FOOD REVIEW: THE TEA ROOM LAGOS

There are some places you go and the ambience immediately gets you feeling inspired and creatively motivated, The Tea Room is definitely one of those. You can hardly keep your camera away, you almost forget you came for the food too! The attention to details and the creativity that went into this space is commendable.

Let’s get to the food and drinks… I went there for a business meeting with my business partners and friends so we get to have three people’s opinion on the menu…

Started with the drinks, my friend and I had wild berry smoothie and I must say that was my favorite thing from my order, it was very rich and nice. We also ordered the strawberry lagarita, she liked it and said it tastes like a “sweet strawberry beer”, she recommended that if you don’t like beer or if you don’t fancy drinking a lot you might not like it and it might be too strong for you.

Content creator life… I was trying to get a good picture of my friends’ food and a good flat lay before they started eating I forgot to take a picture of my own food until later but I had the Tuna melt panini that came with chips, there wasn’t much to my food really, it was just a regular panini, it had black olives which I am not a fan of but I would have made a mess if I had to pick out every piece. Overall it was ok, the chips was tasty which I liked.
Ayo had the Chicken pesto pasta she had this to say “the pasta was really good, the sauce was creamy, there was a good balance of pepper and cream, the pesto was really evident in the pasta but I think the portion size was quite small for the price, I have had bigger portions. The smoothie tasted really good I really enjoyed it, I would come back again”.

Moji had the fried chicken waffles, “It was nice, the waffles had too much of a cake like texture to it but the chicken was good, it also came with fries which was a plus and it came with a creamy sauce that tasted really good, overall I would give it a 3/5”.

Overall we enjoyed ourselves, I liked the vibe, the food was good, reasonable price and a plus that we were allowed to freely take pictures and record videos. The service was good, the staff were friendly and welcoming. I will endeavour to get familiar with a restaurant’s menu before going in and I will advice the same if you are particular about your food like me. I will go back again. BillTuna Melt Panini- 3500Fried Chicken Waffles- 4500Pesto Chicken- 5000Wild Berry Smoothie- 3000Strawberry Lagarita- 5000

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WORKING UNDER PRESSURE

Any one working directly with customers will know that it takes skill and patience, as a business owner I have had to learn this on the job because it isn’t something taught in schools. Even though I can work under pressure I try my best to avoid it by planning well ahead, but some days are unpredictable and things can get out of your control. A personal experience… A client I was trying to squeeze in a 1 hour slot came in with extensions from another salon that needed to be dissolved and we ended up encroaching into the time of my next client and all this was with no assistance, but I was able to get both nails done even though we exceeded the time.
Here are some practical tips that have helped me so far…
Multi taskIn a case of more than one client with no assistant multi tasking is very much advisable. Shuffling between the two clients to move their service one or two steps forward, starting their service does two things; first- prevents them from getting angry and leaving because you have started working on them, secondly doesn’t make them feel neglected and completely watchful of their time.

Discuss topics of their interestYou can break the ice by talking about a topic you know they would be interested in, this can be tricky because I have found that talking most times slows one down but also you don’t want to be quite and leave your client unengaged because this can make them restless and more conscious of time. In a studio like mine where we dot watch television (I don’t have any reservations I just prefer music because I can control what myself and my clients listen to) music definitely helps in situations where you can’t engage with them as much.
Relax and take controlI know this might sound crazy when you are on tight schedule but learning to remain calm can actually save you from careless errors. When under pressure there are things you can control and things you can’t, try not to focus on the things you can’t control so you don’t get agitated and lose confidence, relax and take control of the things you can handle. This shows a level of professionalism and good management to your clients if you can properly manage yourself and your work under pressure and still deliver quality product/service.

Look at the pressure as an opportunityI personally have often gotten my best under pressure, this is because you are out of your comfort zone but must still deliver your best as you are being paid for it… that moment is where you have the chance to grow in your speed, flexibility, focus, maybe even learn a new approach or way to do something or even as simple as winning over a new client or impressing an existing one.

Whatever industry you find yourself these tips can also be applied.

Thank you for reading

SKIN CARE WITH TOSIN OLANIYI

Taking good care of your skin has become something that isn’t compromised anymore, and with the amount of skin care products available – both foreign and locally made, and bloggers like Tosin who make choosing the best options easy, there is no reason not to have flawless skin.
Tosin Olaniyi is a Nigerian Digital Storyteller and Marketing/Advertising Strategist based in Canada, who loves to brew communication strategies that help brands grow and attract their target audience. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Babcock University, Google Certified in Online Marketing Fundamentals and is currently pursuing a Post – Graduate Degree in Advertising- Media Management. 

