The Foodie Diary - May - August 2019

My plan was to post this on the 31st of August so at least there would've been something new on the blog for that month. But then my table got swamped with lotsa work and you know, 'adulting' happens sometimes.
Anyhu, we move!

Alrighty! I'll be kicking this month off with another round of pretty much the best section of the blog. Yep. Y'all 'guessed' right...it's the Foodie Diary! Ayyyy! *doing the Milly rock*

In the past three months, I have consumed quite a number of yummy meals and here they all are on a virtual platter. Bon appetit!

24th - 31st May

24:05:2019 - Chocolat Royale

This was pay day, aka 'Treat yo'self day' because #YOLO

25:05:2019 - Bread Lounge

A random Saturday brunch out with the girls.

This frozen chocolate latte was the ish. Just the RIGHT amount of coffee and chocolate.

25:05:19 - The Warehouse Kitchen

At my colleague-turned-friend's send forth.

The shrimp pasta tasted so good, I was legit traumatized when it finished. *sniff*

21st - 27th June

21:06:19 - Chocolat Royale

One of the few days my (again) colleagues-turned-friends and I hung out after work. Reason being it was an all-expense paid dinner courtesy of Bode B. *big grin*

Tutsie's dish...

Bode B's...

BluBlu's (The Pasta Queen of course)...

And yours truly :)

Downed mine down with this oh-so-filling mango smoothie.

You can never go wrong with a mango drink IMO.

26:06:19 - Sooyah Bistro

Ain't nobody going to tell me nothing about not going back to get me more of this suya burger.

I had no idea how I ate it all without taking even one picture of it. It was THAT good guys.

27:06:2019 - Roma

Background story:

So I helped a very good friend of mine design a logo for his start-up. And when he got his first client he offered to take me out as a 'thank you' gesture. 

This was my first time here, thanks to him, cause I never even knew it existed.

We shared this platter but I'm pretty sure I ate much more than he did (obvs).

One of THE best platters I have had in a long time. And don't get me started on those chicken nuggets.

6th - 11th July

06:07:19 - Soso's Residence

BluBlu and I went visiting our 'sister', SoSo.

Girl served us some good ol' banga soup and eba. *licks fingers*

11:07:19 - Smokey Bones

I passed an exam in one sitting and this was a celebratory meal courtesy of my friend.

Yet another free meal. Who no like AWOOF? *hehe*

This comprised of pork ribs, potato salad, plantain and a cup cake of some sort (for some weird reason I can't remember what it's called) and a bottle of fresh juice, all for a very affordable price. 

Quite impressive for a restaurant located on the island.

14th - 28th Aug

Most of you guys will know by now that my birthday was last month. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary that day, so I decided to take some days off the following week to give myself a well deserved treat. And when I say treat, you know food HAS to be involved.

14:08:19 - ColdStone Creamery

I have been meaning to try this Freak Shake for over a year, and I just had to include it on my 

'To Eat' list.

People kept staring at me at the restaurant cause it was so huge! 

Fun fact: One of the perks of being a skinny foodie is that you get to eat humongous amounts of food in public without feeling any ounce of guilt.

Yep. Score!

15:08:19 - Bread Lounge

One of the treats I gave myself was a massage and facial session at Indy Spa. 

And then this meal was bought right afterwards. #Bliss 

16:08:19 - The Warehouse Kitchen

We planned yet another send forth for yet another colleague-turned-friend of mine that same week.

Puuurfect timing.

BluBlu channeling her inner Salt Bae.

21:08:19 - Michelle's Cafe

Faaam! This burrito blew my taste buds away! It was so heavenly! *weeps tears of joy*

I actually had to check out the chef's page on Instagram and duff my hat to her on there.

23:08:19 - Breakfast King

Like a friend of mine called it - 'Pap that went to London'

For just 500 naira. PERE! 

This has more often than not been my go-to breakfast at work since then.

Worth every 'penny'.

 28:08:19 - Sosa's Patisserie

I present to you, the best chocolate chip banana bread in the Lagos Metropolis. 

FYI, this was baked by my 'sister' who made that bangin' banga soup. And nope, this is not a sponsored nor a bias review guys. True story.

 Just take a look at all that yumminess... 

*drools*

NB: A freelance photographer, Adeniyi, approached me at a wedding in May and asked me to have a photo shoot session at Elegushi beach so he could add the pictures to his portfolio. Luckily for me, it was done a week before my birthday! So you could say it was pretty much a birthday photo shoot...for FREEEE! *big grin*

Here's a sneak peek :)

You can check out more of his work on Instagram - @deniiyi

PowerPuff!

