Happy New Year 2020!

Fammmm!! Where did 2019 go abeg. So much happened...so many drafts i didn't get to post... 

It was generally a really good year for me and mine- my top highlights were my promotion & stability at work, sustained businesses, starting some new businesses & investments, my bff's wedding which Kiki & i attended despite last minute visas and a missed connecting flight, holiday with hubby & Kiki,celebrated more weddings and babies with close friends, getting back on my fitness and self-care  journey, getting my car, my 30th birthday photoshoot & turning 30 and Kiki turning 2 (remember we are birthday mates). These are the ones i can remember off the top of my end. I feel so grateful and blessed and it completely overshadows all the downs and things that didn't go as planned during the year. I followed through my Motto for last year- Do it Afraid (a.k.a Take Risks) and it has definitely paid off.

I can't believe i'm just writing my 1st post of 2020 practically at the end of January 🙈, better that last year's own that was in March though. I really miss writing and being on here, believe me, and i have so much to share, i just haven't found a balance to juggling it all- Marriage, Motherhood, 9-6 job, Businesses, Social life, Hobbies, Me time, etc.

The year has been off to a stressful start after a very lit and restful #DettyDecember in Lagos (i'll jist you about it later), my help decided to start her own business, which i am in support of, however that has left me on the hunt for a new person with hubby and i juggling chores and the likes in the meantime. Its not been the easiest with a toddler and both of us having day jobs and running our individual businesses plus Harmattan dust has been doing the most. 

Kiki also fell ill recently which involved vomiting & diarrhoea and hospital runs, thankfully she's back to her normal jolly house-scattering self. We have pulled through January regardless, alive and well. 

Hopefully you guys will see more of me on here, i don't want to make any promises 'cos i have so many responsibilities to cater to these days a.k.a Adulting. 

I hope you are all having a good 2020 so far and May the odds continue to be in our favor. Amen.

Motto for the year- Be Intentional & Make Moves

Toodles!XooX

Happy New Year 2019!!

Happy New Year!! 

I know the 1st week of March 2019 is practically done and this is my 1st post of the year. I'm appalled at myself!!! lol. On a serious note though you guys already know the drill, Toddler mom life/work/business owner/event planner/living in Nigeria (NEPA,Internet, etc.) amongst other things,

time is like gold. Kindly bear with me, I have sooo much to share to new moms and moms-to-be but if i don't get this new year post out of the way, there will be no posts! I like things to be in order so much it gets in my way. 

This post is to get this post outta the way! and reflect a bit on 2018.

2018! What a year, it just might be my best year so far. It has been quite an experience being a mom throughout the year, working my job and business (@mimahcrafts on Instagram) and trying to master the lifestyle of a young new parent. There were also quite a number of birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, weddings and other events/milestones where i got to celebrate with friends and family. It definitely had its downs but lets focus on the positives.

The highlight for me was our trip to Lagos for the Christmas holidays, i had not been on a plane since i had Kiara and i missed my Lagos people. We had sooo much fun and Kiki got to meet the Lagos friends, family and her Great grandparents. I got to visit some of the fun and food spots i had been eyeing as well as some events. We celebrated our birthdays (Hubby, Kiki & I-Birthday Post loading...) and chilled (which was exactly what i needed after such an active and busy year). 

2018 was a pretty dope year, i got some much needed rest at the very end of the year (I did not cook for 2weeks!!) and i'm thankful.

More posts are coming i assure you, i have sooo many notes i've made in the 1 year of me being a mom. I'm sure you guys will find very useful. Can you believe i'm a mom to a 1year old (actually 14 month old but who's counting right?!)! It seems like yesterday i was blogging about my Introduction Ceremony and now i'm a mom & we are approaching our 5year Anniversary. God is good and i count my blessings daily. 

How many times have i said mom in this post abeg. lol.

