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



Do you see what is happening there? I am a member of several facebook markets, you know the akina Soko Kuu, Kilimani Mums Market, Soko Nyeusi etc etc etcetera. What I have noticed is that for the strangest reason they never have real people (models are real people too, but you get what I mean) wearing these beautiful clothes they are advertising, and am over here asking myself why? Kwani since you started importing you have not found one person to wear that dress. A kenyan in a kenyan place so we see the real deal.

Now I aint even saying ati this always is the case but I was going through the net and now I am sufficiently scared. You should be too, kaa rada. And its about time I did one of this list of reason things all bloggers do.


2. The Devil is a liar



This one even the original is fugly! Lets just go home.



3. Just Cancel the damn Wedding




Seriously if this dress arrived 2 days before the wedding, would you walk down the aisle with this kabich? I am glad my Maid of Honour duties are done for life! Coz I swear I would be under the table dying of laughter.


4. Almost doesn't Count




This is not even almost, this is off the track, in fact it is another route. You know what I find sad, so now this person the seller when they were packing this thing in the box and writing your name on the box for shipping, they were just happy?


5. Excuse me while I go jump off the window



I can easily kill someone if this happens to me.

6. Let's just go to the bar






7. Reel it In





Because this one was not ordered, this one is you going to a fundi that was recommended to you by your cousin twice removed with a picture and saying with too much confidence "Tengeneza kama hii" God is punishing you.

I am not a friend of open surgery kind of thievery. But lets say you love the work of a designer and just does not have the right amount of mulla to buy it from them, the least you can do is get a good tailor. Understandably, the designer will feel very bad but at least they will be flattered.

This lady is the same size and colour as the model, so this should have been easy, very easy, angalia now what the fundi gone done and did. Bure Kabisa!
And before you go jumping up and down saying dama is haribuing biashara za watu, I just want you to be careful.

Lets talk soon:-)
Be Bold
Be Shameless
Stay Gifted.
23:35
I have been meaning to blog Nadia for the longest time! Do not even bother asking me where the hell I have been since January. Okay strike that, not nice, seriously I have run out of excuses. I lost the writing juice and inspiration for fashion has been under the grass in the forest.

 I love love Nadia's style it is edgy, its on point, it is her age and her ideologies and well you can see for yourself. The best thing about this girl, she has a good head on her shoulders. And ya'll know how I love smart women. We had done kind of a mini interview, but that was such a long time ago she has since written many things on her blog that I feel it is not necessary to put up our interview over here. So please head over to her blog Turban Dreamer, read something and be inspired.


While admiring that. I have been posting on facebook.  Because I was not feeling fashion much of late, then I start writing and the post becomes so long then I feel I should have blogged it. (I was off the net  for 4 days!) Imagine that. But because it is always not possible to write both ways, ya'll can follow me on my personal page. Find Damaris Muga. That is yours truly!

There it is! Finally I have given you ME! Its not even like as if half of you don't know me already, but it was a long time coming!! we now know each other:-) My page is public am mean with the words, but clean as a nurse, ALL WHITE SWAG!! (I stole that line somewhere) Anyway go over there and follow me, and follow musitume friends request left right and center. One more thing if you are of the faint hearted or need pearls to clutch every now and then when words like vagina pop up don't go to my personal space sister.

On the knowing us issue, the other day I was at Galleria, not having my best foot forward because I am not one of those women who put on mascara to go to the supermarket. I finish my mini shopping at the exist the watchie asks me for my receipt, dude wants to check if I had paid, I was carrying 3 fucking jwalas! So I have to go over to the counter to have me checked, meanwhile people are just walking by. I am showing episcopal amounts of calmness and ya'll know that shit don't sit on me well, he is going through my receipt as though he were the owner of Galleria not Nakumatt that shit starts to itch, so I ask him very very calmly what criteria he is using to stop people and check, I am about to shred his ass to a million pieces, then this girl taps me on the shoulder and says with a really really nice sunny smile "Hi Damaris, you probably don't know me but we are friends on Facebook" So we hug and do small talk. She looked stunning in her casuals! She was so nice! So Nyaboke, here is to you girl, you saved that man's ass and me, I might have spent the night in Inda for nothing.! See why I always say my saviour is a woman!

