Sunday 27 December 2020

Fulfill Jewelry Exhibition

Complements of the Season Lovelies! How are you doing? 

So, we had our Exhibition this month and it took a lot of preparation.  This is one of the reasons I have been away....my apologies though. I didn't really set out to have this because of the obvious challenges of 2020. As we know, things are economically down globally.  However, I just felt there's always never a perfect time to have anything done. You just hope and plan for the best and pray for God's mercy.

The jewelry was the most important ingredient here. I worked day and night to boost the collections and I must say, we had BEAUTIFUL PIECES!...not kidding or boasting. Every piece was tastefully done to satisfy.

December is typically a busy month because of the festivities and trips made to celebrate with distant family members and friends. So a lot of presents and gifts are exchanged. In that spirit, I felt it would be a good time to have an exhibition. In a relaxed and fun place. 

Beautiful venue at the poolside in the very exclusive SpringPark Yaad Hotels and Tours situated in Osborne Foreshore Ikoyi, Lagos. ( An exclusive place for your accommodation and fine cuisines ).

Good music, drinks, and food were served. The press was there to do an interview. 

It was a good day and I'm thankful.  Below are the pictures and links readily available now. 

With this, I want to wish you a happy and prosperous New year.  Cheers to 2021 by HIS Grace!

Be safe!

                                    

Click to read newspaper article

Click to read newspaper article








Sunday 25 October 2020

Education And Manual Skills

Hello everyone, 

How are you keeping up in our new normal? Have you adjusted or is it still rough? Comment your experience below. 

From the day we are born, we begin to learn. We learn how to sit, crawl, talk, potty train, etc. Learning becomes a constant and we keep gathering knowledge from our parents, loved ones, community, and the environment.  
As we get older, some of us are introduced to formal education, which happens within the four walls of a physical school with a curriculum, rules, and regulations. The goal being to be educated, which I believe it's the dream of many.

There is a widespread idea that "proper education" can only be acquired or happen in a school institute. For me, education is simply a combination of what we learn from our home, community, and environment. Formal education, which happens within a classroom setting, is simply one aspect of the learning system. This brings us to the discussion of today's article: 

Manual Education.
This is an underrated and honestly, an underrespected niche of education. Most people see manual jobs/ skillsets as local and mediocre in comparison to a 'white-collar' education. However, the truth is a lot of us can not afford to graduate from tertiary institutions and gain employment with reputable establishments locally or internationally. Acquiring knowledge outside the professional field of knowledge that requires you to use your hands will always be a useful skill. There are a lot of youths with university degrees but no jobs in today's economy. What does a degree holder with no employment do?  Seek employment elsewhere or gain more degrees? This will still bring you back into the same unfruitful market.  Or will one wait for an opportunity to spring up? 

While waiting, how are you meeting your financial needs? 

Apart from the economic difficulties degree- holders might face in today's economy, if we are being honest, you can't  ONLY become rich by bagging a degree. Cases like this have proven that one is able to see and benefit from the importance of the manual skills they might have picked up on the side while also pursuing their formal education. Manual skills aren't expertise that should be pursued by those who can not afford formal education. Others may also choose to pursue Manual education because they believe formal education is not for them. This doesn't make them less ambitious in pursuing their goals and dreams than their fellow citizens in institutes. 

Success and making a living can be pursued through multiple different routes, and as long as one is able to earn enough money to cater to their needs, what form of education or skill set they followed should not be an issue. 

So its imperative to get these skills in any area of your passion or interest: Hairdressing, sewing, and fashion designs, make- up artistry, jewelry making and designs, carpentry, barbing, electrical/technical skills, photography, shoe/bag making, etc.

This becomes handy when the certificate isn't yet forthcoming with opportunity. You sustain yourself with these vocational skills while waiting for the big break! Who knows it can be so lucrative it may become a full-time job. For instance, T.Y. Bello, s renounced photographer who's a graduate and my humble self I got my Master's degree at the University of Lagos but today I'm following my passion of designing abd creating  jewelry.  

My point here is to get into any skill you love as a backup! This is your fall back plan! You never know where/when you will need it or where it will take you to. Acquire as much as you can just like your university degrees! 

Do not underestimate yourself or any profession based on the type of work they do. A lot of you are still young and you do have abundant time. 

Manual skills are NOT only for poor people or the less- privileged. They are useful SKILLS and it's very important to invest equally in both formal and vocational education or whichever is more attainable.

With the current situation in the country. Take care of yourself and be safe again!
Love. Peace. Light.