2019 did not start on the best note, we came back from holiday fun  in Lagos to my lil sister being very ill and hospitalised. Thank God for his mercies, she responded to treatment and is back on her feet. The year has been going really well otherwise and i'm grateful. May the odds continue to be in our favor. Amen.

Motto for the year- Do it Afraid (a.k.a Take Risks)

Toodles!XooX   

Happy New Year 2018!!

Happy New Year!! 

I know my 1st post for the year is coming rather late, i've my hands full with our lil princess Kiara and that's also why there was no 2017 year end post.

Yes guys, we have a new member in our little family. She arrived on my birthday-Dec 23rd, that's how i spent my birthday so there'll be no 2017 birthday post (Enjoy my Labor & Delivery Story instead).

I got the best birthday gift & i have happily conceded to sharing my day with her henceforth (y'all know i take my birthday seriously).

More posts coming once i'm settled into the 'mom role' and have a routine. I have soooo much to share, especially about the pregnancy, baby shower, labor & delivery, postpartum & adapting to life as new parents so stay tuned.

I'm looking forward to all the year has to offer, may the odds be in our favor. Amen.

Toodles!XooX   

How I Lose my Holiday Weight ASAP!

First thing anyone that knows me and reads this post will say is What!! Which Weight!! Please leave us that have weight issues with our struggles oo. lol. I totally understand where they are coming from though, to them i look like the perfect weight, majority of my friends beef me that i'm a foodie and never pile on the pounds. haha. they say it's the person wearing the shoes that knows where they pinch and hurt.

me tryna compress the CHEEKS

Honestly i rarely have issues with my weight, as far as i'm concerned, my BMI (Body Mass Index i.e the ratio of your weight to your height) is perfect. My weight is usually between 50kg (lowest)- 59kg (highest), it fluctuates depending on my meals, diet, stress, etc. I have discovered that my weight almost enters the 60s on the scale, in fact i'm sure it enters this range during the holiday season (Christmas/New Year/Sallah/Easter), i just refuse to climb a scale during this period and remain blissfully unaware of the numbers *wide grin*
When i do add the weight it starts showing first on my face especially my cheeks (note i already have naturally full cheeks) and chin!!! and these parts are the ones that get to me! that's when u see me taking all my pics at angles!lol; then slowly my clothes get really tight and since i have no plans of changing my wardrobe, the weight gats to go. 

Last year i got kind of an early start on piling on the 'holiday weight' when we went for our honeymoon in Zanzibar, Tanzania. We had booked our hotels online and they were 'All-Inclusive' i.e the room rates included meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, room service, etc). Oh my days!!!!! I ate like a glutton and piled on the pounds mehn!! Before i could say jack i had a double chin and full rosssyyyy cheeks (people started asking if i was preggers). Funny thing is before we went on this vacation, we had done serious workout to get in shape and have 'beach bodies'.

post-holiday fuller cheeks

Post-Zanzibar round face

Anyway enough of my stories ba, here is how i get rid of the weight ASAP after the holidays are over:

