20.2.13

I Am Beautiful - Funmilayo

The main idea behind IAB is Empowerment, Motivation and Success. Many of us know that there are many issues concerning body image, social stratification and general emotional and psychological well-being of people. These issues have lead to too many devastating ends such as depression and death- in the form of suicide.
                                                                                                           
I would like to use this series as a way to destroy all that negativity and build up the self-confidence of our generation that is being tampered with by so many sources.

Relax and Enjoy...
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

1. What is your Name?
My name is Olufunmilayo Adeleke

2. What is your Nationality and Where do you currently live?
I am from Nigeria and I live in the US




3. Which age group do you belong to? 0-17, 18-25, 26-40, 40 and above.
18- 25

4. Describe your personal style.
My personal style…hmm. I love being comfortable and being me. I can withstand a little pain from my shoes as far as I look good. I rarely wear makeup. I'm more of a Jean and shirt person but for events I love to get dressy. Not a big fan of chunky jewelry. I do not like any outfit or accessory that competes with my natural beauty. Overall, I am open to trying different styles as long as I’m comfortable with whatever I throw on. 

5. What makes you feel beautiful?
My eyes, my legs, my personality and the fact that I am beautiful. I feel beautiful because I am beautiful J

6. What do you think of the current issues concerning body image and race?
I feel society has put a lot of pressure on body image and race. They portray imperfect people as perfect and the youths and teenagers feel the need to be perfect. About race, different countries have different reactions to race but at large racism is going to stay for a long time, it’s just the way we teach our youths and children that matters. If we can set good examples for the little ones, we would be able to gradually eradicate the notion of perfection (skin color and body wise)

7. Do you think the media has had a negative or positive influence on these issues? Why?
 The media has both positive and negative influences but the negative outweigh the positive. Like I said before, the media has displayed the imperfect people as perfect, teaching the world to see the need to cover up their imperfection. However, I have seen quite a number of articles, in the media, condemning the media. These articles are showing us the dangers of trying to be perfect and what some of these celebrities have to do to remain “perfect”.


8. What do you think of the current fashion industry and trends?
I think it is very interesting. I do not follow fashion very closely but looking at the different styles, I see creativity in fashion. A lot of styles keep revolving and its interesting how they have added twists and turns to these old styles. I'm very impressed with the creativity of the fashion industry .

9. What advice would you like to give?
Welcome change, always believe in yourself, and remember whosoever we are trying to impress is very busy trying to impress another person. Just be yourself!


10. Share a fun fact about you.
I want to have 6 kids.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           


I agree with you so much Funmi! One of my favourite things you said is the part about 'teaching the world to see the need to cover up their imperfection.' 

I sometimes wonder how all this talk about 'imperfection' and 'ideal-ness' came to be. Who began pointing out 'flaws' in people, who gave the person the power to? How did certain things become the 'norm'? 

Do these thoughts also come to you?

Funmi and I have been friends since the beginning of High School in Queens College, Lagos, Nigeria. She has a blog where she writes and she is beginning to get into Fashion Blogging.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Xo

Kike.

18.2.13

The Black Midi Dress

 













 



Shop This Look:
Dress: Urban Planet ($15) Poncho: Marshalls Hat, Tights and Faux Fur Gloves: Ardene Boots: Michael Antonio via Beyond The Rack

Total Cost: Approx. $57.23

Just in case you can't tell, my housemate and I had a blast shooting this outfit! As I said in my IAB feature, I'm a very shy person, so it's normally an issue for me when we have to shoot in a public area. This time however, the roads we quite empty so I opened up and just had fun!

I feel like I'm beginning to discover my personal style; you know: what works for me, my body type, my personality and my confidence. I wore this outfit to church yesterday and I felt awesome inside-out! It wasn't because I was really dressed up, but I just felt extremely comfortable!

I have a question for you guys. When shopping, online or in-store, what matters to you more in each of these categories: Quality Vs. Quantity; Price Vs. Brand Name! I'd like to know, so let me know in the comments!

Would you like to get involved with IAB? Send in your answers to the questions! :)

Xo

Kike.

13.2.13

I Am Beautiful - JesulOba

The main idea behind IAB is Empowerment, Motivation and Success. Many of us know that there are many issues concerning body image, social stratification and general emotional and psychological well-being of people. These issues have lead to too many devastating ends such as depression and death- in the form of suicide.
                                                                                                           
I would like to use this series as a way to destroy all that negativity and build up the self-confidence of our generation that is being tampered with by so many sources.

