Who Rocked it Better?

This is what Jill Scott and Amber Riley wore to the  4th Annual Essence Black Women in Music Event.

Photo credits: http://www.style4curves.blogspot.nl/

Who do you think rocked it better? You choose.

Amusez Vouz Bien.

Madeline.

xx

A Night Out in Camden Town

Helloooo blogsphere! Happy February. I am particularly happy because I submitted the last of my  assignments at uni last week. (Goodbye to sleeplessness, stress and deadlines!) I am writing this post from my hotel room in Amsterdam (a little treat to celebrate the end of post grad education!)

Before I divert too much from the main point of this post, I would like to share a little bit of what I have been up to. Last Tuesday, one of my girls invited me out to a small gig in a small pocket of North London. It was a little pub tucked away somewhere in Camden with a small space for performances called Barfly.

The headlining act was Jackie D. Williams.  Richard De Soussa Silva and Jay Alexzander,  (that's Alexzander with a 'z', we were reminded numerous times) who were his two opening acts and also graced the stage. The first act,Richard De Soussa Silva had us swaying with his soulful reggae fusion. His jazzed up rendition of LMFAO's Sexy and I Know It was almost unrecognizable. Jay Alexzander's (with a 'z') carried me away with his mastery for deep lyrics. His incredible sense of humour really did make me sit up and pay attention too.

 Richard De Soussa Silva

Alexzander with a 'z'

The man of the night, Jackie D. Williams did not disappoint. I first heard Mr. Williams when he opened for Daley back in December. His style can only be described as smooth acoustic. He's also skillful on the keyboard! He performed a selection of original tracks (sorry, I can't remember their names!). I almost lost it when he performed an Usher/ Kanye West & Rihanna mash-up.

Jackie D. Williams

It's hard to categorise these singers. However, if you enjoy acoustic music, soul, indie or reggae, I do recommend them. 

Money well spent!

I also recommend sparing a little time to explore your city (like I did by going out for the night in Camden, which is in the opposite end of London to where I live!);  and to discover a new hobby. (I might have found mine!)

Amusez Vous Bien!Madeline 

xx

P.S. Here is a little treat

Sexy and I Know It

Climax

Walk the Runway...Comfortably!

Who has been lucky enough to go on holiday recently? What footwear carried you from your front door, to the airport, through baggage security and passport control, until you're finally seated and belted in safely, and that plane is surging down the runway?

Now that we are back in the full swing of things, I have had some time to sit back and observe life around me. As you know, I work in the travel industry, and in the last two and a half years, I have seen countless women struggle in very cute, but fierce (fierce on those poor toes and the ball of the feet!) shoes. I have seen  women whose outrageous heels have seen them resort to baby steps, meanwhile check-in is closing, and their train is ready to leave the platform. I have even seen women trip over on the concourse because their shoes just flat-out refuses to carry them anymore.

My point is, travelling is a great opportunity to look great (and there will be a post on this soon!) after all, you have a holiday to look forward to, you can forget the about all those bills for at least 2 weeks, and you will be topping up that tan!(If you need one). However, please do make sure you are comfortable ladies. It can be laborious, and you're usually very tired by the time you get to your destination. Happy Travelling!

Amusez Vous Bien!

XX

Madeline

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It's a New Dawn, It's a New Day, It's a New Life...

Happy new year all! I hope you all ushered in the new year in style. Now that you've all slept off the hard partying/ recovered from your hangovers, I wonder if you have thought about the things you want for yourself this year. I'm not just talking about the usual resolutions that speak of losing weight or quitting smoking, but I'm getting at the personal goals that will contribute towards your self development.

I guess I feel so strongly that way because I feel I lost myself somewhere in 2012. (You might have guessed with the lack of blog posts!) I spent last year studying my masters, and I guess by immersing myself in my work, I forgot about taking time out to enjoy myself or even pausing to take in, and appreciate the beauty of life - so I hardly went out, I stopped blogging, was ill every six weeks, didn't go on holiday, didn't have much time for church, and I even saw people who had joined my company after I did get promoted and leave me behind. The result: fatigue, negativity, and uncertainty about life. Last week, I sat down with a notepad and pencil  and tried to take stock of special moments/ achievements of the year, and I was saddened when I couldn't think of any.

