THE PERFECT T-SHIRT...

When it comes to clothing pieces, I will say the simpler and plain the better!!..This gives room for versatility. I stumbled across this white XL men's t-shirt from a shop some weeks ago and couldn't let go of it, I thought to myself the different looks I could create with it (smiles) and I swiftly made my way to the checkout section with the last of this shirt in an extra large size (giggles).

I am a no-fuss kinda girl when it comes to heels but as my everyday life is all about running for buses, from hospital to hospital. I decided to make the look more realistic by styling it with flats, shorts and a boyfriend jeans. A school bag or huge handbag can be thrown over this look, if the need be.

1st look:   is a bit sexy and can be worn for date nights or girls night out.

2nd look:  is a more conservative look, can be worn for any event.

3rd look:   is a casual look , can be worn to school and styled with a school bag or big handbag.

4th look:   this look screams confident, anyone who isn't afraid to show some skin and who is not bothered of piercing eyes can rock this look. LOLZZ. 

Outfit details

Shirt from Defacto.
Heels from Belle women(Lamoda).
Flats from Pezzano(Lamoda).
Purse from Daniele Patrici(Kari).
Boyfriend jeans from a mall.
Shorts from the market.
UV sunglasses from Aliexpress.
Scarf is my Mum's.

EMOTIONS!!!

It can be difficult to understand a person we are in a relationship with especially when sometimes we don't even understand ourselves. Why do we feel good about ourselves one moment and bad another? Why does a person change their attitude towards us from one day to the next? Each human is a complex creature whose behavior is driven by emotion, beliefs, point of view and how much coffee they had that morning. Combine that with another person who is driven by different emotions, beliefs, point of view, how much they drank last night and we have an opportunity for emotional drama and chaos. Some call it roller coaster of emotions while others are calling for relationship help.

   

It has always amazed me the unlimited array of emotions that we human beings are able to feel and experience. Furthermost, I am astounded that these feelings and emotions may fluctuate within minutes, sometimes seconds. We can feel them in our bodies, hearts and deep within ourselves. Pleasurable emotions are the reasons why most people go into a relationship. We have been told that when someone experiences a "high emotional state" it is called Love and so suddenly "we are in love". This is why some people claim to have "been swept off their feet ". Imagine for a second, a woman standing in the middle of a street and suddenly a strange and strong "force" overcomes her then sweeps her off her feet. I bet by now you are probably smiling, imagining this scene. This is what we usually call Love, something we are "struck by" and over which we have little control.


Moreover, since this feeling is so pleasurable and envelops our bodies in a hormonal "high", we immediately become "hooked" on it. Who hasn't felt that? Who doesn't love that? If the story ended there , it would be fantastic. The issue is that a few years later, when the heightened feelings have diminished, we are left to experience life with its mix of positives and negatives, we say we have "fallen out of love" but before concluding that, let's explore what an emotion really is.

EMOTION is a psychological state that arises spontaneously rather than through conscious effort and it is sometimes accompanied by physiological changes called feelings.

While I can agree that an emotion can arise spontaneously in a human being , what is also true is that one of the greatest gifts and benefits of becoming an adult is having the ability to decide what meaning we will apply to each one of our experiences. Along the line , we tend to experience some lows in our emotions and feel unhappy, What are you going to do as a conscious adult when this happens and is faced with the 'givens' of life? Are your emotions and actions aligned towards the achievement of your goals and values?.


Life is not about controlling our environment so we never experience pain, loss, sadness, grief or temporary defeat...trying to exercise control is absolutely futile, as it is only an illusion, no matter how much we try to get it, it is like trying to hold air in our hands. What is really important are the tools you use when the unexpected happens and the actions you take when they do happen because they will and the actions you take then...those actions and reactions, will define the course of your life.

But what do I know about life? If this post was helpful, feel free to comment below and share. You could subscribe for new post notification by email. Stay blessed and Thanks. XO XO.

Reference: Erika Ferenzi, Joyce Meyer ---Pathways to happiness.

EGUSI SOUP!!!

    Egusi soup......This is a favorite delicacy of so many Nigerians, it can be made in so many ways from fried to boiled. I enjoy this meal a lot because it never taste the same, whenever its made with different types of leaves, ranging from bitter leaves, pumpkin leaves, greens, water leaves and spinach (life of a foodie) ....wait...did I mention, that it can be cooked with any meat and fish of choice.
   Here are ingredients and directions of how I made this mouth watering, fried, chicken Egusi soup...ENJOY!!

