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

Thursday Tidbits

Hello!

1) I really want to make this this weekend, can I get all the ingredient in Lagos without breaking the bank? hmm
2) Long weekend coming up soon! Can't wait, I really believe the many public holidays are how God compensates us for living in Lagos.
3) I love this post on parenting
4) I want this haircut, and all these products! Yes I still watch natural hair tutorials
5) How to Start Dinner every night.
6) My children(students) make me want children, the way they write about their parents is sooo loving! Oh to love like a child!
7)I'm so tired these days, IDK if I'm just lazy or it's for real
8) I've found myself slipping into prayer at the most random times, while driving, in the shower, falling asleep
9)I absolutely love the show "Masters of Sex"

Love always,
Sabirah

Abeokuta

Still getting the hang of this new computer *squeal* and I recently transferred some pictures from my camera to it. This of course let to some reminiscing on some awesome things I've done this year.

One of them was going to visit my great grandma. It was such a lovely day trip. I went with my grandma and mum and it reminded me how blessed I am to come from a line of amazing women and I'm so thankful to God for keeping us. Four generations, isn't that something!

Grandma <3

Selfie

Four Generations!

Abeokuta, which means 'Under the rock' is covered with rocks. I find it so beautiful, especially all the old buildings. I loved everything about this day trip.

Hope every one is doing well

Love always,

Sabirah

To Love!

I feel like I've given love a bad rap lately, from conversations to pieces I've written, I've always leaned towards talking about the practical side of being in a relationship.

The sacrifices one has to make, all the teaching and learning, and how it’s not always rosy. For example here is an excerpt of something I wrote recently-

Love has come and it so different from what you thought you wanted. It is difficult, but teaching. It is the biggest lesson in humility ever and a game of “how vulnerable can you be”. Love has brought you closer to God and closer to yourself. This renewed self awareness is just...

Then there’s also this blog post I wrote a while back about it being Tough.

Now I haven’t lied in either of these pieces, but I might have been a little one sided.So allow me to get a little mushy, corny if you may. Love is good. It is oh so sweet. It feels so good... loving somebody and somebody loves you back.

I just came back from a road trip with friends and for 8 hours+ I had to sit next to my partner. While we have spent lots of time together this was different.  It was just us(front of the car) and all we had was that space and we made the best of it. I laughed and giggled so much. I just felt really happy that apart from loving this guy I really liked him.

So love is sweet. Love is feeling like the only girl in the room because the right person is looking at you. It’s hearing his voice and feeling yourself move before you can process the thought. Yes a lot of the time its rainbows and butterflies. Real life happens but real life is better with big splashes of love.

It’s having someone care for you so deeply that you can relax with them because you’ll always be safe. It’s sharing a look across a table. It’s talking in gibberish but still understanding one another. It’s having a hand to hold and unlimited supply of heart warming hugs. It’s praying together.

What I’m trying to say is that it’s awesome and it’s so worth it. Worth everything

To love!

Sabirah 

Around the web

Hey there!

I have some news. I am re vamping the blog, I'm so excited! I've been working on it for a while and though I can't say when it will be ready it will be soon.

I'll be migrating to wordpress and changing the address, Blogger I have loved you for a long time but it's time to move on. It will be a seamless move and I'll keep you posted so we can move together.

I also got myself a well deserved birthday present!! See number one item on birthday wishlist. squeeeeeal

Good things are here.

In the mean time here are some cool posts from around the web

1. New music I'm enjoying-When I wake up
2. A beautiful series of photographs Birthday Suits
3. What does a Feminist look like.

Enjoy!

So excited for all the changes that are ahead, new projects and all

Love always!

Sabirah.

Birthday Wishlist

It's the big 25 in a couple of weeks! Aug 3rd, I'm excited! But what's a birthday without presents - well still a birthday- but presents are fun!

Because I'm so nice and caring, I've gone ahead and created a wishlist so all my lovers and friends don't need to bother their heads with "hmm what should I get Sabirah?"

I've even balanced it out from high end items to small gifts... I'm so thoughtful!

