Sunday Brunch: Wheatbaker Lagos

It's Sunday and you know what that means...FOOOD! You know what it can mean for you? FOOD AT WHEATBAKER! 

Wheatbaker Brunch
Brunch at Wheatbaker

Who wants to eat ogbono soup at brunch????

Absolutely the most delicious thing

It's quite a small space so you might end up having to wait for a table. The selection is not big but it all tastes good and that to me is more important than having 20 tables packed with food. 

Have you tried Wheatbaker? 

J Crew Fall 15 Collection


I've often been asked why I want to be skinny and this collection illustrates why. It is styled so beautifully. With the exchange rate at the moment and the fact that I now live in a tropical city with no cold seasons,  this collection will remain a beautiful dream. But dreams can be looked at and enjoyed. 









I love the embellished shoes and the low heel. Life is too short to hobble when you walk.

Sigh. 

(all photos from style.com)

Questions about nosa and folly: the lunch club at sakura

We've had our second lunch club now. I say 'we' because famz. I got there early and helped Folly make some key decisions. Anyway, it's funny that the first question everyone asks isn't 'so what's the relationship?' Maybe someone asked and I wasn't listening...

Anyway, the second lunch club was great for a few things;

1. It was more intimate 

2. We had less food which should sound positive but the food coma last time was something else

3. I got my own name tag! 

4. I liked the fact that there were a lot of the same people again. I think it also let the newer people feel more comfortable. I went with my cousin and she's already decided to go for the next one. 

my cousin, she blogs at www.oyimesmusings.blogspot.com

this tuna was delicious. 

This is one of the better miso soups I've had, but it's miso soup for goodness sake!

this salad was too fresh, I know it's salad, but chill

I'm not usually down for fried gyoza but this was good tbh

The lady gave me free ice cream! I guess I'm just cute like that :)

Sake shots- which actually are gross and taste too strongly of rice

Folly gave us these stickers and tried to convince me that my laptop was the best home for it (it's still in my bag but I'm going to put it on a notebook sha

Why Kanyes Collection for Adidas Is Actually Quite Good



After the news of North crying in the front row and Beyonce ignoring Kim Kardashian, talks turned to the terribleness of the collection and OMG WHAT IS KANYE DOING. But take apart the styling and all the nude tights and body suits and examine the pieces beyond that and you find that they are actually dope. 




I especially love the jackets (even though jackets are irrelevant to me right now) The bags are cute and the shoes (so everything, basically)

Remember that this is a SPORTSWEAR collection. It's not luxury high fashion. It's supposed to be urban and relaxed and able to take on a range of stylings. Also, did you notice the range of nudes in the tights? And sports bras? Pretty cool. 

Sidebar- why is sportswear made for slim people? Fat people need to wear sportswear too. 


My Attempt at a 3.5 Day Juice Fast

So I got super motivated to juice.

This motivation hit me on a Thursday afternoon but like always when it comes to anything new, I started on Monday.

I didn't expect Monday to be hard because I was full of motivation and it was the first day.

I wanted to drink six juices a day but I was happy to do three.

I considered buying fresh juices but I dragged out the never been used juicer and got down to juicing fruit and vegetables. So on Sunday night, I had 4 bottles stacked in the fridge ready for Monday.

On Monday morning, I started with plain water as I do most days and just for the feel of something hot to drink, I had lemon in hot water. At about 9, I had my first juice. Carrot, ginger, pineapple, apple and cucumber. Within the first hour, I had to pee twice.

At about 12, I had another juice. I couldn't face going to sit in the lunch room with everyone from work so I stayed at the desk and mourned food.

I felt like I needed coffee to face the latter part of work so I had plain black coffee. Instant coffee with nothing in it is kinda gross. I couldn't even finish it but I felt a lot better after having it.

In summary, just like I guessed, Monday was fine.

Tuesday started fine as well. I started my day with tea instead (plain green tea) to avoid having to drink coffee. I had my juices, went to the toilet less and then later on in the day remembered a dinner I couldn't back out of. So I had dinner and didn't dwell on it. I had water, mushrooms and steamed prawn but my stomach still hurt from suddenly eating.

On Wednesday, I went back to juice. I was REALLY hungry on Wednesday and my stomach felt so empty. I was also sick of juice so I had only one throughout the day. Because my goal wasn't to starve, I blended some vegetable juice with a banana when I was home and had that for 'dinner'.

