My baby brand

MULIQA MUSIQ

I stumbled upon some effortlessly excellent music by one Jamaal Pollard aka MaliMusic.

He's a singer, songwriter, bass/guitar/piano player and performing artiste who released his debut album, 2econd Coming, in 2009.

There's such a defined power and tonal range layers in his vocals and the musical arrangement of each song is pure genius. 

Do I think He's underrated? A BIG YES!

Click on the links below, have a listen and see for yourself.

All I have to Give-MaliMusic
Ready Aim Fire-MaliMusic
 Conqueror-MaliMusic

VALENTCIA by VALERIE MWANGO

THE CHINAFRO DRESS

Ladies, ever wondered what to do with that leftover African print material stashed in the back of your closet?

Well, you can make another dress. Better yet, you can create a fusion of themes you like to make another dress!

This adorable piece, designed by my sister Valerie Mwango, is an example of a slight fashion junction between China and Africa. I like to call it the Chinafro dress.

The colour interplay of green and purple on the fabric brings about an elegant yet laid back feel, while the standing Chinese collar and asymmetrical neckline gives the dress a signature pop. The sleeveless and short A-line bottom both put a classic finish to it.

Accessories such as the black leather belt, beaded neckpiece, wooden bangles and sassy heels are added for that extra oomph, with an attitude!

For more of this budding designer's stuff, check out her 'House of Valentcia' facebook page.

FASHITECTURE 101 (ARCHITECTURE MEETS FASHION)

Hey people,
How's your week going so far?
Last year, a number of male interviewers kept asking me one thing:
"How does architecture relate with fashion?" Well, you can kick it up a notch (or ten) with avant garde or tone it down.
This is how:

Fashion by Arch. Zaha Hadid. Inspiration from a building she designed

by Arch. Zaha Hadid

Avant Garde by Guo Pei

Avant Garde by Guo Pei

by Mark Pillai

Vlisco

Mrs. Carter

PURPOSE

This is one of those deep ones, straight to the core.

I just watched a refreshing documentary on the first graduating class of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG).

We all know Oprah's story in a nutshell, but have you ever delved deep to find out some of the juicy details?

Let me take you back in time as I breakdown some of the key factors of her history into:

a) Break to Make

b) Priority Strongholds

c) Thorny Relationships

d) Fruits of Labour

e) Planted Seeds

a)   BREAK TO MAKE

Oprah, first of all, is a misspelling of her real name Orpah on her birth certificate. ‘Flaw from the word Go’.

Born to Vernita Lee, a housemaid and single mother in Mississippi in early 1954, she was delivered right into poverty.

The African-American flower with Liberian roots was molested and raped at age 9, pregnant at 14 and to add insult to injury, her son died at infancy.

It is said that she was so poor that she ‘rocked’ potato-sack dresses.

Oprah also lost a half-sister to a drug-related death and lost her brother to Aids. From such a family background, life must’ve sucked.

b) PRIORITY STRONGHOLDS

-SPIRITUALITY: Winfrey’s grandmother, bless her soul, took her to church at an early age and she was nicknamed ‘preacher’ due to her ability to memorize and recite scripture, a factor that I believe brought her through to where she is now.

-EDUCATION: Oprah’s mother insisted that she attend school. Becoming an honors student and attaining a full communications scholarship, she was definitely a smart girl.

-GOOD FRIENDSHIP: Oprah had many friends but we often hear of one Gayle King, who met her in her twenties. You know the ‘You’re going to hell!’ type of friend with tough love and all.

Although Oprah claims she wasn’t mothered well, there’s a positive side to every mother figure that pushes their child towards spirituality and education. They get my medal of recognition.

c)    THORNY RELATIONSHIPS

Landing her first media job at 19, Oprah bloomed. And the boys arrived!

Highlighting just but a few instances:

-She had to literally beg a guy on her knees to stay with her and he still up and left. Rejection!

-Later on, Oprah fell to pressure because she was in an interracial relationship, thus the fiery love they shared did not survive.

-She was also in a relationship with a married man for four years. Yeah, I also had Muite eyes when I read this. OPRAH thought she was worthless without him and again was on her knees begging him to stay, but wifey always wins. Suicidal thoughts kicked in.

-Then there was another. No, not Stedman yet. This one introduced her to cocaine. ‘CRACK IS WHACK’. “I wasn’t addicted to the drug, I was addicted to him and would do anything for him.” said Winfrey. Women are so weak! Oh but weakness sure does turn to strength, watch!

-In 1984 Oprah met Stedman. After 29 years of highs and lows, they’re still going strong. She kissed frogs before she found her prince.

Fast forward:

d)  FRUITS OF LABOUR

Talk-show host, media proprietor, actress, producer and philanthropist are but some of the titles that come to mind at the mention of her name. Oprah has been in the media since 1984.

