My Style: Cambridge Satchel Company Bag

As mentioned in my inaugural post, I consider myself rather a stylista than a fashionista because I take on trends and tweak them to what I am comfortable with. Most times it is good to invest in one's wardrobe because as a wise man - Archbishop Benson Idahosa - once implied, the way we dress has a direct correlation with how we will be addressed. So every now and then especially when my supplier (my eldest sister) returns from her international 'market' trip I update my wardrobe; I am her number one customer and model...haha.

For some time now my major wardrobe target has been to acquire a Cambridge Satchel bag. I totally loveeee this piece because, I love it and more so because it is made of genuine leather. Wow!!! Don't we all just love the smell of leather. 

Bag of Life!!!

Using the signature word of an ex-colleague I would say that " this satchel is SEXY!!!"...lol and the founder of the this satchel company deserves the title 'baddest guy ever liveth'! This satchel is soooooo sexy that I can't seem to get it off my mind and so, in the absence of the real thing my head has been working overtime styling the bag on some imaginary outfits *covers face*. Today am going to share with you two out of my numerous styles.

For the first look I decided to go for something corporate. A dark red long-line blazers worn over a light chiffon collar shirt on a black peg leg pants. Black and red colour blocked mid-heel pointies; bold neck piece, earring and bracelet to accent the outfit; Cambridge Satchel Company bag  

The second look is a casual outfit that could be worn on a day off to the mall, when hanging out with friends or even on a casual date. The centre piece is an easy-breezy parsley dress worn with tan brogues and matching Cambridge Satchel Company leather croc music bag. Toss on a shawl to cover neck line, a metallic belt to highlight the dress and a straw fedora hat to complete the look. Off you go!!!

What do you think about my style? How will you style a Cambridge Satchel Company bag?  

Easy-Peasy Breakfast: Omelette

Happy Wednesday y'all! I had a relaxing weekend but the week has been a bit busy hence my inability to provide update of my activities.

Last Sunday we (my sister and I) received a very special 'August visitor' for breakfast. When he was en-route my sister called to ask what he wanted to have and he requested for English breakfast (tweaked to naija style) - Bread, Omelette and tea. So, Mr. August visitor isn't a personal friend and I was only meeting him for the first time, however information reaching me was that he is a great cook. In this light,I was out to impress if not my sister would have had my head on a stake...lol. 

Luckily enough the day before I had gone grocery shopping, so we had fresh veggies in stock and bacon. So I set out to prepare my Omelette.

Ingredients 

1 Small Red Onions

3 Seeds Fresh Pepper (I used Sokoto pepper which is very spicy) 

3 Firm Medium size Tomatoes

1 Leafy Spring Onions

1 Large Green Pepper

2 Medium size Carrots

A handful of Runner Beans

4 Eggs

Seasoning Cube, to taste (I used Knorr)

Salt, to taste

4 Tablespoon Canola Oil (substitute with Olive Oil/Vegetable Oil)

Preparation

1. Scrape off flesh of Carrots with a potato peeler and remove top and bottom with knife. Julianne carrots to enable fast cooking(Julienne: A style of cutting food into thin strips).

2. Wash and cut all other fresh ingredients into bits.

3. Put the oil into a pan and turn up heat toss in onions and pepper. Allow to fry for 1 minute. Then add tomatoes.

Note: You will have to stir continuously to prevent burning.

4. When tomatoes are have broken down and runner beans and carrot. This will enable the newly added ingredients to sip in the juice of the tomatoes while frying at the same time. 

5. Add seasoning cube and salt to taste.

5. When almost tender, add green pepper. Also add seasoning and salt if required.

Note: Feel free to reduce heat from high to medium if veggies begin to burn. Also you may have to add more oil as cooking requires.

6. Break eggs into a bowl add little salt, seasoning (Be careful, remember we have already seasoned veggies previously and adding too much seasoning to eggs will make it salty. If seasoning in veggies is adequate then you can skip this bit) and whisk. Turn mixture into pan. 

Note: Ensure there is enough oil to fry the eggs before adding them, if not add as required.

7. Reduce the heat to low/medium so that the egg can cook through. Use your frying spoon to shift already solid egg so the liquid bit can get to the pan.

8. When every bit is solid and cooked, turn off heat.

Note: I would advice that you use a smaller diametre pan so that the omelette will come out fuller. Mine was a bit thin. Also you can add shredded bacon and sliced hot dogs to the mixture to make it highly proteinous.