On Thursday, I couldn't finish my first juice. No amount of mental cajoling could force me to do it. So I ate at lunch and said goodbye to juicing.

I decided to juice because I felt bloated and I was spiralling into a snack zone and I wanted to reset my mind. Also, as soon as I ate a carb, I would feel really full and uncomfortable. It didn't really matter in what quantity. I feel like I achieved what I wanted. I don't feel as bloated as I did. I also don't feel particularly light but I'm happy not feeling bloated.

Also, you don't get hungry on juice fasts if you drink enough juice. On Wednesday, I was hungry because I didn't drink enough juice.

I enjoyed my approach to it. I would do it again. Soon even.

My Skincare Routine







So I was just on tumblr and decided to check my inbox and I had some messages, one of which was asking about my skincare. I'm not sure how long that message has been sitting there but it's worth doing a skin care routine if only because I'm obsessed with buying beauty products.

In all my back and forth with products, there are certain essentials I have never wavered from.

DERMALOGICA.

If they are a church, I am their priest and I have converted many people. The first time I used dermalogica was when I went to a Marie-Claire event and got a starter pack in my goody bag. Tbh I don't really appreciate free things, not with my heart, so I used the wash half heartedly a few times and left it somewhere in my bathroom. I must have been bored and decided to give the products another try , also incorporating the daily microfoliant (still my favourite skincare product bar none) and I was blown away. It really smoothed out my skin. You know all those things below the surface that never really come out? Gone. The samples lasted for months and when they ran out, I took the plunge and bought full bottles.

So after that long ass story- my fundamental staple is dermalogica.

In order not to turn this into a post detailing the pros and cons of every product, the have, I'll highlight three products I always have/use.

1. Special Cleansing Gel- This is a basic face wash. I think the formulation has undergone a slight tweak since I started using it but I love it all the same.

2. Daily Microfoliant- The powder exfoliator that existed before powder exfoliators became a 'thing'. If you don't know how to use it properly, it can seem ineffective but it works.

3. Overnight Cleaning Gel- OMG. This is phenomenal . There was a phase where I was just covered in acne. I was depressed and over it and I tried this. IT.CHANGED.MY.LIFE. The name doesn't lie, I actually saw an overnight change. Now I try to always have it- often buried at the bottom of a bag until those pesky spots surface.

4. I said three, I lied.  Special cleansing gel is perfectly fine when you're skin is treating you well but there are times when it really messes up and you need to tackle it head on- Thats where the skin clearing wash comes in. It has the same calming consistency as the special cleansing gel but it tackles spots.

Okay dermalogica can feel a bit mediciny so moving on to some other products.

I'm obsessed with even skin. I still haven't managed to achieve it but my standards are probably impossibly high. But a few products have helped me in my journey. Currently, I'm trying a Khiels serum and seeing where it takes me.

The one thing I've never settled on is a moisturiser. Moisturisers are really essential and when I still lived in England, I slathered it on happily, switching to heavy formulations in winter but in the burning heat that is Abuja and the unbearable humidity that is Lagos, it's really hard to deal with moisturiser. I've used a few mattifying moisturisers and they did mattify but felt weird. There are two mattifiers I recommend though. One is a benefit pore minimiser and ding-dong DERMALOGICA again!

I recently started using the dermalogica skin smoothing cream, Bvlgari face emulsion and olay regenerist night recovery cream. I use them pretty much interchangeably but I get less of a shiny afterglow with the dermalogica skin smoothing cream and it's a lighter foundation for the days I wear make-up.

I don't take off my make-up *shock* *gasp* yah. I only take it off when it's making me feel hot and then I strip that off so quick. I had some time to kill in the airport recently so I decided to try the bioderma cleanser. Cannot say I can see what the fuss is about, I'm afraid. Before this I used one from clinique which was an oil and water mix and I liked it. Better than all of these things, is washing your face but hey! Do you know some people don't wash their faces ever? (looking at you Garance Dore), apparently its healthier for your skin?

Anyway, that's my skin care routine in summary- if it can even be called a routine. 

The Lunch Club: RSVP

As a tribute to the Eat Drink Lagos blog, this post is going to be in the style of their blog.

