Skin preservation is key to ageless skin

ENE NATURALS

The pursuit of beautiful skin is a rather challenging task for a lot of women but nonetheless, our utmost mission as women. This drive – or rather – obsession, as the case may be, has led many women into making wrong decisions. For the average African woman, the quest for beautiful skin simply means a lighter complexion, which in most cases translates to skin bleaching, even though they would never admit this reality.

The fastest selling skincare products out there either “lightens” or “whitens”, promising quick fixes like “whiter skin in 3 days”. It’s amazing how a well informed woman can believe that a skincare product can whiten her skin in three days! The sad thing though is that not only do these creams damage their skin, these damaged women expect skincare professionals like I to find the solution to their problem.
The sight of ruptured veins, beyond imaginable stretched…

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New styles guide to tying Nigerian traditional head tie (gele)

Thanks for showing us a creative way to tie the gele. Your blog is inspiring.

ENE NATURALS

For we Nigerian women, the gele (head tie) is our crown and a reflection of our personality. This means that the head tie functions the same way as any fashion accessory as such, you should not settle for the traditional way of tying your gele – explore new and creative ways of tying this age old cultural expression and let it speak about your personality without you uttering a word! – oh yes!

HERE IS STYLE GUIDE NUMBER 1:

OR

SECOND STYLE YOU COULD TRY

HERE ARE TWO RESULTS

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More Lamps

More Lamps from the Art Keeper’s Lamp collection

The Art Keeper’s Lamp

The Art Keeper’s Lamps
Everyone loves creating a home that reflects individual taste. People collect a variety of objects that are significant or hold precious memories.
We discovered a unique collection of table lamps that create exceptional ambience, but also showcase African art is a special way.
Known as, “The Art Keeper’s Lamp”, these distinctive pieces are designed by James Olloh, an award winning artist, based in Lagos, Nigeria. Mr Olloh, (23rd recipient of the prestigious Solidra Circle Award (2003), began his research into ethnic light fittings 8 years ago.
Reviewing the results of his research, he says the handmade originals are created to promote African art, and its potentials. “My focus is on African Masks, while I am not leaving out using well designed and structured ceramics as well!”
“If you come across any lamp that is set on an African Mask in any part of the world, look out for the label, it is most likely it is my lamp,” he adds.
Going beyond interior decoration, he reveals that these lamps and art in general can be a good source of revenue for Nigeria. “A country or a community where tourism thrives is always buoyant in terms of foreign exchange earnings, because peoples of diverse cultures come together and always will want to pick one or two things from here and there …. And this of course is done with money, local or foreign,” Olloh argues.
“The wealth of a nation is surmised in its capacity of indigenous industry and productivity, far beyond the production of petroleum crude, which unfortunately is the main stream of our nation’s income,” he concludes
There are more than 25 different mask based lamps, created by Mr Olloh’s company, Jinoish International Limited. The company continues to research the various Mask designs with a long term goal of building a collection of lamps, which are unique.
Presentation is everything, and Olloh and his colleagues offer the lamps in branded boxes, complete with warrantees and owners’ manuals. The Art Keeper’s lamps are available for export and also as corporate gift items. To this end they can be branded with the logos of corporate organisations or individual names and insignia.
The lamps have been displayed at several exhibitions including the 2ND Craft Fair organized by Terra Kulture, Lagos(October 2009), and the ALTERNATIVE POWER EXHIBITION 2009’, Ikeja Lagos.
Enquiries concerning these lamps can be made by email to jadorasnotes@gmail.com or by calling +234 -70-35375443, +234 – 80 – 23155451

Spring’s Coming???

<p Londoners had fun these past few days. Starting from last week, they have been basking in the warmth that began on last Thursday, leading some of them to ask each other humorously, “where is the rain?”
If we go by the meteorologists, we should enjoy the sunshine while it lasts, as the rains are around the corner, and they may start falling again. Soon.

The recent London Fashion Week added cheer with its bright accessories and clothing.
But beyond the excitement of brightly coloured clothing and accessories, nothing heralds Spring’s freshness like a bunch of Daffodils peeking out shyly at the sultry winter sunshine.
Photo: Obaro Ege

Smoke fueled Bike

The mini motor bike made by a Prisoner entirely out of cigarette wrappings and packaging.

The Fish Bone Tea Set

Created by a Prisoner an exhibited at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Headquarters in Geneva, it is the work of a prisoner.
The delicate cups, tea pot and jugs are a delight to behold.

Treasures in Jars of Clay

Nothing in this world is totally bad. There is evil and there is good. Out of that evil some good can emerge.
This is what I found when I visited the Museum at the International Headquarters of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in a leafy suburb of Geneva in Switzerland.
A visit to that museum can be harrowing. The visitor is confronted with the reality of war and conflict as it affects the many peoples of this world. You will also see the International Red Cross and Red Crescent organization’s effort to promote world peace and help people who have been affected by these conflicts the world over. You will read copies of documents such as the Magna Carta and more.
However, one interesting thing I found was a gallery that displayed art and craft designed and made by prisoners from across many regions of the world. These individual prisoners were incarcerated in different regions and at different times but their work are amazing.
Here is a Swan made by a Columbian prisoner. It is made entirely from empty cans of coffee and soft drinks. There is also a tea set made from fish bones; a motorcycle made out of pipe cleaners and the foil from cigarette boxes and wrappers; a pipe with a crucifix; a beautiful miniature mosque and a white washed, gold turreted church and so much more.
Nothing and no one is completely evil.

Cheer Winter Darks Up

Bored with wearing dark, bulky winter clothing? We can’t blame you but why not do something unusual? Step out of your style comfort zone. Experiment with textures, concepts and colours.
Last Sunday, this lovely lady stepped into church and I had to marvel at her creativity. Wanting a change from the de rigueur turtle necks, jumpers and sweaters, she layered a wax print buba over her jersey turtle neck sweater and long, full skirt. To tweak the buba, she cinched it with a wide, stretchy belt, rolled the buba’s sleeves so that they fell over the sweater’s streamlined sleeves. To complete the outfit, she wrapped a length of the Ankara fabric (the iro actually) around her head, and completed the outfit with sturdy boots and, hey presto, a smashing outfit was born.

Photo: Peju Oriunuta

Mr Happy Auctions His Hat

Remember this hat? Pharrell Williams wore it to the Grammy’s recently, and caused a stir.
Well, the music star has put it up for auction in a bid to raise money for charity.
Already the hat has grossed $6,000 and bids are still coming in.
Designed by Vivienne Westwood, the fedora with its incredible tall crown, bears strong resemblance to similar hats worn by American park rangers and had become a signature item for Pharrell.
Williams’ song and video, Happy, has rocked the charts for weeks (since it featured in the movie, Despicable Me 2). It is slowly becoming an anthem for the young and everyone else who wants to feel cheerful.
Pharrell Williams’ profile has risen over the past few years, is known for great collaborations with artistes such as Robin Thicke, Daft Punk and Snoop Doggy dog. He is also known for his unique dress sense and fashion line.

So “clap along, if you feel like a room without a roof” or like Pharrell without his signature hat…