Monday 30 April 2012

Celebrating Paula Madison’s Akan Ancestry…..

Celebrating Bobby Rush’s Ashanti Ancestry…..

Kwesi Boakye, Kofi Siriboe and Kwame Boateng on the latest cover of Face 2 Face Africa Magazine…







The above film clip is sooo lovely -warming the cockles-of-my-heart.. But omgoodness, -can you believe how grown-up the brothers look?

I’m loving the cover of Face 2 Face Africa Magazine’s ‘Young, Successful & African in Hollywood’ issue starring Kwesi Boakye, Kofi Siriboe and Kwame Boateng. It “explores how the brothers are using their platform to re-brand Africa” -and looks pretty impressive.

I’m soo proud of the brothers (and their parents) -and thank them for putting Ghana on the map. You can pre order a copy of Face 2 Face Magazine via: http://f2famagazine.face2faceafrica.com/


For more information about Face 2 Face Africa magazine visit: http://f2famagazine.face2faceafrica.com/
http://www.facebook.com/F2FAMAGAZINE

Link to Film Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGKFN5AtwgM&feature=youtu.be

Saturday 28 April 2012

Wellbeing: Do like Accra’s style elites and head to Pippa’s Health Centre for some serious pampering…



So you’re in Accra, Ghana and afternoons spent taking your cousins’ shopping in Accra Mall is beginning to grate, -its time for some R&R.. Consider a massage or some serious pampering, -maybe a luxe facial? If this sounds about right head to Pippa's Health Centre where you can indulge in some of the best facials in town.

Pippas Health Centre's not only Accra Metropolis’ most fashionable gym or health centre, -its also famed for its uber desirable; manicures, pedicures, body massage therapies, eyelash tinting and much more including qualified world class personal trainers..

Note, there are several branches of Pippa’s Gyms (as its known locally) throughout Accra -so contact them to find the nearest branch to you; -also, most services are available to non-members -and can be booked by calling their resident beautician on: 0302-224488...

For more information about the services on offer at Pippa’s Health Centre and more visit: http://www.pippasfitness.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pippas-Health-Centre/125287380856918

Location:
Pippa's Health Center
5th Ringway Link
Ringway Estates
Accra
http://www.pippasfitness.com/
Phone: +233- 21-224488

Casa Trasacco, stylish Ghanaian’s first point of call for high-end furniture…

























Casa Trasacco is a huge furniture store in Accra Mall, Ghana -that’s fast becoming the answer to many an expats’ prayers, not least because, -it means that they no longer have to ship the kitchen sink and more -when relocating to Ghana for good.

Whatever you can think of -they have it.. Top of the range stainless steel cookers, name brand washing machines, funky trendy posters, real leather sofas, trendy office chairs, funky rugs and much more.. Check out Casa Trasacco's furniture collection and services at: http://www.casatrasacco.com/

Locations:
Behind Accra Mall
Tetteh Quarshie Circle
Opening time Mo - Sa: 9:30 - 18:30

Accra Mall
Store No. G39
Opening time Mo - Sa: 10:00 - 19:30
Sunday: 12:00 - 19:30

Tel: ( 233) 0302 82 33 22, 0544 33 23 32, 0544 33 23 00
Fax: ( 233) 0302 82 33 23
Email: info@casatrasacco.com
http://www.casatrasacco.com/
https://www.facebook.com/#!/CasaTrasacco





More Info:
Located on the Spintex Road in Ghana's capital city of Accra, Casa Trasacco's big and modern furniture showrooms are a one-stop destination for premium home and office furnishings. From luxury kitchens to home appliances and children's bedroom furniture to bathroom furniture and design furniture, to name but a few, the showrooms are full of treasures and decoration ideas that will gladden the heart of interior decorating enthusiasts; all under one roof, all surprisingly affordable.

Guardian newspaper photographs fashion designer AJ Taylor in her own CJAJ09 designs….





I love rich tones and bright colors – I think it has to do with growing up in Africa where everything around me was vibrant and colorful and loud. I fell in love with the shade of green on the satin I used for this dress and liked the way it contrasted with the red clay-ish colour in the print - it's like the red soil and green forests of Africa



The contrast fabric used on this dress is kente, which is native to Ghana. It is handwoven and was traditionally worn by royalty and the affluent for special occasions. Over time, however, the fabric has become more mainstream, with less expensive printed versions now available. This look is a mix of two classics: the iconic western little black dress and the African kente. I like to think of it as representative of me, the best of two beautiful worlds.



