A Must Read: Harmattan Rain by Ayesha Harruna Attah

Harmattan Rain follows three generations of women as they cope with family, love and life. A few years before Ghana's independence, Lizzie-Achiaa's lover disappears. Intent on finding him, she runs away from home. Akua Afriyie, Lizzie-Achiaa's first daughter, strikes out on her own as a single parent in a country rocked by successive coups. Her daughter, Sugri grows up overprotected. She leaves home for university in New York, where she learns that sometimes one can have too much freedom. In the end, the secrets parents keep from their children eventually catch up with them.

$16.00       http://stores.bbkwan.com/Detail.bok?no=18

For more information about Ayesha Harruna Attah please visit her website at: http://www.ayeshaattah.com/

Ghanaian Princess: Nana Amoako

[Nana on the right in a beautiful green dress -with her twin]

It’s been some time since Ghana Rising celebrated one of Ghana’s many beautiful Ghanaian Princesses and it’s a joy to introduce you to Nana Amoako. Beautiful, ambitious and fabulously fashionable –Ms Amoako’s a Facebook friend and a future star. The following is an inspirational insight into the life of this special young lady -enjoy.....x

GR: Hello Nana, how are you?
NA: I'm doing great thanks.

GR: Thanks for the interview Nana -what are you up to right-now?
NA: Well at the moment, I work at ulta beauty supply and I’m also in regency beauty institute working -on my cosmetology license.

GR: Wow you’re so focused – what motivated you?
NA: My motivation is the wonderful feeling I get after I see -I’ve done a wonderful job on a client by making her feel as beautiful as ever [whether its new extensions, glamorous makeup, newly waxed eyebrows etc].

GR: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
NA: I see myself on billboards –with my face selling my [own] cosmetics, -and my own salon –with me as the boss. I see a new revolution when it comes to beauty. I see myself on commercials –with everybody wanting me to do their hair and makeup [celebrities, models etc].

GR: I look forward to your make-up line [I love make-up] –and of cause we’ll post it on this blog. Nana what do you do on your days off?
NA: I absolutely love makeup, its my favourite accessory. When I use makeup [on my face] in the morning -its like painting on a blank canvas! On my days off I like to shop, shop, shop -at the mall –it’s my favourite pastime.

GR: You live in Arizona, what’s it like -and does it have a thriving Ghanaian community?
NA: Arizona is very hot [haha]. I would much rather live in California, or New York - somewhere full of life! The Ghanaian community is very little here, in Arizona.

GR: I love your style -how would you describe your look?
NA: My look is very sexy, fashionable and playful. I pay close attention to what’s "in" this season -but I like to put my own twist on the outfits I wear -by putting my own little flair to it. I would call myself a major diva when it comes to my style –I like lots of colour, texture, and sun dresses.

GR: Name your favourite designers?
NA: I love GUESS, can you say FAB!

GR: You are beautiful –tell us your beauty secret?
NA: My beauty secrets consist of exfoliation treatments. I love to use honey and brown sugar on my skin; it gives my face a very youthful glow. Another beauty secret of mine is the cosmetic brand ‘wet and wild mega glow’, it gives my skin a glowing affect and makes my cheek bones stand out.

GR: Who does your hair, your nails and do you go to the gym?
NA: Because I’m a hairstylist -I do my own hair. I’m constantly changing it to different colours [haha, I love to change my look]. I get my nails manicured and pedicured as much as possible at ‘Nails and Spa’. And I dance and do yoga to keep myself lean and trim.

GR: On to more serious stuff, -what are your hopes and dreams for Ghana?
NA: My hopes and dreams for Ghana, this is a great question! I hope to see more beautiful Ghanaian women, reaching for whatever dreams they have, and making it come true. I love anything that has to do with women empowerment and I want to see my strong African sisters do everything to make this world a better place.

GR: Nana thanks for the interview. God bless you and make all your dreams come true. x

Some of Nana Amoako’s favourite things....

