Badagry is of the most historic places to visit in Lagos. My only issue with this place is the bad road network. Also, it takes forever to get to Badagry. However, I have always wanted to visit Whispering palms Badagry. This place is my top bucket list destination to see in Lagos. So, I feel so good checking it out from my list.
In this post, I will share all you need to know about whispering palms Badagry and fun things to do. Also, if you need other places to see in Badagry, read my post on Suntan Beach Badagry, Lagos.
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Whispering palms Badagry
Whispering Palms is located at Ajido road, Aradagun Bus stop, Off Badagry Expressway. It is not so difficult to get to whispering palms.
How to get to whispering palms?
Like I stated above, it is one of the easiest resort centers to locate. From Mile 2, take a bus going to Badagry, stop at Aradagun bus stop. Then take a cab at the filling station at Aradagun bus stop to Iworo road, Ajido. At Ajido bus stop, take a bike to whispering palms resort for just 100naira.
How much does it cost to stay at Whispering palms resort?
Whispering palms is quite affordable to access. You can choose to stay at the villas at the resort or go in for the fun activities. The gate fee for entry is 1500naira per adult, 1000naira per child. This is quite affordable for the fun activities lined up at the resort.
The lodges at whispering palms for as low as 20000naira per night. However, there are several hotels around whispering palms Badagry you could choose from to stay. Most of these hotels are quite affordable too. Since Badagry is quite far, I opted to stay in a hotel near whispering palms which cost about 12,000naira per night, Rolling King’s hotel.
This hotel is Rolling kings hotel which I highly recommend. The first hotel which I booked from Hotels. ng was a hard miss, Sycomore Hotels. I was super disappointed by their services. Nothing was really working. The pool is non-functional ( This was their selling point as it ranked at the top search for hotels with pools in Badagry).
Is there a pool at whispering palms? Yes, there is an in-house pool. So, you can have access to swim as much as you want at this pool whether as a lodger or visitor.
Fun things to do
So, there are so many fun activities you can engage in at whispering palms. I love this resort. This is a perfect place for a honeymoon in Nigeria on a budget. Honeymoon here will so chilled and fun too. You can read my post 7 best places for a honeymoon in Nigeria. These places are budget-friendly and fun too.
In this post, I will be talking about the paid and free activities you can do at Whispering Palms Iworo. Below are free and fun things you can do;
Play table tennis: I really suck at this. Although, as a kid, I love to play table tennis. Now I am so not into any form of sports now
Dart: This is super fun and interesting. We met a staff who was willing to explain this game to me.
Snookers: My boo was so into playing this game. Well I just choose to stay on my lane. I have no idea how to play it
Swim at the pool: Free to access for everyone
Mini golf
Volley ball & Basket ball.
Other things you can do at whispering palms include pre-wedding shoots, wedding parties, birthday dates, picnics with family and friends.
Paid activities at Whispering palms Iworo, Badagry
Now let’s talk about the paid activities to do at whispering palms. Your tickets give you access to at least two activities. Each of these activities costs 500naira per person.
Bicycle ride: It is a couple bicycle. You can only ride as two or more of this bicycle. Not sure only person can ride this. This is because we had to peddal together for a smooth and fun ride. However, only one person has full control of the steering wheel.
Paddle boat ride: This would have been fun though. I watched some guys ride this boat. Also, this more like Kayaking on a lake. If you love kayaka, you’d love this ride too. The only issue is that you need atleast 4 persons to paddle the boat. So, I couldn’t ride because we were just two.
Each year there is are new trends that you really need to try out. One of such 2022 fashion trends that you need to try out is y2k fashion trends. I really love these trendy yet retro vibes a lot. So, in this post, I will be talking about how to wear y2k fashion trends and the best place to shop. Rinsta is an online fashion brand where you can shop for all your y2k fashion needs on a budget. I am all in for shopping for trendy clothes for my wardrobe on a budget. So, I will recommend these brands for you to shop affordable fashion pieces for your closet. Below are some of my Rinsta clothing haul and my review.
