5 Surefire Ways to Care for Oily Skin

Have you ever been so carried away with a lady whose skin was so flawless and attractive? If you have, then you may agree that having really great skin is awesome. It is no wonder that one has to first of all determine the type of skin type they have.
There are different skin types: the oily skin, dry skin, as well as the combination skin type. Many ladies who have oily skin complain about how hard it is to maintain with all that makeup and dirt from moving around all day.
Here are some tips that will help you keep your skin nice and smooth.
1. Wash Your Face Twice Daily
You could actually do your skin more harm than good when you wash your face more often? As a matter of fact it can strip your skin of all the natural moisturizers and increase oil production. Which is why the only time you should wash your face is twice a day with warm water- in the morning as you take a bath and last thing at night.
2. Eat Less Fatty Food and More Vegetables and Fruits
If you love to eat foods with lots of fat, then you just might be doing more harm than good. You’ve got to eat more vegetables and fruits.
3. Cleanse Properly Before Applying Make-up
You should clean your skin well before you put make-up on. This is because washing before applying make-up does not just work as a protective layer, but also helps as a base to ensure that your makeup lasts longer. If you don’t do this, your pores might clog and then you’ll have a nasty acne breakout.
4. Avoid Products that Make your Skin Itch or Burn
Avoid the following ingredients in products that you use; menthol, mint, eucalyptus, lemon, as well as alcohol.  You may want to think that alcohol for instance helps the skin, but the truth is some irritation might occur which is bad for skin.
5. Exfoliate Your Skin
Exfoliation is one of the most vital steps that you have to take when caring for your oily skin. This is because oily skin has an extra-thick layer of built-up dead skin cells on the surface, along with a thickened pore lining. As such, exfoliating is the best way to remove that build up, and diminish clogged pores, as it makes the skin feel smoother. You may consider products that are organic and contain salicylic acid, amongst others.
There you have it ladies. It really pays to pay adequate attention to your oily skin. And when you do, who knows you just might be the one admired for the flawless skin.
 

How To Find A Perfect Bra

An ill-fitting bra can be incredibly uncomfortable…do you agree?
Bras are designed to give good support to our breasts and also make us look beautiful. If often times you really can’t tell if a bra fits or not, you aren’t alone. Statistics show that at least 85% of women wear band sizes too large and cup sizes too small.
Well, we all don’t have the time to go for professional bra fittings, but from the comfort of your room, there are quite a number of things you can do or look out for in making the perfect choice of bra size.
When you wear a bra, are your breasts falling to the sides rather than straight-forward? Is the bra band too tight? Is the band hiked up at the back? Are your straps digging into your shoulders and causing pain? Are the cups of your bra wrinkled or smooth? If your answers to these questions are YES, then you are wearing an ill-fitting bra.
A right fitting bra band should fit firmly; the centre of your bra band should lie flat on your chest/breastbone while the band sits in the middle of your back.
At first wear, your bra should fit snugly with the first set of hooks. As the band stretches overtime with continuous wear, then you can start using the innermost hook sets.
When you wear a fitting bra, your breast should fill into the cup without an overspill. There should be no spillage in the cups, no poking at the sides, no band pain, and the bra straps should support the weight of your breasts without putting a dent in your shoulders. If the under wires are poking at the sides or your breasts are spilling out from their cups, it means you are wearing a cup size too small.
Here’s a trick – when trying on a new bra, wear a T-shirt on it. The way your breasts look and feel in the T-shirt will tell if you have the right bra size on or not.
Trick 2 – Try out and have different bra styles for different outfits. Every style feels and shapes your breasts differently with outfits; what matters most is the right bra size.
A fitting bra lifts your breasts and gives a good foundation to your outfit. Do you know that wearing a well fitted bra makes you feel like a million bucks? You feel a lot more comfortable, sexy and your self esteem is boosted!
Now you know what to look out for when next you are lingerie shopping. I bet you can’t wait to get that perfectly fitted bra!

