HEAD COVERING: TO BE OR NOT TO BE

Yesterday, I went to church for the Easter mass, somewhere along the line, I noticed a lady who was wearing skinny jeans, tank top and a jacket made of Ankara material with her hair uncovered. I wondered why she had picked out that particular outfit to wear on Easter Sunday. For those who are not Christians, Easter is almost like Christmas for us. Infact, as a child, my mum used to buy us Easter clothes. As I grew older, I saved my best outfit from Christmas to wear on Easter Sunday, just in case I couldn’t get a new one at Easter. So now you understand my confusion over the girl’s choice of outfit. I was actually wondering if that was her best outfit. Looking at her, I could guess that she could have gotten something more appropriate if she wanted to.

Moving on, at Communion time, she got up and joined the queue. I told my husband that what she was doing wouldn’t be tolerated in the east or in Benin for that matter; because she would have been turned back at the gate and she definitely will not be queuing for Communion if she managed to escape the people at the gate because the priest would turn her back. My husband replied that the priest would definitely turn her back and then we looked on. At this time, I noticed many more women on the queue for Communion, properly and elegantly dressed with hair uncovered. Guess what, each and everyone of them received the Holy Communion.

I asked my husband if we were indeed still in a catholic church and was told that we were. What I can’t understand (pardon me) is why the need to show off your hair? Of all the women with uncovered hair yesterday, I didn’t see one hair style that caught my attention. I know that these new generation churches advice that you come as you are to church, but for goodness sake, you can show God some respect for a few hours in an entire week! It’s a different issue if you needed to suddenly go to church from work and you had no choice but to go as you are. But, if you planned to go to church and you dressed up from home, I see no reason for picking too tight jeans or minis and definitely no reason for leaving your hair uncovered.

Well, that’s just my point of view, what do you think?

WHAT MAKES YOU LOOK AND FEEL SEXY?

Hey everyone,

Enough of all the sad real life issues, it's time for some fun stuff. Ladies, this is one of those posts you get to sit down, relax and read. Guys, you can join in too and air your views. You are the ones we try so hard to look sexy for most times, no? So, quick question, "what makes you feel sexy?"

There is this perception by ladies that the more skin we expose, the sexier we appear. So it's more boobs, more legs, no sleeves at all, plunging necklines e.t.c. To many other folks, it's about the "assets", the bigger the boobs, the bum or the hips, the better. This is the reason I believe, we have ladies developing low self esteem over issues that shouldn't arise and running to plastic surgeons (qualified and unqualified) for implants. 

Recently, for some reason, what seems to appeal to many, including the guys, is an independent lady. Someone who knows what she's about.. someone who knows her onions. She has to look and be smart at the same time. Gone are the medieval times when all that mattered about women were their looks.

I believe that a sexy woman should be smart and hot. She is one that can joggle her job/career, family, housework e.t.c. at the same time without breaking out a sweat. Wouldn’t that be nice? Anyway, sweat or not, be sexy is very important to both a men and women. Whether you are a career lady or a housewife, undergraduate or graduate, employed or unemployed, it is essential to have something that makes you uniquely you and that is sexy.

As to what to wear to make you look sexy, well, like I said, scanty, undersized clothes doesn’t make anyone look sexy. It makes you look trashy. If you don’t believe me, picture a guy in jumpey trousers with the waist so small it doesn’t button up properly, a shirt so small, the sleeves are short of the wrist, asking you out on a date. What would your response be? Better still, maybe he has cut-outs on some strategic (not so pleasant) areas on his clothes. What would you think of him. Please, disregard whatever it is you see on music videos, movies and some red carpet events. I am almost certain that majority of these people don’t go out dressed the same way. So, do not end up appearing desperate for attention in the name of looking sexy.

A sexy woman should be whatever she wants to be, but unfortunately, she shouldn’t wear whatever the hell she wants to wear. Many of us feel sexy in many different ways. Have you ever woken up so happy, feeling sexy with a skip to your step, feeling like you can do anything? It may have just been the perfume you were wearing, or a set of matching lingerie, a beautiful nightie you slept in e.t.c. do you thing? I love to hear from you, let me know what makes you feel sexy. I feel sexy when I’m on heels. It makes me feel like the world is my runway and I can accomplish anything.

