Souq Waqif - Doha

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Souqs are popular in Northern Africa and the Middle East, essentially they are open-air markets where goods are sold from food to clothing and sometimes animals. Outside of the Middle East, open-air markets are popular in other parts of Africa, South America and Asia. But, I must say the Qatari souq was unique in that it seemed relatively calm in comparison to other souqs I've been. The crowd was mixed with Qataris, expats, and immigrants, it made the souq feel like an aspect of daily life rather than a staged market. I managed to haggle my way to getting some beads, a ring, and mini camel. Because, I couldn't fit an actual camel in my carry-on? It's definitely a must see when you're around! 

short && sweet

Yes, you can change the world.

Sometimes life is a beach

Hey Lovelies,

The other day one of my friend's here,  Priscilla celebrated her 21st Birthday on the beach! It was my first time heading to Lido since being here (embarrassing). Check out some of the looks from the day.

XO

Chambray top: Zara (similar here), Pants: AG Goldschmied (similar here), Purse: Cole Haan (old)

And sometimes you jump in the air

Explanatory 

Jack Kerouac

"Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry." 

The city of hats.

A girl born in Washington D.C with the backdrop of embassies now travels beyond the city lines on a quest to learn a bit more. A bit about the world. Although, I haven't traveled everywhere (yet), I learned so much from the people and experiences I've had. Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Morocco and Rome Italy. Opposite cultures, languages, and continents! I loved both places. Here are some pictures from my travels. Being in Morocco was truly refreshing, as someone with Nigerian roots it was interesting to see the relationships between Northern and Western Africa. I found inspiration everywhere, whether it be the noisy streets or the vibrant colors in the notable tannery. I can't wait to rock the new pillows I purchased! Thanks Morocco for sharing a bit of you with me. 

Dress: Anthropologie (old), Purse: (Otavalo, Ecuador), Shoes: Birkenstocks here, Sunglasses: Dior (old).

Why don't all my meals look like this?

Frolicked through the Atlas Mountains, relaxed in the most tranquil gardens, and played with monkeys.

The crown wakes up ;)


XO

Keep adejire weird

XO

Oh the places you'll go

Okay. Today I will be doing something that scares me, I'll be traveling to two major cities in two different countries and continents. I'm brushing up on my little knowledge of Arabic. Beyond the shear madness of visiting two continents, I will attempt to pack as little as possible in my backpack. Let's see how this goes. Positive thoughts! Cheers!

XO

Ve(nice)

Random pictures of Venice, Italy. It's ridiculous how beautifully (crowded) this place is... I've lived here for some months now, and rarely take pictures. Thus, here is a view of what I see.

Vintage a no-go

Today I did something ‘scary.’ I decided to venture around Venice with the sole purpose of getting lost and finding ‘Vintage a Go-Go.’ I’m a connoisseur of vintage and flea market shopping around the world. I’ve come to realize that items I purchase from vintage or flea markets carry a story, although, I may be unaware of that story, I have the opportunity to create a new story through my life. So my quest began. I got off the Vaporetto at Ca’ Rezzonico and off I went to explore. As I walked for a few minutes I noticed a storefront that looked exactly like that of ‘Vintage a Go-Go,’ I creepily stared, because the storefront didn’t have the ‘Vintage a Go-Go’ signage thus I continued to wander around Calle Lunga for about twenty or thirty minutes. Whatever, it was beautiful day. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have walked around in circles, I wouldn’t have learned a new way to get to Campo Santa Margarita or discover my new hideout. From my journeys around Venice, I discovered my passion of ‘mom and pop’ businesses where people in the community have a vested interest. Thus, over the new few weeks I’ll be featuring women and men who own their own businesses in Venice, Italy. Here are some of my favorite pictures of what I did and where I went on Friday.  

What would a day of exploration be without una pallina di gelato?

Friday accessories. The black and gold bracelet was made in Italy, but I
found it at Vintage Love in Munich

Chin up. I love what this picture exudes.  

Me2

My new hideout complete with quite, tea, and cookies.
This is where I'll be from now on...I'm interviewing the owner

And they have fabulous cooking books. magnifique! 

I Run Because I Can

First day of official Boston Marathon Training 2014. #WeAreBoston #BostonStrong

Workout
- 30min of medium-hard running
- 10min of hard intervals
- 5min of strength training (Lunges, Squats)

Quest to No BS

As promised, I have decided to make an effort to try and do something that scares me each day. Not going to lie, I wasn’t perfect and I didn’t do something that scared me everyday. I realized I couldn’t think of anything that really scared or challenged me. Why? Two answers. 1. Perhaps, I have become complacent in my daily routine or 2. I’ve conquered all that is scary. Clearly, I haven’t conquered all that is scary, so I guess I have been unknowingly complacent. I guess ignorance isn’t always bliss.

