Behind The Blog: Yoli Ouiya Blogs Eco Chic Living And Green Savings

Written By: MIM!—Chef Yoli Ouiya currently runs her own boutique healthy-lifestyle outfit called Ou!ya, which has an online home at www.yoliouiya.com. The website is a must-visit daily digital destination for any vegan interested in learning how to live green on a budget. Find out what the culinary maestro has to say about her green living journey—which includes, catering for various vegan activist organizations, a brief stint at Reboot restaurant, and servicing a cultural array of clients and festivals—in her Q&A with MIM!.

MIM!: Tell us, Yoli is ...

A chic geek who enjoys great food and eco-savings.

MIM!: When and why did become a vegan?

Yoli Ouiya: I began eating vegan after making a bet with a guy I wanted to impress. But when I saw the initial benefits showing up, ie reduction in allergies, physical ailments, eczema, increased reproductive health, weight loss etc , I continued with the vegan diet. Soon after, I started making my own food because being healthy in New York can be expensive; eating out is usually more expensive than preparing meals at home.

MIM!: How did you come to be a nutritional consultant?

Yoli Ouiya: I’m not a nutritional consultant; by definition, I don’t even know what that functionally is. I research, design, and produce food and document the memories attached to them. By trade, I am a graphic designer. Along the way, I was mentored by numerous chefs over the last 7+ years. When I saw how my health was improving coupled with love for food and food preparation, combining the two worlds was a natural fit.

MIM!: What is the meaning of the name behind your company, Ou!ya?

Yoli Ouiya: You know I don’t know if there is a meaning. It’s my family name. I love its uniqueness and it’s all vowels! lol

MIM!: What is a normal working day like for you?

Yoli Ouiya: I wake up, check my astrology, make a green smoothie and/or leftovers, check my online accounts, email, twitter, make blog posts to yoliouiya.com, do some design work, forget about lunch, figure out what to make for dinner, work on new recipes.

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Yes publication

A while ago, Yes magazine (Dutch female-magazine) asked me if I wanted to do an intervieuw about collecting for my designerbags and do a photoshoot. Because I never did something like this before I decided it would be a nice experience and agreed, so here are pics from the magazine. The photographer will send me the other pics she took, so I can post some more.

Shop Allen & Fifth

Written By: MIM!—Allen & Fifth got a facelift and is back with an online shopping feature alongside new designs. New designs include iPop, ImPrint, A5th Limited Edition, Flygerian with more to come soon. As a new site launch offer, you will get a 5% discount on your total order when you type ALLEN in discount code. The offer won't last long so take advantage now. You can visit the website now and begin your shopping experience. by visiting: www.Allen&Fifth.com.

(Photo Credits: Allen & Fifth)

Happy Freaky Friday

Written By: Nani Hapa—I know, I know, I've already recommended that you to listen to Estelle and Shine Like A Star for a great start to the weekend, but I couldn't help but chose yet another Estelle song, to jumpstart the weekend. This time it's a brand new release, Freak. The song is so new it was released today, and to hear it, you've got to log on towww.EstelleMusic.com. The track was produced by David Guetta and is off of Estelle's new album All of Me, which her label says is "coming soon!" I can't wait; for now I'll freak out to Freak!

UPDATED: Here's the official artwork for Freak; as always, Estelle is taking fashion chances.

(Photo Credits: CD Cover Art)

Running With The Fash Pack....London Fashion Week A/W 2010

And this is my second utterly gorgeous student, Peony (how beautiful is her name as well.It is my favourite flower!). Peony is a university student studying History of Art. She is friends with Rowan :)

In the photos below Peony is wearing a Peter Pilotto dress and of course that sweet little Hermes Birkin. Talking about Peter Pilotto has everyone seen the photos from the show? Those boys are complete geniuses: I loved the burnt orange colours although they did bear rather a strong resemblance to my mum's 70's kitchen (all orange and olive green) before she had it renovated the year before last!) and the leather accents were perfect. A completely wearable collection although I suspect (judging by past seasons) not affordable for most of us.

