Travel: What Happens in Vegas!
Secret: Whenever I plan to drink any amount of alcohol I usually eat a fine, piping hot meal of Eba and whatever soup. Laugh if you will, it's the truth. Lol. I've found that it keeps me from getting easily tipsy. Well, guess who didn't have Eba in Vegas. Yours truly.
Next thing you know, you wake up and one person is missing
Therefore the drinking was kept to the minimum, the starkest minimum. The point of Vegas was to celebrate our amazing friend's birthday and it was so much fun, it also coinsided with the 4th of July weekend last summer. It's definitely a city worth visiting, complete with torrid weather conditions, all the souvenirs a tourist could dream of, bubbly traditional cabbies (no uber, take note), too much food, way too much and first time opportunities to try and discover new things.
There were many instances that I'd say to myself, "hmm, that was a first!" Vegas was a great bundle of new experiences for me. Here's to new experiences, Eba and the birthday boy!
FIRST GAMBLE
Gambling is pretty addictive.
My friends and I were stuck on some titanic-themed slot machine clearly targeted at women and Leonardo Di's fans in general (there were some men there too *blank stare*). I won $10, then lost it and more. Everytime you win something the machine bursts out singing the bridge/chorus of My Heart Will Go On "Near, far, wherever you are......" and the clanking of coins overwhelm you, causing so much euphoria. Then in two minutes you plug your winnings back in and it's all gone!
Conclusion: Last time gambling ever
Making Hugh Hefner rich. Tsk
FIRST CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
Cirque du soleil is special. They create stage performances inspired by circus activities, street entertainment and some other mysterious (very very mysterious) elements. I had no idea what was going on most of the time. Lol. All in all, the experience is the value added. When I was done though, I felt like I had experienced a different aspect of life. The bizarre aspect and it was quite sensational.
Conclusion: Maybe I'd see another cirque show, one less abstract. Good luck to me finding that.
FIRST SINGING TAXI DRIVER
Imagine it's 3am, you are in a taxi and your extremely chatty taxi driver decides to break into a song at the top of his voice-then he sings another-then another-then another. Half way through, he pulls out his harmonica (mouth organ) and it's now a full-fledged concert! It was quite entertaining, maybe not suitable at 3am. At the end he demanded a fee for his performance! Lol!
Conclusion: Everyone is Elvis in Vegas.
HIT ON BY A GIRL FOR THE FIRST TIME
Words failed me indeed. I was at a pool party so we were all minimally clad. She begins to chat me up. I just always imagined I'd be off limits to lesbians. Why? I don't know. Maybe because they say they can tell if you are straight. Maybe she's a beginner, still getting that sensor tuned.
Conclusion: *blink*
FIRST TIME WEARING A CROP TOP
Crop tops make you very ab-conscious, i think it's a good piece as long as you wear it to appropriate places. Definitely not to meet his parents.
Also, maybe more suited for others than some of us though. (Tip: if you are self-conscious, try them with a pair of high waist bottoms)
Conclusion: Haven't worn it since. I'll try again next summer
FIRST KARAOKE
While I have a video of considerable length showing this extraordinary incident, I will be unable to put it up because there were other participants involved. Lol! It's safe to say we were the backstreet boys and girls for the night and everyone thought we were awesome!
Conclusion: karaoke is best served sober. Then you have no excuse for your behavior. Nope, no blaming it on alcohol, all your innate issues spew forth lol! And forth they did spew that night.
Have any fun Vegas experiences; karaoke experiences, fun taxi driver experiences? Share below!
Aridly beautiful
Ed, Demi, Me!
Weeeeeeeeee!
Dancing in the colonnades
World's largest chocolate fountain- The Bellagio
Photo II with flowers; Vegas turned me into a flower-backdrop kinda gal
All you need for fun in Vegas, this fab lot
All God.
Big Win for the birthday boy! ......which we proceeded to spend on a good(bad), greasy dinner
Chances you'd be married by night fall with a chapel in the hotel basement
Brides dressing room (Photo credit: Demi Eni-Olorunda)
Groom room (Photo credit: Demi Eni-Olorunda)
Shot down the aisle! (Photo credit: Demi Eni-Olorunda)
The Wax Affair: Heads Up Down Below (#TBT)
For as many seeking the best way to get rid of hair on the undersides (*giggle*she said "undersides") and wonder what a wax feels like, wonder no more! I am here to share my experience. For almost 12 months now, I have been trying to convince two of my friends to get a wax and abandon the pungent smell of hair-removal cream and the 'in-growth fairy god-mother'; the shaving stick. Every time, I mention it, their eyes get this distrustful glazed look, a glare echoing reminiscence (i wonder why). Anyway, I dedicate this post to them.
