Farewell 2014

It's been a good year right? Through all the crap times, good times, lies, failures, let downs and tears, we both made it to the 31st December 2014.

I hope the lessons learned this year will be put into practice next year, in order to make room for new lessons. 

No year will ever be perfect, that's just how it goes. 

But through everything, sit up, focus and be happy you still get to at least try and make life happen.

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My Highlight of the year has definitely been travelling. Grateful that God had mercy and allowed me to hop on and off planes. his protection has been with me, my family and friends. That means everything to me and I'm truly appreciative of that.

My Lowlight of the year has been my indecisive nature. Which has cost me time, money and opportunities. But nonetheless I keep it moving, with a smile on my face and skip in my step lol. 

I would like to say Thank-you to everyone who has taken time out to read my post. I appreciate that.

I wish you all much success, wealth and joy for the coming new year. In all your endeavours stay positive, kind and take care of your spirit.

Till next time, Catch you in 2015.

S’Alongé Designs

Right so I'm on the hunt for inspiring young people doing their thing. To start off this series, allow me to introduce you to Sarah, a young entrepreneur. Have a look below into what she had to say about her business and how she started it.

S'ALONGE

So what is the name of your company?

The name of my Company is S’Alongé (www.salonge-designs.com) and we are a fashion retail company who specialise in creating African inspired designs. I guess the difference between us and others is that we store a maximum of 5 prints. 

There is nothing worse than walking into any function feeling absolutely sexy and then you turn to the left and see another woman in the same outfit! (Unless of course it’s a wedding or a party and its planned) And for that reason we have now launched a new venture mass-supplying material specifically for customers hosting a function and they intentionally want their guests to be in one particular print. 

For all of my Nigerians you will know it as Aso Ebi and for non-Nigerians, you know when you look on instagram and you see a load of guests wearing the same vibrant print in a number of different styles? Yeah…We now supply that.

Manicure Mondays 001. Santa Baby

So every Monday ill be sharing my Manicure for the week. I was inspired by Ez, owner of blog  BeautyInLagos. Check her out if you haven't so over on her blog. She's fab.

I dont need to save, do I

Now I don't believe in relying on saving from one source of income. If you would like to acquire wealth in the long run, you need multiple streams of income. Period. That's my informed opinion.

Ok back to the point. I've attended money management seminars this year, mixture of biblical and circular. I learnt a few things and trends when it comes to wealthy people. I hope you find it useful! :)

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1. Define a goal. Why are you saving? Should you be saving? Are you a great financial manager or do you exhaust your income and go over budget? You have to be honest with yourself. 

2. 10:70:10:10 

For example...Tithe: Monthly living: Short term savings: Long term savings. 
This is an income split ratio. How I try to break up my income. You can choose to follow that example or come up with a ratio that works for you. But keep it across all your incomes.

True Reflection Exercise

We all tend to feel 'ugly' sometimes. This usually lasts a day for some and sometimes it can develop into self hate for others.

The best way to get over this is to stop it as soon as you start thinking it.

4 Powerful steps to becoming a better you

source (www.google.co.uk) 

Life shouldn't be spent dwelling on past mistakes, constantly worrying, comparing yourself to others and life shouldn't be spent as a self hater! My 4 steps will take you closer to who you are supposed to be and finding your happiness. Lets go!

What is Art

art.

the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

I always see on twitter, people talking about art. As you can see Art is really down to Visual Arts. One can argue that art is simply a way of expression and anything could be deemed as art.

To me art can only be visual because Art is used to evoke a feeling, stir up inspiration or an emotion and to enlighten.

It means different things to you and I

.

Clean Eating 003: I Demand a Detox

Like i mentioned in my last clean eating post,  we all want to be slender in all the right places *wink wink*. 

Exercise isn't enough, what you put into your body is what you get out of it. Which leads me to the subject of detoxing and what I use to detox. I love Pukka's detox, it's ingredients contain a: 

 'clean fusión of orgánic aniseed , fennel and cardamom'

Since I started detoxing I've noticed a big reduction in bloated tummy syndrome. You will pee, quite frequently lol, but you'll feel lighter. Generally I only detox for one week in a month or every two months.    

Quick Breakdown

Aniseed - Soothes the stomach and aids digestion

Fennel - is a flowering plant species that helps removes toxic, is a natural appetite suppressant and increases metabolism.

