Themed parties can still be fun even in your fifties. Who ever said that there was a timeline to playing dress up? Mrs Bello looked ever so regal in this Victorian-inspired outfit that she wore to the MET Ball Glam red carpet affair.

Casual chic is still a thing even in your fifties apparently! Some days, you don’t want to play dress up but you still want to leave the house looking like a million bucks. This shirt dress paired with six-inch heels is both age appropriate, easy and chic. A good idea for a lady on the go!

Did anyone say Ankara? Mrs Bello seems to have a preference for this fabric and quite frankly, we can’t blame her. You can play around with it and work it to fit your body in very versatile ways. All you’ll be needing is a good seamstress who’s also reliable. For this look, the actress went for tassels and cotton sleeves and a collar made in the semblance of a corporate shirt, to add a bit of edge. If we’ve learned anything from this style star, it’s that the extra “oomph” can be garnered with a few additional details here and there.

In Ms. Shaffy’s world, the power suit is whatever you want it to be. At this point, we want to schedule a meeting with her seamstress because this looks like it was made to fit. Again, she adds some edge by pairing her look with these bomb sunglasses and a lemon purse. If that doesn’t say “I run this”, I don’t know what does. Yes, ma’am, we hear you loud and clear.

We love a lady who gets the part but also looks the part! Which of her looks are you feeling the most?

In 2017, she was was named editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, making her the second person of African-American heritage in Conde Nast’s 107-year history to hold such a title. Her promotion to editor at age 29 makes her the youngest in Condé Nast history to become editor. When she became beauty director of Teen Vogue in 2012, Welteroth was the first person of African-American heritage to serve in the role.

It seemed as though the trail blazer had hit a pregnant pause when she announced her decision to resign as Teen Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief and we all waited with bated breath, anticipating what her next move would be.

In this Thrive Global podcast conversation with Ariana Huffington, co-founder and former Editor-in-Chief of Huffington Post, who also resigned after a 12-year journey with the media house, they both drop several gems that we can all apply to leading a more successful life. Ariana who is another female power-house has been listed by Forbes as the 52nd most powerful woman in the world so when she’s speaking, heaven knows, we’re definitely taking notes.

Welteroth, whose interests range from activism to fashion is an interesting hybrid. In describing her life post-Teen Vogue, she describes it as liberating. She is able to continue to interact with the young audience she helped buold during her stay at Teen Vogue through a variety of channels from TV to spearheading conferences. From inciting conversations around black consciousness with the help of history makers such as Hilary Clinton and Michelle Obama to taking advocating digital breaks with speakers like Amandla Stenberg who gave up using a smart phone because she wanted to take breaks from Social media; she’s become somewhat of a conduit for conversation for Generation Z.

The self-acclaimed phone addict who admittedly gets shocked when she receives phones calls and would rather text, also spoke about the emergence of experiental activations and the need for physical conversations that extend beyond digital.

Read below for some of the self-care tools and life gems Elaine Welteroth and Ariana Huffington dropped in the conversation. We were never ready

Be gentle with yourself

The obnoxious voice of judgement in our heads, she is very intense, Ariana explains. But luckily for me she isn’t very welcome as much anymore, she goes further to add. Welteroth says she’s really learnt to take it easy knowing how much she multi-tasks and how ineffective it is. She’s learnt to understand that she can’t be everywhere at the same time and has learnt to be ok with that.

Meditate

‘I get into a zone at work where I forget to eat and I could stay up all night and at some point, just crash. I am so supercharged and I would make anything happen if I take it on. I did this for years’.

Elaine who says that her mom mentions that even as a 10-month old baby, she wanted to walk so badly. The minute she was put on the ground in pink sneakers, she seemed to just walk without thinking or hesitating. That has been the trajectory of her life, the goal-getter explains.

I recognise the need to catch myself, someone asked what my hobby was and I didn’t know what I liked or what I like to eat. That was when I decided that a change had to be made. Someone invited me to a meditation class where we had to be still and silence our thoughts. It was obscure and I loved it.

Get an Accountability partner

For Welteroth, that’s her fiancé, Jonathan. Huffington who challenged her to purchase an alarm clock and not sleep with her phone, asks that she be held accountable and Welteroth volunteers that if she tells her fiancé, he’ll ensure she gets it done because he holds her accountable to her decisions.

