Fashion et al Hearts Angela Simmons



Daughter of, girlfriend of, sister of, niece of -‘Pastry’ shoe designer, Angela Simmons is uber cute -and most definitely a fashion star in the making. Granted she doesn’t always get it right -who does…(our Angie's been known to wear what can only be described as dancehall queen-esque, stretchy, lycra shiny pieces) but she’s young, -passionate about fashion, and when she does hit the right note -is uber fierce in all her quirky, young, fabulousness…….go Angela…

Who’s that girl……Tika Sumpter

There’s a new fashionista on Fashion et al’s radar and she’s actress Tika Sumter, the latest hot-young-thing on Gossip Girl. I don’t know much about Miss Sumter but its soooo exciting to have another fabulous black actress on the fashion scene……..go Tika

New Year …New Oprah

(Credit: http://multimedia.timeslive.co.za/photos/2011/01/oprah-winfrey-network-launch/)


A big Congratulations to uber mentor, Oprah -on the successful launch of her ‘OWN’ Network, -a new channel starring old favourites; Dr. Phil, Suze Orman, Dr. Oz -and newcomers; Mike Tyson and Oprah’s best friend, Gayle King. ‘OWN’ launched on New Year's Day drawing 18.5 million viewers in its first week. For more information about ‘OWN’ visit: http://www.oprah.com/own ….To keep up with all of Oprah’s happenings visit: http://twitter.com/OPRAH

Blog Watch: Granpaparazzi



(Credit: All photos courtesy of Granpaparazzi Blog)

“Granpaparazzi is a style blog created by a small collective of hobby photographers, journalists and designers. Our goal is to create opportunities for intergenerational dialogue. Our approach to photo blogging is simple: we take cameras with us wherever we go and document street style as candidly as possible.



We focus on elders to convey our reverence for seniors and showcase that old adage about the cyclical nature of fashion. To understand our approach, try this experiment: read today’s style guide, head into the streets and notice what your elders are wearing. You’ll see. They’re already wearing what you covet and they have been for decades. Granpaparazzi pays homage to this under-celebrated truth.” Granpaparazzi


***You’ll love this blog, its soo unpretentious. It will make you smile and inspire you –no end! I’ve always been a fan of ‘OAP’ chic and the above photos show we have lots to learn from our seniors. You can check out Granpaparazzi Blog at: http://www.granpaparazzi.com/ …..Be warned –its addictive….xx

Who’s that girl S/S 2011?

“It’s good to come back from two seasons off work and see a lot more black models being used –and not just one shade of black either. I still think there need to be a lot more but I think we are getting there.” Jourdan Dunn

Anais Mali at Marc Jacobs

Ashane Rose at House of Holland

Melodie Monrose at Akris

Ornelia Edwards at Marc Jacobs

R'el Dade at Tory Burch

Sedene Blake at Peter Som S/S 2011

Shena Moulton at Antonio Berardi

***I agree Ms Dunn; its lovely to see some new faces…black models rock xx

South Sudan Rising .......

Emmanuel Jal

Alek Wek

Atong Arjok

Ataui Deng

Ajek Deng

As our people in south Sudan vote –in this unprecedented referendum (the votes are taking place from 9 January until 15 January 2011) on whether or not the region should remain a part of Greater Sudan or become independent –my prayers goes out to the masses, who have suffered for over 22 years in a civil war that has killed 2 million people. I want Independence sooo badly for Southern Sudan and pray for safe and peaceful voting, and no intimidation from north Sudan. I wonder, –will the present Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir truly accept the results and will he ever be tried for genocide and war crimes against the people of Darfur?
P.s -I was only going to accompany this piece with a couple of photos of former war child, musician Emmanuel Jal –proberbly the most beautiful black man on the planet –but I though naaa I better celebrate our beautiful Sudanese sisters too…hehee xx

Fashion et al Hearts Yaya DaCosta



Happy 2011 people! How are yousssss? I’ve missed you all –plus, I thought it was about time I got-to-working again….Anyway it only fitting that I start of 2011 with a bang -and it doesn’t get any bangier than American model turned actress, Yaya DaCosta (she’s in Walt Disney's 'TRON: Legacy'), plus -I’m predicting that 2011 is going to be Miss DaCosta’s year. I’ve always loved her laidback, I-just-am-style. Plus, there’s none of that desperation you sometimes get with ingénues and what’s not to love about her natural hair (a look I’m also sporting right now)? Oh …were both Yaya’s –girls born on Thursday…xx

