Photo Diary: Blue Skies in Southern Africa

 Over the past few months, I've become obsessed with the sky. Sometimes it is the most beautiful cloudless blue and other times it is lit up by some magnificent and terrifying lightning storms. I thought would share some of the pictures I have captured. Enjoy!

*All images captured with an iPhone 4S. Some edited with VSCO Cam. 

Location: South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Follow me on instagram: @GLAMGIRLZ

Business Fabulous

My friend, who is a  lawyer, at one of NYC's big law firms started a blog called Business Fabulous. Now, getting dressed for work was one of my favourite things. I live for a hot professional look. So naturally, I was in love with the concept.  She started off by sharing her daily work outfits and then she started the blog which is about "transforming business formal into business fabulous." 

Here are a few of her looks:

Do go take a look. Keep in mind she is an actual hardworking lawyer so don't be surprised if the frequency of posts is a little off, once in a while :)

www.businessfabulous.com

instagram: businessfabulous

Lupita Nyong'o Shines

Lupita just continues to do no wrong. I love her! I'm sure it is evident by all the posts I have done on her. Also, I spotted her in yet another issue of US Vogue. That's the official stamp that they want her to be an "it" girl.  All that is left now is for her to be on the cover, I'm sure it is coming soon.

Mandela at the Union Buildings

Fun fact: South Africa has three capital cities.

The administrative part of South African government is seated the Union Buildings in Pretoria.  I took a trip to Pretoria (or Tshwane) to visit an old friend and also because, I just HAD TO see the new Nelson Mandela statue, that was recently unveiled.

The Union Buildings area is so pretty. The buildings are situated on a hill with lots of stairs, green grass, trees, flowers, Italian architecture. It seems like a nice place to hang out and get a good view of the city. The statue is just WOW. For me, this is what comes to mind when I think of the word statuesque. I really do love it.  It is huge and the open arms fit so well with who Madiba was. Job well done to whoever made it.

Here are a few pictures, but you should really go and see for yourself.

Follow me on instagram: @glamgirlZ

Photo Diary: New York

Three different parts of New York. 

1. Brooklyn, NY

2. New York, NY

3. White Plains, NY

Jukebox

I listen to Nothing Was The Same, every single day. I just cannot get enough of Drake; it is getting a bit much. I have a new favorite song from it, every week. Right now my favorite is Come Thru. Before that, it was Tuscan Leather. Altogether, I love the album. Smooth listening. I'm a huge fan of this man. 

I've also been listening to old Drake, namely the "So Far Gone" mixtape. I purchased Saint Heron, the compilation from Solange's record label, Saint Records. Now I will admit that I was not sure about this project, I honestly only gave it a try because I like Solange and how she dresses.  I'm glad that I did because it is actually some great R&B/neo-soulish music. My two favorites are Kelela's "Go All Night" and "Indo" by Cassie. Lastly, I've started listening to The 20/20 Experience again. It is a beautiful album and I'm just in that romantic mood :)

"One's Company, Two's a Crowd, Three's a Social Network."

Currently reading this book by Alan Knott-Craig Jr or technically III (he shares in his book that his grandfather was also called Alan Knott-Craig). AK-C is a South African mobile/tech entrepreneur. Most notably, he was the CEO of a huge tech company in SA called Mxit (google it) before leaving (or being kicked out) in 2012. Mxit was a huge social network, before Facebook/Twitter and smartphones got their grip on South Africans. Now he has dreams/plans of bringing free wi-fi to all corners of the continent through Project Isizwe.

What I have enjoyed most about this book is how real AK-C is. He talks about the good, bad and the ugly. Making rash/horrible business decisions, not being able to raise capital, marital problems, being broke and a whole host of other "success is not a linear or easy journey" type of things. He does not try to paint himself as some genius who was so talented and intelligent that it was all so easy and I appreciate how genuine and humble he is. Another thing I have really enjoyed is his love for the technology and his belief in how transformative it is. I'm right there with him on that. 

An excerpt from the book   

"The miracle, for me, never fades. I tap the face of a small device, fashioned from glass and silicon and plastic... Someone talks to me, or reads my words on their screen. We connect. In these criss-crossing threads are woven the fabric of a community, a society, an economy, a nation. And beyond that, the world itself. But technology isn't the dream. The dream is what you can do with it. Run a small business. Find a job. Educate a child. Pay your bills. Bank. Run a big business. Learn, teach, share, counsel, build. Connect."

