Ibiyemi Ajakaiye

She was born in the 80's in San Francisco, California, to Nigerian-born parents from Kogi State. A singer/song-writer, she's been singing all her life but started professionally in 2003.

Her musical influences include; Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Tracy Chapman, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke and Stevie Wonder.

Her songs include; True Colour Featuring Sound Sultan, Can You Love Me?, Don't Leave Me, It Could Be Featuring Dipo, Ore and Play.

She recently had a baby son on the 23rd of December and the video for Play also made its entrance. Nice going girl! Play is the fourth song from her debut album Love Always Wins. The video was directed by Tosin Igho for IGH Films.

(source;BellaNaija)

Ibiyemi had this to say recently; "I am very excited about the next chapter of my life, both personally and professionally. Thanks to all the devoted fans who kept tweeting and sending messages asking about the video. I appreciate your patience. It's here!" 

Click on the links below to watch my personal favorites; Ore

 Don't Leave Me

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

xoxo

Emmanuella

MY AYURVEDIC PRODUCTS AND REGIMEN

(source;http://hi-imcurrentlyobsessed.tumblr.com)

I am currently on a strict Ayurvedic hair regimen, from now until December. After that I might either streamline my regimen or just continue with it, as is.

I actually mix my products with traditional Conditioners and Deep Conditioners. I prefer the combination of conditioners and powders, versus powders only. I find that it makes it easier to wash out.       

THE USES OF SOME AYURVEDIC HERBS AND INGREDIENTS

Amla- Stimulates hair growth, darkens the hair, conditions and strengthens the hair at the roots.

Henna- is a natural hair dye and it's a great hair strengthener. Some people use it to loosen their curls or coils.

Bhringraj- Treats hair loss, balding, premature greying and acts as a conditioner. It also nourishes the hair and scalp which is necessary for hair growth.

Brahmi- Relieves dandruff, thickens hair and also strengthens hair at the roots.

Neem(Dogonyaro)- Is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. It promotes healthy hair growth and fights dry scalp. It's used in skincare as well.

Kapur Kachri- It promotes thicker and fragrant hair. It also promotes hair growth by stimulating the scalp and has antiseptic properties.

Shikakai- It is a natural cleanser and mild conditioner. Promotes hair growth and aids detangling.

Aritha(Reetha)- Also known as Soapnuts, is a natural cleanser as well. It has insecticidal properties and can be used to get rid of lice.

Methi(Fenugreek)- It promotes hair growth, prevents hair loss and helps strengthen the hair shaft. Its also a light protein.

Hibiscus(Jaswand)- It conditions the hair, promotes healthy hair growth and prevents hair loss. It also thickens the hair and delays premature greying.

Aloe Vera Gel- It promotes hair growth, balances the PH level and heals the scalp. It also imparts sheen, and nourishes the hair follicles and scalp.

MY PRODUCTS

CONDITIONERS- V05 Moisture Milks Strawberry and Cream Conditioner- For Co-Washing.

Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise- For Deep Conditioning.

Giovanni Direct Weightless Leave-In Conditioner.

AYURVEDIC PRODUCTS

Pre-Poo Oils
Dabur Vatika Oil and Parachute Coconut Oil.

Conditioner-Washing
Hibiscus Petal Powder/Neem Powder, Amla Powder, Shikakai Powder and Coconut Oil.

Strengthening
Godrej Nupur Mehendi Henna.

Deep-Conditioning
Hibiscus Petal Powder, Brahmi Powder, Bhringaraj Powder and Coconut Oil.

Hair-Rinsing
Apple-Cider Vinegar.
Herbal Tea Rinse(Hibiscus Powder/Fenugreek Seed Powder)

Conditioning
Giovanni Direct Weightless Leave-In Conditioner.

Moisturising
Dabur Vatika Oil. Parachute Coconut Oil.

Sealing
Kinky Apothecary Whipped Shea Butter and Tropic Isle Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil.

These are the products I currently use and I didn't want to make this too long, so i'll post the part two of this, on my regimen next time.

Meanwhile, i'm going to make a separate post on where I get my products from; online and in shops. Now, there are some amazing places where people in Lagos can get some really good hair and body products, all-natural and organic too! Watch this space.

Have an amazing week ahead.

XOXO

Emmanuella

PLUS FABULOUS; KAMARI BROWN

Kamari Brown is a twenty-five year old plus-size model in New York City.She is 1/4 British, 1/4 German and 1/2 African-American. She grew up in Seattle, England and Germany. She started modeling because she                

wanted to express her creativity, and she's done that through acting, dancing and now modeling. And also because she wanted to help other women love their bodies, which is something she had issues with too.

