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Posted on October 1, 2018

5 simple ways to add exercise to your daily schedule

fitness

Committing to exercise isn’t a skill that comes naturally to everyone. Even avid gym goers struggle to stay on track of their health and fitness game during seasonal changes. The many obstacles that life throws at us can undoubtedly place having regular exercise at the bottom of our list of priorities.

However, sporadic workout sessions tend not to amount to anything – at least in my experience. Inconsistent workouts usually result in me dropping my workout schedule for weeks without end. Then I finally remember why having a concrete gym schedule is of the utmost importance to me.

I think making time to work out is a key ingredient for achieving long term goals and staying committed, even if it does mean sneaking it into a 9 – 5 work schedule. That may only seem like tiny efforts to some. But the little consistent things we do really add up. Who knows, the small efforts might even lead to a more strenuous training program!

So without further ado, here some non-committal ways to add exercise to your daily schedule 🙂

1. Yoga stretches in bed

As a morning person, I find that exercising first thing in the a.m keeps me pumped for the rest of the day. A timeless way to get your muscles moving is to do some early morning yoga stretches in bed. As soon as you open your eyes, take a few minutes for yourself to practice some muscle-wakening stretches. About 10 – 15 mins every morning is just about enough time to make you love stretching and want to add more exercise to your daily routine.

2. Get off one stop earlier

If you use the bus to commute to work then a great way to add exercise to your routine is to get off one or two stops earlier. This means you can walk the rest of the distance to get in some light cardio. Drivers could try to park a little bit further than their destination to get that walk in.

3. Cycle instead of walk

If you normally walk to work but you want to increase your cardio activity then cycling to work might be something worth looking into. I haven’t owned a bike in years but I do remember how useful they were for getting from point A to B while getting the heart pumping at the same time. Bikes are a great investment for that reason, even if you don’t use it as your main method of transportation to work!

4. Use a stability ball as a chair

Swapping over your office chair for a stability ball is a sneaky but effective little way to add exercise to your routine – if your office allows for it, of course! It takes little to no effort and it is very uplifting. An hour or two in the morning before lunch will help improve your core muscles and posture for the rest of the day – you might even be able to sneak in a few crunches on it when no one is looking…

5. No Netflix and binge

Apparently, we consume 15% more food when we eat in front of the telly – that’s quite a lot if an evening snack in front of Netflix is a normal part of your day-to-day life.  It might be tempting, but it probably isn’t the best habit to have in the long run. It would probably serve you better to exercise in front of the television instead.

Focus on one part of your body and do a few exercises that target your desired area. You’re not losing anything by exercising in front of your favourite series – if anything, you are killing two birds with one stone and saving valuable time!

Do you have any clever ways to add exercise to your daily schedule? If so, I’d love to hear what they are! Tweet me @FilomenaKaguako  and be sure to have a look at my related posts! 🙂 

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Posted on September 24, 2018

‘Women should support women’ – a flawed feminist concept?

Uncovered

I’ve been in two minds about publishing this piece. I mean, how can I not be? The post-truth era of today is making it increasingly difficult for curious thinkers to have open discourse about important issues. Often times, those who seek out the truth – or at least, their understanding of the truth are branded as ignorant, behind with the times or dare I say, ‘bigots.’

Having been in a position where my own views were misconstrued, I am now very wary about how I express my opinions online. So as a disclaimer, I think it is important to note that this blog is not about discrediting feminism or the efforts of the feminist activists. This blog is about critically looking at some of the standards that are set on women by other women who claim to be members of a movement that is rooted in freedom of choice.

Shall we begin then?

I think mainstream media portrays modern feminism in a way that makes it toxic and full of intellectual inconsistencies. For instance, women who choose to wear the burqa are seen as oppressed, but then women who willingly strut their stuff for a living as grid girls are thought to be in an inappropriate line of work. There seems to be a mixed criteria for who qualifies as a feminist, even within the feminist movement.

I’ve always had a warped impression of the word feminist.  In many ways, I feel that the label has become incredibly tainted overtime. The negative stereotypes attached to the title are even resulting in less and less women identifying as feminist, despite having feminist ideals.

According to a recent poll from Refinery29 and CBS News, about 54% of young women say they do not identify as feminists. Some even believe that there is no need for the current feminist movement at all.

