DIVAlicious

I am a lover of fashion and love it when fashion comes to town.

As much as I love to travel, it is hard for me with the 2 kids to go off on shopping sprees. And even when I do travel getting as much shopping in as possible is a bit of a task as at most times designer labels are not under one roof and it takes time to get from one place to another.

So I have to say a big thank you to Vanitaa Bhatia - the brain behind DIVAlicious. She had a simple idea of gathering the crème de la crème exhibitors for clothing and accessories, home decor & more by getting brands across the globe. The concept was very simple - something for everyone!  DIVAlicious launched on 23rd April, 2011 and has since become an established brand outside of Dubai!

The DIVAlicious theme for every event is - be different! It’s not just another exhibition but  aims to be a on a grand scale but will yet give the exhibitors full involvement & shoppers a pleasant & comfortable shopping experience. The exhibitors will feel & be part of the grand family & shoppers will be able to purchase innovative products at realistic values.
The event is planned to appear thrice in a year – April/ May, Sept /Oct & Dec.  DIVAlicious has become known to all - sponsors, exhibitors, shoppers & designers can be a part of every event.
 
This weekend we will see a beautiful mix of local and international designers as they come together for a unique experience with shopping and shows combined. The venue is the plus Villa Rose Kempinski and the dates are Friday at Saturday.
Fashion shows will be happening every half hour and if you were a true diva, you know you are blocking the two days off just for this.

I am giving you a chance to win as well - so look out for my Instagram/Facebook/Twitter posts as there is a lot for grabs. You can also get an update on designers and show timings.
(@pinkyghelani)

See you over the weekend, Diva!
Pinky

Focus

On Saturday I had a revelation.
I keep having these and then some how or the other I forget about them.

A friend of mine called me on Friday night. She said that she knows I am a friend of the KSPCA and there were 2 dogs on Peponi Road - one had been hit and killed by a speeding car, and its partner, never left its side. She said she saw them the day before and had been feeding the one that survived but they needed help and if I could speak to the KSPCA.

I drove past the dogs on Saturday morning and it moved my soul and I was almost in tears when I saw. One dog, lifeless, the other by its side, looking around, refusing to leave its friend despite them both being so close to the road and close to danger.
I had already spoken to the KSPCA and they were on their way.

Again, as I was driving on Saturday through a leafy suburb, I noticed a boy, may be in his twenties, on a wheelchair. He was holding a ball but looking sad, distraught and not all there. There was a man with him, obviously his caretaker. He was sitting - hand on his forehead - looking as though he has lived this day before and was totally bored of it.

I was driving from a baby shower that I planned and was on my way  to memorial prayers of my friends father. It had been ten years since his passing. Look at the circle of life - I was literally passing it by on Saturday. From the dogs to this young man in a wheelchair to the celebration of a life to the celebration of a life to come. I am glad it was a long drive back and forth and finally a long, silent drive back home that allowed me to reflect on the day.

We dwell so much on the shit that does not matter that we forget about the things that do matter. How much time do we spend analyzing other peoples lives on facebook or instagram? Ok, may be we do not analyze, but we stalk. We have a look and dare I say it - we judge.
But put yourself in the life of the dog whose friends life was taken away, probably in front of him/her and because of your loyalty you sat by this once full of energy body and tried to understand what was going on. You braved freezing cold nights just in case your friend woke up.
Put yourself in the shoes of a young man in a wheelchair whose parents have been told that your son will never walk again - I am just assuming. Or put yourself in the shoes of his caretaker who lives day in and day out like his life is on repeat.

Put yourself in the shoes of a young girl who lost her dad at the prime of her life. Whose children will never meet the one man who made her who she is today. Who looks back and wonders how the time just flew by. Put yourself in the shoes of a woman who is about to have her fourth baby. The newness of life beats within her and although she has been through it many times before, she is still excited and cannot wait for to hold her brand new bundle of joy.

