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

Topshop Lipstick: Mescaline

Hello fabulous people! I hope everyone's week has been productive thus far. Mine has been busy, I've been working on content for various mediums. I trust everyone has been keeping up to date with my Teenzone Magazine articles. I'm so proud to announce that I am currently being featured in the online version of Glamour Magazine - as part of their Style Diary. You can view it here. 

Topshop has been fulfilling my beauty needs of late. I have always been a Mac and Bobbi Brown girl but since my first lipstick purchase (I did write a review on this  - it's nestled safely in my drafts folder) I've converted.

My latest addition to my ever-growing Topshop Lips agglomerate is from their Autumn/Winter '14 collection - Mescaline - which is a shimmery gold lipstick, is part of their metallic range. I must be honest, I have never been a fan of wearing any sort of metallic makeup but this collection has swayed my opinion. I was instantly attracted to the gorgeous hue and ever so subtle shimmer it possess - the metal is subtle enough for girls of any shade to find their perfect match. 

The problem most of us face with pearlescent shades is that it tends to make us look a bit 'old-school' (picture a 90's chick with a waterfall scrunchie, super high waisted jeans and horrible metallic lips) but this won't happen with this particular range of lippies, I assure you... Topshop is unrivaled when it comes to reinventing the classics.

This lippie is ideal if you want to give the metals a go as it's subtle enough for those who aren't confident about the change.What's really cool about it is that it's perfect worn on its own- during the daytime -or can be layered for a glam evening look. 

Have you tried this colour? whats your favourite lipstick? Share your references with me on Twitter @zaida_omar

My Year of Firsts

Hi lovely readers. How was your vacation? My vacation was one of my favourite, most fun holidays yet. I didn't go overseas this year but just for a mini break to Cape Town. What made my holiday so great was my company, I couldn't have asked for better company to spend the break with.

For my first post of the year, I've decided to write about 'firsts'. Maybe that's why this post took so long, I've already started with my resolution. I didn't want to be like everyone else who wrote about resolutions and starting afresh this year blah blah... so I've decided to make only one resolution this year, to experience as many new things as possible. It doesn't have to be anything outrageous either, as long as it makes my heart skip a beat!

I have given this some thought, I really want to live this year, move away from the monotony of life. To start my year of firsts I've decided to get in touch with nature. A few years back I was the type of girl who preferred the mall to the beach, I actually spent every day in the mall (due to work). Fast forward a few years later and I'd pick the beach over shopping any day. There's a certain joy I feel when running on the promenade or hiking up a mountain that I haven't experienced otherwise. I finally understand what those fitness maniacs are chasing when they're scaling the highest peaks or diving the deepest oceans, however I am yet to experience runners high, but I'm so looking forward to it.

Thus far on my list of 'firsts' is hiking up Lion's Head and doing an incredible jump that could have ended badly but thankfully didn't. I've also indulged in a bit of scuba diving which was exhilarating to say the least. Furthermore, I went hiking and swam in a waterfall. There are a few more 'firsts' that I wish to experience before the first quarter of the year is up but I will tell you about it once I have ticked it off my list.

Have you set any goals for the year, and have you started them yet? tweet me (@zaida_omar) or write on my Facebook page (Fashioned by me) and let me know.

Here's to a thrilling year of 'firsts' ahead!

T-shirt: Forever 21

Denims: Topshop

Espadrilles: Factorie

Jacket: Zara

Handbag: Charles and keith

Sunglasses: Rayban

Necklace: Lovisa

Bracelet: Purchased Overseas

Tights in Jumping Picture: Adidas

Africa Bracelet: Purchased at the Hout Bay Market  

Travel Necessities: 12 Beauty Essentials To Pack For Your Holiday

Is it just me or is beauty the most difficult part of packing for the holiday? How do you know which blushes to pack or how many different shades of orange lipstick to throw in? Or what to use when a week in the sun throws you a lemon and you end up with sunburnt lips and steel wool hair... 

So, here's a list of beauty essentials to keep you looking your glowing best for all those holiday selfies.

1.

Dry Shampoo

Holidays are sometimes more of a rush than a time of relaxation which is why this Redken dry shampoo is perfect, it keeps your hair looking clean and shiny when you're running late for hotel breakfast.

2.

Cleanser

When packing a cleanser for a holiday it needs to be two things; gentle enough to soothe distressed skin (due to climate change) and hard-working enough to remove debris. This Dermalogica cleanser is gentle enough for sensitive skin and moisturises as well as cleanses.

3.

