Tuesday 25 November 2014

DON’T GROW UP TOO FAST…




As a little girl, I was always fascinated with makeup and other such grown up stuff. It used to thrill me to play dress up in my aunties’ clothes, shoes and wigs, completing the outfit by donning on the signature red “Magic Lipstick” of the 90’s. And then I would strut around the house in those elevated block heeled Italian shoes, hands akimbo and imitating Naomi Campbell whom I thought was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

This isn’t unlike most of the young girls around my age then. During sleepovers at my childhood best friend’s house, we would attempt painting our nails and end up messing up the linoleum tiled floor. We would dig out and pore over Hints and Hearts magazines that our big aunts kept hidden in their closets. Though my family wanted to keep me young and protected, I only thought they were being uptight and didn’t understand me. I remember when my mother made me cut my hair I was berserk. I thought she was the most unreasonable person ever. I sulked and wouldn’t talk to her for days.

By the time I was 12, I had begun lying about my age, claiming I was years older just so I could be considered a grown up. I snuck lipstick and mufti clothes into my boarding school and wore them whenever the boys from the adjoining school were coming over for a function. All the while trying my damnest not to be caught by my seniors or teachers.

One thing on my mind was that i wanted to be a grownup. I wanted to see life, and experience it as adults did. I was eager to see the world and enjoy it. What i didn’t know then was that the world wasn’t going anywhere and i would one day meet it. And when I did, I would realize that, life as I thought it to be, wasn’t all that. 

This however isn’t unique to children only. I think that regardless of our age, rushing through life in order to get to the next thing is a constant struggle which we all face. Because now, in retrospect, I wonder what the fuss was all about. The sneaking of contraband into school, braiding my hair with extensions, the use of makeup and fancy shoes. It all now seems unnecessary and a total waste of time which I could have invested in something more productive. That’s why my heart flips over anytime I go to the mall and I see teenage girls dressed skimpily, with loud makeup and the boys clad in jeans so tight and riding low that they can barely squat (which I could bet my Naira wasn’t how they left their homes).
Or the other day at a church function, some little children were all glammed up and if I didn’t know better I would have mistaken them for 20 somethings. 

You will grow up one day. You will be free to date, you will be free to dress as you want but if you are in a hurry to grow up, you will miss out on the wonderful life of a child, especially the trust and love that only children truly enjoy. Growing up, you will find out that the world will try to swallow up all your joy and its wake only bitterness will be left. And the boys you pined over aren’t the dashing prince charmings you thought them to be. And the girls you spent your entire savings on? They will move onto richer guys. 

Turning a quarter of a century earlier this month, I have had this urge to share my sentiments with fellow young people that we try to be as present in today’s moments as we can be.
This however shouldn’t be mistaken as a call for children to refuse to grow up and remain childish their whole life, traipsing along life with no sense of responsibility. This is just to encourage kids to be happy being kids. Enjoy the life full of dreams and aspirations but when it is time to leave childish things behind, please do.

 

I’ll leave you with the words from a song by one of my favorite Rock bands, Train…


Just don’t grow up so fast
You don’t want to know what I know yet
Maybe on paper it looks better way up here
Don’t you hurry, try to take it slow
We all get there before you know it
Ain’t just the bad times, the good times too shall pass
There’s only so much sand in the hour glass
So don’t grow up so fast, ooh

Friday 14 November 2014

BON ANNIVERSAIRE- PARTY PICTURES

To say i marked my birthday in style is over simplifying it. However, i couldn't have done it alone, my amazing family and friends all contributed in making my birthday rock! I celebrate you all.

Here's a sneak peek into how it went down, for those who missed it.
Cheers...

DINNER IMAGES









PARTY IMAGES



















Monday 10 November 2014

BON ANNIVERSAIRE!!!

A few days ago I marked my birthday with a series of events. I had a photoshoot as well as a birthday dinner and party to celebrate with close friends and family.

I have decided to share a few of those amazing moments with you my dedicated readers, subscribers, and followers.

Do share and re-post.

God bless...


BOSS CHIC








EVENING/BALLROOM ATTIRE






















GOOFING AROUND WITH MY STYLIST Mimi Ogunbowale AND HER ASSISTANTS...