Things have been crazy my people, I did the shoot on Monday and you have seen some of it on our facebook page. I have decided from now I am going to refer to me as "us"! I knew valentine's Day was coming, but I dont know why I have been thinking it is next week. Anyway I have been having mad deadlines with my other job. I din't even get to go to Karaoke jana, and of course when I miss is when good things happen. There was cash money to be won 5K!!! 5 which you just count 1, 2, 3 4 5, 5000 kenyan money!!!!!!!!!! Angelina tried to get me there, but I was busy figting darkforces (read as crazy clients) and Redds were in the house with goodies, yaani am sad for 4 people.

So just now in the evening one of my girls, Jess who is coming for the pink ruffled skirt called me and we were arranging a meet up kesho and I am telling her oh tomorrow 5pm is fine by me. She asks me, you will not be busy, am thinking eeehhhh no? why? "its Valentine's Day!" am like ohh that? no worries, I will be available at 5pm:-)

So I decide, to go quick quick to google to look for an outfit, I did not find anything nice, am not so big on red, and you know they way I love dark colours. So above is how I would have rocked that boat!! Can you imagine somebody stole my favourite leather jacket like the one above in a Tuk Tuk!! how is that even remotely possible? Anyway that look is an easy one and you have about 12 hours from 8am to your date! Good luck and have fun!

If you cant find that outfit, Wambui Mukenyi has been running a holiday's collection since you knew that Valentine's Day was coming. I love Wambui's work, that chick is going places. These are from a past collection.
If you have nothing ebu dash to her at once! You want to look good for the husband or boyfriend/partner. And dont joke madam, take this advice seriously, you know there is a mama who is going to be dressed to the nines and will to come that same place you are going to, looking all confident and hot. Ehh that one, you have to outdo her, its a jungle out here. Dont forget my microwave wedding mission! Consider yourself warned  advised.

So now thats just about it today, I will compile the rest of the pictures from the shoot and post them. Meanwhile ebu wacha I bore myself with the "news" that was the presidential debate. 

Oh and while I was surfing the net for you I came across this song by Tiwa Savage, that is the "I know you kele kele ohhh" mama. I dint know she had a name. But I have been litsening to this song in a loop. Haya kula ngoma.


Ok I know thats not the last thing I wanted to say, but hiyo ingine imepotea. Not relevant to this, but my people, si you jua how this blog rolls, I try to direct you to as many places as possible. It should help you get somewhere, not ati sasa umekaa tu hapo ndeeeeeeee if you want something, you dont even look, you call Damaris first. We have to help each other, you have to call me when you are completely lost.

Okay I have to get back to work, somebody has to put beer on the table! cheers.

PS
My deepest sympathies to those who loove Valentine's day but do not have a date of kesho. (and please let no woman lie ati they dont care about Valentine's Day) which woman on this planet does not love being showered with gifts and attention by the person they love?! Every single woman does, straight and gay combined. If any woman tells you other wise, just throw her one of my "bitch please" looks.

That aside (have you noticed the way I have been using that -that aside- of late?) Anyway that aside, I want to leave you with words of comfort and wisdom in these trying times my dear dateless sister. (by the way why have you not been looking?) I have not been looking because all the extra time I would have used to look, I have been here blogging.
Get dressed and go out and meet real people, usually my words of wisdom would have been, "get dressed and go have a drink, with your other unmarried, dateless girlfriend" but well now I am a public figure and a role model, children are looking up to me. If I have to drink which I do very frequently but rarely, I use a mug.


10:42
Pictures © Nick Klaus 2013.
I was among the underprivileged persons who did not attend this momentous life changing magnificent event. The Fashion High Tea, that took place in the equally magnificent and willowy gardens of ZEN (you can also just read that as at Zen gardens).

I remember last year Ms. Martha Karua graced the occasion with her gracious self.
I think this is an appropriate moment to take a few minutes to let your situation on the map of Nairobi sink in. That aside, Kenyans really do have good teeth. Love the sunniness of the ladies above and the outfits of course. 

Anyway even though I did not attend, my people were on the ground!! My eyes are allover the place! Let as thank my good friend Nick Klaus for the fantastic pictures. Now the reason I have chosen that particular picture above is because Bidanya Barasa is in it; Now we come alooooooong way. Evidence below. If you don't know who Bidanya is, well I can only suggest that you move at least 300KM inside of Kenya East Africa.
Who remembers the first ever Face Of Africa Model search? There is Bidanya and yours truly Ms. Damaris the only Thirdborn on the planet. (Everybody else is referred to as child number 3). Let me add here that this was 1998! We were the pioneers of Face Of Africa. Sema ancient!!! And look at our outfits!! I think that was one of the best dresses I had worn so far in my life till that point.

