Book Review | In Dependence

In Dependence is written by Sarah Ladipo Manyika. I discovered this book through Cassava Republic who is its publisher.  Firstly let's say that In Dependence exceeded my expectations for so many reasons. However, there are a few loose ends I felt the author could have tidied up. 

Synopsis

The story begins in the early 60s, in Ibadan Nigeria. Tayo Ajayi has won a scholarship to study at Oxford University  in the UK. After a brief relationship with Christine,  a fellow Nigerian also studying at the University,  Tayo meets and falls in love with Vanessa Richardson.

The problem is she's white and the daughter of a former colonial officer.

Madeline's Top Netflix Picks

Aside from reading books by women, one of my other pastimes is to enjoy an enthralling show on everyone's favourite streaming service. With the sun playing tag these days, my preference would be to snuggle under a blanket, armed with a hot drink and a bowl of snacks whilst watching Netflix on a screen such as the 4k led tv Panasonic. 

But with such a busy schedule,  indulging in some visual entertainment during my commute to work seems like a good plan for now. If you read through some of the archives, you will see a growing collection of film reviews already on the blog. Today, I would like to discuss with you some of my hottest Netflix picks.

Open Book | Sabrina Hamilton

Chapter three of #OpenBook is here! If you need to catch up quickly on the first two, you can do so here.

Today, we are in the company of the amazing Sabrina Hamilton. Sabrina is 32 years old and describes herself as being "happiest when eating brunch with the girls, sitting out in the sun or reading a good book with a mug of herbal tea". Sabrina also works in marketing within the travel industry, and of course, writes a blog!

Read on if you want to find out more about Sabrina.

#IWD Special | Why I Write for Women

I have been labouring over this for a while now, wondering how to shape this post so it packs a real punch. I don't believe this to be my eloquent piece yet, but it's from the heart. Having typed my last full stop, I have returned to the start to add this small preamble. I hope as you sit with a cup of tea in hand reading this, or perhaps at your desk trying to conceal this page from your manager, you realise how incredibly amazing you are, you gorgeous, multitasking, heel wearing, or trainer sporting, child rearing, board sitting, uniform wearing, insecurity hiding creation of wonder! Happy International Women's Day!

Wonderful Ways to Make Your Website Shine!

A few blog posts ago, we spoke about the importance of blogging as a business owner. As important as a business blog is, it is one piece of your marketing strategy as a brand. Your online voice, logo, colours, magazine ads, and even your face to face communication with clients all form a part of the communications jigsaw puzzle, when in business.

It's clear that there are some areas of business that matter more than others, and one of those is the website. What you have to keep in mind is the fact that your website is both the digital blueprint for your company and a hugely important marketing tool as well. This is why a website plays such a massive role in improving your brand's chances of longevity.

Open Book | Miriam Kyasiimire

Our #OpenBook series continues with another 'fab at 30 plus' blogger!  Click here to read the last installment.

This time, we're in the company of Miriam Kyasiimire, a Ugandan by birth, nationality and choice!  Miriam runs a tour agency based in Kampala called Kagera Safaris which plans for inbound tourists into Uganda and Rwanda.

"We love to create memorable African expressions for our clients", she explains. Read on  to find out more about Miriam, her blogging journey and the power of adding value to others through writing. 

Open Book | Charlene Chinn

Meet business and lifestyle blogger, Charlene!

We are starting a brand new series!  Open Book is a series of short, candid conversations between myself and my fellow over thirty bloggers. I've found that the blogsphere is a space which is very much populated by the twenty somethings - either that, or they are just better at promoting their craft! 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, however as people in our thirties, blogging as a form of expression began when many of us were in college or university - in short, we were the first bloggers! Open Book aims to highlight the honest experiences, triumphs and lessons of the thirty something blogger.