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: The “I Have Nothing to Wear” Office Fashion Emergency, Choosing the right hubby is only the beginning of the road, Ladies, Beware!, Crescent Rolls, and Sushi at Home

The “I Have Nothing to Wear” Office Fashion Emergency There is perhaps no greater morning drama than standing before a wardrobe filled with clothes and confidently declaring: “I have absolutely nothing to wear.” For the Accra corporate girl, this familiar fashion emergency usually happens on the morning of an important meeting, a presentation—or simply a day when looking effortlessly polished feels non-negotiable. But before rushing to the shops, consider this: the perfect office look may already be hanging quietly in your wardrobe. The Art of the Wardrobe Rediscovery: Luxury is not always about owning more. Often, it is about seeing what you already own with a fresh perspective. That forgotten blazer can instantly sharpen a simple pair of trousers. An old white shirt becomes effortlessly elegant when paired with a structured midi skirt. A neutral dress you rarely wear can feel entirely new with a belt, refined accessories and a beautifully tailored jacket. Start With the Classics: When inspiration disappears, return to the pieces that never fail: crisp shirts, tailored trousers, structured blazers, elegant dresses and timeless skirts. Then elevate them through styling. Think tonal dressing in shades of cream, chocolate, black or soft beige. Add polished shoes, a structured handbag and subtle jewelry. Suddenly, familiar pieces feel intentional, sophisticated and quietly luxurious. Style Over Shopping: The most stylish women are not necessarily the ones with overflowing wardrobes. They are the ones who understand proportion, layering, texture and the power of impeccable styling. So the next time you find yourself staring dramatically into your wardrobe, remember: you may not need a new outfit. You may simply need a new perspective. Because sometimes, the most luxurious thing in your wardrobe is not something you just bought—it is something you finally learned how to style beautifully.

Choosing the right hubby is only the beginning of the road. It appears that men have a tendency to keep their eyes wide open, even after the marriage, for anything that moves and wears a skirt. On top of that, once you are pregnant it is not so easy again to give in to all his desires, and immediately after delivery you are literally out of the running for quite some time, and busy with the newborn, lack of sleep, and no time for the gym. So what now do you expect? Let’s look at the basics. What do you really want? You want your kids to grow up in a harmonious peaceful environment, with sufficient money available to take care of everyone’s needs. But here goes, he’s found another fresh green leaf and even moves out. Most often the kids suffer enormously during and after such separation, though you may not immediately notice it. Often school performance goes down, some even start stammering, some are lost between the many grandmothers and aunties trying to take care of them, and trust no one again and learn to steal what they need. Many kids after a separation carry serious trauma, sometimes all their lives. I’ve looked at my friends, and my little survey shows that 8 out of 10 come from a broken family. And most of them somehow are traumatised and have difficulty performing socially and having honest relationships. So, no matter what selfish ugly bastard he turns out to be, do whatever you can to stay together, at least till the kids have grown up. You owe it to these kids, who did not ask to come into this world. And if that means you have to literally go on your knees, then do so. And there’s more. Every guy has a soft spot; find it. Maybe cook like his mum, or visit his mum often. Or show your buttocks right into his face and allow him to grab them, if that’s what he fancies. Or whatever. And if he is kinkier than you like? It is not about you; it is about the kids. Make sure that with you he gets something he gets nowhere else. Make the effort to find out what really turns him on, into your power.

Ladies, Beware! First, we had the Russian man with the video spectacles who posted many girls naked on social media. Then there was this man from Puerto Rico (I think it is part of the USA) who claims that he wants to marry five ladies from different countries. And the latest I heard of is a man who claims to have a real jacuzzi in his house and who is inviting girls to enjoy it (and of course, take selfies). But it is not clear whether he provides bathing costumes or if to really feel the flow of the water you have to attend in Eva’s costume. I’d say: beware, and curiosity kills the cat.

Crescent Rolls. And talk about curiosity! I went to Melcom Labone and decided to try their croissant au beurre (butter croissant), proudly baked by l’Artisan (the craftsman) at GHC 20. The price is a bit more than I would pay for a good croissant in France, but this was not a good croissant. Maybe “crescent roll” was a better description. No Frenchman would recognize this as a croissant, apart from perhaps its shape (even that was overdone). A good butter croissant should taste rich, with creamy, aromatic butter, balanced by a mild, natural sweetness from the yeast dough and just a subtle hint of salt, rather than heavy sugar, artificial flavourings, or greasy vegetable oil. The deep golden-brown crust should add a slight, pleasant toasted or nutty undertone. On the outside it should be crisp and flaky, shattering and crackling when pressed or bitten into with light flakes falling away. Inside, it should be tender, warm, and soft, with an open, airy honeycomb structure formed by delicate layers rather than the dense texture of a heavy bread roll. Finally, a well-made butter croissant should dissolve easily in the mouth and never leave a heavy, waxy, or greasy coating on the lips or fingers.

Sushi at Home. Do you like sushi? In Ghana it is mainly slices of raw seafood, mostly served with a roll of rice. I make my own and use cassava fish (not always easy to get) which has a neutral but still fishy flavour. I marinate small pieces for about three hours in lemon juice and add finely sliced onion, a very little bit of hot pepper, some small pieces of tomato, and tomato paste (ketchup is too sweet). Try it with a nice glass of cold Prosecco! (Of course, the cassava fish should be very fresh.)

Lydia...

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