Inches To Style

A labour of love: Long days, bee stings and a global premiere

2026-03-21T12:24:00.016+03:00

“Amkeni” roughly translates to “Rise Up” in Kiswahili. This is the call of Chambuko Amkeni, a community-led conservation group involved in mangrove restoration and protection. In 2025, I had the honour of working with them to document their journey on women’s leadership in coastal and marine conservation, climate change adaptation and the blue economy, for a collaboration between Mission inclusion and the BBC StoryWorks' for the Living Legacy Series.

This was my first time working on a project of this magnitude not to mention one that would have a global audience. To say this has been one of the highlights of the last two years is an understatement. Just thinking about it, my heart swells with pride. I feel like a mother watching her baby grow and come of age (please don't tell my daughter this!).

With members of the Chambuko Amkeni Group

Leading the production of Amkeni with my amazing colleagues was a true labour of love. A vision come to life thanks to the support of a great team. The opportunity arose through our work on the ReSea Project.Through this partnership, we learned about the call to submit stories for the Living Legacy series. In April, we submitted a proposal. Two short months later, we were shortlisted and the thrilling, nerve-wracking journey began.

The first challenge was selecting a story to showcase. Because I support five countries, narrowing it down to one was a tricky decision, one that would inevitably disappoint some. After many consultations, we chose Kilifi along the Kenyan Coast as a showcase of women-led marine conservation and nature-based enterprises.

Next came developing the creative brief, outlining how the story would unfold and defining key messages. Simultaneously, I coordinated logistics between our offices in Nairobi and Montreal, the team in Kilifi, and the BBC in the UK. A single paragraph can hardly capture the immense work involved in this planning phase.

Filming by the mangroves

In August, I travelled to Kilifi County to lead the film’s production. I was a nervous wreck with so many people expecting so much. Having met the protagonists only once before, my first goal was to establish trust. It was crucial that the group understood the vision and felt comfortable sharing their story. We aimed to capture leadership, voice, and agency, women overcoming systemic barriers and taking the reins in climate adaptation and sustainable livelihoods. It required thinking on our feet and adapting quickly to capture this beautiful story. Our days began before dawn and ended late at night.

By the end of the week, despite the exhaustion, sunburn, and a bee-sting adventure at the apiary, the filming was done. I was profoundly grateful it had gone well.

Getting suited up to go into the apiary

Editing passed in a whirlwind of back-and-forth between teams, ensuring the story met everyone's goals. In October, we saw the final product. I was numb. I couldn’t believe we had reached this point.

We organized viewings for our teams in Canada and Kenya, the Chambuko Amkeni group, and the High Commission of Canada. Globally, the film was shown at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. On November 20, it launched online for the world to see. My heart swelled with pride. This year (2026) it has been selected as a showcase piece at a film festival in Montreal (the 42nd Festival Vues d'Afrique),

This is what communication means to me: giving a platform to those who would otherwise go unheard, placing their stories before the right audiences, and in doing so, opening doors to new opportunities.

Chambuko Amkeni embodies the work we’re doing at ReSea: empowering women in decision-making, including women and youth in managing marine resources, and supporting locally-led climate adaptation. This story proves that when communities are given the tools and space to lead, they can not only adapt to climate change but also forge lasting solutions to this global crisis.

A quick shoutout to Sebastian, Daniela, Nathalie, Andreanne, Genevieve, Coline, Perpetua, Coline, Messy, Francisca, Wendy, Peter, Baha, Francis, Busolo and Nathan!

Watch Amkeni here - https://youtu.be/D0eJAdPVzNs?si=xZ_piYszmGgjILLR

Learn more about the Living Legacy series here - https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/specials/living-legacy/

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Fashion trends I'm loving in 2021

2021-03-26T08:00:00.005+03:00

I fell in love with fashion as a child and this blog became my outlet. I love experimenting with clothes, trends, fabrics and over the years, I have settled in my preferred style preferences and these play a big role in my outfit and purchasing choices. This, however, doesn't mean that I am averse to fashion trends. I look to them for ideas on how to update my wardrobe and style my pieces anew. While I don't buy heavily into trendy pieces, I will consider and purchase pieces that I know I love and can wear for a few years, even after the trend has passed.

