Stars & Stripes & freedom

Hello dear readers, 

This has a been a week of highs and lows, in equal proportions. It started off really well with my radio interview on Voice Of the Cape with Roshan on her new show, Cover Mode. (Listen here). I had the opportunity of talking about blogging, modesty and wardrobe consulting. My eldest son also started his week of job shadowing in anticipation of applying to universities.

This is bittersweet for me, as it is an indicator of my firstborn baby taking his first steps into the BIG WIDE world, as an adult! However, it is such an exciting time as I can remember taking my first steps into the world and it really doesn't seem that long ago. It's like I'm reliving those teen years again, except with the anguish of being the parent, and wondering if their choices are the right ones... Trying to protect them from the world of hurts, disappointments and materialism....

I have recently embarked on an emotional journey to heal myself from the inside and deal with childhood issues which affect my daily life... This week my emotions took a real knock, and just like that - I find myself off kilter in the middle of a week of meetings, clients, seminars and mommy life. But the reality is that we all need to heal from the inside, so that togetherness we portray on the outside matches the inside. It's a work in progress and it's not always easy...*sigh*

To end off my week, my middle son, suffered a sports injury (story of my life) and mommy mode needs to kick in. It's amazing how nurturing and caring for others helps to restore emotional equilibrium, and voila(!) I felt a little less emotional. And not discounting the constant love and support from my hubby and sons cheering me on along the way.

It makes me a little more able to continue daily life... as exhausting as it may be!

Today's lookpost is reflective of my choice to walk away from traumatic incidences and their power over my mental state. I choose to deal with inner demons, face them, fight them and heal. My  stars and stripes theme is freedom and matching the outer calm with the inner, not to use our outfits as armour against the world and rather a mirror to the world.

These pieces are all from previous seasons, except the gorgeous Vince Camuto leather iridiscent heels. I absolutely love this pump, bought recently on sale and picked up for a steal! 

It appears purple and then blue and sometimes black.. depending on the light. These changeable

colours represent the various aspects of ourselves we show to the world when placed in different situations. 

Peace. Love. Light. 

Outfit:

Stylemology blazer (old)

Foschini skirt (old)

Forever New lace top (last season)

Vince Camuto iridiscent courts

Country Road handbag

Woolworths necklace (old)

Scarf (old)

Ray Ban sunglasses from Sunglass Hut (old)

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New Beginnings as Spring arrives!

Welcome readers!

Spring has sprung in Cape Town and it brings with it a festive, happy mood for most... It brings the promise of new beginnings, rejuvenation, clearing the cobwebs (from the mind as well), flowers and sunshine. This week started off really chilly, and Spring Day was pretty dreary, but in true Cape Town style we end the week with high temperatures and sunshine. 

I had a great opportunity yesterday to be interviewed on a local radio station, more about that once the host announces the new program and airing time, and I officially introduced whats been keeping me feverishly busy. For the past couple of weeks, I have been setting up a business consultancy and in the midst of this my wardrobe consulting has just taken flight. 

It's called the Wardrobe Audit (read more about it here) and is aimed at streamlining the wardrobe, so that one has really good quality investment pieces, which will transcend a few seasons. Its a physical "Spring Clean" of the wardrobe, and a mini workshop around what works for you, your style, job, body type and skin tone. 

Most of my lookposts include investment pieces which have been in my wardrobe for a while, and I wear them all the time, paired with recent more trendier or high fashion pieces. If you're struggling to get dressed in the mornings, or have the "I don't have anything to wear" syndrome regularly; or find that your clothes are in such chaos that you don't know how to co-ordinate them or even find them, with a wardrobe thats bursting with clothes, give me a shout...

Today's post features really good basics which are from previous seasons, except the quilted leather skirt. Inspired by Fashion Week streetstyles, I usually commission a designer to make me a high fashion item which I may not find in the stores. This skirt was custom made for me by Abashiya Achilles (Fabulous in Hijab), who usually knows exactly what I want. She keeps my measurements on hand (so I need to make sure they stay the same!) and voila, she's sorted my piece.