1. A 13inch Macbook pro, retina display. No explanation needed. Design Life. End
2. 50mm f/ 1.4 Canon lens
3. Prescription Sunglasses- Rayban clubmasters are it!
4. Fulani Earrings 
5. Blog life course on A beautiful mess
6. Cake cake cake! When in doubt, always chocolate, or caramel, or tiramisu, or (real red velvet) or everything! I'm partial to cake from The sweet spot - see instagram @thesweetspotng
7. An all expense vacation somewhere- because I'm worth it. lol
8. Hair stuff- Mainly conditioners, Leave-ins, hair masks and all sort of yummy treats
9. Art stuff- Watercolor, brushes, ink, paper, calligraphy materials let me unleash my creativity

And that's it!

I tried to include pictures with everything but blogger keeps messing up the quality- migration soon?

Hope you're all fabulous

ps I'm doing the 100happydays tag on instagram. check it out @sabirah0

Love always,

Sabirah.

'Being Me' Blog Tag!

This came at the right time!
The lovely Ekene from TheKinkandI tagged me in her post so I'm going to jump right in.
p.s. check out her blog, she blogs about natural hair and it a lovely and detailed blog. I truly admire her consistency.

Are you named after someone?

Nope. 

When was the last time you cried?

I actually can't remember which is a really good thing. I used to cry a lot. A lot. I guess I'm happier. Content. Yeah Content.:(

Do you have any children?

No I do not.

If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?

Yes! I'm fun :D

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Backstreet boys, Nutella, Fried stew (that's all I can think of right now but the list is much longer I know):)

Do you like handwriting?

I LOVE handwriting!

What’s your favourite cereal?

Honey nut cheerios, crunchy nut

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

How they talk about things they love, hands.

What’s the colour of your eyes?

Black

Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings all the time!

Favourite TV show?

The good wife, Grey's anatomy.

Winter or summer?

Summer Summer Summer Time! :)

Hugs or kisses?

Hugs! Oh well and Kisses... a particular kiss. floating.

Special talent?

I don't know... I'm good with my hands, I can make stuff. Creative.

Where were you born?

New York Citaaaay (Though I feel no ties or connection to that place, I left my heart in San Francisco but I'm a Lagos girl through and through.)

Hobbies?

Read. Eat. Cook. Make Stuff. Blog. Design. Explore. Live. Thrive (are these hobbies? lol)

Do you have any pets?

No, but I want a cat.

Favourite movie?

500 days of summer, An Education, Devil wears Prada and many others...

What colour is your car?

Blue. Sky Blue. :) Its new (Barely a week, so exciting)

What do you want to do when you grow up?

Teach. Love. Travel. Love some more:)

This was fun! So, I am tagging…

Taynement - Taynement.blogspot.com

Originial Mgbeke (post more often!)

Kovie Parker - futurenewyoker.wordpress.com/

Halima - HalimaBepo.com

And if you're reading this and you have a blog, you're tagged!!

Thanks again Ekene for the Tag!

Love always, Sabirah

Thursday Tidbits

Hello, been a while, But Thank God it's Thursday.
Lets get into it

1. I always wonder if there's ever a time life gives you a breather, like can things stop happening for a minute so you can regroup? or nah?
2. Office gossip; how does one stay out of it? ugh
3. Hearing from God, tell me how you were sure...
4. I'm soooo tired of "Fitfam" *eyeroll* (what it has become) I need to explain this, but later.
5. I miss this space so much, but I need a new computer (currently on work computer) so till then.
6. I would really like a vacation this year
7. This is beginning to sound dreary. I'm not sad, just tired
8. About to go for a swim, hopefully that energizes me.
9. I got promoted this week. Really happy, unexpected but i'm totally deserving

So, how are you?

Road Trip Diary | Akure

It started with one conversation.

I crossed something off my 25 before 25 list! I'm so excited. A big thing too, as you might already have guessed from the title, I went on a road trip within Nigeria and it was amazing. I can't begin to describe- actually that's what I'm going to do in this post.

