STYLE: Intentional Layering (Ankara With Isi Agu Print)

I’ve drafted this post seven times and I am not even joking. I don’t know what angle to come from because my thoughts are not exactly coherent at the moment. Style? Marriage? Family? Layering? Parenting? It’s everything. Actually, it is about everything that I have come to realize in this 7 years of being married to the love of my life. 

Yes, on this day seven years ago, I handed wine to my husband and became traditionally married!

The Art of Intentional Layering 

Not to sound cheesy but I am so thankful and blessed to be married to Kachi. I’ve heard a lot about the “7 year itch” and how it’s the year where most marriages are tested. I TOTALLY get why. By year 7, most couples probably have two children. And two children really does change a marriage in a way that one child doesn’t.

However, for me, I can truly say I’m more in love with my husband now than I was when I gave him the wine to drink in my father’s village compound seven years ago and I can’t wait to see what the future will bring for us!

We definitely cannot celebrate our marriage without celebrating the three magnificent blessings entrusted to us that bind our love even more: Our children. When I look at them, my heart feels so full. I am simply overwhelmed with the thought that my husband and I are given gifts of this magnitude. Two beautiful girls and a lovable boy. Two sweet girls and a special boy. Three wonderful souls to protect and love.

PREGNANCY STYLE: Tips for Styling Your Baby Bump in Brown

After church that Sunday, I decided to take a few photos. Nothing fancy—just us, in our Sunday best, with my growing baby bump taking center stage.

Styling Pregnancy in Shades of Brown

As someone who is pretty practical when it comes to investing in my wardrobe (and who is almost positive this is my last time doing this?), I really made an effort to maximize the number of bump-accommodating pieces I already owned to the fullest…while also still maintaining some sense of…togetherness — and personal style.

I’d been more than intentional about how I wanted to tend to and celebrate my last pregnancy. It was almost addictive. The pictures weren’t always enough. Lol. 

There is a glow that only pregnancy can give. Brown is one of the colours that effortlessly complements that glow. It’s a neutral that feels rich and sophisticated, yet it’s soft enough to evoke a sense of comfort. Plus, it pairs beautifully with earthy tones, or even pops of colour.

To elevate my look, I wore an Ankara scarf. You know I live for that fabric. 😉

How to Be Lovely and Stylish (A Very Quick Guide)

Hi Lovelies. How are you doing? I know… This was meant to be a Sunday-Style post but some other responsibilities have had the best of me in the past few days. It’s better late than never, isn’t it? 😉

Style + Lovely = Stylish Loveliness

😍

I have a gist for you but let’s get straight into today’s post. 

What does it mean to be Lovely?

adj. love·li·er, love·li·est

1. Full of love; loving.
2. Inspiring love or affection.
3. Having beauty that appeals to the emotions as well as to the eye. 
4. Enjoyable; delightful.

n. pl. love·lies

1. A beautiful person, especially a woman.
2. A lovely object. Dictionary source

I love these definitions.

Every Christian, young or old, should be lovely. The question is, are you lovely? Would the people in your life say, "Wow, she's a lovely person." I thought I'd share the above definition of the word lovely because it really captures what I believe a lovely person should be - full of love, inspiring, having appealing beauty (both inside and out), enjoyable and delightful.

The work of loveliness ultimately starts from within and, among many other things, is revealed in the following ways:

1. The way you style yourself 
2. The way you speak
3. The way you carry yourself

Hold that thought while I show you what we wore to church last Sunday. By we I mean, my lovely family and I. 

What I Wore To Church Today (After Lockdown)

Woo-hoo! Happy Sunday Sweethearts of my blogosphere! How are you doing?! Guess what's back? Going to church is back! 'What-I-Wore to church' is back! And Sunday Style posts are back! I am so. . . excited!

Church After Lockdown

First, let me take off my mask to show you pictures of what I wore to church today.

Your guess is as good as mine; I wore (more than) a touch of Ankara to church this Sunday. Ankara is my happiness plug. (Lol. What does that even mean?). Whatever. I am always happy to wear the most beautiful fabric in the world. Yeah, I said that.

What I Wore: Black Never Goes Out Of Style

Hello beautiful people! How are you doing? I hope you are smoking hot for the Lord in this moment. You already know what Sunday's post is about; to give some style inspiration, especially as it concerns Ankara fabric as well as What I wore to church. Let's go right into it. 🙂

Black + Ankara

Black here.
Black there.
Black here and there.
Black everywhere.
Need I tell you how much I love black again?

What I Wore: Sneakers With Ankara

So he asked me yesterday, "babe, what are we going to wear to Church tomorrow?" "I don't know. I think I'm going to wear those sneakers you got for me." And it happened.

Happy Sunday!

Ankara And Sneakers

You all know your girl loves loves loves Ankara fabric. And that love is not dying anytime soon. I planned to wear some of that to church today with the new pair of sneakers Kachi got for me.

I personally like to rock sneakers with pencil skirts, shirt dresses, flared skirts and chambray dresses.

The first rule for me was: Don’t let it be too casual or too short. We are trying to praise the Lord not raise curiousity! Amen?