Engage with like minded individuals

Welteroth consistently mentions Film producer and Director, Ava Du Vernay, throughout the conversation, stating that she’s someone she’s always  admired. She also admits to discussing her decision to quit her job with her. She ackowledges the importance of surrounding yourself with individuals who see beyond the ‘now’ and equally have big vision.

Be authentic

“You are absolutely, refreshingly authentic,” Huffington says to Welteroth. Welteroth pays homage to her parents and the manner in which she was raised for this. “I could be working at a bowling alley and my mother would ask if that made me happy and if I said yes, she would be happy for me. I never feel the need to perform for my parents’ love or affection and that has transitioned into everything I’ve done.”

Dont be an eye candy, be soul food.

Other fun facts we learned from the interview

1.When she interviewed for a job with Ebony Magazine, Welteroth created a mock-up of her own magazine with herself as the cover, and a table of contents and a portfolio of her work. That won her an internship with the magazine which would begin her quick rise in the media sphere. She’s always been thirsty, she admits.

2. She met her fiance at church and she had known him in passing for over 12 years and was initially into bad boys but she remembered that he made her feel safe. She remembers taking her New York city boyfriend to church and seeing Jonathan and she thought, ‘that’s a really upstanding man’. They did coffee and she liked herself around him. They built a friendship which then transitioned into a relationship much later. She needed to go through all the heartbreak before him to truly appreciate him.

‘You marry the person who feels like home, not the person you spiral about.’

3. She has no musical ability and is the only one in her family who doesn’t as all the others are able to play an instrument.  She concedes that she’s a pretty good dancer though. She credits her family with never placing any pressure on her to fit into a mould.

4. How Ariana knew it was time to make a change moving from Huffington Post to Thrive? She recounts that it was a really scary experience and she actually agonised about it down to the day before her big announcement. “It’s not about pros and cons, You know it’s right when you never look back when you jump.” She says. Elaine chips in to also agree to this, sharing the story of meeting up with her mentor, Ava Du Vernay, who encouraged her to take the leap.

“I think the universe is calling you to be bolder,”Du Vernay said to Welteroth.

Welteroth admits that she was set free when she quit her job. She remembers receiving yet another tempting offer and contemplating deleting it before even looking at the package deal because she had made up her mind.

5. Her advice for the person contemplating taking a similar leap is simple and concise. “If you feel like your mission is accomplished or you feel like your mission cannot be accomplished within the space you are in, give yourself permission to move on.”

There was so much knowledge being shared in this interview but then again, that’s what happens when two incredibly intelligent women have discourse that is not only thought-provoking but impactful as well. Congratulations and a huge thanks to Ariana Huffington for letting purpose show the way and for following its guiding light which allowed for her to provide us with this platform.

Powerful things sure happen when passion and purpose collide.

Many failed toxic relationships have been excused with the “love is blind phrase. However, what many fail to really realise is that love isn’t abrupt or out of the blue – it is the result of a series of intentional acts.

Think about it. How can you know if you truly love someone when you barely know that person? You may think you know this person — that’s what love does to us — but you don’t. People think they fall in love all the time, but they’re not truly in love.

Falling in love can lead to actually being in love, and being in love can lead to actual loving. And in order for you to love, you need to choose to love. You need to choose to be loving. You need to look at the person you’re with and choose to love that person all over again – even and especially when – it’s not convenient.

The same concept applies to friendships and even familial relationships. We allow ourselves become drawn into toxicity where we are still in control and can choose where we focus our energies. The idea is to lead a healthy life in mind, body and soul. Why then do we allow negativity take up that space? Perhaps it is because we have become accustomed to feeling that it is what we deserve, or we do not love ourselves just yet or we simply are unaware of the fact that we do have a choice.

Instead, we like to mistake love for Chemistry. Chemistry being uncontrollable chemical reactions which occur outside of our control. hydrogen and chlorine will result in hydrochloride and voila! That’s where it ends. Wrong.

Love is not chemistry, it is voluntary. You must choose to do it. It won’t be easy. It’s easier when the person you’re with is right for you, it’s easier when you’re choosing to love those that will be beneficial to your growth and strength.

I hope we make the best decisions regarding where we choose to invest our energies. So many people seem to be in situations that could have been avoided if they had just trusted themselves enough to let go. It is important to value yourself and your well being above all else.

You can choose who you love and you can choose happiness.

