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Scripture Sunday: Trusting God

There is so much happening around us, decisions to be made, things to do, society’s expectations, other people’s opinions, therefore we need to be anchored. Trusting God helps us see things clearly as we listen to His voice through the Word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. God is always in our corner always ready to help us and give us strength to live the life He has called us to live. Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” With such reassuring words from our Father, we can have the courage to put our trust in Him, leaning on Him as He will never fail us.

Here are some benefits of trusting in God:

He will direct your paths: God has a wonderful plan for our lives and all we have to do is to trust Him fully and obey Him. Remember the Sunday School song that goes, “Trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey,” That’s all we need to do.
The battle belongs to the Lord: God will help you through anything and everything. He will fight your battles and give you victory. Only, be still. No weapon fashioned against you shall prosper.
You can count on God: Whatever you face in life, now and in the future, you can always count on God. God is all powerful, He created the universe, He controls everything and nothing is too hard for Him. You can rest in knowing that truth.
He can comfort you: God is our Father, comfort and hiding place. Tell Him everything and let Him comfort you and give you peace. His Love is everlasting. “God’s love for us is so wide and deep,” Ephesians 3:18, no hurt He can’t reach. God gives us strength and courage to soldier on.
God will fulfil His promises: Those who trust in God shall not be disappointed. Believe in God and hold onto His Word. His promises will surely come to pass.

God is faithful and loves us beyond measure. He is concerned about the detail of our lives; “And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. .” Luke 12:7. He cares for such intricate detail, what is too hard for Him? Enter His rest by trusting Him today.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your Love for me. Thank you that you care for the details of my life. Help me to trust you today with everything that concerns me. I know that nothing is too hard for you. I choose to enter your rest as I trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Self Care Saturday: All things, Moisturizing

Today we are all about moisturizing. Moisturizing is essential for your skin as it prevents dullness, tightness, and the skin becoming itchy. Moisture has a barrier function as it protects the skin from external aggressors. This also has long-term benefits such as prevention of premature aging, reduced sagging and wrinkles.

Here are our top five ways to keep the skin moisturized and healthy:

1. Reduce your bath water temperature: Using hot steamy water has the ability to strip natural oils and lipids from the skin hence stealing from the skin, its natural defense system. This is because hot water evaporates faster, therefore the skin doesn’t have a long time to trap it.

2. Apply moisturizing products on damp skin: It is important to apply your favorite lotion/body cream/petroleum jelly when the skin is still moist after taking your bath. The humectants in your products (ingredients found in lotions and cleansers that hydrate the skin by attracting water molecules) like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, will have an easier time holding on to moisture when the skin is damp.

3. Drink your daily dose of water: This goes without saying, when you hydrate you are definitely adding moisture to your body. Consistently drinking water improves the appearance of your skin. Scientific studies have shown that getting the recommended amount of water for your body increases the dermal layer(responsible for supporting and protecting the skin and deeper layer) thereby making your skin more hydrated.

4. Use a gentle cleanser: It’s important to get a cleanser that effectively removes makeup, excess oil and daily debris. However, ensure you get one that doesn’t leave the skin feeling dried out after washing it. Opt for gentle cleansers that protect your barrier while still cleaning effectively. If your skin is really dry, you may even consider skipping a wash entirely in the morning (this is totally fine, and you can just splash your face with water before applying your daily moisturizing products.) However, ensure you clean your face at night so that dirt doesn’t sit in your pores.

5. Use a toner that is hydrating: After cleansing your skin, it is important to use a toner that adds moisture to your skin. Aloe, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides are some of the hydrating ingredients found in toners that help to hydrate the skin and keep it quenched.

Those are five ways we are keeping our skin moisturized. We would like to hear from you. How are you moisturizing your situation? Comment below. Ensure you follow and subscribe for more amazing content!

A sneak peak into African Fashion History

Today we are going down memory lane and talking a bit about African fashion history. African fashion sense has evolved over the years. In early historic days, before the 15th century, loin clothes were worn by men and wraps for women.

Hides and skins as well as bark cloth were used as clothing. The parts of the body not covered by cloth were decorated with colour and beautification marks. Garments were used to mark the passage of time and even show the status quo.

With time, Africans began using raffia to sew separate pieces of barkcloth together. Shortly, grass skirts were the rage. They began using accessories to adorn the uncovered parts of the body. Seashells, bones, feathers and ostrich eggshell pieces were used to make jewellery. Customes used especially for ceremonial purposes were made of animal tails and hair, raffia, wood, grass, fur, bells and even pressed metal to make beautiful costumes.

Cloth was also dyed and printed and beaded clothing distinguished one ethnic group from another. Tribes prided themselves in the quality of their hand-made cloth. They used techniques handed down generation by generation for centuries.

