tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28877349782230193142024-03-12T19:16:45.029-04:00A day in the life of Nelly B.A day in the life of a plus sized naturalistaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-34961964644980170452023-11-25T08:30:00.048-04:002023-11-28T08:56:35.897-04:00Local scented candles for the Christmas lover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzVjoG5R0gvpIlRF360ntKBGbzjo4IpjdqRA4SlyBavfRdBWXWhMLDwlTUGCVhD7KQmdq4TWar1vqYcdtX2QChNxs2s3ClQLpy7Zox9W6shLsRr4oEtqQVvrV65dRBxsVh1261nDZaUlqUhyphenhyphenAHvHgPifpHM-pMOrOs_AWAGmyWW9e7McYeVikbEs-6ZU/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles.png" width="640" /></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Christmas may technically be a month away, but the festive season has been active for weeks. From Parang blasting on the airwaves since September, to the plethora of Christmas markets happening since the beginning of November, you really can't escape the Christmas spirit. Trust me, I've tried. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">As much as I'm feeling like a bit of a scrooge, I cannot deny the fact that there is one thing that I do enjoy this time of year.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Christmas scented candles. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Now I love candles on a whole, specifically locally made ones. I even did a list last year of <a href="https://www.adayinthelifeofnellyb.com/2021/11/locally-made-scented-candles.html" target="_blank">local candle brands that I wanted to get for Christmas</a>. There is, however, something about the scents of Christmas that make me think of my youth and simpler times. Yes, I'm old enough to hit you with the "when I was your age" talk 🤣.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So for love of all things Christmas fragrance, here are some local candle companies sharing their Christmas spirit with us through their fragrant offerings. Interested in a paticular brand? Click their name and head straight to their Instagram.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aesthetiq.tt/" target="_blank">Aesthetiq</a></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aesthetiq.tt/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij48OmcV3T2nvF7Ez949r7wfhlL_I_IFxLzKgrHLGBfXJW8PTK2XyV4xfp7fBpph4Vblh0fICDWoy5Vl_7zVEzwUeu10Y_1dW2qx2qDdcvshEcaljHKN1cuCod3DnGqaOQjO0P-Dv-1eA6cVVuBt8boAbYQ8eVAgqh48yhtoRyePSotTiOoL4zQDPuSzg/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-aesthetiq.png" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amorecandlestt/" target="_blank">Amoré</a></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amorecandlestt/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-RiBjqkNt2zb2dpX1KZj5XcF4-h6xhXs4P2p-5FWQpZ4aQqss5XU3N0UaiMGDqFi0v31iebORgXB5t9Kslb24ol2bu05GPTW_HER-CRWymbkPafk6a864LlilRTD4lqftCrdl92BfacvvLhGYAyyRsleZqhv9OuyDHk5m0J2uAN5oamjdYD-6Iq_qNA/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-amore-candles.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/brantiff.co/" target="_blank">B&T Co</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/brantiff.co/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5m-AUT5relqDbDbE8wFr43Nx9Lshd27D0uqMEJs6hh6G7zk8IjeptekO8LvKvRZ1kW9CL5NbSrdvCKg1ZfYw20Pjfsd9-spO_-14uEIeUroJOXrekvDmfvpFJLXYgSbpiLDp3x4qt2yVS_JH0x0UO9dDwcudjHev6PRJKQ3wDozqD4ylOGUaZ-Xzfr8/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-brantiffco.png" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bliss.candle.co/" target="_blank">Bliss Candle Co</a></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bliss.candle.co/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZPkrpCf2CEJP0Gx9tw500eE45frT4VFRbCDSSF-hjnbQf7JDTuxZS8G5Sf3Yt5NpJ5sY-2CZoOUkQ-LZ_Vhi44vcsEIX3Sr6J3Tyuan0cQGgULA_lg4jvLTWodxAwBLGpIpP7HLetf8Chb1fcvdUa3AQ1zleaDpIHoW85weTuGCIGfl4ESSEmQ1-138/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-bliss-candle-company.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bodybymia/" target="_blank">Body by Mia</a></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bodybymia/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEy4B_muktKlVrV9YkJfjrga3Vd17k_k3AA4cRhBOJNwpk0dxmtusb8fIqMuJTdPkuHmQqOM7F10SKFFsaQUhUnmv66xWThRPPmZCGfKS1GJyk7YrO1M8MYn51mAUg4477UkzZQ59gt1MpgSqlo_jb99RMHwE6e3W-3QJKy4ieL1-clbQrX5YmwePBXs/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-body-by-mia.png" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/butteredup_organics/" target="_blank">Buttered up</a></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/butteredup_organics/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1p8f_A51GVbDcI6-lKgxagpqVR5PtdmH0Tw_4scJ3uvCzea_rGhzNG3yzWIAprcHXiRRyFNAHf0OuM_aMB6Vj4cI_y0GwguZ5xaHFRPu91z1X8WdQO-obPy0V9cLLOsuKG8D9vUiSjMVtu2MJmJKVwBNZR6iob3WccTloJGKvhIPgfxT-aktkutaYuvA/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-buttered-up.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elly.living/" target="_blank">Elly Living</a></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elly.living/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MLYfTEhxAKLPSBU6x10opvu3dON1tKa1EE2QiwV2VOMePC-lUmVEwSSLBgS7MLsimdbnE7cK2ePlq5_vcYZw4g-GCbIOTVjcGY30UBPvXeaGSQUITD-2YzMZMeH8nhUhH24qx5tShx0_OUtyKn64iDu_63Kw79VECcxDOK7Ys3dxk-baT_D_HN_2nF8/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-elly-living.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/galtandmaree/" target="_blank">Galt and Maree</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/galtandmaree/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkPsJ5sQzABKw_oXtTj8HG3kUE43Z-2fr2t7GnEhvAqhbNb9NMYjAHaQIm7WGAhIykNSU63ui1UeqZTr64nCRCyUKsyFFa8OL7HXzbhmIgpqdr3Wd3VaO9g7FxTrn79qHn_rDL7sV-J0SO3V-9HY0TSU1k6DSsyD3Oeu76K2ed7PnBaXNf2HKPFUacM4/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-galt-and-maree.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/glocandles.co/" target="_blank">Glo Candles</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/glocandles.co/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgiwSZxJSojI6JCLGC2GzrTa5GgxEH_8p3Ha6-e_UO8SIqqB_ci6OqNawGHBfyy82C8MBC3lZAf5ezdcO9VABX34bQvke7hGzvUm2Nesuf88tgvbIfL3nePkFX9okVyfXtLMXC1199FYVs9pFE_T33SzpqKhdljKTJfudcX26zhi9OhILVBGHXxqgE80/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-glo-candles.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/liluaromas1415/" target="_blank">Lilu Aromas</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/liluaromas1415/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uEleLSEyfPKeqIYJUH34DDhbUiqaNpZ4s-4kBW7lNdaP4M854Qn6b4VniwT_p0HBVrCDFv1ow8KC-EYL43DAan7hgqkMk1zAlFaiZogRK_1mdVj2XojqKvhYeGus2mQ3UC6qSg1rCd9pEgP95PPOF0DyaVFDG2sldF1-bPZfOwIORdxFiRS0jBe8okU/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-lilu-aromas.png" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/livecheermeditate/" target="_blank">Live Cheer Meditate</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/livecheermeditate/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tJBeu87RInsywSDrem2YbOiQsUxRQy-sMZVef_RLZqdKfmqKhfzc0cZ0sdUiMvXV7CppbelUyhb4OKw14WBr_2Bb07B7hIF2Tl0lWSKZl2mBwRIJ60XY93O2c-MN0VVV9XlehlRvj-_skQkK_HZM_TKjl5ZX16mBwKwR9-kQV-sxQwr-BXeQEUw1v2A/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-live-cheer-meditate.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/modestscentsations/" target="_blank">Modest Scensations</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/modestscentsations/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXJTytHIjLNb7KQz5HcbtWQA3mCjGdLRCp5iUylBCqa98LEXbvO3gF2n9-uvoEF3fCHorspkTfTOGx0-bNY3A3aTJL0gl3Vs5CTIUTpj9S-1eIurihAY8C5jYoNpfSQrDav-0idCGMROK78e9070U6LVNxx4N6BRBE9WiK61ApmMGWHhF9c4c53A3k4Y/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-modest-scensations.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/myoasiscandles">My Oasis</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/myoasiscandles" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TTmK_8q_2Mg7WWjcgmSYdbEKdImw_FtOL1HRg8w1WuC0kxPeQjiyyxMeGtiIHrj6nxZRgfD6AhrUfuQTcuo8Mk7EjwaJg5ykd88ts7WxguXY-dehWN1VqrpH3-3hrAgb3FGReg2lsssopQt9Ro49lD7I5YjmbzbpVuLl_eGiEvogxrmdKbFEEA_hg5w/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-my-oasis-candles.png" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ray_candles_scents/" target="_blank">Ray Scents</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ray_candles_scents/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbmP1kq9QByhvF5YNxxEmGolwxfXchzqCziKY8DWH_vBsGgk-cQbBrzk3h99ZSmH5S_xHwBQvFXNrwyx0fx7hQCqTd7rREjPHuQ1Ueo60oRkXyFDpjqlYGTWeTcQExy6AFzDfu8BU1o1-NN9S9yyHLrMu1uTQwoVKJCcqNpBGpGYTn3L9WyxTIxyCUdg/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-ray-candles-and-scents.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tazorganicsskincare/" target="_blank">Taz Organics</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tazorganicsskincare/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46CE4Adl9ulbBppqKfMrXEgWj2F3JvFiK7kc7YqkQbleTnfPk0NP0sfFEsdop4HosxKPxYgMEB-PwckTzxgjK1LBKAGb-cNRL6vTJ0s3OuGC5DAkxaABSELrtGSdz9g2X7wpauW6XUzip0vXZcSt7DsaG8Sfvu4LOG5kaCjPBd3mDplSgmxpt5slZO2w/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-taz-organics.png" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theblackbox.tt/" target="_blank">The Black Box</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theblackbox.tt/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlZPOajusBksSXIk0y1uf2eHWrlD4A4ZssfcHdeqK2CH1d0Oouzs5FhZXROh9-y_YkTG8OUiEUBu4fL7aClMAYYQs2b5zaUlyGMkNqiBekyGlJtE5MyGvl4zVvWzW_hqXb2YgRWtpnnx3JwZ7_kMXYSdA67PDPhf4SvsiNtrDIt6VKu7rqdFdQJXJCjo/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-the-black-box.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebodybarco/" target="_blank">The Body Bar</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebodybarco/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fGTxntcro29ae6YhFRXOG1EaXpPtD0fhJBq9WptgoYxeABIfWLqbqQ8MSE3AtFMLNAONb_d-TzvToj-q9irkmnK0N5G0N82jB50y1qOyBn52IwUNxk8IgZwR1S1mWg8LpM-lCwdpsV2zKddbZ2V9yWZ9sZLrSZzVEZIURqNahmFZ57LP1vC_c65SY4s/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-the-body-bar.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thecandleandbodyshop/" target="_blank">The Candle and Body Shop</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thecandleandbodyshop/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15hegMMz0dNXgFy1LMMmFsTwBe0yOAPyd9lwmvsOeBOmEjyGvKzhkhXBbznFSlY9I4rdJH26DJRM__xoBBk_w9rDsBtRSvffthRXkoR7yWCcFdBZ15_l7iIH-l6riG8TEWPUqyEhaoph-s4ygT-4ncAR0tBj9uVWpZCEQ2eaN1b2tFe3DH-QBYjom35k/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-the-candle-and-body-shop.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_zendle_zone/" target="_blank">The Zendle Zone</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_zendle_zone/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezYBn60UVm2VUKLyoysdrBlIgQ9hUMlcnUu9vxu74mIHw9GeWUEcw0Lu-vWErpSufi2nHWqxxfQFRf9T4GnsARUgODhdLaj4hi-v_VCTXcTFg9hkY427a1oSxok933kHoekngV8ChQhLS3RZuoxX_pA8InwaXnOcdCK3JSCIpAuZzdP7kr2rQk33u7QE/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-the-zendle-zone.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tropshopco/" target="_blank">Trop Shop Co</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tropshopco/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqLnk6RVcv69pQrhCGbq_5EZAibJ6mUKP_OcpiEQlqTTChBuMULkzQ0iphfU-f6pZEu4iB6OaVPUk_xRIvdQRovS3mUhKSzKZ_uV_gxk8_97KK7kEniTsDz1NoV4YvfAwKwxG_O20yJapl7brnRlXzcNPsUBK48bOdnV7nL3k1shunqGkJVwQPSmzLY0/w640-h480/nelly-b-local-christmas-candles-trop-shop-co.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As a candle lover, I firmly believe that fragrance sets the mood, so if you're looking for any candles to put you in a festive mood, here you go. If these amazing fragrances don't put you in the Christmas spirit, then I don't think anything will. .I hope you enjoy whichever you get. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Regards,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-82008847519671167142023-05-05T10:36:00.141-04:002023-06-13T17:32:06.062-04:00Tobago Jazz... what an experience. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmp5WEFAIIANDbHeQU68tqtChkuEnr2EwQr-41VJKoBsS2S8zUzyuuWW824AbXv-Kr9lcpLnlS2cVwYH9kW-jZMEAGf_ngsIuPrYC8zbpqC0T2KcYSmsix0bfrb3yHalwW1pZvZsqdfz20D96G_-VKFtilwIkd42p4qi-ro76hh32mCcEeh3R2tSf/w640-h480/Nelly-B-Tobago-Jazz-Experience.png" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I'd never been to any jazz festival, so when presented with the opportunity to attend not one, but all three Tobago Jazz events? I'm jumped at it. The Tobago Jazz Experience has been a stalwart on the Tobago calendar of events for years and 2023 was the return after Covid. Was I excited? Absolutely! So I needed to prepare for all the festivities. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">First step, get some outfits for the five days I'd be in the sister isle. A trip to one of my favourite boutiques <a href="https://kaytique.store/" target="_blank">Kaytique Store</a> in Arima served as inspiration. </p>
<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_/video/7218645903773617413" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7218645903773617413" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="@blessednelly_">@blessednelly_</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/paidpartnership?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="paidpartnership">#paidpartnership</a> So I’ll be going to the Tobago Jazz Festival this month and since the theme is "Much more than music" it means that I have to find some outfit ideas to match not only the festival events, but also all the other activities that I may end up doing while I'm in the sister isle. So I paid a visit to @Kaytique.Store to get some outfit inspo. Which should I get? Which would you choose? <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagojazzexperience2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagojazzexperience2023">#TobagoJazzExperience2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tje2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tje2023">#TJE2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagofestivals?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagofestivals">#TobagoFestivals</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/muchmorethanmusic?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="muchmorethanmusic">#MuchMoreThanMusic</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/plussizefashion?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="plussizefashion">#plussizefashion</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/trinidad?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="trinidad">#trinidad</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Lockdown-6847248179251906562?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="♬ Lockdown">♬ Lockdown</a></section></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Second step, some well needed pampering, so off I went to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sassysuitetrinidad" target="_blank">Sassy Suite</a> in St Augustine to get a pedicure done and get waxed. </p> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_/video/7221254509249432838" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7221254509249432838" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="@blessednelly_">@blessednelly_</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/paidpartnership?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="paidpartnership">#paidpartnership</a> Can’t go on a trip without doing some beauty prep beforehand. So a quick trip to @Sassy Suite Ltd. was needed. The Tobago Jazz Experience is about a week away and the excitement is building. Hope to see you there. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagojazzexperience2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagojazzexperience2023">#TobagoJazzExperience2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tje2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tje2023">#TJE2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagofestivals?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagofestivals">#TobagoFestivals</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/muchmorethanmusic?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="muchmorethanmusic">#MuchMoreThanMusic</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/trinitiktok?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="trinitiktok">#trinitiktok</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/facial?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="facial">#facial</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pedicure?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="pedicure">#pedicure</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/waxing?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="waxing">#waxing</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/selfcare?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="selfcare">#selfcare</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/selfcaretiktok?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="selfcaretiktok">#selfcaretiktok</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Lo-fi-hip-hop-6817306305766639617?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="♬ Lo-fi hip hop">♬ Lo-fi hip hop</a></section></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">If you know me, you know that when it came to packing, I must have local brands in my luggage, and since we're heading to Tobago, a few of them had to be Tobago brands. </p> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_/video/7223865647904705797" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7223865647904705797" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="@blessednelly_">@blessednelly_</a> Heading to Tobago for rhe Tobago Jazz Experience with some of my favourite local brands. @alchemistfragrances @A Little Local Luxury @caripure @Tobaglo Cosmetics Ltd @crownandluxe See you in Tobago for Jazz!!! <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagojazzexperience2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagojazzexperience2023">#TobagoJazzExperience2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tje2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tje2023">#TJE2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagofestivals?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagofestivals">#TobagoFestivals</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/muchmorethanmusic?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="muchmorethanmusic">#MuchMoreThanMusic</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/trini_tiktoks?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="trini_tiktoks">#trini_tiktoks</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Toast-6718002423543105537?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="♬ Toast">♬ Toast</a></section></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">Prepped, pack and ready for Jazz, we head over on the ferry (I had a good journey over, others not so much) and after picking up our rental, we drove and checked into our suite at Comfort Inn in Scarborough. Our room was just what we need. Cozy yet modern and very comfortable. I should also make mention that the meals we had were all fantastic.</p> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_/video/7224218727301008646" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7224218727301008646" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="@blessednelly_">@blessednelly_</a> Comfort Inn Tobago is where I’ll be at for the Tobago Jazz experience and I am loving our room. It’s cozy and comfortable and right on the thick of the festivities! Plus the food we had for lunch at their restaurant was amazing! Definitely a place to keep in mind if you want to splurge a little on the sister isle. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagojazzexperience2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagojazzexperience2023">#TobagoJazzExperience2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tje2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tje2023">#TJE2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagofestivals?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagofestivals">#TobagoFestivals</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/muchmorethanmusic?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="muchmorethanmusic">#MuchMoreThanMusic</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Where-I'm-From-7042440060200814593?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="♬ Where I'm From">♬ Where I'm From</a></section></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">NIGHT ONE!!! Gospel night! Now this was the first time that Tobago Jazz Experience hosted a gospel night and LET ME TELL YOUUUUU!! It was Holy Spirit filled. Every person who graced the stage at Shaw Park used their God given gift in such a phenomenal way and to me was the perfect start to all the festivities. </p> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_/video/7224604375526739206" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7224604375526739206" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="@blessednelly_">@blessednelly_</a> GOSPEL NIGHT WAS EPIC! That's it, that's the caption. Every performer stood out in their own beautiful way to both entertain and inspire us in worship. I can only hope that the other Jazz events bring the vibes as much was experienced for Gospel Night. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagojazzexperience2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagojazzexperience2023">#TobagoJazzExperience2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tje2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tje2023">#TJE2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagofestivals?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagofestivals">#TobagoFestivals</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/muchmorethanmusic?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="muchmorethanmusic">#MuchMoreThanMusic</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobago?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobago">#Tobago</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Your-Great-Name-6786423734908487681?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="♬ Your Great Name">♬ Your Great Name</a></section></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">NIGHT TWO!!! Speyside Jazz! Now I can't lie, the thought of driving to Speyside was a bit intimidating to me, however I managed it both ways fine. Speyside Jazz was a more eclectic night, filled with a mix of jazz, reggae and soca, with the latter two being more predominant. </p> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_/video/7225291949853428997" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7225291949853428997" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="@blessednelly_">@blessednelly_</a> SPEYSIDE JAZZ WAS WORTH THE DRIVE! If I had to use one word to explain this jazz event, it would be eclectic. From soca to conscious, R&B to Jazz and everything in between, the plethora of performances at Speyside Jazz had me on my feet for most of the night. I left tired but happy. The quality of performances I’ve seen thus far are top tier and it makes me so happy to see so local (especially Tobagonian) artistes take the stage and do so well. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagojazzexperience2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagojazzexperience2023">#TobagoJazzExperience2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tje2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tje2023">#TJE2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagofestivals?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagofestivals">#TobagoFestivals</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7225291960336354054?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Nelly B. 🇹🇹">♬ original sound - Nelly B. 🇹🇹</a></section></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">FINAL NIGHT! International Night at the Dwight Yorke Stadium was easily one of the best shows I have ever attended. Every performance was top tier. Now don't get me wrong, Boyz II Men? Fabulous! Koffee? Oh she was fantastic. But yuh see Ms Vaughnette Bigford and her band? When I tell you how much I was in awe of their set! I could listen to her all day every day and never tire of her. </p> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_/video/7225708126215982342" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7225708126215982342" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednelly_?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="@blessednelly_">@blessednelly_</a> INTERNATIONAL NIGHT!!! What a way to end the Jazz experience! The line up had me dancing from the get go and the performers gave their all on stage. The Tobago Jazz Experience owes me NOTHING!! Tobago owes me NOTHING!! I’ll be reminiscing until the next one. Thank you to the @tobagofestivals team for having me. The whole experience ended on a high note. