Style – Bonita Valli

Jacquemus

[Un]Popular Opinion: cliché as it may sound, I think Pablo Picasso is a friggn LEGEND! And while we’re at it…. Cubism is in fact my favourite Art Movement.

———

Jacquemus is a young, talented, French, modern designer. His take on fashion is almost architectural in execution. He deconstructs objects, rebuilding sculpted masterpieces.

Jacquemus footwear was launched two years ago. His creative ingenuity in my opinion, borders on modern day Cubism. He leverages basic shapes and cleverly balances them to curate whimsical shoe perfection.

You see, the thing I love about Cubism is its ability to produce a conceptual image as opposed to the perceptual form. After all, I consider vision to be reassembled shapes built up to create depth and manipulated in form.

Jacquemus is only 29 and already pushing fashion boundaries. It’s a shame he’s put a stop to his quirky shoes. Regardless, I’m curious as to what he will unfold as he continues to rebuild, reinvent and rediscover.

Image result for jacquemus shoes — Les Mules Sao Mule
Source: Net-a-Porter

Pisa Mismatched Heels (my current favourites)
Source: Matches Fashion

Image result for cubism picasso — Picasso’s Weeping Woman
Source: The Tate

Who’s your designer of the moment?

What’s your favorite Art Movement?

xXx

Ps: Take my posts as they come and don’t question the [ir]regularity. After all, I’d like to think of myself as a creative 🙃

PPs: I’ve had my Nikon D3100 for 8years and only just decided to properly learn photography. So far, so fun!

PPPs: I made dumplings from SCRATCH yesterday. The result…? Meat pies! LOL

White Shirts & Whatnots

Growing up, a white shirt was a status symbol. It spoke at length in knowledge, uncovered depths of wisdom and expressed silent authority. Growing up, my Dad was not just the epitome of a white shirt, he was the very essence of it. It was the singular most dominant feature of his wardrobe and it could only ever be crisp… pristine… starched… SHARP! It earned him the nickname ‘GQ’ and in my book, anything short of this, just didn’t make the cut!

Naturally, as I progressed into the realm of employment, I too found the white shirt to be not just a staple, but supposedly critical for unattained heights of success. Accessorized with a Hermès 90×90 (*insert smug smile*), my white shirt wasn’t just my authority, it transformed to my cape! But I’ve since learned not to take life too seriously. SHARP! is nice, but as a lady, I much prefer my shirt (blouse?) to glide gracefully along my fashion scale, sliding from understated chic to refined grace.

Ever-adaptable, I often find that my white shirt is my blank canvas, capable of self-expression and open to my style interpretations. Somewhere between the flirty off shoulders, the hand stitched silks and the creaseless oxford cloth classics (Taiwo does this like a PRO!), I’ve found myself “at home” with this undeniable essential.

Below are my much desired white shirt chic goals

Tome | Open Back Shirt | My Chameleon — Source: The Chic Department

Cotton shirts are enjoying a new lease of life via architectural shapes. This neat bow detailing will nip in your waist too — Source: The Telegraph

I’ve learnt that maintenance is the greatest feat in owning a white shirt, but here’s a tip you (probably) didn’t know… they (Brooks Brothers, according to the WSJ) say your blend ratio shouldn’t exceed 60/40 Polyester/Cotton…. you can thank me later!

Ladies, have you invested in a white shirt? How does it work for you?

xXx

Ps: For those of you that don’t already know, I have Tory Lanez ‘Hypnotized’ on REPEAT!!!!

PPs: I can’t seem to decide if I want my hair in Senegalese twists or if I want to keep queening in my nappy ‘fro… thoughts?

She’s Back!

Hello Beautiful people!!!!

I know I’ve been MIA for a bit (a bit she says…) but I’m back and you’ll love it, I promise!

In the mean time, I’ll leave you all with a picture of me in what Nigerian’s call a Keke Napep! Talk about arriving in grand style…. LOL

xXx

Ps: It was my first time in a Keke Napep and I was too excited. I didn’t actually go for a ride, but the driver allowed me to pose in it… LOL

PPs: Forgive the picture quality…. I used my phone.

Renata

I have my own style. It’s specific to me (as style should be) and determined by my body shape, my height, my location and the occasion. The Virgo’s Lounge Renata dress is exactly my style. The draped back is my kind of understated drama and the v-neckline shows just the right amount of skin. VL’s trademark wrap slit opens up with every stride breaking the sea of glitzy blue to show off (freshly shaved) legs!!!