With the influence of trade, uncommon items arrived from Europe as well as Asia. Africans began using them and decorated the local cloths with them. Shells, beads and buttons were incorporated in garment construction either as an embellishment or used as the entire garment. These were used in items such as headbands, capes, beaded aprons and shoes.

There was also an improvement in weaving techniques. Cotton, silk, raffia, and wool, were the fibres now in use. Woven and decorated textiles became a reflection of a tribe’s status, socioeconomic standing, culture, environment and climate.

Wax prints became popular in the 19th Century. During the colonization of Indonesia, the Dutch adopted this style of pattern making from the Indonesians and mechanized the process. They initially tried to sell it back to Indonesians, but were unsuccessful. They traded it to Africans, who fell in love with it. Women began to ask for specific designs and particular designs became a form of secret communication among groups of people. The trade became very successful as is today.

Fast-forward to the 21st century, African fashion is in the global spotlight, from runways to its use by celebrities in music videos and film. When influential people step out on red carpets wearing African clothing, they turn heads and reinforce trends to follow. African culture is popular worldwide from music to dance. There is a large number of young Africans living around the world, who are increasingly trying to reconnect with their heritage. This includes learning about fashion from their homeland and adopting it to feel more in touch with their roots.

**Models rocking outfits made from ankara print**

Social media has also played a huge role in familiarizing the world with African fashion. We are now able to see how Africans dress and the variety of styles available makes people want to connect with African culture and style. The future is bright. African designers should be business savvy and invest in the manufacture, marketing and sale of their products. As consumers, rather than buying African-inspired collections from western brands we should buy from African brands. Promote your own, build your own!

African fashion designers create beautiful prints and silhouettes which the world yearns for right now. We believe that the impact will outlast them spurring on future generations of designers.

Kigoco King; Tony Cruize

“If you talk to a man in a language that he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.’ Singing songs in local languages was inspired by a quote from Nelson Mandela,” says Anthony Ng’ang’a known by his stage name, Tony Cruize. If you love Kigoco music, then look no further, Cruize is definitely going to bless your heart with beautiful renditions of well-known songs in vernacular. He has carved out a niche as a songwriter and talented artist who adapts impactful songs into local languages for greater reception by his target market.

“The feedback I get from the people who listen to my music is overwhelming and it fills my heart with joy knowing someone out there is blessed by what I am doing.” From his humble beginnings as a passionate singer, Tony Cruize is a growing household name in the Kenyan and East African region. He is also an entrepreneur specializing in branding and tours.

Tony Cruize during one of his performances

Tony Cruize was born and raised in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado county in a village known as “Kware”. The name was derived from the word “Quarry” because the area was an extraction site for building stones. He was raised by a single mother, Salome Wangari and is the only boy between two sisters; Venus Nambura and Georgina Wanjiru. Tony is a husband and father, happily married to Carol Waimu Tony and together they have three beautiful kids.

Tony Cruize is an adventurous, multi-talented musical creative, a fun-loving, cross-generational influencer with multi-lingual prowess. He has a great ability to network. He is a go-getter with value for teamwork, professionalism & excellence.

The inspiration to sing came from seeing his mother lead songs in his local church. In form three, he began participating in C.U activities, mostly playing the piano during services. Later on, in 2013, he recorded his first album which was never released due to various challenges. In 2016 he got the boldness to upload his first song on YouTube called “Igwe” and later In 2018 did ‘Nara Kikuyu Cover’ which was the song that brought him to the limelight.

Additionally, Tony extends his skills and abilities to co-host television shows on local TV networks, conduct musical shows in religious settings, and is contracted as a master of ceremony for a variety of social functions.

On the corporate front, Tony Cruize is the proprietor of Cruize Creations and Cruize Beyond Safaris. Cruize Creations serves small businesses by offering online branding solutions that include documentaries, branding and product/service promotions. This is a sole proprietorship business that offers a variety of services related to entertainment/live performance, arts, wildlife photography and tourism. Cruize Creations offers handcrafted wooden pieces (sculptures, wall clocks, photo frames, etc), pencil drawings and caricatures for their clients.

Cruize Beyond Safaris attends to clientele visiting various parts of Kenya as tourists from various parts of the world including Europe, United Kingdom and the United States of America. They organize safaris for their clientele on a pre-arrangement basis to various national parks and cultural centres in Kenya, Tanzania and East African countries. For major events, they have been contracted to offer on-ground movement support for conference delegates such as in the TICAD 2016.

Tony Cruize is such an inspiration and a great example of hard work, humility and determination.

Subscribe to his channel Tony Cruize International to enjoy beautiful music and follow him on Instagram: @tonycruize

Double Chocolate Bites

This is a delicious dessert with layers of chocolate. Chocolate is incorporated in the dough as well as the filling. It is full of chocolate-y goodness. You can double or triple the recipe as you wish. Enjoy!

