Fashion Is Protein

2009-10-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

Its been a trying time for me lately... and i havent much felt in the mood to blog... plus I just got back from a week long trip in Cuba yesterday(stories to come later...)

...Ive been wearing tons of grey lately: probably something of a reflection of my mood...

At a party two weeks ago:

Tank top & Skirt: Bebe, necklace & ring combo: Club Monaco, Shoes: Pink Duchess...

At another party:

Yellow Tank top: Parasuco, My new favorite grey skirt: Urban outfitters, shoes: Stuart Weitzman...

Happy thanksgiving everyone...

iT kEePs gEtTiNg sHoRtEr

2009-09-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

I couldn't tell you what came over me but about a week ago... but I decided to chop my hair OFF!

I'm really suprised by this as I'm a 'big hair' girl... buttttt... I really AM loving it!!!

In one of the few days of summer that we've actually had in the past while... I went out with some friends to the harbourfront for some r & r... thats the CN tower in the background...

Dress: A lucky HEAVILY discounted buy from consignment store, Glasses: Prada Butterflies, Flipflops: Havaianas, White Gold studs: Italy, handbag: Miss Sixty Red Lipstick: Rimmel, Cherry Burst Lancome juicy tube for topcoat

Then a couple days later, I went to a friends birthday get-together with my best friend... the first time a lot of my friends saw my hair... they too, love it.

Strapless dress: Forever 21(and i LOVE IT!!!), shades: Prada Butterflies, black flats: bamboo, Silver arm cuff: really wikkid jewellry store downtown... the name of which I don't remember... but this cuff makes me giggle with gleeeeeeee

The possibilities with short hair seem almost limitless... I really am surprised cos I thought I'd hate this... considering I've a round face... but so far.. so good..

Dominicano and Back

2009-08-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a seven day vacation in the dominican republic with my little sister... Had to take her as she refused the usual gift of a hug or ipod associated with 21st birthdays... But i love her so I decided to... lol

We stayed at a very lovely gorgeous hotel... The Vik... in Punta Cana... A bit coupley... but i suppose we are destined to be together forever... Through blood and our similar sense of humor.

So after countless drinks, numerous botched, attempts at speaking Spanish, countless men hitting on us wich translated poems et al, tons of fish and seafood, more time in the water than amphibians... we're back... ableit MUCH MUCh darker than we left Canada.

We had a blast!!! I highly recommend the Dominican for anyone who just needs time off from the hustle of day to day life... Especially in one of their nicer hotels. It really is a paradise of sorts. A salve for the spirit... One of my favorite vacations I tell you...

I really didnt want to come back...

I'm wearing tooo many things to list but theres a lot of bcbg, united colours of benetton, marciano, mendocino, versace jewellry, club monaco, sam edelman, nine west, h&m and french connection in there...

Lobby's 6th Anniversary Party...

2009-08-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

My favorite new purchase has to be this colourblock pailette mini skirt from Bebe... who even knew one could use that many phrases to describe the same item of clothing... ... and that it would even turn out reasonable looking... actually make that fantastic...

This skirt is one of the more delicate things I own... but I love it fiercely... I walk and talk different in it I promise you... and EVERYbody seems to have an opinion about it... good or bad...
..ranging from 'Oh how daring of you trae' to " oh my gosh u look like a mermaid"... "shoulder pads? you're joking right?"

I had a complete blast at the party... drank tons, danced even more... it was superb... great crowd too..

So I'm getting much more comfortable with red lipstick... actually make that LOVING IT!!!

Oh on another tip: I am absolutely loving the structured shoulder of this vest... I love it so much I went back and bought it in black... and cant wait to wear it... it looks even better with red lips(at least when I tried it on)

Wearing: Bebe Paillete Skirt, Bebe Vest, Bcbg silver heels, Silver bangles from Hausa man in Lagos, knuckle ring from random jewellry store, other ring from swarovski.

Summertime... and the living is easyyyyyy

2009-08-02T18:24:00.001-07:00

Me, my red lips and a bike... in my city.

I've had the most amazing weekend.. pics coming up soon...

ps: anybody know how to make pictures bigger and much clearer on blogger?!HELP!!!
pps: if you're in Canada... pop by your nearest bebe store.. they're having a ridiculous sale at the moment...

tOp hAt?!?!