I love Nana Amoako’s style. From her beautifully tousled hair to her pedicured toes; –Nana’s all about quality, laidback sexy style. Like myself –Nana is a fan of exfoliating –and uses natural honey and brown sugar –to gentle scrub her skin. You can do this easily by mixing brown sugar and honey –together, then apply to your face and gently scrub, –and follow by rinsing with warm water. If you want a more convenient option -then why not try Africa Ximenia and Salt Scrub, -a luxurious body scrub that cleanses, exfoliates and revitalises the skin, leaving it feeling silky-soft and smooth –made with Ximenia seed oil, which comes from the Ximenia tree [native to Africa]; organic beeswax and Community Trade shea butter from Ghana. £14.00 [http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/].

Nana [like me] is a big fan of make-up –and loves Wet 'n' Wild Mega Glo Face Illuminator. This much loved –mineral rich powder –is an all-in-one blusher, bronzer and brightener –and can be used to highlight and add shimmer to your eyes, lips and cheeks, -giving your face a healthy glow £2.00 [http://www.magicmakeup.co.uk/].

Denim is so hot right now –and brand Guess is the go-to label. Nana’s loves and looks fabulous in Guess -where her love of the -sexy, fashionable and playful is realized. Guess’s retro, sexy cowgirl denim S/S 2010 collection [and eclectic array of accessories] also offers a plethora of cute summer dresses – the type loved by Nana. I’m loving the featured garb in Guess’s S/S 2010 ad campaign [staring Vanessa Hessler and shot by Raphael Mazzucco] it features some of their fabulous accessories. For more information about Guess please visit: http://www.guess.eu/.

Idris Elba and Damaris Lewis in Uptown Magazine

[Credit: uptown magazine -Interview By Rebecca Louie, Photography by Marc Baptiste, Styling by Danny Santiago]

I’m loving these photos of Idris Elba and Sports illustrated model, Damaris Lewis -by photographer Marc Baptiste -in this Uptown magazine editorial -entitled, ‘A View to a Thrill’. He talks about his latest films: ‘The Losers’ [out now], ‘Takers’ and ‘Thor’ [will be in the cinemas from May 2011] and ‘Legacy’ [release date-to-be-confirmed]….To read the interview please visit: http://www.uptownlife.net/content/view/663/28/

Men’s Fashion: Joe Casely-Hayford for John Lewis –now available in store...

“Acclaimed designer Joe Casely-Hayford has created an exclusive collection for John Lewis. Recognised for his innovation and ability to produce definitive future classics, Casely-Hayford´s range celebrates the best of British sartorialism through a series of unique collaborations with some of the UK's leading heritage companies.” www.johnlewis.com

If you’re looking for a good capsule wardrobe for summer -then Joe Casely-Hayford’s elegant menswear collection for John Lewis is the one! Reasonably priced [prices start from £99.00 for a Gingham Polo Shirt [above] and the highly coveted Quilted Leather Jacket cost £399.00], and classic -Casely-Hayford’s archetypical clean lines are not compromised! http://www.johnlewis.com/

Buy it now: Print Shoulder Padded Dress by Christie Brown

Wow, -uber Ghanaian fashion label Christie Brown [designed by Aisha Obuobi] is now available here in the UK via the latest must-visit-website, My Asho –and I’m loving this gorgeous structured dress! Made from the finest Dutch wax print by Vlisco –this dress is a must buy! £185.00 - http://www.myasho.com/

Nightlife: Kelis, Tinchy Stryder and Afrika Bambaata together at The Coronet Theatre on Friday 7th May 2010

Kelis? Tinchy Stryder? Afrika Bambaata? Omgoodness the hottest ticket of the year and I’m afraid I only just found out about it! Anyway folks; it’s true -Kelis and Tinchy Strayder are together at The Coronet Theatre [the New Kent Road] this Friday [that’s right –tomorrow] –and it’s going to be hot, -so you need to book now! Please visit The Coronet Theatre’s website or call them on 020 7701 1500


Details:
Together: Kelis and Tinchy Stryder
Room 1
The Coronet Theatre,
28 New Kent Road,
London
SE1
020 7701 1500
http://www.coronettheatre.co.uk/index.aspx
Price is £15.00 [in advance]

**Nearest tube station is Elephant & Castle station