Facial Cream

Your skin really takes a beating when travelling, if it's not the plane sucking out every ounce of moisture it's the change in climate. Pack a cream that works for both day and night to save space. This cream absorbs wonderfully and doesn't leave your pores feeling suffocated.

4.

Spf

Please wear sunblock wherever you go! This sunblock has a slight tint which is perfect if you're not in the mood for foundation. It provides an even coverage and doesn't leave your skin looking and feeling oily.

5.

Sunblock

The rest of your body is just as important as your face! Don't forget to lather on the sunblock before sipping on those poolside cocktails.

6.

After - Sun Lotion

And now for some rehabilitation! Even if your skin isn't feeling toasty, give it some relief with this after sun lotion by Eucerin. 

7.

Foundation

Grab a foundation that's light enough for a no-makeup look but thick enough to provide lasting coverage. This Bobbi Brown (Honey) cream compact provides lasting coverage while still keeping your skin looking and feeling hydrated.

8.

Eyeshadow 

Pack an eyeshadow palette instead of individual colours. This Bobbi Brown (Warm Glow) palette is ideal for day and night with it's neutral colours, perfect for a soft bronzed look or a smouldering smokey eye for those nights out. 

9.

Waterproof Mascara

Avoid Racoon eyes after a plunge in the pool with this waterproof mascara by Givenchy. The unique brush provides extra volume and draws the lashes out. A must - have for all lash lovers!

10.

Bronzer / Blush

Pack a bronzer, blush duo like this one from Chanel (Les Beiges Healthy Glow)

which also has an spf in it. It acts as a highlighter, sculpting powder, bronzer and blush which saves you a whole lot of space!

11.

Lipstick Palette

Pack a lipstick palette instead of all your lipsticks which will save space and prevent loss. Choose a palette with a few bright colours as well as a neutral colour for different looks. 

12.

Nail Polish

Don't forget about your nails! Go crazy with colour this summer with this one from Topshop in 'Clique'. 

What are your travel beauty essentials?

Weekend Getaway

Black and Gold Slippers - Charles and Keith/ Brown Boots - TopShop

This past weekend my sister and I went for a mini-vacation to Johannesburg, now and again we need a small break from the daily pressures of work and life. The trip started off on a not-so-good foot as our flight was delayed by an hour, we boarded only at 11 pm and by the time we reached out hotel we were exhausted, so much for a relaxed start! For my wardrobe, I packed warm. Every time I visit Jo'burg it's cold and miserable and this time was no different! Jo'burg to me is the New York of South Africa. Everything is much more serious and corporate and the same goes for the fashion. High-tops and hoodies aren't ideal choices when covering up, instead, fur coats and knee-length boots are a preferred option. Everyone's always dressed to the nines so I carried slim-fit jackets, my trusted Zara pointies, and my new favourite - my Topshop boots ( I had to bring a little piece of Durban with). Another trend I tried was the pyjama trend however I wasn't entirely happy with the way I styled it. I would have preferred to wear the shirt without a jacket and with barely-there heels instead of boots but there's always next time. I didn't get many snaps of what I wore and had to resort to selfies but here are the few I did manage to take.

Navy Top - River Island/Jacket - Zara

Top - Miss Selfridge/Jacket - Zara/Jeans - Guess/Pumps - Zara/Bag - Furla

T-Shirt - Aeropostale/ Denims - Forever 21/ Blazer - Zara/ Shoes - Steve Madden

#FBMChallenge

My apologies for going completely MIA these past two weeks. I know I proposed a challenge and didn't keep up but in my defense, I had a busy two weeks. I did however, take pics of what I wore and even managed to pull out a couple gems, I also emptied a fraction of my closet which made so much more space for next season's purchases. :)

Day Two, Wednesday

I wore this to a birthday supper. This month my calendar was full of birthdays, mine included. Plaid is so in at the moment so I paired these TopShop pants with a sheer top and barely-there heels.

I usually do wear darker colours but on this particular night I decided to channel my inner RiRi with this super dark lip. I got mixed reviews but I still loved it and will definitely be wearing it more often. (I used a lip pencil because I don't have this colour in a lipstick).

Top: Cotton on (Old)

Pants: Top Shop (New)

Jacket: Forever 21 (Old)

Barely- there Sandals: Steve Madden (New)

Box Clutch: Zara (Old)

Lip: MAC in Currant (lip pencil)

Don't Hate

T-Shirt: Forever 21

Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: Topshop

Chain: Mira Mew

Lipstick: MAC Russian Red