Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

I'll see you all right back here on the January 3rd!

{Photos: Luxe + Lillies, Lonny Magazine, A Field Journal, Small Bird Blog + Design Crush}

Holidays....

As you may have noticed, holidays usually come and go without me blinking an eye. This is especially true for Christmas where I tend to mentally retreat from all the hoopla (i.e. commercialization) of this one day. While I haven't gone all out, this year I'm certainly making an effort to jump in. It started with the decision that Christmas was going to be at my place this year which was followed by me dashing out to get my first ever Christmas tree. Once the lights were plugged in the little inner giddiness has been impossible to put out.

Are you all set for the big day?

{Photos: What Katie Ate - please please please check out this amazing Christmas Magazine that Katie put out!}

On That Roll

I recently dropped some film to be developed and I finally got to pick up the pictures last night. As usually, I was instantly reminded about how much I love the surprise of discovering what was on the film while experiencing the crush of all the pictures that "could have been" if only I had done any number of things better (including choosing a whole different subject). I was also reminded of my photography teacher from back in the day telling us how it was normal to have only one good shot in a roll of many many bad shots. Anywho...this is one of the pictures that stood out to me from a day I went hiking in VA with some friends.

{Photo: Brandie}

When Paris Meets Africa

This is what happens when you mix a few top fashion designers from Africa and a little bit of Paris.....

{Photos: ARISE}

Design Inspiration

On a cold winter's day, this is exactly the type of cozy kitchen that life calls for - dog included please! Obviously the chalk drawing above the stove is unbelievable and one I would glad allow any of you lovely artists out there to recreate on my walls!

{Photo: House and Leisure via World Mags}

Tuesday's Design: Artist's Home

While peering into the home of a regular Jane Doe is always a joy, I find looking into the homes of creative people to be even more interesting. How they are able to channel their creative spirit from one medium into a much bigger medium (i.e. your entire home) is always such a treat. In this case, the home is of South African artist Sam Nhlengethwa and I'm loving all the art work mixed with very simply designed furniture, creating a nice balance.

{Photos: House and Leisure via World Mags}

Photo Inspiration

I love this photo of a road trip through Morocco. I've been feeling the need to explore more and there nothing like a car and open road to get you to see all the little details of life....

{Photo: National Geographic}

Flickr Finds Africa: 12.20.10

Good morning! Let's start this Christmas-on-the-horizon week off with these two amazingly dreamy shots taken in Mayotte with a pinhole camera. The Mayotte island is geographically part of Africa via the Comoros Islands of which it is part. But politically, the island decided to remain part of France.

{Photo: Studio Rauzier Riviere}

Weekend Wishes

As the weekend winds down, I hope you are enjoying a state like this....lounging around, still looking amazing and maybe even rocking a little sparkle! See you tomorrow!

Art Scene: Setordji Kofi

Love these two pieces by artist Setordji Kofi who hails from Ghana. In looking at these paintings, I realized that for all my love of art, I definitely don't have enough paintings! Plus the few day I have are in some serious need of framing which really a key part of owning nice art.

So are you an art owner (remembering that the value is only what it means to you :))? If so, I'd love to hear about your favorite piece!

{Photos:Artists Alliance}

Wonderland Styling...

Dear Wonderland Stylist,
Please teach me how you put such looks, including a kente headwrap and some East African beads, together so nicely. I'm cool with the fact that me and Rose will never walk the same planet bodywise, but certainly you can hook up this look for mere non-models like myself! Plus, I go to work most days of the week and while I'm no wallflower when it comes to dressing, please keep in mind that I can't look like I'm going to a costume party on a Monday morning in the office.

Cheers!
Brandie

{Photos: Ford Model Blog}

Modern Design Inspiration

From Jo'burg masculine chic to Cape Town modern and sleek.....

{Photo: House and Leisure via World Mags}

Tuesday's Design: Jo'burg Masculine Chic

As the weather outside is frightful, and I have no fire delightful, the least I could have is a cozy bedroom like this. I know it's hard to get pass the amazing headboard, but how perfect in tune is it with the side lamp and the wonderful picture frames?! I'm really into picture frames as wall art these days and while I've been gathering a few to do a little set-up in my living room, I still have a few more to go....

{Photo: House & Leisure via World Mags}

Flickr Finds Africa: 12.13.10

A Monday would hardly be complete without a little Flickr love. This image taken in Angola stood out to me because it has a "movie still" look about it. Don't ask me what movie this would be considering I'm not sure the last time a movie in the theater including a mama sweeps the floor, but I could already tell you just from this shot that it would be worth all the good reviews!