I personally do believe there is a place for feminism today, particularly in Third World countries. However, my growing disillusionment with feminism in Western civilisation is making me increasingly critical of the movement as a whole. Like when I hear the often feminist buzz phrase ‘women should support women,’ I find it incredibly unsettling. There is just something about the word ‘should’ in that sentence that doesn’t sit well with me.

I am someone who champions individuality and thinks there is no shame in embracing the characteristics and attributes that make a person unique. In my thinking, there is an underlying prejudice that exists within the phrase ‘women should support women,’ because it insinuates that being a woman is the only prerequisite for why females should support one another.

I think this immediately disregards important attributes possessed by women that make us valuable candidates for support. It frames women as weak and it fails to acknowledge us as the strong, capable beings that we most definitely are.

I want to be supported based on my merit, not based on my genitalia. I want to know that I am getting a person’s support because they believe in me as a person, not because of my gender. I want your support because your values align with mine.

I believe that women have many wonderful characteristics that make us worthy of support and blindly supporting a  woman just because she is female ignores this.

Women are complex, intelligent creatures that deserve support not for being women but for being exceptional ones.

Granted, supporting anyone in their endeavors is always a positive development. But I can’t help but wonder if the forced nature of ‘women should support women’ goes against feminism, or at least feminism in its true sense.

Riddle me this…

That was funny. But I meant this…

If feminism is about men and women deserving equal rights and separating a person’s gender from their value, worth and place in society because of the idea that men and women are both the same, then isn’t it a bit contradictory to let a person’s sex be the deciding factor for why you support them?

And if feminism is about freedom of choice and women making choices for themselves, then doesn’t the imposing nature of ‘women should support women,’ strip us away of both our choices and ability to think independently? Worth thinking about!

Bottom line, if a person’s decision to support someone centers around gender then I think it diminishes their values, work ethic and merit – all the things that I imagine, would make someone worthy of support.

‘Women should support women’ is reductive and places a woman’s value on gender. My gender is not the whole sum of me and yours shouldn’t be either – see what I just did there? 😉

You are more than your gender, ladies.

Yes, empowered women, empower girls. But it is also true that empowered people, empower everyone.

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Posted on September 20, 2018

A simple green smoothie recipe for beginners

recipes

As you probably know from my recent Instagram story, celebrity chef Rachel Allen has recently teamed up with Herbalife to create some nutritious healthy shakes recipes and as a self-proclaimed foodie and avid smoothie lover, I couldn’t wait to plug in my blender when my luxury Herbalife* hamper arrived last week.

The hamper was filled with two Herbalife Formula 1 Healthy Meal tubs, a blue Herbalife shaker cup, a blue apron, an olive wood serving board and of course, two of Rachel Allen’s delicious recipes.

The recipe I will be sharing today is called the Green Goddess. It is light, fresh and has a lovely zesty flavour to it. Best part? You can enjoy it at any time of the day! So without further ado, here is what you need to make Rachel Allen’s Green Goddess shake 🙂

Ingredients:

  • 26g Herbalife Formula 1 Vanilla flavour
  • 100g raw celery, roughly chopped
  • 100g raw cucumber, roughly chopped
  • 100g raw spinach
  • 3 tbsp lemon or lime juice
  • 250ml milk
  • 150g ice

Instructions:

  1. Start by putting the milk and formula 1 powder in a blender.
  2. Blend together and then add in remaining ingredients before blending further.
  3. Blend until completely smooth.
  4. Add in some extra lemon or lime juice to suit your taste! (I added a tsp of spirulina powder for added benefits).

This shake is so easy and convenient to make, especially for beginners! It has appx 220 kcal per serving when made per instructions! Are you a fan of smoothies? If so, be sure to give this shake a try! For more recipes with Rachel, check out the Herbalife website here! 🙂

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*The Herbalife products were gifted to me, but all views remain my own. 

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Posted on September 10, 2018

10 resistance band workouts for abs

fitness

Anyone who knows my fitness ethos would tell you that along with being against food replacements meals, I am a firm believer in the saying ‘abs are made in the kitchen.’

Relentlessly doing crunches on a day-to-day basis without my efforts resulting in washboard abs has now taught me that a combination of a good diet and the right amount of resistance training will bring you one step closer to seeing more definition on the tum.