Anyway, from the photos I gather it was a great event, some food, 

Yes! hivo ndio wanafungaga in high society, hapa si kenchic. The lady in Orange is Chebet Mutai. I met her at the Kitenge Festival. Her label is WAZIWAZI. Which brings me to the idea, judging from the stands, this event was more or less a high end version of Kitenge Festival. Something I must attend next year or the next one.

some VODKA, I don't know how I feel about the Sky Girls Uniform. The girls in black are Famous Grouse girls, didn't really make much effort there, did they? But jeans is always good. not that its high fashion, but its never wrong.

Whisky, (Famous Grouse), beer (Heineken), some eye candy and loads of well dressed people. 
With the Chinese everywhere even in my village, the highway etc you would think they would be well represented. Very few Chinese. They need to up their game, know people, stuff like that. Because I was not there in person I have decided to give you the pictures in a slide show format. Just look admire and start working your way pole pole to the leafy suburbs.


 All Pictures. © Nick Klaus 2013.
Lesson to carry home: It is okay to drink Vodka and Whisky before the afternoon, as a long drink of course and as long as you look this elegant doing it.
Please feel free to give your review on the event fashion wise, you can start with the boy in orange shorts and a kaunda jacket. I cant call it boyfriend Jacket and his friend in light yellow leggings.
Meanwhile I am waiting on the pictures of the haute couture fashion that was showcased.

ION
I missed a Polo event by a whisker (aki blogging is the best) now I can use all those useless phrases I have been storing in my brain since class 3. Anyway it was not this weekend but last, will see if I can round up some style. I have seen some pictures, but they are private. And I noticed that in that particular event Veuve Cliqout flowed freely. I have to up my game. (just like the Chinese).
By the way, that polo is the one that involves horses, not the shirt - just to be clear.

Kesho is the day we do our mini shoot. So expect some good, things, I have some new pieces, and the Toi usual, will definitely be a fun day of styling and shooting.
May the day break:-)
09:13
Maureen came to my house to pick up a dress with a friend. This friend was wearing the cutest hijab ever, (I forget her name, forgiveness) then I met her a few days later in the mat wearing another really good one, and I thought well there is something to blog. So today I went in search for hijab wearing fashionistas, and what do you know, brilliant, look how the lady up there has accessorized hers in a fashion forward manner.

So those who are feeling clueless on how to wear the hijab, I have a few ladies here you should watch out for.
ok I have forgotten where I found this uberstylish lady, but google is your friend.

Hijab Fashionista and vlogger, Dina Torkia (below) or better known as Dina Tokio hails from UK. Founder and owner of clothing line, Lazy Doll, her popularity increased when she participated in the TV show ‘Style the Nation’ in 2011 that was telecasted in the UK. Her YouTube videos had gone viral since, with over 17,000 subscriptions to her channel currently. And who can blame her? Her style is fresh, hip, elegant, glamorous, and they definitely won’t burn a hole in your pocket. (how nice is that) go get inspired!!

Below is Dian Pelangi as featured in the blogy Aiu Minoz. CLICK and go. Love the jacket! Inspiring. I need a leather jacket too!

While at that, the other day someone asked me about a Heena artiste (artiste is the new name for artist) My girl Samira came to mind. I had seen some she had done on her wedding, she promptly sent me pictures (below) and the person to contact. Thank you!! So if you need this kind of artwork done on you, buzz a woman.

COFFEE AND CRUMBS

It looks like I am not going make it to the HIGH FASHION TEA. I have not heard from the organizers and I do know this event is for a good course, but brokeness shall and cannot allow that kind of indulgence. Anyway should I hear from there, you will be the first to know! But I highly doubt it:-) best be prepared for a "Dear Dama we regret to inform you that you cannot attend, high society ladies only!"

The photoshoot

I had talked about the shoot I was to be doing today. Ok we have moved it to Monday simply because my friend Nduati has jitolead to to take the photos, which is easier on me as I shall just style. So expect good things on Monday or Tuesday.
What you should know about the shoot, it is not a mega photoshoot for the cover of Vogue magazine. Please check out previous shoot HERE. I style and do the photos at my place in South B. Only this time round Nduati will be doing the pictures.

The other day one of the readers came on TOI facebook page and lectureeeeeeeeeeed me on how she joined the page because she wanted to see dresses and she had even suggested what I should feature and it has been months since I posted anything on dresses; For a second there I was thinking she cant be meaning me, kwani si I just posted on dresses the other day? if anything I have featured pants twice! So for the purpose of sounding like a broken cassette, please dont stop at facebook. And I cant say it enough, patience is a virtue every woman must cultivate. I am sounding like a headmistress now, but some of you leave me with very limited choices;

