NAZIZY'S DIARY...BLACK AGENDA (1)

Waking up, the first thing that crossed my mind was my stolen Blackberry Phone...am i still dreaming? is the phone still with me or is the 'stealer' dead already?
Well, the 30th of August was a day i could not forget in a hurry. Asking why? common now, abi you nor sabi code? That was the day i lost my blackberry phone...my first major blackberry (the last one i had was a miserable second hand BB Storm...you know Storms and their wahala).

I woke up that very day at 7a.m feeling enthusiastic and...lazy. Started the day with a short prayer, did the chores, had breakfast and went back to bed. Nexttime i discovered my self back from dreamland was at 11pm. That was four hours extra sleep asides by usual 8hours stretch beauty sleep (after all, scientists have proven that a six-hour sleep is ideal everyday. i felt nothing was wrong in adding 'and above' to the stipulated number 6).

Immediately, i had a 'sharp' bath, got dressed for work...MAUREX BOUTIQUE(My mum's). got to the front door, a beautiful thought enveloped me. Why not try a selfie makeover? Take some pictures for your Clients to see via BBM (oops i forgot to add...i am a makeup artist too). So, I did this gorgeous makeover with new makeup products i stole got from my cousin who did traditional wedding the previous weekend. Finished with the makeover, and 'fired' myself with pouting pictures using my Blackberry.

As soon as i was done, i selected the best for my DP, and immediately, commendations flocked in. some of my contacts went about using my picture as their DP's and begging me to send more. NOW YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW MARVELLOUS THOSE PICS WERE. With that nostalgia, i left for work. On my way, i had this huge smile, placed my eyes on the phone, my fingers on the keypads hoping to reply immediately i saw the red indicator.

When i reached my workplace (not far from my house), i carelessly carefully placed my BB on a glass showcase that housed the jewelry section of the boutique and began cleanup so that when i was done, i would give my twelthe remaining twelve-hours of the day to replying heartfelt and appreciative comments from my future clients.

It took less than four minutes when an elderly female version of Johnny Bravo walked into the Boutique. Wearing a tight-fitted jean with a red top and gold sandals, one could imagine the joy that filled my heart when she asked for a 'BLACK SKIRT' (trust me, she looked RICH in every sense of the word) . I felt it was a blessed day for me; from a 'well-done' job on my face to a black skirt desperate customer who appeared within four minutes of my opening the boutique. (i forgot to add...the woman was also 'black'. i can boldly say, DARKER THAN THE 'BLACK' SHADE of skirt she wanted, with her hair looking like a transformed Barracuda).

It did not dawn on me that the BLACK woman that came looking for a BLACK skirt had a BLACK agenda.
Immediately, to please my 'customer', i began the search for a black skirt. well, we had a variety of them. gave her about five black skirts with different designs, yet none fitted all because of her 'Johnny Bravo' hips...you know how it is now. Then I gave up, but she didnt. Instead, she asked when the owner of the boutique would get new stocks. so, she left with the intention of returning a month after while i began placing the skirts back on their hangers.

When i finished, i returned to the showcase with a huge grin anticipating the number of unread pings that would have piled within those few minutes i spent with the woman.

MOGBE! I HAD THE GREATEST SHOCK OF MY LIFE.

Was i dreaming? I began a frantic search for my phone, all to no avail.  My mind began a conversation with me, saying i should calm down because my phone was definitely around(calm what down? oh please shut up!), while my eyes were telling me the direct opposite.
Immediately, my heart did a run-through and directed me to...AUNTIE BLACKIE!
OMG! I embarked on a 440 race outside the boutique. Then i saw BLACKIE boarding a Cab. I immediately spoke in tongues, ran back into the shop, picked up my Nokia Phone that had my MTN line and the BB line...ETISALAT. Before it began ringing, I rushed out of the Boutique again and saw the Cab BLACKIE boarded zoom past me. I saw her in it covering her face with a Hanky. It rang finally and BLACKIE busied the call.

I stood helplessly looking at the taxi,my vision became blurred with tears...tears of dissapointment(because, someone as old as BLACKIE who could give birth to five of me stole my Phone), tears of pain (because of the amazing contacts i had on my BB I couldn't possibly retrieve..no thanks to the BACKUP i never had), and finally, tears of 'the loss of those beautiful pictures i took that morning and the comments i never got to read'.
Well, that was the last I saw of 'AUNTIE BLACKIE'...still hopeful though. Everyday I wake up, i await a call from her or her timid presence back at the boutique apologizing over the theft. If you like call it IMPOSSIBLE...Na you sabi

MAKEUP TIP OF THE DAY FOR DARK SKIN :)

It is widely known that some Nigerian ladies struggle with different problems when it comes to makeup and beauty. To help you along the right path, Tracy Peart, Tracy Moore's makeup artist shares her top tips for your skin, your blush colour and your lips...

