Today's Quote

Not every yawn is a sign of sleep and tiredness. Sometimes it may just be hunger.

The LagosNewYorker

Quote of the Day

Bring on the competition, healthy or unhealthy, It wakes me up. If the unhealthy needs to be cured, I have some medication.

The art of Hand Embroidery

It takes someone with special talents or relentless hard-work to make a unique style out of clothing. This is because clothing has been here since the beginning and there have been styles and trends that come and go, so it is very rare to come out with something that nobody has ever seen.

But, I must say that certain people have decided to take designs and handwork to another level and it is worth looking into. This is a source of inspiration when you think about all the work that was put into this from the conception stage where the designs are thought of in the mind, and till the point where they are made to look like the imagination. Never comes easy! 

Let me post a few pictures of one design I found so interesting and unique:

This design is by Chasari the Lagos NewYorker and it's a beautiful piece of artwork.

Sometimes I wonder if people really appreciate those little things we do that are not the usual as expected by everyone out there in the world. But the fact is, if you wait for the endorsement of people before you decide to carry out certain things, you will never be happy and will never discover how much worth you have. So I suggest, you get the work done and move ahead with getting yourself better the next time. Wait for people's views and suggestions and if you are criticized, it's a good thing. Work on making it better the next time and then you will be surprised how much better you will get. Put all of this together and keep going. Don't stop! 

It's Chiaka, Chasari the LagosNewYorker. 

Do you understand what you really want?

Always go for what you want because it will never come you way easy.
You deserve what you get! Have you ever heard somebody say that to you? Oh yea.
We all have needs and we are quick to express disappointment whenever certain things don't work for us the way we would have wanted. But we forget that we are architects of our successes and failures.
The body wont get up from the bed in the morning at a certain time if the mind doesn't wake up and tell it to keep it moving. I will confess that each day I wake up on my bed, the first thing I wish to do is go back to sleep. Does anybody else ever feel this way?
Well, at that point all I do is roll like I am falling off the bed and when my mind sees my body going that way, it immediately gets up and I get going with the new day.
Nothing ever comes easy, and if something has ever come easy your way, look back and reflect, and you will discover that you have been working on this or have worked on it unwittingly, and at the time when you least expected it, it came your way.
Hard work is compulsory, not necessary. If you believe that others are making out there without hard work, try not working and then you will understand life from an entirely different perspective.
Life is Hard, and we can only make things work better for ourselves when we strive to thrive.
If you want the best, then you need to work for the best and do all that it takes to get the best.
Its Chiaka, Chasari the LagosNewYorker.

How to make a French seam

A lot of us really do wish we could sew and we may even have sewing machines at home, but sometimes we find it difficult to fix even minor alterations.
Anyways, Brooklyn creative studio, my partners in the LagosNewYorker brand are doing live videos you can learn from, and we will have a series of live videos which will be announced. You can come online, watch these videos, make comments, ask questions and be part of this means to empower and inspire millions out there to do something for themselves.
Check out this video above on how to make a French seam.
More will be posted to you soon.
It's Chiaka, Chasari the LagosNewYorker.

The Greatest Investment!

When a child is Born, a lot goes through the mind of the parents.They may not speak out, but deep down their mind they ask questions like: What next? What is the future of this Child going to be like? How am I going to raise him/her up to be decent, respectful, successful or What will happen if this child turns out to be somebody else I never expected?  What can I do to make him/her happy? e.t.c

There's so much more that could go through a parents mind, so the parents have their mind set on seeing the child grow and turn out to be the person they had wished for. 

Along the line of training and upbringing though, a lot of things start to happen, and then the child goes from a baby to a toddler and the wants and needs of the child changes.

Then, the parent knows that there's more to do than just breastfeed and buy clothes for a baby. Now the child needs solid food, the child needs to go to school, needs to mix up with other friends and as the child continues to develop into teenage years, then the mind racing becomes even more intense. 

Especially when the child discovers that they can have some sort of independence and freedom, then it becomes the duty of the parent to let them know there has to be a line drawn and a restriction is some cases. It would be very wrong for a parent to give the child just everything they request.

Children out to know that nothing comes easy. And everything that you own is either earned or acquired. This way they have a sense of responsibility. 

But after all that has been said, do you realize we omitted the most important thing?

TIME! The value of this cannot be overemphasized. You need to spend more time with your children than you let them hang out in school or with their peers. I understand the need to pay bills and work to be able to afford a good life. But, we should never forget that our kids are more important than money and the upbringing they get today is what will lead them on a path to success tomorrow.