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagojazzexperience2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagojazzexperience2023">#TobagoJazzExperience2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tje2023?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tje2023">#TJE2023</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tobagofestivals?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="tobagofestivals">#TobagoFestivals</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/muchmorethanmusic?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="muchmorethanmusic">#MuchMoreThanMusic</a> @Nelly B. 🇹🇹 @Nelly B. 🇹🇹 <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7225708200392903429?refer=embed" target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Nelly B. 🇹🇹">♬ original sound - Nelly B. 🇹🇹</a></section></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">What's my verdict? Tobago Jazz Experience was indeed an experience, one that was well enjoyed. Tobago has so much to offer, so in between the events we explored the food, nature and other activities that were going on at that time. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Will you be headed to Tobago for next year's Jazz experience? I'm pretty sure I will be. See ya there!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Regards</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B.</div><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-83133645863582744622023-02-13T10:56:00.163-04:002023-02-13T12:54:25.765-04:00Disconnecting to reconnect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRXePe1Q-J4PvDI9YQwy7tlWv6cKA_T3W3N_ko9yaYF67v679L2ecTmQ-c1Eioe5thMuaT6T64JRKCOUZeV2fKtl0pq-qMMMSAgn9aLtfzfPXBIsKjcnFvCqiQ9_AlHMLXpejl0gXiGbiP3z2mEqTOB9LMWnvwkEcobCOYqeps2zw0I4yWt4zNk1Q/w640-h480/Nellyb-tobago-disconnect.png" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Around this time last month I was lamenting to my mother about feeling very stressed and wondering if this was the beginning of my “mid life crisis”. I had been feeling weary, flustered, angry, depressed and frustrated because I couldn't pin point the exact reason for all the emotions I'd been experiencing. Her response? “Nelle, I think you need a little getaway.” </p><p style="text-align: justify;">And she was absolutely right. Then again my mother is right almost all the time so I always heed her words. After discussing with the hubs, he agreed that a trip could do us some good. The easiest option for us was to run off to Tobago. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Tickets for ferry? Purchased online with the swiftness. We went by ferry as we decided to take the car). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Accommodation? Sorted with ease. We often stay at Store Bay Holidays which are apartments located a stone's throw away from Church's Chicken and walking distance from the airport. We already had a downpayment for a night's stay booked in, as we had planned to go last year February but postponed due to my car getting stolen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="301" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j4xs-JdgVRI" width="483" youtube-src-id="j4xs-JdgVRI"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: justify;">All in all, it took very little effort to organise our trip and then the countdown was on.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Now being the content creator that I am, how could I not pack my tripod, mini ring light, bluetooth remote trigger and the lot? Ya girl must get some aesthetic pics for the gram and videos for TikTok not so? </p><p style="text-align: justify;">That at one point was the plan. But as I stood on the deck of the Buccoo Reef ferry, and looked out at the waters as Port of Spain became more distant, something whispered in my ear to "disconnect". It was decided, this weekend would be a limited phone usage weekend.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">To summarise the weekend, it was nothing short of amazing, and I enjoyed it far beyond my own expectation. For me, instead of focusing on content, I actively focused on being present. The hubs and I were able to just be with each other without the distractions of having our phones as extensions of ourselves. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">From the amazing food we ate, to teaching tourists how to do the electric slide (there may or may not be footage of this floating around somewhere), to immersing ourselves in the pristine blue waters that Tobago has to offer, we took it all in, and I, for the first time in a long time, was unbothered about creating content. Now don't get me wrong, I did snap a few photos and videos here and there, but the intention of those wasn't for creating content, rather, for creating memories. Would I post them to social media? Perhaps. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">All in all, I can easily say that this was the best trip to Tobago for me. And I know that it significantly has to do with disconnecting, especially from social media and taking the time to reconnect with not only my husband, but also myself. If you're thinking about taking a social media break, and you find yourself wondering why you should, Jessica Thodas from <a href="https://www.betimeful.com/blogs/8-benefits-of-disconnecting-from-social-media" target="_blank">BeTimeFul</a> shares quite a few, some of which really resonated with me:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">It allows you to connect in the real world. In our short time in the sister isle I interacted with more persons face to face, and even made some new friends (shout out to Wayne and Lucia).</li><li style="text-align: justify;">It allows your more quiet time. I was able to clear my mind and just be. The hubs and I simply relaxed and just allowed ourselves to be with each other. Feel free to interpret that however you may.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">It benefits your mental health. Contrary to popular belief, I compare myself to others that I see on social media (it's a work in progress). And for once in a long time that feeling of not being adequate, or that feeling missing out wasn't there. </li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Now here's the best part of disconnecting: You don't have to wait until you're going on a trip. You can make an active decision right now to take some social media downtime where you're not constantly scrolling or in my case, constantly on the hunt for things to post/share as content. As much as we hear that in order to do well on these apps, we need to post constantly, I'm here to say that your mental well being is far more important than being consistent on creating and/or consuming what these social apps have to offer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I can hear some of you saying that you just can't not be on social media. Okay, but the thing is, if you can't fully take a break from the jump, then you can start by limiting how many hours you spend on social media a day, or choosing a day of the week to not check any of the social apps. The urge to constantly be on your phone can be strong, trust me I know. But if you stick to limiting your time and taking breaks, you'll see how amazing it is to not feel like a slave to these apps, or to your phone in general. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I for one, plan to limit my social media usage and take more breaks in the future, and I highly encourage you to do the same. Consider this your sign if you were looking for one. There isn't anything or anyone stopping you from trying, but you. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div>Regards<br />Tshenelle aka Nelly B.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-25737199322166325842023-01-24T17:02:00.001-04:002023-01-24T17:02:45.388-04:00A little gaming never hurt...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNQMke6ju406swvx5lS3G-uYm-bq2NJLGyej-n5FdqJwu4OuUwaFBpHHdg2XMMBaGifaUA-w3K4fjWvHW9LQ0t1MLwjUVjiXDcXohy_teg2cdSK9B4Noc20bfWsLlxXYTLnTUW0dkNvTCFdG0OeT2Zw6IU2BuLHUEcosu0q4RDY_8wYswyQrjTOkR/w640-h426/rodion-kutsaiev-0VGG7cqTwCo-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">If you ask my husband, he'd be quick to tell you that I love to play games. No, no, not those types of games. I mean actual games, some of which I have on my phone and are often played in my spare time. Others, I have on my computer, that I play when I need a break or quick distraction. The types of games? Match 3, hidden object, and then some. Light games that are fun and can help keep your brain sharp.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So when I came across <a href="https://www.solitaire.org/" target="_blank">Solitaire.org</a>, I was curious. I did a search for online games (because I'm trying to save space on my phone and laptop) and when it popped up I figured, might as well give it a chance. Now when you land on the page and scroll, you're taken immediately to the game of solitaire. Am I good at solitaire? No, but I managed to win a few times. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://Solitaire.org" target="_blank">Solitaire.org</a> has over 40 games in several different styles to choose from. So if you're into word games, card games, match 3 and the lot, and you don't want to download any additional apps to your phone or computer, then this website will be perfect for you. And I have been having a time trying the games. Some of my favourites are:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="2708" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu30KyXe4oe3RiezhsJFd1ymMeNNc4Z9xCqcrG8hNAwHrO207whSDevIu-WyxJlHZsrUHqp7iFd-eTfcSMcNkxG246XHQYrob0i4mjswdAsHhhc-1F70iXfT_abK0ZM3j882iyu6Trb7XhQYl6GTeSxIRSK7sJGy-c_A5lPM6uCFtxv6L4oHP13at/w640-h362/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%201.46.45%20PM.png" width="640" /></div><div>Under Hidden Object, the <a href="https://www.solitaire.org/the-palace-hotel/" target="_blank">Palace Hotel</a> option. I actually finished this game out to the last level and felt rather proud of myself considering that I've seemed to inherit not so good eyesight from my maternal side of the family. Thanks mom. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="2670" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQo8cI6mJLndbYPN48OP8Dp_9l5LW5zFrCjnIy2yJ4DtWgv85LhZt3yQMi5ty3djD4M15h9KBbrf6LCRqaMBEim0in1wmSIW70BhREQU_VSFM3K989kGseifc5KeE9ehj-XQt8s77Ns9sgEjYq5x2oJBGcvuqM58l7A6vF89g1D2zKiMv2BXzZRHc/w640-h358/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%203.58.19%20PM.png" width="640" /></div><div>Under Logic Puzzles, I love <a href="https://www.solitaire.org/tetra-blocks/" target="_blank">Tetra Blocks</a> (the nostalgia hit me hard playing this) and while I figured i would have been an easy play, I did in fact forget that the game speeds up with each level. I'm yet to master it, and yes I plan to beat this game and restore my honour. I also loved <a href="https://www.solitaire.org/battleships-armada/" target="_blank">Battleships Armada</a>, and was trying to get my husband to play, but he had never heard of the game. HOW?! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><imageanchor style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="2680" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8FagXmpQG13AfY7hXsLgpXtSb6-8QKga8JvdTS3HVEWLCflsG4wfitDHPTzdnBPm1AavFiBjhfgxU76dxzy4BBIB6IjwY9ZTVSGnmOG6kuohIVNhglOVIrk3geauK6UWeMcqmM8_BItlaYJB8wC5Mascr9hB2fUKpk1GD_uH9kiv-4-OltRQSpqF/w640-h360/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%204.04.48%20PM.png" width="640" /></imageanchor></div><div>Word games are always a win in my book, and <a href="https://www.solitaire.org/letter-scramble/" target="_blank">Letter Scramble</a> did not disappoint. What's a bit hilarious to note, is that if you saw me when I was playing it, you'd have a good laugh as I panicked over the letter being thrown on to the board too quickly. Nonetheless. I'd like to think that I'm "alone" in how I'd react. See what I did there? Watch the pic from the game? Okay moving along....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="2668" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vc4buhqGa2K08UdGSp9W_TOpZU_8k45IwsGlYSjxD7Yg6jJQqf8rZqUTptiofY11pgZWnedbyEhND3dL_SQNCe-zBiD6BsQV9dAohzX5M4JpXoIOLbi3U4f_3SqmKDkzH2hqnGghrrPo3-DhNVhXaCJm0EMlNzu4weLWhK4f5kE4E9ZI8H1QjhDi/w640-h366/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%204.32.54%20PM.png" width="640" /></div>So fun fact, I know how to play these Mahjong games, but don't ask me to explain. I just know. And I chose the <a href="https://www.solitaire.org/cooking-mahjong/" target="_blank">Cooking game</a> option because, well, it's food. That's pretty much why. It's like a match game, but not quite. Does that make sense? Probably not. But if you've never played it before, just dive in and figure it out. <div><br /></div><div>Now admittedly, I play more on my laptop than I do on my phone. So when the opportunity presented itself for me to play on mobile while waiting for an appointment, I was happy to see that the games rendered well in mobile browser, with the option to have each game open in a stand alone browser.</div><div><br /></div><div>Am I hooked? Yeah pretty much, but with the busyness of life I have to ensure that I at least find time to get work done and play some games to have a little fun. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are you into these types of games? Sound off and let me know. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Regards,</div><div>Tshenelle aka Nelly B.<br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-14135334166212708592022-12-05T14:38:00.214-04:002022-12-05T16:35:00.450-04:00All I want for Christmas is... more local products<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1080" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n5R38QcX_6jgyuwZD8EGGKHV77VEtQ5WoMZkReH6grMBGAjAnvqqGfeUrB_XRZrSHxA6UKM1pOonSKChioSPf5w0zhJve9Q8uIOZyamaKAwZwenuXe-PGarox8bepG2Z8a3wf5fwn8MDvF-heVvgUKc4gk41EF1heUIsTwOXWQW5wRQOEclUF-AA/w640-h518/nelly-b-local-christmas-0.jpg" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Christmas is in the air!!! And as always I am looking out for what ort local brands have to offer, because in case you're new here, ya girl supports local hard over here and nothing makes me happier than being able in some small way to contribute to the growth of our local brands. If you haven't given local a chance, you are missing out! And here are some brands that I have my eye on just time for the holiday season. This list focuses on things that aren't so much beauty and skin care, but for the most part, dives a bit into fashion, home decor and lifestyle. </p><h3 style="text-align: justify;">BoHome Creations (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bohome.creations" target="_blank">Instagram</a>): Macramé accessories for home and lifestyle</h3><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYFn8MJLmLMmhp7nkiLjI3xIbdueB6eEaltQUVniFd3q9CpJrrAghyOoGrZ8pDOFYLvDcC588iJAfXMguEMQ7EchaVVcNpCF7zAyhiw3KUUuqU8Z3jSrjSB0hrUkiIdzZ5Uv5IHzojvE3Y0_AMO9QIuYkcv3HPYu1s1PPGyuNmVBur1GEREvW2sHc/w640-h640/nelly-b-local-christmas-1-bohomecreations.jpg" width="640" /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">D'Punchline (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/depunchlinett" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dpunchlinett" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://dpunchline.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>): Leather bags and accessories</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhoVj0x2SZBY7HcvYlBtlRLm6JTL-R1RNAN6uyvST-DaupOkTi_1P8tN6jyLVyGlHOefzyv4xmF3xV2g3x5f5VxaRP44o5vLxPzV5GbZ7j_dbFbN_i1qRRBx-i7NDxbQbLI0bzWuyFzTvGY3WHN0wqMZxWDllPEA7UluKLgi_PDJwnCtpgrO0e5lo/w640-h640/nelly-b-local-christmas-3-dpunchline.jpg" width="640" /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Ear and Co. (</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/earandcoltd/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/earandcolimited/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, </span><a href="https://earandco.com/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Website</a><span style="text-align: justify;">): Polymer clay jewellery</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQADedb03aCiHkM5a2sZBJcV5GZPgaoOVFjaHWphfks_90g45mi0-89lfiPjh1j-KRK5cjnZyY75gPDCY20ZxpybeLKXCJvUs1A79LxYQY-LGnjxmmG-YBiNcMoXB4YzCnrCKSevy_rjHDueCT-RIMFkvhgAqjP9Tl9iParjmJgzrvaBrXTDk8Jlb/w640-h640/nelly-b-local-christmas-4-earandcoltd.jpg" width="640" /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Made for You (</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/madeforyou_tt" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: justify;">): Clothing</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLKki4uiOAyER0aB3tKgNXKYLQz5pDXdb9-ad6Sty4-lJmrgLdxBN8mF3CeedS_ISW5O7rDChw335N0O5WEE_30OZk8DEifz0dkM6G0nQ7o8BHcvjE_EFpoxWMXFkfshiqYRZizOao_HdPwyXpIfFpDNQ2R0OKEt2VPIjsr6pT848baesOCG5F0Ah/w528-h640/nelly-b-local-christmas-5-madeforyou.jpg" width="528" /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Sarah Jo Designs (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahjosannekatwaroo0" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sarahjodesigns" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://shopcaribe.com/store/sarahjodesignstt/" target="_blank">Website</a>): Handbags, clutches and totes</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1080" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcql4sTgUHZ6NiqPli9JlIhmSS19ImN-V_vJ_pNLY3SuUxIy7L6kQJuj8z75by0wfkBNvMKC2O5sY9JQKKytiMDlQAaMKQwaalQeA29nS0PH7gTc66HgNqec5u0boS76-oPX2kmTg_wPtgn3OeXilhjTjwBTMAp-2uvyBy7V08ysteUQiBVC12AY2/w640-h518/nelly-b-local-christmas-6-sarahjodesigns.jpg" width="640" /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Shivonne Subero Label (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShivonneSuberoLabel" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shivonnesuberolabel/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>)</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhsZPrbyoBeJmOGCBOZQ3R-PbsZIcXulUqkAsZE-XM5_PjLUNUgW-pdNh3FYaJCRS7533FZEQ58zJzo75hYJhjuOfSPnxHxDUtdDNOz8Wu7ctaL-tKq6Q1i2lWeMaOqx9g3H6q5pZBNdSWT9eaCDs9wAE4Zovte7Vi1xITIkp2scWJBEsyJyjjJ9R/w512-h640/nelly-b-local-christmas-7-sslabel.jpg" width="512" /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The Brand Ade (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thebrandade" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://nstagram.com/thebrandade" target="_blank">Instagram</a>): Polymer Clay jewellery</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbW29NvTTDDhV4dhIaBF72Z2QpAPeDmiRbHlsrDXZAgLM3FD-3gTSTH7M4uKz2so8KjTxLuUn75axoCY1rhRAqawIL-aNr9l5snKCdL14PX3Y7th4lfdNKZ1bewCB0FqyL6JSUWUKLt_MAC_Z18HW4whS5pvA-PUwd8mF8gliMeeGWmonQzNxJNG2X/w512-h640/nelly-b-local-christmas-2-brandade.jpg" width="512" /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">The Palette (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thepalettett/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>): Ceramics</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjd9nnQwi1-PsT4b47gF10w7NZnyIgs-pYClNeVQpTjP4cR21O_c83CjxPgwvQdkQhgf9e8whhLvH6tSfr2DOqyUM1N6cL07-ouzb7FoQ261TBzfxewLZJIVykCpNVV1PKqBwXs_ijGukGMH1528nogVkmUSJ8XdWp0GZGrBm0rf4fXQQIgoacUzI-/w640-h640/nelly-b-local-christmas-8-thepalette.jpg" width="640" /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Tobaglo Cosmetics (</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tobaglocosmeticsltd" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tobaglocosmetics" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://tobaglocosmetics.com/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Website</a><span style="text-align: justify;">)</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXl7S34uhE9A71T4hNBFUr7NAhhVDUPXNsORzTw6DKWo4BbGXRPkUfbxfc1BWmM3KogS4iuh63vSO23Lh2MsZZKVtzXljwDNFAlUmLP5j0iiICvpedx1JV8FUOrgIMpbVCKeLVgTFcZCAhYniykaBUtnwq5ebYN-yr4GmdYXBDANt2mThpsmmEJFk/w562-h640/nelly-b-local-christmas-9-tobaglocosmetics.jpg" width="562" /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Very Verde </span>(<a href="https://www.facebook.com/veryverdett" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/veryverdett/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://www.veryverdett.com/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Website</a><span style="text-align: justify;">): Concrete wearables and lifestyle pieces</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDiZ44IG69pZpXKxNKmWPq0WLMXI3yoe2BdbzleTHog1s6hZRQNyZIXiXSiytliO4fVrjfEGsVMf_xpa8V_vC7qrDQH_sy0aUR8LlJbse0jSUU1Crht7ruBa3B-HgQsozMvGpPUygCzbv74xefBKjXkCnm6k6u_ZhoE6z_Tvx2ov49YHDN6YSZ4O6/w640-h640/nelly-b-local-christmas-10-ververde.jpg" width="640" /></div></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Now if you know me, you'd know that this list is just the tip of the iceberg as to the local things I want to get my hands on. Feel free to use it as a starting point as you begin to explore local in times for the season. There are so many wonderful local brands to discover and the best part is, there is something local for everyone. Just be open to it. </p><div style="text-align: justify;">As for me, I will subtly share this list with my husband so that he cannot claim that he doesn't know what to get me. Beloved, WHEN you see this, you can start with that palette from Tobaglo Cosmetics.</div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Happy Shopping!!</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-70239410039610057412022-07-01T00:00:00.023-04:002022-07-02T07:16:43.025-04:00To Dominica, with Book of Cinz<div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLoXvLFD11AxKCZazfTPR_JQ0ajEGtNtu9ve382xQ0NZ2RZAnKdjfbjXTQ8111Axm1GNP38DCTUwj25irazYezm8TKU9uwsAlPI8jXppPD6180GAlxZWwsyoRDhd0byvhDd_I9aP4PZ9ZTMqozmxNXeEERfDFP3o67BO18aT8mzpkYlgw544SS_Wg/s1600/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLoXvLFD11AxKCZazfTPR_JQ0ajEGtNtu9ve382xQ0NZ2RZAnKdjfbjXTQ8111Axm1GNP38DCTUwj25irazYezm8TKU9uwsAlPI8jXppPD6180GAlxZWwsyoRDhd0byvhDd_I9aP4PZ9ZTMqozmxNXeEERfDFP3o67BO18aT8mzpkYlgw544SS_Wg/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Before the pandemic hit, my last out of country trip had been a work related run to Grenada, so when the opportunity arose to travel to the nature isle with an Instagrammer whom I absolutely admire?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I jumped at the chance...and by jump, I mean I literally jumped off the bed ran into the living room to ask my husband if the thinks I should go for it. Without even thinking twice he said yes. Knowing my love for island travel, and that my mental health had gone to shit during this pandemic, he understood my need to get outta here for a few days. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks to a blesser who gifted me Caribbean Airlines miles, my over $400USD ticket only costed me $127.67USD. Thanks to Uncle Keith, I no longer needed a PCR to come back into Trinidad. A quick call was made to the La Falaise lab in Dominica to confirm the availability of Antigen testing and when that confirmed, I was good to go for my return flight. Commence countdown to trip, with some drama of souring $EC and attempting to update my international health card thrown in the mix. Everything worked out in good time thankfully.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="958" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4pTnFNJsnh_1EUtKR856GWOaekboxkTGQQBEIxDoVN4JGoRoADwzluQ3c9ULDrSE_H83NKFmIQZ5dil60hvNoKzVpl16EgB7Csz9VYDDM3vVNR0pQcAQ7hv__RpBx6xYTX4XmltVCszNOMRfcLRIEDBx9fqA04GYIS6hStrD86NmbmChikvESZw1/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(2).jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing at the entrance to the road that took us down to Sea Cliff Cottages because we refuse to take a taxi from the airport that would cost us $100EC. Instead we took a bus for $6EC and walked the rest<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The night before the trip was an entire fiasco in itself. My Samsonite? Packed with way too much clothing (okay, let me be honest, way too much swimwear) and way too many of my local faves (because I must have my local goodness with me at all times). My anxiety? Through the roof. Because I would not be me if my anxiety didn't come to play at some point in the lead up to this voyage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now about <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bookofcinz/" target="_blank">Book of Cinz</a>. Otherwise known as Cindy, she is a Jamaican bookstagrammer currently residing in Trinidad. I followed her a few years back while broadening my search for other Caribbean content creators on Instagram and while I am not as avid of a reader as I used to be, following her has definitely rekindled my love for reading. According to her <a href="https://bookofcinz.