That being said, with 2020/2021 bringing change in how we consume fashion - we spent a year cooped up indoors and hence had no need for fancy clothes and shoes - I must say that there are some trends that I have fallen in love with and can hardly wait to get my hands on.

Let's get into it.

(Photo: Pinterest/Style Pantry)

1. Wide-leg trousers

I love slim fit trousers and skinny jeans. I love how versatile they are and I honestly believe they look great on anyone.

Wide-leg trousers on the other hand, bring a whole new silhouette to your closet. They are extremely comfortable, can be worn at home or to the office and come in a variety of styles, fabrics and colours.

Style tips:

For a flattering look, opt for those that are high-waisted, and whose length hits you at the most flattering point. When it comes to styling, you can pair wide-leg trousers with a fitted t-shirt tucked in and a belt around your waist. Alternatively, pair them with a loose-fitting shirt for a more relaxed look. Adding a belt over the shirt will cinch in the waist and create a more flattering silhouette.

(Photo: Pinterest/Jen Jean-Pierre)

2. Flared jeans

You can be sure that jeans had to feature on this list. Over the years, I've had my fair share of flared jeans and I just can't seem to fall out of love with this trend. My most recent pair of light-wash flared jeans don't fit as well as they used to so I promised myself that I would buy at least two new ones, of different washes of course!

Style tips:

Like wide-leg trousers, I prefer high-waisted flared jeans. Since they fit over the hips and then flare out at the knee, you can play around when styling them. Opt for crop tops, tucked in shirts and t-shirts, blazers and cardigans, etc.

(Photo: Instagram)

3. Chunky boots

I'm looking forward to cooler temperatures so that I can bust out my boots, tee hee. And, I want to add a few more pairs to my collection this year. One such style will definitely be chunky boots. I have high-heeled chunky boots but I can't wear these as often as I would like. So I am on the hunt for flat chunky boots.

Style tips:

From how I have seen these boots styled online, they can be worn with just about anything. I know I will pair them with my skinny jeans and over stockings worn with dresses once the temperatures cool down.

(Photo: Pinterest/Ashley Parke)

4. Puff sleeves

This is a 2020 trend that is still going strong this year. I love the old-school vibe of a blouse with puff sleeves. They have a romantic edge to them.

Style tips:

Puff sleeves add a feminine flare to any outfit. Since these blouses are a statement on their own, keep the rest of the outfit simple. A nice pair of black fitted trousers or straight-leg jeans would pair well with puff sleeves. If you're feeling more adventurous, pair them with the flared jeans or opt for a dress with puff sleeves.

(Photo: Pinterest/Klozetstyle)

5. Wide belt

After I became a mum, I stopped wearing big belts. I didn't like how they sat across my mummy-tummy so I steered away from them. But over the past year, I realised that some dresses look better when paired with a wide belt so I have acquired to to start with.

If, like me, you're hesitant about wearing a big belt across your waist, try on different size belts to determine which one suits you best.

(Photo: Pinterest/Aritzia)

6. T-shirt with shoulder pads

Okay, let's get a little retro. I'm not a huge fan of shoulder pads but I will admit that I have seen and admired t-shirts with shoulder pads during the rounds.

Style tips:

Get a t-shirt that fits well over the rest of your torso so that the shoulder pads stand out. Pair it with trousers or skirts of your choice, dressed up or down for an updated take on your favourite jeans and a t-shirt outfit.

Which trends are you excited for this year?

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Video: What I wore in a week

2021-03-22T08:00:00.014+03:00

One of the things I promised myself I would do, ever since this pandemic started and life slowed down, is that I would dress up every single day. Granted, I had nowhere to go, but putting on an outfit, no matter how simple, uplifted my spirit and gave each day meaning not to mention it became easier to distinguish one day from the next.

This video is a compilation of what I wear on a typical week. My choice of outfit largely depends on the weather, how I'm feeling, how I want to feel and what I will be doing that day.

Since most of these were filmed on a week when I was working from home, the styling was minimal. However, I have since decided that my wardrobe needs a bit of a refresh so I will be adding a few pieces here and there to make putting outfits together even more fun.

