Top 5 MET gala looks

Volunteering

I really thought I could do life post-blogging, you know being super busy all the time doing grown women things but I missed my blog.  So I'm back, like the lover who tries to stay away but keeps coming back. *does smiley dancing thingy*


So I wrote this for the magazine I work with a while a go sharing my volunteer adventure from last year and now i thought I'd share (majorly edited but I saved the pics for you :) )

After many weeks of preparing documentation, having second thoughts and panic attacks about this trip, I was finally on my way to Ghana to volunteer my time. I had been wanting to do something a little more than ordinary for a while. Something like going to Spain to learn Spanish,  going on a safari cruise in Kenya,  going to China to intern or anything worthy of being ticked of a ‘things to do before you turn 30’ list. I started the process on my own initially but chickened out. And so, when a friend of mine asked if I was interested in going to volunteer in Ghana through an organisation called Original Volunteers, I knew this was my chance to finally do this. Two months and a bumpy one hour flight later, I was in Accra looking for Yao, the taxi driver who would be driving me 5 hours away to Mpraeso. Despite the Lagos-like traffic, what felt like extreme hunger and Yao’s bad taste in music, I was excited! This was an amazing opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, and immerse myself in a value giving experience.

The next day, I finally got to go to Sunrise school, one of the most deprived schools in the area, which was almost entirely built with the help of volunteers. As we got down from the bus walking to the school, the kids came and without thinking held the hand of the volunteer they thought was the best looking  (lol. i dunno what t the criteria was o). The girl by my side was Selina, a 5/6 year old who ended up being my companion most of the day (had to force her to go to her class).

walking down to sunrise--see each volunter has a student

selina-my walking partner

In class, the students mobbed me, shouting “what is your name? What is your name?!” I admit I had preconceived ideas of what they would be like but in fact, they were normal kids ...albeit with mismatched uniforms. In an exercise where I asked for volunteers to come out and tell us what they wanted to be in future, they all wanted to be doctors, footballers and “Madams”. It doesn't get realer than that..who doesn't want to become a Madam?! 

Jolly volunteers

The villages and communities I visited might as well have been in Nigeria for their similarities. I wondered to myself why I had to come all the way to a neighbouring country to volunteer. The answer was simple; there was an international organisation that made the link between community schools, hospitals, libraries and the outside world full of people ready to help. Why can't we have that same opportunity for willing volunteers to do something to help Nigerian schools, hospitals, communities? ( I now realise that there are but it takes you being proactive, in Nigeria everything is DIY)

Happy New year!!!

3 months away and the prodigal blogger is back to wish yous a happy new year!!!!! I feel like I'be been waiting for 2012 for a while. I mean we've been hearing about it forever...the Olympics, the end of the world and yeah there was the movie too. So all in all I'm. Welcoming the new year with open arms. 2011 was tres eventful! Graduated, moved to Nigeria for my service year, worked with a magazine as a fashion contributor and now ready to resume life as normal after so much activity! *phew* So maybe I am ready to settle down back as a regular blogger or maybe not... :s time will tell. But for now, I wish everyone reading this a beautiful new year that would be greater than all the past ones and God's continual grace over your lives.

Bisous!

The Arise Fashion Show

So if you've silently wished you could be in New York  this past week to witness New York Fashion Week..well you still can! You can catch the  NYFWArise Magazine:Made in Africa show tonight :) It would be streaming live on newyorktimes.com, arisemagazine.net and thisdaylive.com. When you check times be sure to note the time difference depending on what country you're watching from.


And while we're on our fashion things. Check out Lanvin's Fall  fun campaign movie. The clothes are beautiful and I loved watching the models dance so akwardly! Hehe. They may be featured in a world wide campaign but at least I can dance better than them :p Enjoy!

Introducing ROUCH and the lady behind it

Ronke Ladipo, the model turned image consultant turned fashion designer is another of my talented friends. Even before she began her modelling career, Ronke always had drive and determination. She did what she wanted to no matter the obstacles and this attitude is what has brought her this far. She recently launched her fashion line, ROUCH, which showcased at the African Fashion week in New York. So, I sent here a few interview questions, so you all could get to know this determined young fashionista.

How did Rouch come about?

I got motivated after looking back on when I was about 5 years old. My grandfather used to make me these beautiful dresses in ankara. I had so many of them and I loved them. Recently, I visited the lace factory in Austria, where they produce different kinds of lace materials and immediately fell in love with it. I saw how designers used these laces to sew lovely and different designs and I was impressed to see how lace could look so glamorous and chic With this recent inspiration and being the fashionista that most of my friends call me, I decided to pick up designing and come up with my own brand.

