Celebrating Black History month & LGBT History month

This month celebrates two events that are very close to me: Black History month in the UK, and LGBT History month in the US. To highlight both events, I created a dessert tablescape that would feature some of the black LGBT women who have inspired me over the past few years. It was hard for me to reduce the many I have been following to only 7 women, but I'm pleased with the result. They are all very different, have contributed to my personal growth as an LGBT woman of colour, and opened me up to a plethora of  knowledge.

My monochrome design constitutes of a tablescape set on a velvet background, flourished with gorgeous bright blooms, and complemented with bite-size treats. It's a light party décor with a strong aesthetic.

I put my personal touch on everything from the design the food! Thanks to the online world I was able to create these delicious chocolate cake pops with a white chocolate coating and I'm grateful to have found Divas can cook to help me do that. I'm loving Monique's quick Youtube video tutorial, have a peruse!

To accompany my scrumptious cake pops I prepared mini vanilla milkshakes (found on one of my favourite party planner's blog, Courtney of Pizzazzerie). They are really quick and easy to make and they look yummy topped with chocolate sprinkle, a dessert table must-have! Pop them into shot glasses for a fun-filled effect (they work wonderfully at children's parties).

Beautiful Godesses Jessica Clark & Audre Lorde

 The amazing Toshi Reagon, who I had the pleasure to see performing live in London this year; the fierce Isis King, whose infinite sass never ceases to amaze me; and Dee Rees, whose ground-breaking movie 'Pariah' I keep on praising.

Sumptuous cookies'n'cream cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting - a mourish treat for a successful shindig

Superwomen wordsmiths Alice Walker & Staceyann Chin

It felt good to design a dessert table and getting back to doing what I love the most, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed working on it!

Columbia road flower market

Perusing around Columbia road flower market is one of my favourite activities. When creating a tablescape, I make sure to pick the most gorgeous blooms that will complete my sumptuous creation.

I don't mind the loud stall holders, or even being squished as I make my way through the jungle-like atmosphere. What inspires me to make the trek from south London  is the loveliness of being surrounded by fresh scents, arrays of colours, pretty fluffy dogs, one-of-a-kind shops, the smell of Monmouth coffee floating around, and the charming traders who will always try their best to get me a good deal!

I carefully selected a bunch of white Hydrangea flowers, white roses, and white carnations that will complement my design perfectly by adding a slight contrast to my monochrome design.

The design process can be fairly pricey but if you catch up on the market at around 3pm, you'll go home with more than you've bargained for!

Ode to Yayoi Kusama

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you've probably noticed that I have been bombarding my profile with my latest craze: Yayoi Kusama's collaboration with Louis Vuitton that is currently blessing the windows of Selfridges.

What I really liked about the display is that it represents Yayoi's love poem 'Love Forever' and is spread across 24 impressive, polka dot-inundated windows (see it in full on the Selfridges website). A mind-blowing experience.

It is an absolutely beautiful homage to love, complemented by impeccable gold Japanese typography, and showcases the designer's work in a way that will tease viewers to enter her dotted world.

I wasn't familiar with Yayoi's work of art before this display was constructed but I really enjoyed the visual feast. Her style is incomparable, immaculate and unique. To those who wander around central London, I would highly recommend you pay it a visit!

Great advice for creatives

On Thursday, Mathy and I had the opportunity to interview the ever-so-fabulous Mellissa, founder of vegan cupcake company Ms. Cupcake. We wanted to capture Mellissa's compelling story about how she started running her business from her bedroom to opening her own boutique in trendy Brixton, a place she refers to as her home. One of her greatest quote, 'Make sure you handpick the people who are going to support you and your venture', deeply resonated. I will say no more, the interview will be up on Mathy's blog, 'Wha' the job is this' so make sure to tune in next week!

In alignment with our inspirational chat with Mellissa, I stumbled upon this great poster on Pinterest and it is now sitting on my laptop background. Get yourself a hot beverage, have a looksy, grab your notebook, jot down some ideas, and take what you want from it. Your venture, your rules!

source

My Twenty Ten Club interview!

A couple of months back I was approached by the lovely founder of The Twenty Ten Club, Octavia Goredema, to feature on her website. It showcases inspirational black female entrepreneurs and enables them to connect with and support each other. 

We chatted about all things entrepreneurial, how I started in the business of event design & tips for fellow business starters, and my inspirations! It was a really good opportunity for me to talk about things I wanted to get out there and the response has been great so far.

So grab a cuppa and go check it!

2012: healing my wounds, reclaiming my art and having FUN!

And a happy and healthy New Year to you!

Let's start the new year in style

I ended 2011 with a clear, new vision and a new motto to welcome the new year:

'If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen.'

Ain't that right? The saying implies many things at once, but it only means one thing to me. I have attempted to live by that rule so many times, in vain, and determined to make it an oath and experience the year ahead with as much boldness as one can have. But no rushing, no looking back, and no regrets. No more.

Diving in, head first

Feeling at my best when I'm doing my thing!

Delving in good old design books, perusing decrepit treasure shops, creating from scratch, taking solace in my practice, challenging myself artistically, photographing my experiences, and sharing. Processes that have been put on the back  burner have now absolute priorities, top of the list.

I'm getting tingly and excited with a self-inflected buzz that welcomes new prospects... let's get started!

My resolutions long-term plans, you ask? They are bold, fierce, forward, and grand.

Like 13-year-old Puje I want to explore, fearlessly, riding across the land of my intrepid imagination with childlike fierceness. (Tim Walker, Vogue December 2011)

Healing my wounds, reclaiming my art and having lots and lots of fun-filled moments. I've got a few tricks under my sleeves and there are new exciting projects in the making, trips to my hometown (and beyond) planned, and live performances in the books - just to start off with. The rest is brewing... 

Here's to a peaceful, productive, and prosperous new year, yes?