#AJA.LA22

My actual baby and only sister! My baby of many talents. She'll never admit or agree but she is my baby and forever will be. It's crazy to think I'm pretty much her second mum (which is partially why I'm not in a rush to have kids lol) and now she's my bridesmaid. 

As you can see she's freaking gorgeous, smart, witty, funny and has a huge heart. SHE CAN SANGGG. She's pretty much a mini version of me LOL- except she's the BAAADDEST dancer and MUA ever.

Honestly Nay, I cannot believe this day has come. I remember when you used to ask me 'When are you gonna get married?!' *rolls eyes* Well it's finally here- I cannot wait to share this moment with you. Be ready to be OVERWORKED as the smallest in the house- I'll bring flats for you ;-)

For anyone who hasn't met her, you'll definitely spot her. She will be the one dancing on my behalf OR giving me cues for the freestyle dance moves we would have rehearsed to prevent me disgracing myself because I have 3 left feet :-(

Fun facts: 

- We call her Armani because she's the most expensive child

- Her and Ozzban-to-be are pretty much birthday mates so April is expensive. 

Ope Ope. The one that met me at about 2am with a headscarf on my head and sleep breath.
Yes it is as ridiculous as it sounds. We had a mutual friend who had been going on and on about how amazing Ope is and how we would really get along. Ope came to visit this friend at our University and arrived in the middle of the night. Instead of taking her home to rest, what did our friend do? She started banging on my door in the middle of the night so I can meet Ope. Haha! I hate being woken up from sleep but I thank God for that night because that night I gained a sister. A sister I honestly cannot live without. Ope thank you for everything - I couldn't do this without you. We are SO alike its unreal, but I don't think we really realised until we both started planning our weddings together (Yes Ope is off the market and we are getting married a few months apart). She matches my crazy and carries my own problem as if it's hers. My prayer partner! So far during planning I have called her 3 times in the middle of the night and have burst into tears almost every time.

 She can't sing but SHE IS MUSIC (hence her nickname) and will give you the BEST recommendations. She ALWAYS looks fly. ALWAYS! She speaks French!!! (She will kill me for this).
if you're looking for her - she will be the one looking FLY, giving us golden glow, sultry lips and petite glory.



Lolaaaaaaaaaa!! This picture sums her up in every way. Cute but troublesome- forever looking for my trouble or for the person that will order food to her house lol. 

I love this girl- there's NEVER a dull moment with her. We met during college and here we are! She's the only person that will message my phone and then comment/message on instagram telling me to kindly respond to her message lol. SHe's the only person I will ask for a photo for our website and she will send me 5 version of the same photo with different angles. She's the only person I will message saying 'hi' a day before her birthday and she will respond saying ' Please you are early.It's tomorrow' without even responding to my 'hi'. LOL. She's one of the funniest people you'll ever meet and has a contagious laugh so you must laugh. 

You'll see her on the Wedding day! She will be the one cracking jokes or teasing me (what she's good at) 

My Oreoluwa! The Complete embodiment of her name which actually means 'Gift from God'. We met at University. I was in Birmingham, she was in Nottingham and she gave me my first singing gig (ask her for more details at the wedding lol). Everyone needs an Ore in their life. Don't be deceived by how small she is - she's a WHOLE mood. She's also the one that calls me to order when I'm trying to move mad during the wedding planning and pull wild stunts. The one that encourages me to do better and has shown me honesty in friendship.

When I think of Ore- I just think of a 'Swit Baby girl' - spelt just like this lol.

Look out for her at the wedding- she'll be the one hyping me as I'm trying to 'gbe' my body for my Ozzban to be. She will also be the one brucking it down for her own Ozzband (she's off the market so plis close your eyes)

Omoniyi the VIBE. 

We met through my parents (weird) after she started working with them and they wouldn't stop talking about this 'Mary' girl. I would roll my eyes internally because it was as if they wanted to sell me in the market and give Mary my bedroom. Anyway- one day I finally met her. I didn't want to like her but she wriggled her way into my heart. You can't not love Mary. She's been the biggest blessing to my family. She has the brightest smile (hence calling her sunshine) and is London's number 1 turn up commissioner (don't believe me- follow her on instagram). 

The most annoying thing about Mary is how deep she sleeps and how much of the bed she takes up despite her being so tiny. She was supposed to be babysitting me one time when I was unwell. She was sleeping so heavily that I had to use something to poke her to wake her up. 

You won't miss her at the wedding, she will be the one with a lollipop in her mouth, If she's not on the dancefloor- standing next to the DJ trying to control his playlist... because she determines the VIBE.

Queen V! 

The one with the sweetest heart and most gorgeous dimples! MY poshest friend (she will roll her eyes here because she knows what I'm talking about) and the trend-setter. Anything Vic says.. all of us in our friendship group start to say. She's that contagious. 