How to wear Y2K fashion
Although it may seem like y2k fashion is more of shiny colors and super cropped outfits. Yet, this 2022 fashion trend is something you should jump on. I love the girly dresses and cropped bits. However, you can never catch me in any outfit that is so bright except sequins. Also, I love the bold colors and summery prints too. These fashion trends are super easy to style. Plus you can shop for versatile pieces for your closet too.
Asides, the y2k fashion trends, there are other 2022 fashion trends that I love too. The subtle peekaboo dresses and cut-outs. This type of dress I also shopped from Rinsta.
Rinsta Haul
Typically when I shop online, I look out for ease of shopping and navigating their website. I am not a fan of a very complicated fashion website. Rinsta is an online fashion brand where you can shop for women’s clothes on a budget. Plus if you’re fashion-forward, you can shop for trendy fashion clothes too.
Rinsta’s website is easy to access and navigate. You can easily shop by searching the categories for what you want. For example, if you want to shop for dresses, search from the dresses category. However, you can also use the search box to search for any item you want to shop for.
Rinsta is another site like shein to shop from. They offer free shipping for orders over $69.99. Also, you can choose to opt for standard or express shipping.
Rinsta Stores does not ship to all countries. However, if you can ship your items to US or UK and then to your preferred country. So, you can shop from this brand to your destination without any hassle.
Rinsta haul Review
So, this brand kindly gifted some items to me which I am so in love with. I picked up four clothes that I cannot get over. Below is my review of the items I got and how I styled them.
Cropped vest top
One of my favorite Items I got is these cropped tops. It is super comfy. Plus it is versatile too. You can wear the crop sweat vest with a white shirt and dress pants as workwear. If you’re a working professional, this will be perfect for work. You can read my post 9 work outfit ideas for newbie professionals.
Also, you can wear the vest as a crop top with denim pants or skirts for a more casual look. I prefer to wear this vest as casual wear for running errands or for vacation trips like I did. Click here to shop the below sweater vest crop top from Rinsta.
Peekaboo Dress
One of the biggest trends in 2021 is the subtle cut-outs on the mid-riff and the hips. I prefer cut-outs on the mid-riff than the sides. So, I got a summery lace peekaboo dress from Rinsta.
This dress is super fun and chic. I love the dress fit and style. However, it doesn’t really fit on the shoulder. I wish I have a broader shoulder so it would have been perfect. Also, if your girl is big, it will barely fit in the cups. Thankfully, my girls were just perfect for the cups of the dress.
You can dress up the dress with a pair of heels for a date night outfit idea. Also, this dress is a great option for holiday outfit ideas this season. So, I would recommend this dress for you if you have smaller boobs and broad shoulders for the holidays. Click here to shop this peekaboo dress for holiday parties and dinner dates.
Printed patchwork dress
This dress is my best of the Rinsta haul. I cannot wear get enough wear from it. I wore it on my recent trip. And I got so many stares and compliments.
Also, this dress is super versatile. You can dress it up with heels or down with a pair of sneakers. I love this dress with sneakers. You can a baguette bag for a date night or a tote bag for a casual stroll or running errands. Click here to shop print patchwork mini dress from Rinsta.
Brown Zip dress
So, what really drew me to this dress is the zip details of the dress. It is super chic. You can wear it with a turtle neck top, a shirt, or a bikini as a cover-up. Click here to shop the below zip dress.
I prefer to wear this dress as a coverup for bikinis. Plus I love to go to the beach a lot. So, it is perfect ad a beach outfit too. For more style options for the beach, you can read my post on 5 easy beach coverup outfit ideas. All the items will be linked so you can shop them for your closet. Also, you can click here to watch my vlog of each piece gifted to me from Rinsta.
Cotonou Benin is one of the best places to visit in Africa. Asides, from the obvious language barrier, it is a fun place to explore on a budget. So here is my travel guide to Cotonou to help you on your trip. I had help using the google translate app for ease of communication.
You can click here to know other travel apps you need. So, if you need a place to explore west Africa on a budget, opt for Cotonou. How do you plan a trip to Cotonou? Can Nigerians travel to the Benin republic without a passport? All these I will be answering while sharing my experience from Lagos to Cotonou by Road.
