Grounded Narratives

  Hi guys! It's been a minute. I have to confess that I've been struggling with my wardrobe for a while. However, this week I seem to be getting back to myself. I'm enjoying playing around with my clothes, putting outfits together and even accessorising which I haven't been a fan of for ages . These mustard trousers are an old favourite. I have styled them on the blog before. You can read those posts here and here . I love the pop of colour and the fact that they are high-waisted means I can almost camouflage my mummy tummy. I love how it pairs with blue and the black coat was just to jazz it up a little more and keep me warm. Oh, there have been a few changes to the blog. I've changed the header and URL. I'm still tweaking it here and there to make it just right. Change is good, no? I think it helps to give you a new perspective especially when you find yourself getting into a rut. Thank you for stopping by. Follow me on:  Facebook ,  Instagra...

 Last year, I had the privilege of interviewing Reverend Nyambura of the WCC. I always feel so motivated being in the presence of women who have broken the ceiling set by society and unrelentingly pursued their truths. Reverend Nyambura is one such woman.  Among the many things we spoke about was a movement that has been followed around the world to demonstrate against gender-based violence referred to as Thursdays in Black. The movement gave a voice to rape and violence faced by men and women, boys and girls during wars and seasons of unrest, and now encompasses violence in the home and workplace.  You can read more about the movement here.   I have been a victim of abuse and I know several people who have been too. So when I found out about this, I decided to join the movement by consciously putting on black every Thursday as a silent protest against this violence. Outfit Details: Dress - Thrifted [Gikomba]; Handbag - Gift; Sandals - Thrifted [Bus Station];...

Happy new week guys! I hope you have been well. It's been over a month since I posted here. My sincerest apologies for the non-scheduled hiatus. June was somewhat of a life-changing month for me, in a good way. As you all know, I have been wearing glasses ever since I can remember. When I wrote my memoirs of a bespectacled girl part one and two, you can read them here and here , and shared with you how excited I was to get new, trendier frames ( read full post here ), I didn't imagine that a few years down the line my life would change drastically. You see, last month, I had eye surgery and now I can function without my glasses and only need to wear glasses to read! I feel like a new me, like my whole life has changed and I get to live a new life. I can't adequately express to you the joy I feel when I wake up in the morning and I don't have to reach for my glasses just so that I can look at my daughter lying in bed fast asleep or check my phone for messages....

For most of my teen years, I had troublesome skin. I tried a lot of products and treatments, chemical and natural, that promised me smooth, clear, acne-free skin. But this didn't do much to help the situation. (I talked about this and the products I ended up using in more details in this post ). After a number of years of continuous struggle, my face cleared up all by itself. For a long time I enjoyed having glowing acne-free skin with very little effort and expense. Come this time last year all that started to change. It started with a huge breakout on my forehead which refused to respond to any of the treatments I tried. Then it started spreading to the rest of my face eventually reaching my neck. To say that I was horrified is an understatement. As my face went from bad to worse, my confidence fell in equal proportions. That's when I delved into the makeup world full force. I watched YouTube videos and learned how to apply makeup. I researched and experimented as I l...

I'm sitting here chewing on a piece of toast, looking at these photos and reminiscing on days gone by. I feel like it's been so long since (i) I blogged and (ii) it was bright and sunny before 7a.m.  Even as I'm nostalgic for the past, I am excited for the changing weather and for each new day because it signifies a new opportunity to try again, to put in a refreshed effort in achieving my goals. I feel like I have a new strength to step out of my comfort zone and set out on a new adventure, one that will take me to new heights. I feel the need to have the courage to step out and be different, to do what I love even though it doesn't meet the approval of others. I know what I want and I will not let fear keep me from pursuing it. Outfit Details Dress: Thrifted (Gikomba Market) Shoes: Bus Station, Nairobi Earrings: Dubois Street, Nairobi Clutch: Old

Happy Women's Day!! I am so excited to be able to celebrate the wonderful women in my life, those who I know on a personal basis and those who I admire and strive to emulate from afar. Today I want to remember all those women who work hard for what they believe in, those who have prevailed amidst stigma, those who struggle alone without any support, those who sacrifice their whole selves just so that they can help their loved ones achieve their dreams and live a comfortable life. I want to remember all those women who have set the pace for the rest of us, who have endured discrimination, who haven't let any life challenges discourage them from a bright future. I want to encourage every little girl and remind her that her tears and her struggle are not in vain. There are good things ahead, you just need to be strong and keep looking forward. Outfit Details: Skirt and Top: Thrifted Shoes: Gift Earrings: Dubois Street, Nairobi Choker: DIY Ring: Borrowed fro...

With the warmer, rather hot weather we have been experiencing in Nairobi lately, I have taken to looking at those trends which I would love to wear now that I can safely expose more skin without getting the sniffles. Ruffles are the first trend that come to mind. This trend took a little getting used to. At first it seemed overwhelming. But ruffles are the perfect way to add some pizzazz to an otherwise simple outfit. Below are some outfits that I absolutely love and would like to recreate. Big or small, on your shirt, skirt or dress, ruffles are definitely a statement-making fashion trend. Would you try the ruffle trend? Do share in the comments below. Photo Credits: 1 Thank you for stopping by. xo

When it comes to wearing prints, I know some of our curvier sisters feel shy and think that wearing prints, especially those of the horizontal variety. I actually think that no matter what size you are, all you need to do is find prints that look flattering on you and you will not only look, but you will also feel confident about your body. Tips for wearing prints | Plus-Size Edition The size of the prints Like everything else, prints on clothing come in various sizes. Bigger prints are louder and can make you look bigger than you really are. As you begin wearing printed clothing, start with those with smaller prints like small florals, polka dots or pin-stripes.   Colours A mix of dark and dark colours like black and white (above) are not only will look just as flattering. Add a solid colour in the for of a black coat and you have a winner. Placement of the prints Prints tend to draw the eye. So if you don't wish to draw attention to a particular part of...

 There are some trends that come that I instantly fall in love with like ripped jeans, full skirts, block heels or capes. Then there are others that take a bit of time to find a place in my heart. Skinny scarves are one such trend. When they first became popular, I thought, OK, let's see. But with time I have grown to love them.  I like them best styled as a choker of sorts to elevate a simple outfit like trousers and a t-shirt. Style Tips Wear a skinny scarf in place of a statement necklace to add some oomph to a simple outfit Choose a colourful skinny scarf to add a pop of colour to a neutral outfit Tie it into a bow to pair with a shirt or tshirt for a school-girl effect When wearing a coat as a top, a skinny scarf can act as a cover up of sorts making it less obvious that you aren't wearing a top Tie it around your waist in place of a belt over a pair of jeans, a blazer or a blouse Would you wear a skinny scarf? Which is your favourite way to wear it? Photo C...

 Ever since I started wearing flat shoes 98% of the time, I promised myself that I would look for shoes with eye-catching details, no matter how small (or loud for that matter). Enter metallic shoes. When I first saw these shoes, while shopping for a client, I was a bit hesitant about them. I kept wondering, why and where I would wear such shiny shoes!But after letting them marinate in my mind for some time and checking out some of my favourite bloggers, and scrolling through Pinterest of course, I was finally convinced of the awesomeness of metallic shoes. Style Tips: -Metallic shoes are more of a statement piece. Therefore, when you add them to your outfit, keep other accessories, particularly jewellery, to a minimum. Would you wear metallic shoes? Thank you for stopping by. xo