#blogger Archives - Nwaanyi Ije

Bogobiri House

May 1, 2023

Bogobiri House located in the heart of the Ikoyi is authentic African art scene in the heart of IkoLagos with a place to rest your head, fill your stomachs and listen to sonorous music. What more could you ask for?

Inside Bogobiri. Scuplted chairs and table

What first catches your eye about Bogobiri is the heavy afro-centric art all round sourced locally in Nigeria, from the sculptures at the entrance down to the chairs, tables and even the lighting casing.

It is a 16-room boutique hotel with an art gallery and a restaurant. There’s live music on certain days of the week as well as comedic performances.

Bogobiri entrance - yellow date and graffiti wall

Do stop by if you want something different to do in Lagos.

Until next time, from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije

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Rapjoint Lagos

July 12, 2022

Website | Instagram

Ever heard of a hiphop cultural centre before? Let alone one in Lagos? No? Ok, come and let me introduce you to Rapjoint Lagos (@rapjointlagos) located at 4 Norman Williams St, Ikoyi.

A haven serving music nostalgia and modern tastes, Rapjoint Lagos serves your mind and your belly. From the eye-catching wall mural featuring music legends like Notorious B.I.G and Fela to a compendium of books, CDs and tapes in cassette players, walking into this space is sure to fill you with a sense of calm and a feeling of happiness especially if you’re a music/book buff.

The books are available for sale but considering that all fingers are not equal, it is allowed for one to sit and read any book of your choice to your heart’s content.

Inanimate objects though lovely aren’t the only thing that contributes to a pleasant atmosphere, the most important ingredient is the people who give a good vibe or not to the place and the founders of Rapjoint did a fantastic job in picking their staff. I had just wanted to breeze in and out but spent over an hour in great conversation with the staff especially Aderonke, talking about everything and anything.

I loved the staff uniforms featuring black dungarees over a white shirt which contributed to the hiphop vibe of Rapjoint. Rapjoint also has a well-curated menu with items paying homage to fallen music acts like Dagrin.

I left with some very happy book purchases and will definitely stop by again.

Until next time, from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije

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The Adeline Gallery (TAG)

July 10, 2022

TAG | Instagram

An art gallery with a knowledgeable and interesting curator is always a delight to the guest.

On my visit to @theadelinegallery (TAG), I had simply thought to quickly hop in and hop out but wound up having close to an hour’s conversation with the curator, a very wonderful lady with much pride in her work.

As inside any art gallery worth their salt, alluring pieces dotted TAG from one corner to the other but my favourite pieces were China Achebe’s bust and a wooden sculpture from Epe which is about 100 years old. I will definitely return for another visit and recommend as one of the art galleries to visit while in Lagos.

Until next time, from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije

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Arami Essentials (2)

July 3, 2022

A second Arami Essentials Skincare Review

Location | Instagram

Nwaanyi Ije is here with another review of Arami Essentials Products. My oh my do I really like this brand! I did a previous review of 4 products which was in my wander series package. All the products I reviewed were a hit! Loved the Lumi Oil that I just had to buy it again. This time around, I bought Ivory butter, Glow Oil and HLR Drops which is a serum.

Now, if you’re a person who’s very big on nicely scented products you have to be very careful when ordering because this brand also makes unscented products for people who want them so you don’t go and order an unscented product when you really want a scented one.

My favourite item in this recent order was definitely the HLR Drops. At first I was highly skeptical about its efficacy, because I’m the poster child for Korean skincare products so was really wondering what a brand that majored on body products knew about face products.

Come close and let me tell you just how simply mind-blowing this serum is… first night I used it, woke up next morning and was like new face who dis? I can only encourage you to buy same so you can actually see what I’m talking about. I also love the texture, it’s lightweight and absorbs easily on the skin. Oya, enough talking, go and buy your own.

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As for the Ivory Butter, I think I prefer it more for my hair than skin. To get your skin looking runway ready, it’s best you use the ivory butter and the glow oil together.

This brand definitely has my heart and I have been converted to a loyal customer. I do hope they keep on delighting their many customers like they’re currently doing.

Until next time from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije

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Ki Bar & Kitchen

June 13, 2022

Ki Lagos | Instagram

I’ve had my sights on this restaurant – Ki Bar & Kitchen or @ki.lagos on Instagram since its opening in December 2021 and I finally visited this month. One thing I’ve always been warned about Lagos restaurants is not to set my expectations too high from their instagram posts only to have it deflated when I finally visit. Aesthetics of the restaurant is not too bad but it definitely looks better on instagram. I did make a reservation before I went but I’m not sure if that’s a necessity since the restaurant was so empty when I got there (’twas a Sunday evening so maybe it’s usually less busy at that time 🤷🏾‍♀️).

