Easy and Natural

Have you ever longed to do a quick treatment on your hair, but got discouraged by cost and time constraints?  Are you like me, who gets tired of all the big names and sophisticated hair products sometimes? Are you simply a fan of natural remedies? Do you dislike long routines that get you tired? Well, here is something for you. It's very natural, easy,quick and affordable.  I tried this and loved the outcome.

Avocado Treatment for your hair.

• Avocado
• 1/2 cup of water 
• 1 tsp of Olive Oil

Wash or co-wash your hair. Blend this together and apply to your hair, from the scalp to the tips. Put on a shower cap and wrap up in a hot towel (not necessarily). Leave it on for about an hour before rinsing it out completely.You do not need to shampoo again.

You can repeat this weekly, the result would be amazing, though I did it once and got lazy...

Avocado is an effective deep conditioner for your hair. It adds shine, prevents hair loss and that also means it promotes growth. Rich in vitamins A, K, E, C, B6, Amino acids and so on....It works wonders on black hair, either in the natural or relaxed form.

I've always known that avocado, just like other natural products (egg, honey....) is good for the hair, but it's one thing to know and another to try it out yourself. The soft and lustrous feeling I got was simply amazing.

Arit goes back to her roots

Hi everyone, Mondays are always too serious to accommodate anything else, but start yours on a lighter note with Arit's display of her Naija heritage.

      

  

All hail the Oron, Akwa Ibom Princess, the "uyaya" Arit Edet on her traditional wedding ceremony. I love it when people go deep down to the roots like this. Check out her traditional attires, maidens and the cultural dance display which is usually a significant part of the ceremony....

When it comes to culture, it's quite obvious Naija has it in abundance. 

Be Proud, Be Royal, Be your own Queen!! "Rep your culture" 

If you're out there thinking you had the highest number of traditional outfits and hairstyles on your wedding,you just haven't met Arit yet. She nailed it, and I'm totally in Love. Akwa Ibom/CrossRiver surely has got the culture magic wand....*wink*

more pictures

                                                                                          

Unfolding MyNaijaheritage

MyNaijaheritage opens with Oty and Smart's cultural pre- wedding photo shoot. Very ethnic, Very inspiring!

Photos by Image Faculty. Smart, The groom to be himself.

Makeup by Otis Makeup Artistry, the bride to be

When the photo guru and makeup artiste come together to conquer the world. lol. The perfect union.

They look absolutely amazing together, with the ibibio casual outfit. So original! like back in the days when culture dominated. "I'm getting married to my friend, classmate, sister, colleague, makeup artist and missing rib"- Smart.

This depicts culture in the modern world. I love it...
Follow on Instagram @mynaijaheritage
Email mynaijaheritage@gmail.com
Send your naija"repping" pictures

How to get your simple curls without applying any form of heat.

In whatever form you have your natural hair, whether relaxed or purely natural (virgin hair), your hair needs to stay moisturized. The simplest, cheapest and most natural way of moisturizing is by using oil ( Extra virgin olive oil ) and water. 

Don’t mind all these bottles (na just packaging). It’s just oil and water. Divide your hair into three or four sections. Spray the oil and water (now you see why I need the bottles, it’s for easy spraying), the water first, massage a little before spraying the oil, massage it into your scalp and then braid each section of hair and tug the tips right under “Calabarizing style”Lol

                                             

       

You can leave it on over night, or all through the day if you have to be at home, but preferably all through the night. The next day, loose the braids, run your fingers through them to keep them aligned, and then you would be set to go.  You can do this consistently for a week or more. I can go anywhere like that.
 
                                              

  
This exercise is particularly recommended because it helps you avoid combing. Yes, I don’t like combing my hair so much. This keeps your hair moisturized, it prevents breakage and gives room for so much growth. Anything that is natural is good for your hair and health generally.

Other moisturizers can be applied two to three times in a week. Your leave in conditioner for example should be used after shampooing and rinsing out to restore back the moisture you washed away. 

