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 

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!  

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 

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 

You're so Vain...

Hi folks,

After intensifying my hair skin-care moisturizing rituals...the harsh winter weather seems to wreck havac on my sensitive body (secrets to be shared soon!)...I have realized that every fashionista needs a designated place that makes her feel even more beautiful as she gets ready to meet her public and/or at the end of the night when she is taking down all of the glamour of the day!

Also I find that it gives a bedroom or a luxurious bathroom that extra PUNCH!!! with a great display of personal items, jewelry boxes and various fragrance bottles showcasing her style personality from minimalistic to over-the-top fanciful:

Mirrored vanity

 Skirted version:

Interesting corner vanity

 Breath-taking!

Photo Credits: Google Images 

xxxx

Lady J 

Ways to Make a Positive Change Last

Photo Credit: Google Images 

Hi everyone:

I have kicked off the new year with looking for articles that will allow me to further my motivation and grow my inner beauty in the projects that I am currently working on!

Let me be honest with you....procrastination has been a major barrier in my life (omg! not Lady J?!), well believe it! Recently, I have adopted a "15 minute" strategy, where I will work on a project for only 15 minutes to get started...then assess if I need to take a break or continue working. Surprisingly, 8/10 times focus sets in and I will continue working till I get it all done, realizing "wow that really wasn't that bad" or "I should have done that earlier".

So, that is one tip from me to you, but click on the Mind Body Green article to access 12 more ways to make a positive change last!

xxxooo

Lady J 

Style Watch: Holiday Party Outfits

Season's Greetings Fashionitas:

The holidays are coming up so fast,  in 4 more sleeps to be exact!

Hopefully you are attending holiday parties throughout the month and enjoying all the little treats and drinks available.

Below are a few festive trends I have noticed this season!!!:

I love how this white and cream coloured dress glows on her skintone:

Photo Credit: glamour.com

A beautiful sweater for your daytime events:

Photo Credit: lyst.com

A pair of fancy coloured or brocade print pants (Lady J has a pair of the black and gold ones in her closet!):

Photo Credit: oliviapalermocom

 Metallics have been consistently a part of the holiday colour palette:

Photo Credit: Google Images

Photo Credit: Google Images

Or one can glow in all shades of green (the fringe dress is one of my favourite):

Photo Credit: Google Images



Whatever you plan to wear to your festivities, remember to be merry and joyful for all that you have!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

xoxoxo

Lady J

What was yours is loved again!

Hi lovelies!

Over the weekend I hosted a "Clothing Swap" Party!!!! For those who are unfamiliar with this, its a party where fashionitas can exchange their clothing and accessory items for another's! Essentially refreshing your wardrobe without spending any $$$!

So what happens when two or more ladies want the same item, one may ask? We, battle for it! Well not really....we have our other guests vote on who is rocking that item the best!

Loving the potluck table...the snowflake lanterns... were a hit with the girls:)

Cute cutlery set by pt trademark of Present Time on farminista.com. 

Fashion cuties, my blazer has a new life...hot hot hot!

Who wore it best?

A new tank top for this girly!

*This is a democratic process*

 take a look at those hand-made "Judy" voting signs made by yours truly!

Ended the night with some specialty tea, a gift from a "Fashionista Angel", Roxanne Woodley..."Be Cool" was my favourite flavour of the Kusmi Tea!!!

That was like shopping at 12 different stores in one afternoon and saving 100% of my cash!

Till next time,

oxo

Lady J

Style Watch: Fabulous Boots

Hey all,

Have you missed me? I am out of hibernation now and ready to continue blogging for your style-viewing entertainment!

So of course with the weather change into Winter, every fashionista is looking to add another pair (or two) of boots to her ever expanding wardrobe!

Below are a few of my favourites:

Photo Credits: Google Images 

What will you be rocking this season to stay warm and fashionable?

xoxo

Lady J

What are your thoughts on Social Media???

Hi all,

Below is a really interesting 17 minute video discussing Social Media today as a great user-generated platform for alternative media and/or a way of disconnecting from reality.

Enjoy!

I'm really curious to read what you think, so feel free to leave a comment and we can start up a discussion of our own!

xxxxo
Lady J 

Featured in "Bridges" Saskatoon's Local Newspaper!

Today has been an excellent day!

Honestly, I haven't been able say a bold statement like that in some time...it's always the day starts out well and then...(you know the rest) and/or it was a good day, then you are dropped a bomb that changes everything!

Well today, I was featured in a weekly Saskatoon paper under their #SaskatchewanFashion section which made me beam all day long:)

Click the link to view the full article:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/bridges/Josephine+Mensah+Looking+stylish+budget/8923900/story.html

Also thanks to the staff at the Star Phoenix for making it happen!!!

Style Watch: Fall Capes & Wraps

Hello loves,

Now that the Fall season is officially upon us....What are you filling your wardrobes with?

As for me I'm doubling up on some of my summer clothes and adding layered items to transition into this cooler season. One item in particular that I am noticing all over is the cape/wrap. It looks like everyone and their mother is using capes as an alternative to the traditional Fall coat. Take a peek at some cute styles:

Bright hues:

 Even fur-trimmed:

More classic cuts: 

Metallic and sequins (My personal fav, surprise suprise):

*All images are courtesy of Google Images

So as the leaves continue to change colour and the air becomes more and more frosty what is your favourite item of Fall?

xo

Lady J 

25 Things You Don’t Have To Justify To Anyone

Hello there,

Hope your week is going well! I found this lovely article that I wanted to share with you about "25 Things You Don’t Have To Justify To Anyone"....go forth with whatever you destiny holds and embrace the lessons of your past!

Live freely!

Photo Credit: Google Images 

xoxoxo

Lady J

P.S. My favourites are # 9 and #12, share yours in the comments section!