Independence....and stuff

Finally hopped on the Instagram bandwagon. This thing is the most overrated app ever! I'd been hearing about it for yonks, how amazing it was etc. I'm not sure what I expected but it certainly wasn't photo filters. Its like its become another blogger trademark, everyone's taking their photos with Instagram. Oh well, far be it for me to carry last.

I don't think I ever celebrated Independence Day when I lived in Nigeria, it was just a welcome public holiday giving me extra time to catch up on sleep and whatever programs I'd PVRd during the week and hadn't had time to watch. Nigerians in the diaspora however take Independence Day very seriously, all manner of activities and events, its like patriotism on steroids. 

As a jaded Gidi girl at heart I couldn't be bothered to show up for all the picnics, barbecue's, funfairs etc that I heard were happening, I only came out at night to attend the after party for one of the numerous Nigerian dinners happening simultaneously all over town. My dears, worst mistake of my life, I should have just stayed home and watched BasketBall Wives LA, it was a hot, sweaty mess.

I remember once on twitter, some crazy person said another person looked like struggle, that word was the most apt description for this "party" I found myself at. The entire place looked and reeked of struggle.

I hadn't seen that many Nigerians together in one place in a really long time and I doubt I want to again, the place looked like it was full of illegal immigrants, people perpetually on the run from the Home Office. God forbid me for describing human beings in such a manner but you had to have been there to fully appreciate what I'm saying. Lord knows I didn't spend up to an hour before I bolted. 

Couldn't bring myself to take any pictures, my rep would have been shot to hell, like y'all would be asking what I was doing in such a place.

The next night was a little better, the club we went to we had to pay to get in and we know how close our countrymen are to their wallets so it was less crowded, air was circulating nicely and the best bit, the DJ was mental. Gbedu blasting all night long for real. At least here there were no men pawing me under the pretext of passing through a crowd like last night so I could let loose and dance like no-one was watching.

Best bit about the whole night, ran into a friend of mine from QC, Yosola. She just moved to Abz, excited.com!

Dress: Zara

All in all, it was a fun weekend.

School starts properly this week so its goodbye to the longest vacation of my life.

Love and light xxx

Arm Party

I know arm parties are hella stale by now but I just recently started to get into it. I'm more of a fan of stacking bangles which is why I never went for arm parties and I always thought they looked waayyy childish because of all the friendship bracelets and threaded bracelets. However a month ago or so I decided to try it and turns out, not so bad, actually kinda cool.

The term "arm party" was coined by the hilarious Leandra Medine who writes The Man Repeller and its totally made its way into fashion phraseology.

Below is a photo of Leandra's own Arm Party.

And Kristina from PrettyShinySparkly

The ground rules for creating an Arm Party are that there are no rules, just keep adding them as you go along. Bracelets can be stacked on both arms but I prefer to do it on my left hand because I think it looks really awesome with a watch thrown in the middle.

My Arm Party

Closer look

My party is a mixture of friendship bracelets, a braided leather wristband, silly bandz, metallic bangles (both silver and gold) and random wristbands. You don't have to bust the bank to have an arm party. Everything on my wrist, except my watch, altogether cost me a little under 10 pounds.

Go forth and party people.

And before I forget Happy Independence Nigeria baby.

Love and light xxx

pictures via newyorkdiaries.tumblr.com; manrepeller.com; prettyshinysparkly.com

Language Challenge

So I participated in Sugabelly's Language Challenge which is an awesome incentive to get people to speak their native languages more often. Y'all already know I love my Igbo even though I'm not fluent and my pronunciation is atrocious, so I was uber stoked to do this.


I'm currently recovering from a nasty bout of tonsillitis so my voice might be more Kat Von D than Audrey Hepburn but hopefully by the time I'm done with my meds my vocal chords would have straightened themselves out.

Audio Recording on Friday morning by ThirdWorldProfashional


TRANSLATION

"Hey Blogville, it’s your girl TWP, Omalicha 1 of Ndi-Amazu, the Ada Mazi of Arondizuogu and the only Asamkpokoto from Sokoto. Well not exactly from Sokoto, from Imo actually but I had to give love to my kinsmen P Square.  

I heard about this language challenge from Sugabelly’s blog and after listening to her own audio post I thought it was such a great idea and decided to attempt to do one myself, you see I used the word attempt because I’m not exactly fluent in Igbo. I speak more of a hybrid Igbo or Engli-Igbo to give it its true name. As long as you guys understand me I think we’re all good.

