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: continued.... Saturday: Brunch & Soft Life, Why are we told not to talk? No oranges? Sub Box, and Frankies, Monday evening

The Everyday Girl’s Guide to Slaying in Stripes continued...Saturday Brunch & Soft Life. Weekends are for oversized striped shirts, mimosas, and pretending you don’t have a care in the world. Try a button-down striped shirt worn as a dress — belt it at the waist, add your cutest sandals, and boom — brunch ready! Feeling extra? Mix stripe directions — vertical top with horizontal shorts — and watch the compliments roll in. It’s giving chaotic fashion genius. Sunday Night: Stripes that Sparkle. Stripes don’t stop when the sun sets! Metallic and shimmery striped fabrics are your secret weapon for night outs. Think gold, silver, or jewel-toned diagonal stripes that catch the light every time you move. A striped jumpsuit or wrap dress + hoop earrings + glossy lip = instant main character energy. You’ll be glowing brighter than the lights at Bloom Bar. A Little Culture, A Lot of Style. Let’s not forget our roots! From the woven stripes of kente to the rich textures of aso oke, our African stripes tell stories. Designers are blending these traditional patterns into modern pieces — crop tops, mini skirts, even office wear. So next time you rock stripes, know you’re carrying a piece of home with style and pride. Stripes aren’t just a pattern — they’re a personality. Bold when you need to be, simple when you want to chill, and always effortlessly stylish. So next time you stand in front of your wardrobe, don’t overthink it. Grab those stripes, throw them on, and strut out like the Accra queen you are. Because honestly? You were born to slay in stripes.

Why are we told not to talk? In Ghana we have traditions, one of them is that talk about sex is taboo. Once a girl gets her first flow she typically is told by her mother that she will from now on get this every month and that she should make sure that she does not get pregnant. About 10 years later she is told to get married. Anything else: go wash your mouth. With soap. No wonder most marriages end up in a disaster, and, worse, the children suffer it and often end up with life long traumas. And a girl cannot really walk to a boy and say “I like you' let's spend time together”, she would be seen as a prostitute? Why? Only boys are allowed to like girls? Girls are not allowed to like boys? Where does this come from? Anyway, there's ways around that, you could say “I like your shirt, where did you buy it, I want to buy something like that for my brother's birthday”, and with a bit of luck he will even drive you to the shop and ask for your number. So be a bit inventive, and forget about the “girls should not ask or propose.” Let's take this a few big steps further. You are living with hubby and he's been busy of late, but since a few days you really want him, close to you, and in the bed. You are not allowed to say that. Now who invented this one? You cannot express your feelings? Your feelings for sex? That would make you a whore? So tell him what you want, and if you are shy to do so dress up nicely, provocative, and tell him, I dressed up for you, likely he will take the hint. Let's stop this “we cannot talk about this”, rather express yourself and live life. There was a recent statement by a female church leader who said that women should not make noise in bed. Ridiculous. you should wait for him to make the first move and then submit, eyes closed, lay still without making any noise until he is done? Sorry, we are in 2025, not in 1425.

No oranges? Sub Box, Labone, Ndabaningi Sithole Road, Accra, is not a bad place to take a Saturday morning coffee or maybe something to eat as well, the quality is above average. They also offer fresh orange juice. Oranges are very good for us, 1 orange gives you about 40% of your daily recommended Vitamin C intake, and lots of fibers which is good for your gut health. Pity that with freshly pressed orange juice lots of these fibers end up in the waste basket. And pity that with the orange juice I had there was that aftertaste and smell of orange juice from a pack, maybe they added some.

Frankies, Monday evening Oxford Street, Osu, Accra. This Monday evening Frankies was not very busy and we managed to get a table near the street window, allowing us to observe and comment on the passers by, a nice guess game. But on this Monday the usual cook may have had his day off, my kibbehs were over fried and a disappointment, the chicken jollof was too salty and had a sort of smoky flavour and the classic hallal pizza had a funny taste, but was ok for my guest. In my view a pizza should have a thin crispy bottom and a topping which has some mozzarella cheese in it and other things, not a thick cake with industrial cheese all over. Anyway, unfortunately this last one seems to be becoming the standard. The coconut vanilla smoothie was ok. When the bill had come the waiter assumed that the 47ghc change was for him. We then ordered shaved ice with strawberry flavour, which was so so and almost feels like alcohol, and this additional bill was added separately, 80ghc instead to the 25ghc on the menu. Monday fools day?

Lydia...

Do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our posts.

I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution. for the time being, you can mail me at wunimi@proton.me

I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, and people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.