Fathia Balogun had nothing to do with my broken marriage – Moji Olaiya

AUGUST 10, 2013 

Moji Olaiya

Popular actress, Moji Olaiya, tells ‘Nonye Ben-Nwankwoabout her career and why she walked out of her marriage

You are in a soon to be released soap, Glass House. How did it come about?

A producer we call Jerry (Isichei) produced it. I am a major cast in the series.

Most people know you as a Yoruba actress, but you are now featuring in an English series…

But this is not my first job in English. Don’t forget that I came to the limelight through Super Story and which of course, was in English. I am also in Nowhere to be Found, which is another popular soap.

We learnt that you played the role of an illiterate woman in Glass House

Yes, and it was very challenging. I got married to a bank chairman in the series and I am also a publisher. I played ‘Moji’ even in the series. The character is just a very funny person. I must tell you the soap is very interesting. I am very happy I played that part.

 You have not produced any movie in recent times…

The last movie I produced was last year and it even won an award. It was premiered in Canada at the Toronto film festivals. The market is not really encouraging now. That is why most producers are really calming down to see the outcome of this piracy issue. That is why most people are not doing movies now.

 Are you saying you didn’t make enough from your last movie?

We didn’t make what we expected because of piracy. However, the movie sold. It won the best movie award at last year’s Yoruba Movies Academy Awards. It was also screened at the Africa Movies Academy Awards.

But  it wasn’t nominated in any category…

I don’t know what happened. As far as I know, it was well shot. It had good picture quality.

Will you say your father’s name has opened a lot of doors for you?

I’ll say yes. Let’s take for instance my state, Ekiti State. Most things they call my father to do, because he is old and cannot be travelling up and down, they call me to do them. I even remember the first time I went to the German Embassy for a visa. Getting the visa was very quick because the lady that attended to me knew who my father was. I got the visa. I am proud to be associated with him as somebody I can call my father. There are so many legends out there, yet their children are not proud of them.

 Granted your father is a showbiz man, but most of your siblings are in other professions. How come you are the one that went into showbiz?

I think it is where God wants me to be. It is my destiny. When I was little, I loved entertainment. I was called to act and sing in my church when I was little. Growing up though, I never had the intention of acting. However, along the way, I got into it. I’ll just call it luck. I have no regret. If I should come back to this world again, I still will love to be an entertainer.

What really happened to your marriage?

You see, I am an advocate of marriage. I preach that women should be in their husbands’ houses. All my life, I have always wanted to get married and stay with my husband and bring my children up in the fear of the Lord. But along the line, things didn’t work out. I don’t even want to get into the details so that it doesn’t get messier. But things didn’t work out.

 So you left your marriage because ‘things didn’t work out’?

If things are not really working out, I think the best thing for you to do is to quit and leave everything in the hands of God.

 Be sincere, whose fault was it that it didn’t work out?

I don’t think it was my fault. I didn’t have any fault in the marriage. However, I will not blame the other party. I really want to keep this off the press as I have been advised by my family. It just didn’t work out.

 Some might think that you didn’t want to stay in a husband’s house…

I don’t think I will get married and say that I don’t want to stay in my husband’s house. It is only a senseless person that will do that. I am in my late 30’s. Why would I, at this age, not want to be in a husband’s house? It’ll get to a time that you will need a man. But when you get the man and things are not working the way you planned and you know you still have a long way to go in life, you have a fruitful career, then the best thing for you to do is to quit the marriage and let the man go.

 Could it be that you got another man because we learnt that you have a Canada-based lover…

Is it possible for me to get married to someone else when I am not officially divorced? I don’t know how people think. I don’t have anybody in Canada and I have never dated anybody in Canada. Even people who know me are not usually aware when I am in Canada. Canada is my second home, but I am always inside. I really don’t know where they got this false story from.

 But are you planning to get married soon?

I am not planning to get married soon. And just to get it straight, I am just separated from my husband. I am not legally divorced and I don’t have any lover anywhere.

What if you and your husband make up eventually?

