Eccentric Glamour

Eccentric Glamour by style writer, window dresser and Queen Elizabeth II impersonator Simon Doonan is a wonderful book about glamorous eccentrics, people who are irreverent, mysterious, self-invented and above all, non-conformist. I'm a glamorous eccentric! He talks about the three roads that lead to the kingdom of eccentric glamour;

The Gypsy is the ethereal, poetic, crafty, artsy, bohemian face of eccentric glamour. Though stylish, she privileges sensuality, freedom and comfort over fashion....

The Existentialist is infinitely more severe, dramatic, graphic and intellectual than her wayward Gypsy sister. While the Gypsy is all about the flesh, the Existentialist is all about the mind. Think edgy. Think beatnik.......

The Socialite is heavy on the gloss, light on the eccentricity. She's laquered, designer clad, high-heel addicted, manicured, elegant and slightly bitchy.......

I think I'm mix of all three, a beatnik gypsy who occasionally turns up at certain events looking like a socialite!

Naomi Sims

Naomi Sims, sometimes referred to as the first black supermodel,, has died of cancer. She was 61.

Sims said childhood insecurities inspired her to become “someone really important”. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where counselors and classmates encouraged her to give modeling a try. Every agency turned her down, however, some even telling her that her skin was too dark.

Sims then decided to try a different approach. She began directly contacting photographers herself and within a year she was earning $1,000 a week and modeling for top designers such as Halston, who told the New York Times in 1974, “Naomi was the first. She was the great ambassador for all black people. She broke down all the social barriers.”

Hollywood took an interest in her and offered her the title role in the movie Cleopatra Jones in 1972, but Sims was appalled by the racist portrayal of blacks in the movie and turned it down. The following year, she retired from modeling and created a successful wig collection. It expanded into a multimillion-dollar beauty empire, and Sims authored a number of books on modeling and beauty.

Zoe Kravitz

My favorite socialite quirky Zoe Kravitz is the new face of Vera Wang’s Princess perfume. The actress-and-musician is the daughter of rocker Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. Bohemian Zoe, 20, fronts Philadelphia band Elevator Flight, and has appeared in a number of films including 2007’s ‘No Reservations’, and ‘The Brave One’, featuring Jodie Foster, which was released the same year.

Green Tea

Green tea is a great appetite suppressant and an even better anti-oxidant preventing cancer and other ailments associated with natural aging by fighting free radicals in the body. White tea is even better.

The little black dress

Coco Chanel invented it, Audrey Hepburn popularised it in Givenchy in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. Chic, simple, sophisticated, classic.

Anti-aging supplements

I am in search of the fountain of eternal youth! It's not enough to use anti-aging products on the outside, you have to feed your skin from within. I take 2000mg of antioxidant Vit C, 1000mg of antioxidant Vit E, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, fish oil (essential fatty acids keep your skin supple from within) and a multi-vitamin daily.

Challenge!

I challenge all readers of my blog to eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables and drink 8 glasses of water every day! Water's the hardest bit for me, I don't like the taste!

Iconic RiRi.

One word, iconic.

Supplements for hair growth.

Black girls can grow long hair too! It just takes a little more TLC and effort, especially if your hair is relaxed. These are great supplements for feeding your hair. Horsetail herbal extract, Biotin, Vit B complex, MSM, Flaxseed oil/Essential fatty acids, multi-vitamins. Popular oils to put in your hair to enhance health and eventually length, jojoba oil, wheatgerm oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, organic and unrefined is best. Mix with a few drops of rosemary essential oil for a scalp stimulating massage. There's also an indian oil called Amla Oil that's great. Great protective styles are the bun, bantu-knots, braid-outs and twist-outs (braid outs and twist outs are when you braid or twist your hair and then loosen it for a wavy, crinkly look). Keep ends trimmed and healthy. Happy hair growing!