Right so let's not play games now because the truth of the matter is the general election really is in a couple of days - making it a more pressing issue now more than ever to be politically aware. You're claiming to be Labour but do you even know what they've promised under their manifesto? Probably not but you've still changed your name on twitter to Labour with a cute rose. Too close to home? Well. It's this kind of behaviour that led to people voting leave - on the basis of literally no knowledge and pre determined opinions influenced by media. I know ultimately this is the result of most elections, we can literally look at the whole issue with the legitimacy of Trump's presidency. Ultimately, it is the voters responsibility to look at what is being given to them and decide whether this is at all applicable to their own ethics and opinion. To make it easy I've broken down the key promises presented in the manifestos of the 2 'major' parties - now you don't have an excuse to not know why you're putting that rose in your bio:

Conservatives - 59 page manifesto - "Get Brexit Done" 

Labour: 105 page manifesto - "It's Time For Real Change."

I've only broken down a couple aspects of each manifesto to give you an overview of what you're essentially going to be voting for. If you're choosing to be 'tactical' with your vote, make sure you're well informed in your decision and not just doing so cause you've been advised to. Put it this way, come Friday morning the direction of where everything is going could change drastically - by not voting or voting without thinking could be the difference between a party you want and one you don't. It sounds really dramatic but it's true. I can't influence who you vote for but I can help keep you informed and if you want the breakdown of the other manifestos click here for a similar simplified version. Remember, you're not just voting for how you want the whole Brexit issue to go down but literally everything else too. So. VOTE WISELY. 

I don't know about you but sometimes I like to sit back and reflect on where I currently am in life - I say I like lightly because sometimes we are so pressured into thinking about our next move or play. This usually makes you feel as though you aren't achieving or lack there of but I'd argue the opposite. About a year ago now I did a podcast episode with another content creator Hannah Ashton (click to buy her planner) - a US based lifestyle content creator - on "the importance of sharing your values and ideas". I recently re-listened to the podcast and although sometimes it can be awkward hearing yourself back but it's made me realise just how much I know I've done over the years, as well as reflect on the ideas that I abandoned. This led me to the point I am now - questioning what do I value and why?



As I hope you are all now aware, if not I'm genuinely concerned, a general election is upon us and your vote counts. I was recently talking to one of my friends about the election and it was brought to our attention that she won't be eligible to vote as she's a EU citizen, although she has lived here for practically all her life. With Brexit constantly bombarding us, it seems that these are the type of people that deserve a voice alongside British citizens - as this vote could ultimately could change their way of life in this country. By bringing up the topic alone, we were able to understand each other stances and perspectives on various issues - unpicking what we value and why we do. Another conversation with other students revealed that some people think their vote just doesn't count. Although true in some constituencies, the way the country is set up - we cannot afford to generalise and feel 'safe' by not voting. This, among various other conversations with people, showed me that either people think their vote is worthless and others wish they had the opportunity to vote.




With me, I believe that even on a local government level from voting for councillors to your local mayor has an impact on how your daily life is ran. Even, something as small as a bus route is political  - without you even realising it. What's important to realise is that this vote isn't a hidden referendum as some would think - but instead we are voting on how this country is ran for the next 5 (well this is questionable) years. Some of you keyboard warriors have a lot to say on social media, but yet fail to realise the importance of educating yourself before feeding others false information.

First things first, discover what party you're most aligned with and learn more about their policies and plan of execution - just because your mum is voting Labour doesn't mean you need to. By discover, you can literally use online tests which to be fair are actually quite accurate. If not, talk to people and openly vocalise your opinions. If you're a university student - REGISTER TO VOTE AT HOME AND UNI - although you can't vote in both you could potentially tactically vote depending on the voting history of the constituency.

If you take anything from this post - CLICK HERE to register to vote.

It's that season again where everyone is going back to reality and facing uni, or for some looking for their first graduate job - even looking where to begin. I've felt a huge wave of depleted energy not just around me but on social media with the endless cycle of "I'm tired" or "can't be bothered" type of energy. I'll put my hands up and admit that I have played a part in the sleeping Olympics in recent months - beginning with this blog which before used to be everything to me, an outlet and my own space. Creative block is a real thing and absorbing negative energy is also real - over the past couple of months I've written whole pieces and not posted anything or ignored opportunities presented to me on a platter. However, looking back at everything this isn't the first season of blockage and it probably won't  be the last - but what does need to happen is realising the season you've put yourself in. By season I mean have you placed yourself in a cycle, whether that be a season of being unmotivated or a season of self doubt. The question ultimately is, when are you going to let it pass?

