I try not to use the terms ‘never’ and ‘always’, but I think it’s pretty safe to say that I don’t adhere to any particular style or standard.  Short, long, loose, tight, bright, dark, contemporary, dated, and any or all the aforementioned are explored in some form or fashion as I dress every day. When I’m asked why I bother to dress up “……it’s just work?!?” my response is “It’s Motivational”. The old adage “If you look good, you feel good” – it works for me. 

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original Ms. Aikasha multi coloured, multi-tiered midi ‘gypsy’ skirt, a black/multi Gypsy Daisy asymmetrical t-shirt.................

Coach Limited Edition Bonnie Collection  wicker/leather/snakeskin handbag and Luca Stefani black patent leather studded kitten heel thong sandals

A few years back, my daughter Ny suggested I go on an open call for Queen Latifah's new make-up line Natural Hue Cosmetics, created by Cover Girl.  Long story short, of the 5,000 women that showed up, I was one of the 10 women chosen for the magazine campaign and later, one of the four (4) women selected to shoot the national TV commercial. Why the back story??? My jacket and skirt below were compliments of that ad campaign........just sharing........ :) 

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a BCBG Max Azria tan  ¾ puff sleeve leather jacket, BCBG brown pinstriped pencil skirt with 'fish tail'  hem, Nine West  neon green silk bias cut tank top............. 

Coach Limited Edition Bonnie Collection  wicker/leather/snakeskin handbag and Vera Wang brown leather peep-toe high heel booties, two large brown wooden bangles, Michael Kors tortoise shell watch and blue/green/gold cascading earrings accessorized the outfit.

Here I go with the blurry pictures again.............I just had so few to pick from. I wanted to show the 'fish-tail' accent on this BCBG Max Azria  pencil skirt........sorry :(

Tip: During the Spring-to-Summer transition, is the best time to wear the lightweight leather jacket, as worn here with a tank top or sleeveless blouse/top. It compensates for any sudden drop in temperature or is easy to carry should the temps decide to peak.

As a mother of nine children (mostly adults), I have the pleasure of being a proud grandmother, over, and over, again J. 

I was shopping the other day and bought this little number from Old Navy for my teenage granddaughter. It was a little too big for her – so rather than going through the bothersome return process -  I kept it. 

I spruced it up a bit with this cummerbund that my daughter Ny salvaged from my prom dress that my mum made a lifetime ago!

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an Old Navy pink cotton eyelet sleeveless dress, a ‘made by mum’ black satin cummerbund, Miu Miu black patent leather stiletto high heel sandals. Opaque black bangles, Aldo cat-eye sunglasses, and pearl & silver drop earrings accessorized this semi vintage look.

Dare I take off the jacket and bare a little skin? It's unbelievable how chilly this Spring has been. Believe me - I'm reluctant.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an OB Jeanz mini denim frayed blazer, One Step Up black cotton/Lycra tank top,  Madison Gray long silk blue floral skirt, Luca Stefani  black patent studded kitten heel thong sandals, and Prada  brown leather 'rings' handbag. Aldo cat-eye frame sunglasses, tiny red 'shambala' earrings and a mix of bangles were today's accessories 

so, this Prada  rings handbag is my bag of the moment! I'll give it a break soon................

 This Madison Gray blue silk maxi skirt is very elegant and bit dressy. To tone it down a bit and make it more office ready, I put on a simple black tank top, relaxed/dyed/frayed denim jacket and barely there kitten heel thongs. Keeping jewelry to a minimum also worked in the same vein.

I'm all dressed up to attend an awards ceremony

My first daughter Aziza won a scholarship from
SOROPTIMIST International - an amazing
woman's organization serving to advance human
rights and the status of women

I was donned in designer wares from head to toe: Allegretti, Valentino, Charles Jourdan, Prada,.........
This sheer blue nylon Allegretti raincoat is a bit of a novelty, and it sooooo 'ca-yute'!!

This my absolutely favorite Valentino dress

I've had it three years, and this is my third time
wearing it

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a black rayon ribbed knit Valentino off the shoulder dress, Charles Jourdan  black suede peep toe high heeled pumps with embellished snakeskin heel

the Michael Kors tortoise shell watch compliment the Prada brown leather "rings" handbag

Me, Z, and my mummy at the end of the night. 