Cocktail Recipe: Homemade Milk Punch

Milk Punch cocktail is a true classic. It originated from New Orleans, United States in the 1700s. This pre-colonial drink is known not just for its soothing goodness but its ability to help cure a hangover. 
Are you having friends over and looking for something extra nice to make their day? Then this simple to mix, gosh of goodness is it!
Popularly known as the “Adult Milkshake”, this cocktail is quite flexible as the ingredients can be swapped to taste.
Let’s look at a Naija version of this milky sweetness.
Milk Punch Ingredients:
60ml alcohol – Brandy / Rum / Bourbon (as preferred)
150ml Three Crown Milk
1 tsp sugar or syrup – optional
5 cubes of ice – crushed
Cinnamon or Nutmeg for garnish – Ground or grated.
 
This serving makes 1 cup.
Preparation:

Put the alcohol, milk, syrup/sugar and crushed ice cubes into a shaker and shake vigorously for about a minute until content becomes frothy.
Pour content into a glass and garnish with a sprinkle of either ground cinnamon or nutmeg.

Your Milk punch cocktail is ready to drink.
 

Food Recipe: Oil-less Okro Soup

Hello!
It’s all about popular yummy okro soup today. Protein-rich, okro is loaded with lots of other nutritional benefits. The soup itself is a favourite in most Nigerian homes. This probably is because it’s not just tasty but also easy to cook, and pocket friendly (whatever your choice of ingredients are, it turns out well).
If you are a keen weight watcher like me who wants to do away with palmoil as much as possible, here’s a delightful twist to enjoying your okro soup without fear of the calories in palm oil.
Ingredients:
3 cups Fresh Okro – diced, chopped or grated.
Chicken/ Goat meat (Fish will also do nicely)
2 Medium sized smoked or dried fish
A handful of any green vegetables of choice (ugwu/ spinach/ bitter leaves/ scent leaves (efirin) – washed and chopped
1 Tbsp of locust beans (iru/dawadawa) – optional
Ground crayfish
Ponmo (your preferred quantity)
Dried Prawns – Optional
Fresh shrimps – Optional
Ground Dried Pepper
Chicken / Meat Stock
Seasoning cubes and salt to taste
Preparation time: 25 – 30 mins
Cooking: 12 -15 mins
Method:

Season and bring meat of choice to boil. Once well cooked, take out the meat into a bowl and set aside.
Now add your ground dried pepper (pepper can be used to suit your preference, I prefer mine hot & spicy), washed locust beans, ponmo and smoke fish, and shrimps/prawns into the pot of meat stock. Cover to cook for about 5 -7 minutes.
Now stir in your grated or diced okro, let it bubble on low heat for another 3 minutes before adding your washed and finely chopped green vegetables. If you are using bitter leaves, taste to ensure no bitterness before adding into soup. To get rid of the bitterness, you can boil already squeezed bitter leaves for about 3 minutes then rinse with cold water before adding into your pot of soup. Add a little water to soup if too thick.
Okro is best enjoyed crunchy so try not to let it over-cook. With your vegetables in, your meat can now go back into the pot and then, your ground crayfish.
Taste for salt, add a cube or two of seasoning (if needed) and stir well. Leave to steam for about 2 more minutes and voila, your oil-less okro is ready to be enjoyed.

Serve with any choice of swallow.
Enjoy!

How to Flatten Your Stomach after Birth

It’s been a few weeks or even months since you welcomed your baby, and while you have been enjoying the time bonding with your baby you may have noticed that you still look as if you are pregnant. Don’t worry, it’s normal. Many women struggle to get their pre-pregnancy bodies back. However, remember that you won’t get your flat stomach in a day; after all, it took 9 months for your uterus to grow.
You have to be consistent with exercising and eating healthy to get a lasting result sooner.
 
Try these trusted techniques to get back your flat stomach
1. Abdominal Exercises that Targets Your Core
These are exercises that concentrate on the abdominal walls, which is precisely where you want to target. They include exercises like the leg slides, and pelvic tilts. In the beginning, you may want to start with an exercise like the leg slide, which does not require much effort on your part.
-Lie down flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the bed, tighten your stomach muscles and then slowly slide the heel of the foot down until your leg is flat on the bed.
-Then slide your leg back until your knees are bent again and repeat with the other leg.
 
