Either by chance or choice, for different reasons, women become single mothers. Whatever the reasons are, single motherhood status is a tough one especially in an African society like ours. Keeping it all together as a single mother can be one big emotional roller coaster. Besides the pressure, the stigma, the loneliness (need I say more?), taking on dual parental responsibilities isn’t easy but it’s definitely not impossible. 
Do you know that single parenthood can be very fulfilling? No husband/father to share in the day-to-day responsibilities of parenting and decision making? Hey! Life doesn’t have to be hell; there’s so much in this world to be thankful for as a single mum. 
Embrace your life. Raise your head up high and enjoy the ride with your kid(s).
Here’s how:
Do you often feel like a victim of circumstances? Please don’t! Always have a Positive Attitude. Remember, you are still as awesome as you were before you had your child. Don’t wallow in self-pity. Your moods can also affect your child so fill your life with positivity. Wake up every day with a smile!
Be social. Becoming a single mother doesn’t mean the end of the world. Don’t become a recluse. Yes you need to spend time at home with your kid(s). But often spending some time away from home is healthy. Make time to do things that keep you happy, go watch movies or have fun night out with friends. Who knows, you just might meet someone special on such outings.
Love your child unconditionally. No matter the trials and tribulations of single motherhood, don’t make your child feel he/she’s the cause of your single status. Loving unconditionally doesn’t mean “anything goes”. No! Don’t over-indulge your child; maintain a standard of discipline. Be firm but loving with consequences for misbehaviours. 
Spend uninterrupted time together. Create routines of doing things together with your children. House chores, fun outings, indoor games etc. These special moments are necessary for a good sense of togetherness and continuity in your home.  
Trying to get a hold of your finances? Paying the bills alone can be real overwhelming but you can strategically stay afloat. You may need to prioritize your needs and cut down on expenses. Plan ahead. If possible, try to improve on your finances by doing extra businesses (click here *insert link from older posts) to check out our business ideas for a home maker.
You are single but not alone. Blessed with loving family members and trusted friends? Learn to embrace their support. Be willing to accept their emotional and financial help when it’s offered. 
Love and take good care of yourself. Remember you’re all your child’s got so it’s your responsibility to stay fit always. Eat well and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Above all, be smart, confident and realistic. When challenges come knocking, be calm and face them doggedly – there will always be a way out. You are strong and beautiful inside out. Your child’s happiness, smiles and hugs are indications that you are doing a great job and you rock!
 

Ever since a popular Nigerian Blogger purchased a 600 million Naira house the interest in blogging has increased. Okay, I admit it readily increased with the display of wealth and material possessions on social media.
The Question: Can you really make money as a blogger?
Answer: Yes!!!
Is it easy?
Answer: Truthfully, No
Should you try it?
Answer: Definitely!
 
What you gotta do is;
 Pick a Struggle
What is your blog going to be about? Know what kind of blog is going to be; gossip, entertainment, beauty, lifestyle, food, children, music. Pick something you have genuine interest in because I tell you except you are super dedicated, it would get hard. 
Get a Platform
The most common ones are blogger and wordpress though you could decide to host yourself. 
Blogger.com – Blogger is also very good, easy to set up, owned by Google, you can customize the theme, and the domain name includes “.blogspot.com” 
WordPress.com – I like wordpress.com they are completely free, easy to set up, you can customize the theme, but other customizations are limited, domain name includes “.wordpress.com”. 
 