What I Wore: Long Ankara Jacket On Straight-Cut Ankara Skirt

Happy Style-Sunday! Today is the last Sunday in October. How has the month been for you? For me, October started slow but it's ending in a rush. So much is happening at the same time. I'm staying thankful.

Here's what I wore to church today.

Ankara Jacket

Ankara bumper jackets, kimono jackets, blazers, just name them. You can’t go wrong with them. And you can rock them with skirts, jeans, shorts/bumshorts, pencil skirts or short skirts. They are valuable pieces to have in your wardrobe.

I have had this piece since 2016. As I write this post, I vividly remember where, how and why I got this piece as well as what happened the first day I  wore it. It's interesting how your clothes can cause you to 'play back' certain past experience and the feeling associated with them.

Don't Call This A Style Post

If you've been following my blogging journey for at least over a couple of months, you'd have noticed that I love to show off what-I-wore to church on Sundays, especially if it has to do with Ankara fabric.

Sadly, since I started attending my husband's church it's been difficult getting shots that are blog-worthy for Sunday Style posts.

A Failed Couple Style Post

At our local church, Sunday school starts at 8:00AM. Being Teens' Sunday School teachers, we are expected to be at church earlier than 8:00AM to prepare and get ready for our classes.

Let's say our target time is 7:55AM.

Now look at this,

We currently live 45 minutes drive away from church. So that means we have to get dressed and be out of the house at/before 7:10 AM. However, four times out of five, we are yet to leave the house at 7:20 AM. And neither of us would entertain the thought of taking pictures before we head to church.

"Take what? When we are already late?!"

Since we couldn't take pictures before church, we should be able to take pictures after church, right? But it always doesn't seem to work. By the time church service is over, we are either hungry and tired or heading for another event. Taking pictures isn't our priority at the time.

What I Wore: Double Wrapper For The First Time As A Wife

Hi People! How has it been? I have been very busy writing and writing. It's been a long time since I conceived this book inside of me, and I can't wait to finally push it out into the world. Trust me, it's going to be a powerful one.

To clear up the webs on this space, let me showcase what I wore to church today. :)

Double-Wrapper Style For Women's Day

First of all, Happy Women's Day to every woman out there — whether single or married. I celebrate you.

Secondly, I am ashamed of myself today. I was struggling to wear what women were asked to wear to church — two wrappers.

I know that a lot of women can relate with the tying of wrapper in this part of the world (Nigeria). It’s our culture as African women to tie wrapper.

STYLE: The First Tip For Couples Matching Outfits Together

Happy Style-Sunday! What's popping? I have got a headache. It's either as a result of my headwrap or my new weaves being too tight. Phew. Anyways, I will be fine.

Let's talk about matching outfits. Do you think couples that dress together stay together?

Matching Outfits With Your Spouse

I can't say whether it is more of a natural phenomenon than a conscious effort to start dressing in a matching and harmonious fashion when you get married.

However, what I can say is you may intuitively or subconsciously want to match your spouses style so that you can mirror them better and sync with them; Adding to the fact that couples that stylishly match outfit look very cute together. Thanks to its focus on complementary and cohesive aesthetics. After all, how do we expect to look well-dressed if our outfits are clashing?

WIW: You Already Have What You Need

I know, I know. The title of this post sounds ridiculous to you. I’m not saying you should stay in a perfect state of contentment. I am saying you should focus on what you have.

Life, as I come to realize when I’m thinking most clearly, is so duper good. Even when I’m not yet married, not earning the salary I want, and even when things aren’t quite going exactly my way, I can still look around and say, “Wow. I am thankful for what I already have!”

You Already Have It

In January, I started Sunday-Style by telling you that my wardrobe strategy for 2018 would be "work with what you have."

We are now almost in August and I am proud to let you know that one of your favourite Lifestyle bloggers has lived truly by keeping through to her word. Awesome. I deserve some accolades. Lol. The only new clothes I got are the ones I had to specially get for specific occasions like the other day.

Gone are the days when I take a long look at my wardrobe and say to myself, "I have nothing to wear." Last year or so, I wrote 'How To Repeat Your Clothes Without Anyone Knowing," if you haven’t read it go ahead and check it out. It's still the same thing I am sharing with you today.

What I Wore: The Truth About How Long It Takes

Hi sweethearts of my blogosphere! Happy New Month! Glad we made it into the second half of the year. Thankful for life and everything else.

It's Style-Sunday!

Long Ankara Skirt

Like I told you here, I am writing a book. For now we'd call it #HWMH. And writing HWMH has not been easy.

Writing a book, a fictitious story about your life in a way that will interest anyone other than your mother is not a joke. In fact, “this happened to me” and “here’s what I think” posts can be boring if care is not taken. . .and can even make you appear as a narcissist.

But then a blogger like yours truly comes along and hopefully wishes to eloquently share her own personal story about her thoughts and life — style, career, relationship, everything. Only she’s not writing in retrospect, with the insight of knowing how her story will end. Instead, she’s telling this tale as it unfolds.