I have gotten a wax done three times and I do not know which time was the most painful. It's already public knowledge that I don't do pain. Each time, I have had to constantly remind myself that I am a grown woman and I would have to exercise some self-control during the process....these reminders, all, of course, die once we start.
Ok, It's not fair that I make it sound horrendous and frighten any virgin-waxers and my friends but it is horrendous. The result, on the other hand is excellent. It's like eyebrow-threading. At the end, you look like a lawnmower ran over your face and left identical red highlights on your brow bones but that's ok, because you look excellently groomed and sharp, same down there with the wax! [Note: I convinced these same friends to get their brows threaded for the first time, hence, the deep distrust they have for me. hehe]. Get your wax on guys, let bygones be bygones! Muhaha.
First, I wouldn't recommend trying this on yourself unless of course you are trained to. I once tried waxing myself in the privacy of my own bathroom. That day, I trotted to the store, bought a home kit, locked myself in the bathroom and began with my underarms. Summary: disaster, I had to walk akimbo for 3 days. LOL!I'd recommend going to a specialist. They are trained to do this. Plus they have the bird's view and are able to reach areas you can't.
Bullet points on how it went down and what to expect....
- You follow the esthetician into a quaint, clean ( if otherwise, you are toast) room with a bench and table of equipment (ointment, wax heater, application sticks which remind me of ice-cream)
- Happy-faced esthetician (always happy faced) briefs you on the procedure. Asks you to strip your bottoms and lie down on the bench while she exits the room and probably stabs herself with a happy drug that helps her deal with your bushy genitals
- Smiling esthetician returns (always too early but knocks first thankfully)
- She folds back the towel you have covered your lower region with (which you hope she'd just leave in place and magically do her job, while never having to acquaint herself with your "privies")
- She lathers on warm, o, wonderfully warm wax and starts a conversation. You think to yourself, "This isn't so bad, what's that pagesbyike on about. Pain spain.....
- ....And then krrrrrrrrrrrchhh! Lights go off in your head like New year's eve. It's like a brain freeze plus a brain explosion. It's like an explosion in the Artic
- Then you let out this high pitched squeal-laugh caused by shock, pain and unpreparedness
- At this point you will be able to know if this is for you or not. Some people leave at this point (The Lord knows there have been times I almost jumped off the bench half shaven and still willing to pay the full price. Heck, I could have paid extra if she would just leave me alone). Thankfully they don't start down the middle and leave you with a Nigerian flag situation down there. So you can leave at this point
- If you stay after the first strip........my friend, we should meet. Chances are that you may be tough enough to outlast the Apocalypse and I want to be on your team
- Then comes the next warm wax lather and strip , it's no better than the first. You'd think the pain dips or plateaus but no....
- More conversation...Some praise from the esthetician (if she sees tears collect at the corner of your eyes)
- Approximately 8 "krrrrrrrchs" later...you are almost done.
- Then the butt wax. There's no dignified way to get this done....so humble yourself and remember that P.diddy dyes his pubes for whatever reason, which we will never know and never want to know. Dyed pubes. That always makes me feel better. I don't know why. Hope restored.
Everything I just said aside, it's really not that bad. Think of it as "ripping off the band-aid several times". If I, the queen of Nopainville, can, so can you! Go for it! It does a great job, gets you all groomed and tidy. Watch some Youtube videos. This one really helped me. This one is just plain entertaining. LOL
Allergies must be reported to the esthetician and yes, pop a painkiller some minutes before going in. When you are done, you get a free lollipop. Not!
Happy waxing!
What's your least favorite fashion ritual?
This post was originally published on our old space; feisty phi.
5 Animations to look out for in 2016
Mums and dads, you know Pixar, Illumination and Disney have you covered every year. 2016 is coming with amazing movie-date opportunities for you and your kids! Who says parents can't go see a movie too, well technically, it's an animation which is in someway a movie. Who cares, you get to have some more bonding time with your babies! If you just groaned out loud at more time with your babies, well, groan no more, you can set up dad with the kids and they can go out and see angry birds while you escape to a spa where Pixar is the furtherest thing from your mind as you get your neck kneaded into muscle-heaven.
Another thing to do while the cat and kittens are away would be to create something, anything; write a poem, sketch something, paint something, sew a dress, design a purse, start a blog! Nothing is impossible in the presence of calm. [Click here for some encouragement.]
So quickly, check out the trailers and plan those movie dates, the next Mona Lisa isn't going to paint itself, m'am!
