Refresh

Motivation Monday: How to maintain career success

Happy new week! We are excited about the workweek and achieving some goals. Today we are sharing some tips on how to maintain career success, whether you are working a 9-to-5 job or running a business. Enjoy!

Always keep learning: It is important to keep on learning new skills within your industry. Take short courses, attend seminars and even learn informally from other people.
Join an industry-based group: This helps you to stay on top of trends in your field. This also gives you a sense of community; you are able to share successes, problems and come up with solutions.
Maintain your network: It is very important to keep in touch with people. Your network is your net worth! Value your circle of relationships and be on the lookout for new connections you can create that could be valuable career-wise. If you are running a business, keep in touch with your clients. Do follow-ups and let them know about new products/services you are offering.
Share your recent work: Social media is a great place to do this. Sharing a post on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Whatsapp, TikTok and any other space keeps you visible.
Give back: Consider teaching others, writing, being a mentor or a coach. Not only are you blessing others but also you are also adding to yourself as this compels you to further research into your area of specialization; to ensure you haven’t overlooked anything and so that you can anticipate any potential questions that might arise. So many people are willing to tap into your wisdom!

Stylish pieces that will elevate your look

Happy Friday! Today we are all about stylish pieces that will elevate your look. Here are our top picks:

The white dress: White dresses are graceful and chic. Ruffles, sequins and even cut-out dresses look absolutely amazing and are worth adding to your wardrobe.

2. Maxi skirt: Maxis come in a variety of styles, prints and colours. A-line and pencil skirts are in vogue this season.

3. Oversized blazer: We absolutely love a jumbo blazer. This has become more of a classic than a trend and you can style it with pants, even a body con dress. Get creative with it!

4. Feathers: Feathered outfits are all the rage and look absolutely gorge. From dresses and blouses with feathered detail to fully covered coats, we are here for it!

5. Logo bags: These have been trending for a while and look absolutely beautiful. Many brands have used their logo to make creative motifs and we love the patterns.

For the love of Dance: Meet Robba

“Dance means life to me because it made me find my purpose; why I was created and where am headed,” says Robert Ndungu, aka Robba. He is a dance instructor and a member of the DICE CREW Kenya. He has also appeared in numerous music videos, the latest being in Alice Kimanzi’s newest song, ‘Yesu Wangu’.

“I was inspired to get into dance by my Science teacher back in primary school. He used to do freestyle dance as he taught, he was really good and that motivated me to try and copy what he was doing. From there, I ran with it.”

Robba who has a God-given talent to dance, draws his inspiration from gospel music and his friends who are really good at dancing. He also does research on social media, which helps him learn new steps, diversify his movement and also come up with fresh styles. Consistency is key in dance. The more you practice, the better you become. “I am also in a dance movement, ‘Dance Mtaani.’ We primarily use dance as a tool to reach different communities; through dance sessions and talks.”

So what does it take to be a dancer? “You have to be passionate about dance. It is also very important to be open to learning and getting challenged. Have fun while at it, enjoy your unique body movement.” Dance is always evolving and a dancer needs to learn, unlearn and relearn what they know. “Dance has opened many doors for me. I never knew that one day I would pay my bills through dance. I have traveled a lot across the country because of dance and networked as well.”

As with every career, dance can be demanding and exhausting as sometimes you get overbooked especially when you get many clients at the same time. Dance also teaches one patience and to especially trust the process. You need to be patient enough to especially learn hard moves. “The dance industry has grown. Different organizations have started incorporating dance in marketing. Kenyan social media has grown and young people are able to make a living out of dance. However, there is still a lot that needs to be done. Many Christian dancers switch to secular because they have been hurt or frustrated by the church. It seems that dance is appreciated more in the secular world than in the church.”

Robba wants to travel the world through dance and use it as a tool to reach out to different communities. Upcoming projects? “I am working on telling stories through dance by shooting short dance films with beautiful storylines. I would also like to do outreach programs in schools through missions. I am also working on having a dance show on my YouTube channel.”

