M.A.G. blog, signed by Lydia

Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, this week's subjects: Ugo Monye's collection highlights a Grande gesture in the gentleman's world of fashion, Water, The Economics of Beefburgers, Tomato Italian Restaurant, The dresses of first ladies, The Eurasian Hoopoe, and Schoolfees

Ugo Monye's collection highlights a Grande gesture in the gentleman's world of fashion. The Colour Palette: Vibrant and Poised Monye’s choice of colours was a narrative in itself, drawing inspiration from the rich textures and hues found in Lagos from the deep blues of the ocean to the sun-kissed shades of the earth. His palette was both vibrant and nuanced. Earthy tones juxtaposed with electric blues and fiery oranges not only made a bold statement but captured the essence of a city that never sleeps. Prints That Speak: Another noteworthy aspect was the introduction of graphic prints and patterns inspired by traditional African motifs. Monye showcased styles that incorporated these eye-catching designs into tailored jackets and trousers, challenging the conventional notions of what urban menswear can look like. These prints served as a homage to heritage while inviting a modern interpretation, reflecting a dynamic cultural exchange that is quintessentially Lagos. Accessories: The Finishing Touch. No urban gentleman's ensemble is complete without the right accessories, and Ugo Monye expertly introduced statement pieces that elevated his collection to new heights. From handcrafted leather loafers to bespoke bags that effortlessly combine aesthetics and functionality, each accessory was a testimony to Monye's commitment to quality. The use of traditional crafts with a contemporary twist—like hats and unique jewelry added layers of personality to the outfits, transforming each ensemble into a bold statement of individuality and cultural heritage.

Water. Do we drink enough? Stay hydrated is the slogan, but what does that mean and what happens if you don't stay hydrated? From a purely health point you need to drink between 2 and 3.7 liters per day, depending on who you ask (4-7 small half liter bottles, 2 big bottles). But it is easy to check, make sure you drink so much that your urine is almost colourless. Some say you need to drink 2 glasses of water when you wake up, personally I do, but I don't think it is medically proven that you must. But do drink regularly and watch that urine colour. And if you don't? Your body needs lots of water to perform optimally, and already at 3% fluid loss one gets things like fatigue, lethargy, headache and also irritation. Noticed that sometimes mid-afternoon you feel tired and easily upset? Water. Another thing with insufficient water is constipation, and stool can become very hard and painful when stooling and for the elder ones, lack of water gives a higher chance of cardiac arrest (heart attack).

The Economics of Beefburgers. I recently found out that minced meat at Shoprite is 100 GHC per kilogram. A big size burger will maybe take 200 grams, i.e. 20 GHC. A burger bun sells for 1.91 GHC in the same shop. Now you still have to add onions, maybe some slices of tomato or whatever you fancy. But the very cheapest beefburger I have seen of late is 60 GHC (for only 100 gms of meat, or 10 GHC meat), most sell 80 GHC and upwards, sometimes GHC 150. Good business? Yes, for the seller, not for me.

Tomato Italian Restaurant has opened again, they have relocated to 6, Dodi Link, Airport Residential Area, Accra. The new place is nice, you can sit inside or outside (outside you have less access to the waiters). But for now, the place is not like it used to be. The spaghetti carbonara had half-burned bacon in it, and when I challenged the owner he mentioned that he did not have the guanciale speck, I should have ordered something else. Then the pizza had a rather soft bottom and he defended this with that there are different styles of pizzas. So when I go to an Italian restaurant I should expect an American-style pizza? I'll go again in a few months, just to make sure, he used to be good, but for now it seems he still has to settle in.

The dresses of first ladies. The game is set, Trump is the next American president so we’ll have a first lady, Melanie Trump, rather than a first gentleman (I looked up the title) in case Harris would have won. Melanie is a former model, 20 years younger than Trump and knows how to dress. Obviously Trump likes to be seen with an attractive, well-dressed woman by his side. And Ghana? Samira Bawumia has often been praised for her look and dresses, no wonder, I know she sometimes wears top brands like Odefille which come at a premium. And the other first ladies? Not too exciting, I would say. Does the First Lady in Ghana get paid? Does she get a dress allowance?

The Eurasian Hoopoe. This could be an insult because it is a bird that poops in its own nest to create so much stank that predators stay away. The bird migrates between Europe and amongst others, West Africa, including Ghana. So think twice if you hear someone shouting Youpee.

Schoolfees. Not too long ago children did not attend school, so there were no school fees to be paid either. The extra mouth soon fed itself because from a very early age, the child assisted on the farm. So the more kids the bigger the farm. No wonder Ghana's population has grown more than fivefold since the first post-independence census was conducted in 1960 at 6 million, reaching 30.8 million in 2021. However today school fees are a major issue and expense, to the extent that some politicians will promise free schooling to get your vote. So parents actually start to reduce the amount of children they want to have, because of these fees. How much does it cost to school a child? Kindergarten 2 years will be about GHC 1500 per year, primary 6 years is GHC 2000 per year, SHS 4 years will be about GHC 5000 per year, university 4 years is GHC 20,000 per year. A total of GHC 115,000, which includes boarding (and taxi which is about 300 a month) Would you rather send your kid to a private school? I decided to check the Lincoln American school rates. I've been quiet ever since. Pre-School: $5,985 or GHC 101,745 per annum: Pre-Kindergarten: $8,785 or GHC 149,345; grade 5: $12,985 or GHC 220,745; grades 6-10: $14,235 or GHC 241,995; and grades 11-12: $15,785 or GHC 268,345 with a total of GHC 982,175. How many kids did you say you were going to have??

# Lydia...

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