family | Keya

Wedded bliss

Good day to you my wedding fabulous readers,

If you are anything like me, I get so so excited when a personalised, beautiful invitation drops through my letterbox to one of my beloved friends or family members weddings? Whether you have been invited to an autumnal affair, summer stylish or winter wonderland wedding it can be so difficult however to navigate the fine line between being church chic and that innate fear of upstaging the bride.

I had my own magical wedding day in October 2021 and as the UK was still recovering from the COVID pandemic, we decided to keep it an extremely small party with just our parents and my brother in attendance. We decided to get married in October as I love the change of colours of the trees, the autumn hues were a lovely backdrop to my beautiful tea dress and I decided to spice up my understated dress with a faux fur stole and black lace stiletto heels. It was a truly perfect day.

When it comes to being a guest at a loved ones wedding however, what is your usual go to outfit? Are you a fan of a simple colour block fitted pencil or a floaty boho flowery dress or do you prefer a geometric wide leg jumpsuit or a classic tuxedo like Carrie in the sex and the city movie?

I personally usually err on the side of a simple dress or jumpsuit and then make a statement with chunky earrings, jewellery and a killer pair of heels or wedges to add my unique touch. This is a great way of navigating wedding season without having to buy a brand new outfit for each one. Find a well made, simple canvas and change it up with your accessories dependent on the weather and wedding style.

Regardless of what your go to ensemble is, the number one aim of wedding season is to celebrate all things LOVE and just remember how beautiful and special it is that you were asked to be a part of someone’s most intimate and emotional day of their lives 😊

Until next time, take care

Keya x

Glamorous Gucci

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Keya

Good day to you my fashion loving followers,

If you are in the Southern Hemisphere like myself then you also will be experiencing the winter weather synonymous with the Christmas period approaching. What better way to warm your hearts (and toes) than by going to the cinema to watch the newest release of the incredible house of Gucci?

As soon as I saw the trailer for this movie, I knew I had to watch it. Gucci has always been one of those powerhouse brands which I admired as a young child – the infamous GG’s emblazoned on handbags, belts and shoes to name a few.

Like so many people I’m sure however, I was completely unaware that Maurizio Gucci was assassinated on the steps of his Milan office by someone I did not expect! (No spoilers don’t worry!)

The movie originally is set in the 1970s through to the 90s and straight away the chic Italian style of the main characters are apparent. I love the bold colour blocking and head scarves worn by Lady Gaga. It reminds me of that bygone era of women driving in open top convertibles ensuring their hair stayed picture perfect under a scarf.

Her wedding dress was utterly breathtaking too with beautiful vintage lace and a timeless high/ low design. The long sleeves kept it elegant and appropriate for a church venue.

I felt completely saddened about the circumstances of Maurizio’s death especially as he did not initially want to take over his family legacy. Patrizia really helped him to make the decision as she wanted their family name to move with the times and bring the fashion house back into the forefront of people’s minds and wardrobes.

The best decision to help turn the Gucci name into what we know and love today was Tom Ford taking on the role of creative director. His first catwalk collection under the Gucci guise caused shock and admiration to rumble through the audience but he truly infused some je ne sais quoi into the brand.

All the Gucci family wanted was to keep the label within their family as many houses try to do but it is a lot easier said than done. Versace managed to do this with Donatella stepping into the hot seat but unfortunately for that family also it was plagued with an assassination of Gianni Versace.

The movie truly did not disappoint though and I hope if you do get to watch it, it will prompt you to go and research the true story as I did directly afterwards. Even amongst the death and destruction, there is a true beauty to Patrizia and Maurizio’s love story.

Until next time,

Keya x

Pastures anew

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Keya

Good afternoon to you my warmer temperatures lovers,

First off, where have the last few months gone? Even though we have been in a near enough year long lockdown in the UK, the months have just flown by. I hope that you and your families are all safe and well wherever in the world you may be.