I hope you enjoy the video. Please leave a comment, like and share. Thank you for stopping by.

What I wore: Light florals

2021-03-05T08:30:00.002+03:00

Happy new month!

I went clothes shopping earlier this year and made sure to buy dresses that weren't black. I love black dresses but lately I've been craving a little more colour in my wardrobe.

Florals and lighter colours are always a great idea when its warmer. When you think summer, you automatically think of light breezy fabrics and flowers in bloom. This is what this dress represents for me.

I loved the light blue colour and the tie-waist which mean I can wear it through all my weight fluctuations (I tend to lose and put on weight quite frequently).

Keeping to the light colour theme, I paired the dress with some light coloured sneakers.

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What I wore: Drop-waist LBD

2021-02-19T08:30:00.001+03:00

Hi, come closer, let me whisper something. Wearing this dress had me feeling myself! I felt like a Queen. Like I could conquer the world. I felt an inner strength that I hadn't felt in a long time.

You know how they say your appearance plays a big role in how you feel about yourself? I'm here to tell you that this is so true. I'm not saying that we should all abandon hard work and using our brains and only concentrate on our looks but if you want a simple fix on a day when you feel, to put it simply, meh, dress up.

I had been thinking about a drop waist dress with a flouncy hemline ever since I watched Lydia Millen's edit with Karen Millen. I can't explain why. I don't even think there was a dress or skirt like this in the collection but I just thought the idea of this silhouette would be ultra chic.

My options for styling centered around boldness. This red sweater, though worn to stave off the morning chill, provided me with a loudness you'll hardly get from me on a normal day. The floral wedges, worn for the photos since I am still working from home, added more colour and interest to the outfit. The earrings too made a statement of their own.

Although I often choose more muted silhouettes and colours, lately I've found a need for louder colours and styles, which I find boost my confidence and make me stand taller, prouder and stronger.

P.S. I didn't buy this number. I scavenged it from a pile of clothes my sister had made while she was decluttering her closet :)

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Rediscovering myself

2021-02-17T12:42:00.005+03:00

A few blog posts ago I alluded to struggles I'd been facing for a few years now. I said that I would address these issues here soon but honestly, I didn't know when would be a good time. So I thought that today is as good a day as any.

Last year I was diagnosed with trauma. It had been years in the making, a result of an emotionally abusive relationship and years of challenging events with seemingly no respite in sight. Although I had eventually gotten out of the relationship, I had unconsciously allowed this person's opinions of me become so ingrained in me that I had lost all knowledge of my former self. I lacked self-confidence. I blamed myself for many things that had happened in my life. I was perpetually sad and struggled to find even the smallest things to smile about. I had no motivation to do even those things that I loved. I would take photos and see my smiling face but deep down I knew that was just a front. I was broken, a shell of my former self.

Now I'm not writing this looking for pity. I simply want to encourage anyone who is in a similar boat.

After months of therapy, I finally reached a place where I had made peace with my past (for the most part) and learned new skills with which to handle the struggles of daily life. I had been taught how to look after myself, to make myself a priority and learn to say no to situations and persons who no longer served me.

I then embarked on a journey of self-discovery, rediscovery rather. I didn't want to go back to being who I was before the trauma. Instead I wanted to embrace this new me, the one who had gone through all that I had and came out of that dark tunnel, strong and with a newfound purpose.

While I am aware that many people go through far much worse than I have, I don't belittle my experiences. They're mine and I continue to learn from them everyday. I've become more aware of things that trigger my anxiety and instead of allowing these to make me withdraw into myself and give up, I am using them to understand why they're triggering me and make better life decisions. They make me push myself to handle the turmoil of emotions and thoughts that sometimes overwhelm me and use these lessons to help others too.

If you're struggling with any form of mental health issue, don't be afraid to take a step back and heal. It's a tough process but one that will have positive results. Make yourself a priority. Take a break from pouring into other's cup and pour into your own for a change.

