SALES !

Short and sweet. There are sales at Factorie and JayJays. I'm very broke, so because I can't buy anything, someone else has to take full advantage of this opportunity for me!

The knitwear at Factorie is on sale for under R130, as well as pants for under R200, and t-shirts and tanks for cheap as well. There are some long sleeve tops great for spring because they're thin but still long. The high-waisted skirts are R80 (not on sale) and they have really pretty patterns on. If you didn't know, a Factorie opened literally next door to JayJays in the Somerset Mall recently. 

JayJays has sale on almost everything, and at Stellies you get student discount if you show your student card! The sales are crazy with really pretty blouses for under R100!

I definitely recommend going to check it out, to keep updated like their Facebook pages here: JayJays and Factorie. 

If you buy anything, let me know so I can be jealous!
Roxy X

Plan Ahead for Summer

From looking at online bloggers' fashion trends, headgear seems to be big this season. Blommies are great right now seen as that it's spring, but handkerchief headwraps and headbands in general are sprouting up everywhere as well.

I know that bandannas are being sold at The Lot in Stellenbosch, but the variety is very small. If you have any inside scoop on where nice bandannas or flower crowns are available, please let me know!

I put together a few pics as ideas, feel free to use them as inspiration. 

These pics I got off a site called Urban Outfits.

These pics are from one of my favourite blogs, She Wears Fashion.

These pics are from weheartit.

These pics are from LookBook.

Here you can see that celebrities such as Rihanna and 

Lana Del Rey are also wearing bandannas and flower crowns.

If one doesn't work, try the other. If you don't like either, start your own new trend! Don't be afraid to go big this summer. 

If you're studying, enjoy your holiday! If you're still at school, don't worry yours is around the corner! :)

Roxy X

Fashion Lookbook : Day 9 - The Inspiration of the Granny Boots + Wearing a Dress as a Top

As I said in a previous post, my famous Gangsta boots have been sent in for repairs. I got 2 pairs of Tommy takkies in compensation to wear to varsity seen as that I have no other 'winter' shoes - and didn't want to spend a lot of money. Of course both pairs' size 8 is too small for this giant over here. For short spans of time I can live, but after a 4 hour mall sesh my feet were broken! What's a girl to do? Why, go visit Granny, of course.

My dearest Granny lent me her brown ugg boots that have a proper thick sole and white woolly stuff on the inside. Perfect for rainy varsity days! Unfortunately the boots are a size 7 so my feet STILL break, but hey at least they warm! Only when I had to plan my outfit for the next day did I realize what the REAL problem was ... I own nothing brown!

Whilst searching high and low through my (and my mom's) cupboard, I came across the leopard print dress I wore to my matric dance after party. My stocking are laddered, so that was a no-go. I decided that this was my best option, and that I'd just have to make it work.

I first tried tucking the skirt in to my jeans, but it was too long. Then I tried pulling the skirt up and laying it flat over my tummy with the top part over, but that was awkward. Eventually I found the solution. I pulled the skirt part properly over my jeans and then folded it over twice. The end product looked like I was just wearing a longer-length black top underneath! Result! 

I ended up happy with the result, and hey, I found a new top! Even though sending my boots in forced me to make this discovery, I got them back yesterday and am VERY happy that my babies have come home.

Have a great week

Roxy X

Strappy Ankle Sandals for Summer

While browsing around Mr Price the other day, I noticed how many sandals and heels have an ankle strap. I immediately thought of one of my favourite fashion blogs, Song of Style.

Here are a few of the options available at Mr Price (I got the pictures and prices off their page) and then I also included a few examples of how they were worn on Song of Style, and also an example from Le Fashion Monster blog.

These stiletto heels are almost identical to the ones seen on the blog. The black and white pair is R130 and the red is R160.

These ones have a thicker heel, but still have the sandal strap over the toes and the strap around the ankle. The black and white ones are R160 and the blue ones are R130.





 If you're not into heels, you can also create this look with flat sandals with the same style. All of these sandals are under R100.

 

Taking note on a small thing like this can help you get the look before everyone else. Keep an eye open on the trends overseas and you won't regret it.

