Over the past four years, this blog has transitioned from my online portfolio (to prove I was indeed a fashion writer)  to something more like an online journal of my style, thoughts, projects and life. 

And I love it. Not many people can look back and call up precise records of their past years. I, however, am a private person and there’s always this resistance to sharing more than I averagely could so today, I’ll be opening up with six untold and somewhat amusing stories of the past.

In no particular order, we begin...

1. I won an award this year.

In April, I was awarded Style Icon in the Medilag All Time Awards. I knew I was a nominee (for both style icon and media personality) but honestly didn’t expect to win. I actually tried getting people to vote at first but when I found out they had to vote everyday, I gave up. After just one day of trying.

Anyways, the fact that I basically  didn’t campaign made me feel honoured to have won. 

2. How I met the Love of My Life

Don’t get excited. I actually mean how I met my best friend, Seyi. 

The setting is 12 years ago in an almost empty boarding school. Two girls are seated, waiting for their parents to pick them up. One is chewing gum, popping bubbles so enthusiastically while the other stares in fascination. A question is asked “how are you blowing the bubbles?” The other shrugs and proceeds to teach a lesson on the complexities of bubble blowing. The parents finally arrive, pick up their children but the friendship is formed. The next term, the bond is strengthened and here we are today. 

3. I used to dress like a tomboy 

This phase began in the early 2000’s Out of sheer laziness. Jeans (notably not the flattering kind), t-shirts and my trusty sneakers were all I ever wore much to my mother’s obvious disappointment.

I unfortunately picked up this habit again albeit in a more flattering manner in 2013 but quickly disposed of it in 2014. Not that it’s a bad style but for me, there’s a big difference between an androgynous style and what is referred to as the tomboy style. 

My style frequently fluctuates and right now, it’s a mix of preppy, Victorian and casual. But mostly preppy.

4. A typical day in my life in 2017

So I’ll be capitalizing on mid-2017 for a more balanced outlook.

I would wake up by 6:30am, pack my bags and have my bath. Pick out whatever was decent and sort of ironed. I’d check my phone for updates, messages and so on, leave by exactly 7:40am and make it to class in time. I’d take my preferred seat and classes would begin. 

By 12pm, I’d go in a break (if a lecturer hadn’t fixed a class) and get light snacks. Fish roll was a fave.

Classes would begin at 1pm till 4pm (as long as the lecturer didn’t decide to extend the class). I would then rush to work and probably end up being late. I worked a 4pm to 8pm job, give or take. 

Work was close by thankfully so I’d get home 8:30pm to 9pm. I’d eat something (anything to be honest) and on a good day, I’d try to study something then check my phone for the second time that day for messages and to post stuff on social media.

I’d then sleep and wake up 6:30am. The cycle would continue. Looking back now, it was a stressful existence.

5. I had a hat obsession 

These days, I can’t stand hats (couldn’t even hop on the the beret trend) but back then, I had a wide hat collection. From newsboy and bowler hats to wide-brim and fedora hats. *cringes*. This actually makes me wonder what I’ll regret wearing in the future.

6. I actually disliked my mum.

Mum, if you’re reading this, I can explain. 

You see, I basically grew up (literally) as an only child. Both my parents were bankers so I didn’t see them much. I got sent to boarding school and shortly after that, my parents weren’t bankers anymore. Which means I had to spend more time with them. Which means I just got to know them as an almost pubescent child.

When I think back on it now, I realize that my mum hasn’t changed. She’s still the same and I love the quirks in her personality (even though she’s not as open-minded as she thinks) but back then, I didn’t know or understand her and found her extremely annoying. I’m sure the feeling was mutual.

I hope you enjoyed these stories as much as I loved telling them. Tell me a story from your past, it could be anything. Leave a comment below.

Words by Ijenna.

I believe in doing the best you can right now to get to your future goals. I tell my friends all the time to start working on their future selves NOW. That being said, I certainly did not see adult acne in my future, uh uhn.

 I did my best, stayed consistent and here I am, almost acne free. Almost because of stress and skin care routine lapses.

Whilst I’m obviously not coming from a position of power, believe me when I tell you I’ve come a long way.

Today, I bring you the Lazy Girl’s Guide to clear skin.

The most important thing is finding the cause of your acne so I recommend seeing a dermatologist. I apparently had teenage acne (due to over secretion of sebum/“oil”) so I came up with what I call the acne triangle.

 A simple explanation would be this: the skin produces oil, dirt gets on your face and you obviously have dead skin cells. The combination of these things leads to dirt getting trapped, creating an ideal environment for germs to flourish, your skin reacts and boom. Acne.

Much like the fire triangle, I figured, delete one of these parameters and you’re able to combat acne. 

You can do this anyways you want but what I do is:

-cleanse my face regularly to get rid of the dirt. I also avoid touching my face and I try to keep the things my face comes in contact with clean. I’ve recently been experimenting with oil cleansing. I’ll let you know how it goes in the future.

-Exfoliate regularly to get rid of the dead skin cells. I actually do this everyday (not particularly recommended) because if I try the every other day approach, procrastination will kick in.