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What I wore: Feminine silhouettes

2021-02-05T08:30:00.003+03:00

Over the years, I've noticed that my personal style has evolved. Apart from my preference for comfort, I've learned to love more feminine pieces, so much so that I now prefer dresses over trousers. Maybe this has to do with the fact that it is blistering hot right now and just the thought of putting on a constricting pair of jeans at the moment makes me feel like I will melt. Or, I've been influenced, haha! You see, baby girl loves herself a dress or two. So she might have had a hand in getting me to wear more dresses than trousers.

Anyway, my preferred silhouette when it comes to dresses is bodycon or a-line/skater-style. They're super easy to style, in formal or casual shoes, and can be worn for every occasion from the office, to lunch with the girls to a night out.

This dress checks all those boxes. Although I tend to wear it for smarter functions, I can see myself dressing it down should the need arise. I'd like to say that styling it like a skirt like I did here was intentional but it was cold when I wore this (and took these photos) so the cream coat had to make an appearance.

The black heels were the simplest shoes I had that would allow this dress to shine through. I felt the deep black colour contrasted well with the lighter peach and cream colours of the rest of the outfit.

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Hello 2021 + What I wore for Christmas

2021-01-15T14:35:00.003+03:00

Happy New Year!

Every year, for quite a few years now, I have vowed to be better here, more consistent like I was when I started this blog. But the struggle has been real, you guys! I've lacked motivation, felt completely uninspired and simply didn't feel like giving this space any energy.

But, as this year rolled in, I felt a jolt of inspiration. Ideas started flooding my mind and I finally got a clear picture of what I could do with this space. It feels good, I tell you! I'd missed my blog.

Christmas was a simple, homey affair, just what I wanted and needed. Granted, I worked harder than I have in a looong time during that short holiday period but it left me feeling content. I got to spend copious amount of time with baby girl, something that I had been craving for months.

My Christmas outfit wasn't pre-planned. I simply picked a dress that I hadn't put on in a while, and one that still fit me well.

This pink maxi is one of my special dresses. I save it for very special occasions. It last made an appearance here on the blog and I will confess that I styled it much the same way save for the jewellery. I did change shoes for these photos though. I wanted to put on my new heels and this was occasion enough for me.

I hope you've had a good year so far. I'm trying to make the most of these strange times, focusing on what is within my control rather than circumstances I can't change.

I wish you a good 2021 and hope to catch up soon!

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What I wore: Little black dress

2020-11-14T08:26:00.003+03:00

If there's one dress I think I will never have enough of is the little black dress. I think everyone should have a black dress in every style. You can wear it to every occasion, style it up or down and still look fabulous.

This little number has been worn to death. I've paired it with sneakers and flats and today, heels. The necklace is an old piece I've had for years. I haven't worn it in a while so I thought pairing it with this black dress would be fun. I last wore these heels with a tulle dress.

I have a confession to make. I've started falling in love with fashion again. I'm so excited! I mentioned a few blog posts ago that I hadn't been feeling my wardrobe lately. While my clothes still don't feel right, I have made peace with it and I'm focusing on wearing only those pieces that fit my current body.

That's one thing I've come to learn and appreciate about getting dressed. Keep only those clothes that fit you at this moment. Also, only those that bring you joy. I have some pieces that I feel obligated to keep but in essence I don't really like them and they don't get enough wear. I am looking forward to having a wardrobe clear out before the year ends.

Do you have pieces in your wardrobe that you have a difficult time letting go of?

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What I wore: Thigh-high boots over denim

2020-11-06T08:30:00.012+03:00

By now you might have guessed that I gravitate towards comfort whenever I put an outfit together. Comfort for me in this instance is stretch jeans, or jeggings, a t-shirt, preferably cotton, and some cover up of some kind. Although I love heels, I wear more flats and sneakers. But when it comes to boots, with the exception of a choice few, I like them to have some sort of heel because I find that my legs look better in heeled boots.

Today's outfit is another of my comfortable, stay/work from home, cold-weather outfits. These are my favourite black jeans but I think I've worn them so much that they've started to lose their blackness. In this particular outfit, I loved how it allowed the colours in my sweater to pop.

I styled this outfit around these grey boots, which I last styled with a maxi dress. I couldn't help but notice how they picked up the grey colour in my sweater.