"High Roller" #FreshPrinceofLasGidi

A few months ago, I talked about how I was LOVING a mixtape called Fresh Prince of Las Gidi. One of my favorite songs on the tape is High Roller. I am pleased that there is now a video for it. A run of the mill, house party vibe video. I think the artist, TeeZee is adorable. How about that dashiki and afro? I'm all for individuality.

Also, check out DRB Las Gidi's song "Selecta"

Style Crush: Victoria Tornegren

 More of the fabulosity here

What's in a name?

This is Hiwot Adilow performing at Brave New Voices 2012. One day, I went on a Twitter rant (as I often do) about people mispronouncing my name and how often people do not even try, they just jump to give me some nonsense nickname. A friend then sent me this link and it struck a chord with me. One of the things I am so proud of and love in my culture is how names are important and they mean something, they tell a story about the time, place, circumstance or family in which a child is born. It used to be that you could not just name a child any random thing, naming was an important ritual but now people are so enamored with English and yeah.....that's another story. Anyway, I do love some spoken word. I hope you enjoy it :)

I’m tired of people asking me to smooth my name out for them

they want me to bury it in the English so they can understand.

I will not accommodate the word for mouth

I will not break my name so your lazy English can sleep its tongue on top.

fix your lips around it.

no, you can’t give me a stupid nickname to replace this gift of five letters.

try to pronounce it before you write me off as

lil one

afro

the ethiopian girl

or any other poor excuse of a name you’ve baptized me with in your weakness.

My name is insulted that you won’t speak it.

My name is a jealous god

I kneel my english down everyday and offer my begging and broken Amharic

to be accepted by this lord from my parents’ country

this is my religion

you are tainting it

every time you call me something else you break it and kick it

you think you’re being clever by turning my name into a cackle?

he what? he why? he when how he what who?

he did whaaaat?

My name is not a joke

Miriam Makeba "Mama Africa"

Netflix has some really great documentaries. If you don't have Netflix, I'm sorry, but keep reading. 

Last week, I watched Mama Africa. Finally. I missed it when it was part of the New York's African Film Festival, so I was delighted to find it on Netflix. I have been listening to Miriam Makeba since I was a little girl. She is one of the legends, so naturally, my parents played her music all of the time. I have always loved Miriam Makeba, the singer. This documentary gave me so much more insight and amplified her status, in my eyes. 

Miriam Makeba did not just sing about justice and peace. She was wholly about it and she never shied away from speaking up for oppressed people in South Africa and in America and on top of that she married a Black Panther, Stokely Carmichael (or Kwame Ture, if you prefer). Her music was banned, her tours cancelled, she was forced into exile but she continued to dedicate her life to fighting racism and injustice on this earth. 

The documentary is a mix of old footage of Miriam (performances, interviews etc) combined with family and friends speaking about her. After watching this, I realize that she was much much more than a singer. She was an activist until her last days and I can definitely see why they called her "Mama Africa."

Miriam Makeba with then husband, Stokely Carmichael.

The 9th of November will mark five years since she died of a heart attack, in Italy. Lala ngoxolo Mama Africa.

Loving Lupita Nyong'o

Vogue November 2013

Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o is HOT! She is in soon to be released (Oct. 18) movie "12 Years A Slave." This movie is supposed to be really good; lots of buzz and excitement around it. I will be going to see for myself :)

I first came across Lupita when she starred in Shuga (season 1) as Ayira. Shuga is a series set in Nairobi, Kenya about love, relationships, sexual behavior etc. I really enjoyed Shuga, as I enjoy most of these edutainment series. You should watch it! Anyway, back to Lupita, she was cast in 12 Years A Slave just before she graduated from the Yale School of Drama and there's already some Oscar buzz surrounded her. Naturally, she has been on red carpets and doing promo all over the place and she is looking good. Those arms? Wow.

Loving her. Check out this video from Vogue :)

"We Need New Names"

I am slowly making my way through this  list of books I said I wanted to read.

We Need New Names has been the most polarizing one. Lots of mixed, mainly negative, reviews from fellow Zimbabweans, especially. I started reading this book and it has been very emotional. I was not expecting all these feelings to come up but they have. I have found myself overcome with sadness at some points. This book is fiction but only fiction in the sense that what is described did not happen EXACTLY as it does in the book. The events of the story come from a painfully real place.