Tell me about Rouch?

Rouch by Ronke is simply for the classy and confident individual. My first collection,which I showcased recently at the African fashion week New York (AFWNY), is a mixture of both African and lace fabric. My summer collection was inspired the beautiful natural colours we have here in Africa. Like the ocean, the grass, the earthy brown, the sun, the animals and of course the beautiful tough black skin. Rouch by Ronke is mostly vintage and retro and a bit modern and it’s for the age range of 15-50.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years time, I see myself being able to have established ROUCH in different countries and also dressing up the big celebs in New York, Paris, Milan etc.  I hope I can sit back relax and see what I have accomplished

Tell me one thing you do to constantly improve yourself?

What I always do to improve myself is take corrections and take constructive critiques. I also love to read a lot of high fashion magazines and old school videos where I get my vintage ideas. I watch a lot of project runway and I like to see myself as a perfectionist.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

I am working on making a wardrobe for a TV soap opera and also getting ROUCH into different stores.

Any advice to anyone trying to make it in the fashion industry?

I would advise anyone trying to get into the industry to really have a passion for what they are about to get into. Because everything is not as rosy as it looks on the outside. There’s a lot of hard work to it and it takes a lot of determination. They should never force anything. You either have it or you don’t. And like I always say image is everything! You need to work on yourself before trying to work on others.

Thanks Ronke!

N thats it folks! Check out the ROUCH website on http://rouchbyronke.com/

A poem

This piece was written by Feyi Sodipo (follow her on twitter @feefey). I love it because its written so simply, honestly and beautifully and I can identify with it.
I just had to share this so enjoy!
.......................................................................................................................
They don’t understand, yet I must stand.


I’m all alone but I need space. Is it in my mind or is it my mind?

I must be free but they push and prod. They don’t believe me...how should I believe?

I must retrace the steps and enter into my psyche, then I can help me and He could fix me.

But I being weak think I am strong. The admittance of frailty I mistake for strength, being broken, presuming whole.

I fake it and feign it, I am invincible and tough and smart and I hate it.

I need Him. He loves me but my folly has me in shackles. Beautiful shackles, they adorn me I say.



Now I turn violent, the chains are tightening. I’m on the edge.

I am tall and strong and...Empty.

He stays calling, reaching out. Unconditional love.

He frees me and holds me and loves me. And I hurt Him and push Him

I weaken and fall. Yet He holds on, drawing me close and helping me up.

I feel the love, it heals me. I need no analgesic, His love is my drug.

I am His, He is mine.

My saviour, my lover, my Jesus.

Natural Hair

So, I've been meaning to document my hair journey and hair state of mind for a while. In September 2010, I decided to cut my hair. I finally gave in to the urge after a long time of wanting to cut it but not being bold enough to. (see this post from 2010)

After getting over the initial shock, I loovved my short hair!

....but after a while I started missing my hair and just let it grow back.

I had initially planned to do a rihanna type mushroom cut when it grew back but somehow I got into this natural business. I have a couple of friends, one of who is Michelle, who has been natural  for years (and has a really cool natural hair blog) and they along with Solange, numerous youTubers and bloggers got me to consider going natural.

So, I played with my TWA for a bit. This was fun and frustrating at the same time because most of the time I didn't know what to do with it but I got excited everytime I found something that worked.

Right now my hair has grown much longer and fuller and I don't know what to do to it anymore. When I tell my natural friends this, they're like "Dami noo, don't quit! you're using the wrong conditioner/oil/pre poo..." I have been overwhelmed by the amount of product you need to try out as a natural head. In the beginning I was so ready to go out and buy after seeing like 100 YouTube videos, I was convinced I knew all I needed to. I went out and got some Shea butter from Nigeria, coconut oil, natural this, natural that. But after a couple of months I am convinced they cannot work on my super hard and unruly hair and I think I give up.

I read DatfunkyFro's blog (which is really cool by the way) and I came across this post. I am definitely not natural in my head yet. I still imagine myself with sleek relaxed hair and as much as I loove how beautiful natural hair can look, I might have to accept that my hair will never look like that and even if it could, I will always lust after sleek hair and being able to leave my hair out in a weavee!

I will probably cut my hair again at some point and I might not relax it just yet but the thing with hair is I think people take it too seriously with #teamnatural/short hair Vs #teamweave/relaxed hair. As long as you keep your healthy, I don't see a problem. Too much of everything isnt good, so obvs don't over relax, over-straighten, over-braid/weave or whatever to your hair. I'm one of the people that accepts the benefits of living in the 21st century, be that relaxers or the Internet.

At the end of the day, keep your hair healthy and rock it how you like it!