I had a smoked chicken and avocado salad (₦6,800), Lagos Dumplings (₦5,500), Merry Berry G&T (₦6,000) and a bottled water (₦800).

My consumption items were all very delicious. I honestly did not expect to enjoy the salad as my as I did, a good dressing is everything and I most certainly enjoyed the presentation (came in a smoky cold dish). The portions could’ve been better though and I said as much on the feedback card I was given after my meal.

The Lagos chicken dumplings were also very delicious! Wolfed them down in no time. Why they were named ‘Lagos Chicken dumplings’ and not just ‘Chicken dumplings’, Nwaanyi Ije has no idea. You should definitely order this if you visit this restaurant, I guarantee you to do a little happy dance as you dip a dumpling into the chill sauce and lift it to your salivating tongue.

Now for the best part! The Merry Berry Seltzer… oooh chile!!! (Insert that Lil Wayne GIF saying oooooh). Boy was I very happy at the end of the glass… The mixologist here sabi work. The combination of ingredients can simply be described as delightful but don’t let the fruits fool you. This drink is very very generous with the gin, I assure you that you’ll be most happy by the time you reach the bottom of the glass, or even half.

As with all Lagos restaurants I must warn you about the taxes. There’s a 5% service charge, 5% consumption tax and 7.5% VAT. So whatever your bill is, gotta multiply it by 17.50% and add it to the total cost to get your true bill.

Will I visit Ki Bar & Kitchen again? Yes I will, but more for the drinks than the food. This restaurant is good mainly for a drinks after work thing in my opinion.

Until next time from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije

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Kaldi Africa

March 20, 2022

Kaldı Africa | Instagram

My overriding review of Kaldi Africa is that everyone needs to visit. As Lagos in recent years adopted restaurant and dining out culture, cafés exploded in every corner though coffee roasteries have remained few. There are currently only two coffee roasteries in Lagos. Mai Shayi Coffee is one and Kaldi Africa is the other. Check out my previous post about Mai Shayi Coffee.

Kaldi Africa is located inside Nigerian Foundries in Ilupeju. My first thought when I walked into the café was wow! what a cute place with African inspired decor. I very much loved the decor of the café.

I did some background research before visiting and was very excited to try their specialty coffees. Unfortunately, the server that attended to me at first told me all coffee brews were unavailable which then encouraged me to settle for a dirty chai latte.

While enjoying my latte, I struck a conversation with one of the coffee machine engineers and asked him for reasons why the coffee brews were unavailable. He then apologised on behalf of the server and told me that the specialty brew machines were sent off for repairs but I could have a Buna coffee (Ethiopian traditional coffee) which didn’t require any special machines to be prepared.

In comparison to the dirty chai latte, the texture of the Buna was very smooth, it felt more like high quality tea than coffee.

I also ordered for Grilled Chicken with Chips (very reasonably priced) and enjoyed every single bite.

I observed that the menu I was given had greatly changed from the one I previously saw online. This new menu was very trimmed and featured regular grub compared to Ethiopian-centric dishes of the old menu

Here’s me enjoying my Buna complete with sweet smelling incense 👇🏾

Kaldi Africa also offers tours of the Coffee Roastery, complete with lunch and a coffee tasting session. The full package tour is ₦25,000, this also includes a Glass Blowing session at Kaldi’s sister company called Igo Glass. Igo glass makes use of recycled glass to create different types of glass products. Click here for my post about my visit to their glass souvenir shop.

I briefly met Dr Nasra Ali, she’s one of the co-founders of Kaldi Africa, a medical doctor formerly with W.H.O (World Health Organisation) and is now a full blown entrepreneur. Kaldi coffee is available in big chain supermarkets across the country as well as in duty free shops at the airpots. You can also buy their products in the café or order online

Kaldi Africa is not just a coffee shop/roastery. They also provide barista training and sell/repair coffee machines. I’m excited for the future of this African company and cannot wait to hear about their increasing successes in future.

Until next time from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije

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Igo Glass

March 20, 2022

Igo Glass Recyclers | Instagram

Igo Glass is a sister company of Kaldi Africa focused on making glass products from recycled glass. They’re located inside Nigerian Foundries in Illupeju. Visitors can tour the glass blowing factory and also make something for themselves. Current price for the Glass Blowing tour is ₦10,000.

