Its Sunday again. Kwanza now just wacha I stop that storo of ati I will be trying to post everyday. It is too stale. Anyway as I have stopped copying Sai, I am back to my usual style. This is one of the dresses I got Kui, but she left it, we loved it on her, even Angelina can confirm it, but Kuis wasn't convinced, now I have taken it! Was thinking of selling it but Angelina insists I keep it.

Its from Gikosh by the way - a Dorothy Perkins. We were to go to Uhuru Park Today and I would have won this with my big hat? but devil of laziness that has entered this house is unbelievable.

Oh and that is Fanta. For those who have not met him,

STYLISH READER OF THE MONTH!

Had I known a peplum could look this good in african print, ningeenda kwa fundi kitambo sana! Anyway meet my good friend Sharon. Our second stylish reader. Between she is one of my biggest supporters, and since you all wanted someone to lead the pack, here is a leader.

Now you can follow, send me pictures of your stylish selves.

This is exactly how I would have shonad this, okay by that I mean the length. I love

loooove that length  and the print is just lovely. I have printed this picture out and I am
going to the fundi kesho. And let me add that if you are going to do this length and style,
 do it like Sharon, keep it simple. The african print in its self is usually very busy and
majestic on its own. Dont try many madoidos like this girl below.

But I get the idea, I know what they were trying to do with that yellow. The heels are nice though, and I can tell from the look on her face that she too is not convinced by that dress. This outfit is not part of the the 4 dresses on the heading, it is a dress yes, but, well just no.

Anyway having been inspired by Sharon, I went to google to get more inspiration, well I did not get any that I think beats Sharon today, look at that yellow dress up there. But I came across this blogger Nelo, she is really good check her out. I love her already.

Nelo is blogging at FASHIONATI go visit. Look at how pretty she looks in that dress. 

COFFEE AND CRUMBS

So fashion things are happening and for a good course, Liz just brought this to my attention, the Fashion High Tea; it was on Caroline Mutoko's wall, now this looks like an event I must attend, lakini the damages!! Anyway I am trying to reach the Grace. But now that she has not responded maybe all of you should just call her and tell her, "Dama has to come to that thing on our behalf!!!! ebu give her a  ticket!!" Maybe she will listen to you.

Thats about it for today. Talk soon.

african print coffee and crumbs Gikomba Maxi peplum stylish reader

04:07

Hey Ladies, now I am making this post and I am making it for the last time, and I dont want to keep repeating the fact that I am doing this for free.

Can we try and help each other in this. There is the facebook page and then there is the blog. In the blog I give more details and I do accept questions. On facebook it teasers and other stuff; So you can imagine when I give you my number just so you can ask me where can I get a pencil skirt. I already give you loads of info. Use it.

So I am going to run through this again and really then we can just move on.
I want something where do I get it?. Before you ask me or anyone else this question, you have to know your budget. Somebody texted me the other day that they want a tight pants, where can they get them and how much. I was just buff! tight? tight for what size, how much, Should I list all shops in nairobi for you again? Then she asked me how often should she go shopping in a month? Very very frustrating. How should I know? As often as you want! you can go shopping 5 times a day every single day of the week, you can spend you waking hours just online shopping when shops close. But can you afford that?

Please CLICK HERE, to refer to the original post. Of how I thought it best to go about it. For the sake of repeating and WASTING TIME!!! let me do this again (let me just remind you here - feel free to feel bad about yourself- that I am doing this for free so I can't write here, write on facebook and then give phone support. We need to be moving forward with fun things! like new outfits, new shoes, new shows, new bloggers, new inspirations!! and the not so inspirational ones like the Kisumu Fashion week, just so we can laugh. Surely!!!!! Ok it was not exactly a laughing matter. Indeed a sad moment for Kisumu on the fashion front.

