Jambo!

My mum greeted me with "jambo" a few days ago, in the morning, the conversation went like...

Mum: Jambo!

{Brief Silence}

Me: What I'm I? A tourist?

{Laughter}

Me{singing} : Jambo! Jambo bwana! Habari gani? Mzuri sana!...

{More Laughter}

Enough about that greeting!

I'm here today to share with you an easy D.I.Y skincare. As you all know, or maybe you don't, I am a sucker for natural skincare, not only because it's cheap, but because I don't have to worry about the homemade products having a negative effect on my skin.

I have been neglecting my skin lately, but after using this homemade honey and lemon face-mask, my skin feels and looks so much better. Now, because I am a really nice and generous human-being, I just had to share this beauty secret on here :-) ~> {smug smile} 

#Note: To prepare your skin before any face mask, pour boiling hot water in a bowl and stand above it letting the steam open your pores.

 

1/2 Organic Lemon

1 Tablespoon of raw honey ( raw honey has higher antibacterial properties, but regular honey is fine too).

A small mixing bowl

A spoon
 

> Put 1 tablespoon of honey into the small bowl

>Squeeze the 1/2 lemon into the bowl

> Stir the mixture completely

 >Apply mask to freshly cleansed face, avoiding eye area.

Make sure you don’t exfoliate your skin before adding this mask, because the lemon juice can make it sting. Now let your skin soak up all the goodness for about 20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and finish with one splash of cold water to close your pores. Pat your face gently with a towel to dry.

You can do this every morning or every night. Apply a good moisturizer afterwards.

 > Hydrates Skin

 > Clears Acne
> Removes Blackheads
> Dries out pimples
> Minimizes pore size
> Smooths skin

 > Makes skin glow
> Relieves dryness and even flaking

  ~O~

I hope you are enjoying your holiday! Have a lovely weekend! :-)

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Xx

 “All photographs are memento mori. To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.”

 ~Susan Sontag~

 

 

Hallo good people?! {And not so good people like myself}

Boy have I missed blogging!!! I find this very therapeutic, sitting in front of a computer and just typing away anything that comes to mind... Pure bliss I tell you! :-)

 Do you remember this post? Yeah, I got to meet some pretty amazing people at Steam Festival, one of those people is Deogratias, my best-friend Sharon and I call him Deo... Deogratias sounds like a name one of Jesus' apostles would have, so ancient... Deo, just for the record, I consider myself dead! If you're reading this, I know you're gonna kill me hahahaaaaaaa!... Ha huh!... Hahaha!

Ahem!... Err... Where was I?... Yes! So I totally! Totally love Deo's work, I think the pictures he takes speak a thousand and one words and I just had to, needed to introduce him to you on here, up close and candid so to speak.
 What I love about his photography is the uniqueness that they bring out, no matter how simple a picture he takes is, you'll get this urge to look at it twice, thrice even four times after seeing it for the first time. I got to interview him a few days ago and I am so glad to finally share with you how the interview went down.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself

Okay, I'm Deogratias Mang'era Kimwama, 20 years of age, I am a Kenyan by birth, from Bungoma county. I am the last born in a family of five. I am currently pursuing a BA degree in film and theater arts. Basically photography is my passion and it will always be.

2. What comes into your mind when you hear the word "photography"?

When I hear the word "photography" I think of capturing the moments in life, they can never be undone and in the event that an action can take place over and over again it will never have the same outcome.
I also think of the message portrayed to the viewers; images that communicate.


3. Do you study photography?

No, it's just my passion, though I do study something that is related to photography, that is, film and theater arts which has photography as a unit.

4. How long have you been a photographer?

This is my second year.

5. How would you describe your photography style?

 I have a very unique way of taking my images, they speak a lot, I call them "my 1000 words", photos that can breath... Full of life.


6. What type of camera do you mostly shoot with?

I use a canon 600D or Rebel T3i, they produce the same quality of pictures.

7. What is your favorite photography accessory other than your camera?

Lighting because without light you get poor images.





8. What is your favorite computer editing app?

Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Light-room.

9. What is the most challenging thing about photography?

The equipments needed can be difficult to acquire and being taken for granted by some people.