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, she "created the Book of Cinz platform to encourage people to Read, read More, read Widely, and Read Caribbean." and as I think back on our trip, she definitely practises what she preaches and then some, heavy on the then some. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJfGrnqbqtHlMpHsJ77VL_MIhAlY3cJXpW88qwKG4qGQ3pwUzQRaKE1V1j3HvAWmGb4wTxoKD7AbKmPZorm4_hv9VE9vYDiIRTlM2hu0msTF90Rxby076PSDUKqOi2xar19PpnF84DaL3krheoAfUPdF5BuUgxWVI9ItOcesitWGkVFjaGG07dq9w/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(13).jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I fell in love with our studio space at Sea Cliff. No air condition needed because the breeze was real.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meeting Cindy that morning in the airport was surreal. We'd been following each other for years and would chat off and on, but the idea of meeting her in person to travel on a trip???? Anxiety triggering. Why? Because my brain is wired weird and I can get awkward real quick when it comes to interacting with people whom I adore. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The caveat of me travelling with her, would be to help her create content while we stayed at the beautiful <a href="https://www.instagram.com/seacliffdominica/" target="_blank">Sea Cliff Cottages</a>. You guys have no idea how ready I was to get the content creation going (read that as SpongeBob ready; if you know, you know). I already had it planned out in my brain the types of shots that we could possibly do and was ready to focus solely on making sure that she had enough content to work with in the time frame that I'd be with her. She however, had other plans for me. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLxvWR007oAlnGf4L67SVZtXwUHrC5aLgdfkUi-dh8kzV7AUIyGC9Fr0dYkkOry404cNyN_b4blT4L2ttTyzQ3wMgX3M9AGXjZlYJpGEj_Zwgb4upASkCTVDDPQacIVQ9PxM1JFVd7GSuYWr_FtdTfqRQR4Kh5L_D7LS8QvjmZPmFPjX3uugoFvFC/s4032/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(14).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLxvWR007oAlnGf4L67SVZtXwUHrC5aLgdfkUi-dh8kzV7AUIyGC9Fr0dYkkOry404cNyN_b4blT4L2ttTyzQ3wMgX3M9AGXjZlYJpGEj_Zwgb4upASkCTVDDPQacIVQ9PxM1JFVd7GSuYWr_FtdTfqRQR4Kh5L_D7LS8QvjmZPmFPjX3uugoFvFC/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(14).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food in Dominica is stick to your ribs kinda food. Made with love. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Content creation was already happening from the minute she walked up to me, phone in hand ready to document this trip and reveal to her followers who would be accompanying her in the first part of her stay in Dominica. I had no idea what I was in for, but ya girl was ready (again, SpongeBob). Once we got into the departure lounge the tiktoks began, and I was legit taken aback (in awe and amazement) at how effortlessly she creates content for her platforms. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One hour and a half flight, and a twenty minute bus ride (read bus as maxi) later, we were checked into our cottage at Sea Cliff. While this wasn't my first trip to Dominica, it was my first time not staying in or near Roseau, and honestly I think I enjoyed staying in Calibishie more than anything. Sea Cliff Cottages are these lovely, homey eco cottages located on the Point Dubique cliff. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5FtaolO29c37DF8ixAgsUca6oAJeAjdIsK1DDfhbUl9fnDPvoQKKy1ey9vO5bZV3IMxBwhb_pdrPhCaPMK480VUODr5tb-74D6-uJlkoEyGWGAI9g48FdukC1LF2Mr3wSSINFSkCGh9T4Zi-fH9hEonSsTDtRFnXvb8huDCdxAvH7N4E3daemCcf/s3016/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(7).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2262" data-original-width="3016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5FtaolO29c37DF8ixAgsUca6oAJeAjdIsK1DDfhbUl9fnDPvoQKKy1ey9vO5bZV3IMxBwhb_pdrPhCaPMK480VUODr5tb-74D6-uJlkoEyGWGAI9g48FdukC1LF2Mr3wSSINFSkCGh9T4Zi-fH9hEonSsTDtRFnXvb8huDCdxAvH7N4E3daemCcf/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(7).jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise view from the grounds at Sea Cliff, I could take it in every single day. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The view? Absolutely stunning.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cottages? Solar powered, cosy, homey, I felt so relaxed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The water source? Nature. I'll just add that Dominican water is the best tasting water ever, and the coldest lawd have mercy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our first night, we had cocktails with Amber and Simon, the owners of Sea Cliff, and while I could not join in the book related conversation, I enjoyed seeing everyone so animated about their love for reading and concept of booktok and bookstagram. It was so interesting watching Cindy speak about the world of publishing, a world that is completely foreign to me, but I was captivated. I should also add that Amber's Rum Sour cocktail recipe was perfection. Amber if you ever see this, thanks for the recipe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4Ovw61P1slR4lY5NfCQcl9BfCkQeFYidFl1iW2rTuybGfXv9fYXwH-xH9Y-GcQ6yr0AXVyBsBM3dpas_gavuxL7wHI6PsOuVBu4paRQ51i6MnAytPhcbB-RrWS-1v_jpFZmG68i96qbhQ-xoLMDvQrJtbHJZVmx9N7VuBuV9tFuKSqqcpFlhQGvV/s3016/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(9).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2262" data-original-width="3016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4Ovw61P1slR4lY5NfCQcl9BfCkQeFYidFl1iW2rTuybGfXv9fYXwH-xH9Y-GcQ6yr0AXVyBsBM3dpas_gavuxL7wHI6PsOuVBu4paRQ51i6MnAytPhcbB-RrWS-1v_jpFZmG68i96qbhQ-xoLMDvQrJtbHJZVmx9N7VuBuV9tFuKSqqcpFlhQGvV/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(9).jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite spot on the grounds. I may or may not have fallen asleep here a few times. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What would happen over the course of the next two days would be:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednellyb/video/7081350261142244613" target="_blank">Day one</a>: Me falling down on the Calibishie main road bruising my left knee and twisting my right ankle</li><li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednellyb/video/7081986127673986309" target="_blank">Day two</a>: Us driving to Portsmouth (Cindy is a boss driver) to check out the Cabrits National Park, then back to Calibishie to visit a few tourist sites like Red Rock which to me is more..orange? As well as passing through the Point Baptiste Estate to get chocolate and have a swim in a private beach </li><li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@blessednellyb/video/7082379209582054661" target="_blank">Day three</a>: Us driving to Roseau the next day, and having a tour and lunch at Fort Young Hotel. I got my antigen test done 🥴 and then Cindy, with all the love in the world, threw me out at the airport to catch my flight back home. </li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the midst of out shenanigans, Cindy looked out for me on the content side of things. Remember when I said that she had other plans for me? Well, she ensured that I also had content from the trip. Truthfully I wasn't even planning to create that much content for me, but from the jump she made it clear that I was here to enjoy the trip with her just as much as helping her create content. Admittedly, I was ready for her to wuk meh like a horse, but she was really laid back about all of it (read that as, she eh give meh enough wuk).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZpYwEq9D7OVSHD1L8fkAxIheT4C9TK86RzlC4OyYXx0mUbdaUpRLcRbRXMRpng5xQ_Uxmzj-8yL0FMh-FOPEwqNUrynehObrMy2oAlpAfKcNfrHV3KMWN0sp8OKi2w_d37EAGoAiXX4XARz93bNKhe2TZXv11LZNhEQbmWb11dh00yhrOyyI3z2w/s1197/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(3).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1197" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZpYwEq9D7OVSHD1L8fkAxIheT4C9TK86RzlC4OyYXx0mUbdaUpRLcRbRXMRpng5xQ_Uxmzj-8yL0FMh-FOPEwqNUrynehObrMy2oAlpAfKcNfrHV3KMWN0sp8OKi2w_d37EAGoAiXX4XARz93bNKhe2TZXv11LZNhEQbmWb11dh00yhrOyyI3z2w/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(3).jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The not so red Red rock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite being laid back though, when it comes to her platform's aesthetic, she knows what she wants, and it was low key riveting to see how she goes about taking her photos, deciding which ones she'll use, and seeing how she repurposes her video clips to create a plethora of content. It was also amusing to see her record her voiceovers. Her energy will pull you in and she really has the ability to make you feel like you're right next to her wherever she is. Well in this instance I was right next to her but you know what I mean. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dCikTXYDpvkoMilpEvDdX9N7t-8WJnzZze5YgKdTOnsLjGOIbQ_m1Rhg6tdUFObR_IyboRrSAgHwR_tSM29HAUZOVHPoJLYRGv_QSubdloG5Wq6ZPdsB_xSb6Qha-f70s0oVMj5cqa5iQfdzUCkmntaZv2F5kDxnZ9MdHZiKYDkF4ckZLmgMF-iy/s1197/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(4).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1197" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dCikTXYDpvkoMilpEvDdX9N7t-8WJnzZze5YgKdTOnsLjGOIbQ_m1Rhg6tdUFObR_IyboRrSAgHwR_tSM29HAUZOVHPoJLYRGv_QSubdloG5Wq6ZPdsB_xSb6Qha-f70s0oVMj5cqa5iQfdzUCkmntaZv2F5kDxnZ9MdHZiKYDkF4ckZLmgMF-iy/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(4).jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Shirley has some amazing views, but right now, I am the view </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">But she also has a very quiet side and focused side. When she was in work mode, she was hyper focused. You could immediately tell when she would transition from larger than life Book of Cinz, to Cindy working as a freelancer ensuring that she was on top of her work commitments. In those moments I'd find myself exploring the Sea Cliff Cottage compound so that I wouldn't be a distraction. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbIbWRrkVNDSY2AeaDqBsks0XYqG62BVTpCrd6bps4k1bzYLhBCUXmCK4c4Qu-GY_bKwQt2d6vAxs3W9v0c6Q0ELNDaAICckm2-77hBCViIQTinD3EdglYdqZe2TKth_4MhBIcbgEjCBbQ6gaAV0TExK-EC69SwzAlZoNMmHy2Fp1JTIgMesFasMe/s3016/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2263" data-original-width="3016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbIbWRrkVNDSY2AeaDqBsks0XYqG62BVTpCrd6bps4k1bzYLhBCUXmCK4c4Qu-GY_bKwQt2d6vAxs3W9v0c6Q0ELNDaAICckm2-77hBCViIQTinD3EdglYdqZe2TKth_4MhBIcbgEjCBbQ6gaAV0TExK-EC69SwzAlZoNMmHy2Fp1JTIgMesFasMe/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm complete obsessed with this chair</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Those moments on that trip gave me enough time to really think and reflect about a lot of things that had gone on in the past few months. From losing two family members, to my car getting stolen, to moving into a new space. I hadn't quite taken the time to figure out what my next steps would be, until I had time to just breathe and think about it all in those moments where I was on my own. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the time Cindy dropped me off at the airport to come back home, I had already made my mind up about a few things:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">I need to come back to Dominica and stay at Sea Cliff again. When? I don't know just yet, but I fell in love with the place and with Simon's and Amber's love for eco friendly and sustainable living.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">I want to bring my parents, more so my dad who fell in love with the view and is ready to fish and hunt. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">I need to get back on my travel Caribbean plan. There are so many islands to explore. We need to find a way to make regional travel cheaper.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">If Cindy ever affords me the opportunity to be her travel sidekick again, I'll say yes in a heartbeat...finances willing and fitness willing because whew... when Cindy is on the go, she is on the go, and my not so fit self had one heck of a time trying to keep up 😅</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's been a few months since the trip and I can say with surety that my Dominica tabanca is still very much real. I keep envisioning myself setting in a chair on the veranda of the main house, with my rum sour in hand, taking in the strong Atlantic breeze. Or sitting on the chair outside of our studio watching the sunrise while listening to that day's Lectio Divina. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4APjdol30Q1gyvPJ38fZZDP2P4QSA7sxTpGE8V_PTVYIJ6zcmszHktn2DcO_o4G6141O0x6AjPUaNhDv1E9Ll6KurBmXBh2rGGzHvnyxB7HOeLYUxAYgZc9wZDFhMSm3JfLRqS1GDKli4Kgvl-aDiDUAT8OuYj8-1XVMHmZmkqQh3XL4FrJx57NUJ/s1197/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1197" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4APjdol30Q1gyvPJ38fZZDP2P4QSA7sxTpGE8V_PTVYIJ6zcmszHktn2DcO_o4G6141O0x6AjPUaNhDv1E9Ll6KurBmXBh2rGGzHvnyxB7HOeLYUxAYgZc9wZDFhMSm3JfLRqS1GDKli4Kgvl-aDiDUAT8OuYj8-1XVMHmZmkqQh3XL4FrJx57NUJ/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from Fort Young hotel in Roseau</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Those few days in the nature isle were literally what I needed at that time, and I came back home feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world again. Okay maybe not take on the world, but I came back feeling a whole lot better mentally.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VhW5wCiITmxhDT3wPiXreHT7mXTpna66MtQ32gZ2Lubw4-cs19316OIy1ChTMkRt8spHWvsX9n6vSvQhkYy1Y0y-lLHwZAy9uteANXga04-bvwXmchMMWd9RGRd1qUUE-tr2MqWvJY93l52O7isUm_EjP6rmXrxnOua7KU9Wo0IEZ4WiFY_KxK0b/s3088/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(10).jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VhW5wCiITmxhDT3wPiXreHT7mXTpna66MtQ32gZ2Lubw4-cs19316OIy1ChTMkRt8spHWvsX9n6vSvQhkYy1Y0y-lLHwZAy9uteANXga04-bvwXmchMMWd9RGRd1qUUE-tr2MqWvJY93l52O7isUm_EjP6rmXrxnOua7KU9Wo0IEZ4WiFY_KxK0b/w640-h480/nelly%20b%20dominica%20book%20of%20cinz%20(10).jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped outside the National Park to get our feet wet, My wig also fell off right before we took this picture 😆</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So Cindy, if you ever see this, consider this my final thank you. I know I've said thank you a million times, even though you tell me to stop. This, I promise, is the last thank you I'll say out loud. Because there are millions more in my head and heart that I keep there any time I look back on this trip that made me feel like myself again. I can only hope that I was a good enough (I'll accept passable) travel companion, bonus points hopefully because don't snore 🤣</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cindy is currently off on another travel adventure in Europe, so if you want to see what she's up to, you can follow her on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bookofcinz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tiktok</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bookofcinz/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. I highly suggest you also check out her <a href="https://bookofcinz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> too and join her mailing list if you love reading, especially since she has a reading retreat happening later this year in...you guessed it...Dominica!!! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If the thought of Dominica tickles your fancy and you'd like to check out Sea Cliff Cottages, you can follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sea-Cliff-Eco-Cottages-110018414932238" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook,</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/seacliffdominica/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or visit their <a href="https://www.seacliffdominica.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> to make a booking.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Soooooooooo does anyone have Caribbean airlines miles that they're willing to gift? I need another island trip ASAP. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-47623196187717366382021-12-01T19:15:00.006-04:002022-06-28T11:50:53.890-04:00Hub for Natural Hair: The perfect gift for your favourite naturalista <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="2048" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8EI1TlyyrjMgj7w1xwsxaNlQiGi6FB3dgpQ4GU49gblNcnT5zQ2cwC5vNO579vtP0Ktxgi0y7oonRKDxHpnzHJv5D6yjqDN96mTwXqU92aMgqYNQ0YkeB43vNp7UQm4sCqGW6fxdO_w/w640-h484/nellyb-hub-for-natural-hair-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>December is here, and I know that many of us have already started looking and shopping for gifts for our loved ones. Chances are, someone on your gift list may have natural hair, so why not get them something to help them take care of their kinks, curls or coils? I always get requests to help create packages for someone's favourite naturalista around this time of year, so or 2021, I'll be referring them to Hub for Natural Hair. But what is Hub for Natural Hair? I'll let Chantelle Novoa, the mastermind behind HNH break it down.</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrd5mTloSF67X9BFYaYByk-iErJz39hHi19V6UMjoHCHKoSUvC8dOELkjfFc3084MBaxupJFnZfsIuLlcERxF1ZZUrW0bgUtX4ssGSphNj7PcMX4qjmUpqpyizVFAXolMvlnKtBvEqKk/w640-h480/nellyb-hub-for-natural-hair-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chantelle Novoa</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ea118d;"><b>Tell me about you: age, occupation</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am 23 years old, a recent graduate of The UWI and the Founder/ Owner/ Manager of Hub for Natural Hair. Born in Trinidad, raised in Tobago from ages 2 to 18, my home is in Tobago along with my mom and 2 of 4 siblings.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #ea118d;">What has your natural hair journey been like?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">It’s been a rollercoaster. My mom is a black woman with a 4c hair texture and my dad a white man with a 1b hair texture, making me mixed with a 3c hair texture. My hair journey seemed to be nothing short of pure craziness and many tears till I was about 16 years old, in lower 6 with a very random big chop which I did at home in my bedroom with a kitchen scissors. Before that, my hair journey entailed my mom, who could not do my hair and sent me to the hairdresser every other Saturday and my cousins who actually knew how to comb and braid hair. They really hooked a girl up with the styles and taught me how to braid and comb my own hair.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I got my 1st relaxer at 9 years, never bone straight but relaxed just enough to be “manageable” and only redone every 6 months up until my 1st big chop. My big chop at 16 was essentially my journey to really learning about my hair, unfortunately, at 19 I had what some may say an identity crisis and no longer loved my natural hair. I wanted my hair bone straight and more “manageable” because it “suited me better” so, I got it relaxed again. This phase only lasted 11 months when one morning I called my hairdresser and asked her to squeeze me in for a big chop, I was ready to love the real me again. I’ve never looked back since and hopefully never again. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am now 3 years natural and in love with my hair and the journey of trying new products, learning what actually works for me and having the best self-care Sundays with my wash days. I really fell in love with my hair and its beauty so much so that I started making and posting hair care routines and style tutorials to my social media platforms which, to my surprise, grew me into a hair care social media influencer. Brands recognized me, persons wanted my advice and I wanted to be able to do more, this is how my company, Hub for Natural Hair was born. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="#"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2dtTTWYr29Q3uJKQOYbUNYwdlfq7qtCfD1tDv532OMj8-yG8gVn05cu7J8WWu9HoCP_6wwcIIN8Q-gxHau6dh_v8ULiOWkZcIuQFP0_NpRMpTZ4IQJgUJ66Qa7aUeXLjguCnKUTD5X0/w640-h640/nellyb-hub-for-natural-hair-4.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="#">December's HNH Box<br /><br /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ea118d;">What inspired you to start Hub for Natural Hair</span></b><p style="text-align: justify;">Falling in love with my natural hair and other women wanting tips and tricks from me about my natural hair journey definitely played a big role in the inspiration to begin HNH but what really sealed the deal for me was the relationship I had with aunt. She has 4c hair and will often asked me to come over and comb her hair and every time I did, she’d always have a new product from different hair care brands for us to try. This really got me more inquisitive about hair care brands that actually formulated products for women of afro descent. She also began to purchase a foreign based monthly makeup subscription box and the idea for my company clicked. I wanted to provide the people of Trinidad and Tobago with a monthly natural hair care subscription box. I seemed perfect for me.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /><span style="color: #ea118d;">Break it down for us, what's the cost, how many products do you get? Is shipping included?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The monthly subscription service starts at $350 TTD for 1 month and goes to $3,840 TTD for 12 months with no additional cost for shipping within Trinidad and Tobago. In each monthly subscription box, you are guaranteed 5 full sized natural hair care items, this includes products, tools, and accessories. Subscription plans include 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months and can be purchased via our website <a href="http://www.MyNaturalHairHub.com"><span style="color: #ea118d;"><b>www.MyNaturalHairHub.com</b></span></a> or via our DM on Instagram <span style="color: #ea118d;"><span><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hubfornaturalhair/"><span>@hubfornaturalhair</span>.</a></b></span> </span>Persons can also create their own customized box or purchase individual items which we have in stock. We do our very best to curate subscriptions packages which are of good quality and cost effective to our clients.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="#"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8t3nc64XlMjv5PNo-vmspLgRPK9DFlhGz1Cs5E5CdmNiB2ogIo9xFC_vbllmLPWwvozBaGsBxchqm04-UOYoV9J-ct9xUpe1haRA5t_U8WDTCyWhiIxdVNVSeqzGfIWQBkY0ajz-tAzM/w640-h640/nellyb-hub-for-natural-hair-5.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="#">December's Premium HNH Box which retails at $400</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #ea118d;">What has been your greatest challenge in doing it thus far?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My greatest challenge thus far would be having the patience and faith in my company that it will be all I want it to be in time to come.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ea118d;"><b>You know I'm all about support local, how have you incorporated local brands into the subscription?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I also believe in supporting local and decided that from our very 1st month of operations each subscription box we curate at HNH will include at least 1 local item to help bring awareness and support that brand. We have really stumbled upon some excellent local gems through our operations.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ea118d;"><b>What's next for Hub for Natural Hair?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The next step is hopefully international shipping as we believe that we’ve got our twin islands covered. </p><div style="text-align: justify;">-------</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Chantelle definitely has a her goals in a gear and I can't wait to see how far HNH goes. I love the fact that she incorporates local in each box, and who knows, maybe one month she can have a totally local box of products. If you're interested in getting your hands on a box for the holidays, you can visit their <a href="http://www.MyNaturalHairHub.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">website</span></b></a> or DM them on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hubfornaturalhair/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>Instagram</b></span></a>. I think it's the perfect Christmas gift for any naturalista, or it can easily be an any time gift as well. What are your thoughts on local subscriptions? </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-37922345604030330132021-11-02T12:34:00.005-04:002023-11-25T23:33:29.203-04:00All I want for Christmas is...locally made scented candles<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVilt4dxw2zD889LbkX3SregBhRnc0twe3wJwZ6ms36DHJMVe2z0EebMU0PveQ_z8oFxGafTWwym1RxVdoiEYOh3X60Jowwp2BDzJc_AcMkkviE8F5ri1Ns5miJTSYH_ybaKU1l6FB0zs/w640-h480/nelly-b-locally-made-scented-candles-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santal Rose Curve candle from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/immortellebeauty/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Immortelle Beauty</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Ah yes, November has arrived, and we find ourselves celebrating another Covid Christmas. From the looks of it, many of my social media friends are already diving deep into the Christmas spirit. Thus far, I've been happily inundated with Christmas pyjamas, trees being erected and adorned, and lots of parang and other Christmas music. As for me, nothing Christmas related happens until Advent starts, So I still have a few more weeks to prepare. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know that despite the financial issues many of us have experienced during this panorama, given that Christmas is coming, we may want to find a way to spoil ourselves and our loved ones. So I'm taking the opportunity now, to let anyone who may be so inclined to get me a gift for Christmas know (husband if you read this I primarily mean you), that all I want for Christmas this year is a locally made scented candle, or two, or ten! Surprise me lol!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Why scented candles? Because aromatherapy is a thing in our household. Especially with my work from home situation. There are several benefits of aromatherapy, from easing stress and anxiety, to improving sleep and then some (<a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/aromatherapy-overview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">you can read more here</span></a>). To me, there are very few things better than lighting my favourite candle, playing some soft lofi in the apartment and unwinding after a hectic day. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So now that you've decided that you're getting me a candle 😏 you may be thinking, "Tshenelle said she wanted locally made, where do I find those?" Don't worry, I got you. Here's a list of local candle brands that I've been eyeing and have yet to try.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aesthetiq.tt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aesthetiq</a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1078" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLrDMJX7KsugqjEk1eiJksgqh-IJbWHZnvZEfk2VtHI4rGIIReefNrgSa-XJq0_GT0LtoPlqH5ycnVOEzetNsl8LHoi7ARTUqXvqIdCwxJX616JC2ZWeTaGrSyfa9af_lGLZmb5TiZ_o/w640-h360/nelly-b-locally-made-scented-candles-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bodybymia/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Body by Mia</a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Yuf-4gZGpKoHXJAGKigeJnF77ka_LDcc8Lsk2HXp4PwayoTRd0AKXWP55b6Tvu1X9tvCJ9LdN_RIeMDFWjuOO5pw8FFgnTzgYq1Ii1aX8P4QWZp_5Bv7ox0XsDoSTrwyx7dyP8a6gZI/w640-h360/nelly-b-locally-made-scented-candles-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/dominus.experienceluxury/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dominus</a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkJA27uOK3NszSxLox70QNybWQ4K_ieQxBtUNps1caO-oP_SGxYjLBxnNiaK_SgK_wacgzkxZKzF9HJ_pzgjgTUsui8vuHZ08HFRCpRr8pzsxnt-mMcMtYnfptuEWRct_xdUlKfuPhtM/w640-h360/nelly-b-locally-made-scented-candles-90.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/elly.living/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elly Living</a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQHJz__aQVqfSkS5fGBtAbbiKaZokzKOiJqLJR2EyXa-UtWkecHQr6qVyEQwYdKuREL5buJFT44HQEurvIQAdZzCz3qhjIaPCTkReyt9TAw8QA9hVTwLzmdbrm5WT1uXjicHLSNwXg9o/w640-h360/nelly-b-locally-made-scented-candles-40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/galtandmaree/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Galt and Maree</a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWLmmdc70fWU_LhMlZFQ-tO8oBvwRxxI7CMX7zvIq8DTphtBG0Wxq2v9E2PsqO7IPCCfuQxvZuzoiog79yFgVObwsznMjrTICIEsb6fHNKgf6KEWqa-3RFCU6D14QhpLamk-uVPIa48k/w640-h360/nelly-b-locally-made-scented-candles-50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gvcandles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Green Vision Candles</a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJR5ETiI0Z6Y07r_Bzf1Vj2ndlj3NTAaHED4-2dehKEyB3p2yiR83FyRXqEoBn6UXkBPXDn4EXrE4OzZ9r-2QyAyDXuiAsWG71OdgyWUHEXjXVm4TDOKqrk7n3T267aUnJQIY_m7XwEk/w640-h360/nelly-b-locally-made-scented-candles-60.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ruupaboutique/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ruupa Boutique</a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3_rDAcHRNTDtLIzhbvobgIPsZ-0YO7GY6OBns4oCoKziScq5-E6Ww54ATSgM1DTYWJU2btPbAtuZ3j5TPgIlz2ExagXDBjSXOYTIFhyphenhyphen-dzlrZgIleOnB6EBkWi2XfP-K85i_zrjTw28/w640-h360/nelly-b-locally-made-scented-candles-70.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/scentileigh/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scentileigh</a></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1078" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3TXmR6cwlhEx7WYo4ksDl6PgDR6iTqz3bE3l0mHrqAchFQg2US8Lq98s6iEhkSXj48pFdTnA37bkodCW-m1dZIGTY4x_UiZslj4iyWwhTnyqH1J-aYa7Z7legsxKEx3yksCX7F43cI8/w640-h360/nelly-b-locally-made-scented-candles-80.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I can't talk about locally made scented candles on here without showing love to the brands that have been faithfully keeping my home smelling luxurious. I would easily recommend any of these brands if you're in the market for candles as well as other fragrant things as they also offer linen sprays, wax melts and diffusers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amorecandlestt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amore</a></b></li><li><b>Arome Candle Co*</b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/arwafragrances/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arwa Fragrances</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bliss.candle.co/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bliss Candle Co</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/curve.tt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Curve Candle Co</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/immortellebeauty/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Immortelle Beauty</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/inspiremefineartisansoaps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Inspire Me</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ray_candles_scents/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ray Scent Co</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shanessence_tt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shanessence</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebodybarco/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Body Bar</a></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tropshopco/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tropshop</a></b></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">*Currently not on social media</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So whether you (yes husband I'm still looking right at you 👀) or anyone else plan to get me a candle from brands I've tried before, or from those that I want to try, trust that I'll be happy all the same. I'd implore any of my fellow candle lovers (or persons shopping for candle lovers), to really take a look at local candles, and other local products too this holiday season. Don't get me wrong, Bath and Body Works is good, but local is even better, at least in my opinion. Let me know what you think. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-14157161420180463752021-05-08T17:51:00.001-04:002021-05-08T18:00:17.407-04:00Try before you buy? Beauty Pack takes the pain out of shopping for beauty products<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xw0pXcWIaaVzpY0PtUMC9MIWBqWRpUl07XdOIXL238LoCkaBH01sQPL1-pmS6oZ-cCtmXCVCnKyqQu1R_qqvv7EPJaK_K7GpwtV9C1vzappQBsGp5p2L436ialgCs9TBiE34fXrdB8E/w640-h480/Nelly-B-Beauty-Pack-tt-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's talk about Beauty Pack</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">I think that most if not all of us can relate to the experience of buying a product with the hopes of having it work for you, only to be sorely disappointed. So you end up with a product that you won't use, and money that you can't get back. It's frustrating to say the least. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">So if you had the opportunity to try out products before you can purchase the full size, wouldn't you? Well in comes the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebeautypacktt/" target="_blank">Beauty Pack</a>, a local subscription service that helps you try before you buy. I came across their <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebeautypacktt/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and had to get more information. Here's how it works. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="995" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknGaV_OiQLsVVJeNaF-YAEaUgGwMApt_rrZrggaaTe9RMDuEPwzu-VPxcwrR6cNS3R3isEPPgB8b00H2Zm00lDrcEYE7BIh-Vj0H5B-6d31FPrvKu82Mrcd1zGgaXY_DE1f5loe2VFaY/w640-h396/Nelly-B-Beauty-Pack-tt-1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick look at some of the questions for your profile</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">When you visit their <a href="https://beautypacktt.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and sign up, you'll have to answer a few questions to create your profile. These questions range from hair to face, to body and makeup. This information will come in handy to help <a href="https://beautypacktt.com/" target="_blank">Beauty Pack</a> determine what type of products you'd want to try going forward. Signing up was very easy. The form is very detailed but doesn't take that long to complete. Once you put in your information and complete your profile you can head on over to see what's in the pack for that month. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1101" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sapXz98C3HKLn22mTultuJlomq06auPDQttT8gXTSGTBwfATleRnPq1qLRYHAcP3Cn9xbfvyqchRZZOnH67lAMdOho2WjrNhAr4qbpp9C62GYDYvhdHdPcqM9GVbqbL82VvWactun2U/w640-h360/Nelly-B-Beauty-Pack-tt-3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May's beauty pack</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">So I signed up, filled out my profile, anxious to see what was in store for May, which was labeled as the Oily and Combination Skin Care Pack. Each <a href="https://beautypacktt.com/" target="_blank">Beauty Pack</a> retails at $150 plus $30 delivery and can give you any combination of try size, travel size or full size products. The May pack included:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li>1 travel size Garnier®️ Micellar Cleansing Water</li><li>1 7ct Neutrogena®️ Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes</li><li>2 sachets of Bio Balance®️ Soothing Facial Cleansing Gel</li><li>2 sachets of Bio Balance®️ Purifying Facial Cleansing Gel</li><li>2 sachets of Bio Balance®️ Soothing Skin Care Cream</li><li>2 sachets of Bio Balance®️ Full Spectrum Protection Sun Cream SPF 50+</li><li>1 Surprise Item</li></ul>The 2 micellar water options were:<br /><ul><li>Garnier®️ Micellar Cleansing Water for sensitive skin</li><li>Garnier®️ Micellar Cleansing Water Waterproof </li></ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="#"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi411ukN29FDS-BTu3VoWevZFNr3LbN34shwkBWiBrEMgvwZ9-Rr9Pe888XGVOor-1GH9T-KI4Lrjij_dUVpkF9y-ggBlU3zMwTeypRrpsOtqmcV1hY7Kaxaesua8GesedFDDMTGh1sUfM/w640-h480/Nelly-B-Beauty-Pack-tt-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="#">I love the packaging</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now if you were to purchase the full size in everything here, you'd end up spending approximately $250 or even more depending on where you shop, So that in itself is a bit of savings. What I liked with the May box was that I got to choose which Micellar water I wanted to try as well as I received a surprise item. So what was the surprise item? <span style="text-align: left;">Mine was an EOS lip balm. I've not used one of these in a long time, but these are definitely handy to keep around. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="#"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO8MhQShfIaLnkfeifS6izQYTZdi9da22W2rMAn07z4PiNfhGj3CN5_SAPJjzUbBfNphCfXCTsvslegHJEUJu14R0mzt3R_mvs6l7JlKDsJB7vYD7dBMIezClPW4QIa-V3Ld4Ye4YS9U/w640-h480/Nelly-B-Beauty-Pack-tt-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="#">Surprise item</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Have you ever gotten a product in a subscription box, tried it, loved it, then be disappointed when you realise that it isn't available locally? Well with the <a href="https://beautypacktt.com/" target="_blank">Beauty Pack</a>, you won't have to worry about that because all the products that you'll get in the <a href="https://beautypacktt.com/" target="_blank">Beauty Pack</a> can be found locally. So now that you know that you love the product, and where you can find it, you'll save time spent in Pennywise or beauty supply store of choice trying to figure out if you should try one product or the other. So you save money and you save time, that's a win - win for me. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall, don't sleep on this subscription box. If you're into trying out a variety of products to see what works for you, then this is a definite go to. AND! As an introductory offer, you can use code FREEDELIVERY to get, you guessed it, free delivery on your order. As of now, their <a href="https://beautypacktt.com/" target="_blank">website</a> accepts payment via Wipay, however I recently learned that they're looking into doing cash on delivery as an option. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For more information, you can follow Beauty Pack on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebeautypacktt/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a> and if you want to order your own May pack, you can do so via their <a href="https://beautypacktt.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. Are you into locally based subscription boxes? Let me know. For my thoughts as I try out what I received in my May Beauty Pack, make sure you're following me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blessednelly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-68306710748063616472021-04-16T02:16:00.004-04:002021-04-16T14:48:30.280-04:00Discover Series: A virtual taste of Tobago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eih4wamyB7MIiPA2WvASZhjemv_OLndw_OHy-bacRry0XYkCvZItKZcYUoXiX4ZK9sfg-sQ0-nA4X7wtxDCf5fTSZpn87v0zOv62KhKBXV4jKVlgw-7LQTfNmQ_KUG65mZVyNx32XPI/w640-h480/Nelly+B+-+Discover+Series+-+Tobago+Festivals.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'll never forget my first trip to Tobago. The picturesque beaches, the lush greenery, but most of all, the warmth of the people. Tobagonians are beautiful, resilient and creative people. This is something I've always known, but after encountering the Discover Series, I can say hands down that Tobago is home to some of the most brilliant creatives I've ever come across. But what is the Discover Series?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div>The Discover Series project is a virtual concert series that showcases established and upcoming artistes from across the sister isle. Now don't get it twisted, while T&T may be known for the creation of soca, the music from these artistes range from reggae, evolutionary soul, R&B, gospel to soca, and parang soca. There is a genre for everyone. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As an initiative of the Tobago Festivals Commission Limited, the series also aims to promote the beauty of the island of Tobago, and the many natural, picturesque sites it possesses. So if you love local music, nature and want to dive head first into what Tobago has to offer, this is definitely something you want to check out. So let's dive in. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Stephanie Joseph</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G93Af_enj1M?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I see heaven! Rather, what I hear is heavenly. Stephanie's powerful yet soothing vocals hit me right in the feels. Her flawless execution of such beautiful and soulful music will have you swaying in your partner's arms on a Sunday evening. Stephanie explained that she has been singing as far back as she can remember. She started singing at home then at church her vocal gift was developed. Well, her voice is truly a gift that keeps on giving because you will never want to stop listening to her performance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">TooReal</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F08BoQPWBZI?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Is it Christmas already? It sure feels like it, with TooReal's Soca Parang offerings. Music is not a new passion for TooReal. After singing his first soca at a primary school competition, TooReal started writing songs at the tender age of 10. Having landed the coveted position of front-line singer with the band Blue Ventures in 2001, life took him on many adventures within the U.S., and throughout the Caribbean. But parang soca isn't his only forte. TooReal switched things up a bit in his set and I'm still dancing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Shantal Lindsay</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WYRwQWltBkY?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shantal Lindsay is a gospel minister, artiste, musician, and creative hailing from the village of Buccoo, Tobago. She fell in love with music at an early age when her creative side and love for music emerged and was pursued. Listen, her songs have been on REPEAT. Shantal's powerful voice and uplifting lyrics will snatch your attention away from whatever it is you're doing. She is on a mission, and I am right there with her. If you think Gospel music is boring, think again! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Pernell Winchester</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ggleBGcMaFw?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>If you're a Reggae lover, then we have someone in the line up just for you. Pernell Winchester aka Kabasi is a singer/songwriter who pays special attention to Reggae music which he describes as his passion and how he mainly expresses himself. His music will make you smile, dance, and add a little romance. You can't go wrong. </div><div><br /></div></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Leah-Sophia Richards</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tgA4_0xOC_Y?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Leah-Sophia Richards is a singer-songwriter, and producer, most strongly associated with the pop-urban genre but she is capable of mastering all genres. Born to a family of musicians, Leah grew up influenced by the sound and artistry of the musical traditions of Soca and Calypso, Reggae, R&B, Classical, and Pop sounds. Her unique vocals really lend beautifully to the song choices in her set floated between RnB and Pop selections seamlessly. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Adana</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3YyBr3z_irU?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of voices that can lend themselves well any any genre, Adana is one of those singers who can literally sing any and everything! I will never forget the first time I head her sing in a Soca Monarch semi-final. Her voice is one that resonates, that you will never forget. Adana began singing professionally at age 15 and has been a staple in entertainment circles in Tobago. Outside of the genres of Soca and Calypso which originated in Trinidad and Tobago, her love for Reggae, RnB, Jazz and Soul is endless.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Xavier Edwardz</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jA89AOXWsBk?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Xavier Edwardz is a soulful and evolutionary artist; seamlessly fusing elements of Neo-Soul, Jazz, and Caribbean instrumentation to complement his lyrical mastery. I first heard him at Fro Fest in 2019 and fell in love with his music ever since. His original compositions are nothing short of melodic poetry, perfect for the day you just want to relax and unwind. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Gardah Knight</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/flUP9C43BgQ?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>With years of experience producing versatile songs, Christopher Joseph aka Gardah Knight is an exciting, natural-born entertainer with his energetic stage performances and vibrant vocals. His well-rounded musical style ranges from reggae to soca to dancehall and more. He is a multi-talented musical artist, vocalist, and songwriter known for his fiery stage presence and catchy lyrics.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">The Original Qua Qua</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iOPVrkzHzW0?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>Performer and Vocalist, Aniqua Richards-Lafeuillee; aka Qua; aka The Original Qua Qua hails from Tobago's Government House Road in Scarborough. The British-born singer, who grew up and still resides on the jewel Caribbean island, was nursed to strength in a plethora of musical arenas, most notably, the church. As a child, through participation in various choirs and youth groups, she would learn the rudiments of harmonic and solo performances, giving her voice and ear that edge whenever the time came to render. </div><div><br /></div></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Franz Job</span></h4><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XK3v7v6iMCE?list=PL-NGHjNJmRtkk_VjpPArx_Rgu2--aBWVY" title="YouTube video player" width="727"></iframe><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Franz Job is British born, with a German name and Caribbean parentage. His grandparents raised him up in their native, Charlotteville - the place where he would learn to recite poems and play the guitar. Like a host of other things in his life, Franz broke out into singing later, after producing and playing on countless recordings with friends in London.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">See? I told you! The talent of the people of Tobago is beyond what many may envision it to be. There is so much to explore when it comes to Tobago, and the music is merely one facet of it. Not only does the Discover Series project feature talented artistes from across Tobago, but it also features other players within Tobago’s orange economy; cinematographers, photographers, sound engineers, musicians, stylists, designers, and makeup artists. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With restrictions due to Covid, why not seize the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Tobago virtually? For more information on the Discover Series and to learn more about the artistes you can follow the Tobago Festivals Commission on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tobagofestivals/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tobagofestivals/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I'm off to have a listen to these amazing artistes again. Let me know who's your favourite. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-60635308777258454942021-02-10T15:19:00.182-04:002021-02-10T17:06:45.417-04:00Bra shopping for big boobs in Trinidad and Tobago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mSHDADheRvUkGjo68EVGIUy7kMmclXcX2fIjtHHPGGgi4aqWoszwltigMlXk_fQu9wVSDmHxPU9Tx-BISRIhxXwCb2jP98O2Xje9Sl75QdcisdhVpKJCVzx5KlaPiOiOkRTRebewbMI/w640-h480/nelly-b-bra-shopping-busty-trinidad-tnt.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I have always been a busty girl, and as I grew up (and my "twins" grew bigger), the struggle in getting proper fitting bras became more and more real. Eventually, I came across <a href="https://prettyunderpinnings.com/" target="_blank">Underpinnings</a> in 2013, and my bra woes have been put to rest ever since. I posted a video on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/blessednelly16?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">Youtube channel</a>, excited to share in my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuK-iL-vPbg&t=7s" target="_blank">latest bra haul</a> and was happy to see that a few of my subscribers shared in the comments, where they get bras to fit their ample bosoms. So why not use those comments as a resource for those of us who God blessed with a little more in chest region?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZuK-iL-vPbg" width="579" youtube-src-id="ZuK-iL-vPbg"></iframe></div></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Here's a list!!