SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES YO!

Sorry this has been late coming. The past few weeks have been a bit busy – uni's starting, Fresher's Week, fighting Fresher's Flu and generally getting my shizzle together! I'm hopefully going to try and have a post every week as opposed to every few days because of time. But check this space out weekly!

Apologies aside, time for a Monthly Favourites! I have got a camera now, but I'm still trying to get it right, so hopefully videos soon?

Favourite Make-Up Product:

FlatOut Fabulous by MAC

As you guys would know from my 'Mid-Month Favourites' and 'Lipstick Love' posts, that I may have a thing for matte lipsticks. There's something so sleek and sophisticated about them! This was a birthday present purchased by my boyfriends a few months ago to start adding to my MAC lipstick collections, and recently, I've been turning to this lipstick a lot more. It's popping, and colour, a great colour to experiment with on 'nights out', especially during the wild and crazy fresher's week! I also wore it on an 80's themed sports social, which worked a charm to get create that vibe. It's a great shade that suits me and that staying power is incredible! I sometimes go to bed after going out without taking my make up off, wake up in the morning and it is still pristine! There are still remnants after I've scrubbed my face with make up remover. Perfection.

Favourite 'Beauty' Product:

SleekBe Beautiful Blemish Balm inDark

Does this count as a beauty product? I'm going to say yes, because of the SPF? Haha. Confusions aside, this product has been my essential over the past few weeks as a base for my make up. It matches my skin quite well, and combined with my Beauty Blender Sponge from Primark, and a quick spritz of Eau Roma Water from Lush on my face, it works a charm. It's easy to apply, quick to use, and when my face needs a quick boost, it's a nice alternative to my foundation I use! It will be a sad day when it runs out.

Favourite Item of Clothing:

Please ignore the mess in my room. Please?

Primark Lace Kimono

As stated before, Fresher's Week as a thing for me, even though I'm a third year now. But how can I say no to a week long party! I have gone out a few times, but it's difficult sometimes to judge what to wear because British weather is always dodgy. So I've been turning to this cheeky number to 'cover' up for the nights out. It's quite nice to dress up and down, and sometimes, I do wear it during the day as an alternative to a thick cardigan if it is still quite warm, but not warm enough to go without anything to cover my shoulders. My Mum wasn't a fan of this, saying that it looked like lingere, but I love it. It adds a sophistication to outfits, and is a nice transitional piece from day to night, from autumn to winter. Love.

Favourite Food/Drink:

Kellogg's Froster Strawberry Flavoured Pop-Tarts

I'm going old school here. This used to be a cheeky breakfast treat as a child, but I find myself really craving this recently. It was on special at Tesco and couldn't help myself! They're a nice snack every now and then, and a nice 'pick-me-up' in the middle of the day. Just a cheeky indulgent buy I've been loving really. Here's hoping after I finish the current pack my craving stops, even though I do love sugar. Hehe.

Favourite Song:

This has been a difficult choice, and have chosen to narrow it down to three songs at the minute!

1. Wanklemut – My Head Is A Jungle

I think this is just a song that is getting me back into my partying mood. Such a dance anthem for me, whilst also being quite relaxing from when I'm just chilling around. The voice, the piano, and steady beat, it all just works for me.

2. Sia – Chandellier

Sia's vocals are out of this world! They are so good and recently, I've just been obssessed with this song. I would hear it on the radio, and just think this is a great song, but when I stumbled onto the music video channel surfing, I was hooked. It reminded me of my old dancing days which I missed, was so creative and captivating – I just love it. It a dance tune, with such emotion to it! I honestly can't get enough of it!

3. Calvin Harris – Blame

More recent of the three songs, I literally heard this today, and haven't stopped playing replay on my Spotify. It's addictive, it's something I can groove to on the dance floor, with Calvin Harris beats I just can't get enough of. I'm really loving 'dance songs' that don't sound so generic and like everything else, and whilst this one, out of the three, does slip into that sound just a bit, there is a fine line, and this one is above it!