9. Serve. I sliced my omelette into sections like a pizza to aid serving.

Looks yummy right?!

Did you try this recipe? How did it turn out? Or do you have a special way of preparing your omelette? Please share.

Ambassadorial Scoop

I schooled at the great Benson Idahosa University (2003-2007) and I currently work at the same institution. Today as always, Benson Idahosa University set the pace for others to follow with the receipt of the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Uriel Palti.

The programme began with the Nigerian anthem, followed by the Israeli and Benson Idahosa University anthem led by the choir. The Israeli anthem was perfectly rendered by a male and female soloist from the choir impressing the ambassador (in my mind I was just praying that they were not yarning nonsense...lol. I was so impressed when it was noted that they were on point) so much that he invited them up stage for an ambassadorial handshake. Can you beat that! :p

                                                Our dear choir in their robe

So you thought the Israeli anthem was an easy-peasy task? You try singing it and I do not mean the English version. Good luck!

Uriel Palti's expressed excitement to have been invited to the University. He also mentioned that there was great promise of forging a tripartite relationship between the university, the Edo State government and the Israeli government. He spoke on " The Middle East Peace Process and Implications for Nigeria".

In about an hour the programme was ended and the vote of thanks was given by the Chairman of the programme planning committee, Dr. Sam Guobadia. That was not before the the International Studies and Diplomacy students (my students ;) )represented by their Executive Council presented the ambassador an award for his contribution  to peacekeeping world over (I was soooooo proud of my students). 

THE END (More pictures below)

The Photographer...hehehehe 

 A Cross-section of I.S.D students

Honourable Commisioner for Agriculture, representing the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole 

They practically screamed at me for stepping on the red carpet before the arrival of the ambassador and swept the 'dirt' from my shoes off the rug even though I did not quite see any....hmmmmn 

Junkie Alert!

Junk.ie /jngk/
[noun] One who has an insatiable interest or devotion.

I consider my self a 'Primark' junkie. Although loads of Nigerians (inclusive of those who have never crossed the borders of this country (not judging though)) discriminate unjustly against this brand because it is considered low end, I am favourably disposed towards them for the exact same reason!!!

One staple I always re-stock all year round are my flats and because I have flat feet that hurts like crazy whenever I wear uncomfortable shoes, I usually rather put on straight-out flats with no heels whatsoever. Where do I have guarantee to find them? Primark!!! I can rightfully say that all Primark products are not all ridiculously cheap and of low quality.

My number one fashion rule is "if you are not comfortable in it, don't wear it". If Primark helps me achieve this, then yeah I am gonna Primark-shop till I drop! Yimu :p to all those who are like "Primark?!" with disgust on their face.  Lmao. 

My new supplies and the great news is that they cost me less than 30 quids. Can't wait to start rocking these babies especially my Brogues; 'man shoes' as called by my sister

We Do Not Need God's Intervention

Most often than not, when the countless problems plaguing Nigeria are listed and possible solutions are to be proffered the conclusion of such deliberation is that "It's only God that will save Nigeria".  

The  origin of the problems of the African continent, and more specifically Nigeria, can be traced to its intermingling with the western world. This relationship has always been unequal, favouring these western nations at the expense of our nations. Beginning from the early 15th century with the entrance of the Portuguese followed by other European nations afterwards, Nigeria's relationship with the western world has been to her detriment. My focus here is not on 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa' but rather on the role of Africans in the brutal exploitation on her continent.

The rape of Africa's resources has not been helped much by the role of our conniving leaders who have worked hand in hand with these westerners in defrauding the nation and elevating the incidence of poverty and lack of development within it. The Europeans are blamed for their role in defrauding Africa of her human resource during the era of the slave trade but no one seems to be bothered that it was those these enslaved called brothers that sold them into slavery; the African Chiefs were the major middlemen in this 'lucrative' trade. Similarly, today, our leaders work hand in hand with these foreign intruders smoothing the way for their activities by implementing exploitation-geared policies in favour of these companies who constantly line their pockets for doing so.

It is on this premise that I assert that "We do not need God's intervention" because we are the cause of our undoing and while we plead for his intervention, we are unwilling for the status quo to change because of the benefits accrued (direct or indirect) from Nigeria's present state. God is willing to cause a change within our nation, are you will to spearhead it? 