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What I wore: Black maxi dress with grey thigh-high boots

2020-10-30T09:00:00.002+03:00

This black maxi dress has got be one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe (I think I say that about all my clothes, lol!). But honestly, of all the maxi dresses I own, I think I wear this one the most. It's plain, neutral colour and long sleeves make it very easy to style whether its blistering hot or freezing cold outside.

I first bought and wore a black maxi dress when I was pregnant with baby girl some six years ago. That's when I fell in love with them and finally appreciated their versatility. I styled it as a maternity and post-maternity dress and enjoyed every minute of it. When I shed the baby weight, I realised that dress was too stretched for me to continue wearing, so I bought a new one.

This one was a little different. It was shorter and had a side slit. I still loved it and wore it often. I styled it here with a pendant necklace and gladiator sandals.

When I outgrew that, or it became small, again, I snagged myself this baby here, my latest black maxi dress. Previously, I wore it with my floral wedge sandals and statement necklace.

For today's look, I opted for this green statement necklace, which is one of my prized possessions, and my grey thigh high boots. Granted the boots were put on for the photo but had I somewhere to go, I would definitely take this outfit, as it is, for a spin and maybe add a large belt.

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What I wore: Cozy knits

2020-10-21T09:39:00.008+03:00

It seems like the weather has completely turned on its head making this outfit quite appropriate. I "acquired" this cozy sweater from my sister and couldn't wait to wear it. Upon laying my eyes on it, I fell in love with the rich maroon colour and laid back style which fit in perfectly with my love for comfort.

Styling it was quite simple. Jeans and a pair of sneakers worked out perfectly! A simple pair of rectangle earrings and this pink kiondo that doesn't get enough wear completed this outfit.

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What I wore: Alladin pants

2020-10-07T08:00:00.013+03:00

Denim will always hold a special place in my heart but in the last two years, when it gets hot outside, I just can't stand wearing denim. That made me shop for trousers made of lighter fabrics, those that breath more easily and would ensure that I didn't cook in my clothes. Enter these harem pants.

Where to begin? I love the colour, they're light enough to repel the sun's rays. Their neutral colour can very easily be paired with any other colour in my closet. I can wear them to work, a huge plus, and they're quite flattering.

The only issue I have with them is which shoes to style them with aside from sandals but we'll find a solution.

On this day it was particularly hot. So I opted to for a simple black corset-style top and light denim jacket for when the temperature dipped later in the day. I added the necklace for some drama and some black sandals to complete the outfit.

If you were to wear these trousers out, what shoes would you pair them with?

Outfit details:

Trousers, top and denim jacket: Thrifted

Sandals: Bus Station

Necklace: Gift

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Investing in myself | It's my birthday

2020-09-23T17:52:00.008+03:00

Another year older!

September is one of my favourite months of the year. Not only is the month when I started my blog but it also happens to be my birthday month.

For years I've let this day just go by, smiling whenever people wished me a happy birthday even when deep inside I wasn't too happy. But I wanted to make this birthday different. I was determined to spend it in the best way I possibly could; taking care of myself. I made sure to dress up, even with nowhere to go and did my nails (something I'd been postponing for weeks!). I also decided to do something that I enjoy but hardly make time for i.e. take photos and update the blog!

I've wracked my brain trying to think of what to gift myself this year and I couldn't make up my mind. This year being what it is has made me rethink many things. I don't really need to add anything to my wardrobe, my jewellery collection is sufficient although I can't help but admire beautiful accessories online, but do I really need them? No. So I thought of something different: to do those things that I've wanted to do for years but never really got round to doing and also to invest in myself. We spend so much time giving and giving and giving that we often forget to give back to ourselves. So this year, I'm allowing myself to be selfish, to invest as much energy and resources in myself as I do to other people.

All in all, I'm excited to be a year older and wiser and can't wait for what the next 12 months has in store for me.

On to today's outfit. This is an OLD dress. I've had it for about three years and worn it about four times before mostly styled with a light cropped coat. Like many of my dresses, it comes out when the weather is as nice as it has been the last couple of days.

For an easy day spent at home, I kept it simple in terms of styling. I wore some statement earrings and added the heels for the photos (which were taken by baby girl☺, by the way). I'd like to find a different way to style this dress, let's see what I can come up with. I'm determined to take full advantage of the sunshine to get as much wear out of my dresses as I can.