Favourite TV Show:

America's Next Top Model (Season 21)

I am a massive ANTM fan! I've seen every single episode since day one, and I am loving this season as of current. It's not as gimicky as season 20, but still has fantastic drama that keeps me hooked. Obviously, it doesn't have quite the class of older seasons (Andre Leon Tally, come back?) but it's getting better and is one of the best cycles I've seen in a while. I especially love the 'No Bullsh*t' attitude Tyra has this season, taking nonsense from no one and teaching good life lessons not only the models can take but that the world can. Men can dress in heels, and labels should not define someone, and you should never give up! And the return of Miss Jay!! This is seriously doing it for me right now!

Peace Out!

Thulani x

“There's something happening with the Ass”

*Warning, there are some profanities in this post!!*

I think it's almost fate that I waited a few more days before posting this blog!! I aimed to have it posted on the 17^th, but was still editing it when Jennifer Lopez's new music videoentitled Booty was released, which has basically summed up my thought process. There is something happening with the Ass!!

The title of this post is inspired by one of my heroes, Samantha Jones from Sex and the City, who made this observation in one episodes when her and the girls were discussing whether a certain act was 'okay' or not (not anal by the way). Even though this episode was aired in 2001, 13 years ago, Samantha raises a great point here, and it is still relevant today! 

New's flash: The Ass is In!! It is so fashionable at the minute. Women twerking all day every day showing off the different ways they can shake and stretch their gluteus'. Twerking is the new Zumba. You've got Jason Derulo asking them girls with the 'big fat butt' to Wiggle. And then Nicki Minaj's Anaconda polarising the world as she rallies her 'bitches with a fat ass in the f**king club'. And the J-Lo's Booty where there are a lot of ass shots in the video. Big Butts are very popular these days. Have you seen Iggy Azalea's! It's huge (is it even real?!?!).

I'm not sure how to react to all this love for the big fat butts. I used to love dancing with my own assets as a 90s kid whenever 'Baby GotBack' would come on. That is my jam. Some days, I'm proud of my booty and I'm happy to flaunt my 'healthy butt'. Other days, I'm ashamed and want to hide it. When the likes a stunning model like Cindy Crawford has allegedly said that she wouldn't leave the house if she had an ass like J-Lo, no wonder I was self-conscious about mine! I distinctively remember as a child, one of my best friends laughed at me because I had a big butt. I must've been eight or nine when she teased me. I went crying straight to my Mum, asking why I was cursed with a big bum! She taught me some good life truths that day. She said that I was beautiful the way I was, and then started naming off some of my childhood heroes who have fabulous asses. Beyonce, Serena Williams and J-Lo to name but a few. I remembered those words, and chose never to be upset about my butt again, even if people stared at it when I decided I would wear a short skirt and made comments like the girl at the beginning of Baby Got Back, or if some of TopShop's jeans wouldn't fit me because they didn't accommodate my booty. I was proud of my ass, but I was weary. Weary of people who would make sly comments about my butt behind me, some saying that I shouldn't wear leggings, and that I should hide my butt.

But these attitudes seem to be shifting – if the Top 40 Charts are anything to go by. Nowadays, big butts seem to be more acceptable! Which is great! However, with a big butt comes big responsibilities. With the butt becoming so fashionable these days, I am expected to Twerk like my sista's in the club. Unfortunately I have no such skill and look more like Miley Cyrus' poor attempt. Scratch that, I am a better twerker than Miley Cyrus, and I will revel in that! But I can't dutty whine, bump and grind, and just because I have a black booty, doesn't mean I should be expected too. I much prefer the electric slide and the occasional 'whip my hair back and forth'. There's always that fear, I suppose, that my butt is 'sexualised', which upsets and terrifies me, especially when I see people checking it out, but I suppose it's something you just have to live with, especially with butt's being so 'in'.

There is of course, the constant debate of whether I answer Nicki Minaj's call. Am I one of the 'bitches with a fat ass in the f**king club' who should tell them 'skinny bitches' to f**k off. I don't wanna be, but then who am I? It's a difficult concept to grasp. I know a lot of people have hated Nicki's song because she slams skinny girls. And I get it. For a large part of my life, I've been shamed for having a big butt. I can't do anything about it, I was born this way, and I can't work off the muscle in my butt!! But, there's something almost comforting in how big butt's seemed to praised at the minute! And maybe that's what hurts me when skinnier girls complain about Anaconda. For me, this is the first time someone has openly maybe been on my side of the big butt's, but the down side surely can't be to exclude other girls in the club. I will dance and groove with anyone, regardless of how big your booty is.

