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Monday, 12 April 2021

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I used to dread wash days.

It would take me hours to gather up the mental and physical strength it would take to de tangle, wash, dry and moisturise it.


Over the years, I have been very lazy.  I would spend alot of the time I was supposed to be washing my hair, looking at hair products that are supposedly meant to make this whole process easy for afro haired girls like us. But it was too expensive or simply not accessible for someone who lives in a relatively small city, in a majority white town with £0.05 in my bank account.


So in my infinite wisdom, I have decided to write down how I go through wash day on a budget. I have put a list below of all the products and tools I have used and also I have a link to my youtube channel if you want to give us a follow. 

Just thought I might as well give it a try.

Anyway, Here it is





3 in 1 Conditioner- https://www.garnier.co.uk/our-brands/hair-care/ultimate-blends/hair-food/coconut-and-macadamia

Shampoo- https://www.tresemme.com/uk/products/shampoo/-moisture-rich-shampoo-.html

Conditioner- https://www.tresemme.com/uk/products/conditioner/-moisture-rich-conditioner-.html



Rat tail Comb -https://www.savers.co.uk/Hair/Hair-Accessories/Brushes-and-Combs/Tail-Comb/p/2930

Wide tooth comb- https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-shower-comb/p/0347977



This step is very important to me because detangling hair when dry is painful, difficult and frustrating  and it makes me want to cry. Detangling wet hair makes it easier for the hair strands to break. Using the Garnier hair mask helps moisturise and detangle the hair. It also helps wet the hair faster when washing.

Process

Apply the hair mask to your hair and massage it in. Make sure that the products also gets into the roots. Use a wide tooth comb or your fingers to comb through and gently detangle your hair.



Wash the conditioner out of your hair

Wet it with water, it should get wet faster due to the garnier conditioner

Then shampoo and condition your hair as you usually do.



Pat  your hair dry with a microfiber towel.

Use the Garnier hair mask again to moisturize your hair. Separate your hair into  manageable sections and twist them. The twists help to prevent the shrinkage that comes after wetting the hair. If you want to keep your hair shorter then feel free to not do the twists.

Wrap a microfibre towel around your hair and towel dry and let your hair rest.



The Aftermath.

After dying I take out the twists and use wax based formulations. They do not contain water so they  keep the hair soft without the shrinkage that comes with it.


NB: This is a personal routine, feel free to adapt it to your capabilities, schedule,  Budget

Etc..

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posted by ÀS:
Monday, 7 January 2019

posted by em: .
About a year ago, I made some resolutions that I wanted to finish by 2018

My first resolution of 2018 was to learn a new language.



So this started out well but I started treating it like my regular work and my enthusiasm just dwindled down.
I plan to restart my french lessons this year and hopefully put them to a test this summer!

The second resolution was photography.



After the lessons finished, it was hard to get the motivation to go out and practice. Sometimes I get spells of wanting to pursue photography. I'm not sure if my photography has improved at all but I did get better at the technical side of it.

Work out.

Looooooool.

Ok, this one was by far my worst resolution. I honestly hate, HATE working out but this was to be expected. I do live further out from uni so that's 30 mins of speed walking every morning so I guess that is something.


 What I learned about myself in 2018  was that I keep at my goals as long as I am held accountable by teachers or deadlines. Moving forward in 2019, I need to learn how to hold my self up and hold myself accountable. To have independence and self-discipline.
Overall, I achieved most of my goals for 2018. Ok fair play, I only had three and I tried two of them and gave up both of them very quickly but I hope it gets better next year.


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posted by ÀS: em: .
Sunday, 18 February 2018

posted by em:

One of my earliest memories as a little kid was remembering hat the kindergarten teacher had told me earlier that week on Sunday. She said that God is watching you. No matter what you do.Wherever you are.You can not hide from him.
I wanted to test that theory so I hid under the covers of my aunties bed in hope that God couldn't see me. I don't know how that was supposed to test if God could see me as there as no way of my communicating with him but I was about 4-5 years old, I had not thought it through.