• KNOW YOUR BUDGET!
  Top Earner
  This means you can buy a dress for 20,000KSH without flinching. If you are this kind of girl, you dont need to sweat much, your main problem is time to go shopping. I have given you a list of designers here, KENYAN designers who make very good fashionable clothes, CLICK to go to my high end suggestions.
  You know also of Kikoromeo etc etc. At the junction on Ngong Road there are amazing shops with great clothes and shoes, check them out, at Galleria too. And because you are the woman who travels, take my advice of picking up a fashion blogger and get tips from there, because that is all you need. TIPS. Then shop everywhere you go, Paris, Newyork, Milan etc. We envy you!

Above is Anna Adero's Spring/Summer 2013 . View other Kenyan Designers on my watch list HERE.

• Middle Class Earner
  You can comfortably buy a pair of shoes at 6000KSH. This is a good range, it means you can do both high end (occasionally and at the same time buy cheap). In town and at most malls there are clothes shops, I suggest you keep it to the stalls in town. They are very many, just walk around CBD, prices of stuff range from 1500 up, Tom Mboya street, Kimathi, going huko nyuma of Odeon and so forth, inside Kenya Cinema Building as well, just walk around town. You will get what you need. You should also be knowing or having a regular guy who goes to Gikomba or Toi, ask you friends if you dont know, or at the salon where you do your hair.

• Low End Earner
  You are the reason I started this blog. You dont have much money, but you want to look good. So it means you cant afford to buy a tshirt at Mr. Price for 1200KSH; what to do? GIKOMBA AND TOI market are the places to go. Since I have been to Gikomba I think it is the best place to go as they have a much wider selection than TOI, I think Gikomba is 10 times bigger than Toi. Both Toi and Gikomba have sections. So it is a bit easier to navigate. Meaning Tops and Blouses one area, skirts one area, jeans one are, bags one area; dresses one area like that, like that!, and you can also just ask, any of those people selling where are the skirts or trenches etc, they will direct you. There is even a section of just white things only.
  
  They have everything on this earth that is wearable. So dont ask me where to get what, whatever is in your head, it is there, you just have to look; prices at Gikomba will range from 50KSH-2000KSH depending on what you are looking for. Shoes are expensive at Gikomba so don't even bother looking there. Unless you are those people who spend money they dont have and then start crying later when now you need to pay for serious things like school fees! Shoes are sold at bus station for 300-500KSH. So you might want to check there.
  
  Around Nyayo, Tuskys langata road, in the jioni, there are stuff sold just at the busstop, Nyayo bus stop is right opposite Nyayo stadium, there are some stalls there (a bit expensive)but in the evening hawkers bring clothes and just lay them there on the sidewalk, you will get sweaters tops, trousers, jackets etc for between 150-450KSH
  Then there is Ngara, I have just passed there, so I am not sure what the prices are, but I have been told that they are also in that range of 150-700, from town it is easy to find, they too have a wide selection it is a market.

Toi's Online shop which I am yet to update, but you can keep checking here. CLICK. 

Why Toi is good for the top earner too. Most shops that have new things, have what is in season; so treat Gikomba, Toi, Ngara etc as your vintage stop. Most things at the second hand markets are last season, so if at the beginning of Winter you probably will get lots of Spring/Summer stuff. And at the end of Summer, Autumn/Winter stuff. And then they have some really old old stuff that some grandmothers somewhere finally gave up. True Vintage!

Finally if you can't do that by yourself, I will either take you shopping or I will just do the shopping for you, at a fee of course.

And it can't be said enough that shopping can become a disease, so please keep it to your budget, buy clothes, shoes and bags because you have the money, it is extra money that is why you are buying another pair of shoes even though you have 20. Even for the top earners, shopping can make you a sad person if you dont do it wisely.
There is no point of looking good and you are going hungry. Take care of basics first!

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

Anna Adero Gikomba How to shop Kenyan Fashion Designers. Toi Market

04:05

So as I said I went shopping, so here is a quick run of the clothes, I will not talk much, Louis Otieno is back on air! who wants to talk under such circumstances? I love sheaths, and I did not get to shoot them all, so whoever wants official wear, buzz a woman!

Looove love this sheath, sexy at the back, serious at the front, you can pair it with a colored jacket and when you hit the after hours party, take off the jacket and bring sexy back!!

