How hard is it to introduce one self?!! Very hard. Hahaha. Because unlike most people,I sometimes pull a "push" door and struggle with it. Just the other day,let me not lie, few times, I've walked to the driver's door wanting to sit on the passenger's seat on my "boyfriend's" car,intending to use the gadammmnnn left door. So,hey, I got so many faults and I'm definitely a very human human. But do all these really matter? I don't know. Maybe. But there are things that make me a perfect imperfect being. Like my love for DIYs that I got from my father who recycled anything and everything which includes old sheets to handkerchiefs!!!! Hahahaha.

Sheila is just a girl who thinks better at midnight and will be writing all your blogs at 3am so that you can wake up to them and read as you sip on some coffee to work. I've been granted good eyes for fashion (literally) since way back when I was slender and would buy my mtumba high heels but since they were too high,my dad would cut it for me to my preferred height!!!Those are days I miss. So, expect so much fun as we go on a learning spree on how to DIY (Do It Yourself) everything in your gadaamnnn closet and enjoy wardrobe hacks that are so much fun.

I was handed this blog after convincing the founder that I'm the best person to carry her baby through. You can't imagine the joy I had after she loved my 2 articles that I had written that night at my usual 3ams. I believe in women doing great things. Trust me, we have so many untold stories that need a platform to be heard. In Entrepreneurship, innovation, music and all those serious stuff!!! Hahahah.

Just like the amazing founder of TOI market, Damaris Muga is passionate about a working woman, I am too. Especially in Entrepreneurship. It is so close to my heart. At 16, I was making banana fibre picture frames as a business after pitching it to my father and convincing him to invest his 15,000 ksh which never went back! hahaha. Entrepreneurship is fun. Just like fashion,music and TV. That's why TOI Market is gonna be a vlog!!!!! Yeeeyyyy!!! We are gonna have some amazing series lined up on educating ourselves in all the above mentioned sectors. It doesn't matter if you don't have resources to build up a brand and a product.

We are going to kick ass and motivate each other to start doing things we keep on pushing to the bottom of our to-do list because we don't see ourselves achieving them. Lemme just say we are going to look good and enjoy new things this season so hey!!!!!! I'm super excited that you're gonna walk with me and carry on Damaris Muga's baby to superstardom!! Let's win awards and floss yoh! Who knows, the baby might be reborn one day in pages.

Lastly, I wanna say you're the most amazing 16k people ever!!! And thank you Damaris Muga for gifting me such an amazing package of amazing people topped up with the amazing times we gonna have here!!!!

Peace..


01:31





Fam, this has been quite a journey. (reason for old photo)
I have had so so much fun doing this, writing this blog.
I have grown and so have you, at least I would so very hope so.

The blog has you guys, such a great following, you have been super supportive, we won an Award!!
Because I cannot do it anymore, I would like to leave it to somebody who is going to keep it going.
They will introduce themselves.
So consider this my last post.

We started here. SAI SANKOH  in 2012, we had loads of fun with the Wedding series, then we grew to not just talking about fashion but to also taking and featuring women we love to love, phenomenal women who then gave birth to the "Working Girl series"

SAI SANKOH

Let stop for a sec and pay homage to the forever stylish Sai, to be honest if it were not for her, this blog would have never gotten past day 4. She inspired all of it. Mind you this blog was supposed to be a 30 day affair, But here we are. 
She was the fire behind the first 30days. If you are uttely bored you can go back to those tu first posts. I just went through some of them, Laawd. Time is a comedian. But we had so much fun doing all the photos and shoots.





Go to google and find her!! It is not that I am too lazy, it is just I do not find the right words. Sai if you ever see this, please know that you have been an inspiration and overall great for us.




KUI KOINANGE

Of course coming in even before Sai is my Sisto Kui Koinange. We literally brewed the idea of this blog in her living room on some random sunday afternoon after copius amounts of red wine in South B.


Sisto here is to you. Cheers
This has been a trip!!

Toi, this blog, has been about learning and discovery, discovering the self and so many many things.
We did almost everything fashion, going to fashion shows, fashion fairs, events and Markets and we shopped a lot at Gikomba and of course Toi. We sold clothes, we dressed people.

I want to thank you all for being here with me. There are so many of you who cheered me on, who volunteered to come to the shoots, standing in as models, photographers - professional and amateurs.
Those who took their time to make suggestions to keep this going. Yooooh thank you all.



THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!







This award is for you who has been with me.



To the new owner of Toi Market. Take good care of this overgrown baby of mine but most importantly, do have fun with it. Just have fun.
Here is to new beginnings.