Kamari struggled with low-self esteem issues growing and was uncomfortable in her own skin for many years. She says " ... It wasn't until Destiny's Child came into the scene that my views started to change. For the first time, seeing Beyonce, a woman of my complexion with hips, thick legs/thighs just like mine, being hailed as beautiful by the media and my peers around me, made me start to accept my curves and see how beautiful they were."

                                                           

She has a B.S in Communications, Public Relations and Human Geography from the University of Miami and currently works with MTV, as an Integrated Marketing Manager and is currently signed with agencies in smaller markets and overseas in Europe and South Africa.

Gorgeous, in and out, Kamari's biggest passion is fighting for human and animal rights. She's been active with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and recently started working with the ASPCA, an animal rights organization.

She's a vegetarian and works out three to four times a week. She also loves protein shakes and Indian cuisine.

                                                                                               

Her favourite shops are; ASOS, Dorothy Perkins, Monsoon, Top Shop and H&M who have just started a plus line.

"My advice to women is instead of letting society and the media define your beauty, let it help you see how beautiful you are, just the way you are, by surrounding yourself with positive role models and people."

Additional information and pictures from plus-sizemodelsunite.com

Have a great Monday!


XOXO

 

Emmanuella

SARKODIE

One of my favourite artistes is under the spotlight today, I have never hidden my fondness for Ghanaian music or artistes, not just because of the Azonto connection, people! Ghanaian music is awesome ... Almost as great Nigerian music!;))  

He is simply known as Sarkodie or Sarkodie Obidi. He was born Michael Owusu, in Tema, Ghana,  and he's a hip-life/hip-hop Ghanaian artiste. Sarkodie is arguable the fastest lyricist the side of the continent. He was crowned the "King of Underground Hip-Life", for five years. 

His debut album, Makye was released in 2009. With great songs like; "Chat With You" featuring JaySo, "Move" featuring Kwaw Kese, "Babe" featuring Mugees, amongst others.

He won the BET's Best African Act for 2012.
He's signed on to Konvict Africa, Akon's record label
And he's billed to perform at the Big Brother Africa StarGame 2012 finale.

Sarkodie's Rapperholic album is simply off the charts! His second album, and Konvict Africa's first 

"offering", it was released in December 2011 with songs like "U Go Kill Me" featuring E.L, which happens to be one of my favourites! "Give It To Me" featuring Mugeez, "Onyame Nhyira No" featuring Castro, "When I      Grow Up" featuring Ikechukwu, "I'm In Love With You" featuring Efya, amongst others.

He's also teamed up with musician/rapper/producer JaySo on a joint collaboration album, "The Mind Game"(TMG). The first single off the album is "Pizza & Burger", with other songs like; "Let Them Know", "Marry You", "Look At My Baby" amongst others.

Sarkodie's Rapperholic album cover. Photo: Ghana Music.com

Here are some of his videos;

Chaleeeeeeeeeeee!
Have a  fabulous week ahead!

XOXO

Emmanuella

PROFILE; FEMI EMIOLA

I'd seen her in E.R and Scrubs, both are television series, and I was intrigued to see a Nigerian name in their credits and i wanted to find out more about her; and I did too!

She is Femi Emiola; an award-winning actress based in Los Angeles, California in the United States. Although American-born; in Iowa City, Iowa, she was born to a Nigerian father and a Filipino mother. Who both, as Ph.D students at Iowa State University, met as course mates and then got married.

She lived in the Philippines till she was 5 and then her parents moved to Nigeria. Femi attended Shehu Garbai Primary School, Federal Government College, Maiduguri, F.G.G.C Oyo, and International College, Ibadan.
She left Nigeria to the U.S, at age 15, with her mum and siblings when her parents divorced.

  
Femi attended her parents alma mater, Iowa State University where she graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts and also studied in New York City.

Her film/T.V credits include her debut in an award-winning short film; The Living Silence, other films like; Blood Deep, Images Of War: The Invisible Man, Disposable, and Plugged In. Also appearances on television shows such as; E.R, Ghost Whisperer, Scrubs, Las Vegas, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and The Practice.

 In 2000, she posed for the artist Meredith Bergmann and her profile became the foundation for Bergmann's Phillis Wheatley, which was part of the Boston Women's Memorial, unveiled in 2003 on Commonwealth Avenue Mall in Boston. The sculpture is crafted from bronze and granite, also includes Lucy Stone and Abigail Adams and is Bergmann's largest public commission.

That wasn't the least of her accomplishments! Femi became the face of Toyota Camry's marketing campaign in June 2008 which was launched on June 9, 2008 targeted at affluent African-American women between the ages of 25 and 40. Its target audience for the campaign was African-American women with an annual income of $70,000 and up. She starred as Bianca Turner, a fashion designer and Toyota Camry owner who becomes unwittingly involved in an espionage plot.


























