Wash Day Diary

1. Commenced my prepoo session with NJoy Prepoo Oil on my scalp and JBCO on my entire length. Covered my hair with 2 shower caps and left it on overnight. In the morning, I rinsed it off and washed with Ion Smoothing Shampoo; applied Ion Smoothing Hair Masque and left it on for 5minutes before rinsing out.

2. I’ve discovered that black tea rinse works effectively for me on a long stretch as it minimizes shedding. However I only use a bag as this is much better than using 2bags and it does the job. I’ve got 2 weeks more before I go for a touch up and I’m counting down cos I can’t wait to run my hands through my hair.

3. Proceeded to use Kanechom Acai deep conditioner, a dash of peppermint oil, Roux Porosity & JBCO since I was all about moisture this week. Covered my hair with a shower cap and sat under my Gold N Hot Heat cap for 30minutes before leaving it  to cool off.

4. Rinsed out and wrapped my hair in a cotton towel for 10minutes; applied NJoy essentials on my scalp and Jojoba oil on my length. Applied Biolage Advanced Fibrestrong and finished with Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum. I was thinking of blow drying but decided not to.

5. My hair is currently back in corn rows and wigging is on till I touch up.

 

Reader’s Q&A

Q: What does it take to grow my hair from bra strap to waist length? Patience, patience and more patience is required for long hair. However for you to grow long hair, you have to consider the current state of your hair. Begin with a goal of having healthy hair by committing to a consistent hair regime which should include, weekly deep conditioning, daily moisturizing and sealing with natural oils, protective styling and other practices I explained in my earlier post. Once you’ve gotten the hang of this, your hair becomes healthy and eventually, the length will come.

Q: Does dusting my hair make it grow? Remember hair does not grow from your ends. Hair grows from the roots or scalp and therefore, you cannot grow your hair by dusting regularly. What dusting does is to improve the appearance of your hair ends. To avoid straggly and thin ends, keep your hair ends from clothing fabric that strip moisture from your ends resulting in breakage and split ends. Also learn to seal your ends with natural oils such as Grapeseed oil, Castor Oil, Coconut oil, Jojoba oil.

Q: Can I use roux porosity control with my deep conditioner? Yes you can as Roux porosity helps your hair (natural or relaxed) to absorb and retain moisture better. This conditioner is specially formulated to combat porosity issues. The hydrolyzed silk protein can patch up any damage in the cuticle that would otherwise open the door to moisture loss. The addition of humectants helps to attract moisture to the porous strands while the combination of anti static agents reduces issues associated with rough hair shaft, static electricity and difficult detangling. When using roux porosity with your deep conditioner, only use 2 tbsp.

Books, Books and more Books

My favorite pastime is reading books. Nothing too serious though, only historical, chic lit and contemporary romance. When I was living in Ibadan, you could always find me at Booksellers in Jericho, buying stacks of novels. I also made an habit of buying books during vacations overseas. I believe it improves your diction and it’s like taking a holiday as well when you can immerse yourself in a different world.

Overtime I lent friends and family these books and never got them back. It usually gets lost and that’s money down the drain. Anyway once I moved back to Lagos, it was a bit hard getting the kind of books I loved. So I resorted to searching for novels to download online via 4shared and other sites that allowed anyone to download free books. Fast forward 2 years later and these options are limited now due to copyright issues involved.

So I was happy when a friend introduced me (Lagos, brace yourself for this) to Nigeria‘s foremost digital bookstores known as ‘BOOKATI‘ . The owners of this bookstore offer a wide range of contemporary and historical romance for lovers of this genre. The beauty of the service offered is the ease at which you can purchase a book as a digital download instead of the physical thing. So what did I order for? I placed an order for the following novels displayed below. I paid N500 ($3.13) for each book and my purchase was sent to my email box as a PDF file which I downloaded immediately and commenced reading. Were the books worth it? Oh definitely.

Would I recommend their services to a friend? Yes and yes I would. On their facebook page, old novels are sold at the rate of N500 ($3.13) while current release go for N1,000 ($6.25). For lovers of audio books, there’s a flat rate of N2,000 ($12.50) charged.

Readers can provide a review of their favorite books and authors. Well what are you waiting for. Visit BOOKATI today to renew your love for books. The innovative thing about this is they are not restricted to a location or place. So whether you’re in Ghana, South Africa, Angola, Kenya or any part of Africa, you can place your orders at once. I’m stacking up on my Christmas reading list already.

Merry Christmas peeps!!!

TOLETTA

I finally met with the promoters of TOLETTA within Nigeria. This is an excerpt from the interview.

TodaysNaira: Can you introduce yourself and your organisation to readers of this blog?