2. Take part in Aerobic exercises
Engaging in aerobic exercises is really important, as they elevate your heart rate.  nclude walking, jogging and swimming. You could walk, jog or swim. You can start by taking short walks around the neighbourhood, and increase the distance as time goes on. You may also consider going on walks with family members and friends. These walks are known to help strengthen your core, as well as help you lose some belly fat.
 
3. Sit Ups
It is important that you don’t do sit-ups until you have been cleared by your doctor so that you don’t overstretch yourself and damage your abdominal walls in the process.
-Start with a set of 5-10 sit-ups and increase the number as you regain your strength.
 
4. Breast feeding
One of the little known benefits of breastfeeding is that it helps with initial weight loss. It also stimulates the shrinking of the uterus and helps flatten and tone your stomach muscle through the hormone oxytocin that is produced when the nipple is stimulated via suckling.
 
5. Eating Healthy and Nutritious Food
It is important that you continue to maintain a balanced. It is ideal to start each day with a healthy breakfast with the daily recommended five portions of fruits and vegetable. Also, don’t forget to eat fiber rich foods like beans, grains and seeds. This is not the time to go on a diet, just make sure you eat healthy snacks like carrots, and fruits like apples when you begin to crave something sweet to eat.
 
Getting a flat stomach after birth will happen gradually, as you take care of your health and body by eating well and exercising. It is important to note, that care must be taken when you first begin exercising, do not overdo it. Gradually work your way into the exercise routine.
 

Business Ideas For The Naija Home Maker

Aside the fact that many are being thrown out of their jobs due to the ongoing economic strain in the country, quite a number of women are faced daily with the decision to stay at home to look after their kids. Such situations can be quite traumatic as it means a cut-down of income amongst many other issues. But the truth is – losing a job or taking a break off your regular 9-5 isn’t the end of the world. It simply means it’s time to become your own boss by exploring your business ideas while also enjoying quality time with your family.
Multitasking as a homemaker and earning a living from home requires hard work and dedication but it’s sure possible.
If you are looking for how to earn some pay, here are some 5 business ideas to consider:

Freelance Writing /blogging: Do you love to write? Blogging is becoming quite popular in Nigeria today. More and more organizations are looking for non-permanent staff that can provide them good content, work remotely and get paid for their writings. You can do this perfectly from the comfort of your home.
Online Trading: I was doing some bit of tidying up recently and I discovered I had so much junk in my store – items I saw, liked, bought but never used. I’m probably not the only one guilty of impulsive buying, right?  You know what I did with those items? I took pictures of them, uploaded them onto Facebook and sold them. Thank God for the power of the internet! If you’ve got items you don’t need but are still in good condition, get on your social network account and sell them off. You could also consider using trusted e-commerce sites like Kaymu, Efritin.com, Jumia, Konga etc. Some provide marketplace opportunities; you can actually own a store on them and sell new products right from your home. 
Day Care: Do you have a way with kids? If yes, then providing day care services might just be a possible option for you to make some income. Keeping an eye on your busy friends’ children, your friendly neighbourhoods’ kids, your kids’ friends from school in your house can earn you some good money. Work out a schedule on paper and talk with your friends, you just might be the answer to someone’s prayer for a reliable, trusted after-school child care.
Catering: Are you a foodie? Do you love cooking and making up recipes? Then you can go a step further by doing this for people at a fee. You may not start on a large scale, but there are lots of busy people out there who will be willing to pay for sumptuous home cooking – home made delivered bespoke pots of soups is so trending right now. You can do the cooking at home and go deliver to friends who have baby showers, bridal showers, small indoor birthday parties, retirement parties, etc. 
Crafts and Skills acquisition: Beads making, Makeup Artistry, and Cake Making are great money making skills you can take up. You can showcase your works online and sell them with ease.

There’s no end to the opportunities. These 5 business ideas are just some of the many businesses you can do to earn some decent income easily from the comfort of your home.

Spice Up Your Sex-Life With These 5 Tips

It’s common for couples sex life to experience dry spells in their relationships over time.
Sex is like a conversation. The more connection you have with your man in the bedroom, the happier and more intimate your relationship becomes.
So if you are looking for practical ways to improve your sex life, this is for you!