Schedule Your Posts
Decide how often you want to post. It could be daily, weekly even monthly. Come up with your own topics for each blog post. Readers will come to your blog if they enjoy your writing style and your topics. Think quality over quantity.
Be Social Media Savvy
Post your article links on social media and blog directories. Get traffic to your site with frequent updates on Twitter, Facebook, and instagram. This helps in getting traffic to your site as well as raising your search engine rankings.
Let me add here that you should be creative as a blogger. These days you can make money directly from social media. I have a number of colleagues (fellow bloggers) who make money from posting on instagram.
Be Friendly
Contact other bloggers on social media and blogging sites, and help advertise each other’s articles when the subject overlaps with both your audiences. Many bloggers are happy to post a link on twitter even if they aren’t interested in advertising your blog on their own.
Spend Money to Make Money
You can go the slow and steady route which means keep posting wait for your market to find you. This would have worked in those days when blogs were not like sand on the earth. I believe you should market your site especially if you are choosing a genre that has serious competitors.
Making THE Money
Consider affiliate programs
By finding an affiliate program suitable for your blog, you agree to provide links to a company’s products, and in return are paid for each reader who makes a purchase after following your link. For instance as a fashion blogger you can become an affiliate for online markets jumia and Konga.
Guest Appearances
When you have really hustled people would start paying for you to party. Depending on what area of blogging you are into you may be paid for public speaking or to attend events. Think Arese Ugwu of smartmoneyafrica called for money seminars.
Write for other blogs
You can earn money as a blogger even without necesariliy owning your own blog. Contribute for other blogs as a way to boost your readership or get paid writing for blogs.
Contextual Ads
Once your blog contains high quality content and has begun to attract an audience, you can make money using Google Adsense, Chitika WordAds, or any other contextual ad service. The more readers who click on the ads shown on your site, the more money the advertisers will pay you.
Allow readers to purchase your own products
 You can create T-shirt designs with catchy words or slogans used on your blog and sell directly to your readers. You can sell recipes or products even think Dooney’s Kitchen and her yajichurri jars. I am giving real examples so you see that it is really possible even here in Naija. Fashion bloggers can sell unique clothing items and accesories. Bloggers writing about babies and toddlers can sell children toys etc.
Direct Ads
A truly successful blog would have people placing ads directly on the site if it is in line with their brand.
 
This is not a comprehensive guide by all standards but i hope it helps.
If you found this guide helpful, please tell us in the comments. Don’t forget to share with your friends 

A woman’s accessories are what makes her look glamorous. Accessories change a look from plain boring to extraordinarily intriguing. They enhance our outfits and help us achieve the image we want people to see. 
How you dress affects the way you feel so most mornings, we tend to go outfits that match and complement our mood and that actually sets the tone for the day.
Whatever your disposition or the occasion, your bag, shoes, earrings, neck piece, belt etc are what complement you. And when choosing accessories, it’s also vital to consider how well the colour and style collaborates with your outfit choice. 
Looking for ways to add some poise to your look knowing how indispensable accessories are, we’ve thought up some “must-knows & haves” for you. These are accessories you can love, feel comfortable in and definitely have in your closet. Accessories you can rely on in times of emergencies and they won’t fail to save the day! 
Handbags: Handbags are serviceable accessories. They help in holding your necessities and also serve as symbol of personality and taste. 
Stand alone Jewellery: Whether earrings, neckwear, or a bracelet, a quality statement piece works well as the centre of attraction. Bold or feminine, statement jewellery speaks for itself and can stylishly turn the most casual outfit into a sophisticated dinner or office ensemble. Want to add some elegance to your look? Try a bib style neckpiece or a classic multistrand bead necklace. For earrings, a variety of gorgeous loops, shoulder-grazing colourful chandelier earrings, or silver/gold dangling earrings are utterly stylish.
Go-to Shoes: Every woman must have a go-to shoe. Whether classic heeled pumps or flats, your go-to shoes should be comfy, timeless, well designed and handy. Black, red or nude colours will co-ordinate richly with any outfit choice and can go with any season.
A fashionable belt: Skinny, wide, fabric, or chain belts. You can’t afford not to any of have these “cloth-polishers”. From drab to fab, that’s what a fashionable belt does to your ensemble in an instant. It also comes very handy in accentuating your waist.  
Eye-catching Clutch: Who doesn’t love a clutch? Bring out the classic elegant you by topping off your outfit with a clutch for parties and nights out. 
A Scarf: A nice coloured scarf is what gives new dimension to your regular outfit. Pair them with a t-shirt or with a dress, it’s sure to add some finesse. Simply deluxe I would say!
Sunglasses: Thinking of how to shade yourself from the blazing sun? Get a pair of sunglasses today, and look fabulous without effort. A classic pair will go nicely with just about any outfit.
Stylishly put finishing touches to your ensemble with any of these fashion items and bring out the diva in you!