10. Is there anything/anybody that you would love to photograph?

I would like to photograph all the Wonders of the World.

11.What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such awesome imagery?

My inspiration comes from day to day life, personal experiences, the media, social sites and even works of other photographers, both within and outside the country. I also think creatively so as to get unique and perfect images that portray a lot to the public.


12. How do you educate yourself to take better photographs?

I do a lot of research on the internet, Google has played a major role in that. I also consult professional photographers.

13. What was your first paid shot?

A wedding photo shoot that I did for a family friend.

14. How has photography played a role in your life?

It has changed my way of viewing things because I not only see but visualize on every aspect. It has given me a chance to take pictures of our present for the future.


15. Any words of wisdom for the up and coming photographers?

Always have an open mind and never limit yourself in this field.

 
 ~O~

Below are a few images captured by Deogratias... Enjoy! :-)



 






















~O~


Keep up with DeoMan K photography here and here.

Happy new month! Have a lovely weekend! Stay fabulous!

“ Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph. – Matt Hardy - See more at: http://digital-photography-school.com/photography-quotes#sthash.7eP2AjUe.dpuf

Is it just me? Or did everyone enjoy a lazy morning? Ha huh! Today definitely falls under the best Mondays I've had in my miserable 19 years on earth. We should totally have more national holidays!

This post is dedicated to true heroes...

I hope each and every one of you is having a great day by the way, celebrating Mashujaa Day.

I've got a little treat for y'all, a few pictures of beautiful sceneries/wildife in Kenya and a poem by Elizabeth Schudel.

Lolita Forest

Mt. Kenya at dawn

~O~

Thanks for stopping by! Have a lovely week! :-)

Xo

Yeiy! Thank God It's Friday!

I know it sucks that I say so little on my posts these days, because I'm busy and all.

Oh! How I wish I could be a full time blogger... Anyway, bear with me, please, keep visiting this poor blog of mine, follow it with Google Friend Connect, Imma follow you back aaaaaand like my page on Facebook.

Alright! Today I'm here to advertise/let you know about this incredibly awesome event. It's a fashion and charity event which will be held on 1st November at 680 Sentrim Hotel, Nairobi.

Hope Hands Life is an organization that uses fashion to raise awareness about parental care, maternal mortality and street urchins in an attempt to bring hope into their lives.

The brainchild of Hope Hands Life is the reigning Mr. Kenyatta University {Sydney Adoli} who I am planning to interview soon so he can give us more insight about this absolutely amazing organization which is slowly changing the lives of a good number of people for the better.

Now, the charges to this event:

You took away my guitar,
and broke it into pieces,
But that could not deter,
me from collecting the strings and the broken pieces.

you took away my voice,
And tortured me with whips and clubs,
you said I make unnecessary noise,
you roughed me up with kicks and slaps

you threatened me to keep silence,
that anything I say Shall be used against me in the court of law,
But I've grown to know resilience,
I shall not let my voice lay low.

you chased me from the streets,
you burnt my poetry book,
But I had already planted my seeds,
they shall germinate,and another poem I shall cook.

you called me a name,
and wondered of what use is a poet,
but things will never be the same,
because people have started appreciating my sonnet.

with power of words I shall grow a flying wing,
i shall glitter,
and again you shall watch me sing,
with a new guitar.

© Daniel M. Owiti

 ~ O ~

I am a 25 year old, currently working with Orange, I just graduated from University Of Eldoret where I was majoring in Bsc. Botany

I was working in an office facing a busy street in Nairobi back in 2010, I used to witness a lot of drama happening on a daily basis and I was like "... Why can't I describe all these drama in a short poem?" So I wrote my first poem, titled 'STREET'

When I began writing, I concentrated on descriptive poems. I used to write about hunger, corruption, yearn for freedom....

Now, jumping the years, can you say, are there any themes that attract you as a poet? Things that you would like to write about?

Nowadays when I see "bad" things happening in our society, I'm "ignited" to point it out and address it in my poetry.

Currently, I'm upto getting my poems on stage and giving them a voice, with projects like ONE NIGHT STAND poetry reading and performances.

Poetry should be thought provoking and emotion evoking

I am currently reading 'Americanah'

The more you write, the better you write.