2009-07-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

I wore a hat for the first time EVER as part of my outfit... not just as a way to cover up my hair on the way to the salon...

This hat sort of belongs to a boy...
...hehe...
(Definitely a great way to experiment before plopping down $150 and deciding with my next hairstyle that I detest the very sight of hats...)
I couldn't tell you why I did... but I sort of liked the look...
... though I should probably mention my best friend really doesn't like it... I think she might genuinely be worried about me... what with me listening to rock music, wearing black nail polish occasionally, and now wearing fedoras like top hats... lol

I wore it out to Chris's bday thingie downtown... who by the way is a really amazing photographer... check out his blog: http://epiphany2005.blogspot.com/

With Mandee: One of my favorite people on the planet

Posing with the bday boy:

Isn't he just perfect? I love his skin:

With My Gorgeous Jolene... who has a way better butt than I could ever hope to... he is also one of my favorite friends:

White Shirt: Old Navy, Shorts: Club Monaco, Bag: Miss Sixty, Wedges: Nine West(own them in brown), Ring: Top shop(Got it in Dublin and absolutely LOVE IT... its sooo in-your-face), Bangles: Elephant tusk(from Ghana)

NB: So I tried red lipstick for the first time today... well cos I was initially supposed to go to a Chris Bosh party tonight... but decided against well... cos a really close friend of mine is getting married tomorrow... and asides from going for that... and the reception... she wants me to come out to her hotel in the morning and help her get dressed... so I need my beauty sleep...

Exhibit A:

Hopefully this shade isn't too bright... pardon my messy, frizzy hair... (its-due-to-not-announced-on-the-weather-channel-today) rain!!!

mAmA's gOt a bRaNd nEw bAnG!!

2009-07-28T23:51:00.001-07:00

I absolutely LOVE my new hairstyle... love the fact that its shorter... and the hair almost covers my eyes... lol... makes me look a little mysterious I think...

I went out to a friends surprise birthday dinner on Saturday... and typical me... arrived an hour late... after they'd already yelled out surprise! lol... we had a good time though... they do make lovely sangrias at the restaurant... I believe it was called west 50....

Wearing a rabbit fur jacket(twas a gift... please dont crucify me), a club monaco tank, club monaco shorts(which u can barely see... but oh how I love them), Hugo Boss watch... etc etc

ps My best friends already sleeping... wouldve asked her to list out what shes wearing... LOVED her shirt....

I had similar bangs about a year ago... and LOVED em intensely as well...

The outfit above I wore out shopping I think... Now that JACKET I love with a passion thats not my own... I'll take better pictures of it later so u can see the absolute perfection of it... I got it at this amazing boutique for $350 down from $1200...(twas the last size!!!) I couldn't tell u the number of people who have offered to buy it off me...
Jacket: something italian.. ive put it away with my winter stuff or I'd have checked it for clarification, peach shirt(Mendocino), Pants: Marciano, Boots: Tall girl, Bag: Miss Sixty

I went to another birthday party in the city with my best friend:

My tank: Parasuco, Paperbag waist pants: H&M(EVERYBODY and their best friend owns a pair of these ai), Heels: Spring

NOW this is one of my favorite pictures EVER! I've been recently accused of smiling too much in pictures... so I decided to scowl.. lol... I was heading out to a bar downtown with some friends

Top: Well the one inside is just a mendocino bandeau, the outer one is from an asian store which I NEVER tell anyone but my BEST BEST pals about cos ... well somethings you just have to keep secret right?(I mean everybody has that place they dont disclose right?), Ripped jeans: BEBE... I was obsessed with these for a while, Heels: DAVIDS... I'd just bought them at the time... and wore them EVERYWHERE!, ring: Swarovski, BELT: BIBA

At another party:

Friends of mine were performing at a club in the city... and I had to wear these fishnets out to support em... lol... gosh these draw attention!!!
I had a blast that night though...
Dress: Marciano, Watch: Hugo Boss, Necklace: Swarovski, Shoes: I don't even remember I've had these for AGES!

lol... at another birthday party... this one was at my friends house

pardon the slightly dishevilled hair... picture was taken after TONS of dancing and drinking...