                   
   Your Oil moisturizer can be used everyday or two to three times weekly. This also works perfectly for natural(virgin) hair, not just relaxed hair, for the sake of our sisters that have gone natural. Dark and Lovely is what I use but there are so many other brands, Olive Oil, Motions etc. They all have their leave in conditioners and oil moisturizers. If, you haven’t been doing this, I think it’s time now…..

                                                                                                                          xoxo Eka

My Queen

She's one of the greatest gifts God has given to me. A mother like no other. She's beautiful, the queen of my heart, my best friend, gist partner, my sunshine, superwoman, super mum, super wife, I can go on and on. I love you mummy and on this special day, I wish you Long life, so long that you would see my grandchildren. I wish you more beauty as you age. I wish you good health and above all peace of mind. I love you with all my heart. Happy Birthday Mummy!.

Another November Queen, November babies are special. If you don't have a November baby in your life, please find one quickly. we are amazing..lol...and yea that's me in the picture, with absolutely no hair. Kai see baldness, but we thank the Lord that remembered me.

I wrote this back in the days. I can't even remember the year but reading it now, it's so funny to me. I cannot ignore the childish tone echoing behind the scene....but IT WAS ALL FOR MY MUM SO IT'S JUST FINE.

THE ONE I LOVE MOST

You are my best friend

And our friendship will never end

We stay by each other everyday

And have the happiest times while we play

But you cannot be so sure

That you are the one I love the most

And not even the wisest ghost

Can guess who I could count on for sure

I have a very special friend

Who can never let my fragile neck to bend

Who was there for me before I was born

And would never allow my gentle heart to mourn

Now my dear friend

We've been together since childhood

And together we will be till adulthood

So let's not deceive one another

For the one I love the most is my MOTHER.

                                                                                    Ekaette Ikpang

*unfiltered* *unedited*....I love you mummy........Happy Birthday!

AND IT GOES ON.......

          TSUNAMI - A Disaster To Remember

Yes, I heard the sound of the waves
But I never had an atom of fear nor shook.
Yet as I played my music joyously in a cave
I never would have believed I was expecting a tidal wave

It pains to think how cruel nature could be
To wipe out the inhabitants of many nations
Oh! What can be used to measure their tears
Which have risen into a tremendous sea
The sea that flowed into the hearts of all nations

Oh what can we tell the victims in Indonesia
Whose hearts have holes filled with grief
What do we do to those in Thailand and India
Whose tears will never ever be brief

I can see families rendered homeless
Married couples forever separated
Children forcefully made orphans
Debris and dead bodies ready to be cleared and buried

My pains and sorrows
Paved way for despair and fragile hope


                                                                                                             Ekaette Ikpang

The Tsunami happened years ago, and not every country was affected, but we can't deny the fact that several disasters have occurred after that. The enemy still loathes and only God's grace has sustained us thus far. Here in Nigeria, our recent fights to eradicate terrorism, and now battling with the famous Ebola virus, which has done enough harm already. Imagine living your life everyday knowing that your daughter who was abducted is still not home or having to lose your life to a terrible disease on the grounds of saving others. That's the reality we are forced to accept and now fear which has always struggled to be our companion has dominated us. We have no choice but to stay strong, focusing on the positive vibes around us while praying and hoping for better and brighter days in our country and world. God will continue to protect us. Amen.

   

Thanks to Mr. Joe Ushie, the H.O.D of the Department of Literature, University of Uyo for reviewing and publishing this poem in his book, Tsunami Blues and Other Poems. I dedicate this to the passionate Doctors who lost their lives while fighting tirelessly to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus, to the Abducted girls and their parents, to bomb blast victims and their loved ones, and all that are still pained from the disasters we have recorded in the past. I pray that God heals our land.

THE LOVE TREE (This is what we need)

Hope can keep our wildest dreams alive

Joy can set the imprisoned spirit free

Faith is the only lane at which possibilities can arrive

Love bears it all as fruits on a fruitful tree.

Many exist as flowers that blossom in the morning and fade away by moonlight.