Photo Credit: Atlanta Black Star

Travelling to a new destination is one way to help you relax and unwind. And you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Just do what you can afford. Even if you don’t have the finances to travel outside the country, even travelling to a neighbouring town or city is still cool.

Here are a few reasons why you should definitely make travel a priority:

1. You might just find a new purpose

Traveling is an underrated investment in yourself. Not only do you become exposed to new people, diverse cultures, and lifestyles than you are currently exposed to at the time, you are also taken out of your comfort zone and the need to adapt will bring out a few traits that you never knew existed in you.  You will also be exposed to new insights, ways of seeing the world and living, which often gives people a new purpose for their lives. If you’re feeling stuck on what your purpose is, what you want to do with your life, the career or educational path you want to pursue, then you shoukd definitely travel. You just might be pleasantly surprised with what you discover. Sometimes you’ve got to step outside your immediate environment to get clarity. 

2. A renewed sense of appreciation

“A prophet is not admonished in his own home”. This statement rings true for we human beings in general. We tend to grow so accustomed to our blessings that we forget to see them as blessings and start to view them instead as ordinary. Getting out of your usual environment will help broaden your horizons and in turn, enable you to place more value on the great things that you do possess.

3. Learn a language, or at least, the basics of a new language

Thrusting yourself in an environment whose official language is different from yours is a sure-fire way to learn languages and dialects quicker. It isn’t the same as sitting in a classroom learning the theoretical language; in addition to learning new languages, you’re also granted access to popular slangs and even mannerisms that accompany the different words. This sort of experience can only occur when you travel.

4. Enhance your creativity

For those who work in creative spaces such as writing, blogging, digital marketing, public relations or hold strategy/management positions in their businesses and even business owners, traveling is not a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s a ‘need-to-have’. Watch that writer’s block dissipate the moment the aeroplane lands or the bus comes to a halt in a new environment. It is believed that to develop new neural connections that trigger original and creative thoughts, you must explore new places and break out of your regular daily routine.

5. Boost your self confidence

Your ability to travel somewhere new and expose yourself to a myriad of cultures will do amazing things for your self-esteem. The ability to survive in an unfamiliar place with no familiar faces will assist you with gaining confidence and presence of mind. You will actively develop the ability to cope with obstacles which may translate to facing your fears in even bigger ways. Either way, at the end, you will walk away with your chin held high and a surge of new confidence.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime

Dr. Patrice Harris is totally giving us #BlackExcellence goals right now.

This ambitious doctor who hails from Bluefield, West Virginia in the United States of America, will serve as the Association’s 174th president, Charleston Gazette-Mail reports.

The West Virginia University (WVU) graduate, who begins her tenure as president June 2019, knew she wanted to be a doctor, but wasn’t sure how to achieve it since no one else in her family had gone to medical school.

“No one in my family had gone to medical school, and I had no family friends that did… it is not an easy thing to do if you don’t know or don’t have guidance about what to major in.”

Harris had studied psychiatry in Atlanta, Georgia and reveales that she she initially planned to specialise in a different field of medicine when she found that she had an unusual love for how the brain worked.

“The brain was just fascinating to me, and when I went to my third-year psychiatry clerkship I felt at home, and I then decided that I could merge my love for working with children and adolescents with psychiatry.”

“I recall early on I had been advised to perhaps go into nursing and not medicine. Nursing is a very noble career and noble profession, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do. It could have been related to the fact that I was a woman, the fact that I was a person of color…I don’t know.”

These days, not only is the New York Film Academy graduate making her mark in Nollywood, she’s killing it in fashion too. Armed with a designer best friend, Derin of FablanebyDerin, there’s no stopping this young woman.

Here are our 5 fave looks of hers:

Bubble!

We love this simple shimmery bubble dress created by iconic Nigerian designer, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi. In typical Ini fashion, the style star made it look like a ‘freakum’ dress. A bubble dress is always a good add for your wardrobe because you can dress it up or down to your peculiar taste. Okojie added a fuschia print purse for that extra little sum-n.

Take Me to Paris

For Okojie, she took this pretty literally. Pictured on the streets of Paris, she made this dress look like a million bucks. In her usual whimsical way of pairing fabrics to make it look better than it would on a normal day, she paired a floral scarf with this gorgeous gypsy dress by @thenalegirl and added a belt because a waist cinch is always important especially when you’re naturally gifted with an hourglass figure. You’ll see what I mean in the next photo.

