Beauty Regimen: Oily Skin

Hi Loves,

When it comes to beauty, it is important that we use beauty products that suit our skin tones. I have an oily skin and the struggle for beauty products for oily skin is real.

Oily skin is the most difficult (in my humble opinion) skin tone to deal with. Looking shiny and oily is not what we ladies want to encounter especially when going to that special date where you have to impress. Below are few tips that will help you take care of the oily skin:

1. Choose the right products.

Some of the beauty products proclaim to be for oily skin but they do the opposite of what is expected for oily skin. When buying beauty products read the ingredients labels and make sure the mentioned ingredients are suitable for oily skin. The following are best for oily skins: water-soluble cleansers, alcohol-free toner with antioxidants, salicylic acid (BHA) exfoliates, matte-finish liquid foundation and pressed powder with SPF 15.

2. Cleanse the skin everyday.

Cleanse the face twice or thrice on a daily basis. This will control the facial excess oil and leave the skin clean at all times.

3. Exfoliate on weekly basis.

Exfoliating is a beauty regime that removes the thick layer of dead skin cells. Oily skin is known to have a thick layer of dead cells. By exfoliating once in a week, you will clear this layer and leave the skin looking radiant and healthy.

4. Tone the skin everyday

Skin toner helps to balance the PH of the skin. This will banish all dirt and eliminate all excess oil leaving the skin looking radiant. Make sure the toner is alcohol free!

5. Moisturize the skin.

Oily skin requires hydration and moisturizing. Not using the moisturizer will make the skin produce more oil for hydration and therefore it will be more oily. Choose the right moisturizer for your skin tone and moisturize on daily basis.

6. Make up - Less is more.

Oily skin requires a minimum amount of make up products especially the foundation. Always opt for oil-free or mineral based make up products to ensure that the skin is not blotted.

I hope these tips will help you take care of your oily skin. If you have additional tips please do share in the comments section below.

Xo-xo
Aika!

Books for Interior Decor

Hi Lovely readers,

I love reading books but I have a love and hate relationship with them. This is mainly because they take up too much of the storage space and since I live in a very (emphasis on very) small accommodation, this is really a problem. But I have to come to realise that, books don't have to go to storage unit once am done with them. I can use them as decor pieces.

Below are some of the ways you can use books as an interior decor accents:

1. Coffee table decor accent:

You can use books as coffee table decor accent. Neatly place the books on the coffee table and add a few flowers to brighten up the table.

2. Office table decor piece.

You can arrange your favorite books as a decor on your office table, This will not only be a decor piece but also an inspiration factor.

3. Bedside table decor piece:

I like reading at night while on my bed. Having a book near by makes it all easy. You can use the book as a decor for your bed side table and change them when done reading.

4. As flower pots.

Once you are done reading a book and its no longer of use, You can explore your DIY (Do It Yourself) creativity side and cut out the book to be used as flower pots as below.


I hope this ideas will help you get creative with your books. Do let me know if you have other ways you use books for interior decor in the comments section below.

Thanks for stopping by

Xo-xo,
Aika!

Be inspired!

Hey Loves,

Inspiration is the foundation of our daily motivation. We need to be inspired to maintain the motivation to achieve our goals. Our daily routines can be so repetitive and tiring that we lose our inspiration. I, like most people have trouble maintaining inspiration for my day to day tasks. I use the below tips to ensure I regain my inspirational levels.

1. Positive people.

I surround myself with people who bring joy to my life, encourage me and nurture me. Negative people bring the opposite effect by draining your energy and demotivate you. Stay away from negative people and keep a close circle of positive people. This will make you feel loved, motivated and in good spirits on most days.  Sometimes the negative people are the people who are so close to you and it may be hard to separate yourself from them. Find a way to get rid of these people. It will be hard at first but once you have the right people in your circle, you will feel lighter and joyful.

2. Read inspirational books

Reading is such a deliberating and informative activity. When stressed and hectic, try to read books that will uplift you and keep you on track. One of my all time favorite book is the Secret by Rhoda Byrne, I read this book every time I want to be inspired. Reading a chapter or less each day is the inspirational force you require.

3. Exercise regularly

This was actually suggested to me by my therapist. My immediate thought was this wont work, but I gave it a try. Believe me when I say that it is such a good thing to do. It releases stress and clear the mind. It gives you a quick gulp of air into the lungs and help your energy levels. Start small, by doing a ten minutes evening walk every often and your inspiration will be fuelled each day. 

4. Take a walk.

Walking is one of the activities that allows you to stop and smell the roses. Try taking a walk at the end of the day to let the tension leave your body and appreciate your surroundings. This will fuel your imagination and its a good inspirational factor.

These are the few tips I apply to gain inspiration daily. I would like to hear from you, what do you do to be inspired?