Finally, cleanliness is next to sexiness. You simply can't be dirty, disorganised and sexy. It just doesn't combine well. Hope you enjoyed reading this, let me know what you think.

Cheers......

AWESOME NEW ARRIVALS

Hello everyone,

Been so busy with work and business, I neglected you for some time. For that I'm sorry. I can assure though that you would definitely forgive me once you see what I've been up to. Havecsome amazingly new beddings made, and more still in the making for my collection. That collection is a must see. For now however, feast your eyes with the new available beddings from kays fittings. 

That's all for now, promise to be back "asap" with more. Until then, stay tuned for post updates.

*P.S* the beddings are for sale

Cheers....

DIY: PIMP UP YOUR HANDBAGS

Good day everyone,

More good news from the house of creativity and DIY projects. Lol, okay from Kays fittings. Since my last DIY project, it seemed like something snapped in me and I've just been itching for another project. Now, in Nigeria, especially in the south, there is so much heat and humidity. One of the problems I have with such a weather is that my leather accessories (shoes and bags) don't last as long as they should. Have ever bought an outfit and it got bad or spoilt within a week of the purchase? Well, that's exactly what happened to me and it was my inspiration for this DIY project. I got a dress, and on the first day I was supposed to wear it, it got a tiny iron burn on it. I was so upset about it that day, but I didn't throw off the dress. Then, another time, I bought a green bag and was so excited about it that I decided to wear green outfits to work for the whole of the next week. You wouldn't believe what happened next. Within the first 3 days of using the bag, it started to peel! Went back to the seller who decides to replace it when her next shipment comes in, I'm still waiting.

Some years ago, a particularly design started trending in Nigeria. People made accessories (like shoes, bags, bangles e.t.c) with ankara material (Nigerian prints). I got the idea for my latest DIY project from this trend. A thought ocurred to me on tuesday night that I could actually give my burnt dress to my tailor to add a cloth or sequence or sash to the burnt area and transform the dress to another style. The moment I concluded on what exactly to add to the dress, it immediately transcribed to the bag. "I could do the same for my peeling bags" I thought. At that moment, I decided to use a cloth to cover up my bag and start using it my again. Problem was I didn't know who to give, so I decided to try it out myself. "Afterall, I fixed a shoe" I said to myself. I'll just get on with how I transformed the bag in the photo above from an ugly duckling to a swan.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• The bag you want to fix. (Not every bag fits in, some may need a professional's touch really or some sewing)
• Lace material (usually 1yard)
• Clear glue (yellow toothpaste-like pack in photo above)
• Some sequence for extra effect
• A pair of Scissors
• Measuring tape

PROCESS:

• Determine and measure the extentvof the damage so you'll know how much lace material to cut out.
• Cut the lace into the shapes and sizes you'd need. You also have to know if you simply want to cover the bag or add a design like I have done above.
• Next, glue the pieces to the bag, one piece at a time. Fold the edges so that it appears sewn rather than glued on.
• For the extra puzaz, add the sequence, equally spaced or in a certain pattern so it doesn't come out tackier than when you started.

** make sure to wipe off any glue that spills out on the edge. This particular glue easily comes out the hands. You can also choose a different color of lace or sequence as long as it turns out beautiful.

So there you have it! Who ever said you couldn't eat your cake and still have it? I  made the mistake of showing the end product to my mum, now I have about 3 bags to fix. Lol. Have a great day.

Cheers....

DIY: GETTING MORE WEAR OUT OF YOUR SHOES

Hello everyone, 

Sorry for being away this long, I don't know why, but I seem to be having some kind of block, (Maybe it's writer's block). Anyway, I did something interesting yesterday, and I decided to share it with you. As the title implies, it is a DIY project. If there is one thing that I love, it is DIY projects, (unfortunately, I don't get to do a lot of them). Infact, the only other "almost" DIY project I have done is documented here. Apart, from DIY projects, another thing I love is style (I'm sure you must have guessed as much by now). However, what you may not know is that, among all the style items, I love shoes the most.