Well… I will not say anything about that. I just think we should leave everything to God. Let him perform that wonder that He wants to perform. I believe that He is up to something.

 You talk like somebody who is pained…

When things you didn’t plan for happen, it will hurt you especially with all the things happening in our industry now. People think we are not serious and we don’t understand the institution of marriage. That is not so. My parents weren’t separated. I was brought up properly. My siblings are married. It is painful when you get married and you eventually leave that marriage because of something that is beyond your control.

You used to say you are an evangelist

I am an evangelist. I am a strong Christian. I preach on TV. So what am I teaching the younger ones? Am I telling them that marriage is not good? No. So I feel pained that this is happening. It is good to be married. It is good to have a crown over your head, somebody that can control you and you bear his name. It is painful; I know I am a role model to so many people. I know some people’s impression about me will be affected. But I know best and I know why it happened. I am sure that God will not even be angry with me that I made the decision at that time. I am sure I have not made the wrong decision. I would only tell my fans that I didn’t enjoy doing this but they just have to support me and pray along with me. I am an advocate of a peaceful marriage. Women should be married. I am not speaking for anybody but my colleagues whose marriages broke up know why they left their marriages. I did what I did because it was the best thing I could do.

But every lady needs a man beside her. How will you be managing?

I didn’t say marriage is out of the way now. Now that I got married and it didn’t work out, I have to be careful the next time. I have to choose well so as to avoid the first mistake. I am just taking my time. And in fact, God might even tell me to go back to my first marriage, He can also tell me to move on. So let us just leave it for God to handle.

 Could it be your profession that affected your marriage?

I don’t think so. While I was with him, I didn’t feature in so many movies. I just faced my marriage. It was just recently that I started featuring in movies. I never went for awards or functions. I wanted that marriage to really work. However, he even met me as an actress. I couldn’t have left my career because of marriage. In fact, I cannot leave my career for any marriage, no way! Even if I am getting married to the richest man, I don’t think he will tell me to quit acting.

 Did he ask you to stop?

He never asked me to stop acting. We never had any issue concerning my career.

 We know Fathia Balogun is your friend. Could it be that you decided to leave your marriage because your friend is also separated from her husband?

Fathia is my friend, I cannot deny that. But I couldn’t have left my marriage because hers didn’t work out. It is wrong for anybody to think that way. She knows what happened in her case, I know what happened in my own case. Come to think of it, when I go on set, I just want to face my business and get out. I don’t listen to gossip. I don’t know who is fighting over men. I just do my job and it is over. I don’t believe that anybody in her right senses will fight over a man.

 Were your parents in support of the separation?

I didn’t take the decision alone. But I think I will leave this out of the papers. I am an advocate of a good thing. I will get married again. I have to know what I want. I have to know who the person really is before I get into it.

Didn’t you know who he was before you got married to him?

I can’t really say I didn’t know who he was. But things just happened. God knows best. Let us just leave it at that.

 Did you have any children?

No.

 Could it have been the reason for the break up?

No way. He is not God and I am not God. The marriage was just three years. We have seen couples who didn’t have kids for so many years and they didn’t break up. Not having kids couldn’t have been the issue because I know I don’t have a problem. He doesn’t have a problem too. He has two kids and I have a kid before we got married.

 Do we see you doing another thing apart from movies?

Yes. I will start events management. I will open my business very soon.

The Irony Of Nigerian Celebrities ‘Rich Today, Poor Tomorrow’

Recently, some have said the Extravagant Lifestyle of Popular Nigerian celebrities who seek funds in order to survive after making huge success in their chosen career but squandered the proceeds on luxury and later become bankrupt is what has given industry watchers great concern. Why do some Nigeria-known faces in the entertainment industry usually beg for fund after a successful career? ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM and  SAMUEL ABULUDE take a look at this recurring issue as raised by popular opinions

A typical Nigeria celebrity is seen as a wealthy personality. Going on tour around the world, shooting videos and making people know they are a force to be reckoned with.

