This Scarf...

from lemlem is just what I need for fall.

Obsessed

Again, nowhere to wear this dress, but obsessed I am!

The Brogan Boot

Yesterday, in the midst of all the things I had to actually do, there was a massive online debate regarding the purchase of these Cole Haan Brogan boots. One friend was "for" but under the condition that the boots only be worn outside of pants; another friend was a "meh"; and my sister was a "I love." Yes, it's kinda early to be thinking of these things, but you see, I'll soon be in a foreign country with fall weather and I kinda need a go-to shoe for all the strolling around I intend to do. Plus these could be ideal the fall/ pre-snow winter State-side as well (I know, radical that I wouldn't buy a shoe just to wear for one week abroad). Plus there is the added pressure that I literally only have 3 shipping days left before I board a plane to decision time is seriously upon me!

What's your take: love them or leave them?

{Photos: Boots, jeans, sweater, earrings}

SKORZCH

In the tsunami that is is the current trend in menswear (i.e. being that you can't escape from it), I love that South African label Skorzch is making sure that guys on that side of the Atlantic/Indian ocean aren't being left out.

According to GQ South Africa, the whole idea behind the shoot was to show "the journey a man goes on in his ambition to keep moving forward with the times." But my question is this: where is this "ambitious" man going without socks?!?

{Photo: Anthony Bila}

I'll Take This....

Over the last few weeks, I have been nuts about things that dive into the category of "over the top"! (Exhibit A which my friend Jenn was very quick to point out that girls with "un-model-like butts should not be enthused to walk around like a cowboy cupcake, yet of course I love it!)

This is the kind of clothing where you KNOW you have NOWHERE to wear these pieces but you can't help but wish there was a way to rock the crazy without looking....ummm...crazy!

{Photo: Beauty is Diverse}

The Yellow Factor

Just in case you weren't sure about what I love about this dress that Sudanese model Grace Bol is rocking! This makes me feel like I could use a little more yellow in my closet.

{Photo: Beauty is Diverse}

Getting Back....

So honestly, I looked up and realized that almost an entire month had gone by since I last blogged! One day off became two; a week turned into four. While totally unplanned, this time off after years of blogging was just what I needed. I had reached a stage where I was totally uninspired by anything - or at least uninspired to actually do anything beyond Pinterest.

In this unscheduled break, there has been a ton of summer fun. In fact, I could easily argue that this has been my favorite summer in D.C. over the years! I have reached a stage where I have really good friends in the city who make all the stress related to other areas of life just dissipate. Due to their transient nature, I know these folks won't be around for long. I will open my eyes and they would have moved to San Francisco, Thailand, Congo, Germany, Swaziland or elsewhere. (And yes, these are indeed places that friends have either already ducked away to or are under serious consideration of heading to.) Prioritizing friends, warm summer nights on the patio chatting the evening away, Sunday's on the couch with a book, and just the overall need to "Step AWAY from the computer" after work meant this space got a tad bit neglected.

But NO MORE! When my inbox started filling up with self-sent emails titled "blog about immediately," I knew it was time to come back!

I hope you are as rejuvenated and excited to get back to exploring the wonderful and creative side of Africa with me!

{Photo: Beauty is Diverse}

Is it Fall Yet?

As much as I love summer, the constant days of heat heat heat are slowly becoming played out! (Of course, I dare not complain when I get to leisurely enjoy just being on the patio late into the evening....) Although it's not even August yet, scarves like this from Scotch & Soda, have me asking "Is it Fall Yet?!?

Just Smile

Everything about this smile is just infectious!

{Photo: via}

African Cool

Love this styling with it's great blend of African aesthetics with New York City cool! Can you imagine someone walking around your neighborhood dressed like this?!?

{Photos: here via here}

lemlem in NYC

While these lemlem pants are super cute, they sadly would never look this cute on these hips of mine. That however doesn't stop me from being inspired to leap around NYC, mouth agape, with a cab available at my disposal! Ahh...NYC, it's been too long! Let's make a date!

{Photo: lemlem}

Let's Talk: 31 Bits

31 Bits. That's the name of the company that basically has me going bananas right now. Kallie.  She's the founder of 31 Bits, also the "creative genius" behind the designs, company "visionary" and also (super exciting) the subject of today's interview!

Background. A few years ago, while hanging out in Kampala on breaks from Sudan, I would always find my way to one of the local markets and was excited to find these unique necklaces made from recycled paper. Fast-forward a million years and I still rock the necklaces I picked up there with just about everything in my closet (in fact, I'm rocking it right now)! As you can therefore imagine, I was super thrilled to discover 31 Bits because not only does this company modernize these pieces and then make them available to you right here in the U.S., but by providing an international market, they create sustainable sources of income for the Ugandan women that they work with. Their program not only gives these women the opportunity to sell to you, they provide training and resources to help these women create their own businesses to survive beyond their time with 31 Bits. Honestly - I just go nuts for this type of stuff!

But that's enough from me...let's turn things to Kallie....

What are 5 words that come to mind when you think about Africa? 

Adventure, Life, Hope, Courage, Fun

What led you to first visit the continent? My first visit to Africa was actually the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. I went to South Africa with a missions group. It was amazing and I loved being in a new environment and new people. My first visit to Uganda was in 2007 when I was planning on working at an orphanage. I ended up meeting some amazing women that were making beads which led me to create 31 Bits with the rest of the team.
 