How To Dress Modestly In Ankara Crop Top

The other day, I did something brave and totally went out of my comfort zone. I wore a crop top. Yeah!

Personally, pieces like crop tops, bikinis, and dresses with cutouts make me feel self conscious. I have always been a fan of dressing modestly; however, just because you are a Christian or a modest dresser does not mean you cannot wear the latest fashion trends. So, on today's Sunday-Style I will be showing you ONE tip for how to wear a crop top modestly.

Ankara Crop Top

A number of "Christians" and church goers would frown at the thought of wearing a crop top. However, I am among the group of Christians who believe modesty is not limited to what you wear. Modesty should be an attitude, or carrying yourself respectfully. It's deciding that you're a masterpiece, hand crafted by God, and you shouldn't sell yourself as a cheap piece. God thinks you're beautiful and worthy, no matter what you wear. So the reason we adorn ourselves should ultimately be to honour God and not to impress people. Emphasis on TO HONOUR GOD.

That being said, with different Ankara prints you can choose what suits your idea of modesty from various styles that you adore, in crop tops.

Related Post: How To Wear Mini Skirt Modestly

WIW: The Ankara Prints That Sets You On Fire

Is it acceptable for a grown woman to wear her mother's clothes? Yes? No? While you're pondering on that, I've got something to post for Sunday-Style. :)

Fire Ankara Prints

This vivid fire Ankara prints is one Ankara fabric to slay and rock now. You'll find it in various colours. It easily balances the whole physique, especially when styled appropriately with the focus point on the fire visual.

If you want to spruce up your wardrobe do not look any further, this fire Ankara prints is sure to at least lift your spirits for the better. The bold prints in the this fabric will resonate a similar vibe onto your spirit. . . Setting you on fireeee!

STYLE: Get The Best Of Your Wardrobe By Changing Your Approach

Happy Style-Sunday! Today I’m going to show you my best tip for getting the most out of your wardrobe when it comes to combining colour. Leggo!

Change Your Approach

Most of us fall into strong habits when it comes to putting our outfits together. We tend to take the most obvious solution that mirrors what the people around us are doing or what we've done before. But if you’re going to be “extra”, you might need to shake things up a bit.

Take time one night and play dress up in front of your mirror:

What I Wore: Short Hugging Skirt and a Long Ankara Jacket

The Ankara/African prints designs are here to stay and is a must have in your wardrobe. If I don't inspire you to wear more of Ankara, then what in the world am I doing here?

Happy Style Sunday!

Ankara Jacket + Short Skirt

There's this song a colleague always listen to in the office, it's about finding a girl who is both fun but professional and independent. I appreciated the connection made in the song between outfit choices and the assumed personalities they project.

The girl that is fun wears a short skirt and the girl that is independent wears a jacket. Lol.

This song popped into my head when I was blogging this outfit. It struck a perfect balance between elegance and cool.

What I Wore: Freedom To Love In Ankara Maxi Skirt

Hi sweeties! It's the last Sunday of the month! How about you express gratitude to God this minute, for being alive and for having those lovely eyes that can see? As for me, I am super grateful. My heart beams with joy. Hallelujah!

This is what I wore to church today :)

Ankara Maxi Skirt 

I didn't attend my regular church today. I visited another. And I had a swell time worshipping in God's presence among His people. Imagine crying while singing lovesongs to God!?! Indescribable!

🎶 You make me happy. You make me whole. You take the pain away. I'm so in love with You . . . 

Oh oh oh. . . my heart sings oh oh oh. . . 🎶 

What I Wore: One Gorgeous Ankara Top For Every Event

Happy Style Sunday Sweeties! Today's post will be a two-in-one package so we can cover up for last week. That's a good idea, right? 😀

No Two Events Are The Same

They say "you can never go wrong with a black dress." It's true. Every lady knows that. But I want to reveal another unpopular fashion fact:

"It's hard to go wrong with a piece of Ankara that fits your personality."

— Nwamaka Ajaegbu, Personal Stylist

Let's just say I've been proving this "theory" with most of my What-I-Wore posts. Here are a couple of them:

What I Wore + How To Spot Fake Ankara

Happy Style-Sunday! I decided to make a post out of a Friday's outfit because yo, it is worth it. When it comes to spicing up your outfit with ankara fabric, you are sure to always count on  your girl. ;)

How To Spot Fake Ankara

There is a massive supply of Ankara fabric out there. I buy, sew, and wear Ankara pretty much. And I see the need to help you differentiate the fake ones from the original so that nobody would cheat on you the next time you go to the market.

What To Check Out For

1. Texture
2. Water resistance
3. Colour design
4. Print pattern

How To Make Ankara Statement Earrings With A Scrap Of Carton

Happy Style-Sunday! Yipee. Today I am going to show you how to make unbelievable earrings with your own hands. Excited much!

Ankara Fabric Earrings

Ankara also known as African Prints is a showstopper. You definitely cannot wear Ankara and not be noticed. Ankara style is beautiful, unusual and unique.

And guess what? You can make your own fashionable accessories out of it. No need to spend much for buying. Learn the Do-It-Yourself way.