Curious about why Tosin went into skin care blogging… It was majorly because I wanted clear skin, I didn’t want to have to cover my skin with make up. I realized I wasn’t the only one going through skin issues so I decided to start documenting and sharing the knowledge and my journey to better skin.Also, when I started I noticed that there was a market for skin care bloggers from the response I got from brands. More so, when it comes to skin care blogging, there was no major name attached to that area so I decided to carve a niche for myself.You can find her Instagram here.
SKIN CARE PRODUCTSPeople have different skin types so what works for one might not work for the other person. I have normal skin so this recommendation will be based on normal skin to dry skin.Here’s the order of my skin care routines…Face wash, scrub, toner (rose water can be used in place of toner), serum, moisturizer, sunscreen and finally I seal everything up with Rose water again.
Let’s dive right in!First is Facial kit from NaturaGlowbyAbby which consists of the Facial Cleanser, Facial Scrub and Facial Toner.

Other products I use include…Black Head Power Liquid This black head power liquid can be used in place of the scrub because some people prefer the chemical exfoliant than the physical sugar like scrubs.

Ultimate Nourishing Rice MaskTo moisturise I use this ultimate nourishing rice, I like this moisturizer because it has the texture of a lightweight cream, it absorbs easily, so it can also be used as a regular daytime or night time moisturizer.

Ayele Sunflower SerumThis serum is more oil-based and it helps to even out skin tones, unclogs your pores and reduces break out.

Pure Healthy Brightening SerumThis serum is lightweight, absorbs quickly into the skin and reduces the intensity of dark spots.

Sunscreen

TIPS FOR ALL SKIN TYPES
Though these products are for normal-dry skin, she gave us 5 tips about skin care that cuts across all skin types·             Know your skin type. This helps you to know the exact products that are perfect for your skin type.·             When washing your face, make sure to wash for a complete 1 minute (60seconds) before rinsing it off. This gives you smoother skin.·             Never deprive your skin of moisture, no matter what skin type you have. ·             Never skip sunscreen when leaving your house during the day.·             Great skin takes consistency. The best products won’t work if you are not consistent.
THE NAILSWe decided to go with a summery look which is bright, fun and colorful and added a little jazz with the half moon nail design.

My skin will definitely thank me as I start to do some of the things I have learnt, I hope you enjoyed reading as much as we enjoyed chatting over this beautiful manicure.
Thank you.

SPOTLIGHT ON- UDEOGU NONYE

Hello lovelies, I am back with another Spotlight on with Udeogu Nonye Anne popularly known as Thisthingcalledfashion. An Economics graduate turned blogger, content creator, style influencer and fashion consultant . I have always admired her passion for fashion and the way she creates her content. Her style is chic, sophisticated and embodies the sexiness of a woman without revealing too much. Nonye has successfully made a name for herself in the fashion industry and there is still so much more to see from Nonye and her brand. We had a great time chatting about blogging, fashion, essential tips for shopping on a budget and also doing one of Embellish press on nails.

ON NAILS SARAH JAMES- Do you think your manicure adds to your overall style?NONYE- Definitely, I feel like my pictures pop more when I do my nails, there is just something sophisticated about the pictures when I do my nails.
SARAH JAMES – Do you have any nail restrictions?NONYE- Yes, I don’t like my thumb nail too long because I can’t type well with long thumb nail and all my work is done on my phone.

SARAH JAMES – What is your go-to nail color?NONYE- White because it is clean and classy and it’s the color I’m currently drawn to. SARAH JAMES – Where do you get your manicure inspiration from?NONYE- Majorly Pinterest.
SARAH JAMES – If you could choose to wear one color for the rest of your life what would it be?NONYE- White or black

ON BLOGGING AND FASHION INFLUENCING SARAH JAMES – How did you first get into fashion blogging/style consultancy? NONYE- I have always wanted to go into fashion, I started my blog in 2016 after my youth service because I wanted a platform where I could share my love for fashion.
SARAH JAMES – When did you start to monetize your blog/services?NONYE- Going into fashion blogging I didn’t think I wanted to turn it into a business, I just did my research on how I wanted my blog to look like and I felt it was easier to enter the fashion industry through a blog because my blog will serve as a portfolio for people to see my love for fashion.
SARAH JAMES – One exciting memory you have had as a fashion influencer.NONYE- Getting interviewed by Spice TV, it’s a channel I take time to watch the shows and I really enjoy it.

SARAH JAMES – Biggest achievement so far…NONYE- Building my brand to a point where I don’t have to apply for jobs, I get to work with upcoming and very well known brands. Using my Instagram page as my CV give has granted me different opportunities.
SARAH JAMES – Biggest challenge you have had to overcome as a blogger NONYE- Been shy and actually properly posing for pictures because the way you pose can either make or break the look you are trying to portray with that outfit, also finding the perfect location for shoots and blocking out distractions.
SARAH JAMES – Challenges you face as a fashion influencer in Nigeria. NONYE- Getting international brands to work with and getting paid by them… you have to look at your audience and the accessibility of the brand. There’s always a bit of a challenge of your audience actually been able to shop from these brands. Secondly because blogging and fashion influencing is something relatively new so it’s difficult to explain my job to people most time especially my parents and their friends.