Here’s her advice:

Skin:

One of the biggest problems black women have with their makeup is having their skin appear too ashy. Here’s a couple of reasons why this could be happening:
Someone who has red undertones in their skin is wearing a makeup with yellow in it. This combination will make your skin appear ashy.
Another reason you may look ashy is because you’re applying too much powder. Powder is usually sold with a sponge, but those should only be used for touch ups, not the initial application. When you apply powder with a sponge, you’re going to apply way too much powder, and it’s going to end up looking like an ashy mask. It’s best to use a face brush and sweep on your powder. Let the foundation you put on underneath do all the work of covering up imperfections. Don’t do it with your powder, as you run the risk of putting on too much.

Another big problem with black makeup is having the makeup turn darker as the day goes on. Here’s a couple of reasons why that could be happening:
If you have yellow undertones in your skin and you’re wearing a makeup with too much red undertones, your skin will appear darker than you are.
Black women tend to have oilier skin. When the oils in our skin mix with foundation or powder, the makeup becomes darker throughout the day. So, if you know your skin is very oily, try a foundation that’s one shade lighter than your skin to help balance this out. You might look a bit lighter than usual for the first hour it’s on, but as the day goes on, it’ll even out. As well, if your skin is oily, don’t keep adding more powder to your face to get rid of the shine. All you’re doing is making a mask of makeup, and the makeup will just get darker and darker. Try buying a blot powder, which doesn’t add any more colour or makeup to your face. They’re just formulated to get rid of shine. It’s a much better option.



Blush:

If you’re still looking a bit flat, with no warmth to your face, it could be because you’re not wearing any blush. Blush is another way to add warmth to black skin. A lot of black women are afraid of blush because they might think it looks too artificial on our skin, since we don’t naturally have flushed cheeks, but it’s all in the color you use. Stay away from light colours. All they’re going to do is make us look ashy.







We have two choices. We can go with dark colors like burnt orange-y browns or dark berries and plums. Or if you’re darker-skinned like me, go with very bright colors like powerful pinks and bold oranges. I already know I’ve scared some of you, but listen. They might look shocking in the packaging, but you have to remember you’re painting them onto a darker surface and they won’t show up like that on our skin. Believe me. Because they’re so bold, they’re the colours that will show up on our colouring and give the skin life! The key is to build the colour and don’t just slap it on. Don’t fight the bright…it works!

Lips:

As for lips, almost the same rules applies. Obviously, darker skin tones don’t look great in pale, light lipsticks. Deeper tones are always a safe bet (like wines, deep reds, browns and plums). But I say we can wear the bright reds, pinks & oranges as well, I always just suggest lining the lips first with brown lip liner or lipstick underneath. What that does is help neutralize the bold colour you’re going to put on top, so it’s not as true to colour and won’t be as shocking against our skin, but it’ll still be fun and bright. I do it on Tracy Moore every day! Don’t just go directly on with a bright colour without neutralizing your lips first.

You have to remember when you see a lip colour, it’s going to wear differently on each person, and you have to do the appropriate application of that colour for what works on your colouring. So yes, you can follow the trends, but keep your skin colour in mind when doing your own interpretation of that look!

RECIPE OF THE DAY: HOW TO PREPARE OFE ONUGBU....YUMMY

Saw this post on avartsycooking.com, and ofe onugbu being one of my best soups, I deemed it worthy to share.

Ofe Onugbu is a dish from the Eastern part of Nigeria and is particularly popular among the Igbos. It is a dish that is native to Anambra state in Nigeria.
Ofe Onugbu can be literally translated to mean ‘Bitter Leaf Soup,’ as bitter leaves are the primary (and only) vegetable involved in the cooking of this dish. Another ingredient that makes Ofe Onugbu into the soup that it is, is Cocoyam.
I love bitter leaves and it’s probably one of my favorite native vegetables and so, by extension, I quite enjoy Ofe Onugbu. In addition, Ofe Onugbu is less time intensive when compared to Afang soup. Both are delicious, it’s just a matter of how much time you have and what you feel like eating.
{Sidenote: I actually made this the same day as I made the Afang, but forgot to take a photo of one of the steps, so re-did and had a photo shoot, lol. Also if you have a keen eye, you’ll notice some photos are repeated from the Afang recipe! I’m not saying which though ;) The steps are mildly similar up to a certain point, so don’t worry, you’re reading the right recipe :) }
To learn how to make Ofe Onugbu, here’s what you’ll need:
 Prep: 1 hour Cook: 1 hour Difficulty: Intermediate Serves: 3-5

• 4-6 medium pieces skinless goat meat
• 4-6 pieces medium pieces honeycomb tripe/shaki
• 4-6 medium pieces cow skin/kpomo
• 3-4 Knorr cubes OR 6-8 Maggi cubes
• 1 cup smoked catfish bits
• 1 cup dried stockfish/kpanla/okporoko bits
• 4-6 scotch bonnet peppers
• 2 cups dried whole crayfish
• 1-2 cups fresh bitter leaves
• 3-4 cups Palm Oil
• 1-2 cups dried cocoyam flour/ede
• 1 small red onion
• 4 garlic cloves

