This blog has MOVED

Whoooop!

I'm so excited!!!

Finally, my new design and layout is here, please visit http://blog.sabiraho.com or use the same address labellaimperfezione.com. Pls go and check it out as soon as you can and leave me a comment to let me know you were there :)

Love always,
Sabirah

The Holidays

The Holidays are here!

While I've been trying to get into the holiday spirit, it's been a bit hard. So much has been going on. The decision to go right back to work after the wedding wasn't very smart in retrospect. I've had so much work at work and homemaking is another "work" on it's own. From planning meals, to keeping our space liveable it's just been one thing after the other. Oyekola is very helpful and we treat our home as a partnership so that takes off the load, (hats off to the women who do it alone) and it makes it bearable.

I have two secret santas at work, I did one in the classroom with my students then it turned out we also had a staff wide one so on Saturday I went to the mall and picked out some presents. I really enjoyed picking simple presents, some really gorgeous cards and some pretty wrapping paper. It got me in the holiday mood really quickly.

I'm hoping we get invited to some holiday parties but this week we are attending the carol concert at school, then I have my staff Christmas party. On Sunday I'm tagging along with my mama to a christmas party so things are already looking good :).

I'm also looking forward to some down time, I really deserve a break, I'm going to sleep in many days, cook some interesting things- hello pinterest, and organise our living space. I'm really hoping that by the time the holidays are over we are fully settled in

p.s. - Stuck on what to get me for Christmas? A nice DSLR

(Should probably make a proper gift guide, a bit late though no?)

How will you be spending your holidays?

Up next wedding photos :D

Oh and new blog reveal.

I got married!

Over the weekend I got married to my amazing partner in the most beautiful way ever...

In the morning we went to the registry, and in the evening we had dinner with our closest family and friends, it was a beautiful day and everything was amazing.

I had the best time and I'm still buzzing from the excitement. Happy to be married to the best man ever!
I'm at work (yes already)
But I'll do a proper post with pictures once I get them :)

Love always,
Sabirah

Abe Says - See EP

What I'm currently listening to

I love this neo soul/RnB/ classic Hip hop feel. My favourite is "When I Wake Up" love love love



Abraham Poopola is an actor, director and singer based in London. He just released his EP "See". I can't wait to hear more from him. I love his sound

Listen, and let me know what you think.

Love always,
Sabirah

Big Church

I was listening to a song that just took me back to two years ago...

I was in California, it was before I identified as Christian I think. Anyway it was a Sunday and I wanted to go to a church, so I googled something in the area. I found one that seemed nice, got dressed and headed out.

Due to my misinterpretation of the bus schedules on Sunday I ended up walking 45mins to get there, I was tired and exhausted.

Once I entered, I found a row in the back and joined the worship, it was a small church and the congregation was mostly white and Asian but the service was enjoyable. They performed this song that has stayed with me since then.
 At the end of the service, as I began to leave someone came to talk to me and before I knew it I was being invited to lunch by the pastor and his wife and some other church folk.

I had such a nice afternoon with them, we just talked about all sort of random things, not the kind of conversation you expect to have with "Church people". I was fed and encouraged to pack take away (hahaha who was I to say no?) and then I got a ride home from another church member.

The day left me with such a nice feeling, like, isn't this what church should feel like?

Fast forward to today, I came back from church with my mum a couple of hours ago. It's a big pentecostal church with 4 services everyday. I enjoyed the worship and the sermon was ok but I'm beginning to feel a disconnect. I don't know if "big church will ever be for me. I guess that's what fellowship groups are for though...

Do all churches have to grow (in size)? I understand that sometimes it just happens, congregations get bigger, churches move to bigger spaces, hire more pastors. But are there churches that stay small on purpose, that worship intimately and build a community based on love? That's what I'm looking for, somewhere I can be a part of...

If this sounds like your church and you live in Lagos, please invite me :)

Happy Sunday, and have a great week ahead!

Love always,
Sabirah

New Music : TY Bello

(photo via tybello.com)

I've loved TY Bello for a long time; She's just an amazing artist, singer, musician, photographer etc.

Amazing woman all around. So when I heard that she had a new album out I was surprised, I hadn't heard any buzz about it or anything, but I already knew it would be awesome. Here is what she had to say about it, it's called "The morning songbook"

Today's date is really interesting in so many ways it speaks of complete cycles. Perfection. Double 7+7=14 ...Two complete cycles...Doubly perfect! 

In 2009 I hit this beautiful season where I would write music to God as my morning devotion. It was a unique time of discovery and I felt it was a beautiful way to give of myself...Open and sincere...It wasn't long that I realized that I was recieving way more than I was giving. 

Every beautiful exchange with God always leaves us with more. I was also humbled when I got this heartfelt assurance that He thought the songs were perfect. Perfect?? If you've ever written music you would know that "perfect" is the one thing that simply evades. 
Well, it's taken a number of years to make...Here it is. My gift to God...His to me. And yours for free for as long as I can keep it so, let me know how it did. On a perfect day. 
Please feel free to share!

You can listen and download for free on https://soundcloud.com/tybellomusic
Absolutely love it! I started writing this post before I even listened to all the songs, beautiful music. Thank you TY!

Love always,
Sabirah

Want

This morning, I woke up in the bed of my friend whispering random nonsense to each other as we slowly woke up, then we ate a medley of left overs in bed - Sallah meat, small chops, rice etc. And in that moment I felt happy. Just happy. Last night I held my partners hand and kissed him goodnight as he went home knowing that goodbyes would be far between soon. Happy.

As Simi and I lay in bed I randomly mentioned that I wanted a new camera and then stopped myself. Yes my camera is currently a bit crazy- but it works. I just got a new laptop, does the wanting never end? Is every want satisfied only momentarily? Quickly to be replaced by another?

I don't want to live like that, constantly wanting, I have so much. So much. I am content, I need to practice my contentment- by being ok not to want anything- for a while at least. Make do- and make the best- of what I do have, and stop chasing the next high.

Happy Long weekend Nigerians,
Love always,
Sabirah