Happy Friday! It’s Fashion Friday here at Refresh and today we are all about the oversized look. This trend has been around for a while; from oversized jackets, dresses and even sweaters. Not only is this trend ideal for this weather; read the June-July cold; it’s really fancy when well put together. Here are some tips:
Choose outfits close to your size: This is the first rule of thumb. Buy pieces within two to three sizes of your standard size, past that they will look baggy and unflattering.
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2. Contrast with fitting pieces: Say you are wearing an oversized blazer, pair it with fitting jeans and vice-versa. It is important to create balance with the oversized look, to ensure you don’t get lost in a mass of fabric.
3. Ensure your oversized garment has structure: This can be anything from fitted cuffs on a shirt dress to a firm neckline on a sweater. Your piece needs a kind of fitted shape for your eyes to land on.
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4. Detail is important: It is important for the oversized outfit to have some sort of focal point that draws in the eyes. Texture, lace details and other subtle detail work just fine. Avoid pieces with too much texture and detail as this will be overwhelming to the eye.
5. Show some skin with your pieces: It is important that your shape shows; we are however not advocating for crazy amounts of leg and chest as we encourage modesty. For example; roll up sleeves, so that your arms don’t disappear, wear sweaters with a wider neckline, wear shoes that show some foot; like sandals etc
“You need to be passionate about farming. Have a plan, take risks and be resilient. It is, however, a very rewarding venture,” says Kisumeo Organics founder, Robin. Kisumeo Organics is an integrated organic farm specializing in the breeding of rabbits, poultry farming, crawfish farming and creating sustainable food systems.
Kisumeo also grows herbs and spices as well as exotic vegetables such as bok choi, which is a superfood, containing over 70 antioxidant substances and is also a good source of Omega-3, fiber, calcium and folate. Chinese cabbage and purple cabbage are also grown on the farm. “Kisumeo Organics was birthed out of a need to cut costs on food for my events business. I needed to get fresh produce and that is how I got into farming. We’ve ended up being a full-fledged farm rearing a variety of animals and growing different crops. Crawfish is one of our main products and we are doing well so far.”
Kisumeo breeds crawfish on their farm in Machakos. These are freshwater crustaceans resembling small lobsters. Crawfish are high in vitamins A, B6 and B12 and are a good source of calcium, phosphorus and iron. They are low in fat and calories, high in protein and minerals and are an excellent option for anyone who is concerned about cholesterol, fat or calories. Crawfish powder is also great as a seasoning in soups. Robin holds crawfish parties in the farm for customer sensitization. They supply fish to the local market, with the Nigerians and Chinese in Kenya being one of their major clients.
How has the journey been so far? “It’s been a rewarding journey. I have worked so hard and I am grateful, that I am here. Just like with every other business, you need to have a plan, take risks and have resilience. Don’t get into farming just for the money, be passionate about it.”
Robin advises that is it also important to network. “ Interact with other people in your field. That way you grow and learn a lot as well.” Besides farming, he runs a real estate and land company.
Happy Thursday! We hope the new month is going well for you. Today we share our five favorite ingredients and why. Enjoy!
1. Eggs: How many recipes come to mind when we mention eggs? So many, right? From basic fried eggs to decadent cakes, eggs are an absolute kitchen staple. They are rich in multiple nutrients; proteins, vitamins, minerals, good fats and iron.
2. Nuts and seeds: These are rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Nuts also have a long shelf life, from 1 – 4 months, meaning you can stock and restock as need be. Nuts and seeds are great as snacks especially if you are conscious about healthy eating as well as weight loss as they are filling. They are great in recipes as well. You’ll absolutely love our peanut-lemon coconut cake.
3. Spices and herbs: These take the flavor of dishes to the next level. From cinnamon to oregano, ginger to rosemary spices also have nutritional health benefits as may help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of certain diseases.
4. Yogurt: Yogurt is very refreshing on its own and adds a very interesting twist to recipes. Try our indulgent lemon-yogurt cake. Full-fat yogurt is high in nutrients and has great health benefits as well. It may protect against heart disease and the development of belly fat, which is a risk factor for many conditions, including diabetes.
5. Fruits and vegetables: These are rich in vitamins such as Vitamins, A (beta-carotene), C and E. They are also rich in minerals such as magnesium, zinc, phosphorous and folic acid. Eaten as a snack, raw, cooked and even incorporated in recipes, fruits and vegetables are definitely a staple in our kitchen. Here is a hearty chicken salad recipe to try!
Happy Tuesday! We hope the week is going on well for you. Today we are all about a minimalistic skincare routine. You may want to use fewer products on your face or are starting out with skincare. A minimal skincare routine saves you time and money and reduces the chance of possible irritation that can result from using many products on your skin. These are the essentials:
Cleanser: Gentle cleansers with glycolic or salicylic acid, are great for oily skin and skin prone to acne. Choose an alcohol-free cleanser if you have sensitive skin as products containing alcohol can irritate and sting your skin. Micellar water, foam, gel and bar soap cleansers are among the most commonly used ones and are effective.
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2. Moisturizer: For normal skin types, light formulas work best. Light, hydrating moisturizers work best for oily skin. For those with dry/sensitive skin, thicker moisturizers work best.
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3. Sunscreen: Sunscreen helps protect our skin from harmful UV rays. It also protects the skin from sunburn and skin cancer. This also keeps your skin beautiful and delays premature skin aging.
“Voiceover is a skill that one can acquire and make a living from. It however takes patience, constant practice, finding your niche and the willingness to get better. Voice is one of the most unique things about a person,” says Voiceover artist, James Sigu. Born in a family of seven, James credits his parents for shaping him from the outdoor, carefree kid into the rather more reserved, curious and super creative person he is today. Their emphasis on the importance of solitude while discovering oneself gave him the perfect environment he needed to discover what was unique to him. As he went through his primary, high school and university education, he secretly nurtured his love for art through calligraphy, poetry and songwriting.
“I always had a radio throughout my high school boarding days and got into trouble for drawing cartoons in my school work notebooks.” Piles and piles of scribbled pieces of paper, some of them ten plus years old, with lyrics, poems and lots of creative ideas speak of the passion, dedication and heart he puts in his creative art.
Fast forward to 2018, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, exactly 10 years after he began his university education. For him, this was not just a coincidence but a wake-up call to reinvent himself. The question was how he would do this, considering he was just one, among thousands more in a competitive world. He had to discover what was unique about him, something that would set him apart from the crowd. It took him a few more years to discover what would start off his journey to the fulfillment he long yearned for in his life. From being a business skills trainer, an artisanal gold miner, musician/songwriter, the answer revealed itself; it was his voice.
“Growing up I always received compliments for my public reading skills in school, church and every other setting. My teachers and classmates frequently asked me to read out the story of the day or narrate poems. I was fluent, had great narration skills and a unique voice. I brought life to written text, a skill mastered by a few.” His big break came through the Kenya Charity Sweepstakes’, ‘Shika Dream Show,’ hosted by Felix Odiwour alias Jalang’o and Churchill Ndambuki. He emerged top and bagged a sound recording kit that he uses to date to deliver on his jobs for his growing number of clients. From his first audition as a voiceover artist, his achievements in just 2 years have proved that this was the thing he needed to set off towards success.
At the Shika Dreams Show
“I draw my inspiration from Johnson Mwakazi, Citizen TV. I believe it won’t be long before I grow into one of the most common and identifiable voices on Kenyan radio and television. Thus far, I have worked with notable brands including Crown Paints Kenya PLC, Foremen Shoes, Melvins Tea, Ziiki Media, PPP television and many learning institutions.”
His versatility is also evident in the various voiceover niches he can deliver in, from radio/television commercials, documentary narration, e-learning videos, corporate videos, movie trailers, DJ drops etc. He has mastered his voice and gives it the required persona based on every project at hand. The possibility of voice is endless and he’s looking into having his voice in Kenyan movies, Netflix and even Hollywood. He would love to be a globally recognized voicebox.
Sigu is also the country lead Kenya, at Africa’s Mental Health Matters. This is an organization that strives to create awareness and eliminate stigma on mental health-related topics. As a mental health advocate, he emphasizes the importance of taking care of our mental health, especially for those in the creative industry. Without a stable and right state of mind, it is impossible or rather hard to conceive and deliver as a creative. He’s also a distributor for the French fragrance company, Scent Connection, based in the UAE, Dubai which deals in perfumes, perfume accessories and a wide range of products around scents and fragrances.