Most of the shows they perform in is outside the country and it aids them with lots of money for stage appearance, multinational endorsement and more fan base. But of late, the tide has continued to turn inasmuch as majority seek fund from the public before they could even eat. The question entertainment enthusiasts are asking is, what have they been doing with the millions they earn?

The ordeal of African Queen Music producer, OJB Jezreel with kidney failure has revealed the lifestyle of our music celebrities. He struggled to get the required funds for his kidney transplant and had to resort to begging Nigerians to save his life and donate money for his operation.  This development casts a notion of wasteful spending on our celebrities who made money when the going was good.

A lot of our contemporary artistes and music producers have smiled to the bank unlike the veteran singers of yesteryears who laboured more producing quality music and yet did not make as much as the contemporary artistes. Catching on the global hip hop trend, many of our artistes have hit it off and smiled to the banks. The Nigerian musician has laboured and tried to make himself to be reckoned with. Today, while many have attained celebrity status via the industry and become brand ambassadors of different products and organisations, others have gradually faded out as if they never existed.

Flashback:

As an upcoming artiste or actor a lifestyle is created to help in championing a career, a lot is provided by a label for instance in the music industry like house, car and some cash for the particular period as agreed by the contract. But when the ‘dough’ starts coming in, the exotic lifestyle creeps in. Some spend about hundreds of millions to get a house while others spend same and above  to get ‘lambogini’ just to pose with it because of what they watch on MTV or Channel O. This is far from their initial plan of making it big and establishing themselves as an entrepreneur in the business. And it has continue to hinder a lot of people in the entertainment industry from achieving a lot like their European counterpart.

Though people like D’banj, Don Jazzy, 2face,  Omotola, the popular actors Aki and Pawpaw, Genevieve, Jim Iyke and some few others have invested in different businesses aside the usual profession, many are busy buying commodities that do not last for the future only to cry for help when they are broke.

The strugglers:

At that time,  his wife was also reported to have left him because he could no longer meet the needs of his family.

Also, at an early age, Shina Peters was one of the richest musicians in Nigeria with his platinum hit Afro juju. He was a force to be reckoned with but some of his fans said it was  mismanagement of funds that led to his not being famous.

Nigerian father of Juju music, King Sunny Ade and the northern veteran, Dan Maraya also advised young entertainers to invest their money on things that would benefit them and their family, instead of living a lavish lifestyle and later coming to seek help. Nico Gravity said in his song ‘Finish Timaya’ that he had no beef with Timaya. In an interview with LEADERSHIP Sunday, he said he just tried to advise him and other artistes to invest their money on things that would benefit them in the future instead of making noise of buying cars and travelling round the world only to start begging in the long run. He also said he would be glad if they collaborate in any song.

An insider said that the late Pa Rolling Dollar was totally broke and could not afford the basic necessities of life, though he was popular.  But succour came his way from the Lagos state governor.

Majek Fashek:

How are the mighty fallen! This exclamation best captures the current state of New York-based Majek Fashek who waltzed his way into the hearts of music fans in the early ’90s with his critically acclaimed album, Prisoner of Conscience.

All is definitely not well with the reggae icon who released a video entitled Jah Revelation. Looking from his kind of music and patronage, he is supposed to be one of the most stable artistes, but Majek has been dogged by bad publicity. After many years of turbulent sojourns, it is hoped that the rainmaker would pray the rain is sent down.

Blackface

When stories of famous entertainers who have suffered a reversal of fortunes are chronicled, the name Augustine Ahmed better known as Blackface would definitely echo and reecho. Ejected from home by landlord, deserted by wife and abandoned by friends; such is the story of Blackface, who was once a trailblazer when the raga  movement took off in Nigeria. Together with his friends, Tuface and Faze, they took the music scene by storm. While Tuface, after their inglorious disbandment continues on his astronomical rise and Faze rides on the crest of his modest fame, Blackface has remained unable to find his footings. That is after a big hit with his albums. Will he bounce back or continue to wallow in penury?