Bodycon is Your Friend

As I stated earlier, Ini’s body is snatched, so snatched that she can afford to give Kim Kardashian a run for her money. I’m saying it with my chest. For this look, she paired stripes and mustard (this is always a good idea) for the ultimate easy glam. The top was an @the5kshop piece and the skirt was tailor-made by her bestie FablaneByDerin.

Colour me happy

Ini never shies away from playing around with bold colours as seen in both photos below. What’s interesting is that she keeps it bright by wearing the same colour from top to bottom and pairing with a slightly demure accessory to tone it down a little. We stan!

 … and you are my African Queen

If you’re thinking I totally sang that headliner, you’d be absolutely correct. Here, Ini opted for bantu knots and a figure-hugging Ankara dress with a sheer chiffon kimono. Everything about this look is doing it for me!

Photo Credit: Inidimaokojie | Instagram

However, that’s all done now because Molly (her character name on Insecure) bagged herself a man and interestingly enough, he’s also on that journey of abstinence, is Nigerian (his Igbo name is Chinedum) and he has a job (he’s a former NFL player turned ESPN Analyst). Talk about a dunk in the net!

The couple is currently on vacation in Mexico, and they aren’t being shy about making the rest of us jealous on Instagram. From sandy workouts on the beach to the ocean view, to, of course, taking a few relationship goal photos for Instagram (PS: We know we told you not to buy into #couplegoals, we haven’t forgotten but finding someone on the same spiritual journey as you is always worth celebrating. We know how hard it is out here in the streets, let’s celebrate with a sister).

The couple has been dating for a couple of months, although we’re not sure how long, the actress made it instagram official in May.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjAyZmhHvJ8/?taken-by=yvonneorji

Anyway, let’s get right down to it. Here’s the prayer she says she prayed to find this fine man:

“Dear God,
May he have abs like David
Skin like Sampson
A smile like Joseph
Fingernails like Solomon
Eyebrows like John The Baptist & A heart (and finances) like yours
In Jesus’ Name
Amen”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkv0fjbHlhK/?taken-by=yvonneorji

Can I get an Amen somebody?

Photo Credit: Instagram|Yvonne Orji

Singer, Teyana Taylor, recently released her album titled, K.T.S.E (Keep That Same Energy), which contains a song called 3-way. She was asked about the song in an interview with Big Boy TV, and admitted that she had threesomes with her husband, Iman Shumpert. 

“Ok look. Listen. I ain’t finna sing about nothing that I ain’t been through. Ok. My album is what it is. But what’s crazy, something shocking, you know that 3 Way almost didn’t make the album? It’s crazy. I was like…I was like no!! This stays!

I was like do you know how many “thank you’s” I’m gonna get for this?!! The summer is lit!! The summer of lit!!” Once you break it down and the reason I say this. I’m not saying that this is what you have to do, but I’m what I’m saying is when you make a vow and your married, it ain’t no limits. Period!”

However, the 27 year old also advises that both partners only do what they’re comfortable with. She states that in her opinion, to have a good, healthy marriage, you have to be open-minded and keep things spicy in the bedroom especially if you plan to be with this person forever.

The mother of one who is married to a professional basketball player might be on to something as athletes tend to have a bad record with staying faithful due to their excess wealth and being out on the road often. So, I’m guessing it’s not cheating if you’re doing it with your wife right? Right? Or are we all going mad?

What say you?

Here are a few ways you can market your business without breaking the bank.

1. Build an active and loyal social media following

Social media platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter give you direct access to millions of potential customers, located all over the world. You’re not going to attract followers by just being average. There are far too many options out there. You will need to put out interesting and unique content in order to build a large following.

As you work on your social audience, you will create a valuable asset that allows you to market over and over, without it costing you an arm and a leg. Make sure you don’t overwhelm your social audience with constant promotional offers. If someone follows your business on social media, he or she is obviously interested in what you offer. You don’t need to flood their timeline with direct advertisements; as this will turn them off and cause them to disconnect with your brand on social media. Instead, subtle and clever posts will naturally spark interest in your brand.

2. Develop referral partnerships or collaborate with businesses that share your audience

This is a very easy way to place your brand in front of a strategically-targeted audience and quickly build a customer base and generate revenue, which in turn will give you more working capital to scale.