Invest time and energy in your child. You can wait on the line for each new Jordan being launched, but is really what you really want to instill in your child? Materialism is vague. And wasted time like they say, is worse than wasted money, because you can still make money but you can never bring back wasted time. Invest wisely in your child right now and reap the rich benefits forever.

Its Chiaka, Chasari the LagosNewYorker.

You don't know how good you have it!

This statement I have personally made to countless people I meet here in the USA.
We seem to take too much for granted and still complain about certain things not being in place for us or as good as we would have wanted it to be. But, I personally believe we really need to be thankful for the provisions we have readily at our disposal, and all those things we regard as a norm seems to be luxury for certain people.

I will post a few pictures I got from Lagos Mainland, Nigeria.
It rained, and then it flooded. Bad drainage, poor road networks and self-centred politicians are a few factors that make life difficult for the citizens.

Let's share a few pictures.

Local Okada(Motorcycle) riders riding thru the flood

These people don't even complain anymore, it's sad

Now, who says a truck can't do the things a yacht does?

High School Student happily walking home in the flood

Nothing seems to be taking away from his Joy

The Chickens feel like they just came out of a sauna 

People still get going in their daily activities

A waiting line at the ATM 

But the rain isn't stopping this business

Neither is it stopping the goat from eating grass wet

Nor is it stopping the brick moulders from selling their wet bricks

And people still smile in these conditions

And there are potholes and large stones under the flood

Now, I wonder what's stopping you. You may be living in a better environment, having a lot of provisions in place, the government over here may be more concerned about your well being as a citizen, and you have benefits, free education and a whole lot more you can lay your fingers on. Opportunities abound.

How do you utilize these opportunities?

The young boy in that picture walking in the flood will wake up the next morning heading back to school happily and in good spirits because he has his mind set on making it better for himself and his parents believe getting educated is the first step to take him there. He has a "Vision" and he won't let it die. He will walk in the flood everyday it rains if that's what it takes to get what he wants.
I have walked these streets, I have been in floods like this, walked them back home from school, on my way to school, been in a car driving thru the flood and the engine went off, still had to come out of the car and push. Hawked on the streets in this condition just to make a living. This is the life I lived for many years, so I can relate with the feelings of those people right now!

A lot of us just sleep, wake up, live a free life and forget that we all are going to be remembered for something we did while we lived our lives. What will you be remembered for?
Food for thought!

It's still me. Chiaka, Chasari the Lagos-Newyorker.

Interview with Lil Miss Livigirl the 3 Year Old Chubby Model.

Good afternoon to you my fellow Inspirators. 

Its a wonderful Friday and the end of a week that went by so fast.

And guess what, I have a truly inspiring and motivating post about a young chubby model who is a true example of what I mean when I say “Start NOW”, she is just 3 and has only been modeling for 6 months, but the desire and drive she had to start was noticed by her parents who are guiding her through the journey of being a supermodel in the nearest future. I was opportune to take an interview of Alivia Kamia Miller A.K.A Lil Miss Livigirl and her mom, and it was such a pleasure.

ABOUT HER CAREER

What are her full names? Alivia lamia miller

What’s her Brand Name? Lil miss liviGirl 

At what age did she first begin? 3

What Skills has she had to work on the hardest? Focusing and timing 

How did it feel before you as the parents made the decision to start? I was very nervous because Alivia always changes her mind about what she wants to do, but once I saw her crying to walk like Tyra and be a princess I let nervousness go and started researching fashion shows.

Did it ever feel like something was holding you back? Ever felt Inadequate? No I always tell Alivia she can do whatever she want. Let nothing hold you back.

Was there ever a time you really felt like… I am stopping this? No, this modeling is really building her confidence and personality. If I ever thought about stopping she would prolly stop talking to me Lol . 

There must have been discouraging factors… Can you list them? When she doesn't get casted, when we go to shows and designers don't have her size, when they say she to young to walk or walk with the big girls.

DEDICATION

What Drives you as the parents to keep her going? That smile, seeing the joy in her eyes when she gets off that runway .

How does it feel being in the level you are at right now?

It feels amazing we have only been doing this for 6 months now and my baby has been in 7 shows and all those shows started at 5 and up 

Where do you see her in the next 5 years?

On a NYC kids billboard modeling, and continuing her education.

Have you had regrets? None at all

Word for the youths out there who are working hard and looking to be successful?

Never stop trying never give up never lose faith.. As long as you want it, it takes you to go get it.