Having a bit of a flabby tum has always been a problem area for me, so I know all too well that it takes true dedication and committment to achieving six-pack abs – never mind having to maintain it!

So don’t beat yourself up over not instantly seeing your desired results. Take it from someone who is half way there, these things take time. As long as you remember to have some fun with it, first and foremost. The rest will follow! ☺️

Without further ado, here are some of my favourite resistance band exercises for toning up my tum:

Be sure to read the disclaimer before attempting any of these workouts!

1. Russian Twist

Starting point

Step 1

Step 2

Starting position: Lie down flat on the floor with the resistance band wrapped around the soles of your feet. Hold  one end of the band in each hand. Now lift your back off the floor at a 45 degree angle, raise your slightly bent  legs a few inches off the ground and clasp hands so that both ends of the band are touching. This is your starting position.

Step 1: Keeping your core tight, slowly rotate your hands and torso to one side of your body. Hold it for a few seconds before returning it to the centre.

Step 2: Repeat movement for the opposite side while maintaining position for a few seconds before returning back to centre.

Tips: Be sure not to put too much pressure on your lower back, slow and steady is the name of the game! To make it easier, keep your feet on the ground, straighten your arms and rotate the torso left to right.

2. Knee Pull

Starting position

Step 1

Starting position: Assume the push-up position  with the centre of the band wrapped around the sole of one foot. Hold one end of the band in each hand, palms flat.

Step 1:  Starting with the foot with the band, pull the knee towards the chest as if to bring the knee to meet the head. Press the heel back to straighten the leg back to starting position. Do 2 sets of 12 to 15 reps and repeat on other leg.

3. Torso Twist

Step 1

Step 2

Starting point: Stand on the center of the resistance band with feet apart. Hold one end of the band in each hand. Slightly bend elbows on each side, bringing hands up to the shoulders.

Step 1: Rotate upper body only to one side. Return to center and then rotate to the other side.  Do 2 to 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps.

4. V Sit

Starting Position

Step 1

Starting point: Lie flat on the floor with your body facing up and the band wrapped around the soles of the feet. Hold one end of the band in each end, keeping arms by sides.

Step 1: Pull on the bands and slowly lift your body up in a V sit position. Do 12 – 15 reps.

5. Plank Hold

Resistance Band Plank Hold

Starting point: Wrap the band around your waist and assume the plank position while holding the ends of the band on each hand. Extend the legs straight and keep your palms flat on the floor.

Step 1: Tighten your core and glutes and hold this position for 30 – 60 seconds.

6. Side Bend

Starting Point

Step 1

Starting point: Stand on the center of the band, holding the ends on each hand. Keep shoulders back and chest up straight.

Step 1: Bend on your left while pulling the right hand up to the side of your chest. Return to center and repeat on other side.

7. Resistance Band Sit-ups

Starting Point

Step 1

Starting position: Lie down flat on your back with the resistance band wrapped around the soles of your feet and hands on each side near your groin.

Step 1: Sit up and lift your hands so that the whole body follows. Lie back down and lower hands back to the starting position for a complete rep.

Tips: for a more advanced version, cross the band by holding the right handle with the left hand and the left handle with the right hand. 

8. Scissor Kicks

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Starting position: Lie flat on the floor and tie the resistance band around your calves. Place your hands under your lower back/bum for support.

Step 1: Keeping the legs straight, lift both legs off the ground while crossing one over the other in a criss-coss motion in an upward direction. Repeat this motion going back down towards the ground and in your starting position.

9. Crunch Tap

Starting Point

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Starting position: Tie the band around lower thighs and lie flat on the floor with hands behind your head. Keep legs extended.

Step 1: Raise the top leg while you crunch up.

Step 2: Raise the lower leg and tap it against the back of your foot.

Step 3: Bring the lower foot down to the ground.

Step 4: Crunch down and then bring the second foot back down to the starting position.

Tips: Be sure to get the movement right before you speed it up. This can seem a bit tricky at the start. Remember this order ‘crunch, tap, down, relax’

10. Side V

Starting Position

Step1

Starting position: Lie down on the floor on the right side of your body , keeping your legs together and the center of the band wrapped around the soles of your feet. Extend right arm on the floor and hold on to both handles of the band with the left hand, keeping it at the side at hip level.