What is one of your favorite memories from time spent in Africa or around Africans abroad?

One of my many favorite memories in Uganda was on a Saturday afternoon. I was walking on the trail back to our 31 Bits house when I saw a lady carrying a rolled up mattress on the top of her head. My first thoughts were "how is she carrying that!!" As we came closer to each other I saw it was Nighty, one of our 31 Bits Designers. She had the biggest smile on her face as she told me about her new mattress. Nighty had been saving her income at 31 Bits to purchase her 1st mattress in her entire life. This was more than just a cushion to sleep on, it was something that she purchased for her family. She was glowing with happiness and pride.
 

If you could go to one place on the continent right now, where would it be and why? Zanzibar. I visited a couple years ago and fell in love with the architecture, clear warm water, fresh seafood, and amazing people.

How did you first get interested in fashion and jewelry, and what made you decide to launch 31 Bits? I have always loved being creative and loved color. The brighter the better. My interest in jewelry didn't happen until 31 Bits, where I saw a need and saw I could make a difference. I decided to launch 31 Bits because of a need: women needed to provide for their family, they needed to be empowered and they needed to be surrounded in a community.
 

When you aren't taking working on this amazing business, what else do you like to do? I love being in nature. This could involve biking the board walk, hiking in State Parks, running or laying on the beach watching my husband surf. I love anything nature :)
 

Where do you find inspiration when coming up with a new collection? It all starts with Color for me. I think that good color combinations is what makes a good line. I get inspired by being in new places. New places just makes you so much more aware of what is around you, this sparks new ideas and inspirations!

What's been the biggest challenge so far in launching and running a business such as this? It is a lot of work! I love traveling and seeing new places but with a start up business I can't just up and leave for a month or two at a time. I have had to come to peace with it, I would never choose any other life!

What has been your proudest achievement? It will be here in January. Our first group of Designers will be graduating our program with their own businesses. They will be self-sustainable and providing for their families through their businesses. I am so excited, we have been watching them dream and develop their businesses over the last 3-4 years. They are so proud of themselves and so excited for their future. It will be an amazing graduation party!
 

What is the best lesson you've learned so far? DREAM and dream BIG!
 

What dream would you still like to fulfill? I am a person full of dreams, so to choose one is hard. If I had to choose one it would be to start a bed and breakfast in the Caribbean with my Husband. We love scuba diving, warm weather, and new challenges.
 

What is your personal soundtrack right now? I love dancing and cooking Italian to Madeleine Peyroux. Best nights ever. 

Thanks Kallie!!

{Photos: 31 Bits}

Fabric Africa

So cool....

{Photo: via MonaMade}

Edward Enninful

In the past, I've always focused on Ghanian-British stylist Mr. Enninful's product...image after image of his creativity manifested through beautiful models and gorgeous settings. Today, let's focus on this stunning shot of Enninful that just oozes vintage charm...


{Photo: via MonaMade}

Fatima the Storyteller

The first question that popped into my head when I saw this image of Fatima Siad is "what story is she telling?" Just based on the image, what story do you think is being conveyed (if any)?

{Photo: FGR}

Maasai Bohemian

Can you imagine running around your day looking this bohemian?!? While I obviously cannot, I do admit loving flavor that the Maasai jewelry adds to the look...(clearly I'm loving all things Maasai this week...)

{Photo: FGR}

Grace Bol

...with style....

and grace...

{Photos: FGR}

Shaka Maidoh & Sam Lambert

So recently I've had my eye on male-stuff. Not only reading more blogs by dudes, but I've recently found myself enjoying stuff like GQ magazine! It's pretty simple, these sites provide a hilarious, entertaining, unfussy view from the other half. In addition, they provide a little glimpse of how there is indeed hope for the other half in terms of fashion (I lost hope long ago when I moved to D.C. as this is NOT a city where  generally men are inclined toward establishing an individual style).

Sam Lambert and his bestie Shaka Maidoh (London-based by way of the motherland) really see to exemplify "personal" style in every item they choose to wear. Picking up skills from his father, who like many African men was a tailor, Lambert often refits/restyles purchased goods to make his own look. That he use to work for fellow African designer Ozwald Boateng only adds to his mad skills!

While these aren't necessarily the guys you want advice from when trying to scale a mountain or want something that wicks your sweat away (this is wear D.C. dudes excel given that brands like Marmot, North Face, and Patagonia are their version of Savile Row), for everyday urban, yet sophiscated and personal....these guys know what they are doing and I love it!

For more check out this interview that The Sartorialist recently did with Sam Lambert!

{Photos: The Sartorialist, The Styleograph, Streetfsn, Monsieur Got Style}

Sofia, Marni + Morocco

I absolutely love this shoot. Everything about Sofia Coppola (the little that I know) and Morocco seem to come shining through in this shoot.

So much more about my trip (including an "almost deported" scenario and what I had to do to rectify that situation) coming up tomorrow!

{Photos: Beauty is Diverse}

Bonafide "Tribal" Sexy

Hey folks - just wanted to drop in with a quick hello from Asuncion, Paraguay! The last few days have been bonafide in terms of the insanity level with work but there is a sliver of light at the end of the tunnel.

Anyway - wanted to share this very frisky "tribal" shot from Muse Magazine. 

{Photo: Beauty is Diverse}