Posts Tagged ‘Diary series’

Diary // Ama K. Abebrese Exclusive London & Milan Diary

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

Ama K. Abebrese is an award winning British TV presenter, actress and producer of Ghanaian origin. She is Africa’s Best Actress for 2011 for the continent;s version of the Oscars, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

The formally trained actress and Media Arts and Drama graduate is steadily making a name for herself as she works with the best in African and International talent. Abebrese’s last two movies saw her partner with film maker, Leila Djansiof Turning Point Pictures (winner of the Pan African Film festival and BAFTA LA awards respectively).

In the first Djansi film, Sinking Sands, she plays an emotional lead female role alongside Hollywood based, Haitian actor, Jimmy Jean-Louis in male lead role. In the film she brings to life the story of Pabi, a woman whose life becomes an abuse and violence filled nightmare when her husband is disfigured in an accident. For this role, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress 2011.

The second collaboration with Djansi saw her work with Nigeria’s Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Hollywood actress, Kimberly Elise. The three lead actresses play three women from different works of life, bound to together by similar pain; the loss of a child. Entitled Ties that bind

Aside from her acting, the recent currently Ghana based, Screen Nation Award 2011 nominated actress, also produces.

I was honored when Ama agreed to document her recent weekend trip to London and Milan.

Day One

On the plane heading to London from Accra, Ghana. Goodbye Ghana, hello London.

Here I am on my street, on my first day back in London.

In between my jam packed schedule I stop to have red wine, gelato and a catchup session with fab Marian at Westfields Shopping Center.

The street becomes the catwalk? Fun impromptu posing in my cheerful Lulu & Red jacket.

Bump into two lovely fans as I dash to my next appointment. The girls are so sweet.

Day Two

Here I am at the airport, en route to Milan for business, shopping and site seeing. Who says pleasure and business cannot go hand in hand? Bye for now London.

Business done. I take in some sites at Duomo. Such incredible architecture.

Two words…Louis Vuitton. Another two words… shopping heaven.

Off to dinner in Milan.I am wearing a dress Maksi and a clutch Sa4a, both Ghanaian designers.

Time for dinner. Love Italian cuisine. Here I am posing with my Sa4a clutch.

Day Three

Football glam! I do the Ghana v Brazil game at Craven Cottage, Fulham with my sister and cousin. Go Ghana!

What stands out to me is, despite the fact that she is in three countries, in three days, she still makes the time for fun; gelato with me, football with her sister and cousin, a spontaneous posing session just because, connecting with excited fans who ran up to her screaming etc.

It goes to show that the actress, who is up for a Screen Nation Award, is always going to be the approachable and warm person I met years ago, however successful she becomes.

Follow her on Twitter here.

Vote for her for Best Actress in the Screen Nation Awards 2011 here.

Many kind thanks to Ama for documenting over such a busy weekend.

Catch up on the Diary series here.

Share

Diary // Zara Martin Exclusive LA Diary

Friday, August 27th, 2010

TV presenter, Actress and Model, Zara Martin is making a name for herself with her smoldering screen siren looks, talent and presence. She also know has incredible taste in heels.

Grazia magazine online recently heralded her as one to watch. She is also featured in their current Back To Cool print issue. Fashion Week will see a capsule collection that she designed with BodyAmr shown as part of their line up, come September. She will also be hosting the catwalk shows at London Fashion Weekend.

I was honoured when she agreed to document a business trip to LA for me.

It is a delight to share her diary of her trip with you. It made for a fabulous read and know you will enjoy it too.

Day 1

I have arrived in LA, which I always forget is one of the most casual places on earth. So obviously I decide to wear a long, bright green BODYAMR dress to blend in. I went to Il Pastaio, my favourite Italian restaurant, for dinner with a friend. Mmm…pasta and jet lag…

Day 2

After a full day of meetings I’m feeling (and looking) a bit disheveled. Ok fine, a lot disheveled. We stopped off at The Crescent for a much needed vodka-based drink – it’s where this picture was taken. My outfit, which seemed to have confused a few Hollywood types, consisted of high waisted floral TOPSHOP shorts, VINTAGE chiffon cropped top, CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA black and white heels and a vintage CHANEL bag. Oh, and red
lips!

DAY 3

It’s the weekend! How convenient. I’m big time into art so I took the opportunity to go to and see the Nancy Rubins exhibition at the very impressive Gagosian Gallery on Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. As I was walking around (yes, I said walking…Shocker!…In LA that’s a massive faux pas) I stumbled across the amazing Lazarides pop-up gallery on Beverly Drive (Steve Lazarides is the art dealer/manager known for giving Banksy’s career a helping hand). I was generally blown away but I particularly fell in love with the works they had on display by artist Antony Micallef…he’s my new obsession.

DAY 4

Today is maintenance day. First stop, I dropped in to see David at CT Nails on Santa Monica Blvd, who is ‘the shit’. This is what he calls himself. And this is what he did to me…Leopard print! He knows me well… Next up, MyBlow LA (yeah I can’t say it without laughing either) for some hair action with Remy AKA the world’s best blow dry.