{Photo: Antonio Olmos}

Photo Inspiration

Welcome to another week here on Out & About Africa! I can't think of a better way to start the week than with this inspirational photo of a South African surfer. To those surfers out there reading, this may seem like a normal day of someone just catching a wave, but if I were standing in his shoe (ok let's be honest - I wouldn't even think about being where he is...but let's pretend), I could only hope to look into those mighty terrifying waves and have my soul screaming "bring it on!"

So as you march into a brand new week ahead I hope you take strength from this photo and have the courage to tackle whatever life may throw at you (ok maybe your week need not be this dramatic, but just in case it is....)

{Photo: National Geographic}

Pinteresting.....

Over the past few months, I have found myself needing another outlet to capture all the beautiful things that I come across on a daily basis that aren't related to Africa. Between multiple folders on my desktop at home and at work, my "favorites" list on Google Reader and even my inbox, there were just pictures coming out of every corner with no place to go. This is where the lovely site Pinterest comes in. Rather than having to save all those lovely images in scattered folders where it's hard for me to find them again, I can now just pin them to my virtual mood board and have access to them whenever I want. Plus I can look at boards made by others and repin images and others can do the same with mine. Obviously it's taken ZERO time to get me addicted!

So come over for a little visit (you can also click on the "Pinterest" link on the right sidebar) to see what else is inspiring me. If you are on Pinterest, I would love to know and see some of the things that inspire you - so drop me a comment and let me know your link!

{Photo: Brandie}

Art Scene: Odili Donald Odita

It's official. I have become one of those people who doesn't need to "understand" anything when looking at an abstract piece to know that I like it. Aesthetically, this pleases me and that's good enough in my book. This time around, the object of my visual desire are the paintings of Nigerian-born, Philly-based artist Odili Donald Odita. His work is currently on display at the Jack Shainman Gallery and I am hoping that the art loving gods lead me back to NYC in time to catch this show before it's over on December 23rd.

{Photos: Jack Shainman Gallery}

Tie for Her

These two images by SA Antonia Steyn and just awesome! I love the use of the tie and how it's made feminine while still maintaining it's masculine look.

{Photos: Antonia Steyn}

Tuesday's Design: Accra Meets L.A.

What do you get when you take a Ghanian-born L.A. based architect and get him to design his own home in Accra? Yes, this gem of a home does require a moment of silence to really absorb its beauty....I'm not usually into the minimalist modern look, but lately my cozy, comfort style was beginning to feel too much! Of course some serious cleaning (not to mention finally unpacking) made it feel like me again, but a new part of me has been loving the clean, crispness that comes with modern design. So as you can imagine, this home is really calling my name. Not only do I love the fact that the architect uses local materials, I also love that he incorporates so much of his life abroad (cabinets, sinks and more were all imported). You can see more of this wonderful home here....

{Photos: dwell via design wonderland}

Dancing Beat

Here is to hoping you have a wonderful rest of the day!

{Photo: Iris}

Flickr Finds Africa: 12.06.10

This weeks picks are all about intense color. I love these two shots from Kenya by Paolo Brunetti where the sunglasses and the red and yellow of the dhow really stand out.

{Photos: Paolo Brunetti}

Through the Lens: Antonia Steyn

I am always a fan of a good portrait shot, but when one has gallery after gallery of beautiful portraits, as is the case of South African photographer Antonia Steyn, choosing just a few because really really difficult. Yet, I think these reflect Steyn's amazing talent to really capture the beauty of her subject.

{Photos: Antonia Steyn}

Sounds of Africa: El Rego

Let's end the week with the ohhhh soo funky Theophile Do Rego or better known as "El Rego." While Ghana and Nigeria are world renown for Afrobeat sounds, 1960s and 1970s Africa also had beats coming out of Benin by the likes of El Rego et Ses Commandos. This beat, like every other on their albums got me dancing like a fool around my apartment this morning as I got ready for work! I hope it has the same effect on you whenever you lesson in.

{Photo: Afrofever}

Art Inspiration

In contrast to the classic style featured earlier today, I am also loving this bright, mixed-media little number also be a Ghanian: Robert Aryeetey.

{Photo: Colorful Times}

Art Scene: Samuel Adoquei

Aren't these paintings by Ghanian artist Samual Adoquei so classic and serene? After his early years in Ghana, Adoquei spent a chunk of time in Europe before selecting in the U.S. and I feel like this experience can really be seen in his work.
{Photos: Samuel Adoquei}