Outfit details:

Dress: Old (Thrifted)

Shoes: Hand-me-ups from my sister

Earrings: Kilimall

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9th blogging anniversary

2020-09-12T09:00:00.036+03:00

It's been nine years since I wrote my first blog post and in that time, I have evolved even as my blog struggled to catch up and reflect that change. I've gone through many life changes: motherhood, journey to finding myself and dealing with my mental health. Despite all that, I have been unable to let go of my piece of internet real estate.

Nine years! Come to think of it, this is the longest relationship I've had, hahaha! It sounds funny just thinking about it. So, just as I did for my eighth blogging anniversary, I'll give you a little life update.

What's been happening...

As I celebrate nine years since I took that bold step to put myself out there and my pursue passion for writing and sharing this with you, I can't help but wonder if I will ever get my old mojo back. I know that I can't force myself to put out content that doesn't resonate with where I am now and the things that I'm enjoying even though they might not always be fashion-related. I also know that instead of looking for that old mojo, I should look for a new motivation and that's what I'm working on.

With the pandemic, subsequent lockdown and life slowing down to just the essentials, I've been spending A LOT of time at home working, and reflecting. I've had to accept some hard truths and come to the realisation that life is too short to keep postponing things that I want to do because "it's not the right time".

Baby girl turned six and a half yesterday :) and I'm one proud mama!

Fashionwise, I fell out of love with my wardrobe and my body, to be honest. Up until January 2020, I had curated a wardrobe that I loved. I was excited to put outfits together, even though I had embraced a simpler, more comfortable style - jeans, t-shirts and dresses that I could wear with both heels (and flats) and sneakers.

Then I lost A LOT of weight. Let's chalk it down to stress, shall we? I became so small I was almost the same size I had been before baby girl was born. This meant that my clothes didn't fit me as well as they used to and I hated it. Getting dressed became a chore. I didn't want to change my entire wardrobe and even if I wanted to, with the way things were, I couldn't get myself to go to the market. So I decided to suck it up and get my body back. I'm not where I was earlier this year but I'm getting there and my clothes fit so much better now.

And now that my passion became job, I've had to find new passions and rediscover old ones. I've taken to reading more novels, a practice I find not only helps improve my writing but also provides an escape. I'm also trying my hand at DIY particularly clothes and interiors.

The blog going forward...

Given that I'm now learning to love fashion once again and I'm picking up new hobbies (because that's what happens when your hobby becomes your job, you need to find new ones) I want to pick up the old blog and put up one post per week. I'd like to do more but let's take it slow until I get the hang of it. Apart from my random musings, I'd appreciate it if you gave me suggestions of blog posts you'd like me to put up :)

Before this becomes a dissertation, haha, I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to those of you who have been here even with my very, very haphazard blogging. It bugs me that I haven't been consistent here but I've gotten a much-sought after push to come back, again.

Happy anniversary to us!

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What I wore: All black & a touch of lime green

2020-07-24T08:00:00.004+03:00

I love black, that's not secret. You can see it from my outfit choices which mostly feature all black outfits. But I also love adding pops of colour to these otherwise monochromatic 'fits.

Colour, especially bold colours make me happy and they make me feel like I can be as dramatic as I want without judgement.

This outfit was put together in an effort to get more wear out of the clothes in my closet. The dress is one I bought to wear on nights out.

Since we don't seem to be having any of those any time soon, aaaand I last wore this dress two years ago, I thought I would style it for day wear. Let's just say I was happy with how it all came together.

The black tights and coat kept me warm throughout the day and the boots were added for the photos☺

Outfit details

Dress: Thrifted

Coat, stockings: Old

Boots: last worn here

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What I Wore: Denim and Boots

2020-07-16T13:35:00.004+03:00

Baby, it's cold out. I opened the door today and couldn't believe how cold it was. Makes today's outfit post all the more appropriate☺

Denim has to be my favourite go-to piece when it's cold whether it's the old school type or jeggings. They keep you warm and can be paired with anything and everything. And now that working from home has become the thing, and I don't own sweatpants, denim is number one on my what to wear list.