*in Tom Kenny aka The Powerpuff Girls Narrator's voice*

Ambition.

Faith.

Style.

Personality.

Talent.

These are the ingredients that embody the perfect women added with an extra ingredient - 
Chemical Fierce!

Lmbo! Sorry, I honestly started typing all that out of the blues and I just couldn't help myself.
I know! I'm hilarious! *holds belly in laughter*

Ok. Not THAT funny but funny still, no?

*clears throat* Alright. Back to business.

This will be my first ever official WCW post. When it comes to admiring the 'female specie', call me very picky. They have to have an 'oomph' that really catches my attention before I can certify them 'crushworthy'. 

In my books, five women reflect these five qualities in such a way that I can't help but love them.
Here they are, in no particular order:

NSE IKPE ETIM - Personality

I fell in love with Nse when I saw her first blockbuster movie titled Reloaded. If you haven't watched it, you should, even if it's just to see how GOOD she portrayed her character. Girl nailed it a thousand times over. For a breakout movie, she was ah-mazing.

But then, putting her talent aside, after watching this interview of her on The Juice, doing a little research and then following her on social media, her personality is what strikes me the most. 

Her accent, her laugh, her smile, her wit, her demeanor. Love it!

And then a few weeks back, she went ahead and had yet another interview with BBC Pidgin that showed a side of her most people have never seen before. There is nothing stronger and more real that being emotionally open and that just made me love her even more.

FOLAKE KUYE HUNTOON - Style

For my avid readers (I see you) this name looks a bit familiar, doesn't it? I dedicated a whole post to her exquisite fashion style here a couple of years back, and I still wish I could raid her closet. Coupled with that body of hers even after having three children...and she's over 40! Hot damn!

PASTOR KIMBERLY JONES POTHIER - Faith

This woman right here. You know when somebody just hits the nail on the head in a way that makes you feel so encouraged and gives you goosebumps when they talk, even though they are a million miles away? Not sure you can relate but that's what Kim does to me. I can't even remember how I 'stumbled' on her existence, but it's all thanks to Instagram.

She preaches about faith in a way that gets me. Asides from the fact that she has first class experiences in some things that most people go through, she just has a way of delivering the message behind all the pain she harbored in the past. It's overwhelming.
I was lucky enough to hear her preach live earlier this year at the DayStar Women's Conference and it was so worth the cab fare. Lol. Her energy on the pulpit is contagious! 

Plus her sense of style? So bad ass. It's out of the norm for what you usually see on preachers.

          

Imagine my excitement when I posted a picture of Kim on my Instagram story and BAM! This popped up in my DM...

Oh trust me. I didn't just type 'Ahhhhh!!!' I yelled it! I will never delete this DM ever. Call me extra. Whatever.

BEYONCE KNOWLES-CARTER - Ambition

Need I say more? 

I mean, there's no need to overflog this matter naaaa...

And last, but not least *DRUM ROLLSSSSSS* 

MERYL STREEP - Talent

My definition of 'Screen Goddess' and as I like to call her, my On-screen Godmother. I literally love EVERY single movie she's been in that I have seen. It's so 'bad' that even before I watched those movies, once I knew she starred in them, I automatically loved them!

Even when her character is so dang annoying that you feel like ripping her face off the TV screen (yes, I'm talking to you Mary Louise. Fun fact: Mary Louise happens to be one of her real names), you can't help but be intrigued by how effortlessly she brings the character to life. Her talent is pure gold. 

But of all the roles she has played, I can't help but fall in love over and over with Ricki, a character way off from what you'd 'expect' to see her play.

But then, it's Meryl. She can pull off just about any script she gets her hands on.  

I have watched this movie ten times over and still can't get enough of her. Such an epic performance.

Another fun fact: Her daughter, Mamie Gummer also starred in the movie as her (Ricki's) daughter. 

I know, cute right? It kinda depicted the type of strong bond they have in real life. Quite adorable. 

Oh and yeah, Mamie happens to have been born a day before me, on the 3rd of August. Just felt I should slide that in there, seeing as my birthday is around 'za' corner *wink*

Like fine wine, she gets even more talented with age.

#Queen 

Serenity, History and Adventure

Remember when I mentioned how I lost all the pictures I took during my Easter trip? Praise Jesus, I was able to recover most of them!