Soul E

“In the life of everyman, there must be some ups and downs, it’s just a normal thing that happens and I must tell you that I have learnt from them and all I can ask from God is that everything falls in place this time around. Most of the things I did before, I don’t do them anymore. One of the things I learnt in my trying period is to be focused on the Lord and no matter how deep down one goes, God is mighty and able to lift him back to the greatest heights.”

The above was the response of Emmanuel Okose, better known as Soul E when asked about his depreciated relevance in the Nigerian music industry. Shortly after hitting it big, especially with the tracks, Soul E Baba dey Here, In My Life, among few others, the young hip hop actor disappeared from lime-light. Since he left Colossal Entertainment Nig Ltd, to start his own record label, Soul E International Records, all has never been well, especially with his finances. His failed marriage to older lover, Queen Ure is said to have also contributed to his thin pocket. But fans have also blamed him for lack of good planning only to seek for relevance when things are sour.

Baba Fryo

The last time anything news worthy was heard of him was on August 23, 2012, when he was beaten by policemen with their baton, kicked with their boots, handcuffed and dragged like a common thief to Isashi Police Station, along Badagry Express Way. Within the period, 1999 to 2003 when he was still waxing strong in the Nigerian entertainment industry, before fame and fortunes suddenly disappeared into thin air; no police man in Nigeria could have brutalised the Afro-reggae artiste to that extent.

Friday Igweh, popularly called Baba Fryo hit stardom in 1996 with a maiden album, Denge Pose,( a kind of dance one throws his leg as if suffering from waist pain) after which he released a sequel album, Notice Me, in 1999, and Country No Send, in 2003. Within those years,he reigned supreme. But today, it seems ‘he can’t denge and pose’ again.

Marvellous Benji

 Chinua Achebe’s book, “Things Fall Apart” best captures Marvellous Benji’s grace to grass fall.  Back in the days when Suo, Konto, (a dance that involves both the hands and legs simultaneously as if pulling a string)and Galala were the reigning dances in Nigeria. Marvellous Benji, whose real name is Benjamin Ukueje also reigned alongside the era. But shortly after, his name, just like the dance pattern, gradually went into limbo – a reason he is currently experiencing hard times. In 2012, he tried relaunching himself into the music industry with two singles, Iwo Ni Mofe, and My Life. Though it was a good effort, but his expectations were never met.

In an interview on his current state with LEADERSHIP Sunday, the artiste in a sober voice said he is working on a big hit in the pipeline and would let the public know when the meal is ready.

Ekwe

Sunday Osakuni, popularly known as Original Stereoman Ekwe, is no doubt among the artistes with riches to rag stories. According to the artiste whose hit song, E dey Pain Me and once a Glo Ambassador, made waves a few years back. His ordeal began after he was invited by homicide detectives, Force CID Panti, Yaba–Lagos, following an allegation that he strangled and killed his estranged wife, Rukayat Idris in April 2012. The incident, no doubt, affected the fortunes and career of the dread-locked artiste. For almost a year now, shows have eluded him. And the matter is worsened by the absence of a trending song from the Delta State-born Stereo man. We hope he will rise to fall no more.

Eddy Remedy

Eddy Ashiedu-Brown, better known as Eddy Montana, a former member of the defunct  musical group, Remedies, has had his own share of misfortunes in the nation’s entertainment industry. He seems the only unsuccessful member of the defunct Remedies. He had a messy separation from his wife, Kenny Saint Brown of Kennis Music and has not been able to resuscitate his music career since  he dropped the arrival of Eddy Remedy. His case is like the unfortunate hunter who caught a big Antelope but in a twinkle of an eye, let loose.

Daddy Fresh

The former dance-hall guru, who reigned alongside Daddy Showkey and Baba Fryo, has left the industry that once brought him fame and fortunes. His last attempt at reclaiming his lost spot on the music scene was a monumental failure and ever since, nobody knows his whereabouts musically.