So, I had some shoes that were on the verge of moving  to the other side (trash), but I wasn't ready to let go of all of them just yet. I started thinking of ways to buy a little more wear out of them before I am ready to replace them. Sadly, I didn't have much choice. Suddenly, I noticed that the problem with one of the shoes was not in the leather or the sole, but with the insole (the part where your feet rests). The covering of the insole was peeling off and because it's a sandal, it was obvious. I decided to give a shoemaker to change that part. Then a day before I sent it off for repairs, I saw a slippers looking like it had it's insole covered with cloth. Thus, this superb idea was born!

WHAT YOU NEED

1. Your shoe that needs repurposing
2. Fabric for covering
3. Glue (preferably clear glue)
4. Scissors

HOW TO FIX IT

• Be sure to have all you need ready. You don't want to be running helter skelter half way through.
• Carefully dismantle the shoe into different parts as shown above. Be extra careful with the insole, it could break.
• Apply the glue on the top part of the insole (the part where your feet rests), the place the fabric/material on it.
• Ensure that the material is well placed and that it is smooth on the insole. Do the same for the sides of the insole. 
• Measure what length of material you'll need to fold unto the back of the insole.
• Cut off any excess material, then glue the material to the back.
• Glue on the top (uusually leather) of the sandal as it was when you dismantled it.
• Glue the insole back to the sole and voila! You have a brand new shoe to last a little longer for you
• Make certain that the glue dries properly and each component of the shoe is properly placed, so you done end up with a forward - backward shoe.

That's it for today folks, hope you had fun reading it, do have a great week. 

P.S. ** you can do the same thing for your bags and accessories like bangles, hair bands, e.t.c.

Cheers......

HOW TO TAKE YOUR EVERYDAY LOOK FROM ORDINARY TO EXQUISITE

This is not my usual kind of topic, mostly because, even though I love style, I'm more into clothing than makeup (fashion than beauty products). I was vain enough to convince myself that I am beautiful enough and just need minimal makeup to enhance my looks. (I still need minimal makeup, not minute, lol). What makes this post even all the more weird for me to write about is this; I am one of those girls who can get up and go without a stitch of makeup. I can get to work then remember to make up after 2 hours of getting to work. However, a few months after I got married, something changed (no thanks to my hubby because he loves me without makeup). I don't know why. All types of  makeup except plain colorless lip gloss pisses him off.

Before and after photos of my makeup kit. I must say I've improved

Anyway, so I got back to work and everyone is complaining about how dark and ugly I look. I realized that I had neglected the way I looked. I was already taking on the scraggy housewife's look (happens to the best of us). I decided then to go back to my "normal" routine of facial care (this normal care started a couple of months to the wedding so I could look radiant on that day). So, I'm trying my best to apply all my facial treatments, (2 of them to be precise), and people are still asking if I changed my foundation or bathing soap. Not until someone asked me if I changed my body lotion did I remember that indeed, I had. You see, I use one of those lotions that you push down the top to let it out of the nozzle. They are extremely difficult to pack. So instead, I decided to pour the lotion into my petroleum jelly container (with some petroleum jelly still inside), which has a more secure lock and much more easier to pack. I used it like that for another 2 months and I totally forgot that petroleum jelly totally makes a dark person darker. 

The moment I realized my mistake, I went straight ahead and corrected it. I also continued my facial scrub treatment every night. Then things began to get better. I still wasn't getting those compliments (vain chic that I am), so I decided to up my game a bit. I still had all the makeup I bought for the wedding but I was saving them and whatsoever little makeup techniques I picked up from my makeup artists for special events. A week after I started applying my makeup properly, people started saying this like "oh you look sooo nice" "there's something different about the way you look", "wow it's good to be married", "kudos to your hubby", "are you pregnant, you look so beautiful", "oga dey try oh". And I'm like "yea, thanks to the hubby". (In my mind, "you don't know how much work goes into this").