Dami: I've recently written about how much I love the Eat Drink Lagos blog , so when they announced a lunch time event, I was excited. I wasn't REALLY planning to match my excitement to actually paying for it and going but my sister convinced me by booking two places, at N8000 a place, that was basically kidnap (the things you do for family)

Mide: Um, Dami, you asked me to book you a place

Dami: Mide you told me the day after so like...

Dami: Anyway, I like the building. 

Mide: It was nice. When we walked in there was a table full of men and another table full of people so it was like which one is our table

Dami: I almost jogged up to the owner and asked him. Thankfully, it wasn't the table full of men. 

Mide: This tag was soooo cute, I took it home 

Dami: yah, I mean I would have taken mine home too if she booked it in my actual name instead of her friends name...

Mide: I didn't think it would matter!

Dami: Right, whatever.

Dami: The first (of 7) courses was the fish macho. 

'White fish in sesame dip topped with sundries tomato on plantain base.' 

It looked nice and cute but it was MESSY to eat. The fish fell off, but it was okay. 

Mide: OMG, this was like good, i preferred it to the ugly prawn thing. I had like 3, it was so good. 

Dami: the prawn macho was basically the prawn version of the fish one. Meh.

Mide: I don't really like creamy stuff, so...

Mide: The chicken pops were papping! They were soo good, I had like ten. 

Dami: Everyone was raving about these, but to be honest, I've never really been that into sweet chicken.

Mide: the chicken log was definitely scotch egg disguised as chicken logs. 

Dami: I had high hopes for this, but I took one bite and just couldn't. Then again, I was full, so there was that. I just didn't feel like the cheese, chicken and the hard casing really worked together. 

Dami: I had the sweet berry which tasted really strongly of vanilla, which wasn't surprising but I had serious drink envy for the copa del lebanon. It looked fresh and delicious. 

Mide:.

Dami: look at iiiiit!

 Dami: look how cute this is

Mide: it's a table

Mide: I hooked girl up, hmm mm. Skin was looking on fleek.

Dami: my sister actually takes the best pictures of me. It's the love!

Dami: I love the wood details of the menu 

Mide: Oh my gosh (sarcastically because I have no actual views)

 Dami: these pulled pork sliders just didn't work for me. The pork was shredded really finely and it looked and tasted like beans. It just wasn't working for me. 

Mide: It was a bit sweet, but the bread was lovely.

Mide: who's that baddy on the wall

Dami: (she obviously means me)

Mide: There was so much food, I felt really sick for the rest of the evening. It was definitely worth the money though. 

Dami: It was TOO much food. I think the next one should have less food and at least one drink. Although water was included in this one and it was free. The lunch was definitely amazing. Conversation was great and it was a perfect number of people. I feel like a round table would be nicer for next time, there were some people I barely spoke to at all.  It was definitely worth it, especially in a place like RSVP where ordering starters can set you back N5000 on a regular day. 

The Engagement Starter Pack




Look at the nail polish, not the nails

 We've just come out of a wedding/engagement season. Christmas, year ending, year starting, vacations (meaning loads of plane proposal opportunities) and so on. If you missed out on last season, don't despair, there's a new season next month! Phew! And I'm going to tell you how to make sure you're ready ready ready when it comes.

1. Nails Nails Nails- Do I even need to say this? Buff , shine and oil those cuticles. This is the first thing you do after it happens and chipped nails might be quirky but your friends are not going to want to put up that picture of your crusty fingernails and if your engagement picture isn't shared, did you get engaged?

Look at the perfection of these nails and ring and hands. Who wouldn't want to get engaged to this?



2. Hands- honestly, if you're waiting for your engagement, you're probably old enough that you should be slathering hand cream on your hands endlessly for no reason (well, for the reason that you're like...old). No-one wants to see folds of skin pooling around your engagement ring.

Can't you see what difference moisturiser would make to these hands?

3. Waterproof Mascara- because you HAVE to cry. HAVE TO. Have you mistakenly watched an engagement? the guy almost gets on one knee and they girl puts her head down, already overwhelmed and he asks and she takes a loooong time to say yes and then there's a long hug. My point is- cry and waterproof mascara so after the hug, you can look cute for the photos.

4. Sync your calendar with a friend- not your period calendar and preferable a friend that likes taking pictures. Imagine it happens and it's beautiful and all these things are perfect AND THERE'S NO VIDEO OF IT AFTERWARDS. The worst! Now is the time to make sure your friend coincidentally eats wherever you eat, goes to whatever party you go to and if he ends up doing it in a private place, well at least you tried.

