Dimpled Princess

10 gifts ideas for her | Beauty

2020-12-07T09:08:00.009+03:00

Wondering what to gift your sister, mother, daughter, auntie or girlfriend who is a hair/beauty enthusiast this Christmas? Let me plug you on perfect gifts for them besides the common gifts that you might have gifted them with before this Christmas, on their birthday, on Valentine's day or any other special occasion and thank me later 😊

1. Heat cap

Also called a Thermal Cap, it is a heated deep conditioning cap which opens up hair cuticles allowing a deep conditioner product to penetrate the strands of your hair more easily, aiding in the repair of damaged hair and split ends.

Price: ksh 1500 ($15)

2. Satin hair pack:

It is a set of natural hair protecting items: Bonnet, Pillowcases, Edges laying scarf, Hair tie (Scrunchie)

You can purchase a set from @Afroglamke

Price: Under Ksh. 1500 ($15)

3. Wash day box

A hamper containing their favourite natural haircare products e.g Shea Moisture, Cantu etc would come in handy for your loved one's washday.

The price range varies depending on the brand and number of products and can be purchased at any beauty store.

4. Hair brush set

A set containing a variety of hair brushes, combs and a mirror is another perfect gift that naturalista lady.

5. Water bottle

Beauty begins from within so why not encourage her to take the 2 litres of water a day by gifting her a beautiful water bottle that she will want to carry everywhere with her.

6. Face brush

This is a brush used to gently exfoliate and cleanse the face and definitely is an essential for a facial treatment at home that is guaranteed to leave your loved one's face glowing.

Price: about ksh 1000 ($10)

7. Jewelry box

This is a perfect gift that helps in staying organized and careful storage of those precious metals.

8. Face steamer

Like the name suggests, it is a tool used to steam the face and very ideal for home facial treatment.

Price: about ksh 1500 ($15)

9. Foot spa

This is likely to save your lovely lady time and money going to the nail shop every other weekend for a pedicure.

10. Self care kit

A kit containing body lotion, body mist, a body scrub, shower gel and perfume is highly likely to be appreciated. It can be purchased at any beauty store and the price range varies depending on brand such as Bath and Body Works and Victoria Secret number of products.

I hope you found these post helpful and got one or two ~~different~~ gifts idea for your loved one. Happy Holidays!!!

Follow me on Instagram!

Xoxo

❣️

Nappily Ever After | Review

2020-11-10T10:33:00.003+03:00

A lot of energy is connected to our hair and society has let us be defined by our hair length, texture etc. Moreso, we have been made to believe that hair equals beauty.

Now, if you are a staunch naturàlista you probably have watched Nappily Ever After which is a 2018 film based on a best seller novel. I am more of a reader than a 'watcher' but I really enjoyed the movie.

From the title of the movie you can already tell that it has something to do with hair texture. It is a story about an African American girl who finds herself as a ridicule to other kids of different race over her hair a role played by the super gorgeous and talented Sanaa Lathan as Violet Jones. It starts when she dares to jump in the pool to swim and her hair goes from straight to curly.

Her mother on the other side is obsessed with 'perfect' looking hair which in this case means straight hair and she is always trying to 'fix' her daughter's hair to look so (perhaps like a Barbie doll) something commercials, ads and Hollywood has played key role in. She has also conditioned her to believe that the 'perfect' life is getting good education and a well paying job then finding a man to settle down with. So after college she lands herself a good corporate job and gets a man. She seems to be always in control.

Anyway, Violet tries to please her man and strives to show him only her 'perfect' side a notion her man is not very pleased about. He preferred her to let her hair down sometimes and soon things get heated up when he gives her a puppy instead of an engagement ring for her birthday.

It is not until an ugly incident with her hair at a salon that Violet decides to take a U-turn (why can't I say that without thinking of Usher? 😅) She finally realises that her perfect is not good enough. I don't want to dish out any more spoilers so get to watch the movie which is available on Netflix and see what happens at the end especially with her career and her relationship. One thing I can guarantee you is that you will be thrilled.

The movie encourages us (black women) to own, embrace and accept ourselves deeply. To be ourselves! If you are transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair you will be inspired. I found the film to be empowering and helping some of us walk out of stereotypes and conforming to standards set to us by society. If you are already excited to watch it I guess you just got a weekend plan.

I give the movie 9/10 because I expected the song 'I am not my hair' by Indie Arie to be one of the soundtracks but it wasn't.

What hair related movies have you watched and would recommend? Feel free to share with me your thoughts on the comment section below 🤗

For now, Get in the water, sweat it out and love yourself unconditionally! You can also connect with me on Instagram.

Xoxo

❣️

Dealing with Fairy Knots

2020-11-07T08:31:00.012+03:00

Happy November! I can already smell my best time of the year, Christmas and my Birthday month. In fact a mall near my crib already have Christmas decor up. They don't play with this holiday these ones and so clearly the mood is crippling in.

