Notre Anniversaire...

Hello Me Darlings!


Happy Valentine's Day you, you and you! Just wanted to say quick thank you for stopping by, reading my posts, commenting, reaching out and thank you for the friendships that have grown from this blog. I appreciate you! *hugs*


Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day, whether indifferent about the day or not, everyone deserves to have love in their lives...in whichever form. Friendships, Family, Loved ones etc. And we should all remember to not take these loves for granted; we are reminded of this everyday when lives are cut short, good loves are lost and opportunities don't come twice, so cherish each moment.


So yeah, like my title says, it's our anniversary...and before you get all giddy, no this anniversary has nothing to do with a man :). It's my Mom and I's anniversary. Today makes it six years since we moved here to the US. We landed @ JFK on Valentine's day. Times indeed does fly. Back then, six years seemed like an eternity away, and there were times when time did go by slowly, but for the most part it seems like 2-3yrs ago. Soooo much has happened between then and now, ups and downs, but in all, I believe its all part of God's perfect plan.


Looking forward to more of what He has planned for me and my family. His mercies have been over-flowing this year already. I'm grateful and humbled.


I went to see SafeHouse with Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds on Sunday, and I loved it! I'm a Denzel fan all day, everyday. Good movie y'all, go see it. 


PS: Thank you E.

Have a wonderful day everyone. And reach out to a friend, family member or loved one today...make 'em smile, you'll smile too!




Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!

Closet View: Denim & Brown

Happy Hump Day!


It's Wednesday (well in about 30mins, it's currently 11.35pm) and soon the weekend will be here! It's funny how I look forward to the weekend, like I actually have major plans; I wish. Thing is, when the weekend comes by, I become slightly depressed because I currently don't have any projects to occupy me or get me out of the house, I begin to fall into my depressed mood of "I wish I had my own place, and I wish I lived closer to the city, then I could do all the fun stuff young people do in NYC, and blah, blah, blah" you get the story. Anyways, I currently have put my plans of moving out on hold till maybe mid-year, if all things go well I should have my place, and a room-mate ;). Till then, when that bluesy feeling rears its head, I'll remind myself of the fact that I am currently saving about $1,200 every month that I continue to live with my Mom and pretty much do not pay any bills except the cellphone bill.


So like everybody else, I follow a bunch of Fashion bloggers, and just recently discovered a bunch of new fashion bloggers that I like. Let me just say I am not in the know when it comes to fashion details, like designers, their collections, history/background etc...what I enjoy about fashion blogs, is just seeing the day to day outfits that people put together. Fashion to me is all about personal style, and knowing what works for your body and personality. It should enhance, and generally make you feel good about yourself. Another thing I like about fashion blogs, is that it allows me live vicariously through these bloggers. There are certain pieces that I know (or think) would not look good on me even though I like them, and to get to see other people pull it off nicely, just makes me happy. Last but not least, fashion blogs allow me to blog shop (kinda like window shopping, lol), and sometimes actually shop and find deals.


This brings me to the main purpose of this post. Please be warned that I am NOT a fashion blogger, neither am I a photographer like my dear Lohita. That being said, I like to look good like every normal female out there :) and so I love to shop, and the other day, I bought a few things that I was soooo excited to find, and thought to share with you all. 

 

I've been wanting a messenger type bag for a while now...and this one's just perfect. Fits my everyday bag essentials (tablet, notepad, phone charger, lipgloss etc) and I like how I can hook my work ID right on the side. There's something about sky blue denim shirt, it's very versatile...you can dress it up tucked into a skirt or dress down and wear it over skinny jeans, tuck it into wide leg jeans or over a pair of tights. I walk up and down a hill to catch the bus to work and on my way back, and I'm usually running after the bus in the mornings so I prefer to wear flats in order to prevent me from falling and maybe twisting my ankle...but these boots aren't so bad at all. Wore them to work the other day and my feet weren't in pain at all. I love my new finds.

Have a fabulous day everyone! And incase you haven't already, check out this video .

PS: I'm sure you can tell by now that brown is one of my fav colors :) 

Hugs & Kisses,

Miss Enigma!

Video Virgin

Hello Ladies (and Gents),

How's everyone's weekend been so far? Hope great! It's finally snowing in New York...Amen!

I've been doing good. Can't complain. I am alive, healthy and not lacking. Just grateful! 

So there's this post on Bella Naija about whether your man is a 'Boo' or a 'Bobo'. If you haven't read it already, you can catch up here . I made this video on Thursday, thinking making a video would so much easier than having to type a post on this topic but alas, it has taken me 2days to reconfigure the video and upload it! *sigh* there has to be an easier way for such things biko.


Anyway, this is my first video post, and for the first time you guys get to see my face. If you recognize me, issorai...just don't shout my name. If you don't :) oh well. Have a great weekend everyone...and stay warm! :* 

Hugs & Kisses,

Miss Enigma!