Many live their lives on the platform of silver and gold.

The earth flames in the fury of an angry fire that seizes our sight.

But yet we strive to survive amidst this furnace that can never get cold.

What do we have to lose when we have nothing to gain

Why do we have to give when there is nothing to receive?

Our good deeds have become a crime that is worthy of disdain

Why should we love when our love is only out to deceive?

Listen, look and learn like the leaves on a tree

Clinging together in high esteem above

One which is separated from the branch withers away as if it hurts to be free

But together they blossom into this incredible tree of love

If our world was a magnificent tree, and we were all leaves on our branches

Would our utmost priority not be unity to survive?

Why would we succumb to the tap tap our heart beats that race after evil and grudges?

Why would we fight and kill one another, if we knew we need each other to survive?

Watch the leaves as they stick together watching each other’s back

Watch as they chorus and cry together when the wind blows violently across their shores forcing them to flee.

I wish we could love more and love without holding back

I wish we could live in peace and unity like the leaves on a tree.

                                                                                

                                                                                                              Written by

                                                                                                              EKAETTE IKPANG

Yes! I don't know what led me to write this, but not-with-standing, I believe it was divine. 1Cor 13:4-8. Love is above all, for if you cannot love the people you see everyday, you are not capable of loving God. Let's stop saying it and start showing it. If I love you, I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, and this consciousness is just what we need. Preach Love today!

Yearn for the perfect hair glow

     To all the beauties out there, maybe you've been told before, but I am telling you again that your hair is your glory. You have to make out time to care for it. We do love extensions as perfect substitutes, but no alternative is better than having a healthy hair. When your hair is healthy, you feel good and beautiful.
    You know your hair is healthy when it has it's natural thickness, doesn't break or lose it's colour. The length of your hair also proves its health but I would say that your hair doesn't have to get to the bra length or waist length for you to term it "healthy". It can be shoulder or chin length and still very beautiful. However, we can all attain a longer and more radiant hair, by giving it more attention and extra care. For starters here are some simple tips that serve as a reminder when dealing with your hair.

• Sweeties you need to be faithful to one relaxer. Dark and lovely today, Dr. Miracle tomorrow will not work for you. Find one brand that works for you and stick to it. I've been using dark and lovely since I started growing my hair in 2006 and it works for me.
• Do not retouch often. Once every quarter is just enough. If you're doing it every month, you would certainly weaken your hair.
• You don't have to comb your natural hair every time or everyday. Some of us comb every two hours, Going to work in the morning, you comb it, lunch time you comb it again, going home after work..Lol. Once a day is enough. Use your fingers to straighten it out sometimes.
• Excessive use of heat styling tools or hair gel and dye etc. We know that too much of everything is bad, and it applies to your hair as well.
• Entrusting your hair to careless hair stylists. I went to the salon once and this lady just picked up my comb and went right into my roots pulling the comb out to the tips, and I'm like no way! I took the comb and did it myself, gently detangling the tips before getting to the root, and she watched me keenly. Nobody will care for your hair the way you would. So handle it yourself most times.

I would love to pause here for now, we have some much details when it comes to maintaining your natural hair. I'm still on it and I know you're in too.... *hugs*......

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

I wonder why the days run so fast
And why the time can't wait for a while
But our good ways do not seem to last
As each day runs a mile

I remember the good old days
When life was so easy and free
When children behaved in their childish ways
And the old lived as long as a fruitful tree.

But now we perish in our wickedness
Whilst our riches make us bold
But not all wealth brings happiness
And not all that glitters is gold.

So even if we wait for ages
We would surely see the right path to follow
Cause nature never changes
And we have high hopes for tomorrow.

                                                                                Ekaette Ikpang, 2004.

This was my very first attempt at poetry in 2004. It's unfiltered, just the way I wrote it back then, even with the flaws...I was 14 going on 15 and I remember I shared it first with my grandma. She said she prays God to keep her alive to see what I'd become in future. Well, that future started already and it's getting better...and I always say "It can only get better"