By Anika: October 2010

Pissed off / Learning to live. In leopard.

Hi Sweethearts!

I am so glad to "see" you again!

For all the beauty in life, it is very hard sometimes, you know?

I have been blessed with so much love in my life, but I am also a suvivor of abuse.

I have deep emotional wounds that I am trying my best to heal

in a loving and respectful manner towards my self, same as I try to be to everyone else.

After spending days crying and grieving, I am now at a place where I am pissed off!

Who is anyone to hurt me, who are we to hurt each other?!!

I only got in touch with my anger on behalf of my self a few years ago

(and all of our wine glasses soon needed replacing after I had slammed them in a wall LOL).

I am a fierce self worth activist, I am a pacifist, I am stubborn, I am joyful, I am strong, I am voulnerable,

I am learning to stand up for my self as well as for others, I am done being a victim.

I survived. Now I am learning to live.

I am also all decked out in leopard.

Again. LOL

There you have it, the big things in life, and the smaller but really enjoyable ones.

The outfit:

The dress, H&M/reworked by me

Bolero, my design

Booties, Nilson

Let`s be kind. Let`s be the best version of our selves. Let`s be a friend.

xxx Anika

Labels: By Anika, leopard, olive, sequins

I love colour on a grey day

Hi Sweethearts!

How are you?

Today I went for lots of colour,

perfect for lifting my spirits on a grey autumn day at work.

Granted, the colourful sequins might be a little much for work, but they match the dress so perfectly LOL

I think it got away with it ;D

The outfit:

Dress, H&M /reworked by me (I used two dresses to make this one)

Sequined bolero, H&M

Scarf, Zara

Watch, ICE

Booties, Nilson

Tell me, do you still break out your colourful items even though summer is over?

xxx Anika

Labels: By Anika, colour, sequins

Celebrating the women in my life

Hi Sweethearts!

Are you having a good weekend?

Thank you all so much for leaving me such wonderful comments, I love when you share with me!

Today was all about the women of my family.

I threw my mum a birthday party at ours, lovingly celebrating her.

I also said goodbye to my little sister before she`s going on a several months long adventure globetrotting.

I couldn`t be prouder of her, and I miss her so much already

(we only said goodbye an hour ago :D)

Here is my outfit du jour:

Dress, H&M and reworked by me

Bolero, my design

Watch, ICE

Scarf, Zara

Hairglitz, Lindex

Booties, Nilson

With all the patterns going on I kept the rest minimal.

All though, the head band probably isn`t really minimal, is it. Actually nothing about this outfit is minimal (LOL), but I still maintain it is quite restrained while crazily patterned. :D!

Now to the comic-relief part of this post.

My sis took these pics, but wasn`t really happy with my poses, so she wanted some ACTION!

I felt like a complete idiot jumping about in the street, but I will stop at almost nothing for her (and you guys),

so here it is, me in action, literally.

(I would like to point out that I am built for comfort, not speed.)

(And that I am becoming aware that pic one and three might be what I look like at the dancefloor, and that the second just seems like going against nature LOL)

I love birthdays. And my mum. It`s a good combination :)

I love my sis.

She is cool in a way that I could never be, we ying and yang a lot, she has a heart of gold,

is stubborn as hell, is my best friend,

is a beautiful soul,

and shares that loud surprisingly masculine-sounding-traffic-stopping-laughter that I have been blessed with.

Want to tell me about the women in your life?

xxx Anika

Labels: By Anika, mum, sis

For the love of it

Hi Sweethearts!

I only wear stuff I love, and only keep clothes in my closet that I love and that make me feel good!

I have been slightly bored with my wardrobe lately, and decided to mix it up

by putting my dresses toghether differently, literally.

The bottom and top are from two dresses that I wore for a while but didn`t really love anymore.

This new version feels good on.

We`ll see how long it lasts before I sew something new with it LOL.

I love being playful in life, as well as with fashion!

Speaking of love, I want to encourage you all to read Vahnis insightful and blog-changing post:

"Survey says: Original content really is Queen!"

I love Vahni and her blog. This woman is so intelligent and warm, so generous and genuine.

I feel a strong connection with her, and really take her words to heart.

Reading her blog on original content really centered me in terms of my blogging;

that trusting my instincts and keeping it real is the way to go.

Her points based on her survey really resonated with me:

"Be you, be true to your voice."

"Offer compelling, original content when possible -your own perspective, photos and/or video."

"If you have nothing compelling and unique to offer, or your photos are awful, or if you’re burned out, DON’T POST. Just take a break. Your readers will still be there."

"If you allow comments, show your readers the same respect and courtesy they show you by responding to them."

"Support readers by visiting their blogs and commenting, and by following them through Bloglovin’ and/or Twitter."

Here`s what I am taking away from reading her post.

I am going to trust that you won`t stop reading if I don`t post every day. I will keep my content original and true. I will continue to leave real and heartfelt comments on all of your lovely blogs. I will get better at answering your comments that you leave for me, and that I appreciate so very much. I will continue to reach out to you, support, learn from and connect with you in every way I can.