• Accept that it'll take some time to lose the weight
• Accept that you'll loose some goodies in the process (i.e. boobs, ass) *tears*
• Get ur family/friends on board-they'll motivate u n help/correct when u wanna cheat 
• Join a support group (mine was SYTYCC fitness group); you can also use an app for this
• Do not keep climbing the scale to see how much u've lost-You will be disappointed, instead measure ur weight loss by how ur clothes fit or by using a tape rule
• Stay Motivated by all means (it helps to work towards a goal weight or a dress you wanna fit in by a certain time, etc.)
• Meal plan, you can have a timetable or just make a list and cook from it. Planning ahead helps you not just reach for snacks,fast food or eat out so much
• Track your Meals-You can keep a food diary or picture log
• Stock ur fridge, freezer and pantry with the good/healthy stuff and snacks (Fruits, Veg, etc)
• Snack addict (snack healthy-carrots,tigernuts,dates,cucumbers, plain popsorn, etc.)
• Cook more instead of eating out especially veggies n protein meals
• Eat less carbs (Rice, Pounded Yam, etc). Take smaller portions and take more of the Veg and Proteins
• Cut out Soda & Fizzy drinks
• Portion Control (I use small bowls to help measure what i eat, white plates also help after a while ur eyes can guage what is ok for you)
• Eat smaller portions more frequently (easier for ur body to digest, don't overdo it) instead of one large portion that will send u to woonderland
• Eat fruits
• Don't overdo it, pace yourself and slowly but surely your body will start to adjust accordingly
• Use the white house (toilet) regularly
• Shower at night after eating (for me i feel more refreshed after a shower and get a few more hours awake for my food to properly digest)
• DON'T go to bed IMMEDIATELY after eating
• Drink lots of water (before and after a meal especially-you will visit the loo more often however)
• Exercise;know what works for you-power walking, dancing, moving around doin diff activities(climb staircases), skipping, stretches, squats, situps, legups, house cleaning (that sweat is calories being burnt, don't underestimate it)
• Keep a Workout Timetable (whatever ur form of exercise) to track your activities
• Be active (move around more). Having a pedometer or smart band to track your steps keeps you motivated
• Watermelons are your friend
• Detox once in a while
• Fasting (usually church prescribed but works for me)
• Facial Exercises (supposed to help us with full cheeks; thank God for 'contour' sha)

'Regular weight' face

'Perfect wedding weight'{After 100day church fast}

I watch a lot of 'Fat Shows' on TLC and i learn from them, the habits to cut and how to be aware and control what you eat in order to reach/or maintain your desired weight instead of fighting to lose weight. Weight loss is hard especially after a certain stage, it is better to work towards not even reaching such a stage.
I maintain my current weight by cooking what i eat, portion control, indulging my sweettooth once in a while, being active and very little exercise (mostly walking, house cleaning and dancing).

Slow and Steady wins the race, just keep at it and eventually you will see results (clothes start getting loose, etc.). Hope this helps anyone that overdid 'small chops' during the Easter.

Toodles!XooX

Happy New Year 2016

Happy New Year 2016!!

2015 basically sped by mehn, quite some adventures and experiences and i can't believe Jan 1st, 2016 is almost over too. I'm grateful and thankful for everything, both negative and positive 'cos they all taught me something. I'm glad to be alive and healthy with hubby as well as the people in my life to experience the new year. I did a brief post here on the past year. My To-Do list for the new year is already piling up and i'm loving it. Google Keep App is my best for making lists on my phone and trust me i have a list for EVERYTHING! (gonna do a post on my love for lists soon).

I'm positively expectant for what the new year has in store and honestly there are just minor modifications to my plans for this year compared to those of 2015. We will be celebrating our 2nd year wedding anniversary and i'm definitely looking forward to that. 

"I wish us all a great 2016, may our dreams become reality and the purpose of God for our lives; i pray for joy,happiness, peace and love in our lives, cities & towns, countries and the world at large."

Live, Learn, Love, Laugh.

Toodles!XooX

Au Revoir 2015

"I love December, its the month of Christmas, hubby's birthday, my birthday, holiday from work, last month of the year and usually full of weddings and events. *bigGrin. This December though, the Nigerian people and Economy is suffering from 'Buharitisis' a.k.a money no dey in circulation. Since Buhari became the Presido, contracts haven't been issued (people dey fear), sack letter dey flow like water, $ rate don almost reach 300 naira (lets not talk about Pounds), thieves have been caught (i like this sha, the Dokpesi's, Dasuki's and their fellow barawos-i just hope justice prevails eventually), fuel scarcity, etc."