Cardamom - neutralises bacteria responsible for bad breath, it helps to detoxify the body, eliminate stomach bloating and frees our body from constipation.

For more info on ingredients visit Pukkapedia 

Tea in all its glory

This detox is only used to rid myself of toxins and a bloated stomach. It's not a staple in my diet. I'm focusing more on toning/sculpting  than losing weight. But for anyone wanting to start with a clean pallete, I highly recommend detoxing. 

My next clean eating posts will focus around balanced meals and breakfast.

Do you use any detoxes? If so do they help with weight loss or bloating.

Be you and Be true to who you are.

InspireMe

Love this.

Sometimes you have to do things quietly, not necessarily to be secretive or create a fictitious image of:

'Yes, me too, I've got a top secret business that I'm working on  and I want to be seen as being busy' 

It's just good to be able to work on things without including everyone. Not everyone has to be included, which filters out unnecessary opinions or advice.

Hope that helps.

Be you and Be true to who you are.

News Flash: World War One Poppy display

World War One remembrance is on the 9th November.  And a hommage has been paid to the deaths, both British and commonwealth between 1914-1919.

I passed the display quite frequently during the week and it is beautiful. Each ceramic poppy represents all those who fought in the war. Tbh it can't be precise surely? Not everyone in the war could've really been registered? So how do they know the exact amount of people who served?

In rememberance of that period, I Hope and Pray the wars going on now will one day come to an end. 

Catch you later x

My Nail Care Regimen

I've finally put together my personal nail care, well an overview. This is what I do daily/weekly, if you have any tips or tricks, let me know!

Make an Informed Decision

Decisions, decisions and more decisions.

Nothing can get done without a decision being made. It's part of our day to day activities. However some decisions have more of an impact than others. 

 Should I move out? Should I move globally? What should I wear for tonight? Should I become a engineer? Should I quit my job and start my own company? Should I pursue producing?Should I pursue Song writing? Should I dye my hair? Westfield's or Blue water? What should I have for Dinner? What degree should I pick? What course should I study? What university should I attend? Crop top & skirt or Dress? etc. 

Makes me tired just thinking of all these questions. 

So how do we make the right decision!?

Travel Series: DOMINICAN, PUNTA CANA

I had the opportunity to visit Punta Cana in the Dominican last month. I was there for one week and had such a blast. The culture out there seems very much based on having a good time and working hard. Whilst out there I did a few things.

Outside the hotel, I visited a sea life water park with the opportunity to swim with 2 dolphins, obviously get my kiss and see a sea lion and dolphin show. Whilst there I also had the opportunity to learn a bit about the culture there and the original people that settled there hundreds of years ago but sadly were wiped out.(I've posted a video of what the natives used to do)

I did some Ziplining, Zorbing and a Segway tour. All was as fun as eachother, Zorbing was a first for me and it was so much fun. Back in the resort, I did a few water sport activities, including Parasailing, Wind surfing and Diving. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures during my water activities, I refuse to damage my phone and can you believe I forgot my camera back at home! But it was great, the Parasailing allowed us to see the view of the island.

All in all I recommend you visit Punta Cana. If you're staying for 2 weeks, go to the city of Santo Domingo

Have a look at the photos below

Ew Don't Be Debbie Downer

I wasn't raised to quit, give up or not to try. I was shown that when challenges arise, you regroup and tackle it the best way you know how.

Putting that aside some days I do feel like I'm at the bottom, flat out, unmotivated and just a plain Debby Downer. 

Now we can argue that it's part of life to have peaks and falls. It's life to feel happy one day and feel close to depression the next. It happens, right? 

But what many of us fail to realise is,  in the midst of a storm or a beautiful rainbow nothing is ever permanent. Since both good and bad days are never permanent it's better to put more of an effort into maintaining a positive attitude so that even the 'bad days' don't feel so bad. You with me? in the long run, it'll be hard to have a bad day with a great attitude. 

We are all destined to do great things, might be small to you but huge to many.

Each of us were designed and equipped with the right tools to achieve what we were designed to achieve. Since no one else is designed exactly like you, chances are we need you to be YOU. The world needs you to remain yourself.

Travel Series: NIGERIA, LAGOS

So I've been doing a lot of travelling over the last year. It's been a mixture of Work and Pleasure. Always a humbling experience when I can visit another country. This was my 3rd time in Nigeria.

