Monday Musings

Hi Guys

How was the weekend? Mine was OK, a mixture of activity and relaxation. Did i mention that a friend picked me as her ' maid of honor' or rather her ' best lady' as she calls it, just to annoy me. So on saturday i had ' maid of honor' duties. 




Isn't she she a sight for sore eyes. For those who do not know her, she is Jocelyn Dumas a Ghanian TV personality and she wore this beautiful dress to the launch of her new TV show 'At Home With Joselyn Dumas'. Look at the hips on her? As in, isn't this enough to just ' hate' her?Everything about this look is just perfection and i know some people might say she flashed too much cleavage but honey, this is cleavage worth showing.

On to my musing for today. Something occurred to me over the weekend while getting my nails done. It has been said that when it comes to the ' Beauty Industry' even though its a female domain, men that venture into the field do a much better job than their female colleagues. Now we all know, that i have some feminism in me but in this regard i can almost agree. One of the best haircuts i have ever had was done by a guy. My nails are done by Guys...

That's me getting my nails done over the weekend by a man, and he does a very good job i might add. It seems they take their time and maybe guys are more patient( which is just funny`)



Today is a typical monday for me and nothing to really go on about because am really ' trying to keep' a low profile during Ramadan. Here is my look for today..

Have a great week ahead people.

Live Love and Laugh

Your Jewellery needs love...( TGIF Ladies)

Hello Everyone,

Its the weekend again and am sure most of us at work with regular 9 to 5 jobs are happily watching the clock tick away the hours, till we bolt for the door and enter a blissful two work free days. Alas! those two days seem to fly by. I think one of the most enjoyable things about the weekend is the ' looking forward to it' on friday, by Sunday evening the blues set in.

Anyway on to the business of today. My last blog post was about fashion, specifically accessories and the fact that i would soon have some for sale very soon.

However, i also got a few queries about the pieces i would be selling. A lot of ladies were concerned about the quality of the pieces i would be offering for sale. Their number one concern was whether they would change color after a while( i.e from gold to black) and if they would stand the test of time. I quickly reassured my future customers that my pieces where of the highest quality and would last for a very long time, if treated with tender loving care. Need i say that some were not convinced and after a while i became a tad bit irritated, then i calmed down and put myself in their shoes. 



First things first ladies, accessories are not gold. No matter how intricate their designs are and no matter how much gold plated it looks. IT IS NOT GOLD! Gold does not tarnish but will dull and get dirty after a while if its not cleaned on a regular basis or once in a while. So yes, those gorgeous earrings and neck pieces will change color if  handled with less than utmost care. I am also a culprit of this vice, once i get back from work or an outing, i just remove my accessories and toss them carelessly into the box i keep them. Need i say, they do not last very long but i always get more because i love my accessories. I have not reached that level were i can start investing in gold. Gold can be a bit boring for a young lady especially for everyday use.

So i did a bit of research and came up with some tips on how to maintain our jewellery. I know many of us know this but sheer laziness will not allow us do the right thing. Come on! We know we should not sleep with make up on but we do it anyway... So here's my refresher course or tips if you will, on Jewellery care: 

• Protect all  Jewellery from scratches, sharp blows, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and sunlight.
• After each wearing, gently wipe each piece of jewellery clean of make up and skin oils with a 100% cotton cloth.
• Store jewellery separately so it doesn't scratch other jewellery.
• Remove jewellery when doing household tasks such as gardening, cleaning, household repairs or other strenuous activities.
• Apply make-up and hair spray before putting on your jewellery. Make-up and hair spray contain chemicals that may affect your jewellery.
• Do not store jewellery next to heating vents, window sills, or in the car.
• Store jewellery away from sunlight. The sun may fade some gemstones.
• Do not wear jewellery while in a pool, hot tub or bathing. The chlorine in the water can damage various gemstones and metals including gold.
• Always store bead necklaces strung on silk flat because silk stretches over time.
• Frequent cleaning is recommended to maintain its true beauty.
• Salt water, chlorine in swimming pools, soap, perfumes, personal products and perspiration take their toll on all fine jewellery.
• Wipe your jewellery carefully with a soft cloth to keep it clean and enjoy!  

