Lost in Jinan

Took a while to let it sink in! That I was not less than 10 000 kilometres away from what I've called home for near two decades...my mind,well it followed into a trans as I stared out the bus window en route train station..
                                         
                                where was I? 

A family of four all loaded onto a motor cycle reminded me of the comfort that was our family car
watching it puff smoke into the distance reminded me that I was soo far,tar is the norm out on these streets
a cigarette lights up as frequently as your heart beats
and so I'd play this game..where I'd give random men on the streets a name
Tom,Ben.... then I swear I'd see Tom again and after a split second realize it wasn't Tom but Ben
when!when I gave thought to our location I got malistic
and my paranoia wouldn't let me settle so I'd go ballistic
and before I knew it I was out the bus on the streets,not at the train station,alone for real
I was lost in Jinan

My ear could take no more of the sound salads that were meant to set me free
all I heard was a concussion of syllables as though that on a scratched CD
but ye though I walked through the valley of 'no direction' the lord was with me
beyond the clouds of smoke and through my tears of fear I could still see
after a long ride right across the city
on thousands of acres of land stood my university

so I'd say the first day was...well,deep!
the next couple of days were also a little hectic but its a whole other story now!
my new found love...

*Botswana born_China bound*
xo the fashion poet

7mins of fain

I could almost count your lashes...

I could see those creepy strands of tissue in your iris

and i saw your focus move 7cm below my eyes

i heard you whisper sweet nonsense that i presumed wise

and I got lost in the memory striking cologne that you inhabited and for not more than 30secs

my memory demised!

My feet were tingling as though pebbles and marbles had worn the floor

your imperfect hands did a perfect job right round the indecisive contours of my body...

...only stopping at doors

my heart literally skipped heartbeats at each and every knock

making me rise 7cm up to my tippy toes

incidentally,one thing never stopped

Unconscious intricacy was what drove our buccal organs in sync

and simultaneously we'd open our eyes,embrace the embarrassment and each pretend to blink

and at sharp intervals my lower lip would be engulfed...harmlessly

and that time my uneasy leg found its way around yours that was stable haphazardly...

meanwhile your hands were going places...through phases,unfolding cases

..my heart only asked for the Lord's mercies

At the 6th minute our eyes opened and met

none of us spoke,the breeze was uneasy and none of us cared

you needed not say it,i felt it in the air we exchanged

and each time i looked up into your eyes it was a different effect,i was near deranged

3 seconds before the 7th minute we sealed the deal

and on the 7th minute you kissed my forehead,this babe knew it was real

xo,theFashionPoet

Bonang!

You'd think I'm lying if I told you I just woke up,opened my laptop and started typing...no idea,no mission,just the usual that dwells in my heart...today's entry is perhaps long overdue to those who know me.I thought I'd pour my heart out to and salute my fashion mentor and school my readers on the magnificence that is

Bonang B* Matheba!here goes...

Love at first sight

In every typical young girl's world,you turn 14,insecurities build up,you feel you need to look perfect for the boys *giggles* and most significantly you develop an interest in certain aspects of life.When I was 14...I had a passion for fashion, invested in Elle and  Glamour mags,got so keen on shopping and what has now become my field of interest became more apparent then.So here was a young lady with big dreams like me,a slender frame like me,chocolate skin like me and a fashion guru as i'd love to be.

who's that girl

Bonang Matheba better known as B* in the showbiz industry is not your average girl. Did I mention that like me, she is a Motswana by origin. Born to  this earth 26 years ago in the blooming town of Mafikeng,SouthAfrica, Bonang was a dynamite waiting to explode. She's adored all over her country for her exquisite presenter skills and her bold and daring fashion sense. Her fame continues to grow like a raging fire whilst her destiny remains half a mystery...with Bonang,you just never know.

*bang,bang*

At 26,she has accomplished more than many her age have.she has won literally over a dozen awards,giving her that many prestigious titles e.g SA's "it girl" and Most stylish female personality at the feather awards to mention the least. Most recently and vitally,Queen B has not only made her die hard fans proud,but her country and the continent at large for being the first non American Revlon Cosmetics Ambassador alongside Halle Berry and the likes. Need i say more?

Why Bonang?