For four rolls:

Ingredients

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1 tablespoon of cocoa powder

2 tablespoons of margarine

2 tablespoons of sugar

4 tablespoons of milk

2 tablespoons of grated chocolate

Additional decorations (optional)

A pinch of desiccated coconut

A pinch of sprinkles

Method

Add sugar and margarine in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of milk and beat lightly with a fork.

Add the flour, baking powder and cocoa.

Add the rest of the milk.

Mix together and form a dough.

Roll out the dough till 1/4 cm thick.

Cut into 4 strips.

Sprinkle the grated chocolate generously on the strips and roll each piece separately.

Decorate with grated chocolate, dessicated coconut and sprinkles.

Bake at 160 degrees celcious for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Essential Makeup Products

Today we are all about essential makeup products. If you are beginning your makeup journey or need a refresher these are the basics you need:

Foundation: This is the base of your makeup, as the name suggests. You need to get a good foundation that suits your skin. Foundation is mostly in liquid, stick and powder form. Here is what you need to consider when choosing foundation:

Skin tone: When choosing your foundation, it is important to pick the shade closest to the skin tone on your face and neck, not your arm. Your arm may be a different shade, hence it not the right match for your complexion. If in doubt, choose a shade that is a little lighter than your complexion as foundation tend to oxidize after application and they will adapt to your skin.

Skin type: It is very important to choose foundation that matches your skin type. If you have oily skin it’s best to go for a matte powder foundation. Dewy foundation is best for dry skin.

Coverage: When it comes to coverage we all have different needs and tastes depending on the desired result. The options are light, medium, or full coverage. If you want to even out your skin tone while still letting your natural complexion show through, then go for a light coverage foundation. Medium coverage foundation allows you to cover minor skin imperfections, yet still look natural while showing your skin’s texture. Full coverage will provide you with the most coverage, and with no skin showing at all.

2. Powder: If you really are in a hurry and do not have time for foundation then this will do, especially if you have oily skin. This gives a matte finish and you can refresh at work as often as need be. When choosing powder, ensure it matches your foundation shade.

3. Eye pencil: We all have different ways of applying eye pencil, usually following our eyebrows as the guide. Choose a shade of brown that is close to your eyebrow colour. Black is tacky; it’s a no-no.

4. Mascara: Give your lashes some volume by applying mascara. With so many options in the market, from volumizing to curling mascara, always choose one that is waterproof as it does not run, especially when you sweat.

5.Lipstick: We are currently wearing our masks, so our lips are currently M.I.A. However, if you feel the need to apply lipstick, choose one that doesn’t easily transfer. Matte lipstick does the trick.

Finally, wear your smile as it is the best makeup you can wear and seize the day!

Making the most of your Youth

As young people, we have so much energy and time in our hands. We do not have so many responsibilities and this is the time to lay a foundation for our future. Here are five ways to make the most of your youth:

Time management: Time is a very precious resource and should be well spent. It is very important to use time well, say as a student, make the most of time in class, extra-curricular activities, start a new business or even learn a new skill. To be truly independent you need to know how to manage your time well.
Financial independence: As a young person, it is very important to have your own money. From allowances given from parents and guradians, to having a salary and money from a business, financial independence is key. This is very important as this gives you choice for example, what to eat, what to wear, what to invest in and gives you an opportunity to be a blessing to others. Making money gives the motivation to make even more and a lot of growth happens in the process.
Self-care: It is very important as a young person to take care of your spiritual, mental and physical health. Cultivate your relationship with God, eat well, exercise and take care of your mental health. This is the time to establish healthy boundaries and learn to speak up; learning to say no in an appropriate and firm way.
Define what it is you really want in life: This is your life and you’ve got only one so live it fully. It is very important as a young person to know what you want and figure the necessary steps you need to take to reach your goals. You can start off by doing things that you are passionate about. Set a goal, give yourself a deadline and begin working on it. Learning how to set and achieve a goal is necessary to lead a happy and successful life as an adult.
Having healthy friendships: This is the time as a young person to develop healthy friendships that will most probably last for a lifetime. Choose your friends wisely, friends who want the best for you, with whom you can grow with. Friends who celebrate you and challenge you to be the best version of yourself. Remember, ‘Iron sharpens iron.’

It is important to make the most of your life as a young person as you are not just living for now but investing in your future.

The Power of Praise

There is so much to praise God for. He has given us life today, the gift of another day. There is so much power in giving God the honor. In the Bible, we see how God’s great power has been realized by praising Him; battles have been won, God’s power released. The truth is that many times, our daily struggles and the demands of life can crowd our praise to God. We may praise God on Sundays during Praise and Worship sessions in church and somehow think we are good for the week.