The idea for this playsuit came about when I got the ankara fabric for the top. With ankara fabrics (the most common type of African fabric, which actually originated in Holland), often the prints are easily recognisable, but new designs are always being introduced. Some of these new designs blend easily with western patterns. When I saw the fabric for the top, I immediately thought to pair it with polka dots. It's something I do a lot in my work – bringing together the best of the west and Africa, which works great for my customers, who are mostly Africans growing up outside of Africa, or non-Africans, with a love for Africa.



This is my take on the power suit - although it would probably take a very bold woman to wear this to the office! The blazer is actually inspired by my grandma. She had very broad shoulders, and she always carried a lot, both literally and figuratively, and like most women in Africa when I was growing up, she wore very loose clothing, or a piece of fabric tied loosely around her - hence the puff sleeves.



Even though this look uses traditional ankara fabric, it will be worn by a very modern woman. In the past few years, ankara fabric has gone from being considered uncool and worn only by the underprivileged or the elderly to being used by high-end designers and worn by the young, rich and famous. The skirt fabric is a variation on the kente print, used in the little black dress.




Most people tend to think African prints come only in very bright colors but there are also nice muted ones, too, like the ones here. I added prints to the neckline of the top and as a peplum on the skirt to give the look a little pizzazz.


**Paulina Opoku-Gyimah says: GIG (Ghanaian It Girl) and all round fabulous fashion designer about town, AJ Taylor is photographed looking fabulous in her own creation for Guardian newspaper -in a lovely piece titled: Fashion: where Africa meets the West.. We find out Croyden based AJ Taylor -the designer behind CJAJ09, “takes her inspiration from Ghana, where she lived until she was 14”…

Ghana Rising’s uber pleased for AJ Taylor and her fashion label CJAJ09 -as broadsheet newspapers are notoriously known for only celebrating uber established mainstream brands -and pray that this exposure brings her new fans/clients…
To read said piece visit: http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/gallery/2012/mar/21/fashion-africa-meets-west-in-pictures

To order any of the above designs visit the CJAJ09 website at: http://www.cjaj09.com/
and to check out AJ Taylor’s blog visit: http://myafricancloset.wordpress.com/

**Credit: All Photographs by Alicia Canter for the Guardian

Thursday 26 April 2012

Bank Holiday: Ghana Divas 2nd Birthday is on the Tereza Joanne boat, London on the 3rd June 2012.…






★GHANAIAN DIVAS 2ND BIRTHDAY BOAT PARTY★
--(BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND)-- BB PIN:233C7984 £15

Sunday : 3RD JUNE 2012

... ABOARD THE TEREZA JOANNE BOAT
KING GEORGE V DOCK, WOOLWICH MANOR WAY,
LONDON, E16 2QY

DJ’s PLAYING; RNB, HIPHOP, DANCEHALL, SOCA, AFRO BEATS, OLD SKOOL 80’s CLASSICS, LOVERS ROCK, RARE GROOVES, OLD SKOOL GARAGE, FUNKY HOUSE, & SLOW JAMS:

★ GUEST DJ's (BBC 1EXTRA/MTV BASE/ KISS FM)★★
★ FRENCHKISS
★ INVISIBLE
★ NEPTIZZLE
★ ALORDIA
★ SAWA
★ LORDSEGA
★ SPECIALIST CREW

ID REQUIRED (ALL ID's WILL BE SCANNED)

DRESS SMART & SEXY >
NO JEANS / NO TRAINERS (HARD SOLE SHOES ONLY)

LIMITED £15 Advanced Tickets ★ LIMITED £15 Advanced Tickets ★ LIMITED £15 Advanced Tickets

TICKETS, INFO, BIRTHDAY’S, HEN NIGHT, TABLES & GROUP BOOKINGS: 07538198382

For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/277106815700871/

Ghana Rising Hearts Rooti Creations’ Ghanaian ‘Ama’ Doll…



Rooti Creations’ Ghanaian ‘Ama’ Doll

Woww -ever come across a product that you wish was yours? Well the fabulous Rooti dolls are one such creation.. Rooti dolls are beautiful black dolls that are created to teach your child your ethnic language and includes Ghanaians languages like: Twi, Ga, Ewe, Danmgbe and Hausa.. Ohh -the dolls are cute too and will go down a treat as a birthday gift for your precious princess… For more info visit:
http://www.rooticreations.com/
https://www.facebook.com/events/277106815700871/#!/rooticreations