Do Better. Be Better.

Happy Hump Day!


It's Wednesday and for some reason I keep thinking it's a Thursday. I guess I'm just ready for the weekend huh? Who isn't. I'm finally all jet-lagged out and back to normal routine...halleluyah. So last week, I did a review post on 2011, and my experiences, and I have to say again, that 2011 was good to me. God was, has been, and is still good to me!


Today, I'm going to just quickly blog about things I hope to work on and do better at this year. I guess you can call them resolutions if you like, but oh well, here it goes.


- Walk With God: Like I mentioned in my last post, this relationship needs to be mended...and much stronger than it currently is. One day at a time. Again, still taking recommendations for daily devotionals please :( y'all dnt wanna share? 


- Keeping in Touch: For someone who has a degree in Communications lol I suck at keeping in touch with people (except when it comes to business/work related networking) and just calling to say hi and all of that stuff. Old friends from school too. I just wonder like what would I say to them, after the usual hi, hello and pleasantries...I don't feel comfortable sharing personal stuff just like that. So hopefully, I can work on this and try and reconnect/check up on one person every week. Also, with regards to immediate family, I need to call them more regularly. Jst called my Dad now...baby steps.  


- Procrastinating: Hmmm...not gonna say I'm the Queen of procrastination, but! I have high level ranking in the world of procrastination, and that has to stop. :( I thrive on the adrenaline rush of close to last minute, and being just in time as opposed to early. I need to fix this! How do people fix this? I guess simply by "just doing it!", instead of saying "later." I'll keep y'all posted.


- Attitude of Patience & Positivity: Personality wise, these are the two major things I hope on improving on this year. Sometimes I lose my patience when I feel people are not moving at my pace, not maximizing their potential and then whining about their situation, and also, I want to try to be more positive than I already am. Sometimes, in trying to analyze situations realistically, I let the negative weigh me down. This year, I want to speak more positively...and profess positive and good things with my words and trust God enough to come through. U get me? 


So yeah, that's pretty much it. Not much huh? But it ain't easy trust me. Lord grant me the strength, grace and determination to achieve all of this. Amen! I know we are only 11 days into the year already, but have you made progress on the changes you planned to make this year? They don't have to be resolutions...but 11 days in how would you say you've done so far? Drop me a comment :) and share a thing or two.


PS: I tweaked my layout a likkle bit. You like? I like! I like! 


Have a great day, and hang in there Friday is around the corner!


Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma! :*


  

2011 in Review...

Heyy there guys!!!


Happy New Year to each and everyone of you! So I've been itching to blog since I got back from Naij on the 2nd, but I haven't been able to decide what exactly to blog about. #FirstWorldProblems :). I'm torn between Taking Stock of 2011 or Naija Trip. Oh well, seeing as I can't share pictures of my Naija trip for anonymity sake so I guess I should just go ahead and do the former. So here we go:


Walk With God: This started off really good at the beginning of the year, but by mid year *sigh* things just derailed. The frustrating part of this was that I knew things weren't on track, I wanted to fix it and reconnect but something just wasn't clicking for me. Even when I prayed (the few times I did) I felt like there was a wall...and I couldn't get through to Him; and not feeling worthy of His attention didn't help either. But the humbling thing was I could see His presence in my life. This year, I really want to build a better relationship; so help me God. I'm currently looking for a good daily devotional with an downloadable android app, so I can read it on the go...please share if you have one. Thanks in advance.


Family: "I'm not lucky, I'm blessed!" That explains how I feel about my family. Thank God for surrounding me with so much love, support and laughter. And the smiles on everyone's face both young and old when I go home is just so heart-warming and overwhelming that I truly feel special and loved. Grateful for my Momma :) (even though I can't wait to move out, so that we can miss each other a little bit) and continue to pray that I can be half the woman she is, and make her proud.


JOB: After returning from a 5week vacation in Jan '11, Baba God gave me a job in March. And I couldn't be happier for the opportunity, the great team of people whom I work with, an amazing and accommodating manager and really reasonable pay. Just enough to take care of me and my needs right now. I look forward to career growth within the team and company, and so with each day I try to learn and soak up what I can so that I can make that advancement hopefully this year. 


SIDE GIG: My PR side gig kind of sorta became official, and I am grateful for all the opportunities that came my way. But I'm such a second guesser and my own worst critic that I'm having cold feet with moving forward. I feel like in the Nigerian market people don't really understand what PR is. The other day an upcoming artiste approaches me and says "I hear you're really good, and you will help me take my career to the next level and make me big..." Hian! That's just unrealistic expectations to me, and I can't sign myself up for that. I can't force people to like you, or your music. What I do is simply help you work on your packaging - website, social media monitoring, press releases/ kits, photo-shoots, event appearances etc. But saying I should make you big, odikwa too much. Then there are people who love to consult with me to get my take on things, to help them put together concepts, and all of that but then don't give pay for these consultation services or even give credit for it. So these are the things that frustrate me and kind of make pull back on giving it my all. Aside from that I really love what I do, and would want to have something of my own and watch it grow.