Then when I was in Naivasha same week and same shit happens to me again, I am walking into Naivas with my girl Syowia Kyambi, she breezes right past the entrance, in fact I think they waved her through, and then me am stopped and frisked!!! That one was funny we just burst out laughing:-) But I swear imma pull a Nancy Baraza on this bitches real soon!


WE LOVE

I 

I do not think it is necessary to mention that I love clothes and I love wine! But my friend Ciiru by sheer coincidence came to this idea that will please all of us immensely! Ciiru has over the years amassed a rather impressive collection of wine, now she is is expecting a baby and is not drinking wine of course, so she and her friend who sells clothes have come together to put 2 of my favourite things under one roof! Please get in touch with her people on ruth@bicevents.com and reserve ASAP. You can thank me later.


RIGHT UP NEXT




I have been incredibly inspired by the the youtube series Ageless beauties, these women's style is off the chain, they are older, they know more, and they are very comfortable in their skin. And they not only talk about their style but have a wealth of life wisdom.Which has got me thinking, maybe we are going about this fashion thing all wrong, I don't really think I do it much but I still do, I should not tell you what to wear, bloggers should not tell you what to wear, we should just inspire Of course there are some basic rules and really it should be the one and only rule.  BUY CLOTHES YOUR SIZE.
So I have been talking to some women who just wear what they like but carry it so well it looks smashing, akina Patricia Kihoro, Muthoni - The drummer Queen, Mkamzee Mwatela and other people I like, we are still talking but I want to go through their wardrobes, so lets all cross our fingers over here and hope damaris will get her ass of the table and start a TOI TV!
That is also the reason I did not throw any shade at this collection of Kanye West's for Adidas.


That will be all for today folks, as usual I have not done any spell/grammar check considering I sit on the board of the Grammar Nazis Association of Kenya, this is rather sad, but I also want this to be a joint effort, si ati am just writing writing and you are just enjoying while while sitting down. I refuse, even you do something.

Shalom.
23:37

This post was not going to be about me, but what is a fashion blogger if she cant plaster herself everywhere. Also I have just seen 2015 BAKE blog awards are up for submission. That thing woke me up like a nonsense. Aki this year we should win. Lakini the way we are still here at blogspot? Sidhani.

Anyhu Jemo (James Muriuki) has been taking very nice shots of me of late so here is me in a sunny dress that my sisto got for me from ABROAD. Yes over the seas. It came by aeroplane. And that beside me is Wolfgang Junior the Rooster. The wedding storo is below do not think that is me walking down the isle with a chicken.

So this year good things are happening already. I have been talking with Lulu Mbela of POISA and if I behave I will be a model for her 2015 Look Book!! Also AIM magazine, we did an interview and we will be all over the US of A very soon!! At this rate if you see us with Oprah or main British just act surprised.

Weddingtings.

So as I said my sister got married and I was maid of honour. I am a very important person to someone. Angelina is my person.

Angelina looked particularly radiant in this gown she got down in SA. This wedding was just the best, the ceremony was over in 5minutes flat!!! The rest of the evening we spent drinking and eating. Everything was done at Palanka, ie cremony and after party.

Oh boy we winged a lot of things. But a smooth wedding would be so unlike us.

Our dresses were done by a local fundi who I cannot recommend, because he disappointed us kabisa. But we rolled with it. The lace and yellow was perfect for the evening. We were to have belts with the dresses, and jewellery but me I dont know where those things disappeared, we were also running on some crazy schedule.



The boys!! dashing!! Also there were ties somewhere, but I like this look bila ties it gives the suit a casual look. I love.
Our makeup!!!! I loved it!!! I am still fuataing Fatou our makeup artist for this lipstick. I can also tell you for free that in case you need your make up done professionally for anything , TV, weddings, shoots call Fatou Hassan. And drop my name a lot. You will may get a discount. She is fantastic!!