WEB FINDS

While I was surfing the net on Hijabs and etc found some of my favoutite things.
Ankara clutches, I love the sizes and print, I have to get used to calling them ankara prints and etc etcetera, I usually just call them african print. These are by the design house KUA.
They are a bit expensive for the typical Toi girl and some of them are sold out, but for those who can check them out at Kuadesigns. Otherwise peleka picha to your regular fundi (this is a very bad thing that I should not advocate) Because it is stealing. God hates thieves. So use this as inspiration.
Last but not least. HOW DO I LOVE THIS DRESS!!!!!!! Its from Duaba Serwa's spring/summer 2013 Collection. There I have given you a valentines's day outfit idea, meanwhile on this end there shall be no valentine because we are still yet to meet the date, but casting is underway.
And am serious about that date thing, raundi hii sio mchezo, I was having a drink with some of the girls at the local and they told me about microwave weddings. I dont know why I never come up with such brilliant names and ideas. Anyway in this kind of wedding, meet the dude and you have a ring on it under 3 weeks flat, Everything sans engagement, dowry and wedding!!!  if you go over 3 weeks, well, thats just not worth writing home about. That is not a microwave wedding anymore that is jiko wedding, kendo wedding! (kendo is the word for marriage in luo and it is the same word for the 3 stones fireplace, the one where you use firewood) come to think of it getting married in luo is "dhi tedo" word for word translation is "going to cook" Luo can be such a sad language:-( anyway new years resolution I have come up with just now, this year am going to cook in a microwave!

And while you are still wondering wether you would look good in african print or not, white folks are doing it.

Sawa basi, cheers and have a great weekend!


PS
Just noticed google has begun sending me some rather good suggestions, its not like facebook where they suggest things you might like that you totally hate
So here is a good fine I SUWANEE, she has some tips there for bloggers, and is a good read.  I love her clutter!
Cheers



06:32
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.

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!!!!
04:05
Due to serious laziness and running up and down, I have nothing of maana to present. So I have decided I am going to list here a few black mamas that are very fashionable and very fashion forward. Go visit their blogs and learn something;

Now on the clothes I have things are getting thick, sijui I just open a mtumba shop, because you guys have just gone haywire! so I am inclined to revise my previous points on how to shop. I am going through the list of what you people want and well, its is opening a shop worthy, so I want your opinions. If this is really a worthy cause, concidering it was not the master plan! And I do not know if I can do Gikomba/Toi every other day! Those who have been there know the drill.

Anyway while I think about it, I do have in mind those who want me to go get them something but am on hold coz am thinking (SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!) I really loved that movie, and I have never used that phrase so there it is.

Ok let me not get off topic
  • So picture above is of designer and style blogger Folake is the editor of Style Pantry, a street style blog with her vintage finds, lookbooks, campaigns and more
  • Christina Brown is a writer and blogger of Love Brown Sugar which represents style for the curvy women.
  • Karen is a London transplant from New York who blogs about her stylish outfits, street style and some DIY projects at Where Did You Get That.
  • Jessica of Vintage Virgin, is a stay-at-home mom who  lives in Texas and blogs about her gorgeous vintage finds.
  • Patrice, above is known for her big hair and moniker/blog AfroBella, blogs about fashion, beauty and of course natural hair.
  • And I found something too for the boys and young men, so dont complain, they are very good and very fresh, young fashion. Go learn something. Travis Gumbs and Joshua Kissi.  Just see some of their raves!
    "We fell in love with the dapper look of these NYC guys long before their blog Street Etiquette was picked up by The New York Times. If you appreciate well-dressed, tailored men, then these are your guys." 
  • Talking of men and boys, I have met Collo, a vey stylish man, he has a shop in town, he does Gikomba too. So this is on that other looooooong list of to do things. I will go to Collo's shop we pictures. You have a look at the and we move from there.
  • Meet Collo.
So lets continue...

  • Claire is a fashion journalist and editor of Fashion Bomb Daily which covers style, fashion show reviews and daily fashion news.
  • Shala started getting heavy coverage in the fashion scene in the past year-or-so and blogs at Shala’s Rabbit Hole.
  • Kathryn (above) I think is another me, Kathryn will tell you how to look fly and save money on her blog, The Budget Fashionista.
  • Snow White might be the fairest of them all, but Natasha might have the fashion and beauty competent down pat on her blog Snow Black Blog.
  • Jessica Andrew and Andrea Arterbery blog at Glamazons pursues life, liberty and the fabulous.
  • Ludget is a dapper male blogger for Dapper Lou. My male peeps here we go again, and really it is about time a male kenyan started blogging fashion, ama there is one you know about, I blog him. 
  • Mattie is the fashion and beauty blogger behind her brainchild Mattieologie.

  • Patrice (above) definitely knows how to be frugal. She’s the blogger of Looking Fly On A Dime. Just like Toi!!!
  • Uzo is a stylist and blogger of J’adore-Fashion. And finally..............

Okay that is that for today, I will continue kesho or whenever and then I will list the kenyan fashion bloggers!
Cheers
Dama.


02:49
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