Comfort Zones Are For Bitches.

Today I officially start my job as Senior Staff Writer for HELLO! Nigeria Magazine.  


Taking this job required me to make some major changes. I'm working in an office again so I had to say goodbye to working in my pajamas (sad face).

I'm also moving to Lekki from Alagbado. I'm going to live by myself again. I can't just buy a plane ticket to New York on a whim anymore either. I have co-workers again. I'm moving to, arguably, the most exciting area in Africa.

Things have changed. 
I'm petrified. 
I'm excited. I'm worried.

I'm still working on the book project in the midst of all this change. I still have Yoruba lessons and tennis lessons (did I mention that I have somehow morphed into the African version of a WASP?) 


I'm working on resuscitating my social life so there's that. There's also my awesome family to consider as well as downtime for reading and watching my TV shows. And this blog (hahahahaha).


I keep wondering, "can I handle all of this?" 
I am notorious for turning down great opportunities because I'm worried I'll be "overwhelmed". I run in the opposite direction if I even anticipate there will be more stress than I can handle.



You know what? Fuck it. Maybe I need more stress in my life. Stress-free living is for retirees and stoners.

Men & Fashion: A Few Tips From a Woman

Hello readers! I had the pleasure of meeting Maurice Ajanaku of Ajanaku.com during Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2012. Ajanaku.com is an awesome lifestyle site that will appeal to anyone with an interest in art, fashion, gourmet food and the other pretty things in life.

I wrote a post for the site a few months back and I want to share it.

If you're a guy: I'm here to help you not look like a douche.

If you;re a girl: I'm here to help you help your guy not look like a douche.

Check out the cheeky post here.


Did I miss any essential points?

Interviews are Fun; Joy Adaeze.

Yo homies, I had the opportunity to interview my fab friend (who's also a kick-ass stylist) Joy for Style House Files recently. Click here to check it out.

I love interviews so much! It's a huge part of why I became a writer;  I'm a nosy bitch who wants to know everything about everyone.

Anyway, I had a blast interviewing Joy because she's a pretty fearless chick. And she's also a sweetheart.

Here's the interview below:

She mixes prints like nobody’s business, has a great collection of sunnies, is frequently featured on street style blogs and has been covered by New York Times, Italian Vogue and ESSENCE magazine. Did I mention that she gets to dress people for a living?

I’m talking about stylist/image consultant Joy Adaeze! The fab Nigerian-American is living and breathing fashion; styling shoots for publications like Fashizblack, ESSENCE and Blu as well as writing for ESSENCE, Huffington Post-Black Voices and Heritage 1960.com and she documents it all on her website joylovesfashion.

We’re huge fans and thrilled the fashionista took time out of her busy schedule to talk to SHF about making her passion a career, her favorite job so far and her ridiculous manis and pedis.


SHF: Soooooo, how did you get your start as a stylist?

JA: I got my start as a stylist by interning at Womens Wear Daily. It was amazing assisting the editors there. A fabulous learning experience. After that, I assisted fashion expert Constance White on NBC fashion segments. This was a dream come true for me, as I had admired Constance for a long time!  My goal in the near future is to do fashion commentary on tv- stay tuned for that!

SHF: To date what/who has been your favorite styling job?

JA: My contemporary African themed shoot that I did for Parisian magazine- Fashizblack. Being Nigerian, working with gorgeous African prints is always a thrill. We used designers like Jewel by Lisa, L.A.M.B. and Tory Burch. The photos came out beautifully and the magazine loved it too!

SHF: You could teach a class on accessorizing. Name one item you absolutely cannot leave the house without?

JA: A statement necklace!

SHF: You wear the coolest sunglasses. How many do you own and which ones are your favorites?

JA: I love shades!!! I have over 30 pairs : ) My fav are by Mercura, Urban Outfitters & Vintage brands

SHF: Anyone who reads your blogs knows you're a fearless dresser. Do you plan what you're going to wear way in advance or are you looking in the closet right before you leave your apartment?

JA: I usually am a "grab n' go" dresser! I never plan ahead, unless it's for a big event. I actually love the excitement of getting ready in a rush. It brings a fun unexpected feel to your outfit. All of my New York Fashion Week looks were chosen in under 10 mins as I scrambled around my bedroom, pressed for time! They were also my most fun outfits and I had the great pleasure of being featured in New York Times, Italian Vogue, Daily Candy and a bunch of other great sites. Fabulous : )

SHF: What does your "kicking it at home on a Saturday" uniform consist of?

JA: I like fun prints, vibrant colors and unexpected pieces. You'll find me in a turban and a cute sundress with sandals and loads of accessories!

SHF: You're at the airport waiting for a flight; do you go for comfy clothes or for Posh-worthy attire?

JA: I like to mix the two for what I call "casual fab". This can be a great pair of jeans, a silk top and sleek leather flats. Add a fabulous bag and you're good to go!

SHF: Now that the weather is warming up in New York, which trend will you be rocking this spring?

JA: Crop Tops!!!!!!

 SHF: As a successful stylist, what advice would you give those who want to follow suit?

JA: Find an internship working for a stylist or a magazine that you admire. Learn as much as you can and never be afraid to ask questions or for advice. People want to help but they have to know that you need it. Be sure to keep in touch with everyone. In this industry, connections are essential!