As I was trying to prepare this post at work (got some free time), the orderly walks in, sees me and all my makeup and says "so this is what you do and come out looking like a baby!" And I smile at her while my mind is screaming "BUSTED!!!". LOL. Anyway, my lesson learnt, is take as much care with your face as you do with your clothes. With that ladies, I'd tell you how I do the trick. Below;

Before and after making up

• First, make sure you get very good makeup. Don't just buy anything in the market. There are a lot of fakes out there.
• Next, get good makeup brushes. It's not enough to apply makeup with your fingers. They could smudge all over the place. 
• Basic essentials of makeup are; foundation, compact or loose powder, concealer, eye and lip pencils, mascara, liquid eyee liner, lipsticks, lipgloss and blush. 
• Primer, eye shadow, false lashes are secondary in my book.
• Next make sure that your face is clean and attack the brows first. These are extremely important, if not the most important because they give you the look you desire.
• Personally, I don't like brows too thin or too thick, so this is how I create mine. Luckily, I have enough hair on my brow so I outline the shape I want with a concealer, (you may look scary to a child initially). Smoothen out the concealer with a concealer brush till it is barely visible. 
• Then remove any brow hairs outside your desired brow shape with tweezers.
• Then, apply your foundation, making sure to apply over your ears and neck, especially if you are dark skinned because you dont want to show up with two-colored body. You can also use the foundation to further hide the concealer lines. (I like to look as natural as possible). I also apply my foundation before filling in the brows so I don't smudge the dark color of the brow pencil all over my face. (I wonder how I manage surgery sometimes).
• Now that you've got the brows properly outlined, fill it in with your brow pencil, preferably brown. You may also use black.
• Next, the eyes, I like my eyes dark, somehow I think it makes me look fierce. A colleague of mine once called me piercing eyes. Said he felt like I could see his soul. Anyway, these days I also try out other colors like green and blue (was told that black make the eye look small and mine are tiny). Quite confusing. To get the black piercing eyes though, take your black eyeliner and apply it to the inner part of the lower eyelid. Do the same for just above the upper eyelid. Use the liquid eyeliner to further line the top of the upper eyelid, close to the lashes.
• Next, apply black eye shadow and then finish off the look with your mascara. If you love lashes, then fix them before starting your eye makeup. 
• Makeup for lips is easy, lip liner then lip stick and gloss and voila! You are done and looking effortlessly fabulous without the help of a makeup artist too.

I hope you had fun  reading this, until next post, keep looking beautiful. 

Cheers.......

HOW TO ACHIEVE THE SLENDER FIGURE

Hello everyone!!!...

Happy new year!!! After my last moody Christmas post, I actually got some excitement from the season, especially the new year's eve which I spent with my new family. I was actually anxious about how it was going to be spent, but at the end I just had fun! So, I am here to welcome you to the new year with some good news. A few days ago, I saw the photo below on my friends blackberry display picture. Initially, I just had a very good laugh, but as I thought about it, I realized that a lot of people do gain some weight around the festive period. The sad part is, that weight isn't as easy to lose, especially as not everyone hits the gym on new year's day despite all the new year resolutions.  Lol

A few months ago, I wrote this post on how to achieve a fuller figure, I got some sincere suggestions that some people actually want to be slim and that some men do indeed prefer them slim. To that I said "thank you +Agbani Darego for winning the miss world and giving black African women and men a change of thought". I decided then to write this post, but nothing has prompted me to do so more than now that people have almost no choice but to add to little weight that can't be easily lost. So, if you fall into the category of persons who have inevitability gained some over the holidays and you are in no hurry to hit the gym this new year, then here are some tips for looking trim like you did before the holidays.

• Ladies, it's time to bring out your pencil skirts.  If you didn't have one, then I guess it's time to do a tiny winy bit of shopping. A pencil skirt gives you that elongated look, making you look taller and very sophisticated too.
• Secondly, if you must wear clothes with stripes, then go for those with vertical stripes.  They also create the slim look by making you look taller.
• slide into the new year with some heels. Something a bit higher than what you are already used to.
• When deciding what colors to go for,  make them dark with a pop of color (an accessory- bag, shoe, scarf, whatever).  
• Assymetrical cuts are the in-thing at this time, whether they are the trend or not. Also it doesn't matter if it is a skirt or a dress or even a top.
• The neckline of your outfit is extremely important, especially if you are busty. Go for V- neck or assymetrical cuts like the shoulder style or a bow on one shoulder. 
• Create a waist by cinching it in with a belt. Also, a peplum top or dress with the cut on the waist rather than the actual waist gives you the slim tall look.
• Long flowy dresses are also for you at this time. It not only makes you look taller, but also hides any excess baggage perfectly. 

