African Fashion + Designers!

The inspiring looks coming out of the continent of Africa and from fellow ex-pats are INCREDIBLE! Traditional prints and creative designs are giving fashion-forward men and women a reason to feel sexy and proud!!!!

Personally, mixing traditional prints with items I buy locally in Saskatchewan is a great way to highlight both aspects of my wardrobe!

Below are a few designers and items to share:

Botswana Fashionistas with their lovely colourful accessories - The Khoi Fro

Loved this collared-coat....very striking!

Also mixing contrasting prints has become a wonderful trend!!!

Kente cloth design print dress shirt

Traditional embroidered tunic shirts on wax printed fabic....an old classic but with a modern slim fit

Ankara-style fabric in a playsuit design! Playsuits are becoming summer essentials for Lady J

African-print with solid colour for South African Fashion Week

Sober - Spring/Summer 2014

Also stay tuned for my upcoming highlights of AfroFest Regina over the weekend where I hope to catch more amazing African-inspired styles and cultural happenings:)

xoxo
Lady J 

Style Watch: White Summer Dress

Hello all:

With summer approaching, I have embraced the trend of lightweight white summer dresses! They come in all different styles and fabrics including linen, cotton, polyester and even blended silk materials. I find that they also can be worn casually or formally with any trendy accessory!

    Check out a few styles here:
 

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Google Images 

Ready to go frolicking in the sun???

xoxoxo

Lady J 

Sight-seeing in Toronto

Hi everyone:

I was away in Toronto, Ontario last week and would like to share some highlights with you! I went there to participate in the first-ever Black Canadian Awards 2014 as a Beauty Pageant Contestant representing Saskatoon! Check out all of the night's activities on my Official Contestant Website and Facebook fan pages!!!

In between my pageant activities, I was able to tour around Toronto with friends, view below:

The beautiful Eaton Centre #shopaholicsparadise with a lovely display of Canada geese!

After one of our famous shopping marathons, we settled on dinner at the "Amsterdam Brewhouse" by the Harbour facing Lake Ontario:

 Did some beer sampling with our meals:

My favourite was the very first glass on the far left called the "Big Wheel":

Another day, I spent touring around downtown Toronto and passed by The Distillery (Historical District) courtyard, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Building using the Toronto streetcars as my major use of transport throughout the trip!

The CN Tower tour was so much fun as well!!!

Oh Toronto what a slice it has been, I may come back again when my bank account gets replenished!!!

xoxoxo

Lady J 

Midtown Plaza: Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival 2014 (SFDF)

Hi fashionistas:

I am so proud of the Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival, is here!!! With series of events happening all around town from Thursday May 29th - Sunday June 1st!!!

Scheduled events range from gorgeous fashion shows to meet-ups with the fashionable-set of Saskatoon:

May 30th: Hosted at "Green Ark Collected Home" (212 20th St. W.) SFDF and Momentum are presenting Fashion Illustrator Racheal Meckling's latest work and also an industry mixer to celebrate from 7-11pm!

May 31st: SFDF Runway Show - at the Mercedes-Benz Dealership (715 Melville Street). Tickets range from $45 - $150 | age 19+ | Doors open 8:30pm. 

June 1st: SFDF POSE - at the River Landing Amphitheatre (414 Spadina Cres. E.) Free Admission | 12Noon-5pm. This showcase will give those up and coming Saskatchewan designers a chance to get noticed by all!

On the other side of things, take a look at the highlights from the premier event yesterday, "SFDF In Fashion" at our local Midtown Plaza Mall: 

Wait! first let me take a #selfie (with fellow Fly Girl, Philemina on the left!)

Getting a fashion tutorial about mixing different looks with a floral-print dress:

Make-up and hair workshop to help you get that natural glow!

The fabulous crowd, taking in all of the action:

 

Our lady on the far right here, went home a raffle winner of very fashionable goodies:

Please feel free to stop by and say hello and also keep up with continued highlights by following me on Twitter!!!

xoxox

Lady J 

Foot Spa Night!