But now I’ve got the hair and nails did I need to go out! So I grabbed my friend and casting director Tamara-Lee Notcutt (who we can all thank for the fine ab selection in 300 ) and we went to Soho House – hands down the most beautiful venue in LA. We spotted David Beckham and Gordon Ramsay having a bite, and then spent way too long in the amazing photo-booth-room. Just your average Sunday night…

DAY 5

After work work work, I was invited to the Dodgers game. Baseball? Nuff said.

DAY 6

I had the pleasure of meeting with MHA media today, one of the foremost fashion PR firms based in LA. Apart from discussing my upcoming capsule collection with BodyAmr (exciting!), I also managed to have some fun trying on all their clothes. Here I am in a BODYAMR one legged catsuit. Meaow.

Day 7

Another great day of TV meetings, but I’m definitely delirious by the point i took this picture with fashion photographer and founder of Showmeyourwardrobe.com , Jackie Dixon. Gotta love The Hoff. Or not. I’m wearing black studded leather mini skirt by TOPSHOP, white lace TOPSHOP socks, SALT VALLEY men’s denim shirt, fuchsia BALENCIAGA bag and MECHANTE OF LONDON heels – who’s Spring/Summer 2011 campaign I just shot!

DAY 8

This was the day I had planned to lay poolside in my MYLA bikini bottoms and DOLCE & GABBANA top at The Thompson Hotel where I’ve been staying. However, Brandy and her VH1 reality show slightly hindered this plan.

DAY 9

I’m in LA for goodness sake! How can I not squeeze in a spot of pre-work stuff shopping? That’s me in ZAC POSEN and VINTAGE sunnies [picture 1, 3rd row]. I kind of felt like I was cheating on my RAY BAN’s though – I haven’t taken them off my face since I got them! Tried to remember how to play Bullshit (card game) later that day, and failed. Bullshit.

DAY 10

Before heading off for work related matters came my second attempt at making it to the pool, this time in a PISTOL PANTIES gingham swimsuit, TOPSHOP heart print shorts and CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA leopard print raffia shoes. I’m print-tastic today.

DAY 11

Quick tan top-up in REFORMED shorts, VINTAGE belt and SOLUDOS espadrilles [picture 4, 3rd row] before flight. Bye bye LA, it’s been emotional.

I could happily read her diary over and over. How fantastic was it? Even though she was on a business trip, she still had a memorable time. From famous celebrity spottings, having the blow dry that ends all others to taking in some the Lazarides pop up gallery.

I think Zara looks great in all the images. Her wardrobe was enchanting! I am particularly taken with all the prints. I love the image of her trying on that one leg BodyAmr catsuit. She totally exudes raw vixen. There is something about her that is reminiscent of Sophia Loren meets Marion Cotillard.

I think I may just have to take her lead and try a leopard print manicure. Such a fun way to get in on the animal print trend.

I love Zara’s exclusive LA diary. Keeping her talent in mind, I concur with Grazia that she is one to watch.

For more on Zara Martin, read her blog here.

Follow her on Twitter here.

Many kind thanks to the lovely Zara.

Catch up on the Diary series here.

Share

Diary // Susie Erskine’s New York City, The Hamptons & Palm Beach Florida Diary

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

Susannah Erskine (as seen in the above image)is a Digital Strategist for fashion brands. She was part of the team that set up Fashionair and is currently working on some very exciting projects due to be revealed later this year.

She recently documented a diary of a trip to America which saw her spend time in New York, The Hamptons and Palm Beach in Florida. Read on for the latest in the diary series.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

Thursday 11.30pm
It is almost midnight in London on a grey rainy Thursday. My boyfriend and I suddenly decide that it is time to escape the rain and general miserableness of a country which is still experiencing winter in May, and make a spontaneous trip to one of our favorite places – America!

Thursday 11.37pm
The tickets are booked!

Saturday 8pm
Less than 48 hours later we arrive at JFK and drive out to The Hamptons for the weekend. My boyfriend makes his traditional pit-stop at a drive through McDonalds, and I discover that the Marni dress I am wearing works perfectly when combined with fast food, as the voluminous sack shape comfortably hides my tummy full of fries. Fashion can be so practical!

Sunday
Sunday is spent enjoying the beautiful spring weather in the garden. My style in The Hamptons is all about retro bikinis and cute dresses. Today I’m wearing a cotton APC dress I bought in Paris 4 years ago, belted at the waist to give it some shape, with a pair of retro style sunglasses from Topshop. We drive out to Montauk for lunch at a little restaurant by the sea and enjoy the kind of chocolate peanut butter pie you can only find in America.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us
Image courtesy of Susie Erskine.

Monday
On Monday morning we take the Jitney bus into Manhattan to spend two days in the best city in the world. I adore New York and get butterflies in my stomach as the city skyline comes into view. With huge smiles on our faces we jump off the bus ready to run round our favorite city.

