Anne Roshie 5/16/16 Anne Roshie 5/16/16

STRIPES

I was watching a Super soul Sunday interview that India Arie had done with Oprah on youtube over the weekend. It was on her turning point in life, loving one self, and believing in herself. I have been a fan of India Aries music since time in memorial. Brown Skin, I am not my hair, The Truth and Ready for love being some of my favorite tunes from her. How could I forget Video?

Early last month I had received a major setback in my creative journey. It had left me feeling hollow, drained and empty. I had to reevaluate everything including my stay here in New York and even some future plans that I had. The best laid plans are at times not what God has in store for you. When one door closes another one opens and if something wasn't meant for you, another opportunity that was best suited for you is on the way.
Major setbacks are part of growth, they push you forward, make you think outside the box, look at things with a different perspective. I needed to reevaluate my next course of action and work on my contingency plans.
Apologies for being quiet, I just had so much on my mind for the past few weeks that even posting something on here was a challenge.
Back to my girl India on Oprah, I was super inspired by her. She was sharing what she was going through and her words really resonated with me. She also was my source of inspo on the headwrap look that I am rocking!! It came in handy because it's still quite nippy and my baldie has been suffering. Where is the warm weather?
I have been wearing flats so much that I can not recall the last time I wore heels. The shiny oxford pair have been a fave of mine since they seem go with everything.
I am always a little bit skeptical of stripes but this midi sleeveless number stole my heart, stripes or not I would make it work! I paired it with a black velvet blazer to break the monotony of the stripes for an easy casual look.

"There is a blessing in every lesson." India Arie

So when faced with setbacks, learn from them. Remember that things don't happen without a reason, for there is always a lesson to be learnt. Yes I had a major setback but it's not going to stop the dream and vision that I have. We don't grow when things are easy, we grow when we face challenges. Not giving up is not an option. I am taking it one stop at a time. Hope you have been doing well this past few weeks catch you on the next post.

As always, thanks for stopping by...

Black Velvet Coat: Thrifted

Midi Dress: Zara

Oxfords: Shoedazzle

Head wrap: Zara

Purse: Zara

Anne Roshie 3/29/16 Anne Roshie 3/29/16

KENTE PRINT HIGH-SLIT SHIFT DRESS

"If something doesn't fit right, rip it apart and create a slit."

I came up with this quote after under-estimating my hip measurement. Clearly, these hips don't lie. After finishing this would be shift dress and trying it on, I realized I had a situation at hand. The threads at the hip were being stretched to dimensions they couldn't imagine. My hips were uncomfortable, the side seams were wailing in agony, and this cloth worn by royals was appalled. I knew I had a storm brewing and because I did not want things to literally burst at the seams, I zeroed in on the scissors which were lying idly on the table less concerned about the on going clamor. They could have been getting a mani - pedi for all we cared. I grabbed them, aimed at the dress's hem line upwards. Wayyy up!

I could have sworn the seams breathed a sigh of relief. A sigh similar to the one's women make when taking off the bra after a lonnngg day!! The seams came together as one, the hips were happy, the royal cloth was appeased and the now smug scissors had saved the day.

I have had this Kente print fabric for some time now and as I was throwing stuff out. Have you guys caught up on my happiness project? No? Check it out...

Anyway, in between the sorting, discarding, and arranging my eyes feel upon this fabric. So vibrant, so colorful, just waiting to be created into something! Anything! So here we are, with a sleeveless shift dress with a slit, perfect for a beach day.

The Kente print cloth was originally worn by the royals of the Ashanti Kingdom, now Ghana. It was the cloth of Kings... and Queens! It can be identified by it's bright, vibrant color, geometric prints, and bold shapes. The name Kente originates from the word kenten which means basket. The blue color in the print symbolizes harmony, peace and love. The yellow and gold symbolize royalty, wealth, fertility and beauty. Green is for health, growth and spiritual renewal. Today the print is synonymous with African cultural heritage around the world.

I will be buying some more kente fabric not to redeem myself since the scissors did that for me, but to add more Kente pieces in my closet. Furthermore, who would not want to be associated with health, wealth, growth, beauty and so forth. I am all about these positive vibrations.

Here's to fixing mistakes, white tennis shoes this summer and positive vibrations.

Thanks for stopping by.

