FRAAS - The Scarf Company

If you have been following my social media channels lately you would have noticed that I recently visited Berlin. Before leaving for my trip I was gifted with scarves from the German scarf company FRAAS.

My trip started in Amsterdam where the temperature was around 15 degrees Celsius. Thankfully I had a warm winter-floral polyacrylic FRAAS scarf to keep me cosy even though I mainly packed summer clothing.

In Berlin, the temperature was warmer, that’s where I wore the silky polka dot neckerchief.

Visiting the FRAAS flagship store in Berlin was one of the highlights of my trip. If you aren’t aware of the brand, it has just recently come to South Africa through the Surtee Group. Even though new to South Africans, the textile accessory company is not new at all. The FRAAS brand has been around for 135 years and counting and is available worldwide.

Fun Fact: Around 12 million FRAAS scarves are manufactured annually.

If you would like to shop the scarves, there is a flagship store in The Mall of Africa in Midrand. You can also shop the scarves online on Zando. The prices for these luxury scarves can range from anything between R395 to R11 500 depending on the fabric it is made from.

I think I have a new accessory obsession.

Farewell June

Its crazy to think that it’s almost July. I have been quiet on Social media and the blog lately since it was the Muslim fasting month, Ramadan. Despite this, I have actually been very busy on a day-to-day basis. Let me catch you up on everything that you have missed thus far and update you on everything that you have to look forward to.

Starting my own clothing line isn’t as simple as I thought…

Over the past three weeks (since I announced that there will in fact be an RMFashionary clothing range) it finally feels like I am making some headway. After several visits to the tailor, CMT, packaging consultants, label and sticker manufacturers; I realize that the clothing industry is no joke –it’s hard work. It has been especially challenging to try and get my own business running due to the fact that I work two jobs during the week and I only have Saturdays to get to it.

Nevertheless, I am very proud to say that the RMFashionary tracksuit will be proudly made in South Africa. The only downside to this is that my lead-time for garment construction is not as quick or inexpensive as buying clothing from lets-say China.

You should be eagerly awaiting the RMfashionary tracksuit launch for three simple reasons:

1)   Supporting local has a wonderful charm to it

2)   It will be something completely unique that will only be for sale in minimum quantities

3)   It is extremely versatile

Over the next few weeks I will show you just how versatile the RMF tracksuit can be as I travel to Europe. The RMF tracksuit can be worn for anything from travelling, going to a fashion event or even as a comfortable day-to-day look that is still stylish. I will also be debuting the rest of the colours that the range will be available in so be sure to follow all my social media channels below:

@rmfashionary on twitter

@rmfashionary on Instagram

The RMFashionary facebook page

Ranaap on Snapchat

Update: RMFashionary is currently undergoing rebranding and will be moving to a new website soon! I am so excited to open a new chapter of growth for my blog and I have you to thank for it being so successful.

For now, Eid Mubarak to you all and I wish you a wonderful month ahead!

Below are the details of my Eid look, which you may spot in some of my upcoming travel posts:

(Click on the image to see it clearly.)

Shirt: Zara

Dungaree: Hannah Lavery available at the Convoy Store in Melville

Heels: Dolce Vita

Alice band: H&M

The RMfashionary Clothing Line

Even before I went to fashion school, it was always a dream of mine to have my own fashion label.

Don't let the stereotype fool you though, I may have gone to fashion school but I've never even learned how to stitch a hem. Between you and me, my husband sews on my fallen buttons. There you have it folks, reasons why I blog and don't sew.

An official clothing and shoe line is something I would like to invest my time in, in the new future. In the meanwhile I have started dabbling on the design side of things, while attempting to use the right fabrics and getting someone more masterful than myself to bring my designs to life.

Here's what came of the first attempt, the RMfashionary track suit:

(If the image appears blur due to the high resolution quality, click on it to see it clearly.)

Shoes: Melissa's at Stuttafords

What do you think? With the right feedback I will begin putting some designs into production, which will be available to purchase in limited quantities.

Fingers crossed, this may be the start of something exciting.

Puffer Jackets

The puffer jacket alongside pink, velvet and trumpet sleeves is one of the biggest trends of this season. A some-what utility jacket, generally used for the most practical reasons like keeping warm  -owing to all the fabric padding, is now more than that. It’s trending.

Filtering down from runway shows like DKNY, Balenciaga and Stella McCartney to South African retailers; here is the list of places for you to get your puffer fix at bargain worthy prices:

1)   TopShop - R1499 

2)   H&M – R899

3)   Mr. Price – R249

4)   Zando – R1099

5)   Cotton On – R674

The key to the puffer jacket trend is that it should be OVERSIZED. After all my shopping research I opted for the bubblegum pink puffer from Cotton On. Mainly because my goal was to achieve a marshmallow chic look. :p

(Click on the image to see it clearly if it appears blur due to the large size/high resolution quality.)

A word to the penny wise shopper; all puffers at Cotton On are on sale at 25% off - amongst other things like the knit and beanie I am wearing below.

There are longer length puffers available at Cotton On as well but they aren’t as padded which make them less exaggerative.  The shorter ones come in a range of colours like green, navy and black. 

Happy shopping!