Tutu asked me to get her a dress for a garden wedding, then she did a disappearing act on me last minute, imagine that:-) But it got right off my hands. I added the details at the neck and as you might have noticed I had not finished by the time of the shoot, I suggest a black belt to go with it, but tie it higher. The fabric is great!

You know this skirt from TOI, the sweater is from my sister, its a very deep blue, couldn't get it well on camera, but you get the idea right? (aki I need a new camera). Love my dancer shoes here, I got them from Bus Station for 300bob!!!!!!!

I realise I shouldnt have done the glasses, but you are here to see the outfit. We have discussed this outfit extensively on Facebook. Now let me categorically (there is a word I always wanted to use) anyway that is not a bra strap, and it is not those tu thingys of hanging a dress, it is the strap! it is a strap, it does look like a bra strap, but it is there for a reason, if you see the dress you will get it. I paired it with my jeans shorts, because you just cant walk around in this town bila.

The top Mary is wearing is from Gikosh, the ankle boots are her own and the rider leggings are mine, I like the look, the top is sheer, and can be done with shorts as well, feel free to wear this with flats, or just heels and in cold weather you could do it with boots.

I dont think I need to add anything to this look.

COFFEE AND CRUMBS

So, the other day Angelina, went food shopping, and you know the way I had been complaining that there is no variety of food in this country. As it is I did not know where to shop. She got seafood!!! Cray fish, and prawns. - you can get fresh, live seafood at China Center on Ngong Road. At Joyus on first floor.
So there I have told you and look what she created!! Delicious like a nonsense! In fact now we are going to make this thing a weekend affair. All through January. Next weekend is Crab and Calamaris (If we wake up early that is) It works like any other regular fish market you might have heard of, you go early you get good fish, you snooze you loose)

Ebu angalia hiyo maneno!!!!!!!!! bon appetite!

And if you think we are not real, come and TRY US!!!!!! We have food and we are not afraid to use it, oh and we love fashion most! and if you are thinking this is not us, I will post a step by step from buying to cleaning to cooking. God bless those crayfish, they died an honorable death!! Cheers my people, be good to your stomach as we are, and remember FASHION IS ALIVE in KENYA!!!  

JUST DO IT!!

Food Gikomba Sheaths

15:49

WOA!!! it's been long, so let me just get on with it. WE HAVE A WINNER!!!! for the Giveaway. And the winner is.......................... (insert Lilian Muli's lame suspense of Slimpossible here.......drum rolls, confetti and real smoke) .......... EVARITA KAMAU!!!!!!.

Now before you go Jumping up and down, you know the way in Kenya everything is rigged, even the count of chicken to be slaughtered as at a funeral is rigged!! 

So here are the results in black and white (and the other colours). If you see down there you will see results powered by Random.org so don't think it was me and my relas counting the entries in the kitchen.

Congratulations Evarita!!!!, si you know where to find me!

And runners up, see the way you were close? anyway next time:-) 

And thanks everyone for participating.

So onto storos, I know I have not done an outfit for a while, but I have been busy with other paraphernalia of life, not that I know what those are but its been long since I used that word Paraphernalia just thought best I throw it in here.

Can we all agree on something, now most of you know me and the way am a stickler for correct spelling and grammar though I rarely get it right but am trying, can we stop or at least minimise the use of these g8t, luvly, xwit, xaxa (as in seriously XWIT?!!) why are you doing this to your english teacher? and wasting goverment money for those who went to public schools? PLEASE PLEASE am begging you, lets just try and spell, every time I see that, its like being poked in the eye with a rusted fork repeatedly.

Liz and I went to Gikomba,  I did some shopping!! so roundi hii, I bought stuff that is not my size, the models I had jana Yvonne (size 16) and Anne (size 8) so I think I need a size 12. Those who want to come by to check out the stuff, buzz a woman, am still working on the pictures will update. So keep it here.

My friend, styling a size 16 is no joke, if you are a fabulous size 16 ebu stand up and clap for yourself, frankly I dont know how you guys do it, this was my first time so am still shaky, but am learning as we all are.