Goodluck!!


Otherwise.....
I am still here, will be up and about these internets, but doing other things.

Peace, Love & Light

 damaris Muga.

ps.
If you are interested where some of the love went you can follow me on Instagram at damarismuga
or find me on this facebook page damaris.muga that am still thinking what to do with




15:14






Hey ya'll.

New year New beginnings!! I have not written in a while because... well because. But here I am again.



Last Year (sounds so far away now) I was at Carole Kinoti's New label launch. It was a smash!! Fantastic show. Great people. Great style. Carole did not disappoint.

The show was choreographed by Letoya Johnstone. Folks worked hard. The entire evening was good. I believe you saw us in the news?

Just a quick one on this collection. It was not a collection it was an entire range. I have picked up some of my favourites in no particular order.

For the pieces Carol used bold colours, bold prints and lots and lots of silk. Perfections! She took some risks, but pulled everything off beautifully.

I am excited about her next collections. This was a remarkable start!

The Carole Kinoti Label also does home - basically lots of cool fashionably chic stuff for your interiors. You wanna check those out too.






Effortlessly chic.





That yellow dress floored me. It moved and flowed on the model like it had a life of its own. Love love the colour too.

The kenyan summer is here, so what you want to be seen doing is wearing silk Kaftans. Was ever so glad they had a plus size model, (I hope that is the politically correct word) She was stunning!


This season, choose colour. Be bold. Be brave. I shouldnt even be telling you this.

And because some of you never believe when I say I was there front row. Here is me next to Olive Gachara - We are cool, no need to go over my Couture review. She is cool beans. Olive if you do not know is Editor Couture Magazine- Africa.




To find Carole Kinoti
Please visit her website ckinoti
Instagram @carole_kinoti
Or just go to the shop on Marcus Garvey Road - Off Argwings Kodhek.

Oh and The Real Letoya!! Waving to you doll and wave to the beautiful Connie Aluoch. She was in the house.






Connie Aluoch, Carole Kinoti and Doreen Mbaya-Mwai.




It is going to be a great year in Kenyan Fashion. I promise you.

Bless.

11:33


































Ey, I have woken up from my slumber.

I have been woken up by Naomi Wachira. She is something!
It is unbelievable that I have never heard of Naomi. But I saw her the other day on my facebook newsfeed - bless you Wanjiru Kimani.
I listen first time and she stunned me, with goose bumps and everything.
Naomi's music moves and teaches and soothes and you breathe. YOU BREATHE.
She is the closest to absolute awesomeness I have come this entire year.

Kenya has such wonderful music, that it is a shame we, okay I am ashamed I did not know
about her. We have a gem!

Naomi

Naomi's latest Album I am Because You are is such wave of freshness, a rhapsody and chic and strong.
I dunno if you can say music is chic, but that is what came to mind. And mama got style too!!.
She has the punk rock African Woman edginess going on that I absolutely love!


This is Love and Light

From her website
Following the successful debut of her self-titled album in 2014, Naomi Wachira returns with 
a thought provoking acoustic EP "I am Because You Are" in an attempt to address the 
hopelessness of a society that seems bent on destroying itself. Weary of escalating violence,
like the recent attacks in her home country of Kenya, ongoing wars and the plight of
thousands displaced by these wars. Wachira sings with hope of a place where human
diversity thrives.
But her idealism is not oblivious to the callousness we often treat those who are different 
from us.
Adopting the Zulu philosophy of Ubuntu, her songs point toward an approach to living 
that is mindful of others because we belong to each other. 

Raised in Kijabe, a small town tucked on the base of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya.
Naomi makes music revolving around the themes of hope, compassion and mindfulness
both towards oneself and society at large. She credits her influence to two groundbreaking
female songwriters, Miriam Makeba and Tracy Chapman.
The daughter of a pastor, Naomi joined the traveling family band at five years old, spreading
the good word through gospel song. Since then, with her Afro-infused rhythms and simple
lyrics, she strives to make a positive mark on the world, by reminding us that not matter our differences, we are all alike in our existence.

(one day I will write like that)
The piece that got me - African Girl. There are lyrics there for the karaoke branch.




So lets spread sunshine.
Naomi on Social Media -
Click, like, follow and share and sing along and BUY.


Halafu musalimiane uko.

Thank you for the music Naomi.

Did I mention there my mama is called Naomi?

Bless.


*Editor's Note
There is a problem with my blogspot. I am working on it, if you have reached here, it means you are good.
03:03
Rose Mathieu.











