Help! My Work Wardrobe Needs An Intervention

This week, one found herself in a position where things were happening too fast. Have you ever been in one of those situations where you just need a day to rest and assess the situation? I know this is all vague but I have a point, hear me out. I recently started this new and amazing job that is everything I have been longing for, for the past year and I thank God for it every single minute!

Only a few people know that I had a year off the corporate world. In that year I established my own business, finished my Master's Degree, did everything that made me happy and even did a bit of modelling. It was fun and all that but I am a grown ass woman, I have bills to pay and corporate ladders to climb thus I find myself here.

The first thing I noticed about being here is that the wardrobe requirements (though not communicated) state that I dress in business suits and look like a woman who means serious business all the time. Now this is a challenge for me given the fact that I gave away my entire work wardrobe (I know I can be crazy at times, don't judge ha ha ha) and I am only left with a wardrobe that is "weekend appropriate". A "weekend appropriate" wardrobe comprises of short skirts, short dresses, denim of all colors and makes, shirts, thigh-high boots, colorful shoes, bright lipstick....you get where I am going with this right?

My current wardrobe, which just won't cut it in this corporate world.

So, I have made a mental note of all the items I need to make up my appropriate corporate wardrobe. This may or may not help you but I figure from the Twitter re-tweets I have been getting, a lot of us need this.

*The Black Suit
This can be in the form of a pants suit or a skirt suit. Black is a good color because it will give you options to wear it with many other different items.

If you get the skirt suit, make sure the skirt is a pencil skirt.

*The Formal Shirt

A good fitting, good quality shirt is like a gift from the shirt-gods. Why are good shirts so hard to find? Well, if you do find one that does not cost an arm and a leg, buy it and buy it in all colors available!

*The Formal Dress(s)

Get the dress in dark colors and make sure the design is suitable for work.

*The Dark Pencil Heel

Pencil heels are good for work and they will ensure you always look good and presentable and that you don't abuse your really nice shoes (I mean the fancy ones) by wearing them at work.

The million dollar question that proceeds from this marvelous list of clothing items is, which bank am I robbing?

Side Note: Dear Universe, on the picture below is MY work wardrobe. Lets make it happen, please and thank you.

This is *ALL* I want.

The Kokonut Stylist Returns

Wow, in the past few months (and by few I mean over 8 months) one has lived an entire lifetime. Sooo much has happened and sooo much has changed within me that I am finally where I am grateful for discovering just how strong and amazing a woman I am. I know a lot of people would email me to ask me to blog again, people would tweet me telling me how much they missed my blog. Worry not dear friends, my battles are all over now and I am looking forward to blogging everyday, except maybe on weekends.

For the past three weeks I was in Swaziland, I needed to heal from a lot of things mostly from heartache. If I was a trust fund baby I would have gone on a 'soul searching' trip around the world ala Eat, Pray, Love but I got from being home what I would have gotten from that trip, I think. 

One of the wonderful things that happened while I was in Swaziland is that I got an a-m-a-z-i-n-g feature on The Weekend Observer, the highlight was that I got a snippet on a cover page that had King Mswati III on it *dies*. Trust me to make a big deal out of any and every thing but this was a big deal we all agree right, LOL! Good.

"Meet The Eccentric Koko" Weekend Observer Entertainment Feature

I had a lovely interview with Phumla Dlamini and our love for fashion immediately connected us. Phumla and myself spoke about my love for fashion, blogging, the opportunities that my blog has opened for me, my future plans, my achievements and all that. The article was so well written it made me realize that "hey, I have worked hard and made something with my life". If there was ever any justification, motivation or pat-on-the-back that I ever needed, that article gave me that. I was grateful to see myself through the eyes of another person's interview with me.

 I live, eat, breathe and exude fashion! No truerer words have been spoken.

In the next few months (I am hoping by end of June) we will have a proper The Kokonut Stylist website (www.thekokonutstylist.com). I plan to use the website for an online shoetique, an online accessories store, The Kokonut Stylist TV (always pushing boundaries aren't we) and the blog will move to that site so that it can be a very interactive website. I submit my plans to the universe, I know that if I put in the hard work needed, God will make sure all my dreams come to pass.

To you I want to say that, often times it is so easy to put our dreams aside and do "what we have to" and just find ourselves living life nje  from one day to another. Do not fall into that trap, we all have dreams and things we hope for in this life, go for it, go for gold and you will see the quality of your living improve.

From my heart to yours, I wish you (and myself included) nothing short of only the best that your life can offer.

Big Fashion Trends For 2013

Hi guys, I'm back!! I'm so sorry for not blogging for such a long time. I hope you are enjoying what 2013 has had to offer to you thus far. On this blog, I bring you some of 2013's big fashion trends; in my humble stylist opinion and according to the inter-webs.


1.Bright Printed Skirts
I like how this fashion is moving back to the 50s fashion era. Get yourself a bright printed, almost foam fitting or free flowing skirt and you won't go wrong.

2. Black and White

Notice how everyone is rocking black and white of late? Well, that's because black and white (worn as a combo) is a big fashion hit for 2013.

3. Suits

Be it a shorts or long pants kinda suit, just suit it up and you will be on to something good. PS: Stay away, I repeat, stay away from the Dr. Malinga type of suits LOL!

4. Scarf Print

I know this was one of 2012's biggest fashion trends but it is still very much in vogue. Get yourself, ANYTHING with a scarf print.