5. Eyebrows- your hands will be covering most of your face but your eyebrows will show!! So please and please , keep those eyebrows 'on fleek'


Perfect way to show the ring and engagement announcement




New Year , New Me (or Old me in a new body)


Why do new years resolutions get to the second week and fizzle out like lambrini. For the past 6 years, I've had the same resolutions and I'm always shocked when i look back and see the same things glaring at me. I went through some old posts and instead of writing a whole new post, I've posted some of my previous New Year posts.

Happy New Year!








Knit Top- Tophop
Jeans- Miss Selfridge
Bag Topshop
Jacket- Ralph Lauren
Shoes- Salvatore Ferragamo
Ring- Gucci
Watch- Rolex

Btw, I'm not engaged, married or wearing a promise ring. I just like to wear my ring on that finger. Also, I've gone back and edited most recent style posts to include style credits. 

xx

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

ANOTHER...


Read any success story and you will see threads of similarity with other success stories. Focus, passion, determination and relentless hard work. Authenticity. I don't know that it's possible to be successful when you don't 100 percent know who you are. 

I don't know who I am. Wait, that's not entirely accurate. I know all the different mes. But what is important, is finding a way to combine all those different people into one person. I love so many different things. I want so many different things. I want to be so many different things. And then I get distracted by everyone that's doing what they love and loving it and doing well at it. I'm attracted to passion. But other peoples passion can be distracting. I remember starting this particular blog and everything was completely me. And then I got caught up in doing what everyone else was doing. And then stopped being me. 

Then I go back to my inspiration board. Go back to doing things the way I love, regardless of how odd or pointless it seems and I'm happy again. And then it feels like maybe, just maybe, combining all those different people into one isn't as hard as I originally thought. 

To find you...you have to let yourself be you. You can't think about who you are, you just have to be who you are. 

This is my only new year resolution.

AND ANOTHER...

I was forced to think about new year resolutions when my friend at work walked in on the 8th of January with the hangover from hell. Her new year resolution was no alcohol all January. 'You lasted 7 days', I exclaimed. She shrugged, so I shrugged. That pretty much sums up new year resolutions.

This year though, I'd vowed to be different. To be fair, since my birthday is in December anyway, I tend to make mine early. New birthday, new me kind of thing. I kept mine sufficiently simple this year 'make an effort'. Yes. 3 words. Imagine my smug look when people would ask me and I'd turn around with just the right amount of squint and almost whisper 'make an effort', feeling like I'd just dropped the biggest gem of wisdom since the alchemist.

It hasn't worked.

I'm typing this from my unmade bed. There are clothes in a pile on the floor. I'd say in my room at least, I have not made an effort. This is my first blog post in months, my last being part of a series I never actually completed. I'd say I definitely am not making an effort. I haven't spoken to my mum in well over a week and my old iphone that I'm apparently giving to someone today still has 1072 photos on it.

It's safe to say so far, my 3 word resolution is simply not working.

Before I throw new resolutions at you though, it has to be wondered, why do new year resolutions never work. People come with solutions like 'WRITE IT DOWN'. In many houses and smart phones, lists of dreams and goals are languishing, waiting to be recycled or glanced at. 'BREAK IT DOWN INTO MANAGEABLE GOALS', yeah, but we often overestimate 'manageable', which is why my friend thought she'd do a whole month of not drinking when she often drank a couple of times a week.

So I'm sure this has been said, but this is my plan...underestimate yourself immensely. When I have an idea, I tend to go all out and burn out really quickly. But I've realised that if you knit a row everyday, at the end of the year, you'll have a jumper (is this actually true? how many rows does it take to knit a jumper?)

Either way, baby steps are my new goal, along with three things I'm going to make an effort at. My blood actually just ran cold when I typed 3 things, because I'm the sort of person that tends to like to make 40 or 50 different plans.

So, three things.

1. Write- 200 words a day. 100 on blog/diary/personal type thing. 100 on career assisting type thing.

2. French- 3 verbs a day.

3. People- contact 1 person a week that I haven't spoken to that week. (this might take more than  a year to get through)

Off course, my mind if pushing many many more ideas at me, but I think I'll stop there and see how these work out.