Please meet Rose Mathieu the first woman on my Working Girl series. I met Rose on the facebook group Cook Eat. So I reached out and she is amazing! We have been talking on and off the phone for so long, I don't know when friendship kicked in and interview stopped.


Her food is exquisite. This up here is Ugali Mayai by the way, I know does not look like your usual mathogothanio but yeah our own dishes can be just that. Exquisite!
Rose has worked very hard to get where she is right now, which is working at one of the best restaurants in Paris. She has worked for and with Chef Hélène Darroze in Paris - Hélène  was selected World's Best Female chef 2015. That is like the biggest deal of all big deals.

But getting there was not easy. She is a graduate of Ferrandi , L'Ecole Française de Gastronomie Paris. This is an institute that admits just about 32 students a year, she was one of those 32, from 6000 applicants, the only black person and woman to graduate in her year. For somebody who grew up in Mumias (Western Kenya) to get here is truly a test to the spirit, to giving everything you have got and getting what you want.
And the woman is stylish too!! So you also get why we got on together like fireworks! Rose is going places with her cooking, she is smart, very smart, a true artist in her trade, she has plans, big plans for the future, she is getting noticed and we will be hearing and seeing more of her here at home and around the globe.

Favourite Recipe - Oven Roasted Chicken



You can tell the Mumias influence is strong on this one. Rose can get up and still get down to soul food. In her own Words.

"My favourite recipe is whole chicken roasted in the oven 180 degrees for 45 mins , 15 mins on each side and the last 10 mins on the breast . With no stuffing and just sprinkled with salt and pepper , then I add some hot oil ,thyme and whole garlic on the baking tray to oil birth the chicken every 15 mins during the baking which helps to keep the chicken crispy on the outside and moist in the inside. 

 When the chicken is halfway cooked I add in cleaned skin on baby potatoes pre boiled to cook in the chicken juices . This is my favourite meal , simple but very delicious Do not cut the chicken after directly removing from the oven , Give it some resting time at least 20 mins in a warm place ( this will allow the chicken juices to redistribute evenly in the whole chicken making it taste even better Another tip for extra crunchy chicken skin , sprinkle it with salt immediately when you remove it from the oven Goes well with leafy salad."

 Did I mention she is my tribe mate? Yeah I always have to pull that card, if I can do it with Lupita, I can do it with Rose.
Be INSPIRED!

02:20
Today is that day, that has been set aside for women. I must bow at the feet of my mother Ms. Naomi Odoc. My mother did not change her name after the wedding, I do not know how she got away with that in 1972.
I do not think about her as much as when she left us for good. But this woman not only birthed me and a bunch of other incredible humans, but when I think about her the far in between moments, I know I stand on the shoulders of a giant! She was incredible, a force and a teacher. My mama was a primary school teacher, very religious, a matriarch in every sense of that word and truly, the people's nurse. So today I must salute her. She kind of raised us single handedly. My father travelled a lot. 
So here is to you Mother, my Queen, my forever Daffodil. We remember you mama, for your selflessness, your unconditional and unfailing love, for sharing your life with us. You were a LION!

You know most women who are in strong relationships are in a way also single parents. We still live in a world where father goes out to hunt and mom takes care of home. Even when the both of you are having the same earning power, you are still expected to be home and cook. A woman, she holds the fort down. 
The day mom left us we were torn. Shredded to a million pieces, but because she would have slapped our faces all through to Jerusalem and back if we did not hold our heads up, we put on our best brave faces on that day and did the weary smiles. My siblings are crazy but we come from the same womb and we know that.

Eh we tried.

What I have been meaning to tell you.

LOVE the age you are.


It is very liberating. I never understand why we lie about our ages or we are embarrassed about it. When we are younger we want to be older so we are lying we are 21 when we are 16. After 30 everything starts going down hill, I mean literally, the breasts start heading south. The way I see it, your age is a testament in itself, of how long you have lived this earth and if you have more years under your belt it means you have seen a lot. You have been there done that, that is something we should all be proud of.
Saying you are 32 when you are 47 does not make you 32, it makes you a lying 47 year old. Iman Bowie is almost 60!! she looks fantastic!! If you like looking young and being young, don't lie woman. Change your lifestyle, work out, eat healthy, surround yourself with things that make you happy,  trust me, you WILL look younger. Then you will be rewarded by the priceless look on people's faces when you tell them your age. If you are a youngling, enjoy your youth sister, be young, be your age, live take risks. Being old is around the corner, do not worry, it will come to you faster than you think.

Otherwise embrace your age and stop disrespecting the skin that has been holding your insides all these years. Love your skin, please try and love your skin tone. But if you choose to change it, I will not question that decision.