Its one of the questions I'v gotten from many of my peers.While some feel I overrate her,others feel there are better fashionistas out there.here's what i have to say:

the truth is Bonang's fashion sense has gone far beyond the expectations of our continent and has pierced into the fashion forward scenes of New York and Paris. What I'm trying to say is she could fit right into the American fast life and it would be near impossible to recognize her as a foreigner.

Weather we like to hear it or not,that's what most of us aim for...that's what inspires our long sleek weaves and or the makeup we use. We'd love to be like the Kims and Solanges and hence we draw inspiration from them. Now whats more inspirational than an African girl who has accomplished thus? She lives proof that anything is possible, that you can be whatever you dream to be. And what strikes me the most...she is ever so proud of her roots,her background and behind all the glamour is a soul that acknowledges home.

My letter to B* 

n/b: i emailed this to her manager a couple of months ago...the love will never die :

I'm that girl who wrote you a 3 page inbox on facebook,the girl who RTs you twice a week and favourites all the time you RT back on twitter..the girl that has watched all epis of b*dazzled,has almost every single published picture of you,has read every mag you've covered and googles you for updates..at first instinct you'd assume I'm yet another groupie or obsessor...not even.what you simply do is inspire me...I admire your strength and your long leaps over hurdles,your bold and daring fashion sense,your passion for success and yet and above all,your humility and love for God.A rare package!I pray that God helps you so you continue climbing milestones..and so you continue being the inspiration you are in my life..I'm a poet,an aspiring model,a lover of fashion and art so you can imagine the impact you have in my life.I dream of meeting you..someday,somehow.I love you B!keep shining and rising doll!:)

In summary...this is a girl who has literally started from the bottom...she has known defeat and is now enjoying success.She never lets anything put her down and lives by this motto "rise above,return hate with love..kill them with kindness and bury them with success".I declare here now,that no matter what comes along,Bonang Matheba will remain one of my favorite style icons for life.

#GertCoetzeeGowns #bonang #powerCombo

far right:3 trends at once,the decolletage,the sheer chest and the peplum

xo,TheFashionPoet

keeping up with the fashion poet

I've always been that girl who knows the same lot, keeps the same circle of friends (with a few additions) does the same things...but still i had a yearning for a new chapter,a whole new life,different people..a different city and guess what?dreams come true :)

In about a month, I'm moving away....far away.its bittersweet 'coz my whole life is here..family,friends,acquaintances and even those who hate to see me succeed!but the thrill in a brand new experience is addictive.in the past week alone iv encountered soo many opinions about where I'm going and so forth.but in that week iv learnt quite a lot.there's that time in life when 'hustle' becomes a reality and not just a cool word,when you realise your future depends on the decisions you make now..when you see that at some point you need to part with your friends of 13 years and meet them later when you're all mommies. WHEN YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE.

Don you just envy accomplished women who can afford their fashion cravings...don't you have those big scary dreams waiting to be achieved?and don't you know behind the fashion is a brain,a sense of intellect?Besides nothing's more attractive than a beauty with brains.so i made one of the boldest decisions of my life...i've put my dreams first...my future.On the upside we can blog from anywhere in the world...so this little escape will never move!

TheFashioPoetSays; "If your dreams aren't scary,they aren't big enough!once in a while be selfish and think about no one else but you..do things in your own favor but be careful not to dream too long.make it happen"

Retail Therapy: shoe edition featuring Phatsimo Angela Mooka

First time I met her she rocked an orange blazer with hints of leopard print trimming and i thought; "wow,she's trendy"!The next time I saw her she was in a denim no-collar blazer with chunky chain trimmings.and that time i was thinking "whose that girl"??

Her name is Phatsimo...a young lady with a yearning for fashion. But what sets her apart is her shoe closet.This is a typical Gaborone born girl around my age who owns several pairs of original Christian Louboutins.*bang,bang*

Its every fashion lover's dream to rock the red sole...food for the soul and candy for the eyes.Whilst it remains an ambition for many of us..its her mere reality.Here's a sneak peek of some of her stunning babies :)

ruby red leather studded pumps

 

<<kimmy's pointed courts loubi collection!phatsi has had her feet in something similar,dont you wish?? *drool*

 

I was rather inspired  by her modesty and thought it would  inspire you too.Here's how our chat went down

her fashion motto

she lives by Coco Chanel's policy that fashion fades but style remains.

she's a risk taker and has chosen to ignore societies opinion but instead satisfies her own original sentiments..in a nutshell, do you for you and not for other people and what they'l say.