DON'TS

• No excess embellishments,  no ruffles, no ruching, it ends up adding unnecessary bulk to your frame.
• No flared skirt
• Nothing with bold prints, if you must wear prints, go for tiny ones. Definitely no horizontal stripes.
• Don't go for one-size too big or one-size too small in an attempt to hide the weight. Guess what? It will further enhance it.
• Be careful with that have the A-line cut or an empire waist dress. It can have the effect of making you appear taller when worn properly. It can also have the opposite effect of making you look shorter, especially if it is a short dress or skirt. 

That said, I hope this goes a long way to making you look and feel good as we move on in the year until you can find yourself in a gym, (please hurry and do so).

Yours truly, 

Cheers.......

HOW TO GET THE FULLER FIGURE

Hey there! I have a little confession to make. Caught your attention now, didn't I? Anyway, let me go ahead with the confession of yester-years. As you know, I love fashion. I am one of those people that pride themselves as having a very good dress sense (notice I didn't say "good", I had to add "very good"). Well, I wasn't always that way. I was just OKAY when it came to dressing. For those who knew me, they'll tell you that I was a proper "tom-boy" back in the days. They would also tell you how very skinny I was, (I used to weigh 53 kilograms (approximately 116 pounds (lbs) at a height of 1.72 meters. In other words, I was underweight. That didn't seat well with me, my family (especially my parents) and my peers, (I used to be a source of ridicule amongst them in secondary school). If you understand the African mentality, then you already know why. However, for the benefit of those who do not, it's basically for two reasons; 1)because the African men preferred full-figured ladies to skinny ones and 2) it was believed that the fuller, the figure you had, the more money you had to feed, in other words, you weren't poor.

Canoe-shaped neckline

Round neckline

Embellishment on the top

As I grew up, I guess I accepted me for who I am, regardless of what people said. I decided to embrace whatever shape I had and flaunt it. I went about it the wrong for quite a while without realizing. To me, it was the "in thing". Later, down the road as I matured, I realized that I had to dress for my shape. I am not what you can call "very well endowed", (even though I dey try for my mind), but I preferred deep plunging neck lines, body-hugging tops and tight jeans (boot-leg though). It was a drastic change for anyone who knew me and I now understand their plight. Imagine moving from baggy jeans/joggers with big t-shirts, lumberjack guy shirts to tight, body-hugging clothes. Lol. Right now, I'm seriously wishing I had those photos in soft copy to share with you.

Turtle neck style or button-up

Square neckline

Sweetheart neckline and A-line pleated skirt

Now, I can say I am confident in myself. However, not everyone else is. It is for this reason I wrote on creating cleavages and I'm writing this one now. There are a few basic, very simple things that you need to note when it comes to dressing to create a fuller figure.

• This point is very important please! Just because you want to appear fuller, doesn't mean you should wear loose fitting clothes. (That is the conception of my parents, the looser the outfit, the more it hides your thin frame. Lol).
• You also don't need to wear smaller sized, very tight clothes, so you can show off how skinny you are (for those that like been thin). The key is MODERATION.
• Three major factors act to create a fuller figure for anyone, whether they are aware of it or not, include

1. Cover up: By this, I simply mean, cover up most part of your chest and bosom. You don't have the cleavage afterall, so there is nothing to flaunt. Wear clothes with a round, square, sweetheart or canoe neckline. A turtle-neck style is also good for cold seasons. It doesn't always have to be a t-shirt.
2. Buy tops that have embellishment like ruffles, beads/buttons, folds in front of it. Be careful with this though, too much embellishment may have the opposite effect. You can also try out artificial round neck collar accessories. (Those ones that look like mini bibs).
3. Create a waist: This is very important. It doesn't make you look straight. You can create a waist in these simply ways; firstly, by use of a belt. This is the easiest way , believe me. I can't tell you how many belts I own. Secondly, make sure the clothes you buy have darts in certain strategic places that makes the waist appear smaller. Lastly, the latest, is a trend that hit the markets last year. Dresses made with 2 different colors in vertical position with the middle portion already tailored to have a figure of 8.