A lot has changed for me personally in the last few months. I am proud to say I am now a home owner (eek whoever would have of thought it) so it has been a whirlwind so far of renovations, paint getting into places that it shouldn’t and also some time to just enjoy being still and quiet in the garden.

Have any of you found during the pandemic you really struggled with feeling cooped up and not being able to be outside? We spent the whole of winter in a rented house without a garden and I can safely say now I cannot get enough of having a patch of turf to call my own!

I hope that in your own countries restrictions are also starting lift slightly? I cannot tell you how happy I was yesterday to be able to go and have my nails done. It isn’t even just the fact they look nice, it’s just so amazing to feel pampered and relaxed for that hour. I am not a huge make up person (mainly because I do not even know where to start with all of the blushers and eyeshadows) but I do like to have my eyebrows shaped and my hands and toes to be manicured. What is your pamper treat of choice?

I know for a lot of men at the moment the one thing they cannot wait to have is a haircut. There is only so much slicking back or wearing a cap a man can do, am I right? I have giggled so much seeing all the memes of home hair cuts going completely wrong. I am sure we all have thought I can use a pair of scissors how hard can it be, much to our dismay when it goes catastrophically wrong 😊

Have any of you managed to go out for a meal or for a drink in a pub beer garden yet also? I have managed to book a Sunday dinner this weekend in a pub garden and on the reservation it said to bring warm clothing as heaters are limited! I think we will be happy to go out in a beanie hat and scarf, as long as we can have food that we haven’t had to cook ourselves at the moment. Haha.

Whatever it is that you are most looking forward to about life getting back to some sense of normality, still remember to stay safe, look after each other and most importantly dress to impress at every occasion from now onwards.

No more jogging bottoms and messy buns – woohoo!

Until next time, take care

Keya x

5 things to help you stay positive during Lockdown 2.0

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Keya

Good day to you my lockdown warriors,

As is much of the world right now, the UK is in our second lockdown of the year. When I saw the news of this announcement from our prime minister, I like many people felt a familiar sense of doom and found myself saying “oh no, not again!” This negative outlook did not last long however as I decided in that moment that I am going to do this lock down differently. Hopefully with these top 5 tips, it may help you see the light at the end of the tunnel also. This months post is all things POSITIVE 😊

1) Be at one with nature.

During the first few months of this year, we actually moved home from the bustling hub of London to the rural countryside of the Dales. I have always been a outdoorsy person, preferring long walks or bike rides in the forest to busy, loud bars at the weekend and I literally feel in my element having so much green space on my doorstep. Even if you live in a busy city, really try to make the concerted effort to take an hour at lunch to go for a walk in a local park or if you are fortunate to have a back garden, go out and tend to your veggie patch or walk a friends dog around the block. I cannot stress enough how being in the fresh air does absolute wonders for your well-being.

2) Make an effort with your appearance.

If like me, your working from home attire has been comfy loungewear and a messy up do for the last six months, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel blow drying your hair or putting on a little mascara. I make a concerted effort on the weekend to put on a nice outfit or make myself feel good by having a pamper session at home because self love is incredibly important, even more so in these difficult times.

3) Stay in contact with your family and friends

Just because we are unable to see our loved ones at the moment, still let them know they are in your thoughts by having a once a week video call or just sending each other silly memes throughout the day. Many people are alone at the moment and even though they have family members close by, it can still be incredibly lonely so sometimes just a 5 minute catch up can really make someone’s day. Anyway, who doesn’t love a good belly laugh when they can!

4) Take regular breaks from your home office.

I am incredibly fortunate at the moment to be able to do my day job from home 100% of the time which I am more than grateful for. One thing that I’ve really noticed though is are you also getting so many more emails and teams calls now? Can you relate?

I went through a bit of a hard time about 6 months into lockdown where I felt like I didn’t have much of a work/ life balance because even though we are at home it can be easy to forget that we still need to take a lunch break or to make a cup of tea. Things which are usually part of your working day can sometimes take the back seat which is why it’s imperative to still get up from your desk at least once every hour to stretch your legs or have a glass of water. It is not sustainable to be “on” all the time, be kind to yourself!