SHF: Can we switch gears for a second and talk beauty? Because your nails are works of art and we're kind of obsessed. Do you let your manicurist (celebrity nail artist Naomi Yasuda) know what you want, let her do her thing or is it more of a collaborative effort?

JA: It's a collabo! I give her an overall idea and we'll give ideas back and forth as we go along! She is truly the best! I love her!

SHF: Last but not least, what's in your makeup bag right now?

JA: I am and always will be a lipstick addict! My favs in my bag right now are Makeup Forever #36 (my trademark magenta color), MAC's Russian Red (gorgeous matte red!) and Estee Lauder's Cherry Kiss (an amazing pinky-red in a fabulous gold case!) I looove vibrant lipstick!!

Feel free to style-stalk Joy as much as we do on her site, JoyLovesFashion.com and you can follow her on Twitter too  @joyadaeze.

You're welcome.

Every Day I'm Hustlin'

Good morning fellow hustlas.

So in-between hospital stays, I've actually managed to get some writing done (pats self on back).

I'm blogging about all things beauty for Style House Files, an awesome fashion website and I have some other stuff in the works that I'll happily share with you when it's official.

In the mean time, check out some of the posts I've written for SHF here.

The Recession, Changing Plans and Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist

I come from a family of big dreamers and over-achievers. My father worked for years on Happy Land, Happy World, a Nigerian theme park that was supposed to be like The African Disney World. My mom left behind the stability of a really great job and moved to a third-world country to create a life for herself. I have one sister who’s in medical school and another one who’s a filmmaker. Reaching for the stars is in my blood people. So it’s no real surprise that the career path I chose to follow is a difficult one. We Ajayis don’t know how to do things the easy way.


When I first decided it was time to go back to Nigeria for a while, I was devastated. I love Nigeria and I can’t wait to spend time with my family and friends there but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like a failure having to move home at the age of 25, a college graduate who just couldn’t find a job. It’s a hard pill to swallow and incredibly difficult not to feel like I failed to measure up. We all have plans for our lives; how does one come to terms with the fact that things aren’t going to unravel as planned?


Then I remember Santiago. In this dream-crushing recession, Santiago is like a beacon of light, a familiar friend constantly reminding me that a detour and the end of the road are two different things. I remember that he had a goal too and he left everything he knew behind in pursuit of that goal. He trusted God (fate/whatever), gave up his possessions and… was robbed for his trouble. It took a year before things picked up for him again.


So yeah, I thought I’d be a kick-ass editor by now (on my way to being a respected and successful writer) and my pride is bruised because instead, I’m unemployed and moving back in with my parents. But I have faith in God and the talent he gave me and I believe that this is just a detour.


Thanks Paulo Coelho : )

Fashion Isn't Colorblind.

Hi guys!

Check out the article I wrote for Coco & Creme. I'm trying to freelance more so I'm really excited that my piece on the underwhelming presence of black celebrities on fashion websites was posted!

Here's the link: Who What Where?: Black Celebrities Fashion Status Online.

Don't be afraid to add your two cents and let me know what you think.

XOXO

AOL Axes Freelancers: Including Me.

So after six months, AOL has decided they no longer require my services. I could be wrong (or just comforting myself) but I think it has more to do with the AOL/Huffington Post merger than my abilities as a writer.

Either way, I’m out of a gig.

Let me tell you what I’d like to do: There’s a box of Oreos in my kitchen with my name all over it and I could really go for some Mocha Almond Fudge soy cream. I also wouldn’t mind spending the next few days watching reality television and not showering. And eating some chips and guacamole would be great too (just to break up the monotony of eating cookies and soy cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner).

But I’m not going to do that. While I’d love to bury the overwhelming feeling of rejection and failure in some junk food – and some wine – I refuse to gain weight before my trip to LOS ANGELES!

That’s right; I’m going to L.A.! I’m going to L.A.! I’m going to L.A.!

Humor me, I’ve never been before and I’m excited.

One of my very good friends has lived there for years now and the trip is long overdue. Sure, it sucks because I bought my ticket when I thought I still had a job but what are ya gonna do? It’s non-refundable.

*kanye shrug*

Anyway, in honor of my trip to the West Coast and since it's not like I have articles to write, I’m jamming to Tupac!

Anything I absolutely have to do while I'm in L.A.?

Harper's Bazaar You Say?

With the insanity of the last two weeks, I forgot to share my wonderful news: I am interning at Harper's Bazaar magazine this spring. I am incredibly happy about this.

Many of you know how worried I was about finding a job once I moved to New York.

While this isn't a job, this internship will make finding a job that much easier.

And it's an opportunity I would have shaved my head for.

So thanks to everyone who told me I'd find something.

Thanks to everyone who told me I wasn't cut out for:

New York

Fashion

Writing

(because I am the kind of girl who'll say "I told you so").

and thank you God because I know who answers my prayers.

I'm going to watch the Grammy Awards now.

R.I.P J.D. Salinger

Here's a terrific article written by the New York Times about the The Catcher in the Rye author.

Everyday I'm Hustlin'

Have you guys seen this? Hilarious!



Lol,I crack up like an idiot every time I watch that clip!

Anywho, in case anyone is questioning my hustle, here's a bit of what I've been up to for Lovelyish.com.