Yield: About 5 servings

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, cleaned, chopped and seasoned with onions, maggi, salt, pepper and scent leaf.
1 and a half cup of melon seeds, grounded (water is added to level of melon to form paste).
3 seeds of tomatoes with enough fresh peppers, grounded.
1 onion, minced into small sizes.
Palm oil.
Grounded crayfish.
Leaf of choice (I used frozen spinach).
Chicken stock (from the chicken cooked).
1/4 Tbsp of salt.
2 cubes of maggi (chicken flavor).

Directions

On a dry pot with cooker set on medium heat, pour in required amount of oil (about 8 Tbsp of palm oil). Wait for oil to bleach (oil looks a little transparent), then add a pinch of salt, then onions. Stir for a few seconds then add the grounded tomatoes and fresh peppers, stir for 3 minutes ( let the tomatoes dry).

 Add the melon paste and stir, stir till oil settles and the melon looks a bit dry for about 5 minutes (this may burn a little but it's normal. After melon is fried, add the chicken stock, crayfish, maybe a little dried chilli pepper then cover pot with its lid. Let this boil for 3 minutes then add the seasoned, cooked chicken meat, add spinach, add maggi and salt to taste.


 Additional water can be added according to preference (I don't like my soup watery, I use mainly chicken stock ). Let this cook for 5 minutes on medium heat and VIOLA.........SOUP IS READY!!!

 Recipe source : Uzzy_rac

CASUAL CHIC...

       It has been a very busy weekend, I'm so glad that I found time to create this look for you guys (smiles). Has anyone noticed the perfect fit of men's T-shirts?. Here's a white T-shirt , I picked up from the men's section of a shop. I was drawn to it by the light cotton material and it's perfect neckline.....

      This shirt can be styled up or down for business meetings with a nice pair of heels (or flats if you choose to) or a pair of converse/snickers for school.

Outfit details...

T-shirt from Defacto

Jeans from a market in Nigeria

Belt from Defacto

Heels from Kari
converse from Oodji

Bag is Flora&co

School bag from Aliexpress

Makeup by me

For a more comfortable look and for those that don't wear heels, this would be a much better look.......

Have a blessed day!!!

GHANA PEPPERSOUP!!!

    I really do not know, why my mum calls this soup "Ghana peppersoup" it could have been simply called "white melon soup" but I grew up knowing this recipe by this term.........and I think, it will be great for me to show appreciation to my mother by leaving the name true to its source (smiles)
   This soup is great for those trying to eat healthy and cut down excess oil. The healthy version can be made with dried fish and shrimps or meat but I'm sorry loves, I left the recipe true to my mom's by cooking it with  ham ( the leg of a pig which has little fat,).
    I hope you enjoy this finger-licking,fast, oil less and delicious soup .ENJOY!!!

Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients

1 whole ham (could be roasted)
1 bell pepper, chopped into dice sizes (to add color)
1 cup of white melon seeds grounded and soaked with water just to its quantity level (melon paste)
1 white onion
2 Tbsp of grounded crayfish
1/4 Tbsp of salt
2 and a 1/2 maggi cube
1 and a 1/2 Tbsp of peppersoup spices (you could use fresh spices)
2 Tbsp of dried chilli pepper (grounded)
1 Tbsp of paprika (grounded)
a tiny bit of potash ( optional)


Directions

Chop meat into desired size and season ( spice up) with a pinch salt, onion, one and a half maggi cube and half a tablespoon of pepper ( pepper gives meat a nice taste and aroma).......Please do not add thyme or curry. Add a cup of water,as meat would let out more water while cooking. Cook for 20 minutes or more.

When the meat stock is ready, check water level and add more water to suit your desired soup quantity (I added a cup of water). Add the melon paste , the left over spices, grounded crayfish, bell pepper and potash.(additional spice can be added according to taste) Cover the pot led half way, to avoid spill overs. Cook for 10 minutes, then open pot lid to allow the soup thicken.(dry a little)........ready!!!

Soup can be served with garri, fufu, starch, wheat, amala, semovita or taken along side with yam when made light. I hope I was able to give detailed explanation to this recipe. I believe after trying this out, it would be a solution for those lazy days (winks).

Recipe source: Uzzy_rac (from mother to daughter).

MODERN NIGERIA AND EDUCATION!!!

     Parents listen to your children, we are the leaders of tomorrow (hmmm)...try to pay our school fees and give us the best Education!!!. Most of us would remember this song from our primary school days. I in particular, with my long white socks, skin cut hairstyle (bald) and over-sized school uniform ....mehnnnn!!, I used to scream that song at assembly, believing in my heart that I was the future of Nigeria. Now each time this song comes in mind, it brings to reality the current situation of my country. I wonder, do they still sing this song anymore (giggles)??. Are we really the future of Nigeria?.