Its the last day in 2015, with all the good and bad the year dished out, i'm grateful to be alive, healthy and to have been able to tick some things off my To-Do list. I already have a list for the new year. When there is Life, there is hope. I am able to count my many blessings and thank God for them and my friends, family and relatives. Hubby & I celebrated our birthdays this month and got to celebrate Christmas with family and friends which i loved. I also attended quite a number of events and weddings {u guys know i love weddings :)}

I wish us all a great 2016, may our dreams become reality and the purpose of God for our lives; i pray for peace in our lives, cities & towns, countries and the world at large. 

Happy New Year in advance!!! Stay safe.

Toodles!XooX

Happy New Year 2015

Happy New Year 2015!!!

Awesome 2014, held so many unexpected blessings for me and my loved ones. I had a really cool post-vals day surprise proposal dinner, then a surprise bridal shower, got married, got my masters admission, had some downtime fun with le hubby, attended many weddings, beautiful babies were born to my loved ones, attended my cute sis-in-law's graduation ceremony, hubby and I celebrated our December birthdays and we moved to a new house amongst other good stuff that happened last year. I also got to spend some time with the in-laws and my folks and spoil them all a lil which felt really good. 

I also got to share a Christmas Meal to my neighbours and guard on Christmas morning and i went all out (Fried Rice,  Peppered Chicken, Plantain, Gizdodo, Salad and soft drinks), my mum shared items to our neighbours as a tradition when we were much younger to spread the love and i can't tell you how long i have been looking forward to starting this tradition in my own home. Sharing is definitely satisfying.

Looking forward to what the New Year holds, glad to have made it hale and hearty with all my loved ones as i expressed here. God's grace is sufficient for us all. Hope you had a good 2014

Toodles!XooX

Reflections on Year 2014

All in all, its been a great year! There were a lot of ups and downs but God kept us. A few more hours and we are in 2015.

Low points of the year 2014

• Increased Boko Haram attacks in Northern Nigeria (Chibok Girls, Bomb blasts, Kidnappings,Suicide bombings, Killings, etc.)
• Loss of a close friend's mum and the Burial
• Ebola Virus 
• Robbery of my parent's house (thankfully no one was home)
• Extreme Financial downtimes (but God saw us through)
• Terrorist attacks in the world
• Missing Planes and Plane crashes

 Highlights of the year 2014

• 100 day fasting starting from the beginning of the Year 2014
• Surprise Marriage Proposal dinner (from Le Hubby)
• Surprise Bridal Shower (from my girlfriends)
• My Wedding ceremonies (Registry, Traditional and Church)
• Happily Married for 7months + (watch out for my wedding/marriage series blogposts)
• New Family & Friends
• Ebola Virus eradicated in Nigeria
• University Admission for my brother
• My sister completing her University education
• Safe travelling back n forth for everyone i know
• New businesses for me, hubby, friends and fam
• Financial provision
• New jobs for close friends
• Moving to a New House with Le hubby
• Birthday of the hubby and I
• Numerous gifts and unexpected favors
• Blessings of healthy children for friends, family members, colleagues and acquaintances
• Blessings of pregnancies for friends, family members and acquaintances
• Numerous wedding ceremonies of friends, classmates, colleagues, acquaintances (i attended at least 7)
• Engagement of friends, classmates, colleagues, acquaintances (Looking forward to these in 2015)
• Giving back to the less priviledged as part of the Innerwheel Club of Garki rubies

Personally, the highlights of the year 2014 are more than that of the low points, I thank God for growth, good health and stability and for everyone i know (family, friends, colleagues, classmates, acquaintances, etc.), it has also been a good year for them as well in general. I look back and i'm extremely grateful, sometimes it's hard to believe its my life and i've come this far; even just by reading back on my old blogposts. I'm looking forward to a better 2015 with even more highlights and lessssss low points. I'm not the best at working with New Year Resolutions, instead To-do lists are more up my alley and are more effective for my ever procrastinating self. 