Words of advice to those aspiring to be dancers? “Find out your purpose and why you want to dance. Once you do so, dance will be easy and fun for you. Always work hard and always practice”

Follow @robbert_pri on Instagram

Delicious coconut cake

Indulge in a moist decadent coconut cake that is easy to make and absolutely delicious. The whipped cream frosting blends so perfectly with the cake and the toasted desiccated coconut perfectly adds to its nutty flavour. Enjoy!

Ingredients

7 tablespoons margarine

7 tablespoons sugar

2 eggs

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

50 ml milk

2 1/2 tablespoons desiccated coconut + 1 tablespoon extra to be toasted

Whipped cream frosting for decoration

Method

1. Grease the baking tin or sufuria with margarine. Dust with flour. You can also use parchment paper.

2. Add sugar, margarine and 1 egg to a bowl. Use a fork and beat till they combine.

3. Add the baking powder to the flour.

4. Add 1/2 of the flour to the mixture and beat to combine.

5. Add the remaining half of the flour, egg and milk. The batter will be of dropping consistency.

6. Fold in 2 1/2 tablespoons of desiccated coconut.

7. Bake for 1 hour until the skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool for a few minutes in the tin then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.

8. Meanwhile, toast the remaining desiccated coconut in the oven for 5 minutes till brown.

7. Decorate the cake with whipped cream frosting and toasted coconut. Enjoy!

Best Nail Trends we are loving in 2022

It’s Beauty Tuesday and we are all about 2022 nail trends today. Here are our top picks:

Shades of red: Red is in this year, from bright scarlet to deep red. Red is energetic, exciting and passionate and also a warm and dynamic colour.

2. Less is more: Nails are taking a minimalist approach this year. This is a low-maintenance style, especially if you want to take a break from bright colours. For this trend rock neutral colours, a little bit of gloss and shimmer will also do.

3. Oval shaped nails: Natural looking oval-shaped nails are all the rage. Oval is a very classic shape and also elongates the nails. Looks great with minimal polish as well as elaborate nail art.

4. Bold shades of blue: Cobalt blue and other bold shades of blue are trending this season. These shades of blue are eye-catching and definitely make a statement.

5. Motif nails: Motif nails are fun, from hand-painted art to stickers. These nails are trending in 2022!

Communication skills for success

Communication is very important for the success of any activity, transaction, and overall success of an institution. It is also the key to maintaining strong working relationships. Great communication builds trust which can ultimately lead to increased productivity and a boost in morale. Here are communication skills tips for success:

Active listening: This involves paying attention to what others are saying, asking facilitating questions to demonstrate interest and understanding. This allows us to show respect and build relationships with those we are communicating with.
Feedback: Giving and accepting feedback is great for effective communication. The goal of feedback is improvement, therefore good feedback offers to answer questions and offer solutions.
Confidence: This is very important as people are more likely to respond to ideas if they are presented with confidence. Good posture, tone of voice and eye contact are ways in which confidence can be demonstrated.
Persuasion: This skill involves convincing others to complete a desired action/behave in a specific way, in order to achieve an end goal. Persuasive people are friendly and charismatic and can establish rapport with whoever they are trying to persuade.
Empathy: This is the ability to sense other people’s emotions and to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling. By understanding how and what someone is feeling, you can assess how to best communicate with them, and choose the right approach.

How to spice up your wardrobe on a budget

Today we are all about spicing up our wardrobe in a budget-friendly way. You do not necessarily need to spend a lot when it comes to revamping your clothes and accessories. Here are some tips on how to go about it.

Organize your wardrobe: Sometimes all you need is an organized wardrobe and then the inspiration juices kick in. Take the time to pull out all of the items in your closet, give them a nice dusting and then reorganize your clothes. One of the best ways to organize your clothing is either by style or colour.

2. Give away clothes that no longer fit: If they are still in good condition, give them to someone, they will appreciate them. However, if they cannot be useful again, throw them away. This also creates space for you to get a few others.

3. Organize your accessories too: Sometimes accessories are all you need to revamp a look. Dust them off and reorganize them. Also, you can add extra pieces as you see fit.

