Hi guys, how’s your week going so far? Good? Great? Don’t worry, public holiday in a bit 😉
I dropped by to tell you that I was featured on The ‘Dee’ Mako!
Check it out here
Don’t forget to show some love!
XOXO
Author Archives: Jen
Instapicks of the week #04
Hey people,
Who else had a rough week? I know I did. Hopefully this new week will be better.
Lately, I’ve been struggling to get through some days. I’m usually tired, sometimes physically but most times mentally. Most days just seem so tiringly repetitive. I try to stay positive by encouraging myself that things will get better and this too shall pass. How do you overcome negativity?
I know I’ve been slacking in the blog post department and hopefully that changes soon. I always plan to post but life gets in the way.
I have a few long overdue product reviews that I will be doing pretty soon so watch this space.
Oh and NITC is this weekend (Saturday, 26th September), show of hands in the comment section if you’ll be there!
So, I bring you my Instagram roundup for the week; enjoy!
Source: @naturalnigerian
Source: @itsphemie
Source: @franciodu
Me right now 😥
Source: @defoestudio
Source: @bestsayingss
Source: @darkbeautymag
I just discovered this page and I like it!
Source: @ronkeraji
Source: @klassykinks
#Deep
Source: @curlytopgirl
Source: @saintrecords
#Bae
Source: @_lalilly_
I saw this picture but didn’t plan to include it. Some minutes later I saw a very silly, chauvinistic comment on another picture and wanted to reply the fellow when this picture above came to my mind. I quickly backspaced, ignored and moved on with my life. Afterwards, I had to include this picture in this post.
Source: @nokultureng
Which picture is your favourite? Any Instagram pages you think I should check out?
Have a beautiful week guys!
X
Instapicks of the week #03
Hi guys,
I hope you’re having a great, relaxing Sunday.
I bring thee the Instagram roundup of the week. Enjoy!
Source: @nigerianandnatural (original source: NHE BBM channel)
Source: @coilyandcute
Source: @kiitana
This is so me!
Source: @jumiafashion
Source: @kitchenbutterfly
Source: @iyaanu
Source: @aishaandlife
Source: @chrishouns
VIDEOS:
That’s it guys!
I’d like to wish Bookie Kunlere a very happy birthday!
Which picture/video is your favourite? Any Instagram pages I should check out?
Have an amazing week!
Blogger Feature: Dee Mako
Hi guys,
I had the opportunity of meeting fashion blogger extraordinaire Desola “Dee” Mako last week and I have to say that she is so fun and she is such a sweetheart! I was able to squeeze a question session with her. Enjoy! 
Please introduce yourself:
Hi Jennifer, my name is Desola Mako but everyone calls me Dee these days. I’m a very funny person; I find it really hard to describe myself because I’m a bit weird. I’m a fun loving person and I don’t like people
Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging because I was going to start an 8-5 job in another field and I was working in fashion at that point; I needed a way to stay connected to fashion so I found blogging. It wasn’t my first experience in blogging but that was what made me keep up with my blog. 
What do you love about fashion?
It helps me create. It’s like there are people that can draw and paint and I can do a bit of that but fashion helps me express myself. That’s the kind of artist I am. I’m a fashion artist.
What inspires you?
What inspires me is my love for what I do, my love for fashion, my love for art, my love for life and my goal to be happy. 
Why did you go natural?
I was following trends. And I’ve always liked a certain look and it just fits into it perfectly. I was actually natural till I was 11. After I started experimenting I realized that my hair grew longer than my relaxed hair ever grew. 
What’s your hair regimen like?
I’m a lazy naturalista. So I’m one of those people that believe that unkempt hair is the best hair. My regimen is basically wash when I can, condition when I can. The lazy way.
Any favourite products?
The bottle of Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner that I’ve used for over a year.
What do you love about your hair?
The volume. 
What do you not love/wish you could change about your hair?