Anyway, let's get to the purpose of this post which is fairy knots a condition also called trichonodosis which is basically single hair strands intertwining onto themselves or with other strands forming a knot.

This happens mostly on curly/coily hair which I happen to have. Despite my hair being kinky it is quite coily especially now that it is short and have been experiencing rough ends AGAIN even after I thought the dilemma was over having cut my hair.

This has been caused by the nuisance fairy knots which I learnt not only are they are common in curly hair, they can be attributed to other factors such as excessive friction either during the washing process or from tossing and turning while sleeping at night. Excessive manipulation of the hair and having dry hair could also be contributing factors to formation of the knots.

So how do you remedy this nightmare:

1. Trim your hair

Detangling and trimming your hair while wet is one way to get rid of the fairy knots without causing damage to your hair. If you are patient enough which you should be cause your hair will thank you later, you could cut strand by strand. Also ensure you use shears and not regular scissors to do so.

2. Sleep in a silk/satin bonnet or scarf

This cannot be emphasized enough as it really helps avoid excess friction on your hair as you sleep. Even better, get a silk pillowcase.

3. Stretch your hair

Stretching your hair by either doing twist outs or braiding helps avoid or rather reduce the strands from tying knots around themselves.

4. Deep condition your hair

Ensure you carefully detangle preferably by using your fingers and deep condition your hair without excessive manipulation to combat any knots. Remember to always use the right moisturising products.

Otherwise, I am enjoying my fro a part of my hair journey I missed as I was in school the last time my hair was this length and we were required to have ~~neat~~ tied up hairstyles. I really earned having a fro when I had long hair but was afraid to cut it in case it doesn't grow back that long 😊

I hope you found this post helpful in one way or another. Feel free to drop a comment below if you have dealt with this annoying knots or still is.

Thanks for stopping by. You can also find me on Instagram.

Xoxo

❣️

Let's go to the Beach | Holiday Ready

2020-11-03T22:05:00.021+03:00

The holiday season is fast approaching and people will be hitting the beach showing off there swim suits bodies right, left and center.

Here are some important factors I am putting in consideration as I prepare for the beach this year:

1. Hair

I am yet to decide which protective style to wear (either braids or cornrows) but will decide soon. What do you prefer for your holiday season? Let me know on the comment section below. Anyway, if you decide to have a protective style or wear your natural hair during this time ensure you take good care of your hair when hitting the beach or pool by making sure you condition your hair before and after swimming as this will save you the headache of detangling and hair breakage as a result. Ensure you thoroughly rinse your hair to wash off the chlorine, sea salt and dirt after the swim and moisturise after that. Also, always remember to carry your head pieces that is floppy hats, head wraps etc to use as you bask in the sun to protect your hair from the sunlight exposure.

2. Skin

Someone say sunburn! Now that is one nightmare I never want to experience especially if I am going down to the coast where the whether is on the extreme. So I always remember to pack a bottle of my favourite sunscreen in the right SPF. Another skin essential for me is my waxing stripes or cream for obvious reason which is to look and feel like a baby. A moisturising lotion also comes in handy.

3. Body

Whether two-piece or one-piece monokinis, i always keep in consideration my body type before buying or wearing a bathing suit in order to avoid any fashion goofs and always try to wear something i am comfortable in which is more often a one piece with cut outs. Quarantine has left me with some lower belly fat and although not very visible I am doing my abs workout to ensure I am ready to flaunt my curves come December 😊

Those are my few tips on how I get ready for the beach. Feel free to share with me yours and let's holiday in style together 😊

Thanks for your time. You can also connect with me on Instagram.

Xoxo

❣️

What's Your Hair Porosity

2020-10-24T01:00:00.003+03:00

Have you ever experienced roughness in your hair even after you just trimmed it and kissed what you thought was split ends goodbye?

This is the main reason I cut my hair besides some Sanaa Lathan influence. It felt rough and frizzy despite every effort including moisturising it frequently. What this meant is I had open cuticles hence high porosity.

When you have the cuticles of your hair are open it basically means that your hair is taking in moisture as fast as it is losing it and when they are closed they retain the moisture. This can be attributed to heat damage from styling using heat on your hair over a period of time.

How to test your hair porosity:

One way of testing your hair porosity is by stretching a strand of your hair with your fingers also known as the slide test method. If it feels rough this could mean you have open cuticles.

The other way is by putting your hair in water and letting it sit in there for about 10 minutes to see if it floats, sinks or remains midway. This method is called the water test. If you have high porosity (open cuticles) your hair will float, if you have low porosity it will sink and if you have medium porosity it will stay midway.

Can porosity of hair change? Absolutely. How you take care of it can be a determinant factor.

Is it possible for your hair to have different hair porosity? Yes, just like you can have two different hair types on your so is porosity.