Xo-xo

Aika!

Corporate chic: The Nude Makeup!

Hey Lovely readers,

There is a time and place for everything. When it comes to make-up; full blown routines should be kept for weekends, special occasions and when you are feeling especially low. For normal corporate days, A nude or no-makeup beauty routine is ideal.

Not that I am a make-up guru, but I like to apply nude make-ups on day to day basis. It is an easy and quick way to fix my face and get me moving. The routine for the nude make up is quite simple, as  I share below.

1. Tone and moisturize your skin.

First things first, always moisturize your skin with a moisturizer that suits your skin tone. Moisturizers keeps the skin hydrated and gives you a dewy appearance. So moisturize religiously before applying any make up on your skin.

Additional tip: If you are going to spend the whole day in the sun, I suggest you follow the moisturizer with a sunscreen lotion. (I know we black people think sunscreen lotions don't apply to us, I will come up with a post that shows the benefits of sunscreen lotion for darker skin tones.)

2.Apply a make-up primer.

Make-up primer helps the make-up stay on for a long time. And lets face it, nobody has time to constantly check if the make up is still in place throughout the day, most especially when you are busy. A small amount of make-up primer will save you the hustle of constant checks.

3. Conceal the unwanted.

Apply a tiny damp of concealer on the black heads and breakouts to even out the skin. Use a concealer that is a shade lighter than your skin tone.

4.Apply the right foundation.

So, I have one important tips for you ladies: Use as little foundation as possible. Too much foundation blots the face and hides the natural face glow. So just apply a small amount of foundation to covers the whole face.

5. Vamp the eyes and lips.

Once the face is well made, it is then time to apply mascara and a nude lipstick to brighten up the face. If you are feeling sleepy, apply a white or brown eye liners in the waterline, this will open up the eye and you will appear more awake and active.

 6. Dust the face with finishing powder.

If you have an oily skin like me, the foundation can leave you looking a bit off. Finish up your make up routine with a little finishing powder just to press everything in.

I hope this routine helps you with your daily office looks. Let me know what you think in the comments section below:

Xo-xo
Aika!

At-home fitness essentials!

Lets face it, fitness can be quite a struggle. There are more than 100 sorry excuses that we apply to get out of the fitness routines - I am tired, I don't have time, Gym membership is so expensive, The gym is quite far and with this traffic--mmmh - the list of excuses goes on and on. I, like many others have applied these excuses to get out of any workout routine. 

To help stay in the fitness routine, I work out at home. Its a quick and easy way to stay in the fitness routine. I can exercise at any time of the day or when the mood takes me. If you are looking for an easy way to stay in the fitness routine, I suggest you workout at home. You need a few essentials to get you going.

Below are some of the essentials for at-home fitness routine. 

1. Choose the right space for your workouts.

I like working out in the comfort of my bedroom. It is spacious, private and I can do it without disturbing other members I share my home with. Choose a room that will give you good space, privacy and not disturb other people you share your house with.

2. Workout gear.

Buy workout equipments to maximize your workout routines, The choice of workout equipments varies depending on your choice of workout routines. A few essential equipments include: Exercise/Yoga Matt, Stability Ball, Jumping ropes and Dumbbells. You don't have to invest in fancy workout clothes but a good pair will keep you motivated.  

3. Heart rate monitor:

Think of the heart rate monitor as your workout motivation. You can use this to measure your heart rates and the amount of calories you have burnt. Knowing the amount of calories you have burnt per work out will motivate you to keep pushing.

4, Workout media:

Well, thanks to YouTube and workout DVDs, there is tons of media that you can use for workouts at home. My personal favorites are two YouTube channels: Blogilates and Fitness Blender. 

Let me know if these essentials helps you stay in the fitness routine.

Xo-xo

Aika!

Recipe for Productivity

When I first started my job, I was so overwhelmed with the work load. I had so much to do and so little time. The stress from the work load started to wear me off and eventually I lost the zeal for the job. I then decided to find a solution to my productivity issues before it became a serious problem. I read a lot of books, online posts and had several meetings with my work mentors and managers. A year later, I had learnt a few tricks that made me (somewhat) productive.

In this post, I will share few tips that will help you overcome your productivity challenges;

1. Plan for the day:

The great Gordon B. Hinckley once said, "you cant plow a field by simply turning it over your head". In order to accomplish your daily tasks, you have to plan on how you are going to execute them. Make a point to make a plan for the next day before you go to bed. This will put you in the productive mood from when you wake up.

2. Wake up early.

It has been scientifically proven that early risers are productive than night-owls. Early risers are said to be more proactive, better planners and more optimistic. You don't have to wake up 4:00am in the morning, but rise up early enough to give yourself enough time to complete the daily tasks.