 

her fashion icon

she realises the fine line between inspiration and imitation!as mentioned before she acknowledges that originality is key!in the fashion world however, she looks up to Bonang Matheba,Khloe Kardashian,Angela Simmons and her mom!

 

how and where she got her loubis

"i didn't  just wake up one morning and say im gonna get red bottoms" she says. she makes it clear that getting them was a goal she worked hard to achieve.a great deal of saving up was involved and she had to sacrifice a whole lot (probably a month or two of no shopping).another pair was from her mother.she got them while she was on a trip in New york.she also does a lot of online shopping which avails her such grand opportunities.

 

#red sole#studs!#PowerCombo#love

 

The Fashion Poet says; louboutins arent only for the kims and kourts..they are for all of us fashion lovers.Phatsi lives proof!so dream Big and believe..

 

xo,the fashion poet

extraordinary simplicity

Its been soo long my lovings but I'm back with yet another informative entry.In this one I'll let you in on a secret.Did you know that it isn't impossible to look your best yet maintain an edge of simplicity.The myth is that a pony tail,no make up,sheer lips,flats and a detail free ensemble define 'simple'!But who the hell said??

The Fashion Poet says;
"Go ahead and style your braids up,have your ensemble loud as you please,pick colours from your heart,simplicity isn't what you wear,its how its worn!!"

Rule 1:sacrifice one thing for the other
If you are gonna have a busy hair-do...go for a very clean face!nude or sheer lips,neutral coloured eye makeup or alternatively no make up at all!likewise,you will have to choose between a statement neck piece and statement earrings.avoid rocking them both simultaneously.




styled up braids,calm makeup,statement neck piece and pearly studs.#AllWhiteEverything

Rule 2:careful with colours
This much isn't a myth but the mere reality.Too many colours at once are anything but 'simple'.hence work with a maximum of two dominant colours that compliment one another.

We get tired of looking OTT(over the top).Once in a while we'd love to look laid-back and effortless.however our biggest fear in this regard is looking 'dull' or what i refer to as 'characterless' for its our style that defines us.its easy though..the bridge between 'fabulousity' and 'simplicity' is elegance.its up to you to find the balance.

 

"simplicity is the key to ultimate sophistication"-Coco Chanel

xo,TheFashionPoet

It Goes Untitled

The week that was has been...eventful!deadlines to meet,promises to fullfill and a blog to attend to.i have a new buddy in blogger world.her name is Amantle Mapoka(a friend of mine from highschool).When she first asked to profile me,i was honored by the gesture but honestly i didnt expect the moon.im elated to say at the moment,nearer home she's by far my blogging inspiration and her catchy work drove me right into the mission of giving my favourite outlet a mini-makover.here is a link to her exquisite piece about me as well as other local and upcoming fashionistas.dont forget to subscribe.she's got a wealth to offer.

In further regard,thought id let you in on the makeover,where im headed and what to expect from TheFashionPoet.the name of my blog is perhaps a seldom combo but infact a spot on description of who i am and what i believe in...hence i saw it fit to try and create that balance....build that bridge between fashion and poetry.from now on you will see a bit of both worlds,simultaneously or otherwise.ranging from the latest trends to my personal obsessions and from time to time;second opinions from my peers,however il still keep those emotive pieces rolling.

see you on the flipside bubs.
                           xo,TheFashionPoet

Did You Know?

Did you know?....
...that in latter day 1 in each clique girls get raped and dont even know it? what used to be a sensual,sensational and memorable 'first time' for the earlier generation has become a roudy, rough, hit and run, must do by or before sixteen situation for today's youngsters.i hope you follow.