Hi lovies:

I got a beautiful invite to go to a "Foot Spa Night" hosted by Mary Kay of Saskatoon check out the highlights of the night:

My friend Gabby, just joined the team and is really making waves with her cute bubbly nature...love the bag!

Aaaahhhh the good life:

While our feet were getting a great hydrating soak, we settled in to listen to some very inspiring stories from a variety of consultants and why they got started with Mary Kay:

Of course the shopaholic in me, had to buy a Mary Kay "At Play" liquid eyeliner in Gold, can't wait to try it out:

And to top off the night we ended up eating chocolate for supper and yes tastes as delicious as it looks!!!

Ciao xoxo, 

Lady J

Black Canadian Queen 2014 Journey!

 Hi all:  

What a wild ride 2014 has been, especially since a lot of my time has been spent promoting my Black Canadian Queen pageant campaign! It is getting close to the event date (June 7th) and I am getting to the end of my campaign, but I am giving one last PUSH! Here are ways to assist me in reaching my goals:

1)  DONATING to my Go Fund Me account (Special thanks to those who have!) There is just 12 hours left!!! 

2)  VOTING! for me as the Best Black Canadian Queen (Voting ends June 3rd 12am)

3)  VIEWING/LISTENING/SHARING my latest BCQ promotion on Spreecast with Chonilla (I come on at the 37min           mark)

4)  VIEWING/SHARING/COMMENTING/LIKING my YouTube video  (Currently at 150 views!!!!) and also my              social media links:

Official Contestant Website: http://jmyourblackcanadianqueen2014.blogspot.ca/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/jmyourblackcanadianqueen2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stylebyladyj

Also you can use the following hastags:  #blackcanadians #blackcanadianqueen #BCA2014Thank-you, your support is GREATLY appreciated!  

Living in Saskatoon:Free Flow Thursdays

Hey all,

For all professionals and business owners, living here in Saskatoon, there is a monthly event called "Free Flow Thursdays" put on my the Mane Productions team....on you guessed it....Thursday evenings. These networking events are a motivational way to chat with others looking to make meaningful business connections!

This time around it was at the Holiday Inn downtown and the dress-code was business casual so I opted for basic black slacks and an orangey-red bow blouse!!! It's becoming my signature look, those flirty bow blouses!!! Also check out my red/yellow/gold/blow string earrings for additional colour!

At the event I met a wonderful childern's book author, Marion Mutala who self-publishes her works about her family's Ukrainian heritage to educate kids as well as the adults who read to them about wedding, birthday and holiday traditions! *grins*

Also met up with the ladies of Saskatchewan Craft Council, Steph. C. (right) was a previous contact I made in my university days (too many years ago!), nice seeing her again!

 Look at that bustling room...

If you live in the city, I hope to see you next time:)

xxxooo
Lady J

Black Canadian Queen 2014 - Go Fund Me Campaign

Hello peeps,

I hope you remember my previous post about entering into a beauty pageant, if not here it is! Well it's crunch time now with the event in Toronto, Ontario on June 6th & 7th!

With the help of my primary sponsors Leerox Technology and Eleganiza Couture, click the links below and contribute to my "Go Fund Me" campaign:

http://www.gofundme.com/josephinemensah-bcq2014

I hope to raise $1000+ by Sunday May 25th at midnight! Also share this link with your social network using the hashtags: #Josephine Mensah #blackcanaidanawards #blackcanadianqueen #BCA2014

Your support is greatly appreciated:)

xoxox

Lady J

#Snap Your Style Contest - Steven and Chris

Hi everyone:

The fabulous show Steven and Chris which talks about all things style, is hosting a "snap your style" contest where viewers send in pictures of themselves! For this particular entry, they want to know how you style yourself wearing a classic white dress shirt.

I sent in my entry in yesterday via Twitter:

The winner of this contest gets:
• A shopping spree at Hudson's Bay = approx. retail value $1,000.00.
• A complete makeover on Steven and Chris. (Ekk! I could be on TV)
• One night stay for two at Trump Hotel with valet parking, dinner for two at STOCK
Restaurant Bar & Lounge, In-Room breakfast for two. Approximate retail value $1,695.00.

