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The “LIttle” Luxuries

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I’ve always known that luxury really isn’t a function of cost, but as I’ve been on this business journey with “The Posh Up,” the pieces that I’ve had the opportunity to stock have really reminded me of that. Because of the magic of branding, we’ve come to associate the word luxury with high cost. But I think it’s important to define luxury on your own terms and to know what it means and what value you believe that it brings to your life.

For me, luxuries are things, circumstances or experiences that are rare and therefore not easily replaced if lost or perhaps irreplaceable. They are unique and therefore in short supply because you can’t just find them anywhere. A luxury in terms of experience is often one that no amount of money can buy. More often than not, when you experience something that is a “luxury,” it is because God blessed you by allowing you to experience a moment or circumstance that no amount of money or effort can give you.

Some examples in my life are the last moments that I spent talking to my mom, I still remember how I lingered after we said goodbye and how conscious I was of the special love that I felt between us. Another example that I will always remember was the look in my husband’s eyes just after I gave birth to my first daughter. The blessing of a child is an obvious gift, but God just added a little extra by allowing me to catch that passing glance filled with so much emotion, I will never forget it.

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While clothes can’t compare to those tender and rare life milestones, dressing up and feeling good is of if the small but significant joys of life. That joy is next level when the clothes a wearable art like this Adire PJ Set by Unknown Brand NG. “Adire” is Yoruba for “tie and dye,” or resist dying/batik techniques that are common throughout West Africa. What is especially unique about the Adire cloth found in Nigeria is that in addition to patterns created by tie and dye techniques, the artisans sometimes apply hand designs to the cloth literally making each piece a work of art. Because the cloth is designed by hand, no two pieces of Adire cloth will be identical, even if it is made by the same person. In each piece, you receive a rare design which is not the same as any other. In my mind, there are few “things” more luxurious than a one of a kind custom design. As you can tell from the pictures below, these pieces brought me so much joy. They can be styled separately but I had fun wearing them together:

Don’t forget that you can snag these pieces at 25% off using code BUYBLACK until 11:59pm on Monday 11/30. Thank you for reading.

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Support System

Like most of you I spent summer 2020 in the house…with two small children, no events, no parties, not even a good brunch. To make matters worse I was nursing my youngest for most of the summer so I didn’t even drink 🙃. Even if you weren’t quarantined with toddlers, a job to do and no childcare this summer like me, this year has been challenging for a host of reasons. Although the pandemic has changed many of the ways in which we pursue entertainment, I hope that you are being intentional about finding ways to enjoy yourself and relieve stress.

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And while I’m on that message ladies how y’all doing? Moms y’all alright? I want to be the type of woman that other women can look to for a positive word and emotional support because I feel like that is so needed. Women shoulder so much responsibility and stress that any extra support of encouragement that we can get goes a long way. For me, becoming a mother made me a much more vulnerable person. Probably because I feel like since having kids I’m always running around with my hair on fire, but I am much more sensitive to my circumstances and the people in my life since I became a mom. For other women, it may be that you’ve climbed the career ladder and assumed increasingly weighted responsibilities, maybe you’re caring for an elderly parent or perhaps you’re battling grief after a year filled with losses. Whatever the case, I have had strangers step in and give me helpful advice and positive encouragement that truly helped me overcome some difficult challenges. I want to be that type of stranger for other women, and I am doing it by leading with kindness and by listening more than I speak. If you have the strength, I encourage you to reach out to a woman you know and offer her some genuine words of encouragement.

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Finally I know that 2020 has been hard on all the girly girls because what excuse do we even have to dress up and look nice 😩. My solution is that I no longer need one! So once again I don’t know where I’m going in this outfit but this corset jacket from Christie Brown makes me feel like I am in control! So ladies support each other like this jacket is supporting me right now 😂. Thank you for reading and take care of yourself until next time.
Jacket, sold out but similar here, Skirt old from NY&CO (similar here and here, top Zara, Earrings by Raya Jewellery from The Posh Up, Shoes Christian Louboutin (Monique Nelms of A Daily Diva has the white “hot chick” in stock neoooow). Purse by Zashadu, find similar here.

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Its Our Anniversary

Well kinda. I held my first pop up a year ago yesterday and I’m in the mood to celebrate 🎉🎉🎉. FOR 24 HOURS (STARTING NOW) YOU CAN ENJOY 25% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE USING CODE: ANNIVERSARY. Creating content for my online boutique “The Posh Up,” has definitely been a bright spot amidst the many dark moments of 2020. My love for fashion is something that started in my childhood and has never stopped. I’ve had the idea to curate an event to give more people in USA the opportunity to experience some of my favorite West African brands and on November 17, 2019, I held my first pop up shopping event “The Posh Up,” in Hyattsville, MD. I had only held my second event in Charlotte when we went into lockdown in mid-February so I started planning photo shoots as a way to market the pieces I selected, and the virtual posh up was born.

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I believe that creativity brings joy. I’ll never forget the excitement I felt after finishing my first photo campaign for The Posh Up. It felt so good to make a vision into reality. I am also deeply grateful to my beautiful clients who have supported me, patronized me and pushed me past my fears in this entrepreneurship journey. I also want to thank the kind designers, artists and fashion industry experts in West Africa who gave me their advice and their support, and trusted me to showcase their work. No matter what you’ve been through thus far, my prayer is that you will still find the courage and hope to pursue the things that bring you joy. The top I am wearing is part of the super versatile Dubai Set, which can take you from date night, to vacation to casual work from home wear. You can find it here at the Posh Up, the pants are Zara (similar here) and the shoes are Christian Louboutin (sold out, but check out this new hot chick from Saks, where I purchased my pair).