I haven’t been my usual joyful self because I currently have tonsillitis, it’s pretty much gone down now but between Saturday and Tuesday, I honestly thought I was going to die. My throat felt like it had ground glass in it and I literally couldn’t speak because it hurt so much. I communicated solely through written mediums and sign language, I kid you not. I finally managed to get a GP appointment on Tuesday to the glory of God and was immediately put on Penicillin and like magic at about Tuesday evening I was able to eat my first solid meal in three days. I’d been living on warm yogurt and indomie because those were the only things my poor bruised throat could swallow. Anyway praise the Lord for I am healed.

 Been taking it easy so as not to aggravate my throat any further even though I’m getting better which means I’m going to be a passive participator in all the Independence activities this weekend. And since I’m on severe antibiotics I can’t have a drink, not even cider. It’s going to be a long, sober weekend for real.

 I’ll def try and blog again this week if my health allows me.

Thank you for listening and please all the bloggers I tagged in this challenge make sure you do it."

*Decided against tagging anyone, if you feel like participating just go ahead.

RULES

1. It DOES NOT MATTER how well you can speak your language. The goal is to speak regardless. So don't worry if you don't speak that well or you have to include lots of English words. ALL language levels are welcome.

2. Video posts or Audio posts are strongly preferred. This is because the point is to hear and enjoy the spoken language. Written posts are frowned upon but will be accepted too. ^_^

3. Please always provide a translation for your readers of other ethnicities! Translations should be in English and can be in the form of captions under a video post, or written transcripts for audio and written posts.

4. Please tag each participating post as - language challenge - and post the link here in the comments so I can link to it and make all of them easy to find.

5. Please encourage other Nigerian bloggers to post in Nigerian languages.

Love and light xx
p.s. Was going to write "love and light" in Igbo but I drew a complete blank at the Igbo word for love. Someone please educate me.

TWP Hearts Jini

Jini is a Nigerian label by young designer Ejeme Iluobe. I heard about her for the first time from her sister who's a friend of mine but it wasn't until I saw her designs for the first time that I understood what all the hype was about.She makes amazing clothes that are not only beautiful but are more importantly affordable. Seriously Jini is probably the most affordable Nigerian designer I've ever patronised.

If you are a regular TWP reader you'll remember this dress from a post I wrote last December, its totally one of my favourite party dresses, fun, flirty and imbibing the oh so hot trends of print and colour. As long as I can fit into this dress I will continue re-rocking it a la Kate Middleton.

Wore it out last night for my friend Kim's dinner/drinks do.

This didn't come out clearly, I was trying to show my cockatoo and frog rings. I'm totally into animal jewellery these days, snakes, owls, dragons etc. If it howls, barks, moos, neighs, roars etc; I will wear it.

This is a bit clearer so hopefully you can make it out. Gorge non?




Happy birthday Kimmie!!

Love and light xxx

LPM - SEPTEMBER EDITION

The growth and success of the ‘little market’ over the years is as a
direct result of the love and support LPM have received from the shopping
faithful. To show their appreciation, they’re handing over the reins for the
October Marché to you! Simply send an email to info@lpmnigeria.com telling
LPM your idea, or what you would like to see at the October Marché. An
uber-fab prize awaits the idea that gets picked! Make sure to send in
those pointers you’ve been itching to give LPM all this time!
Now, to this weekend.

It’s here again! The September Issue of Le Petit Marché is only a few days
away and we’re brimming with excitement at the plans for this weekend! For
the fashion-conscious, all roads lead to the ‘shopfest’ that will be
taking place at the GET Arena, come Sunday.

Take a look at the fab vendors this month!

The HD Shop| OremiCraft| Esfans | Dadu Bajo | Republic of Foreigner |
Rukkies | Virtue by FocusWear | Cam Cam Sweeties | Ours by Juliada | Wow
Fashion | J Shuz | Vitoes | Maju | Rouge Vallari | Jumii Designs |Y. Craig
| Bubbles & Scents | Inner Eye | Kikcot | Myda Inc | Literati | DivaNista
| Bideux | La Bennis Creations | BebeGrafiti | Raindrops & Roses
Whether you want to grab a one of a kind find, window shop, or just enjoy
a nice Sunday meal and cocktail, LPM will be happy to host you.