Edit: Okily, I know I lot of you were wondering what Peony was wearing in these photos so Peony was kind enough to email me the details:

Second 2 photos: "The cardigan is Zara, the belt is Gap kids (i have had it since i was nine, which means it is 13 years old!!!), the shoes are Russell and Bromley, the dress was Peter Pilotto and a huge spend for me (from his first collection before they were really a big deal), although the trench and fur wasn't included* it was a Burberry (and from the sample sale, it was £75, and both me and Rowan love to go to sample sales and often get our designer items from them) and the fur was vintage (and a gift from my mothers friend, it used to be hers, she is now in her 80s!)".

*I asked Peony if she wouldn't mind taking off her trench and fur because I loved her dress so much. Hence they aren't in the photos.

First 2 photos: "The hat was Joseph (a present from my mother), the scarf is McQueen (from Biechester village- this is an outlet village for any non-UK blog readers), the jacket is Hugo Boss, the Fur gilet is Zara, the trousers are American Apparel, and the shoes are Giuseppe Zanotti (on sale from Joseph).

In reference to the comments about my mini Birkin, it was a birthday present from my parents and it is second hand from a dealer in Hong Kong.....I am obviously incredibly lucky to have any of these things, but you can also see that not everything is designer, and I believe style has much more to do with person appropriation, of many different sources; vintage, thrift, designer, high street, in order to assimilate a great combination. I would never dress head to toe in any label, and I know Rowan wouldn't either (even if we could afford it)".

Brilliantly put, Peony, and I couldn't agree more. I think Caroline Issa (who is wearing customised Gap with designer in the photo a couple of posts above) is a perfect example of this.

Running With The Fash Pack....London Fashion Week A/W 2010

Y'all know Miss Susanna Lau aka Ms Susie Bubble. Susie is absolutely one of the most hardworking girls at LFW- I don't think I have ever seen her just standing around chatting. She is always on her phone, being interviewed, writing (for her blog and DazedDigital) or rushing to get to the next show. I bumped into her one morning (I was feeling very tetchy and sorry for myself as I had gone to bed at 1am and was up at 6am) and she told me she had been up until 4am writing. My five hours sleep seemed like an indecent amount compared to what Susie had (and I promise I didn't whine for the rest of the day;-))

p.s. Susie told me what she was wearing here but I promptly forgot it all except for her trousers: they are Coral tie-dyes from Acne (which I think she might have customised at the bottom). I LOVE LOVE LOVE Acne clothes (my favourite item from last season was the structured strapless dress, along with the Atacoma wedges). Spotted plenty of Acne wedges at LFW and the Extreme stripe dress.

Running With The Fash Pack...London Fashion Week A/W 2010

I was intrigued by Ross's look: he almost looks like he is from another era....until your eyes travel downwards and clock his sock-less ankles :) Ross is from Newcastle (I thought perhaps he was Scottish but he soon set me straight re his accent!).

Running With The Fash Pack...London Fashion Week A/W 2010

Nicola Roberts (from Girls Aloud) rushing to the Ashish show (not everyone looks this good when they run!...and let me tell you those cobblestones are treacherous when combined with rain and heels).

I really like her navy and white striped shirt (it is definitely something I would wear). It looks very much like Vivienne Westwood???? Anyone know? Her handbag is Westwood.

p.s. one of the other street style photographers called out, as Nicola was rushing in, "You're my favourite one!". To which she turned back and smiled :)

Junior Street Style....London Fashion Week A/W 2010

These schoolgirls (above) were part of a group who came to eat lunch at Somerset House on the last day of LFW. What I love so much about the fashion weeks (both in London and Paris and I am sure that New York is the same) is that they attract people from every age group and social demographic, from wee little babies like the one below to proud parents and friends of designers, to fashion and art students to elderly, camera-toting tourists who just happen upon it all. Not everyone can get tickets to the shows (although with digital coverage of some of the shows it is almost like being there anyway) but it is still wonderful to people watch and absorb the energy and excitement.

Adore bub Audrey's tiny little grey dress and jumper, and especially her little deer stalker hat!