1. Rinse goat meat and shaki/pomo. Transfer to separate pots
2. Slice 1/2 red onion & 3 garlic cloves into pot with goat meat. Add 2 Knorr cubes and water. Let boil over medium heat for 45 mins to an hour. Replenish water, don’t let it dry out
3. Slice remainder onion and garlic, add to shaki and kpomo. Add water, let boil over medium heat for 45 mins to an hour. Replenish water when its drying out
4. Lightly rinse stockfish, transfer to a bowl filled with warm/hot water. Set aside, let soak for 30 minutes to soften
5. Add smoked catfish to bowl filled with warm/hot water. Set aside, let soak for 30 minutes to soften
6. While meats are boiling and fish, soaking, transfer dried crayfish to sieve and rinse lightly
7. Transfer crayfish from sieve to blender using a spoon, add scotch bonnet peppers
8. Add 1-1.5 cups water to blender
9. Blend mixture, set aside
10. Return to soaking stockfish and drain water
11. Using kitchen scissors or a knife, cut stockfish into smaller pieces *don’t discard stockfish bones*
12. Return to soaking smoked catfish, drain water
13. Using your fingers, kitchen scissors or a knife, tear/cut up smoked catfish into smaller pieces *don’t discard bones and skin*
14. Add some water to a pot, add smoked catfish & stockfish, let boil 10-15 minutes. Drain liquid once boiled, set aside
15. Return to boiling meats. At this point, goat meat, shaki and kpomo should be soft and you should have enough meat stock!

16. Drain and discard stock from shaki/kpomo. Keep stock from goat meat. Transfer shaki/kpomo to pot with goat meat
17. Over low-medium heat, add the blended crayfish and scotch bonnet peppers
18. Stir thoroughly. Add 1 Knorr cube OR 2 Maggi cubes. Stir thoroughly
19.  Add smoked catfish and stockfish to mixture
20. Stir in thoroughly. Let cook over low-medium heat for 15-20 minutes
21. While contents of pot are simmering, transfer bitter leaves to a bowl, (drain excess liquid from packaging) and add some water, leave to soak for 5-10 minutes
22. After soaking, rinse, cut of long stems and lightly chop vegetables, set aside
23. Return to pot with meats, reduce heat to low, using a serving spoon, scoop ede/cocoyam flour, add to pot *see #8 in notes*
24. Keep adding dried cocoyam flour in small amounts and stirring, till quantity recipe calls for is used up. *see #6 & #7 in notes*
25. Once done adding, increase heat to medium, let boil for 15 minutes
26. Add chopped bitter leaves to pot
27. Stir in the leaves thoroughly till evenly distributed
28. Add last Knorr cube
29. Stir Knorr cube in thoroughly. Still over medium heat, let boil for 5-10 minutes
30. Add Palm Oil
31. Stir palm oil in thoroughly till evenly distributed. Let soup simmer 5 more minutes
32. People, announcement, you have Ofe Onugbu, gather round, time to eat!
(DO YOU SEE THAT MARROW IN THE TOP RIGHT?! Sweet baby Jesus, I love me some marrow!)

OUR OFE ONUGBU IS READY...YUMMY

ANKARA....A WESTERNIZED TREND?

Prior to now, it was cliché seeing people rock Ankara at just social functions ranging from weddings to birthdays to naming ceremonies. but today, Ankara has become a global trend as people not only wear them 'casually', but it is being rocked by top world celebrities such as beyonce, nicky minaj and the likes.
Getting a style to sew isn't tedious as it used to be since we can exhibit some self-creativity in the styles we want our ankaras to be sewn...

 

 

 

Ankara has become our forte thanks to beautiful fabrics and designs by Vlisco. The Ankara trend has been really crazy and sometimes way over the top, any event you go, you just have to look out for the best Ankara styles, and the people wearing them...

Some have also crossed their boundaries by converting Ankara pieces into beautiful clutches, bangles, rings, earrings and other elegant accessories...MUCH ADO ABOUT ANKARA...lol

 

 

a model rocking a piece from HOZ...EBUKA IKEBUAKU

don't you just love ankaras in bold prints?

heheheh...Men rock them too

 

 

 

 

Ankaras could be rocked with virtually everything. Bold Ladies should avoid Bold Prints as it will only make them look bigger. HOPE these styles are Stylish enough for your viewing...

#teamAnkara  all the way...

 

you can send pictures of you rocking the Ankara fabric to nazizydiary@gmail.com to be featured on this blog 

 

 it only gets better with you....

WELCOME MY ESTEEMED 'FRESH' READERS...

I want to use this platform to say a huge WELCOME to my readers. this is a blog 'finally' set up by me. 'Finally' in the sense that I had always wanted to be a blogger but the spirit of procrastination couldn't let me. so, the amazing thing now is that, I not only have opened a blog, but I did that to usher me into the year 2014!!!

Beautiful isn't it?
OK!
In a jiffy, I will tell y'all what this blog is about.
Unlike other blogs whose main motive is pure entertainment and gossips, this blog will feature not only those, but inspirational write-ups by both professional writers and wannabe writers.

Fashion features are highly welcome here. are you a fashijon designer, makeup artist, textile designer or a professional in your field, and you want to share your works for Nigerians/Africans to see? NAZIZYDIARY has got open arms just for YOU!

enough said.

I hope you enjoy this blog as we roll in

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1...WELCOME