Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Vibrant Citrus and Bold Yellows, Fall and winter fashion weeks, Accra is becoming expensive, A stroke at 25 years old? La Foundation for the Arts, and Gold Coast Restaurant & Lounge

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Vibrant Citrus and Bold Yellows. Nothing says “I’m here to take over” like a splash of citrus. Bright oranges, tangerine, and bold yellows have infiltrated the corporate scene, transforming the typical “business casual” into something far more lively and energizing. These colours represent creativity, optimism, and confidence — everything you need to get through a busy day at the office. Why it works: These colours stand out in the best way possible, bringing life and light to your wardrobe. Perfect for those moments when you want to shine in meetings or make a lasting impression. Style tip: Opt for a tailored yellow dress with a neutral blazer for balance, or throw on a fun orange silk scarf with a white blouse for a little extra pop. If you’re feeling daring, try a full citrus-coloured power suit! Bold Blues with African Influence: Blue has always been a corporate staple, but in 2026, the rich, regal blues of African culture are making a big splash. Think deep indigo, electric blue, and cobalt. These hues carry a sense of power, trust, and professionalism. They also pair perfectly with traditional African prints and fabrics, like Kente or Ankara, to create a sleek, modern twist on heritage. Why it works: Blue is a classic colour that’s synonymous with professionalism, but when done in shades inspired by African textiles, it brings that heritage connection to the forefront. Style tip: Pair a cobalt blue blazer with a pencil skirt or sleek trousers. Or, opt for a patterned Kente blouse with a crisp blue tailored jacket. It's all about balancing boldness with sophistication! Fall and winter fashion weeks. The season is here again, with New York, London, Milan and Paris leading the pack. Yes, in February we show what is to be worn next autumn/winter, and in September we show what to wear next summer. New York is more direction pop culture and streetwear, London is the most creative, Milan is about luxury and Paris does the haute couture. Of course there is much more to it, but this is what is in a nut shell. And then there is Tokyo, Avant Garde, Copenhagen for sustainability and minimalism, Berlin for thoroughness and Sao Paulo for South America. And for pure men's fashion we go back to Italy, to Pitti Uomo in Florence, for high-end tailoring, craftsmanship, and emerging trends in menswear. You can check on Youtube and see most of the defilés. Unusual this year was King Charles attending and opening the London Fashion week, with the statement that sustainability, craft skills, and young designers should get more attention, and maybe we should ask the Asantehene to be present at the next Accra Fashion Week. London also introduced fashion for the Ramadan break. Also news is Mark Zuckerberg (owner of Facebook) and his wife visiting the Prada show in Milan, he can afford anything for a dress and she could become a trendsetter.

Accra is becoming expensive. Why? The dollar is down, or the cedi is up, so things should cost less? A beef burger for 140 GHC is USD 11.65, for that money you can buy several burgers in the USA. Analysts talk of a dollar economy, too many expats, increasing population, shortage of housing, food shortages, fuel prices, electricity prices. Quite possible, but let's not forget all the illegal money floating around, from drugs, from scams, money stolen by politicians, and from countries like Nigeria. All nice and well, but the common and honest women suffer.

A stroke at 25 years old? Yes, it can happen. When blood flow to (part of) the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts it is called “stroke” and it causes rapid brain cell death resulting in sudden numbness/weakness, confusion, trouble speaking, vision issues, dizziness, balance issues, facial drooping, and arm weakness. Immediate treatment is critical. Risk factors are high blood pressure (the leading cause), smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and unhealthy diet/lifestyle. Rapid CT or MRI scans, angiograms, and echocardiograms are used to determine the type and location of the stroke. “Clot-busting” drugs (tPA) or mechanical thrombectomy are used to remove the blockage, or controlling bleeding and reducing brain pressure. Recovery: Rehabilitation involves physical, occupational, and speech therapy to regain lost functions and rewire brain connections. Do you know your average blood pressure? Your cholesterol level? Your diabetes status? For between 100 and 150 GHC you can do a yearly lab test and know your status. Early warning allows for change of lifestyle or treatment, no warning and “boom” is mostly far more expensive.