We spend the afternoon wandering around downtown, walking down Bleecker street in the West village and shopping in Soho. My boyfriend finds a great blazer from Steven Alan at a sample sale for only $30 and proudly wears it around for the rest of the day. I’m planning on doing a little shopping tomorrow so for now I just enjoy strolling around eating hotdogs and cupcakes.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us
Images courtesy of Susie Erskine.

Whoever lives in this house must be very happy! Me in the West Village in a gold Marni dress and Stuart Weitzman sandals

Tuesday
On Tuesday morning I wake up super early from the jet lag so I pop all the way downtown to Century 21 which is an outlet store that opens at about 7am. I don’t really like to inflict too much shopping on my boyfriend so I leave him in bed and agree to meet for brunch later in the morning. I find a really pretty Giambattista Valli top (seen in last image in the diary) at Century 21 for $150 (originally around $800) which I can’t wait to wear, and then head back uptown for a little more shopping. I buy some grey sailor shorts from a great Korean store called Eryn Brinie, a pair of blush colored roll up pants from J Crew.

Brunch is at Balthazar which is one of my favorite places to go in NY. In this photo I’m wearing a vintage red polka dot blouse with silk shorts and a vintage Chanel bag. The waitress and I spend a long time discussing how useful a polka dot blouse can be – my boyfriend watches us looking a little bemused. He says I’m cute when I talk fashion.

We spend the afternoon enjoying the heat wave (yes a heat wave! no more grey rainy days for us!) by lying in central park, before heading off for drinks at the Mandarin Oriental and then dinner with friends in the East Village.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us
Images courtesy of Susie Erskine.

Wednesday
On Wednesday we take a flight to Palm Beach in Florida – Palm trees and beach here we come!

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us
Images courtesy of Susie Erskine.

Thursday
Thursday is spent lying in in the sunshine. When it gets too hot we go for a drive, stopping off at the Chanel store on Worth avenue where they are having their fall trunk show. I hadn’t managed to go to the press day as I had too much work on so I jump at the chance to take a peek. I giggle over the little Chinese takeaway bag from the Shanghai collection, and drool over the beautiful sting ray bags that the store always has. Sadly though my eyes are much bigger than my purse so my price range is much better catered for by the consignment stores on the Island which sell a range of vintage Chanel pieces amongst other things. After stopping off in one of the nicest ones, which even has a small room dedicated to Chanel couture, I find a lovely jacket in one of the stores which I plan to have altered to fit me when I’m back in London.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us
Image courtesy of Susie Erskine.

Friday
Friday is another beach day! We spend the evening having drinks at McCarthy’s bar which is normally rammed at Christmas and Easter with every person in their 20s on the Island, but for now is gorgeously quiet, before heading over to an Al Fresco Pizza restaurant where we eat under the stars.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us
Image courtesy of Susie Erskine.

Saturday
We fly home on Saturday evening having enjoyed one of the nicest weeks, spending time with our friends and family in some of our favorite places. Below is an image of me in Palm Beach wearing the Giambattista Valli top that I bought in NY, a gold YSL cuff, scallop Chloe shorts (which are currently on sale at Yoox.com should anyone want them!) and my gold Stuart Weitzman sandals.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us
Image courtesy of Susie Erskine.

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

After reading Susie’s diary I felt like making like her by spontaneously jetting off to sunny Palm Beach.

From everything to eating Alfresco under the stars to picturesque hamlets in The Hamptons, Chanel and other shopping adventures, the diary was utterly fabulous.

Her effortless chic holiday wardrobe was spot on. I adore the photo of her in the nude Marni dress in front of the red West Village house.

I think it is fantastic that she found the Giambattista Valli top for $150 (seen in the last image) and that her boyfriend scored a Steven Alan blazer for $30. Don’t you just love hearing about a great fashion bargain?

It does not get much more fabulous then spending a week of vacation in between New York City, The Hamptons and Palm Beach, Florida!

What are your favourite parts of the diary?

Kind thanks and glam kisses to Susie for documenting it.

Visit her on twitter here.

Read her pre London Fashion Week to do list here.

Catch up on the rest of the features in the Diary series here.

Share

Diary // Tolula Adeyemi Exclusive LA Diary

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

Darlings I am super excited to share an exclusive!

Tolula Adeyemi; British actress, model and muse to Vivienne Westwood (as pictured below) recently spent a fabulous month in Hollywood.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Photo Credit – Photography by David Yeo, fashion styling by Marian Kihogo, make up by Maria Papadopoulou and hair by Chrysostomos Chamalides.

She very kindly honoured Mariankihogo.com by documenting her trip in an exclusive diary. It covers the entire course of her trip. The A list glamour, the sights and all the nuances in between.

Her fun adventures make this personal piece a must read.

I am delighted to share Tolula Adeyemi’s exclusive LA Diary with you…

(more…)

Share