I wish my hair would shrink less
Is having natural hair a plus or a minus when it comes to your fashion?
Since my style borders on Afrocentric I think it’s a plus but I don’t think it makes any great difference.
What fashion mistake do people make that you’d like the readers to avoid?
Wearing things that are not appropriate for your body. You always have to dress for your body.
You buy a lot of really cool stuff from local markets and indigenous stores; any tips for the fashionista on a budget?
Avoid impulse buys, if it’s above your budget and you bargain and they don’t agree then it’s not yours. Realize that buying new things is a luxury; it’s not compulsory.
Who are your style icons?
Lisa Folawiyo, it might be cliché but Solange and I like Rihanna sometimes.
Any favourite fashion brands/labels?
The Heartdictions HQ store, Eve and Tribe, Grey, Bibire.
If you had to travel abruptly and you could only take 6 items (2 fashion items, 1 hair product/tool/accessory and 3 other items) what would they be?
- Fashion items: a white shirt and some nice shorts.
- Hair: A hat.
- Others: My professional camera, my phone, money.
If you were stuck in an elevator for 12 hours with anybody in the world, who would you pick and why?
Chris Brown! You can tell he is extremely playful and he’d make the best elevator partner. We can gist, make out ,fight, dance, he can sing to me and I can just touch his body when I’m bored. There’s just so much you can do with him.
Anything else you’d like to say?
I’d like to say thank you to you Jen and I’m extremely jealous of your hair. We should do this again! And this is the most fun interview I’ve had.
- Check out Desola’s blog: The ‘Dee’ Mako
- Follow her on Instagram: @dee_mako
These are actually 9 pictures! She has the coolest Instagram page
- Shop her store: The Heartdictions HQ (blog) or The Heartdictions HQ (Instagram)
*All pictures are from The ‘Dee’ Mako blog and @dee_mako on Instagram*
Instapicks of the week #02
Hi guys, I hope you’re having a restful weekend even though it ends shortly (not to burst your bubble but *pop*).
This week was a bit slow in the social media department (or maybe I missed the fun stuff) but I managed to get a couple of posts I liked.
Here they are:
Source: @dee_mako
Source: @cassiedaves
Source: @poetolu
Source: @ronkeraji
Source: @4chairchicks
Me 90% of the time!
Source: @sincerelyjules
Source: @thesocialmarket
Source: @cuterosie007
My new mantra.
Source: @nokultureng
Which one’s your favourite? Any Instagram pages you think I should follow?
Have an awesome week! *muuuuaaaahh*
A few of my favourite things- August
Hi guys,
First things first, happy birthday to the Queen B!!!💛👑🐝 
Here are a few of my faves from August:
1. Rabbit/cat case: 
This case is too cute! I usually hate cases like this but I somehow fell in love when I saw this one! If you have an iPhone 6 and want one too, buy it on Jumia here
2. People finding my blog:
Lately I’ve been having people, especially colleagues at work, walk up to me or message me saying “Oh my gosh, so you have a blog! I was just searching for something online and I found it”. A colleague actually said “So you blog! My sister said I should tell you she loves your blog”. As expected, this always makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. If you know me and you recently found this blog, hi!
3. Cat in a hat:
slightly dusty, sorry!
No, not the book! How cute is this hat? I got it for 2000 NGN at a random shop at Ikeja Underbridge. If you can’t find your way there, not to worry, you can buy it here
4. Bloglovin’:
I’ve been searching for a way to read all my favourite blogs in one place. I like the WordPress app but then I couldn’t keep up with blogs from Blogger. I decided to try Bloglovin’ and the rest they say is history. I don’t know how to comment on posts from the Bloglovin’ app though so if you know, biko teach me in the comment section below! And if you know any app that I can read blogs, both Blogger and WordPress on and also comment on, pleaaassseee share! Oh and follow me on Bloglovin’ (check the side/bottom of the page for the follow button)
5. I Love Nigeria:
Yes I do! But I’m actually referring to the game show.