This travel guide to Cotonou is perfect if you’re traveling from Lagos. This guide will come in handy if it’s your first time visiting or if you’re re-visiting.
Ultimate travel guide to Cotonou from Lagos
In this travel guide, I will be as detailed as possible. Do you need Visa to enter Cotonou as a Nigerian? You do not need a visa for entry into Cotonou or the Republic of Benin. Cotonou is one of the visa-free countries accessible to Nigerians.
So, if you need a visa-free country to visit as Nigeria, opt for the Republic of Benin. Also, read my post on other visa-free countries to know as a Nigerian.
How to plan a trip to Cotonou, Republic of Benin
The Republic of Benin is a neighboring country to Nigeria. So, I chose to visit it first since it is nearby. There are several ways to access Cotonou. You can travel by road from Lagos through the Semen border.
However, I would not recommend this border as it is super stressful. The checkpoints from Badagry to the Semen border are a lot. This makes the trip a little slow.
I traveled to Cotonou from Lagos through the Owode border. Although this border is less stressful. It cost me about 5,000 naira to stamp my passport at the border. Other ways to travel from Lagos to Cotonou are via air or water ( Epe, Lagos). If you’d prefer to travel by air, click here to book your flight ticket. Also, note that you will require a covid test. ( All covid protocols will apply).
Do I need a Nigerian passport to access Cotonou? Yes, you do need a Nigerian International passport for entry into Cotonou. So, if you have not applied for your Nigerian passport yet, click here to know the process to apply.
You need a yellow fever card to travel to Cotonou Benin republic. This is a must-have you need to pack for a trip to most places in Africa. The process of getting a yellow fever card in Nigeria is quite seamless. So, it is advisable to have it handy to make your trip easy.
You don’t need a visa to visit Cotonou if you’re traveling from a west African country. However, if you’re not in west Africa you may need a visa to access this country. There are other visa free countries for Nigerian passport holders you can explore especially in Africa too.
Beautiful Restaurant in Cotonou Benin Republic
How much does it cost to visit and where to stay?
It is quite affordable to plan and visit Cotonou. Below is the cost breakdown and detailed travel guide to Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
Cost of transportation from Badagry to Owode border: 3,000 naira per person. I took a bike to the Owode border. However, you can choose to travel by car to the Owode border.
Cost of transportation from Owode to Fidjirosse: 10,000CFA
I took a car to Fidjrosse as this fits with my Itinerary. Also, Fidjrosse is an urban city in Cotonou. It is very close to the international airport of the Republic of Benin.
I opted to stay at the La Guesthouse Casabella, Cotonou. This guest house I highly recommend. Their staff is very helpful. Although I had issues with the language barrier yet they made effort to communicate with me in simple English language.
You can stay for a few days to longer stays at this guest house. The cost of the guest house per night is 18,000CFA. There are similar affordable hotels in Cotonou you can stay. Click here to check and book hotels on a budget in Cotonou.
The major means of transportation in Cotonou were bikes. So, if you need to go anywhere in this city, you can get a bike easily anywhere. As stated earlier, Cotonou is a francophone country. However, I was able to communicate in Pidgin English & Yoruba languages. Also, you can use Google translate app for ease of translation from your language to French.
A room at La Guesthouse Casabella Cotonou.
What to eat in Cotonou, Benin republic?
There are so many food options you can eat on your visit to Cotonou. Also, you can eat from several grade places like roadside food stores, low-grade restaurants, and luxury restaurants.
Since I stay in Lagos, I was familiar with some of their dishes. You can eat amala and vegetable soup, spaghetti with sauce or rice and tomato sauce. I have heard a lot about how they rarely eat pepper at Cotonou. Boy were they right? I avoided eating their tomato sauce stew. How can one eat stew without pepper in it? That’s the Nigerian in me talking. lol.
Fun places to visit in Cotonou, Benin Republic
There are so many fun places to explore in Cotonou. I made sure I explored beautiful places in Cotonou near me at Fidjirrose. Below are some of the beautiful places to visit in Cotonou.
