100 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

                                    

    

It is easy to get lost in all the worries of life, but when last did you think about all the things that make you happy. I saw this on Keni Kodjo’s blog, her list got me smiling from ear to ear, I decided to put down my own. So there you go….

1. The sea. One of my favourite places to hang out is the beach. The breeze, the water, during the day or at night, I just love it.

2. Paintings 

3. Ice cream 

4. Cake 

5. Swimwear / Bikini ( my favourite fashion item)

6. Yoga ( watching people do it )

7. Sitcoms 

8. Hanging out with my favourite people 

9. Long walks 

10. Great music ( my love for music spreads across all genres)

11. Modeling (obviously) 

12. Meeting a deadline 

13. Romantic movies

14. Chocolate ( I never say no to chocolate )

15. Long conversations with people I admire

16. Successful women 

17. Happy children 

18. Fufu and light soup featuring goat meat and fish especially if I haven't had some for a while.( fufu is a local Ghanaian dish made out of cassava/yam and plantain/cocoyam )

19. Musical movies 

20. Adventure ( I haven't had enough but just the thought of it excites me 

21. Sneakers ( the tomboy in me)

22. Getting lost in a good book

23. Travelling 

24. Late night chats 

25. Kelewele

26. Moments of silence ( Yes! No long talk just peace and quiet)

27. Volunteering 

28. Books by Nora Roberts

29. Natural Hair ( short, curly , big Afro, I love them all )

30. Interactions with kids

31. Anything Black ( Black is my happy colour)

32. Pretty and cute Dresses

33. Massages

34. Teasing ( #TeamTeasers)

35. Matte Lipstick 

36. Fast Internet

37. Story telling photography 

38. Manchester United 

39. Jollof

40. Holding hands with someone I care about

41. Singing and dancing when I'm alone ( don't ask me why lol)

42. Writing 

43. Family 

44. Greenery 

45. A man with a sense of style and humour

46. Flipping through the pages of a fashion/beauty magazine 

47. When I make time to pray 

48. Shoes 

49. Sunglasses 

50. Instagram

51. Fresh bed sheets

52. Online shopping 

53. Friendship 

54. Long hugs

55. Uplifting and soul inspiring gospel music

56. Snacks

57. Moments of laughter and positive energy 

58. When my face isn't breaking out 

59. Poetry/ Spoken Word

60. Smart girls 

61. Philanthropy 

62. Cuddles 

63. Sportswear 

64. Coca cola

65. Dressing up

66. When my hair looks great 

67. Smart , thoughtful men

68. A day at the spa 

69. Nursing 

70. Red Lipstick

71. Shopping for a new book

72. Online shopping ( I mean window shopping)

73. Watching people dance

74. Artsy places 

75. Road trips

76. Backpacks

77. Guys who cook

78. Identical twins 

79. Reading 

80. Watching people workout 

81. Pretty and comfortable lingerie

82. High school movies

83. Fashion illustrations

84. Makeup ( I love the transformation)

85. Undressing after a long day

86. Green eyes

87. Making stuff with my hands 

88. Random dates

89. Rain (when I'm indoors )

90. All things that focus on women empowerment 

91. Books by Sidney Sheldon 

92. Pizza

93. Achieving a set goal

94. African inspired fashion 

95. Watching Top Model

96. Music reality TV shows

97. Selfies

98. Ripped Jeans 

99. Cold Showers

100. French ( I love the language. I can't speak though)

#LITTLELUXURYMOMENTS + INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY

                         

Like it's often said, you never know the worth of a moment till it becomes a memory.

There are so many precious moments we experience daily that are actually a luxury, and most of the time we get so used to them that they hold no charm for us and we take them for granted.

It was really exciting to be selected with some other talented female bloggers to be part of the #LittleLuxuryMoments Social Media Campaign  by Pz Cussons , leading to the relaunch/rebranding of Imperial Leather range of products. 

Imperial Leather especially the soap, has been around for as long as I can remember and I'm sure most of us are quite familiar with the brand, the Rebrand and social media campaign was to introduce the new improved products to the Ghanaian market and also start a conversation about what luxury meant to different people.

This thought provoking campaign got me thinking about what really luxury was. 

Does it have to be expensive to be classified a luxury?

Is luxury rare and reserved for a selected/privileged few?

What does Luxury mean to you.

What is Luxury?

I got to try out both the old and new Imperial Leather products and I must admit I love the Citrus Burst Refreshing Shower Gel, it has lime oil and kiwi extract and leaves me feeling so refreshed . And the Japanese Spa Nourishing Shower Cream is everything , it smells so good and makes taking a shower so much fun.