I stumbled on it on DSTV one fateful day and I’ve been hooked! It’s so fun and funny. The show tests celebrities’ knowledge of Nigeria with fun games and questions. It is hosted by Stephanie Coker. Tee A and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu each lead a competing team of different celebrities each week. Toke Makinwa, Makida Moka, Deyemi Okanlawon, Osas Ighodaro, Nse Ikpe Etim, Linda Ejiofor, Reekado Banks, Kehinde Bankole, Adesua Etomi, Sasha P, Yvonne ‘Vixen’ Ekwere, Mocheddah, Gideon Okeke, Falz The Bahd Guy, Oreka Godis, Rachael Oniga and more have been on it so far(Hopefully I spelt all names correctly). You can watch it on YouTube here
The end!
How are you guys doing? Any plans for the weekend? Anything you’re loving lately? You know the drill, share!
Instapicks of the week #01
Guys, I don’t know what’s happening to me these days! Sometimes I’m genuinely busy or tired and can’t post/read posts/go on social media. But many times, I’m not any busier than I normally am but I just can’t post. It’s so bad that I don’t go on Instagram or read blogs I follow for a long time. And when I do, I go on Instagram and scroll through but don’t like/comment or post or I read blogs I follow but don’t have the zeal to like/comment even if I genuinely liked the post. This also extends to other social platforms like BBM. Am I having an Internet withdrawal kinda situation? Well if you haven’t been seeing my comments/likes and I follow your blog and you’re wondering why you don’t see my comments lately/often and if you follow my blog and you’re wondering why I’ve been so inconsistent lately, this is my explanation. Forgive me pretty please, I’m working on it before it ruins my blogging.
Anyways, starting with this post, I’m introducing a new ‘series’ on the blog called Instapicks Of The Week. This will basically be a weekly roundup of Instagram pictures and videos I found interesting over each past week.
The post will go up every Sunday. I think it’s a good way for me to at least have one post up a week and hopefully I stick to it.
So here are my Instapicks for the week.
Source: @sheabuttercottage
Source: @dooneyskitchen
Source: @beginningkisses
She makes the most beautiful art and is actually featured on The Kink And I this week.
Source: @tzarstudios
Source: @thekinkandi
Source: @coilyandcute
Her caption: “Big Black and beautiful” . Love it!
Source: @kinkyparadiseng
Source: @yagazieemezi
Source: Yours truly, @nigerianandnatural
Source: @wofaifada
Source: @squishysmommasita
Her daughters are too freaking cute!
That’s all for this week.
Which picture/video is your favourite? What do you think of the Instapicks Of The Week idea?
Is there anything you would like me to post about? Please let me know.
A few of my favourite things- June + July
Bonjour mes amis,
Did anyone notice I didn’t post any June favourites? I was too lazy or maybe I forgot or maybe I didn’t have any favourites or maybe I had favourites but I couldn’t remember what they were. I really don’t know what happened but I’m sorry about not posting.
As a result, I’ve decided to merge both months and post a bit more favourites than I’d normally post so here we go!
1. Funny viral Instagram videos:
Instagram keeps me so so entertained (but doesn’t do the same for my data bundle). Below are a few videos that kept me laughing these last two months. (I hope they play since this is my first time uploading videos)
If you know any funny videos I should check out on Instagram, please tag @nigerianandnatural
2. Gidi Up +Titilope Sonuga:
I heard about Gidi Up sometime ago but only just got around to watching it. It’s a Nigerian TV show that revolves around the lives of four friends and trust me, their lives are interesting! To watch it, just search for “Ndani TV Gidi Up” on YouTube.
My absolute favourite character is Folarin even though he’s basically the bad guy. He just has this air of mischief and his facial expressions are gold!
Folarin is bae!!
