FASHIONABLE GELE STYLES - AFRICAN HEAD WRAP

A Gele is a flat piece of fabric (typically Aso Oke (Jean-like fabric), Brocade (Starched Cotton fabric), African Print, Paper-like fabric with plain or bold patterns (Sego, Jubilee, and More are some brand names of the paper-like fabric), Damask (heavily patterned Paper-like, Velvet-like fabric) and so on) wrapped by hand to form a hat.

Geles are worn by African Women to complement their African Attire. A Gele is usually the highlight of an appearance. A nicely tied Gele can compensate for a not so great looking outfit. A Gele is categorized as a clothing accessory amongst African Women.

According to the Yoruba tradition, the way a Gele is tied can indicate a woman’s marital status. A Gele’s end leaning to the right indicates a Woman is married and a Gele’s end leaning to the left indicates a Woman is Single.

However, in society today, especially in the Urban areas, there is no defined indication of a Woman’s marital status by the way she ties her Gele. 

African Women can be very particular on how they want their Gele tied. Some like them tied in levels to stand really high while some like them tied in a more conservative way.

Geles are indeed very beautiful and fascinating when tied. Geles have gotten the attention of millions of people in different countries around the world from Africa to Europe, from Europe to North America, South America and all over the world. 

Many non-Africans wear Geles as a sign of reverence when attending African events, some as a part of their everyday wear and some that have gotten a soft spot for the Yoruba Culture.

A Gele’s length can range from 8″ wide and 54″ Long (African Print) to 34″ wide and 72″ Long (Gele Paper-like Head-tie) to 20″ wide and 80″ long (Aso-Oke) and more.

WHAT TO WEAR ON A FIRST DATE FOR MEN

The first date is your opportunity to make an unforgettable first impression. Though it's your personality that should ultimately be the deciding factor, it's no secret that one's appearance is important. If, however, you dress well - at the minimum, this means simply paying attention to your wardrobe and looking clean and polished - you stand a great chance of impressing your date

There are several factors that tie into what one should wear on a first date. Similar to any other occasion, the two most important are the weather and the environment. If, for example, you're headed to a park on a hot summer day, you would clearly need to dress with comfort in mind. On the other hand, if you're ice skating at an outdoor arena in the winter, you will have to bundle up.

Another factor to consider is fit. Nothing is more important for men or for women. Clothing that fits properly is far more likely to flatter your overall look and put you in the most presentable light possible than clothing that is ill-fitting or even just slightly constricting. Forgo the too-snug sweaters and slightly too-short pants. If ever there was a great time to look your very best, it's a first date.

You'll want to dress for the occasion, or lack of occasion. These tips will help you choose wisely, based on where you're headed.

Casual lunch dates don't require you to dress to the nines. If you're headed to a chain restaurant, a coffee shop or a laid-back deli, stick with a pair of pressed khakis and a smart button-down shirt, unbuttoned at the top to keep it ultra casual.

Fancy dinner dates, such as those that require reservations at more upscale establishments, do require more attention. Most of these restaurants have dress codes to begin with, so you'll need to dress with that in mind, too. A chic suit with a great cut in a dark color is suitable (and yes, you should wear a tie).

Movie theater dates are especially common for the very first get together. It's easy, it's relaxed and it's in a relatively social setting. You may plan on heading out to eat before or after the film, so dress with that point in mind. 

There's no need to go all out - jeans with a great fit (forgo the baggy, extra-slouchy cuts at all costs), a tucked-in polo or button-down shirt and a jacket is a suitable outfit choice. 

If you're headed to a restaurant dinner later (as opposed to a casual diner-style setting), consider a sport coat - it will add a level of polish to the look, even with denim.

Just as you shouldn't under-dress, you shouldn't overdo it either. Your date might be overwhelmed to see you in a luxurious tuxedo for a dinner date. If you're headed somewhere fancy and an extra-dressy ensemble is absolutely required, be sure your date is aware beforehand!

Your footwear and socks are important. If you're wearing sandals, lose the socks. If you're wearing a great pair of shiny dress shoes, by all means leave the white socks behind. Your shoes should be clean and neat, not scruffy and dirty.

AVOID WEARING THESE CLOTHES ON DATE

No matter how much experience we have when it comes to dating one thing never changes, we are never quite sure what to wear on a first date regardless of the occasion. While choosing the perfect outfit can be nerve wracking learning what clothing items you should avoid can make things a lot easier.

Dating seems to be a game with never ending hidden rules you only begin to discover as you gain more experience. However, certain misjudgments when it comes to choosing outfits can lead to some awkward and embarrassing situations that can be really damaging to one's ego. 