1. This is the oldest in the book. Wear clothes with bold designs, be it graphical, flora or polka dots. Also clothes that have horizontal stripes. White is a color people complain about, but it can give your figure that extra boost.
2. Finally, for the bottom, use mostly A-line, flared skirts, skirts with pleats, fringes or ruffles. You can also wear straight or pencil skirts, but ensure that something is done about the top and waist. Use mostly straight cut or bootleg trousers or jeans. To me, skinny jeans should be used when a proportion of your bum is covered.

These may seem a bit much right now, but I can only say this. I changed my dress sense, and I started winning awards for best dressed. People have come to me severally to take them to the places I shop. i have no issues with that at all. Afterall, I can't buy all the clothes in the market and the retailers have to eat. But I always tell them this;

• It's not about where I shop, it's about what I shop for, and how I put them together. In other words, the cloth doesn't make the lady, the lady make the cloth.

Cheers.....

CREATING CLEAVAGES

Hey there fashion lovers,

A few weeks ago, I was interested in finding out whether wearing tight bras causes cancer or not. Read here. I came to the conclusion that maybe it was wearing it for more than 12 hours in a day. Now I'm almost very sure that you are wondering what must have brought on this topic. Well, that's a mystery for me to know and for you to find out. A little hint though; someone asked a question.

To the topic of the day, if you've got big boobs then this is not for you, for all you need to do is wear a bra, push-up or not and you've got them (cleavage). However, you may continue reading if you know anyone who this post is for and wish to help. Those called the "flat-chested" or "small-breasted" females. If you are in this group,  then by all means, read on.

REQUIREMENTS:
You'll need two objects;

• An invisible bra

• A push up bra

Both of these should be your exact size, meaning they should fit properly. The invisible bra are those stick-on bras that have no straps or back hooks. The cup size is what you need.  The push-up bra should be your size, not too small. Buying a size too small doesn't make any difference but cause you chest pain. It also makes it look like you are trying too hard. 

PROCEDURE:

• First put on the invisible bra, making sure it holds your breasts in place, including your side boob. This sets the basis for the cleavage creation. 
• Next, put on your push-up bra as you would ordinarily do. Make sure the invisible bra isn't peeking out of the corners of your bra. 

And voila!  There you have it, cleavage for the small-breasted lady. Use it for those weddings, dinners or night on the town. It doesn't have to be worn for longer than 12 hours if you don't want to wear tight bras. 

Cheers.....

*P.S* watch this space for how to look full-chested with figure 8 with everyday dressing up. Coming soon.......

SKINNY JEANS vs. BOOTLEG JEANS

Hey everybody

So, I was watching style network one day (actually this week) and the dark fashion guy that talks on trench coat came up during one of their intermissions and Iaid "skinny jeans are out of fashion and Now it's time for straight cut or bootleg jeans or something like that. I was like "what!" I've never been a fan of skinny jeans, but I don't quite agree with his point of view.

I reremember perfectly well in the 80's when I was a child and my aunties used to wear all those skinny jeans. I remember because I was always one of the kids called upon at the end of the day to drag it off their feet. Then I grew up and it was straight cut, bythe time I was in the university, it was boot-leg and when I was getting out of the university seven years later, (I studied medicine, that's why it took so long, lol). So you see fashion keeps changing over the decades. We are all different, created to be that way. A few group of people known as stylist shouldn't determine what the rest of the world should wear. This however, doesn't give you the license to dress badly.

I believe fashion should be versatile not just about the current trends. So go out there and be a trendsetter instead, be your own individual because everyone else is taken. I know i'll continue to rock any kind of jeans I have, whether it's skinny or straight, bootleg or baggy, cropped or folded or even jagged edge depending on the occasion and my mood.

Adios pals
Cheers......