Rape isnt only being held down and forced to have sex,its as long as one part of the couple is unsatisfied with any sexual agreement prior to the activity... which is why i also believe in the existence of inter-marital rape.when i asked for a friends opinion on inter-marital rape he said that he believed marraige is an agreement where two people indirectly consent to jumping into bed together,whenever regardless.hence should there be a disagreement,its simply that and not rape.whats your say?feel free to leave a comment.

moving on,a couple of days ago,a friend confided in me about her friend who gave it up to her crush during a house party in the presence of other invitees.she went on to narrate of how traumatising it was for both the 'audience' and the female.she explained how she was in an awkward and uncomfortable position,was clearly in pain and tears streamed down her face...simultaneously,blood trickled from Lord knows where onto the floor.mere words evoked mixed feelings ranging from disgust to pity(God pardon me).the sight of it would haunt me probably for the rest of my life.

manier times,bitter-sweet is used metaphorically.its nothing tangible...sex,it should be something like.beautiful pain.but tears,blood,sweat?thats all pain!question yourself,debate it,weigh the pros and cons.who are you doing it for?it should be for you because you feel you're ready not because your partner is putting pressure on you.that alone is rape.and never because your friends are doing it!although i mean not to judge,over and above all...consider your values and beliefs and the consequences your decision will come with.if you do go ahead with it,think about what memories you'l carry out of it.are they worthy of your past,your present and your untouched future?

its sad 'cause there's no reversing what happened.i wish there's something i could have done to save her..she's only 14.somethings happen so others learn from them.its life.girls,ladies,women....know your self worth.make the right choices.

                                                                                      xo,thefashionPoet

streets meet style

im yonie...easy to spot..highwaists,bags,shoes and the sort.
because i fought for style over just fashion...my own voice through the clothes i wear
a voice to define me and a voice to share
...despair...lies in the power of my sky-high loubis
its what puts me ahead of that specie i thought had coodies.
shout out to the woman who can stand tall and make perfect strides in them
...for it is the woman who can take life's lemons and make lemonade of them
here art thou...7inches higher,stronger,tougher,perhaps vile
watch as these streets meet my style

                                                                                                     xo,TheFashionPoet

friends over boys over friends

While scrolling up and down my recent updates earlier today,this caught my eye.."i will not tap my friend's ex or a guy she's tapping or a guy she likes" the author,one of my close friends whose beauty is summed in a lil over 4 feet of height(this is to show that everyone regardless of your calibre is subject to the matter)reminded me that she's speaking from experience.it occurred to me how indeed her friends have chosen a temporary spark of what may or may not be love over friendship.

Her smile radiates joy in a room at any given time and her squeaky laugh genuinely suggests "i am happy".and so just by what meets the eye you'd never ever deem her a victim of 'go zubulelwa'.
in latter day,some follow 'the girl code' which constraints us from crossing boarders we ought not to for the sake of friendships.question is,is it practical?or better yet,is it worth it?

When the issue is raised,different opinions come up such as 'it depends','the girl code doesn't exist' or 'it only applies in certain cases'.my opinion; there's a bottom line to it and its simple.IF IT IS CAPABLE OF HURTING YOUR FRIEND, THINK TWICE ABOUT IT.you should know where your friend stands most of the time,if not..communication is key.you should know what hurts them and what makes them happy.

It is common instinct not to mess with your friends boyfriend,for very obvious reasons.is it okay to date your friend's ex?the matter stands to be debated.note you do not need your friend's permission to date any guy,however in respect to her ex,if you value the friendship you'll consider her feelings.and in the event that you both like the same guy,talk it over...whose chances are looking up?friendships are about sacrifices.would you feel right allowing your friend to miss an opportunity exposed to her?learn and agree that in this world we win some and lose some,and move on.its easier said than done,definitely...but where there's a will,there's a way.

in conclusion,id like to honour her for handling the situations better than many out there would have.i personally don't believe in 'the girl code'...i feel its just your sub-conscience,your values and your personal beliefs brought forward and at the end of the day,its up to you to do right.
                                                                                            
                                                                                                          xo,TheFashionPoet

Iv Loved And Iv Lost

i had a friend,a partner in crime,fashion,laughter and sorrow
i had a sister,a soul to confide in with my insecurities,with my life
i had a dream that one day id be her maid of honour and she'd be mine
i had a nightmare where i saw a blur on both our faces and between us was a very thick line...

