Savvy Shopping Strategies

In an effort to put all my practice to good use,I have decided to share my complied list of shopping tips,they keep me focused on retail therapy sessions.Hopefully these will serve as a reminder to you,so as to not upset your banking balance and unnecessarily fill up your closet.Your money will love you for it.In no particular order…

PS.If shopping is not for you,Personal shoppers such as myself are here for you.Shopping with friends is not always a good idea,you will influence each other with an unwanted item,or one that they like,but not your style.Bookings can be done via  www.theidentityu.co.za / mailto: info@theidentityu.co.za

1.Make a list before you shop.Not of what to buy,but of your 10 fav items in your closet.This will help to mesh with what you already own and be a reminder of what you love and the kind of style you are into.If you do not know your style,our style consultations include Personality dress.That will help in knowing your style,which shops to buy at and what to buy.

2.Hit the dressing room prepared.If you are shopping for an important dress and to get a true feel.Bring your hip or thigh slimmer,heels,lipstick and hairbrush with you.This will assist in getting you a better sense of the final result.

3.Open your mind.Always take one “ its cute,but so not me” item.You never know when its in your body.Some clothes look better when they are actually worn.

4.Own something leopard print.It’s timeless,elegant,racey and always glamorous.When choosing accessories,first option should be something bright,its always gives energy and life into outfits.

5.When in doubt,always opt for nude.Especially with shoes.Matched with your skin tone is usually the best colour.Also with your fur coats,they look best on you when matched with your hair color.Try it and thank me later.

6.If it makes you do a little dance in the change room,you best buy it.Otherwise it will give you a hard time at night when you need to sleep.It's even worse when you go back looking for it and theres no size for you anymore.

7.Embrace your shape.If you are petite and shapely,go for a dress with a defined waist and just above the knee hem.

8.Online shopper?Abandon online shopping baskets for a day or two,to tease them into giving you a  % discount code.This is not guaranteed,but has been tested and worked for a few (myself included).So assume that you won’t win,but hope that you do.

9.Do not wait to go shopping until you really have to.If you randomly find a special occasion dress,you should buy it.Even if you have no event or special occasion in your calendar.It will come in handy when you eventually do,because last minute shopping is no fun and you would not usually find the best dress.So do visit shops which are running sales and scout around for an eye catcher.This includes classics like your white shirt,black pants and black shoes.

10.Lastly,picture it,try it on and always buy what you love,not what you think you need.If a pair of plain black pumps and tailored blazers don’t make you happy and excited,you don’t have to buy or wear them.You would be surprised how all the things you love can work together and compliment each other without the help of black pants or white tshirt.Style is you!

Please keep it going and share your own in the comments….#ShoppingConundrums

#SmartShoppersShallBeUS #ShoppingTips #IdentityUWomen

www.theidentityu.co.za

10 PICKS OF TOP AND TRENDING PRODUCTS

                                      

                           …beyond winter future classics!

1.Worthy Buy?Stain free ,long lasting foundation that leaves you with a flawless look?

 Estes Lauder Double Wear….

2.African Beauty Raw Black Soap and Unrefined Shea Butter,for wrinkles,baby skin and stretch marks. #SkinGlow

3.Purpul Hair Oil Mix.For hair growth,eliminating dandruff and the answer to all missing hairlines.Twitter : @PurpulHair

4.You could make your own from home ingredients or purchase a Lip Scrub available at Dischem and Lush.Keep your lips smooth and avoid cracks when putting on your matte lipstick.Lips need exfoliation too.

5.Don’t filter it,solve it.Corium overnight facial serums and skin perfecting body butter.Twitter : @CoriumNaturals

6.Clinique Gloss with Primer.It cuts out the need to have to purchase and apply both separately.

7.Organic Virgin Coconut Oil.For Skin.For Hair,health,it goes beyond what most people realize.

8.Revlon Colorstay 2 in 1 Compact make-up and concealer.Trouble of finding the right colors for both has been eliminated…

9.Ladies,Apple Cider Vinegar.Your health and hygiene will thank you for it…!

10.Garnier BB cream and Micellar Cleansing water.

Now lets get into formation....#StayQueenin #Ungasali

www.theidentityu.co.za

Inserts to make your high heels more comfortable

A post on our Facebook page seems to have sparked a lot of curiosity and questions.So i have decided to give further details on the inserts you can use to ease the pain of wearing high heels.