There’s somebody out there reading this who just wants to be like her, someone who sees her as a mentor. What does it take to be like the little princess? Creativity, Style and Swag 

Is there  anyone who you look up to as inspiration? Yes all the older women in my life. Each and everyone of them have had an impact on me 

Anyone you wish she will work with sometime soon? Tyra her Idol.

What piece of advice would you give younger ones about developing their skills and talents?

Keep practicing. Don't work once try again.

Amazing, isn't it?

Now, this is a wake up call to you out there who has been looking to start up something and have still not decided what to do. The power is in your hands, and only you holds the keys to your destiny and future. You can choose to start now or keep procrastinating. Just remember... Tomorrow, you would wish you had started today or even yesterday. 

And to the parents out there. Use your discretion to find out what would best work for your child, train and develop them in the aspect of life they love the most, and you let them decide for themselves what they really want to be in future. The young ones need direction. We all have a part to play in making them have a better future.

I am Inspired! And I am sure someone out there is Inspired.

Once again, its me, Chiaka Chasari the Lagos-NewYorker

Africa, Motherland! An introduction to Lagos Mainland

A lot of us have heard a lot about Africa and maybe never gotten a chance to travel or experience it in real life. But we always hear of Africa been labeled as motherland, a land full of those things that bring you closer to nature, green vegetation and fields, animals, the hot weather condition and a whole lot of other things that are just pleasing to the eyes.  Fortunately, I was born in Africa and lived there all my life before I came into New York this year. So, I have a wealth of Information about Africa that I would love to share with you fellow Inspirators.

I lived in Lagos, Nigeria. And Lagos is a Mega City. In short, I will rightly say, Lagos is the financial capital of Nigeria and Africa as a whole, and one of the fastest growing cities in the world.
Lagos is made up of people from all cultures coming together to form a stronghold. A lot of foreigners even live in Lagos, having set up several businesses and because you have the population of over 22 Million residents, there are always people to whom your products will appeal to, as long as you know your roots and have the right business plan.

I also traveled to neighbouring African countries because I was curious and wanted to see how life is over there and was able to see the culture and way of life in comparison to Lagos Nigeria, and I would tell you, they are no match for the fast paced Lagos(A.k.a Lasgidi) life.

Lagos comprises of several local governments but I could tell you that I personally categorize Lagos into 2 parts. The Island and the Mainland. There is a Bridge called the 3rd Mainland Bridge that connects the Mainland to the Island as the whole area is surrounded by the atlantic ocean. So you can say that there's a lot of fresh fish, crabs and other aquatic food. Agriculture has always been part of the culture in Nigeria, and so a lot of food is grown naturally.

The Island is known for its expensive real-estate properties, luxury condos and apartments, expensive buildings, some people go as far as filling up swampy areas and converting it into luxury. You wouldn't imagine the monetary wealth that has been invested in this place.. Well, let's talk a little about the Mainland.

The Mainland has a lot of industries and is known to be more of the "dirty" Lagos. I personally love the Mainland because if you are a lover of nature and want to know what Africa really looks like and you are flying in for the first time, you will love it better on the Mainland. There you can see the goats walk the roads, the chickens, children playing on the streets, food sellers hawking, side music been played from bars, and a whole lot more. I am not saying you can see these on the Island, but not as much as it will be seen on the Mainland. The Mainland was also known for its music and nightlife in places such as Ikeja, Yaba, Surulere and a couple others before a lot of clubs sprung up on the Island and then took major glory for the Night life.

Anyways, I will be posting few pictures about the Mainland today, and what you expect to see in places on the Mainland. I will post more as soon as I get them. These pictures were taking today, this evening Nigerian time and that's 5 hours ahead of New York time.

A water tank somewhere in Lagos Mainland

A woman sitting beside her produce for sale on the streets of Lagos Mainland.
I see Apples, WaterMelons, Oranges, Cucumber e.t.c

A Tricycle(A.k.a Keke) Rider crossing in-between the roads. 

A typical look of the front of a house in Lagos Mainland

An Okada Rider making his way past a street in Lagos with his female passenger.

Another Keke rider

Ladies hawking local food around and they sure are almost done selling from
the look of things. 

You have to scream a call to let residents know you are around and ready
to sell. These here are selling Amala, some local delicacy.

A Banana tree, a blurred coconut tree and a mango tree

A  lot more green vegetation

Here are a few pictures I could get today. I would be writing

a little more tomorrow about a different part on the Mainland

in Lagos. I will also post more pictures. 

I remain your fellow Inspirator.

Chiaka, Chasari the Lagos-NewYorker.