5) Time to look within

Although 2020 has not panned out the way many of us would have ever imagined so far this year, one of the real positives I have found during this time is we have never had more of an opportunity to be at home with our families more than now. Usually we are caught up in the daily rat race of commuting to work, perhaps school runs or extra curricular activities or taking part in sports or working out in the gym, when that has been taken away though, what are we left with? Ourselves and a whole lot of reflection time. Are you using this time wisely if you are being honest with yourself? Are you unhappy in your current role or career path? Unhappy with your level of health or fitness? Or perhaps just stuck in a rut? I can tell you for me personally, I have really struggled to write this blog during this time because it can feel inauthentic to be talking about fashion, lifestyle or holiday destinations when there is so much devastation worldwide right now. But I have come to realise upon reflection that I feel creatively at ease as soon as pen hits the paper every time I sit down to write an entry. THIS is my happy place. Have you found yours?

Until next time?

Take care

Keya x

Lockdown reflection

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Keya

Good day to you my lockdown lovelies,

Firstly, I sincerely apologise for my lack of posts in the last six months, I know – can you believe it’s been six months already – we are already into Autumn of 2020.

I just felt what with all of the devastation the pandemic has caused (and still causing sadly), it was insensitive to be writing about Fashion or lifestyle when let’s face it, if you are like me you’ve lived in shorts, t shirts and a messy bun whilst working from home all summer anyway.

But, I can assure you I have not forgotten about my lovely readers and I have genuinely missed bringing you all thought provoking content each month. I sincerely hope you and your families are keeping safe and well in these troubling times.

For this months post though I wanted to open up the floor to you. What has been the biggest challenges for you during these last few months? Has it been not being able to visit elderly grandparents or relatives, parents or siblings? Has it been getting all the way to the supermarket, only to realise you left your face covering at home? Overuse of hand sanitiser or face coverings leaving your faces and hands bruised and chapped? Has it been the daily pandemic update on the news causing you worry or stress? Or was it, trying to think of creative ways to entertain your children whilst we were all forced to stay at home? Perhaps it was all of the above?

I can completely understand why there has been a huge spike in individuals suffering with their mental health or feeling worried about how to keep their loved ones safe? But in all of this, one really positive side I have seen is how some of the best side of humanity has also been shown. The sheer scale of people donating home made face shields, the amount of money raised by everyday people in support and the clap for the NHS on a Thursday evening was an incredible, albeit small part of the display.

Have you thought about what little things you can do to make yourself feel good in these times though? We have recently moved into a new home in the rural countryside and for me, my simple pleasures have been going for a jog around the country lanes or at the weekend putting on a little mascara or a pair of jeans just to make it feel a little different from every other day!

Your health inside and out depends on these daily little acts of kindness to YOU! Giving yourself that pamper night – painting your nails or relaxing in a hot, Himalayan salt bath, calling your best friend to have a catch up about normal things or even having a great, big belly laugh at a silly movie curled up under a blanket with some popcorn. Try it, you will be amazed at how you feel 😊

Until next time, keep well and stay healthy.

Keya x

Art attack.

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Keya

Good day to you my creative characters,

Firstly I must apologise for my lack of blog posts recently. Life can be so busy at times and in the last few months I’ve been maid of honour at my cousins wedding in Spain, moved in with my amazing partner and also been promoted to a new job – so please forgive me for not having a chance to give you all some awesome new material.

For this months post though I wanted to talk about Art and it’s many forms. This past weekend we spent our Saturday afternoon strolling around the vintage stores in Brick Lane and there is just a plethora of street art around each corner. We stumbled upon a pop art gallery which was simply incredible.

Some of the exhibition can be seen below:-

Whether it be Street, modern, classical, theatrical, pop or anything else in between – Art really can come in so many different forms which is what I love. We all have our individual passions and things we do in our free time to unwind or relax – mine is creative writing. Putting pen to proverbial paper is so cathartic for me as I am such an introvert in my day to day life, that dreams and my imagination can take me wherever I want to go when I sit down to write.

