Linda's World of Style: 2018

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Patterns and a Pop of Color

2019 is about 13 days away and this time round my new year resolutions will include style resolutions. Actually, for the past few weeks I have been letting go of clothes I haven't worn for the past 6 months because I recently discovered outfits that have been in my closet for quite a while now, like the blazer on this post which I'm still attached to. So come 2019, I want to invest in a minimalistic wardrobe; simply just streamlining my closet in such a manner that I have JUST what I need. Ultimately just invest in minimal pieces that can be styled differently.

I actually realized that the fewer the clothes you have, the easier it is to style them differently and the easier it actually is to find something to wear. And in fact, the easier it is to shop because you easily identify what you need. And you spend less. So this is actually a perfect resolution, ladies, for 2019.

This green blazer, however, found its way to my heart again and I'll be wearing it quite often in the coming weeks seeing that you can never go wrong with a pop of plain color especially when paired with prints.

Enjoy today's post and have a lovely week ahead.

Photography: Abby Nyaonga (Instagram)

Outfit Details

Blazer-tailor made

Pants-fanna_254(Instagram)

White blouse-thrift

Posted in My Style

posted by Linda Otiende . Tuesday, December 18, 2018 . My Style

Patterns and a Pop of Color

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posted by Linda Otiende . Tuesday, December 18, 2018 . My Style

Patterns and a Pop of Color

Photography: Abby Nyaonga (Instagram)

Outfit Details

Blazer-tailor made

Pants-fanna_254(Instagram)

White blouse-thrift

Posted in My Style

Patterns and a Pop of Color

posted by Linda Otiende . Wednesday, December 5, 2018 . My Style

Let's Casually Slay, Shall We?

Happy hump day 😃

I'm experiencing writer's block today so I won't be saying much except for the fact that I discovered that a kiondo works better than a tote bag and you know what? It's even more stylish and versatile. So if you happen to see me carrying this particular kiondo everyday, just know that I'm not about to stop anytime soon. And yes, ladies, if you do not own one you better visit Kariokor market soon enough because this wardrobe piece is totally worth it! And before I forget, I got this stylish bell-sleeved top for just 200Kshs (2 dollars) from an Instagram thrift store, imagine?! So do you agree with me that there's absolutely no better way to casually make a statement than in a bell-sleeved top and a kiondo, right?!

Have a lovely rest of the day and week.

This look can be paired with heels as well if you wish to spice up your look.

Photography: Abby Nyaonga (Instagram)

Outfit Details
Pants-MRP
Top-Wardrobe_ke (Instagram)
Flats-MRP
Kiondo-gifted

Let's Casually Slay, Shall We?

posted by Linda Otiende . Friday, November 9, 2018 . My Style

Casual Fridays

The first time I saw mom jeans, I was like, "Those jeans are ugly? So unflattering? How would someone even wear such jeans?" Fast forward, today on the blog I am wearing a pair:-) Honestly, I'm not investing in another pair anytime soon but I'm planning to style this particular one differently until I actually convince myself that I need another pair.

Ladies, would you wear mom jeans? Do you think they are trendy?

Have a lovely day ahead and thank you for always taking your time to read my posts

Photography: _calebokumu

Outfit Details

Blazer-Custom made

Jeans-Lovlia Collections (Instagram)

Shoes-slayworld254 (Instagram)

White top-MRP

Posted in My Style

Casual Fridays

posted by Linda Otiende . Monday, November 5, 2018 . My Style

Finding Joy In the Little Things

"Always find time for the things that make you happy" has been my driving force for the past few weeks. If you are an avid reader of my blog, you might recall me mentioning in one of my recent posts that I have been feeling quite low and demotivated in the recent weeks. So I made a promise to myself that in the coming weeks I would create a list of things I love to do and invest my energy and time in these things. Top on this list is blogging; something I have always been passionate about. I find it therapeutic and it always gives me some form of contentment and happiness each time I get to create content on this space of mine. So hey!I'm not about to stop blogging any time soon.

They say 'happiness lies within us; it depends on us; it is a choice'. So choose to be happy today; no matter the situation you are going through in life, it's never too late to make happiness your choice. If it means going for that bakery class, go! If it means travelling the world, then go! If it means registering for that guitar class you've always wanted to, then do it! If dressing up makes you happy, like it does to me, then go for it! If wearing makeup and looking pretty makes you happy and feel good about yourself, let no one tell you anything! You deserve to be happy!

