Ode to My Fashion

 Tis’ the season again! And no, I’m not talking about Christmas or its festive cousins. I’m talking about the Dak’Art Biennale . The Dak’Art Biennale is the ultimate rendezvous for art and creativity in Dakar, lasting an entire month. If you’ve been following my blog, you might remember I wrote about it   two years ago here and here . This year, though, the Biennale came with its share of drama. Originally scheduled for May- June 2024, it was postponed by the new government, citing a lack of necessary funds. Naturally, this sparked backlash, especially from international artists who were ready to showcase their work. Some went ahead and participated in smaller OFF events around the city despite the delay. Fast forward to November, and the Biennale finally kicked off on the 7th, with the theme "The Wake." It will run for a full month, featuring the usual main exhibitions ( IN ) and the more informal adjacent events ( OFF ). I had the chance to visit the main exhibition at t...

Hello everyone. Over the summer, I kept up our tradition and took the boys to Somone. This place has really become a staple for us. This time, we started out in a cosy little guesthouse - Havre de Paix and then moved to a proper hotel for our last few days ( review here ). True to form, we didn’t plan much. The boys, now at that “leave-me-alone” phase, mostly entertained themselves with mindless YouTube videos and gaming. They enjoyed the pool and dining out, while I relished some downtime, watching the Olympics on TV and diving into a few good books. "Le Havre de paix" Bed and Breakfast We ventured to a few new restaurants, starting with a beach shack right by the sea called Chez Atty The place had rave online reviews, but I admit, my first impression was a bit iffy. Still, the spot turned out to be a gem. We had our feet in the sand, watching the sun dip below the horizon as our food arrived. It was fantastic—honestly, I didn’t expect it to be that good. The drinks were ju...

Hi Y'all! How are we doing this month? As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the disease and fundraising for patients and research. This initiative brings together the medical field, governments, civil society, and private companies. We often refer to this time as "Pink October" (or "Octobre Rose" in French). The iconic pink ribbon, which has become the symbol of this movement, was introduced by Self magazine in 1992, emphasizing the importance of breast cancer awareness. Since then, pink has been the colour that represents this vital cause. Though the movement began in the U.S. in the 1980s, it has gained traction worldwide, including here in Senegal, where we also raise awareness in vibrant and impactful ways. For those unfamiliar with breast cancer, it’s a disease where abnormal breast cells grow uncontrollably, forming tumours that can spread to other parts of the body if untreated,...

 Hi Y'all! How are you doing? It’s back-to-school time for my kids. My oldest just started college, and I have mixed feelings about it. As a (sometimes) helicopter mom, I accompanied him on his first day. Thankfully, he didn’t mind, and I wasn’t the only parent there! My second, on the other hand, as a typical teenager, insisted I stay home. “It’s embarrassing,” he said. It’s bittersweet because I remember how, just a few years ago, he clung to me on his first day of kindergarten. I knew he was ready to be independent, but watching his classmates cry definitely got him emotional. Today, let’s talk about workwear. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been mostly working from home, which means most days, you’ll find me in either my pajamas or house clothes. In my country, “house clothes” usually refer to loose-fitting, Mumu-style dresses, often in bold prints and vibrant colors. They’re super comfortable and easy to move around in, and I’ve amassed quite the collection of them! On day...