Jollof rice is one of my favorite foods when it comes to Nigerian meals. There are different variations of jollof rice but all I care about is the pepper seasoning and small amount of oil. Below is a recipe of jollof rice
400 g chicken Salt and ground red pepper Vegetable oil for frying 1L (1-3/4 pt) stock or water with 3 crushed maggi cubes 2 large onions, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped 2-3 chilies (hot peppers), finely chopped 5 large tomatoes- grounded 45 g (3 tablespoons) tomato paste 250 g (8 oz) each of assorted chopped vegetables, e.g. carrots, green beans, sweet corn etc 500 g (1 lb) long-grain rice
Cut chicken into small pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cover and allow to stand for 1-2 hours. Heat oil in fry-pan and fry chicken until brown. Heat up 2 cooking spoons of oil and add the onions, garlic, chilies and fry until golden. Add the blended tomatoes and tomato paste to mixture. Stir, add seasoning and simmer for 7 minutes. Wash the rice and stir in uncooked rice into the mixture. Add the stock and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes. Add the assorted chopped vegetables and continue to cook until rice softens.Serve hot and garnish with lettuce or any garnishing of your choice.
My trip to México was remarkable: “haga usted dice el espanol” was the number question I was asked (I had to Google this to make sure what I was been asked).I went to Matamoros and Reynosa in Tamaulipas. The stories and warnings about kidnappings besmirched my mind that I didn’t want to interact with the locals or go to places where there were no tourists. However, there were some safe places to go to for food like Garcia’s-tourist haven. There were lots of typical places like pizza hut, subway, burger king, chili’s and the likes. The malls were fun to glance around, some items cracked me up but when it comes to leather sandals and accessories they got it hands down. One annoying peeve was the infrequency of their network, it was horrendous. My Blackberry messenger friends (especially in Nigeria) had to make fun of my situation-I got messages 2hours after it was sent, how pathetic. Overall, México is a culturally enriched place if you are bold enough to go to the local places.
Which is better waxing or threading? I remember the first time I waxed my eyebrows, I felt like it was the best thing that happened to me because I have thick long eyebrows and now it was nicely shaped. One thing I disliked after waxing was the tweezing; I could not tolerate the pain. Also, the fact that women came just to tweeze their brows was frightening to me. As years past, waxing was my thing till a trip to Montréal. After Sunday brunch, my friends were going to thread their eyebrows so I tagged along. I watched as each friend got their brows shaped, so in my mind am like I have to try this even though I just waxed my eyebrows two weeks ago. Well it got to my turn, the woman went so fast and it was painful. The skin around my eyebrows were swollen and red, I told myself I would not thread my eyebrows again. My adventurous mind would not let that happen, a month ago I was looking for where to wax my eyebrows so my friend took me to a lady that does wonders with threading eyebrows. At first I looked calm but as soon as I saw her bringing the thread close to my face I started panicking. The lady got tired after two tries so she tells me to go wax. After waxing, then the lady tries to tweeze and am like no so she tries the thread which worked because I was relaxed and less tense. However, I finally overcame the fear of the thread by threading my eyebrows last week. I love the fact that it is just one step and not a two-step process with waxing. I don’t think I will go back to waxing my eyebrows.
Christmas is fast approaching; the month of November is almost done. This means if you haven’t planned your vacation and need to travel, be ready to spend more money. However, there are loads of options to choose from the Caribbean, UAE, and Africa. I love picture stories; so below are pictures of countries in the regions listed above
Top-Bottom: Bahamas, Dominican republic and Jamaica
Top-Bottom: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Top-Bottom: Abuja, Calabar, Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Black Friday is almost here, the countdown has begun and as well as strategizing. Well for me, this will be my workout special after thanksgiving food. At the moment, lots of ads by huge retailers like Best Buy, Sears, Target, Home Depot and Wal-Mart have been leaked.