The writing is fantastic, NoViolet's technical skill is on full display. She takes all these complicated and nuanced facets of a difficult time in our (Zimbabwean) history and presents them through the innocent childlike-perspective of Darling and her friends, in a beautiful way. While some have criticized the book as just "poverty porn," I strongly disagree. It is much more than that.

--Sidebar--
NoViolet Bulawayo (real name Elizabeth Tshele) is nominated for Britian's prestigious literary award, the Man Booker Prize. She is the first black African woman to be nominated for the prize. Also nominated is one of my personal favorites, Jhumpa Lahiri. The winner will be announced tomorrow, October 15. 

Meet Ekari #IDG2013

Since today is the International Day of the Girl Child, I would like to introduce you to a (virtual) girl child named Ekari. Ekari is an 8-year old Malawian girl who travels to all 54 countries in Africa with her mother (a journalist) and teaches readers (7-9 years old) about all of the wonderful things the continent. Each book in the series will be about a different country and Ekari is the main character. Move over, Dora! On October 4, 2013, the first book in the series, "Ekari Leaves Malawi," was launched at the African Leadership Network annual gathering in Mauritius by 19 year old, Priscilla Semphere. 

Priscilla is a graduate of African Leadership Academy. While at ALA, Priscilla and some friends created the Ekari book series under "PenAfrica." According to the Ekari fundraising page, PenAfrica is "a pan-African organization promoting African literature and literacy. The organization aims to promote African literature, increase its readership, and ensure that young Africans with a passion for writing do just that." Pretty cool, right? I love it.

Jukebox: Yeezy

For the past week I have listened to nothing but old Kanye West and I was reminded why I loved him so. It all took me back to different and times places in my life. I was a sophomore in high school when College Dropout first came out, we would be in drama rehearsal playing it over and over, rapping every single word. We all fell in love with Kanye spell at the same time.  So many hits!! I know it is selfish but I miss the old Kanye, I wish he hadn't "grown" and changed. I honestly can't even decide which is my favorite but it is between College Dropout and Graduation. 

Naomi Campbell x Harper's Bazaar Espana

Please note these are cropped to emphasis how much she giving face.  They do not call her a SUPERmodel for nothing. I mean, wow. 

From Harper's Bazaar Espana October 2013. 

Forbes Magazine x Africa

Forbes Africa celebrated its 2 year anniversary by launching TWO new titles. Forbes Woman Africa and Forbes Life Africa. The inimitable Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe and Alek Wek made history as the first to grace the covers of the magazines. -- sidebar: Dr. Moloi-Motsepe is so naturally gorgeous, I wish that they would have calmed down with the photoshop--

Anyway, naturally, I subscribed as soon as the announcement was made. So far, so good. I'm looking forward to seeing and reading more. I am all for expanding the range of opinion so the more quality publications, the better.

Enjoy this behind the scenes video from Alek Wek's cover shoot. Shoutout to Rosemary Kokuhilwa (the stylist) also featured in the video. I met her at the FACE Africa Gala earlier this year. Check out her blog www.fashionjunkii.com

Street Etiquette x Nordstrom et al.

Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs are two of the best dressed men I have ever come across. As much as I appreciated their style and work, I did not pay that much attention to it because I do not really follow the mens fashion/fashion blogging world, closely. Recently, two things made me start paying more attention to them.

1. Seeing them in person as we walked from Afropunk Fest to the subway.

2. Their recent trip to Johannesburg, South Africa activated my stan mode. I have been checking their blog daily because I was loving the pictures they were taking. 

I came across some cool videos and interviews that they have done and they have some great insights on creativity, fashion, travel and style.  Here are a few links for you to enjoy. 

Nordstrom Men's Shop Interview

VSCO Cam Feature

Urban Outfitters Feature

Details Feature

www.streetetiquette.com

Instagram: @streetetiquette

www.streetetiquette.tumblr.com

Happy Friday!

One of my favorite songs at the moment. Royals by Lorde. 

Lovers In The Parking Lot

Solange epitomises the whole "be yourself" concept, IMO. I remember a point where her team (or whoever) was trying to make her a mini beyonce but now here she is being her own glorious self and we all love her so much more.