And the total retail value of the prizes is around $2,695.00!!!

Every fashionista's dream! Wish me luck and stay tuned y'all, we find out in during the show's Fall season!

xoxoxo
Lady J

Beauty in a Patch?

Hey all:

Has your life as busy as mine? *whew!*

By the way have you seen this controversial video from Dove?

*Spoiler Alert*

How did you like it?

When I first saw it, I wanted to call shenanigans....I mean a beauty patch, like really? I thought maybe it would be damaging for the wearer, full of "happy hormones" and "artificial chemicals"....but artificial is right "beauty is a state of mind" and no one can tell you otherwise!

Although this was just a placebo effect on the women involved, it's a larger commentary on idealistic beauty standards that the media puts out there about the "right size" and the "right" combination of features.

As the media begins to diversify with bloggers and other user-generated content such as you and me, the stage opens up to voices of women who have overcome obstacles as well as grow and continue to be filled with self-acceptance. It is a life-long trek for many, but it's possible. Take care of yourselves!

xxxxxooooo

Lady J 

Where did you get those Cheekbones?

Hello beauties!

Have you ever wondered how/why some women have the most fantastic cheekbones and sculpted features
you have ever seen? Yes, sometimes it is just genetics but for many ladies its all about countering.

Photo credit: Stylelist Canada

Countering allows for more definition, by highlighting the natural peaks and valleys of face to create stunning symmetry to your features. So you can virtually widen or narrow features just with pigmented foundations and highlighter creams.

Check out this article for more tips!

xoxoxox

Lady J

What I'm into: Eyebrow Threading Technique

Hello beauty lovers:

As someone with very sensitive skin, I am not a big fan of waxing usually, so I have adapted my eyebrows to incorporate the threading routine.

This practice has been around for centuries all over southern Asia as well as Eastern Africa. By using, strong cotton thread women (and some men I'm sure) have been maintaining smooth hairless skin....so the secret is out I guess...

Follow along with this step-by-step guide to perfecting the threading technique and creating a near-perfect brow shape! It really does frame your face and also can give the appearance of a more open and lifted eye!

Check yourself out first and observe what brow look will flatter your face and eye shape....for me personally I have very round features so a fuller eyebrow looks best, the thinner and smaller your features are, the thinner and smaller you are permitted to make your brow shape (but watch out, since you don't want non-existent brows! we have all met those people lol) Some ladies like to use a white eye pencil to outline their new desired shape and/or just the spots where the would like to remove the hair.

Ok back to threading.....so you want to start with a looped piece of thread about 12 inches/30 cm long (about the length of a ruler) or your forearm.

Next you will twist the centre of the loop and create a "bow-tie" shape to place along the skin area, with your fingers facing inward, you will feel in control to slide the string upwards against the hair and towards the nose. The hair gets trapped in the twisted string and it almost lifts them up and out of the pores. Imagine a lawn mower cutting blades of grass!

This continuous motion will feel like 10 plucks at once!!! But we had a saying in our household that "it hurts to be beautiful" but if it's just a touch-up then the pain is a lot less:)

Photo Credit: Glamour.com

Ultimately, threading is all about angles....so naturally you will stop and start again at different points to create your ideal shape!

Also be mindful of a few key things:
*You may see some redness post-threading but not to worry it is very normal and will fade within a hour or less

*You can use your trusty tweezers to take care of those stubborn stray hairs that my be too tricky to thread out (probably closer the the inter arc of you brow; between the areas of #1 & 2 in the first image)

*To keep your brows looking neat and sharp, maintain this routine every other week

*Also don't be afraid of filling in your brows with a matching eyebrow pencil or eye shadow that goes with your natural brow colour to give a finished and smooth look! We call do that ;)

**Bonus Tip: in case you have long or slightly curly brows like me....comb the hairs upwards and trim the edges of the arc (areas #2 & 3) with some fine bladed scissors....hopefully the security detail at the airport did not confiscate them like they did your girl #truestory #youknowwhatmynextpurchaseis

xoxo

Lady J 

I Hope You're not Wearing the Wrong Bra?