To combat high porosity it is advisable to:

•Use LOC method for moisture retention using heavy sealing oils such as castor oil

•Use a cold water rinse or AVC rinse. •Also, remember to put a heat protector while styling your hair using heat.

Love your hair and it will love you back.

Xoxo

Taking Stock 8 | Leveled up heavy

2020-10-07T10:48:00.021+03:00

What lessons are you coming out of the COVID 19 season with? I read somewhere that an average millionaire has at least 6 to 7 income streams and so that made me realise I was deep in my comfort zone and needed to revisit that and so with the much time on my hands during quarantine, i had to wake up from my slumber.

Also, since I am not trying to be broke i had to revive a few of my projects/income streams. I can comfortably say I had been sleeping on so many talents I never knew I had and had also kept so many projects on hold.

One of the projects is my Art and Crafts business, I also learnt how to make shaggy rugs something I had started but then got caught up and upped my pastry making skills.

I was also able to reflect on a lot of things, changed my mindset on some aspects of life and paid more attention on my mental wellness.

Did you pick up a new skill or learn something new while social distancing? I would like to hear from you (Drop a comment on the comment box below 😊)

Now let's get to taking stock on what else I have been up to, shall we?

Eating: Cinnamon rolls

Drinking: A Smoothie

Reading: The Millionaire next door

Wanting: Consistency

Playing: no games

Wasting: no time

Creating: Handmade Crafts

Wishing: Christmas to be here already!

Enjoying: Growth

Loving: Simple things in life

Hoping: For brighter days

Marvelling: How powerful the brain is

Smelling: Baked treats

Wearing: My favourite jumpsuit

Following: Real estate sites

Noticing: Love

Knowing: I am growing

Feeling: Optimistic

Bookmarking: Proverbs 4:23

Opening: My YouTube channel

Giggling: At random things I do sometimes

Bonus: Thankful: for life

"Know your value then add tax"

Clicks - Tresemme Ad

2020-09-11T13:46:00.013+03:00

You must have seen or heard of the Clicks - Tresemme racial insensitive ad that went viral this week which is rather sad.

When I decided to be extra good to my hair I went shopping for the right products for it and guess what I settled for? Tresemme!

It was like falling in love with a new found soulmate for my hair. Everything working perfectly and the love growing deeper every other day then like any other love story, BOOM along the way you find out a deal breaker about your boo. He an alleged racist 😱😓😢😭 something he hid so well..

Now what? Do you end this dreamy relationship despite your (brand) loyalty? That wouldn't be me because I believe in second chances although my first reaction was wanting to throw away all my Tresemme products 🙆 IKR and to be sincere i don't think it was really Tresemme's fault that this happened but my judgement is it was Click's not so well thought-out idea or ignorance of advertising their store using Tresemme as one of it's products.

So until or unless Tresemme (who have not made any statement as yet) approved of the ad, I am standing with boo for now) staining a rather great relationship but if at all they did that would be extremely HEARTBREAKING.

The Crisis communication passion in me can't wait to see how they redeem themselves though. All the best to Tresemme!!

Otherwise, have a non-frizzy, not so dry, dull hair week to all my beautiful Black/African princesses 😅

Taking Stock 7 | Quarantine Edition

2020-04-24T15:48:00.008+03:00

Hey, I hope you have been keeping safe during this quarantine time. To be honest, this period has made me productive than any other time. I have also learnt a few new skills like crocheting faux locs. I can't wait to try it on my hair once it grows a little longer (Oops forgot to mention that I did the big chop in January) and so far so good 😊 Let's take stock for now...

Eating: Pasta, scrambled eggs and spinach

Drinking: Hot water with ginger and lemon (very ideal for immunity especially in this season)

Reading: Lessons in heartbreak (just a random book I found in my book shelf)

Wanting: To workout more

Playing: Suzanna by Sauti Sol

Wasting: Nothing

Creating: a day's routine

Wishing: To travel

Enjoying: Quiet time

Loving: the warm atmosphere (in people's hearts) during this time

Hoping: for the curfew/lockdown to be over soon

Marvelling: At God's power

Smelling: Hair products

Wearing: Sweat pants and a tee

Following: Black Hairstyles

Noticing: Humanity

Knowing: We shall overcome

Feeling: Stuck

Bookmarking: 1 Kings 17:14

Opening: Instagram

Giggling: Schwupid quarantine videos

Bonus: Thankful: For good health and the gift of life

Stay safe xoxo!!!

Product Review | ORS Curl Activator Gel

2020-01-27T15:14:00.002+03:00

Thanks God we are on the 60th and last week of January 😊 Can't wait for the month of love (not that I have any expectations just that it feels good.
Anyway, having become a curly girl and as promised, here is a review of what I have been using to maintain my curls on my hair.

1. ORS Olive oil curl activator gel
I have been using it for about a month now. I bought it in a rush while traveling on New Year's Eve as I had left my usual one and upon getting to my destination saw one of the ingredients was Sulfonate and discontinued for a while thinking it contained Sulphate but after researching realized Sulfonate and Sulphate are two totally different things. Now that I am using it again, I can confidently say it has not disappoint.

It contains Aloe Vera, Honey and Glycerin which helps with hydration giving the hair moisture. It also has Olive oil causing it to be frizz free

Pros:

Smells good
Is quite affordable
Available in a manageable size of 140ml that fits well in a handbag when traveling
It's for both natural and chemically treated hair

Cons:

Leaves a few residues

I hope you find this information useful and let me know your experience with it or any other curl activator by commenting below or on Instagram.

Xoxo

😘

Full Hair Regimen

2020-01-13T17:34:00.000+03:00

Happy New Year!!!!! I hope you had a great festive season. I did with friends who have become family despite having my people all over the place every year that time of the year.

On hair update, I am officially now a curly girl and loving it (working on the maintenance part and will give a review of the products I am using)

Also, i noticed my hair texture had changed at the middle of the head and did a CHOP 😔 It was not easy. I started trimming nearly daily and noticed they were more each day. At some point I thought I am just scissors happy but eventually they are all gone and I feel lighter and better now. I guess that's the price I had to pay for years of negligence 🤔😅 but also i will do a different post on exactly what i think the other reason could be so stay tuned.

To the reason of this post, here is my full hair regimen...

PROCEDURE

I pre poo using coconut oil.
I then Shampoo using a natural sulfate-free shampoo,
Condition using Hair strengthening Argan oil conditioner
Deep condition using a homemade mask
Tea rinse when I am experiencing breakage
Air dry or blot using a tshirt
Moisturize with Castor oil using the Green house method
LOCO using a leave-in-conditioner, olive oil and Shea butter
Seal using JBCO or jojoba oil
Style using curl activator

TIPS
I make a point of always:

Sleeping in a satin bonnet
Wash my hair bi-weekly
Trim every 3 months or immediately I notice split ends
Treat bi weekly

There you go. Have a healthy hair year and Happy wash day!!!

Taking stock 6 / Forever Young

2019-12-22T15:05:00.007+03:00

It was my birthday yesterday. What did I get up to? Absolutely nothing!! ION, i think I am growing backwards going by my mirror but I am thankful. Every year has it's challenges and this last one was no exceptional but every year I get better and stronger.

Eating: Nutella cookies from Pastry Haven

Drinking: Green tea

Reading: The Smart Money Woman

Wanting: A DSLR
Using: Coconut oil
Playing: No games

Wasting: No time

Creating: Christmas crafts

Wishing: A lot

Enjoying: Growth

Loving: Transformation i am experiencing

Hoping: for the best
Marvelling: At God's ways, grace and faithfulness (This is a constant)

Smelling: Good food

Wearing: a swimming costume (I am drafting this beside the pool) See my life 😀

Following: Home decor pages

Noticing: Love
Knowing: God never makes mistakes, He is on the throne and knows what He is doing.

Feeling: Emotional

Bookmarking: Joel 2:25
Opening: up to new challenges

Giggling: At my own jokes (in the head) Should I be worried? 😀

Bonus: Thankful: For Life and good health.

Happy holidays!!!

Papaya mask | Skincare

2019-12-13T12:28:00.001+03:00

My skin care routine is very simple. I exfoliate every week, mask thrice a week and cleanse daily. I don't do much make up. I prefer to do a touch up when maybe gong for out on a date or an event of which i pick a good foundation with sunscreen.

My skin type is normal/sensitive so i cannot experiment on just anything and seeing that some of my favorite beauty products are extremely expensive, i invest on a good 3-in-1 cleanser from my favorite brand then improvise my masks by doing homemade masks and that is what i was upto yesterday which was a holiday. Yes, i turned my house into a proper spa.

I did a papaya mask. Pawpaw is a good sunscreen. I include some Papain enzyme (the milky liquid from the pawpaw skin) to make my mask.

You will need:

A half ripe paw paw
25ml of Yoghurt
An orange

Procedure:

Squeeze out the milky liquid off a raw pawpaw.
Sieve or blend the ripe pawpaw.
Mix the ripe pawpaw with some plain yoghurt and orange juice.
Add a few drops of the papain enzyme.

Apply the mixture on your face and let it rest for about 15 minutes then rinse it off and moisturise. Mine went for ~~almost~~ all afternoon yesterday as i was catching up on some latest movies as well as doing my nails.

Thanks for stopping by.

Xoxo

How to Moisturize your hair

2019-12-06T16:41:00.003+03:00

I am a firm believer that our outward appearance starts from within hence i like to maintain a healthy diet and take in nutritious liquids that's why like I stated on Instagram, I drink 0.5 litres more of water than my regular 1 litre every day when my hair is feeling dry and actually notice a change in a few days.

