Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Blanc Noir black leather military style double breasted, peplum hemmed jacket; Manolo Blahnik teal suede BB pointy toe pumps; Mazzini ecru leather oversized handbag and Torino Lamborghini cream coloured sunglasses  

 Moda International by Victoria Secrets black long sleeve turtleneck rayon knit dress;

multi-coloured square cut glass necklace, large teal/burgundy Lucite bangle and small red 'shambala' earrings accessorized today's outfit

It's Official - FALL is here!!!

I've been so happy with the weather thus far: it's almost the end of October and it's 65 - 75 degrees - I'm loving it!!

I've been chillin', still rocking my summer wardrobe and feeling just lovely.  However, it came as no surprise when I checked the temp this morning at it was 40 degrees. I couldn't even 'feel no way' 'cause we've been doing so good.
Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Blanc/Noir black leather double breasted jacket with peplum hemline......

Dana Buchman black wool, one pocket midi pencil skirt, Pippa black silk puff/dolman sleeve blouse.......

..........and Digableart handpainted "coil" accessory belt (painted in the iconic red/green/gold Rastafari colours)
One of a kind pieces available at www.digableart.com

Valentino "Nella" red leather handbag with cheetah print side panels, BCBG by Max Azria black leather/suede peeptoe booties.........

Swiss Legend white porcelain watch...............

and small red 'shambala' earrings completed today's "bring it on Fall - I'm ready!"ensemble

Traditional African print - from a contemporary perspective

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original Ms. Aikasha traditional African print mini halter dress........

Chloe white scalloped edge peep-toe high heeled sandals, 

Moda International by Victoria's Secret  black lace back cotton/rayon blazer........

I wasn't kidding when I said halter!!

Cuore & Pelle black and blue leather handbag

........and teeny, tiny red 'shambala' stud earrings - for just a touch of colour

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a 2b Rych white 'ballet' neckline dress............

Foley & Corina  over-sized lime green leather tote

Brian Atwood  black leather ankle-wrap sandals (one my faves!)

large solo pearl/silver earrings, white mother of pearl pendant......

and Etro tortoise shell and gold tone wayfarer sunglasses 

Note: There's nothing sweeter than running into an ex-boyfriend and looking absolutely fabulous!! The responses and compliments I got today affirmed just that. (Hence me beaming from ear to ear!!)

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a neon orange tank to by Zoa........

.........black sequin mini skirt by La Cite...........

Gucci black suede tassel handbag, Gucci black leather loafers and Gucci black sunglasses

accessories included a a large orange Lucite bangle, and large gold and orange hoop earrings

Note: Ok, so sequins are synonymous with the night life, but I like to change things up a bit. I think the Gucci loafers toned things down just enough for me to wear this 'glam' ensemble to the office.......at least, to my office.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original Ms. Aikasha  ecru 100% linen swing mini dress with over-sized shell buckles

beige rayon wrap/scarf.............

L.A.M.B cream leather lace up wedge sandals................

Torino Lamborghini  ecru sunglasses, over-sized custom made African print fabric earrings.......

Tous large leopard print calf hair and brown leather handbag, imported papier-mache red/green floral bangle and Swiss Legend white porcelain watch complete this end or summer outfit

Tip: With a dress this short, I highly recommend wearing boxers or full coverage panties. Going up and down the subway steps or a sudden gust of wind, might be a treat for the fellas, but really?.............need I say more?? :)

Blues............

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original Ms. Aikasha navy blue linen swing maxi skirt with abstract seaming....... 

A really cute turquoise tank top with a ringed/strappy back that my daughter Ny gave me (I removed the uber annoying tag so have no idea who its by - pity, because it fits so well!)

Oversized Cole Haan wicker handbag with lime green leather trim........

bangles, earrings, belt, are all some shade of blue. The shades are Gucci

.............and the rhinestone embellished blue suede sandals are Apepazza.

Note: Quite a while ago, I used to feel that colours had to match: light blue / dark blue. Turquiose / aqua; olilve / sage. I would get stumped and wouldn't wear certain pieces together  I felt didn't match.
My daughter Z changed my mind set about colour. She said "if it's pink, then it's pink, and all pinks go together". It took me a minute to digest, to adjust and adapt - but I'm sure glad I did!!