Peace, love and beautiful locks!

Day 7- Things I lust after

I would love to have a big fat moan fest right about now. But Alas, I shan't. I know I just spoke about faith but its proving to be quite hard. Still, God is good all the time and I'm learning to wait on him to strengthen me. :)

On to my challenge.Yes, I'm still trudging along with it. Trust me I want to give up like yesterday but its called a challenge nay? and I'm learning not to give up so easily sooo

Things I lust after *lovestruck smiley*

• My current laptop, which I affectionately call Grandma, is well past its use by date and it frustratessss the hell out of me! This new baby would be welcome with open arms!



Mac book pro

•  I went sight seeing the other day in town and tried this on in one of these opticians shop/eyewear shops and I fell in love lust. The cat eyes are so retro and glam! This would definitely make the ultimate summer accesory.

•  I heart these vivienne westwood shoes! Not my typical kind of shoe but again, I love how retro and glam and cute it is.( I don't know whats up with the retro glam ish) 

 I was meant to list 5..but I guess I'm not in full on lust mode cuz I could only think of 3.

Actually, an all expense paid holiday to New York would be nicee! :D

F.A.I.T.H

The past few weeks I've been learning alot about faith. Belief is soo important. People talk about the power of believing in yourself and how much we can achieve by doing that. So, imagine how much more power there is in believing in God and His word. The Bible seed says faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain. People were healed by Jesus according to the level of their faith. My prayer is God helps us all to tap into the power of faith in every area of our lives. Amen

Day 6- What I wore today Yesterday

I have a massive backlog of posts I have written in my head. *sigh*. The past two weeks have been busy busy with work, graduation ceremonies, graduation parties, had one everyday this weekend! My friend Michelle  (who is part of my backlog  of posts) was my fellow partyer and put some pics up on her blog. So, after finally  graduating and celebrating my graduation and all my friends' graduations, the dust is finally settling and its time to face the futuree! :s

Nyhoos yes, I am still on this on this challenge -_- I am determined to finish the 10 days no matter how long it takes..lol.

Yesterday was a busy day, had breakfast early with the fam, church, errands, and my friends grad party. And this was my outfit for the day. :)

My lil sis is around and she is quite the budding photographer so I decided to use her services and we had fun with our little photoshoot.

Solange's look

Saw this picture of solange on fouraces and had to blog it. She looks so fresh! Love the braids, pink lippy and orange and beige combo. I would defo be trying this look soon. Not the hair though, I have braids on at the moment but solanges braid up-do is a tad too fierce for me. Still love it tho

Day 5- My opinion about my body and how comfortable I am with it

So this challenge comes under a topic I’ve been meaning to talk about. I’m 5 ft 9 and a size 8 (sometimes 6) (almost model stats ;)..lol). I’ve been giving the “oh you should model” talk and “oh I wish my tummy was flat like yours”. I’ve been called skinny, lepa, longy, bony, bongafish...etcetera. I really couldn't care less. Of course what people say sometimes affects me, and I might say “Oh maybe I should eat more so I can grow fatter” or “maybe I would have breast implants later”...(lol.) BUT I’m not really going to cuz I don't want to wake up fatter or skinnier than I already am. God knows I eat enough already, it just is what it is. My only issue is with “fuller figured” girls who carry the big is beautiful mantra too far and try to make slimmer girls look bad. Girl Puhlease! This is especially an african thing and it annoys me. God made you as you are and made me as I am but all of a sudden because you are trying to defend your look you think you are better. Slimmer women are not lesser women.

 Obviously there is a limit and I’m not talking sickly looking. But how does my being beautiful affect you from being beautiful too??

If you’re big and you look like Marilyn Monroe (or close) girl there are no forces holding you from rocking that bod. Obviously don’t be overweight cuz that is never a good look. But at the end of the day, I think you’ve just got to work with what you got, dress and carry yourself accordingly. Kapish

Day 4- First 5 songs on my music player

I'm so sorry I've been MIA. Had to work long ass shifts this weekend and I know I have woefully failed this challenge but I shall continue anyhoos! *Ye shrug*

I will be doing just the first 5 cuz I need to elaborate and 10 is too loong :D

• When a heart is broken- Lemar

There was a time I used to be in love with lemar my husband! When I was about 16 I hopped on a 2hr bus ride with a fellow Lemar junkie to see him for free and did I see him?..No! We got there late. It was SO sad! It wasn't his music that first got me it was his face! lol. then his voice and the love transferred to his music so I was beyond excited when my cousin/ex roomie got me his album for my 17th birthday. The love has subsided now and all that remains are his soulful love serenades on my iTunes. *sigh* Now that I just listened to this again..this is such a good break up song.