Femi's most popular roles to date are as Lani Walker in Wicked Wicked Games, a telenovela on My Network TV, from 2006 to 2007. And in the Toyota Camry $5 million campaign webseries; If Looks Could Kill, as Bianca Turner.
She's currently based in Los Angeles and we hope we haven't the heard the last of her; Go Team Nigeria!

 Do have a lovely weekend, people!

XOXO

Emmanuella

  

JOIN BLACK|UP CREATIVE AMBASSADOR DAVID CORANSON AND HIS TEAM AS THEY TAKE YOU ON A WONDERFUL JOURNEY OF COLOUR AND TECHNIQUES

On Monday, 23rd and Tuesday, 24th of July 2012, Black|Up Creative Ambassador David Coranson And His Team will be available at the newly opened black|Up first international stand-alone store outside Paris located at the Ikeja City Mall, Alausa in Lagos, Nigeria.

You are invited to join David Coranson And His Team as they show makeup illustrations presented by professional models.

Both days will feature cutting-edge beauty makeovers and expert tips on how to discover the most perfect shade of foundations and powders, vibrant colours to coat your lips and glide your eyes from the most subtle, elegant looks to visually stunning creations, black|Up has it all..



This is event is open to everyone! Come and discover why black|Up is a big deal.

Details to the event are:
Date: Monday the 23rd and Tuesday the 24th of July 2012
Venue: Shop L072, Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos.
Time: 10am-6pm
For more information, call: 0708 068 0172

Montaigne Place Exclusive Retailers and partners with black|Up Paris in Nigeria is set to bring the first black|Up stand-alone shop outside Paris to Lagos. The store will be formally launched on the 22nd July 2012 at the Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos, Nigeria.

Founded in Paris in 1999 by a professional makeup artist of African ancestry, this is the first premium brand to enhance the look of black women and all women of colour. It offers luxurious skin care and makeup focused on modernity, elegance and innovation.

The black|Up woman

Since its creation in 1999, the brand has created products for a free and modern woman. A woman of colour who is proud of her roots and absolutely anchored in her era. Stylish and triumphant, a symbol of elegance, she accepts who she is and cultivates her beauty as well as her personality.



black|Up Boutique

black|Up is also available in 18 stores throughout Nigeria and in all Montaigne Place outlets.
For more information on black|Up, visit: www.blackup.com
Facebook Page:  www.facebook/Black Up Nigeria

About Montaigne Place


Montaigne Place is the trading name of Montaigne AH Ltd, the luxury cosmetics, fragrance and well-being company that brought many exclusive and leading brands to Nigeria such as Clarins, Creed, Lalique, Dr Murad, Chanel, Christian Dior and many more.

Montaigne Place, Exclusive partners of the black|Up brand, launched the brand into the Nigerian market a few years ago; today this young brand known for innovation, style and modernity is a leader in the Nigerian premium cosmetics segment. Montaigne Place spearheaded by Alali H. Hart, who holds an MBA from Insead, France, has consistently broken grounds in the beauty and well-being industry.

Montaigne Place has consistently been recognized for its outstanding professionalism, innovation and contribution to the development of the Nigerian   beauty and well being industry and as a result, the black|Up brand was chosen as the Exclusive make-up brand for the Inaugural Arise Magazine Fashion Week, Lagos 2011 and was responsible for all the exquisite and stunning make-up looks seen on the runways. A team of 30 black|Up makeup artists worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create looks for 50 different shows in the three days of the fashion week.

Montaigne Place and black|Up have also been the exclusive makeup partners for the Yearly international Elite Model Look Competition, currently in its fifth year.

The company currently has Fifteen stores located in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, with plans to roll out three more outlets in 2012.

For more information on Montaigne Place, visit: www.montaigneplace.com
Visit any of the Montaigne Place stores nationwide:

black|Up  Boutique
Shop L072, Ikeja City Mall
Ikeja, Lagos.
Tel: 0708 068 0172

Visit any of Montaigne Place outlets:

Montaigne Place- The Spa
Plot 226b Muri Okunola Street
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 01 270 5596, 270 3735
894 1717, 0803 713 0408, 658 5485

Montaigne Place
Shop 16, Palms Shopping Centre
1 Bis Way, Lekki Expressway
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 01 851 7774, 0806 486 3969

Montaigne Place
Shop 8, Air Side, Departure Level
New Murtala Mohammed
Local Airport, Lagos.
Tel: 01 279 9889