We are allowing life to pass us by because we are just caught up in looking at how other people live their lives.
What did she wear?
She looks so fat
As if she can even afford that trip to Paris
Yeah, like that is a real designer bag
We all know that the husband is cheating, why are they pretending
She bitched about her last week and now they are taking a selfie!
That quote will show them
Why is she/what is he/ where are they/ how can they
These are all the judgements we make either aloud or in our minds. Then we zoom into the picture and scrutinize - and make more of our sarcastic comments.

The thing is, social media has allowed us to 'show off" our lives in our capacity or even in a make believe capacity. So what?! Why judge, double tap if you like and move on. Don't stop to judge, it does not define the person you are judging, it defines you.

But what is important in life? When it comes down to it - you have to count your blessings more. There is so much negativity swirling about. I feel it more than ever. I get caught up in who said what about me, sometimes I am told that this person does not like you and that person said blah blah fishcakes about you. Dude, I will be honest with you - I swim in the negativity pool from time to time. But I am conscious of this and I get out - dry myself off and dive into the sea of positivity.
Not everyone will agree with you - not everyone will understand you - but not everyone is important. We must consciously move from being negative to positive.
Our vibes affect everyone. So if you are bitching and bad mouthing then the next person will do the same and so forth. It spreads and we all pay the price, we all get caught up in it!

What I am trying to say is this - you are not whollier than thou. You make mistakes. You have haters. You have an ego. You are not perfect so stop pretending to be. Work on yourself. Leave others alone. Focus on you. Better your life. Better your habits. Better your words. Be productive. Be positive. Be grateful.
You must stay true to yourself and value this life - it is a blessing, in every sense of the way. What you have right now, where you are right now is all that matters - the rest is just background noise.

Play with a ball, sit with your friend, tell your father you love him, celebrate life- because you can and get of your phones.
Focus.
X
 

Pink Power Thoughts

It has been forever and more, a few hours and plus or minus a couple of seconds since I last blogged.
I have even forgotten what it is like to put finger to keyboard and start typing out whatever comes to mind.

So the past weekend was a historic one, right? I was so bummed that I did not use my connections to meet POTUS. I really wish I had. I could have been there along with SautiSol or Wandia doing the Lipala Dance or shaking his hand. I am so so bummed! But, it was not meant to be. I loved that the capital city was more or less at a standstill and just glued to his every move.
I have a feeling POTUS may want to retire in Kenya after he is done being POTUS. Something about how his sister introduced him and all his Kenyan references in the speeches he made me stop and go hmmm.. perhaps a selfie with him may not be so hard to get after all. We may just end up shopping at the same Nakumatt one day..

Anyway, so where have you been?! I have been busy being mama of 2. I love it, but the job requires you being on your toes at all times. Dropping (imaginary) state dinner invites and cocktail gowns in the exchange of pyjamas, warm socks, cartoons on TV for the pre schooler and dribble and drool all over my chest from the baby is my ideal way of spending a Saturday night these days. I love being mum of 2, there is nothing like it.

Speaking babies, I am planning a baby shower for my BFF who is due with her.. wait for it.. fourth, yes fourth child. I know, how awesome is she? It is hard work but some women pull it off better than others. I love party planning. All the little details that go into making a day special are so fun. There is so much to do. I think I love baby showers most because you can do such fun things to let this little being know that they are special and their due date excites not only the parents but friends and family too. Life is pretty incredible.

Incredible things happen when you vibrate and think on an incredible level. On Saturday night after I stalked SautiSol on instagram and I saw Obama dance I had a eureka moment. I am a strong believer in the law of attraction. If you want to know how you think, look at your life right now. Chances are your thought brought you to this moment right here. My thoughts brought me to a night in with kids and SautiSols thoughts brought them to making the most powerful man in the world get up and boogie to their music. A Kenyan-American thoughts made him the most powerful man in the world.