One of the characters, Eki, recites this beautiful poem in one scene and I just had to google the lines of the poem so I could find the full thing for future reading. Turns out the character, Eki, is an award winning poet in real life and she wrote the poem. Her name is Titilope Sonuga. Read the poem I’m referring to below:
Becoming
“When the world unravels before you
and even your dreams are crumbling stones
when everything you dare to touch is set on fire
and all around you is ash and smoke
remember this
rock bottom is a perfect place for rebuilding
remember that you are your mother’s daughter
your grandmother’s answered prayers
a whole bloodline of women
who bend in response to raging winds
there is nothing broken here
nothing damaged or discarded
each scar is a badge of honor
your smile is an act of defiance against the sun
every misstep is a victory dance waiting to happen
You are a woman becoming
learning the complicated language of forgiveness
the intricate lessons of the universe
Your heart is just a muscle waiting for exercise
and you were born for this sort of heavy lifting
You were born one part saint
one part warrior woman
Loving yourself without shame
is the most important thing
you will ever have to fight for”
_______________________________________________
Check out more of her on her website.
3. Taking pictures of the sky:
Lately the sky has been giving me life! Some days it’s so pretty that pictures don’t do it justice. I think it’s trying to make up for all the time it couldn’t show off during the rainy season.
4. Coffee with cocoa:
If you’ve never had coffee mixed with cocoa (or tea as we call it in Nigeria), you are missing big time! Just a little bit of coffee added to your cup of cocoa escalates the flavour to a whole new level of yummy. Here’s how I make mine:
- A heaped teaspoon of coffee
- Lots of cocoa (I use Milo or Cowbell chocolate)
- Milk
- Sugar
- Add a bit of hot water and stir to melt it all down
- Top it up with very cold water. Ice too if you can
- Enjoy and thank me later!
5. Savvy and Chic shea butter cup:
Remember this?
This is where it is now.
I like this stuff as you can see and I use it a lot! My dislikes would be:
-I wish it were more fragrant.
-I wish it came in a better container.
-It contains Mica and I wonder why. I would have preferred it all natural.
6. Flower crown:
If only this flower crown could cry or run or slap me! I’m sure it is tired of me!
If you know where I can get more at super affordable prices, please let me know in the comments.
7. Saving:
I have been struggling with saving for so long and I am so proud to say that I have now started saving. I started in May/June and I’m not doing too badly!
I think saving is super important because you never know when you will need that money. I have set a goal for how much I want to save this year and so far I’m not doing badly. Any saving tips? Please share in the comments.
8. TV in my room:
You guys know I moved recently. At my former house, I had a TV in my room but at my new house, I didn’t. I’d be watching TV in the living room and my mum would just come and change the channel. And let me tell you, sharing a TV with my mum is the worst experience for me because her idea of premium entertainment is Telemundo (her favourite), Afmag in all its varieties (including Hausa), and one Indian channel I had no idea existed on DSTV.
So imagine my joy when this last month, I got a TV in my room! Hallelujah somebody!
9. Blank Space by Taylor Swift:
This song has basically scratched and cracked on my phone because I listen to it every blessed day! I just love it!
That’s it for me guys!
P.s. If you got an email for this post twice, my apologies. I mistakenly posted it earlier when I wasn’t done writing so I took it down.
Do you share any of my faves? What are you currently loving? Share with me please!
Two year nappiversary!!
Two years!! Can you believe it? If my hair were a child, it’d be a toddler that could walk and talk!
Remember the goals I mentioned in my one year nappiversary post that I planned to achieve by now? Let’s see how I did:
1. Kick dandruff’s ass. (Sadly, no)
2. Beat hand-in-hair syndrome. (Yes and no. It changed from hand-in-hair syndrome to hand-in-edges syndrome which is worse)
3. More length and thickness at my edges and nape. (Yes but not as much as I’d have liked due to my newly developed hand-in-edges syndrome)
4. Growth/Length retention. (Yes but not as much as I’d have liked)
I didn’t measure my hair in terms of inches but here are my length check pictures:
Not so bad ei? But not as good as I’d hoped but I have repented so…
A couple of things I’ve learnt this past year:
- Don’t let it frustrate you because frustration leads you to quitting! Let whatever you do fit into your regular routine and ability; don’t go all out and overwhelm yourself with stuff you can’t handle because the “gurus” say you should do it. E.g. if you can’t handle washing your hair weekly, don’t. Because if you do, you most probably will get frustrated and think of giving up.