( source:  http://www.accessoriesonline.co.uk/jewellery-care/)

See its easy and not difficult to do at all.. ( ill try to practise what i preach).  Hope these helps( big smile)

Till next time dolls..


Live Love and Laugh
 

Trendy Tuesday

Hey Hey!

Its a wonderful Tuesday morning and i am so happy to be alive especially in this holy month of Ramadan. We are taking it one day at a time (deep breath!). One of the creeds of this month is to shun all worldly activities and cares and focus solely on your creator. Pray,fast, Study the Holy  Qua-ran and give Zakat. The praying and fasting i am doing my best, the Studying and Zakat, i need to step up my game. It just seems there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done. That being said, there is no excuse and i have to utilize this month to be closer to God.

On to the gist for today. Even though i am expected to ignore almost everything during this month, i could not help but contribute my two cents to a conversation that went on in my office. Topic of discuss ' Maintaining your woman'. During the discussion, it was said that many husbands do not know or rather choose not to know that apart from ' House keeping' allowance  they give to their wives to run the home, it is also expected that the woman be given ' Upkeep allowance' to maintain herself and look good.  I wasn't really shocked because its also a trend for men and women to split the cost of living right down the middle. They both contribute 50% each. Anyway according to my religion, it is expected that the man provides for the woman.  So there!


That being said, Lets move on to a less controversial issue, Fashion! Here is my look for today.....

I decided to go for the school girl look today. I actually miss those days when life revolved around how i hated ' maths' and still do. Now there are just too many responsibilities and i miss being a child. Word for today: DO NOT BE IN A HURRY TO GROW UP, ITS A TRAP!

Now to other stuff that still involves fashion. Who does not love accessories?  They have a way of making or breaking an outfit and when you do wear it the right way, you become a style star!  Wear a simple tank top and jeans and throw on bangles and the right earrings and you can rock it to any event. Remember though, the best accessory a woman can wear is confidence.  Here are some samples of gorgeous pieces

Just email me on rasaqtobi@yahoo.com and place your orders!

Time to fall in love and swoon...

.

Waiting to Hear from You all.

Live Love and Laugh

Jumma Mubarak and TGIF To non-muslims

Hello Everyone,

I am feeling very Islamic this morning. Its the 10th day of the holy month of Ramadan and i thank Almighty Allah for giving me strength and may he continue to do so. May we see many more Ramadans, Insha Allah,Amen.

Its been a very long week and i must say i now have tunnel vision when it comes to my life. Fasting does that  to you. This does not mean that human beings will still not get on your last nerve especially when you are living in Lagos.  It is very difficult to be calm and pious when you are about to enter a danfo in Lagos and the driver is on the move and you almost fall flat on your face.  It also takes an act of GOD for you not to swear out loud and in your mind when your walking on the road and a passing car splashes water on your shoes.  Anyway am always tooo tired to ' display' like i usually do when someone crosses the line and my time is not enough for frivolities.

Anyway, on to my look for today.  I decided to go a bit ' Arabian'  ( i do not know exactly what this outfit is called, if you do please let me know)because i intend on going for Jumat Prayers later in the day.....

I love changing my look totally.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead

Live Love and Laugh

Monday Musings

Hey Guys!

I am in a haze of exhaustion this morning. My eyes are heavy and my spirit is low but i know ill snap out of my Monday blues and this funk i currently find myself in...

As i sleepily applied my eyeliner this morning.  So many thoughts ran through my head and this happens a lot. Anyone who knows me, knows am a control freak. I like to have things my way, in every aspect of life. Some might call it a character flaw and some might say its a good thing. I call it my curse and blessing. A curse because it also makes me a worrier and a blessing because it makes me ambitious and a go getter. However this part of me keeps me up at night. 