What are you thinking? Make your thoughts power thoughts. Hold on to them. If it means you want a family that love you and you love them unconditionally and that is what your power thought is, hold on to it. If you want to be acknowledged the world over and sing and dance and have the public stop you and ask you for autographs and have the president of your country invite you to his place to perform for another president, then hey - it can be a reality. If you feel you want to run the world, no matter what your race, your background or who you are - if you think power thoughts, more often than not, you will attract it.

I am constantly checking on my thoughts. I filter a lot of what I allow into my space because what you allow into your space and slowly consume you. Be careful what you think and of course what you speak  - you are creating your future.

How is it that whenever I set out to blog and just have a casual pow wow with you, I always end up lecturing you? Forgive me..
I am working on something mega exciting by the way.. this is the reason I am blogging again.. watch this space.. it will be FANTASTIC! Fruition of a power thought.

Missed you!
 

Because what we give out we get back..

It is sad to wake up to an unsafe Kenya.
It has only been 2 weeks since we lost a top business man in a robbery, 2 nights later another man was shot in a compound by 5 thugs at 2am. These are just stories we have heard about, am sure there has been much more.
And then of course wake up to news of terror, killings, vast horror and massacre- it's devastating.
To scroll down my fb news feed and see pictures of elephants being killed for their ivory is heart breaking.
I am sad that this is the world we live in. That people have become so money hungry and greedy for power that killing is the order of the day.
Hey, it is not only in my country - it is happening everywhere!

In Hindu mythology this era is called Kalyug. I am no expert, nor am I a priest or a prophet, however - from what I understand this era is a time in the universe that is considered a dark time, where respect and morals are on the decline and the value of life is next to nothing.
They say we must go through darkness to appreciate the light. The darkest hour, it is said, comes before dawn.

I have read through my timeline on twitter and I have seen many letters to the president even to his wife in regards to the poaching crisis.
Yep, we can all sit down and pen our thoughts. We can all plead to the government but the epiphany I had a long time ago that keeps coming back to me is that until we change as people, things do not change. Mahatma Gandhi said 'Be the change you want to see in the world..'

I keep saying it - I almost sound predictable - what you give out your receive. What, as a nation, are we giving out? Where are our thoughts? Are we money hungry? If someone came to you and said here is 1 million shillings for you to look the other way as they leave a bag in this matatu - would you take it?
Are we giving out hate as a people? A person got a raise in the office - you bitch behind that persons back until you and your colleagues are blue in the face. A woman on TV looks stunning, you loathe her until you write (anonymously) on a blog about how she slept with all her college mates way back when she wanted to be someone. You have a good giggle about it, the story goes viral and you do not care if this person gets hurt or embarrassed.
Your neighbor gets his items auctioned, you watch from your window with glee thinking, serves him right - why did he think he could afford that new 32 inch TV anyway!
What are we giving out as employers? As partners? As parents?
As a driver on the road some moron who probably did not even see you blocks your way to pass. You cruse him, hoot and call him all sorts of horrible names. He retaliates, you get into a war of words.
On social media you vent, because you can. You bitch about the traffic, the government, the asshole husband who left you with bills to pay.

Stop - think.
What are we giving out?
Bad energy will attract bad experiences. It is that simple.

Yes so you have a blog and you wish to share your thoughts. By all means go right ahead.
Yes you are on FB and Twitter and you want to say something about something.. Ok, sure.
Think - how many people will read this? How will you make them feel?
Same thing with our media. What are they dishing out to us, day in, day out?
Feelings = Energy
Energy = Experiences

Yes, the government... blah blah.. Yes Al Shabab blah blah --- yes, the opposition... yes, tribalism...yes, poaching... YES WE ARE ANGRY!!!! But because we are pissed off collectively as a country we are bringing it upon us to have negative things happen to us.

What? Blame yourself? Abso-fuckin-lutely!