• Sweet like Chocolate--??

A friend uploaded this on my laptop. Its a funky house/dance kinda song, I don't even know who sang it but the beat is catchy and the hook line "sweet like chocolate" is catchy too. Always reminds me of this friend but its just another random song on my iTunes.

• Nobody cared - Canton Jones

We did this song for choir in my second year and we all fell in love with the song. It sincerely echoes how I feel most of the time..when nobody cares..Jesus still loves me!

• Lets get lifted again- John Legend

John Legend is as his name states..a legend. Love him. I have all his albums and I don't think I could ever get tired of listening to his voice.

• Talk about our love- Brandy and Kanye west

My guys! I love ALL of Brandy's songs cuz she is my mainest G from way back. And Kanye is (or used to be) my guy, so obvs when they did a collab together..I loved it! I love singing and rapping along to this :D

And its a wrap! Most of this is really old..and this is a very random selection from my massive library. :D

Sugabelly's Language Challenge

Erm so I'm quite embarrassed about this post especially after hearing a couple other people that have done theirs..BUT Anyhoos! I wrote a post a while back about yoruba speaking and when I saw this I really wanted try it so Here goes! (n i keep missing the 12am deadline!) *_*

Language challenge by dammieway

Translation

Goodevening people! Today, I'm taking a break from the 10 day challenge to do another challenge -sugabelly's language challenge- because I think its a really good idea and its something we should all do. Plus I've been finding it really difficult to keep up with this 10 day challenge (even though I cheated) cuz blogging everyday isn't something I'm used to but I shall try to keep up for the next week.

So, you've figured out I'm yoruba but my yoruba is very rusty. I'm going to say I how I started speaking it and all. The thing is I didnt grow up speaking yoruba I always spoke English at home. I always understood yoruba but i just never spoke it. At this stage of my life I really think its about time to start polishing my yoruba. It seems like our culture is getting lost, especially among us abroad and even those at home in Nigeria. A lot of people just don't speak their language but its something I would really like to start speaking. Please dont abuse me too much! Have mercy cuz I know my yoruba isn't great and I keep adding english. I will put a transcript at the end for the benefit of non speakers. I dont want to talk much cuz I don't really have anything important to say. I just wanted you guys to hear my yoruba and encourage other people that hear this to do theirs too whether you speak yoruba, ibo, hausa or even pidgin(or perhaps a non nigerian language)..cuz its kinda cool.

Visit Sugabelly's page to find out more

Day 3- How important I think education is

I was going to do the “what did you eat today?”question. But I thought that would be too lazy and no one would be terribly interested, so I’m going to do the “How important I think Education is” one. Here goes.


Having reached the peak or at least the sub peak of my education, I’ve been thinking back at how useful the past three years have been. I do feel like I have learnt so much more and I look at the world with more enlightened eyes BUT for most people you only go to school so you can earn more. Do I think going to university increases your future earnings?...Yes and no. Sir Alan Sugar didn’t go to Uni and look at him. What got him where he is today is drive, hard work and common sense. However, if he never got the basic education he got...all that potential would have been wasted.

The most important bit of education is early education in primary and secondary and that’s why the state of WASSCE and JAMB results in Nigeria break my heart. I really think that we cannot be great unless we solve the problem of education in Nigeria and Africa. China and India are among the emerging economies in the world because their governments have invested so much into education. Their kids are excellent in science and technology subjects, their universities have enough funds to carry out ground breaking research etc etc and I think is one of their main advantages.

I think the more educated you are the more empowered you are either as an individual or as a nation. And of course we can learn in schools, from people even through just living.

Here’s a video by Fela Durotoye, the motivational speaker that I think sums up everything







And just cuz! Here’s what I ate today.hehe

• First thing in my mouth at about 6ish plantain chips straight from Nigeria!

• A Krispy kreme donut that I actually didn’t really like—yeah I’m not really a krispy kreme person

• Some of my cousins jacket potato—

• Semolina and ogbonna stew—

• The rest of my plantain chips—

Today was an unusual food day, I’m usually more balanced and "healthy"..lol.

Day 2 - A Book I love

I love reading books, so I definitely had to do this one. I started with the cheesy M&B's and progressed to the Sidney Sheldons etc. I love a lot of books, although I don't remember the names of all these books. A few of my favourites are Pride and prejudice, Half of a yellow sun, a lot of Marian keyes's ones, Eat, pray, love. but today I'm going to talk about the one I'm currently reading or shall I say re-reading. It's one of  Francine River's Mark of the Lion series, A Voice in the wind.

