The Ultimate Blogging Experience:

Not everyone knows just how much it takes to pull together a blog post. Recently my team came to know how busy my days can be, just with blogging. I got an offer for a job opportunity at The Sunday Times Fashion Weekly last week to start work on Wednesday this week and because of this I had to push all my blogging commitments forward, to make sure I get it all done In two days before work began. Lets just say I already know what 9:00 - 17:00 working hours feel like.

Monday was crazy busy and Tuesday was even crazier! Tuesday morning was spent doing make up for Hair by Raeesa E's model portfolio from 10:00 - 14:00. From 14:00 our lucky competition winner ,Ammaarah, came to claim her prize. We had her hair and make up done by 16:00, after which she got dressed in her beautiful crop top and skirt made by The Skirt Couturier and jewellery by We Wear Gem for her photo shoot. 
 

 
We chose to keep the look minimal chic as we styled it around the black and gold Nomada bag that was won in the competition too.
 

Ammaarah Essop Waja

 Outfit by: The Skirt Couturier

Photography by Layla Shaik

 Bag by Nomada

 Hair by Raeesa E

We Wear Gems Choker

Make up by me

 

Our winner Ammarah Essop was effortless in her photo-shoot and we all agree that we couldn't have chosen someone more perfect for our competition win.

Myself and Ammarah.

My top: The Skirt Couturier

Bag: Nomada

Tutu: Gift

 

Thanks once again to all those who entered and perhaps for the next competition one of you will be the perfect fit! For now watch out for all the exciting things I get up to with Sunday Times on my snapchat: ranaap  ,I can guarantee both you and I will be entertained. Just last night I sat front row at AFI fastrack and the Elle rising star fashion show. As for tonight, the event I will be attending on behalf of Sunday Times Fashion Weekly is Luminance ;so stayed tuned!

That's all for now, until the next crazy day...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last fashion event of 2015:

I've just been graced with a wonderful job opportunity to begin working at The Sunday Times Fashion Weekly as a full time fashion intern. I'm so excited to be a part of this major fashion leader in the industry and I cannot wait to get started on the new journey ahead.

 Much of my time will be taken up with a full time job and so on Wednesday evening last week, I decided that the launch of the new Ted Baker collection would be the last event I attend for the year 2015.

It's going to be a challenging experience to balance a full time job and blogging at the same time but I keep reminding myself that both those descriptions entail doing what I love, being in the South African fashion industry!

The Ted Baker event was a lot of fun, with ''The Muses," violinist's entertaining us throughout the night, yummy tapas on offer and an interesting goodie bag too.

Their latest summer collection didn't disappoint, there was a wide range on offer from black based garments with bright floral prints to saturated pastel garments that reminded me of "old money" from the 1920's.

The range can be bought from Stuttafords in Sandton City.

I wore:

 

 

 

 

Jeans: H&M

Shirt: H&M

Necklace: Lovisa

Heels: Zara

I'm glad I chose this event to be the last one that I'd attend for the year, it reminded me why I still need to blog and give my readers good content; I am passionate about fashion and exposing what great talent and events South Africa has to offer.

Photographs by: Layla Shaik Photography
Hair by: Raeesa Ebrahim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H&M

If you've had the privilege of travelling abroad you'll know exactly what H&M has to offer, fast fashion and quality at the best price , but if not I'd like to provide a helpful breakdown for you.

The H&M store will launch in Sandton city tomorrow and I strongly suggest you go take part in the fun. On Wednesday night I had the opportunity to see the Balmain x H&M on sale before the rest of the world. The stunning bead work on each garment is commendable yet pricey. 

                 For more on the Balmain x H&M collection click here

For those who don't know, one of the things H&M is famous for are their elite collaborations with famous designers, Balmain being the latest in a series of famous design houses. If you're willing to spend more than a few thousand Rands (which is actually made to be more affordable than the merchandise you buy directly from the designer house), go early tomorrow, because IT WILL sell out in minutes. The most affordable thing from the collection is a plain white tee with 'Balmain' on the front, for sale at R399.

Other then that, the store is quite big and filled with many different styles, sizes and prices to suit everyones needs. I for one found the jeans to be the perfect buy, on sale for just R159 instead of R199 as a first day shoppers special.  The fit is extremely comfortable, I plan to get one in every colour but for now the plain black will do. 

All shoppers will receive 20% off all the merchandise as part of an opening special tomorrow, trust me it makes standing in the long queues worth it. There is also a kiddies section for anyone interested in dressing their little one in cute "mini me" garments that resemble the trends in the adult section. I was most impressed with the menswear overall, but I won't say much more so that you can all hurry on down there and decide for yourselves.

For the store launch I wore a tee dress from Zara gifted to me by my friend Naayrah and of course I wore a monochrome H&M shirt under. I finished off the look with my newest brogues from Forever 21 and a red clutch.

I'm so glad and excited that we have so many more international options like H&M and Forever 21 coming into the South African market, let the shopping begin.

Photography by:Layla Shaik

Win the Ultimate Blogging Experience:

For most people its not really that celebration time of the year yet. It's a more stressful time of the year with exams just starting or "end of year" assignments due. Trust me I know, fashion school will be officially over (for me) on the 13th of November 2015. For others it may be the busiest time of the year for their business or maybe you're just sitting around waiting for a much anticipated holiday away in  December. Can November end already?

Since RMfashionary and my team have been doing so well this year, I decided that while we wait for a stressful period to be over I would like to give all my fans something to look forward to now; and so we have decided to launch the biggest competition yet! Win a day in the life of a blogger.

What you'll win:

1 x photoshoot by Layla Shaik Photography

1 x hair styling session by Raeesa Ebrahim

1 x make up session by Yours Truly

1 x styling session by Yours Truly

1 x outfit by The Skirt Couturier 

1 x box clutch bag by Nomada Accessories 

1 x package of assorted jewellery by We Wear Gems

The above is ultimately what you need for a successful blog shoot. You need clothes from a good designer or brand. I recently collaborated with Aysha Minty from The Skirt Couturier, who brought my vision to life, I was really keen on doing a print on print outfit for SA Fashion Week and so I  chose this combination of fabric which she used to make me a skirt and crop top. She generously agreed to making the winner of the competition a skirt and crop top too!

Accessories are just as important for blog features and being the Brand Ambassador of Nomada makes this a given. We Wear Gems also so kindly offered to sponsor this competition, be on the look out as I will be posting images of what you can win soon. Lastly, you need a good photographer, hair stylist and make up artist to blow your viewers away!

To enter:
1)Follow @RMfashionary and co (@laylashaikphotgraphy; @rae_ebrahim ; @the_skirt_couturier; @nomada_accessories and @weweargems) on Instagram.
2)Tag ME in any photo you post/you have posted which you think will be worthy of you winning the ultimate blogging experience.

*Competition entrants are limited to Johannesburg, South Africa.*
*The winner will be announced in two weeks time - 17/11/2015.*

It's as simple as that, the best photo will win. Enter as many times as you like. 

I can't wait to see what you all have to offer :).