Another product I love is the Imperial Leather Body Lotion, it is non-greasy and keeps my skin moisturised , my usual Sheabutter got some competition now :-) .

It was an amazing experience being part of this campaign and looking forward to future projects.

I appreciate the support I receive from you guys daily, and one lucky follower on our Instagram will receive some Imperial Leather products. Here's how to WIN;

1. Follow @Lauries_blog on Instagram 

2. Tell us what luxury means to you by commenting on the Instagram post about the giveaway.

3. One lucky winner will be chosen at random on Saturday 5th March.

4. Must be based in Ghana.

All the best!!!

 

JERMAINE NOW AT ELLE LOKKO

This young designer keeps getting better and we are loving this new collection of his.

You can get any of these at Elle Lokko 08 retail shop.

Jermaine had this to say about his new collection; 

"With this capsule I was thinking, who is the Bleu girl? Who do I want wearing my clothes? And the answer is YOU. The Bleu girl is basically everybody with style. If you've got style then we have something for you in this collection. This is by far one of our most eclectic collection yet, designed to bring out the Bleu girl in you. 

MOST COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID DURING AN INTERVIEW

In our previous post we talked about how to make a good first impression at an interview. This is a follow up post, to draw attention to some mistakes that might cost you the job. Most of these mistakes happen because people get very anxious during an interview or they simply do not know how serious those mistakes are.

No need to worry if you haven't found a job opening yet, visit Ghana's biggest e-commerce website as there are several new jobs posted daily. You can apply to 

Now here are some mistakes to avoid at all cost during an interview; 

• Never be late for your interview, it is unacceptable. It is always better to get there about 30 minutes before your interview. Being late for an interview will make your employer think you lack work ethics or you're not taking them serious.

• Don't go acting over-confident as it will come off as arrogance or act in a way that will make your employer think ,"you feel you're too good for the job" . Be confident in a good-natured way.

• Never enter the interview room with your phone on ringing mode. It might ring during the interview and distract you and create a bad impression . Put for phone on silent or just turn it off during your interview.

• Inappropriate or ill fitting Clothing. Your outfit should not be short, crumpled or dirty. Look smart and ready for work.

• Do Not Lie - To hide a lie, you will be forced to tell some more lies and you will eventually contradict yourself. Just be honest and save yourself the trouble.

• Saying bad things about your former job or employer is a complete turn off. No one wants to work with someone who speaks ill of others in their absence . You might do the same to them when you no longer work for them and they won't hire you because of that. If you have nothing positive to say about your former employers, simply talk about the contribution you made to the company.

• Do not interrupt when you are being asked a question. Listen attentively and do not be too quick to speak. When given the opportunity to speak , keep it short and go straight to the point.If you talk too much, you might end saying something you're not supposed to.

• Being pessimistic about your life and talking about how unfair life has been to you. No one is saying you don't have a reason to be sad but an employer will always choose someone who despite their challenges is optimistic and ready to take on whatever the future brings. Positive energy is key.

• Being arrogant  is bad but so is looking scared and unsure of yourself.No matter what, the opportunity to learn new things should excite you and not scare you.

• Don't make money the main focus of wanting the job. It is not necessarily a bad thing, just don't let your employer feel that you're more interested in the money than the work.

These few tips should help you ace that interview and book that job.

Don't forget you can find work in any sector and every part of the country at Ghana jobs.

Good luck in your search .

Photo Credit : Dextdee Photography

HOW TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION AT AN INTERVIEW

Are you looking for a new job?

Have you completed or are you almost done with your national service and looking to find work as soon as possible?

Still in school and looking for part-time work or want to know what awaits you on the job market?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then head over to  Ghana's biggest classifieds and check out some of the job openings with their required qualifications and skills, and apply If you qualify for any of the jobs listed or find one that you are interested in.

It is exciting when  you are called for an interview for a job you applied for, that not withstanding, going for an interview can be a daunting task.

How can you make a good first impression that can help you land the the job easily?

First of all preparation is everything. Here is an easy guide to follow as you get ready for your interview .

• Research - Find out everything you need to know about the company, their operations, vision , mission, and make notes about the contribution you're going to make. It shows your interest in the company and not just the job.

• Make sure you know the venue of the interview. Note how long it'll take you to get there, so you can set off early.

• Select an appropriate outfit. Your outfit must be decent, well fitting and your shoes comfortable. It is always safe to opt for a smart casual or a formal wear. 

• Have copies of all document you might need to present ready in a neat file to make it easy to identify and take out when you're asked to.

• Know your CV. A lot of the interview questions will come from there so you need to be conversant with it.