    Once upon a time, were stories told to us by our parents of how they trekked, hawked and trained themselves through school because they knew the great importance of Education. I won't say people don't do that now but it is a very difficult task and would be too over bearing. The Nigeria government has frustrated the dreams of many youths and hopes of several parents. I say this because it now seems like they no longer have an interest in Education or the Talents of the youths (although some entertainers are trying in this section not government). I keep hearing words like "The standard of Education has fallen" and  "The youths are no longer focused",NO...that's not true, we are simply not motivated as before because we are scared of our future. We find ourselves struggling in school, same as those who has graduated.


    Imagine a Government cutting out almost all Educational expenses, sending back its students who were abroad back home with reasons that they can't afford to pay for their education any longer ( but can afford to pay millions of dollars for luxury cars), increasing the cost of a Federal university fee. Therefore, making it difficult for poor determined parents to train his/ her child to higher education. Students who are out of the country studying, are expected to pay their school fees at 'whatever' conversion rate and if they can't afford it.....well!!!. Talent isn't encouraged as well, imagine the embarrassing incident on the part of the Government during this 2016 Olympics (No financial support, wrong national anthem, even calling Nigeria...'United states of Nigeria'....Haba na).


    Why won't a struggling youth want to leave Nigeria and go invest his/her talent and educational experience somewhere else. Somewhere it is appreciated, a place with good job security and where his/her options and Ideas isn't waved aside for the fact that, " he/she is a youth, thus what does he/she knows about life".

   When will Nigeria restore their lost faith in us youths?.
   When will Nigeria invest in their youths?.
   When will Nigeria realize we are the future of tomorrow?.
   Will Nigeria Government make education a priority once again?.

So many questions pondering in my head as I write this post, what do you guys think about the current situation of Nigeria, is there still hope for us?. Let's make the comment section interesting. THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT ONCE AGAIN!
  

MAXI TO MIDI...

 I seriously don't know where my sudden love for the color blue came from but I must say, it sure looks good on me. I really encourage investing in basics or outfits with little prints as much as possible because they can be styled in several ways.

This lovely midi blue gown can be worn to dinner, meetings, church and even for events. I threw the maxi skirt on as i realized, it could serve as a cover for those who are not comfortable showing their Mid-section area. I left the look quite simple by wearing a choker necklace and studs earrings but such basic outfits could be styled up or down by accessories.

Gown from Lamoda(lost ink).
Shoes from Lamoda(lost ink).
Makeup by me.
Accesories were thrifted.

BLAME THE WOMAN!!(IT'S EASIER)

    I must say African women are the strongest, at a very young age, I have learnt to understand the numerous responsibilities of an African woman. We are taught to be the backbone of our homes, an angel to our children, a mother and lover to our husbands. Needless to say with such great responsibilities has its ups and downs.

   At a very young age....I came to realize that as an African lady, I get to bear the blame for so many actions, which many of them may not be within my power. In short, I will go further to expatiate....

• A young female who is sexually abused or raped must have caused such actions upon herself by dressing provocatively or been at the right place at wrong time......she is then victimized.
• A beautiful female who isn't doing so well in school, is distracted by her appearance ......her hair is cut off and she is worn over-sized clothes to all events.
• A female who is successful but not married has been very selective with men, has bad characters or maybe a lesbian. 
• A female who is married and having problems with her marriages, says to the public that she's very disrespectful to her husband and refuses to be humble.
•  A female who has been married for a while with children not forthcoming.....she is definitely the fault, she may have had numerous abortions, a damaged womb, or her family has fertility issues.
•  A woman who gives birth to just girls probably has her womb filled with female children.... ( forgetting or being ignorant to the fact that the man is responsible for the sex of a child).
• If the kids are being problematic ...it is the fault of the woman because she didn't train them well enough.
• Even when the man brings in a child out of wedlock, the woman probably doesn't know how to keep her man because she doesn't cook for him or do his laundry.
• When her husbands job isn't as good as before......she is bad luck, or some will say has 'bad head'.

    I could go on and on but I think we get the idea. This brings me to the gist of today, I came across a photo on Instagram about a Kenyan man who chopped off his wife hands for not been able to conceive after seven years of marriage (Abeg oooo, is she God?) and I forgot to add, gave her several cuts on her face.