DRESS: ROSHIE ANNE

SHOES: HM

BAG: MAASAI MARKET

Anne Roshie 3/22/16 Anne Roshie 3/22/16

CASTILLO SAN FELIPE DEL MORRO #OLDSANJUAN PUERTORICO

I left a huge chunk of my heart in San Juan. I am still trying to figure out how to get that piece back! My girlfriends Qui, Sly, Steph, Fuza , my sister Flo and I were in San Juan about a week ago for the Puerto Rico half marathon. We were all beyond thrilled and as we all finally met up in PR, there was tons of catching up to do, pictures to share, tea to sip on and so forth. We hadn't seen each other in a while so you can imagine our glee. By Friday we had all settled in and decided to see what Old San Juan had in store for us. First order of the day, THE FORT, or as the locals call it EL MORRO. I had seen many pictures of it on the internet, some saved on my pinterest board but there is nothing like actually being there!

The first time you see Castillo San Felipe Del Morro, your heart does a little flip. Well mine did!! I saw it jutting out from the corner of the horizon as our driver weaved his way on the tiny roads of Old San Juan. It is majestic! The name itself makes you want to stand attention and make a salute while you are at it. CASTILLO SAN FELIPE DEL MORRO or simply, EL MORRO. Before you approach EL MORRO, you are taken in by the blue waters that seem to surround it, crushing upon it's walls incessantly as if a lover longing for a caress. EL MORRO is unfazed. Unbothered and undoubtedly oblivious to the tourists gawking at it or the water surrounding it. It's unperturbed by the breeze, the nonchalant locals, the mighty winds, the car, the earth spinning on it's own axis, everyone!!!!

It's been around since 1540! That explains it.

Our driver had as alight the car on a round-about that had a tarmacked road that led you towards EL MORRO! The tarmac road was about half a mile long and was sandwiched by well manicured grass that extended towards the walls that surrounded EL MORRO. When you first fix your eyes on it, deep sense of wonder blossoms within you. Or perhaps it the awe. A fascination of some sort. Like bees drawn to nectar, we zero in on the fort. We headed towards EL MORRO armed with our phones and cameras not to conquer like armies of centuries past but to capture memories that would stay with us forever.

Built in 1540, by King Charles the fifth of Spain. It was to defend the port of San Juan by controlling entry to it's harbor. Over the next four hundred years, other complex structures were built to keep up with the new military technology. The walls that surround the fort took fifty years to build. A boy would be born and live to see his grandchildren while the fort was in construction.

As you enter in to the El Morro's courtyard, sunny painted yellow walls, with snow white arches and pillars stand there to welcome you. Within the arches are small rooms that housed the army, the kitchen, food storage areas, ammunition and other forms of artillery. Going down the steps as you approach the battlement walls which had been built to house in cannons that would be used on enemies approaching the harbor. There are endless labyrinths of vaults, bunkers, dungeons and walkways. get mesmerized by old structures. The walls, the doors, the little nooks and crannies. I love to take it all in. They all have a story to tell. A cool draught of air whips over the waves, bringing a taste of the ocean with it. I love heights, hence daringly stood on an inclined embankment to watch the waves pound the ancient rocks with it's white spray high in the air. Flo could be heard out there telling me to be cautious. Oh thy sister... :)

If you ever find yourself in Puerto rico, take a 10min cab ride to El morro. The entrance to the fort was only five dollars but the experience, the discovery, the journey to this centuries old pile of rocks left us feeling much richer.

Ahhhh here's the thing with travel, it lives you speechless then turns you into a story teller. I will have a post on the half marathon that the ladies and I did, the waffles we ate, and the absolutely amazing adventure we had!!! I am itching for my next adventure but for now, I will feed on the memories.

Skirt: Zara

Top: HM

Bag: Maasai Market

Sunnies: Street Vendor :)

Sandals: Shoedazzle

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace...

Anne Roshie 2/5/16 Anne Roshie 2/5/16

SOHO

Happy Friday!!! So I have a confession to make. I am shameless, especially when it comes to clothes that I like or accessories for that matter. I have been rocking my Indian Jones hat pretty much everywhere and that blanket coat? You would think I don't have any other coats. If I like something, I will wear it to shreds. That is my confession. The coat is warm and cozy, with a nice print to boot. Everyone is currently drowning in black on navy. The national uniform color for winter. I like to play up with prints. Keeps me from drowning in color. So if you see a nice coat, bright as the summer sun, grab it (WINTER SALE IS EVERYWHERE) that coat might be what you need to add color in your life. If you find the coat of your dreams or a hat, be shameless. Rock it as you please.

Took these pics while in SOHO yesterday. Soho is a treasure trove for pretty much anything. Art galleries, clothing stores, chic little cafes, upscale boutiques and so much more. Every corner you turn there is a scenic locale that draws you in.