Step 1: Keep abs engaged and bend the left elbow behind the shoulder while lifting upper body and legs as high as you can from the floor. Bring back to starting position to complete a full rep.

And there you have it! 10 simple resistance band workouts for your abs, are you familiar with any of them? If so, be sure to tweet me @FilomenaKaguako 🙂

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Disclaimer: Please note that while I did take an online course in sports nutrition, I am not a qualified PT. I am simply a health enthusiast who has an interest in anything health and fitness related. Be sure to consult a qualified trainer before attempting any of these exercises.

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Posted on August 27, 2018

Jacamo Menswear: gifts for him for under £100

Fashion

“Any occasion Jacamo fits.”

I was recently asked to do a styling challenge with a menswear clothing brand called Jacamo.* While I would normally jump at a chance of strutting my stuff in the most fashionable and classiest of clothing – the operative word being classiest – I was in two minds about doing this challenge in particular.

Why? It involved styling a menswear fashion look with a small budget. As someone who is not versed at picking out clothes for men or keeping my shopping budget at a minimum, I knew it would be quite the challenge.

Thankfully, any concerns I had were quickly silenced when I browsed the Jacamo website. Whether you are shopping for your boyfriend, brother, father or son,  your shopping experience can be made that much easier by shopping on Jacamo.

The menswear brand stocks a variety of styles and a wide range of sizes from S-5XL, catering to men of all shapes and sizes and at such affordable prices. Added bonus? You can find pieces from household names in fashion such as Levi’s, Reebok, Adidas and Nike, to name just a few.

So without further ado, here are my top picks from the Jacamo 2218 collection 🙂

Top picks

Jacamo black zip neck polo long & Black label belted smart stretch shorts

Reebok Royal CL – Jog trainers

Black label belted smart stretch shorts Close Up

Flat lay of top picks from SS18 Jacamo collection

After hours of scrolling through the Jacamo website, I finally decided what to go for. I opted for a smart-casual look for my younger brother. The polo shirt paired with the chino shorts really helped me achieve the look I was going for and the branded shoes just completed the outfit perfectly.

Shop the Look

PRICE: £20.00

This polo from Jacamo is described as having a ‘colour-block base fabric with raglan sleeves and an O-ring zip neck detail.’ Shop here.

PRICE: £30.00

These shorts are from the Black label by Jacamo. They are give a smart yet casual look. Shop here. 

PRICE: £45.00

These stylish Reebok trainers have a mid sole cushion and an out sole that grips the ground where ever you go. Shop here.

Whoever would have thought I’d pull off this challenge! The overall damage (using the word very loosely here) was only £95.00. With the bank holiday weekend sale, the shorts have gone down to £24.00 pricing this outfit at only  £89.00 – talk about a bargain!

If you also want to find a stylish outfit from Jacamo for the favourite men in your life then be sure to follow Jacamo.co.uk 🙂

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*these items were gifted to me, all views remain my own.

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Posted on August 24, 2018

10 remarkable photos captured with the Huawei P20 Lite camera

product review

Photography isn’t exactly my strongest suit. Thankfully, with a top quality camera like that of the Huawei P20 Lite, it doesn’t have to be.

I recently put the 16MP dual camera to the  test to see how it would capture photographs of nature – otherwise known as my first stab at flower photography.

Since I am no professional photographer, I didn’t have the photo settings in Pro Photo mode. I kept the standard photo settings, used natural light and let the Huawei P20 Lite work its magic.

As you can see from the above photo gallery, this premiere build handset captured stunning shots that are all bright, clear and in full HD.

Who knows…

Maybe flower photography wouldn’t be the worst thing to get into, now that I have this absolute gem of a cam 😉

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Price: The Huawei P20 Lite ranges from €259.99 (Three Network) to €369.00 (Harvey Norman) to find out more about this phone, be sure to read my related posts below 🙂

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3 simple steps to soften coarse hair

product review

3 simple steps to soften coarse hair using Organic Shop products

Anyone who knows me personally would tell you that I suffer from what I like to call an identity crisis between hairstyles. Why? Simply because years of hiding my natural hair under weaves, wigs, braids and extensions has led me to believe that my beauty is reliant on them. So much so that whenever the time comes for me to style my hair au naturel I’m left at my wits’ end.

