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: Latex in the Accra Rain? Radiance Fair and Summit Showcased Bridal Elegance and Luxury at Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, Burn out and skincare, HoneySuckle Airport, and Full Moon

Latex in the Accra Rain? Yes, Sis—Here's How to Make It Work! Accra's rainy season has officially entered the group chat. One minute you're serving CEO chic, the next you're dodging puddles on Oxford Street. But does that mean your fashion game has to hibernate? Absolutely not. Enter latex—the bold, glossy fabric that's surprisingly perfect for making a statement, even in gloomy weather. Shine Brighter Than the Clouds Rainy days can make every outfit look a little dull. Latex naturally reflects light, giving you that “main character” glow, even under grey skies. Think of it as your built-in spotlight. Keep It Smart Instead of wearing head-to-toe latex (unless you're heading to a fashion editorial), choose one statement piece: – A latex blazer over a fitted dress. – Latex trousers paired with a soft knit top. Balance is the secret to looking polished instead of overdone. Rain-Friendly Accessories: The Accra rain loves surprises, so pair your latex look with: – Waterproof ankle boots or stylish loafers. – A structured umbrella (because your umbrella is part of the outfit too!). – A sleek tote that can handle unexpected showers. Let Your Outfit Breathe: Latex already makes a statement, so keep your makeup fresh and your accessories minimal. Gold jewelry, a neat hairstyle, and confidence will do the rest. Rain and latex may seem like an unusual pairing, but confidence is what truly completes the look. Own it, walk carefully on those slippery pavements, and remember—fashion doesn't stop because the skies opened up. This rainy season, don't just survive the weather. Shine through it—one glossy latex look at a time.

Radiance Fair and Summit Showcased Bridal Elegance and Luxury at Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel. I was invited to The Radiance Fair and Summit, held on 25 and 26 July 2026 at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, organized by Events Debonair Afrik. It brought together fashion designers, exhibitors, entrepreneurs, media representatives, and fashion enthusiasts to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation in Ghana's fashion industry. An exhibition in the ballrooms of the hotel had 12 vendors displaying elegant wedding dresses and accessories and luxury table settings for wedding receptions, offering visitors plenty of inspiration for celebrating weddings in grand style. The highlight of the event was the open-air Radiance Runway Show, staged beside the hotel's swimming pool. There was a slight delay due to a brief drizzle, (I really wonder how people dare organize open air fashion shows during the rainy season) but then the runway featured extravagant bridal wear with many garments showcasing elaborate embroidery, luxurious silk fabrics, and delicate lace detailing. The collections reflected both exceptional craftsmanship and contemporary bridal fashion trends. It was a continuous extravaganza of impressive wedding dresses and accessories, highlighting the creativity and quality of Ghanaian designers. The event also provided valuable networking opportunities for industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts. While the overall organization and atmosphere were commendable, the sound system during the runway presentations could have been better. This Radiance Fair and Summit successfully celebrated bridal fashion, luxury, and local creativity while reinforcing Accra's growing reputation as a hub for fashion and creative industries in West Africa. Ayeeko Debonair.

Burn out and skincare. What is skin care for? More than you think. During your daily movements you may actually encounter lots of dirt, so to protect your skin from these before you set out is not a bad thing. But be careful what you put, the more natural the better. Like organic unprocessed shea butter or organic unprocessed coconut oil. Skin care products often also contain chemicals which do not care for your skin at all, rather damage it and create reactions like allergies, cancers or even sexual and reproductive problems (hormonal disruption). So washing it all off once you get back home is a good thing as well. But here’s the next snag. Apart from what you put on as a protector, your own body also produces a protective layer. So if you now wash everything off with soap, you touch that protective layer as well. Better just use water and a bit of scrubbing, and use soap only for underarms and things like that. Your skin may be dry, so again you want to put something, like a moisturizer. Same story, the more natural the better for the above mentioned reasons. Take your time and read what’s written on that bottle of moisturizer and you’ll realize you need a PhD in chemicals to understand it all. Same goes for deodorants, often used, seldom really needed. And now the stressy part. If you are stressed, your skin may start to show it, and if your skin shows it you get stressed. So it goes both ways, and scratching or creams mostly makes it worse. Some scrub so much that they damage the skin. So what to do? Relax. A nice long hot shower with some music on and a big towel and some perfume can do as much as a Spa at GHC 500-GHC 1000. Learn to unstress. Or try yoga and things like that. A few minutes a day can already make a big change to your skin.

HoneySuckle Airport (Shell Station (Opposite Alliance Française), Airport Residential Area, Accra). Packed full on a Friday evening with Gen Z and millenniums, complete with karaoke, which I think should be forbidden in public places, some people really should only hum hum hum, not try to sing. Their 4 pieces of samosa at 70 GHC were over fried and oily and had an Indian taste, no wonder, I am told all the honeysuckles in Accra (Labone, Fourth Dade Street and Osu, opposite the Fire Service Headquarters, Ring Road East, Accra) are owned by Indians. A club draft is GHC44.99, an ordinary beefburger goes for 170 and was ok. We also had honey glazed chicken wings, spicy bbq chicken wings, yam chips and potato chips which were also good. Prices are all tax inclusive but they add a 5% non compulsory service tax (so you can tell them to take it off, even without complaining about the service). But the service was ok, I even had an apology for the late samosas, but I had to wait too long for my change which somehow spoilt the party.

Full Moon was last Wednesday, and today it will still be quite a full moon. Beach walk time, with the moon playing hide and seek with the clouds. Hold me tight.

Lydia...

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