Fada U-turn

The name Femi Mayomi might not ring a bell in many ears. But once Fada U-turn is mentioned, people will scream and are bound to ask, “where is him now?” This talented singer, whose hit track, Yetunde, in 1999, became a household number is today struggling with life as a result of fortunes reversal.

At the moment, he is planning to stage a comeback into the industry, especially with the recent release of his brand new single entitled Gbafun Remix, which features K-Solo. The song which was also produced by K-Solo is the first single from Fada U-turn’s forthcoming double album – Oba Shakara and Obaluaye, from the stables of Shakara sounds. We hope it would be a progressive U-turn this time around.

Way Forward:

Entertainers should know that they are public figures and  people(fans) are watching and monitoring their progression especially when they have made it big. It’s left for them to work for the future and invest in any way they can, even if it means opening a kiosk to aid them during the rainy day.

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Celebrities Who Are Yet To Marry

Love and marriage, in the world of Hollywood, these two things don’t always go hand-in-hand. Sure, Halle Berry recently wed (for a third time), and even serial model-dater Adam Levine is settling down, but not all stars have taken the same path down that aisle. With wedding season in full swing, check out 12 celebs who have never said “I do”  and seemingly have no plans to. You might be surprised that your favourite celebrity will be  among them ANTHONY ADAH ABRAHAM with some information from international village.

Oprah:

The fact that the billionaire talk show host has never married her partner of nearly 30 years, Stedman Graham, has led many to speculate that Oprah is in fact, a gay, and in a relationship with her best friend Gayle King. “I’m not a lesbian,” she told Barbara Walters in 2010. “And the reason why it irritates me is because it means that somebody must think I’m lying. That’s number one. Number two, why would you want to hide it? That is not the way I run my life.” As for why she and Stedman have never married, the 59-year-old told CNN’s Piers Morgan in 2011, “There’s nothing about [our relationship] that’s traditional. I want to make you a meal when I want to make you a meal. I don’t want it to be my responsibility to make you a meal.”

Al Pacino:

Though he’s never married, the 73-year-old actor has had plenty of high-profile relationships, two of which produced children. Al Pacino has a 24-year-old daughter, Julie, with ex-girlfriend and acting coach, Jan Tarrant, and 12-year-old twins Anton and Olivia with ex-girlfriend and actress Beverly D’Angelo. While Pacino remains mum on why he never married, his friend, writer Lawrence Grobel, offered this explanation to People in 1999: “His father left when he was young. He doesn’t want to get involved in a bad marriage. And he can be a difficult man sometimes, and I think he’s aware of that. To unravel why Al has never married is like onions, there’s layer and layers of stuff.”

Diane Keaton:

Speaking of Pacino, could his refusal to marry his Godfather co-star be the reason Diane Keaton never married? The pair dated off and on throughout the filming of the trilogy, and Keaton admitted to People that the relationship came to an end once she told him if he likes it, then he better put a ring on it. “I was mad for him,” the actress said in 2011. “I worked hard on that one, I went about it not in a perfect way.” While the 67-year-old has never married, she has had the pleasure of dating some very attractive men, including Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson and even Woody Allen.

John Cusack:

While his family ties are well known (sister Joan Cusack has starred in many of his films), John Cusack has kept his private life under lock and key  though he is rumoured to have dated Minnie Driver and Neve Campbell.

Cameron Diaz:

Despite high-profile relationships with Matt Dillon, Justin Timberlake and Alex Rodriguez, the beauty is yet to say “I do” and might never say those two little words. When Maxim asked the actress in 2011 if she thought marriage was a dying institution, she responded, “I think we have to make our own rules. I don’t think we should live our lives in relationships based off of old traditions that don’t suit our world any longer.”