This week, I decided to make a brave decision of letting my hair down – my actual hair. No weaves, wigs, braids or extensions were going to get in the way of me giving my fro the TLC that I have regrettably been depriving it of.

Before I made the decision to let my fro down, I had to make sure I had the right products to help me see it through and thanks to the Organic Shop products provided by Skinfull Affairs, I didn’t have to worry about that.

Organic Shop’s multi-power Avocado & Honey hair collection was specially developed to restore and soften coarse hair meaning I had the privilege of giving my fro an at-home salon treatment using three products from this vitamin-rich range. As a result, my hair was left softer, smoother and so much easier to manage. As for me? I was left with a smile on my face that had nothing to do with new a new weave.

So without further ado, here are the three simple steps I followed to achieve tangle-free and vibrant hair using Organic Shop Avocado & Honey hair range 🙂

Step 1:

Organic Shop Avocado & Honey Repairing Shampoo

Organic Shop Avocado & Honey Repairing Shampoo | PRICE: €5.50

Wash with Organic Shop Avocado & Honey Repairing Shampoo which helps to bring back vitality to the hair. The vitamin-packed honey restores shine to lifeless hair while keeping frizz under control.

Step 2:

Organic Shop Avocado & Honey Repairing Conditioner

Organic Shop Avocado & Honey Repairing Conditioner | PRICE: €5.50

Condition with Organic Shop Avocado & Honey Repairing Conditioner which helps soften parched hair. This intense repairing conditioner helps soften the hair while adding a natural shine to it. Leave on for 1 – 2 minutes before rinsing.

Step 3:

Organic Shop Avocado & Honey Hair Mask

Organic Shop Avocado & Honey Hair Mask | €5.50

Finish by massaging Organic Shop Avocado & Honey Hair Mask thoroughly onto the hair and scalp. For an intensive treatment, leave mask on for 30 minutes. This will help make the hair more manageable and tangle-free.

Do you have any go to products for softening your hair? If so, I would love to know!  Tweet me @FilomenaKagauko 🙂

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*Please note that these products were gifted to me, but all views remain my own.

Posted on August 7, 2018

Missguided Boss Babe VS Babe Dreams

product review

Missguided is famously known for its statement looks and affordable fashion picks. But following the successful launch of its debut fragrance, Babe Power, the fashion powerhouse will now be loved for its bargain fragrances too.

The fashion brand has recently added three new fragrances to join Babe Power, the orange blossom scented perfume which sold in under three hours following its 2017 launch – it goes without saying that Babe Power set the bar quite high for the three new fragrances, Boss Babe, Babe Dreams, and Babe Oud. 

Thankfully, the sensual notes of the new trio have an equally hypnotic effect so if you need a new fragrance (maybe even a dupe perfume for a high end brand) then I’ve got you covered 🙂

Boss Babe

Missguided Boss Babe, 80 ml, €38.00

Missguided Boss Babe 80 ml | PRICE: €38.00

When I first tried Boss Babe, it immediately reminded me of YSL Black Opium, one of my favourite Autumn fragrances. Since it closely matched one of my favourite scents of all time, it’s only natural that I fell in love with Boss Babe almost instantly.

While the heart of this perfume is centered around a “delicious mix of pistachio and creamy almond milk,” the note that stands out to me the most is the warm vanilla scent. It lingers on for hours after usage, ensuring you enter every room with a warm feminine aroma.

Like Babe Dreams, and the other fragrances from this line, the packaging is incredibly trendy and it really reflects the Missguided brand as we know it – so much yes! 🙂

Babe Dreams

Missguided Babe Dreams , €80ml, €38.00

Missguided Babe Dreams 80ml | PRICE: €38.00

Babe Dreams, strikes me as a light and fruity summer fragrance. It is described as a “sophisticated and inspiring chypre fragrance with a modern twist.” Personally, I think the sweet mix of velvet rose, pink pepper, violet and patchouli would blow anyone away, especially since it is refreshing light!

Much like Boss Babe, this perfume lasts for hours. About two or three spritz lasts a full day and if you’re a dancing diva, then you won’t ever have to worry about constantly reapplying this perfume on a night out.

Overall, it is fresh, young and girlie! 🙂

Final Verdict

Babe Dreams is incredibly feminine but also quite young. I find it less sensual and sexy in comparison to Boss Babe. However, I do think it would make for the perfect everyday perfume.