Brown?Gold? Corset: Marciano, Black Pencil Skirt: Marciano, Watch: Hugo Boss, Bracelet: Monet, Snakeskin stilletos: Sam Edelman

Went to a 'proposal party' (Lol)... and the only reason I'm even putting up these pictures is cos after the event I took this shirt to my dry cleaner... and it GOT RUINED!!! its a freaking BIBA TOP and i spent good money on it... and now its a disaster... I cant wear it

Didnt really want to ask for damages... cos well when I came back from Nigeria my drycleaning bill was going to be about 800 dollars and they reduced it to $500... so I guess one good turn deserves another.. bla bla blah

I hereby mourn the loss of my gorgeous and used-to-be favorite proposal party shirt... I dont have fantastic pictures of it but it had the most exquisite and intricate beading.. all of which are now OUT!

We all admire: THE RING!

Currently into: Playsuits

2009-07-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

During my trip to Dublin I didn't do too much shopping... but I did purchase a few things I'm ecstatic about....

one of which is this amazing strapless colourblock playsuit(that I love with a passion that's not even my own)

If fits like a dream.... I'm not coherent when I wear it... I tell you

I wore it out to a party in Toronto... and had the best possible time...

Playsuit: Lipsy London, Silver Stilletos: BCBG, Silver bangles: Hausa Man in Nigeria, Knuckle Ring: Random Jewellry Store(I should actually go by and get the name of the store so I can share with u guys the amazingness to be sometimes found therein)

Speaking of Lipsy London, I went on their website the other day... and just HAVE TO HAVE these 2 dresses on their website

1. Zip Edge Strapless Dress

(I actually tried this one on in Dublin but they didn't have it in my size...)

2. Corset Tulip Dress

rUfFlEs & hEeLs

2009-07-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine celebrated her birthday the weekend before I went to Dublin... and we went out to this really amazing house club downtown called Century Room...

Really nice decor... music, fun people...

Really good cosmos too...

I wore my 4 inch cutout black heels which I bought over 6 months ago and completely forgot until I found them two weeks ago in the back of my closet...

I probably don't have any business wearing heels this high being 5 ft 11 and all... but I really can't help myself....

Lime-green ruffled skirt: Mendocino, Black bandeau (cotton) top{and maybe the most comfortable thing I own}: Holt Renfrew, stacks of silver bangles: Hausa man in Nigeria, lone bracelet: Versace, etc

bAcK iN aCtIOn

2009-07-11T08:12:00.001-07:00

I had the absolute best week in Dublin... It's a really beautiful city with amazing greenery, beaches, food, people, clubs...

and BOY can they drink!!!

It was a bit hectic going through immigration as the lineups were the longest I've ever been in...

T-shirt: club Monaco, Jeans: BEBE, flats: Bamboo, watch: Hugo Boss

Went to "The Vault" which was an incredibly amazing club.. i had an absolute blast... love the music.. a mixture of house, techno, r &b, hip-hop, reggae, african music, salsa... the best I tell u

Some of them even dress up like its halloween... so much fun

Lilac Body con Dress: Denise, Ring: The Bay, Tribal bracelets: African store in Toronto... Shoes: Browns

Went shopping... and sight-seeing
(got some Topshop stuff, some Lipsy London stuff... some Selfridges stuff... a bottle of duty free escada ocean(which smells AMAZING) and the Issey Miyake Summer Fragrance which smells like heaven.... )

Bag: Miss Sixty, Glasses: Prada, Blazer: Mexx(I've owned it for about 3 years... and forgot about it for the first 2... I've been so EXCITED to rediscover it....) tank top: Random clothing store in Toronto, Skirt: H&M, flats: Bamboo, a bunch of random turquoise jewellry

Making silly faces with Kiera gorgeous...

Meet Sarah... she came back with me for a very special little girl...

gOiNg oN vAcAtIoN... tO dUbLiN

2009-07-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

My bag has been packed, passport in hand... I'm on my way to the airport to fly off to Ireland for a week...

I'm really excited cos I've never been... and kinda unsure... cos I've never been...
I heard its gorgeous out there though...
The things I'm taking...

I'll put up pictures when I return cos I doubt I'll have time to do that while I'm there...

Feel free to recommend any shopping, restaurants, fun things to do out there... if you know any...