Over the past couple of weeks, my eyes have been blinded by various designs of the peep toe boots. Some look superb and others look like they just survived a puddle of mud. I prefer the ankle length to above the knee length and wearing them with skinny jeans. These boots go with any occasion from casual to formal events. Only disadvantage to peep toe boots is the fall/winter season except you can embrace the cold. My favorites peep toe boots are:
L-R Balenciaga, Chanel, Topshop 'Abby' buckle peep toe boots.
Benihana is an upscale Japanese restaurant. An interesting feature of this restaurant is open-kitchen concept just like a condo: the chefs cook the food right in front of you on a hot metal surface with the exception of foods like rice, salads, and sushi. The performance is so entertaining, for example using onions to demonstrate the eruption of a volcano, creating a heart shape with the rice. For this restaurant, pictures tell the story more than writing a summary. Thus, I have a picture story below.
My favorite look for this Halloween season is Madame Mask by Sylvester Jack featured on M▪A▪C Cosmetics. The wave design brings out the mystery of the eyes. To push it over the top, the carbon eye shadow defines the eyes to give it the “piercing eyes into the soul” look.
Follow the step-by-step and M·A·C products listed below to achieve that look.
Click here for a printable version of this look to bring to a M·A·C Artist in a store near you; links to the products used are also included: http://www.maccosmetics.com/halloween3 or visit http://bit.ly/maccosmetics to purchase these products online or find a store near you. Pro products can be purchased in any M·A·C Pro store.
My first time at a Brazilian steakhouse was made exceptional by Tradicao. From the servers to the manager, everyone is so cordial-I felt so relaxed and ready to devour the meat. For starters, the buffet style salad bar that includes fresh vegetables, cheese, cured meat and salad dressing is of top quality. To top it the servers bring shrimps on a skewer and give you as much as you want. when you are ready for the server to bring the meat on a skewer, there is a coaster for each guest.
The coaster is usually on the red side which means No, once you flip it to other side which is green; it says “Yes please” which indicates to the servers to bring the meat. So the influx of meat begins from beef ribs, lamb chops, pork ribs, sirloin, filet mignon, pork sausages, chicken legs, parmesan pork, chicken breast wrapped with bacon and picanha which tasted like beef chunks rolled up in bacon. The side dishes were brought as well; they included cupcake looking warm bread with cheese inside, mashed potatoes, buttery rice, fried plantain, and black beans. Also to complement my food I had the caipirinha drink. At this point I had to stop entering notes on my blackberry and focus on the food as the servers kept on bringing food. One thing I liked is when the servers bring the meat they tell you how cooked the meat is, if it’s medium rare (this was the best) and you like well done-they bring you well done meat plus you say no if you don’t want the meat they have on the skewer. After indulging in the meat feast, you flip the coaster back to red and it’s time for dessert. For their dessert menu, they have papaya cream, cheese cake, chocolate cake, crème brule, and lime pie. I had the papaya cream which was so soothing for all the meat I just ate. Overall, the restaurant was exceptional from the servers to the food and the manager. For more info, visit their page at
I Love the hue and natural finish of this powder. I have a red undertone so I use NW for M▪A▪C but for Studio Tech I go for yellow undertone NC50 because it looks more natural and blends with my body tone.
Product description from M▪A▪C Cosmetics
Totally tech. A tri-system blend of water, emollients and powder. Looks solid, glides on as a soft, creamy emulsion. Provides a natural matte, powder-perfect finish. Smooth to blend, easy to work with: provides a full range of coverage. Water-cooled - refreshes and hydrates skin. Light diffusing: softens lines, creates a fresh, flawless finish. Good on all skin types. Studio Tech is dermatologist tested, ophthalmologist tested, non-acnegenic and safe for contact lens wearers.
The finish of this loose powder is amazing. I found this powder during one of my regular eye-brow waxing visits at Caryl Visage. Cool thing about this place is once you have membership you get discount items from their make-up line to beauty services like microdermabrasion and free facial in your birthday month
Product description from Caryl Baker Visage
Translucent powder (loose) is a finely milled finishing powder, ideal for all skin types, which sets your foundation for a velvety smooth finish. Available in a variety of shades for all skin tones, it reduces shine, eliminates surface oil, and diffuses light to help reduce the appearance of facial flaws and tiny lines
This is one of the best sheer powders I have used in terms of brightness and ease of application. Most times I use it for contouring or just use it to highlight my cheek bones.