It started with a conversation.
A maybe.
Lets do something!
We should go somewhere...
Where though?
Somewhere close?
I heard of..
Hmm I'll ask around..

I have many such conversations with my friends, dreaming out loud... But most times they don't come to fruition. This time things seemed to be aligned for us. Maybe it was just the combination of people. Without a destination, we picked a date and somehow things fell into place.

At 8 am on a Wednesday morning we met at the car park, bags packed and brimming over with anticipation. We settled into the back seat of the bus and even bought an extra ticket much to the dismay of Lois who was trying to make sure we stayed within budget (Thank God for her and her firm ways, we ended the trip within our budget). We got comfy and after being harassed by some evangelists - some for God others for strange herbal concoctions- we were on our way.

The trip took us only about 4 hours and we had lofty plans of hitting our first attraction, Idanre Hills, that day. Unfortunately by the time we looked for a decent hotel, had lunch and settled in (AKA napped) it was late in the evening and we decided to explore our environment instead.

A short walk from our hotel took us to the university (FUTA) where we thought we could grab dinner and maybe get some tips for what to do in Akure. When we got to the university, it was pitch black and though there were students walking around nobody could recommend a place to eat or chill within the campus. Very strange.

We ended up getting a suggestion from a taxi driver who led us to a suya place and that was dinner that night. Back to our hotel room right after and we crashed

The next day was epic!
Hint: Water.
Stay tuned

Love Always,
Sabirah

25 before 25

Hello lovelies,



I was thinking, you know as I do sometimes (lol) this year I'm going to be 25! I've never been one to agonize over getting older. I see it as a blessing and I find myself becoming more and more me... if that makes sense. It's truly amazing. I'm really excited and thankful.



There are many things I want to do before I turn 25, most of them playful and just for fun but also some self development and things to make me a better person in general. I have 7 months to do them all!! Of course I'll update you all as I cross things off, wish me luck!

1. Visit Ghana




2. Start planning a real wedding. Not the one in my head hahaha




3. Master photoshop




4. Go on vacation with my partner




5. Learn how to sew




6. Start writing my book




7. Learn a new stroke in swimming - Butterfly or breaststroke




8. Go on a road trip within Nigeria




9. Make (some more) Art




10. Take a photography class




11. Get published in an online magazine




12. Feature in a short.




13. Get personal business cards




14. Participate in a photo shoot - in front and behind the camera




15. Visit Dubai




16. Redesign my blog




17. Create a personal website




18. Start mentoring again




19. Plan a (themed)party




20. Pay for someone's exams




21. Volunteer to teach again




22. Go on a family vacation




23. Take an online class




24. Improve my ICT skills




25. Continue to live an authentic life!

Whew! What a list. Im excited. Have you done a list like this before? Leave me a link!

Are you currently doing anything on this list or plan to?  Tell me!

Love always,

Sabirah.

Home made Hummus

Happy new year every one! I'm so thankful to be here, healthy happy and alive. 2014 will be awesome!

I'm sure tons of people are looking to be healthier and a big part of that is diversifying our meals so we don't get bored and return to junk food. In my next post I'll talk about how to incorporate hummus into your healthy eating and snacking but for now a simple recipe :)



Hummus is a delicious spread/dip made using chickpeas. There are lots of ways to make it many of which include soaking the peas for long hours. This recipe keeps it very simple using just 3 ingredients.

1 can of chickpeas
2 small cloves of garlic
2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Open the can of chickpeas and drain the liquid out leaving a bit for blending (adds to flavor as opposed to using water). Pour the chick peas into your blender with the garlic cloves and blend on high in short intervals. Add the olive oil a little at a time between blending and generously salt the mixture. At this point you can add your favorite spices. I put in some "yaji" ( a Hausa pepper blend with garlic and ginger). The consistency of the hummus should be thick and slightly grainy (do not completely purée the mixture).

And that's it! Serve with Lebanese flat bread (more serving options soon)

Let me know if you try it out.

Love always,
Sabirah.