Sunday 30 August 2020

Your Hair is Your Crown

Hello, Lovelies     

How are you doing? 
    Today, I  will be talking about our crowns. Yes, our crowns. As naturalistas, it's kind of hard for us to appreciate our hair and to see the beautyuniqueness and the gift given to us by God. We ignore and shy away from our kinky curls, and sometimes wish it was something else.

Well, I'm here to let you know that there is beauty in our texture, colour, and style. It's what you have been adorned with, it is your crown- a symbol of your heritage- so don't shy away from it. 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Beauty comes in different forms and shapes. Beauty comes in different 'crowns' too... 

Be proud of your heritage and who you are and wear your crown with pride.  Cheers to all naturalistas and powerful sisters of colour out there. 

May we know them, may we raise them, may we be them.

Love. Peace. Light.



Above piece courtesy of Fulfill Jewelry!


Wednesday 5 August 2020

Pre-Poo: What I Do

How 're you doing?
Have you noticed how the weeks are racing away or, am I the only one feeling this way?
Anyway, I hope you're doing well and still keeping safe? We are not yet out of the woods,
so please be careful and good.

Today, I will be sharing with you how I pre-poo. Some of you may be wondering what this is. 

As the name implies, pre-poo is the activity or process your hair undergoes before shampooing. It simply
involves the treatment of the hair with oils or conditioners before washing.

So why do I pre-poo?
The main reason is to protect my hair from the cleansing effects of shampoos that dry out the
hair strands and scalp on wash days.  It protects the hair and helps it retain its natural oils,
which reduces the chances of breakage.

I use oils simply as a personal preference. My choice of oil is the extra virgin olive oil (other
oils you can use are coconut, avocado, jojoba, almond, and argan) because it's simple to get.
Of course, Olive oil has its benefits as well: conditioning and strengthening of hair, anti-bacterial, improves elasticity, penetrates
easily, and promotes hair growth.

*There will be a post on the benefits of oils including the ones mentioned above*

My routine:
The night before my wash day, I loosen my hair then section it into manageable parts. Note,
this is done on dry hair (this is my preference. You can dampen your hair with water before
applying the oils as well).

I apply my olive oil onto each section from the scalp to the tip, massage it in gently, then
gradually start detangling. After detangling, I loosely twist the section back and just repeat
through the other sections. Once I'm done, I wear my shower cap and enjoy the rest of my
night till the next day. (Change your shower cap to satin bonnet before you go to bed).

If you opt to not leave it on overnight then you could always wait only 30mins before washing
it out. Just wear your plastic cap.

I choose not to use any conditioner for my pre-poo simply because I deep condition every
wash day and I achieve great results with just olive oil. So using conditioner as well just
means wasting my time and product (my wash day is usually a different whole day affair..lol)

My result:
Softer and shinier hair is always my outcome. It is extremely moisturized as well. 

This process has proven to be staple and I have already permanently added it to my hair rituals and will continue to do so for a long time!

I hope this was useful? Questions, suggestions, tips....let's know what works for you. Don't shy away from sharing your experiences as well. 

Till our next post.  Love and Light!











Friday 24 July 2020

Everyday Style Collection.Vol. 1




Hello dearies!

We are back with some new designs for our Everyday Style lookbook. We are here to serve you and design beautiful pieces that reflect your personality and taste.

You can wear them matched with your traditional or western outfits. They compliment any outfit and occasion!

Enjoy viewing our collection and drop a comment. Don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to indulge in any of these pieces, or if you have another style in mind.

Thanks, and be safe!








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Saturday 11 July 2020

Natural Hair Essentials For Every Beginner

   Hello everyone!
I hope you all are doing great and well?

We are back again with another natural hair post! This topic has been long promised and today we will be informing all our natural hair beginners and naturals- to- be about all you need to embark on this journey. You all must be expecting me to just jump straight into the tools that you will need. However, there is something more important that should be acknowledged first: your mentality.