Be spontaneous. Don’t make sex a boring routine. Yes, due to busy work schedules and the kids being around, you’ve probably worked out a sex schedule – specified days and timings. But who says it can’t happen on other days? There should be unplanned days when you let sex happen. Opportunities will always come and when they do, go beyond the routine bedroom scene. Trying other places in the house makes it more fun. The kitchen, living room, study, and bathroom – make it happen anyhow, anywhere! Dress up for the kill – seduce him, spring up a surprise romantic dinner, get sexy for him in new lingerie and oh mine, get ready for the mind-blowing sex that will follow!
Don’t rush, enjoy the foreplay! Take your time when aiming for incredible sex. Lovemaking isn’t something to be rushed. Learn to explore and love each other’s body, enjoy the foreplay. Do you know what brings him ecstasy? Don’t hesitate to tease him; you’ll be surprised by how much pleasure touching him brings you too.  Let your bodies communicate. Enjoy touching him and the pleasures of being touched in return.
Sex Positions: Now you’ve set the mood, let your sex position be part of the fun. Thrill your lover, don’t do the usual. Attempt something new from the achievable one thousand and one lovemaking positions. Some positions allow you to connect and explore more with your lover.  Explore, discover and try them out!
Communicate and Connect. Maintain not only a physical but an emotional bond with your partner. Create emotional intimate moments with him. Make eye contact with your man during sex; tell him how he turns you on. Communicate openly – be free in discussing your sexual desires. What excites you? Let him know what gives you pleasure. Are there certain parts of your body you love him touching? Are there things you fantasize about? Tell your partner and give them a try if possible. It will help you open new doors to your relationship, explore your sensuality and of course, put a lot more fun into your intimate moments.
Exercise and Food – Working out is a great way to improve your sex life. Dancing, yoga and kegel exercises are healthy and sex boosting. Do you know that aside their physical benefits to your body, these exercises help you feel good about yourself, clear your mind, and increase your likelihood for sex? Now you know.

There’re also certain aphrodisiac foods that can stimulate your sexual desire and give you more sexual satisfaction. Some of these foods stimulate circulation and blood flow to the male and female sexual organs thereby boosting sexual libido. Easy to find passion-inducing foods in Nigeria include: Watermelon, Spinach, Garlic, Tiger nuts, Dates, Onions, Strawberries, Avocados, and Sweet potatoes.
You want to get in the mood? Indulge in these libido stimulating foods deliberately and generously.
Being sexually fulfilled compliments your overall emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing…won’t you rather spice it up?

The Pros and Cons of Office Romance

Given the amount of time we spend at work, it is very common to be attracted and even start an affair with a colleague. This type of office romance relationship is not for the faint hearted.
You should go into the relationship prepared. Here are the pros and cons;
Pros of office romance
1. No extra effort to meet ‘Bae’
In today’s hectic work environment it can be difficult to find the time to ‘get out there’ and find a suitable partner. Did I mention it is cheaper? No expensive dates required in the “getting to know each other” part.
2. Less Surprises
When you work with someone you have a basic idea of who they are, how successful they are, how much they are earning, what their aims in life may are etc . The best part is, you get all of this information naturally or atleast in a less suspicious manne
3. Spending maximum time with each other
If you start to date someone you work with, you will get the chance to spend a lot of time with them, and chances are you had been spending this time with them prior to dating. Basically, you have him under your nose.
4. Happiness at work
The early stages of dating are the best times. You’re excited every time you see the person, you’re happier than you may otherwise be, and because of this you’re generally more approachable as a person.
5. Relationship Privileges at work
If you are dating a workmate they will be more willing to go that extra mile for you than anyone else would. They will be willing to stay late with you, and to spare you the time that no one else would like to give you, simply due to the fact they have feelings for you.
Cons of office romance
1. Gossip
If you start a relationship with someone in your office, you can be sure that other people will gossip about it.
2. Jealousy
Jealousy can come from a few sides. Firstly, your co-workers may be jealous of the relationship you have, especially if it is an employer/employee kind of love.
You may also get jealous if you catch bae flirting with the client for a referral.
3. Spending too much time together
It may kill a little of the romance, as you miss out on the excitement of waiting to see them at the end of the day. If you see each other all the time with no breaks, it can be hard to accept the little things they do that annoy you, and that just builds up until something explodes.
4. Losing Objectivity
You must try and keep your personal feelings out of the business decisions that you make, and this is not always easy to do.
5. Breaking up is hard to do
Be prepared to lose your job. This may be extreme as it is very difficult to have to work with and see an ex everyday whilst hearing about their business.
 

