Thursday 19 February 2015

Mamanista is the new Fashionista

I have been pregnant twice in the last 6 years , meaning that I have spent over 80 weeks carrying another human being inside me. It sounds scary when I say it like that but despite the associated pregnancy hiccups it was quite and exciting and unique time for me. I have my pigeon pair a complex 5 year old daughter and charming 21 month old son. My children are two different flowers but from the same garden and the same can be said for their associated pregnancies. 


I come from a family of healthy , curvy and thick Basotho women so my natural size is above the average of a female my age. However in high school I was blessed enough to fall in love with rowing. Naturally the sport which has took up most of my time a day nearly all my parents money a a Weeke d's required a certain level of fitness which came at a cost. Early morning runs, hours on the ergo machine and my favourite daily swimming and rowing at the Victoria Lake Club in Germiston. Apart from commitment and endurance the sport taught me the wonderful effects of exercise on the human  body. I spent all my teens and most of my young adult life as a sexy size 32/34 with curves and hips that gave Beyonce and JLO a run for their money. After I got married I gained a little  more weight but nothing that a week off dieting or few gym sessions could fix.
So when in 2008 I discovered I was pregnant with my daughter I was ecstatic , thoughts of weight gain never once crossed my mind....that is until the second one trimester kicked in. Despite being fairly disciple I gained 28kg with my first and couldn't loose it no  after how hard I tried. 



I worked for weeks trying to be one that sexy woman on the cover of the pregnancy magazines who despite being pregnant gain just enough to look it but not so much that you can mistaken their 6 month belly with that of someone already full term. However this dream was shattered by explanations of pregnancy side effects who have for me included everything from  water retention , hormone imbalance a day good old fashion genes. I will not lie the matter of weight consumed me for a couple of months and as a result I wasn't always in the moment when things like the first time your baby kicks or  sits on your bladder... not that I mind having vague memory of the latter. Apart from the pics room my shower a day other random I don't really have may pictures or looks from my first pregnancy. I refused to take pictures due to crazy insecurities and now when want to look back on that chapter there is little to no photographic evidence but luckily I have a happy healthy almost 6 year little girl who is living proof of the miracle of becoming a mom.

In 2012 after having an almost fatal appendix rupture  which resulted in me being home for six weeks doing nothing  but reading all the fifty shades of grey books , I was blessed with yet another opportunity to carry a little angel in me. This time being a little older I was prepared for the changes that would occur and  after almost three years of fighting the weight battle I was happy with  myself and still wanted the ideal body but it was no longer top of mind. So this time I made an effort to enjoy this time and embrace my belly a day bump. I refused to hide away a day dress in tents but rather because the poster child for a healthy , happy yet stylish pregnant lady. I relished in getting dressed for work in the mornings and finding clothes a day looks that showed off my bump yet still worked for the office. I traded in my stiletto for my comfortable kitten heels and wedges. I decided to let my outside appearance reflect the miracle that was happening inside and pulled it off most of the time.


The one thing that pregnancy gave me apart from my beautiful children is the love of dresses , to me it is the most versatile and agile pieces of clothing a woman can wear. Dresses come in all shapes and styles and have the ability to  age anyone even a highly pregnant woman feel like a lady. Add a few accessories and a great shoe a day you ready to go out and conquer the world or in the case of a mommy to be, conquer the laws of gravity by staying upright in your high heels all day. The great thing with dresses it that even post the birth they can still hide the extra weight till you shed it or become comfortable enough to embrace it a a make it your own. I am a huge fan of be, ts coz with just a quick move my maternity dress becomes an outfit perfect for work or a social event with a cinched waist. 
I am grateful that I was afforded a second day chance to enjoy and embrace the miracle of being pregnant. It is still not my favourite  fashion figure but it is one I remember fondly and it part of the journey to my favourites role in life a day that is being a mother.  Ladies whether you are pregnant , planning to be pregnant or done with that phase of life, please do not focus so much in the way you look but rather spend that energy letting the miracle of that moment shine from within you. As the old saying goes there is no such thing as an ugly pregnant woman. I am not sure if I will ever do it again; become pregnant I mean  but either way being a Mamanista is something I already crossed off my bucket list

xoxo 
MissNikiM

Saturday 3 January 2015

December - Day at Carnival city with the children

Took all 6 children that were visiting over the holidays to Carnival for an evening of fun and Games. I wore this as it was comfortable but not boring as I was dealing with children from 18months to 18 years so I had to be prepared for anything. 


The head scarf was the inspiration for the neon pink pop of colour under my transparent back maxi dress. Instead of taking my son's usual nappy bag I took my large pink beach bag instead. Being a lover of all things Pink it was easy for me to find a matching pair of earrings to finish off my look.



The final result a happy comfortable  stylish mom and very happy children .

The curveball that was 2014

2014 for me was a year of discovery, life threw me a curve ball and for a while I just stood there watching and  waiting for the ball to hit me square in the face. However around mid year a flood of what seemed like random unrelated events took place and they reminded me that I am not a tree and if I am not happy or sure about something I can always just move. So I put on my big girl thong and moved slightly to the left , the curve ball still came swooshing past me but instead of crying over the impact I took in the breeze and clarity it bought with it. 

I have taken 1000 of pictures of myself in various looks but fear kept me from posting them . I have decided to use the year that is 2015 to finally do something I have put off doing for so long and take the leap of faith.

So brace yourself for a flood of MissNikiM and her fabulous sense of style.

          XoxoxO 💋

Welcoming 2015 in Style... Look 2

This was my 2nd news years eve look, not as glamorous as the first but just right for the dance all night in a club I had planned. Look is cute with some sex appeal while being comfortable especially the studded wedge shoe

Welcoming 2015 in style... Look 1

I have worked hard to get my body to a point where I am comfortable in tight short dresses. So to celebrate I bought this dress on October to be worn on the 31st of December. It was perfect however a little too short so I wore it for my last sundowner of 2014 and then changed into something more comfortable for the New Years ever night out.

Always young at heart

As a mother of two and a member of corporate SA , people tend to forget that I am only 29 and still young at heart. I   A lover of my heels and work looks but I use weekends to not only unwind my mind but also my style. Weekends are times to explore the latest trends and keep my FOMO at bay.


Corporate looks with Personality

The challenge of working in a corporate environment is trying I fit in so others are not uncomfortable around you while still staying true to your style. I constantly push the boundaries of corporate attire and find it easier to stay within the lines without loosing myself by using colour. You can be corporate appropriate without always wearing black, blue or grey.