INTRODUCING DR. (MRS). KEREN OGWUMA

So today, I got a rude awakening. Apparently, it still hadn't dawned on me that I now have a new surname. My sister sent me a package today and labelled it as "Dr. Keren Ogwuma". When I got a call from the delivery guy asking if he was speaking with Dr. Ogwuma, my first reaction was "WHAT!" I was about to correct him by saying this is Dr. Amaechi," when I realized Ogwuma is now my new surname. Loolll. Yes, it's true I'm married, 1 week old now. This is how everything happened; There are loads of photos to see, so please bear with me.

As with most events, there are bound to be glitches and this one was no different. Maybe, it was because I had no wedding planner, but I really don't believe that. Most brides in Nigeria don't have wedding planners, they plan their weddings with the help of family and friends creating the links to the necessary vendors. Let me rewind to a few weeks ago, a bit after the traditional marriage. I went back to Benin to put finishing touches to what I had left to do and head back to Abuja. At this time, our clothes and accessories for the day was already set. I had been ordered a year before. The venue for the reception was set, My hair and makeup appointments set and I had a decorator for the venue ready. I now had to get the programme for the day ready. As with everything I do, the programme just had to be unique. I didn't want the regular paper-back programme, so I opted for leather and ribbons.

The Programme

A lot went into the making of this programme. It took my family (YES! every single one of them) and I, 2 weeks to complete 200 pieces of this.While one person was measuring and cutting out the leather, another was cutting the curved edge. Somebody else placed the straight ribbons and another the lace trimming and crystal beads. Someone else tied and placed the bows and another sewed the buttons. At some point, my dad got a tailor to sew more buttons. It was crazy. Nobody knew what to do with me. Afterall, it was my wedding and it was what I wanted. Thank God we finished just in the nick of time.

I decided to do the something new and something old thing common to the western culture, so I got something new (well most things new) - my gown, shoes, most of the jewellery; something old - the longer part of the veil from my mum. I already got a new short veil, but when she showed up with hers, I had to oblige her and find a way to add it to mine. I ended up with a 2-tier veil, which was fabulous. Something blue - my brooch, the new of dress was also "BLU by Mori Lee" and something borrowed was the hardest to get. Initially I wanted my sister's bracelet but then I found a more beautiful one. I made up my mind to do without the something borrowed but that morning my makeup artist decided I should borrow my sister's hair clips and improvised something else for her. So, I got all of them, "something new, something old, something blue and something borrowed".

The transformation process: Both my hair stylist and makeup artist arrived late. This time, the photographer was early and he had to wait for them. It was he turn to get mad. (Remember he was extremely late for the traditional wedding). At the end of the day, I think they did a pretty good job. Don't you?

My trusty makeup artiste - Monique!

The church service (Mass, as I am a Catholic) was for 12 noon, precisely because we didn't want a reason to be late. Still I was running late. My bridesmaids weren't ready. One of them had a dress malfunction that morning. The car that was to take me to church wasn't there when I got to the car park, (the driver lost his way was the story I was told), so I used the car meant for the bridesmaids. Besides the most important people needed for the wedding to start was the bride and groom and the priest. In my haste, I forgot the programmes and the rings. (Thank God I packed them together in bag and showed my sister ("Maid of honour" or as we commonly say in Nigeria "Chief bridesmaid"). She brought them with her. So with no bridesmaids, a groomsman became my temporary "made of honour" assisting me with me gown into the church. It was hilarious!

It was time to walk down the aisle with my dad and I forgot to cover my face with my veil. I had to be reminded. (I was told at the wedding rehearsal the day before oh! somehow, I still forgot.) I never knew that the wedding rehearsals in Nigeria was totally different from what I see on television. Here the attention is only on the bride and groom. Nobody cares if your bridesmaids and groomsmen show up or if they walk in with you. and as a matter of fact, the bridesmaids came on their own and the groomsmen in trickles some with their ties, others without it. (I still have some ties with me. LOL!!)

Here (below), we said our wedding vows and exchanged our rings. I didn't put up any of those pictures simply because I really don't look good from the side with my mouth open. He doesn't either. I guess I'm so vain.

I decided to put up some pictures of the wedding vows like who really cares? Well, truth is I found 2 that weren't so bad to look at. lol.

(Above) signing the marriage register with our sponsors and the priest. Our sponsors (witnesses) came pretty late. My parents had to stand in for them.