1. Fidjrosse beach
This beach is one of the closest beaches to my hotel at Casa Bella guest house. It is a walking distance from this hotel to the beach. However, you can go to the beach on a bike for about 200CFA to Fidjrosse beach from Casabella’s guest house.
Fidjrosse beach is one of the most popular beaches in Cotonou. This ultimate travel to Cotonou is incomplete without mentioning this lovely beach.
Fidjrosse beach Cotonou is free to access to all. So, many tourists add this place to their top must-see places in Cotonou. Also, the beach water is so clear. You can take a walk at the beach, swim in the water, or enjoy a picnic with boo or your family. You can take great pictures close to the abandoned plane on the beach.
2. Shop at the popular Dantokpa market
Another place to explore on your visit to Cotonou is to shop at the Dantokpa market. The Dantokpa market is like the Nigerian version of the Idumota market.
Dantokpa market is a super busy market. You can shop for anything you need at this market. I felt so much at home at this market. This is because I met a few Nigerians and some Yoruba-speaking Cotonou Indigenes.
So, communication was bliss in this market. One thing worthy of mentioning in this travel guide to Cotonou is to buy a new sim pack. It was very difficult to make a call. My Nigerian MTN sim doesn’t work. The roaming fees will make you bleed dry as it was super expensive.
So, we had to recharge the mobile phones of indigenes to use their mobile phones. I will recommend you get a new sim card on your visit to Cotonou to allow you to stay in touch with your family and friends.
Other Best Places to visit the Benin Republic
There are so many fun places that are on my bucket list for my next trip to Cotonou. Although this travel guide to Cotonou will come in handy when you explore these other parts. Notwithstanding, I would visit them soonest. You can explore the famous Foundation Zinshou Located at Ouidah, Ganvie Floating village (Similar to Makoko in Nigeria), and Snake temple among others.
After my stay, I took a road trip to Ouando to see a friend before returning back to Nigeria via the Owode border. So, here is a round-up of my top best places to live in Cotonou.
Ouando is a sub-urban town in Cotonou
Fidjirosse is a high street town with so many foreigners
Porto Novo which is the capital city of the Benin Republic
Ouidah is a place rich in culture and so many beautiful places to see and explore
I hope you enjoyed this detailed ultimate travel guide to Cotonou from Lagos by road. Comment on other places in Cotonou you can recommend for a visit.
Breakfast at my Lodge
Travel resources you need to travel to Africa.
Travel insurance: Get your insurance ready from Insubuy
Flight tickets: Book cheap flight tickets from Trip.com
3. Book your stay in any hotel of your choice. Get the best deal with Trivago.
4. Opt for hotel alternatives by booking your stay in a hostel. Network and have a fun trip by booking a hostel using hostelworld.
5. Solo traveler? I have you covered. Plan your trip with the best tour group for a fun-filled time in Africa. Book your tour using GetYourGuide. You can get a tour for as low as $30.
Have a fun trip to Africa. Don’t forget to follow this list of what to pack for a trip to Africa. Feel free to comment below.
The world is now back to normal so we can pack our bags and travel. I am relatively new to traveling. Although, I love to go out a lot on vacation. Traveling long distances is not really my thing. This year, I chose to start traveling more. So, I researched the best travel apps that will make my travels easy and fun.
Some of these apps are suitable for all countries and mobile devices. While others are a bit limited. Here are my favorite recommended travel apps you need as a solo traveler. These apps are compatible with all devices and are not region-specific too. Also, some of these apps you most probably use already. You can also read my post on 12 travel clothes for women to pack on your next trip.
Travel apps you need as a solo traveler: Facebook & Instagram
You can’t believe how useful Facebook and Instagram app is for first-time travelers. Yes, we already use these apps for networking or basically passing time. However, Facebook and Instagram apps are super useful travel apps. What are the best travel apps for traveling? There are so many travel apps but Facebook and Instagram are the most important.
Apart from the fact that you can get so much information from Instagram travel bloggers or Facebook travel groups. You can use this app to plan your trip, get recommendations on places to explore, and restaurants, or reach businesses.