I met Vic during University (through Gabriella) and at first I thought she was Ghanaian because I met her singing Ghanaian nursery rhymes and counting in Twi. I love Ghanaians but I was so happy to find out that Vic was my Igbo babes. Though she's one of the youngest, she's the Mummy of our group. She's also the funniest person to have any form of conversation with.

She may tell you I'm embarrassing but she loves me really and my embarrassment is always for a good cause. For example we travelled to Budapest and we were MAAAD hungry but couldn't find anywhere to eat, we had been walking for ages and it was raining! I saw this woman walking and eating what looked like the best burger she had ever had, so I stopped her and said 'Hi, where did you get that burger, we are so hungry!'. Vic was so embarrassed that I stopped someone to ask where they got their food from, but we found food and the burgers were so good that we went back twice and now Vic swears by Brioche burgers. 

Vic will be at the wedding- she'll be the one with the most prominent and beautiful dimples, potentially crying and also taking ENDLESS pictures (hence 'Snap Snapper').

One of the most hardworking yet humble people I know. The one that is always looking for how to help people win. The one that GENUINELY lives by 'if you win, I win...so how can I help you Win?' 

Look at her face and remember it guys because she will actually be the cover of Forbes 30 UNDER 30 (say Amen). She is an ALL round BAWSE and one of the most helpful people in my Universe. She also makes BOMB but dangerous cocktail Punches.

Regina and I met around the same time that I met Gabriella (Regina will tell you I actually met her first. I don't remember this lol). I don't remember the time we became friends, but I remember her hating me at first LOL. Any mishap that happened with Regina in college is  my fault (in her head) though the only example she has is when she dyed her hair and the result wasn't quite what she hoped for. She still fights me to this day because she believes I gassed her and told her to do it because she will look like Rihanna. 

You won't miss her at the wedding! She has the most gorgeous smile and is likely to be studying the cocktail menu very intently.

My Mon Mon and my children's GP! I am so proud of her so I have to tell everyone she's a doctor. So yes everyone, at the wedding- she is the Doctor of the day (God forbid we need a doctor)

I have known Mon since Uni! I can't even remember the first moment we met, but I remember her always giving me her ID because I hadn't turned 18 yet when we started Uni. I think that was when I decided Mon was going to be my friend. My funniest memory with Monique cannot be shared here but come and ask me privately (hehe).  Our most frequent fights were who clogged the sink with their natural hair (it was never me). Mon is the sweetest soul. So consistent, hilarious and hardworking. She  also asks a lot of questions and is intrigued by everything (hence her being so smart). 

The most useful piece of advice Monique has ever given me is 'There's no such thing as you don't like a particular food, you just don't like how it was prepared. So try it a different way. Until you've tried every way there is, don't say you don't like it.'  Another useful piece is 'the one that won't hear, must feel'. Both have helped me immensely thus far. LOL

On the wedding day, she will be the one hugging meeeee A LOT, probably crying and also trying to avoid being spotted after this epistle I have written about her. She will also be trying to bribe me not to tell everyone our funny stories ;-)

I have known Uzo since my first trip to Nigeria in 2002. We are cousins and she definitely hated me when she first met me. She thought I was annoying and stuck up. I thought I was an absolute babe, but to be honest- she was the  babe for sharing her clothes with me (considering I had chickenpox) because my luggage was left in London. Though she reminded me of the fact that she was forced to share with me, our bond definitely grew from that moment, and now her room is my room anytime I'm in Lagos. We always have a bittersweet experience whenever I'm around- like actual sisters. We have the best experiences together but also bitter fights about my need to always use the bathroom in her room when my stomach is moving mad. Personally, I like to be cosy in these moments so where better than the bedroom. Uzo doesn't quite get it.

When I think of Uzo- (I don't actually think of Uzo, because I never call her that) - I think of giggles, unicorns and Ebeano Shawarma & Puff Puff. 

At the wedding, she'll be the one giving us 'Italian Vogue meets Las Gidi' vibes, giggling and gushing over the sunset (she loves sunsets). She's likely to  tell you she's half Italian (don't ask me if it's true).

P.S what you SHOULD do is follow her on instagram now on @ankastyleguide for all the best style tips, tricks and solutions!

My New Sister! The one I was terrified to meet (because you know how sisters can be when it comes to their brothers)- but she's an absolute babe.  My Social prefect and Twitter mentor! She's beautiful, a GENIUS and the plug for pretty much everything you need in Abuja (start a business please). Some of my best memories in Nigeria have been because of her. Some of my sweetest mentions on Twitter have also been from her. 

I look forward to creating more memories and unravelling Abuja. I also look forward to finding out our kids had ice cream for breakfast  with 'Aunty Dami' and that is why they are jumping on my head at 10am in the morning full of excitement *sigh* LOL.

If you're looking for her she'll be the one that looks like a model ;-)