Woohoo! I got tickets!

Igbo Girls' Night is on tonight! A group of my Igbo girlfriends try to get together about 3 or 4 times a year to hang out. We all originate from different states in Igboland, and ordinarily we wouldn't have had a chance to meet and known each other except for fate. All of our parents immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria during the early '70s and at some point ended up in the north Texas area. Well, as you can imagine, there weren't too many Igbos in Texas at that time, so the few families that were here clung to, helped, and socialized with each other. We girls "grew up" together as "cousins," though we don't share a drop of common blood! As life would have it, we all went our separate ways -- to college, to travel, to married life -- but eventually we all ended up back here in the Dallas area. So now we get together and have fun, talk about living a neo-African life in America, and boys (of course).

So tonight, for Igbo Girls' Night, I got us tickets to see Sex in the City at Studio Movie Grill. Studio Movie Grill is a great place for dinner & a movie -- they have a full-service dinner menu and serve adult beverages. I tried to get these tickets a few weeks ago, but all the showings were sold out. Fortunately, the Dallas location scheduled a couple of extra showings for opening night, so we are in!!! This is especially exciting because 2 years ago when one of us got married we threw a Sex in the City bridal shower for her. We stayed up all night drinking Cosmos, giggling at her haul of sexy wedding night lingerie, and watching the first 5 seasons of the show.

African Fashion: Something Beautiful

Kitu Kizuri, which means "Something Beautiful/Good" in Kiswahili, debuted in Spring 2007 and is fast becoming my new fave African women's magazine. Unlike most other African mags I'm aware of which highlight "lifestyles of the African rich & famous," this mag is published quarterly and focuses on issues that affect African women living in and out of Africa. It is now available in Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide. If you get a chance, do check out Kitu Kizuri.

The current issue features some designs from South Africa's Marianne Fassler. I just LUV how she integrates traditional and non-traditional fabrics and style sensibilities into modern, very wearable garments. Check out a few of my faves:

Two shades of chiffon overlay traditional motif.
Playful mix of fabrics with modern style.
The twist top meets batik!
The Heart of Darkness puts on the Ritz & glitz ("shine, shine, Bo-bo")!
If I were in the market for a wedding dress, this would be it! It's totally me - classic, traditional with a surprise modern twist.

Look What the Easter Bunny Brought Me Today

I was out of town this weekend, so the Easter Bunny left me a note saying that I could wait for redelivery or call for pickup. Of course, I had to call and go pick it up on my lunch hour today!

First the story ….The summer after my freshman year in college, I worked as the Nature Instructor for a posh summer camp in the mountains of the Sierra National Park far, far away from all signs of civilization (okay, about 60 miles north of Fresno). The money was a pittance – we figured that we were making something like $0.60/hour – but I really liked working with the kids and camp staff, and being out in nature. Besides, how many students actually get a paying job (other than fast food or retail) after freshman year? Anyway, I really enjoyed meeting counselors and instructors from all over the world. Over the years a few of us have kept in touch from time to time and last year I got back in touch with a friend M in Japan via email. I probably randomly mentioned – as I am wont to do – that I wanted to learn Japanese pattern drafting technique at some point and that I was collecting all kinds of goodies in preparation. I used to have a Mrs. Stylebook subscription (you can get it at Sasuga Books), and I have some magazines and books that I found through various online sources (mostly eBay), but I’ve never tried my hand at drafting anything.

The Japanese technique really piques my interest because it seems similar to what tailors and seamstresses do back home in Nigeria. There you just go to the market and pick out a fabric. Gorgeous Swiss laces which are sold by the yard, batik- or tie-dyed cotton brocades sold whole to make a bubu, or in various matched sets of 3+3 yards for a top & bottom, or Dutch waxes and java prints with either traditional or modern motifs sold in 6 yard pieces. Then you take your fabric to the tailor (usually in the same market) and describe the type of garment you want, or pick a style from the ubiquitous picture books available in the tailor’s stall, or (best of all) rely on the tailor’s experience to design something suited to your figure, style, and the occasion. He will quickly take your measurements, and in a week’s time you’ll have an extremely well-fitted, sewn garment to take home with you!

This is what my Aunt’s tailor whipped up for me last year and I wasn’t even there!

He keeps my measurements on file and sews with 2 inch allowances in case I have to get it amended here in the U.S.

Okay, okay … so look what the Easter Bunny (a.k.a. M) sent me:


Wooo hooo! Pattern Magic vols. 1 & 2; Female, Winter 2008; and Female, Spring 2008! I'll post some pics from Female next time - I've already got a few marked in the Winter Collection.

For now -- Thanks M! And Happy Easter to the rest of you!