*I'm outtie*
muah

(mOuRnINg MJ)dAy 2: bLaCk sTuDs aNd sTrIpEs

2009-07-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

Today (Canada day and day 2 of my self- imposed 7 day Michael-Jackson-died-so-I-have-to-wear-black )... I went out to a soccer tournament/ barbeque, a michael jackson tribute and dinner at a Nigerian restaurant...

Amazing friends, food and tons of fun...

That's a Nigerian meal called Garri and Ogbono soup... tasted AMAZING!!!

Wore black again to mourn my ex-boyfriend Michael Jackson

Wearing:
Striped one piece: Mendocino, Black Studded flats: BCBG, bangles: Hausa Man in Nigeria, bracelet on right hand: Versace, Sunnies: Prada, Knuckle ring: from that jewellry store I never quite remember the name of...

I LOVE STRIPES!!!

Closeup of my new bcbg flats that I'm over-the-moon excited about

They also came in a tan with gold studs(sooo gorg) but they unfortunately ran out of my size...

Putting up these pictures I realize how much this looks like a summer version of an outfit I wore four months ago(when it wasn't quite so warm)

I kinda miss my hair here... and that necklace(which I can't find for the life of me...)

Thin Cashmere sweater: Club monaco, Liquid leggings(dont remember where), boots: hush puppies, watch: Breitling plus other accesories I'm too lazy to identify...

7 dAys oF sAd... aNd bLaCk

2009-06-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

One of my music Icons Michael Jackson died a few days ago... and I was completely devastated by the news.
I used to love that man so much... I grew up being terrified of the thriller video but stayed glued to the tv everytime it came on... I grew up doing the splits... singing 'we are the world' at the top of my lungs and doing the michael 'hee hee' at the end of every song...

I still planned to marry Michael Jackson
... if he refused to(which I doubt... if only he'd met me)... He was just going to have to give me away at my wedding... or perform in it at least...

But now that dream is over
I feel like I have lost a good portion of my childhood...
...and I'm sad.

So now I have decided to mourn my love... I will wear black for the next 7 days... by wearing black clothes, eyeliner and a veil of tears.

Day 1:

One of my closest friends invited me to her church on Sunday... which went really well by the way... but I noticed that African churches usually spend a lot of time in the service.. up to 4 hours at a stretch... I actually had to step outside for a chocolate break at some point(dont tell anybody ... lol)

I have never worn all black before(I don't think)... so I brought in a little metallic to give me a bit of shine...

oh and I wore makeup!!! lol

We had the best day ever... we all went out to an asian restaurant for lunch... so much fun...

We headed to a house party after this... much fun, amazing drinks, music and michael jackson dances... LOVED IT!

Dress: United colours of Benetton, Shades: Prada Butterflies, Earrings: My favorite random jewellry store(which I can never remember the name of), Shoes: Patricia Field, Bracelets: Versace, versace, swarovski etc

hArBoUrFrOnT dInNeR

2009-06-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

It was my friends birthday yesterday and we all went out for dinner at this amazing restaurant by the harbourfront...

I didn't take pictures of everything... but they have the best seafood ever...

Their inhouse jazz band was amazing as well and had us dancing till a few minutes before midnight...

They made amazing cosmos too...

The weathers getting better and better... and our shorts are getting shorter is all I'll say... hehe

Wearing: white shirt: Club Monaco, Shorts: Aeropostale or Abercrombie and Fitch(Cant remember and I just took it to the cleaners...), shoes: bcbg, studs: somewhere in Italy(got it from some lady that always buys gold from Italy... mine are white gold though )

The Wrist is getting more and more complicated... lol

Watch: Hugo Boss(I've worn male watches since I was 12... will NEVER go back), black bracelet & white and yellow gold bracelet: Versace, Turquoise bracelets: random Jewellry store in Toronto, circle link bracelet: Swarovski, single bangle: Hausa man in Nigeria, Knuckle ring: Same store I got the turquoise jewellry... though the ring is like 6 months old now... they rawk!!! the sundial ring on my other hand... from a different silver shop

Currently Listening to: Ben by Michael Jackson... he was one of my music heros... I loved him almost as much as his mother does... RIP MJ... your memory and music lives on...

iN cAnAdA.... wE cElEbRaTe tHe sUmMeR

2009-06-25T12:29:00.001-07:00

June 21st was officially the first day of summer... and like every girl this side of the Atlantic... I wore a floral dress, bright coloured flats and a smile... and went out to welcome the weather...