She is the CEO of Harpo Productions, OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network ‘11) and my favorite; Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in SA.

The Oprah Winfrey Show was the highest rated programme of all time and she is ranked the richest African-American of the 20^th century, worth 800 million dollars in the year 2000 when she was 46. Ka-ching-ching checking in!

The girl who was once dirt poor lives on a 42 acre (170,000 sq. m.) private estate with ocean/mountain views. Oh and she OWNs 8 other homes on the globe.

e)   PLANTED SEEDS

Oprah has earned prestigious awards, accolades and worldwide recognition from great men and women in society. “She may be the most influential woman in the world.” –President Barrack Obama.

She has a wide fan-base across certain extremes. Some idolize Oprah and it gets foggy as she is termed as an icon of church-free spirituality. It is also rumored that she has her own religion. That’s where I get off the bus. Shukisha, umenipitisha stage!

On the contrary, many people are inspired by her, while others are just passionate haters.

Winfrey must’ve had a vision that kept her going and daring to dream. She recently laid a foundation to GIVE young African girls a chance to GET the best education. Even when a student sexual abuse scandal hit, mom Oprah dealt with it and soldiered on. Things won’t always work out when you choose purpose. Deal, don’t give in.

In retrospect, 100% of the pioneer class passed their secondary level exams.

The black queen is constantly planting seeds in lives that she personally nurtures and trims and in turn, they will bear fruit and plant seeds in others lives, like a ripple effect that dates back to the core of education and spirituality.

Driving the point home; God is the center. He gives you life for you to make the best of.

If that poor, abused, teenage mum could make a difference this tremendous, how about YOU? I’m pointing at myself too.

Do you go through life like clockwork, following trends, partying, working, hustling or barely making it every day? What’s your PURPOSE? Are you afraid that YOU are POWERFUL beyond measure or afraid of failure like me? Could this fear be hindering you from making a difference?

Re-evaluate.

You don’t have to be Oprah. You can make a difference by doing the little things that count. Set standards, have a vision and remember,

If you live without giving, reciprocating, then your life lacks much purpose. Live your best life!

(Sources: Wikipedia | TLC Channel)

FROM SHARONNE's KITCHEN

MIXED GARDEN VEGETABLE SOUP & CABBAGE ROLLS

Hello!
Some of my fellow Kenyans in the diaspora and here at home are watching with bated breath as the provisional electoral results steadily stream in. You, yes you, are so consumed until you've forgotten that there's lunch/dinner to prepare and eat. 
If you took part in clearing out the supermarket shelves and are up to the task of exercising your culinary skills, try this recipe below. Made it with rice and my family came back for seconds and thirds.

Preparation

MIXED GARDEN VEG. SOUP (Serves 4-6)

Ingredients

Chicken/beef stock
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp rosemary leaves
2 potatoes peeled/chopped into quarters(for thickening, you can use royco instead)
Seasoning (paprika,mixed spices,ginger,black pepper,salt or your favorite spice mix)
1onion diced
1clove garlic chopped
1/4 cup milk
1cup water
soy sauce (optional)
Available vegetables chopped (or pre-pack of mixed veg.)
1 tomato peeled (pour over hot water, skin and chop)
Grated cheese (optional)
3tsp lemon juice

Method

Boil potatoes in water until soft.Add milk to marsh into a puree or runny paste.
Set aside to cool.
Put oil in a pan and saute onion until golden brown
Add ginger,garlic,thyme,rosemary leaves
Add mixed veg. fry till soft
Add seasoning mix and lemon juice
Add tomato and soy sauce, stir fry for a few minutes
Add chicken stock and water, bring to a boil
Add potato puree to thicken soup.
Add grated cheese and simmer over low heat.
Serve while hot

CABBAGE ROLLS (Serves 4-6)

Ingredients

1 small head white cabbage
2tsp salt
1tbsp cooking oil
1 onion chopped
1 garlic clove
50g bread crumbs (optional)
1 can tuna (can be substituted with sardines or pork/chicken sausages)
1tsp white pepper
2eggs
1/2 cup Yoghurt (optional)
2tsp paprika
1tsp sugar

Method

Separate cabbage leaves and cook for 5minutes in boiling salted water.
Drain and keep cabbage stock(soup). Cut away stalks from leaves.
Heat oil in pan. Fry diced onion/garlic till softened.
Stir in bread crumbs,pepper,eggs,tuna(I didn't have this so I skinned chicken sausages and tossed them in)
Fry till cooked. Form rolls.
Wrap rolls in cabbage leaves. Secure and fold.
Place rolls in pan and pour over cabbage liquor (soup) Simmer for 5mins over low heat.
Mix yoghurt,paprika,sugar and pour over rolls.
Serve while hot.

There you have it. Any inquiries/comments? Bon Apetit!

BAG IT IN AFRICA!