i mean, i knew boys come and go but i honestly thought friends would be there for a while..if not forever.prolly cause iv never lost a friend, not even to death....and it strikes to be very ironic how the 'strongest' friendships are brought to shutter by the tiniest things....figuratively and literally.
i spent hours questioning the real cause of the split,weary days to sleepless nights.
everytime i gave the matter thought,i felt a lump of emotion clogg my throat...
...and yess,i wept for what had been profound in my life for a little more than two years
i had learnt to live with what i believed were her character flaws,corrected her were necessary
and besides,it never bothered me much as it was never in my offence...but when my nightmare took  stage...i  guess we both learnt each others truth.
i would see visions of the words she threw at me and those i threw at her and asked myself if it was necessary.other times i told myself i should have jus ignored the offence i picked from her provocations and maybe we'd still be friends...but when i came back to myself,i realised it was too late.

i had this very precious gold bracelet that i treasured so much and one day i accidentally put it in water and what i thought was real gold began to rust and dismantle.i cant help but relate this encounter to my lost friendship...real things defeat challenges...real gold will never rust in water just as real friendships should  withstand tests.the very last word she ever said to me 'whatever' is the very first trace of rust that i had seen on my gold bracelet...she left no room for reconciliation and so i questioned if it was ever real.....my question remains un-answered.

for a couple of  weeks i strived to fix things...in my sleep,i'd dream of our reconciliation and i'd always wake up in a bittersweet mood...faced by reality.
and then came a time when i decided my life must move on...i taught myself how to digest and egest pain...and its a life lesson learnt.i acknowledged the fact that i played a part in destroying it,if i had never put the bracelet in water,it would still be intact(atleast for some time)...
and so,i finally threw in the towel,walked out of the past and stepped into the future.
i learnt to laugh, to smile and to love again.

if you ever stumble upon this, do hear my inner voice that is shadowed by my pride...i really am sorry that we'r no longer friends,im sorry for the part i played.i love you even though you dont believe it.

its been said that all good things come to an end.it happens to everyone,you find out who you are and what you want,and then you realise that people you'v known forever dont see things the way you do.so you keep the wonderful memories and find yourself moving on.
**yesterday is not ours to recover, but tommorow is ours to win or lose**...i choose to win.

Hollow Strings Attached

And when i looked through the long strings of love,they were empty
pro'ly 'cause i'v never been in love,haughty!
not my way or my nature, and so these strings were all amateur
with every falling lash, i blew wishes into the air hoping they'd reach the other end of these strings
...the end i'd never seen.
with days my love shifted from shoes to the endless clues that you gave me,
hoping i'd see how you felt for me, you had all four keys....
and so it grew from infatuation, but i couldnt have been sure so i concealed my elation
...these strings grew shorter but shorter
with your first key you unloked my mind, for i started knowing you more than i know my own kind
and your second got my eyes;suddenly you turned into my golden prize
your third got my heart...'cause everytime you said "i love you",my veins shut!
your fourth,MY soul...you became my only goal
but still i refused to believe it was all true,meanwhile you helped it by calling 5 others 'your boo'
pretending became my norm,sometimes its hard to follow mine-heart

other times were fairytale moments for us, yet i still never knew where i really stood thus
and when i look through the long strings of love,they are no longer empty..

..at the end of these strings is you my baby!

xo,TheFashionPoet

voice of MaryAnne the destitute

in the event that i die tomorrow...
bury me today, so i can watch them weep in sorrow
i want to see them grumble and grouse in desolation
i want to see their tears leave their eyes...emancipation:

like that instant when leaves shed from tree branches
i want to see their helplessness and hopelessness like isolated soldiers in trenches
i want to see them battered, bruised, scarred
...and maybe then i'll feel loved

in the event that i die tomorrow...
make today my memorial.Remember me and my deeds
like a Buddhist meditating on prayer beads
remember me and my words like you would the repeat of a comedy
or an omnibus of a soapie
see visions of me over and over again in your heads
cry if you need to,weep and seek me back
act mindless,kindless like an accused retard strapped to a bed
and maybe then i"ll feel loved like i said

in the event that i die tomorrow...
love me today. Smile at me like an innocent girl smiles at her doll
call me and maybe we can take a stroll...
..down memory lane, perhaps correct our mistakes
move that forced puzzle piece into the right place
then it'll be complete, I'll be complete
and when i lie there in my final resting place
il know that dead or alive, beaming or frozen
I'm as fortunate as a kid who has won a token
a token to love. The words spoken!

xo,TheFashionPoet