Relax and Enjoy...
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

1. What is your Name?
JesulOba Akinyele

2. What is your Nationality and Where do you currently live?
Nigerian and I live in the United Kingdom 

3. Which age group do you belong to? 0-17, 18-25, 26-40, 40 and above.
18- 25

4. Describe your personal style.
I'd like to think of my style as classy and elegant, but age appropriate. Think Victoria Beckham and Blair Waldorf from gossip girl. I love shoes (flats and heels). I don't do converses, high tops or creepers. I can stand toms occasionally :p 

5. What makes you feel beautiful?
My height and my smile. I like to think of myself as 'curvy'. Some people say fat, but I say curvy! At 5ft 10inches, I think I pull it off very well. When I smile, people smile back. I've never gotten a no with my smile. I know it sounds very cheesy, but when you have cheeks and an occasional dimple, who is going to say no to that? 

6. What do you think of the current issues concerning body image and race?
Concerning body image, it's mostly about being slim and being able to wear a size 6 (I think that's an American zero). I know girls who go on crazy diets to loose weight. I personally have done it all and I lost weight and put it back on. Name it: master cleanse done, eat and binge, atkins diet!
  I was a UK 16/18 when I decided to gym and eat healthy, and the weight went down. Girls especially need to know its not about size but it's about being healthy and feeling beautiful. Finding the things that are unique to them and making the most of it.

Race is a little bit difficult to answer because I don't think you can change your race without some form of magic! I have vague memories of my friends in high school who wanted to be lighter. They never bleached or anything, but they had the idea that being light skinned made people 'more beautiful'.





7. Do you think the media has had a negative or positive influence on these issues? Why?
I think it has a negative effect. I have never seen an advert concerning how to put on weight. Most of the models on E! or FTV are all skinny. Its all skinny skinny skinny... I remember starving myself till I fainted in the tube one day because I really wanted to be skinny. I remember looking at vogue and all the models in their dresses all skinny and beautiful; all the runway models with their hip bones showing...and I'll look down at my love handles. 

At the same time, there are some good shows out there that encourage healthy weight loss and talk about BMI and being healthy. There are also plus size models coming up. There just has to be more input of the "good weight and body image vibe".

8. What do you think of the current fashion industry and trends?
I'm quite liberal about many things like short dresses, revealing shirts and things like that. I might not wear these things but I don't mind them as long as they are worn properly. For example: I wont like to see a girl like me with a bit of tummy wearing a crop top!



9. What advice would you like to give?
My advice is very simple. Big can be beautiful. This is a very traditional thing to say, but "all fingers are not equal'.  Everyone is different. Different sizes, shapes, figures, faces and we can't blend into a particular form that has been created where we have to starve or worry about blending in. We have to be bold and strong because we are beautiful. 

10. Share a fun fact about you.
I love to sing but I can't sing to save my life, but I still sing my lungs out in the shower or whenever I hear a song I like. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

JesulOba, I really enjoyed reading your answers! I'm glad you spoke about the height-weight factor. 
A lot of people forget that's the important thing.  

LOL at the singing part... trust me, I know what you mean. :p You have reminded us again that we are different and beautiful in our own ways.


What do you guys think?
Check back next wednesday for the next feature. More info here.

11.2.13

Got Some Leather












  


   

  





So I just I'd share some awesome outfits out together from some of my favorite fashion bloggers and celebs featuring the leather trend. 

Which is your favorite? I can't pick just one! ^_^

I have a very busy week ahead of me; hope you have  a great one!

Xo

Kike.

8.2.13

Wants or Needs?


Forever 21. Available here.


Forever 21. Available here.


Forever 21. Available here


Forever 21. Available here


Forever 21. Available here


Forever 21. Available here.


Urban Planet. Available here


Forever 21. Available here

Urban Planet. Available here 


ASOS. Available here

 ASOS. Available here


My style. Unfortunately, most stores and websites that fit my style either don't ship to Canada, or if they have stores here, they don't have any here in Windsor. Sad story! 

I really wish I could get the first 3 shoes, but they're only available on the US website. :( 

Anyhoo, have a fab weekend! :)
Xo

Kike.