- Don’t compare yourself with others and don’t be solely goal oriented! Have a little fun! Remember I talked about it in this post? If you want to dye your hair or straighten it or get a tapered cut, do your research and go for it!
- Do what works for you! If it ain’t working, dump it(no matter how many rave reviews it has) and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (no matter how many bad reviews it has). In the end, you are the boss of you.
- Encourage yourself! Don’t always think of the negatives(e.g. What your hair can’t do); try to see the positives (e.g. What your hair can do).
- Learn and experiment! Don’t get stuck in your ways. Read blogs, watch vlogs. You will learn a lot; not all will work for you but you just might hit the jackpot with some.
I don’t want it to turn it into an epistle so I’ll put a pin in it right there.
If you follow me on Instagram (@nigerianandnatural) you would have seen most of these but here are a few (boring) styles I did over the last year:
Not the same day as the previous picture. I just really like this shirt! LOL
Wig
Crochet braids
Kinky twists
Wool/yarn twists
And my latest style:
Two week old twists. So proud of myself for keeping them for that long
Here are my goals for the year ahead:
- Get a trim and try to get trims when needed from now on.
- More protective styling.
- Growth and length retention.
- Stop hand-in-edges syndrome.
- Kick dandruff’s ass (for real this time).
- Be more adventurous with:
- Styling
- Products
- Techniques
That’s all folks! 3rd nappiversary here we come!
What are some things you’ve learnt along the way in your hair journey? What are your short and long term goals for your hair? Please share.
Oh and Eid Mubarak! I know this isn’t the ram-sharing sallah so I shall patiently await that one.
My failed straightening experience
Hi beautifuls! (yes I said that)
I’ve been dying to straighten my hair but I had planned to get it done professionally.
However, one evening about two weeks ago, I spontaneously decided to straighten my hair.
About two days prior, my mum had bought herself a bottle of Design Essentials HCO Leave-In Conditioner and Blow Drying Lotion(long name so let’s call it the DE lotion shall we?). So I decided I would use that as my heat protectant.
I washed my hair in my usual fashion and then applied some of my regular leave in and a bit of oil. I then proceeded to apply the DE lotion and blow dry in sections but my hair seemed to be getting really dry and ‘seizing up’ (I tried to blow dry my hair like a year ago and the same thing happened!).
I decided to skip the blow drying and just straighten from the get-go.
I would take a section, apply some more DE lotion to my ends and straighten.
My hair no gree. It would not become bone straight no matter how hard I tried or how many passes I made with the straightener. I decided to get it as straight as it would go and not stress it.
Imagine my surprise when the sections I straightened started reverting 2 minutes later.
I said “lai lai, you must be straight oh” and straightened them again. Two minutes later, same thing. After trying like 3 times, I gave up!
I know I look like struggle
That afro section was actually straight 2 minutes before!
I gave up and spritzed my hair with water
Happy to see those coils back. The fear of heat damage is real
Here’s what I learnt:
- My hair seems to hate being blow dried.
- My hair does not want to be straight.
- My ends are as shitty as shitty can be. They were basically like dead looking, knot filled thread when I straightened my hair.
What I’ll do next time:
- Try a better product.
- Trim my ends.
- Get it done professionally.
- Maybe try one of those straightening products that last weeks e.g. ORS Strengthening and Straightening Treatment which Tuke tried here
Any tried and trusted straightening methods/products you’d suggest? Any advice for my next attempt? Have you/would you straighten your natural hair? Please share!
Jennifer Abah 