Montaigne Place
Shop 10 Land Side, Departure Level
New Murtala Mohammed
Local Airport, Lagos.
Tel: 01 448 2230

Montaigne Place Shop
Ikeja City Mall, Shop L033
Obafemi Awolowo Road
Alausa, Ikeja
Tel: 0819 045 0712

Montaigne Place
Shop 8, Adebola Shopping Mall
53 Isaac John Street
Gra Ikeja, Lagos.
Tel: 01 270 7913

Montaigne Place
Shop B7, Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall
Adeniran Ogunsanya Street,
Surulere, Lagos.
Tel: 0813 029 5258

Montaigne Place
Ground Floor, 150 Awolowo Road
Ikoyi, Lagos
Tel: 01 279 9121

The Clarins Shop
Shop 13b & 14b, Delta Plaza, Balogun
Lagos International Tradefair Complex
Lagos- Badagry Expressway, Lagos.
Tel: 0819 180 7801

Montaigne Place
Silverbird Entertainment Centre
1161 Memorial Drive, Cadastrial Zone
Central Business District
Abuja.
Tel: 0819 180 7807

Montaigne Place
Shop F17, Febson Plaza
2425 Herbert Macaulay Way,
Zone 4, Abuja.
Tel: 09 523 6929

Montaigne Place
Ground Floor, Worldway Plaza
129 Aba Road, Port Harcourt
Rivers State.
Tel: 084 462 975

Montaigne Place
Genesis Center, Shop 2b1
Tombia Street, Gra Phase 2
Port Harcourt.
Tel: 0819 045 0711

Montaigne Place
Happy Bite Plaza, 1 Stadium Road
Opposite Air Force Base, Aba Road.
Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Tel: 0819 180 7805

PRESS CONTACT
Ono Bello
PR UNO
M: +234 (0) 705 810 8738
Email: pr.uno@onobello.com

                                        

Emmanuella                                                                                    

THE LAGOS EKO PROJECT

Good evening, everyone. I hope you all had a great week?

A friend and a respected blogger got me on to The Lagos Eko Project. It's a Volunteer Teachers' Scheme, which is about improving the quality of public junior and senior secondary education.

I know the volunteering spirit is not so strong here in Nigeria but it has to start somewhere. Please, let's all help to put our country on the path of greatness by getting the foundation right; education is key!

About The Scheme  |  Register Now |  Update Profile

LAGOS EKO SECONDARY EDUCATION PROJECT

Thank you for your interest in the Volunteer Teachers’ scheme. Volunteers are a key part of our effort to provide short term support teachers in our Junior & Senior Secondary Schools.

Objective of Lagos Eko Project
The overall development objective of the Lagos Eko Project is to improve the quality of public junior and senior secondary education in Lagos State. The Project is to assist the State to improve the performance of secondary school students.

Why Volunteer Teachers Scheme?
The Volunteer Teachers’ Scheme is designed to complement teachers’ efforts in public secondary schools. The scheme is not to replace teachers or take - over any teaching vacancies, it is aimed at providing extra support to teaching in schools.

What Kind of Support Will Be Provided?
Volunteers will be trained. There will be policies and procedures in place to guide your work and help you to enjoy your volunteering experience.

• Training
• On job support
• Transportation allowance

Volunteer Role Required

• English Teachers
• Maths
• Basic Science
• Biology
• Life Skills (Goal setting, Decision making, Self Esteem, Time Management, Communication Skills, Citizenship, value, etc)

How to Apply
Applicants should complete the electronic application form by clicking HERE. Applicants must fill all the fields. *Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

For further information,, please contact: volunteer@lagosekoproject.com

Enjoy your weekend!

XOXO

Emmanuella

THE MAN WHO INSPIRED ME TO GO NATURAL! COILINSPIRATION; MAXWELL

Okay, now there's no need to smirk! It's not like you all didn't see this coming! After all I went on about him in the first post about my natural hair journey; The Genesis, it stands to reason he'll be my CoilInspiration! 

THEN

He was born Geraldo Maxwell Rivera on May 23, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York. He was born of Puerto Rican and Black Caribbean stock.

The sex-symbol has recorded 4 very successful albums; Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, Embrya, Now and BLACKsummer's Night.
He's still single too ... What are American women doing?! Jeeze!
Anyway, this is not a biography of the neo-soul artiste! 

He's my personal CoilInspiration, because he inspired me to go to natural. It's just too bad he's shorn off those beautiful locks. Not cool, Maxwell, not cool! :(
Still, he'll always be my CoilInspiration and I,his biggest fan!

  

NOW!!

AWWWW....

   

His cover of Kate Bush's This Woman's Work, is one of my favourites. Enjoy!

Have a wonderful weekend!

XOXO

Emmanuella