I take responsibility for my actions, my experiences. If I have had some shit come my way - I evaluate internally and ask myself.. what did I do to attract this? The answer comes and as hard as it is, I change my ways.
We cannot change circumstances, we can change our ways - ourselves. That is all we are in control of.

It is a sad state of affairs. But change can only occur when things get tough. Before we were plodding along happily. This is our wake up call!
I wish I could stop the poaching, but people are doing things to try and raise awareness and stop it - instead of bitching and moaning about it - my contribution will be to help these people in which ever way I can - because I am passionate about animals.. they have as much right as we do to be here.
If I can do something to spread the peace - I will do it, or rather, this is my attempt.

It may look to you as esoteric BS, may be even spiritual garbage - but what harm will it do to you today that you didn't bitch about someone or spew your hate on FB. What would happen if you spread some goodness?

We all have our theories but unless you have a degree in political science why don't you STFU about it and just focus on your life and your hustle. Don't spread hate. Don't spread anger.

Oh yeah, it may be a bit boring to have a world of social media that is all flowery and what would happen to hell if we were just all a little nicer to each other? But it starts with you and I - that my friend, is a fact - Kenya dig it?

For future generations..



 

The Family Tree..

I saw my family tree a few months ago.. well, it may as well be anyone's family tree as no one in my direct family were in it! SMDH

So you know the story - big family, loads of tension - shit happened - and since we were born we have never been acknowledged. I mean, to ignore us when you have published a book on Ghelani's and act as if we do not exist does not make us go away.
Does it stop my blood from running? Does it change the fact that I am my fathers daughter? Does it make me doubt who I am? Nope.

But it got me thinking about family. They say you can choose your friends but you cannot choose your family. It is a sad state of affairs though that families can go against one another in an instant. How come blood is thicker than water, yet blood are the first to rejoice (albeit quietly) when you have a downfall?
You see it all over the place - brothers fall out when they have made their millions, or some scenario (more often than not it is about money) never to speak to one another again. Their kids refuse to talk to one another yet when they were younger they could not do anything without one another.

Where is it that there is real unity? When there is good upbringing. When there is no preference over children as they are growing up. When the respect shown to the family is not a façade and instead instilled. When no person feels that they are lacking or will be left behind because they know that their siblings would do anything for them and they have 100 per cent trust in them.
When does the trouble start? When weak individuals start buying into hearsay, gossip and the like. When there is no communication.

I have to say that family are our best teachers, but as a wife and mother - my view has shifted. I believe that it is upon me to ensure that my family are a unit irrespective of what happens. That if my husband has a close relationship with his brother, I am no one to try and stop that or break it. That if my daughter heard something malicious being said about her family she would have the courage to confront us and know that she would be given the truth as an explanation.

We can change our children if we change our ways. We can stop humans from being nasty and bitter because the next generation lie in our hands to mold. We can change people from hurting others, even their own if we teach our children prayer, respect, tolerance and to be good.  Then family would not only be those we know by blood but everyone we meet would be part of one large family tree.

Think about it - think pink

Pinky



 

Know your circle..

Just as I was about to begin typing this I got a call from someone who reviewed my blog in the newspaper today! Goodness.. the pressure is really on when the newspaper reviews a blog that you think no one reads! Also she called be inconsistent.. trust me, I have been called far worse in the papers, so this was not really a diss.. but in fact the truth - which I said in my last blog that I would not be anymore!

Anyway, I wanted to blog about the circle today.. you know.. the circle of people that you choose to surround yourself with. There are a lot of memes with quotes on 'know your circle' or 'keep your circle small' etc - it is true - you need to know your circle and as one meme says, and I quote (we have come a long way since quoting Shakespeare, right?) "Keep your circle small, the less friends you have, the less bullshit you deal with.."