Note II: .......and the Cole Haan  wicker/green leather trim hand bag? A little contrast - nice? right??

One of the things I love about the summertime is NOT needing to wear makeup. Usually  by mid-June/early July, my skin is so evenly tanned that my dark circles just blend in with the rest of my complexion and everything just looks nice a smooth

Of course, there’s always room for a touch of lip gloss, or a smidgen of lipstick, but all the other stuff just sits on my dresser – or in my make-up bag – until the fall when my tan begins to fade L. Then, it’s back to the blending…..the concealing……the highlighting…….let me not think about all that right now……….

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Michael Kors green/white zebra striped dress, BCBG Paris white leather ankle-wrap wedge sandals, and Foley & Corinna lime green leather oversized tote.

Accessories included a Michael Kors brown tortoise shell watch, silver interlocking hoop shoulder duster earrings, and multiple green and gold tone bangles. The sunglasses are Tom Ford.

Note: My most recent pedicure I opted for blue. It was the first time I've gone for anything outside the realm of red/burgundy/pink/orange, or a French pedicure, but I felt like doing something different. I wasn't thrilled about the blue initially, but it's beginning to grow on me. Since I'm on vacation and will likely be in denim quite a bit, I'm beginning to think it wasn't such a bad choice after all!!

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original  Ms. Aikasha long white linen blend skirt with white satin ruffle hem, Free People grey sheer/opaque halter body suit..................

The 'cat-eye' sunglasses are by Aldo

The accessories include a pair of drop pearl and silver earrings, mother of pearl pendant, and "surprise, surprise - no bangles!!"

Linen, especially white linen, tends to be a little translucent/sheer/see-through, especially when the sun catches just the right angle..............so be mindful :)

Dolce & Gabanna canvas yellow 'banana' handbag with lime green leather trim, and Prada gold leather thong wedge sandals (one of my faves) tied together what I felt was a simple, yet elegant ensemble.

Bahama's cruise 2013

So I got a moment to take a break, and I took it. The timing wasn't absolutely perfect, but I'd been under an enormous amount of stress, and  if I didn't grab the chance to leave when I did, I would never have left, and very likely regretted it.

I brought along my 14 and 17 year old sons, also known as “The Boyz”.  They’re pretty incredible kids:  they each bring home straight “A”s for most of the school year, they cause me very little headache, and we really get on well, in spite of their grumpy moody selves!!.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a wide brim yellow  Papillion hat, Saks 5^th Avenue multicolored rayon scarf (worn as a wrap/cover up), Maxx New York  large wicker tote.

The Norwegian Gem - my cruise ship. This vessel was gorgeous, immaculately maintained and an absolute pleasure to be aboard. I had no internet access while at sea - it was a bit strange being so disconnected,  but that seriously afforded me some time to unwind.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Roberto Cavalli long bias cut silk maxi skirt (worn as a dress), a large red pashmina shawl and DKNY  black peau de soie clutch 

The Atlantis Hotel and Casino in Nassau. Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Juicy Couture black one piece halter bathing suit Pink by Victoria's Secret  black yoga shorts,  and Papillon yellow over sized woven hat.

Coco Beach, Orlando, Fla. To the left Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Jantzen brown velour mono-kini, cowrie shell choker, silver shoulder duster earrings and black Gucci shades

St. Stirrup Cay - Bahamas. To the right, Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Marc Jacobs fuschia ruffle accented one piece bathing suit and Papillon over sized yellow sun hat  

Chillin' on the Deck:  Ms. Aikasha is wearing a black/grey striped tube top, and H&M  navy skinny jeans. Black Gucci sunglasses, cowrie shell choker, Swiss Legend white porcelain watch, and silver shoulder duster earrings accessorized this laid back look

There were plenty of seagulls, and for the most part, they were relatively well behaved.

Leaving Nassau............... my  6' 2" tall 14 year old son, Amru, and I. God is so good!!