Central School of Saint Martin's MA opening with Matthew Harding's collection

For more info see:
http://www.dazeddigital.com/
And
http://www.dazedgroup.com/

MIMI Exclusive: àlalá's Dreamy Collection

Written By: MIM!—We ♥ Adejoké Taiwo's àlalá | Dreamer line and are thrilled about having an exclusive first look at her latest collection. Pardon our excitement, but we can't help that her clothes are oh so dreamy!

Visit www.adejoke.com for more information.

(Photo Credits: àlalá)

Running With The Fash Pack....London Fashion Week A/W 2010

Today was the last day today of London Fashion Week for A/W 2010. And while the weather was completely and utterly atrocious, I have to say that I had an even better time this year than last September. I think I was a little less stressed this season and, most importantly, I got to hang with the loveliest people.... you guys know who you are. Thank you for making me giggle, listening to me whinge and moan about the cold, allowing me to take your photographs, and just generally making my time at LFW so enjoyable. And a massive thank you to everyone who allowed me to take their photograph :)

So, what were the big trends off the runway? I am thinking hats (for the boys and the girls); lace-up heeled/wedged boots; fur (both real and fake); hooded coats, capes and anoraks; leather, leather and even more leather (skirts, shorts, jackets, trousers); Alexander Wang bags; super long, black fitted skirts (which were a challenge on the cobblestones when coupled with mile high heeled boots); black lace (skirts, leggings, bodysuits); red lips; studding and spikes on just about everything (I even saw a transparent raincoat today with spikes!); Chanel nail polish in Particuliere (or inspired by it, anyway). Oh, and, um umbrellas!


I have oodles of photos to show you over the coming weeks (and hopefully lots from Paris!) so stay tuned. p.s. This is the stunning Rowan (I hope I spelt that right) who is actually a student and isn't involved in fashion at all! She and her equally exquisite friend (whose photos I will post tomorrow) were just taking a coffee break and people watching when I spotted them. I absolutely adored what both girls were wearing.........nobody at my university ever dressed so beautifully. Loved Rowan's enormous Mulberry bag (which she told me contained all her notes and things for a presentation she had just given at university).


Rowan was also wearing a ice blue Alexander McQueen skull scarf around her neck which I know you can't really see. He might not be with us any longer but his incredible contribution to fashion will linger forever.

Running With The Fash Pack....London Fashion Week A/W 2010

Oh my Lord! Whenever I photograph David Gandy (best known for his Dolce&Gabbana campaigns) I am sure my camera involuntarily increases shutter speed by, oh, about a trillion! He is ridiculously good-looking and super polite as well. And note his jacket? A nod to Burberry perhaps?....

Talking of Burberry, is it possible to want one of almost everything in the collection?Yes, Yes, YES!

I photographed David outside the Antonio Berardi show.

Running With The Fash Pack...London Fashion Week A/W 2010

So lovely to see some colour during LFW: Natalie Hughes' pea green coat was a welcome break from the sea of winter blacks and greys being sported by the fashion crowd, and the grey, grey, grey of the sky.

Natalie has a blog called Canned Fashion. Her coat is vintage, trousers by H&M, GAP sweater, Pierre Hardy for GAP heels, and vintage Vuitton handbag.

p.s. Audrey had to go back to university on Monday evening (and I didn't get a chance to photograph her outfit that day) hence no more "What Audrey Wore Next" posts. However we will catch up when she comes back to live in London and no doubt further pics will ensue. AND I have lots of photos of Audrey's friends which I will share with you over the coming weeks :)

Running With The Fash Pack...London Fashion Week A/W 2010

Patrick Grant, the man behind Norton & Sons on Savile Row and the rejuvenation of E. Tautz.

I was so excited by the men's street style this fashion week. So many wonderfully dressed gents of all ages-I have loads of photos to show you over the coming weeks :)

Running With The Fash Pack....London Fashion Week A/W 2010

Two ways with the London Fashion Week The Daily*:

For Reading (above)

For protection from the non-stop rain! (below)

*London Fashion Week "The Daily" is our fashion week bible. It comes out daily and contains interviews, gossip and runway reviews plus lots of pretty pictures. Big, big thank you to all the worker bees who put together each issue for us to read each morning.....no doubt they haven't had very much sleep this week at all.

