A few weeks ago I went to a clothes swap hosted by a lovely old friend from secondary school. Sally is just about to make a long term move to Japan with her husband and so organised a clothes swap as a way of catching up with friends whilst also getting rid of excess … Continue reading Sally’s Saturday Swap Shop
It’s the aftermath of Valentines weekend and as predicted, I have seen a number of happy couples announce their engagements on social media. Similarly this year will see an unprecedented number of my close friends getting married, (who happen to have West African connections) and I am delighted for obvious reasons but also because this … Continue reading ‘Where the party at?’ Why I love African parties!
“I’m surprised you knew how to find your way here”- the optician said as she issued me with a new pair of glasses. Apparently my prescription is so strong and eyesight so dire that it was a miracle I could see where I was going. I had been putting off getting my eyes retested for … Continue reading ‘Whose looking at you kid?’
In the early hours of Tuesday 20th January 2015 we said goodnight to Popcicle aka dad. It is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but feel strangely at peace knowing he is no longer in pain and thankful to God for blessing my siblings and I with a man like … Continue reading Gentleman- In memory of dad
As an Afropolitan I cannot ignore recent events happening on the continent; some of which have been afforded the privilege of mainstream media attention and high profile political engagement, others not so. Admittedly there are moments when I have become increasingly desensitised to yet another story pertaining to disease, conflict, death and famine in Africa. This … Continue reading ‘What’s going on?’ 5 situations on the continent which break my heart
During school term times, Sunday nights were synonymous with the torturous experience of getting my hair done for the week; this along with the ritual of shining my shoes and getting the school uniform ready. I have ‘fond’ memories of sitting down- hair washed and greased- with my mum’s strong hands preparing to make something … Continue reading ‘Mum, why would you do that?’ 10 old school Afropolitan hairstyles
***HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE*** May 2015 be your year to aspire to greatness and the fulfilment of your heart’s desires! I am very excited about the New Year for a number of reasons one of which includes this blog! There are some wonderful things happening this year at the Thrifty Afropolitan and here is just … Continue reading Happy New Year! Plans for 2015- Coming soon!
As you can tell from my blog I love shoes and especially shoes at a bargain price. A few months ago I went up North (OK Birmingham- but as a true Londoner anything north of London is the North!) for a friend’s wedding and on our way we decided to stop off at the House … Continue reading ‘ BOGOF and don’t step on my blue satin shoes’!
Food and cooking play a big part in West African cultures. From hospitality in the home to catering for big functions we take our cuisine seriously- perfectly demonstrated by the outrage against Jamie Oliver’s shocking rendition of Jollof rice (in the words of MC Hammer ‘you can’t touch this’). So in honour of Jollofgate, here … Continue reading 15 items you might find in an Afropolitan kitchen!
I work in one of the trendiest areas in London bursting full of cultural and creative delights- but rarely do I take advantage of this and explore what’s on offer. However, a few weeks ago I decided to visit Black Chronicles II, a new exhibition exploring the presence of Black and Asian people in early … Continue reading Black Chronicles II: Review of new Black history exhibition
THE THRIFTY AFROPOLITAN 