I had the opportunity to visit Lagos in January. I had an awesome time there, I was out there for 2 weeks, which for someone like me is too long. I become very bored if I'm not doing an awful lot. Lounging by a pool is nice and everything but its not what I call a holiday.

My sister and I on a teeny weeny wheel

Feminism

A Feminist! Many of us think of angry Lesbians or Independent I don't need a man type of women or women who sit around bashing men. Women who complain about how they want to be treated equally by white men, or treated equally to White men. (I know you're thinking why is she saying white men, another post my friend, another post.)

 Lets face it the word 'Feminist' comes with bad baggage and pre conditioned thoughts about the sort of people feminists are. Feminism shouldn't be seen as just one big movement where women are trying to over throw men. Feminism is an ideology that is moving women forward in Social, Political and Economical ways.  

Travel Series: PORTUGAL, LISBON

This July I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Lisbon, Portugal. I stayed in a lovely hotel on the coast in a place called Sintra. The hotel has a great Golf course, Swimming pools and Spa/Gym. These are usually the fun features I look for. As well as that the service was wonderful, the dinner was superb but the breakfast in my opinion was a let down.

Whilst in Lisbon, I was able to do some ziplinning, go on a segway tour, hit some golf balls and experience some of the local cuisine as well as business. I think my favourite dish was some grilled Octopus and Portuguese Steak with homemade sauce.

All in all I had a blast, a lovely place to visit with very polite people. Although beware of taxi drivers, they will try and charge you more as a outsider.

Peep the pictures from my trip below.

The hotel area

Curls and Coils Rock: One Year on

If you are of African or Caribbean descent, there is a 99% chance you're natural hair is a crown of beautiful Curly and/or Coily hair.

It seems everyone is on a hair journey, which is great because that means ladies are taking control of their natural hair and over riding many of those bad practices some of our relatives have inflicted on us. (¬.¬)

Whether the goal is stronger/fuller edges, longer hair or just healthy hair, a journey is a journey. I started my official transition on the 31 August 2013 when I had my last telaxer. Prior to that I had been texlaxing (under-processing my hair). Looking back on it, there was really no reason for me to relax my hair but my mum (bless her lol) couldn't manage my natural texture and to be honest I cried every time she combed/brushed my hair.

So why transition?

I'm transitioning because I'm curious about my natural curly hair and the length it can grow to.  Natural hair will always be the healthiest state our hair can be in. Despite what others may tell you, our hair can grow to any length if hair is cared for and protected consistently. I'm a long term transitioner because my hair wasn't completely damaged, it was thick but wasn't super healthy. So I decided to stop and just see what my natural hair could do.

How is the transitioning going?

My transition has been smooth for the most part, I wore my hair out consistently for 6 months. Then due to travelling I just started to wear wigs to protect my hair from the different climates. I simply would cornrow my hair down and sew my hair together gently and loosely. I still keep up with my weekly regimen which I will go through in another post, it's not very long winded. It's actually very simple.

What has helped you along the way?

Youtube and various blogs/forums. Below are the resources I use now, there is no point going through every single website/YouTube channel. There is a wealth of knowledge out there, if I would take any tip from what I've been learning is to keep my hair well hydrated and moisturised.
 Dry hair = Damaged hair = No hair left on your head :)

Sources of Information I refer to regularly

 Blackhairinfo.com
Naturallycurly
Glamtwinz
longhairdontcare2011 (RIP Domineque Banks )
Naturalneiicey
Dephne Madyara
Farahdhukai

Pictures of my natural hair

One day after my last relaxer

Jan 2014

September 2014

Catch you later

Nail Care

I love healthy long nails. Not too long but long enough to make your fingers look feminine. The problem about nails are BREAKAGE, BREAKAGE and more breakage lol. My nails always chip and I've come so close to a perfect 10 on many occasions. It will happen one day.

So I've decided to start a small informative diary to my daily nail care. I want to find out the secrets to healthy long nails and will be experimenting with my nails to create a regime that I can stick too.

My nails so far without much of a regime has grown well. Examples below over the last 9 months

So as you can see my natural nails aren't short, so imagine the pain when they break (-.-)

I need something that will keep my nails strong, long and healthy. So I'll be back with another post to let you know what products and actions I've taken towards it.

