Is any wardrobe ever complete without a piece of striped clothing? I think not. Stripes have a way of uplifting an outfit no matter how casual. The vertical or horizontal lines have this effect that oozes elegance which is so eye catching and effortless.

 

 

Grids on the other hand which I like to refer to as the sister of stripes, gives off the same effect and when paired together, goodness!!


Y'all know culottes have a special place in my heart and when I saw this striped pair, I wasn't going to let it go. One thing about stripes is that you can actually go overboard with styling it.


Mix with more stripes, floral prints, tribal prints, any kinda print and you're good to go! The stripes on my culottes are vertical so I went for a grid print high neck blouse because it also has vertical lines which align with that of the culottes. Wanted to keep things minimal.



Also, any colour can go with stripes so feel free to mix and match! That's why I opted for a pair of red heels and purse to seal the outfit since I went with a monochromatic theme.

Hope you like this outfit? And do tell me what other ways you feel this outfit can be styled. A pair of sneakers comes to mind if you're going for a more relaxed and casual look though.

How's your week been so far? Mine has been kinda weird but its all good.

I'll be back soon.

With all my love,
Evita.

After reading that heading you must be like "How is that even possible??" You see, in every bad situation I've come across in life, I always try my best to find the good in it and that's exactly what I did when the recession hit.



At first I was completely unaware about the changes my lifestyle was undergoing until one evening when I was having a conversation with my sister. She asked me when last I threw food away because I took more than I could eat and I really couldn't remember. Unconsciously, I had become very aware of my food portions and I barely had any excess to dispose, no matter how little.

This made me think about other aspects of my life and how I had somehow curbed my excesses without even noticing. But first, what is the true meaning of recession?

According to Investopedia, a recession is a significant decline in activity across the economy, lasting longer than a few months. It is visible in industrial production, employment, real income and wholesale-retail trade.

For example, if you've noticed, most manufacturers of consumer goods have reduced the quantity of their products in order to maximize their profit. This is simply because they're spending more than usual on production because of the increase in prices of raw materials. This in turn affects the prices of the goods, which makes us, the consumers, spend more as well. So it's not a pleasant situation looking at it first hand. But let's look on the brighter side.

Have you noticed that a lot of young people are acquiring skills? Most of us are no longer relying on our certificates from school to get a job. Even those of us who have an 8-5 still make sure we have something else going on by the side. It may seem stressful viewing it from the surface but then, we're building our empires little by little. We have become so determined and hardworking that we refuse to settle for less.

 

I recall when the recession just started and everybody was complaining about the price of rice, foreign packaged rice. My dad said, "what happened to Abakaliki rice (i.e a variety of our local rice in Nigeria)? What happened to cocoyam? Must we eat rice all the time even?" Some of us have been so reliant on processed and packaged food for so long that we somehow forgot about our local foods. These days I eat more healthy than I used to because I simply can't find myself spending so much on processed food. Healthy eating, win-win!! Thank you recession!

Talking about fashion, I can say I have mastered the fine art of wardrobe maximization (yes, its an art). Once you figure out your style and invest in basics, the rest is cheese cake.

In essence, what I'm saying is that the recession has made me realize that I can do without a lot of things that I thought were NEEDS. My priorities have been redefined and I have become more prudent in my spending. I must say it's a blessing in disguise because I feel like a better individual. When the recession eventually ends, more money would be saved and wiser financial decisions would in turn, lead to financial freedom. Let's look at it as a reality check and a time of temporary discomfort.

I hope August is treating you well and everything's going on great. I have been on a sewing spree and I can't wait to share my creations with you guys.

Now tell me, how has the recession treated you so far? Has it been terrible all along or have you seen the brighter side just like me? Please don't be a stranger. Feel free to leave me a comment below and I'll be sure to respond.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

xx, Evita.

My blog turned 2 on Sunday and I didn't remember till about 10pm that day which is very unlike me. This wasn't how I envisaged that it would turn out but you know how life can be.

Some days I ask myself why I even have a blog in the first place if I can't be so consistent with it. But then, I remember why I started it all in the first place. This phase of my life isn't one I foresaw…I mean, who can predict how life happens. I'm juggling so much at a time and no day passes that I don't think about my blog and you my awesome readers. But this is one hurdle I will cross.

There's still so much work to be done here and I'm grateful for the few that are with me on this journey. I promise it'll get better. I want to take a break but for how long is the question? I'm currently writing this post at work and I plan on doing so subsequently with other posts.

I don't want to write just anything for the sake of hitting publish if not I would have a ton of posts up by now. Please bear with me, it will get better.

The funny thing is that I have posts waiting to be edited in my drafts but I can't find the peace and quietness I need to do so. All I think of in my free time is SLEEP. Honestly, I'm sleep deprived but for good reasons.