Don't get me wrong, this is not to exonerate the westerners of their role in further impoverishing the Third World, but rather to emphasize that Africans and Nigerians had a role in placing our continent and country where it is today. More so, this is not to say God cannot stir up a revolution within our nation, but God does not work in a vacuum, he need an instrument. This is a call to us to act now and act right; let's speak out, step out and stand out!

Before The Rollover

The year is quickly drawing to a close and with the Christmas season comes the accompanying hustle and bustle. We are most times enveloped in the activities of the season that we forget to do a review of the year coming to an end before it rolls over. Therefore most often than not, we are ushered into the new year unprepared for what is ahead and we end up going along with anything life offers us in the course of the new year rather than defining what we want to make of life. 

It is common notion that ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’.  Therefore one factor that will determine the end product of a venture is the measure put in place at the beginning. We all have goals and aspirations; we want to be ‘somebody’, we want to be financially buoyant, we want to set or beat already set records. We know the ‘what’, the next step is the ‘how’ – road map.

Putting down one’s goal on paper (or documenting it using modern gadget) is the first major step to its accomplishment. A goal is an envisioned end or a desired result to which plans are committed to ensure its realization. Setting goals allow people to specify and then work towards achieving their objectives which may border on financial, religious, social, health or career-based goals. These goals could be short term or long-term. A short-term goal usually has time constraint and is usually complements the achievement of one’s long-term goal, which may take a lifetime to attain. Hence, if we must set goals for the forth coming year, it is important to ask, ‘what do I want ultimately in life’? The answer to this question is usually our long-term goal. For example a person’s reply to this question may be ‘I want to become a renowned engineer’. The next question to ask is, ‘what can I do in the short run to achieve this goal’? The answer provided will determine your short term goal. For example, a person who intends to become a renowned engineer must qualify to practice in that profession. So, must get admitted into the university to study engineering degree; be studious; and graduate tops.

Planning for the short term is key to the attainment of one’s long-term or life’s goal. The easiest way to ensure that your short term goals are in order is to use the S.M.A.R.T.E.R goals setting formula.

S – Specific: Goals must be clear and not ambiguous. They should target specific areas for improvement.

M – Measurable: When we say a goal is measurable it means that can be quantified. When a goal is not measurable it is difficult to know if progress is being made.

A – Attainable: It is important to make goals that are realistic and achievable. While an attainable goal may stretch a team in order to achieve it, the goal is not extreme. That is, the goals are neither out of reach nor below standard performance, as these may be considered meaningless.

R – Relevant: When a goal is irrelevant there is usually lack of passion to attain it. Therefore a relevant goal is born out of passion and will usually instill zeal for its completion.

T – Time-bound: Goals must have time frames. Fixing deadlines helps provide focus for the completion of the goal on or before the due date.

E – Evaluate: Assess progress, visit goals and make adjustments where necessary.

R – Re-evaluate: Once again, assess progress, re-visit goals and make adjustments where necessary.

Setting goals is important, but equally important is action! Do not procrastinate, as the popular sports brand’s (Nike) slogan says ‘Just do it’!

A Standing Ovation Please!

Starting a blog has always been on my to-do list like forever! As a matter of fact I registered this blog in 2009 but never got around to putting up a post. After procrastinating for years, I finally decided to put away the ‘slug’ and ‘just do it’. So here we are.

There is no better way to commission this blog than to start with 11 12 facts about me:

- My full name is OISAMOJE Grace-Mary.

- I am a Nigerian and live in Nigeria.

- I am the 7^th in a family of 10. I know! My parents did a great job at it. 

- I am a fashion enthusiast working on making something out of it.

- I love to travel. The proper Nigerian phrase for me will be ‘Ajala travel’. I intend to see the world before I become old and grey.

- My relationship with photography can NEVER be strained. I know I should not use ‘never’, but I just did.

- I could be considered a 'fashionista', however, I will like to think of myself as more of a 'stylista'. Yes, I follow trends but I do not get immersed in the pursuit of trend leaving my personal style in check.

- I am a teacher by profession.

- I love God (Yeah. I will shout it from the roof top) and seek to please him in all my endeavours.

- Cooking and baking is my (re)new(ed) interest.  'Food is (indeed) God's love made edible' that’s why I don’t mind spending hours whipping up stuff.

- My philosophy of life is that ‘no man is an island’ and therefore friends and family are of inestimable value.

So, I was going to end at #11 but could not keep #12 under lock and key.

- I have a great dislike for sea food.

So, this is me saying this blog is official. See you soon, but in the mean time this is what I look like. Cheers!