So screw fashion trends. Once upon a time, my hips didn't lie and I wanted to dye my hair Rihanna's pinky red. It's Ass's this year, and maybe next year, breasts will be in. I suppose I'm not happy with the idea that big butt's become a fashion trend, because after a while, when the novelty wears off, the world will move on, but I can't. I have my big ass for life, and I have to live with that.

Nevertheless, I will revel in our lime light! I love that now there are women out there who aren't hiding there butts and are singing and celebrating them! I will shake what my Mamma gave me, because I'm proud of it. When this phase passes, I will always believe Snoop Dog's interesting way of words, and tell myself that I will have a big future behind me.

Peace Out!

Thulani x

p.s. Disclaimer: I'm not agreeing with Nicki's opinions about skinny girls. I think all women are beautiful, and we should all flaunt what we got.

p.p.s. As a side not, in We Can't Stop by Miley Cyrus, you'll not that that she 'sings':“to all my home girl's with the big butt's, shaking it like we're in a strip club'. Does anyone else find this problematic? I do. She ain't my home girl, she hasn't got a big butt, and why does such a feature need to be associated with the strip club?! Gah.

p.p.p.s. Songs included in this post:

Sir Mix Alot – Baby Got Back

JasonDerulo ft. Snoop Dogg – Wiggle

Nicki Minaj – Anaconda

Jennifer Lopez - Booty

Mid-Month Favourites!!!

Favourite Make-Up Product:

New Rimmel ApocalipsMatte Lip Lacquer in Meteoric Matte.

This was a new buy for the month, and I am quite loving the colour of this new lipstick by Rimmel. Albeit, I chose that colour because I thought it would suit me best, and it is does, which is great. Sometimes it's such a gamble with drug store purchases in the hopes of a shade that suits me best. Also, can I say 'no' to a Matte lipstick?!?! (the answer is 'no') It's a great colour for dark lips, but I am somewhat disappointed by it's lack of stay power. After a four hour shift at work it's gummy and worn away, but I'm happy the wipe it out again and apply some more really quickly. Maybe not good for a night out, but for a subtle day pout, it's fab. And for the price, I think a bit more application is worth it!!

Ignore the dirty mirror please. 

Favourite 'Beauty' Product:

Lush Let The GoodTime's Role Cleanser.

I've been experimenting with Lush products for the past few weeks, and loving it quite a bit! A recent purchase of mine, I got this cleanser after getting a sample of this and Angel's on Bare Skin. I chose Let The Good Time's Role because of a lot of different things. After using it, my face feels fabulous, soft and full of moisture! And I smell like a cookie! On top of that, it has popcorn in it!! This is some kind of wizardry that cannot be ignored and I love it! (I have sensitive skin, and I haven't reacted, which is another great bonus for anyone a little unsure!)

Favourite Item of Clothing:

Nike Air Max Thea's

It took a lot of self debating before getting these babies. I never used to have a great knowledge of trainers. But now, I kinda know my stuff, I wanted a groovy new pair. There are so many different types of trainers, I was spoiled for choice! But I chose the Thea's. They are comfy, and sleek and feminine. I didn't go for an adventurous colour, just black and white, but if you've read one of my previous posts, you'll know that my wardrobe is going through a 'black phase' at the minute. Regardless, they are one of my favourite pieces in the wardrobe, that go with so many different things. I even had a crack on the treadmill with them! Phwoar.

My Thea's <3

Favourite Food/Drink:

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte vs. Butterbeer Frappucino

I'm torn between a hot and cold beverage this month. With the Autumn leaves falling comes the new menu in Starbucks! I'd never tried the Pumpkin Spice Latte before, so thought, why not? And I love it. It is how I've always imagined Autumn to taste, and I have ordered it several times since!! And then I discovered the Starbucks SecretMenu... and that Butterbeer was on it! I am a massive Harry Potter fan and after requesting this frappucino, I'm sure that my letter just got lost in the post. I belong to the wizarding world, because that frap is delicious! I'm torn between two worlds, the muggle and the wizarding, so I've got to keep both! Well worth ordering guys!