The thing was, I took it as a threat at that age. As I grew older, the saying had become more of a comforting thought. Especially at night. My mind somehow created monsters from awkward shapes and shadows in the dark. Despite me sharing a bedroom with my siblings, I felt like it was me vs the monsters who will surely steal me from my family never to be seen again. That was until I remember that God is watching everyone at any time. That thought and the probably 10th glow in the dark rosary my parents bought me (I kept loosing and breaking them), is what made me feel relatively safe at night.

Then I moved to a different country where their attitudes and views on God were very different to Uganda. So I abandoned almost all my beliefs in God. Even before we learnt about Charles Darwin. I started to question how and an all-knowing being let terrible things happen and how he cares for everyone, even sinners like murderers and rapists and my high school bullies. If God truly cared then he wouldn't let this thing happen.





I still went to church mainly because it was expected of me to go until I was sixteen. That was when I got to decide whether I wanted to go. I just stopped going altogether apart from special occasions and for my confirmation.

Then I went through a couple of tough things in my life and I honestly felt like I wasn't going anywhere. Out of nowhere, I seem to have got a second chance. And I really was not expecting that.
So my thoughts on the existence of God shifted again because I honestly don't know how else it happened.
When I look back in my life, and how lucky I am, my belief in God strengthens. But when it comes to actually practising my religion; going to mass, studying the Bible and praying regularly that's when my devotion to my faith wavers. I don't even wear my rosary anymore.

I think that I am scared to believe something that I have no physical proof for, outside my mind. The only 'proof 'is the Bible.
The Bible says God is real.
 But the Bible was also written by humans.
 And those humans at that point it time put in a lot of sexist and homophobic shi- sugar in there and said that 'God said this and that' and so we must follow these set of rules or hellfire for the rest of your existence.

 But I also don't like the idea that there is no God.
That there is no superior being who is looking out for all of us.
 That everything that happens to us is by chance and there's no rhyme or reason.
That what we do counts for nothing, there is no hell, no heaven and I won't reunite with people I love the most.
That when my heart stops beating, that's it.
I'm gone. I cease to exist.
Everything that I have done on earth is pointless and amounts to nothing.


How you choose to practice your spirituality is very personal. At the end of the day, it all doesn't matter. What matters is your time on earth and how you choose to spend it. Even if there isn't an afterlife or reward. We should all strive to be the best version of ourselves.
Love Rose
xxx
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posted by ÀS: em:
Sunday, 14 January 2018

posted by em:
It's now two weeks into the new year and I am still riding that new year new me train and I suspect I'm gonna get off it pretty soon.

But on a serious note, Some times my new year's resolutions have made me a better person for it. I think what I'm gonna do differently this year is set a new month resolution for each month and hopefully carry on these habits to help me improve my self.


So these are this month's resolutions.



My first one is to improve my photography. and I have just joined an online photography class and I hope to be taking my own photos on this blog soon.



Learning a language. I chose to take  French classes at university because I tried using duolingo, its a great app, its free but that also made it very easy to quit its because I had nothing at stake but I paid £23 for the French course and attendance is compulsory so if I do not turn up I will be kicked out of the course and my place will be given to someone else.



Start working out. This is actually the only goal that I haven't started working on yet. I need to join a gym to do that and I just haven't done that yet. I used to use the Nike training app which I highly recommend for all of y'all who don't want to go outside in the middle of winter. The only reason it didn't work for me is that the space that I use to work out is the same space I eat, slept, and work and that didn't make me feel good at all.


Anyway, thats me. What about you?
Whats are your resolutiond=s and what are you doing to make them happen?
Love Rose
xxx
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posted by ÀS: em:
Friday, 5 January 2018

posted by em:

Christmas time has a very special place in my heart. As I am sure it does to many of you reading this blog post.
My reasons for that may, however, differ from person to person.
For example, it's the anniversary of me coming over to the UK. And that means that for the first time, I was united with my family and we got to live together as a family with my Dad who had moved here several years prior.It was also the first time that I had experienced cold. Actual Cold. And I did like it for like 5 minutes because it was a fascinating experience but after I lost sensations in my fingers, I had had just about enough and I was ready to go back to Uganda and comeback for the summer.