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Braveux</i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li>Rowland Avenue, Trincity</li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/braveuxtt" target="_blank">Facebook</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/braveuxtt/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZS6-uYfrxcubKCeZtQOSOQ" target="_blank">Youtube</a></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Brazzinga</i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li>2A Lucknow Street, St James</li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Brazzingatt/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brazzinga/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDzEfrOnuhuKhqCU_C1WGJg" target="_blank">Youtube</a> - <a href="https://brazzinga.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Down Under</i></b></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Excellent City Centre, Port of Spain</li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/downundersl" target="_blank">Facebook</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/downunderbrastore/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> - <a href="https://downundersl.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></li></ul></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Ms Brafit</i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/msbrafit/about" target="_blank">Facebook</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/msbrafit/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> - <a href="http://msbrafit.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Peri's Plus</i></b></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Couva Shopping Complex, Isaac Junction, Couva</li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PerisPlus" target="_blank">Facebook</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/perisplus/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRlP7eZHkm0SiHuqmZu3aUQ" target="_blank">Youtube</a> </li></ul></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Sincerely Yours</i></b></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Trincity Mall, Grand Bazaar</li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SincerelyYoursTT" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </li></ul></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Underpinnings</i></b></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>46 Alfredo Street, Woodbrook</li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PrettyUnderpinnings" target="_blank">Facebook</a>- <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prettyunderpinnings/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/PrettyUnderpinningsTT" target="_blank">Youtube</a> - <a href="https://prettyunderpinnings.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiG2NCE-YdWB-i60h3QmwOi0fT71LM-WjKNCcD1UWwkNAQAKauZYsXy7CkywVE6cb3uwBE8yrQD31OEgDCX78Mg-JFLxpFLpmONqvxQsVLtHt4SDhUY2VV_KC82QFrfzjJM463guGDx8/w640-h480/Nelly-B-bra-shopping-trinindad-tobago-busty.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">As always, the more I find, the more I'll add to the list. Like I said in my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuK-iL-vPbg&t=1s" target="_blank">video</a>. Any woman, no matter what their chest size is, should have undergarments that make them feel sexy and confident. Happy shopping ladies. Valentine's Day is coming. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Regards</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-41822060838991278752020-08-25T19:31:00.003-04:002020-08-25T19:32:08.077-04:00Immunocompromised in a world of Covid-19 Part 2: Kamah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlALYufBDphqcZ6dgnHjd9B0F1su0vp48qZHf5VUe9eDNuM1WGF3m8EYlJsLrIL0ED2OV2btNxqa__zroPHAlhUI_CJXduIfqFIDi084LIcW-SOAuscMSiN4GihA8jmqoCx1SOSzBfwK4/s640/nelly-b-stay-home-coronavirus2.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I initially started this series, I didn't know how this whole Covid19 scenario would pan out locally. I almost shelved it, because at the time, cases were almost down to nothing. However, here we are 4 months later with hundreds of active cases and a few more deaths. The feeling is unsettling honestly. I have an entire protocol that I follow when I need to leave the house. Truthfully, I'm becoming more and more paranoid about being exposed to the virus, so if I'm paranoid, what about my friends who are immunocompromised. Then I remembered my schoolmate Kamah.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWcJTpt9GkYxQ02tnf0e_MppB1Ysg4rkcr106tGvZlUTbrJgnLecJ2WRqU2yB5NV6GcFuqkUzSb4kSlCLz7smuERPtVTdLKzrbYGeAQIwCHVnapOZVQwQ6WE4NEG5HWykOBRFy5CYWF8/w246-h328/nelly-b-stay-home-coronavirus-kamah.jpg" width="246" /></div><b><i>Kamah, 35, is a Teacher, Quickbooks Consultant and Entrepreneur.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>What is your autoimmune disorder and how long have you been living with it?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have been living with Multiple Sclerosis for the past 18 years. It began at the age of 17 but I was not diagnosed till after I turned 18.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive, immune-mediated disorder. That means the system designed to keep your body healthy mistakenly attacks parts of your body that are vital to everyday function. The protective coverings of nerve cells are damaged, which leads to diminished function in the brain and spinal cord. The brain and spinal cords control every function of the body so when they are damaged it causes symptoms that include paralysis, blindness, numbness, tingling in arms and legs, nerve pain and many others.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #999999;">*I remember we were in form 6 when her battle with MS began, I'd found out from another classmate and I was shook, she was so young, how could this happen?*</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>What type of medication/treatment do you have to take and how often? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is no cure for MS but there are different drugs available to delay the course of the disease or help with managing your symptoms. At my time of diagnosis there was one drug being introduced to Trinidad but the side effects were many so I made the decision to try alternative therapies. With the help of many doctors over the years I have been able to develop a plan of treatment that has had great results on my condition. It is mainly made up of vitamin therapy and a change of my lifestyle and diet. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What's the hardest part about living with your disorder? Can you recall the worst experience that you've had?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The most difficult part about living with MS is the unpredictability of the disease. I can be doing well and living life to the fullest and then out of nowhere I would have an attack. An attack can be as mild as fatigue to as extreme as not being able to move parts of my body or loss of my vision. These attacks would usually trigger my depression and then I start worrying about my future. There is no guarantee that I would recover from an attack and the older I get the more I see my symptoms progressing, but thankfully the progress is very slow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The worst experience I have ever had though would have to be the attack I had about 8 months after I got married. It started off as a simple bladder infection that I would get from time to time (MS affects your bladder as well) A trip to the doctor got me the usual antibiotics to treat it, but this time it was not normal recovery. It reoccurred a few days after the antibiotics finished so I got another course. I took a total of 3 different courses of antibiotics, ran test on my bladder and tried different doctors. There was nothing physically wrong with me that was causing the infections, it was just a result of my bladder not doing its job properly. I suspect damaged nerve cells played a part. This wasn’t the end though as the constant antibiotics ended up weakening my body so much that it triggered some major MS flare ups. I was extremely fatigued, my vision was totally blurred in both eyes and that caused major headaches. It completely derailed my life as I could not function normally and had to withdraw from most of my regular activities. This episode lasted for months but I eventually got over it and even figured out how to handle my bladder issues so that I would not have to take antibiotics. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Being immunocompromised and knowing that you may not be able to fight off the virus if your get it, how worried are you about contracting Covid-19?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have no idea how my body would react to Covid -19 but I am terrified of having to deal with it. I have fought for 18 years to create a life for myself that I enjoy and love, despite living with MS. I have a 3 year old son and 6 year old daughter that are my reason to fight every day for my existence, so now I have to take every precaution I can to ensure that we are safe. In the past month I have probably left the house about 3 times. It is wreaking havoc on my depression and I am on constant medication to control my anxiety. The constant state of being stressed out is bringing on flare ups of my MS. What makes things even more difficult is the fact that MS and depression are invisible illnesses so I look completely normal, no one understands the war that is raging in my mind and body.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Any message for those persons who are not adhering to you area's guidelines to flatten to curve?</span></b><br />In closing I would like to say to everyone, think about those around you. Even if you do not agree with the advice being given, what you must understand is that this situation is evolving and no one knows any better, so our best response is to listen to the authorities. The simplest way we know to stop the virus is to stay home and keep our families safe.</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; color: #313131; font-family: lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><b>~~~~~~~</b></b></div><div><b style="background-color: white; color: #313131; font-family: lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What many people don't realise, is that amongst us, there are those who are fighting battles that we cannot even begin to understand. I can't fathom how she balances being a wife, mother and a business professional while living with MS. I can only empathise, lend an ear whenever she needs it, or lift her up in prayer. She recently started a Facebook page called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kpartapk" style="color: #ff00fe; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Kav..this is your life</span></a><b style="color: #ff00fe;"> </b>where she chronicles her struggles and victories in her MS journey. I highly suggest that you go check it out. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Again, I implore, stay home! Leave only if you need to! Wear your mask! Sanitise! Keep yuh distance! I cannot understand why so many of us are so hell bent against doing what we need to do to prevent the spread. The government can only do so much. We must have some personal responsibility, if not for ourselves, but for our loved ones, and for the common good of all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br />Stay home and stay safe guys, <br />Regards,<br />Tshenelle aka Nelly B. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-78147689940705414252020-08-14T18:16:00.008-04:002020-08-14T18:18:58.201-04:00Support local? Do Simply Green products get my vote?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6toI-Nr2WK1vxcL3iKyCgGuy1_SX3tj53YG4SEhOXFShYvOpjSa50ds63SfpACH68mt8cSQiEm6unj63dwc85gpxJcxYRFiAr2DN8pgCdnTwXC2hhTZyHe_oXBZYTOr_fnGdbwjBP_k8/s640/nelly-b-simply-green-0.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Nothing makes me happier than when I get a package (If you follow me on Instagram you know the drill), so when Simply Green reached out to send me some products, I was excited! I love trying out new products (who doesn't?) and my heart swells with pride when I see another local brand creating quality products. </div><p style="text-align: justify;">What I originally thought was going to be a few products, turned out to be their entire line! So, I put myself to task, and scheduled how I'd incorporate their products into my skin care. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pSXm8RYYnNGvPqI9n6Zaj3czKzhyyM8FKe1d3AnpauYavzkcNhlKhPuMQ6aClVB6UqrfPPzsuWOpJ4A002ocATp0COwRSQa97z_AfYddkOcP5zqmsMA8JNQ3v9AEKe9uT8hd-MngCb8/s640/nelly-b-simply-green-1.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Let's start with their soaps:</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li>Charcoal and peppermint</li><li>Tumeric, chia seed and tea tree</li><li>Cinnamon and cocoa</li><li>Rose and Moroccan clay</li><li>Charcoal and lavender</li><li>Orange zest and lemon</li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">These soaps are what I would consider natural soaps. There don't have (as far as I could any tell), any artificial fragrances or colours in them, so the fragrance on each isn't too strong. Good for those who don't like strongly scented soaps. I personally would prefer a little bit more of a scent, but the lack of it isn't that big of a deal for me.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">What's more important is how they work. And I can say that I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. These soaps lather well, get your clean, don't leave your skin feeling dry and while they may be on the smaller side, they will last a long time. I was very much amazed at the longevity of these soaps. Thumbs up for sure, they get the job done. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN5h0BVl5Aq4265SPx8VDzOyiR5iLJo_7VPgGqMzLv5a1fEvfkZGm63Pf7aeIbJpTAZVKztc6TK3_XedCA9tBPHrr-Q-TkaNhRPeVqANrXqI4fTvuNNKugEmu52d2n3KUz25D7qTe3OA/s640/nelly-b-simply-green-2.jpg" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">On to the shampoo and body wash. The first thing I noticed was the consistency. They were very runny. The shampoo cleansed my hair really well, and I love the fragrance (lavender), however due to the consistency it took a lot of product to wash my hair. As for the body wash, I got more uses out of it, it felt good on the skin, however I'm not a fan of the fragrance. It smells a bit too much of what I think is tea tree. Peppermint, lavender too, or even Jasmine could work as alternative fragrances. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouVrXmwNmid5VYUGoyCRk-EWOCV1ffnfIMw36FHLJ6-XjKcjPLMN-bjQHq4EUmvBxVDeKO9cBv22uLeV5BakOmjeM47K-Hz-ALUD3_G3A33nfnQpbYsYzEZWP6UcHG3xCYIhwzobkLE0/s640/nelly-b-simply-green-3.jpg" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The facial mask is hands down a vibe!!! You can mix a little bit (you don't need much), with water, rose water or some apple cider vinegar, mix into a paste and let that bad boy dry on your face, then rinse off. I love how my skin feels after I use it. As for the foot soak? Another winner. My feet felt amazing after using this soak, and it's also really good for achy feet. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jcH43xibpjICCyg-9v14geJNgqXS5JtMpzf39SgHazxytYOoCiCzHGc8WGwAKTL3V2OuvyRzTO-M8YK84jduTBomsGLa4cjLVSF44_wdlSwjynKeI9w8tlWsZQ04fPJ-cWFovu5xZMc/s640/nelly-b-simply-green-4.jpg" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Their body butter was very effective at keep the ashy Larry vibes away, and for that I am thankful. However, they may want to reconsider what combination of butters they use, as the butter melted down on hotter days and became more oily. The vanilla scrub smelt amazing!! My only issue with it was that the sugar clumped up so actually getting it to mix to the oil was a bit of a task. When I did get it mixed up and applied it to my skin? It was heavenly!!! The turmeric scrub also felt like a dream on my skin, however it left a bit of a yellow tint on my skin. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFwvyk_MqI-1bBaexO_iDoDoqK6Abkir3UIwpws5vq3f6ZiuWlCXrRTqXyknTlWGXTwxbaSH2EZEuLOHKH1dE_oRKIkvFH8Ob-4j98NBZ3Ace58LmG5sf92Xq_-SbQuCtTh6MKNHLje4/s640/nelly-b-simply-green-5.jpg" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Yes, there are more scrubs. Now let me say that overall, all their scrubs felt ah-ma-zing on the skin, both in application and end result, however the similarly to the turmeric, the charcoal left a grey tint on my skin. The coffee scrub however, was pure perfection! I love the smell of coffee, and this particular scrub did not disappoint at all. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOD4B7X_uoJAviXu_zy5H5mdcKdPJPHDhp0wbLYemnieDHFQFa7AL4WcDsac7u7z-XboIktE7TKXEz0jaMw4U1z_lDiaWChyphenhyphenZWF_XDxZf59Ta4bBajBrBNs2ti7d0Tgz70Za1_Z-jScw/s640/nelly-b-simply-green-6.jpg" width="640" /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Lastly, but most certainly not least, their lip scrub and balm. Both of these carry notes of cinnamon which I absolutely love! You'll want to give the scrub a mix before you use is, and in terms of effectiveness, it gets the job done. The lip balm? OHHH YESSSS!!! It's thick and creamy and spreads beautifully on my lips. I love that it doesn't have too much of a greasy feel to it as well. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Overall, do these products get my vote? For the most part, yes. I think that Simply Green has a solid foundation of products on their hands. There is room for improvement, however I firmly believe that they can only go up from here. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I for one am really looking forward to seeing them grow, and if you want to learn more about them, you can follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/simplygreentt/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/simplygreentt/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-55333112500167405692020-07-14T15:18:00.003-04:002020-07-14T15:23:49.636-04:00For the love of chocolate! These Sparkling Gold chocolates are just what the doctor ordered!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">CHOCOLATE!!!!!! I don't have it often, but when I do, I make sure that every bit of it that I taste is worth it. And just like my love for local beauty brands, I decided to have a try some locally made chocolate. Now granted, I've had a few (okay maybe more than a few) amazing pieces of local chocolate before. I clearly was not ready for the awesomeness that is Sparkling Gold Chocolates. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyIlAWao5sc1YGkqILd7mjS1vx6T6pJyCzEoIzvudGbzZMCKPBAhcqxXGYoUUBfZmMaSYgu5VU5eguvQb6-Ah4Ir2vmxm3866OMYronKVYRQfzMIEZMbIChu8J-I5V_3pXp60ggpBviY/w625-h469/nelly-b-sparkling-gold-chocolate-0.jpg" width="625" /></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">How beautiful are these lovely pieces? They were almost too pretty to eat... almost. this package came with a combination of the following:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Tobago Love: </span>A coconut ganache and bene ball pralines</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Dark Passion: A passion fruit and dark chocolate ganache</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Coconut: A coconut ganache encased in 70% dark</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Orange Coffee: Local coffee (from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/country_style_coffee/" target="_blank">Country Style Coffee</a>) and orange infused in a caramel filling</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWFc0MIeEaPEJvhrttSe0-x4sRvBlyqn-AXlwCmTUvjHpZ54NvOPlF7arlFTMifbj1axHMC-8jQbM2w_Ha8fSBlw4CYn3cAc_CDvDMMFj8Tuyuh4qtAVxzMyCDyDt2THdO1vekKwEndY/w625-h469/nelly-b-sparkling-gold-chocolate-1.jpg" width="625" /></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tobago Love</b> tastes pretty much like if a bene ball and chocolate got drunk one night, had passionate sex and had themselves a love child. If you're a bene ball lover, you'll definitely enjoy in this. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxAL52luc9ob5TuKd_ph-lTSjJwgh0bDyAZHP7nnVbTUn2wlCKi5ZOm4TZMYyjwsnqLlg4Gh-NvKYApHIeB7wf8rNmmZ7x-VXU5r9Pgh2df2uxp2_yzrXpUnIqTyKKCRN1PMy4RsUm94/w625-h469/nelly-b-sparkling-gold-chocolate-2.jpg" width="625" /></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dark Passion</b> is the perfect name for this chocolate. The passion fruit filling blends so perfectly with the ganache and it feels so silky when it melts in your mouth. I think that this may be favourite of the lot because I love the combination of fruity flavours and dark chocolate. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV09fgtGwtIJaUvCmDFnFS6wtFtPzQhk5zQ41ULtaNsxpY0ZCNUdm-VzBKRplcQj29SBiECk3BYTJ7GZGV6s7w6M1j8lAIu-1EHcx-V_6f4pl_mbU2vtMUwM6NcQJc6b5cU50urCkDzg/w625-h469/nelly-b-sparkling-gold-chocolate-3.jpg" width="625" /></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coconut</b> surprised me. Mainly because I am not a fan of coconut on a whole (except coconut water and jelly that is). That coconut ganache filling is one of those that leaves you wanting more. And oh my goodness was it smoothhhh. Yes please!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXXvzZDJKFrZ2MBPbEjuwMQVeJv-3Mff4C3Cm9hVsypt-rHV7aoLOl-BETrGF6MoqMZlyItbWPWSKiqJxRbgQIQ6y5ADkucvjorQcDk_XXroecDdTMxPUW-sERIe9ezwqFEPN4Qh_Qjk/w625-h469/nelly-b-sparkling-gold-chocolate-4.jpg" width="625" /></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Orange Coffee</b> is a vibe. While I'm not much of coffee lover (outside of the random dalgona), the orange and coffee blend beautifully. I also found the decorative touch on this one so pretty that really made it stand out against the other pieces. I could easily eat a whole tray of this on my own. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Overall, these chocolates are legit!! And each bite is so delicious and so unique. You can tell that Sparkle (the beautiful woman with dark chocolate skin), takes pride in what she does and ensures that every single thing she makes looks just as beautiful on the outside and is tantalising to the tongue on the inside. Here goodies are absolutely Nelly B approved, so if you're ever looking something to nibble on that makes you feel a tad bougie, then this is it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">As a matter of fact, I love these chocolates so much, that I have something really special happening on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCokdluJ09Z/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, so you'll want to check that out too. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Interested in ordering your own? You can check out her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SparklingGoldChocolates/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sparklinggoldchocolates/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for more. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Now tell me, which one of these would you want to try? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-23665294662309842812020-05-17T21:54:00.001-04:002021-02-23T14:20:17.058-04:00Fighting the food binge with Belly Crush<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUNCaqOCZshCgFr9j42pDWLBMf-HkDNZtdn42V6PbQcOf0aS5MEzCx1-B9IBzqYYTNBirjDgZHIjEHqp1Gn2XEnZQp9Y-WoL51GmyvVU1GTRcJvE_wHWI1VbGZ5Y9sLHBCk-VcYZWypw/s640/nelly-b-belly-crush-1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I don't know about you but I have eating a whole lot more since I've been working from home. And of course with the eating, and the lack of exercise comes with weight gain. While I've not weighed myself, I wouldn't be surprised that I've put on a few pounds. To combat though, I enlisted the help of Belly Crush to curb my appetite. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pKOtzzUEL2vpDehvjydMUpSaumUceiyMimnmw01GrtRRw3zBXJrwcKijrG8nqK951JhazlINv4aE5Zlp-BRVd65nUKCZNCIKrdEl3joAvdFYRdJqAhQZoHGh8xxyB8z5L79rur9CmwE/s640/nelly-b-belly-crush-2.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://bellycrush.com/" target="_blank">Belly Crush</a> has their signature cookies which are made with <a href="https://bellycrush.com/pages/yellow-pea-fiber-clinical-study" target="_blank">yellow pea fibre</a>. Now before you start looking at me like I’ve grown a second head, hear me out. I too, was taken aback by the idea of yellow peas being part of a cookie, but in reading up on data (as in scientific studies that were done), apparently <a href="https://bellycrush.com/pages/yellow-pea-fiber-clinical-study" target="_blank">yellow pea fibre</a> can aid in weight loss. Fibre is especially good for our digestive health. <o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://bellycrush.com/pages/yellow-pea-fiber-clinical-study" target="_blank">You can read more on that here.</a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKWmjkprCnP3_ynomNWdGdXapHpQOKyKwxSFbuv_0Jvr1qmDSIiFolYdTun_2UM21fz8FxSOPmqn5H7fCv596pWX-084sZTCSO9ytdrJ4XhQ_D7Uyc6ZWaHfa9jrQzNqTn3evXg2qIzs/s640/nelly-b-belly-crush-3.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now back to the cookies. They come in two flavours, ginger and flax, and oatmeal and hemp. Each box comes with 6 servings, and each cookie is individually wrapped, which I was glad to see in case you want to take a cookie on the go. The premise is to eat one a half an hour before your meal. They also suggest that you can have one as a snack or even a meal replacement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivINt4CP6VY9aJ0tUTOA7tWnp771DNydPSpaDQQpw0assZPXyTU_KN9pz904RGx_VUik68ZTUNwgyopnGAyufMTXcHS7CuHSdXccc4fsVEOpzDpF88OPVCgFBimEllXvD8K1xPoklSb-k/s640/nelly-b-belly-crush-4.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before meals, I’ve noticed that when I have it before a meal, I feel fuller faster. At first I thought it was a mind over matter things, but I started to measure out my meals (which is something that I should be doing all the time), but in fact I have been putting less on my plate. As a snack: If definitely helps to fight the munchies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86xGcgaTeVMKwd5My4s6GDcfcmyeHXnSAWKXpmAf7OAWe_S8CoeFIf8AyQc0ZpTsT_eA6fyjH3tcxFUBisbUYazmvAe1KoPn0K26pscjRKpG4PSzFNQqmQtmXHu8qSvFVFZ7FvyRewVo/s640/nelly-b-belly-crush-5.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The texture of these cookies remind me of a cross between a cookie and a muffin. They’re soft and chewy. Both flavours are naturally sweet, so at first, they come across as if they’re not that sweet, but they actually taste pretty good. I do think that over time, along with a balanced meal and proper exercise, I can definitely see a difference in my waistline, but I need to my part on the eating and fitness and let Belly Crush do the rest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Interested in trying it out for yourself? Then get 10% off your order when you <a href="https://dealspotr.com/getcode/L7Vql" target="_blank">use code NELLYB</a>. You can a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/(https://dealspotr.com/promo-codes/bellycrush.com" target="_blank">click here</a> to also get more information on the latest Belly Crush deals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Would you consider incorporating this into your diet, especially with the studies that prove its effectiveness? Let me know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">*This is a sponsored post by Belly Crush. It contains affiliate links.*</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Regards,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tshenelle aka Nelly B.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-84859831787153332162020-04-30T01:48:00.001-04:002020-04-30T02:05:27.558-04:00Support local? This subscription box is just what you need for your natural hair journey. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIuItg5xr8NrQrHtChKh_nOY_XUUWDmFWrBNDA0Wh5AsbHSDLU-fpuBrgMH7Y6zIUbVgwOFaMPsz-Cf1d_x_1-H29a31ZCp7A1_sRrNcd-ALaVbnuFN9n1tgjN-19Yhp1qTkrVlQWFKc/s640/nelly-b-curly-girl-box-1.png" width="640" /></div>