I was also in charge of the champagne. And the comb on my hair, it belonged to Muthoni (flower girl) how it ended up on my hair sijui.



I had help from waiters.

All in all it was a fantastic evening!!
So here is to you my sister. Enjoy the ride!! And many many Kisses from us:-)



04:02
As you can imagine I did not think up my new look all by myself. Fashion is hard I tell you. I am digging Emmanuel Alt's Look. She is the Editor of Vogue - Paris. The look works for me. Casual chic. She carries this look so well you would think she was born in it. 

I am skipping the heels for now because I am feeling my Bata shoes. But on going out nights or dinners I just add heels. I am going to make a point of carrying some in my tote. As you can also see the hooker heels are over. Pumps are in and you too should try them.
I have several I got for cheap from Busstation and over there near Nyayo stadium all under 300bob will post ASAP.

Obviously I have not mastered the look well, but Mwanamke ni Effort! I love love this shirt. I got it from Mr. Price courtesy of gift voucher from my girl Eds. By the way I tafutad for so long. And this was the best thing I could find. What I have noticed from Mr. Price is: Ukiangalia kwa umbali, very nice, but when you come closer, Eh!! their finishings are so bad, loose threads, stitching too tight.

The t-shirts are okay though, well how wrong can one go with making a t-shirt?

Frankly with their prices you would expect more effort. Also I hear down in South Africa Mr. Price ni bottom shelf.  So you go figure.

The black pants same from hawkers on the streets jioni (100ksh.) Maybe I should stop saying from hawkers, because kanjo could come for my ass claiming am encouraging them. The Jacket is Miriam's just took it for the shoot.


What I have been up to Bodywise.


YOGA!!!! My friend, we should all try it. Then thing is after some particular age huko past 35 the body refuses to do certain things, like it needs a compliance certificate or something. So even when you are small bodied like me, things loosen up. So best to fix those loose ends mapema mapema before you find your ass is touching the back of your knees.

I have started with Hatha Yoga and some Meditation (Metta). I have done it for about 8 days now/ Meditation is not so easy. But its good. I feel good. Work on your body and soul. Your skin will thank you later.

Also my sisto got hitched!!! It was such a BLAST!!! but I will tell you about that kesho. Ni vile tu nilisema I will be keeping my posts short this year!!

Cheers to you and yours





07:15

Hey ya'll. The year has begun!!! So first off here are some flowers for you. You know how I love me some flowers!
I do hope you have started on a great note! I have. I hope this year brings you only the best of the best, and I hope you know there are the downs of life and should you fall, I hope you pick yourself up, dust your pretty ass off and hold your head up high, back straight and keep walking. Like the Queen you are!!!!!


Fashion wise I am still in my lesbian chic look. In fact I have fully embraced it:-) So the moment I got in front of a camera...

I also do hope this year I will take more photos and behave like a proper fashion blogger, in fact this year we must win blogger of something something.




Si I told you I would buy these shoes? here is the post. Well I did, and I love them to bits:-) But the way I looked for them. I got them from Bata, that one over there next to Nation Centre. Well I had seen them in several Bata shops but for some reason I could not get my size. But when I did, I did a winners dance, you should have seen the faces of the sales people. Priceless.






So the shoes like I said from Bata. The top I bought from Bus station. The pants, are from those hawkers on the streets, the ones who get chased around by kanjo. I cant really say the exact spot and even if I remembered, they are not there. So Whenever you are in town huko around Odeon, River Road, Ngara Area, be on the look out.

Shoes - Bata, 1600Ksh
Top - Rock & Repulic, 100Ksh
Pants - H&M (Divided), 100Ksh

That will be all for today. I am going to try and be keeping it short and to the point:-) Kesho I will let you in on what I have been up to fitness wise. This old body is getting loose and really at some point you realise you need to tighten things up. Even skinny people get beat by gravity and shit.

Be Brave
Be Shameless
Be Awesome
Stay Gifted.

Bless.

06:13
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