For now, I'll update the blog once a week and would try my best to stay true to it.

Thanks my darlings for sticking with me. Believe me, something massive is on the way and you'll definitely be a part of it.
With all my love,
Evita.

Culottes(pronounced kuulots) has to be one of the most stylish and comfortable items to own. For those days when you're not feeling like a skirt or pair of trousers, culottes are there to the rescue! I mean, it looks like a skirt but is technically a pair of trousers. Love!


Currently, I own about 3 pairs of culottes which includes this gingham piece gifted to me by my sister and I plan on making one with an ankara fabric real soon. Ah, the joys of sewing!


Culottes can be dressed up just as I did in this post or dressed down with a pair of sneakers and a camisole for a more relaxed and chilled look. It's the perfect blend of formal and casual wear and should be something every lady should have in her wardrobe. It's comfortable, it's chic and stylish...it's perfect!


I styled mine with a cream tunic top which I tucked in and added a statement belt just to complement the prints on the culottes and make them pop. I didn't even realize the details on my belt and earrings matched till I saw the pictures. Yay! The power of accessories.


Hope you like this look? And do tell me, what wardrobe staple can't you do without? Please leave your comments below and I'll make sure to reply. Your feedback means a lot to me. If you missed out on my previous post, please check it out here.

Have a fab week ahead!

xx, Evita.

Its been a year and 11 months of blogging and I can tell you it has been a fun and learning experience. I feel you all know the type of person I am from my writings but that's just a fraction of me. That's why I decided to come up with this post so you can know a little bit more about me.

I know I appear soft spoken, kinda strict(I talk like a mum sometimes.lol!) But I swear I can be so much fun too. Okay, just keep reading and be the judge.

1. Five Ways To Win My Heart

I know!! I went MIA again but with good reasons. June was the craziest month I've had so far this year but I made it through. Thank God! Juggling work, tailoring classes and house chores isn't the easiest combination in the least bit so blogging had to take the backseat for a short while. Pardon my absence pleaseee!


A very Happy July to you my darlings! 2017 is gradually coming to an end and I'm so grateful for growth and progress. Thanks to everyone who clicks a link to my blog every now and then. I really appreciate your support and encouragement.

Today, I'm introducing the first dress I made for myself. This would have come earlier if I had a sewing machine at home but notwithstanding, I made it. The joy I felt seeing my completed work cannot be described. I believe any creative person out there can relate.




So far, tailoring has proved to be more interesting than I had imagined and I'm glad I ventured into it. I plan on getting a sewing machine this month so get ready to see more creations from me. It's been an exciting journey so far and I'm enjoying the process. Hope you like my dress? Please feel free to share your thoughts with me in the comments section.



I'll be back very soon with a random facts about me post. Next month will mark my 2 years anniversary of blogging and I want you to know a little bit more about Evita.

Have a super duper week ahead!

xx, Evita.

Hello darlings and welcome to June! It's midyear already and I'm having a bit of mixed feelings. How's the year been so far for you? I recently started intense tailoring/sewing lessons and I can't wait to share my work with you guys.

Today, I'm going to shed more light on Pinterest for those who don't understand what it's all about. Consider this a beginner's guide.

Hey lovelies! May is almost over and I'm so relieved! Like, you can't imagine. All glory and thanks to God. I'm just really happy that I've been considerably consistent and hope it stays that way.


It's children's day here in Nigeria so Happy Children's Day to all my Naija people. It also saddens my heart when I remember the children who lost their lives due to a terror attack in Manchester after Ariana Grande's concert. May their souls rest in peace. It makes me wonder where the world's headed to.



About today's outfit, I've had a thing for pleated skirts even before it became a trend. I had/have quite a few in my wardrobe and I particularly love this one styled on the blog today. I got this skirt at a thrift shop back in Osun state during my NYSC. I couldn't wear it at the time because it wasn't my exact size which made me decide to keep it till whenever my body agreed to add some more flesh.lol!


We all know black goes with anything so I decided to pair the skirt with my 'COCO' inscribed sweatshirt because of the black and red combo already on it. Then I finished up the look with a pair of fluffy red heels. I think a pair of white sneakers would also work with it. You know how primary colours mix well. I tend to tilt towards long sleeved tops and shirts not minding the weather here in Nigeria. Reason why my sleeves are always rolled up most of the time. The heat can't stop me.lol!



Pleated skirts are playful and fun and I'm still on the look out for one with metallic print as seen here.

As we cross over into June, I pray we all get to realize our goals and strike a lot of things off our to-do lists.

If you missed my last post you can read it here.

See you soon and enjoy the long weekend!

xx, Evita.