More info:
Rooti Creations UK Ltd - Makers of Empowering Educational Toys.
First ever beautiful educational black fashion dolls that can interact with your children and teach them many words and phrases in various African ethnic languages. Our doll ranges include include:

Ama - Ghana doll can speak and teach your children any one of Twi, Ga, Ewe, Danmgbe or Hausa ethnic languages of Ghana.

Nina - Nigerian doll can speak to or teach your children any one of Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Ibibio, Edo or Tiv ethnic languages of Nigeria.

We also have dolls that can speak and teach ethnic languages of South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Angola, Cameroon, Senegal, Sierra Leon, Liberia, Somalia, Mali, Sudan, Congo, Ivory Coast and many other countries of Africa.

A percentage of all revenues goes to children charities in Africa.
For wholesale, distributorship, and dealership opportunities please send your details to - mailto:rootidolls@gmail.com%20or   or visit our website through the link below - http://www.rooticreations.com/

ROOTI CREATIONS UK - Rooti Dolls - Beautiful black dolls that teach your child your ethnic languages...
http://www.rooticreations.com/

Bank Holiday: Hip-Life in the City hits Revolution, London on 5Th May 2012...







***This years bank holiday extravaganza from those Dynasty London boys’ Hip-Life in the City -is going to be hot… They promise to beat last year’s event -which featured red Donae’o, Sarkodie, Lethal B, Emmanuel Frimpong and many more… For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/219576898149905

More Info…
THE MAY BANK HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA
@ REVOLUTION (AMERICA SQUARE)
1 AMERICA SQUARE,
TOWER HILL, LONDON
EC3N 2LS

**For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/219576898149905

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fWCTw8XbcM4#!

Object of Desire: Yaa Ohenewa Textiles’ Safari Bolero Jacket...



Omgoodness how gorgeous is this beautifully lined Bolero jacket with frilled edging detail by Michelle Yaa Ohenewa Bannerman, the fabulous fashion designer behind the Yaa Ohenewa Textiles label? The Safari Bolero is now officially -Ghana Rising’s jacket-of-the-season..


Yaa Ohenewa Textiles is new to Ghana Rising’s radar but we are already -fans and loving said label’s uber on-trend verve -and see big things for its designer, Michelle Yaa Ohenewa Bannerman. We’re looking forward to future collections..

To view Yaa Ohenewa Textiles’ latest collection or to order the Safari Bolero -visit: http://www.yaaohenewatextiles.com/


Blue Diamond Beach Spa Resort -Ghana’s latest Luxe destination du jour…




















Blue Diamond Beach Spa Resort is a newly opened eight hectares of land with 500 meters beach front -luxe paradise in central region of Ghana that offers the discerning traveller a choice of 6 sea view chalets and 1 suite -all with stunning sea views. Other accommodation includes a safe and professional campsite with BBQ, shawarma grill and kitchen facilities etc.


Blue Diamond Beach Spa Resort also boasts an extensive and professional kitchen, a sea view restaurant -already famed for its carte du jour including: Indian, Lebanese, Thai and other international dishes, a spa with professional Thai massage, a sauna, an outdoor Jacuzzi and a fully equipped -gym. Note they also have a couple of quad bikes for hire -fab..

I’m very excited about this resort. Not only adding to Ghana’s grown band of stylish, professional, high-end tourist destinations - Blue Diamond Beach Spa Resort also looks like it would make an absolutely fabulous location for high end fashion shoots…

I get the feeling that the good people behind Blue Diamond Beach Spa Resort -know their stuff -and I can’t wait to check it out.. Please some of their facilities are opened to the public at a cost including some of their popular must-go-to upcoming events this April including:

Coconut spa evening on the 27th and 28th, a bonfire night on the 29th and a reggae night on the 30th! For more info call 0206042265 or email blue.diamond.beachresort@gmail.com

For more info about Ghana’s latest must-visit luxe Resort visit their face book page at: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDiamondBeachSpaResort