A Lifestyle Blog With An African Twist

Two Years On

On the evening of 21 January 2014, I baked a batch of hummingbird cupcakes to take to work using my friend Jenny's recipe (well sort of as I winged it a bit).  The cupcakes turned out so moist and yummy, I had to tell the whole world how fantastic my cakes turned out.  I considered calling the TV station to come over straight away to take a look at this genius of a cupcake that I had just baked but I came to my senses quickly enough.  So a few minutes of pacing up and down the kitchen followed and then I took photos on my mobile and texted it to Jenny and another friend but I thought these cupcakes deserved more than two text messages and then BOOM!!!!!!  I got the great idea to start a blog where I can post all my recipes especially ones from Sierra Leone. So I ran to my study, turned on the computer and googled how to start a blog.  A few hours later I had created the Elsie and Family blog.

Recipes alone wasn't enough so I decided to show my Sunday style and the Elsie and Family blog evolved to Bittas, Oleleh, Canvas en Print.  Don't ask me why, because I am still asking myself that question and so far sensible answers have evaded me.     Then I started receiving emails and lovely comments about my recipes. I then realized I was helping people in my own little way and was going to be doing this for some time, so again I decided to change the name of the blog to something that was easy to remember but  also told my story. I put out a post with three names and The Cooking Wardrobe won.

Two years on, I believe my culinary skills have improved immensely as I am always looking for new and creative ways to prepare breakfast, lunches and dinners for my family and friends.

 My style oh my, has evolved so much you can look through my outfit posts and see for yourself.  In the last year I have mustered the courage to go natural and my make up game has improved as per below collage
My followers have grown on all the social media platforms that I have paid close attention to.  Gosh Instagram followers can be cruel.  You follow them and they pay your kindness by unfollowing you the next minute.  I even considered posting a few photos of myself in g-strings to get more followers but I don't want to be held responsible for anyone's eye trouble so I am still playing it covered hahaha.

Going forward in my third year of blogging, I have noticed that most of my popular posts are recipes so I am going to give a decent amount of posts to recipes as my style posts seems to have taken over the blog and to be frank with you and myself, my strength is in cooking.  There are many fabulous fashionistas out there but a few people sharing recipes from Sierra Leone.   Some of my blogger friends have said they want to do collaborations this year and that is something I would love to do as well so anyone looking for collabs, pick me, pick me.  I would also like to do a giveaway of some sort.  Not sure how but I have written it down so I can work on it.   This year is going to be a better planned year, and I am working on making your visits to my blog an interesting and fun one.

I want to thank all the brands that worked with me last year and I look forward working with these brands again or with new brands.  To all those that have followed me so far, you guys roooooock!!! Those who have not yet followed or subscribed, hop on now, its going to be great.  The Cooking Wardrobe is on wheels.  Still riding like a scooter  with one foot on the ground but practice makes perfect.  Very soon it will be on a ripstick, will tumble and fall a few times but we are going somewhere and that's all that matters.   Hugs to you all my darlings. Muah.


25 comments

  1. Dear Elsie, amazing blog. Funny post ;) I spent your new blogyear with you. I'm interestet in recipes and fashion.
    Kind regards from germany, Tina

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    1. Thanks so much Tina for stopping by and following my blog and happy anniversary too. xx

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  2. Your humor, heart and spirit is one of a kind. Congrats and am glad I have gotten to know you more each week for the little time have been in this blogging world. Oh how I pray I make it this long just like you. It's sure have been a great year and you have evolved into this young and fabulous fashionista (using the pics as evidence). lol Elsie I know right Instagram can be cruel sometimes and am glad you didn't put the g-string pic as you should have break the internet just like Kim K. ������. Oh well you are still famous and sunrise will be dialling your number soon to do a show and exibit your cooking skills for the world to see. Keep going Aunty and one day I will come to Perth for my cooking tutorial. Stay blessed

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    1. Haha darling Sonia, I know and I don't want to compete with Kim so will just continue with my current strategy.

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  3. Haha! I don't think the hubs would be too happy about the G-strings. Congratulations, dear! Blogging is not fun without good friends. I'm glad to have met you here. I love diversity when it comes to blogging. Keep being you, doll!!

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  4. You are going somewhere for sure and I for one am one of your biggest fans. Congratulations darling. I toast to an amazing 3rd year. Your style of writing is awesome and I never can get enough. Laughter is the icing on the cake here. Serious doses of humor. Enough to keep me laughing all week in fact. I love it and I look forward to all your wonderful posts this year and beyond. Good luck Elsie!
    P.S. You can still do the bikini post, :))).
    http://fashionablyidu.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks Idutastic! You know my fanometre is at full dial for you babes. Still thinking about the Brazilian bikini post :)))))!

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  5. Elsie, congrats to you! You have such an incredible wit. I love it. I got hip to the Instagram cruelty rather quick. Now I only follow who I want.

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  6. I am so happy I met you here and can't wait to see what's in store for the coming years. Btw following you here is a darn good ting and you can bare it all whenever you dare..Lol.

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  7. What a great post! I love to read how peoples blog started. I am dreaming of your amazing cupcakes now :)

    I love to stop by and read you blog, thank you so much for sharing it with us at Creative Mondays

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  8. Your style has definitely evolve happy for you
    Fashionitazbybuiti.blogspot.com

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  9. You are such a sweet person Elsie. I enjoy your blog, even though it takes me a while to make my rounds. lol. The food is looking very delicious, and I'm looking forward to viewing more from you. Congrats on the blogging years, wish you more to come. x/Madison
    Style Files

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    1. Awwww Madison dear, you are such a darling too. Thanks for being you darling. xo

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  10. Hahahahaaaa....wearing g-string? I would love to see that. Lool!! I get those people who follow and unfollow all the time. So stupid!!
    Cheers to more beautiful years of blogging. I love the new blog layout. :)

    http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. You naughty Mavis hahahaha, you eyes oo sister. Chai chaley jai, jai, jai!!

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  11. Congratulations on the beginning of the 3rd year of your blog-journey, Elsie! You are a beautiful, graceful, talented woman with great sense of humor. Have a wonderful next year of blogging!

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    1. Thank you so much Natalia my friend, you are an amazing and beautiful soul and I admire your work and love how you write. xoxo

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  12. Your blog is amazing. And those food look delicious. I will definitely love to see some more Sierra Leone Recipes as well. I am glad you didn't put that picture on instagram....you made a good choice. I love your sense of humor.

    www.funmiwrites.com

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    1. Somehow I missed a few comments when I was replying last year but better late than never. Thanks Funmi

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  13. Keep Going Elsie, your blog is amazing and refreshing. All the way from USA, salone sister cheering you on. I can't wait for the day God blesses you with a cooking show.

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    1. Thank you so much my Salone sister and blessings to you too. Amen to that!!!

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Thanks for checking out my blog and leaving me a comment. I love reading your views as they inspire me to continue doing this blog. Love Elsie

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