In today’s sophisticated world of fashion, not wearing make-up feels almost like a crime. Make-up does a lot of wonders to a woman’s appearance and most times, we tend to feel vulnerable without it. Most women can’t even survive without makeup. But then we all have days when abit of a rush, we simply just don’t feel up to the task of going through the usual morning beauty routine of making up (I’ve been there too!). 
Does this make you less a diva? I don’t think so.
Looking beautiful doesn’t always have to revolve around getting your facebeat. Making up can be fun and can boost a lady’s confidence but it doesn’t have to be obligatory. You can be as stunning as you wish without make-up. 
Something I tell myself – “…beauty is from within. With or without makeup, I’m fabulous and I’m me!” Psyching myself? Well, it’s very necessary and it works! If you don’t feel happy and beautiful from inside, the entire cosmetic in the world can’t do that for you. Believe in yourself not in the makeup. Feel good about your natural looks, be confidence and accept who you are. You’ll be surprised how attractive you’ll become. 
Let’s discuss some more ways to dazzle without make-up:
#1. Good skincare: Cleansing regularly with a good moisturizer can make your skin glowing, soft and fresh. Believe it or not, a healthy and glowing skin is one easy way to feel fabulous without makeup. Simply use water at least twice daily in washing your face.
#2. Exfoliate regularly: Dead cells block your skin pores and often make your face look dull. But with regular use of skin scrubs, you get to make your skin come alive by getting rid of the lifeless dry cells. As for your lips, use your brush gently on them when brushing to remove dead cells too.
#3. Healthy Nutrition and Sleep: The food you eat isn’t just for the functioning of your internal organs alone. Your skin benefits majorly when you consume the right nutrients. The unique properties in Vitamin E for instance work in reducing wrinkles and help your skin retain that youthful look. Do you know that when you sleep, you skin makes new collagen? Don’t rob your skin its glow by not sleeping well. Look good always by avoiding puffy eyes and unnecessary wrinkles with good sleep.
#4. Keep your hands off your face. Do you know that rubbing your forehead can cause wrinkles? Popping a pimple or picking your face can also hurt the delicate skin on your face each time you do any of these seemingly little things. 
#5. What are your most attractive natural features? Enhance them. You’ve got lashes that need combing and eyebrows that need plucking? Do you know you can make your lashes look fuller and longer by combing through with Vaseline? Try it! 
#6. Maintaining good hygiene is another factor you should consider. Stay neat and well groomed. Keep your hair clean and your teeth sparkling; these small details are essential if you want to be stunning always. 
#7. Smile: There’s no limiting the wonders of a true smile. Learn to smile from within; let your smile reach your eyes. Smile at people, you will be so surprised at how attracting that smile of yours is. 
#8. And lastly, drink lots and lots of water! Water keeps your skin flexible, hydrated and glowing. With a glowing skin, you need not bother when you can’t makeup – you are a natural stunner!