Besides drinking lots of water, I do the steam hydration treatment. This is whereby you wear a steaming cap for 10-15 minutes after which your feels and looks moisturized. I got my steaming off Amazon for like $5 a while back. You need to lock in and seal the moisture after steaming using your favourite oils to complete the procedure. My locking oil of choice is Argan oil then seal it off with Jojoba oil.

I use this method once a month or more frequently when it is very hot or when my hair has been exposed to the sun for long (in hot seasons or after travelling to hot areas) I will do a video on the procedure on YouTube asap. Steaming allows your strands to better absorb products due to lifted hair cuticles.

The other way I keep my hair moisturizer is by using the Greenhouse method. This is whereby i oil my hair every night before going to sleep and cover it with a plastic cap. This method has been extremely effective for me.

The third way that works for me is using a deep moisturizing treatment mask. Mine consists of:

Avocado (rich in Omega 3)
Yoghurt (contains zinc and lactic acid)
Eggs (rich in protein)
Aloe vera gel (moisturises, hydrates and nourishes)
Honey (helps to add shine)
Glycerine (which is a humectant)

I follow the procedure used in my washday routine to prepare it.

I will share other methods of moisturizing on Youtube for better demonstration.

Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo

Happy Scalp | Scalp Care

2019-11-29T12:22:00.000+03:00

Bicarbonate of soda

Just like a happy wife, a happy home...healthy scalp equals to healthy hair. I take care of my scalp by exfoliating it at least once in every two weeks when I am having my wash day. For a healthy scalp you need to avoid harsh hair products and opt for those with gentle ingredients and no fragrance.

Leaving your scalp unattended can cause build up of dirt, sweat and oils leading to rancid and dandruff which can cause other scalp problems such as an itchy, tingling scalp. Although wrong products and excess use of styling products can cause scalp issues other health problems such as anxiety can contribute to the same and so if a scalp problem persists you should see a specialist (a dermatologist in this case)

My scalp exfoliating mask is just a simple bicarbonate of soda mask. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of bicarbonate with little water to make a paste, apply directly to the scalp and massage for a few minutes then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

You can do this weekly for a super clean scalp free of build up and dead skin on your scalp. Ensure you moisturize with good hair oil after washing. I prefer coconut or argan oil.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have any scalp care questions, feel free to ask me on Instagram

Thanks for stopping by.
Xoxo

Journey back to Midback length

2019-11-22T09:59:00.001+03:00

This hairthon (6 months of trying to bounce back to midback length) is officially on. I hope to inspire someone who is either transitioning, starting their natural hair journey or have a goal of getting to a certain length like me. Let me know if you are journeying with me (I need a pacesetter or two) 😊😊

I have spent the last couple of weeks preparing for this (as you know lack of planning is planning to fail) and my advice is you need a budget. It is not all fun and games especially if you have volume like me and end up using double amount of the products.

The other thing is diet. I am doing a lot of fruits and vegetables and as you know it requires you to chip in some cash. I have incorporated more avocado, strawberries, bananas, grapes, greens and teas in my diet.

My main dilemma as per this point is split ends. Damn! I can't stand the and have made me want to walk with my shears everywhere just incase I spot one which brings me to the point of this blog; causes and remedy of split ends.

Split ends are caused by extreme exposure to harsh weather conditions, hair care techniques such as blow drying, straightening and curling like in my case and chemical hair products.

So how do you remedy this? Choose all natural shampoos, use a wide toothed comb to detangle your hair, limit chemicals and hair colour, take in minerals that help in hair strengthening such as biotin and folic acid and also ensure you trim your hair regularly.

Thanks for stopping by...
Let's connect on Instagram.

Xoxo!!

New Hair Regimen

2019-11-15T12:15:00.000+03:00

Post pre-poo twist outs

I feel like I owe my hair an apology for the negligence over the years. It was sincerely out of not knowing better. Knowledge is truly power. So yes I have a new hair regimen.

PROTECTIVE STYLES

I have also not been wearing protective styles I actually don't remember the last time I plaited my hair. It is a countable times for over a decade. I will be doing more protective styles going forward. Hallo twist outs and cornrows!!!

PRODUCTS
I spent the last weekend cleaning out all the wrong products I never knew could have been causing damage to my hair making it not to grow past it's current length (I am now at Shoulder blade 17" after trimming) that should be an inch above bra strap length.

I have also not been treating my hair for fear of chemicals in some treatments but now I know better.
Although I get to keep bits of my previous regimen, i am waving goodbye to anything containing paraben (synthetic chemicals used as preservatives in a variety of products) and embracing anything else especially homemade pure organic treatments.

HEAT

I have decided not to straighten my hair for the next 6 months and aim to get to mid back if not waist length which is about 5 inches away. How realistic is this? I believe it is doable 😊 only with dedication. Also, no more careless manipulation of my hair at salons that don't pay much attention to the hair and no more heat styling.

DIET

What's more, I have updated my diet plan to fit the new regimen hence I will be chasing a lot of vitamins and other minerals. Keep it here for details (every Friday I will post an update about the journey)

I would like to hear from you.

Follow on Instagram and Facebook

Xoxo!

Taking Stock 5

2019-10-30T11:39:00.001+03:00

Where have I been? I have been out and about doing this thing called life which has been hella crazy but that is a story for another post so let's just get straight into taking stock for now. ( I have included a new 'section' called Using...

Eating: Oreo Cake from Pastry Haven

Drinking: Lemonade

Reading: We are going to need more wine by Gabrielle Union

Wanting: A new phone
Using: Coconut oil
Playing: No games

Wasting: Nothing

Creating: Memories

Wishing: I could fly

Enjoying: Growth

Loving: Transformation i am experiencing

Hoping: for the best
Marvelling: At God's ways, grace and faithfulness (This is a constant)

Smelling: Good food

Wearing: Full armor of God.

Following: Mike Todd

Noticing: Love
Knowing: God never makes mistakes, He is on the throne and knows what He is doing.

Feeling: Free

Bookmarking: Psalms 46:10
Opening: Jay Shetty videos

Giggling: At random thoughts

Bonus: Thankful: For Grace.

Stay blessed!!!

Fitness Challenge Accepted

2018-12-14T17:06:00.000+03:00

I definitely have a valid reason for my disappearing act. One is i was caughting up with some project. Second, is I am not one to shy away from a challenge and so when i was dared to take up a 30 day healthy eating and fitness one i grabbed it with both hands considering i was already doing my swim suit body target.

Basically, no junk foods. Can you believe i did it? I didn't eat no ice cream, soda, fries or red meat for 30 straight days. The meat part was not difficult for me as i am still a semi vegan-ish 😊 I cannot say no to chicken and fish.

A healthy lifestyle is not as cheap as i thought but it is worth it 100% I learnt a great deal of new recipes and pairings and my food presentation skills/photography went a notch higher along the way which was my main motivation. My instagram is loaded with them. You can call me Chef in chief of the kitchen forces 😏 However i noted it is not easy finding healthy only food restaurants in this town and so i have to cook each and every day.

I could also drink about 35 oz of water a day (flavored it sometimes) or some coconut water. I noticed my skin was more clearer and had gained 2.5 kgs in the first week. needed to gain 10 kilograms (which was a little too ambitious for the short period) to attain my ideal weight the healthy way. My appetite grew and stopped skipping meals (especially breakfast no matter how much in a hurry i am) and I'm eating atleast 6 portions of small meals a day.

My workout routine was about an hour a day and incorporated squats, cycling, triceps dips, quadriceps and knee highs. I would take a walk or take the stairs when i did not manage. Fitness is a journey. A not-so-easy one and you need to be self motivated and/or have a support system (shout out to my girl Coco) but is quite a refreshing one. It elevates your mood almost instantly. I am still a work in progress but i am much fitter and I'm loving the whole growth process although i have a little more to work on (a little more toning to do) but trust me, once you see results it becomes an addiction. Moreover, it only takes 21 days to form a habit.

Have a healthy week.
Xoxo!

Taking Stock 4

2018-08-29T12:43:00.000+03:00

Time really does fly. We are almost at the last quarter of the year. I have had a blessed time so far but challenges never lack. I give God praise in every situation because His ways are perfect. Anyway, let's take stock 😊

Eating: Sandwiches from Pastry Haven

Drinking: Smoothie

Reading: The Power of Right Believing by Joseph Prince

Wanting: Peace

Playing: Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns

Wasting: Nothing

Creating: Room for growth and new experiences

Wishing: Stillness

Enjoying: Growth

Loving: Transformation i am experiencing

Hoping: For Peace

Marvelling: At God's ways, grace and faithfulness (This is a constant)

Smelling: Fresh air

Wearing: Full armor of God.

Following: Christian podcasts

Noticing: Envy

Knowing: God never makes mistakes, He is in the throne and knows what He is doing.

Feeling: Free

Bookmarking: Psalms 31

Opening: Jay Shetty videos

Giggling: At random thoughts

Bonus: Thankful: For Grace.

Stay blessed!!!

My Typical Day

2018-06-14T17:12:00.000+03:00

Everytime someone asks what i do especially for fun i sometimes miss the exit (Use so many words) before coming up with what i actual do or enjoy doing and recently i just realized i am kinda boring in an interesting way LOL

Being self employed some people think you have so much time on your hands while others have the misconception that we can wake up anytime of the day and don't have to plan for there instant 'demands'. It's even more frustrating when the people around you have the mindset that unless you leave the house at crack of dawn to go to 'work for someone' everyday you are doing nothing with your life. Yes our schedule is flexible but that is not the case.