Happy New Year!

#GIRLBOSS




I've heard of Nasty Gal but have never shopped on it, not even now after reading this amazing book by founder and CEO Sophia Amoruso. I found this book by accident on instagram where one of my friends recommended it. (I have a book buying problem). I bought it and I'm so glad. It's easy to read, short and very inspiring. It has none of the fluff people write when writing about themselves and it gives you a kick in wherever you need it to get a move on. 




It's a good book to read going into the new year if you need a little shove to keep those resolutions.

Sweet Tree

I spent a few hours making this sweet tree yesterday. It looks so fun and simple but it's never ending work and it uses up a MASSIVE amount of sweets. The result is great for a sweet lover though! 

Cafe Neo Lagos

So today, I discovered this amazing blog called 

eat drink lagos

 and spent the morning reading their amazing posts. I've always loved this lagos food blog 

the service critic

 and while Peju of that blog, still gives a more clinical and robust view of restaurants, the style and humour of eat drink lagos is awesome. While I was on there, I read a post about cafe neo, it wasn't a review post, it was a giveaway. I had seen their picture on another blog before and got love hearts in my eyes when I saw that they sell BUBBLE TEA! So today, I took the sighting as a sign and paid a quick visit.

I couldn't take too many pictures of the interior because it was full of people tapping away at their MacBooks and enjoying what (i didn't confirm) but assume was free wifi.

How did they hear my name wrong? Also, can the person that wrote the board be in charge of writing the cups?

The coffee was pretty good. I can't wait to go there properly. This one was at 16 Akin Adesola/Adeola Odeku. 

The Tea Room Abuja

I love tea. I love drinks in general, but tea is one of my greatest loves so imagine my excitement when a new tea place opened in Abuja with tea in the name! I went about two weeks ago to try it.

It's a cute little place that only sits six people so perfect if you really don't want to be around too may people.

As adventurous as pomegranate tea sounded, I went for a safe and regular lemon and mint tea.

I would have died if they plonked a mug on my table. A great part of drinking tea is the experience of drinking tea, you know?

When it comes down to it, I'm not sure basically a candle can keep a whole pot of tea warm but it was a pretty sentiment.

The pot was HUGE. It would be easy to share this with one or two people. I felt like I kept pouring and pouring and pouring, but that's a good thing.

I didn't really want to have any 'real' dessert so I had some fresh strawberries and cream. It was killed with cream, wow, I had to dig through to look for the strawberries. However, on a fatter day, I might have appreciated that. I wonder how long it would take before the cream becomes insignificant. Nigerian places are excellent at not remaining consistent and it's more than a little frustrating.

Their desserts looked very good for tea. Their sweetness would be tempered by the blandness of tea, but I was a little surprised at the lack of chocolate offering. I got their menu after I was done because I went in their trial week and they have  selection of breakfasts, savoury foods and an option for high tea(mini sandwiches, desserts and tea to share).

The price is fair but I think at its very maximum. Any push and it will be too expensive especially for a place in Abuja. 

I will definitely be going again, especially on a diet! (Money or food diet)

#Charity





In this new social media age, raising money for charity has moved beyond showing moving images of starving African children and abused donkeys and unto more sophisticated and modern methods. Just this year, we have had the ALS ice bucket challenge, #nomakeupselfie, and off course Michael Kors is selling a watch for charity (i.e a little less than 10 percent of the sale of each watch is going to charity).

 Charity is a noble cause no matter the motive and no matter the method if the end result is resources going to those who need it. However, it's a bit tiring the constant exploitative methods being used to garner support. If donation to charity is attached to some kind of sale in which only a fraction of the takings are being donated to charity, then that's advertising. It's not a grey moral area for me, it's quite black and white , it's bad. I'm all for honesty and openness, that is, admit that business is business and charity is charity but don't try to confuse one for the other.

 The underlying message from these campaigns is 'c'mon, lets help the needy, you can do it' without mention of 'oh and this is adding a huge percentage to my bottom line'. Again, it's good that the needy get some money at the end of the day but people need to learn what the word charity actually means. Charity isn't something for something, thats a marketing ploy.

 I know the whole Bob Geldof ebolagate is still fresh in our minds. (He wanted us to buy the album and delete it and buy it again because he sang a song about how West Africans won't experience christmas this year) although I have to say, I'm in West Africa and I have plans for christmas and no-one I know has ebola. I also have an iTunes account but I'm not inclined to buy this album once, more less twice because you asked me to Bobby.