I found this randomly in my aunty's house and started reading it out of boredom and I was hooked. All three books in the series are very well written and it transports you to roman times,with their excesses (have you seen Spartacus?) and early Christians in those times. They are full of history, romance and so many moral lessons and the characters are so vivid. This is particularly my favourite because of the main character Hadassah, her humility is soo striking and she was the sort of person I would love to know. Reading about her was like a challenge to be better in so many ways and her strength, her courage, her devotion to God. etc etc. All in all its a really good book either as just plain fiction or as christian fiction. The fact that I am reading it for the second time says alot!



30 10 days challenge

I've been lacking blogspiration recently, so I decided to hop on this 30 day challenge that's been floating about on blogsville BUT I am going to be cheating. Cheating in a good way though because I'm sure no one is terribly interested in reading these 30 things (of which a lot are personal). So yes, I shall be cherry picking the questions I want to answer..bite me :)

First one up 5 ways to win my heart

• Love God. If you appear to have an apparent love for God you have a major advantage in my books, the sad thing is that this is easy to feign. Seriously though, my ideal man is a man like David, a man after God's heart. That being said, I am not so up for being a Pastors wife, can I just get me a banker, engineer, architect version of David...Thank you.

• Be Tall. So yeah you got to have to be tall to find your way to my heart. I know that sounds shallow and I know you cannot make yourself tall but soz thats just the way it is.  Yay for tall guys!

• Be eloquent. I am a sucker for an eloquent man. No dodgy accents or frequent gbaguans and even when you message me there still have to be a decipherable bit of English left in it.

• Be a go-getter. If you want something go after it whatever it is, drive in a guy is very attractive. You have to be able to chase your dream and your goals and er, me.

• Don't be too predictable. Its nice for guys to spring up (pleasant) suprises from time to time, makes things a bit more fresh and exciting.

Caveat: So erm, success rates cannot be guaranteed. Generally these are nice things to have and do but there aren't any set ways to win my heart, actually I'm not that hard to please. But winning my heart alone won't do much good because you have to win my heart, my head etc...At the end of the day you either got it or you don't!  *kanye shrug* :)

That's all for now folks!



Discovered music

Thank you for the well wishes with exams and all. I am finally done with undergrad now..Thank God!! I am really so grateful and I have just been enjoying this downtime before entering the chaos that is the "real world" :s Lots of big decisions to make but I'm just taking it one step at a time for now. Congrats to everyone graduating from secondary/high school, uni, post grad this year!!

While I've been chilling, I've had more time on my hands to trawl the web and discovering new music that I love is one of the sweetest things. Coming across the beautiful Rox was one of the highlights of my week. She's been around since early last year and she released a single called "My baby left me" but I wasn't really feeling it at the time. Still not really into it but I love every other thing I've heard off her!

No Going back-


Precious moments (One of my future wedding songs)




On to other new music I've been listening to is one of Kimbra's, who I discovered through facebook. She has a very unique style,quirky but still cool.

Settle down- I cannot stop singing this song.

African Inspired Jewellery for sale!

 Apart from rocking your african heritage with pride, these cute accesories are another way to infuse your wardrobe with one of the seasons hottest trends as everyone to Gwen Stefani to Burberry is going ankara crazy in their latest collections. These handmade ankara pieces are versatile and modern enough for everyday wear and stylish enough to wear for dressed up occasions.







Photography by Oby Anadu
Models: Diwura Edun and Diwura Adeniran
Styling and Make-up by Dami Onabiyi and Seun Okediran

Everything from bangles, necklaces, earrings, ruffles and headbands available at affordable prices.

At the moment only UK deliveries can be made. Please contact dammieway@yahoo.com for a price list and delivery details or drop a comment below. :)



Beauty and the Black I

So I saw these two very sad videos posted on facebook this week.

• This is a study by two psychologists using children aged 3-7.

• And a documentary called dark girls. Its abit long but do try to watch most parts of it.

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

• And there was the research  published last week by Dr Kanazawa, a lecturer at the London School of Economics. He's findings were based on a survey of white, Asian, black and native American men and women who were asked to rate each other’s attractiveness based on photographs. In his article, Kanazawa wrote: "Black women are … far less attractive than white, Asian, and Native American women."

So, other races think black women are ugly, black men think dark skinned girls are less attractive and black dark skinned women also think dark skinned women are less attractive....!!!

Err..what hope do we have then? If nobody loves us, we ought to love ourselves first. I will put up a follow up post on this later.

But for now, dark skinned girls rise! Just because somethings are the way they are now, doesn't mean they are how they ought to be. Some profound writer wrote "We never see things the way they are, we see them the way we are".

Black is beautiful, we just need to start seeing it.