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a tweet coming for self employed bakers and the rise of 'waffle makers with a sprinkle of parsley' on the timeline. At first I remember thinking "and I oo-" but this summer there has been a growth in the amount of people who I've seen tune into their talents and gifts - making their coin and still being critcised for it. Yet if we look at some of the most successful people, its usually those who found a hobby and honed in on it marketising and growing in their craft. To all the bakers, nail techs, make up artists, product developers and creatives - keep powering through because it only takes one thing to help you blow.



I've learnt, even though its taken me a long time to learn, that we need to take ownership in the environment we sometimes create for ourselves - realise what it is that is preventing growth. Relearning to be passionate, with child like energy, about the things that are happening around us and taking note of major changes that are and can affect us. Politics over the last month alone has been a whirlwind of changes, distraught and confusion amongst the general public. Staying alert  in times like this will prove important in months to come, learning what each leader has to say particularly during the current party conferences could determine the vote I foresee happening sooner rather than later. Engaging in politics and finally realising the issues we're facing now will prove key to change - which ultimately can be changed by the young people of this country. If there is anything to take away from this, REGISTER TO VOTE  and engage not just in the party your family may feel affilliated with/to but to what you believe in. Greta Thunderland, a 16 year old climate change activist, recently spoke at the UN Climate Summit - her devotion to such a pressing issue spoke volumes. She realises the power of dedication to a cause and the magnitude of impact she has had in the time is beyond. The one thing that stood out to me is "if you fail us, we will never forgive you" - in many ways this can be applied to things that go beyond the climate - but can also be addressed to self, finally realising the impact of yourself and how you can use it. 

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Luke 6:38 

The concept of Lent to me has never been something I've ever observed or even taken into consideration - probably because it wasn't part of my upbringing. Then I stumbled, quite literally, across the movement that is '40acts' started by the Christian charity 'Stewardship' - with an aim to challenge people in the everyday to give more freely. Some of the acts are seem really small an example being on Tuesday the act of giving joy to someone in the form of chocolate - Andre Spence documented his act of giving on his Instagram if you're interested in looking. Chocolate can literally cost pennies and yet has the ability to bring a child like joy to people - which has reminded me to appreciate the small things life has to offer a lot more. Usually, you hear a lot of people giving up chocolate for lent and failing then feeling a way about it - the act of giving then gives you the ability to share more.

Yesterday, the 8th day of Lent, the challenge was to 'Bring life' in the form of blood donation. This has always been something I've been intrigued by over the last year - I couldn't give prior because of my tattoo then this triggered me to look into it again. Giving blood within the black and other ethnic minority groups isn't practised as much with less than 5% of donors in the last year being from these backgrounds - yet we form almost 15% of the population. This number is crucial in light of the number of patients that require constant blood transfusions - particularly those with Sickle cell from the black community and Thalassaemia in the Asian and Mediterranean communities. Some blood groups are a lot rarer to find and have been seen to be most prevalent within the black community - so surely we should collectively aim to give and give freely if we're able to.





The act of giving challenges you to put yourself at a lower place to humble yourself - knowing that all you have within you has the ability to be shared and used by people who desperately need it. If I was being completely honest, the thought of blood makes me sick as in the anxiety that built up in me to donate was overwhelming. In reality, the blood that you donate replenishes itself in less than a month - which you won't even notice go by if you really deep it. The average person can give up to 6x a year - why don't you start with giving once?


Check if you're eligible to give at www.blood.co.uk  - if there's anything to take away from this post is to give and to give freely. You never know what your giving will do. 

Photographer - Ezekixl Akinnewu.

8th March. International women's day. A single day for the appreciation of women.


To think this day has existed for over a century is almost unfathomable knowing how far women have come since then - yet acknowledging how far we have to go. This day was created by the Socialist Party of America, although it's unclear what the purpose of the day ultimately was, allowing for the celebration and acknowledgement of women. Our history as a gender teaches us the lengths to which those before us had to go for things we now take for granted - from the vote to the roles we have been able to take in society. Unfortunately, what's clear is that the equality that we are working towards fails to be acknowledged on a global scale - with many women still struggling to find a voice. This day for many is a time to honour womanhood and everything that it encapsulates yet, some don't even know the day exists - or see it as their only time to be vocal and protest.

Women's day to me goes beyond celebrating and appreciating the women around me but realising the steps that need to be taken for a 'balanced society'. #Balanceforbetter, as a campaign, is exactly what needs to be brought to light for this years Women's day as shown by the IWD organisers. A balanced parliament, a balanced boardroom across the financial districts of London, a balance in our wealth and ultimately a balance of rights. What makes me proud as an ethnic woman, is to know that non Caucasian nations are leading the way in establishing a balance in government - the center of change. Rwanda, a country that has faced atrocities in the past decade, leads with women forming over 60% of their government. Growth is happening and what is ironic is it's Africa paving the way - showing that this is possible. Let's not even get into that...