Even though its Ramadan and this is the time  i am  supposed to loosen the strings of control freakiness and submit to the will of Almighty Allah, i just cant!  Its an uphill task and its something i have to deal with everyday. I am constantly on a mental roller coaster and i just need to chill.  Any advice on how to combat this personal demon would be most appreciated.

Anyway on to the look of today. My dressing during Ramadan has always been a bit controversial. People never know am fasting because i do not change the way i look. The only concession i make, is to tone down the make up a notch and keep the hemlines not tooo short, but the rest is plain me.. Its wrong i know but when i settle down with my ' Muslim sheik' maybe ill start being a bit more Muslim in my appearance. So for my Monday look, here we go....

now now folks.. my gown may look a bit short but its actually knee length, its because am sitting down.


Have a wonderful week ahead...

Live Love and Laugh...

Fabulous Tuesday...

Hi Everyone,

How was the weekend? Did you have a good time? As promised my weekend was a combination of both fun and relaxation.My cousins wedding to his heartthrob was a spectacular affair. It was an opportunity to mingle and dance my heart out. I also had an opportunity to catch up with family members that i had not seen in a while. I managed to take some pictures....

 The decor transformed the hall into a fairy tale land. Love! Love! Love!

My mum decked out in full Aso-ebi regalia and my brother.

Moi in my gold lace gown. I added a touch of red with my accessories. The color of the day was red and silver. It was a real fun wedding with the DJ dishing out both old and new jams. Everyone danced away their sorrows.

Well, its a new working week and we are back to the grind. I am currently facing some professional challenges at this time but ill rather not go into details because they are ' work related'. I might be a lot of things but i pride myself on trying to be as a professional as possible. Here is my look for this fabulous Tuesday...

Channeling my inner '  school teacher or secretary' take your pick! 

In other news! The Holy Month of Ramadan is here, fasting begins tomorrow. Allahamdulilahi!!! It just has a way of creeping up on you. The month of spiritual blessings and the month i try REALLY hard to be a good girl and better Muslim. For my non Muslim brothers and sisters who are wondering what the fuss is all about and are irritated that the price of food stuff sky rockets during this time ( which is no fault of Muslims,might i add). Let me enlighten y'all a bit....

The month of Ramadan is a month revered  by Muslims worldwide. It is the month of tranquility and peace of mind as well as the month of stability of the soul. Ramadan is a period of exercising one's restraint in doing certain things, this is most reflected in the act of fasting.  The main objective of this period remains the same,strengthening the spiritual part of the human being. The Quaran refers to this as the state of 'Taqwa" which basically means ' God-Conciousness of the heart'.

' O, you believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may be truly conscious of God ( Taqwa) -- ( Al- Baqarah 2: 183). Apart from not eating,we are to withhold other organs such as the eyes,ears,hands and legs from engaging in despicable acts. 
( Source: www.thestar.com.my)

So there! Hope you all have the general idea. So this is wishing everyone both muslim and non-muslim.... RAMADAN KAREEM! May we all reap the blessing of this month and may Almighty Allah accept our prayers...Amin!

Live love and Laugh

The weekend awaits...

Hey Boys and Girls!

Its Fridddddddaaaaaayyyyy! Weekend here we come.  What plans do we have folks? As usual, i have places to go and people to meet. A cousin is getting married on saturday and on Sunday i just have plans to relax and enjoy some tender loving care...

Anyway, yesterday i had the bad luck of  sitting between two annoying spectacles on a bus ride. One passenger was loudly eating an egg roll with his mouth open, while another was nursing aspirations of being the next Frank Sinatra..Me thinks he should stick with his day job and stop harassing people with his frog croak that he calls a voice.

This week has gone by so fast and i'd like to share  two of my looks that i think are fashionable. You guys be the judge...