The church service was over and it was time to take a few shots with the guests. After the first few shots, my feet started hurting. My shoes were killing me, I didn't break into them before for the day. Which is why I got backup flat slippers. There was an order of photographs on the last page of the programme but no one seemed inclined to follow it. What happened was, you called for brides family, grooms family show up; groomsmen, all men in every kind of suit imaginable appear. It was hilarious looking back now, but that day I was getting irritated. I didn't understand why people couldn't follow simple instructions. My feet were killing me, I was sweating because of the puffy gown, The sun was up and everyone was disorganized. At this point, I decided to get rid of one of the problems - MY SHOES!!!... You see, I was beginning to frown and I didn't want frowning pictures in our album.

Couple with sponsors

Couple with parents

Couple with mother and brother-in-law

My beloved friends (Asheobi girls)

This was supposed to be the groomsmen photo. lol

Staff of Faith Mediplex Abuja & Healthcare International

My secondary school friend - Bukola

He tried to lift me up and we almost fell. It was so funny. Love was in the air jor!

Did you notice that the groomsmen were again absent in the pictures? They had to get to the venue to get things going. I thought I'd be able to take a few shots with them before the banquet begun. Then I remembered on my way to the banquet that the bread meant for the first course was still at the bakery. Nobody remembered to pick it up. The cameramen/photographer had to go and pick it. When they got back, it was to late to take pictures with the groomsmen. The souvenir had to be put in their bags and ready to share. At this time, was when someone else realized that the cups for the fruit salad and ice cream (dessert) was still at home. Like really!!!! 

Sister of life! my maid of honour

I'm sure you are wondering why I have 2 little brides and 1 flower girl? Well it was originally meant to be 1 little bride and no flower girl but they are all sisters, so when I picked the middle sister (the one to my right), the little one started crying so the mum had to get her a white dress, she also got a silver dress for the eldest daughter so she wouldn't feel left out. She did all their hair and BAM! they were in the train.

My colors were navy blue, sky blue and silver and it just made the venue so cool. Even I was impressed with myself. The day before, I went to check out the venue, the centre pieces were arranged haphazardly, same as the children section. I wanted the children to feel like they were at a birthday party so I got sweets, biscuits and chocolate specially for them.  

This cake has its own story. Yep, it looks crooked and Nope, it wasn't designed like that. My aunt was the cake designer/caterer, so she asked my brother and uncle to take the cake to the venue. I really don't know what it happened, but when the cake arrived, it was bent and she was angry and crying. She didn't show up to give the cake speech of what the colors meant. Anyway, the MC decided the cake was shaped like that so he said it meant all the twists and turns and struggles of life and the the heart shapes on top meant that "Love conquers all". Wasn't that brilliant?

Awww! He's so helpful!

Showing off the rings

Our first dance

The Guests

About  the guests: There is almost no Nigerian wedding that has a list of less than 200 people. The crowd is always impossible to control, unless of course you insist on strict invite and have huge bouncers at all angles. Initially we planned for 200 guests, then it was 300 and then 400 guests and 50 seats for the kids. the venue was full to capacity and overflowing. Till date, a few people are still mad at us for not inviting them.

Time to eat! Anything you want

More Photos

Groovy with friends

Groovy with daddy

My errant brothers

Time to throw the bouquet

She caught it! My Sister-in-law to be

Our vote of thanks

Dancing with the kids

The guys having fun

All in all, we had loads and loads of fun! Everyone ate, drank and danced to their satisfaction I guess. We thank God almighty for his mercies and good plans towards us, we also thank those who made the sacrifice to come and witness the first day of our lives together. For those who couldn't make it, Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. I wouldn't wish for anything else. This is our happily ever after.

OUR TOAST:
The road seemed rough and distant but true love smoothened everything and supreme providence brought us to our destination.
Now that we are here, our love shall be sweet like new wine that gets better with time. Our hearts shall know no gall of bitterness that cannot be dissolved by the flame of forgiveness.
Our household shall multiply and our hearts never divided. For our marriage will be like a silver ring in a chain whose beginning is a glance, and its ending is eternity, because we love each other. It is our only true adventure.

THE END

** Watch this space for the honeymoon update. Cheers.....