I doubt I will ever forget how MUCH my sister insisted that I embarked on this trip. It involved a 'minor' financial sacrifice, but that all paved the way for a much better outcome in the end.

To be honest, work swamped me so much this week, my mind is so blank right now. So I will just give you the pleasure of viewing the moments (and monuments) I captured.

First Stop: Togo #Serenity

If you ever want to take some time out and relax and unwind on a very tight budget, give Togo a try.

Next Stop: Benin Republic #History

La Serpentine Modella

(For those who have no idea how I look like...nope, that's not me.)

Fun fact: Majority of the people of Ouidah, Benin Republic practice dual religion (for lack of a better term).

The first ever cathedral in West Africa is directly opposite the Temple of Pythons making it easy for them to shuffle between temples to worship both God and the pythons.

Yep. Crazy stuff.

Benin Republic was a bitter sweet experience. We had a tour guide take us to key history places with monuments and tell us about the history of their slavery and how much it affected them.

The Point of No Return- where slaves where shipped away into slavery, never to return to their land again. *sigh*

Last Stop: Ghana #Adventure!

Akwaaba...finally! I was so looking forward to this country because it was going to give me an opportunity to strike something off my bucket list *big grin* We had so many other fun experiences, but this by far was THE best of them all (and the food of course!)

Yep, that's right!

 Zip Liniiiiing!!! Woo-Hoo!

Daily Buffet Breakfast at the SunLodge Hotel. Yuh-Mmy!

So there you have it, until money enters our pocket to embark on another adventure...

The #rePlay Series: ePisode 10

Helloooo thou loyal ones! Behold, it's thy lucky month!

So, something fantastic happened to me this week and it could ONLY have been God that did it (the Dude keeps amazing me more than I deserve to be) And because I am in such a giddy mood, y'all are in for not one, not two, but THREE posts this month!

Can I hear an 'Amen'? 

*my handful of dedicated readers chorus* 'AMEN!!!'

Now let's get down to it shall we? 

This jam has been my lullaby for some days now. And it kinda surprised me cause I am not an avid fan of the singer. Reason not only being that I wish I could understand his lyrics, cause he frequently sings in Yoruba, but just...because. *shrug* I have never really been able to put a finger to it to be honest.

Yep. For those who might have guessed right, I am referring to Adekunle Gold.

I had heard this track in passing on the radio a couple of times and the chorus always stuck with me.
But, about three nights ago, I was in bed and had some little extra mobile data (that's a luxury in this part of the world, in case you didn't know) and decided to stream the latest hits on iTunes and this was one of the tracks on the playlist.

And then I listened to the first line - "I know you need a holiday. Let's go away for six months, twice in a year..."

Like, HELLO??? Yes pleaseeeee!!! Can someone just swoop me off my feet and take me around the world forever?

If you haven't, you should give it a listen here, even though I am probably the last Nigerian that connected with the song, seeing as everybody in this country appears to be crazy about his music.
But, oh well...perhaps I have jumped on that bandwagon, no?

SapioSexuality

Aloha ma amigos! (Yep. I'm a linguist now. Don't hate.)
It's been too loooong yo! But your girl is back (I've always been around anyway. Not like I took a sabbatical to travel around the world in search of my true purpose in life. I wish).
But I digress...

This post was initially supposed to be about my Easter trip to three West African countries, one of which I had never been to before - Ghana.
But as those technological enemies who don't want me to be great decided to cause my fingers to delete ALL the pictures I took during the trip from my phone, I had no other choice but to postpone the post till further notice.
I am steady working on retrieving those images as soon as I can (so help me God).

However, while I was having a conversation with a friend earlier today, we brushed a bit on the sapiosexual trait in well, both of us.
And then a light bulb went on in my head - "Oooh...that could be a perfect topic for my blog!"
So here we are.

For those who don't know, a sapiosexual is someone that is sexually and mentally turned on by smart people. In simpler terms- 'aroused by intelligence' (I like that definition better).

I have always been a sucker for tall, dark, good-looking, fit guys (who isn't?) But that is to me, just the icing on a cake.
Another friend of mine always says I am very picky (I do not disagree completely. I mean, everyone has a preference, no?). But the truth is, if I meet a guy who checks all the physical boxes but has nothing to offer on an intellectual level, all the fireworks turn to dust and I'm out. BuhBye!
Like, how can I enjoy a yummy looking slice of cake if all I can eat out of it is the icing and the cake itself is all bland and boring? Err...pass.