Product description from The Body shop
Best if you want to: Give your complexion a luminous, natural finish using a sheer, lightweight powder available in two sparkling shades.
This is my alternate sheer powder to the brilliance powder. I use this powder often during summer to get the bronzed look.
Product description from M▪A▪C Cosmetics
A lightly frosted, tinted powder that gives skin sheer, natural color effects and highlights. Ideal for enhancing a skin tone or to accent or strengthen a tan. Skin-conditioning - and formulated to provide a smooth, even application on all skin types
Whenever I remember my first use of shimmer waves I laugh. It was just a “oh let me see what’s new in body shop” moment and sales associate was giving this product to people entering the store. At first I thought it was just a plain eye shadow with 5 colors but I flipped the case over and saw the eye, face and cheek symbol. This just got me excited as I could blend all colors and use for my eyes or cheeks.
Product description from The Body shop
Best if you want to: Sweep colors together for a stunning, all-over glow on the face and cheeks or use each one individually on the eyes or to accent specific areas.
Best for: all skin types
What it is designed to do:
Pearl pigments provide shimmer and sparkle, helping to disguise fine lines around the eye area.
Ultra-fine talc is a high-performance powder that enables smooth and even application.
Community Trade marula oil from Namibia helps to repair skin’s moisture barrier.
This mascara is like sky-high heels; it really does elongate the lashes. I love this mascara as it defines my lashes and comes off easily.
Product description from Maybelline
Why You'll Love It
The only mascara that does for lashes what stilettos do for legs.
The Grip & Extend brush grasps each lash and coats from every angle
Elastic formula stretches lashes for provocative length
Pro-Vitamin B-5 formula conditions and smoothes for black-patent shine
Contact lens safe and Ophthalmologist tested
For Best Results
Sweep Grip and Extend Brush upwards from root to tip to grasp each lash and coat from every angle to achieve extreme length and shine. Continue building lashes until you reach your desired look. Do not let dry between coats. Repeat for lower lash line. Removes easily with soap and water or Maybelline® New York Expert Eyes® Eye Makeup Remover Towelettes.
The reason why I started using lipstick was because I was looking for a lip color to go with my nail polish. The M▪A▪C store was the best option I had in terms of variety. It took more than 45minutes to find the red lipstick I wanted but it was worth the wait.
Product description from M▪A▪C Cosmetics
Color plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! What made M·A·C famous.
TAKE THE DAY OFF MAKEUP REMOVER FOR LIDS, LASHES & LIPS
I’m not a fan of Clinique but this sure does wonders in removing makeup. Its feels like baby oil (baby oil is what I love to use to remove my makeup) and very compact in any purse.
Product description from Clinique
Totally tugless, two-way makeup remover speeds the departure of hard-to-remove eye and lip makeups. Dissolves and "lifts away" long-wearing makeup, even waterproof mascara. Non-irritating, non-stinging. Ophthalmologist Tested. Appropriate for contact lens wearers
The MODChic pre-launch show was elegant; it had this simple yet couture finesse that was so mesmerizing. I loved the dresses the most; it was flair, sassy and had this “I can wear it anywhere” factor like to a cocktail party, lounge or wedding. The pants were so fashionable; you can dress it up with dress shirts or top.
The designer of the line is Ebele; she has been making pieces for friends for the past 6yrs. She decided to take her passion for fashion to a higher level by having a collection. One thing that caught my attention when I saw her before talking to her was her ruffled collared top. It was well put together with her pants and shoes-very chic. Overall, the pre-launch was amazing; 10% discount was given in addition to the lowered prices of the clothes, appetizers were yum especially the cake and gift bags were given at the end of the event.