• Be prepared for critical thinking questions. And be ready to answer them as honestly as possible.

• Plan the questions you're going to ask if given the opportunity to. If you need any clarification about the position you're going to hold, that will be the time to seek it.

• Finally make sure you go to bed early the night before the interview. You don't want to turn up looking tired and confused.

Now here are a few tips for the interview day itself.

• Get there early, at least 30 minutes before your interview is to start and smartly dressed. This allows you time to relax and calm your nerves.

• When you're called in for the meeting , greet as soon as you enter and look cheerful and confident . 

• Be Professional. Sit well , make eye contact and show more of your personality. Listen more and give straightforward answers, short and precise.

• Have a positive attitude , whatever issues you had before getting there should not distract you. Be present and let them feel you're genuine and ready to work and learn. Show appreciation for the opportunity to work with and for them.

Ready for that new job?

Check out business jobs in Ghana, hopefully you will find something interesting.

Happy Searching.

5 MOST LUXURIOUS AREAS TO LIVE IN ACCRA

        

Accra has seen a rise in planned neigbourhoods and lush apartment buildings in recent years. You might be wondering where in the city you can find those areas, that is if you're planning to relocate, or maybe you're just as curious as I am. For either short-term or long-term accommodation options, you can trust Ghana's biggest online market place which has so many listings/options to choose from and at competitive prices too.

 So join me as we tour 5 of Accra's most luxurious areas to live in.

1. EAST LEGON 

East Legon is a very popular area and is home to a lot of Ghana's creme-de-la-creme. There are a lot of gated and well planned communities with a good security system here. You can find a mall, several shopping centers and supermarkets, a sports complex and  recreational centers.

And there is more; you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels, restaurants, beauty and health services, banks and even schools.

Houses here have all the modern amenities you can think of. Truth be told, East legon is one of the most sought after areas in Accra .

2. AIRPORT RESIDENTIAL AREA

Airport residential area has some of the most exclusive houses in Accra, the location is just perfect with a good road network and easy access to all parts of Accra.

This area has a lot of fancy restaurants and hotels, a mall, shopping centers and health facilities. If you would love to live in an area that makes it very easy to access the Kotoka international airport, or you want an immaculate accommodation or perhaps you're eyeing one of these new high-rise apartments, then Airport residential area is for you.

3. LABONE

Popular for its good selection of coffee shops and restaurants, houses here are mostly  low-rise with beautiful gardens, in a serene environment .

Residents here also have easy access to shopping centers most of which are within walking distance or a few minutes drive away.

Labone is one of the coolest places to live.You have the convenience of having access to all the major banks at Labone.

4. CANTONMENTS

Cantonments is considered a prestigious area. It's home to most embassies and high commissions in Ghana.

You can find the American embassy and the Ghana  international school in this area. Houses here vary from large family sized ones to high-rise apartments. You don't have to worry about all the noise associated with a capital city in this area, however if you're looking for some excitement, you can drive 5 minutes to the Osu Oxford street which is always busting with activity 24/7 . 

5. ROMAN RIDGE

Roman Ridge is a relatively quiet and small neighbourhood nestled somewhere between West Airport and Dzorwulu.

This area is quite exclusive too, with a cool and calm environment. 

Roman ridge can boast of some very classy hotels and restaurants, has an easy access to shopping and medical centers as well as all parts of Accra.

A lot of modern apartment houses are springing up in this area that you might want to check out.

So there you go, this list should guide you to make an informed choice if you need a luxurious house for rent in Accra.

Photo Credit : Steve Ababio Photography

DEBUTANTE LOOKBOOK BY EZER

THIS IS SOMETHING NEW AND REFRESHING

Celebrity stylist turned designer Ebenezer Harrison launches EZER fashion label with his first ever collection entitled 'Debutante'.  Debutante can be characterized as retro, chic or relayed. Pieces were soft, basic, simple, classic, minimal accessories, not layered with high tones of minimalist and effortless femininity.

ÉZER is debut label is aimed at the niche market in which he began styling for as with the intent to develop a renowned clientele base in West Africa.

The Debuntante collection was built from customized batik print; purple and teal dyed, heavy bridal satin, chiffon, Lycra. Orders arrive with your own accessorized locker. Pieces are reproducible in selected African wax prints and 3 hue batik prints.

 

Photographer: Charlene Asare
Hair and MUA: Valerie Lawson (Contours by Valerie)
Model: Rexy Knight (Confidence Models)
Location: Quarets studio

ÉZER CONTACT DETAILS
Contact: +233 509075613 +233 501370850
Email: ebenezerharrison@gmail.com
Instagram: EZER_GH