For instance in my case, i wake up at 5.30am to have my daily devotion time up until 6am then work out for 45mins to an hour. When i am done, i make breakfast (My ideal being a protein shake with a sandwich, pancakes or sweet potatoes. I then do quick daily house chores/cleaning after which i freshen up, Check emails, read the newspaper then embark on my day's errands which mostly entail shopping for craft materials, meeting clients, writing, designing work, editing videos and baking.

I don't have a specific time when i ' close office' and sometimes could go till late to meet a deadline or until i am hit my day's target. That's why i have little time for fun things like watching movies and only get time to catch up with news. However, i try to read at least a chapter of a book daily before i retire to bed (i am currently reading the power of a praying parent) This book has important lessons on good parenting so if you are like me and want to become a parent armed with information or would not want your children suffering past mistakes, it is a good read. Disclaimer: I am not a parent!

Besides that, i make a point of taking a roadtrip once in a while. I prefer bush destinations to the beach. And last but not least, organising picnics and other events. I don't think i am that boring after all LOL.

Let me know what you do for fun and see if i can incorporate it into mine. Until then, stay positive!
Xoxo!

Taking stock 3

2018-02-05T13:33:00.000+03:00

Tik tok! It's the month of love and Valentine's Day next week. Not that i am looking forward to it for a special reason but i will definitely be making dough out of my Red velvet cupcakes (See what i did there?) Lol Anyway, here is my February stock..

Eating: Bhajia and Chicken

Drinking: Madafu (Coconut water)

Reading: 5 love languages (Cause it's that season)

Wanting: A Valentine date or gift atleast, if not a getaway Lol

Playing: Made a way by Travis Green

Wasting: Nothing

Creating: Memories

Wishing: For my business growth

Enjoying: The new opportunities

Loving: Life

Hoping: For sustainability

Marvelling: At God's ways, grace and faithfulness (This is a constant)

Smelling: Pilau

Wearing: Full armor of God together with my denim shirt and maxi skirt.

Following: Business blogs

Noticing: Kindness and Compassion

Knowing: When God gives you a vision, He gives you the provision.

Feeling: Happy and Thankful

Bookmarking: Ephesians 4:26-27

Opening: YouTube

Giggling: At random thoughts

Bonus: Thankful: To God for a breakthrough.

Have a love-filled week ahead!

Bush date at Karura

2018-01-15T19:05:00.002+03:00

Picnic site at Karura

I had an eventful weekend which began with an early trip to Karura forest on Saturday. If you know me (well enough) you know i love picnics and most importantly planning for them, to add icing on the cake, i love cooking/baking so i woke up 'at the crack of dawn' to make Mahamris, Sandwiches, Fruit salad and some drumsticks. We later stopped over at some drive-in mini market to buy drinks (Yoghurt, Juice and Water)

We then drove to Karura through Limuru road. There are seven gates to the forest and being our first time there without a map, your guess is just as good as mine - We made a few wrong turns but finally managed to enter through Gate A. We were met by a BIG sign that says Karura is a plastic free zone at the gate and plastic here means ANY non recyclable material. Wow! This is a great move towards improving our environment but we didn't have the memo. So having packed some use-and-dispose plastic cups and plates plus our yoghurt and water they had to remain behind. I suggest you pack everything in those recyclable plastics we use at home, get paper cups/plates and/or maybe buy drinks packed in paper packaging.

Personally, i was not ready to leave my Lemon Biscuit yoghurt behind so i had to embark on an eating competition to drown the 450ml 'thing' in the shortest time possible. It took me like 10 minutes since i was already full LOL. Oh, i almost forgot, you can pay for your entry fee using a card. This is the best thing ever for some of us who prefer walking cashless. Another good news is you can buy a map for about Ksh 100/- at the gate too for an easier 'cruise'

From there we went straight to get bike centre where you get to hire the bikes at a reasonable price of Ksh 500/- ($5) for two hours. Just remember to bring your identification card. However, if you are frequent cyclist at the place i think it is more economical to bring your own bike. Cycling is not really my cup of tea so i decided to walk as others cycled. I had a great reflection walk to the waterfall and back.

We left about three hours later having not exhausted the whole place but my experience was enjoyable and will definitely go back. We also made lots of new friends.

Other things to do/see at Karura:
Picnicking
Mau mau caves
Butterfly lake
Pretty valley
Lily lake

Paved path to the picnic area

After more than a kilometer walk i could not lift both feet for this picture (not even for a millisecond) LOL

There are convenient sitting spots every few metres in case you are tired or just want some quiet time..

Taking Stock 2

2018-01-02T16:57:00.000+03:00

2018 so bright..