Wow…the fabulous power of a perfectly shaped eyebrow (arch)! Brows are so major that they can either build or ruin your appearance. With or without makeup, your brow shape can notably change the shape of your face and your entire looks. Unfortunately, eye-brow shapes are not “one-size fits all”. Just like body shapes, facial shapes also differ, and there are varieties of eyebrow arches to fit different face shapes. 
Trying to groom your brows but don’t know the ideal arch for your face shape? Simply pull your hair back and with your ears exposed, take a good look at yourself in the mirror: 
-Your cheekbones are prominent but your forehead appears wider than your chins? Your face is oval shaped! Lucky you! You’ve got the most considered perfect face shape; well proportioned and ideal. A soft arch will maintain your already balanced face.
-If your face appears almost as wide as it is long, or probably widest at your cheeks, then it’s a round face. The most suitable eyebrows for round faces are angular high arched brows. These will definitely bring out the definitions of your face; make your face appear longer by giving it an oval-shaped illusion. Longer brows are also very agreeable in flattering rounded faces. Avoid straight thick brows. 
-You’ve got full wide forehead but it narrows into your chin? That’s heart shaped face! Heart shaped faces are almost similar to oval faces. Though most eyebrow arches are good on heart shaped faces, a rounded eyebrow arch is simply the best for your face shape. Lower rounded arches are feminine and will give you an attractive natural look. And if your face is a shorter heart shaped, try highly arched brows. They will add some length to create a dramatic look and balance out any hint of pointy small chin. 
-Is the width of your forehead, cheekbones and jaw almost similar? Your face is looking sculpted with square angular jaw-lines? Then you’ve got a face shape that’s considered masculine but sexy – Square face. An angled brow with a noticeable high arch will balance off your face’s strong features. Pass-up round angular arches but opt for softer curves to soften your looks. You may also want to leave your natural brows a little thicker as it gives a more natural but not overly defined brow shape.-Your face looks slightly stretched out? Is it looking like oval but longer than wide? Oblong shaped face it is! More than any other face shape, an oblong face (also called long face) needs a straighter arch to flatter it. Minimal straight shaped eyebrows or gorgeous flat brows will balance your face nicely by helping to shorten the overall length of your face. Arched brows are an absolute no for your face shape.  
Now you know your face shape and the best eyebrow arch that flatters you uniquely. What’s more? Enhance your face… flawlessly balance it off with stunning arches!

Marriage can be fun and sometimes stressful. And even when it’s perfect and running smoothly at first, be sure that marriage will definitely bring lots of changes to your life. Often heard the cliché “a good marriage takes work”? Well, as old and common as it sounds, it’s the honest simple truth. Despite existing love, it takes lots of effort and working together to keep it moving. Thus it’s important to always see marriage as work in progress. 
A happy marriage has nothing to do with being in love. It’s about endurance, acceptance, and most of all commitment. Marriage can be full of highs and lows that no one ever prepared you for. But be certain that some of these frustrations are those very things that make your love stronger – this indeed is the strange but intriguing beauty of marriage!
There are times you’ll go to bed angry and most likely wake up angrier. The need for a good argument with your spouse sometimes can’t be ignored. But when such arguments turn into silly back and forth trivialities, there’s a need to give it some rest. Calm yourself and let the emotions settle a bit. By then you would have gained some perspective and you can peacefully state your point. 
He wants to be by himself? Don’t feel bad. It’s only normal. There’ll be times when you crave being alone too. Being married doesn’t mean you both have to spend every free moment together. It’s quite healthy and sane to set aside time to do your own things; probably do a hobby or spend time with friends. You’ll be surprised how happier you’ll both be when you come together again. 
When single and perhaps while courting, you’ve always had your way with things. Now you are married, it might be same. You are two different people and opinions may tend to differ. Don’t lock horns when it does. Respect his views and find a way to strike a balance between conflicting views. Compromise when necessary and amazingly, he’ll be willing to do same too.
Another side of matrimony is sporadic sexual dry spells. Is that possible? Yes! Though not always but expect periods of “no-sex”. For one reason or the other it happens. And at times, it’s only natural if you aren’t in the mood or he isn’t. Not having sex daily doesn’t mean you love him less or he’s getting it elsewhere. There are times when after a demanding day, a good shuteye means much more to him (or you) than sex. Save yourself some anxiety, don’t get worked up. Some little bit of attention or contact (kissing / hugging) does help you stay connected during such periods.  
He’s not the perfect version of your ideal man? Well, don’t keep pushing yourself hard trying to change him. Most times we make that mistake of believing we can change the person we love, forgetting that he’s a full grown man with years of beliefs and habits. Such transformation is simply an effort in futility. Appreciate him and learn to love him as he is.
Keeping a tab on your husband’s errors and shortcomings? You’ve got yours too, you know. Admit it, you ain’t perfect. No one is actually! Marriage is an opportunity to discover your flaws if you haven’t. The truth hurts but there’s much gain in self-honesty. Deal compassionately with your imperfections, and you’ll see how easy it is to overcome frustrations. 
You are both human, so patiently discover, learn and progressively enjoy a lifetime of love and bliss!