Memory Evergreen Enterprise: Memory Evergreen Enterprise is the promoter and registered distributor of TOLETTA within Nigeria. We are the foremost supplier company that provides stylish and effective consumer goods for African women. We are located within the heart of Lagos with a sister branch in Ibadan.

TodaysNaira: Why TOLETTA?

Memory Evergreen Enterprise: Based on earlier research we had made, we discovered that most women within Africa tend to be wary about using public and in some cases, private toilets. As a woman, I often go around with huge wads of tissue papers when using a public toilet. Due to attendant hygiene  and infection issues at these facilities, TOLETTA is the perfect product to tackle this issue. If you have used this product, you’ll observe that it’s handy and portable. A pack will suffice for a day. Inside the pack are 5 premium soft 2ply paper toilet seat covers made with 20% larger and 42% thicker tissue than other products out there. The tissues are flushable, biodegradable and safe in septic tanks (so, you don’t have to worry about destroying the environment).

TodaysNaira: Yes, i’ve used it and was amazed by the wide coverage it had over the toilet seat. It felt comfortable and reassuring knowing I didn’t have to worry about any nasty toilet infection. Why was this product created by the manufacturers?

Memory Evergreen Enterprise: Every woman dreads using the toilet (especially when it’s not your own), because you never know what’s on the toilet seat. This product is meant for women everywhere who are tired of crouching, applying strips of paper, using cheap and flimsy toilet seat covers, TOLETTA is the luxurious alternative.

TodaysNaira: Where can readers of this blog buy TOLETTA?

Memory Evergreen Enterprise:

Currently, you’ll find TOLETTA at the following stores:

• Multiker Stores @Dream Plaza, Bishop Aboyade Street, Victoria Island.
• Nova Supermarket@ Muri Okunola Street, Opposite Intercontinental Bank.
• Mega Plaza Malls@14, Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island.
• Feedwell Spermarket@22, Old Oyo Road, Mokola.
• FoodCo Supermarket@ Aare Junction, Bodija Ibadan.
• Cran Pharmacy & Stores@ Challenge R/about, Ibadan.

TodaysNaira: For interested buyers who are not resident in Lagos or Ibadan, how can they place an order?

MemoryEvergreen Enterprise: They can send an email to: tolettainquiries@hotmail.com or join our twitter page through this link: TolettaNigeria. Joining our twitter page is a much faster means of reaching us and it enables our staff to attend to issues regarding shipping, purchase and general consumer feedbacks.

Todays Naira: So tell us, who are your target audience?

Memory Evergreen Enterprise: Women on the go, Students, Children, Eateries,  Schools, Religious Organisations, Airlines…we’re not restricting product use to a particular gender or sector. You’ll be surprised that we’ve received purchase orders from men as well. It was made for life’s sudden emergencies.

TodaysNaira: What about interested buyers outside Nigeria? Do you intend selling this brand to them?

MemoryEvergreen Enterprise: Oh yes we do. Currently, we’re in Southern Africa and we intend to reach other parts of Africa very soon. So, if you’re resident in any African country and interested in becoming our flagship product retailer or brand ambassador, please get in touch with us through the following link- TolettaNigeria.

TodaysNaira: It has been quite informative and nice meeting you and getting to know the TOLETTA brand. I wish you all the very best.

Memory Evergreen Enterprise: Thank you for having us on your blog to educate women about adopting an healthy lifestyle.

Note: Today’s Naira has been appointed by Memory Evergreen Enterprise (promoters of TOLETTA) as its’ social media platform.

Travel Documentary Scholarship

Kick start your documentary career by going on assignment into the Amazon with documentary producer Trent O’Donnell (who filmed the Positive Footprints series screened on Nat Geo Adventure Channel).

You will take part in a special project with Gap Adventures, exploring the Amazonian jungle and homestaying with the indigenous Quichua community.

Working alongside Trent O’Donnell as he makes a documentary on Sustainable Tourism, you will be mentored to help find your story and create your own short video documentary.

You’ll also be accommodated by our friends at Hostelworld.com both pre and post trip.

The lucky scholarship recipient will have their documentary considered for broadcast onNat Geo Adventure! That’s right – the holy grail documentary makers work their whole lives to achieve !

Your assignment brief

You will be joining Bruce Poon Tip (Gap’s founder) as he revisits Ecuador’s spectacular Andean Interior and Amazon lowlands. It’s been 20 years since the first Gap Adventures trip was run in the Amazon and alongside Bruce you will gain unique access and insight into the lives of the Quichua community understanding how sustainable tourism has positively impacted their community.

