lots of work as well as an interview for Mela on SABC 2. We prerecorded it, it should air some time towards the end of this month or early December so please look out for that on my Instagram and please watch the show!

A few items from this look was borrowed from my sister's closet. I am so tired of looking at my clothes - I really can't find any new ways to pair it. When I put this look together I envisioned myself wearing this to a casual lunch with my sisters or going shopping (so I can update my wardrobe) or even to work! We shot this at the Point on what felt like the windiest day of the year. You will notice my hair is flying in every picture. Pagiel tried his best to get a good shot of me but eventually we gave up due to the weather. 

I'm sitting on my couch, listening to 'Hello' by Adele feeling nostalgic. I don't know what more to write about so I'll just leave it at that.

Have a productive week! xx

Yellow Top - Zara // Nautical Jacket - Forever New // Camo Denim - True Religion // Jelly Shoes - Vivienne Westwood for Melissa // Sling Bag - Topshop // Bangle - Swarovski // Watch - Raymond Weil // Sunglasses - Rayban// Lips - Rebel by Mac

Hair colour by Keshini Moodley - Instagram @kesh_206
Hair by Sawleha Hansa - Instagram @glamhairdontcare
Photography by Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za / Instagram @pagielchetty

Taxi

I'm starting to feel a little burnt out! This year has been quite a strenuous year for me, however very productive, so I can't complain. With the year nearing it's end, I still have a few goals I wish to achieve even though all I want is a long vacay to a tropical island. Ive been watching some of my snapper friends on holiday and I am feeling major envy!

This shoot was quite fun for both Pagiel and I. It was very impromptu as I didn't really have an idea in mind. Even with the look, I just pulled whatever matched and used it. We started off at Point Road, outside The Chairman. The derelict building served as the perfect backdrop for this look as I wanted the juxtaposition of elegant and casual, which is also evident in the look itself. 

After a few shots, as we were heading back to the car - Pagiel suggested I do a hitchhike pose which then lead to his "lets shoot with the taxis" suggestion. I was keen as I have never been in a taxi before (I strongly suggest everyone try it at least once since it is such a big part of our South African culture). So there we were, speaking to the resting taxi driver, with his feet on the dashboard, he agreed to let us take a few snaps after a tiny bit of persuasion. Oddly enough, the taxi driver was quite excited about this shoot. He even helped me out with a few poses and showed me the different signals for each location, not that I remember, but it was amusing nonetheless. I suppose it was worth compromising his afternoon snooze!

Pants - Splash Dubai // Denim Shirt - Forever 21 // Cutout Heels - Schutz // Rose Gold Bangle - Swarovski // Lips - 'Rebel' by Mac

Photography: Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za

Instagram: @pagielchetty