January in Retrospect

The first month of 2016 is almost over and I am so excited by all the prospects that this year will bring. Here's a look back at what January has been like for me.

Feeling inspired by...

1. I saw this and I thought of all those shawls and pieces of fabric I have left over from a DIY project that I don't know what to do with. This is a good idea no?

2. Another possible DIY project.

Trying to achieve

1. A stronger prayer life

2. Success, despite the many, many, many challenges faced on a daily basis.

3. Inner peace, to come to terms with my past mistakes, forgive myself and move on to better things.

Life Update

As you might have noticed, I haven't shared much about my personal life outside life with my baby in a long time and for good reason. I suppose it is important to ensure that not all your laundry, dirty and not so dirty, is aired out in public. But sometimes it is good to share tidbits of your life in case you manage to inspire someone who might be going through a similar situation. As such, I thought I should let you know that I broke up with Elly's dad over the holidays. I'm still going through the motions of being newly single but this just gives you an idea of where my head's at.

Interesting finds from across the web
1. This Facebook page, where I got the above quotes, is right up there in my new favourite pages for motivational quotes.
2. Speaking of empowering women, I loved this article on being a strong woman so much I refer to it on a weekly basis.
3. I am very happy to see Nancie Mwai back on the blogging scene. She is such an inspiration. If you haven't, be sure to check out her webzine here.

My current playlist
1. Romantic ~ Korede Bello ft. Tiwa Savage
2. Bamboo ~ Yemi Alade
3. Yellow ~ Cold Play
4. Sail ~ Awolnation
5. Got your back ~ T.I ft Keri Hilson
6. Knocks you down ~ Keri Hilson
7. Jar of hearts ~ Christina Perri
8. Say something I'm giving up on you ~ A great big world
9. Shake it off ~ Taylor Swift
10. Work of art ~ Rachel Platten

I'm looking forward to
- A busier February. Remember you can hire me for personal shopping and wardrobe consultations here.
- Preparing for baby girl's birthday in March #superexcitedmum
- Completing one or two of my goals for 2016.

Thank you for stopping by this month. I'm looking forward to another month filled with inspiration and efforts to build a life suited to our unique personal styles. Cheers. xo

A labour of love: Long days, bee stings and a global premiere

“Amkeni” roughly translates to “Rise Up” in Kiswahili. This is the call of Chambuko Amkeni, a community-led conservation group involved in mangrove restoration and protection. In 2025, I had the honour of working with them to document their journey on women’s leadership in coastal and marine conservation, climate change adaptation and the blue economy, for a collaboration between Mission inclusion and the BBC StoryWorks' for the Living Legacy Series . This was my first time working on a project of this magnitude not to mention one that would have a global audience. To say this has been one of the highlights of the last two years is an understatement. Just thinking about it, my heart swells with pride. I feel like a mother watching her baby grow and come of age (please don't tell my daughter this!). With members of the Chambuko Amkeni Group Leading the production of Amkeni with my amazing colleagues was a true labour of love. A vision come to life thanks to the support o...

Rediscovering myself

A few blog posts ago I alluded to struggles I'd been facing for a few years now. I said that I would address these issues here soon but honestly, I didn't know when would be a good time. So I thought that today is as good a day as any. Last year I was diagnosed with trauma. It had been years in the making, a result of an emotionally abusive relationship and years of challenging events with seemingly no respite in sight. Although I had eventually gotten out of the relationship, I had unconsciously allowed this person's opinions of me become so ingrained in me that I had lost all knowledge of my former self. I lacked self-confidence. I blamed myself for many things that had happened in my life. I was perpetually sad and struggled to find even the smallest things to smile about. I had no motivation to do even those things that I loved. I would take photos and see my smiling face but deep down I knew that was just a front. I was broken, a shell of my former self. Now I'm no...

Blogging Challenge Day 13 | 5 Ways I Learned To Be Happy (No Matter The Circumstances)

Like everybody else, I began this year on a very positive note. I hoped for a better year than I had had in 2017. I had a plan that I laid out and I was determined to accomplish a lot of what was on my 2018 list. I once heard someone say that sometimes you plan and it doesn't work out not because you haven't put in enough effort but because God has other plans for you. So the first three months of 2018 were completely upside down for me. Everything seemed to be going wrong. I won't lie to you and tell you that I carried on happy in spite of everything that wasn't working. I struggled to smile, to wake up in the morning, to face my day, to be around people. However, I was determined to find lasting happiness. I wanted to find a way that would ensure that I remained happy even when life seemed to be going against me. I did my research and tried out a few things and found the 5 ways listed below that I have now been putting into practice for the last four or so month...

Grounded Narratives

Search This Blog