My size 8 model, aki I need a Nikon!!!! a Harambee should be pigwad very soon. Am forming a committee and if you want me to be in your wedding committee you had better sign up to this one!

More pictures are coming.

COFFEE AND CRUMBS 

So I have been having request to do something for men and kids, so I am thinking TOI MEN and TOI KIDS, but I need some experts on that front;  Meanwhile Gentlemen, before I come up with a male blogger to help me with this; Please also note that this thing called blogging vile munajua haileti pesa, (not yet) so I  need volunteers.

I have found this gentleman who is very good, so my male people visit the blog and learn something, ukishapata look, vutia mimi wire, I go shopping!
Go read something, he is at The Gentlemen's Standard. You can thank me later.

And in other totally irrelevant news....

Kijana huyu alie piga musicha yake ngumi, is coming to town, now we have been discussing him at length. Please note I like some of his music. Now the way I have heard it the tickets to his concert is ranging between 12K and 23K. Kenyans have money!!! (those are Angelina's words not mine), frankly I dont know any kenyan who will blow that kind of  money on Chris Brown. I am sure there are several, but I don't know them, but I do know those who will blow that kind of money on one sitting at their local drinking hole on beer alone:-)

Now tell me, how many people do you know in this country who have that kind of money? Talk has been going on about how kenyan Corporate world is stingy and dont want to sponsor artists (or artiste as now every other kenyan even those who have released only one song since 1997 are called). I dont know why they are saying this and I see Safaricom and Zuku are all over the place sposoring practically everything that needs sponsoring, heck safaricom would rather we go bila MPESA for hours on end but still sponsor an event like the opening of an envelope! So now whuaaat do these people mean.

Personaly, I do not have that kind of money but I am accepting tickets, preferably VIP, no need to be stingy with those tickets as I have even more broke friends who would like to attend. I hope Chris Brown farts only rainbows and expensive perfume that shall float our way as we gaze in wonderment, while thinking of where the next rent is coming from! 

Ed's Note

I will sometimes in the course of this week, take a walk to Uhuru highway/ Upperhill roundabout and take a picture of this billboard I saw, where a beautiful woman is kissing a mango head passionately. (she is not kissing a mango fruit, this particular mango has the face of a man with lips and a nose and... JESAS!! strange things are happening in this country. I want to keep that picture so I show it to my children in future. I will also give a copy to National Archives, for future reference, as I am sure there are people in this country who shall in future need to learn the art of kissing a mango head (when the aliens land that is).

Aya basi have a good one.

coffee and crumbs Gikomba

23:48

I went to Gikomba!!!! yes I did, actually I was on my way to Toi, then my Uncle IMU, who I should just call my brother as we are the same age, was like ala?! you, lets go to Gikosh, I know where you can get stuff, I used to work there, how did I detour like a nonesense! And I look at what I found, I am telling you woman you have no reason to look bad, everything in here is under 500 bob, (below below) even that dress you see up over there

And I am selling everything and just because I bought it for 100KSH does not mean I will give it to you for 150! so if you see anything you like holla at a woman, and I am still doing personal shopping so you send me your specifics and we talk, and I dont have to remind you again that you shall pay me for that LABOUR! Because going to Gikosh and TOI to look for stuff is WORK!

Have I already said Barrack Obama, my brother in law is the president of US of A again. Now since you already know we can all go home and eat Ugali and skuma ya nyayo! Talking of Nyayo I think the goverment should bring back school milk because the way kids are spelling on facebook has made me almost want to kill myself

Wacha nisiongee mingi

NEXT OUTFIT

Loooved loved this dress, it is pretty, it s girly, its a size 12, and I dont know what that label is never heard of it, the dress cost me 150 and no I will not sell it to you for 200:-) 

The thing is you have to have an eye for a good thing,(the thing I am teaching you over here) sometimes the thing looks ugly on the heap of clothes huko you are ignoring it and its a nice thing! In fact when I was fitting Charlie, she said she would never have picked the pink skirt, but when she had it on she liked it. So when you go to Gikosh or Toi wear tights, so you can try somethings, well you may not be able to try everything but some.

NEXT!