On my last trip to Cotonou, Republic of Benin, I practically missed my way to the hotel I pre-booked. However, I was able to locate my hotel by simply reaching out to the guest house on Facebook. Who would have thought that?
You need access to mobile data to use your Facebook or Instagram app on your trip. Also, you can simply walk into some restaurants to ask for WIFI if you need data access. Data can be super expensive on international trips.
Google translate
One of the best google travel apps you need is google translate. If you’re going on a trip to a country that doesn’t speak English or your mother tongue, you need google translate.
I recently visited a francophone country so I knew communication will be an issue. So, I had to figure out a way to communicate. I used google translate as an easy way to communicate in french.
This app is available for Android users. You can either type in English or speak into the app. It will translate to your required Language which you can play to your audience. I used it to speak with a hotel attendant at La Casa Bella’s guest house.
Also, to commute in the city or get food, I simply just play the French version of what I need. So, if you’re visiting a place that doesn’t speak the language you understand, use google translate.
Google map
Another of the best travel apps you need as a solo traveler is google maps. Google map is so useful these days for navigating a new city. I always use my google map whenever I am exploring places.
As a traveler, you need to plan your itinerary. So, on my last trip, I had a list of places to visit. However, I feel so bad about not exploring of the places on my list. This is because I was wrongly directed by locals. Now I ensure I use my google maps anytime I am traveling.
So, if you’re a solo traveler or it is your first time in the city, you need to use your google map.
Sky Scanner
One of the best travel apps for flights is Sky scanner. As a traveler, I love to book the cheapest flight available for my trip. So, for ease of search for cheap flight tickets, I would recommend Sky scanner.
The sky scanner app allows you to search for flights for the best international flight deals. However, if you’re in Nigeria, I would also recommend you use travel start for the best deals. This is a similar search engine to Sky scanner.
However, you can use travel start to search for cheap flights both locally and internationally. Also, you can get more discounts on flight tickets by signing up for travel miles which you can redeem or gain while flying. Asides from these two travel apps, there are other ways to find cheap flight tickets for your travel. This I have covered on this blog.
Couch Surfing
Another of the best travel apps for hotels if you need a hotel alternative is the Couch surfing app. It is a platform where you can host or be hosted for free anywhere in the world.
I have used couch surfing for myself. There I have made friends all over the world. Also, you can attend the tour activities that may be available in your area.
To enjoy this app, you need to reach out to a host in any of the places you need to visit. It is advisable to reach out to as many hosts as possible. In this way, you may get a yes from at least one of the hosts. Be friendly and you will enjoy free accommodation while traveling the world.
Travel resources for ease of your travel
Travel insurance: Get your insurance ready from Insubuy
Flight tickets: Book cheap flight tickets from Trip.com
3. Book your stay in any hotel of your choice. Get the best deal with Trivago.
4. Opt for hotel alternatives by booking your stay in a hostel. Network and have a fun trip by booking a hostel using hostelworld.
5. Solo traveler? I have you covered. Plan your trip with the best tour group for a fun-filled time in Africa. Book your tour using GetYourGuide. You can get a tour for as low as $30.
Have a fun trip to Africa. Don’t forget to follow this list of what to pack for a trip to Africa. Feel free to comment below.
I love to save on shopping. So, I am always excited to shop on a budget. Everything5 pounds is another budget-friendly site to shop for women’s clothes. If you love to shop on a budget, Everything5pounds UK is another site like Shein. Also, you can read my post on other sites like shein to shop. So I have decided to share my everything5pounds review to help you shop.
I love to shop from them for classic pieces and for their accessories. If you are looking to shop for accessories on a budget, this brand is for you. I bought some things for myself. So, here is my everything5pounds review of the pieces. Also, I will recommend my best buys from this brand and all the details to know.
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Everything5pounds Review ( Now Everything)
Everything5pounds is an online clothing store to shop for clothes for men and women. All their items or pieces are sold for 5 pounds. So, you can shop for dresses, heels, sandals, jewelry, bags, etc., for just 5pounds. Is everything5pounds Legit or a scam? Personally, I have shopped them. So, it is safe to say they are good.