    Yes!!!!, he was arrested and the woman got to open up, that after a visit to the doctor it was confirmed the man was the one with fertility problems but as we all know, No African man wants to be told he has fertility issues....as in from where na. Probably, the doctor forgot to tell the woman that it is a "woman's" issue. The lady went further saying "the man has been physically abusing her but her pastor told her to stay and pray for her marriage".

    I even came across a video clip on Facebook, of a man beating and cutting his wife with a cutlass. I was in shock at such great wickedness ( I am not saying some women aren't wicked). No matter how great a crime is, no human has the right to establish such act (claim possessed or not). I wonder sometimes, if animals has more love for themselves than us humans.

   I am a youngster, so what do I know about marriages but what I do know is that I am not against prayer and I'm not in support of an abusive relationship (we can never know sometimes, it takes God to reveal). My reason for writing all these is this......The blame tag on the average African woman is just too much, giving some men room for misbehaving and making some believe they have the absolute right over the life of a Woman.

   I pray for Africa, that God gives us insight and our generation proper understanding of the word "WOMAN' but what do I know?.......I'm just sharing my thoughts!!

FUCKBOY ALERT!!!

    This our present generation has made dating so hard mhennn. I get confused at times, some have turned it into score counts and games won. Amidst the hardship of dating still arose some boys, who has made it a duty and task to have sex with as much girls as possible under the tag "Relationship". Most times some don't even place a tag on the type of' 'ship on sail' lolzzz. These boys are what we call "Fuckboys".
     Do not worry girls!!! (I have got your backs ladies), I am going to expose their strategies today. As the saying goes...'Everyday for the thief, one day for the owner'.

Signs that he's a fuckboy!!

• He is so conscious of his looks and his picture editing skills are always on  point.(who else is he trying to look extra good for?).
• He doesn't share anything about his personal life on social media but writes loads  of silly quotes ( where most of them would be about, how much of a cheat girls are).
• He doesn't discuss your future plans or ambitions with you. Although some may try but pay attention.......he makes no effort  on those goals with you.
• He complains that you call him on phone too much or gives too many missed calls (because he doesn't want his main chick or a girl that he may be with, asks who keeps calling).
• At any slight misunderstanding, he may choose to ignore you for a long period of time.....making you apologize like silly (that gives him enough time to spend with other girls).
• He wants you calling him, at his own convenient time.
• He tries to avoid public gatherings with you and makes constant excuse of being busy.
• He tries to give you reasons why he does not like your parents ( claims you parents don't like him)  
• He calls you to hang out with him late at night probably around 10pm above.
• He would openly defend or take his friends side over you....any day, anytime whether they are wrong or not.
• He claims all his exes are crazy and were obsessed with him.
• You never get to know how many women have been in his life because 'you're the best he has ever had'.
• He is a smooth talker ( he can talk you out of an argument to.....baby, what lingerie do you have on?).
• He never prays with you ( maybe he's scared of the wrath  of God).
• All he has to bring to the table is his manhood (has nothing to offer).
• He has no privacy with you when he's with his friends and suddenly becomes controlling ( he want his friends to know that he succeeded in having sex with you.....it's a score count remember!!).

I hope we would be smart as ladies and RUN FOR OUR LIVES.....when most of these listed signs are noticed.

PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE!!!

      Who says date nights has got to be outdoors, surprise your partner or friend by treating them to this mouth watering, healthy and delicious meal. You get to be in your comfort zone, less piercing eyes, enough private time and most importantly.......enough food leftovers.

      Here's my own twist (African style) to PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE....ENJOY!!!

 Yield: About 5 servings

Ingredients

600g of non-sticky white rice (2 and a 1/2 cups of rice)
330g of fresh shrimps (2 handfuls)
1 whole pineapple fruit cut into half's(vertically),the fruit is scooped out and chopped into bits. The  pineapple skin can serve as the serving dish.(canned pineapple can be used)
1 Ib boneless skinless chicken breasts, slice into small strips
1 handful of mixed vegetables (carrot,green-peas,sweetcorn)
2 tomato fruits, sliced to 2-inch pieces (remove the seeds from tomatoes)
6 Tbsp olive oil (vegetable can be used)
2 large eggs
1/4 cup of soy sauce (2 tbsp)
1/4 Tbsp of dried rosemary leaves (use moderately)
1/4 Tbsp of turmeric (I usually use this in place of curry,same tho lolzz)
2 gloves of garlic
2 white onions, minced into tiny pieces
1/2 Tbsp of salt
2 1/2 cubes of maggi (chicken flavor)
1 Tbsp of dried chilli pepper (if you don't eat pepper, use paprika)

Directions

Wash rice thoroughly in running clean water to reduce starch then  place in a pot of boiling water and let that cook for 20 minutes. check rice with fingers by pressing 1 or 2 grains.....When done, the rice will be firm but tender, and no longer crunchy. Put it down from cooker (we don't want it too soft).Sieve the cooked rice and set aside.