Leonardo DiCaprio

Gisele Bundchen! Bar Refaeli! Blake Lively! Leonardo Dicaprio’s list of ex-girlfriends reads like People’s “Most Beautiful” line-up. So, it’s no wonder the 38-year-old shows no signs settling down. One look at this recent photo of the actor on a yacht in Cannes surrounded by a bevy of beauties, and who could blame him? Could his rumoured current girlfriend, 20-year-old Toni Garry (a Victoria’s Secret model, natch), be the one to finally rein him in? We’re thinking not…

Hugh Grant:

Before being caught with a prostitute in 1995, Hugh Grant dated model and actress Elizabeth Hurley for eight years. After he was caught with his pants down, the actor and Hurley remained a couple until their split in 2000. If a man won’t propose to a woman after she stays with him through something like that, then it’s doubtful he ever will! The 52-year-old actor is currently involved with Tinglan Hong, the mother of his two children.

Sheryl Crow:

Of all the stars on this list, Sheryl Crow, 51, is one of two who’s come closest to walking down the aisle. She and Lance Armstrong became engaged in 2005, but called it off a year later. (Armstrong later said the pressure of her biological clock “is what cracked it.”) Crow is currently dating music producer, Doyle Bramhall II, and parenting adopted sons Wyatt, 6, and Levi, 3.

Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell:

They’ve been a couple since 1983 and have raised four children together, but the pair has no desire to make it official. “The question is, ‘Why (get married)?’ it’s not, ‘Why not?’” Goldie Hawn said on CBS, “We love each other. We fight the way people are supposed to fight. We love our lives together.”

Jon Hamm:

Much to our chagrin, the 42-year-old has no plans to marry -- and his girlfriend of 16 years, Jennifer Westfield, is okay with that. “I don’t have the marriage chip, and neither of us have the greatest examples of marriages in our families,” he told Parade in 2010. “But Jen is the love my life, and we’ve already been together four times longer than my parents were married.”

New mum Kim Kardashian will launch a baby fashion line, friend reveals

It has been two months since Kim Kardashian welcomed her daughter North West, and already the savvy reality star seems to have spotted a hole in the mother and baby market. The 32-year-old is set to launch her very own clothing line for children.

Designer Lloyd Klein, a friend of Kim's, has revealed that she plans to conquer the baby fashion business.

 

"I am sure she is going to come up with a line for babies," he told the New York Daily News. He went on to say that he expects Kim's little girl to be a "great poster child" for the brand.

It wouldn't be the first time that Kim has branched out into fashion. Along with her sister Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe, the reality star has banked millions from various fashion deals — and a foray into baby wear is also likely to be a huge commercial success.

Speaking about the power of the Kardashian brand, Lloyd added, "They are doing clever moves. They are fantastic and beautiful — so it works.

"Kim has a very pretty face. She is a very clever lady, and I think she wears the clothes beautifully."

Confirming Kim's marketing power, he added, "She wore one of my dress not long ago and it got sold out all over the world, even in the Middle East."

If Kim does decide to turn her hand to baby wear, it remains to be seen whether little North is the face of this latest venture.

Dad Kanye West has made no secret of his desire to keep his daughter out of the limelight. Indeed, eight weeks after the little girl's arrival, we are yet to see any pictures of the baby — a fact that may come as a surprise to fans of reality star Kim, who made her fortune by opening up her life to the public.

While Kim and North are yet to make their debut, rapper Kanye is set to attend his first event since becoming a father.

It has been confirmed that he will be at the 2013 MTV Video Music awards on 25 August. Kanye was the second act to be announced, following Lady Gaga, and will perform his new single Black Skinhead.

Fans will of course be keeping a eye on the red carpet to see if his girlfriend Kim makes a surprise appearance on his arm.

Prince William heads back to work as paternity leave comes to an end

Prince William is heading back to work. With his two weeks paternity leave behind him, the new dad has said goodbye to his baby son Prince George and wife Kate Middleton and headed back to North Wales to return to his job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot.

According to reports, William will start work this week, and has therefore had to tear himself away from his new family, who will continue to stay at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire with Kate's parents, Carole and Michael.

 

But mother and son are expected to make the 270 mile trip to North Wales "at some point" over the coming weeks so proud William can introduce his son to his colleagues.