Hey guys! Hope you had a relaxed weekend. I don't think there's anyone who doesn't have something made out of denim in their wardrobe. Be it a pair of trousers, skirt, shirt, bag, jacket or shoes, you just have to love denim for its versatility.



Focusing on today's outfit, there was a time when denim on denim was a fashion faux pas. Remember Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears at the 2001 American Music Awards? Fast forward to 15-16 years later, denim on denim on denim and even on more denim, is the in thing! Fashion is one dicey thing you know. That's one reason I'm not so into trends because fashion fades but style remains.





Styling neon colours can be quite tricky. They're fluorescent by nature which makes them absorb light and you don't want to go around looking like a traffic light when wearing anything neon. That's why I decided to pair my neon green top with a blue high waist denim skirt and jacket with nude heels to tone it down a bit.(trying to avoid the traffic light look.lol!) I love how blue and green work together despite the different shades they come in. See another blue and green outfit I've previously styled here.




Neon colours can also be styled monochromatically to neutralize its fluorescent nature. I've previously styled this top with a dark green pencil skirt and it turned out great (would style it again on the blog) So if you tend to shy away from neon colours, you should give it a try.

The denim on denim trend is here to stay and I'm all for it. It's super cool and easy to pull off.

Thoughts on this outfit? Leave your comments down below. If you missed my previous post, click here.

Have a super productive week. Be right back.

Don't forget to connect more with me on Instagram and Pinterest.

xx, Evita.

Big Chop; "the process of cutting off the relaxed or permed ends of one's hair when she is transitioning from chemically processed hair to natural hair". - NaturallyCurly.com

I know...I went AWOL just like that! I didn't mean to disappear without any prior notice, but you know what they say about life...it happens. How have you been?? Gosh! I really missed being here.
I had to relocate out of Lagos because of work. Been trying to settle some other personal stuff and also adjusting to my new routine. Unfortunately, blogging had to take the back seat as there was just too much on my plate.

Relocating to Delta State was quite a tough decision for me to make but I needed to do what had to be done. I have just one friend here and she's quite a distance away. Here is much more larger than Lagos so going to another town/local government seems like a long journey. If I had a choice I would have remained in Lagos but great things seldom happen in the comfort zone.



To think I had blog posts planned for March and April(thanks to my Cassie Daves blog planner) but I wasn't able to sit and write made me realize that no matter how impeccable you think your plan is, God always seems to have something else planned out for us.



So yes, I'm back! Thanks to those that checked up on me to ask what was happening with the blog. It meant so much to me. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement.

About my outfit. I got this shirtdress last year but forgot about it(*sigh*girls and clothes!). I found it while packing for my trip to Delta and I began to imagine the variety of ways it could be styled. Shirtdresses are easy to style and super comfortable and I think it should be a closet staple. Going casual was the first thing that came to mind so I reached for my sneakers, sunglasses and sequin neck scarf. You like?




This is the first time my natural hair is making an appearance on the blog right? Yes!lol. I chopped off my permed hair last year May and 11 months later, I'm really impressed. Would write a proper post about my natural hair journey subsequently.

If you're new here, welcome! Hope you stick around. Feel free to leave your blog links so I can check them out.

A big shout out to my big sis though. She has taken it upon herself to take me pictures for the blog every weekend. The ministry must go on.



PS; This garage door is going to make a lot of appearances here so please bear with us for a while.

xx,
Evita.

I used to think I'd earned a gold medal when it comes to patience but recent events this month have proved otherwise. But can we really be all that patient? Hmmm, I'm still in the process of finding out. How's February been for you? So far, mine has been strenuous but I always had my blog and you, my awesome readers in mind.

Lately, I've been absorbed in catching up with a couple of TV series I follow and in the process, something struck me. To be exact, let me list the series I watch;

• Game of Thrones
• Empire
• Power
• Suits
• Scandal
• Orange is the New Black
• The Big Bang Theory
• 2 Broke Girls
• Teen Wolf

Meg Otanwa is one actress that's been on my radar for a little while now. After seeing her star in B4 30 and Gidi Culture, I became interested. Her hard work has paid off as she's been nominated for the best actress in a drama, movie/TV Series at the Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Awards(AMVCA)

The former banker is no doubt a fashionista and was recently spotted wearing this stunning piece by Wangerayu. The top which is a sheer lace and Bardot blouse was one of the pieces from the Wangerayu collection at the 2016 Lagos Fashion and Design week. 



The Nollywood actress totally slayed in this off the runway piece on the set of a JARA taping in Lagos Last week.  This leaves us anticipating what the actress is going to be wearing for the upcoming Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards, where she is competing with fellow actresses Rita Dominic, Bimbo Akintola and Adesua Etomi in the best actress in a drama movie/ TV Series category.