Going natural is no simple task. I am not saying this to scare you but you must be aware that by embarking on this journey, you are going to be handling more sensitive, coarser, and textured hair. This is very far from the relaxed/ permed hair, I assume some of you are coming from. Beginners must be ready to go natural and understand it is care, attention, and consistency that facilitates progress. This is not a phase, but a lifestyle. Now that the importance of mental preparation has been established, we can now move on to the basic accessories every beginner should have in their collection:

1. The wide-tooth comb: This is the main detangling tool you should be using after your hands. The large gaps between the bristles aid the detangling process and are less damaging than closed- bristled combs.
Large Wide Tooth Combs – abdage.com
Annie Jumbo Rake Comb - Black

2. Spray bottle: Styling your hair dry is never an option. Not only is natural hair less manageable while dry, but you are also likely to experience more shedding/ breakage when handling it dry. This is where spray bottles come in. 
Spray bottle for your vinegar and water cleaning solution
Amazon.com : Faleto Empty Ultra Fine Mist Spray Bottle Hair Water ...
3. Hair scissors: If you are transitioning or thinking of transitioning, this is another staple you need. You should be trimming away your permed ends as your natural hair grows out so, it is important to have this. Note! Do not just get any pair of scissors; specifically search for hair scissors, as they are often sharper and tailored towards cutting hair. 
Niigata 1000 | Scissor Mall
professional hairdressing shears for barber salon/hair stylist ...
4. Hairbands: Natural hair and rubber bands should never go in the same sentence. What you use to bond your hair might seem unimportant, but on the contrary, it contributes to your hair's moisture retention and strength. Having satin-lined hair bands helps retain moisture. Alternatively, you could get simple non- rubber bands that won't pull or snag on your hair. 
Pixelfox Premium Rubber band Colorful Hair bands tt Rubber Band ...
Thick Hair Ties - Black, 20 Pack | Icing US
Bendable Satin Lined Headbands | Etsy


5. Satin- lined sleeping bonnet- You should keep your hair protected even in your sleep. A satin bonnet helps you do exactly that. Wearing this ensures your hair is not stripped of its moisture from surrounding surfaces on your bed. It also helps reduce frizz and maintain your styling. If you are a rough sleeper or tumble a lot at night, hence your bonnet slipping off, I suggest getting a satin pillowcase. This way, even if you lose your bonnet at night you're still protected. 
Amazon.com : Satin Bonnet Sleep Bonnet Cap - Extra Large, Double ...
Satin Pillowcase with Zipper Travel Size Set of 2 Silky Sateen ...
6. Shower cap- Gone are the days of your hair not getting affected by moisture or humidity. Showering or exposure to moisture on natural hair will cause frizz. Buy yourself a good shower cap- it could be plastic, disposable, or even satin-lined if you are feeling a bit fancy. An affordable alternative would also be using shopping plastic bags.
Waterproof Shower Cap Elastic Head Cover Hat Net Colorful Plastic ...
Amazon.com : Nobles Health Care Disposable Shower Caps ...
Extra Large Shower Cap Satin Lined | Jorie Hair

Next, we are going to talk about the key products that you will need:

1. A good shampoo and conditioner- I suggest purchasing one for brittle or damaged hair because I feel like they provide more intense treatment for your hair than general shampoos and conditioners. If you can find one without chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, and phosphates, then that is a plus. Transitioning is a very delicate process and your hair needs as much help as possible because you are trying to manage two hair textures. Brands I would recommend are:
- Shea moisture
- Cantu
- Pantene
-As I am
- Creme of nature...

2. Deep and leave-in conditioner: These products help replace moisture and prevent your hair from being dry and brittle, making it prone to damage. You should deep condition one to two times a month. Leave in conditioner should be applied every couple of days or according to your hair's needs. The brands mentioned above, also make deep conditioners and/ or leave-in conditioners.

3. Hair oils: This particular product is the most important because it could make or break your efforts. Oils help to seal moisture ( that you could get from conditioners, creams, moisturizers, etc.) into your hair strands. They also contribute to your hair's luster and shine. Depending on how well your hair does with absorbing products, you might want to use heavy oils (H) or light oils (L). Some examples include:
- Coconut oil (L)
- Castor oil (H)
- Argan oil (medium) 
- Olive oil(L)

       That brings today's post to an end. I hope you all enjoyed this and found it super helpful. If you have any other questions or you would like to see more posts on a specific topic, please comment your thoughts below. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

~Ama-rachi

Thursday 25 June 2020

R.A.P..E: Rabidly Attacking Personal Ease


I was recently approached again by a group of young girls to have an interactive session with them. As a mother and a woman, any opportunity to share and talk to the younger generation is obliged.  

This is my writeup I shared with them after which questions and answers were discussed. Kindly share and comment on what you think or can add to this... Enjoy


Hello Everyone! I hope you all are good? 
 Today, I want to discuss a societal issue that is not essentially seen as a ravaging problem- Rabidly Attacking Personal Ease  ( RAPE). An acronym that explains the feeling and experience we go through when sexually pressured, molested, or violated at any stage of our lives. This acronym represents an action that is an attack on our physical, social, emotional, mental, and total well-being and security.  I mean RAP.E. 
           