Their website is easy to navigate. You can hop items by typing in the search box for what you want. So, if I want to shop for bags, I will type in “bags” into the search for that category. Is everything5pounds a site like shein? I would say maybe. In terms of pricing, yes. However, in terms of their options, Shein is perfect for shopping for trendy pieces or dupes. On the other hand, if you need basics or practical fashion pieces, I would recommend Everything5pounds.
How long does it take for Everything5pounds to deliver?
I love to shop from Everything5pounds. Although all items are sold at 5 pounds. You can pay in any currency of your choice. So, can either choose to pay in GBP or your home currency like Naira, USD, CAD, etc.
Does everything5pounds ship internationally? Of course yes. They ship to the UK for free and worldwide for a fee. You can ship to Nigeria for a fee which depends on the weight of your purchase. Also, you may have to pay extra custom duty fees for some items. These fees can be really expensive. So, if you’re in Nigeria, you can ship to the UK for free and then to Nigeria. Also, read my post on how to shop from UK and US and ship to Nigeria.
How long does it take to deliver? It takes about 3-5 working days to get your item delivered in the UK. However, you can read their FAQ to know how long it takes to get items delivered in your home country.
I love to shop on a budget a lot. So, you can take advantage of everything5pounds 2.5pounds. These sales run only on weekends. Also, you can subscribe to their newsletters to get updates on discounts and sales.
Everything5pounds: What I bought, review
I loved all the items I got from everything5pounds. The first item is a set of bangles. I really love these bangle sets. The quality is great for its price. I use my bangle sets for layering with wristwatches. Also, you wear bangles alone for a party or a casual outing.
Another item I bought is a pair of Gladiator sandals. First of all, I love the packaging. It is really beautiful and durable too. You can wear these sandals for work weekends or to run errands. They are super comfortable too.
I would recommend you shop their Jewelry set. They have several options from classic jewelry to statement pieces. I bought two sets of wristwatches from everything5pounds. It is very chic. I always get compliments whenever I wear it. You can dress up your outfit with a gold wristwatch for work or get-togethers.
Everything5pounds Review: Dresses, is it worth it?
My best buys from everything5pounds are the outfits especially the dresses. I shopped 2 pairs of dresses from everything5pounds and I am in love with them.
One of the dresses, I wore on a road trip to Benin republic. Also, you wear the below dress as a date night outfit or for work. The other dress I saved for a special occasion. I would recommend you shop for dresses from everything5pounds. You can shop for casual summer dresses or work clothes for women from everything5pounds.
Also, you can shop for workout clothes for women like biker short sets, etc. If you’re new to styling biker shorts, click here to read my post on other ways to style biker shorts. Other items I bought are a top and a tote bag. Tote bags are a must-have for ladies in 2021. You can wear them for travel or staycation. They fit in a lot of stuff.
Best things to shop from Everything5pounds
FAQ on Everything
Does everything5pounds ship worldwide? Although everything5pounds ships internationally, it doesn’t ship to some African countries.
How long does everything delivery take? Delivery from Everything takes at least 3-5 working days within UK. Check out their shipping details on their website for more information for delivery outside UK.
Does Everything5Pounds offer free delivery? Everything5pounds does not offer free delivery. There is a flat delivery fee to applies to UK and the rest of the world.
Money does not really equal style. Although, social media life makes it seem so. You can look stylish with whatever income you earn. All you need is to apply the right tips and dress neatly. How do I look fashionable on a budget? This is super easy to achieve. Here are 5 tips on how to look stylish on a budget. These tips will make you look chic even on a budget. Also, you can read my post on style hacks every woman needs to know to get a lot of use from her wardrobe.
Create your personal style wardrobe
One of the first tips on how to look stylish on a budget is to create your own style wardrobe. I love trends a lot. However, not all trends are meant for you. Also, my style is totally different from that of others.
I love to appear neat and chic. So, I shop for clothes that align with my personal style. What is your personal style? Which types of outfits will make you feel confident and super stylish? Shop for outfits that you will actually wear.
