This week has been extra special as we celebrated our birthdays during this wonderful birthday season. My son and I enjoyed a fun outing and then returned home to share a delightful cake-cutting moment. For my daughter, I set up a charming birthday decoration at home, creating a cozy celebration that warmed our hearts.

While the birthday festivities brought joy, some tech troubles added a bit of worry. My phone started acting up with a charging issue, making me anxious as my computers were also not working properly. Since I rely on my phone for work, the situation had me in a bit of a panic. I'm still working on fixing my computers and finding solutions to keep everything running smoothly.

In my efforts to build a professional brand as a social media manager focused on social impact, I've been more active on LinkedIn lately. Balancing this with my blog and lifestyle brand required some adjustments, but I've made changes to ensure I stay engaged in both areas. That's why I decided to post here on weekends – Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, while continuing to cover all categories as usual.

This week, we faced Internet issues that affected regions in West and Central Africa due to problems with the submarine Internet cables. The unstable internet connection served as a reminder of the importance of adaptability in today's interconnected world.

Amidst the challenges, moments of self-care brought much-needed relaxation. I treated myself to a calming facial session this Saturday and enjoyed some extra beauty sleep in the morning, lifting my spirits. 

As the weekend approached, I welcomed the break from the busy school mornings, birthday celebrations, and work demands. It was indeed a hectic week, but we made it through with gratitude and resilience.

It's Saturday and since I had more time this morning I decided to do my facial. Then I remembered that though I have reviewed the sivoderm pommade, I haven't done a separate post showing you guys how I use it step by step. That's what I'm doing in this post and also show you the products I use alongside the pommade. 

I start by cleaning my face well. Sometimes I wash my face with soap then I use my sivoderm face lotion to wipe it. And other times I just wipe my face with the lotion when my face is not very dirty or oily. The aim is to get my face to be as clean as possible so that the product works better. 

Next I oil my face well with an essential oil. You can use coconut oil, olive oil or any other essential oil. I used the lemon essential oil from Nemalia cosmetics. I do this to avoid burns and dryness during the process.

Then I apply my sivoderm pommade generously on my face and neck. Remember to always include your neck in the process even in the previous stages of washing and oiling. Avoid rubbing the pommade around your eye area. That part of your face is fragile and can easily be burnt by the product. The pommade has a hot menthol feel on the skin. I let the sivoderm pommade stay on my face until it stops feeling hot. During this time I made breakfast for my kids (pancakes) and by the time I was done with their breakfast it had stopped feeling hot so it was time to wipe it off. 

To clean it up I use cotton pads and my sivoderm lotion. You can use alcool instead if you have it. If you don't have any of them use tissue paper to wipe it off then wash your face with soap and water. It's important to clean your face properly to get all the pommade out. 

After cleaning my face, I use a scrub to exfoliate my skin. I have two scrubs I use but this Saturday I decided to use Calliderm gommage corporel. On other days I use sivoderm scrub, it all depends on my mood and which one I think is necessary for my skin at the moment. Any scrub you have or need is fine even if it's a homemade scrub. 

After scrubbing I wash my face and if there's any other treatment I want to use or add I do it at this stage. I didn't do that today but on some other days I use honey or sea salt or a face mask or a medicated/treating soap. 

Then I oil my face with my essential oil and that's it. You can use your face oils or treatment products at this point just make sure you use products that moisturize or that will lock in moisture so that your face doesn't get dry. Sivoderm pommade can have a drying effect on your face. 

Lastly I stay hydrated all day by drinking water and taking in healthy fluids.

And that is my skincare routine guys. 

Hope you learnt something from it. Do you use sivoderm? Please share your experience or how you use it. 

One thing about me is I can go out for my normal daily errands with these hairstyles without a problem. I love looking good at all times but for some reason I may have to step out with my old braids or cornrows to do a few errands. It's not easy to balance looking good all the time and daily responsibilities especially as a mom. Well that's my experience. It may be easier for other moms. 

How do you cope with looking good at all times my lovelies? 

✨Feeling blessed to celebrate another year of love, growth, and cherished memories. 

Here's to embracing each moment with gratitude and joy. 

Happy birthday to me 🎈🥳🎉

🌟💖 #BirthdayBlessings #GratitudeJourney #AnotherYearWiser

Welcome back to my blog, where I take a moment to reflect on the past weeks and share some personal highlights with you all. 

It's been a while since I've done a weekly recap, and I've also strayed from my usual schedule of blog posts due to my focus on creating content for LinkedIn. As a result, I've decided to make some changes to the blog's posting schedule and frequency.