LPM August 2011
Date: Sunday 25th September 2011
Venue: GET Arena, Opposite Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos
Time: 12 Noon – 7pm

What I Wore: Fashion Mavericks Edition

One Outfit, Three Ways (sorta)
Encouraged by the fact that I had hammered the night before at the ELLE Magazine event, I decided to take my new osho free clothes for a spin. I never save clothes, I've been known to buy something and wear it out of the shop. Unlike some people I know who have suitcases full of clothes with tags on them

*cough* Molly and Hilda

Really, buying clothes and just keeping them has to be a sin, how people have the willpower to resist ripping off the tags and taking those babies out on the road baffle me.

Anyhoo, this look is loosely androgynous, based entirely on the long waistcoat. I detest full on androgyny, I admit some people rock it very well but its just not my thing. I was saved from pulling a Katherine Hepburn by my bum grazing leather mini. You can't have legs on display and look like a boy, impossicant. Especially legs of my 36 inch variety (yes I know how long my legs are, if you were my height and have as much trouble as I do finding the right size jeans you would too).

LOOK 1
Left the waistcoat hanging open, realized too late that my delicates were on display *sigh* Well as long as the twins didn't make a bid for freedom I think my bride price is still intact.

and yes that is my hair hanging off the back of that oblong orb known as Daks' head. In case any of y'all thought I was rocking gorimaps under them weaves.

LOOK 2
I belted the waistcoast and this was how I eventually attended the show, in some other pictures I took it kinda looked like I was wearing a school uniform. See why I hate androgyny?

LOOK 3
This Look actually happened by circumstance. After the show, with my stomach leading the way Molly and I headed to The Mango Tree (have I said how much I love Thai? Maybe a couple thousand times) to have dinner and I gorged myself so much that belting was not an option anymore. I was a gross, fat whale by the end of the meal and well....lets just say I required a bit more freedom. This led to me having to untuck my shirt and then I randomly decided to button it all the way up and layer my necklace over it.

Ladies and gentlemen...perfection!

I loved it, it was giving me serious Alexander Wang vibes, I kinda wish I had worn this all day.

Oh well

Top: H&M shimmery, sheer shirt
Vest: H&M long waistcoat
Bottom: H&M leather mini skirt
Neck Candy: random store, can't remember the name
Arm Candy: Pamela Love studded bangles and random black Art Deco bangles
Watch: Gucci
Sunnies: Valentino wing tipped sunglasses




My booski Molly P!

Love and light xxx

Fashion Mavericks

My friend Jacqueline Adholla runs the event Fashion Mavericks which takes place every season during London Fashion Week with the aim of providing a platform to new and independent designers.

Since the debut event in February 2010 Fashion Mavericks has hosted over 25 designers during London Fashion Week to an audience of buyers, press, stylists and keen fashion enthusiasts.

I attended the FM show during London Fahsion Week in February and I remember it was the first time I saw designs by Kiki Kamanu, I was totally blown away. Loved them.

Designs by Kiki Kamanu during LFW February 2011


I also met stylist extraordinaire and a profashional in every sense of the word, the formidable Omoyemi Akerele of Style House Files

She was wearing the sickest trench with beading and Ankara details, I think she said it was by Lanre Da Silva, I forget. Somebody please enlighten me if you have any ideas.

February's Fashion Mavericks was an amazing event and this September's wasn't any different. All the creatives and fabulous people were out in full force.

My favourite this year was Anna Grzegorczyk, she was working a lot of natural, earthy tones, free flowing fabrics, very high priestess/earth mother chic. Love!

PEOPLE


Ran into Yoanna Pepper Okwesa, FAB Magazine Style Editor, fashion stylist and owner of the vintage store Retrospective

Sinem Bilem Onabanjo, Editor-in-Chief of FAB Magazine was also there

Sinem and Yoanna



Kiki Kamanu, who was also showing at Day 2 of Fashion Mavericks

Some of her designs

Loved her neck candy, I'd definitely wear that



Elaine Edozien, a make-up artist

In the words of ONB, Elaine's jacket from MyAsho.com was giving me oxygen, the sleeve detail was beautiful


And this precocious 9 yr old fashionista in the making. Homegirl was rocking a tweed short pants suit with a printed tee, he blazer even had elbow patches and she had model off-duty cool down pat. The child was fascinating. She even sat in the front row, amazeballs.

The proprietor of Fashion Mavericks, Jackie Adholla.

Pictures of What I Wore tomorrow.

Love and light xxx