Anyone with a Netflix subscription, or perhaps even a social media presence would have, over the past 3 weeks or so would’ve likely heard about, or watched the new Netflix show Young, Famous and African. Featuring in my opinion, the most eclectic mix of characters since Big Brother, the show stages a glimpse into the lives of some fairly (in) famous Africans, and has driven numerous conversations both on and off line. It’s stars include Swanky Jerry a Nigerian celebrity stylist, Annie Macaulay Idibia a popular Nigerian actress and film producer, Diamond Platinumz a Tanzanian musician, Zari, a self proclaimed “boss lady”, DJ Naked an apparently popular Dj, rapper Nadia, Andile an entrepreneur, and Khanyi Mbau a South African actress and unabashed “gold digger” Netflix. https://www.netflix.com/watch/81423503?trackId=254743534. Accessed 3 Apr. 2022.

While the title alludes to two things I will agree with, the young part, may be called into question as cast members don’t always physically fit that description. A reality tv style format, it shows these stars in their element of living the fancy life with fast cars, dolled up with their on glam teams, luxury vacations and beautiful houses, all living the “African dream.” While their celebrity glitz seems so bright it’s almost blinding, they struggle through difficult relationship issues that test their bonds, and sometimes seem so scandalous that only their larger than life personalities may be able to cope with these. However, any seasoned reality tv viewer, will no doubt question how scripted scandals such as baby mama drama, cheating allegations, and bro code/girl code violations are- and they’d be right to.

One of the truly standout stars of the show, is Annie Macaulay Idibia a well known Nigerian actress and with about 7.4million followers on Instagram currently. I grew up watching a number of movies she was in, and many will remember 2011’s legendary ‘Blackberry babes’ as being the one where she gained significant recognition in Nigeria’s film industry Nollywood. I say all this to say that she has made a name for herself, although that name is not quite independent of her husband 2Face (2Baba) Idibia, one of Nigeria’s biggest, and most beloved music superstars. While this is public knowledge, on ep 1 of Young, Famous and African, Annie shares how she met and began dating 2Face “when I was like around 16 years old”(Ep1). A quick google search shows 2Face was 26 at the time of this meeting, and while we can’t verify their ages, her first hand testimony brought up several discussions regarding consent and sexual grooming. She goes on to gleefully share with Andile how 2Face’s biggest hit ‘African Queen’ was written about her. The muse to her superstar husband, Annie further discloses how her first child with him, was his fifth child, him having “cheated” on her with other women. I use those quotation marks because she uses them herself as she describes the betrayal, still very obviously pained by it and the drama it brings- public fights among the baby mamas, herself and 2Face, and comedians’ insensitive jokes about the affairs are some the public are privy to.

Despite all this, Annie is not afraid to share how much she loves her first crush cum husband, and almost seems unable to help herself when she displays her love for him. Although 5 minutes into episode 1 she declares she’s more than just 2Face’s wife, and you (the viewer) will know about her, she shares so much of her relationship that the majority of her storyline in this show is about that, not “building her empire” as she claims (Ep1). While some viewers argue that’s productions fault for not including scenes where she’s making money moves, it is clear that being the only woman 2Face eventually married is such a big part of her identity and her happiness. She is unapologetic about this, and states in her wedding renewal vows on the season finale -“I want to die next to you, because I don’t think I can breathe and live without you.” Netflix. https://www.netflix.com/watch/81423509?trackId=200257859. Accessed 3 Apr. 2022.

A major plotline in the rest of the season is Annie’s fragile trust of 2Face and contention with any woman that happens to know him personally- in this case it’s Zari who is your classic mean girl. During a gathering, Annie receives a call from her husband and her childlike joy at this is best described by Khanyi “she was like a kid on Christmas morning” (Ep 2). This joy is only dampened when he asks to speak with Zari who he knows from a previous meeting. From there onwards, there’s several high-school-esque squabbles between Annie and Zari, who milks Annie’s fragile self confidence and trust in her partner for cheap thrills. Annie might perhaps be aware of how embarrassing this will be for her and the viewers, but if so, doesn’t seem to care. One cannot help but give a grudging respect to her for the willingness share so much of her flawed, but true self while being filmed.