Have a great Wednesday!

Roxy X

Fashion LookBook : Day 8 - fashion inspiration

Hey guys, long time no post! Sincerest apologies, I've just been really busy (and lazy...) LOL. Nothing much has changed since my last few posts really, except that I've started gyming again and have come down from 63.7kg to 62.6kg. On the 26th of June 2013 when I completed my Wednesday a Week weight challenge I weighed that in the morning, and this evening I weighed 62.6kg - if I had have weighed in the morning it would've been even less. So that's at least one positive - losing anything is better than gaining. I've also been trying to eat more healthily with less cheats and less carbs. On the days that I have cereal for breakfast, I have a salad and fruit for lunch; the days I have pasta salad and fruit for lunch, my mom makes me a smoothie for breakfast. Either way I try to have minimum to no carbs at supper. 

It's really great to know that I have inspired quite a few of my friends to change their lifestyles and start eating healthily as well, because it's much easier to do together. My friends also inspire me though. Two of my best friends I met this year, who have become a huge part of my life, inspired today's outfit.

My famous Gangsta boots broke this week, so I had to take them in to be re-soled. This sucked a whole lot more than you think, because I have NO other warm, winter shoes! I ended up pulling the "I'm going to gym" thing for two days in a row and wore a tracksuit with takkies all day. Today thankfully had no rain forecast, so I could wear my Tommys.

A while ago I asked my gran to donate all her jerseys that she doesn't wear anymore to me. One of them is a dusty blue colour with random patterns around the neck going down in really bright colours. I never really liked it because it reminded me of a clown, but Jodi gushed over it so much that it inspired me to wear it and see what response I would get from everyone else. Sula often wears collared tops with big, knitted jerseys with Tommy takkies. I borrowed this look of Sula's and paired my jersey with my white collared top to match my white Tommys.

I'm still slightly skeptical and feel like a clown, but let me know what you think!

Fashion inspiration can really come from anywhere. Sitting at a coffee shop watching people go by is a great way to get ideas. Movies and celebrities are great too. A friend introduced me to a site called Lookbook: "The #1 source for fashion inspiration from real people around the world." 

Looking at bloggers from over seas puts you in the know for upcoming fashion trends. I noticed one of my favourite American bloggers wearing boyfriend jeans about a month ago, and they're only starting to pick up here now.

If you have an idea for an outfit (inspired by someone else or not) go for it and wait to see what people say. If it's a hit, great. If it's a miss, just don't wear it again! Go with your gut, and at the end of the day it's you who must be happy with your look anyway, not anyone else. Use inspiration from others to conjure up your own unique style. You never know who might be inspired by YOU!

Have a fanTAStic Friday
Roxy X

Official RazeAstro Fashion Launch

Would you believe me if I told you that I bought a long sleeved top from TopShop for R70? . . . I wouldn't believe me either! 
But as of this Saturday past, I am the (very) proud owner of a beautiful yet simple maroon sweatshirt from TopShop! 

Let me explain.

Reza-Astrid Fourie, a Rhenish 2012 matriculant, started her own business. Not just any business, mind you. Reza has been in her hometown of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, for the past few months during her gap year. While the rest of us have been studying our butts off (sometimes), Reza has been shopping up an absolute STORM.

Remember the name 'RazeAstro' in the years to come, because I'm telling you, it's going to be BIG. RazeAstro distributes some of the best branded clothing in the business to us lucky Capetonians. The summer and winter sales overseas are absolutely CRAZY, and Reza GOES crazy at ALL the sales! TopShop, H&M, Forever21 and Zara are but a few names that are commonplace in her vocabulary. 

A usual day at work for Reza is to go to a (usually) expensive shop of her choice, and find the best bargains on the planet. And it doesn't stop at clothes! Bikinis, jewelry, shoes, scarves, even face masks are hot buys for RazeAstro. 

On the 27th of July 2013, Reza decided to launch her business in South Africa. Of course we were all set for the roadtrip with pockets a-bulging (and tummies a-grumbling). Who wouldn't want to buy the best brands in the business' latest fashions for a mere fraction of the cost?!