My To-do list at the moment for the Year 2015 is as follows:

• Spiritual Growth
• To acquire new skills (Sewing, Bead making, Baking)
• Start Exercising
• Be Healthier
• Travel 
• Finish up our house decor
• Save more (i have drawn up a budget for my family so this seems feasible)
• Procrastinate less *fingers crossed (so help me God)
• Blog more (*sigh i'll tryyyyy)
• Read more (i got a number of books already and plan to get some more)
• Acquire more property
• Be more creative
• Explore more business opportunities

I can tick-off and add to the List as required, it keeps me sane

I wish us all a great 2015, may our dreams come to life and the purpose of God for our lives; i pray for peace in our lives, cities & towns, countries and the world at large. 

Happy New Year in advance!!! Stay safe.

Toodles!XooX

Happy New Year-It's 2014!!

Happy New Year people!!! Thank God for 2013 and keeping us to see a new year. May we be bigger and better this year. It's our season of overflow and exceeding grace in Jesus name. Loads of love. Dream big! Act!

Toodles!XooX

Hello 2013!

Welcome to 2013!!We Made it!

Happy New Year!! 2012

Happy New Year!!!Today is the beginning of the week, month and the year. This is the beginning of endless blessings and we'll enjoy this year in grand style by God's grace! Amen!!!

Emi wa a se opo e l'agbara Oloun!!

God go make us bigger o!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!

Its a new year full of possibilities and bursting at the seams!

I can't wait to start my new diary!(i'm more diligent with diaries) so many diary options, thanks to all these banks 'kissing my boss's ass'. Oh well i will probably go with the First Bank diary since it's my dad's bank and their diaries are handy and nice.

I refurbished my blog some days back thanks to the newly configured wireless connection in my office, so hopefully with less work @work my posts will be more regular.

New Year Resolutions

I usually make new year resolutions because they keep me focused and unlike my usually unpredictable self, i manage to stick to them throughout the year.Even my friend (sammie) was curious about what my new year resolutions will be this year.

I had to disappoint her though because my resolution for this year was no resolution.

I have no reason for not making resolutions,i just did not feel like it, that does not mean i don't have things i want to achieve this year though, i do, and hopefully by God's grace i will,here are a few:

• Improve myself in all aspects
• Get my own place (in progress)
• Get a car
• Get another degree (in progress)
• Continue my French lessons
• Get a guitar and learn how to play it
• Save more (this is already highly in progress)

That's basically it, and i also made up my mind that this year is a 'No Nonsense' year. I intend to cut off all the people that do not add value to my life in one way or the other and i have started doing just that, can't afford to carry extra baggage this year - 'Good riddance to bad rubbish' i say!

That aside it's been a great year so far! Last year was a good year and i thank God for seeing me, my family,friends and relatives through to 2011, i'm really sad and worried though about safety in Nigeria due to the Oct 1st and Dec 31st bomb blasts, i will do a blog post on these later on.

Merry Christmas

Christmas was great as the whole family (except my dad) was around, plus we were in our own house so we were all merry, plus this was a really "Giftfull" year (lol), my brother's got the PS2 they had been crying about so i'm not so pressed to get them the Nintendo Wii, instead i have to get them the CD's for the PS2 and i'm cool with it :D, i got my sister a blackberry, the look on her face when i gave her was worth it!, ma aunt said she prefer's cash so i gave her 5k,i got my mum a new phone also! It felt so good to be able to do something for my family,there was so much eating and drinking i felt bloated!lol oh..and i also paid full subscription + indian on the DSTV,so everyone was happy! i also got a lotta gifts since my birthday was on the 23rd, my brothers got me a gold necklace and earring set,O.Othey saved to buy it(brought tears to my eyes when they came to present it to me proudly!!),ma aunt got me a pair of colorful slippers,ma sis got me a silver brooch and pendant,my mum got me a cute nighty and gave me $100, she still owes me though!so..so...so...that's bout it. i'll do a post on my birthday in a bit!

I'm so happy to be blogging though!!!