I ran into one of my blog followers on the train when I wore this outfit. He gave me a 'thumbs up' but said, "......it seems kind of Fall". Well, it was 42 degrees!!...........it definitely felt like Fall

I have this 'thing' for hoods. When I started my design line I called it "In the Hood" , but the potential investors I spoke with at the time felt the name was to 'ethnic'; 'local'......they felt the line was far reaching and should be named accordingly.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original Ms. Aikasha  tan wool jersey hooded mini dress, XOXO  brown satin trench coat......

Boutique 9 brown leather platform peep-toe boots, and  (my newest addition) Prada brown leather  'rings' handbag 

a brown marble necklace, Etro wayfarer sunglasses and bangles including a tan bamboo and a 'giraffe'  printed wooden bangle were the accessories for this "sort of like Fall, but oh so necessary for the temperature" outfit

I do love to laugh.............but I guess you get that by now :)

today it was ALL about the scarf

My daughter and fellow designer, Ny bought me this incredible scarf for Mother's Day

I intentionally wore all black, just so I could showcase the scarf

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an amazing Saks Fifth Avenue rayon woven multi-coloured scarf, Guess Jeans  black cargo skinny khaki's, black short sleeve t-shirt,  La Tramoda tan suede jacket, Gucci  black suede tassel handbag and
Patrizia Pepe  black suede d'orsay studded pumps.

Pearl and silver drop earrings, a  Gucci  gold leather belt,  and  Gucci  black sunglasses were today's accessories.

I know, I know, this picture is a bit blurry - but it just worked for me: the smile is just right, got my head tilted 'just so', and my feet a place perfectly (for a change :))

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Kor @ Kor black wool blend 'vested' blazer, H & M pink rayon turtleneck sweater,  YMI  black & pink two tone skinny jeans, Rebecca Taylor rose pink glitter ankle wrap high heel pumps and Michael Kors pale pink leather handbag. A clear acrylic bank and gold tone disc earrings subtly accessorized this outfit

From the back it appeared I was just dressed
in black

The 'pink & black' contrast is a bit strong, but
it works here - don't you think?

These Rebecca Taylor  pink glitter pumps aren't the worlds most comfortable shoe, but they are so  "ca-yute!"

My US Airman(woman) and youngest daughter, Ms. Alosha was home for two weeks. We spent some quality family time together plus her sisters, cousins and friends kept her busy. She left Mon May 6th for North Dakota - she's not coming back until the end of the year............I miss her :(............guess I'll be taking a trip to North Dakota :) !!

My son Nak,(and photographer) was in rare form today. I mean, the camera and I had quite a few moments - I'm really loving these shots!

so I'm sharing just about all of them. I'm usually lucky if I can choose four pictures that I'm "ok" with from the 10 - 20 or so shots that he takes before his 'huffing and puffing" manipulates me to relieve him from his duty.

but today, I was having trouble deciding what pictures to NOT use. They just all looked so good to me!

.......maybe it was the time of day - almost dusk - it did wonders!!

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original Ms. Aikasha nylon blue/grey lace hooded hi-low dress.......

Joseph A. black silk long sleeved shrug, Coure & Pelle black and blue leather handbag, and

I’m all for wearing jeans – but doing so nicely. By that I mean putting the outfit together. It takes a little more time, and an extra bit of thought, but it’s so worth it. I got sooo many compliments on this ensemble…….but I didn’t just throw it on – I thought about it!!

this outfit has a bit of a vintage flair - the jet
black Gucci  sunglasses...........

.....the scarf  'thrown' over the shoulder is so '60's

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Rain black sequined cardigan with sheer mesh trim, Younique blue denim double breasted high waist jeans, Ambience Apparel white racer back tank, Luca Stefani black patent leather kitten heel thong sandals, and Cuore & Pelle black and blue leather handbag. 

the high waist jeans also are a bit nostalgic

and then the kitten heels and 'clam digger' cuff's definitely give a 'throw back' vibe