James also loves reading informative articles and books, writing and creating music, poetry, acting, abstract art and playing soccer.
Hello, beauties. Today we are sharing some tips for clearer skin. These are things you can easily do at home and will make a difference. Enjoy!
Rinse your face with cold water: This refreshes your skin and reduces puffiness, calms inflammation and tightens the appearance of your skin.
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2. Use gentle soap: Harsh soaps strip your skin of its natural oils, therefore, irritating it. This can also cause skin conditions to worsen. Use gentle soaps and cleansers instead.
3. Apply product to damp skin: Applying skin-care products to damp skin improves absorption. This is because the blood vessels are vasodilated hence products get absorbed faster and better.
4. Go makeup-free sometimes: Makeup clogs pores if not well rinsed off your face well. It’s also essential to give your skin a break to breathe. Ensure you cleanse and moisturize though and apply sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.
5. Clean your makeup brushes: Brushes harbor bacteria, oil and debris. This can cause acne or inflammation in your skin when repeatedly used without cleaning.
Happy Friday! We are all about finding our personal style in today’s article. In fashion, style is how one expresses themselves, especially through clothing, accessories and hair. Here are some guidelines on how to find your aesthetic:
Look at your wardrobe: What colours make you happy? What cuts stand out for you? This helps you think through what you really love wearing and what reflects your personality.
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2. Experiment, experiment, experiment: Try out different combinations and see how they look. Do your own thing, combine different colours, fabric prints, and textures and when you love the result, wear it and have fun!
3. Shop vintage: Style is more about your personal aesthetic than following trends all the time. If you love Victorian-inspired floral dresses, for instance, go for it. As long as you love them and you see yourself wearing these pieces, again and again, go ahead and incorporate them into your wardrobe.
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4. Look for fashion inspiration: You can get fashion inspiration from many places; out in the streets, on Instagram, and even on blogs. Identify the styles you most align with.
5. Make a fashion mood board: Thisis a visual representation of what you envision yourself wearing. It is a great way to work towards developing your style. Look for photos that best represent what you want to wear. Use these images as a guide when going shopping.
Happy Tuesday! We hope the week is going on well for you. Here is a beginner’s guide on how to build your makeup collection. If you are starting your makeup journey, here are the things you need:
Start with the essentials: There are so many products in the market, it can feel overwhelming at times. The essentials are foundation, powder, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. You can then add blush, concealer and other complementary products as you go.
Makeup tools are as important: Having good quality brushes and beauty blenders is paramount, as they will facilitate good makeup application and last long. It is also very important to take good care of them and clean them regularly.
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3. Less is more: With new makeup coming into the market every other day, it can be tempting to want to buy more and more. Start with one kind of foundation, for instance, see how it works and get another one if need be. This also saves you money.
4. Look out for discounts: Discounts help us save our coins. There are always special offers, especially with new product launches.
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5. Skincare is key: It is also very important to take care of your skin. Good skin is a great canvas for makeup application.
Happy Friday! We are all about DIY fashion today! Here are some ideas for a fun craft-filled weekend. Enjoy!
Personalized jewelry: This is a fascinating project especially if you want to add a personal touch to jewelry. From shells, brass beads, colorful thread to letter beads, have fun with it. There is no one particular way of doing it!
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2. Patchwork: When you walk in the streets you may notice some personalized patchwork on the back pockets of trousers or even on bags. You can do this for yourself at home. Patchwork refreshes old clothes. There are iron-on and sew-on patches available in the market. You can buy them online, in a physical shop or even cut out your own.
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3. Revamped t-shirts: This is a fun and easy-to-do project. You can add life to an oversized t-shirt and make cutouts using scissors. You can also fringe and bead your t-shirts for a fancy reinvention.
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4. Painted clothes: Do you want to add life to your old jean jacket? Painting it is a great solution. Get paint that is fabric friendly and get creative with it!
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5. Crotchet away: From bags to tops, crotchet is really trending in 2022. Enjoy making your own creation!
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