5.Graphic Geometric Prints & Stripes

There's nothing more fascinating and fashion forward than bold geometric prints or stripes,  this is my personal favorite trend.

6. Peekaboo Pieces

I remember seeing the very first peekaboo piece in 2011 and thinking, what the fudge? I may have warmed up to them now and find them fascinating if done right.

7. Camouflage/Army Inspired Pieces

Yet another big 2012 trend which will be even bigger this year. The trick is to not look like you belong to the defense force, one subtle item here and there does the trick.

4

There you go. The most important thing to remember though is that style is VERY personal, there is no "style manual".

Meet Kwena Baloyi

A few weeks ago, I received what one could deem a sought-after invite to the 46664 Fashion (Four Double Six Six Four Fashion) Autum/Winter '13 apparel preview, their goodies bags are always awesome, ha ha ha. I will blog about how amazing that event was but for now I want to introduce you to an amazing fashion person. Her name is Kwena Baloi and she is the Drum Magazine Assistant Fashion Editor.

Kwena's outfit at the 46664 Fashion Preview. I love it, its creative to say the least!

When I saw Kwena, I was chatting to the female designer for 46664 Fashion, Barbara and I said to Barbara, that lady is a fashion blogger only to find out she's an assistant fashion editor. You see, I can spot fashion blood from afar LOL.

The one thing I took from meeting Kwena was how fondly she speaks of her job (who wouldn't? Imagine being an assistant fashion editor for DRUM !) and how its so exciting for her because Drum is a weekly publication so as a fashion assistant she has to oversee every fashion shoot and that keeps her on her toes.

I always love meeting such passionate fashion people. We also spoke briefly about our fashion plans and plans to each study fashion. We like Kwena. You can follow her on Twitter @kwena_Baloyi. Here's to new acquaintances and to wishing you all the best with your future Kwena *here here*!!

Its been ages

Hello everyone! Can you imagine the shock I just got from realizing that I last blogged in JULY?? Tjo *claps once*!! I owe everyone who likes and reads this blog an apology. I honestly do not have an excuse for not having blogged this whole time.

A lot of people have been BBM-ing, DM-ing, inboxing on our pgae on Facebook,  emailing, etc asking me to blog and my answer is always: "I'll blog more, I promise" and that actually never happens *hangs head in shame*. 

I have so much time in my hands, since I'm now a full time student (don't ask) and I'm gonna blog at least twice a day. I have a long list of blog posts to be done, dating back from July, imagine! I'm gonna work harder, one still has 2012 resolutions to tick off her list.

For now I just want to say that I love you guys and I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you so much for liking The Kokonut Stylist, I remain forever indebted to you. 

*Sending you all my love*.

Izikhothane - The American Version

I was telling my boyfriend that on Sunday I experienced Izikhothane in action in Daveyton. I watched in sheer horror as a guy burnt a t-shirt, tore another one to shreds and threw an entire bucket of KFC on the ground. This got me thinking on as to whether the few South Africans who partake in this Izikhithane thing were the only ones pulling such mediocre stunts. It turns out they are not alone.


Francesca Eastwood (the daughter of Clint Eastwood), together with her equally crazy boyfriend recently torched and chain-sawed a red crocodile Hermes Birkin handbag, uploaded the pictures on a blog and called it art. For those who may not be on the know with Hermes Birkin bags, I did a post a while ago Its Not Just A Handbag, Its Hermes Dahling and they are bloody expensive! The particular bag that Francesca Eastwood and company torched is said to have been worth $100,000 and I get heart palpitations just thinking about the Rand equivalent of that. 

I am unable, shuttered and completely done with me!

The worst part is that people wait for YEARS just to purchase Hermes Birkin handbags *sigh*. The plight of Izikhothane is a serious one and it knows no color.

Exciting Competition - Watch Give Away!

I don't know if I still qualify to be called a blogger, I last blogged months ago, even Blogspot is looking a tad unfamiliar. I am back now, this time for good. I think in the past few months I have lived a whole lifetime in just 3 months, anyway that is a story for another platform. I hope all my loyal blog readers have been keeping well.


Moving swiftly along. A few months ago, I was given an absolutely stunning pink watch to give away here on my blog. I still have the watch, as I obviously have not blogged in over a century and I am finally giving it away today.


The watch is by Dlamini Resources, a very diverse South African company. They supply: Natural Mineral Water, Building Material, Pharmaceutical Products among the things in their core business and watches being part of the minor things they do - talk about good diversity. Ideally, they supply the watches in bulk but if you want a unit, that can be arranged. The scripting of the inside of the watch can be customized to whatever you fancy (specifically for bulk orders), this is perfect for anniversary celebrations, family celebrations, company promotions etc. 


The particular watch that I have up for grabs is pink but they come in black and white and it has the words "Dlamini" written inside. 

How gorgeous is this?

This watch goes for a mere R100 when you buy it but since I am giving this one away, it is for free..a bit of tautology aint never hurt nobody now has it? LOL!


Dlamini Resources does also stock the following watches (without the "Dlamini" scripting inside the watch):

**If you are interested in any of these watches, please place your order by emailing: dlamini@dlaminiresources.com

Back to the competition, I will give the watch to whoever tells me why they deserve this watch (remember its the pink one) by leaving a comment on this post. The most deserving person will get the watch, give-away closes on Monday.


May the most deserving person get it.