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Who doesn't love a good subscription box? I know I do, it's like Christmas every month when I get my boxes. While for the most part, many persons are subbed to either US or Korean based services, I have seen the emergence of locally based small businesses doing their version of subscription boxes as well. I plan to highlight those in another blog post, so stay tuned. </div>
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What I will say about local subscription services, is that of all that I've seen, none of them have catered fully to hair care. Some have offered a hair product or two in their offerings, which is good, but as for a local version of Curl Kit or Curl Box? Nope, not until the Curly Girl Box by Hair Therapy came under my radar. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristine Richards. Don't let the hair fool you, she has a gorgeous head of curls herself.</td></tr>
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The Curly Girl Box is the brainchild of 25 year old Kristine Richards, who is the gifted hands behind the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_braidedbeauty/" target="_blank">Braided Beauty</a> brand. Listen, this young lady could braid, and do hair on a whole, those hands are anointed. Take a peek at her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_braidedbeauty/" target="_blank">Braided Beauty Instagram</a> account and see for yourself.</div>
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I wanted to get some info on her sub box as well as learn about how she got into what she's doing now, so I reached out. Happy to oblige my last minute request (inspiration to write this came to me at the 99th hour), here's what she had to say:</div>
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<b><b><span style="color: magenta;">How did you ended up working in your field?</span></b></b></div>
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I ended up in this field of work mainly because of my passion for braiding. Ever since I can remember myself I've been into hair. It was more or less a hobby, then I decided to take on clients which surpassed my expectations which in turn left me no choice but to expand my services. I will say that I am in this position today due to me trusting God, having faith and following on my calling and true passion.</div>
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<b><b><span style="color: magenta;">What made you decide to start the Curly Girl Box?</span></b></b></div>
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The Curly Girl Box started with the sole intention to provide natural hair products to curly girls like myself, that are head and tails between finding products that may actually work, but at a reasonable cost (because as we know, natural hair products cost an arm and a leg).</div>
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Another intention was also to include local brands to make persons more aware of our local natural hair care market that has grown tremendously in a short space of time.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b>What has been your greatest challenge in doing it thus far?</b></span></div>
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Challenges! challenges! challenges! </div>
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I think I'm a chronic procrastinator lol, so deciding what products go in each month's box is a task. I've also struggled with sourcing products that give my customers a bang for their buck. </div>
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<b><b><span style="color: magenta;">What's the cost? And what can people expect in their box?</span></b></b></div>
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The cost of the boxes are $250.00 TTD each and you can definitely expect full sized products from any natural hair line (about 3-5 products) that is specifically packaged around a theme (for example wash days, wash n' go, stylers, etc). </div>
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Persons can also expect products from different lines that have been proven to work well together. This way you aren't totally committed to one line of products at a time.</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b>What's next for Curly Girl Box?</b></span></div>
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One thing that is on the plate for Curly Girl Box is definitely the inclusion of the tiny tots. I know how much of a task it is for parents to find products that work for their little ones and I'll be happy to help.</div>
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I think that what Kristine is aiming to do is fantastic, and our local natural hair community can definitely benefit from it. In addition to the subscription box, Kristine though her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hairtherapy.tt/" target="_blank">Hair Therapy social media platform</a> also sells braiding hair, parting combs, and a fantastic detangling brush. I have one of each, so look out for my review on them on my <a href="http://bit.ly/blessednellyyt" target="_blank">Youtube channel</a> soon. Also, as an avid supporter of local brands, I'm more than happy to share about all the local natural hair care brands that I've used. </div>
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May's box features full sized products from the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/afrolove_tt/" target="_blank">Afro Love</a> brand. Here's my review of the line.</div>
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So, interested in a local natural hair subscription service? Sound off below!</div>
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Regards,</div>
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Tshenelle aka Nelly B.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-20798354640916698642020-04-18T17:53:00.001-04:002020-04-18T18:23:36.713-04:00Immunocompromised in a world of Covid-19 Part 1: Melissa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1o08Tgl1DD5iMlCF-FAfvsyp0rTGCRGrB_1J-elEg9BX0zvDBLtilw009Q2Ny1_FHHnoOFUAVIV6GyJBQ6I_JFsnoH71A5X_D_CuANDSRMU2dEw7nFwdI04kFJLY2ry-7dqXBYSnQygQ/s640/nelly-b-stay-home-coronavirus.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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Let's face it, this Coronavirus is everywhere. We can't get away from it. God knows I've tried. What bothers me in the midst of this pandemic is that some people either simply fail or refuse to understand that the measures implemented, though somewhat of an inconvenience, have been put in place to protect not just them, but all of us. </div>
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And by all of us, I want to place special emphasis on those who are immunocompromised. Due to their health issues, if they were to contract Covid-19, their bodies could have an even harder time fighting it off than someone who doesn't have a weakened immune system. I have a few friends who are immunocompromised, and in touching base with them over the past few weeks, they've shared with me not only more on their disorder, but also their thoughts on this pandemic. This is the first post of several to come. </div>
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<i><i><b>My girlfriend Melissa, 27, is a Banker as well as a Jewellery Designer, based in Trinidad. </b></i></i></div>
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<b><b><span style="color: magenta;">What is your autoimmune disorder and how long have you been living with it?</span></b></b></div>
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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) diagnosed September 2015.</div>
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Lupus is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy tissue in various parts of the body. This abnormal activity leads to tissue damage and illness. Symptoms differ from one person to another. In some, symptoms are mild and in others it may be severe. Lupus can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms mimic those of other disorders. Common symptoms include painful joints, unexplained fevers, skin rashes, hair loss, </div>
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seizures, sensitivity to sunlight and extreme fatigue, to name a few. </div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b>What type of medication/treatment do you have to take and how often?</b> </span></div>
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Plaquenil/ Hydroxycholoroquine</div>
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<b><b><span style="color: magenta;">What's the hardest part about living with your disorder? Can you recall the worst experience that you've had?</span></b></b></div>
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While (thankfully) my case is mild in comparison to many other Lupus patients, I struggle a lot with painful/swollen joints, weakness/tiredness and sun sensitivity.</div>
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With the diagnosis came severe anxiety and frustration that it took so long (almost ten years) to be diagnosed. Things like the common cold or a kidney infection, have to be monitored closely and treated quickly, to ensure that no further infection to the lungs or kidneys take place.</div>
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There's always the fear that my condition would worsen and become fatal.</div>
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<b><b><span style="color: magenta;">Being immunocompromised and knowing that your may not be able to fight off the virus if your get it, how worried are you about contracting Covid-19?</span></b></b></div>
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With that said, there is greater concern with the current Covid-19 pandemic. Just as Lupus can affect the respiratory system, Covid-19 symptoms mimic that of the flu and lead to serious respiratory issues and even death.</div>
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The scarcity of the Hydroxychloroquine drug is also a major concern. This is already difficult to source locally, even at the best of times.</div>
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Now, ill-informed persons who do NOT need the drug are rushing to buy it, because they think it will protect them against the virus.</div>
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Those of us who actually need it to survive, are unable to purchase the drug and have to ration what little we have. </div>
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<b><b><span style="color: magenta;">Any message for those persons who are not adhering to your area's guidelines to flatten to curve?</span></b></b></div>
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Too many people are still not complying with the ‘stay at home’ directives in place.</div>
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Many immunocompromised persons, like myself are considered essential workers and have to put ourselves at risk every day.</div>
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Likewise, a lot of people are immunocompromised but do not even know it.</div>
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Therefore, please consider the well being of others too, at this time. Please do not buy medication you do not need because someone else does need it. For us, it's not as simple as ''taking more vitamins to boost the immune system''. We need this medication to stay alive.</div>
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Thank you for understanding. Stay Home. Stay Safe everyone.</div>
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What stood out for me in what Melissa said, was that many people may be immunocompromised and not know. My take away from her is that I should probably get a health check up done. It has been a while. And I'd encourage you to do the same. So many of us walk around assuming that we are healthy because we "look healthy" when that may not be the case. Ain't nothing wrong in getting checked out. Also, I really wish people would stop panic buying medication they do not need, depriving others who actually do need them. We need to do better. </div>
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Stay home and stay safe guys, </div>
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Regards,</div>
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Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-52877423514590278622020-03-23T01:21:00.001-04:002020-03-23T01:23:08.181-04:00Social distancing and online food delivery: I tried out the Food Drop delivery app<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircyp_iYSf-M7Nb0bIuPWpa2hxRjqlh3GJZyn3F_DA86Z_Le4eRtl-itt9sV6OnTM5n_FrdobrzK2MXkizvQufAhZgNX-MY5_mKMrydJqD4PSCJDiUtYCeDXx4R4Se1y8EzSXm8o_QYd0/s640/Nelly-B-Food-drop-tt-munchies-bistro-1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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The year is 2020... The Covid-19/Coronavirus has run rampant across the planet. Social distancing has become the norm. And ya girl is working from home and hungry (if you feel to sudden urge to ask me why I just don't cook, hush). So, with the songs of hunger ringing through my stomach, I finally decided to give Food Drop a try.</div>
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<a href="http://dropcaribbean.com/fooddrop/" target="_blank">Food Drop</a>? Eh?</div>
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Food drop is an app that allows you to order food from a variety of restaurants that don't generally have delivery services. And no we're not talking KFC/Mario's type of restaurants, rather, they cater to a plethora of smaller bistros and cafes. In addition to delivery, you can also use the app to order food for pick up. </div>
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Navigating the app is relatively easy. You can sort restaurants by if they do delivery or pick up, as well as by food type (Thai, Sushi, Pizza et al). What is also an excellent feature is that restaurants are always listed by their proximity (you'll need to have your location turned on when using the app). You also get an approximated time that it will take from order to when it reaches your doorstep.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="1600" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlkqThqXDbJlOGFkvRttQ5lmaOlyz9io1mtRkOgcyVMTEcdxIOyOWuqiVTrHAwe3P-EtW5vScZVAUgb0KNEyDpRrwsmDGhndU9Ox8BCtYN0xYUa6WjJ2TVdTFNRNASeElX5HbM9UHEhs/s640/Nelly-B-Food-drop-tt-munchies-bistro-3a.png" width="640" /></div>
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For the sake of curiosity, I ordered from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/munchiesbistrott/" target="_blank">Munchies Bistro</a>. Their ad came across my Instagram stories sometime earlier this year, and I made a mental note to give them a try. Funny enough, they showed up first as they're closest to where I live. Ordering was pretty easy. Their menu was broken down into burgers, pastas, salad etc, so go in the menu, find what you want and add it to your cart.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="1600" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi7uvTOGIgmnCA6LBbEfoMxCjfjM-1JUoX8c4Tx9f1z5OLL5EzkrJhG_P8zOxYiXVNQnAhC_jQnp4hbiFrnzXOTkeLV1ByPESrWYH9HE3E3cv4ugidvqE3PkY_AlVdzs1hwmrlGcGf8g/s640/Nelly-B-Food-drop-tt-munchies-bistro-5a.png" width="640" /></div>
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Once you've added to your cart, you can proceed to check out, where if you haven't done so, you can put your credit/visa debit information in. Sorry folks, no cash on delivery with this one. So you don't have a credit card, a visa debit is a pretty good alternative to get.<br />
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Once your order is confirmed on the app's end, you'll see a message at the bottom of your screen that says that they're waiting for the restaurant to take your order. So, I busied myself with work, glancing at the app periodically to see what would happen next. After about 15 minutes, I realised that I was still waiting on the restaurant to accept my order. Part of me was ready to cancel, but I decided to call Munchies to figure out what was going on.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="1600" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUc-WdOoPJo-wXIQB8b3G6Geye4PSBDMshimH2ntvrV7-DC4pa8Bi0wf5aw-fJWbdmTjhS6IbY1ZoufUluhJ0va587JiP2F3B2GUAqrlY-SepqdYD_LanLduiIXh9iX1uUNWtY2ed_KY/s640/Nelly-B-Food-drop-tt-munchies-bistro-6a.png" width="640" /></div>
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Their contact information was easily available within the app, and after a quick call, I spoke to a pleasant young man, who apologised profusely as they were experiencing a glitch on their end, but they did in fact have my order. He said he'd call me back shortly once he sorted out the issue and less than five minutes after our initial conversation he made good on his word and called back to confirm they had fixed the issue. That was when the message changed to state that the order was accepted. Yay!<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEdCr7z2MVHemVMFMmzuKXIpcrcX6TYQlznDrjiStl4xY35Ny5ESWYyqfBIMx8wrPjK_J52_H5-ED_ZmjdCgBe2wis39cKs3hOlFEC5kQh_Yyq7Q935Ru0crC0ePpdtrId2TU7rlUOns/s640/Nelly-B-Food-drop-tt-munchies-bistro-8.png" width="360" /></div>
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Here's where it gets even better. You can see when you delivery gets assigned a driver, and you can track when the driver reaches the restaurant, picks up your meal and leaves to deliver. Once I saw that a driver was assigned, I couldn't focus on my work. When the driver called to say that he was on his way, I just decided to go downstairs and wait for them to come.<br />
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In true Nelly B fashion, I missed the initial call to let me know he arrived, but i saw the text message that the driver sent and he did call back, so I excited ran to the gate to get my meal, I thanked my driver and I ran back upstairs with full speed. Ah mean... the hunger was real.<br />
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My overall thoughts on Food Drop? I think it's awesome! The delivery cost in relation to the what I ordered was a bit high, but I'm not complaining. This isn't your KFC $10 delivery. From what I reckon, delivery costs would be based on the distance between the restaurant and your home, pretty much like how a ride share works. The convenience of being able to even have food from their listed restaurants delivered straight to your door makes this a plus for me. I don't know about you, but I'm here for convenience, especially when we're supposed to be social distancing.<br />
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If you're on the road and want to order, you can also order via the pick up option, so that you simply have to collect your meal when you get there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_Br_YdQmbvE4zyZZUAcKc04sdhSrJs6OddsvE3SVmoFX8Q6KL3vG6pq2YJg8FTuQP_s6A0_zVRZTqnR8XP8DuNGEFc-C8mTCJpoBtOM7aX044EfMS3TFnMhuDZ5nrewlM62skJJC7GY/s1600/Nelly-B-Food-drop-tt-munchies-bistro-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_Br_YdQmbvE4zyZZUAcKc04sdhSrJs6OddsvE3SVmoFX8Q6KL3vG6pq2YJg8FTuQP_s6A0_zVRZTqnR8XP8DuNGEFc-C8mTCJpoBtOM7aX044EfMS3TFnMhuDZ5nrewlM62skJJC7GY/s640/Nelly-B-Food-drop-tt-munchies-bistro-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As for the food, I was not disappointed in the slightest. First off, kudos to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/munchiesbistrott/" target="_blank">Munchies Bistro</a> for using biodegradable containers. Secondly, ER-MAH-GERD this was delish!!!! I've dreamt of this pasta since I had it, it was so good. It made me happy! Food like this is why I will forever be a short fatty bum bum. The only critique I had, which is really minor truthfully, was that I thought with it being Cajun pasta, that it would be a little spicier. Nonetheless, it tasted great and I'm definitely even more interested in trying other items off their menu.<br />
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Overall, my Food Drop experience was a very positive one. It may not be an experience I could afford to do every day (my husband who loves to cook would not be amused), but! I do definitely plan on trying other restaurants on the Food Drop line up in the future.<br />
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Have you guys tried <a href="http://dropcaribbean.com/fooddrop/" target="_blank">Food Drop</a> or any of the other food delivery apps? How was your experience? Leave a comment and let me know.<br />
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Regards,<br />
Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-90715838843756345132020-01-15T06:00:00.000-04:002020-03-22T22:56:24.029-04:00Nelly B.'s 2020 local fashion brand wish list<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCrCTbv82qUB2oGLGRmridY2HwmFZPfVMqbalf4rYbVNasisVarXRqGtEYqf6GhdYCN5KnfHpwqM-3hSFP_jmLjv1GsKEZxT4E_Sswodeb2oGTnLmd2mC4k0OnbLE5Lhma9Jp0iaDTp0/s1600/Nelly-b-local-fashon-wishlist.png" /></div>
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It is no secret that supporting local is a big deal for me. What started out as me supporting a colleague when she launched her natural hair care product line back in 2012, has turned into me becoming a go to for local natural hair and skin care product information. I love my local brands! And honestly (though I'm not always able to), I'd rather give my coins to them. Admittedly, one aspect of local that I've always found a bit daunting is fashion. Mainly because I have very little style sense. Now before you go saying "Tshenelle, stop talking filth," let me explain. </div>