The visit will also allow the couple to spend time in an area very close to their hearts as they show Georgie — as grandfather Charles expects him to be nicknamed — around the place where they spent the first year of married life.

The new family are unlikely to be separated for long. Over the next month, it is expected that William — known as Flight Lieutenant Wales — will announce his decision to leave the RAF.

Coinciding with the Duke and Duchess's move in their new home at apartment 1A in the recently refurbished Kensington Palace, William is most likely to rejoin the Household Cavalry Blues and Royal Regiment at its Windsor or Knightsbridge barracks.

 

Before he moves on, however, William will attend the Anglesey show on 14 August, held to celebrate rural and farming life on the island. The royal VIP will watch gun dog and falconry displays before making a short speech to the excited crowd.

It will be his second public appearance since the arrival of his son. At the weekend, William joined his younger brother Prince Harry at the Audi Polo Challenge down the road in Coworth, Berkshire.

Speaking at the charity polo match, William said that becoming a father was a "game changer". Telling well-wishers that it was "good to get out the house", he added, "I've got to make sure I'm not late back".

The new dad managed to score the winning goal as he played alongside Harry on a four-man team, but admitted he had been distracted. "I was in baby mode out there, thinking about nappies," he joked. "I wasn't really in the zone.

Of his baby son, he added, "He likes to move around a lot. He wriggles a lot, he keeps us on our toes."

Fashion Mistakes Women Make

While trying to beautify oneself, there are many things that are not appropriate for a lady to do. It may be an unconscious act for some, but you need to be aware of what to do and what not to do. Blessing Ukemena writes, with report from Madamnoire.com.

Dirty, Ashy Soles

 It’s not fair to them or the public to bust them out with brittle toe nails, and three layers of dead skin on your heel.  You don’t have to invest in a N500,000 pedicure with paraffin wax. Even your local store has a pumice stone, lotion and toe nail clippers in the Health and Beauty section.

And which, there is no reason any woman’s feet should look like she was playing footies with the pavement.  If you insist on having your feet exposed from now until October, please check them once in a while and give them a good wipe down.

Long Chandelier Belly Rings

Chandelier belly rings make one instantly think of an excited 12-year-old in a soap opera whose mom just dropped her off at the mall.  Maybe, that’s what navel rings are for, but there’s something about a dream catcher hanging from your navel that doesn’t seem like a grown up thing to do. It’s one thing if you want to get a little fancy for the beach or even the club, but it’s a little over the top if you’re walking to get a water ice.

Making Flip-Flops The All Occasion Footwear

Maybe, it’s because I worked in food service for almost 10 years of my life, but I can’t bring myself to wear my toes out to the office.  There’s something about flip flops that just seem inappropriate for the workplace.  Still, there are women who once the thermostat hit 70 degrees, pulled out the flip-flops (and I’m not talking about some nice leather thongs, I mean foam sandal and plastic toe pieces) and never looked back.  The other day in Philly it was literally 50 degrees and raining but women acted like wearing anything but a flip-flop from May-August was a cardinal sin.  Please rotate between your flats, loafers and wedges.  There’s more to summer foot fashion than old navy flip-flops in every colour of the rainbow.

Wearing Every Trend All At Once

Mixing monochrome prints, whipping fishtail braid and strutting in wedge sneakers all at once is just absolute most.  Many women don’t have faith in their inner fashion sense, and unfortunately, end up consulting too many different resources and ending up with a little bit of everything. I like to use trends with discretion.  Allow them to inspire you and introduce them in small individual doses to your own personal style.

Illegal Lengths Of Weave

There’s nothing more attractive than a short beautiful weave.  As much as women are able to do what they want with their hair, no questions asked. But why would women wait until the weather hits 85 degrees to install the longest weave their corn-rowed heads can handle.  They spend so much time pulling it back and tying it up, that’s it’s almost like, what’s the point? There’s enough mosquitoes, sweat and pollen to keep you irritated until the end of summer, don’t let unnecessary hair add to your discomfort.