I'm so excited to see what this summer will bring... can't wait for trips to the beach, Canada's wonderland(lol yes I still go), parks, lunches in restaurant patios, short shorts, sandals, sunglasses... and air conditioning(which I heard has been banned in offices in a certain part of India btw)

Necklace: Swarovski, Dress: A gift, Watch: Hugo Boss, Flats: Steve Madden

I couldn't tell you why... but in the past few days I have become obsessed with turquoise Jewellry

Funny... cos I used to think turquoise jewellry was meant for middle aged women with a penchant for vintage hats and summertime tea parties...

But then I got these two gorgeous bracelets... and now I want more... J'adore!!!

Turqoise bracelets: dont even know the name of the store, Silver and gold head bracelet: Versace, lone bangle: Hausa man on a street corner in Nigeria, Circular link bracelet: Swarovski, Ring: Another odd jewellry store...

iN tHe sTrAnGeSt pLaCes...

2009-06-23T12:11:00.001-07:00

It makes me giddy when I purchase amazing things in odd places...
...especially when they are cheap...

Four years ago... I was walking around downtown... I had never before walked into one of those gothic stores before... but I was mesmerized by this very odd black shirt they had there...there were like 73 or 37 different ways to wear it...

I did not end up getting it cos I got frustrated after wrapping it around the second time...
Then I spotted an amazing dark princess dress... in a very dark and forgotten corner...

I tried it on... and almost wore it out the store...

Pricetag:$18!!!!

The tulle ... the amazing print... all for eighteen Dollars!!!!!!!!!!

I whipped out my card so quick... before they realized they had forgotten a zero... lol

Dress:Random Goth(ic) shop, Shoes: Spring shoes... Bracelets & Rings: Swarovski, Hausa man in Nigeria, etc

I'm a nicer person when I wear this dress... I tell u...

ps: I have been back to that store twice since... and have not found anything remotely cute...

mY fIrSt 'pReMiEr dEsIgNeR' bAg

2009-06-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

I used to be a wallet kinda girl... You know the kind of girl who carries her green wallet which doesnt really match anything she owns...
But she carries it anyway...
...That girl is ME...
or at least she used to be...

Until I walked into holt renfrew four months ago and passed by an indigo coloured oversized ysl muse... and turned back...

I carried it on my right arm and then my left... I held it over my shoulder and then cradled it in my arms...
It was NOT a want... but a NEED... the bag simply had to be mine...
And within hours... it WAS!!!

The gorgeous gold details, that padlock. those lovely stitches, the rich calf leather... hmmmmm

Clocking in at $1800 it definitely could have bought me a few more green wallets... And I suppose some purple ones if I'd wanted... But i believe in destiny... and matches made in heaven.

I just knew I'd give that muse a better and warmer home that it had just sitting there on display under harsh lights...
So I did...

I adore my muse cos its not at all logo-ey... Its understated and sexy and makes me extremely happy and most people don't know its pricey so its remained in my closet...
where it belongs!!!

A Picture of me months ago going out with the bag(Just so u guys know I don't just leave it looking pretty in my closet... lol)

Bag: Yves Saint Laurent, Tank:Ed Hardy, Jeans: BEBE(I'm in so much love with ripped jeans right now... ), Leather Jacket: Danier Leather, Investment banker glasses: Priceless(actually maybe not... cos the last time I wore these in Nigeria... a stranger walked up to me and promised to get me pregnant before I left... I almost ran out of that club... geez!!)

In 3 months I have gone from only carrying my wallet to owning 5 handbags...(which is a big deal trust me)

Today, fathers day, I would like to celebrate Yves Saint Laurent for imagining this bag... and I suppose me for taking the vision... and carrying it on my right arm... my best arm.

Now all I want this summer(bag-wise) is this yellow really gorgeous michael kors braided grommet bag I saw in the MK store right before I went on vacation... and can't find anywhere now.

I need to own this bag... After which the rest of my life should fall nicely into place...

aLmOsT aRrEsTeD fOr fAsHiOn!!!