Yes, I would like my poems published, either individually or in a group anthology.

Yes

When I perform, I tend to be more serious than when I write.

I admire Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Tony Mochama, Wole Soyinka, Grace Ogot....

I write at least a poem a week.

Apart from poetry, I've written a play 'DOUBLE INTAKE' and I'm currently writing my first novel 'KANO'

If you think you can write, then put it down on paper, write, write, write. The more you write the better you write.

~ O ~

Hope you enjoyed this folks!... Wait... Imagine, you know what Daniel said to me? After the short interview? Lemme just quote him... "Thank you Olga. I'm done here, and next time, please reduce the number of Qs"... Really Dan? 15 questions... Really? Hahuh! Ironic as it may sound, I guess he's a man of few words.

~ O ~

I want to take this opportunity to wish a quick recovery to those who were injured in the recent Westgate attack. I also wish to pass my condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones. I am so deeply sorry for your loss, special thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright, I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more, I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and... I wish you "enough pain" that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. { Receive my hug and my love through out this note :-)}


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Xoxo

Heeeey! I hope your week is going great so far.

Remember "Poetry Wednesday"?? Yeah, it's a segment I started on the blog a while back before I was abducted by aliens... Since this blog is both a poetry and fashion blog I kind of want to strike a balance, create as many poetry posts as those I create on fashion.

Blah blah blah... 

From now on I will not only feature my poems on "Poetry Wednesday", I thought it would be cool if I introduced to you other poets, sooooo without further ado... Below are two poems written by an amazingly talented young man called Brian Omoto, besides being a poet he is an artist, a writer, a painter... I love these pieces, you'll love them too, I know it! :-)

I listen to my mind speak
I try so much to get sense in it
I know what it speaks in it sense makes sense
With so much logic I already know what to do

I listen to my heart speak
There is not much sense in it
He expresses it with so much intimacy
Seeing him all this mushy, now I know how he feels

I listen to myself speak
I am really not sure of what to think
I am trying to make sense in it
And I realize, he is so warm and affection about it

~O~

Happy Hump Day! :-)

I think besides poetry and fashion, what I love most is art... Paintings, drawings... Take me to an art gallery and watch me get goosebumps while staring at different pieces.

I count myself very lucky to have a friend who is an amazingly talented artist, his art is so... Awesome is an understatement. Eli seriously deserves to be recognized and celebrated as one Kenya's best artists.

 I heart this piece created by him, it goes by the name "Afro-red-eyed-beauty"

 ~O~

To check out more of Eli's work, visit his blog here 

 

You say this is wrong

Why then does it feel right

You slam my door and leave

Why then do you always come back

Why do I feel an emptiness when you are gone

Why does my heart race when someone mentions your name

Why do I long for your knock on my door

Why do I let you in over and over again

Why do you let me kiss you the way I do

Why do you let me touch you the way I do

Why do you let me uncover your nude

Why do you let me own you the way I do

Why do we say to each other

But below a whisper... 'I love you'

Why don't we fight for this love

This love the world does not accept.

By. Yvonne Olga

~O~

Hi everyone! Welcome to another edition of "Poetry Wednesday". I'm hoping your week is going great, mine is... "Just there" ha huh!

Here's another sapphic poem, unlike in Below A Whisper {1} where I used the third person point of view in writing, here I used the second person point of view, mainly, in order to make you, the reader, understand the persona more.

See, I use poetry to express my thoughts on different issues and my perspective on things that go on in our world today. I believe that before you judge someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes,yeah, but then again, your feet may be bigger than theirs or smaller... None of us can really know what it feels like to be anyone else, right?

As I was writing Below A Whisper {1} and {2}, I put myself in the shoes of a woman who loves a woman, that's the beauty of poetry I think, you get to become anyone or anything you like in your imagination and through that, you get to understand someone who was like you, in your imagination, in reality.

 ~O~

Thanks for stopping by! Welcome again :-)

Xoxo

Greetings earthlings! :-)

It's been a while since I shared something on men's fashion, in fact the first and last time I wrote an article on men's fashion was here.