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I've never had an eye for fashion. I literally throw something on, grab an accessory or two and hope it all looks good together. Some days are a hit, others a miss. I often rely on friends like Rochelle of <a href="http://bit.ly/2uMaGvj" target="_blank">Eller Style</a> or <a href="http://bit.ly/384XAYu" target="_blank">Arrianne Talma</a> to guide me, but this year I've decided to trust my own style instinct (fashion deities, hear my plea!) and get more fashionable items from local designers. Hence this list of local fashion brands that I want to support this year. </div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/2stwivI" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bene Caribe</span></b></a></div>
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This was probably the first local fashion brand that I ever followed. This brand oozes Caribbean vibe and their signature hand dyed batik has captivated me from day one. By now I am positively sure they know how much I love their aesthetic. Just as much, I am even more sure that they know that I am horribly (or horridly) indecisive. Just when I've made up my mind to get one piece from them, they create something else that catches my eye. Will I get the spider back dress? Or the batik kimono. decisions... decisions... decisions...</div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/2Rh4P8H" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cocoa Vintage</span></b></a></div>
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I remember getting a pair of their cocoa pod earrings years ago in the now discontinued <a href="https://www.adayinthelifeofnellyb.com/2015/09/support-local-review-of-diembox.html" target="_blank">Diembox</a>, which was the first local subscription box. And then I lost them. That still bothers me to this day. What amazed me about their collection, is that ceramic is one on the main mediums that they use to bring forth their Caribbean/tropical inspired earrings and necklaces. I've not seen anyone else do that, and I think it is awesome. So I will definitely be replacing my lost earrings this year. Fun fact: Cyrstal is also my friend in my head, and she knows this. </div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/2u2ULbK" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dé-Colle-Té by Natalie Howe</span></b></a></div>
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I'm a huge fan of Natalie's work, and she is such is joy to be around. You'd think that with us meeting up at markets all the time I'd at least have one of her pieces, but no. Again, the indecisiveness is real. Her necklaces are so intriguing, and I love how she mixes prints, and how unusual some of her designs are. I am making up my mind to make up my mind on getting something from her this year that I know I will love... problem is I think I love them all... struggles. </div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/2Tr83JA" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Gale & Co.</span></b></a></div>
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I fell in love with their Nolana Clutch. This is actually the item that inspired this blog post. I originally found Gale & Co. through the collaboration that they did with my friend <a href="http://bit.ly/3adccGQ" target="_blank">Sheri Approved</a>, though truthfully, I didn't follow until I saw my friend Meagan aka <a href="http://bit.ly/2Tpskz2" target="_blank">Trinipino1</a> collaborate with them over the Christmas season. Their pieces are beautifully well constructed and I love in particular, how many colour variations you can get in the Nolana (Classic Pink, Fifth, Classic Hide, Milly, to name a few). As to which one I plan to get, I cannot say just yet, again, the indecisiveness is real.</div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/2TrcNim" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Loud by Afiya</span></b></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkCxovz3vGdsDeCLnYYwDTrkXPbWFksdZ09rx2QM4IIk0yniYjCHGYaNLlYHlKePPzFWDPv8gNGdqrg5uCuKV_ia_2noVGP0XlIaB7S_OY4m9NLDCyKfUexAiHgeS38ngB4ik2qLvzTs/s1600/Nelly-b-local-fashon-wishlist-loud-by-afiya.jpg" /></div>
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This another local fashion brand that I've been following for a long time. She uses a lot of African and geometric prints and her silhouettes, giving you a mix of Afro-Caribbean vibes. Maxi dresses and rompers? You can't go wrong! </div>
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<a href="http://bit.ly/2t9vmgt" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">MODE Mc Millan Caribbean</span></b></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOFr6CzMZeMoXBjvlDXSodrRhT3KUQ1D5uq6XW6T2fWiOXBZWWv4Rq3r6Z7zZCeOU3Qsqe1PWZtVhfu1668mDGX117R3JXKtjMb_04nk8OvORAd_nOYfAMM7bnzLL4rgqA_jHwnJKTUc/s1600/Nelly-b-local-fashon-wishlist-mode-mcmillan.jpg" /></div>
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I am not even sure how I came across this brand but I certainly do not regret it. Their custom crown headpieces are out of this world. I have not the slightest idea where I'd wear one when I get it, but trust and believe I'm getting one and I will be wearing it. </div>
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<b><a href="http://bit.ly/2RhyxdR" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Shop Shari</span></a></b></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh0lvYgref11KXRKe7WVBKGrRAjdH1_y8Yu3ejwA6zC4WNLpnLpWMN97KZ8qpqasaV88ZCiEMlmGfAlDv2Z7ADn8J43yTv9VGpmoUcowHmt3Pn5xEjdtiqKBW0QcUTXfP0YmBMOIx67Y/s1600/Nelly-b-local-fashon-wishlist-shop-shari.jpg" /></div>
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I've been following them for a while, and Shari is my bestie in my head (Shari girl, if you didn't know before, you know now). From her earnings, to her kimonos and everything in between, I am enthralled by her use of vibrant colour and print. Their merch is pretty awesome too, so that leaves me with quite a few options as to what I can get. Time will tell.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2uRXjKd" target="_blank">Taylor M.</a> </span></b></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ymmuro3jvgx5sWOQf4gvUB1wKDZ79KFHKjkPy-s3LpKOgoNObsGCjrOwHqR_EbGryqz79zrEUbU5Ex5Dtu6-ZhT1n770rBt9iYLk6Um1UAbzLq2_Qa3tVNH2fskqBq13I9sUlnGJ2JE/s1600/Nelly-b-local-fashon-wishlist-taylorm.jpg" /></div>
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Taylor M., like the others, has been on my radar for a while now. and while I was able to purchase an item from them recently I still wanted to give them a shout out because I absolutely love what I got and I cannot wait to wear it. I am a fan of their tropical theme from their swimwear, to their kaftans. Now if someone could take me out so I could wear mine, that would be nice, thanks. </div>
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Now this list isn't comprehensive, rather, this is just the tip of my local fashion list iceberg. As I tick one off the must have brands, I'll add another. In writing this, I've realised that I lean towards simple silhouettes, African prints, and colour. Maybe that knowledge may help me fine tune my sense of style going forward... or not. Time will tell.</div>
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Any local fashion clothing/accessory brands on your must have list? Have you ever bought anything from a local designer at all? Sound off below!!</div>
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>*All images have been sourced from their respective Instagram accounts*</b></span></i></div>
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Regards,</div>
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Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-32575788121686029822020-01-04T12:57:00.000-04:002020-01-26T17:28:55.640-04:00Soaps and soca? Patrice Roberts dips her toes in the local soap making market<div style="text-align: justify;">
About a month or so ago, while perusing "the gram" a <a href="http://bit.ly/2FlnPO4" target="_blank">sponsored video clip</a> popped up that piqued my interest. Not so much for the images of soaps, or for the fact that the groovy soca tune 'Carry On' played melodiously in the background, rather, for the fact that at the end of the clip, Patrice Roberts' name showed up alongside the COCO Body brand. I was like eh? Miss Roberts doing what now? Alrighty...</div>
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So I followed their <a href="http://bit.ly/2Nb6dsz" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and awaited more information. Since then, there have been a couple more posts, but I reckon she may be aiming to do a launch? Time will tell. New year's day came and passed, and it was in realising that my soap stash was low, that I remembered her soaps and revisited their social media to get more info.<br />
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Their <a href="http://bit.ly/35n9LOC" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> says:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #666666;">COCO Body uses the ancient traditions of the coconut to enhance and care for your body. Our products have been handcrafted, with love, using natural and pure ingredients without any synthetic chemicals to harm or cause damage to your body. Coco Body promotes a healthy lifestyle that encourages you to love your body!</span></i></blockquote>
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Consequently, I traversed my way up Charlotte Boulevard/Chinatown to Pennywise because yours truly needed stockings for work, and of course, to get a look at and possibly buy some soap. Special mention to the staff at Pennywise PoS who I spoke to on the phone that morning, as well as who helped me in store. They were professional, friendly and very willing to assist.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo3IMk2odEHME_8nKOdcPsqqoXZirnL6fTtUkrP3wbEVYebbah-jy1tFZkORdM3HFGYA2NhZ_FZKGOXlqz7eYpOm8vX-nE7AMc6h1DoIt_wWpdOBS6KXjFcE89P-O7IQVWlTPRNTieSg/s1600/nelly-b-coco-body-patrice-roberts1.jpg" /></div>
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I did get my stockings! And of course I did get the soap. Here's the Coco Body breakdown:<br />
<ul>
<li>Coco body soaps come in 4 fragrances</li>
<ul>
<li>Coffee</li>
<li>Coconut</li>
<li>Peppermint</li>
<li>Lavender</li>
</ul>
<li>Each soap bar weighs 110g or 3.88oz</li>
<li>They're available at Pennywise and Superpharm nationwide</li>
<li>The cost at Pennywise is $21.95TTD for a 2 pack</li>
<li>They come in an easy to tear plastic wrapper with holes on the side which allow you to smell their fragrance. </li>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen8uGqkSZ0n37XqkOo_E67F2PlB7UWbhoy3pOIAdCnGy4YwV06KMLCrpUxJg9-_90QzNXml_WVKtvSCs0aqSQqDEI7KiNz0OthgmqeDGFDQMXaq8i_afCXV9yNYgx-10vpWEZa6qVtCY/s1600/nelly-b-coco-body-patrice-roberts2.jpg" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaps unwrapped. Top: coffee, coconut. Bottom: peppermint, lavender</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I haven't tried them as yet, however I can say that they all smell lovely. Based on the scent before use, I'd say that if you're into stronger scents, you'd definitely enjoy the lavender and peppermint, but if you're not big on scents the coffee and coconut should work for you. I'm a huge fan of lavender, so I'll probably give that one a go first. </div>
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In the mean time, you can follow them on <a href="http://bit.ly/35n9LOC" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/2Nb6dsz" target="_blank">Instagram</a> to stay in the loop. </div>
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Has anyone tried them yet? Let me know! </div>
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PS: Patrice, if by some random chance you and your team decide to do a launch... and you just so happen to see meh humble blog post... invite meh nah... ah like supportin local.<br />
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26/1/2020 UPDATE:<br />
I've finally tried all the soaps and here's my full review!!<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="409" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S1otjX18qPg" width="727"></iframe>
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Regards,<br />
Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-40124495248528438752019-12-11T00:15:00.001-04:002020-01-10T15:33:44.621-04:00A tropical Christmas with The Lush Kingdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5FrwWjAhZMkQj_YyvcS0VuJwPpim_HuZ1Mj_mV3I1yedZF4VLNXOV_9oQYIn3r2mvDaNMNfP9U0KRvJTW7tdf1VjqwcjfLRHCmy78oybw4kvCJ3fKbE3xYoiRh4sQV9CCvGvw-CyBT4/s640/nelly-b-the-lush-kingdom-1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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Ah yes... Christmas is in the air. Bring on all the red, gold, silver and green decor everywhere!! Glittery things, shiny things, fake snow, mistletoe. So many places look like the Christmas fairy came in and threw up on every possible surface. Not my space though. I'm not a fan of the froufrou. A few throw pillows here and there, and I'm good to go. I think my simplistic eye for home decorating is more of an "I have no idea how to do home decor" but let's leave that conversation for another day. </div>
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What I will say however, is that I love a Caribbean-y, easy breezy kinda vibe. So when <a href="https://thelushkingdom.shizzies.com/" target="_blank">The Lush Kingdom</a> introduced their home and lifestyle items, I was immediately sold. </div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">Inspired by the beauty of the Caribbean's Lush Landscapes, Lush Kingdom aims to provide, prints, patterns and pictures for progressive Caribbean Adult on their Journey through the world. Wherever you are Lush Kingdoms can live with you.</span>"</span></i></div>
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I like prints and patterns! I'd want to think I'm a progressive Caribbean adult, so this is pretty much for me! I'm no stranger to the Lush Kingdom brand. Their aesthetic has always been a favourite of mine. Thus the decision of what I wanted to get from them had to be made.</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PFJOKBZLs0mhusJMgeXYAsXh37JnIccw7EPXSNXVGAHdHH-DPcgUzaWp1r30v-XZ2bdY-_4SuIYRm0MRYrIqVWz11zh-lFOiSMNrCferJaYft1HNEtqny9V-mq6l6YHNT32jFRKu77w/s640/nelly-b-the-lush-kingdom-2.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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I ended up with some curtain panels. And by ended up, I mean that I had a really hard time choosing because the indecisiveness is real. But! My eyes kept going back to this white and blue tie dye pattern, so I figured that this would be the one. </div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhYyZ5pB2FxXx51XH-T6bNLYYSrzhl2vrHIar3VPnVGXp3EwiI1QPb3EFPQKXseIrgNgGoGgUOG4hil3qo2s9HUcLh6BBD42sYYACBwF75YOXHwpoSrxHWCwVrk5602bKJXGr_IoeDDE/s640/nelly-b-the-lush-kingdom-5.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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I set these bad boys up in my bathroom and was very happy with the end result. Listen, these curtains feel luxurious. You can tell it is quality fabric that was used. In other words, these shower curtains made me feel bougie. One thing to note is that depending on the distance between your shower curtain rod and the shower curb, this curtain may fall a bit short. Mine is short by a few inches, but honestly I'm not bothered. Don't worry folks, I have a shower liner. </div>
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But wait... there's more!! Who says you're confined to using them as a shower curtain? Nuh-uh! These can easily be used as curtains in any part of the house. If you're one of those persons who doesn't like the floor to ceiling curtain look, then these will work perfectly. </div>
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But wait... there's more again!!! If you're doing curtains, then you might as well do some throw pillows, and a rug. How about a sheet set? If you answer to any of these is yes, then they have several gorgeous pieces for you to choose from too. </div>
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At this point, I'm low key wondering if my landlady would let me repaint the accent wall in my loft to match more of these Lush Kingdom pieces, but in the interim, I will find ways to incorporate their prints into my space. What I love the most, is that their pieces don't scream Caribbean. There is a but of a modern, understated vibe to them, that allows any of the pieces to be a focal point of a room, while not taking away from other decor elements. </div>
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Did I mention that these prints are all original? James Hackett, the mastermind behind The Lush Kingdom designs all the Lush Kingdom prints, so you're not going to find these anywhere else (No Amazon, Ebay, Wish or AliExpress). </div>
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If you want to see more of what The Lush Kingdom has to offer, <a href="https://thelushkingdom.shizzies.com/" target="_blank">click here to visit their website</a>. You also like their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lushkingdom/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page or follow them on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thelushkingdom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </div>
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Let me know in the comments, are you a big fan of the Christmas froufrou? Or are you more of a minimalist when it comes to your holiday decor?</div>
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Regards,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tshenelle aka Nelly B. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-83180042772189779142019-11-17T16:41:00.001-04:002019-11-17T17:13:26.335-04:00Support Local? Jus Curls could be a game changer for natural hair care<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cXqe8AL7EgibOLIm7aOba9SPFgEI-vZBhFcnJzNSNYOW1wDASqMHMjRQpqLvIR9wqOfzvsLgRPRQCyNkFF3cWv_j9Z8HGddLTTsX_ZI8BYvdnY76j0Xy8iUpQDIsy4gXw1z2xX9Vj_k/s1600/nelly+b-jus+curls+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cXqe8AL7EgibOLIm7aOba9SPFgEI-vZBhFcnJzNSNYOW1wDASqMHMjRQpqLvIR9wqOfzvsLgRPRQCyNkFF3cWv_j9Z8HGddLTTsX_ZI8BYvdnY76j0Xy8iUpQDIsy4gXw1z2xX9Vj_k/s640/nelly+b-jus+curls+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I met the Jus Curls team back at Melanated 2019, which is a natural hair meet up and social that I've had the pleasure of hosting since its inception last year. this local line was new to me, so like a moth to a flame, I found myself floating around their table wanting to get more information and of course, taking the opportunity to follow them on their socials.</div>
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Subsequently, I received a package of their products to try out for myself. Now you guys know I'm always game for trying new products, especially local, but at the same time, I tend to take the point of being a sceptic, I go in with the notion that the products work won't and then test to see if they'll prove me wrong.<br />
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In the package which came in the cutest container (note to self, take pictures of packaging next time) I received their:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Shampoo bar</li>
<li>Vinger rinse</li>
<li>Hair moisturiser</li>
<li>Jus Gel</li>
<li>Jus Curls Girls</li>
<li>Intense growth oil</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZJ_kyXtPceQ-ienW3rxnpmk_AXOZj_xPEHOgxmz-ez_T30ePODK6_RgugpYApwI1DB-JEHqsGVeuU-Cksqpgu8DNhGlroPe2KNV4wLNZBQ5vxwH6kuRHSfQczdYONLA9JXLPwGJjrn4/s1600/nelly+b-jus+curls+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZJ_kyXtPceQ-ienW3rxnpmk_AXOZj_xPEHOgxmz-ez_T30ePODK6_RgugpYApwI1DB-JEHqsGVeuU-Cksqpgu8DNhGlroPe2KNV4wLNZBQ5vxwH6kuRHSfQczdYONLA9JXLPwGJjrn4/s640/nelly+b-jus+curls+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shampoo bar and Vinegar rinse</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Cleansing time!!! </span></b><br />
<br />
So wash day started off with their shampoo bar. It looks so pretty, it's glittery and has a light scent. It lathers very well, and after my first use, I knew off the bat that this particular shampoo bar is no lightweight. This shampoo bar will leave your hair squeaky clean. A little too squeaky clean for my liking personally, however on the days when I have a lot of product build up, this works perfectly.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>My overall score: 9/10</b></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lz8_mbxkuEov5mgb8hFURfMvEMGRj7_1x8HZDfEJA7h7L0L1c9mdvaM_Mz8VLZ23-NARvqnJoa0pFgUri84GTWnIE_8P9867jvWHKUJPDoeOkGOVkMecZdcgqjCuWaagJAZuYii7T3E/s1600/nelly+b-jus+curls+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lz8_mbxkuEov5mgb8hFURfMvEMGRj7_1x8HZDfEJA7h7L0L1c9mdvaM_Mz8VLZ23-NARvqnJoa0pFgUri84GTWnIE_8P9867jvWHKUJPDoeOkGOVkMecZdcgqjCuWaagJAZuYii7T3E/s640/nelly+b-jus+curls+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shampoo bar... so glittery!!</td></tr>
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As for the vinegar rinse, well, I will admit that I was legit sceptical about this. Ah mean, this is supposed to be a conditioner? It's as liquidy (I know, not a word, work with me here) as water. Like the shampoo bar, there is glitter in it. The scent? It smells faintly like apple cider vinegar, which is one of the key ingredients. I will say though, that I love the bottle!!! I don't think I've ever seen this style bottle being used for hair products so their originality won me over. I sprayed this into my hair, put my shower cap on and left it on for about 20 minutes. When I rinsed it out, I expected to not feel any real difference in my hair, but my hair did in fact feel less stripped and a lot more...conditioned? It did in fact feel like I had used some type of conditioner in my hair, so I was satisfied with the result.<br />
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<i><b>My overall score: 8/10</b></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWhSCgUiKyUTl4GJrrtOeDJPlraAViFhI_6Go2CMJLBUMcDy8FOeULnpiqgCMsfLBgwvEVKv5K9LBR7gR-avrSlfjtz8oUD-TCeLQRim5swN8t9U1jKFrRFLmTnqOJKv8lOfMYbWAWGA/s1600/nelly+b-jus+curls+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWhSCgUiKyUTl4GJrrtOeDJPlraAViFhI_6Go2CMJLBUMcDy8FOeULnpiqgCMsfLBgwvEVKv5K9LBR7gR-avrSlfjtz8oUD-TCeLQRim5swN8t9U1jKFrRFLmTnqOJKv8lOfMYbWAWGA/s640/nelly+b-jus+curls+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top left: Jus Gel, top right: Jus Curls girls, bottom: hair moisturiser</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Hair Moisturiser</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></b>
This product threw me into a quandary. Although it says moisturiser, it didn't quite work as a moisturiser for me. My hair felt a bit more on the greasy side than moisturised. So after trying it a few times in my LOC as the leave in, I decided to try it as the Cream. When I did that? The tables turned. This product locked my moisture in!!!! And what was awesome about it was that it's heavy enough to seal my hair, but it doesn't weight my hair down. The scent was nice too, it almost smells edible, but the scent isn't overpowering.<br />
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<b><i>My overall score: As a moisturiser 6/10, as a sealant 9/10</i></b><br />
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<b style="color: magenta;">Jus Curls Girls</b></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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Now this is a moisturiser!!! There's honey, aloe vera, vitamin e and a bunch of other goodness. Now there is also mineral oil, so for those of you who tend to follow the curly girl method, this may not be for you. It smells like strawberry ice cream, but the scent could be a bit much for those who have sensitive sniffers. The first time I applied this to my hair, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly my hair absorbed it. My hair felt very soft, and manageable. Based on the packaging, I reckon this is geared towards your little ones, but hey, if it works for me, I'm using it too. </div>
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<b><i>My overall score: 8.5/10</i></b><br />
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<b style="color: magenta;">Jus Gel</b><br />
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The Jus Gel is a flaxseed based gel, however, due to its consistency, I think it would have been better off in a bottle with some type of nozzle or applicator. It's a bit too liquidy (there's that word again) to be in jar. It smells faintly of peppermint, which i don't mind. Now this type of gel isn't going to give you hold. It's a very light gel so i won't recommend for twist/braid outs. However (actually this is a BIG however) so.. HOWEVER!!!! What this gel lacks in hold, it makes up for in moisture. I did a wash and go and used this as the gel and my hair felt ridiculously soft. A little too soft honestly, but I reckon that had to do with my being a bit heavy handed.<br />