It's also a holiday and it helps me deal with the miserable weather.

Presents. Seeing the joy on my families faces when they open their presents just warms up my heart.Also, not gonna lie, receiving presents doesn't feel too bad actually

Food. The food. Every year we try out something new to eat. Sometimes its so good that we put it on the menu for the next year and sometimes we just all agree never to speak of it ever again. Ahem. Brussell sprouts.

 What about you?
What are your most important aspects of Christmas to you?
Comment below!
Love Rose
xxx
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posted by ÀS: em:
Monday, 11 December 2017

posted by em:
So of course you know it's been snowing,
Everyone knows it's been snowing
My Instagram feed is filled with snow pics and I'm not mad at all!
I have been waiting five years for this moment. So I'm gonna make it last forever #westlife4life

So here are my pictures of some parts of my campus during the snow!










Ok, I hope you've enjoyed the pics!
I really need t get my self a proper camera and improve my photography but1 its a start! If any of yall have any tips on taking photos, please comment! I need all the help I can get






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posted by ÀS: em:
Saturday, 9 December 2017

posted by em: . .
It's that time of the month where we all start panicking about presents. So I decided to compile a list that will be super helpful for those of us who do not know where to start.




Paperchase 
I love this shop because it has EVERYthing. From gifts to cards to wrapping paper. I love going here especially for last minute shopping because I know that the quality and style is on point.
 Gift Style: Feminine personality, Friends and Mutuals

Tiger.
This is great for little gifts and gadgets for really cheap prices. So I recommend going here for Stocking Fillers or secret Santa
Gift Style: Everyone


Asos.
Its the best online shop for the fashion obsessed friends and family.
Gift Style: Youngers (Nieces, nephews, children who are 14+), Significant Other (Someone you know really well, like you know their sizes)

Your local Charity shop.
Well, first you're giving back. Secondly, It's the cheapest way to get books. Yes they could smell a bit funny but its nothing a bit of perfume/cologne won't fix
Gift style: Bookworms.

I hope you find this helpful!
Comment below if you've got any more ideas
Love, Rose
xx

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posted by ÀS: em: . .
Monday, 4 December 2017

posted by em: . . . .
/
Did I make this blog post at 11:50 pm? Damn, right I did.
Seriously though, I need better planning

I have spent 10 Christmases in the UK and I gotta say, somethings are still kind of weird to me. So I have compiled a list of the weirdest things we do for Christmas that I just don't get!

















Now, I honestly thought wreaths are used at funerals and memorial sites so I have always associated them with death. So when I walked past peoples houses to and from school, I'd see them in peoples doors and it freaked me out like a lot.




My mum cooked them for Christmas dinner once and I thought since people at them at Christmas, it must be really, really, good.
And boy was wrong.
That honestly tasted like the devil himself had a child with Hades and laid eggs and gave it to us to eat. It's so revolting, and most people who I have talked to hate it but still eat it. Like why?
Why torture your self like this?
What did you do that was so bad that you are forced to eat something so gruesome?

Finding gifts for a loved one is hard enough and then they expect me to buy a gift for someone I barely know for under a fiver?
What gift can you buy for less than five pounds? Chocolate? What if they're allergic.? a Gift card? sure but from where?






I mean, I was so excited because it sounded absolutely delicious. Mincemeat? in a pie? wonderful.
I took one bite and boy did I get the shock of life.I still like mince pie, But I feel like it would be better with you know, mince.
Do you have any weird traditions that happen around Christmas time?
Comment below!
Rose Cocoa
xx

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posted by ÀS: em: . . . .
Sunday, 3 December 2017

posted by em: . . . .
So this is the first time I've ever done a blogmas. In fact, I've only decided to do it right now and I have no idea what I've got my self but here I am!
Sow what my plan for blogmas?
Well, I'm gonna be writing a blog post every day for 24 days
*looks up to the sky* God help us.
And I'll be blogging about all thins Christmas, I don't know what, But believe me it's gonna be Christmas orientated.
OK so here we go


Three Christmas albums I'm listening to.