I have a keen interest in Fashion illustration and although I am not the best yet, I still enjoy seeing the picture form under my pencil tip with each stroke and the sense of satisfaction you receive when you see the finished picture is second to none.

Have you ever thought seriously about what makes you happy? Whether it be catching up on the weeks worth of tv soaps, feeling the wind cutting through your hair and your trainers hitting the tarmac on your thrice weekly jog or reminiscing with your close friend about childhood memories over a glass of wine – try to do what makes YOU jubilant whenever you get the chance.

As 2018 is frantically coming to a conclusion once more, it makes you realise how short life really is – the washing can be done tomorrow, the medical form can be completed later – now it is time to embrace your own version of contentment.

Until next time, take care

Keya x

Balance is not just walking in stilettos.

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Keya

Good morning to you my joyful jugglers of life,

I am sure if you are anything like me, from a young age it was drummed into you in magazines or on the television that you can be a woman who has it all – a high flying career, a beautiful family, a successful social life and for there to even be time to fit in an exercise class or two for good measure; I grew up wanting to be that kind of woman. For this months post however, I wanted to talk about Balance.

(All pictures courtesy of Google images)

As a woman of 32, I currently have a career that I receive a huge sense of satisfaction from although I feel is still in its earliest throes of progression. I have a wonderful handful of true girl friends who I have grown up and evolved with. The main difference now being our wild nights together consist of sharing a bottle of wine whilst putting the world to rights over a nice meal instead of coming home at 5am in last nights party frock. I have an amazing family who support me through the best, the worst and every other period in-between who mean the world to me. And last but certainly not least, I have a partner in my life who supports me in every challenge I face, who is my rock and makes me laugh and feel loved in a way that I did not even know was possible until now. And to top it off, after receiving my Spinning Instructor certification back in 2016, I also ensure I get some exercise classes thrown in each week too with me on the microphone 🙂

With all the positive elements of my life though, I too fall into the trap of not knowing how to juggle all of these things successfully at times. Are you nodding your head whilst reading this – its OK if you are! haha.

I often wonder to myself if one day we are unable to keep all of these proverbial balls in the air and one drops, what will actually HAPPEN? If we realize that we accidentally double booked a dinner date with a friend on the same day we already said we would go to visit your partners family – will we lose that friendship or cause an argument? The answer is usually no, but why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to appear to the outside world we have it all in order? And in all honesty if that was the outcome which came from those situations, the next question you would need to ask yourself is are you surrounding yourself with the right kind of people who deserve your love and time? Now that is a hard question to ask yourself believe me but sometimes the answer is so enlightening and empowering 🙂

Another trait of women statistically is we usually would not put ourselves forward for a new role at work unless we felt 100 percent certain we could carry out all of the tasks required whereas men tend to be more confident that they can learn the required responsibilities once already employed in the job. Why do we sometimes doubt our capabilities when we know that we are just as right for that role as our male counterpart? It all comes down to having self Confidence and Esteem. I have learnt only in the last few years that I AM good enough and even know you may not have the necessary experience in a particular industry, it will translate to another in many circumstances. Finding those commonalities will mean the sky really is the limit for you.

I will wholeheartedly raise my hands and say that I am a perfectionist in all areas of my life and I genuinely feel like super woman when I have managed to do a days work, taught an energetic spin class, cooked a healthy dinner, put a load of washing on and still managed to enjoy a relaxing glass of wine with my loved one before bedtime – but realistically not every day is like that. Some days, my only achievement is moving from my bed to the sofa and back again but with each passing year I have learnt that doing nothing is OK too.

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Which brings me perfectly to the very subject of this post – Balance. Life will always inevitably get stressful, activity filled and chaotic which will only increase when children are thrown into the mix but as my wise parents often remind me Rome wasn’t built in a day and if you cant get all your washing done today – we have another 60 years hopefully of doing it so it really does not matter. Or if you realize with a heavy heart you haven’t seen your best friends for a month, just pick up the phone and give them a call – sometimes just hearing your voice and letting them know you are thinking about them is enough until you next can see each other for a catch up.