Rape is not a new topic or issue for us. It's been around for ages. However, it has been chosen as a central and contemporary discussion because its prevalence has assumed a muster epidemic.

Rape has never been taken seriously as it has predominantly been viewed as a problem between the involved parties. It's never been looked at as a societal crime, rather it is seen as a source of shame and ridicule, in which the victim often bears more blame than the assailant. This should not be so, as it is indeed, an unpleasant social malice that needs to be addressed and given more awareness. We need to begin re-educating and conditioning ourselves to reject the distorted ideas and reasons surrounding rape. The most common one being that people get raped because of their physical appearance, behaviors, or attitudes. And we must also cancel out the stigma surrounding rape and its victims. Here are some things we need to understand...

It's NEVER the victim's fault! NEVER EVER! Casting blames and judgment on the person shouldn't be done because not only are you aggravating their trauma, but you’re also saying something they did gave the assailant the incentive to forcefully have their way sexually without her/his consent. It's wrong! Totally and absolutely wrong!!

Having said this, we need to foster neutral and safe spaces, where women and girls (the most vulnerable) feel safe to express themselves on sexual issues. Most societies do not support such things. If a person or child is going through a form of abuse in his/ her home they have no safe place to go. There are multiple active platforms, helplines, and organizations noted at the end of this write-up, that handle these matters.

Regardless of the organizations out in place to help these victims, remember "charity begins at home". Parents, educate your children from an early age on the topics and issues surrounding sex. There’s nothing to shy away from or be embarrassed about. Your children are never too young to learn about being safe and protecting themselves. Make sure they know you’re approachable and always ready to listen. You should always be there for them.

Don’t educate just your girls. Yes, females are the most victimized, but we should not ignore that any sex could be a potential victim. Educate your sons too. If you teach the boys how to fight, teach the girls too! Don’t let any Sex feel more entitled than the other, in regards to how they present themselves and interact with people. When you tell the girls about sexual predators, tell the boys as well. Simply because any person (boy or girl) can be sexually harassed or assaulted by any of the other sexes. 

More importantly, you and your kids should learn the basics of self-defense ( karate and taekwondo), and have defense tools, such as a pocket knife, tasers or, pepper spray when out. 

The reason a lot of rape victims suffer in silence is because of society. A lot of  stigma surrounds the topic and so they suffer in silence due to the assumptions that :
1. They shouldn't be having sex (unmarried ones).
2. They can't deny sex to their spouses because their body belongs to the other (married ones). 
They remain silent because they already feel condemned and guilty. 

Sex has always been a controversial topic, especially in African countries. However, remember that only you are entitled to your body. You do not owe sex to anyone and no one has the power to claim your body. Regardless of whether you’re married or not, consent is paramount.

Whenever you have a social gathering, do not attend alone! Go in groups and watch out for each other. Don't leave your drinks unattended as that’s how you could get poisoned or drugged. It’s unfortunate that we have to bear all these precautions and rules to protect ourselves, but this is the world we live in. 

Note that if you were/ are a victim and don’t carry out any of these preventive actions that you are still not to blame. Victims are not raped and should not be blamed for feeling safe in their environments or thinking that society is safe and conducive. No one has foresight for such circumstances. People are raped because there are evil people out there.

Another key point is knowing your location and address. Be financially secured in case you need to leave by yourself. You can do this by saving a percent of your earnings. This is not only good for situations in which you need to escape from immediately, but also a good life habit.

You're spiritual? Be prayerful and God will direct your steps. Listen to your guts! It never fails!


 VICTIM
Rape can trigger and have many mental effects like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A common side effect of high-stress occurrences like rape. Prioritizing one’s mental health is very important. If you know a victim offer as much support as needed; this could go a long way in aiding the recovery process. 

Know it was never your fault.

Don't be pressured to talk about it until you are ready and comfortable.

Don't be or feel guilty.

 RAPIST
The person should be seen and treated the same way other criminals are handled. 

There's no excuse whatsoever to carry out such a dirty act.

Please let’s educate and raise awareness about this heinous act, as this is one of the few ways we can protect ourselves and also normalize this matter and its victims so that they are able to come forward to a non- prejudiced society, tell their stories, and heal. Nobody deserves to be raped or carry the burdens of it.