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<b><i>My overall score: 7.5/10</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQbVt3T36kYT_1d8MGId_EY9ehiNvHHgCmvQhUM-umgtQpXx5T2JR7YQqG8BfMQsKxoi1B02oVIVoD7GiIXbQWHMQtb3d4LV4FiC6TbBuAe3hK612sVv_fqH8X2ozAkwcQwfXGUR90nU/s1600/nelly+b-jus+curls+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQbVt3T36kYT_1d8MGId_EY9ehiNvHHgCmvQhUM-umgtQpXx5T2JR7YQqG8BfMQsKxoi1B02oVIVoD7GiIXbQWHMQtb3d4LV4FiC6TbBuAe3hK612sVv_fqH8X2ozAkwcQwfXGUR90nU/s640/nelly+b-jus+curls+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intense Growth Oil</td></tr>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b>Intense Growth Oil</b></span><br />
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Now, while I have always been on the fence about if oils can make your hair grow super fast, I do acknowledge that for many naturals, myself included, oils play a very important part in our natural hair care. What I appreciate about this Intense Growth oil is that it doesn't leave my scalp feeling excessively greasy. The essential oil in the blend is tea tree oil, which is known for its anti-fungal properties. While this is a definitely a good thing, some may not be too keen on the scent. Did this oil grow my hair? That is in inconclusive, however, my scalp reacts very well to it, so that alone is a good reason enough for me to keep using it.<br />
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<b><i>My overall score: 8.5/10</i></b><br />
<br />
Final thoughts? I think the Jus Curls Team has some very good products on their hands. My somewhat unsolicited advice to them would be that they may want to look into rebranding the hair moisturiser, and possibly looking into a bottle for the gel instead of a jar. Will I continue using the products? Absolutely!! Their products are packed with moisture. If you suffer with dry hair, I would definitely encourage you to check them out. You can find them on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jus_curls/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #666666;">PS: What works for me, may not work for you, always keep that in mind when you're reading any product review, this is simply my own experience with their products. </span></i><br />
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<br />
Regards,<br />
Tshenelle aka Nelly B.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-37257067665489696332019-10-08T01:17:00.000-04:002019-10-08T01:20:24.709-04:00An evening at Magnolia Cafe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6CDtQbYUe1khSOb02US4JqKzRob1JzXhdRb4AxnfwKQuKkxTiXlMnt205KO3eiu2X7EdEYeV5mSTaUX9GVhyK0Yx8TeH0E3oGE6vUNNAf3xKrqmYYkQq6U-U5r3qsoYlMjUNYOgrxPc/s1600/nelly-b-magnolia-cafe+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6CDtQbYUe1khSOb02US4JqKzRob1JzXhdRb4AxnfwKQuKkxTiXlMnt205KO3eiu2X7EdEYeV5mSTaUX9GVhyK0Yx8TeH0E3oGE6vUNNAf3xKrqmYYkQq6U-U5r3qsoYlMjUNYOgrxPc/s640/nelly-b-magnolia-cafe+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As a self professed ambivert, I will the first to tell you, that while I do enjoy (on rare occasion) large events, I personally prefer a more intimate setting, a small gathering of people, and over food? Yes please.</div>
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So when I got invited to the tasting night at <a href="https://www.magnoliacafett.com/" target="_blank">Magnolia Cafe</a>, I couldn't refuse. Magnolia Cafe is a newly opened intimate space, tucked away on the upper level of the Maraval Plaza on Saddle Road. The building is easy to find, and there is parking in front and in the basement. As you get to the top of the stairs, or should you decide to take the elevator to the upper floor, it's on your left. </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><br />The first thing that caught my eye as I entered was the decor. Minimalist black iron pieces flanked on the walls, accented with varying greenery, as well as black, white and gold accessories. You could tell that they were very deliberate in how they decorated, ensuring that their aesthetic was evident, while keeping the small space feeling open and airy. </span></div>
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The most prominent feature in the space is the bar, so after making small talk with a few other attendees, I planted my derriere on a bar stool. Why? Because in true Nelly B. fashion, I'm a sucker for a good cocktail. And boy of boy, what I tasted that night did not disappoint. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Millennial dream</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosé all day</td></tr>
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Their signature cocktails are amazing. Now I am nothing or nowhere close to an alcohol connoisseur, so I can't go on to tell you about what flavour notes this and hint of this rum or that vodka or whatever other goodness they added to their concoctions. But what I can tell you, is that happy hour is REAL. Be warned though, don't let the deliciousness of these cocktails fool you, they will have a lightweight singing drunk karaoke in no time. It me... I'm the lightweight. Note to self, do not drink on an empty stomach Tshenelle, you know better. </div>
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Opting for an off menu alcohol free drink request, one the very capable bartenders hooked me up with a virgin colada just as the food came out. What I enjoyed most about the tasting night was that everything was a few bites in size versus full plates. That way we got to taste a bit of everything that they have on their menu. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cajun beer batter fried cauliflower with a sweet Thai chilli sauce</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken and waffles</td></tr>
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Have you ever had fried cauliflower? No? Well me either, at least not before that night. Those fried cauliflower nuggets are addictive. I legitimately contemplated attempting to recreate them at home, but that plan was very short-lived. After having a few too many of those (I did say they were addictive) we were treated with chicken and waffles. Now I've had chicken and waffles a few times, but I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Magnolia's take on it. The chicken was well breaded and seasoned, and the waffle was slightly crunchy on the outside, but dense on the inside. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrimp and grits</td></tr>
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Grits was something I'd always been fascinated by. Mainly because I had no clue what it was exactly. And for those who like myself, have no clue what it is exactly, think of it like you would cornmeal, but from a white corn instead of a yellow one. So they make it in a way that is similar to polenta. As for the taste? LET. ME. TELL. ALLYUH. SOMETHING......</div>
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I am in love with this dish. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, and had a slightly hint of something sweet and spicy to it that really complemented the creamy texture of the grits. I dreamt about this days after the tasting and in a fleeting moment, even considered recreating. Again, another short-lived idea. </div>
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After the shrimp and grits came out these two. Honey bourbon pork with mash and broccoli, as well as salmon with mash and broccoli. I love a good mashed potatoes, and these were good smooth, creamy, and well seasoned. The pork was fantastic. Not too chewy with lots of flavour. The salmon tasted great, my only issue with it being that the skin on it was a little salty. Nothing to send your pressure up, but it was noticeable.<br />
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To end the tasting, I had a beignet, which is something like a doughnut, but it is lighter and once fried, is then covered with powdered sugar. I liked that it wasn't too sweet, as well as how light it was, I could easily get hooked on those as much as I am on their beer batter cauliflower.<br />
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<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beignet" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beignet&ved=2ahUKEwib76yw6ovlAhVug-AKHceLD3AQFjACegQIChAI" style="background-color: white; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/casey_g_hamilton/" target="_blank">Casey Hamilton</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/trinibarchef/" target="_blank">Martin James</a>, my cocktail magicians</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head Chef Roel Bennett with Magnolia Cafe owner Zahra Thompson</td></tr>
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In chatting with Zahra Thompson, the owner of Magnolia Cafe, she said that she wanted to have a place with good food, that wasn't too fancy, with drinks of high quality. She also loves a good brunch. and shared that Magnolia was originally supposed to me more of a place where you can buy your meals and drinks to go, but that morphed into the restaurant that she has today. In talking about the food and drinks, she praised both culinary team and her bartenders for their work. </div>
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Overall, based on what she wanted in her cafe, I'd say that she and her team definitely hit the nail on the head. From the food and drinks, to the decor and everything in between, all aspects of Magnolia Cafe were meticulously thought out and executed well. </div>
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Added bonus: This lovely parting gift. Unexpected, but appreciated nonetheless. I can tell that the Magnolia Cafe team aim to ensure that their customers have a wonderful experience. I sure did. And trust and believe, I will be back very soon. After all, my birthday is about a week away. <i>*Throws hint for loving husband who will probably read this at some point*</i><br />
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Want more information on Magnolia Cafe? Then check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/magnoliacafett/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/magnoliacafett/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. If you decide to go dine, tell them I sent you.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-17940990278077810212019-09-18T00:08:00.000-04:002019-09-18T00:08:43.237-04:00A day in the life with Nature's Complement<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVe3Sq-k91194hyphenhyphengwZ5EqKPNNiUZmRJMi_l1IIvMbJcy-f4LRyvPXEmCj_OHfkM99_XNFUGp_i-DZOVyjYGcjVzXLXrtgTeAHYBcGYeEurjW72hi_JzyslcJSxQXL0Jz3rcJJrfIUGGOQ/s1600/nellyb-naturescomplement1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVe3Sq-k91194hyphenhyphengwZ5EqKPNNiUZmRJMi_l1IIvMbJcy-f4LRyvPXEmCj_OHfkM99_XNFUGp_i-DZOVyjYGcjVzXLXrtgTeAHYBcGYeEurjW72hi_JzyslcJSxQXL0Jz3rcJJrfIUGGOQ/s640/nellyb-naturescomplement1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the quest to try more natural alternatives in my every day living, I came across <a href="https://www.naturescomplement.com/shop/" target="_blank">Nature's Complement</a>, who "formulates, produces, and sells, safe, healthy, effective, all natural (hypoallergenic) personal care/body care products". Now I will have to admit, I was very impressed by the range of products that they offer. From skin and hair care, to laundry and dish washing liquid, Nature's Complement has so many different offerings. So I made an attempt to try a few of their products and here's what happened. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9by35PeiSiHFjkwkEB3YpOLZRaaAhX_muLTjhhF3lLO4vFJe2nN7FfEmEW7JoP6apEA09ha27DjybA_PQpuAkhPAadHVhSpxANh67eqd00ZuLH1CXH6stIdjnmmHP9DvDUpeoLkhoMB4/s1600/nellyb-naturescomplement8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9by35PeiSiHFjkwkEB3YpOLZRaaAhX_muLTjhhF3lLO4vFJe2nN7FfEmEW7JoP6apEA09ha27DjybA_PQpuAkhPAadHVhSpxANh67eqd00ZuLH1CXH6stIdjnmmHP9DvDUpeoLkhoMB4/s640/nellyb-naturescomplement8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Nite'C Vitamin C Under-Eye Serum is a blend of oils and extracts that is meant to target the areas of your face that are prone to wrinkles. I kept to using it under my eyes and I really like how my under eye feels after application. The scent of the oil took some getting used to, but once you can get over that you definitely give this oil a try.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqIXpcBpatXONuSrZQkT-5gVnVJHtPRMjqpbGOCyGxS5wVVX84YOMLk4QXsCfcso2EUvZFhBpSEoSmDtIkmQbMCYpg91oZPrZ5WSFMzjxOPzznr9j5sVQcV3b4LzPcPJx_3jkZSTDpTw/s1600/nellyb-naturescomplement7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqIXpcBpatXONuSrZQkT-5gVnVJHtPRMjqpbGOCyGxS5wVVX84YOMLk4QXsCfcso2EUvZFhBpSEoSmDtIkmQbMCYpg91oZPrZ5WSFMzjxOPzznr9j5sVQcV3b4LzPcPJx_3jkZSTDpTw/s640/nellyb-naturescomplement7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Shampoo bar, conditioner bar, shaving bar? I'd never heard/seen a shaving bar before so I had to give this a go. It lathered nicely, the foam spread well on my skin and most importantly, my skin did not feel dry after shaving. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPMG5Rlr938BjW5X-ZpIbmH7Laj84WlhVWj4TaIi4amXGaMnW2csUrFY8j9Iap8caoRNi0XmGWtMxypQ72cDUUqhURzDl04sawXPY7HmRkLHwBt62HHKu9MrqkVuSDqv2lxn91PxEF0E/s1600/nellyb-naturescomplement5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPMG5Rlr938BjW5X-ZpIbmH7Laj84WlhVWj4TaIi4amXGaMnW2csUrFY8j9Iap8caoRNi0XmGWtMxypQ72cDUUqhURzDl04sawXPY7HmRkLHwBt62HHKu9MrqkVuSDqv2lxn91PxEF0E/s640/nellyb-naturescomplement5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I really been enjoying this sunscreen. The only set back for me, is that it takes a bit of elbow grease to properly rub into the skin so that there is no white cast on your skin. I used it on a trip recently and I was surprised that I peeled significantly less than I usually do when I go without sunscreen. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJq9twEIqXrfYGbDTp2rPq-5YabS1a5YNRbN1fXOTxnDGYOlwLlSj2EjLj4dxNo9giT9xth8CylT4mEGisvr30DK6Bv1geP65ibIk1qfuU2uYYA8eJ4bGOrUlqruKIaazZIiAi4Z6Ir0/s1600/nellyb-naturescomplement6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJq9twEIqXrfYGbDTp2rPq-5YabS1a5YNRbN1fXOTxnDGYOlwLlSj2EjLj4dxNo9giT9xth8CylT4mEGisvr30DK6Bv1geP65ibIk1qfuU2uYYA8eJ4bGOrUlqruKIaazZIiAi4Z6Ir0/s640/nellyb-naturescomplement6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Anti wrinkle cream is one of my favourite products from Nature's Complement. The formula of this cream feels light at first, but it is packed with moisturising goodness and when I apply to the areas where I see some wrinkles appearing (mainly my chin area), I notice that after some time the wrinkles are almost non existent. One thing to note is that you'll need to keep this in he refrigerator, but on the plus side, applying a cool cream to your skin feels like heaven. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uGYkLAYU04RBgDYYaBkKwGAo8S3oFH86890UUFY5mdYyKiTYWFmIypq6-jZuETeu5bsoR2eSksaYaNG3dK0NPRsXfqpZpapUyvRtX7u4QVEgZIUTtJL7JN-sc0gE0PR72eAKXJHBzdE/s1600/nellyb-naturescomplement4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uGYkLAYU04RBgDYYaBkKwGAo8S3oFH86890UUFY5mdYyKiTYWFmIypq6-jZuETeu5bsoR2eSksaYaNG3dK0NPRsXfqpZpapUyvRtX7u4QVEgZIUTtJL7JN-sc0gE0PR72eAKXJHBzdE/s640/nellyb-naturescomplement4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can't lie, I had a hard time with this, because the concept of a tooth powder seemed alien to me. It really took my some time to wrap my head and my toothbrush around it, but with time it got easier and I can say now that I like it. Wet your toothbrush, put some of the powder on it and brush away, the texture of it take some getting used to. But overall this was a very effective alternative to regular toothpaste. My mouth felt clean, my breath was fresh and the freshness lasts. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlTqY5Y51_dn0jgO6uYZOZbCQWzXvfnyDRu9gGWbg5d59FEjr-H4HJc1hcBYknNrlq4ZSwHp1cmM6B_qRXPCGrrR5nh5rGxTn1zCJ5rFthApt0-1gjrWlupBLHfUhW5HRiIK0I_XphUQ/s1600/nellyb-naturescomplement2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlTqY5Y51_dn0jgO6uYZOZbCQWzXvfnyDRu9gGWbg5d59FEjr-H4HJc1hcBYknNrlq4ZSwHp1cmM6B_qRXPCGrrR5nh5rGxTn1zCJ5rFthApt0-1gjrWlupBLHfUhW5HRiIK0I_XphUQ/s640/nellyb-naturescomplement2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This laundry soap concentrate confused me. When you're used to your liquid detergent being a certain consistency, having a very liquid laundry soap seems weird. I followed the instructions and diluted it down. This 32 ounce bottle is supposed to make to 1.5 gallons. I was sceptical, however, when I did eventually use it, I was pleasantly surprised at how clean the clothing came out of the washer, and subsequently the dryer. It smelled strongly of lemon, too strong for my husband's liking, but I love it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRo8ciR4UzM-iXBDbYQpl80bxH93YeA0CLD11JG1N4V953Xfsr61vIM7nzcJPEMm1h6uepapMcl_o8gEfREhd5awAIy9vGr1M86HF9nRs_jxNxY53L-6NRfHNyRpOYvghOifEX1Ub0JI/s1600/nellyb-naturescomplement9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRo8ciR4UzM-iXBDbYQpl80bxH93YeA0CLD11JG1N4V953Xfsr61vIM7nzcJPEMm1h6uepapMcl_o8gEfREhd5awAIy9vGr1M86HF9nRs_jxNxY53L-6NRfHNyRpOYvghOifEX1Ub0JI/s640/nellyb-naturescomplement9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Following up in the citrus scents is the dish washing liquid. Now just like with the laundry concentrate, I was concerned about the effective because of the consistency. This dish soap is very runny. Thankfully the consistency does not affect the potency, because I was able to use this like I would use any other commercial dish washing liquid. My wares were clean, grease free and smelled faintly of oranges.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4uQJmAe-KZ2Z8G3bgWBtIKb_vZDa2nP7txCSwd8_z5w6dYaefhHN6zaNZJ45vD_xx23tfWAetGdaaAoHt4qn95ltWKqHosZLSB0oghf9cxgD0Dm3rYuFrRnidql1Cvolxp7bSNAlhyphenhyphenU/s1600/nellyb-naturescomplement3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4uQJmAe-KZ2Z8G3bgWBtIKb_vZDa2nP7txCSwd8_z5w6dYaefhHN6zaNZJ45vD_xx23tfWAetGdaaAoHt4qn95ltWKqHosZLSB0oghf9cxgD0Dm3rYuFrRnidql1Cvolxp7bSNAlhyphenhyphenU/s640/nellyb-naturescomplement3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll admit, I'm a sucker for a foaming hand soap. Don't judge me, and this citrus fragrance one did not disappoint. It also lasts a whole lot longer than regular liquid hand soap, which is a plus for me, and the light citrus scent smell great. </div>
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Overall, it really is refreshing to see that more natural alternatives to so many different products that we use every day. I for one will be trying out more of their products and I'd encourage you to do the same. If you're interested in getting some Nature's Complement goodies of your own. You can <a href="https://dealspotr.com/getcode/4kt4X" target="_blank">click here</a> and use my code <a href="https://dealspotr.com/getcode/4kt4X" target="_blank">NELLYB</a> to get 25 percent off your order. Nature's Complement always has a special going on, so you can <a href="https://www.blogger.com/(https://dealspotr.com/promo-codes/naturescomplement.com" target="_blank">click here </a>to stay updated on the latest deals. </div>
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Are you trying out more natural products for your home and your personal care? </div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*</span></i></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</span></div>
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Tshenelle aka Nelly B.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2887734978223019314.post-86019206181257140892019-09-17T13:17:00.001-04:002020-04-06T13:15:29.961-04:00Nelly B., Blume and the fight against acne <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PKo_G83MrQTEvtzx0QpjqYVJda1G3d7hiZa7UuoTALcypRanEEQUFbDSVAO979xnWJE-yuDd-oe0uxetr2WM1Y8WTPyimit1ckbRNcbE-PIGIsU2FTpQtIIH-qp5vy_bAgPAGuW9khE/s1600/nelly-b-blume-acne-treatment-oil1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PKo_G83MrQTEvtzx0QpjqYVJda1G3d7hiZa7UuoTALcypRanEEQUFbDSVAO979xnWJE-yuDd-oe0uxetr2WM1Y8WTPyimit1ckbRNcbE-PIGIsU2FTpQtIIH-qp5vy_bAgPAGuW9khE/s640/nelly-b-blume-acne-treatment-oil1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Time and time again, I've been told that when you get a pimple or any type of button on your face, leave it alone. But in true Nelly B. fashion, I don't listen. So what ends up happening? Tshenelle sees pimple, Tshenelle attempts to pop pimple, pimple pops, bruising happens, acne scars follow. This has been my cycle since I've known myself, and boy oh boy has it left me with some acne scars on my face. </div>
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So when I came across the Blume Meltdown acne treatment, I was intrigued, yet sceptical at the same time. An oil that claims to make pimples disappear overnight? Alright, let's give it a go. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6mKnIMDy8HXijr59eYkfztgi_L6zp0lMER7JKzRzNBmSSCcrx6eR2HCIbHKGUktCN9cbGrTSB-lI9wB-6IF-hCBtMj0ZrwPV0BNvvnHG0Su8u_P1-Ly1vorE11pSFSBnFYqGPiit6mw/s1600/nelly-b-blume-acne-treatment-oil2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6mKnIMDy8HXijr59eYkfztgi_L6zp0lMER7JKzRzNBmSSCcrx6eR2HCIbHKGUktCN9cbGrTSB-lI9wB-6IF-hCBtMj0ZrwPV0BNvvnHG0Su8u_P1-Ly1vorE11pSFSBnFYqGPiit6mw/s640/nelly-b-blume-acne-treatment-oil2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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About Blume though. Blume is all about providing products that are good for you and for the environment. Their products range from skin care to feminine hygiene items. Their products are cruelty free and vegan and according to their website they are "building young women a safe space to learn, grow, and become their badass selves. A place to celebrate womanhood and give advice on the good, the bad and, yes, even the ugly that comes with it."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp2wJenGkiNh4_yJ66DlSqNvuD3CQbEPXaH12-WWgz0odatdp70SRG5BXzzQGpMr1HEvFEKc9mzunfe3dmVdKQUAelWBn4KxCfQW1u1WKq2P0-p7phDYFn2yzycj3ei2a4n6ovpiTsMY/s1600/nelly-b-blume-acne-treatment-oil3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp2wJenGkiNh4_yJ66DlSqNvuD3CQbEPXaH12-WWgz0odatdp70SRG5BXzzQGpMr1HEvFEKc9mzunfe3dmVdKQUAelWBn4KxCfQW1u1WKq2P0-p7phDYFn2yzycj3ei2a4n6ovpiTsMY/s640/nelly-b-blume-acne-treatment-oil3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But back to the oil. I received a 15ml bottle with dropper. Instructions were pretty simple, dab some of the oil on to the button and that should prevent it from forming any more. However in true Nelly B. style, I didn't read the instructions properly and thought that it was meant to be used on my acne scars. So I've been using it religiously on my scars and over time, the scars have definitely lightened up quicker since using the oil. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gJ5N07KO3kV6t3fqqwB_nHXiPkg4qNcBq2GYxSkLLBsVvpGWGgYbNq0YPywapFGEcO8QJq7fwEoAe5gtBMIdYXgYjECW4tDkgj3ITFOQeMPEp6tuzoWb0sEEKu31b99ACyl29idGOIM/s1600/nelly-b-blume-acne-treatment-oil4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gJ5N07KO3kV6t3fqqwB_nHXiPkg4qNcBq2GYxSkLLBsVvpGWGgYbNq0YPywapFGEcO8QJq7fwEoAe5gtBMIdYXgYjECW4tDkgj3ITFOQeMPEp6tuzoWb0sEEKu31b99ACyl29idGOIM/s640/nelly-b-blume-acne-treatment-oil4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I did finally realise that I'd been using it wrong, I started applying it to anything that looked remotely like a pimple on my face. Since then, I can say that I don't get as many break outs on my face. So the ingredients in this oil are definitely doing something.<br />
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Investing in good quality skincare is the first step to feeling more self confident as a woman. While there was a time that I felt like I had to wear make up to leave the house, I don't anymore. I just throw on my <a href="https://www.eyeglasses.com/eyeglasses/designer.html">designer glasses</a> and I'm good to go. Stepping out of the door and feeling completely at ease with your looks, is something we all want to achieve. Hopefully with the right skincare, hair care and accessories you can feel unstoppable in no time!</div>
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If you want to check out everything that Blume has in store, you can check their website <a href="https://www.blume.com/" target="_blank">blume.com</a>. AND!!! If you purchase their Daydreamer cleanser and Meltdown acne, you can get a free jade roller for your facial care. But wait, there's more!!! You can get 10% off your order by <a href="https://dealspotr.com/getcode/2ZLIa" target="_blank">clicking here</a>, as well as <a href="https://dealspotr.com/promo-codes/meetblume.com" target="_blank">check out this page</a> for more amazing deals from Blume. </div>
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What have you been using to fight your acne lately? Let me know!!</div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*</span></i></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Regards,</span></div>
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Tshenelle aka Nelly B.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0