Life can be tough enough at times, so why add that additional pressure on yourself to try to do everything all of the time – kick back, relax and go for that impromptu dinner date or picnic in the park. The routine can wait until tomorrow 🙂

Until next time, take care

Keya x

Happy new year to all of YOU.

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Keya

To my devoted, festive season followers,

After a whirlwind year filled with living overseas, unbelievable holidays, nights out and some absolutely epic memories made, we say goodbye to 2017 and welcome in the New Year.

I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to each and everyone of you for continuing on this journey with me, reading each post and giving me your amazing feedback. Writing is in my veins and it really is my passion, so the fact you even take the time to click on my blog fills my heart with pride and love.

My pledge to you is to continue bringing well researched, thought provoking content from both the Fashion and lifestyle areas – hopefully inciting a fresh sense of excitement every time you see a new post published.

For now though, wherever you maybe in the world, I wish you a huge Happy New Year with an abundance of good fortune for you and your families for 2018.

Until next time, take care

Keya x

(Image courtesy of google images)

Tis the season…to up the style ante.

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Keya

Good day to you my festive friends,

As the Christmas period fast approaches and with so much emphasis on present buying, house decorating and general indulgence, it can sometimes be hard to even begin to think about what to wear during this holiday season. Well, that is where this months post will come in handy. I’ve selected my favourite styles for both men and women to help you get through the next few weeks looking and feeling fabulous.

(All Images courtesy of google images)

Ladies, let’s begin. My first trend is Lace. Now if you are like me, looking for the perfect dress for any occasion you are drawn to this whimsical fabric, then you are in luck as at Christmas lace is always uber chic. You can glam up a simple dress with statement earrings and some classic court shoes paired with a nice bejewelled Alice band for that work Christmas luncheon.

Next we have, you guessed it sparkly. Whether it be in the form of beads or sequins, in all of the shop windows currently there is a glittering little number taking centre stage. If you are a tad nervous of dressing head to toe in this look, then a sequin clutch or even a diamanté detail on your shoes can be your ode to this trend and still make you centre stage.

On the third day of Christmas we have my favourite colour, Red. No matter what your hair colour or skin complexion red can suit anyone. The trick is in the shade you go for. If you are brunette like me, the fire engine red really sets off my olive skin or if you are fairer, picking a red with a slight orange tinge will really work wonders. The plus side of wearing such a traffic stopping dress also means you can play it safe with your accessories and makeup. Let the outfit do the hard work.

On the fourth day of Christmas we have the trouser playsuit. If over the summer months, you lived in your flirty short suit, sandals and beach hair then you are going to love the tailored trouser suits which are in the shops currently. Apart from the inconvenience of needing a zip friend when using the amenities, these hard working power suits really can be dressed up or down dependant on the occasion. I am always drawn to the more structured, form fitting styles just because it suits my body shape but really this style suits everyone. As long as the leg length is tapered to give you that gorgeous peep of ankle and you team it with a beautiful pair of shoes to elongate your legs, we all can feel like Amazonian models in the playsuit.

And on the fifth day of Christmas, we have the printed dress. I LOVE colour, especially in the dreary winter months it always puts a smile on my face. So, what better way to feel good than to wear a beautiful printed dress. Whether it be floral, galactic or even art noir – whatever tickles your fancy just go with it. With black opaque tights, ankle boots and a cross body bag – this is the epitome of edgy but fashion forward.

And now over to the magnificent men who also deserve to look and feel a million pounds this Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas we have the tuxedo jacket. Dependent on where you intend to go for New Years Eve, perhaps you will get the chance to wear a classic tuxedo with bow tie (a masquerade ball is always a chance to really dress up) but if not, the tuxedo jacket always completes an outfit. Pair with a button down collar shirt, tan chinos and tasselled loafers and I am sure you will turn a few heads this year.