Dr.Scholl’s has the best one’s,also reusable so that you won’t need to keep purchasing them.Another recommended brand is Fab Feet.These can be used on flat shoes as well,though high heels demand greater usage.For your many reasons that your oh so gorgeous pair of heels turn ugly on you during the day,i hope one of these five will be a great solution to you.Check them out at Clicks and Dischem.

1.Ball of foot cushions : This cushion lines inside of your shoe for focused cushioning.This will help endure longer periods in your heels

2.Insoles : These line at the bottom of your shoe and provides a little extra cushion.I’m sure many are familiar with this one.

3.Heel Liners : Lines at the back  of the inside of your shoe to improve its grip or fit.

4.Non-skid tread : This is placed on outer sole of your shoe under ball of foot to prevent slipping and improves traction.

5.Rub relief strips :They can be placed anywhere inside your where it's rubbing you painfully,to provide a cushion.

Keep in mind that some shoes may be poorly structured and impossible to fix completely.First preference is to always get the right size,fit and heel length that you are most comfortable with.If you are not used to the shoe height,start off by wearing them around the house,or outdoors but for shorter periods,till eventually you get used to it.Good luck…

www.theidentityu.co.za

Love it,know it...FASHIONESE!

The luxurious fashion brands that we all love so much and aspire to afford,do we know the faces behind all of them?Yes,no,a few?Lets know these successes by face,because why not?!

Lets meet some of them….

First up,my fav,Raymond Stuart Kelvin,founder of the Ted Baker brand.He started off working in his uncle’s menswear,and later opened up his own men’s t-shirt shop in Glasgow,UK.

Next up,the inspirational late Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel,founder of the iconic Coco Chanel….RIP.

Muiccia Prada,who was the youngest granddaughter of Mario Prada,who started the Prada Fashion Line.Company had grown sleepy and stagnant and she reimagined it.With the help of her husband,she began updating the company’s merchandise with designs she had developed herself……

The late Guccio Gucci,founder of the House of Gucci,was a lift boy at the Savoy Hotel.He was inspired by the elegant upper class guests and inspired luggage by companies such as Cave & Sons….

Gianni Versace,openly gay,founder of Versace and first designer to link fashion to the music world.Versace began his apprenticeship at a young age at his mothers sewing business.After many successes he much later passed on at the age of 50,year 1997…RIP

Another late legend,Louis Vuitton,founder of Louis Vuitton brand leathers goodies.LV is the worlds 29th most valuable brand.It was also number one of the ten most powerful brands list,for six consecutive years…RIP

Red Bottoms! Christian Louboutin,uncle bae perhaps? Co founder of the famous shoes we all love.He started sketching shoes from his early teens,ignoring his academic studies.Fast forward to him designing shoes for Chanel,Yves Saint Laurant ,whilst serving as a freelance designer.Herein.....

And last but not least,the legends of the Dolce and Gabbana brand.Domenico Dolce  (on left ) and Stefano Gabbana.The two met in Milan and designed for the same fashion house,two years later they established a designer consulting studio,which in time grew to become “Dolce & Gabbana” 

#FashionGetsEducational

www.theidentityu.co.za

Tracking Trends - Boudoir Style

Your favourite pyjama’s that you always wished you could leave the house and adult in public with? Well hey now! Comfy has stepped a level higher...

Bedroom has been updated to office and cocktail-friendly versions, all up to the runway.

Boudoir/pyjama style is now a trend, with lace also now on double duty. From slip dresses to louche jumpsuits and sleek nightgowns. Traces of boudoir dressing were also found at the Calvin Klein Collection ,Gucci’s fur-lined slippers and a statement pyjama shirt at Alexander Wang, to name a few.

I will be posting on our Instagram  and Facebook pages (@identityu), pictures i have researched, just to give you ideas on how you can incorporate the boudoir trend into your wardrobe if you feeling this trend.

A run on detail of the ideas: 

1. Wear your favourite pyjama top, open, underneath a vest, with a pair of jeans and statement neckpiece.
2. Style up a silk dress with your favourite stylish trench coat.
3. Instead of a jacket, opt for a kimono style robe.   
4. If you going to choose a pyjama set, go silk. Cotton pyjamas are bit to fit for bedtime.
5. Lastly, pick a shoe that does not look like slippers, preferably stick to heels.

PS. Try to avoid looking like you did when you rolled out of bed.

Pyjama’s, silk, lets 2016!!!

www.theidentityu.co.za

'Do what you love,love what you do.." -...