When I say 'intellectual level' I don't mean you have to have a vast knowledge in science and stocks or philosophy per say. I mean being witty and smart or intelligent (not necessarily in the 'I-am-a-first-class-graduate' bookworm type of way. Even though THAT could be a super hot add on. Yes, I'm weird, You should be used to that by now.) and also able to hold a conversation about any and everything.

Let's have deep conversations and bounce facts, ideas, opinions and views off each other. You could even teach me about the intricacies of soccer formations and I will tell you a thing or two about the lyrics of a rock song.
Say things to me that 'make my mind curl before my toes do.'

So go ahead,

*wink*

Dear Future Beau,

Are you taking notes? Cause you should.

1. Food is my krypronite. Even Mama-Put is a score cause it kinda shows how 'real' we can be with each other.
Like 'wrap-that-pounded-yam-up-in-our-palms-dunk-it-in-a-chunky-meaty-bowl-of-egusi-soup-swallow-then-wash-it-down-with-a-cold-bottle-of-water' realness.
Sigh. The good life.

But then, if you make the extra effort to wine-and-dine-me-fancy? Honey, now that's a winner.

2. You don't have to try so hard. For me, it's the 'little' things that count.
Like creating a playlist of my (our) favourite tracks, witty conversations, sending me flowers just because (nope, I won't get upset and ask you what I'm meant to do with them), evening walks, holding my hand while you drive, randomly sending me lunch at work (yep, food always finds it's way back to my list), coming by or sending me oddly funny messages to cheer me up, especially when I'm in a bad mood.

3. Communication cannot be overemphasized. It's always been and always will be key for me.
If you're going to be late, if you have to cancel, if you're upset with me, if you're feeling down, if you need some 'You Time', call me, text me, email me, DM me, WhatsApp me. Bottom line, just TELL me. That's all I ask.

4. Oh, sure I do love gifts and surprises too. Those are pretty much just extra chocolate chips on a delicious muffin.
But hey, if you insist, here's a list 😁
- Shoes

- Flowers (again, I won't sarcastically ask you if I'm meant to use them to cook soup.)
- Perfumes (If I could steal every perfume sample flap in every fashion magazine I so would.)
- Accessories (tarnish-free is my lowest limit and FYI, that's pretty affordable.)
- Shoes...again. (because, #BigFeetProblems) 

- Occasional 'unconventional' gifts (my interests are super weird)
and that's about it!

Easy peasy, I know.

PS: 'Complimentary' gifts will very much be appreciated too...if you get my drift 😉

5. Heads-up: I could be a Sensitive Sally some (most) times. So when I whine about say, some human that got on my nerves, in that moment, just 'agree' with every word I say (and I mean, every word) even if I'm wrong, and allow me to cool off.
Then much later (I'll say an hour 30 mins should do the trick), you can drink up the truth serum, be honest, and give it to me straight up. Scold me (lovingly) if you have to.
I promise I'll be so chill by then, I won't (mightn't) bite your head off.

6. I'm a private person, but I love public displays of affection. A kiss on my forehead, a peck on the cheek, bear hugs, tickles, cuddles...I'm all about that life, even though I could also be shy at the same time.
But when it gets overwhelming, I tend to want you to back up juuust a little bit, cause sometimes, a girl just needs her space.
I know right? So many ironies! Don't worry, you'll catch up.

7. Getting to meet your friends and family and those important to you means something - that you are proud to 'show me off' as I will be proud to do so with you too.

8. I love quality time. We could just stay indoors bingeing on movies and series with lots of nibbles (of course) and I'll be fine with that. Content, even.

9. Another heads-up: Your girl loves to plan hangouts way ahead of time - the venue, the entertainment, the means of transportation...except you decide to surprise me and take the reins, then that's an extra bonus point for you.

10. I've been 'sorting' myself out for as long as I can remember. So much so that it's become a part of me and I could appear a tad bit too independent, which sometimes shows up with how I handle my emotions.
I'm used to it. I like that I don't have to 'lean' on any man for support. But the fact is, I'm still human, I'm still a woman, and I do want to be helped sometimes...if not most times.
So when I get all tough and distant and act like I need no-one, don't just leave me be. Offer to support me. Offer to be there. Offer to carry my bags. Offer to open the door. Offer to let me cry on your shoulder. Offer, and then make the effort to actually do what you've offered.
Be THAT gentleman.
Chivalry might be dead, but it would be nice to know that it still is very much alive in you.

So there you have it. Go run with it...beau. (because I still can't stand the word 'bae').

xoxo,
Your Future Belle (Urgh. Why does that sound so corny?)