You will also see first hand how the Footprints Network can make a difference to communities in need as Simon Monk (founder of WorldNomads.com and the Footprints Network) visits a project providing schooling equipment to the local Quichua primary school.

Homestaying in the Amazonian jungle with the Quichua community, you will work alongside Trent as he mentors you on how to find and film your own story.

Who can apply

* Anyone can apply – this is open to film students, lovers of film or anyone who’s trying to build a career in documentary making!

* Minimum age 18 with a current passport.

* You should be a mad-keen auteur with a lust for adventure and burning desire to be a documentary maker.

* You must be fit and healthy as moderate levels of trekking are involved.

Apply now

If you want it, you’ve got to show it. To apply you need to:

1. Compile a 3 minute video documentary in English based around the theme; ‘Local Encounters’. Your ‘local encounter’ may be from your travels or somewhere closer to home. You should explore how this encounter changed your perspective on the world. The theme is open to interpretation, so be creative! The documentary may be compiled from previous travel videos you’ve shot.

It’s up to you to convince our judging panel through your video that you have the spirit for adventure and passion for filmmaking to be chosen for this scholarship. Our judging panel will be looking for;

* The ability to convey a strong narrative within a short time-frame
* Originality
* A visually engaging story
* A candidate whose passion for documentary filmmaking makes them an obvious choice to benefit from this professional mentorship opportunity.

We strongly recommend you look at the previous winners (below) to give you an idea of the quality we are looking for. Entries compiled solely of still shots will not be considered, you need to demonstrate your skill with the moving image.

2. Upload your video : Go to Youtube.com to upload your video

3. Add your video to Worldnomads.com: Create a journal and fill in the entry form, then follow the simple instructions to upload your video into the post. In under 200 words tell us about your video;

– What inspired your subject matter?

– How did you plan your piece?

– What challenges did you face?

– What is your ambition as a documentary maker?

You will be judged on what you write as much as your video submission, convince us you are a worthy candidate !

One entry per person.

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Watch  2009 winner’s documentary

Watch  2008 winner’s documentary which has been broadcast on Nat Geo Adventure.

Entries close August 1, 2010

(midnight, Australian Eastern Standard Time)

Defining your Future

I attended a meeting over the weekend. I had the opportunity of being addressed by a senior colleague, who I consider a friend and mentor. She’s simply amazing. Here are the excerpts of the address and hope it motivates you to define your own future.

• Have a vision – continually ask yourself what your vision is. Write it down and stick it in a conspicous place, where you can put your mind to it.
• See what you are prepared to see. If you focus on the negative, be prepared for the worst.
• Seize the day and fulfill your dream or goals to achieve success in life.
• Look within you; what do you feel? There’s never a particular age for excellence. YOU CAN CHANGE THE GAME.
• Have an inner dream (ignite your fire).
• Look behind you, what have you learnt?
• Leadership is not definite within a particular stage.
• Define what’s important and what’s not.
• Struggle to be part of the top 20 (I mean acheivers).
• Integrity is what and who you are.
• Develop yourself (dont’wait for your employer- this is the biggest calling of leadership).

Finally, I leave you with this chinese proverb:

“If you want to plan for a year, grow rice; If you want to plan for 10 years, grow trees; If you want to plan for a decade, grow men” .

2010

Welcome to 2010. I pray that our goals and objectives be met in the year. I have the following mantra for you ” I believe, I can achieve what I believe”. So, when you are stuck in a rut and things don’t seem to be working out according to your laid out plans, reflect on this mantra, and a solution will come forth.

Last year, amongst one of my goals was to consistently maintain my current weight and size. This I successfully did by adopting Pilates as my own form of exercise three times weekly. If you’re in search of an exercise format that will tone and sculpt your muscles without the attendant stress of a gym, i’ll recommend Pilates anytime anyday.

   Secondly, we live in a tropical environment, and most women are unaware about the benefits of slathering on facial creams, with sunscreen components before rushing out for the day’s chores. Applying sunscreen regularly prevents rapid skin aging and fine lines around the face. If you’re considering using one, i’d like to recommend ‘Pond’s Flawless Radiance Day & Night Cream’. You can obtain both at Tejuoso, Yaba. It’s a new product from Unilever – South Africa. If you need a combo that can reduce acne spots and give your skin a flawlessly radiant look, this is the cream to use. I’ve been using it for the past six months and the results have been amazing.

Formulated with VAO-B3, Vitamin E, Allantoin, and Optics Power Niacinaminate (B3) complex, PONDS flawless radiant  has been specifically developed to deliver flawless radiant skin. It reduces dark spots and helps give you toned flawless skin in 7days (depending on your skin type and severity of sun damage). Wishing you all a prosperous 2010.