I am beginning to love my phone. It allows me to play with my pictures and edit . This look was my favorite of the week. A leopard print sheer top with a peter pan collar and a red body con pencil skirt. Everyone thought i had undergone plastic surgery the night before, because i suddenly developed some curves. For someone who gets bugged about being stick thin, i was kind of flattered and a bit annoyed that people realized that i do have a bum, even though its not always so obvious. I think the body con trend is a must have for slim ladies. It enhances our physique and allows us flaunt our assets e.g those of us that have flat stomachs..( Note to self; get more body con skirts and dresses).

From skin tight to loose and free. This is my look for today. A loose flowing chiffon top with pearl detail at the wrists of the blouse( I hope that's what its called) with blue jeans and wedge sandals. For someone on the skinny side, i shy way from lose fitting outfits but i love this look. Its free and comfortable and kind of chic( or at least that's what everyone tells me). To me, comfort is key in fashion.


That's all folks. Do have a wonderful weekend ahead.


Live,Love and Laugh

Monday Musings

Holla Peeps!

How was the weekend guys? It was a rainy rainy one but that didnt stop the fun for me. No siree! I had an absolute fantastic time. From drinks on friday with my girlfriends( Tola and Tracy) and a wedding on  a saturday, it was fun all the way.

Which brings me to the topic of today. The Nigerian youth and our love for life and fun and the fact that a revolution for change might not happen from my generation. The wedding on saturday was crazy fun. It was a wedding dominated by the youth and you can imagine how much fun it must have been? Even with the rain and the fact that ' Environmental sanitation exercise' was carried out and the reception started way behind schedule, it was still fun. Food and alcohol abounded and the band and DJ was off the chain,belting out hit after hit, both old and new. You know me, i am a regular 'Alajota' and Dunmininu my friend and colleague that i accompanied to the wedding isn't any better. We danced our hearts out and showed our color to the admiration of some and to the irritation of some i am sure. After a while, it wasn't a wedding party anymore but a regular club with both guys and girls ''dropping it like its hot' and i might have seen a girl or two ' twerking'( is that what its called?) anyway am sure you get the picture.

However, on Sunday,reality set it. How did that happen you might ask? I and my mum were watching CNN and we watched a story about the protest going on in Cairo, the capital of Egypt in Tahrir square. Thousands of people massed in the square and outside the presidential palace in the biggest demonstration there, since the 2011 revolution. The protesters were accusing the first Islamist president of failing to tackle economic and security problems since taking over power a year ago. Most of the protesters were the youth. Then i remembered the revelry of the day before and i felt a bit ashamed.A wedding is a joyous occasion and thus should be celebrated. However we Nigerian youth are known for our love of partying and vanity. We made a brilliant attempt in the ' Occupy Nigeria' protests but have we made any other significant moves to make our voices heard that will shake the nation and make our voices heard globally. As a Nigerian i have never felt anything but economic hardship. Even the basic necessities have been denied me. All the issues that were being listed in Egypt are the problems that Nigerians have been facing since i can remember, and its getting worse. Will we the Nigerian youth worry less about the 'Good Life' and  begin to think about our future because we will have to deal with the shit at the end of the day because WE are the future.


Anyway, enough about my depressing opinions and move to something that reeks of self absorption and brings a smile to my face... Fashion and pictures. I and Dumz were dressed to kill on saturday and i have some pictures to share with you ...

A Pout worthy of the camera. On the way to the wedding...

I and Dumz. Say cheese....

Looking childlike and Innocent( Not!)

Before i leave you, I have a pet peeve for today. Nigerians have started again with their overdoing things more than oyinbo people. Instagram!!! Everybody and their mothers want to be on instagram. Now its not whats your phone number, its are you on instagram? Let me add you so we can share pictures( rolling eyes).  I do not have any gadget with ' I' in front of it so abegg. We and our fads... Anyone remember Hi5?

Live, Love and Laugh...