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday. Mine was awesome. As usual when you have a small family that is not-so close knit and everyone is in different parts of the world, working during the holidays or is visiting in-laws, i find myself alone during this time and end up spending most of it with friends. I have made it a tradition to do Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve as i send out hand-made cards that i make, have Christmas lunch with people i hold close right after church and then visit the less fortunate (especially children) who have no one to call family to celebrate and play games.

Eating: Chicken biryani leftover

Drinking: Pear caramel yoghurt (this is becoming a weakness)

Reading: The wait by Devon Franklin & Megan Good

Wanting: A DSLR Camera

Playing: Intentional by Travis Green

Wasting: No more time

Creating: Memories with friends

Wishing: To travel more this year

Enjoying: Working with Boaz

Loving: Spending time with a certain good friend

Hoping: For a fruitful, God favored 2018

Marvelling: At God's ways, mercy and faithfulness

Smelling: Ice cream

Wearing: Sweat pants and a tee

Following: Parenting journals

Noticing: A lot of creativity

Knowing: With God all things are possible

Feeling: Heartbroken

Bookmarking: Hebrews 13:5 (I will never leave you, i will never forsake you)

Opening: A new notebook ❤

Giggling: At my own stupid jokes LOL

Bonus: Thankful: The gift of life, being able to see 2018. Thank you Lord!

On that note, check out a recap of my 2017 on my Youtube channel

Have a blessed 2018 and let's journey together!!!

Closet Clean Out

2017-12-26T12:19:00.001+03:00

For a minute i thought today is Friday and was going to say TGIF. I was born on a Friday maybe that is why i am always so enthusiastic about the day (thought i could share :) Anyway, i have my closet clean out once every year. I had the last one a couple of days ago as i was very 'busy' attending each and every function i was invited to this holiday season i almost forgot to do so.

I tend to hold on to my outfits until they are beyond transformation so as i was doing my closet clean out just before moving houses, i got three baskets which i labelled 'Sell, Donate and Dispose' and your guess is as good as mine was, NOTHING went to the dispose bin (which i had to later label 'Repair' Smh) Let us just say i thought of giving them a second chance :) and hope they wont be laying in the wardrobe for another twelve months without being worn despite some not fitting properly with the hope i will go back to my normal hip size having lost a few pounds. Some of the questions that ran through my mind as i did this were, who bought all these skirts and where did some of this branded tees come from? Don't even remember attending some of the events branded on some? I even had perfumes that i bought just because the packaging was attractive LOL Anyone like me out there or should i teleport myself back to Mars? :) Could this be some kind of disorder? Should i book an appointment with Chris Hart already? :-)

Anyway, i managed to sell some of the outfits that didn't fit well but were still in good condition and donated a few others and i am now left with a heap of 'to repair' ones which i hope won't just occupy space until the next clean out; I have however already converted one dress into a pencil skirt as the torso had outgrown me and some jeans into short shorts though and i have to give a thumbs up to my tailor Yay! That said, i still cannot believe my All Star shoes are gone; Slay out there babies, mama misses you already. Be good!

I feel much organised now and my wardrobe more manageable and spacious. I may have found half solution to my next fashionable trip and cannot wait to fill up all those empty hangers again.

Shoes: Converse

Stay organised!

Taking stock 1

2017-11-16T10:46:00.000+03:00

Do you smell what i am smelling? My favorite time of the year is around the corner, Christmas!!!!

Anyway, i have had a rather slow week and that is how i landed on this template about taking stock and decided to try and answer every question as honestly as i can. So let's do this..

Eating: Shawarma from Pastry Haven

Drinking: Vanilla pods yoghurt (I think i can drink a litre of yoghurt at one go)

Reading: Desiring God blog

Wanting: Clarity, but also a DSLR Camera for a new project

Playing: Fill me up by Tasha Cobbs

Wasting: A little time trying to connect dots (Read: Overthinking and analysing things) LOL I need an internet manager too (It is a problem!)

Creating: Christmas crafts *Excited*

Wishing: I could read someone's mind :-)

Enjoying: My work, new discoveries and skills

Loving: The lessons and growth i've had this year. It has been tremendous!

Hoping: For stability and sustainability in all areas of my life

Marvelling: At God's ways, mercy and faithfulness

Smelling: A passion fruit cake that i am baking for a friend

Wearing: A khanga, tee and happy socks (The joy of working from home is great)

Following: Steve Furtick's podcast

Noticing: A lot of bitterness *Sad*

Knowing: With God all things are possible

Feeling: Anxious and excited at the same time

Bookmarking: Philippians 4:13 & Romans 12:12

Opening: Myself up to vulnerability *Scary*

Giggling: At silly conversations with a friend over the phone

Bonus: Thankful: for my new friends: Esther, Anne and Liz for standing with me

I hope you've enjoyed this post. I would be more than glad to hear from you.

Talk soon, Be blessed!!!