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: Fascinators at 9AM? 75 years history, Cocktails, Traumatic amnesia, Papa’s Pizza,1st May Public holiday, and 1st May Full Moon

Fascinators at 9AM? Oh, We’re Absolutely Doing That. Who said fascinators are only for weddings, race days, and those “plus one but make it extra” invitations? The modern corporate girlie in Accra knows no such limits. If blazers can be bold and heels can be loud, then your headpiece can absolutely have a personality too. First things first: keep it intentional, not theatrical. Your fascinator should whisper “style icon,” not scream “centerpiece.” Think sleek designs, structured shapes, and neutral tones—black, beige, navy, or even a soft brown moment. This isn’t the time for oversized feathers doing the most. Now, pair it with clean, powerful silhouettes. A well-tailored suit? Perfect. A structured midi dress? Even better. The key is balance—if your head is making a statement, your outfit should nod in agreement, not start a competition. Minimalist outfits let the fascinator shine like the CEO it is. Anticipate next blog for hairstyles inspo for corporate fascinator baddie!!!

75 years history. A friend invited me to her grandpa’s 75th anniversary. I was not really interested, knowing that it would be a boring formality, and off late I am once again on a diet to shed the bad side effects of a too good life. But she convinced me, and things turned out differently. Grandpa looked like he was 55 and even made a pass at me and the cake was there all right, but he complained that the prices were now crazy, some going for over 5000-6000 GHC and they were too sweet. He had fresh fruit juices, orange, pineapple, banana and mango and was inventing cocktails on the spot, with a vodka or pastis basis. Both turned out to be almost lethal and we soon had a lot of conversation going. He mentioned that he had no problem with modern technology and that anyway as no one was going to listen to him he’d better join the party. He was using the AI on his smartphone very regularly, but prudently, and said it was the best thing since the fax machine (I’ve never seen one operating). He admitted having only a facebook account, with only 2 friends. We started laughing but he looked at us and said “I know, but these are real friends”. But he wanted to remind us of the 80’s, Rawlings’ beginning years. There were no mobile phones and to make an international call you had to book it at the central post office. And pay grease, and then you would only get 10 minutes or so. Dumsor was averagely 15 hours a day and they had a system, one day almost fully off and then one day almost fully on. Air conditioners were not allowed. Petrol was rationed at 20 liters a week, that is if you could get the coupons, so there was a huge black market with prices 10 times the official price. The Dollar was sold 10 times the official rate at the black market and if you were caught you risked Gondar Barracks where you were shaved with glass from broken bottles. If you were lucky. All imported foods were in short supply and very essentials like baby milk were on coupons as well, with the corresponding black market. He didn’t know of anyone who died of hunger, but people had the so called “Rawlings collar” and many did not survive because of sicknesses resulting from malnutrition and deficiencies. Some people’s hair turned red because of this. And now it pains me, he said, seeing you people buying take away food at Papaye and so, and throwing half away. You don’t throw food away, he said.

Cocktails. But in this case I am talking about cocktails of pesticides, insecticides and so forth. Example: we know that taking more than 3 grams of paracetamol per day can have adverse effects. We also know that more than 2000-3000 mg of vitamin C can have adverse effects (yes, an overdose of supplements can be bad for you). But what about the 2 combined? Their cocktail? For the most common drugs we take it is known which ones don’t combine well. And for the majority of agricultural pesticide residues there are limits as to the quantity of residues that are allowed in the food before they really start to create havoc. But for the cocktails? Since 20 years the European food safety authority has been instructed to look at the cocktail effects, rather than the effect of single pesticides. They have not (yet) done so. So in Europe they don’t know where they are going. Do we?

Traumatic amnesia. Something very serious happened to you (say rape when you were a child) and in order to protect your peace of mind the mind “forgets” it. A bit like “let's not talk about it”, but that is consciously, traumatic amnesia is unconscious. But the traumatic experience did happen and symptoms appear, depression, difficulty sleeping, food related disorders, addictions, extreme phobias (fears), panics, even gynecological and sexual problems, and skin problems. So if for unexplained reasons you suffer some of these regularly you may want to start digging and trying to remember things, so you can deal with them. Once you “remember” it may bring back a lot of bad things, but better face them and deal with them than have unexplained problems. See a psychiatrist if you can afford it, they will dig professionally and help you to “handle” the bad experiences.

Papa’s Pizza. My host decided to order a chicken pizza from Papa’s Pizza. We were in Asylum down, and to my surprise the thing arrived in 15 minutes. At a cost of 165 GHC. It more than filled the three of us, and though I am particular about pizza’s this one wasn't as bad as many of the others I’ve tasted. The pizza bread itself was crusty, and the cheese had cheese taste. The chicken might have escaped during transport, I never noticed it. I’d give it a pass plus.

1st May Public holiday celebrated globally as International Workers' Day, honouring labour achievements and workers' rights. Originally an ancient spring festival, it was adopted in the late 19th century to commemorate the fight for an eight-hour workday. The 5 days a week only was introduced in Ghana as recent as 1986. France has meanwhile reduced this to 4½ days, the Netherlands is experimenting with 4 days a week, and Iceland has already approved it.

1st May Full Moon. Prediction is partly cloudy, so you should be able to see something when the moon rises immediately after sunset, in the south east. If you are in Accra look at the direction to Tema, or the direction the Muslims pray. Connecting with nature reduces stress.

Lydia...

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