Tomato Stew With Less Cholesterol

Tomato stew is one of the most popular Nigerian food recipes, it is easy to make but requires patience. The ingredients needed could be found in almost every part of the world and almost anybody can cook up this stew in less than fifty minutes. Your personal preference determines if you would be having beef, fish, chicken or turkey tomato stew.
 
Ingredients

Chicken / Beef / Fish/ Turkey
Fresh tomato
Tin Tomato (Optional)
Pepper
Garlic
Onions
Ginger
Seasoning
Curry
Thyme

 
Method

Wash the tomatoes and blend alongside the fresh pepper and onions to form a paste
Wash the meat (chicken, goat meat, beef… etc.)
Boil with preferred spices (I like to use lots of spices while boiling the meat. This is necessary if you want to have very tasty meats).
Boil till the meat is well cooked; there is nothing worse than struggling with tough meat.
Use the meat stock (water from the meat) for the main cooking
For stew with less cholesterol, avoid the usual frying of the tomato paste with vegetable, groundnut or palm oil. These oils are high in cholesterol.

Substitutes like olive oil can be used as it is possible to get delicious stew without any oils.

Add Tomato paste to the boiling stock.

Add Tin Tomato after about 10 minutes (Optional) ; this would give a deep red colour

Allow to boil for about 25 minutes. The sour taste is a sign of poorly cooked stew. For tomato to lose its sour taste, allow it to boil for longer if necessary. Taste to make sure it is not sour.

Add seasoning cubes, curry and thyme to taste

Allow to boil for about 10 Minutes

Taste (adjust where necessary )

 
Tomato Stew is ready
Serve with rice, yam, bread, swallow etc.
 

Sizzling Trendy Office Outfits This Season

Thinking of ways to put new styles to your office wardrobe? Thinking of classy ways to be trendy while still being professional?
Whether intending to buy new outfits to add up to already existing ones, or thinking of a total discard of old outfits for new sets, if creatively planned, you shouldn’t have much of a challenge in combining to achieve that hot confident Mondays – Fridays look.
The most common classic world of suits (in skirt, trouser or even dress) is the easiest way to dress for a corporate workplace. But this look often becomes boring and bland unless you add some colourful pop to bring it alive. Adding a statement piece of accessory (exquisite jewellery, classy shoes, and a bright quality bag) can put some element of fancy.
Here are some outfit ideas you can work with:
A bright coloured cheerful dress or a classic lively print dress paired with excellent pointy toed heels is sure to put some positive ambience in your office particularly on a Monday morning when everyone is trying to get into the groove of the new week. Accessorize with minimal jewellery and very light makeup and you are good to go.
Got a good figure you are proud of? Emphasize your strong silhouette with well structured pair of crop pants, a matching top or stripped shirt and stylish pumps. Is there any better way to stand tall and proud?
A pencil skirt is ever office friendly. And wrap skirts? Simply gorgeous! Tuck a lovely printed blouse into your waistline with some heeled straps and dazzle all day!
Try a pair of high-waisted trousers and silk blouse for that sleek professional look of elegance. You could do a wide-leg high waist too.
For an informal office look, ankle-length jeans with a classic blazer will definitely give you that polished sophisticated look. The trick to stunning when going business casual, is to always wear heels and smart feminine tops. Sneakers and loafers will do well too (depending on your nature of work or kind of office).
Oh! Did I mention the versatile power of blazers? A classic styled neutral coloured blazer on a feminine summer dress or floral wrap dress takes your look from casual to elegantly formal. Thinking of making the statement “anything but business as usual”? A rich velvet blazer is it!
When getting outfits, versatile fabrics in neutral or dark colours are good choices for bottoms. They are less conspicuous and sticking to such items makes it more convenient to mix and match effortlessly. And if you’ve got some bright colours, excitingly match separates to redefine them. Makes some sense right?
Accessories are what make your dressing stand out so ensure you’ve got varieties of stylish accessories (and learn to accessorize rightly) to add some dimension to your office looks!