Thus, the other day I embarked on something that scared the crap out of me. I’m sure you’ve been to an event with a super cool person, celebrity, etc. If you’re feeling confident you muster up the courage to introduce yourself to that awesome person. If a connection is made, usually business cards are exchanged and then bravo you’ve networked. Hah! Yeah right, that’s the easy part. Believe it or not, now you must follow up not once, not twice, but perhaps continuously.

FACT 1 – I am not the best “follow-uper” all the time

FACT 2 – Who cares? Who’s judging?

Momma B, always says, “The worst they can say is no” And, that is true, the worst they can do is ignore your follow-up email/phone call/etc. At that point you could try again or move on. The choice is up to you. So here is my case study of what happened to me this week.

CASE STUDY

So, I decided to reach out to this really accomplished woman I met initially in 2010 at an event. Believe it or not I met her while I was participating in a Yoko Ono piece (Yeah, Yoko Ono sort of random, but true). Anyway, I thought she was cool, but I didn’t get her business card. Fast forward to the summer of 2012 in Munich, Germany, I met her again! Her no frills attitude about intimate aspects of life inspired me as a twenty something who is attempting to develop such an aura about life. I could’ve emailed her that summer, but no I didn’t until recently when I thought about how inspiring she was. So this week I crafted a semi-punchy email (short and sweet) highlighting why she should talk to me. SENT. BOOM.

Did she email me back?

Indeed she did. Initially she did, but then the email turned super unoriginal.  Borderline intern copy and paste status. Moral of the story…always try. Will I give up? Probably not, I’ll email her again to follow-up. Beyond the ‘don’t give up mentality,’ I’ve come to realize you don’t need a “Super Guru” to mentor you in the flesh rather you could meet those people around you that can hold you accountable. Thus, my next step will be to find a normal awesome person within my midst to mentor me on my quest to NOOO BS. Wish me luck!

XO  

Food for thought

"Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation" -Aristotle

We have a dream: Valcucine

Last Friday, April 19th I had the opportunity to visit the headquarters of Valcucine (Slightly random as I have 0% background in the design industry, yet 100% interesting because I had no background in the design industry) there I learned  elements of their company brand. I was most fascinated by their mission, which is simple, "We have a dream: A waste free world." The notion that "we" are working towards providing a global solution to environmental problems struck a chord, because it symbolized a change in the rhetoric surrounding environmental sustainability. It is no longer my dream, rather its a collective dream that must be reached together. Thanks so much for the warm welcome Valcucine! I hope to return soon.

XO

Here are things I found interesting... 

Here is a look inside the 'artistic laboratory' where one can draw up an idea and create a product.
 IDEA → DRAWING → PRODUCT
#innovation 

Valcucine is a modern company yet values the
past evident in this lovely vintage piece in their
showcase room during the Milan fair. 

These three items are completely unrelated yet
they work to complete a unit.

You can customize virtually any aspect of your kitchen with @Valcucine

Wouldn't you love to add this puzzle piece into your kitchen? Too cute! 

To swim or not to swim

Oh just the occasional acqua alta in good ol' San Marco. Any clue where I am? What does one do when you have no rain boots and the glorious water from the lagoon decides to make a nightly appearance? Let's just say the joke is always on me.

XO

No ruts to be stuck

Like any normal person I was scanning the web looking for gems, articles, etc and came across this idea. The notion that everyday you should do something that scares you. Well, what will be my thing today? At that moment I realized how I have let routine disturb the reality of what life should be a bit of planning and a lot of unplanned. Darn it I guess I'm human! It's so easy to go to the same places and hangout with the same people, it's comfortable. Thus, I need to be uncomfortable. Unfortunately, it's 5pm and the day is virtually over. But, fortunately it's 5pm and the evening hasn't started yet. Thus, so much time for TBDs. Wish me luck as I venture into non-routine! What do you do to stay 'scared?' Suggestions please we're in our twenties, it's too soon to get stuck in a rut!

XO

Remember my town of beans

People often ask me, where I am from, I was born in the DMV yet I've spent many formative experiences in places all over the world including Boston, the Bean, or as I affectionately call it the town of beans. As someone who has participated in Marathon Monday for years, I am shocked, yet I am finding peace, peace in the realities that Boston will overcome this. I was reminded of this reality yesterday after reading this from Boston College Professor Krause . I am joining Professor Krause in his pledge to run the 2014 Boston Marathon for charity.

I am so grateful for technology that has allowed me to communicate with my loved ones' back in Boston from 4,000 miles away. Here are a few links of the humanity and help exhibited during yesterday's events. Thank you to all of you unsung heroes working continuously to protect an serve our community. 

XO

http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinlarosa/boston-marathon-tragedy-met-with-amazing-acts-of-kindness