As a whole, the cast and their drama make for good tv, and I’d give the show a 6.5 out of 10 rating. Annie Macaulay Idibia, while clearly having an unhealthy obsession with her African king, demonstrates a vulnerability that is both noble and relatable. Perhaps she met her goal of having us know her after all.

I hope you enjoyed this review, and if you watched the show please leave a comment or send me a message privately let’s chat about it! Till next time, have a great week reader!

Hello reader! Long time no post! My apologies, life, and my laptop have been stressing me out but we’re back!

Today’s topic is one of my favorite things ever to talk about- beauty! Beauty for me includes skincare, hair and makeup- and I’m titling this post #beautybesties , because these are the products I’ve used personally and love. Not only do I love them, but I stay faithful to them, and will tell anyone who cares to know about them. (In my sales and marketing world I’m the ideal customer because with these products I’m at the Loyalty and advocacy stage of the life cycle- more on that later!)

Here are 3 of my beauty besties- one skincare product, one hair care product, and one makeup product. I’ll update this #beautybesties series routinely because I have a lot of them.

1. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

This cleanser has been my only face cleanser for about a year now, and it’s filled with really hydrating ingredients and effective surfactants (cleansing agents) that clean my face without leaving it dry. I have dry skin already so this is important to me. The standard size retails for about $31 CAD (pricey I know but in my opinion worth it !) One standard bottle lasts me about 2 months when I use morning and night.

2. NARS Radiant Longwear Foundation

This is my favorite foundation ever! My shade is the Namibia 4 and I find it gives me great coverage, even with hyperpigmentation. It stays on all day, doesn’t feel heavy, and is very easy to blend. I’ve had my bottle for about 7 months now, and still have about 4 months left of product in there. Disclaimer, I use foundation about twice a month just due to my lifestyle and preference, which is why it lasts that long. A bottle retails for $65 CAD currently (don’t fight me fight NARS).

3. Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic

I’ve been using Curly Magic weekly for about 7 months now, and there’s still about another year’s worth of product in there. It’s a hair gel, and it’s the only styling product I use when I do a wash and go (which is all the time). It’s made with plant based ingredients that hydrate and nourish my hair. I have been enjoying using this because it doesn’t weigh my fine hair down, and it improves the longevity of my style. Typically I have my wash and go’s for 6 days before re-doing them. It also smells delicious! It currently retails for $24.99 USD.

There you have it, my 3 #beautybesties. It was hard to narrow this list down because there’s a lot of products I’ve tried and now trust to do what they claim, but I’m happy with my picks. I believe all these can be found easily enough wherever you buy beauty products locally, but please leave a comment or send me a message if you need help tracking any down. Please comment any of your #beautybesties also!

Till next time, stay well reader.

A sneaky link 

Hospital page 

Miss it and you’ll blink 

Where they’re all off to sans the road rage

On the way to say goodbye to a loved one that’s soon to be dearly departed

Driving home after a night when they partied

Maybe someone’s running away

Or maybe a a come-over-I’m on my way

Night shift, morning shift switcheroo?

Mother rushing to pick up her baby who 

Called crying

Of course Ritz crackers on the way to the shelves 

The truck drivers, 

maritime Ontario

Pieces in the supply chain 

Like little elves 

I’ve been working in sales for about 8 months now. In that time, I’ve failed woefully, thought to give up and go work for my parents, closed huge deals, and most importantly learnt a lot, and continue to do so daily. Here are 4 takeaways I’ve had on the journey so far, that I hope will help you, as you navigate this thing called life.