3. Stay on the course:

Social media, friends at work and mobile phones can be so disruptive that it becomes difficult to stay on the course of the your daily plan. Switch off all distractions and stay on track to ensure you complete your tasks.

4. Relax:

Take a short break (say 10minutes) if you are stressed or if things get hectic. Take a short walk to the office window and breath in the fresh air, this will make you feel relaxed and you will gain better perspective of the tasks ahead of you. The trick is to work without disruption for two hours and then take a short break before resuming to your work.

5. Ask for help.

Don't try to be the superhero and do it all alone. Ask for help around when you encounter a difficult task. Asking for help will save you time, build better work relationships and divide the workload.

6. Reward yourself:

Reward comes after you have accomplished the day tasks. Set the rewards before you start the day as a motivation for staying on track. Rewards don't have to be a big production. A glass of your all time favorite wine or a movie date can be a reward after a productive day.

I hope this tips will help you have more productive days. Leave comments below and let me know if you are being productive!

Xo-xo
Aika!

Living Room Decor: Fun, Cheap and easy ways to update the living room

The living room is considered one of the central rooms in our houses. It is where the family relaxes and socialises after a long day of work. It is also the room that hosts all the guests that visit our homes. Decorating this room is the most basic thing to do.

I, like most people, have very grand ideas of how to decorate the living room in my home. However, home decor can be quite expensive and time consuming. For this reason, I am always looking for design ideas that are inexpensive and yet classic.

Below are the tips that will help you design and decorate your living room in the most cost effective manner.

1. Acquire the living room essentials:

First things first, get the things that are most basic for your living room. In the very least, this includes the sofa set, TV, sound/music system, the curtains and if possible the coffee table. These will be the most significant items in your living room and also the most expensive items. Invest in pieces that will last a long time as the cost involved in changing these items can be quite high. 

2. Update the wall.

The wall is the most significant part of your living room. You may choose to maintain the present oil paint which in most cases is either white or creamy, or you may decide to update the wall by applying a new paint or using stylish wall papers. Painting the living room wall can be quite expensive and you dont want to spend a fortune in the colour that may be out of style after a short while. The alternative is to use wall papers. Wall papers come in different shades, size and colours. Choose the one that represents the tone/theme of your living room. Below are some inspirational wall papers you may wish to consider:

 

The choice of wallpapers is endless and the good news is that its an inexpensive decor trick. You can get similar and other wall papers from ebay, amazon, etsy and any other local stores.

3. Decorate the sofa sets:

There are a number of ways that you can update the basic look of your sofa set. Try adding accents like Pillows and/or throws. This will bring character to the room and make it brighter and bigger. The trick here is to choose accents that match the sofa size and style and not go overboard with the amount of accents. Too many accents become clutter instead of becoming decor items. 

4. Add flowers in the right places:

Consider adding flowers to the flat surfaces such as the coffee table or on the TV unit. The choice of flowers should such that compliment the piece and not overwhelm it. Avoid big flowers as they tend to make the room appear smaller. Choose flowers of appropriate size and colour to lighten up the room. Below are some of the floral arrangements that you may wish to consider for your living room.

5. Choose the right carpet or floor rug:

When I first lived with my cousin in our bachelor pad, we chose the wrong carpet and our living room ended looking two sizes smaller than it was. From then on I learnt, the smaller the better. If possible choose a carpet/rug that only covers the coffee table. This will bring in a contrast with the floor and make the living room appear bigger than it actually is. The trick is to choose the carpet that matches the floor. Below are some of the ideas for living room carpets;

6. Incorporate art:

Art is a form of communication, The type of art you choose for your living room should communicate the values and likes of the family members. Keep in mind the living room is a family room, therefore whatever art is in the room should be a family theme or mood. Living room art can vary from family portraits to portraits of places the whole family has been together, or even contemporary art. Below are some of the ideas on how to incorporate art into the living room.

I hope this ideas can help you decorate your living. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Love;

Aika!

Style It: The White Button-Down Shirt

Hi Lovely readers,

Long gone are the days where the button-down shirts were for corporate looks only. The button-down shirt is a basic staple that works with almost everything in your wardrobe. The button down can be dressed up or dressed down depending on your preferences. Below are stylish ways in which you can rock the white button-down shirt.

1. Pair with classic pencil skirt:

Pairing a white button-down with a pencil skirt doesn't have to be boring. Choose a statement pencil skirt that will stand out and tone down the shirt. The stylish Folake of Style Pantry rocked the white button-down with a flared statement skirt and stood out from the crowd.

                 

2. Pair it with denim trousers

For that stylish look, pair the button-down shirt with a pair of denim. Celebrities and fashionstas have been rocking this look and, boy, do they look good. You can pair the shirt with a boyfriend distressed jeans, high wasted skinny jeans or even the flared denim. The choice of pairing is endless, just pick one that works for you.