We arrived with minutes to spare, and dashed for the nearest entrance in excitement. We were greeted by a cool, calm, and absolutely fabulously dressed Reza. With lipgloss tickling our cheeks and champagne tickling our tonsils, we breathlessly entered what can only be described as heaven.

The most amazing colours, textures, shapes and sizes filled every corner of the room. I wanted to rugby tackle the jerseys rail and just hug them all for a few minutes... but at the same time I was in complete awe, and was too scared to even blink in case I missed something. 

Quite a few people were already there when we arrived, and we politely smiled at each other whilst secretly declaring war over our favourite spied pieces. Reza called our attention and we all shared a toast. 
And then, all hell broke loose.

Just kidding. 

After we had each chosen numerous items, we were shown to a bedroom to try them on. The one wall was filled with cupboards, so we were easily able to hang up all our items. There was also a lovely full length mirror which we used to its full potential.

Everyone was extremely sweet and helpful, and we felt like celebrities with the fancy eats that were made and distributed by Salt & Pepper Catering. From mini hamburgers to duck springrolls, crumbed mushroom balls to sushi, peanut butter chicken to mini pizzas - we really were spoilt rotten. 

As you can imagine, way too much money was spent by us over-excited customers, but it's always worth it when you have a lot to show for your money. The great news is though, lots of stunning things are still available! Keep your eyes peeled to Reza's Facebook page, RazeAstro. She also takes special requests!

Thank you so much to Reza and her family for making this possible, because I wouldn't be the same person without my amazing pastel blue skinnies. It was the greatest day, and we are ALL looking forward to (and saving for!) the next one! 

Thanks also to my stunning friends for coming with me and making the drive as fun as it was (ie. singing Baby Tjoklits at the top of your lungs with me). Thank you for supporting RazeAstro, and thank you for posing for countless photos that will be featured in a follow-up post. 
Cherwin, Jodi, Sula and Chante - thank you. 

I hope this review has more than convinced you to like RazeAstro's page. I hope that you are as excited as we are for the next event! 

Just let this sink in one more time... R70 for a top from TopShop. That's all I have left to say. 

Have a great weekend!
Roxy X

Versatile Scarves - cheap way to mix up your wardrobe

It really has been great getting back into the swing of things this past week. I missed the noisy Neelsie at lunchtime, I missed all my friends, and I missed the yummy lunches my mom packs me every day! One thing I definitely didn't miss is the freezing cold Stellenbosch early mornings. Another thing I didn't miss is deciding what to wear each day.

A few nights ago, my mom came home with this beautiful scarf she had bought for R60 at Jet. Immediately I noticed that it would match with all three pairs of coloured skinnies I own. In one minute, I went from having zero idea what to wear the next day, to having to decide between three!

The pastel orange, dark purple and lilac jeans each brought out those respective colours in the scarf. All I had to do was add a neutral coloured top and my black leather jacket and I was A for away!

If you're clean out of outfit ideas, here's an experiment I did. 

I took a scarf that has more than one colour. Then I went through my tops and jerseys, and took out all the ones that matched the scarf. Tops that I would never even have considered wearing with that scarf ended up matching perfectly, and again, so many different colours and shades to choose from. With half the outfit sorted, all I had to do was grab a pair of jeans and a jacket to complete the look.

 

Suddenly, choosing an outfit at 5:30AM isn't all that difficult anymore, as I now have so many options to choose from. Scarves really aren't that expensive, and they can definitely make a difference in your wardrobe.

Here's an example. If I wore the first scarf (which is orange and purple) with my dark purple pants, and the next day wore it again, but with my orange pants, not many people would notice that I wore the same scarf twice in a row. If I bought an orange and purple top and wore it two days in a row, people would definitely notice. 

In winter, a pretty scarf can be the statement piece of your outfit: dark boots, dark jeans, dark top, dark jacket, and boom - pretty colourful scarf. In this case, recycle everything in your outfit except the scarf. 

Scarves are essentials in chilly Stellenbosch.

Scarves are essentials in my cupboard.

Have a good weekend!

Roxy X