I have bought clothes that I only wear once and give them out. Sometimes, I totally forget about them. That’s not really good. So, if you want to look stylish on a budget, shop for the clothes you need. Don’t impulse shop.
To create your personal style wardrobe, shop for tops, accessories, skirts, denim pants, tanks, etc. Also, you can shop for wholesale waist trainers for your closet. This allows you to cinch your waist in your outfit for a Beyonce or Kim Kardashian effect.
Shop sales or Budget stores
Another of the 5 tips on how to look stylish on a budget is to shop sales or budget stores. This will help you save on shopping. Also, from budget stores, you can shop for more fashion pieces with less money.
I love to shop for off-season items or sales to save on my clothes. In this way, I get to snag lovely fashion pieces at way less than the retail price. Also, you can shop for thrift clothes for women. You can get pre-loved designer or high-street fashion pieces from thrift stores. If you’re new to thrift, check out my post on the ultimate guide to shopping thrift clothes for women. Another way to shop on a budget is to shop in whole stores. These stores offer fashionable items at wholesale prices. Here is all you need to know about wholesale lover stores.
Pay attention to shape and fitting
There is nothing more distracting than an outfit that doesn’t fit. Always ensure you shop for clothes that fit well if you shop for clothes that are not fitted. Get them tailored to fit.
A fitted outfit will make you look chic and put together. You can also wear a full body shaper in your outfit to smoothen and give you shape. Body shapers make you look neat. Also, it gives you a slim silhouette. You can wear body shapers irrespective of your body size. They give you the same effect.
So, to look stylish on a budget, ensure your outfit is fitted. Also, use body shapers for a neat and chic look.
Play with accessories
Accessories are a must-have to dress stylishly on a budget. So, I would recommend you shop for accessories for your closet. Accessories like a hat, a pair of heels, or a tote bag can dress up your look.
Also, you can invest in designer accessories or statement accessories for your closet. So, you can easily use your statement accessories to dress up any look.
A simple monochrome look can be styled with a pop of red heels or green sneakers for a pop of color. Play with accessories to dress up your look or dress it down depending on the occasion.
Shop more basics
Every lady needs classic pieces in their closet. Classics are a great investment to own. Yes, I love trends. However, we all know that trends come and go. Classic remains timeless and versatile irrespective of the season.
So, invest in more basics for your closet. Basics are versatile fashion pieces to own. Also, they make it easy to dress up without hassle. Shop for basics like tank tops, Jackets, Denim pants, bodysuits, t-shirt tops, and dresses. All these classic pieces are a must-have to dress stylishly on a budget. Don’t forget to invest in a body shaper or waist trainer while adding basics to your wardrobe.
Opt for thrift
Thrifting is another way to look stylish on a budget. I love to shop for budget-friendly gems in thrift. You can shop for thrift from your local store or some Instagram stores.
To look stylish on a budget, you can mix and match your thrift clothes with statement pieces or luxury items. If you’re new to thrifting, check my guide to thrift shopping to know how to spot gems. Also, you can watch my vlog on some of the thrift hauls I have done on my youtube channel.
Shop for pre-owned luxury pieces
Another way to look stylish on a budget is to shop for pre-owned luxury fashion pieces. I have had my eyes on luxury my whole life. However, I can spend that much on just one item. So, I opt to buy the pre-owned options.
Pre-owned luxury pieces are another great way to dress up all your outfits. I love to go for pre-owned handbags that are budget-friendly. This helps me to dress my look and elevate any of my outfits effortlessly.
So, if you’re shopping for your closet, I highly recommend you shop for pre-owned fashion pieces too. I have my eyes on this lovely pre-owned coach handbag. This I have to get ASAP. There are so many fun looks that I can create with this bag.
Designer dupes
If you’re not in on shopping designer dupes, what are you doing? Really? Designer dupes are very budget-friendly pieces of designer brands. They are more like designer lookalikes or alternatives. One of the best fashion brands to shop for designer dupes is Ego Shoes UK.