Although today collectively celebrates all women, black women raised and made me - today I celebrate you. Black women's influence on current pop culture, fashion and ability to shift the routes taken isn't acknowledged. Trend setters in our own right - yet when such 'trends' are seen on us they can be seen as 'ghetto' and ultimately socially unacceptable. From the long acrylic nails auntie from church has been having since the beginning of time to the art of wig wearing - black women have caused a new evolution in the paths of pop culture.

I applaud all black women for their boldness in being carefree - embracing the roots of their heritage wholly and in such a wholesome way. The diversity in our melanin should be celebrated not just for the beauty in it's appearance, but for the stories and history that are embedded in the tones. Dark skin women are only glorified on social media and almost made into a fetish - depleting them of their worth and richness. Patricia Bright puts it simply 'rich in colour, rich in life'.

Uganda // photographer @dazzle_jam

Learning to embrace what makes me a black woman was shown to me by other black women in my life - so to honour that here's a short piece:


A Letter To My Women.

Black woman, may your crown flourish in length and achieve bounds you couldn't imagine -
your 'fro exceed the power it already holds.
Black woman, may your roots ground you - hold you. Since the world does not.
Black woman, let your skin glow - your shea butter reflect the light you are.
Black woman, be bold and hold no regret in being unapologetically you.
Black woman, without you - where would we be?
Black woman, the bigger the hoop the bigger the goals.
Black woman, continue to overachieve - our army is rising.
Black woman, you are magic. Majestic.
Black is beauty.
Black is change.
Above all, black is you.


If anything, I pray that the daughters that God blesses us with have the ability to be carefree and unapolagetically black women in society. To be able to experiment freely in the journey that is embracing everything that is being a woman.

What remains wild and incomprehensible to me at this moment in time is the fact that we are 3 months into the new year already - almost hitting our first quarter. Taking time to reflect is usually a norm for me, however at the rate I've noticed the year going at it's made me notice that time to take a moment to breathe is becoming less frequent. 2019 for many people began as a year that had a type of significance to them, whether that be self growth and development or a year of fresh goals and aspirations. As a Christian, I know that I'm not alone when I reflect on the space I myself have created with God. Instead of pondering and reflecting on whether I've created to large of a gap it would be more logical to take this time to bring not myself to a point of reflection but you reading this too.

Happy new year to all of you - it seems like January is literally slipping away as if Christmas wasn't yesterday. I don't know what you're hoping for this new year but what I do know is that this is going to be of blessings and new beginnings - my prayer for this year was that 2019 would be a year of an abundance of growth. Setting new years resolutions hasn't ever sat well with me, purely because I know once they're set we usually only look at them for the first couple of months if not weeks of the year. Setting goals instead for me appears more systematic, allowing for me to divide them according to each season of the year. But, what I do know is more people are getting married and engaged - awaiting probably one of the biggest days in life which of course is your wedding day. Next month is observed as one of love and romance, so I've teamed up with the people at OKDress - https://www.okdress.co.uk/ - to help any of you browsing for your dress.

OKDress is an online wedding boutique showcasing a huge range of dresses to fit every brides style - from the traditional to the modern they've got a huge catalogue to choose from. Their size guide helps to take the ease off of ordering a dress online and allows you to find the right fit of dress - you can even chose to have a custom size of the dress which I would recommend to ensure the best sizing. If you don't want the typical white/ivory for your dress, what's great about OKDress is that you have full power over the making of your dress even down to the colour. Online shopping has become so normalised now that getting your wedding dress online just doesn't seem that out of the ordinary.To chose a dress online I would recommend collating a collection of ones that you gravitate to - envision what styles mirror the kind of person you are. I've pieced together some of the styles that pop out to me, all under £500 which is hard to find. If it's not your wedding day then the site also has a collection for wedding guests and bridesmaids too. The struggle of looking can be hard so here are the picks that popped out to me:

Champagne with church train - also comes with a detachable skirt - soft lace allows for more movement with this style of dress. Modern approach to the traditional dress.

This beaded lace applique dress accentuates the silhouette, the champagne and blushing pink options would look amazing against medium/dark complexions

Traditional white applique tulle dress allows for your figure to be a prime focus, with the drama of a ball gown still in the dress.

A line Bardot Style Dress - The fit of the dress is beautiful coming out at the waist with the applique bringing it all together. I picked this one out for a more conservative feel but with a bit of shoulder clavicle - which I love as a cut in general anyway.