4. Pin outfits from Pinterest featuring outfits you already have: Find items in your closet that you would like to create outfits for and then search up the item or something similar. That way you will be able to get inspiration. Pinterest now has a feature where you can take a photo and then different suggestions pop up.

5. Revive tired items: Get new tips for your heels, and soles for shoes especially if they are still new and wearable. Take shoes to the cobbler for a fresh coat of dye and outfits to the dry cleaners.

Apple cinnamon cake

This apple cinnamon cake is refreshing and delicious. The fruity taste of the apple is indulgent and the cinnamon enhances the flavor and takes it to the next level. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

½ cup sugar

7 tablespoons margarine

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1 unpeeled apple, coarsely grated

Method

1. Grease the baking tin or sufuria with margarine. Dust with flour. You can also use parchment paper.

2. Add sugar and cinnamon to a bowl. Mix together. Add margarine. Add the egg. Use a fork and beat till they combine.

3. Add the baking powder to the flour.

4. Add 1/2 of the flour and 1/2 milk to the mixture and beat to combine. Do this so that the mixture can mix evenly without lumps.

5. Add the remaining half of the flour and the milk. The batter will be of dropping consistency.

6. Fold in the grated apple. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool for a few minutes in the tin then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.

7. Dust with desiccated coconut and cinnamon and enjoy.

How to make makeup last the whole day

Hello, beauties! Today we are all about making makeup last the whole day. Here are some tips and tricks on how to go about it:

Use products made for your skin type: If you have dry skin, go for makeup products that hydrate it like liquid foundations with hyaluronic acid. Moisturizing dry skin prevents your makeup from flaking off and peeling during the day. If your skin is prone to oil buildup and breakouts, use a mattifying foundation powder with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is an exfoliant that helps fight blemishes and controls oil production in the skin.

Photo by Adrienne Andersen: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-brown-and-black-soft-tube-2661256/

2. Blot excess oil from your skin: Oil buildup on the skin is one of the leading causes of makeup melting over the course of the day. Use blotting papers or even pocket tissues to dab away excess oil on your face. If you have naturally oily skin, use a matte finish or oil-free foundation to prevent excess oil from building up and smearing your makeup.

3. Avoid applying too many layers of makeup: Applying too many layers of makeup makes the product come off during the day. When applying foundation, for instance, start with a thin layer and use a brush or beauty blender to dab products into the skin. Go for long-wearing products that will not require you to add on layers.

4. Use a primer before applying makeup: A pea-sized amount is all you need. Spread it all over your face before applying foundation and the rest of your makeup. This helps keep the products in place.

5. Apply setting powder: This is the final step to set your makeup. Setting powder prevents your face makeup from smudging throughout the day. Apply a setting powder that matches your skin tone. Using a brush, gently dab the makeup brush along your jawline, cheeks, forehead, and nose. If your skin is prone to oil buildup, add an extra light layer of setting powder to your forehead, nose area and chin.

Photo by Ron Lach : https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-yellow-shirt-applying-makeup-8154670/

Career Monday: Having fun at the workplace

Happy new week! Today we are all about having fun in the workplace. We spend a huge chunk of our time working. Having fun at work increases creativity, boosts morale and even fosters great relationships with colleagues. Here are ways you can have fun at work:

Volunteer as a team: This encourages collaboration with your colleagues and fun while carrying out community services. You can reserve a day to offer a service of your choice in your community. This can also break the monotony of work and allows your staff to focus on other tasks besides their responsibilities.
Celebrate new colleagues: Making new employees feel welcome in the workspace is very important. Initiating icebreakers and mingling with them makes for a great work environment.
Share jokes with your coworkers: Sharing laughter with your colleagues may also be a source of fun. If you encounter a joke or meme that makes you chuckle, you can share it, for example, in your WhatsApp group.
Celebrate birthdays: This makes people feel loved and appreciated. Creating a calendar helps track and alert you and your team of upcoming birthdays.
Hang out after work hours: This helps you to build genuine friendships with your colleagues and enables you to see their behavior in non-professional settings. Having dinner at a restaurant or a picnic barbeque helps foster great relationships.