Sometimes it is really a sacrifice to offer God our praise. We may feel exhausted, that God has let us down, He is far away and doesn’t really care for us. This pandemic has affected so many of us and we may be in that position today. Here is what can make a lasting difference; to make a decision to fix our eyes on God and give Him the praise every day regardless of what is facing us head-on. When we do so, we suddenly realize that God has already begun releasing the grip that those struggles can have over us. There is power in acknowledging that God is mighty and worthy of our praise and worship. The Holy Spirit urges to us press in close to Him and let our hearts be in tune with God.

Here are 5 things that praise can do:

1. Helps us focus on God and not ourselves: God desires that our eyes be set firmly on Him because that is where our true hope is.

2. Makes room for God’s presence, blessings and miracles over our lives: God dwells close to us when we praise Him. God lives there and wants us to praise Him. He will not hold back His goodness. Praise enables blessings to come our way. He changes things; just as Paul and Silas were delivered from prison when they sang praises to God.

3.Praise brings us to a place of humility: We realize that we depend on God as we acknowledge our need for Him. We admit that we are not in control but He is. He is all-powerful.

4.It makes the devil flee: Praise pushes back the darkness that surrounds us and blocks the attacks and lies over us. Evil will not stick around if we are praising God, who fights our battles for us.

5.Praise leaves no room for complaining and negativity: God knows our hearts and cares about all that concerns us. Through our praise, we are able to be focused on Him, no longer allowing too much attention to be centred around our struggles. We remember what He has done in our lives, that He knows about our needs and is capable of taking care of all that burdens us.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gift of today. I thank you for your goodness and faithfulness in my life. I sometimes struggle with worry and may be weary but I know you will never leave me. May I always have a grateful heart and always count my blessings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Self-Love Saturday

Today we are all about self-love. Self-love is the appreciation of oneself; having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness. This means taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others. Self-love means not settling for less than you deserve. This is very important for your mental, physical and spiritual health. This also means living with intention; a life with design and purpose meaning that you are fulfilling your destiny. Self-love can mean something different for each person because we all have many different ways to take care of ourselves.

Here are ways we can practice self-love:

1. Be kind to yourself: In a world full of critique, be kind and gentle to yourself. Do not put yourself down, instead speak positive words and life to yourself. Celebrate yourself. You have come a long way and are growing each day. Always celebrate yourself for the big things and the little ones.

2. Take every opportunity or create your own: There will never be the “perfect” time for the next big step in your life. The set up may not be ideal, but that shouldn’t hold you back from reaching to meet your goals and dreams. Instead, seize the moment because it may never come back.

3. Trust that you can make good decisions for yourself: Many a times we doubt ourselves and our ability to do what’s right. We second guess ourselves, when most of the time we do know in our hearts what’s best. Always remember that your feelings matter. You’re not losing touch with reality. You know yourself better than anyone else, so be your best advocate.

4. Stand up for yourself: Get into the habit of speaking your mind. The more you exercise it the more boldness grows. Don’t wait for permission to take a seat at the table. Engage in the conversation. Contribute your thoughts. Take action, and know that your voice is just as important as anyone else’s.

5. Feel your emotions as fully as you can: Allow yourself to feel things fully. Soak in that joyful moment, allow yourself to feel the pain and don’t put limitations on your feelings. Emotions will help you understand yourself and ultimately realize that you are not your feelings.

You are worthy of love and kindness. Self-love has to begin with you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, always know that and you can’t pour out of an empty cup. Enjoy your Saturday!

Back to Basics: Fashion Essentials

Today we are talking about essential clothing we are wearing in 2021. These are staple wardrobe items that we can pair with other pieces of clothing and switch up looks as we wish. Here are our faves.

1. The Denim trouser: We are keeping our denim game simple with a pair well fitting pants. You can pair these with heels, doll shoes or boots. Denim is here to stay, it will never go out of fashion.

2. The trench coat: Not only is it warm but is very fashionable as well. Trench coats are timeless and can be worn with a dress, skirt or pants and blouse. This is the go to coat for a smart casual look. It always makes a statement!

3. Sweaters: They come in all sizes and styles from fitting sweaters, button downs, one button and even short sleeved. Keep warm and stay fashionable in a variety of sweaters in the market. Wear your favourite over pants or even tuck into a pair of high-waisted trousers.

4. The Sweatpants. These are very convenient as they are so easy to wear and low maintenance. We have been working from home so they come in so handy.

5. The basic black dress. This dress is a wardrobe staple. Make it official by adding a coat, tie a belt for a dressy look and even wear it on its own. We love this dress as black does not show any stains, it is timeless and classic and you can easily accessorize it. This is a very affordable addition to your wardrobe, and is likely to be worn on more occasions than most of your other outfits.

There you have it. Five of our favourite essential pieces we are wearing in 2021. Which one is your fave?