SARAH JAMES – Top Instagram tip? NONYE- Always engage with your followers regardless of the numbers, over time people would start to comment, use your captions, engage with the content of your favourite bloggers and leave comments on their pages over time they will notice you and so will other people. Also make sure you are dishing out quality pictures, that way people will remember you and want to come back to your page.

SARAH JAMES – How do you manage working part time and been a blogger and fashion influencer?NONYE- I write my ideas as they pop in my head and develop them in my free time, that has really helped me with my content creating.

SARAH JAMES – Do you have essential tips for shopping on a budget?NONYE- · First you have to know what you already have in your closet· Know the type of outfit you want to shop for that month · Know why you are shopping for that item e.g. corporate event, party, dinner etc. · Make a list of what you don’t have · Prioritize which is most important · Extra tip is to always check if you have what to pair the new outfit with if not it is advisable to shop in looks as paired in the store if you can afford it.

SARAH JAMES – TOP 3 INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOWNONYE- As a creative these are the pages @trevour_stuurman @Connawalker @qmike there are more but for now these 3 inspire me.
SARAH JAMES – Do you have a favourite quote you live by?NONYE- What is life without hope.

I definitely enjoyed this and learnt a few things especially the tips on shopping on a budget! I hope you can say the same.
Thank you for reading

SPOTLIGHT ON- SEUN RUNSEWE

SEUN SAYS…I am Seun Runsewe, I am a woman, I work in technology, I have a 2 years old son and I have a business called Biamo which is a mummy gear support company, as of now we produce and sell nursing bras to support women on the motherhood journey from pregnancy to breastfeeding. I enjoy sleeping and read a lot. New things and new challenges excite me and I think that is one of the joys of who I am.

SARAH JAMES- Your favourite nail memory?SEUN– When my friends threw me a baby shower, I remember been so overwhelmed walking into the room and all my friends had everything from dress, make up and Embellish was on nails and it was really quick, dried really quickly, everything was so perfect and it was such a landmark moment for me.When do you notice your nails the most?SEUN– When I just wake up while reading or listening to a podcast.

SARAH JAMES- Do you have any restrictions when it comes to nails?SEUN– Not necessarily, I feel like my nail styles depends on the event if I have a party I can go all out and paint my nails neon, but in my work sector most women are tossed into leadership positions and so your nail color and style should reflect that.

SARAH JAMES- Where do you get your manicure inspiration from?SEUN– Mostly the Embellishbysarahjames page and Instagram generally.
SARAH JAMES- What is your go to nail color? SEUN– I would say nudes with a little bit of bling -from the greys, light pinks, browns and nudes… because of the nature of my work I want to be taken seriously so I shy away from bold colors, but even outside of my work obligations I have always been a nude kind of girl.

SARAH JAMES- How did Biamo come to live?SEUN– I had a really rough experience with my pregnancy, I had a medical condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum and through out I couldn’t find a bra that could support me on that journey from pregnancy to having my baby. It wasn’t until my 3rd trimester that I started wearing bras when I got to the US and I was gifted a nursing bra which was fantastic and I thought why don’t women around here know about this or have access to this or why isn’t it mainstream!I started my research to figure out the best type of fabric, the value buckets a product like this can give to pregnant women and breast feeding mothers and after about a year of research and manufacturing BIAMO was born.

SARAH JAMES- What makes Biamo special?SEUN– Biamo is a very thoughtful product and company as a whole, the personality of warmth and empathy that I have is something I have been able to pass unto Biamo as an entity so that in its self is what makes it special, I see your pain as a mum or someone that is pregnant and I am here to help. Biamo is like a warm loving hug and support system for women in that class.
SARAH JAMES- What inspires you?SEUN– Easy! First my son, my mother and women in general because in the society we have now with our culture I don’t think things are wired for women to win so I am passionate about women creating their own life and winning at it.
SARAH JAMES- What has been your biggest challenge as a 9-5er and a business owner and how have you been able to overcome it?SEUN– Time seems to be the biggest challenge for almost everyone regardless of your field or occupation but been able to prioritize per time makes everything possible.Prioritization makes life easy and been able to merge all the parts of your life and making it your life is what makes it possible. As a mum I want my son to light up when I walk in but also my business as to work, my everything should work. I also have my mum to thank for been hands on with my son, help makes a lot of things possible and easier both at home and at work whether paid help or a family member.
SARAH JAMES- What has been your biggest achievement so far?SEUN– Been able to do all of these things because it takes a while to find that rhythm also learning, I have become so much better at learning fast and been a really good sponge which is in my opinion the most important skill in this century and this gives me a good sense of freedom.
3 things every business owner/ manager should know for business success. 1. Count the cost– Know what it takes to run in your field.2. Hire the best people don’t compromise– Every function deserves it’s own expert. This will help your business run better and deliver quality product/service. 3. Don’t stop selling the dream– Sell to your team, investors, customers.
I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed chatting with her and you learnt a thing or two.Thank you for reading.