You will have to identify potential referral opportunities that will complement the product or service of the partner. For example, are you an ice-making factory? Partner with a mobile bar owner or an events planning agency and you could offer them a flat fee for any referrals made to you.

It’s important to set up a deal with two things in mind — longevity and keeping the referral partner happy, so he or she continues to funnel business your way. While this strategy may eat up a portion of your profits, think of it as an advertising expense. Only, it’s at a lesser cost. Also, you’re receiving direct benefits as opposed to advertising to a large audience and never really being able to measure the success of the advertisement.

3. Constantly engage with your current customers.

Who are the best customers? Repeat customers.

You should have an email list of all your customers, and make it a priority to constantly touch base with all of them often. Rather than send direct-sales offers, send interesting information related to your industry. E-mail marketing comes in very handy here. Some useful tools include Netcore and Mailchimp, which send out bulk e-newsletters to your audience. Make the content interesting by having personalized subject titles and images within the email.

This kind of marketing keeps your brand fresh in the minds of your customers. That way, the next time they’re in the market for what you offer, you’ll be the first company they think of.

4. Get out on the streets

Too many new entrepreneurs think that you can come up with a business, slap together a website, sit back and wait for the money to roll in. There are many success stories about how startups grow into multi-million dollar businesses, and while there are plenty of examples, the media never talks about the early-day hustle and bustle it took to get them to this point. It wasn’t always prim, proper in fancy looking office spaces – but they don’t tell you that! 

Successful businesses gain the traction that eventually equals success because of their founder’s hustle. They eat, sleep and breathe their business. You can’t be afraid to dive in and do the groundwork yourself. So, get on the phones all day and night to generate sales. Hit the street, and go talk to every potential customer you can think of.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime

Related: QM We Tried it: Clear face with no foundation

Apple cider vinegar is my most recent find. It has been rumored that apple cider can be used for weight loss and can also be used to make delicious meals. However, in this post, we will be exploring the various beauty tricks of apple cider as homemade remedies for your skin. 

Here’s why you shouldn’t be going past ACV on the store rack henceforth:

It can be used as a skin soother – Apple cider has the capability to heal the skin, because of its antibacterial agent it prevents the skin from breaking out, cleansing and renewing the skin cell.  To use, add eight ounces of apple cider in your bathtub of warm water, and soak in it for 15 minutes so that it can properly settle in. The soak will help renew and restore the skin’s balance because it has a high level of the protective acid mantle layer.

Facial toner – Apple cider naturally tones your face and skin due to it being a natural brightening agent. To use this for the face, mix together a cap full of apple cider in a teacup measurement of water, moisten a cotton ball and apply it on a clean and washed face. After this application, let it dry off on its own. The natural alpha hydroxyl in apple cider will allow your skin to absorb the solution and it will also tighten pores on your face.

It gives relief from sunburn – Sunburn is caused by the skin coming in direct contact with the sun. This in turn causes skin redness and other irritations. Thanks to apple cider, you can now have quick relief to sunburns. To use this, mix together ½ cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 full glasses of water, use a clean towel to apply the solution on the affected area and allow it dry out on its own. Apple cider helps balances the pH level of the skin, thereby preventing blisters and promoting healing.

To erase and heal razor bumps – Most people with sensitive skin get irritated after the use of razor on their skin especially in the armpit area. Thanks to apple cider we have been provided with a remedy to counter the effect from the use of razors on the skin. To use, soak an undiluted mixture of apple cider on a cotton wool and apply it on the affected area. For severe cases, first, apply honey on the affected area, rinse it off and apply the undiluted mixture of the apple cider on the affected area. The anti-inflammatory properties will help soothe the skin and the acetic acids soften the skin which allows ingrown hairs grow with ease.

Foot deodorant – For those of us who love to wear pumps 24/7, apple cider can be used to prevent foul stench. To use this solution, mix together a small teacup of apple cider vinegar and 4 full cups of warm water, soak your legs in for 15 minutes, rinse and dry it. You can also apply coconut oil to your feet after performing this ritual. Apple cider is full of antiseptic properties that prevent bad odor, and it also disinfects the feet because of its antifungal attributes.

Use apple cider for any of your beauty problems as listed above and you will be in for a treat. 

Photo Credit: Marie Claire