A Butterbeer Frap - Excuse the messy background. I was at work.

Favourite Song:

Alt J – Hunger of the Pine

Sleeplessly Embracing... This song is epic. I've loved Alt-J's music for a bit now, the way they play with sounds, and their voices, and how they don't sound like the Top 40, which I'm really losing faith in at the minute. This song is something else for me. I can listen to it in the shower, riding my bike to work, chilling in my room. It's just one of those songs. It's off Alt-J's new album, This Is All Yours. I had a preview of it as Spotify have released it early, and I love it, especially the cover of Bill Wither's Lovely Day. It may not be to everyone's taste's, but it is my tune as of current.

Favourite TV Show:

Orange is the New Black

Cloe, from CloeBob introduced me to this show. I was sceptical at first. A TV show about a female prison. Surely that's just a load of lesbian sex right? But I trusted in Cloe's wisdom. This girl introduced to Come Dine with Me, The Big Bang Theory and Made in Chelsea. So I gave this a go, and I love it! It's totally different from what I expected, and I am hooked! I've almost cried several times, and I never cry at TV shows! I am emotionally connected to this drama and orange has never looked more fabulous! GO WATCH IT!!!

So yeah, this are my mid-month favourites! Hope you've enjoyed this. Maybe I'll make this a running thing on my blog? It's quite cool talking and sharing the things I've enjoyed over the past few weeks, and seeing how much they may have changed by the end of the month. Share what you've liked in comments :D

Peace Out!

Thulani x

P.s.

Thinking that if I get my shizzle together, I will have a snazzy camera and can film a monthly favourite's video!! Here's hoping! :) Any camera suggestions? HOLLA!!

C A R N I V A L ! !

When I was in London a few weeks ago, I wanted to experience so much in a short space of time to soak up my city before leaving for a few months. So of course I had to go to Notting Hill Carnival!! Described as one of the biggest street parties in Europe, it was the first time I had been in years!! My Dad used to take me and my younger brother to the 'Children's Carnival' on the Sunday. And I had a good time then. It was a nice day out, filled with music, embarrassing dancing from my Dad, and good food, except I hadn't quite understood what it was all about then. As I got older, I suppose I grew out of my Dad taking me there. Girls from my school went, boasting about the antics they got up to, and I wasn't sure if I was up for being in the crowd, or if I wanted to brave it. Every year, after carnival, the horror stories of muggings, stabbings and all sorts would be heard in the news. Why would I want to go to that?

However, this year, I decided, it was time I manned up. I was only in London for two weeks, so why not make the most of it! Besides, my boyfriend is really into that kind of music, so I thought it would be a good way for him to experience all that jazz and have a good day out. So we went, accompanied by my bestie, Cloe! (Check out her YouTube channel at CloeBob! She be awesome). We braved the Monday.

It rained. A lot. From the start of the day. I had just bought Nike Air Thea's that I wasn't willing to get wrecked in the weather, so my girl and I went shopping and got Chelsea Boots that looked like Vagabonds but were from Primark and £15!! BARGAIN! Before braving the tube with the boyfriend to head towards Notting Hill. You could already feel the atmosphere en route. A group of teenagers drinking on the tube, singing loud and being rowdy whilst we sat in our ponchos not quite knowing how to act, but we knew what to expect. That group of girls, but in the masses. And we were greeted by it when we got off the tube. The Black Afro-Caribbean's had come out to the rain to party of the streets of London!!!

Josh (the boyfriend) chilling with a Carnival Gal!

Cloe and Josh and lots and lots of people

It was an amazing day. We drank, we danced, we walked (for hours), we chuckled at police officers standing watching the madness unfold before them, but not do anything, pictures were taken with half naked women, and the weather did not deter us. But for me, and probably Cloe, the icing on the cake may have been coming off the tube and meeting Youtuber and Blogger Patricia Bright!! Cloe spotted her with her amazing eagle eyes, we squealed like little girls, and spoke to her for a bit before venturing off to carnival with our spirits lifted and heads held high. (We're in her vlog for the day so go and check her out too!!)