Be a Sister. Stand UP. Show Up.


I know we bitch about each other, this is life and some women are so terrible they must be bitched about. But we must try as often as we can to bitch less and up lift more. Imma be straight here. We all have vaginas, that is why we are women. There is nothing you have worked for, made or whatever you own that makes your vagina better than that of the other woman. Nothing. What is in your brains or in your bank account does not mean your vagina is laced with honey. But we tend to think that, then we act all shocked when the husband starts having sex with the house help that never saw the door of Class 4.

On money matters: We have a life and most importantly we are mothers or will be. When a woman becomes a mother everything becomes secondary. Now how I choose to feed my babies is none of your business. You cannot look down at a prostitute because she has chosen to charge for what you are giving away for free. If a woman is winning, stand on the sidelines and clap while she walks to her swimming pool. But should a sister come to you and ask for help or you see without a doubt she needs help? Stand UP. Ultimately we all want the same things, a good comfortable life, we want our babies to have the best of life, the end does not justify the means. We will fight tooth and nail to have these things. Vera Sidika is holding her front down with all she has got, she is using everything she has got, so are you and so is Hilary Clinton, so is your mama mboga, so is the woman serving you coffee at Java, so is Shebesh.  You, her, Hilary, all women just trying to survive. Strong. We try, we make mistakes, we fall, then we dust our behinds and rise up. So if you are not paying my rent or helping me put food on my table? do not undermine my hustle game. Stick to your lane.


How people treat you? You taught them.


Friends are the family you chose

My mother taught me that, and this is across board, in all relationships, be it between you and your partner, your siblings, children, employees, your neighbours, any kind of relationship. You project from the inside to the last of your outfit how you will be treated by people, so work on that.
Have you ever been left by a dude who was treating you like fresh shit and the woman after you he ends up treating like a queen, he literally kisses the ground she walks on? It is not juju, you were just selling yourself short. I have learnt that the very hard way, I know what am saying. Nobody is going to treat you like a queen if you are not acting like one.

Holding the chequebook does not always make you right.



You are the one I want? Right?

The reason most of us end up looking like ourselves on the streets, is because when we have some money we think we know everything, now you are walking into restaurants and being a THOT. That is the shit that gets your food spat on. Now your are swaying your behind into a shop and acting crazy, so they will let you have your way because you are the customer and the customer is always right. This is a problem. Serious money is silent, it is subtle. Pay those who can be paid to make you look good, and step back and learn from those who know. Be nice to people. Life is crazy ya'll. Do not shit on the hand that fed or feeds you. Do not burn your bridges. Do not start a fight, but if a bitch starts one, finish it!

And my poor sisters, I know we are many, this is why I started this blog in the first place. If you see something on the net or a sister spending on something that is obviously out of your league? Just step on the sidewalk and clap while a sister is walking past with her 4000$ Versace Skirt. It is her money, she worked for it and she should be allowed to spend it without you juggling your judgemental tits in her face! And yes there are skirts that pricey. That story of sijui kwani it talks etc is becoming boring. You should be a graceful pauper, you cant be poor and nasty, thats just ugly. Swallow that jealousy my sister.

Sister with money, if tomorrow you wake up and feel like you want to go rent the entire top floor of Kempinski for you and your lover, GO ahead!

Own Your Style.


You are aware of course because you are reading this blog, that there are a million bloggers and magazines out there telling you what to wear and how to wear it? Well that is all good, but when it boils down, you  make the choice. Dont just copy left and right fuaaahh. Just because it looks good on me does not mean it will look good on you. Know your style, get comfortable with it. Whatever you choose to wear? OWN IT! Really it does not matter if you are wearing a sack with potato buttons. How you are carrying it makes the difference. Wear your outfit. The dress should not wear you, like these women I see on the streets pulling down their mini skirts every third step they take. No.

Let me digress kidogo, when buying skirts or dresses, try to get the ones the back are longer, not that highlow thing, it is just a very slight length difference. I am saying think about your ass when buying dresses.

YOU are beautiful, you are perfect, You are ENOUGH.

You are YOU.

Be BOLD
Be SHAMELESS
Be AWESOME

Stay Gifted.

Ps.
I usually edit in bits but I wanted to leave you with Juliana. My posts are all work in progress, even I read them and sometimes I see a line and I think oh I should have said that this or that way, so you might want to check on posts you like again:-)

Be good to yourself woman.
Woman
Woman
A saviour is a Woman
A warrior is a Woman
Woman
05:54
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