I am tired of talking, the skirt grey Skirt and Top are both Zara. This  White dress, okay let me put it here up close

I really love the fabric, but I was sure it was a skirt, so I made Charlie try it on 3 times, but it looked so weird, then I said to myself well we shall wear it as a dress, and voila! a nice pretty dress!

I usually find that when reading my blog, we require the appropriate Soundtrack for full enjoyment, so before we go on, MOVE YOUR BOMPA! and no I do not know what that means but from this point just enjoy. JACKIWA, wacha STRESS, shake your bompa!

It has been long since I went to Rolf's place, thank you Jackiwa very much!

By the way I know many people have been having power problems the other day it was Langata Lower Karen and here in South B. I am sure in Kili and the other green leafy suburbs were having some problems too.
So anyway I am sure some of you watched that interview on NTV but let me just repeat it here.

A viewer calls in and says "Kenya Power is arrogant and gives poor service because of the monopoly they hold in the market"

NTV interviewer: whats your take on that

Kenya Power Boss: Well, there are several forms of energy, charcoal, paraffin, gas, firewood and darkness;

NTV interviewer:  and these are your competitors?

Kenya Power Boss: YES.

Damaris: Me thinks he just gave me cancer with that

And you know I heard that darkness and I just ignored it or rather my brains refused to register it, then I met Winnie and I was telling her about it, told her how he mentioned some form of energy at the end but I did not get it right because I heard something like darkness, then she tells YES! it was darkness!! I couldn't even talk. Speechless for 5 minutes straight;

So now every time your power goes off, just try one of Kenya Power's competitors!

I am tired, am taking a brake

The ruffled skirt is Zara Basic, the black jacket and Belt are from my clostet

The Silver skirt is from Toi, top is Zara, and those heels of mine had bored me, so I decided to bow them! They are not so nice but they are an ongoing project, which I will post here when complete

You know the red skirt, I have won it before it is the skirt I have on Toi facebook profile picture.

Ok thats it, I did not bother to proof read, you can spell check and correct the grammatical errors, thank you!

Ed's Note
This is the post I accidentally deleted, I found it on google reader and had to copy paste it again and that is why it is showing at the top do forgive.

Gikomba

12:40

Am repeating the pink skirt outfit because it is my absolute favourite. Its like I landed in Topshop, Skirt: Topshop. The blouse is Miss something something that I can't read and I have never heard of, and frankly I dont care! Its nice. I like it, kwisa maneno!

I now truly love Gikomba, so now let me just talk on the personal shopping thing again.

1. You will send me your exact measurements. If you are not sure get a tape measure.
2. If I cant see you on your profile picture, send one, your skin tone is important.
3. You will let me know how many pieces you want. And what exactly it is you want, ie pants, skirts, blouses, jacket or whatever.
4. You will pay me for transport, lunch and labour:-) ok not lunch but the labour is where it is going to finya you and only because you dont want to go by yourself.
5. You will pay me upfront, if I dont get what I like and that I know you will like, I shall make another trip.
6. You shall cultivate patience, as you know I am not going to the junction and just moving from one shop to the other.
7. For those who do not like second hand, I can buy for you from the high-end shops. You know which they are.
8. Last but not least do not forget that we can always go together and here it will cost you nothing. I will come to help you select and give moral support (feel free to buy me lunch if this is the case)

Okay for other questions just mail me missthirdborn@gmail.com. 

Other  pieces from my shopping spree 

The black shorts are not Gikomba, they are Zara which I bought in Zara in Brussels;  But I also got some Zara stuff from this gikomba trip

Both gray Skirt and Blouse: ZARA BASIC

Last outfit: blouse is TOPSHOP. Skirt is MaxMara. I am just excited to write the names:-)

COFFEE AND CRUMBS

Now since the Swahili Fashion Week happened KILA MUTU has decided they are also doing fashion week never mind the fact that I have repeatedly said that a fashionweek is not a one day event but obviously noone want to litsen to me. Sawa tu.

Ok It is friday am coming back....

Am back but now I have even forgotten what I wanted to talk about....

coffee and crumbs Gikomba

04:14