I will keep blogging for the best reason I know;

for the love of it.

Tell, me what are your thougts on your own blogging?

xxx Anika

Labels: By Anika, Vahni of Grit and Glamour

Spreading the love: LaCara of Oh La La Curves

Hi Sweethearts!

Today I enjoyed a wonderful talk with the beautiful LaCara on Skype!

Hanging out with her felt like being with an old friend, all though this was our first

time seing each other :)

LaCara is so warm and intellegent, and a great writer.

Did you know she made the links a la mode list recently with her post on diversity?

So impressive and well deserved.

In lieu of a hug I am spreading some major love her way by reposting my feature on LaCara.

<3

(Want to skype with me lovely readers? Let me know!)

In todays feature in my "Spreading the love"-series it is my absolute pleasure to

shine the light on the delightful LaCara of Oh La LaCurves!

This girl is an absolute sweetheart!

She is running a great blog where she is showing her great style and sharing her lovely letters.

Do surf over to her blog and follow!

Thank you so much for taking part LaCara!

<3

Here we go:

Could you share with us your thoughts on fashion vs fatshion?

I think fashion is universal, and shouldn't be divided, unfortunately it is. I really don't see the difference between fashion and fatshion, at the end of the day we all wear clothes regardless of size. I think that the phrase "fatshion" allows curvy women to feel accepted in the fashion world, but fashion is fashion so whether you're fat or skinny you can be fashionable. (that was a tough question lol!)

What is your philosophy with regard to fashion?

My philosophy on fashion is, be creative. I believe that fashion is a form of art that allows you to express yourself on a daily basis, so think outside the box and rock fashion with confidence.

I would love for you to share three of your fave looks.

My top 3 favourite looks are, girly casual (simple white vest top, a cardigan or cover up, jeggings, ballerina shoes, and accessories), tribal (maxi dress, gladiator sandals, and accessories), and military (simple vest top, statement jacket, skinny jeans, boots, and accessories), I really adore these looks, and you can really make these looks your own.

How does blogging impact your life?

Blogging has had a big impact on my life, my world kind of revolves around blogging now. It's a creative outlet for me, it allows me to share my thoughts and opinions freely. I love the blogging community and blogging has allowed me to connect with some amazing people, so it is a big factor for me. So hopefully I'll be blogging for quite a long time.

Do you have a message for all the fashionloving ladies out there, whatever their size?

Be yourself, and truly believe in what you do :D

Thanks LaCara!

<3

Would you like to be featured? Let me know! :D

Labels: featured blogger, LaCara of Oh La La Curves, spreading the love

It`s all in the perspective

xxx Anika

Labels: quotes

A budding fashionista

Hi Sweethearts!

As so many of you now are following my blog,

(thanks to each and every one of you)

I thought it might be fun to repost a Q&A from a while back about yours truly :)

Pictured above is this budding fashionista in appropriate housework-dress,

I still hate doing the dishes -and still find that dressing up helps, albeit sans tutu :D

Here is this weeks Q&A from Katy Rose of ModlyChic:

When did you first start blogging?

I first started blogging this January, it is something I have been wanting to do for a while, and finally taking the plunge has been so much fun! I have to say I am so grateful for all the positive feedback I have received, thanks so much to you, my followers, SKORCH Magazine and fellow fashionistas! xxx

Going back in time, what were you like in high school?

Oh, in high school I was having a hard time, my classmates at the time probably saw an outgoing girl who was very voulnerable if they scratched the surface a little. My fashion sense has always been a big part of me, and at the time I was working mens jackets, ties and very long skirts. Probably part cover up, but also having fun with fashion!

What's the biggest change your high school classmates would notice about you now?

I think they would be surprized to see the joyous, secure and balanced fashionista and professional that I have fought so hard to become! However, I was a little taken aback when a former classmate commented on a pic of mine recently, saying that I hadn`t changed at all in 16 years since I last saw her!

Is that a good thing? D

Meeeemories!

Still working the bangs!

(I have given them up since first writing this post LOL)

When did you first become interested in the fashion/beauty industry?

My interest in fashion is so organic for me that I can`t pinpoint when it started. I grew up with my very fashionable and creative mum, and I think I got the love for fashion from her. As a child I showcased the same slightly nutty fashion sense and love for dresses that I enjoy today, and I was always creating my own designs, so the industry of fashion has always been something I`ve been interested in. I have been thinking about selling my own designs, and I have a feeling that setting up shop will be my next venture, taking my love for fashion to the next level.

Hello sunshine!

Now THAT`S layering!

If you had the chance to give one message to high school girls today, what would you say?

I work as a councelor at a high scool, and so I have -and take- the chance to give a strong and positive message to teen girls every day. My message to them is -really know your self, belive in your self and don`t give up on your self, you have so much to live and give and enjoy!

And, - there IS a life after high school, thank god! :D

Well, my fashionforward friends, what do you think about your high school years? Fashionable or not worth revisiting? I`ve tried to learn my lessons from that time well, and now I am loving moving on!

xxx Anika

Labels: spreading the love