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: Happy New Year, Ankara Reimagined: Blending African Prints with Power Dressing — The Accra Corporate Board Room Girl Edition, Dressing etiquette, Snowman, and Gold Coast Restaurant and Cocktail bar upgrades

Happy New Year to all of you, may health be with you. I haven't made too many reflections on 2025, but what sticks out is that the economy is at a standstill, if you are in business and wanted things to grow then you could say it was a lost year. We're trying to grab some of the culprits, but even if we do it is not positive thinking. Pray 2026 gives a more positive vibe.

Ankara Reimagined: Blending African Prints with Power Dressing — The Accra Corporate Board Room Girl Edition. Where culture meets confidence in the boardroom. There’s something undeniably powerful about a woman who walks into a room wearing colour — not just any colour, but Ankara, that bold, unapologetic symphony of pattern and pride. For the Accra corporate girl, African prints aren’t just fashion — they’re identity, heritage, and a statement that says, “I can be powerful and vibrant at the same time.” Gone are the days when corporate wear meant dull greys and strict suits. Today’s Accra professional knows how to weave her roots into her rhythm, one print at a time. The New Corporate Power Look: Modern power dressing is no longer just about shoulder pads and monochrome suits — it’s about expression. In Accra, where creativity meets commerce, the corporate wardrobe has evolved. Imagine a fitted Ankara blazer layered over crisp white pants. Or a pencil skirt in a muted kente print paired with a silk blouse. It’s structure meets story — and it commands attention without saying a word. The key? Balance. Let one piece shine. If your Ankara skirt is vibrant, pair it with solid tones — think camel, cream, or navy. You want to say, “I’m bold, but I’m in control.” Print Meets Professionalism: Wearing prints at work doesn’t mean dressing for a festival. It’s about tailoring and tone. Choose Ankara pieces with cleaner patterns and softer palettes for a refined, office-ready finish. Earth tones, navy blues, and pastels make prints feel elegant and powerful — not overpowering. A structured Ankara jacket, for instance, instantly elevates a plain shift dress. Or try a high-waisted wax print trouser with a tucked-in chiffon blouse for that “I came to close deals and turn heads” energy. To be continued....

Dressing etiquette. I agree that walking into a night club dressed in a T-shirt and shorts and flipflops is not the way to go, but some seem not to know and must be told. And will be rejected at the door. But I wear flipflops till I get there and then change into my full 4 inches, no platform. And keep the flipflops rolled in my handbag. A bit of a worrying development is the searching at the door for weapons, makes you wonder what sort of people come there. And I wouldn't even know how to use a gun. So I happily stepped forward at SOHO, Marina mall (Airport City, Airport By-pass Rd, Accra), to be searched, first with something around me that made biiiiii, and then hands on check of my handbag. REJECTED. Flipflops in the handbag, whilst it strongly said no flip flops allowed. My mother taught me never to argue with fools because the passers-by wouldn't know who of the 2 is the fool, so I agreed to leave my handbag at the check point. And now I was allowed in, I had passed. You get into the club through a lift which opens directly into the club, which has limited lightening and a few king size machos to keep you out of the walkways. I haven't really seen where to get out in case of a fire when that lift would not work, pray all lights will go on and escape staircases clearly indicated in case of too much smoke. No flipflops and T shirts agreed, but some of the ladies were dressed such that I wondered if I was in a brothel, but maybe these days it is decent? Have to go back one of these days to make a proper evaluation but as for now it will not be my favourite haunt for 2026.

Snowman, Oxford Street, near the Osu Presbyterian Church, Accra. This is a creamery selling sort of milkshakes/ice creams with several branches spread over Accra. Snow Man is also a Japanese idol boy band founded in 2020 and with more than 20 million copies sold, Japanese style of creating entertainment. And then of course there is the original snowman, every child's dream, but I am told it is hard work. And there is the mysterious Abominable Snowman purported to inhabit the Himalayan mountain range in Asia. Many dubious articles have been offered in an attempt to prove the existence of this Yeti, including disputed video recordings, photographs, and plaster casts of large footprints. The Yeti, as it is called is often described as being a large, ape-like creature that is covered with brown, grey, or white hair, and it is sometimes depicted as having large, sharp teeth. But we just came for ice cream and had a strawberry delight and a “make your shake”, at 105 GHS each, which turned out to be very cold and creamy milk shake but quite nice.

Gold Coast Restaurant and Cocktail bar upgrades. 32 Fifth Avenue Extension opposite Afrikiko, Cantonments, Accra. Renovations were going on for months, one at a time, but it seems they've now come to the end and opened for the Xmas. Neat dining tables with plate mats and napkins, and a new price list that has to pay for all this, vodka at 100 GHC a shot and a virgin Mojito at 170. Popular is Tilapia à la Abidjan, 185. Yam fries go for 55 GHS, kebabs are at 20 GHC. You can find your way here but need to study before you order. And they have regular live music which makes things worthwhile. Service is prompt.

Lydia...

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