Have a wonderful weekend darlings, hopefully this gorgeous weather holds up!

My outfit:

Guess denim jacket (really old)

Mango mohair knit (last season)

Bespoke Leather skirt by Fabulous in Hijab

Suede booties (several seasons ago)

Ted Baker bag (last season)

Scarf (old)

Country Road leggings

Guess silver earrings

Giorgio Armani sunglasses by Sunglass Hut

Caio for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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Longline Sweat OOTD

Dear Readers, 

Another week gone by, and hopefully everyone has reached the goals set or at least made it count. Staying focussed on your course is hard in this life of social media (read time thief), demands from outside influences all calling for your attention. With some really sad news this week, I was shocked back into the reality of the importance of taking care of oneself. This Women's month I have touched on many aspects of female empowerment, strength and the general issues which affect us. It is important to be vigilant with your body, listen to it, as any extreme stress you experience will manifest in some kind of illness.

Be Aware. Be Careful. Take regular time outs. 

As nurturers and caretakers, women multi task on a daily basis, they take care of families, hold down demanding careers, fill the role of loving spouses and at the end of of all this, if we neglect ourselves, we break a little each day. While Women's Month is drawing to an end, this just means the public awareness will end, but let the self awareness continue. 

Be Aware. Be Kind to yourself. Take regular time outs.

Today's OOTD is a casual one, reflective of time out in the garden. I love nature and being in my garden, pottering about with the flowers, relaxes my mind. The Winter sun is not so harsh, and I love the gentle warmth while pruning rose bushes and trimming creepers. It may be a small respite from the madness, but I feel a little more centred after time in nature, and ready to pick up the never ending to do list.

All pieces in this outfit are recent purchases on the Woolworths SA sale and can be taken into Spring, I usually find my sneakers in the junior section (they cost less then- score!)

Have a good weekend, and ladies... try to take that essential time out. xx

My outfit:

Country Road Sweat top (shop similar here)

Woolworths leggings (shop similar here)

Adidas ZA Sneakers

Scarfstop scarf (old)

Zibastyles shoulder chain

Swarovski bracelet from Spilhaus (shop here)

Pauls Boutique Bag (old) [purchase here - on sale]

Ciao for now,
RuBe xoxo

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Modest OOTD & talking life

Hi lovelies,

What an insane week, being nurse, taxi, mommy and trying to get work in as well.... But life throws us challenges and it's up to us to handle them with patience and tenacity. It also teaches our kids important lessons on life and illustrates firsthand how to deal with obstacles head on. 

On this Friday, the eve of my 38th birthday, I contemplate my life and the choices I have made. I can safely say that my choices have all placed me on a path to a better me, it may have been difficult in the beginning, but happily there are no regrets. Of course there have been times of adversity, I believe to test my strength and faith, but after perseverance they have resulted in good outcomes. My personal motto is to deal with issues, get them out of the way so that you can continue on your path. Dwelling on the past, or getting stuck in what was, or has happened, is never a healthy way to live, in fact it draws too much energy.

The naivete of youth does not always allow one to have this philosophical approach to life, and in due time as things in life fall into place, the enlightenment is embraced (hopefully). I spent my youth making really tough decisions and keeping my eye on the end result always, while others were carefree and relaxed; however it has strengthened me in so many aspects of my life. I am therefore really grateful to have found my place of peace, and unconditional love with so many moments of simple happiness. 

I am thankful to be where I am today. 

Today's post is a simple monochrome look, which I just had to break with red suede pumps. Most pieces in this outfit are current season, except the shoes and bag... So for once my OOTD features recent buys, but as always these items are good quality and would probably last a few seasons. Of course the long sequined cardigan from A Sense of Style was a necessary purchase, if you're a regular reader you'll know how I love my sequins! It's also a perfect piece for any modest fashionista since it covers everything :-D

My outfit:

A Sense of style long cardingan (check out her FB here)

Country Road shirt (buy similar here)

Woolworths skinny jeans (shop here)

Guess Heels 

Handbag purchased abroad (on a sale)

Woolworths scarf

Honey gem bracelet

Old Layered pearl necklace 

Caio for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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