 I think one of the reasons these campaigns work so well is that we all want an excuse to buy something guilt free or do as little as possible to actually give to charity. I definitely find it easier to write this post or give £2 a month rather than volunteer my time to any meaningful cause. I watched a lot of ice bucket challenges but I don't know the stats of motor neuron disease. If i was going to buy a pretty new watch for christmas, it'll certainly be nice to buy one that also means I'm donating to charity. Every little helps right? 

Not Another Food Post: Meat Liquor Review

THIS IS NOT A DATE RESTURANT. I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT A DATE RESTURANT.

Now that I've made that clear, I can proceed. All these two ingredient places all over London- Burger & Lobster, Duck & Waffle...meat AND liquor? like two of the largest ingredients?? Anyway.

When my friend suggested this as a meet up, I was distraught- why are we going to that loud place, why can't we just go to Byron? But she really wanted to- so we went.

Central London on a Friday Night? Ha. club type queue.

Every single thing I ate was absolutely delicious. The meat was thick and well spiced. The corn was AH-mazing...I didn't think corn could taste so good. I actually said no when my friend asked for one. Sigh. Terrible behaviour, but it was that good. The chips were perfect and crispy and it was so hard to pick a drink. In the end I had a mojito (because I always have a mojito) and it was non-fancy and perfect. I didn't get any pictures of the onion rings we were offered while we waited but they were HUGE and delicious. Crispy and light. 

The only thing I didn't like (and it's a big thing) was the atmosphere. Seating is tight (but it was a saturday night in central London so that't to be expected) and it's dark and loud. Its basically a bar cum club vibe where you eat. I also don't like that all the food is loaded on one tray. If it was with someone I didn't know that well, I would have been a little irritated (boundaries and all).

If you want to try it for the first time, I don't think you should go on a saturday night and definitely don't go there for a catch up or intimate date. I do think it would make the PERFECT place to break up although you might be too tense to fully enjoy the food. 

The bill only came to a respectable £36.20 including service charge and charity donation. Service charge is optional in the UK but I tend to pay it except I really hated the service- then nah G. This charity donation I was reluctant to pay- but my view on charity soliciting in an upcoming post- it was only 50 p, that would have been a bit mean and ridiculous, principle or no. 

My friend was a bit concerned about the 'devilish' symbolism. haha. I think it's just cows horns, but hey!

Nasty Girl

The year was 2001. The album- Survivor. Beyonce and Kelly were 19 years old, Michelle was 20 and  they were rising out of a bad break up (hence the surviving). Track 4 comes on...

You's a nasty, nasty, trashy, nasty

Sleazy, nasty classless, nasty

Nasty put some clothes on, I told ya

Don't walk out your house without your clothes on, I told ya
Girl what you thinkin' bout lookin' that to' down, I told ya
These men don't want no hot female that's
Been around the block female, you nasty girl








THE NASTY GIRL









THE NON-NASTY GIRL 

THE NASTY GIRL ON HER WAY TO A NON-NASTY MAKEOVER

POST MAKEOVER  

ALL NON NASTY GIRLS 
Hard for women like me

Who try to have some intergrity

You make it hard for girls like myself
Who respect themselves and have dignity
You nasty girl, you nasty, you trashy
You classless girl, you sleazy, you freaky
N A S T Y ya nasty, F R E A K Y ya freaky
Girl where's your P R I D E, put some clothes on

13 years later, this song will not fly. Women calling other woman hoes for the way they look? Nah G 

Best of 2014 : New TV Shows (Fluff)

Before I begin: a warning. My taste in tv is light and airy, it's supposed to entertain, life is already deep and dark enough so this list is going to appeal mainly to people that feel like that. And I feel like I have to mention this: I DIDN'T LIKE BREAKING BAD. So with all that information, clearly stated, I feel like you can proceed at your own risk.

1. Jane the Virgin


This is the ridiculous of ridiculous. It's written a bit like a telenova and if you've ever watched one of those, you'd know that it is a melting pot of over the top storylines and people dying. Jane, a 2nd generation American with an abuela that instills the fear of something in her, decided to wait till marriage to have sex. But mistakenly gets artificially inseminated with the sperm of a man she had a crush on who is also her boss who is also the man her cop boyfriend is investigating...you get the idea. 

