Food: Cassia Bark

Munching on some seriously good Indian food and I bit into something that looked like tree bark, I was about to start cursing the chef when I decided to smell the item in question to see if in fact it was a herb or spice. It smelt like a sweet cinnamon...but I wasn't sure if that was another herb or spice.

I headed over to google and found out my tree bark was actually Cassia Bark or Cinnamomum Cassia which is said to have originated in south China but is widely used in southern and east Asian cooking, including; Indian, Indonesian and Thai. 

I was right from the first unexpected bite, it was bark!

(what did we do before google?)

Cinnamon is said to have some great health benefits.

@MsShayDivine

Fashion: Choker necklaces

 

The 19century choker is back in stores. 

At first ,I wasn't into it as I remembered the plastic black beaded choker I used to wear when I was around 14 or 15. 

I loved it until one day it snapped and the beads bounced off my neck into my ex-boyfriend's face. lol

Anyway, I am over that now and I'm loving the choker trend all over again, especially as they have come a long way since the black plastic chokers of the 90's.

I recently was given a lovely black velvet one as a gift. I was so excited to wear it that I didn't try it on, I mean one size fits all, right? 

NO! lol

One size does not fit all! 

The day came to wear my new choker and instantly I felt like someone had me in a choke hold (pun intended). I checked the clasp and tried again...nope, it was not happening...Do I have a fat neck? I know it's short but I had never thought of my neck as fat...Oh lord please make it fit!

 I was determined to wear this choker, so I used my creative skills and decided to add a few extra links to the chain, it was perfect.

Check me out!

3 styles of choker I am loving right now....

The gold metal 

The Black Velvet

The Lace

For the fuller figured fashionista, Asos and Evans have some nice chokers.

£5.00 Asos Curve

£7.50 Evans

@MsShayDivine

Event: Cool London Events Sept 2016

Till 3rd Sept 2016- @ London SouthBank Centre

Tickets from £15.00

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/mandela-trilogy-93929

"Come and browse our Africa Utopia Marketplace.

A variety of stalls offer the latest in African and African-inspired fashion, accessories, books, art, homeware and workshops.

Friday 2 September, 5pm – 8pm

Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 September, 11am – 7pm

Level 2 Foyers at Royal Festival Hall

2 September 2016, 17:00pm - 4 September 2016, 19:00pm"

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/africa-utopia-marketplace-1001837

http://www.africafashionweeklondon.com/

Teaching Our Own - The Black Homeschooling Fair 

Saturday 10th Sept 2016

Sir Philip Games Centre

38 Moreland Ave, Croydon, CR0 6EA

Time: 1 - 7pm

Admission:  £7.50 for 1 adult, £12.50 for 2 adults, £9 each on the door & Children 16 & under & Elders 60 & Over are FREE

For more info visit www.TeachingOurOwn.co.uk

Fashion: "Fat Day" dresses

I don't know about you but there are days where I wake up and feel hot, bloated and just plain old FAT!

On these days it's hard to find outfits which look good and feel good. 

Getting ready in the morning becomes such a chore, there are clothes and accessories everywhere, I don't want anything tight or too close to my skin and there is always that point where I just want to stay naked and not go anywhere! 

Obviously, this isn't always an option, especially when you have a full-time job/career.

So! We get up and find a 'Fat Day Dress' and get moving. 

I have at least 5 of these and they're perfect for the office, lunch with the girls or cinema with him lol

My Top Fat Day Tips

1) Breathe-It's not that bad, you will feel better soon. 

2) Wear something loose/breathable and accessories- accessories do not discriminate!

3) Wear something that makes you feel good- Whatever you decide on make sure it feels good and that you're comfortable.

Here are 5 'Fat Day dresses' online!

Forever 21 T-Shirt Dress £13.00

Asos Smock Dress £45.00

Forever 21 Denim Shirt Dress £23.00

WareHouse Tiered smock dress £59.00

Pull & Bear Ombre Dress £25.99

Obviously, all these dresses can be worn on a 'Normal' day but they're great for fat days as they're loose, lightweight and easily hide a bloated tummy...Buffet anyone?

lol I'm joking of course....You can also add bold prints and cover ups to help you feel better.

Happy Fat Day x

@MsShayDivine

Fashion: 50+Party LookBook

Over the past few months I've been approached by a few women in their late 40's to 60's curious about how to put an outfit together for a special occasion from the high street.

What all of these women had in common was, they all still like the stores they shopped at in their late 20's & 30's, but are now afraid to look like mutton dressed as lamb or road kill...

The most common stores mentioned were....

• Top Shop
• River Island
• New Look
• Miss Selfridge
• Dorothy Perkins
• Warehouse
• H&M

All these stores are typically aimed at those under 30, so it's easy to feel that once you pass 30/40/50/60 the fashion is no longer designed for you. NOT TRUE!

Personally, I don't believe after or before a certain age you need to start shopping in certain stores. I believe it's more about how you wear your pieces, rather than where they're from.

Although the aforementioned stores are great, there are also some other stores which typically design for a wider age range...

• Wallis
• French Connection
• Next 
• Oasis
• Karen Millen
• Coast
• Monsoon
• 
  

This gave me the inspiration to create this lookbook. 

I started with a silver pleated two tone midi skirt and added a white sleeveless blouse. 

To accessorise the look, I added a navy clutch bag, navy pointed heels, a long silver necklace and medium size rhinestone hoops.

To add a hint more colour, I added deep purple lipstick and nail polish which helps to bring all the colours in the look together and add another layer to the style. 

For the hair, depending on the length and style, I would go for tapered curls, an loose pin up or a classic bob.

Lookbook colours

And there you have it...a fun, elegant party look which I think a woman over or under 50 could wear and feel fabulous!

@MsShayDivine