Me, Patricia Bright and Cloe

I would love to go again next year (even though it's the same weekend as the Reading Festival which is more my thing, but we'll see), and take it by storm with knowing how to deal with Carnival. I would wear a primer on my face, not go on the day scheduled to rain, I would listen to some Afro-Caribbean beats to get hyped up, not wear a poncho, look hot and get some jerk chicken – that would be a must.

We are Fierce!!!!

Peace Out!

Thulani x

LIPSTICK EVOLUTION.

Growing up, I thought I would be that girl who could never wear lipsticks. I had massive lips, dark skin, and make up would never be for me, even when my Mum glammed me up for cutesy family events, and bought me all sorts of funky eye-shadows to play with, and made me up for Prom. I just never imagined myself being the 'make-up' kinda girl. Going to a girls school, I thought it was dumb putting any make-up – even for the bus ride home wear the lads from the boys school would see my bare face. I didn't want to be one of those girls who sat for half an hour putting on make up during the last lesson instead of listening to the teacher. But as I got older, I saw the benefits of a little make up, when applied correctly. Cue a photo of me as a youngster...

 Me in Year 10. I thought it was cool. Oh yeah!

I try to get this image out of my head. The ultra winged eyeliner that was unnecessary. The poorly applied foundation. Unruly eyebrows, and pose that would make any one who lived the 'emo' faze of their teens cringe. I didn't have a clue what I was doing, taking inspiration from my heroes of that day like Hayley Williams and Gerard Way. But as I have grown, I've learnt to take better tips from people will skin tones like me, Women like Alek Wek kept things simple and stunning. Lupita Nyongo is a goodness who has never failed in looking fabulous. As much as I like thinking that standing out from the crowd by being the only Black 'Emo' girl in my school, I decided to take advice from these female greats!

It started with a simple red.

Summer of 2011. Red Lipstick in Malaga from Miss Sporty.

This was a cheap drug-store buy from Miss Sporty. It was affordable, it was red, and it did amazing job. I felt that by just keeping it simply, but adding so daring colours to my lips meant that I looked like I was making a massive effort, even if I still didn't really know what I was doing. It transformed my smile, and gave me hope that maybe, make-up could be my thing. I had gotten loads of compliments from it, and from their, my love began to blossom. 

I experimented with other drug store buys, bought a few lip products from Topshop, enjoying staining my Starbucks mugs with all sorts of colours, until I met my holy grail of lipsticks. I wanted the perfect red lip. Red was sultry, and sophisticated, it was me. It went with everything, and I wanted it perfect. It was what I started this journey with, and when this product came into my knowledge, I knew I had to have it. The One. 

I'm sure you've all heard of Ruby Woo from MAC. I didn't think I was that girl. Me? Wearing MAC? Never. Mostly because I'm a student and couldn't justify paying that much for one lipstick. I searched for dupes, but was never satisfied. It wasn't perfect. Ruby Woo kept floating around in the back of my mind, telling me that we were meant to be. I asked my Mum about it, and she said that Ruby Woo looked perfect, especially for someone with dark skin. Together, we ventured to the MAC store, crammed with people who seemed to know so much more about make up than me, the little novice who felt somewhat out of place. I couldn't be in the grace of Ruby Woo! But I sucked it up, and looked at the sample... it was perfect. The perfect red, all Matte with it's cute and classy black packaging. It might as well have been glowing at me. I tried it out, staring at myself in the mirror. It was meant to be.

 

Ruby Woo and I.

I bought it and haven't regretted it. And since then, I've been a lot more daring with my lipsticks. Flat Out Fabulous was next to be added to the MAC collection, and it is fabulous. I'm growing quite a collection I never thought I would have, and I'm proud of it. I'm love splashing my face with colour, and being creative with my lips. I suppose the thing to take from this, if anything, is to look for inspiration in people like you if you have no clue, then make it your own. Buy shades that suit you, especially if you have dark skin. Don't settle for shades not suited for you. Branch out, research, and maybe you're find a ruby that makes you woo. (What an awful pun!)

Goodbye silly novice, hello lipstick addiction!!!

Peace Out,

Thulani x

P.S. Lipstick collection post? Maybe?  