Photography by Ahmed Moola

How to Achieve Your Full Beauty Look on a Budget:

'essence' cosmetics had always been one of my go to brands when I was a student because it was affordable. In fact, I still use their products now. The products are available at all Clicks stores and are the best dupes for make-up brands like MAC and Bobbi Brown that would otherwise put a hole through your pocket.

If you’re a make-up beginner (you've been watching make up bloggers apply fancy things like fixers and correctors to their faces, wanting to test it yourself) or if you'd just like to save a buck or two; buy these essence products.

Below is my go-to beginners list of make-up essentials that you should be using. The total cost of all the products mentioned below is, wait for it, R670! That could easily be the price of just one foundation from Chanel.

1) Concealer - Soft Touch Mousse R65

If you're like me and you want to hide you under eye dark circles or any unwanted blemishes, the essence cream concealer is exactly what you need.

2) Foundation - Stay all day long 16h long lasting make up - R85

I only ever use liquid foundation, my make-up lecturer used to tell us 'newbies' that liquid foundation is much better on younger skin. A powder foundation tends to be used on people with more mature skins.

3) Lipstick - matt matt matt lipgloss 05 simply be an icon -R50

Lately with the popularity of Huda Beauty liquid matte lipsticks and Kylie Jenner Liquid matte lip kits, I am always on the prowl for good dupes. Alas! The matt matt matt lipgloss is just that.

4) Eyeshadow - All about eyeshadow palette R90

I never buy single eyeshadows, I much rather prefer eyeshadow palettes because you can have fun with mixing and matching different combinations of colour on your eyes. I especially prefer an affordable palette like this one that's extreme value for money.

5) Blush - Cinnamon Ball R65

I go through phases with make-up essentials, before I'd never leave the house without Mascara and now I refuse to leave the house without a bit of rouge. I love the colour effect this blush has.

6) Fix Spray - R65

This isn't necessary for day to day make up but for events it works wonders for keeping your make up on that much longer. Spray a puff of it onto your face after you're done with your full make-up look.

7) Mascara - Rock 'n Doll R60

There are very few Mascaras that I feel give my lashes the added volume that it needs. The Balm 'Cheater' mascara from Stuttafords priced at a few hundred more than the essence one is on par in terms of giving off the dramatic lash effect that I love.

8) Eyeliner - 04 nighttime in the jungle - R45

What's better than an eyeliner that’s long-lasting and waterproof? Not much.

9) Brow pen - make me brow pen R55

This is probably the coolest product from the essence pack. The powder brow pen has a soft brow brush at its tip, for that delicate natural brow look that a pencil won't create.

10) Highlighter/Contour - light up your face luminizer palette 10 ready, set glow R90

This palette is such a treat because it comes with different shades of luminizer's for all skin types. I actually use the darkest colour to contour and create a 3-D effect with my highlighter.

Metanoia

Metanoia - I have been throwing this word around my social media ever since I discovered it. Metanoia (n) meaning the journey of changing ones mind, heart, self or way of life.

Last week I took leave from work and while I had a moment to de-clutter my thoughts I started asking myself why?

Why am I not blogging as much as I want to?

Why am I not experiencing what I want to?

Why does the word ‘later’ exist in my vocabulary?

Each time I came up with a pathetic answer like ‘I don’t know’ or ‘because I’m lazy’ I began to become more upset with myself. I am not blogging as much as I should because I am not prioritizing what I love. I am not experiencing what I want to because I am not seeing myself as important. The word later should never exist in my vocabulary because the time is now.

I will be sharing my metanoia – my positive journey of change with you all through my blog and I hope that you will join me.

My 30 day positivity challenge: (adapted from an online source on Pinterest)

1) Don’t text, call

2) Compliment someone new

3) De-clutter your digital life

4) No complaint day

5) Identify 3 to 6 main priorities

6) Follow a morning ritual

7) Streamline your reading list

8) Learn to enjoy solitude

9) Downsize your beauty collection

10) No email or social media until lunch

11) Evaluate your commitments

12) Define your goals for the year – let go of one

13) Take a step towards learning a new skill

14) Give away a pair of shoes 

15) Smile to yourself about everything you’re grateful for, after every hour

16) Don’t buy anything for 24 hours

17) Practice single tasking (this is a hard one)

18) Unfollow or unfriend

19) Go for a walk and practice mindfulness

20) No TV all day, read instead

21) Journal for twenty minutes

22) Create a relaxing bedtime routine

23) Take out your clothes the night before, for the next day

24) Go bare faced

25) Practice gratitude

26) Plan a day doing everything you have been putting off

27) Turn off all notifications

28) Evaluate your last five purchases

29) Clean out your closet by asking yourself if “I were shopping now would I buy this?”

30) Figure out how to let go of one thing that stresses you out. Let go

Let the 30 days begin. You don’t have to start the challenge in order or do the challenge consecutively; in fact I started with number 26 last week. I planned a day doing everything I have been putting off, with my hubby.

We adventured all around Johannesburg:

• Trying a new restaurant - Pablo Eggs-Go-Bar in Melville. The food was amazing!
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• Taking pictures around the city near Newtown Junction and in Melville
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Visiting new art galleries like Art It Is
  
  
  
  
• Ending the day off trying something sweet at Marble Restaurant. We had the chocolate tart.