Deodorant Cakes

As the weather creeps closer and closer to the 90 degrees, there are plenty of people who care more about their own comfort than offending other people’s five senses. But I should not be seeing these nut holes courtesy of degree every time you lift your arms.  Invest in clear stick.  Layers of baby powder may keep sweat at bay, but it will also have you looking like you had a bag of Gold Medal in a headlock.

Crop Tops And Tights

The thing about tights and crop tops is that all of the people who shouldn’t are the ones wearing this combination.  Most people should avoid this look at all costs unless they’ve got an iPod strapped to their arm and a treadmill in front of them.  It is not appropriate to draw attention to your butt in tights unless paired with a long shirt.  Nowadays, women want you to see not only their behind, but all of the muffin top dripping over the sides as well.  There’s this great invention called a tunic…

“Stank” Shorts

Really short shorts are extremely easy to get wrong.  There are very few women who can rock them and look cute and not…well “stank.”  If you can’t walk more than three steps without feeling the overwhelming urge to pull them from in between your cheeks and, or if you have cellulite trickling down your thighs, then you probably got the short end of the stick.  Besides, they’re not the best things for your vaginal health.

Sunglasses In The Building

Sunglasses indoor scream one of several things:  I’m high.  I’m hungover.  I am too cool for the fluorescent glare of the office lights.  I’m a vampire. I’m in a violent relationship.  Seriously, ladies, who are we trying to impress?  If you are eager to show off your new coco and breezies, save them for the daylight where they can properly do their job and won’t have you tripping over the file cabinet.

Inappropriate Office Attire

Spending summer in an office is a tricky territory and Law firm employees and editors at Complex magazine probably have vastly different work attire.   Go with your gut; if you feel like you might get the side-eye from co-workers and management, save it for happy hour.  I feel like rompers, body con dresses and those flip flops we discussed earlier generally fall into this category.

Wearing Winter Make-Up

Summer heat means more sweat and oil.  The truth is that sweat and shine just need to be handled differently in the summer.  Trade your foundation in for tinted moisturiser. Instead of caking pressed powder over oil, keep blotting paper handy to soak up extra moisture.  Waterproof liner and mascara also make the difference between looking like you had a rough night and keeping make-up in its place.

Pregnant Hilaria Baldwin counts down to due date with cute photos

Hilaria Baldwin has shared a series of cute photos on her Twitter account ahead of the birth of her and Alec Baldwin's first child.

It's safe to say that the prospective parents are very excited about the arrival of their little one, who is due by the end of the summer.

 

Yoga teacher Hilaria shared photos of her actor husband Alec holding a tiny polka dot swimming costume.

The photo was accompanied by the caption, "Itsy bitsy teeny weeny baby bathing suits make us emotional."

Hilaria and Alec's first daughter will be the second child for the 30 Rock actor. He already has a 17-year-old daughter Ireland Baldwin with ex-wife Kim Bassinger.

Hilaria shared a photo of her baby girl's wardrobe with a pink one-piece with the phrase 'Little Sister'.

 

The mum-to-be posted the snaps on her Instagram account with the words, "Already looking up to her big sister @irelandbbaldwin"

Ireland, who is a model, has already spoken of her excitement at getting a baby sister.

"I'm going to be a big half sister. Woah." She tweeted when the news broke, followed by "My dad is pregnant guys."

It seems all the baby talk might have triggered some memories for Ireland who tweeted an old photo of her and her mother Kim. Ireland, wrapped in Kim's arms, is adorable in a spotty t-shirt with her hair in the same style as her mum's.

 

Hilaria and Alec make no secret of their love for each other, regularly sharing romantic photos with fans on social networking sites.

Alec, 55, shared a photo of him and his pregnant wife and wrote "The three of us...almost."

 

The pair, who tied the knot in June 2012 after a three-month engagement, revealed that they were expecting their first child together in February.

A month later, Hilaria revealed that they were expecting a baby girl.

"Alec and I are overjoyed that we are going to be welcoming a little girl into our lives," she excitedly said on TV show EXTRA.