I paired these high-waisted jeans with a grey long-sleeved top and navy trench coat. If I was to wear this outfit out, I would have paired them with these black boots. I felt that they helped complete the whole winter vibe.

Outfit details:

Jeans, top, coat: Thrifted (Gikomba)

Boots: Online (Lanem Shoe Closet/Facebook)

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What I wore: New Neutrals

2020-07-08T08:00:00.003+03:00

There was a time when black,white and grey were the only neutrals I wore. Then I added navy blue to the mix. Now I gravitate towards browns and khaki greens as my neutrals.

I never used to like green or brown in any form but for some reason, I'm loving them more and more now. Maybe it has to do with all the earth tones I've been seeing fashion lovers wearing lately.

Even so, this outfit is me trying not to wear trousers in this frigid, uncertain weather that we're currently experiencing in Nairobi. I learned that wearing several layers is perfect when you live in a place where you experience multiple weather patterns in one day. So the coat will come off when the sun is up and get put back on when the temperatures dip.

The versatility of these boots has surprised me. I've managed to style them more times than I thought I would like this time when I wore them with a navy dress. I like their light brown colour adds makes any dull outfit brighter.

Outfit details:

Skirt, top and belt: Thrifted (Gikomba)

Coat: Old

Boots: Gift

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What I Wore: Bodycon dress and sneakers

2020-07-03T08:00:00.003+03:00

Happy new month!

Dresses are a huge part of my wardrobe. I love their versatility when it comes to styling and the fact that they can be worn for a variety of occasions. I'm particularly fond of pairing dresses with sneakers.

I love this pink bodycon dress. The front slit makes it dressier than many other dresses I own and the high neckline means it's perfect for cooler temperatures.

I styled it with these white sneakers, to bring out the white on the dress. The sweater was an afterthought. I didn't want to freeze.

Although I wore this outfit before the lockdown, it's still one that I would reach for even as I work from home. Stretch fabrics are comfortable enough to be worn at home without needing to change into comfy cloths, read pyjamas, in the middle of the day.

Outfit Details

Dress: Gift

Sweater: Thrifted (Gikomba)

Sneakers: Bus Station, Nairobi

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2020 | Let's give it another try

2020-06-17T17:16:00.006+03:00

*I wrote this post before life changed but my sentiments still hold true.

I was so excited when I got into the online business. It was a whole new world for me. I saw endless possibilities. I even longed to work in the digital space full-time, either for myself or for an already established brand. I had big dreams.
But a few years ago, I started second-guessing myself, my posts, the relevance of my blog. I was going through a difficult time, struggling with my mental health and events that were going on in my life. No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't get myself to dedicate as much attention as I wanted to my blog. I started posting less and less. I had changed and I needed to find myself again so that I could find the right content to share.

Another reason I struggled with this space was because of fear. I was afraid that sharing my struggles would come back to bite me, that my words would be used against me. But I also knew that there are many people who might be going through the same journey I am who need to know that they are not alone.

I was tempted to stop but at the bottom of my heart, I knew that if I did, it would haunt me for years to come. Besides, I love doing this. I love all the opportunities the digital world presents. I love the inclusiveness. I love that there's space for everybody.
2019 was my year to push myself out of my comfort zone and I did, in many ways. However, as the new year rolled by, I couldn't truly silence that voice in my head that told me I needed to push myself more professionally.

That's why I am writing this piece. Fear can have a crippling effect on your personal growth, it can keep you from fulfilling the deepest desires of your heart and take you further away from your destiny. I've borne witness to this. But you know what? I'm done hiding. I want to create! I want to challenge myself to try new things. And this year, this decade, even with its ups and downs, is for that; to make every moment count, to go beyond my routines and learn new things.

I have always wanted to explore. However, over the years, I've let it die little by little. I don't want that to be my legacy. I don't want my daughter to grow up and see her mother sad because she didn't accomplish any of the goals she had. I want that when I die, yes I went there, my headstone will read, 'She fought the good fight. She won the race.' I think there's a Bible verse like this, I don't know.

I want to inspire and challenge, that's my new motto, to inspire others and myself, to challenge others and myself.
I hope to take you, my lovely readers on this journey with me.