2009-06-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

So I was just back from a vacation in Nigeria two weeks ago... which was so much fun... the food... the friends.. the sights ... the sounds... just amazeballs.

However... it would seem Nigeria is a much more conservative society than I imagined... I kept getting threatened that I would be arrested whenever I wore mini skirts in the day to go to the passport office in the nations former capital Lagos... which I had to do a total of three times

Day 1: I wore this skirt which I LOVE... which was apparently too short for some peoples 'conservative' sensibilities...

White tank: H&M, skirt: BCBG(shame that I haven't worn this skirt since... I think it's become mental thing everytime I reach for it... I feel like someones going to want to arrest me.. lol silly right?), Bag: Miss Sixty, Bangles: Made in Ghana from Elephant Tusks(sorry queen of hearts... wont buy anymore I promise), Heels: Gianni Bini...

Day 2: So I decided to wear a dress I thought was longer and slightly more conservative...

DID NOT WORK!!! They threatened to arrest me... again!!!

Dress: Marciano, Shoes: My sisters, Bag: Miss Sixty, Bangle: some random silver shop... wish I had a close up picture of it... I've had it for years... and still... J'adore!(which is rare for me)

Day 3: I'd had it up to my neck at this point... I just had to wear pants... not even knee-lenght shorts... PANTS!!!

T-shirt: Lacoste, Lilac Pants: Marciano(These are my favorite non-jean pants...they are so comfortable... now I wish I'd bought them in another colour as well), Bead Necklace: Marciano, Watch: Hugo Boss, Knuckle ring: Random Silver store, Heels: BCBG, Smile: A place deep inside(cos I'd just about had it up to here with that passport office)

I guess the only constant with all three days would be the Miss Sixty Bag... It's actually one of my favorite bags... I actually have to make a conscious effort not to want to carry it with everything I wear...

ps: They made a mistake on my date of birth... and the passport I went through all this trouble for.. I can't even use!

wHiTe LiNeN = tHe oNsEt oF sUmMeR

2009-06-16T23:39:00.000-07:00

I went to two barbeques organized by two set of friends on Saturday(one was a fundraiser)... the other just to celebrate summer...

I wore this really loose white linen dress with a really lovely Marciano slip underneath... and I feel... like it's happening... finally... SUMMER!!!

I bought the exact same dress in black.. which might or might not have been a smart purchase... seeing as black in extreme heat almost made me faint when I visited Nigeria a few weeks ago... ah well... I'll style it otherwise and perhaps wear it at night...

Dress: United Colours Of Benetton(I just sort of rediscovered this store after many years of neglect... picked up three linen dresses and 3 linen skirts when I went in there... they do very simple but chic things with linen I find)

Prada butterfly sunglasses from Sunglass Hut

Bamboo white embellished flats(I'm not sure who this bamboo character or company is... but I was soo excited to find these flats at an obscure store in Brampton for only $55(oh and I actually fit into a size 10 with this brand... so I think I'll get a second pair in black... the turqoise stones on that one are to die for...)

Bracelets from this gorgeous market I visited in Ghana... the bangles are made from elephant tusks... very African... very gorgeous... very Louis Vuitton yes? lol

Ring: A fantastic (and cheap) find from THE BAY!!!(Of all places right?) It cost only $25!!! It is so gorgeous I'm not coherent when I wear it. It has butterflies and dots and dangly things... and its bronze!!! Costume jewellry (sometimes) rocks!!!

bLaCk fRiLlS aNd pINk cUtOuTs

2009-06-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

Wearing what has to be my singular favorite shoes on the planet... They are not as high as I'm used to... but I'm 5 ft 11... so maybe they're as high as I should go...

I wore this outfit to a friends uni. graduation in another part of town...
...Great shoes + Alcohol aka Cosmos + Great Friends + Superb Music = Great times...

A close up of my shoes:

I absolutely love the cut-outs on the shoe, and the wooden heel.. its so quaint and quirky at the same time...

Dress:BCBG, Shoes: Stuart Weitzman, Knuckle ring: Lucky $50 purchase at a jewellry shop, Bracelets: Purchased from an Hausa Man... in Nigeria who also sold these amazing silver waist beads(which I of course can't show u.. lol).