La Foundation for the Arts. 144 La Road, Sun City Apartments, Accra. La Foundation for the Arts is running a show till 3rd April titled “the language and image of us”. 13 Artistes show some of their works in various media. It's all around children, though sometimes it is difficult to discern what the link is. But Unesco sponsored, so maybe they better understood than I did. Interesting to spend a few minutes there anyway. And a bit further down the road is the Artiste Alliance (Omanya House, La Road, Accra), founded by very successful Ghanaian painter Professor Glover (his paintings go for 25000 USD and above) who created space for many Ghanaian artistes rather than keeping it all to himself. Ayeeko to both galleries. Artiste Alliance Gallery is definitely worth visiting, entrance is free.

Gold Coast Restaurant & Lounge. 32 Fifth Ave Ext, Cantonments, Accra, recently renovated and the place looks a bit chic. We went in the evening during the week and it was quiet. These days they have live bands on Fridays and Saturdays (sometimes with an entrance fee). A Guinness goes for 40 GHC, a Smirnoff Vodka for 35. And we had a chicken salad at GHC 120 and chicken chef's special at 160. Nothing special about the food, really, not bad either. Service is good.

Lydia...

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Kama 12:46 am, Sabado

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i'm humble enough to know that i maybe not everyone's first choice, but i'm confident enough to know that i'm not someone you find twice.

true

“You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.”

— Davy Crockett

A blessed 190th Alamo Day to y'all.

#history #quotes

JOURNAL 6 mars 2026

La pluie murmure sa triste chanson Les toits coulent goutte à goutte toute leurs larmes Sous la couette ça sent bon Bonne odeur douce de filles sorties du bain Il est tard demain je dois me lever tôt Je vais éteindre le téléphone On va se donner la main pour plonger ensemble dans l'eau noire de la nuit

Jeg har hatt to andre hunder, en sanktbernhard og en jack russel. Men Billy er den første jeg har brukt som sporhund.

Alle hunder kan i teorien trenes opp til å bli sporhunder. Alle mine tre hunder også. Men i praksis var det bare Billy det passet for. Han elsker å bruke nesa si og er god på det.

Billy og jeg er godkjent søksekvipasje for Nitrogruppa. Vi trener etpar ganger i uka med Nitrogruppa og innimellom med Norsk Redningshund Organisasjon. Og av og til tilkalles vi for å lete etter hunder som har gått seg bort. Da kontakter jeg eieren for å få en “ren” lukt av hunden, som et teppe eller et halsbånd som bare denne hunden har vært nær, og så sporer Billy etter den lukten og utelukker alle andre.

I vinter fant vi en valp som hadde vært på rømmen et døgn i ukjent terreng. Jeg synes det er veldig fint å kunne hjelpe til. Og det virker det som Billy gjør også.

Humanity

The point is that you learn to see the humanity in the human being and that you don’t forget to see it. Until the last moment, right down to his last breath, and even in an insane person, and even in a person who is a hardened criminal, humanity remains.

Frankl, V. E. (2024). Embracing Hope: On Freedom, Responsibility & the Meaning of Life (English Edition) Kindle. p 6.

#Humanity #LogoTherapy #FranklViktor

how do you escape yourself? Beer. Lots of feckin’ beer.

I am here. And I left And went there.

I hated it too. So I packed my bag And sent my arse to a third

And it was worse than the first. Same after same, Wherever I went

Was the specter Of me — The shadow

Violet violence In a heart made for Love but doomed

To Be Alone.

Comenzó a darse cuenta de que al levantar el dedo para enfatizar algún aspecto de la conversación, ese algo se torcía. Para ser más claros, si decía -levantando el dedo- “soy una persona íntegra”, justamente se iba al polo contrario, decía alguna mentira y aunque de inmediato le parecía bien, su conciencia se lo reprochaba: “¿No te da vergüenza mentir?”, le decía. Y aunque trataba de no prestarle atención, luego se flagelaba en pesadillas.

Un día le contaron un cuento chino en la que el maestro le cortó un dedo a su discípulo. Aunque no lo entendió bien, por la noche, al recordar lo del dedo, algo le resonó en su interior.

Así las cosas, el sábado fue a una librería de segunda mano donde por poco dinero se llevó un excelente libro de cuentos chinos. Revisó el índice y mirando página tras página no encontró ninguna historia sobre el dedo.

Entonces volvió donde el amigo, le pidió que le repitiera la historia y al escucharla, apuntándole con el dedo, le dijo:

-Sí, sí, ese ya lo sabía.

Y el amigo le cortó una oreja.

-Ay, ay, así no es el cuento -le reprochó al amigo.

Y otro, cerrando la navaja, le dijo:

-Ya no lo olvidarás.