In today's world, bags are no longer seen as solely a woman's item, this is evident when we look at men of fashion, they know that a bag has become a necessary tool and style accessory.

Men's bags are masculine, attractive and ideal additions to any modern wardrobe. Now, the perfect bag, in my opinion needs to be stylish and practical with internal functionalities as well as outside pockets. It should reflect the clothes a man wears, as it can complete a look if used correctly. The following are six bags that can easily be mixed and matched with official and casual outfits :-

This is a bag with a laid back style, it has a classic casual flair and can be used to exude a hint of urban sophistication.

Oh! How I heart men who carry holdalls!!!

A holdall is perfect for every man and can be carried with a casual weekend wear or business casual attire.

 

Modern day briefcases have evolved a great deal, they are no longer boxy, with sharp corners, they have practical interior compartments and a stylish exterior. The modern briefcase works for any man with an official outfit.

 4. Tote

A tote is the modern approach to the classic briefcase. The tote is the bag to carry when you are going for a casual-business attire.

This bags style is perfect for the student on the go, it makes a fashion statement and exudes a lot of masculinity.

Now this bag, also known as a man purse has raised eyebrows questions on masculinity when carried by men, it has even received a bad reputation for being ultra female... Anyway, the good news is that it is currently a fashion necessity and slowly becoming socially acceptable.

The murse is designed to hold the modern mans wallet, keys, sunglasses, cellphone and... Whatever else men carry, I don't know ha huh!

~O~

A bag should be a tool that make life easier, not a luggage that ways you down, before you purchase a bag, ask yourself what statement you want to make with it, ensure that it will compliment your personal style too.

I hope you enjoyed this post boys! If you have any questions or an addition, feel free to share because I have not highlighted all the "man bags" here, leave a comment below.

Xoxo

She didn't forget that brassier

It was a lame excuse to go back

No one touches her like she does

Once again, she finds herself

Standing on the threshold

Knocking on her door

The door she once slammed

One long look

Sends a shudder down her spine

Hairs on the back of her neck

She makes them stand up

A slight caress

Sweet nothings in her ear

A mere brush

Of her lips against hers

The way she sniffs her cologne

And casually uncovers her nude

Transforms her into a beast

The beast she is...

They tear eachother apart

It feels so right

She screams out her name

But below a whisper

She says

"This is wrong

I don't want this

Please stop..."

By. Yvonne Olga

It's Poetry Wednesday! I hope your week is going great so far. This is a piece I wrote last year, sometime in September, it's a sapphic poem... Deviant of me huh! 

I try as much as possible to explore poetry and to put down whatever comes to my mind. I never limit myself to a certain way of writing. 

I would love to hear your thoughts on this poem, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading! :-)

~O~

Xoxo

Hey there! Happy new month! I hope that June was good to you and that July will be even better. 

I really don't have much to say, I'm so tired, I have been running up and down the streets of Nairobi, looking for materials, delivering items, meeting up with friends... Crazy!!! But I'm not complaining.

Let me introduce to you a fashion blogger whose style I heart, in a major way... I came across her blog when I was checking out Black Girls Killing It, I realized we had something in common, we both like shopping on a budget, a very low budget and recycling clothes, shoes, accessories... I love the fact that most of her outfits are bright and colorful, skimpy, but certainly not trashy.

You can check out her blog here. Thanks for stopping by! :-)

Poets Note:

Hi everyone! I hope you're keeping warm and stylish in this gloomy weather :-)... Gosh! I can't wait for it to brighten up already, anyway, I have decided that I will be sharing pieces of poetry I write on Wednesdays. I hope to improve my writing with every piece and hopefully one day I will be recognized as a Kenyan poet. I look up too a lot of poets by the way, even the up and coming poets like myself, they give me the strength and inspiration to keep writing, please check out this page on Facebook, we have so much talent in Kenya, I go through it every single day and  post my poems on it once in a while.

About this poem, I wrote it last year, but didn't get a chance to post it here. It's a sad poem, the persona is bereaved, it's pretty nostalgic too. I wrote it around sometime when my uncle died, I think that is the event that inspired it. Share your thoughts, what do you think of this poem? I will really appreciate your feedback and... Oh! I don't mind a little criticism :-)


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xoxo