There’s a souvenir shop where products from Igo Glass are sold. Because all the glass products are handcrafted, no two items are exactly the same. You can find everything from chandeliers, cookie jars, bread bins, flower vases, plates, cups, mugs and even tables made of recycled glass in the shop.

Recycling is such an important job, good for the environment and helps reduce landfill waste. I bought a glass cup with handles shaped like an elephant in the shop. I will definitely return to buy more items.

Until next time from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije

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Arami Essentials Skincare Review

March 11, 2022

Nigerian Foundries Limited | Instagram

This indigenous Nigerian brand Arami Essentials @aramiessentials has become everyone’s favourite in such a short time and with very good reason. Founded in 2016, Arami products are made with natural ingredients, handcrafted to keep skin glowing.

Going through the website, I was pleased to see that they also had fragrance-free variants. In their own words:

“We also want you to have a choice, so each beauty essential comes in a fragrance free variant.” I combed the entire website in search of these fragrance free variants but did not see any.

My first introduction to Arami Essentials was via the “Wander Series” consisting of “Lumi Oil (Sweet Oud)”, “Lumi Butter(Sweet Oud)”, “Glow Scrub” and “Ivory Butter(Mint).

Every single product was a hit that I honestly cannot say which one I liked best. The Ivory Mint Butter is made with really good mint that if you want to smell like a breath of fresh air then you should definitely get this product.

If you want something to take away stress the stress of commuting in Lagos, then hello Glow Scrub! This refreshing scrub makes you feel like an iron tree strengthened after a good rainfall in an African forest.

For your Rich Auntie vibes, look no further than the Lumi Oil and Lumi Butter. We all know Oud smells like greatness. So imagine adding some shimmer to a sweet oud fragrance. Oh la la… everyone will clear road for you- Ms Queen of Sheba.

Because I am Nwaanyi Ije, your top guide in fine living, I had to visit Arami Essentials’ physical location. It is located inside Nigerian Foundries in Illupeju.

I absolutely loved the decor of the place and for all my eco-conscious people, you can recycle your used containers and get 15% off your next order. To recycle, either visit the physical location or fill out an online form for free pickup

I definitely would be purchasing more Arami Essentials Skincare and I highly recommend buying these products.

Until next time from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije

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Jazzhole Lagos

January 31, 2022

168 Awolowo Rd, Ikoyi Lagos | Instagram

Looking for a nice and quirky place where you can have intellectual conversations with good music, books and maybe a cup of coffee? Look no further, @jazzholelagos is the place for you.

Located at 168 Awolowo Road Ikoyi, this bookstore/music store is a haven for the curious mind. Rare books, historical books, vinyl records etc are all up for sale.

The coffee prices are also very reasonable. I had a caramel latte for ₦1500 and enjoyed it very much. I recommend this place for a visit. Tag me on Instagram @nwaanyi_ije #nwaanyiije if my post encouraged you to visit.

a cup of latte — Latte at Jazzhole Lagos

Until next time from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije

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Mai Shayi Coffee

June 21, 2021

Sapetro Towers | Instagram

I believe coffee is one of the most sophisticated flavours on earth. It is popular knowledge that coffee is good for health but asides from medical benefits, I just love the taste of coffee.

I visited Mai Shayi Coffee (@maishayicoffee) this past weekend. It is located at Sapetro Towers at the beginning of Adeola Odeku Street in Victoria Island, Lagos.

This was my second visit and I was a little disappointed that they had moved to smaller quarters in the same building. The attendants said they moved so they could have space for their roastery as well as the kitchen. However, their seating area felt cramped especially as Sunday had many visitors.

There’s a nice guide at the roastery to talk to you about the origins of coffee as well as the many blends and origins of their coffee beans.

I had a soy vanilla latte and my drinking partner had a flat white martini.

Flat White Martini (left) & Soy Vanilla Latte (right)

I took a sip of the martini and my mind was blown by the perfect blend of flavours. Who knew that expresso, irish cream, coffee liquour, vodka and sugar syrup could taste so divine?

The food menu had also been expanded from my last visit and now they offer a good selection of breakfast and brunch items. If you want a chill place for conversation, coffee, good food and drinks, then Mai Shayi Coffee is the place to go.

N/B: Laptops are not allowed. This is not your regular street side coffee shop where you’d expect to get some work done, as the primary objective for Mai Shayi Coffee is dining and conversation.

Until next time, from your top guide in fine living.

Love,

Nwaanyi Ije