At this precise moment these are my nails:

I'll be putting a regime to follow to test out the do's and don't's for my nail care. Wish me luck, catch you later x

Travel Series: UAE, DUBAI and RAK

I had the opportunity to check out Dubai and Ras Al Khamiah in April and had a wonderful time. It was my first time going.

The resort was awesome, had everything I look for in a hotel, the only downside was no golfing. However the Customer service was 10/10 and the food was also 10/10.

The culture there is a lot different to the UK since it's deemed an Islamic region. Everyone is so polite and very helpful if you are a visitor. I cannot speak for locals that live there, but I'm sure if you are well off there you'll enjoy the best the UAE has to offer.

I did a lot of things there from Jet skiing, to Desert tours, and shopping at the Dubai mall, I was there for under 2 weeks. Peep the photos below for more of an insight. I aim to visit all the emirates, just to explore and for more experience.

Have you been to parts of the UAE, if so where did you go and what did you get up to?

View from At the Top from the Burj Khalifa

Clean Eating 002 : Reduce Your Waist Size

Right, so how do you reduce your waist size? Well although many of us share this goal, only few of us achieve it. Is this because only few are chosen to have a sexy slim waist to accentuate the waist to hip ratio? 

Are the rest of us destined to just have a 'wide' waist? lol I don't know, there are many actions you can take from today to help flatten and tone your stomach and lose those annoying inches.


So how are we going to reduce your waist size?

1. Switch up your diet, increase your fruit, veg, dairy and leave behind the white bread, processed meat, margarine and soft drinks.

2. Choose food that have high nutrients per calorie, low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium.

3. Detox, I use the Pukka detox. Alternatively you can use lemon and water

4.  Try not to snack, especially high sugary foods before bed. Those sugars will add to your waist line.

5. Strength training, when you have a flat stomach, the moment you start strength training correctly, you will start to feel the toning all round and begin to see your sides tighten. Seek professional guidance for strength training and be consistent with your workout plan.

I hope these tips help, let me know how you get on!

   Be you and Be true to who you are.

Clean Eating 001: Top 5 tips

Eating clean has become a lifestyle. I was living in a hotel for a while, so without the opportunity to have some home cooking. I've had to be careful about what I eat. Eating out at restaurants each night made me realise how much control over my eating I lost. Not going to focus on fitness, that will be for another post.

There are so many healthy ways to eat and you will not miss the fast food restaurants if you find what you enjoy, promise.

Here are my top 5 tips

1. Drink water

Goes without saying, water, water, water. I currently drink 2 litres a day. I find it stops unwanted bloating when you drink strategically.

e.g 500ml before you head out in the morning, 500ml between 12 and 2, 500ml between 4-6 and to finish off  500ml between 7-9. This is just an approximation, its for those that aren't used to drinking much water. I'm aware some people drink more than 2 litres daily.

2. Protein

Protein is awesome, hair and nails are mostly made of protein. Our bodies use protein to build and repair tissues. Food such as Turkey breast chicken, Tuna and Salmon, Cheese, Pork loins, Lean beef and veal, Tofu, Beans (Mature Soy Beans), Eggs (egg white), Yogurt, Milk and Soy milk, Nuts and Seeds (Pumpkin, Squash, Watermelon Seeds, Peanuts and Almonds)

 I'll go into more detail in another post.

3. Detoxification

Detoxification means cleaning the blood. You'll be getting rid of impurities from the blood in the liver. Detoxing for nursing mothers, children, and patients with chronic degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis is not recommended. There are different cleanses/detoxes to try such as Simple Fruit and Veg Detox, Smoothie Cleanse and Juice Cleanse.

 I'll go into more detail in another post.

4. Organic Vegetable Juicing

Unless you are detoxing or on a special fast, I don't recommend living off of vegetable juice as meal replacements. There is not enough fat or protein, you may lose weight but you'll lose that healthy glow, white teeth and all that energy. However it is great as a snack/addition to your balanced meal.

Make sure to CLEAN your juicer, nothing worse than contaminated juice (mould growth).

Lemons, Limes, Cranberries and ginger are a great way to spice up your juices.

I'll go into more detail in another post.

5. Whole grains and Meat

Try to eat grains that are complete. Brown rice, whole grains and whole wheat. 

Buy whole meat that is fresh and from the butchers. I love meat and for now it remains in my diet. 

