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, Titi, this week's subjects: African Luxury Shoe Brands to Watch in 2025, Cryptic pregnancy, Exploding cars, laptops and phones, and The Venue

African Luxury Shoe Brands to Watch in 2025. As we enter 2025, the fashion landscape continues expanding with diverse influences and luxurious offerings. African luxury shoe brands are making significant strides in the global market, showcasing stunning craftsmanship, vibrant designs, and a deep connection to cultural heritage. Whether you're a sneaker enthusiast or a lover of elegant heels, a wealth of talent emerges from the continent that deserves your attention. Here are some of the African luxury shoe brands to watch this year. KAZMIZ Founded by Nigerian designer Kazim Olasunkanmi, KAZMIZ is quickly gaining recognition for its innovative designs that fuse traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Known for using high-quality leather and unique fabrics, KAZMIZ shoes feature striking silhouettes that easily transition from casual to formal wear. In 2025, keep an eye out for their new collection that incorporates artisanal beadwork and vibrant colours inspired by Afrocentric patterns—a true testament to African craftsmanship. Ozwald Boateng Although primarily recognized for bespoke menswear, British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng has expanded his luxurious creations into footwear. His shoes are a seamless extension of his iconic tailored suits, often featuring bold, statement-making colors and distinguished patterns. In 2025, Boateng’s collection will likely continue to emphasize sustainable practices, utilizing eco-friendly materials without sacrificing style. Keep an eye on his new line that promises to blend traditional Ghanaian style with modern sensibility. Nkuhouse The South African luxury brand Nkuhouse has carved a niche for its handcrafted footwear that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the region. Each pair of shoes embodies the spirit of African nations, showcasing designs that draw inspiration from local art and traditions. For 2025, Nkuhouse will be launching a limited-edition collection celebrating African wildlife, with intricate details and vibrant hues that pay homage to the continent's stunning landscapes. These pieces are perfect for individuals looking to make a bold fashion statement while supporting ethical fashion. Maya K Maya K is a vibrant shoe brand based in Kenya that specializes in statement heels and artisanal footwear, blending contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship to create unique pieces that celebrate both style and cultural heritage.

Cryptic pregnancy. One in 500 women learns late (sometimes in month 5) that she is pregnant. One in 2,500 realizes that they are pregnant when giving birth. Cryptic pregnancy is also known as a hidden or denied pregnancy. This psychological pregnancy disorder, the mechanisms of which remain difficult to understand, can affect all women, even those who are already mothers. This can happen due to irregular periods, dismissing or not recognizing pregnancy symptoms such as spotting, nausea, or fatigue, which can be easily attributed to other causes or even false-negative pregnancy tests, leading to a missed diagnosis. Home pregnancy tests can sometimes produce false-negative results, particularly if taken too early or if there are issues with the test itself. “Her memories are intact. Charlotte L. still recalls the morning of January 30, 2018, as if it were yesterday. Hours of pain in her back, her arrival at the hospital emergency room accompanied by her mother, a suspected renal colic attack, and a kidney ultrasound. And the diagnosis was made. The pain was from contractions. The young woman, aged 28, was not only pregnant, but she was also giving birth. It was a violent shock. That evening, she gave birth to little Martin, who measured 49 centimeters and weighed three kilos”.

Exploding cars, laptops and phones. I am not talking about terrorist attacks here, but about rechargeable batteries in these cars, laptops or phones. Especially Lithium-ion batteries can easily overheat if damaged, and catch fire, or when overcharged, or poorly manufactured (careful with cheap ching chong Chinese batteries). Some airlines are even contemplating forbidding phones and battery banks on board. So if you see that your battery starts to swell, better change it. And when charging it in the house, don’t do it near where you sleep (if it burns, the smoke is very toxic) and place that equipment such that when it burns, it does not enflame curtains and the like and burns down the whole house, with its contents.

The Venue ( Brakwatso Loop Adjiringanor, East Legon, Accra Ghana) (careful, there are more Venues in Accra) owned by a Dutch, is a bar restaurant pizzeria with many options, an enormous collection of drinks and a very varied menu, offering many classic European dishes and deserts They serve tapas, antipasti and pasta, pizza, burgers and a main menu, and even have a kids menu. The lighting is dim and warm, making it an ideal place for a romantic evening. We first had drinks at the bar and managed to choose something they did not have, among that huge collection. Unfortunately, they did not have bitterballen, which is a very Dutch snack often accompanying the pre-dinner drinks. It is difficult to describe, a mixture between a meat pie and a bofrot. We chose a salade nicoise and a goulash, which is a Hungarian dish (not German as the manageress said). The salad was fine, but the goulash was a disappointment; everything was there except the signature, sweet paprika, which makes it a bit spicier and more exotic. Service was punctual. Despite the goulash, I still recommend it, if simply for the experience.

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