Top 5 Animations (2016)
1. Kung Fu Panda 3!
Apparently Po finds his real dad, or supposedly finds his real dad. The trailer is just down right funny.
2. Angry Birds Movie
I've never played the game. During the time when it was popular, i was on a no-addictive games streak....until i got sucked into CandyCrush. Tut-tut-tut. Then rehab, withdrawal symptoms, sweating and the works. No games for me, i can't wait to see this movie though!
3. The Secret life of Pets
Usually i'd watch anything set in New York and that has Kevin Hart in it. So there.
4. Finding Dory (official trailer to be released)
Remember Dory, the blue fish from Finding Nemo? Well, i can't say i'm surprised but she's lost and Marlin and her friends need to find her.
5. Ice Age: Collision Course (official trailer to be released)
More Scrat! He's the highlight of the Ice Age movies. I can't help analyzing the relationship Scrat has with that acorn. It really depicts a deep message of chasing things we think we need, hoarding it and watching it prove to be elusive, over and over again. Children movies are deeper than you think. Plan your 2016 animation schedule!
Have fun!
I'll update this post the moment all trailers are in!
6(+1) Things to do before the end of October
11 more days in October! What to do? Here are 6 things to try before November comes along:
Evaluate 2015 goals
What were the top 15 things you planned to accomplish this year? Did you want to start blogging or designing? Did you plan to leave your job, get rid of some habits or a guy *side eye*? How much of it has been accomplished? Have no fear, there's still time for accomplishments! There are 11 days in october + 61 in Nov/Dec.
Write goals for November and December and set your deadlines
In the -ember months, I personally just switch off on goal-setting and chill till the following year to accomplish something great but there's so much time to accomplish so much still in 2015! I finally decided to write an exam I have been putting off in December. Yay! I'm seizing the -ember moment. No January is going to steal it's thunder. Set goals to be completed before the end of the year and start January on point.
Rewatch your favorite movies of 2015
For me it was the Avengers : Age of Ultron and Jurrassic world.
Nothing like Scarlett Johansson reminding me I can't dye my hair red, go to work in a leather cat suit and drive my bike under an 18-foot trailer on a regular sunny day all at once. I'd have to pick.
The lesson I learnt from J.world would have to be that family is more important than spending all your time nurturing a socially dysfunctional genetically-mutated pyscho dragon-dinasour.
Actually both stories seriously discourage you from creating crazy innovations that get out of hand and try to kill all mankind. Both also convey the fact that the cheek-bob hair style is back.
Have a before dawn- movie session on a Saturday morning
I have been trying to do this with Ed with little success. The plan is to have a complete lounging day beginning before dawn and watch a movie, probably Breakfast at Tiffany's. At dawn, we watch the sun rise from our balcony while drinking home-made herbal tea. What could be more awesome than that? Now that I've written this out I can see his reluctance. Lol.
After seeing the red moon, I've become more aware of the heavenly bodies, stuff goes on up there we hardly take note of. Maybe we'll just watch the sun rise and head back to bed.
Do something for you
Because you deserve it. 2015 is almost gone, a little pampering, huh? I, for one am in need of an economically viable exotic experience. Not sure what it is for now.
Do something for someone else
It's almost 2016! It's so exciting. Someone else probably doesn't see the excitement because they have lost hope of anything coming along with a new year. Reach out to people who need hope and give to them; time, money, love. October 22 is make a difference day, find ways to be a blessing to others!
Have a date with God
Contrary to popular opinion, dates with God does not involve dreary, long one sided conversations to someone you think might be somewhere above the skies, who may or not be listening as he has his giant white beard groomed by cherubs. A date with God really is like having a date with anyone else. I learnt this a few years back; grab your fave beverage (mine would be infusion tea), your bible and chill next to the fan/AC , in my case, the fire place and then soak yourself in the moment. No phones. No date has ever ended well with a phone between your faces. Best date ever!
What are you up to for the rest of October?
99 ways (plus one) to Fall in Love All Over Again
Don't wait for valentine's day to figure out new ways to love your other half! Start today with these 99 pretty great tips!
- Go on regular date nights
- Be best friends!
