Get Prettly On Your Own Terms

Today I found the perfect way to beat the Sunday blues, a bit of pampering in the comfort of my own home.

Before I went natural I wish I knew...

Looking back the past few years I can see a lot of changes in my life as well as my hair since I have gone natural, and while I have made loads of mistakes along the way, I treasure them for making me a wiser and savvier natural. There are a few things I wish I knew about earlier that could have made my journey less painful, so hopefully, insight from my experience will make your transition much easier.

What’s so good about is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is like a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree and naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F.

Not only does it offer UV protection (it is SPF ~6) it provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production.
Shea butter is becoming a trendy ingredient featured in many beauty products on the market but has been used in Africa and other countries for years to improve skin and hair.

Isn't it time you declutter your wardrobe?

This is something I try to do on a regular basis but let’s face it it’s not the most exciting of household chores but there are some great benefits to taking on the task.

You’ll unveil things you probably haven’t seen in a while, reveal tops that have been hiding on hangers for months and have all the things you need to create style savvy new outfits as if you’ve just bought them from a shop. You will clear space in your wardrobe too (Cough a cough) get more clothes.

How to make extra MONEY

I don’t think I have ever heard anyone say that I have way too much money

and I rarely hear anyone say that they have enough money so  I’m guessing an injection of cash is always welcomed especially if you’re not exactly living the lifestyle you want to.

Here are some creative ways you can make more money.

#MACTaraji MAC X Taraji P Henson Collaboration Coming Soon!

As much as I love their products I have I had started to grow weary of some MACs collaborations.

I mean trolls.. really and the Simpsons collaboration was cute but really who wore it?

9 steps towards a more positive you

Life isn’t easy, sometimes s##t happens and at times it can seem hard if not impossible to bounce back. Positive encouragement can come from anywhere friends, family even inspirational posts on Instagram but what do you personally do for yourself when you need an infusion of positivity and inspiration?

Whether you’re a natural optimist, we could all use positive thoughts throughout our day to lift our spirits and keep us going!

1. Get your body right Body health and mental health go hand in hand so looking after your physical well-being is paramount. Make sure you are eating right, exercising and also getting enough rest.

2. Spend time with your peeps Set aside time to spend loved ones and friends (clubbing doesn’t count). Too it’s easy to get caught up in work or the dramas of everyday life and carving out the extra time can seem impossible but I promise you it isn’t.

There is nothing better than being in the presence of those you love and love you back so sort it out! If a visit can’t be arranged then a call is just as good. I set aside one morning a week during my commute to work to call my grandmother on the phone which is lovely for both me and her because she gets to chat with her favorite granddaughter and I get to hear how proud she is of me J plus we never hang up without saying eye love you which is nice to hear before the start of a stressful work day.

3. Get a new perspective. If there is a specific problem or situation bringing you down, it can help to get advice from someone impartial - A fresh perspective helps you refocus on what’s important.

4. Exercise.  While the rewards of proper nutrition often take a while to come to the surface, exercise is instant gratification. When feeling down, getting up and being active may be far from your mind, but trust me it is always worth it. Even going on a walk or a quick jog will leave you feeling accomplished as well as improve your mood.

5. Keep it moving ….. Toward your goals. Many of us have goals that always get put off. These can be big or small i.e. pay off credit cards or even look for a new job, but if they’re important to you, you need to work toward them.

Next time you’re feeling down, try putting your energy into how you can achieve something that will take you a one step toward one of the goals you’ve had in the back of your mind. The progress will defiantly will inspire you to keep up the momentum.

6. Try something new! Being stick in a rut can suck .. so don’t get stuck in one.

It’s great to shake up your routine and experience new things weather it is going on holiday to a new destination or even trying out a different coffee or tea.

7. Treat yourself like the princess you are I’m not suggesting you go and empty your savings indulging you every whim but a little treat every never hurt right and will give you something to look forward to. Cheeky cocktail or a relaxing bubble bath is defiantly enough to raise my sprits half way through a stressful work day.

8. Reassess the energies you have around you have  someone around you that is constantly bringing you down, it’s fine to OK to take a break from them and branch out. It is important that you have positive personalities around you that encourage, inspire and nurture (And of course you should for the same for them).

9. Be thankful Awful things happen to good people everyday and no matter how bad or bleak your situation may seem I'm sure there is some one that would love to have your problems. Take the time to be count and be thankful for your blessings 

How do you boost your mood when all else fails?

Some Paint, Some Tape, Some Elbow Grease & A New Kitchen

Happy Monday!

Right now I am tired, cranky and mourning my weekend but at the same time, I am super proud of myself because finally painted my kitchen cupboards and they look absolutely amazing!

I have wanted to give my Kitchen a makeover since I moved in last year but it seemed too time-consuming and expensive so I kept putting it off with the intention of saving to have a new kitchen installed, but let’s keep it real I didn’t save anything in my new kitchen fund.

Over the last few weeks I binged watch DIY videos on Youtube trying to find ways to get the job done quickly and effectively and but a lot of the processes involved taking off the cupboards cleaning them, sanding them down then using a primer waiting for it to dry, one or two coats of paint and you have to wait for that to dry between each layer and finally a top coat, let that dry, attach all of the handles to the doors and draws then rehang.

Crochet Braids by Liora Jasmine Braiding #FanDayFriday

As much as I loved rocking my afro I found myself stuck in a bit of a style rut, so when I was contacted by Liora Jasmine Braiding and asked if I wanted to try out their new line of pre curled kanekalon hair for crochet braiding 

How To Take Down Braids and Twists Without Experiencing Breakage

As A Lupus suffer, full time worker and a person who likes to hit the snooze button more than once in the mornings have chosen to opt for long term protective styles which are kept in place for several weeks. While they are for promoting hair growth retention keeping a style for that long, there is no pros without cons.  Whether you have cornrows, braids, weaves or any of the other fashionable protective styles, eventually you are going to have to take them out and detangle cleans and condition your locks.