If an idea lives in your mind, it becomes a dream and you put in work to make it a reality. If you are really passionate about something, explore its avenues and remember that even impossible spells I’m possible. God will never lead you to where his grace won’t carry you.

Today is the last day on our feature in Lira. Day one we spoke of finding your purpose, and living a purpose driven life. Day two, we went on to say that a joy in your journey will take you further. And today on our last feature we outline what Lira’s passion has led in terms of achievements and inspirational life journey, which is what has inspired us to feature and share what we have about her in the past two days.

As an undergraduate student, Lira studied Accounting and used her skills to exchange for recording time at a local studio, resulting in her first demo at the age of 18. Upon graduation, Lira continued in accounting for two years. With ambitions to be a singer she turned in her letter of resignation and created a five-year plan for her music career.

In 2000 she was discovered by musician/producer Arthur Mafokate, who signed her to his record label, 999 Music, and helped with the release of her debut album, All My Love (2003). The album earned her accolades at the Metro FM Awards, South African Music Awards and Channel O Reel Music Awards. The title track even knocked Beyoncé's single "Dangerously in Love" off the charts. The following year, she left 999 Music and teamed up with keyboardist Victor Mngomezulu, bassist Tshepo Sekele, and producer Robin Kohl, subsequently she was signed to Sony Music Africa and released her first major label album Feel Good (2006). A huge success, it led to multiple nominations and wins at the South African Music Awards (SAMA). In July 2007 the album was released in Italy, where its title track gained massive airplay.

In summer 2010, she joined a lineup of artists that included Alicia Keys, Shakira, K'Naan and John Legend, at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert performing a rendition of "Pata Pata," a hit song originally recorded by the late Miriam Makeba. Later that summer, she was selected to take part in the 92nd birthday celebration of former South African president Nelson Mandela. Telecast live in 3D directly to Mandela, her performance of the popular Labi Siffre anti-apartheid tune and Mandela favourite "(Something Inside) So Strong" with the Soweto Spiritual Singers proved to be one of the most prominent performances in her career.

According to The Star Newspaper, she's currently considered the foremost adult contemporary female solo artist in South Africa. She has appeared in major ad campaigns and been an Ambassador for Audi, Shield, Samsung, MTN,Blackberry,Bobbi Brown and Johnnie Walker. She has appeared on the covers of over thirty magazines worldwide.

In December 2011, she was named one of the "Five Unique Artists to Change Music in 2012" by Essence Magazine. In May 2012 she appeared in L'Uomo Vogue's "Re-Branding Africa" issue featuring General Ban Ki-Moon on the cover where she said, "We're a young democracy, and we're accustomed to an image of Africa as a place that expects outside help. We must instead take stock of our situation, become autonomous, and find our identity and independence."

She lends her time and resources to causes that matter to her the most. She remains active with and has received awards from various grassroots organizations, outreach groups, and advocacy programs such as the Student Sponsorship Programme – which presented her with the Inspiration Award in 2011.She has also participated in numerous activities for The Southern Africa Trust. In 2015, she was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the richest female singers in Africa. She is currently a member of the coaching panel of The Voice South Africa.

With no doubt and much confidence, she is definitely one of our inspirational  Women Wealthy in Christ (WWC),we hope that this feature has somehow moved you to a better place in your life. Do Look out for our next feature next month (May).

IdentityU Corporate

www.theidentityu.co.za

'Joy in your journey will take you further...'-...

I knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb, says the Lord.

In life we live, learn and experience daily. Some of our experiences are sparkled by life challenges, but as said, if your steps are guided by the Lord, they all will be aligned with your destiny.

People will judge, they will talk and discourage you, or at least try. Never give them the power over your life, you do not belong to this world, but are here to serve a purpose. Lira amongst many is a perfect example of personal progress and how to nurture your brand. Once you have found and settled in to your purpose, it becomes a continuous, successful and joyful learning journey. God’s promises stay true.

Lira (born Lerato Molapo) was recently appointed as the first African female brand ambassador for Johnnie Walker. This is just under a month that she was announced as SA’s first black Bobbi Brown ambassador. This again is because of her positive attitude and strong commitment in life, which continues to be an inspirational story. Her songs have been just as inspirational and uplifting.

We need be reminded that we are not Christ, but Christians (we are Christ like) and we live on the world created by God, which also sets its own standards. Stand firm in the word of God, and do not be shaken by the challenges that you face, rather allow them to mold and build you up as a stronger person. God is with us, always…

To be continued…

IdentityU Corporate

www.theidentityu.co.za