Fact is that people are very good at pretending on your face. Fair enough, I am not here to judge no one! But if you are really real with yourself and accept that not everyone likes you and that not everyone matters - then you can be far happier in your life.
I used to assume that everyone liked me. It took a lot to find out that this was not always the case. It hurt when I heard that people I took into confidence had betrayed my confidence and bitched about me, even used what I said against me.

But it made me the person I am today. I shrug my shoulders at it and put it down to experience. Right now I have surrounded myself by fierce and fabulous people! At work I am surrounded by strong minded and creative people who are fun to be around and are ready to work and very good at what they do. I am inspired.
In my family I am surrounded by people who care less for the opinions of others and give me unconditional love as I do them. I am loved.
With my friends I am surrounded by women who are brave, feisty, fashionable, courageous and all around funky. They are confident and uplift each other - they have no time to bitch about anyone because they are too busy loving their lives. Most of them are mothers and they are bringing up their children with the same values and standards. They balance it all - looking good, doing good and being good - and I love that about them. I am humbled.

Bottom line is - if their is crap in your life - you do not need to hesitate to flush it away.. that is why the flush was invented! I may be called big headed, a snob, a bitch - whatevs, fact is I am now very particular about who I surround myself with. I make absolutely no apologies for this.

My advice to you is to do the same.. know your circle, be loyal to it and be choosy about who you associate with. Envelop yourself in good energy - always!

Have a fab weekend.

Think Pink
Pinky
x

Hush..

My husband was out and about the other day and he met someone who told him 'please tell your wife to not stop blogging..' so he called me and he relayed the message.
I couldn't believe it that you actually read this stuff!
Thank you!

Sometimes when I blog I feel like I am on radio again, that I am able to just write stuff and you are like an old friend who just gets it and I can say mostly anything to! Anyway, may be it is just the one person who reads my blog or perhaps my husband just felt sorry for me that day and he decided to give my ego a boost, who knows.. whatever the case.. I am on a mission to share (my nonsense)..

Goodness, so much has happened since I last blogged. I got conned by a well known event planner who I have been holding myself back from naming and shaming on twitter but felt like I did not want to stoop so low.. He still has not paid me for something I did almost 6 months ago! I mean come on!
I got older and more confident! I can use the F word far more easier these days because I really care for no ones opinion. Although my mother caught me out the other day and she said to me 'a lady does not use such language'. Felt embarrassed because you know, a mother is a mother and she should really never correct you for using foul language past the age of 18 - as in you think one would learn by then. However, I checked myself and confirmed I am a lady..all the bits on me scream lady (albeit slightly wobbly lady) so I am back to using the F word in all its glory where and when I can. Just not in front of Ariyana.

By the way Ariyana is now a little lady. She tells me not to be mean to her and tells me not to point my finger at her (goodness what sort of a mother am I??) and she really humbles me! But I think she is so cool to be so strong headed. I never want her to change that about herself. Have an opinion little girl, speak your mind! Of course she must show respect where it is due but use of the F word is on the table (after she hits 40.. no 45.. ok 55).

I have decided to be a youtuber. Oh yes, I am going to be one of those. After being shafted several times by people who wanted to do TV with me, I sat back and thought that we live in the digital era. All one needs to do is record and upload (that is if you are an amateur, like me..) so that is what I am going to do. Me, My Iphone and absolutely no editing... This is going to be fun. If it picks up I will invest in the equipment to make it look slick.. if not, I will deny any association with it claiming my evil twin tied me up and went on to make videos pretending to be me! (Always good to have a plan!)
Anyway, that is my plug.. I have no idea how it works.. but look for me on youtube.. and like and share.

I am also keen on Instagram (follow me PINKYGHELANI).. ever since I discovered it I realized that it is a clever way to express yourself - way better than facebook. After all, a picture is worth more than a thousand words (especially if it has more than a thousand words on it - you know with all the text you can down load as cool pics..). Technology, keep up or have a life I say!

Anyway, I will blog more - promise! The hush is no more..

Think Pink good people
Pinky