1. It’s a numbers game

This is sales 101. The more “nos” yo get, the more the chances of “yeses”/ investors / clients / substitute for x’s (x being “yes”). The key is moving through the Nos quickly, and efficiently, and getting great at determining which one you’re facing. I had to learn the hard way how to determine which donor just hadn’t spoken to a human in days and needed to talk, and which was going to make a donation. The more I learnt this, the more “prospects” I spoke to, the more deals I closed. I think a lot of life and work is like that. The more times you can practice something that’s important to you to master, the better you get at said thing.

2. It’s no hard feelings

The fact is, people are sometimes, going to be mean. Any sales person will attest to this. It’s often not your fault, they could’ve had a bad day, are just not in a friendly mood, or maybe, they simply don’t need/want what you’re selling. Whatever the reason, the way to get the courage to try again is simply to learn (and learn it fast) that it’s no hard feelings. I’ve had prospects flirt with me, end the call, be curt ordering on rude via email, etc. It’s helped me to get up, and take a walk, laugh over it with my colleagues, etc. This mindset also helps when dealing with a number of tough conversations. Whatever the coping mechanism you use, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, please stick with it, and remember- it’s no hard feelings.

3. Human connection !

Everyday in sales, I’m reminded that human connection is vital, because chances are, there are many vendors for almost every product/service out there. The way I’ve met and exceeded my sales quotas has been by forming a connection to my prospect, and then helping them see how what I’m selling will help solve a very specific, often emotional problem for them. Similarly, in business, in charity work, at school, with people we meet everyday, one way to move through life with a degree of ease, is by taking the time to form a connection with a fellow human being. To the extent it’s proper and/or wise to do so, make an effort to do this, and you’ll often find that people lower their guards and give you a chance.

4. Take risks, and when you’re tired, take more risks

I’ve been privileged to watch and learn from some excellent sales people so far, and they’re all natural risk takers. For them, sometimes this looks like getting rid of any call scripts and winging it, and sometimes it’s making harmless jokes in a client meeting that may or may not land. For me, it’s looked like cold calling a prospect at 10am on a Monday morning when they’re still working through emails, or going after big accounts I initially felt I was too “inexperienced” to work. I’ve both failed and succeeded in these scenarios. For you, it might be asking for that raise/promotion you’re worried you won’t get (but probably deserve), or asking out that person you’ve been wanting to. It could even be having that tough conversation with a friend/family member you know you need to have. Whatever risk you have in your mind as you read this, I encourage you to try! You may succeed, or fail, but either way, please refer to Point 1 above : )

I hope this has been an entertaining read, and that something here helps you this week/in future. Please leave a comment if so.

Till next time, Olive.

Here’s to starting! I’ve dreamed, and planned and back tracked and started and stopped on writing this blog. On taking a chance on myself. On failing at it. On writing it, and sharing my talent and thoughts with the world. At long last, I’m starting, it’s here. In it’s most unedited, raw, and organic form, because that is me- unedited. A quote has come to my mind over the past couple of months as I went back and forth- “start now. Start where you are. Start with pain…” . It might belong to either Author Ashe, or Ijeoma Umebinyuow, I’m not sure, but thank you to both of them.

I have many goals for myself. My closest friends and family know- write a book, become an advertising/marketing exec, etc. Those are in my future, but I realized none will come to fruition if I don’t start now. Start something. So here it goes. This blog will mostly be a practice session. Practising writing, content creation, website design, Search, engine optimization, research, and brand creation to name a few. These are things that I enjoy, but also make me nervous. Still I’m starting.

This blog will also be me sharing my thoughts, likes and dislikes- my poetry, short stories, favourite skincare purchases, and fave fits at the moment. I’d love all the constructive criticism, comments, and feedback you’ve got reader. To my family and friends who’ve given me all these, and their love, freely, thank you very much. Lastly, to anyone who ever needed a sign, a nudge to just try- here it is- DO IT! The worst thing that could happen is that you don’t. So you might as well.

That’s all for now. Till next time, Olive.