I also got the opportunity to host a radio show :)! It's been a really great experience, and I've met lots of cool people through it. Might continue with it this year, time will tell.


FINANCES: Thank God for a steady pay-check o! I don't have the credit collectors calling my phone or trying to repo anything from me. But I wish I had saved up more...I'm not paying rent or any major bills cos I still live at home, so I should have set aside a lot more but I didn't. Where it all went sha me I don't really know. I shop but I'm that chic that looks for deals and sales @ F21, H&M and co. Major items I splurged on last year - a Macbook, Party bus for my birthday, two leather bags (D&B and DKNY), Tablet and the main money consumer went to dental expenses! I had an accident during my b'day weekend and fixing it cost me about two grand. And then my naija trip...ticket, shopping and pocket money *sigh* so I guess that's where it all went :) Looking forward to saving more this year :) Amen!


FRIENDSHIPS: I made a lot of new friends in 2011!!! :) People who I genuinely enjoy being around! No fakeness, no front, none of alla that! My core group of close friends still remain though...friends who without seeing my face can almost predict my every move, and just make me laugh so hard. Had a sleepover with my friend in Naija and it was just us but we spent the whole day at home just cracking each other up! Lawd have mercy...those moments are just priceless to me. I wish I had my own place so I can have people over...game nights, movie nights etc :( I'm tired of always being the one going over. I love to host people and make sure they have a good time! All in all, I am THANKFUL for the people I call friends, they are my second family!


SOCIAL LIFE: Well as you can tell from above, thanks to making new friends my social life last year wasn't a drought. Had a group vacation to the Hamptons, lots of partying, birthday outings, had a party for my b'day for the first time in years, karaoke nights, pole dancing classes, Rockette show with my Mom, getting drunk with my co-workers and my manager lol good times!!! Looking forward to doing more fun activities, going on a real vacation to a warm/beach place and just living :)
   
RELATIONSHIP: Hmmm...2011 was a roller-coaster year. From really good to a head-on crash. And then what I thought/hoped would blossom into something really good turned out to just be uncertain...and this really sucked cos I kinda really liked the dude, but being uncertain with where you stand with someone isn't my thing so I had to let go. But we're friends and there's no hard feelings at all. Where am I right now? Ask me this in a few months. Just one day at a time for now, no rush.


Ok me darlings, I guess that covers everything right? I am really grateful for 2011. Also forgot to mention that my Mom and I became citizens too :) Baba God was too much in 2011 abeg! And it can only get bigger and better in 2012 in Jesus name! There are a few things that I am seriously praying for this year, and trusting Him to please do for me. I'm going to speak positively about those things everyday until they happen. Hope everyone has had a great start to the year so far.


Have a blessed Sunday!


Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma! :*

Morning Ramblings

Hi Guys,


Happy New Week to everyone! It's 1am and I'm still up doing what, I don't know.
I have so much to do/ get done before I leave for Naija in a few days. I feel a lil' bit overwhelmed...and I hope at the end of the day I enjoy this trip. Honestly, not sure what to expect. In a way I feel like something's missing...because normally there would be the excitement of going home to a special someone. But I'll make it work somehow...I have a way of making things work at the end of the day.


Every year, I tell myself I won't by things for people back home. Just one or two things for one or two people...and every year that plan never happens. *sigh* Dreading having to sign in and check my account right now...but its hard to go home and look at my younger nephews, cousins, grandma, aunties etc and say "Hi, I came home empty handed!" Guilt will gnaw at my insides. Plus, I know if the reverse were the case, I would like to receive to a thing or two from a family member who came from Yankee on hols. The smiles on their faces, the hugs from the little ones...and the prayers of the adults make it all worth it at the end of the day.


Speaking of prayers, I normally say the prayers of a Mother are powerful...and they are so irresistible to God. I thank God for my Mother's prayers, cos heaven knows if I had to depend on mine alone...e for hard. I started praying again lately (again, because I had been finding it difficult to do for a while) and I'm asking for wisdom and guidance from above. I need these two things to help me make the right decisions in my life. People find it funny when I say this, but I always add too that God should please smack me upside my head with what to do...because if He gives me signs or 'speaks' to me I might not see it or hear it, and I might just miss it. But yeah when you say your prayers, please take 10secs to plug me in too...:) Thanks.