On the second day of Christmas we have the polo neck. Try to forget about times past when the only association you had with these high necked delights were your slightly eccentric uncle who you only saw at key holiday periods throughout the year in his pastel hued one teamed with canary yellow trousers. They have had a revamp and teamed with a well cut pair of suit trousers and patent shoes you can look boardroom to high society party in moments.

On the third day of male movie star worthiness, I present to you the luxe fabric which is Velvet. I still have pictures of me as a child dressed in velvet corduroy skirts matched with stripy knitted tights and to this day I still love the elegant aesthetic it gives on both men and women. I particularly love the wine coloured hue which has frequented catwalks this season. To downplay a jacket in this colour, I would team it with a black slim fit cotton shirt, black skinny jeans and desert boots – what a gorgeous combination.

Finally to finish off the male category by putting a smile on your face, who doesn’t love patterned socks. The trend has garnered such a cult following, that there is now a brand called Happy Socks which I am sure you all are already sporting. It just makes me feel warm inside when I see their displays in London department stores. But in this festive season dare to show your individuality with a flash of flouro, classic red or even Christmas themed with trees, snowman and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. By keeping the rest of your outfit neutral, let your feet do the talking.

Whichever sex you are, Christmas is all about being with your loved ones, having lots of wonderful home cooked treats but also it is a chance to relax your usual day to day style and be a little more creative. No jumper, headwear or slipper is too much – indulge your inner child. I certainly will be 😀

Until next time,

Take care

Keya x

Be your own number one fan.

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Keya

Good day to you my creative, beautiful creatures,

For this months post I wanted to explore the realms of our own personal comfort zones and doing something that both exhilarates and scares the life out of you; by trying something foreign and new 😀

As I’ve told you all in one of my earlier posts, since as young as I can remember I’ve always had a real love and passion for fashion and beautiful things. I used to pour over my mothers fashion magazines at home, oogling the wonderful outfits and the picture perfect surroundings. Most of all, I wanted to put pen to paper and write about these collections however. This is where my love of the English Language flourished from and at school, I could not get enough of the almost poetic prose which filled my heart in those classes.

(All Images courtesy of google images)

Although sadly I was unsuccessful in obtaining a place on my desired Fashion journalism course at university, the passion for my creative writing never extinguished. I still followed the fashion weeks around the world each year and would write short articles in my notebooks of my highlights and lowlights of the shows. It was only just over two years ago that after multiple people close to me persuaded me to continue my pursuit of writing, that I bit the perverbial bullet and started this blog.

I can not even begin to tell you how petrified I was to write that first entry. It wasn’t for selfish reasons though of how many people would even read it, it was just that idea of putting myself out there and doing something that was completely unfamiliar.

That first entry feels like a distant memory now but through the catharsis of writing each post, I honestly feel as though I’ve unlocked a part of my soul which was lying dormant inside for so long and I am so proud of how far it has come to date 😊

With this renewed sense of adventure, the next chapter of my journey has now begun. This past week I took the plunge again and I finally set up my fashion is my passion Instagram page. If you enjoy my writing, then my social media page is going to be the visual side of my love for Fashion and also will give some sneak peaks into my own everyday style. I would love you to check it out on Keya_fashionismypassion.

Also as so many of my closest friends and family have always asked me to help them find that perfect outfit for a special occasion or to just be more adventurous with their own style, I am going to be offering personal shopper experiences either in person with me or tips via email if you are not local so please feel free to send me a private message on my Instagram page and we can get started.

It is so important in my view as we grow older to strive to learn something new and challenge ourselves every single day. I would rather know I had tried and failed at something than to never have tried at all, after all we only have this one life – go out and seize it ❤️

Whatever it is that ignites that fire inside you, whether it be art, higher scholarly education, fitness, lifestyle – make today be the day that you take that first step to making your own dream a reality. I believe in you, so make sure you are your number one fan also.

Until next time,

Take care

Keya x