Learning to understand certain key points when it comes to how most guys really think about fashion is one of the smartest ways in which we can score a few points and impress the guy we like.

It is not advisable to wear new clothing items at a first date as there's a high change you might feel uncomfortable and you will inevitably appear less attractive than you could be.

Avoid clothes that are prone to 'accidents' such as low rinse jeans that could make the panty line visible or blouses with a cleavage that might reveal more than you want to show at the slightest wrong move.

Uncomfortable clothes and shoes are another no since they will make you seem insecure and might even give the impression that you are trying too hard.

Harem pants

You might know that harem pants are highly fashionable and stylish but harem pants are one of those trends guys just don't get. Since they will most likely do very little to flatter your lower body half it's best to leave them at home and to wear them on other occasions.

Overalls

It is not advisable to go for baggy denim overalls or loose fitting jumpsuits. The main reason you might want to avoid this clothing item is that it might make your date to believe that you have not put to much effort in creating an outfit. 

Aside from not doing too much to highlight your features, jumpsuits are harder to wear than it might seem at a first glance and only flatter certain specific body types.

Knitwear and frills

Think twice before making knitted item part of your date outfit. If we are truly honest with ourselves we will admit that these items are more appropriate for a ski trip than as a day to day wear and most guys seem to share this opinion as well.

 As far as frills are concerned the less is more rule applies wholeheartedly. Keep frills at a bare minimum to avoid looking unflattering.

Dramatic oversized jewelry

Most guys are trying to get an overall idea of your general signature style and are less interested in your knowledge about the latest fashion trends. 

Although oversized jewelry can be great when you are trying to make a fashion statement, it can be seen as too much, especially if it tends to make various noises as you move along drawing unwanted attention.

Killer heals and tight shorts

Most outfits involving shorts and high heels are probably ones that will be too revealing. While it can be tempting to wear revealing clothes that show off your body it's important not to go to extremes. That doesn't mean that you have to go for long skirts or office style clothing. It simply means that you have to maintain a proper balance and to avoid giving the impression that your outfit is unfinished.

Overly flashy items

Outfits that combine too many glitter and strong colors will most likely be a turn off. While wearing sequined clothing is not necessarily a bad idea, especially if the style of the date encourages this type of outfit moderation is crucial. Also make sure to create a proper balance between colors to be able to create a sexy yet tasteful outfit.

Make sure you ask your date what he is planning on wearing to be able to choose something similar so the two of you don't look awkward together. 

While the place you plan on going often offers valuable clues as to what the dress code should be, sometimes to persons have very different interpretations as to what these rules are and how they should be applied.

ITS ANOTHER BOY FOR ALICIA KEYS AND SWIZZ BEATZ

The Grammy-winning singer, 33, and her husband since 2010, Kasseem Dean,   aka Swizz Beatz, welcomed a baby boy, Genesis Ali Dean at 

1:52 a.m. on Sat 27 Dec

 Genesis, who weighed in at 6 pounds and 5 ounces, joins a brother, 4-year-old Egypt Daoud.

Both of the boys' parents posted a photograph of the baby's footprints on Instagram with the caption, "The joy of joy is joy!!" 

Congratulations Alicia and Swizz and of-course the first son for having a baby bro!

DRINK GREEN TEA TO STAY SLIM

 

Skip the diet soft drinks. They typically contain artificial sweeteners that might not be good for your waistline. While these faux sugars contain very few calories, if they contain any at all. The dirt soft drinks just might make people crave more of the sweet stuff later on, leading to poor food choices.

Instead of picking a drink that you hope won't lead to weight gain, choose one that might actually help you lose weight, such as green tea.

 

People who drank four cups of this brew each day for eight weeks lowered their BMI levels and lost an average of about 2 lb. People who drank two servings of a green tea brew for three months lost weight around their waistlines.

 

Just make sure you stick to the homemade brew. It typically contains more heart-healthy amounts of antioxidants than the bottled varieties.

RECIPE FOR BOXING DAY - CORONATION CHICKEN WITH MANGO AND LIME

 

INGREDIENTS

1 large chicken (about 2kg), 2 celery sticks, 3-4 fresh thyme sprigs, 5 black peppercorns, 5 coriander seeds, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp ground cumin, ¼ tsp ground turmeric, 1 tbsp curry powder, 200ml Greek yogurt, 150ml mayonnaise, Grated zest of 1 lime and juice of ½, 2 tbsp mango chutney, 1 small ripe mango, cut into chunks, Large handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped and 25g toasted flaked almonds.