Junior Street Style....London Fashion Week A/W 2010

This is the super sweet Eleanor, the niece of James Long, menswear designer whose collection showed today. Eleanor wasn't so keen on having her photo taken (she had been promised an ice-cream and was much more interested in that prospect than my camera!) but I managed to get a couple of sneaky shots while her dad played with her. Love her little outfit: apparently James had made an outfit especially for today but she refused to put it on because it wasn't pink! Bless :)

She was laughing so much in the second shot- her dad was throwing her lamb up in the air and she was catching it resulting in fits of giggles (from Eleanor and the fashionable crowd!).

Hardy Amies AW10

See for more details http://www.hardyamies.com/

Blogger drawings

Besides fashion I really love to paint and draw. Lately I haven't drawn a lot, so I now want to pick it up again and combine my love for fashion with my love for drawing. So, from now on I want to make drawings from favourite blogger outfits. I already started with two. The first is Chiara from the blonde salad, I really love her blog and her bags. And I am truly in love with her Horace skull scarf! The second is from Caroline Blomst from Carolinefeber.se. I cannot find the link to the original pic, but when I am home, I will add the pic.

For people who also want a drawing:
- please post the link to your blog in "comments"
- the picture should show enough details.
- your head should be on it, I do not like a "headless" drawing, hehe



Original picture: click here click on drawing to see full size

Roisin Murphy for Linda Farrow launch

See http://www.lindafarrow.co.uk/ and other pictures at http://www.vogue.co.uk/
And http://roisinmurphy.blogspot.com/

Indie Inspiration: AfriqueLaChic

Written By: Jamelia Mmari—This week, I am coveting African inspired jewelry from Afrique La Chic's Etsy store. Afua Kumasi, the woman behind AfriqueLaChic says about her jewelry, "I am inspired by traditional African, ethnic, and archaic jewelry styles. Most of my pieces are one of a kind, very unique, purposely designed to start conversation, and always made from the heart. I focus on both earth tones and bold vibrant colors. A lot of my pieces have spiritual meaning such as my pieces incorporating adinkra symbols, Egyptian symbols such as ahnks, African masks, fertility dolls, and cowry shells."

In addition to being on Etsy, AfriqueLaChic has an online presence on FaceBook, MySpace and Twitter.

(Photo Credits: AfriqueLaChi @ www.etsy.com/shop/AfriqueLaChic)

Recent Work

The Pope & His Boys
Enamel and Collage

Blogger award

I got this award from Nathalie from Style Safari, one of my favourite new blogs! She has a complete travel theme in her blog, very creative!

But I have to do something to deserve the award :p I have to follow some rules:

The rules are:
1. Thank the blogger who gave you the award
2. Place the award on your blog
3. Link the person who nominated you
4. Share 7 facts about yourself
5. Nominate 7 other bloggers


So here seven facts about me:

1. I think most people already know, but I am a dentist, not an assistant, but really the dentist, and yes patiënts are often surprised by that too! And I decided to become one when I was five.

2. I am featured in the Yes magazine with an interview and photoshoot, I will post pictures soon!

3. Besides fashion I am very interested in art and soon I will incorporate this part of me in my blog too.

4. I have a rabbit and his name is Puk, he walks around in my home and when my boyfriend isn't at home he sleeps next to me in the bed, else he sleeps besides the bed and wakes me up in the morning by jumping on me. And he understands commands!

5. I am going to New York with my five best friends in May and I can't wait. One of them lived there for three months and knows all the places to be, and the bouncers too, so we don't have to stand in line!!!

6. I have a boyfriend for 8,5 years and I am still crazy about him, and he thinks I am crazy, because I love to look at blogs so much.

7. I have a Balenciaga addiction; I now have five and one on its way to me! And although they kinda look the same, I just can't get enough of them....

So here my seven fabulous bloggers, if you don't know them already, you should definetly take a look!!!!!
1. mystyleoffashion.blogspot.com
2. this chicksgotstyle
3. comeovertothedarksidewehavecandy
4. copper-and-curls
5. mode-rosa
6. chouchou-robine
7. mystyleoffashion

Marios Schwab AW10 Backstage with St. Tropez

See http://www.st-tropez.com/ for more details on products used