...but in case you are, don't worry you join over 75% of women around the world in your misjudgment.

Read this article to find your correct fit and size and let those "girls" feel COMFORTABLE!

Photo Credit: Google Images

You're welcome,

xoxo,

Big sister, Lady J

What I'm into: Shoes, shoes all kinds of shoes!

Photo Credit: Stylist Canada 

Enough said, happy Friday!

xo
Lady J 

Body Image Empowerment!

Hi all,

For many women (and in recent years men) it has been difficult to accept one's body as it is...but rather many speak very critically and in a self-deprecating manner about their self-image!
As we are all a part of consuming the mass media and idealized representations, we believe that our bodies are unworthy of love and acceptance.

Even compliments and positive affirmations from others covers up our insecurities momentarily till one begins believing the negatives again....it's really an uphill battle.

Below is a lovely poem from a talented artist,  Rachael Wiley called "10 Honest Thoughts on Being LOVED by a Skinny Boy"....she has such a fantastic way of weaving her words that you can easily envision the scenes she presents:

It gave me chills when I first heard it and made me thinks "that's going on the blog"!

xoxox

Lady J 

Shopping in Saskatoon - Part 2

Hi friends:

How is the month of February treating you?

In continuation with the local shopping series, the next installment is here!

Flashback Clothing Collective
Drinkle Mall (Lower Level)
115 - 3rd Avenue South, Suite #6

• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Open Wed - Fri 12-5:30pm & Sat. 11:30am-5pm

Facebook Page - Flashback Clothing Collective

Flashback is a wonderful vintage clothing and accessories store here in Saskatoon's Drinkle Mall. I remember walking down 3rd Ave this past Fall and came across their sandwich board on the street...and being being very intrigued by the name as well as the possibility of vintage treasures within!

The store has been arranged by decade, so you are able to easily pick out the item's references and understand its influence on today's styles:

Also the owner Shanon, has a wealth of knowledge about every piece of merchandise and able to discuss an piece's historical context with shoppers. She mentioned to me that her merchandise comes from her and her family's personal collections but Shanon also purchases vintage items from women who are down-sizing and/or cleaning out attics and storage rooms from their rural and urban properties throughout the province.

When it comes to vintage shopping, be sure to have lots of time to spare, since half the fun is in the find as well as this will give you a chance to inspect a piece properly and consider its fit!!! Also before you get ready to stop over at Flashback, be sure to hit up the various ATMs downtown since it is a "cash only" shop!

xxxxoxo

Lady J 

Shopping in Saskatoon - Part 1

Hi fashionistas:

So over tea with friends the topic of shopping locally here in Saskatoon, SK came up (surprise, surprise)! Although both of the ladies were new to the city, one of them expressed her bordeum with the local malls and their limited amount of unique pieces as well as sizing that would be appealing to her petite and curvy figure. So she asked, "where do you shop Lady J?"...

As a self-proclaimed shopaholic *hand-to-heart* I thought I would create a 3 part series of my favourite boutiques in Saskatoon, to guide those newbies in the city as well as people who want to find different places to pick up wardrobe pieces, and not be another girl at the party wearing the same outfit as 10 other women there (true story...but I exaggerate) this is for you:

Fly Channel Fashion
101 -- 733 Broadway Ave. 
Saskatoon, SK 
Fly Channel Facebook Page 

This is a wonderful little boutique, that a friend took me to way way back in high school! They get a lot of their merchandise from Asian countries with colourful prints, interesting and clever design elements to their clothing as well as accessory items. I have gotten many great pieces from there throughout the years including a rainbow tote bag, ruffle blouses and my newest tangerine maxi dress (my wishful thinking for warmer weather):

There you will find Ling, with her friendly aura who is always available to give amazing styling advice for how to wear and enhance the item(s) you hope to buy!

Coming soon....Part 2

xo
Lady J