METHOD

 

Put the chicken in a large pan with the celery, thyme, peppercorns, coriander seeds and bay leaves. Cover with cold water, then bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 1 hour until the chicken is just cooked. As it cooks, skim off any impurities that come to the surface. Drain and cool. (Strain the stock and keep for another dish.) 

Once cold, remove and discard the skin from the chicken. Use your fingers to pull all the flesh from the chicken – in fork-size chunks – and place in a large dish 

In a dry frying pan, briefly toast the cumin, turmeric and curry powder over a low heat until they start to release their fragrance.

Tip into a bowl and stir in the yogurt, mayonnaise, lime zest and juice, and chutney. Season to taste and mix with the chicken. Fold in the mango and coriander, scatter over the flaked almonds, then serve.

FOODS THAT KEEP YOU THIN

 

You don't need fancy plans or complicated point systems to be thin. All you need to do is make smart food choices, watch your portion sizes and stay active. "Learning to eat properly for a lifetime is more beneficial, The emphasis should be on choosing healthful foods every day and changing lifestyles for the better. So instead of sticking to diet fare, fill up on nutritious, wholesome foods.

Apples

 

Apples are a good source of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber not only contributes to a healthy digestive system and reduced cholesterol, but it also benefits smart eaters by yielding no calories while keeping them satisfied. There's something else about the fruit that might help you feel full.  A study in the journal "Appetite" found that when women added either three apples or three pears to their daily meals, they lost more weight than people who added three oat cookies to their diets,  even though the fruit and the cookies contained the exact same amount of dietary fiber. Crunchy foods in particular can trick a person into feeling fuller. The act of chewing may send satiety signals to your body, he says, making you think you've eaten more than you really have and keeping hunger at bay. 

Almonds

 

 If you're looking for a tasty midday snack, a handful of almonds are a well-regarded option. A study in 2009 in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that women who ate nuts at least two times a week were more successful at keeping weight off than those who didn't eat this food.  One particular favorite among some nutritionists is almonds, says Aragon. One ounce of this food contains only 167 calories, plus it packs roughly 6 g of protein and 3 g of fiber, both nutrients that can make you feel full. Furthermore, like apples, almonds are crunchy and require a lot of chewing, so they, too, can make you feel like you've eaten more than you actually did and keep you fuller longer. 

Salmon

If you're uncertain about fish, there's no need to fear. Seafood can be part of a healthy diet. And there's some evidence that the fat in foods such as salmon can boost satiety levels, says Aragon. For example, a study published in the "International Journal of Obesity" found that when dieters ate salmon a few times a week, they lost about two more pounds than those who didn't include seafood in their meals.  In spite of the mention of salmon's fat content, the food is relatively low in calories. One 3-oz. serving has just 175 calories. Salmon is a good source of protein as well. 

Eggs

 

There's no doubt that protein, like fiber, has impressive satiating powers. And while eggs seem to have a bad reputation in some circles, there can be no contesting their ability to help keep your weight in check. Research has shown that eating eggs at breakfast can help you fight weight gain all day long. A study reported in 2008 in the "International Journal of Obesity" found that when dieters ate two eggs for breakfast for five days out of the week, they lost 65 percent more weight than dieters who consumed a bagel in the morning. Although protein is likely to fill you up whenever you eat it, some scientists suspect that having more in the morning can keep you feeling fuller all day long. 

Tomatoes

 

 It's true that most veggies make for great diet fare. Non-starchy vegetables in particular, such as carrots, celery and spinach, are filled with fiber. Like other foods high in fiber, they can help keep you feeling satiated. So while there are many veggies that can help you stay slim, tomatoes might be a particularly good option because they're so tasty. And, besides, with that whole a-tomato-is-a-vegetable-no-it's-a-fruit argument, you might have forgotten all about eating them. One cup of cooked, red tomatoes contains just 43 calories, but tastes just as delicious as any number of high-calorie foods.

WHAT TO WEAR ON BOXING DAY?

 

Boxing Day is truly the day of relaxing.

No need to cook as there are still enough leftovers in the kitchen.

STAY MOTIVATED TO LOSE WEIGHT

It’s so important to start weight loss with a real commitment to making changes forever. It’s not easy. But the longer you keep weight off, the better your odds. People report that after they keep the weight off for three years, their likelihood of ongoing success is pretty high.

WEIGHT LOSS DIET FOODS

All sorts of diets help people lose weight, the people who keep it off tend to eat a high fiber, moderately low-fat diet.

You should eat foods that you’re going to be able to eat your whole life. You have to be realistic. If you love ice cream and go on a diet that makes you give it up, that diet is probably not going to work for you.