Post Turkey Day...gobble gobble :-)

Greetings Dashing Divas, Fabulous Fashionistas & Stunning Styleistas! How was your Turkey Day? Mine was pretty damn good, I have not one complaint :-)


Well, the weather sucked, but hey, that's to be expected in Chicago around this time of the year. Speaking of which...Autumn is awesome! Despite the ever darkening Chicago skies, intermittent rain and dropping temps, I love Autumn. The trees are blazingly beautiful, fall fashion is in high gear and everyone and their momma is having a sale. A nice bonus is that this second to last quarter of the year is filled with good eating :-)

Since I haven't posted anything since last Tuesday, I'm going to catch you up on my Turkey Day haps.

On Wednesday, 11-24-10, my Sun, daughter and I took the train out to my grandparent's place in the far south suburbs. I decided to go out there early because I knew this Turkey Day was going to be especially difficult on her. With the passing of my mother and brother, my ill grandfather, and my younger sister declaring war on the family, I knew my grandmother's stress levels would be high and that she'd need the extra help. I'm glad my seeds and I could lend her a helping hand. I wasn't very glad to be on the train though...but you can't tell...

The children were tired, cold, bored and cranky. I was good though. Music will do that to you :-)

When we got to the house, we rested for a few and played with the demon dog... 

After catching our breath we worked until we were ready to pass out. I pretty much did. Thank my daughter for the picture, lol...

The next day, we got up and did more housework and food prep. By 2PM, family members started arriving and the feast was ready to be had. It was a good day with some good eating...

Fried turkey, cornbread dressing, mac & cheese, greens and mushroom roast beef.

Not shown is the seafood gumbo (I'm allergic), the candy sweets (me no likey), ham (I don't really mess with swine), and the desserts.


I didn't take many pictures because I was too busy feeding my face, lol. Here are a few though...

My baby brother

I used to bottle feed him and change his diapers, lol

My cousin Shara, cousin Malcolm and me

My cousin Kendall and I

My baby brother, Sun and daughter

I almost always wear my Kente print Dashiki on Turkey Day...my way of inserting a bit of culture into an otherwise anti-cultural day. This year our family get together was very subdued. It just wasn't the same with my mother and brother absent. I made sure I placed a plate for them and my egun on my ancestral altar. Well lovelies, that was my Turkey Day...how was yours?

Party for a cause!

J.T. over at Chic Therapy Online recently sent me the press release for Ribbon Rouge #5, a fabulous and fun music, fashion and art exhibition that has been raising money for HIV relief in Africa for the past 5 years. Please check out the deets below and pass the word on. Thanks a bajillion loves!





Ribbon Rouge #5 is a Fashion and Art exhibition with a silent auction which has over the past 5 years raised and donated approximately $10,000 towards HIV relief in Africa.

This year's show will be held on the 11th of December at 20 Grovsenor Street Toronto. Guests will be treated to a tasteful mixer in the company of classy "fashionistas", enjoy free delectable hors d’oeuvres, listen to the soulful renditions of The Jonathan Blaak Jazz Trio, The Recipe (2009 Canadian festival of spoken word champions), and be entertained by dance sensations Sapphire dance productions and African Dance Festival

Our guests will win several gifts (Including a spa package, Dining gift cards, Free purses, discounts off bespoke clothing and discounts off portraits). In addition, guests will have the opportunity to buy fabulous fashions and art, which are awesome Christmas gifts, from our silent auction.

ALL proceeds go to UNAIDS in support of HIV survivors.

Music by DJ. Nijero
Fashion and Art by Arewa

tickets at 6475003163 or www.arewa.ca
$5 students (with valid student I.D), $10 general, $15 at the doors

Lights. Camera. Action!


Morenike Olaosebikan
mo@arewa.ca

November 26th, 2009

On this WholeLieDay (also known as thanksgiving, bleh) I spent time with my family eating, talking shit and of course...shooting footage. It was a nice day and I put on 10 pounds.

Divine Speech A.K.A. MDW NTR (Originally posted 4-19-06)

"I can't live simply because I was born, I want to live because I have a dream."

    What is your dream? Are you living or merely surviving? Are you greeting each day with a smile despite the challenges and revelling in the possibilities of triumph? Are you dreading the trials and sulking because your present life doesn't fit your ideal life?  If the latter sounds like you, you need to get your mind right. Going through the fire purifies you, trials and tribulations are springboards that propel you into glorious opportunities for growth. Change your attitude and you can change your life! Always remember that the universe is conspiring with YOUR energy to either bring your dreams to fruition or destroy them. You want change? Speak change into your life! Practice that Divine Speech A.K.A. MDW NTR. Make speaking your dreams into existence an everyday routine like brushing your teeth and washing your face. At night predetermine your tomorrow. Seek alignment with your Ori  (your higher self). You can do this! You don't need help from anyone outside yourself...you can do this on your own. You just have to decide...to do it. Wake up in the morning and say, "Something better than what I possess at this moment in life is now manifesting for my highest good". But don't just speak it...believe it. Know it. Live it. Feel it! Have an image in your head as you speak, feel and know that all of your dreams can and will come true! Mine did and still are. I trust that y'all can and will be happy, prosperous, strong, victorious, surronded by love and walking in light....If I think you can YOU SHOULD KNOW YOU CAN! I love all of y'all! Walk in peace, abundance, light and love. Bless up!

Back from Michigan! (Originally posted 10-10-05)

I had a fantastic time in Michigan boyeeeee!!!! I got to reconnect with some good people, eat some good food, see a beautiful sunset over Lake Michigan, walk with the spirits, rest, relax and release. The house we stayed in was right on the lake and I could hear the waves kissing the shore from my bedroom.  

The neighbors were soooooo friendly, it was all love, it really was. The highlight of the trip though was reconnecting with Hannah and Senam. They have good good girlfriend potential for real. Senam is such a light.    

 I cannot get over how beautiful and wise her spirit is. Because of her I will honor myself more.  Hannah is one of the realest rawest women I have ever met. She takes no shit and she tells the truth straight up no chaser (much like me) and I love her for it. I also forgot how fun Mikey could be (I need to stop calling a 30 year old man Mikey, lol). Mike is one of the coolest muthufuckas I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He treats my anti-social ass better than I deserve.

It was such an honor and pleasure to be in the company of such wonderful people. All of our children were there too (6 in all) and when they weren't bickering they had a great time too.

 We roasted marshmallows over a bonfire (actually it was a fire in the barbecue pit the first night because there was no dry wood for a bonfire on the beach), we barbecued, we frollicked on the beach and collected some beautiful rocks, we played board games, Senam, Hannah and I had a powow on the balcony while watching the waves and sky, we did some stargazing, and just generally had a great time.

Now it was supposed to be couples and kids but Hannah's significant other coulnd't make it and the dude I'm "seriously" dating and brought along damn near ruined the trip for me...damn near, but no cigar. Despite his bullshit, I had a grrrrrrrrrrreat time! Mike says we're gonna do it again come the dead of winter, but this time it will be couples only...no children. I don't know, I might wind up flying solo for that one.

Aside from all that, I took some really beautiful pictures but forgot to pack my notebook (sad face). I can't wait to go back and I will Mos Def stop being so anti-social. Maybe I'll have a get together at my house....a football party or something. Invite the crew over to chill and make merry. We'll see.