“Can I Touch Your Hair?”

Yeah - I ain't amused!!

I go to a university in a not-so culturally diverse area. Which isn't a massive issue to me. It's like a new adventure, where I go from the multi-cultured London, where there were other black people around me. Now, it's quite exciting meeting another black person on the street. Sometimes we chat, other times we smile, acknowledging that we are very scarce having a secret chuckle about it. It's a strange phenomenon I've found, I'm not sure how to explain it. My Mum calls it 'fictive kinship', a sense of brotherhood and community with this stranger.

Going to a university in a not-so culturally diverse area has its downs, however. The 'casual racism' which I sometimes don't find all the casual. Finding people don't understand why I don't like the rain because it gets my hair wet. Not being able to find make-up in my shade! The struggle can sometimes be immense.

The worse experience, however, occurred today, and must be document and the word spread that this is NOT OKAY!! I was waiting in Argos, ready to buy an Ottoman, after having a really good day of shopping. In the cue, a white man, who had been staring at my head, then asked “Can I Touch Your Hair?”

I turned to him, probably an expression of utter shock written across my face. I didn't know if he was being serious or not – but he was. He asked again, and I shock my head at him. There was no maybe in this situation. “No. You cannot touch my hair.”

“But it's so cool!” He insisted, raising his hand whilst I took a step back, further shock hitting me.

“No.” I said again. Didn't he get the message?! He had a woman friend/girlfriend sniggering next to him. Were they high, mental, had they never seen dreadlocks before? I was angry and upset. I wasn't an object that could be touched and gaped and awed it. Sure, I don't mind compliments to my hair. I compliment other people's hair if I find it fascinating or beautiful. I may ask questions about it, but never, no matter what race, gender, culture, have I asked a stranger if I could touch their hair!!! It was mortifying and I almost wanted to cry, even after he insisted I touch his hair in return.

I glared and made sure my back wasn't turned before paying for my goods and leaving, still in shock as I called my Mum and told her of this experience. It was a first, but it may not be the last. Here's hoping, that if there is next a next time, that I'll have the guts to stand up for myself further, and explain why it's not okay to ask strangers, to touch their hair. Maybe talk to me a little, exchange information, but don't you dare treat me like a walking petting zoo. Ever.

Peace Out,

Thulani x

I met this Alpaca once at a petting zoo to de-stress during exams. He has so much sass.

A Blank Canvas

I was in London for the past two weeks visiting my family, spending time with my boyfriend and seeing my friends before returning early to uni to work, get settled into my new house, do my laundry and get a new bicycle before all the students return and all the bikes are gone!

It was a great fortnight of chilling – even if the weather was crappy for a few days! I'm tempted to write a blog post about my trip to Notting Hill Carnival, where it rained. The whole day. And of course, shopping was a must! Where my uni is there is no Primark. It is a struggle to shop for outfits I don't mind getting ruined on a night out and get cheap basics. Don't get me wrong, I love shopping at other stores, like H&M, New Look and my favourite, Topshop, but it's nice to have the option of buying five socks for £2! So I went on a rampage. I risked the Oxford Street Primark, which I have now come to hate because it's always busy and never has anything I want, and if it does, it's in the wrong sizes! I've come to love the Tottenham Court Road Primark. It's a lot less busy, has SO many more things and it quite a joyful experience. It's great! I always went to Stratford, and a few stores closer to home. After all these trips, I've come home with a lot of black clothes!

Black jeans, black tops, black socks, black jumpers and cardigans, black shoes... But I did buy a Zara-esque giant tartan scarf. Need some colour in their somewhere! I only clocked this when I was packing up to leave for uni, so it wasn't like it was on purpose. But it did get me thinking – maybe it was my fashion subconscious, guiding me towards a new light... or darkness. Perhaps I do need to start from the basics in basic colours. I need to blacks to work from, to adapt and add too, and just because wearing black makes me slimmer!! Maybe it is time to start from a blank-canvas!

I'm really looking forward to see the evolution of my wardrobe and hope whoever reads this enjoys that too!!

Peace Out!

Thulani x

P.s. Check out my LookBook! Comment and Hype and talk to me! Please :) #bemyfriend