My childhood friend came to Lagos from the U.S for the holidays with her entire family and we were comparing notes. A part of our conversation stayed with me into the New Year. She told me how her 6 year old was beginning to ask questions and make statements that she felt were too advanced for her age specifically, about getting behind the wheels of her car.
Soon after school began, after the summer vacation, she declared that as the oldest child she was ready to learn how to drive. On one of the occasions she was trying to convince her mum to let her learn to drive. Her strongest argument was she would ease the burden of driving off her parents especially at the end of the working day.
My response was when my 10 year old was the same age, I had to teach my youngest sister how to drive and often put her in the vehicle. One evening, she asked why we weren’t going on our rides. I told her, her aunt didn’t need any more lessons. She spent the next 20 minutes trying to convince me that after sitting in the car for so many days she should be taught how to drive. Knowing it was a battle of wits, I simply put her behind the wheel of my vehicle and enabled her appreciate the fact that her feet could not access the accelerator. That was the end of that discussion. My friend acknowledged that if she had thought along those lines she would have saved herself a considerable amount of energy debating with her 6 year old.
On my bedside couch, I remembered my grandmother’s favourite sayings “someone close to you is going through what you are going through or worse.’’ Learning from those around us is extremely key to simplifying our lives, giving us more resources (time and energy) to tackle the more important things. Maybe that is why most of the sermons in church these days are more about surviving everyday life than the mysteries of the creator and the supernatural. Most women must engage each other and not re-invent the wheel to drive down the highway of life.
Oh, my friend did have another conversation with her little girl. That cold Saturday evening, she put her daughter behind the wheel in her SUV and explained why she had to wait till she gets to high school to learn to drive. After taking off her coat in the house my friend receives one of the warmest embraces she could remember since becoming a mother. ‘’I am very glad you are my mummy, Mummy. You are the wisest mummy in the world.’’ Yes, you definitely do not have to become a 22nd century Henry Ford or Karl Benz to cruise smoothly down the highway called life.

If you have had to pay a professional makeup artiste for an event, you would know that adding false eyelashes will set you back about an extra two thousand naira. Very painful (at least for me).
I went out and bought a very affordable pack. After sitting hours trying (and failing), I learnt some things. Let me spare you the agony. May I also add you should buy good quality eye lash glue!

Before you do anything else, measure the length of the lash to make sure it fits your eye shape. If the strip needs to be cut to fit, snip the outer edge completely off with small nail scissors. This will avoid drooping at the corner
The next step is to prepare the glue. Now, you will not want to just directly apply glue to your eyelid as that can be very dangerous if you were to accidentally glue your eye shut or get it inside your eye. If you have a steady hand, you can squeeze straight from the tube onto the strip or use tweezers to hold the lash while you apply the glue. One smart tip you can use is to put a little bit of glue on your hand and run the eyelash through it. Then wait a few minutes for the glue to gel somewhat so it is not so liquid when you go to apply it to your eyelid
When accidents do happen though, merely take off your false eyelash, go rinse out your eyes and let the wet lashes dry, you can re-apply them later. Try to use as little glue as possible to avoid mistakes and injuries
Once you have applied your false eyelashes, you need to take out your mascara and put on a coat to both the real and false eyelashes. This will allow them to blend in and look as if they are all one piece
The final touch for how to apply false eyelashes on yourself is to add some eyeliner to fill in any gaps that may have been missed. And voila! Alluring eyes for less cost. And if you get good quality lashes, you can use them several times.