However, last night at church, I was messing around with my phone. and came across some notes I had typed into to it around 6 weeks ago. It went something like this:

What Have I achieved in 2012 ?

1. Maintained my position as a youth leader at church

2.Kept my job

3. Financially better off

4.  Successfully organised youth weekend at church

5.Kept my car

6. No accidents

7. Managed to stick to the two weeks prayer and fasting at church (which by the way I have never done!)

8. Distinction in my first semester at uni

9. Mum graduated (woop woop!)

There were a few more (but they are kind of personal!) Anyway I don't want to keep you for any longer, but I want to leave you with this: Congratulations to you if you managed to achieve your big dreams in 2012, and more grease to your elbow for 2013! If not, don't worry. I suggest you get a pen and paper, and think hard about every little thing, as insignificant as it might be, that you experienced, or  completed successfully, last year. For all the painful moments, congratulate yourself for getting through it, and think of one thing that moment may have taught you about yourself. You might also want to write down all the things you would like to do in 2013. Keep your list where you can see it everyday, and pray to God about it daily. Trust me, it will motivate you.

For me, one of my aims in 2013 is to concentrate more on J'adorePlusMore. (I will update you on the others in due time) As my readers, you certainly deserve more than sporadic posts every six months. Apart from beautiful style, I also hope to blog more about make up & beauty, mouth watering recipes, funny musings, and inspirational messages that will uplift you and have you loving yourself more.

Let's raise a glass to 2013!

Amusez Vous Bien!

Madeline

xx

Hang Ups.

It seems whether fat or thin, we all have one  problem or another with our bodies. Be it apple shaped, or pear shaped, busty or hour glass, there will always be the unsightly stretch marks we wish would fade away or the flabby arms we'd prefer would stay in place when we waved someone 'goodbye'.


In my early teens , I remember possessing an intense hatred for my body. Why were my boobs growing with such  a quickness? And if only I could snap my fingers and my thighs would be half their size. Being constantly compared with a cousin who was lighter in complexion, and had the soft, loosely curled afro didn't help either. (Yeah, remember those days when the lighter shade of black and the 'non-afro' afro hair were the only pre-requisites to being considered pretty?)


I guess the contemptuous way in which I viewed myself only started to change at around the age of 18. Coincidentally, that was around the time I met my first proper boyfriend. And I can say that as I'm approaching mid 20s, I do still have a few hang-ups (I mean, who doesn't?) but all in all, I'm  happy with myself, and have learn't to appreciate what I have.


So, what got me thinking about this issue? Well, it all stemmed from a conversation I had with a colleague about a week ago. She's a big girl, who seemingly always dragged a truck load of confidence everywhere with her. A talk over lunch however revealed that she wasn't too thrilled with her shape or size. And that any comment made  about her body would leave her wound up tight. Really sister? Even you? 


I guess the lesson to learn here is that even a Beyoncé look alike could think of something if she were asked what she would like to change about herself. It seems perfection can only be achieved in recognising that we will never be perfect.

Have a lovely week ladies and remember to embrace that jiggly belly, and those fat knees!


Amusez Vous Bien.


Madeline


 xx 

Helloooo! I'm back! Anybody there?

Um...I don't really know what to say...but sorry. Will that do? For those of you who have forgiven me, thank you. For those who haven't, please don't make me grovel.

It has been months. In fact, almost a year since we last made contact! A series of incidents + procrastination and general laziness + going back to uni and starting my masters, and being too busy for anything else kept me away. But I'm back y'all!

My return to blogsphere has got me thinking... there are plenty of fashion bloggers out there and I really wanted to do more than post pretty pictures of myself. Don't get me wrong, pictures are fun to look at, but I really want to make it relevant to you. So, without trying to sound too academic, we will be discussing a range of topics relating to fashion, beauty and body image as well as anything else you would like me to throw out there. So anything will be up for discussion. (And yes, the pics will still be posted!). And I will try and post around once a week. How does that sound? Do we have a deal?

Just before I sign off, let me leave you with a few pics  of my favourite outfits in the past couple of month

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Belt - (Gift from a friend)

 Owl Necklace - Superdrug

Choker - Primark

Waistcoat - Evans

Trousers - New Look

Skirt - Primark

Shirt - Peacoks

Bangle - Topshop

Jacket - Primark

Amusez Vous Bien

Madeline

xx