3. Pair with sequin/metallic skirt:

The white-button down skirt tones down the sequin/metallic skirts and make for perfect daytime and evening looks. The trick is to choose a skirt that is not too overwhelming and works well with you physique. Always finish this pairing with a minimal style shoe and accessories, a nude pair of shoes is ideal for this look.

4. Pair with shorts.

Well, if you have those long lean legs and you want to show a bit of what mama gave you, a pair of shorts is always a good idea. Pairing shorts with a classic white button-down will dress up the look and bring out your best features. You can pair it with denim shorts, sequin shorts or even tailored shorts. The trick is to go a size bigger in the choice of your shirt. A very fitting shirt makes your legs appear shorter and unflattering.
 

5. Switch it to menswear.

I love the menswear inspired looks, but I don't have the fashion balls to pull it off. If you want to push the fashion envelope and pull menswear look, I suggest that you invest a good pair of crisp white button-down shirt. Grab that amazing pant suit and pair it with a classic button-down shirt for absolute perfection. A trick is to keep the make up and accessories to a minimum and let the outfit make the statement. The ever beautiful Nancy Sumari was a pure perfection when she rocked the menswear inspired look for MTV MAMA awards. You can either go for a minimum look like hers or go overboard like other fashionistas below.





 

6. Beach cover over-up.

I absolutely love it when a clothing item can be used in different ways. Its a perfect way of making maximum use of your wardrobe, most especially if you invested a few coints on the piece. The classic button-down shirt can be worn as a cover up at the beach. Isn't this fantastic, from it being the boring office piece to a casual outfit as a beach cover-up. The next time you go to the beach, take that white shirt and use it as a cover up like the fashionista below;


Photo credits: Style Pantry,  Wendy's lookbook,  Pinterest

Ladies, a white button-down shirt is a versatile piece, don't be scared of saving up some coints and buy yourself a perfect pair.

Let me know how you style your white button-down in the comments section below.

Xo-xo;
Aika!

Fitness - A beginner's guide!

Up until last year, I hated the whole process of working out. To me working out meant wasting alot of time and energy doing something that left me sore for a day or two. For that reason I dreaded the whole idea of working out in general.

My turning point was when I learnt tricks of how to make work outs fun, less time consuming and more energizing. After a number of trials and errors, I can now confidently say that I have mastered the activity quite well and I am enjoying the benefits of it all. 

Below are some of the tips that can help you enjoy your start and enjoy your workouts;

1. Determine your fitness goal

It is important that you determine your fitness goal before you start working out. The goals may vary from losing that baby weight to being flexible or improving your body image. Once you have a clear goal in mind, it becomes easier for you to get into the workout mode. 

2. Prioritize and schedule the workout. 

Often times, we do not schedule our days to include working out because we have not identified it as a priority. Make it a priority to workout at least 2 or 3 times a week. Then schedule your week to include few minutes of workouts. 

3. Determine the venue of your workouts.

Yes, you read that correctly, the venue is a very important aspect. Some people don't like to workout in gyms and therefore opt for other venues such as home, the beach, the park and so forth. Choose a venue that will motivate you to work as efficiently as possible. 

4. Choose the workout routines that work for you.

There are number of factors that each person needs to consider prior to choosing a workout routine: Skill level - Don't jump start on the advanced workout programs when you are a beginner. This will demotivate you instead of motivating you.  

Physical health - If possible consult your physician for recommendation on workouts that suit your health status. 

Your goal - Choose workout routine that best suit your goal. If your goal is to increase flexibility, yoga is a better option in comparison to other workouts; 

Time availability - make sure you choose a workout routine that can be completed within the scheduled time.  

5. Start small.

The best way to succeed in the fitness journey is to take it slow. Start on small goals and once you have accomplished them, then you can move to more challenging goals. 

I hope these tips will help you start your fitness journey. Let me know how if they work for you in the comment section below!

Xo-xo;

Aika! 

A warm welcome to quixotic readers!

Finally, I am so happy that I can officially start blogging - goodbye procrastination.

Welcome my beautiful (and handsome) readers to quixotic - my life and style blog.

I am a lady from a small town with grand ideas. I am in my mid-twenties and that goes withot saying am in an age where am experiementing and learning it all. I am also at an age where am mature and young at the same time.

Quixotic life and style is where you will find your daily inspirations for fashion, beauty, fitness, books to read, nutrition and home decor. I know this sounds like I know it all but the truth is, I want to learn it all and share the experiences with all of you my dear readers. I promise you that you will find something positive everytime you visit this blog.

So finally, a warm welcome to you my dear reader and I promise you that the time you spend reading my blog will be worth it.

Xo-xo,

Aika!