2. Cristela


Not another lawyer show! Yes, another lawyer show, what can I say...lawyers are awesome or everyone is a lawyer. Cristela is a New Jersey gal (yes, accents)...trying to make it as a lawyer in the big city, more or less. I like her. 

3. Red Band Society
Not another medical show! Yes, another medical show, but plot twist, with teenagers- oh oh. All these kids with long term illnesses bond in a hospital with the usual hospital/teenage drama.

4. Finding Carter


Not another teen show! Yep- another. Carter kidnapped at 3, finds out when she's 16 that the woman she thought was her mother is actually her kidnapper. Reunited with her actual parents in another town, she's finding it hard to settle in and misses her kidmother? Yeah, all that with usual teenage drama, heartaches and your parents are imperfect..etc

5. You're the Worst

Two people better suited to one night stands and not getting their lives together meet at a wedding and hit it off and off course end up together. This explores the dysfunction that they are. It's not soap recorded in front of a live studio audience funny. it's better than that.

I have to add at this point that I'm sick of Tv making it seem like you will all get together in the end. You won't. Don't get stuck with a commitphobe because of tv. 

6. Married

Pretty much the couple in You're the Worst after they've been married for some years. a lot-ish of years. At least that's my theory, but hey. Read the last three sentences of the above. Above above, aka no 5.

7. Chasing Life


Girl finds out she has cancer, juggling that with her life basically. 

8. Silicon Valley


I have to say...This is my absolute favourite show from this year. Socially awkward tech guys trying to be the next big startup and socially awkward massive tech guys trying to stay relevant.

9. Broad City

This comes from the youtube show of the same name. Two girls, best friends and their day to day life in New York. It's not New York as we've seen it on any other show and more importantly, it's not about New York...it could be set in any city anywhere and and and their random mix of friends would still be just who they are. 

10. The Lottery

At first, I was taken in by the hype of this show, fancy costumes, set in the future - smart sounding plot and about three episodes in , i realised that this was just well packaged nonsense. Entertaining nonsense. It's the future (glass iPhones) and there is a fertility crisis but a scientist in America has managed to fertilise 100 embryos. These embryos are central to the plot of solving mysteries, terrorism, double agents, etc etc.

11. Satisfaction

What is the plot of this show? I really cannot definitively say and episode to episode, I asked myself up till the end of the series. There are excerpts, there is self discovery, there is infidelity , love, confusion. Maybe watch it and explain it to me.

12. How To Get Away With Murder
I love Greys Anatomy. And I'm starting to understand that 'I Love Greys Anatomy' doesn't necessarily mean 'I Love everything Shonda Rhimes is involved in'. So far, I don't love this show. Then again, I don't like plots centred around one central event. (looking at you Pretty Little Liars), so understandably, I just want to know, do they get away with murder and does everyone end up happily ever after?

Now, a loot of shows have come out this year. Among the others i've tried and discarded are:

Bad Judge
Black-ish
Manhattan Love Story
Marry Me








What I Actually Did Today

Currently listening to Jeje- Dj Exclusive- like I know i'm late but this song is too much of a jam. Also, I'm still stuck on High Class- it just never gets old and in a running playlist? Constant fire! Anyway, today was the final day of my cousin's make-up school and I went to be her model.

I'm currently in the middle of an intense diet that doesn't let me eat more than a breath of fresh air and fairy blood ...so I'm relying on double bagged earl grey to keep me alive (and awake late into the night...sigh)

Eye Primer and intense eyebrows

smokey eyes and false lashes

The final look. I can't say I'm a fan of a lot of make-up. My general intense make-up look is still quite relaxed

Styling Viola Davis



It was the final scene of episode 4, Season 1 of How To Get Away With Murder. Annalise Keating sat in front of her mirror and calmy took off all her make-up (i wish taking off make-up could always look so deeply emotional in real life, but it's anything but...


At that point, the one thing that stood out to me was , this is how Viola Davis should be styled. Not because she's not the 'typical' actress look but because theres no need for her to look quite so harsh. We can get strong black woman without the severe hair and dark accessories. 


In this scene, I nearly screamed for joy. the hair was curled, the make-up was softer, her guard was down. 




Going to put make-up on so I can take it off like this.