Boss Babe has more of a mature and womanly fragrant. Due to the fusion of floral scents with vanilla and musk, I think it is a scent that can be worn throughout the year and not just one season.

Between the two of these incredible perfumes, I think Boss Babe definitely hits it out of the park. The fact that it closely matches YSL Black Opium for just a fraction of the price is just the cherry on top! 😉

Have you ever tried any of these fragrances? If so, I’d love to know which is your favourite! Tweet me @FilomenaKaguako x

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*These products were gifted to me at the launch party of the new fragrances, but all views remain my own. You can purchase them on Missguided, The Fragrance Shop and Boots.

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5 things you should know about the Huawei P20 Lite

product review

If you’re one of my loyal Instagram followers, then you would know that I have recently been made a brand ambassador for Huawei – I know, exciting times! 😀

As an ambassador for the Huawei brand, I was kindly sent a P20 Lite to mother and nurture (which essentially means I had to get rid of my beloved Samsung).

Admittedly, the initial transition from my Galaxy S6 to my P20 Lite proved to be rather tricky. But ever since I welcomed  it to my home, I have grown to love it like my old!

I transferred all my apps (except WhatsApp) to my new phone and have been using it daily ever since.  A month in and I’m now ready to report back on my newly found love for the Huawei brand, but more specifically my Huawei P20 Lite.

So without further ado, here are 5 things you should know about the Huawei P20 Lite:

1. Camera Goals

Huawei P20 Lite Review

The Huawei P20 Lite is most praised for its remarkable camera. The 16MP dual cam  (+2MP selfie camera) has unbelievable features, from pro-photo setting to shooting in pro-video mode, you can always rely on this top quality camera to capture clear, sharp and bright shots.

Unedited photo taken with my Huawei P20 Lite

One of my favourite things about taking the perfect snap with this phone is its editing capacity. The splash feature allows you to transform a colourful photo to black and white and then highlight one colour (or more) of your choosing! Case in point:

Edited using the Splash feature

Another nifty editing option is the Illusion, which allows you to blur out the background of a photo that you have already taken in order to place emphasis on your main subject.

Edited using Illusion feature

I tend not to overly edit my photos in general and I am not privy to the likes of PicsArt. So having these editing tools available on a phone are just perfect for me! 🙂

2. Super Lightweight

As much as this phone is packed with some useful features, I do think it is important to note that it is doing pretty well in the looks department too….

This stunner of a smart phone is slim, incredibly lightweight and despite having a 5.84-inch display, it feels pretty small in the hand. It has a strong metal frame with a hardened glass body giving it a lovely feel. Cherry on top? This smooth and tactile phone is suited for one hand usage!

3. Battery Life

The battery life on the Huawei P20 Lite is truly a breath of fresh air. It is the only phone I’ve ever felt confident enough to leave my house with sans charger! When I used my Samsung, I used to carry a battery pack nearly everywhere with me.

The P20 Lite on the other hand has both a power saving mode and an ultra power saving mode. The latter adds over 24 hours of battery life to the phone once it’s activated! You can literally take your phone out of a Friday and not have to worry about charging it again until Sunday morning – I think I’m festival ready! 😅

4. Maximum Security

Another stand out feature of the P20 Lite is the security settings. This handset has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor to unlock the screen. But if you ever find yourself with sticky fingers (for reasons I will not judge you for) then you can use face recognition in the front-facing camera to detect, recognise and unlock your phone instead!

Whichever you choose, both of these security options mean nobody can ever go through your phone without your physical presence. Should this improbable incident ever occur, you needn’t worry because you can keep certain files, audio, documents, photos or videos (again, no judgment) in the file safe by encrypting confidential files.

If that isn’t ultimate phone security goals then I don’t know what is! 🙂

5. Mid-range price

If you want a premium build and design phone packed with unbelievable features for an affordable price, then the Huawei P20 Lite is definitely a phone you should consider. Given all its wonderful features (which you can further explore on the Huawei website), the P20 Lite is set at a very reasonable price, yet in more ways than one it is on par with some of the other cool phones in the P20 family!

Price: It ranges from €259.99 (Three Network) to €369.00 (Harvey Norman).

Selfie camera with face beauty set on normal selfie mode. Unedited and Unfiltered.