The VL Renata is my dream right now, I wish I was a June baby so I’d have a justifiable reason to purchase it….

What do you think of the VL Renata?

xXx

Ps: The ‘fro is out once again, so you guessed it! The next blog will be on my latest hair do… the “Drum”!

Shellac Homes (Get it….? Lol)

My love for shellac died about as quickly as my manicure lasted- 8 days! My nails grew out quicker than I’d ever realised leaving an unattractive gap between my cuticle and my manicure. Like that wasn’t bad enough, I got the highly unattractive bubbles that occur if a shellac manicure isn’t done properly (thank you Apples & Oranges!).

Everyone knows how much I detest the unkempt look and seeing as I could never make it to the salon during the week (I work crazy hours), I got to googling shellac removal at home! Here’s how it’s done:

Tools:

1. Nail buffer
2. Orange/cuticle stick
3. Nail polish remover (or as much acetone as you can possible get in a bottle)
4. Cotton pads/wool
5. Foil paper
6. Hand lotion and Tea Tree Oil

Step 1: Using the nail buffer, file down the gel layer of your shellac manicure until you achieve a matte finish (was so tempted to keep the matte look)

Step 2: Soak cotton cotton pads in nail polish remover and wrap around each nail using the foil as a seal (be careful, the nail polish starts to drip everywhere)

Step 3: Set your timer for 10 mins. I’d suggest keeping one hand free to better manage a messy situation

Step 4: Remove the foil paper. At this stage, the shellac should be cracking/peeling off. Otherwise, slip your nails back in the foil for another 5mins

Step 5: using an orange stick (or cuticle remover in my case) peel off the shellac polish and buffer down nails for a smooth finish

Step 6: wash your hands and apply hand lotion and tea tree oil. Acetone drys out the nails and skin

I was still in the mood for pampering and so decided to use my new OPI texture effect duo (colour: My Current Crush). It’s a liquid sand and so dries with a matte/glitter/sandy finish. The application only requires one base coat and two coats of the liquid sand. No top coat. Amazing!

xXx

Ps: Thank you Ilobe for my new nail polish! Thank you Solape for my Orogold nail kit!

PPs: I did mention, I love nail polish right? and I love pampering! Perfect combination.

Eugene

Remember my post The Spider King’s Daughter? Well, lo and behold, I spotted the object of my desire at Terra Kulture last Tuesday and just HAD to buy. I was going to give her a Nigerian name seeing as she’s the Nigerian interpretation of the Pandora, but Taiwo classed that too cliche and so we went with Eugene. Uncommon yet precious.

No. She’s no Charlotte Olympia, but she sure as hell will do! Hope you like as much as I do.

xXx

Ps: Eugene comes with two ankara purses AND a chain strap. Can you say BARGAIN?

PPs: Does anyone know the designer?

PPs: Have you spotted my shellac nails? I’m thinking I should do a post on them.

5 Blogs 5 Days: Fashions Fade, Style is Eternal

I love Pinterest because it allows me to discover so many new things with very little effort. One of my first Pinterest discoveries (and instant obsession) has got to be Atlantic-Pacific (“AP”). Below are three reasons why:

1. The Atlantic Pacific blog is solely a style blog and I must confess I have a style crush on the author Blaire Eadie. Not every outfit is to my taste (I veer as far away as possible from ripped jeans and sweat shirts), nevertheless; her style is original and unique to her, it’s modern with a twinge of vintage and it’s relevant to her location and the changing seasons. What more could one ask for?

2. The AP blog is very visual. Who needs writing when pictures scream a thousand words? The image quality is also as good as professional.

3. Now this point, I’ll have to give to Wura (my sister), because she pointed it out as I shared this blog with her. She repeats her clothes!!! Most people these days are of the impression that clothes should be worn once and from then on damned into eternal flames. Come off it! Money doesn’t grow on trees. People spend so much on clothes because they should be durable and (as much as possible) they should be timeless. How else will we ever get vintage clothes?

Well there you have it. So far I’ve written a blog on Hair, Beauty and Fashion. I bet you’re wondering what’s up next. You’ll have to visit BV same time tomorrow to find out……

xXx

Ps: This is the first time I have referred to my blog as BV. I think I like it. Might do this more often…..

PPs: It’s FRRRRRIIIIIDDDDAAAAAAAYYYYYYY 🙂