  

I'll go into more detail in another post.



Be you and Be true to who you are.

United we stand

Right for everyone that keeps up with current affairs, The Scottish referendum campaign will be coming to a highly anticipated end tommorow!

Yikes, I'm slightly nervous.  As someone who travels quite frequently for work to Edinburgh, I'm interested to see how this will affect my company and how it will affect the country I've come to know over the last year. Border controls would have to change. I don't see Theresa May being to keen on immigrants using Scotland as a back door into the UK. 

Right so what happens if they say yes.

Well from the information I've tried to gather over the last few months, I know the rest of us as the UK would initially maintain our place as the sixth-biggest economy in the world. Which means we would still be regarded as one of the biggest leading economies in the world.

In terms of trade Scotland exports over 70 percent of its GDP, much of it to the rest of the U.K. So with their 'freedom' from us they'll have to negotiate new relationships with key markets/player like the U.S. and China.

In terms of the free flow of trade, money and labour that comes with being part of the EU, they'll have to apply as an independent state to be part of the trading bloc and meet its standards for membership. Which could take 18 months to five years. (¬¬)

There is an argument around North Sea oil and fishing industries. Are Scotland too reliant on their resources? Why is that a problem anyway? I think they have a great opportunity of economic growth. 

They'll be aiming to keep their university fees free! Which is awesome for Scottish citizens, no benefit to the rest of us since we won't be united anymore.

If Scotland votes Yes, the Scottish Parliament will immediately begin negotiations with the aim of having their freedom by 24 March 2016

There are questions around military defence, nuclear missile programmes, with all the wahala that is going on in the world, defence is critical. 

So they're are so many things that'll change for Scotland if they do decide to leave us. I guess I didn't really have much of an opinion about this before joining my current employer. I'm neither for or against, haven't read up enough to form a concrete and informed opinion, which I regret. (Side eye)

But will be keeping my eyes peeled and ears open. What do you think? Would love to know your views. Yes or No? Or are you like me, the annoying person on the fence.


Catch you later 

BUCKET CHALLENGE

Background info: 

The stunt is typically intended to raise money and awareness for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association. It's British equivalent, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, has also benefited. 

Side notes: 

• Life expectancy for about half of those with ALS is three to four years from start of diagnosis, but some can live 10 years or longer - Prof Stephen Hawking has had ALS for 51 years. So it goes to show!

• Rare condition where parts of the nervous system become damaged, causing progressive weakness, usually with muscle wasting

• Occurs when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord called motor neurones stop working properly; as condition progresses, sufferers find basic activities such as walking, speaking, swallowing and breathing increasingly difficult to do

It has comfortably been the quickest spreading charity phenomenon on social media. That spread has been so quick that finding the genesis of the challenge is not easy.


Figures!

From 29 July to 28 August this year ALS received $98.2m - compared with $2.7m donated during the same period last year.

Pre-ice bucket, the MND Association would receive on average £200,000 a week in donations. From 22 to 29 August, it received £2.7m

BitterSweet!

Although not everyone taking part has actually donated to causes, at least awareness has been spread. Of course, the downside is with the hype comes the slumber! Will donations still be flowing in this time next year? or will ASL once gain be a thing of the past.

Peep the photos below.

Justin Timberlake and others

Frankie Dettori and Clare Balding do the ice bucket challenge

Montage of ice bucket challenges

David Beckham 

Fresh Start....

Hi Honey's,

I have a new blog. Where/when did you have a previous one? lol I had a blog before which I wasn't committed to, so I've decided to start anew. You know what they say OUT with the old, IN with the new and improved.

I was really trying hard to decide what direction I should go in for the blog. I'm interested in many things. I'm a little bit of a jack, although my passions lie with Music and Entrepreneurship.

So I guess the path that lies before my posts will be ones of Lifestyle. I have my personal take on a lot of things. We are all artists each equipped with our own unique brushes aka finger prints.

We all need to do our best to leave those unique prints around the world. Could be a print of DIY's, Fashion, Music, Giving advice, Motivational speaking, Sports critic, Cooking, Health and Beauty, Fitness, Painting, Singing....The list goes on and on.

A blog is simply an account of whatever you want to create an account to.

I hope you enjoy what is yet to come, my goal is always to be inspired and inspire.


Be you and Be true to who you are.