Are you #TeamHuawei ? If so! I’d love to hear from you! Tweet me @FilomenaKaguako <3

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£5 or less – why you should shop at LOTD.COM

Fashion

I was recently introduced to LOTD.com and since then, it has been my go-to site for making last minute online purchases. While I usually plan my outfit weeks before an upcoming event, there have been times when I’ve needed to make quick decisions on what to to wear before a big celebration. Thankfully, Look Of The Day has always been there to help me with this.

Seeing that I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with this brand so far, I’ve decided to share my top 5 reasons for why you should shop at LOTD.COM or at least check out their fabulous pieces! 🙂

1. Affordable fashion

LOTD have a £5 or less collection where you can shop some of the hottest fashion trends without breaking the bank! This budget friendly collection features season essentials from dresses to bodysuits, to co-ords and more! Best part? You can find bikini sets for as little as £3 – it’s a yes from me!

2. Trendy picks

Between their festival collection and occasion wear, I doubt you will miss a single fashion trend with LOTD this summer. Think ditsy-print dresses, ripped denim jeans and tassel crop tops! If  you have to stay on the glamorous side of things because wedding bells are ringing, you can choose from their glam dress collection.

3. Decent quality

The quality of the clothes from LOTD are generally good for the most part. However, the sizing can be a hit or miss depending on the garments the buy. Ensuring your items are a good fit can be a bit of a gamble, but considering the price you pay, very little is lost if it doesn’t work out! Besides, LOTD offer FREE UK returns!

4. Fast delivery

On the upside, delivery time is incredibly fast! Standard delivery to Ireland  is said to take between 3 – 5 working days. However, anytime I’ve ordered from LOTD my parcel arrived in 2 days! Shipping cost to the Emerald Isle can be a bit of a pain simply because it can sometimes cost more than the garment itself! But if you order multiple items as I have in the past, the £5.99 shipping fee doesn’t feel too bad! 🙂

5. Value for money

Any purchase you make on LOTD.com will give you value for your money. Between the budget friendly prices, the hot fashionable picks and fast delivery, I doubt you will have any regrets shopping at LOTD.com! if you’ve already shopped here then I would love to hear from you!

Tweet me @filomenakaguako and don’t forget to tag #MyLOTD <3

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3 reasons why you should visit Wicklow this summer

Travel

As you probably know from my Instagram stories, last Thursday saw yet another picturesque region of Ireland being ticked off my lengthy travel bucket list. Myself and my gal Lorna drove up to beautiful county Wicklow to celebrate the launch of the Garden Rooms & Bar at Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort.

While this was the main motivation behind cruising on the M50 to Chill Mhantáin, that didn’t stop us from making the most out of our day out of Dublin. Prior to our arrival at the stunning Druids Glen, we drove up the Wicklow Mountains and toured some the most precious gems in the county.

For those of you who don’t have a travel bucket list for Ireland, it probably wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world to consider compiling one now. With promising blue skies and a heatwave ahead of next week, this is the perfect time to start exploring the scenic hidden treasures of the Emerald Isle.

Without further ado, here are 3 reasons why you should visit Wicklow this summer:

1. Lough Tay

Lough Tay is one of the most iconic places in Wicklow, along with Glendalough. Also known as ‘the Guinness Lake,’ the northern coastline of this small but stunning lake is part of an estate owned by the Guinness family. But that’s not the only reason for the infamous nickname. If you have an eye for detail, you will notice that some of the lake is edged with a white sandy beach. The dark water that follows creates a remarkable semblance to a pint of Guinness – hence ‘the Guinness Lake.’

How to get there:

Driving up from Dublin via M50 took us  just under an hour due to light traffic on the motorway. We did however meet clusters of cyclists on the small countryside roads upon arriving to Wicklow – typical! Other than that, it is an easy drive. If you don’t have access to a car then a tourist bus would be your best bet – we came across a group of tourists when we were enjoying the beautiful views of The Guinness Lake over the Wicklow Mountains.

2. Powerscourt House & Gardens

Powerscourt Gardens was voted #3 in the top 10 gardens of the world by National Geographic. After spending an afternoon enjoying lunch at its Avoca Terrace Cafe and exploring over 200 varieties of flowers, shrubs and trees, I wouldn’t be surprised for a second!