Thanks for reading,

Munje

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Have Fun at Home

I’ve always been a believer in the ability of an outfit to set a mood. It’s absolutely your choice whether you want to dress the way you feel or whether you choose an outfit because it puts you in a specific mood but either way, your clothes can set the tone.

I was born in NC but I now live in the DMV area, and way back when outside was open I used to go the Park on 14th on weekend nights to turn up with my cousins out on the back patio. Y’all know the vibe, afrobeats playing, drinks flowing, black people in a good mood, lol. Anyway, on one particular night I picked out a black bodycon dress with built in bra cups that had spiked studs covering the bra cups for an extra punch. My cousin was my roommate at the time so I went over to her room to ask her what she thought of the outfit. She looked me up and down and said “I think it’s too much, who do you think you are, Rihanna or somebody?” 🤣.

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Well I definitely don’t think I’m Rihanna (lol) but I don’t mind standing out. I’m confident enough to wear what I like even if no one else is wearing it (in fact especially if no one else is wearing it because I really love to feel unique). So I wore the dress despite my cousin’s shade and that night was one for the books! I had so much fun, some random girl keep dancing with me all night and I’ll never forget how amazing I felt.

I say all that to say that even while we are quarantined, you can still wear things around the house or while out running your errands that make you feel lively and fun. Life is still happening, albeit from home, and the present moments are still worth enjoying to the fullest. This weekend I made my own fun lounging around in this sheer floral dress by Abuja based ready to wear brand “Unknown,” a pair of Zara shorts and accessories by Gucci (here or similar here) and Raya Jewelry. The dress and earrings are available at the virtual posh up. Thank you for reading, stay safe and don’t forget to have fun.

Sincerely,

Munje

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A New Dress for a New Day

Guys! I don’t know about you but the election results are finally in and I’m in a great mood. Because of COVID I don’t feel truly free to celebrate with family and friends but there’s nothing stopping me from pulling up to the living room in my best outfit and taking a few flicks, right? Lol.

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The Posh Up Series

On November 17th 2019 I held the first of a planned series of fashion pop up events titled “The Posh Up,” at a visionary brainstorming and coworking space called Dream Village in Hyattsville, MD. We shared food, drinks and enjoyed music while guests browsed a special selection of clothing and jewelry items from some of West Africa’s coolest fashion brands. I’m so thankful to God for the provision as I curated this project and to my family and friends for the love & support.

I inherited a love of dressing well from my mother, but I really became passionate about championing African fashion brands 4 or 5 years ago after discovering so many good ones on Instagram. I’ve believed in the transformational power of the arts in Africa for a while now, and fashion is one area where I can enjoy inspiration from Africa every day if I choose. When deciding to launch The Posh Up series, I wanted to create a space for fashion girls like me who crave unique pieces from around the globe. Especially pieces that tell a story about the places that they come from.

I am popping up next on Saturday December 14 in Charlotte NC from 12-4pm at the MacFlyFresh Printing Co and clothing store, 1834 Statesville Avenue in Camp North End. Check out some of the photos from the first event and I hope to see you soon.

Munje

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On the Scene Episode 1 - Part 2

We’re a little late to hit the publish button but a lot has been going on. Tune in as we discuss all the current events from Wendy Williams to whether Beyonce’s version of before I let go should play at the cookout this summer. Like, share, subscribe and/or comment to let us know what you think. Thanks for reading/viewing! XOXO

 

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On the Scene - A Video Blog

Hello, Good Morning! After a super long absence from the blog I’m happy to be back to announce a new project with my cousin-friend Siata Swaray. We’ve decided to do a video blog discussing fashion, lifestyle, current events and anything else that may interest us along the way.  Siata and I always enjoy our time together and we hope that you will feel the same way after you join us for our first episode. Check us out and please do like, share and subscribe!

 

 

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Bumps in the Road

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Bumps in the Road

A couple posts ago I wrote about losing my dearest love, my mother (thanks to all who shared kind words, prayers and well-wishes).  What I didn't share, was that I was pregnant at the time... 

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Michelle Williams sparkles in a gown designed by Nigerian born, US based designer Ese Azenabor for the #wearableArtgala

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Michelle Williams sparkles in a gown designed by Nigerian born, US based designer Ese Azenabor for the #wearableArtgala

Ms. Tina Lawson is busy not only with being fabulous and funny on Instagram, but in the pursuit of greater opportunities in art for underserved youth through her LA based charity WACO (Where Art Can Occur) Theatre Center.  The celeb mom and her actor husband, Richard Lawson established the wearable art gala to benefit their center which will aim to educate and empower artists from diversified LA communities.  Awesome!

 

All of destiny's child was in attendance of course, but Michelle Williams really rocked the red carpet in this sparkly number by Nigerian born, Dallas based designer Ese Azenabor.  Azenabor was a fitting choice for the gala not only aesthetically, but philosophically as the mission of her line is to "empower women through the art of fashion."  It was definitely one of my favorite pieces of the night, with heavy beading balanced by light mesh fabric and sheer paneling. It was perfect on Michelle's svelte frame, and her natural make-up and diamond encrusted accessories sealed the deal.  No poor Michelle here honey! Check out the pics below:

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Michelle had a brief meet up with Mama Tina and Kelly Rowland on the red carpet:

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Letoya Luckett and my favorite congresswoman, Maxine Waters were also in the house: 

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In unrelated, but equally stylish news, Blue Ivy got really cute with Aunty Solange on the red carpet:

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