Moving forward, I'll be posting the weekly recap on Saturdays, and my main posting days will be during the weekends – Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. While there may still be posts on other days, it will depend on various factors. 

In the past few weeks, I found myself indulging in a new soda and getting a bit addicted to it. It took some determination and encouragement from the comments on Facebook to help me kick the habit and return to consuming my favorite smoothies and fruits. I also couldn't resist satisfying my craving for fried groundnuts and bread or baton, which led me to devour a whole bottle of groundnuts in just two days. Needless to say, my weight loss journey has been compromised, especially with the lack of regular workouts. 

However, the frequent rain showers have provided a refreshing change from the hot days, allowing me to momentarily forget about the challenges. Moreover, I've been feeling overwhelmed by the amount of content I'm expected to create, prompting me to rethink my posting schedule and reduce the frequency so that I can also enjoy the content creation process.

One significant event I reflected on this past week was International Women's Day. It reminded me that last year, I had the honor of being a speaker at the Impact Her women's day event. It's a proud memory that continues to inspire me, and I eagerly look forward to impacting more women in the future.

As I navigate through these changes and reflect on recent experiences, I am grateful for the continued support and understanding from all of you. Your encouragement and engagement mean a lot to me as I strive to find balance and joy in both my personal and professional pursuits.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming weeks!

While scrolling through Instagram today, I read a caption which said our diversity is our strength and our inclusion is our power. This message has a powerful meaning. 

As we think of ways to improve our rights as women let's know that we are beautiful and unique no matter the shape or size we come in. We are also each other's support and strength when we come together. 

I personally didn't feel like wearing the women's day fabric on this day because I'm not so in a festive mode. I've heard a lot of cases of domestic violence on women recently and I feel so bad that it's not really being addressed so that real solutions will be found. The only thing we can do is to advise and sensitize the victims in particular to leave when they see the signs. But we need structures that can rescue, receive and follow up these women when they leave. 

That's why you should take time to meditate today about what you can do to improve the lives of other women this year as you celebrate your amazing self because your resilience, strength and intelligence deserves to be celebrated. 

Happy women's day my dear 💐🥂🍾

Hello good people. Hope you are doing well today. 

The year may have started somehow but this is another chance. Reset your priorities and objectives and just start. 

In today's fast-paced world, engaging in cultural conversations can add depth and richness to our social interactions. Whether it's at an art gallery, a dinner party, or a casual gathering, having a basic knowledge of great artists across various art domains can enhance the way we appreciate and discuss art. Let's delve into a diverse selection of top artists, spanning different artistic disciplines, that will not only enrich your cultural awareness but also bolster your ability to hold captivating conversations.

Known for his iconic post-impressionist style and emotionally charged works such as "Starry Night" and "Sunflowers," van Gogh's tumultuous life and passionate approach to art make him a captivating figure to explore when discussing visual arts with others.

As one of the greatest composers in history, Beethoven's compositions, particularly his symphonies and piano sonatas, offer a rich and profound contribution to classical music. Understanding his impact on music history can infuse your conversations with a deep appreciation for classical compositions.

A pioneering modernist writer, Woolf's exploration of consciousness and the inner lives of characters in novels like "Mrs. Dalloway" and "To the Lighthouse" provides an insightful entry point into literary discussions. Her innovative narrative techniques and themes of identity and feminism are sure to spark engaging conversations.

Renowned for his timeless plays and sonnets, Shakespeare's impact on theater and language cannot be overstated. Familiarity with works such as "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth" equips you to engage in discussions about enduring themes, character motivations, and the enduring relevance of Shakespeare's writing.

Often referred to as the "Master of Suspense," Hitchcock's cinematic innovations and enduring thrillers, including "Psycho," "Vertigo," and "Rear Window," have left an indelible mark on film history. Exploring his use of suspense, visual storytelling, and psychological depth can provide compelling insights for film-related conversations.

Enhancing your cultural awareness by familiarizing yourself with the top great artists across various art domains can immensely enrich your ability to start again hold engaging conversations. Whether it's discussing Vincent van Gogh's emotional turmoil, Beethoven's symphonic mastery, Virginia Woolf's literary innovations, Shakespeare's enduring impact on theater, or Hitchcock's cinematic brilliance, these artists open up avenues for meaningful discourse and shared appreciation of art. So, let's cultivate our cultural fluency and embrace the opportunity to engage thoughtfully and passionately in conversations about the arts, sparking inspiration and connection with those around us.

In this post I'm sharing more skincare products I use and what I use them for.