Indian Summer indeed!

As I was getting dressed this morning the sun was starting to come out from the early morning foggy moistness of the air. We are all in the know by now that we are amid a heat wave. As I moisturise my feet I think to myself I need a Pedi  BADDDDDLLY bbm #hand over eyes.
Anyhow I soldier on as I haven't accounted for a pedi this week however my nails are painted so it will have to do.
I get a message from my niece when I'm at work to come into her beauty school today as she needs to do her Pedi to get marked on, seriously - God answers prayers. Even better its gonna cost me £5, I finish work at 15:00 and she needs me at 16:15 even better.

I get to the Salon as I pay for my Pedi a flash of glitter catches my eye.........O.P.I Gold glitter Polish called 'Bring on the Bling'. My niece takes out a selection of what she knows consist of my usual selection...... Summer brights Pinks, Orange and Red. I pick the peachy orange she says I knew you would pick that colour. I say "I love the colour in the cabinet," she says "if you want it on, you have to buy it". Remember earlier on I say that I didn't budget for a Pedi. 

My niece asks her teacher if its classed as a dark colour as shes getting assessed on certain areas, her teacher OKs it. Then her teacher tells me its sold as a set and if i want it I have to buy the whole set. I get a good deal a selection of 4 O.P.I colours, hand cream, a nail file and a cuticle stick both glass I may add for £35.

My total spend was £40, I could have afforded a pedi in a local nail shop, bbm #Hand over eyes.   

If you fancy a beauty treatment for a fraction of the price visit the London College of Beauty - www.lcbt.co.uk 

Final note on the Summer, one of the biggest fashion items were the Palazzo pants they are big enough to hide a mutitude of sins. Sadly I didn't think they were for me.

I wonder..... did anyone else see the striking resemblence to the trousers in Miss Celie's shop in 'Colour Purple' when Sofia (Oprah Winfrey) steps out of the fitting room and is really happy to have a pair of these trousers on. If you haven't seen it, its a must see.

I tried to get a photo of the scene, but was unsuccessful.

    

Time to update the Winter Wardrobe

So were fast approching Autumn and its time to update our Autumn/Winter Wardrobes I for on started in August with these fabulous pumps from Zara. 
These pumps are comfortable and go with just about everything, best part about them you can take them into next spring.

African Fashion Week (AFWL)

I visited African Fashion Week London last Saturday (06.08.11), first time for an Event of this nature and name.
Over the last year I have I have visited  3 events showcasing African clothes and  designers, my sister also makes African print accessories you can check her out at www.mizzykojo.com. I myself will also be coming out with a line of African print home furnishings, watch this space!

Anyway back to African fashion week WHAT A PALAVA!!!
Great concept, an event that focuses on African Designers and a platform to show case their work, forget Warehouse, Topshop and Oasis.
This work is 100% authentic, the thought process behind their designs falls into the new wave Afropolitan, African infused with Western world culture.

Back to the event, nice venue Bishops Hall. However, myself and many others was unable to get into the Fashion show. You may ask why? I'm going to tell you! the capacity was for 250 people apparently..... a unconfirmed 900 tickets was allocated.   
Why would 900 tickets be allocated to a 250 capacity venue???? Me and my friend were on time, however not on time for what we were greeted with, which was a long queue leading from the door to the street, which was long trust me!!!
The feedback which I received from the 17:00 Fashion show was that it was a very good Fashion show, the general consensus was that the designers needed to be making a collection which told a story, not getting together what they have made from previous occasions and showcasing it. This was feedback not what I had seen first hand. The last person to show case apparently had put a collection together which which was admired by the goers as it told a story and all the styles tied in together.
I did manage to get photo's  from the day even though I did not see the show.
There were 2 other fashion shows one at 13:00, and another at 15:00, which were both as full as the 17:00. 
I do think that AFWL can only get bigger and better with time, the interest that this event generated will continue and also to a wider audience. 

 Models from the AFWL show, show casing one of the designers.

 I'm also adding photo's from the Afropolitan Event I attended  in June at the V&A museum. The Fashion show was wicked and the event was a enjoyable and a real insight into African culture full stop. The V&A was focusing on African culture throughout the month of June and this was one of the events I attended on friday the 8/06/11. The Event was hosted by Ms Afropolitan.

My mate La DJ Petite  showing one of the Designers which was selling clothes on the day. This skirt was one of her best sellers, www.primarouge.com 

Follow La DJ Petite at Twitter and Facebook, She plays South African beats and House Music. You can also download a compilation from itunes.

Models Afropolitan Event in June

Models from Afropolitan June

For more info on AFWL log on to www.africandesignersindispora.com

Veranda Bar Brixton

I went to Veranda Bar Brixton last Friday 05.08.11, for my girl Danielle's Birthday, WHAT A EXPERIENCE!!
First of all they mixed up my girls booking double booking her. Drawing the short straw we got the table by the door, which felt like we were at the back of the kitchen.  No table cloth, no table setting, we were compensated with free cocktails, which was a small token however not enough.

It was a extraordinary busy night in the bar/restaurant which serve a Caribbean cuisine with a twist on traditional recipes. I thoroughly enjoyed my prawns, however I was disappointed by my stuffed jerk chicken. The seasoning tasted like the shops with added scotch bonnet which was over bearing. I would like to visit at lunch time or on a quieter night in the week to eat as the demand for food  wouldn't be so high on this particular Friday night.

Finally the music later on in the evening was on point, it had a good vibe playing an old to current selection of R'n'B, hip hop, and Dancehall (Reggae) .

The Prawns.

Overall I think the new owners have brought back something that was missing from Brixton  for a long time. If you ever went to the old 'Z'bar in Brixton you will know what I'm talking about when I say this club has found the essences of what made that work bar/restaurant work. I  think they can be a little more successfull with a little tweaking, However I would have to re-visit to give another verdict!

Who is the Black Russian Doll?

Hi my name is Naomi ( I think it's polite to introduce myself). I'm a Designer, I love Fashion, Interiors, Flower Design, Photography and anything to do with Design basically, I think you get drift!
Unfortunately I work as a Social Care Worker,

I'm starting my blog to come out of my closet (so to speak), I have a facebook which I rarely use, why I have it open is a wonder.
 I wanted a outlet to express myself , to speak about my interest, to speak about my business venture starting my soft furnishings company. I have 2 children so you may hear about them from time to time.
I will be talking about Food, Films, Music, Books, Hair, Make up, Children, Interiors and definitely about fashion. I have a lot of idea's and inspirations which I'm going to share on here, just think of it as a lifestyle blog/diary.
I'm no Carrie Bradshaw, however I'm single and may even throw in my dating issues from time to time. I'm not the most open person with strangers, but I'm willing to over come the fear!

I hope you enjoy.xx