Today we are talking all about home decor pieces. These are beautiful, functional pieces that are versatile and we totally love. If you are moving out for the first time or need additional space, go no further. You can get these pieces from our shop.
1. Fabric ottoman: This is a comfy three seater piece. It has so much storage space underneath. We love the pillows on top. The fabric is easy to clean; soap, water and a cloth and voila clean!
2. Recycled table. In consolidation with the worldwide efforts to conserve planet earth, we present to you the recycled pallet table. It has so much storage space. It’s also a beautiful artistic piece.
ottoman and pallet table setup
3. Leaf print curtain: Totally love this curtain. It brings so much life to a room and even allows some light to pass through. We love!
These are our fave pieces, which one do you love most? You can grab these for yourself at ourshop.
Selfcare is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health. Selfcare is essential and you don’t have to wait till you are older to practice it. Practice selfcare as early as now.
Here are top five ways you can practice selfcare:
1. Positive vibes. Thinking and speaking positive words to yourself especially when facing a new challenge is very crucial. You are able to achieve so much with a positive attitude. Also, try as much as you can to stay around positive people. Speaking to God about everything and anything, any time keeps us grounded. God truly answers prayers.
2. Being present and practicing acceptance. Life doesn’t always go as planned and if it doesn’t, all things work for good. Also, be present and in the moment because that is always what there is, we can’t live in the past or in the future.
3. Exercise. Running, going to the gym, walking , swimming are ways in which we can exercise our body. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases, improves mood, boosts energy and even promotes better sleep.
4. Diet. What you eat is very important. One doesn’t necessarily need to go on a diet but practice eating a balanced diet.
5. Skincare: Taking care of your skin is essential. It boosts confidence; when you look good, you feel good. A skin care routine keeps the skin healthy, which in turn keeps you healthier. Once a skincare routine is established, it is easier to maintain. Here are some of our favourite skincare products:
From top, clockwise; Mentholatum Acnes moisturizing cream with sunscreen, Mentholatum Acnes toner, Garnier miscellar water, Garnier day cream
Those are five major ways we exercise selfcare. Again, selfcare is not selfish. Love on yourself, you are worth it!
Today we are highlighting some designer pieces that are beautiful and versatile. These are looks that can switch from the office to a party with a little accessorizing here and there. You can get these looks from our shop.
1. The plaid print shirt dress: Totally love this button down dress and the peekaboo cutout sleeve situation going on here. This look can switch from the office, to running errands, to meeting up with friends in the evening. For a more official look, add a black coat and you are good to go.
2. The multicolored kimono: We totally love the beautiful print. The colors are really bold, This is a graceful outfit and it can be paired with jeans, a black skirt, pants and even a body con. When you are am feeling sunny and I want to stand out in colour, this is the to-go- piece.
A thin belt will balance your proportions
Tie a black belt with gold detail for a more blinged look.
3. The playful wrap dress: This is a wrap blouse, with a press button, and some straps to tie. We love these cutout outs on the sleeve to show some arm which is really elegant. This is a nice blouse to wear to a casual event or running errands.
4: Another shirt dress: This is loose fitting with a nice belt. For that extra African vibe add a headwrap wrap. Pair it up with some boots and you are ready for that wedding or get together. For a more smart casual look, add a coat.
5. The ankara capecoat: This is a seriously fashionable coat. It exudes boss chic vibes and we are totally in love with the Ankara print. We really love the playful sleeves. This is a statement piece, it will definitely leave heads turning.
Those are our top five picks and we absolutely love them. You can get this looks by Ruth Yole from our shop. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook for amazing fashion!
This is an indulgent moist and citrusy cake, one of our favourites really. A moist cake drenched with yummy orange syrup made from scratch! If you are a beginner in cake baking, we’ve got you covered as all you need is tools from your kitchen. A bowl, baking tin or sufuria, fork, spoons, knife (in place of a spatula) and you are good to go. Enjoy!
Orange Cake (1 kg)
Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
13 tablespoons margarine
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
For the orange syrup:
1 orange
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup water
For decoration:
Whipped cream frosting
Method
1. Grease the baking tin or sufuria with margarine. Dust with flour. You can also use parchment paper.
2. Add sugar to a bowl. Add margarine. Add 1 egg. Use a fork and beat till they combine.
3. Add 1/2 of the flour and 1 other egg and beat. Do this so that the mixture can mix evenly without lumps.
4. Add the remaining half of the flour, egg and milk and mix. The batter will be of dropping consistency.
5. Bake in the oven at 160 degrees celcious for 1 hour. When, ready a skewer or knife inserted in the cake will come out clean.
How to make orange syrup:
1. Cut the orange in slices.
2. In a sufuria, add the water, oranges and sugar.
3. Let it boil for 10 minutes in low heat.
Assembly:
1. While the cake is still warm and removed from its tin, pour the orange syrup directly onto it. This keeps the cake super moist.
2. Using a spatula, decorate with whipped cream frosting and orange slices and serve!
Hello! Ruth Yole here! Welcome to the first story at Refresh! We are super excited to have you here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, make sure you do to get the latest inspirational and entertaining content!
So, let’s get to singlehood, shall we? This is an issue we have been itching to talk about for a long time. Why is it an issue when someone is happily enjoying their hard earned money without someone in their lives. Why does it concern people so much that when they reach a certain age, people are asking about “the next step for them in life?”
Quick story, I joined campus when I was 19, meaning I completed my university education at 22 years of age. I did my bachelors of Arts in Design. For some reason I wasn’t into relationships. I had one very early on and for the better part of my 4 years in campus, I was single. I had many guy friends though but it was very platonic and I was happy that way. Then towards the end of my campus education, I started getting this pressure to settle, to get married. It was a subtle pressure by people but it was very real. I struggled and even when I completed my education, the pressure was still there.
A year out of campus, I was so sold to the idea of settling that I started entertaining relationships that I wasn’t convicted about just to fit in. My friends getting married and having kids even added pressure the more. I was happy for them though. I had this overhanging cloud of sadness that I wasn’t complete until I got into a relationship. One day, I decided that enough was enough and I had to be content. I know I am not the only one who has gone through this or is currently going through it.
I feel that everyone’s timing is different and also marriage is not for everyone. Paul, in the Bible wrote the most of the New Testament and even said that. This is not to say I am against marriage, no it’s just that we should feel free to do what we want and when we want. I am not saying I don’t want to get married, of course I do. I want a man who is God fearing, works hard and will support my ambitions and I do the same for him. Someone who has their own life and also we can build something together. It’s just that I am no longer waiting for someone to complete me. I am content being by myself for now, completely at peace and enjoying my life. I thoroughly enjoy taking care of myself and I totally believe you can’t pour from an empty cup, you have to be full to be able to pour out to others. I cook for myself, I buy myself good things, I speak life to myself. Because I am enough.
Here are the benefits of being single, from my own experience and others:
You totally understand who are and what you want in life. Being single is helping me know what God has put in me, what He wants me to do with my life and discover things about myself that I couldn’t when I was wrapped up in the pressure of being in a relationship.
You are able to build a lot easier when you are single. You have a lot of time for yourself so you can invest a lot of time in your projects. I am currently running two businesses, (fashion and food) I call them my babies. I devote a lot of time running them and so I am able to give my all to them.
I hope that today’s story was helpful especially if you are single. As you continue being single, trusting God for a spouse, looking forward to getting married, enjoy where you are in life. Thank you so much for reading. I hope this inspires you to live a full joyful single life!
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