The infamous gardens is not a place you want to visit without being camera ready. Powerscourt Gardens date back to over 150 years and it now has many little treasures to discover including The Japanese Garden, The Dolphin Pond and The Tower Valley.

How to get there:

Powerscourt House & Gardens is about a 20 km drive south of Dublin City Centre. It is located within the 1,000 acre Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, against the backdrop of the famous Sugarloaf Mountain. For specific directions, opening times and fees, visit the website.

3. Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort

This five-star hotel & golf resort combines nature and leisure to provide a next-to-paradise experience. Located in a beautiful setting of 400 acres between Wicklow Mountains and The Irish Sea, Druids Glen is the perfect place to get in touch with your inner zen in a stunning luxury setting. Although we didn’t make use of the unique golf courses, we did have an evening of luxury at the launch of the new Garden Rooms and Bar: mouth-watering nibbles, cocktails, live music – it truly was a magical evening.

The following morning, we made use of the health club and swimming area before indulging in the wide selection of top quality breakfast. The staff were incredibly accommodating throughout our stay,  so much so that neither of us wanted to leave. If you want to experience paradise in South East Ireland then Druids Glen will not disappoint!

How to get there:

Druids Glen is just a 30 minute journey from Dublin. For full directions or bookings, visit the website. Note: They have limited mid-week summer madness offers at the moment – be sure to check that out!

While there was so much more to see and do in the county known as “The Garden of Ireland,” the little time we did spend in Wicklow did not disappoint. We made the most out of what we had and if I’m being completely honest, part of me thinks skipping a few tourist attractions in the first visit comes with its advantages because it gives us an excuse to go back again! Yes, our visit to Wicklow was short. But it was also very memorable….and who knows, maybe next time we’ll get to indulge in summer afternoon tea at Druids Glen! 😉

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How to choose the right swimwear for your body shape

Body Confidence

Finding the right swimsuit is only as difficult as you make it. As cliche as that sounds, take it from someone who probably owns as many swimsuits as she does shoes – okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration…but I do own many flattering swimsuits (as my Instagram would probably tell you).

I think the main ingredient to finding swimwear that makes you feel comfortable, sexy and confident is knowing your body shape. Without that knowledge you are destined to fail. Why? Simply because it’s about knowing where you’re packing and where you’re lacking and then having a goal in mind for what you want your bikini to do for you.

I’m no style expert, but it doesn’t take a genius to realise that no two people can pull off the same look – what works for one person, might not work for another. But don’t let that discourage you, there is a bikini out there for everyone, you just have to know what to look for!

So whether you’re a bit heavy on top or want to accentuate your curves, here are my top tips for choosing swimwear that will flatter your body shape and in turn increase your confidence 🙂

10 tips for choosing the right swimwear for your body shape:

1. If you’re a bit busty, always be sure to look for a bikini top with an under wire. Find one that will give you somewhat coverage with a tiny bit of a lift.

2. If you’re not so boobalicious but want to appear so, then try looking for a bikini top with ruffles on them. Ruffles on top help create an illusion of a bigger bust. A padded bikini top also does the trick!

3. If you have a bit of a pot belly and want to make it less visible, then it can always be concealed by wearing a ruched one piece suit. Ruched fabric is key for helping you disguise your stomach by giving it a slimming effect.

4. To downplay your backside, go for dark-coloured briefs or shorts, they will give you all the coverage you need!

5. Not so much junk in your trunk? (welcome to the team) this can be solved with ruffled bottoms as they will give the appearance of volume and a bum. Or putting focus on your upper may take away from people notice where you’re lacking – I’ve got all the tricks 😉

6. Boyish figure types can create the illusion of curves by using a two piece swimsuit with bold prints and feminine details. A one piece with the sides cut out also create an optical illusion of curves.

7. If you have a curvy figure and want to appear slimmer, vertical patterns will help create a thinner torso and draw attention downwards, rather than outwards.

8. To hide areas you don’t want to show in your plus size physique, look for a one piece with little details such as runching, they do wonders!

9. Petite figures can elongate their body with high-cut leg or strings at the side! Also, avoid polka dots and girlie patterns…. unless of course you want to be mistaken for a teen (it happens😑).

10. And last but not least, if you want to avoid the appearance of love handles remember to go for folded bottoms.

Hope you found these tips useful, happy bikini hunting! 🙂

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