Photography: _calebokumu (Instagram)

Make up: Jane Maina (Instagram)

Outfit: Custom made by my tailor

Shoot location: Fair Acres Guest House-Karen

Headpiece-chic.ke (Instagram)
Earrings-Shabba_Designs (Instagram)

Clutch-MRP

Posted in My Style

Finding Joy In the Little Things

posted by Linda Otiende . Wednesday, October 31, 2018 . My Style

Online Shopping and Its Thrills

While working on today's post, I just realized my whole outfit was purchased from Instagram except for my purse. It's about time I admitted to being an online shopping addict; Instagram shopping addict to be precise. But then again, should I really be feeling bad about this yet these Instagram thrift stores sell stuff for as low as a hundred bob? I mean? You literally save on the cost, energy and time you'd have otherwise spent on a trip to Gikomba or Toi market. So, No!I don't really feel guilty about it. And again, one way I deal with stress is shopping. So I'm not so sure that this addiction is ending anytime soon but they say the first step to overcoming an addiction is admitting that you actually have one. So hopefully now that I admit that I'm an addict of online shopping, then the next step will be to work on my spending habits.. 😊

Can you imagine there are days I've even unfollowed my favorite thrift stores because I felt I was overspending then a few weeks later, follow them back again? SMH

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section..Are you are an addict of shopping? (Whether online or just physically visiting a store?) How do you go about it so you don't end up impulse buying and you actually buy what you had budgeted for?

Photography-_calebokumu

My makeup was done by Jane Maina

Outfit Details

Top-kenyanslayers

Skirt-fanna_254

Shoes-slayworld254
Earings-pryde_artz (Instagram)

Purse-Eastleigh

Posted in My Style

Online Shopping and Its Thrills

posted by Linda Otiende . Wednesday, October 10, 2018 . My Style

My Journey to Graduation

Ever been in a situation where you just feel blah all the time? Like you have no motivation for anything at all? Like nothing bothers you anymore? This has been me lately. My 2018 has been full of ups and downs filled with a whole range of emotions. The year started on a sad note with the loss of my grandma, then came happy moments when my two brothers wedded, then mid-year I lost my mum to cancer and two months later, I graduated. My emotions have been all over the place but I thank God because through it all, He has remained faithful.

Today's post was inspired by a challenge I won a few weeks ago courtesy of Zia Collection, a Kenyan clothing brand that deals with ladies' clothing. They selected my graduation journey story as the best among many others and I was privileged to get a full graduation makeover.

No doubt my journey to graduation has been one hell of a ride. I remember the nights I would get home as late as 11 pm and still sit through the night to work on assignments. My second year wasn't any better; my late mum was diagnosed with cancer and let's just say that most of 2017 she wasn't really around since she was out of the country for treatment. Beginning of 2018 when I had started working on the second half of my thesis, I lost my grandma. It didn't get any easier for me as a few months later, mum's health deteriorated; the one person who was my constant motivation to finish strong. I remember a week before my final draft submission when she was admitted in hospital, I would carry my laptop to the hospital and work on my thesis during non-visiting hours. A few days later, mum got really ill and a day before her last breath, I was able to submit my final draft. Three days after laying her to rest, I had to travel back home for my defense and the night before my defense was one of the most difficult nights ever; the first night that I was back home after the burial! I wasn't even in the right state of mind yet I had to work on my presentation for the following day. At this point it didn't even feel worth it to even go for this defense but remembering how she would unceasingly pray for me even when she was really weak just motivated me and I suddenly got strength. Fast forward, I passed my defense and the great news that I was finally on the graduation list came on the 12th of September, my late mum's birth date. This was God's doing.

My late mum was my best friend, my slay partner, my greatest cheerleader..each time I went for my blog shoots, she always asked that I would send her the final pics so she could post on her Whatsapp status. 3 months down the line, it still feels like a dream, the pain is still raw, I still cry myself to sleep, but I am hopeful that this season will come to pass.

Storms can really roll in fast but how you react to them matters. 2018 has been a year full of storms and one of the greatest lessons I have learnt is that no matter the situation you are facing in life, never ever give up on God and on yourself. God can't put you in a situation that you can't handle. All you need to do when you are facing a storm in life is to pray and trust in Him. I may not have accomplished most of my goals this year but I'm glad that I have been able to grow spiritually and my faith has most definitely grown stronger and this is enough for me.