- Write his name on lipstick on the bathroom mirror (sigh, which you will later have to clean...yourself)
- Revitalize the romance with intimate dates
- Pray together
- Hide notes in secret places
- Go to bed at the same time (unless you are studying)
- Listen to music together-share earbuds
- Send him on a scavenger hunt in the house
- Buy him gifts he will love
- Write him letters
- Hide a treat in his glovebox or desk at work
- Read the Bible together
- Wear shirts that tell the world you love your spouse
- Praise your spouse to other people
- Let them overhear you
- Read a marriage devotional
- Porn-proof your home
- Sleep in his t-shirts
- Look to him to make the big decisions
- Let her make the smaller ones
- Don’t nag him (nagging kills, no joke)
- Put down the toilet seat, pick up your socks for her
- Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories
- Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly
- Fight naked (with caution, ahem)
- Tell him you like him
- Receive his compliments (believe him when he says you are beautiful. Death to modesty for the moment)
- Pick your battles
- Show her you love her and tell him you respect him
- Go away together at least once a year
- Frame your wedding vows
- Hang pictures of the two of you around your house
- Kiss in front of your kids
- Make his favorite dessert
- Have pictures of just the two of you made
- Make sex a priority
- Spend time apart occasionally(and enjoy it)
- Learn to enjoy something he loves
- Surprise each other
- Meet him at the door
- Text each other from across the room
- Be accountable to each other
- Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week
- Call him right now and tell him you appreciate him
- Be affectionate
- Leave work and come home early
- Wash, vacuum her car. Keep it full of gas.
- Give each other romantic coupons
- Engage every day in meaningful conversation
- Compliment each other
- Touch your spouse several times throughout the day
- Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus
- Let each other sleep in
- Be spontaneous!
- Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”
- Kiss every day
- Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining
- Forgive quickly
- Be honest.
- But not hurtful
- Get on the same page: plan your budget together
- Look your best as often as you can
- Guard your marriage
- Get out of debt (and stay out)
- Laugh together
- Have a date night in
- When your together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)
- Talk about your favorite memories together
- Tell him he’s sexy just because
- Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it
- Make him breakfast in bed
- Do her chores for her
- Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately
- Read a book out loud together
- Dance together-soft music (alone) or rocking music with the kids
- Bring her/him a favorite drink during the middle of the day
- Exercise together-hikes, bike riding, etc
- Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment
- Tell him a secret he doesn’t know about you
- Thank your spouse just because, often
- Sit on the same side of a booth at a restaurant
- Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking
- Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc
- Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall
- Teach your kids about marriage
- Stop what you’re doing, look them in the eye and listen to their answer
- Create art together
- Support each other’s goals
- Know when to talk and when to hush
- Consider counseling (even if there isn't conflict)
- Doodle his name
- Bring her flowers (even when she says they are too expensive)
- Wear something he loves
- Share furniture-sit in his lap
- Work out together (massages right after)
- Plan fun throw-back dates
- Fight for your marriage
- Remember your spouse rocks-even when they don’t
Have a great weekend xx
No other picture depicts love quite like this. I see this in my future....like tomorrow-future.....
This list was sourced from wearethatfamily.com but has been edited considerably. My modifications are in italics and completely off the subject, the picture to the right (or above) is #100. Make this for him/her this weekend and watch all 99 fall into place. If you have any great tips, please remember to comment below!
Have a great weekend!
9 Unusual but Effective Couple Habits
Besides holding hands, staring deeply into each others eyes while sharing a giant tub of ice-cream and listening to Savage garden on shared earplugs every Saturday afternoon, besides going to the movies on Tuesday nights and flooding Instagram with Usies, there are tons of other couple habits that help build a healthy relationship. Here's a list of not-so-ordinary habits that can be adopted to build a fun, deep and healthy relationship. #1 is the hardest pill to swallow and maybe #9 too. Probably #7 too. #2.....takes some self-disciple. Ok...just read and let me know. Enjoy!
1. Tell each other about attractions to other people (cringe, told you)
Why: It eliminates insecurity, builds honesty and accountability
Before anything else, your partner should be your friend and communication should be very much embedded in your relationship. Being honest about attractions to other people is a very rare habit that can only work in a relationship that is very secure and with equally secure individuals, who have the same goal of making their relationship work. If that's in place, then the announcement of a crush doesn't seem so doomsday-ish, more like a teeny obstacle to be managed. Being able to talk about attractions sets your relationship several levels higher than the average and the wise and effective management of the situation, sets it echelons higher than excellent.
2. Laugh 95% of the time
Why: Why not?
Laughter is rumored to be the best medicine. Now, the medicine is not really the laughter itself, but the feel-good feeling derived from with the company you are with. Laughing with your other half creates a deeper social bond and release endorphins. In fact, laughing produces the same effect exercise does! It increases your heart rate and blood flow, increases your immune response. And best of all, laughter burns calories.* It's like working out with your partner without lifting a finger.