Ok, so I love listening to the same Christmas songs every year, I mean its tradition.But this year, I'm giving other artists ago.Not I didn't say songs, I said artists. I still like all my carols and songs but I'm also ready to listen to other versions



First up is Pentatonix-a Pentatonix Christmas

Oh, my days. There the first song on this album, Oh Come All Yea Faithful,
it really took me places. As an African, I appreciated the composition. It was so beautiful.
Pentatonix has three Christmas albums you should check them out as well.


Favourite song on the album: Oh come, all ye faithful







Leslie Odom Jr

 This artists voice sounds like a hot cup of chocolate on a cold wintery day. It kind of soothes your soul and helps you forget whats happening around you.Every time I listen to it, I imagine me in ten years by the fireplace with a hot cup of hot chocolate.It is truly a beautiful album that has all your absolute fav songs but with a jazzy twist.
Favourite song on the album: My Favourite things















Sia- Everyday is Christmas


So I am actually in love with Sia so no doubt that I am biased about her Christmas. I love the fact that it strays from the traditional covers that most artists do for their Christmas albums. It has a lot of original songs that make you wanna jump up and dance along to it. It brings a fresh scent to the constant stuff that we are hearing

My Favourite song on the album: Candy Cane Lane

What is your favourite Christmas Album or song?
Love Rose xx
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posted by ÀS: em: . . . .
Tuesday, 21 November 2017

posted by em: . . . . . .

So the nights are drawing in and you can feel it creeping up on you. Yes, it's SAD. Seasonal Affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder according to the NHS lifestyle website is a type of depression that occurs every autumn and winter.

The symptoms of SAD include but are not limited to;
  • Lack of energy
  • Sleeping in
  • Less sociable 
  • Difficult to concentrate
I'm starting to feel it a little as well.
But luckily got a list that could help you through these cold winter months.

Disclaimer.- I am not a medical professional so take this advice with a pinch of salt. Also, not everything on here will work for you so don't rely too heavily on this guide.


One
Soak up that sun. I'm no doctor but I think part of the reason why you get SAD is that you're not getting enough vitamin D. And it's getting to winter so you're starting to feel that deficiency kicking in, and the happiness draining out if you. So what you need to do is to take every opportunity to go outside even if you just want to step out into your garden for five minutes and then come straight in. Also, open your blinds. Yeah, that's a little bit obvious but I swear, sometimes I forget to do that and even when the skies are grey it still helps to have a little light in the house. I mean it's not vitamin D but it's something.
Two
Watch Christmas movies. Okay, this one is a little bit controversial. Okay, not a little bit. A lot. But seriously, there's nothing a little Christmas cheer cannot fix. I swear I got that from a Hallmark movie. There are hundreds of these on YouTube. I mean, they all have the same kind of storyline and the same kind of characters that it still makes me feel Christmassy. And feeling Christmassy cheers me up on gloomy grey days.(Mostly because Christmas always seem to land on those kinds of days.)


Three
yoga. I mean I don't know what else to say. It kind of just works but what I love about it is that it works and you both physically and mentally.


Four
headspace. Now I'm pretty sure if you watch YouTube or on Facebook or any kind of social media you have seen lots and lots of adverts for headspace and not gonna lie it is very good. I'm using the free version and it has helped me so much for so many things like exams. I have started to use it to help me stay balanced. It doesn't make you instantly chiper but it helps you stay focused and peaceful. It's kind of like yoga but focused on the brain. You should definitely try it!