Outfit details

Dress and heels: Thrifted

Earrings and necklace set: Gift from Accessorize

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Miss Elly Turns Six

2020-03-11T19:49:00.000+03:00

Happy 2020! I know I'm so late but there's no better way to get back into blogging than by marking my baby's birthday.
Baby girl is six today!
I've spent the day wondering how to adequately express my surprise at how fast time has flown and the joy this journey has afforded me.
Since she came into my life, I've wondered what mark I will make in her life, what lessons I will teach her, and though morbid, what memories I will leave her when I'm gone.
I do hope that when she's old enough to read these posts, she will have a glimpse into her mother's passions and get to know me a little better. Now all I need to do is be more consistent here.
This is for you Elly.
Happy birthday my love.

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What I Wore | Navy and Silver

2019-12-13T08:00:00.000+03:00

Every once in a while I pick out my outfits based on the shoes that I want to wear. I find that this not only forces me to wear all the shoes in my closet but it also helps me to get a bit more creative with my outfits.
Take these silver shoes for instance. I bought them on a whim. In my mind's eye I knew I could style them up with many things that I already owned. But when it came down to it, it took me a while to actually wear them.
Navy seemed like a good place to start. I love this dress. I can't wait to wear it more once it gets warmer. The pink cardigan added a pop of colour and kept me warm on my morning commute.
How else would you style these silver shoes? Do let me know in the comments below.

Dress and sweater: Thrifted (Gikomba); Shoes: Bus Station; Earrings: Dubois

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What I Wore: Booted

2019-12-04T08:00:00.000+03:00

I have to confess something. I was kinda disappointed that I didn't get enough wear out of my boots this year so when the recent cold/rain spell hit Nairobi, I was excited to pull them out for one last hurrah.
I've really been into these old-school style dresses: button-fronts, pussy bow, grandma-style, etc. This white, floral print, button-front dress is perfect for the warmer weather
I paired it with this green shrug-style sweater and boots for a cold rainy morning.

Dress: Thrifted (Gikomba); Sweater: Stolen from my sister; Boots: Bus Station, Nairobi; Earrings: Kilimall

Are you ready for Christmas? I'm so excited. Baby girl is too, and I think her enthusiasm has rubbed off on me some. We already have the tree up and we can't get enough of Christmas carols! I'll have a seperate post up on our Christmas prep.

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What I Wore: Nairobi Cold

2019-11-27T08:00:00.001+03:00

I wore this outfit for the Hustlers premiere a couple of months ago. Has any of you watched Hustlers? Epic movie! A great watch for any #girlboss.
Moving along, when it's dull and rainy like it has been the last couple of days, I automatically think of putting on boots. I've always loved boots and this year I've managed to add to my collection (seperate post coming up soon).
These tan boots are higher than I'd wear on a day to day basis but I love the pop of colour they add to my otherwise darker outfits. I paired them with a navy bodycon dress and light blazer for the night. It was warmer when I wore this outfit, otherwise I'd put on a warmer coat.
The clutch bag acted as my hold-all and I added a swipe of red lipstick and statement earrings to finish off the outfit.

Outfit details

Dress, coat and bag: Thrifted (Gikomba)

Boots: Gift

Earrings: Kilimall

Would you wear tan boots or do you prefer darker colours? Do let me know in the comments below.

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A year older

2019-10-05T07:43:00.002+03:00

Better late than never, right? I celebrated another birthday about a week ago, yay!!! The older I get the more excited I get about life and all that is in store for me. I used to dread getting older, I still do at times. But then I look at the progress I have made, as a person, a mum, a professional, and I feel so proud of myself.
I have become more accepting of myself, flaws and all. And I'm not talking physical flaws. I've been looking back at my life facing the mistakes I have made head on and learning to deal with them. For a long time I was unable to do this because I was ashamed mostly. But I have come to accept that I am human and it is unfair for me to expect perfection. I will fail from time to time and it's okay.
Growing up can be scary, no lie. But once you get the courage to face life head on, the good, bad and ugly, you'll find that you will enjoy every aspect of your life more. Try it. I have and I'm happier for it.
Here's to another year on earth!

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