3. Resist the nag bone
Why: Studies show nagging reduces your partner's lifespan
I bet you didn’t know that. So if you want your partner around for longer, i suggest you stop nagging. He heard you the first time. As for men who nag, (lol, I know you exist) just stop it. STOP. It completely negates the effect of #2, in fact it negates this whole list. If your spouse nags, you need to get them to stop, your life is in danger! Send them this post!
4. Solve your disagreements in less than an hour
Why: prevents anger and hurt from festering
While researching for this post, i discovered quarreling too frequently might result in early death (I guess the grim reaper is generally drawn to couples, aye?) Even more interestingly, the unemployed spouse (namely the housewife, in most cases), is who dies first. What?! This is so unfair. Women always get the short end of the stick. If you are a nagging house wife, please stop. #3 promises to kill your husband and #4 promises to kill you too. Fights are healthy as long they are infrequent, don't involve physical or emotional bullying and as long as they are resolved with a timely, concrete "how-to-move-on-from-this-situation" solution. Like any other situation, fights need to be managed properly, otherwise, the anger festers and the resentment grows, stuff gets weird and then casket. Not worth it.
5. Imbibe the "Aphrodisiac diet"
Why: to increase the kink
Here's a list of foods to add to your daily meal schedule for increased hankipankiness: Avocados, Hot chilies, Bananas, Dark chocolate, Oysters, Pomegranates, Red wine, Salmon, Walnuts, Vanilla, Watermelon.
6. "Us time" = 5 X Social Media time
Why: Because Social Media is not going to get you any
The average person spends about 2 hours per day on the internet. 28% of that time is spent on social media (SM) platforms. That's about 33-45 minutes, roughly. Most of this SM time is spent in the presence of a spouse and that's expected because you can hardly do it freely at work. So on the couch you plop, with your screen in your face and her all blurry in the background. All this is fine, i'm not going to campaign that social media time be reduced. I'm however going to suggest that the time spent with your spouse matches this Facebook time....by 5. Let's do the maths, for every 45 minutes of Facebook time, you give your partner your undivided attention (without your phone) for 3hours 45 mins. Not too bad, right?
7. Talk after the big 'O'
Why: Because pillow talk matters
Pillow talk matters because right after orgasm, oxytocin (the love drug) floods both individuals making them feel a heightened level of trust and intimacy, setting the atmosphere for deep, future-planning and concrete conversations. Most people are very likely to confide and feel secure after pillow talk. In general, this leads to a healthier and blissful feeling of security (....until he falls asleep). Some even suggest that pillow talk might be as important as sex itself. Who knew?
8. Speak life into each other's lives
Why: Because it loads your minds with confidence and beastly determination (and who doesn't need that)
The only thing worse than cussing out your partner is not speaking anything at all. Some of us let life happen to our partners, we don't pray for them, we don't confess scriptures into their lives. Speaking into his life assures him that you have his back and most importantly God has his back. Positive encouragement also makes him more coordinated and efficient in executing tasks, which explains why your company insists you go for those motivational seminars and listen to that man with the brown tie for hours. Instead of letting your partner get all his motivation from a book or the man in the brown tie, be his life coach. Speak and Sustain.
9. Hang out with him while he's on the toilet
Why: there is no good enough reason for this
I don’t even know where this idea came from! I'm not sure if gisting while on the toilet makes you closer. Maybe it does, maybe not. You should try it though, even if it’s once, in a bathroom with an open window and maybe a fan and some air freshener and some scented candles and a gas mask.
Do you know any more unusual but effective couple habits? Or do you already do these?
*Note that 10-15 minutes of laughter burns just 50 calories. Yup, the only way to burn away that 700 calories you just had, is to laugh for over two hours.
Weekend Plans!
Hey! Friday is here! Thanks for hanging in with me all week. If you are visiting for the first time this week, hey x 5! I hope your week was pleasantly eventful. Mine definitely was, so this weekend i am kicking back and getting in on some organizing projects (fun, bleh). What are you guys up to this weekend?
The rest of my weekend plans:
See "The Intern" with Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro
Make some awesomely moist banana bread
Shopping date with my friend, some fall boots are in order
Throw out most of my makeup
Go down town and check out the Sharwama in that little Meditterean restaurant
Ignore my pedometer (kidding)
Organize my email before Monday, I have altogether like 9000 emails across all my boxes, tut-tut-tut
Talk to somebody about Christ
Trying one of these
A bit of spring cleaning in September and some wall art shopping
Paint my nails an interesting shade of rose pink
Find some new blogs to read! If you are a blogger, please drop your url below or if you have great recommendations, please suggest below! Thanks!
So, what are you doing this weekend?