Rabidly Attacking Personal Ease shouldn't be tolerated or encouraged. Rather, Resist Any Pressure Essentially should be uppermost in our minds and day to day living.

Thank you and God bless!

Sexual assault foundation in Nigeria: 
THE MIRABEL CENTRE
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos
08155770000
07013491769
08187243468

Thursday 18 June 2020

Natural Hair Wash Day


Hello, everyone

You have probably heard my mum mention me in her previous post and for good reason. I have been natural for about two years now, haven transitioned mid-2018. What can I say, it has been a whirlwind of emotion. Tears, joy, anger, impatience, and more have highlighted my journey. It is safe to say I have finally reached a point of smooth- sailing with my hair.

My main focus is now growing and maintaining it, rather than transitioning. As for me, the beginning of my hair’s health begins with my wash days. 

And so, in today’s post, I will be sharing with you all the details of what a typical wash day looks like for me. I will be recommending alternative products and tips and tricks for all levels of natural hair, do not shy away from this post if your hair is not as full or long as mine.

This is what my hair looks like before I start my wash day:

                
     
       


 Firstly, I start off by splitting my hair into about four sections- you can do more or less depending on the volume and length of your hair. You do not have to do this if your hair is shorter and not as easily sectioned. Personally, I find that this makes the whole process easier and more manageable.

                                                   


Next, I like to finger detangle my hair before using any tools. Make sure your hair is almost drenched before you detangle. NEVER detangle dry hair. That would only inflict pain and damage to your hair.  Just gently run your fingers through your hair, patiently separating any knots and kinks.  I find that this helps reduce shedding for when you actually comb/ brush through it. 
The aim of wash days is to achieve as little damage and breakage as possible, as this is one of the factors that ensure the health of your hair.

                 

 
  
    When I finish detangling a whole section, I twist it into a few pieces just for convenience's sake. You do not necessarily have to do this, it just helps with organization and makes sure you don't detangle each piece more than once.  To hold shorter hair, I recommend using duck clips or mini hair bands as they provide a lot of grip, which is needed to hold shorter hair.
Gray Small 2mm Mini Hair Ties at Cyndibands.com

Prongs, Butterflies, and Duckbills: How to Use Hair Clips the ...

I basically repeat this process until I'm done with all the sections. Notice how I use the infamous flexible detangling brush. When I combed from the tips of my hair to the shafts- as you should- it was a very stress-free process with little to no resistance. I 100% recommend it. However, if you don't have or can't get this brush, I also recommend the staple wide tooth combs. 
   Amazon.com : Large Tooth Detangle Comb Shampoo Wide Teeth Comb ...


Normally, I wash my hair in these twists. I find it is easier this way and I noticed it reduced the number of tangles I had. For shampoos and conditioners, I recommend sulfate-free products with essential oils like argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, black castor oil, etc. You want a shampoo that does not strip your hair of its moisture, but rather moisturizes while also getting your scalp clean. You should shampoo your hair once or twice depending on how dirty it is. As for conditioners, you want a product that provides you with a lot of slip- a lot of lubrication- as this helps to detangle easier.  Some brands that sell sulfate-free products are:

  • Cantu
  • Creme of Nature
  •  Sheamoisture 
  • OGX products
  • Mielle


After shampooing and conditioning, it's time to deep condition. Not to worry, if you do not have a deep conditioner, a good hack is to just use your normal conditioner.  The brands mentioned beforehand also sell good deep conditioners. This would require you to not rinse it out of your hair after shampooing, and follow through with the following steps. After applying your choice of conditioner/ deep conditioner, throw on a plastic cap. Heat is essential for deep conditioning as it opens your follicles and ensures maximum absorption, which is key. Personally, I use a heating cap to provide heat and wear mine for an hour or more, sometimes even sleeping with it. If you do not have or can not access a heating cap, you could simply tightly wrap another layer around your plastic cap, like maybe a bonnet and/ or scarf. You could also wet a medium-sized towel and microwave it for about a minute, then wrap it around your plastic cap.

                                                      click me to purchase this steam cap.

When you are done deep conditioning, thoroughly rinse the product out of your hair, shake or pat your hair dry, then moisturize. If you would like to know what I do to keep my hair soft and maximally moisturized after my hair day, make sure you voice your thoughts in the comment section. 

Also, drop any questions or topics that you would like to see on this blog. If you made it all the way to the end, thank you for reading this far!

~ Ama-rachi





Crying

 Hello, Lovelies It has been quite a while! Hope you're keeping safe and doing good. Today, I felt like sharing this topic with you: cry...