Five
seeing as I grew up in a musical family, singing always makes me happier. It is something that I'm comfortable doing even though I have a voice of a choking cat on ketamine. Try it! Hum the first song that comes to your mind! Trust me, it helps a lot.
That's it from me right now.
For more information on SAD you can visit the following websites.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Seasonal-affective-disorder/Pages/introduction.aspx
https://www.normanrosenthal.com/seasonal-affective-disorder/
Love Rose
xxx

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posted by ÀS: em: . . . . . .
Sunday, 22 October 2017

posted by em: . .
Good AFTERNOON!
I hope you had a fabulous weekend. I haven't really done anything but that's because I've been feeling a little bit tired. But I m feeling so much better

So.
University.
Ive been through first year. So I feel like I'm qualified to give some advice. This doesn't apply to first years only. But all years

1) Books

Oh my days books are hella expensive. And of course your professors are pushing you to buy all of them.And the try to convince you that not having one is the end of the world. I mean yes, the best thing to do is to buy the books but theirs other ways to get the book. First thing i usually do is check  the university library for it. If its not there then the next best thing to do is to borrow a book similar to it. Actually, that's what I found myself doing even when I bought the books and I didn't understand that passage

2)Resources

Resources at uni aren't 'free', you paid £9000 for the whole deal. So use it. Go for all the pop in sessions for maths, go to the seminar about writing and essay, if you need help with a certain topic your lecture, email your lecture about it. Another thing I wanna mention is if you think you have a learning or mental health disability, there must be some sort of  advice centre where you can get diagnosed because the sooner you get help, the easier it gets

3) Revision

You don't have to just use books, I actually hate using the books because once i start reading only about 25% of the information sticks in my brain so I find you tube videos and making pod casts and flashcards.

4)Budget

MAKE A BUDGET MAKE A BUDGET MAKE A BUDGET MAKE A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT.
I cannot emphasise this enough. Money is something very,very precious at uni. Don't throw it all away. It took me 6 months to actually make and stick to a budget and its a very essential skill to master. I suggest googleing how to make a budget and Ill try and make a post on how to make one as well.

5)Health.

This went out of the window when i first stared going to uni. I was set free from my mums restrictions. I just ate whatever i craved and i gained a freshman 15 and I'm still to this day tryna shake it off. To be fair, eating super healthy is way more expensive than buying three packs of custard creams. The trick is to- um? I still haven figures=d it out. Feel free to comment below any ideas that you've got.
 

Any way, I hop you have a fabulous week
Love Rose

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posted by ÀS: em: . .
Sunday, 10 September 2017

posted by em: . . . . .
So it's officially Autumn.
And I'm not sure if as excited about it. I mean it means that the heater now needs to be turned on, no more barbeques, no more spontaneous trips to the seaside. It does mean a new season so of course, I had to do a little bit of shopping to make me feel better about the weather. So this is a summary of what I bought.
1) Eye shadow brushes -£3
I got these from Wish the app which I'm sure you've all heard of. I was a bit apprehensive because it was so cheap and almost looked a bit scammy but it was great it came one week after I ordered it. The bristles were a bit raggedy had to cut them a bit but otherwise, it was all right for a pound.

2) Eyeliner -£3

I got this new eyeliner on the cheap mainly because I didn't really need it but I wanted to try it. I have heard so much about elf cosmetics so I decided to give them a go. I think this cost £3. So this works great for me because it's liquidy said easier to move because is my skin is quite rough and using pencils or Kohl makes it a bit difficult.
3) Dry shampoo £3.99
So I got this spray when I went to a sleepover and it was also washing day so I decided to take the lazy route and just get dry shampoo I was a bit apprehensive because I felt it was just gonna turn my hair white. It didn't but it didn't clean it either which is fine it just made it smell nicer which is also fine.
4) Body Spray £3.99
I saw this in my sister's room and I always sprayed it during emergencies ( run out of perfume emergencies) so it seemed right to get one for myself. However, I did not expect it to be so strong. Literally, one spray of this can fill up a room in 10 seconds believe me I've tried that.
5) Diary £1



This diary was an impulse buy at the £1 shop I thought I might just start getting my life organized for the next academic year I haven't used it yet but it looks promising.

 6) Eyeshadow Palette £8


So I'm not a great eyeshadow wearer, mainly because I don't know how to wear eyeshadow. I have hooded eyes so it's hard enough wearing eyeliner. But I decided to buy some eyeshadow.It cost about £6 I think and I'm quite excited to use.

So that's it for today I'll have new posts every Sunday.
Love, Rose Cocoa.
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posted by ÀS: em: . . . . .
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