Pour oil in dry non-stick pan, apply the chopped chicken breasts and stir, after 2 minutes apply the shrimps and stir for another 2 mins. Then apply the chopped onions and garlic, mixed vegetables, rosemary leaves and tomatoes, stir for another 2 mins. Push the contents of the pan to the side and crack eggs into center. Cook and scramble until egg is cooked. Add in the chopped up fresh pineapples and stir all contents together.

If the pan is big enough, the cooked rice can be poured in bits and stirred or everything transferred into a big no-stick pot ......procedure continues. salt, turmeric,maggi, pepper and the soy sauce is applied and stirred. More spices could be applied according to taste. Toss everything for 2-3 minutes.....ready!!!

Serve rice in pineapple skin for presentation (if canned,serve in a clear glass plate),peanuts and raisins could be use to garnish (optional). This meal will go well with a glass of white wine or juice and trust me.......you would leave your date or friend really impressed.

Recipe source: Uzzy_rac

I BE WAFFI, SO WHAT?

   

Growing up in the city of Warri, Delta state, Nigeria and having most part of my Education there has enabled me develop a close association and understanding of its people (my people).This has made me realize so many things. The strict upbringing from my parents can be said to be a blessing in disguise(God bless my parents).....Yes!!!, I say " Blessing in disguise"because they tried so hard for us, their children not to pick up some negative habits from the streets although I won't say their effort was completely successful lolzz


    " Negative habits" like.........wrong pronunciations, the "sh" and "H" factors, the use of deep Waffi pidgin, hotheadedness, a high level of aggressiveness, restlessness, impatience, poor sense of style or should I say....the use of multiple unrelated colored pieces of clothing, extra loud makeup, colorful hair weaves(colors like green,blue,pink used all at once) and did I mention that if it's human hair....the longer and fuller, the better!!!


     Searching the Internet for the word "Warri" shows a whole lot of aggressiveness and prostitution on its image feed. This leaves me wondering and slightly amazed. Is this how the World see us?. Can't similar characteristics be said about other cities and states in Nigeria?. Are we known mostly for these negative habits and can any good be known of us?.


     I must say, it gets annoying sometimes when the tag "Warri girl/boy" is used loosely  with negative intentions and reasons. It comes as no shock also, when people claim to know how you behave because of stories and jokes heard about the city "Warri".

    Realistically the city does have a way of influencing the People in it. It is very difficult to have lived in Warri and not pick up a habit or two from its streets but that is what made us who we are today. Our environment has challenged us to strive for success and betterment of ourselves molding us into strong hustlers, over achievers and opportunists.Our society has made us crave intelligence and challenged us to be friendly, jovial, confident, humble individuals.
    I just hope we try to judge people by their personalities other than by their upbringing and location because  "NOT ALL FIELDS ARE GREEN". UP WARRI!!!

MY MAN TELLS ME HOW TO LOOK!!!

   

   This new age of makeup, fashion, timberlands and snapbacks also the ongoing struggle over swag and class . I find it absurd to hear that some men still have the mentality and idea that the physical appearance of a woman should  change after marriage. From all glowing and fashionable to "NO LOOK AREA" lolzz.


     Yesssss ooooo "NO LOOK AREA". I say this because a woman who once applied makeup, made her hair and looked smart, would change all that and starts looking like she's  mourning!!. Worse case scenario is when a man tells a woman to cut all her hair off and stay bald. I know....I know, I am not saying all Men!!. There are actually some men who do the opposite and want their women sparkling and the envy of others (I heard Igbo men are good at taking care of their women).


    A part of me wonders what runs in a man's mind. Why would a man be attracted to a woman who looked a certain way and still have the intention of changing everything physical that attracted him, when and eventually they get married. Is it for the fear of other men or was there never an interest or likeness for those things and "they" were never spoken of ?. Changing a persons' life, I have learnt that it shouldn't be a one way street. It is something that should be done with good intentions, understanding and reasons with a loving heart for the betterment of the individual in question.


   The main questions here are......?
-Should a woman's physical appearance be decided by a man or should I say..... are men allowed to dictate how women should dress in our everyday life, relationship or in marriage?.
   I would love to know the worse thing a partner has tried to change about you. please leave your replies and opinion in the comment section below. Kisses and Welcome to my blog.