*sigh* I love LOVE. I'm watching Grey's Anatomy re-runs, and this episode is when Meredith and Derek signed their marriage post it and Issey and O'Malley die. And basically the question for this episode is did you tell the people/person you love that you love them when you had the chance to, because it might all be gone tomorrow. *sigh* It's hard to do sometimes when the person you love doesn't love you back tho...but regardless we should say it and show it while we still can...tomorrow, the next minute is never guaranteed. I break down it tears when I hear stories of ppl who wake up, go out and for some stupid reason like a drunk driver, store robbery, stray bullet etc end up dead and never make it back home :( Lord protect us all!


2012 is around the corner and well...honestly, I'm not sure what to expect or plan for yet. 2011 went by so fast...I remember Jan 2011 like it was 3months ago.


Anyways, it's 1.40am and I should be in zzzz land. If anyone is going to be in Naija and wants to hang out or meet up, drop a message! It'll be nice to meet fellow bloggers. :)


Have an awesome kick-ass week everyone! 




Hugs & Kisses,
Miss Enigma!

My 1st...Black Friday

Hello there me Darlings,


Hope everyone is enjoying the Thanksgiving break, and taking sometime to be thankful, get some rest and be with family and loved ones. My extended family here in the Amerix is all over the country so ermm there won't be any big thanksgiving family gathering. My Mom will be working, so I'll be home by meself. Not complaining, I'm used to it. 


Since my Mom's working on Thursday, decided to take her to go see the Radio City Music Hall show on Friday when she's off. I've never really done Christmas-y things in NY, and I think NY is one of the best cities during Christmas 'cos the lights, themed store windows, and just the holiday spirit in general. Looking forward to the show. If you're in the area, I think it's something you should check-out. Link here >>> http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/newyork/index.html

I've never woken up to shop on black Friday. The only time I've been up for black Friday was when I used to work in retail, and even then I worked in the cash-office and not on the sales floor so I never really experienced the madness. Well this year, I'll be shopping or at least trying to *sigh*. I'm not going to camp out and join the stampede, but I'll be out early and hopefully I get what I'm looking for. What you ask? Two main things: A tablet and a camera. My camera got missing during my b'day celebration in July and I had my graduation pics on it that I hadn't uploaded :'( (priceless memories). And yeah, I want a tablet. I don't necessarily need one. I think. Trying to decide between the Blackberry Playbook, iPad, and Amazon Kindle Fire. I honestly don't like the size of the iPad...too big for me...if it was the size of the others I'd willingly splurge on it, but that size is not attractive to me at all :(

I wish I had my own place, this would be the best time to shop for things at great prices! TVs for as low as $500, sofas for $299, etc anyways till then.

I love having people around. I love having people I care about around me. Growing up I never really had lots of people my age around except @ school...so whenever I'm around good friends, I'm happy. And I had a happy moment this weekend @ a close friends house, a bunch of us were huddled on the bed, watching the not so great AMAs and laughing and talking, and in that very moment, I was happy. I wish I had more of those happy moments.

Cramps! Cramps! Cramps! *sigh* I honestly don't know if my mood is ever affected by the time of the month *shrug* I've never really monitored it to see if I have extra mood swings or all that PMSing behavior. On a normal day, my mood can be as unsteady as a yo-yo, and I can cry for a whole village. The other day I was watching Private Practice, and it was the episode where the doctors were carrying out an intervention for their drug addict co-worker/friend...let's just say I cried on behalf of all the characters. 

Lol the other day I found out my cousin whom I remember carrying as baby, just got admission into Uni to study Mech Engineering and I burst into tears! I mean they were tears of joy, and gratitude to God for his achievements, but still if you saw me and didn't know why, you would think something went wrong lol I'm such a softie @ heart sha.

Speaking of the heart, why are matters of the heart so complicated? Why can't they just be 1+1 = 2? Why do feelings and emotions have to be so complicated? Regardless of how little they might be they are so powerful. Why is it that after you end a relationship the feelings and emotions don't come to an end? Why is it that when you like someone, these same feelings and emotions go up and down like a yo-yo? U tell yourself you won't/you shouldn't like this person, but then find yourself doing the opposite? Why is the dating process so complicated or is it just me? Should I be liking this person? Do I really like this person? Or am I just trying to fill a void? Is it too early to like a person...and all the many other complicated questions that exist. Ugh! abeg I'm tired of this roller coaster.

Few more weeks till I head home to Naij for the hols...lots of events and people to see and chill with in Lagos, but my family is Benin and Lord knows that city is dead. I wonder how my fam would feel if I spent Christmas in Lagos instead and then the other part of my time with them in Benin. I love my family, but to spend all that ticket money to just sit at home watching tv isn't what I had in mind. 

Anyways, have a happy and thankful thanksgiving...take time to appreciate the people in your life. 

Hugs and Kisses,

Miss Enigma!