HAPPY CHRIST BIRTHDAY 2010 ...Part 1

I remember not liking ‘Blue & Whites’ with a passion when I was younger, but now look at me with my posh collection of ‘Blue & White’ ‘this and that’. I love my large ‘Blue & White’ vase and think it makes for a perfect base for my Christ Birthday Tree. I’ve been collecting my lovely baubles for years from various junk shops, Selfridges, Heals, Habitat and Ikea; -and I love this controlled look…(I think a tree looks much better when its baubles are not too matchy matchy)…King Alexander ‘Jojo’, though -was ready to let-rip so I manipulated the situation and got him errrrr very interested in making the fabulous paper-chains (below) ….

Christ Birthday Tree Details…

 Hangin Cards….

King Alexander and I decided to hang up our Christ Birthday cards this year and I’m loving the result…as you can see they look lovely hanging in front of this gorgeous black and white print by Jamaican artist, J. Macdonald Henry called ‘Tups’

 More Hangin Cards….

Paper-Chains

 Paper-Chains Details

We made the paper-chains out of old American Vogues, Elle UK and other fabulous glossies

Bougie Parfume and artist Kelly O’Gorman

Baby its cold outside…. its soooo important this time of the year to create a cosy atmosphere and I find that a yummy smelling house is a warm house….I love the warmth of cinnamon and was elated when I stumbled across this cinnamon room spray, incense and scented oil set from T.K Maxx. The green post card is by artist, Kelly O’Gorman and is entitled ‘Green Hare’ –I’m predicating Kelly’s the next ‘big’ star of the ‘Art’ world, -her work is beautiful in a macabre sort-of-way…a bit like the Alexander McQueen of the art world! For more information about Kelly O’Gorman visit: http://www.kellyogorman.co.uk/ …Check out my ancient Akwaaba Doll –she just had to be the centre of attention! We also sprayed some hollies gold and scattered them around the room –very prickly bling… 

Let there be light...

Candles don’t just smell good but help to create warmth. The black candle is sooo sweet smelling that I stock up all year round, its called Compelling Candle and its from Space NK…The Christ Birthday light (behind) is from Ikea –I bought it a couple of years ago…

 More Light...

This is what Christ Birthday’s ‘all’ about for me…the story of Christ Lord Jesus! King Alexander is starring as one of the wise men in his school play -so its good to have the Nativity model..…I’ve had the Nativity scene for years… I got it in a charity shop for next to nothing and love it sooo! The red reindeer tea lights are from Tiger, I got them last week –so they should still be in stock....

 Food and Champagne

Christ Birthday’s the best time to bring out all your lovely crockery –and I don’t hold back hehehe! The antique cake stand is from THE BARN in Barnet (please check out their details on past post) and I going to ply it full of Monkey Poodle’s yummy cupcakes –they make the best ‘Lemon Drizzle’ cupcakes. You can check them out at http://www.monkeypoodle.co.uk/  Moet, what’s not to love…? I have also got a large collection of new, old and antique cutlery and I’m going to use them –they look lovely…



Baubles in glass and gold bowls..

As you’ll know by now, I don’t do tinsels or other plastic Christ Birthday decorations –I prefer to put lots of different coloured/textured baubles in clear or gold gilded bowls/vases like the antique one pictured here…The lovely black and white postcard (framed) is ‘Young Girl in Profile’ 1948, by photographer Consuelo Kanaga (please see past post for more details)…

***Have fun people, get all your lovely things/stuff out and play….send your photos to my nanaaba69@hotmail.co.uk account …and lets catch-up soon xxx 

Have you seen Chico & Rita yet?

“Cuba, 1948. Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey - in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero - brings heartache and torment. From Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas, two passionate individuals battle impossible odds to unite in music and love.” Youtbue…

**I’m hoping to watch …..very soon –the animation looks amazing –plus, Rita is the next big thing….xx