I have shopped for pieces from this brand and I highly recommend them for designer dupes. Below I will link my favorite designer dupes that I’m loving this season.
Other tips to dress fashionably on a budget include;
The next step after getting married is to go on a honeymoon. I know that weddings in Nigeria can suck the life out of you. You know the drill. Why not opt to seek the best places for honeymoon in Nigeria? Plus, after spending so much on the wedding, you don’t want to clean out your bank account for the honeymoon.
So, while exploring Nigeria, here are my 7 best places for honeymoon in Nigeria on a budget. These places are budget-friendly yet you get to enjoy time out with your partner. Also, you can read my post on how to plan the best frugal wedding to cut costs. Save cost as you enter the stage of your life with your beloved.
Bogobiri House
One of my best places for honeymoon in Nigeria is Bogobiri house. Bogobiri House is an artsy place where you go for a honeymoon on a budget. It is located at Ikoyi Lagos.
There are so many fun activities you can engage in. You can spend time at the art gallery taking in the lovely painting and sculptures. I love the paintings at Bogobiri’s house. The whole artsy vibe is breathtaking.
As a couple, you can lodge at Bogobiri house for as low as 30,000naira per night. You can also enjoy local and intercontinental dishes at the Bamboo bar and restaurant. The name is coined from bamboo roofing inside the restaurant. I enjoyed a meal of Banga and Semo on my visit.
The local dishes are from the Orisirishi kitchen. However, you can choose to go to the Orisirishi kitchen to treat yourself to some sumptuous local dishes.
You can stay for as long as you want at Bogobiri house. Also, you can enjoy their weekday activities like the music night and poems. After your stay, shop for fashionable items from the Gift shop at the restaurant and close the Kitchen. I love the Ankara bags collection at Bogobiri house. They are quite affordable too.
Barracuda beach resort Lagos
Another of the best honeymoon destinations in Nigeria on a budget to know is Barracuda beach Lagos. Barracuda beach is located at Okun-Ajah Lagos. This Lagos private beach is very affordable to access.
The entry fee is 1000per adult, 500naira per child. You can bring in your food without paying extra fees ( the annoying corkage fee typical of Landmark or Lekki Leisure lake beach). Barracuda beach resort has a lodge you can stay in. You can book a room for as low as 22,000naira per night breakfast included.
Also, barracuda beach has a club where you can party all night. You can engage in soccer games or enjoy a stroll at the beach. So, if you need a honeymoon destination on a budget, check out Barracuda beach resort Lagos.
Nike Guest House
If you need to experience luxury on a budget, Nike Guest House Oshogbo is perfect for you. This guest house is located at Ofatedo Oshogbo, Osun state.
Nike Guesthouse is my top best places for honeymoon in Nigeria. You can book your stay for as low as 7000naira per night. Also, they offer meals for breakfast and dinner at the guest house. The prices vary depending on your choice of meal. However, the meals are quite affordable too.
I love the breakfast in the garden and dinner upstairs. All their meals are buffet-style meals. So, you can choose the meals you want.
You can also explore closer places to the Nike guest house during your stay. Like the Batik center, Nike art gallery Oshogbo, Osun-Oshogbo sacred grove, etc. Also, you can read my post on how to plan a road trip to Osun state.
Atican beach
Another of the 7 best places for a honeymoon in Nigeria is Atican beach. Atican beach is also located at Okun-Ajah Lagos. Although, this beach to me is quite pricey. However, it is a fun place to be.
Atican beach resort has a lodge where you can stay for your honeymoon. However, I am unable to confirm the price for the lodge. The entry fee for Atican beach is 2000 naira per adult.
As a couple, you can stroll on the beach, enjoy a horse ride or treat yourselves to finger foods like suya, small chops, coconut drinks, etc. You can also pay for beach benches and enjoy the cool breeze at Atican beach.
Kalakuta Museum
Another fun place that is perfect as an honeymoon idea in Lagos is Kalakuta museum. Kalakuta Museum, Ikeja is the home of the Late Fela Anikulapo kuti.
The entry fee into is 1000per person. This fee covers the cost for a tour of the home and some of his work. Also, you can enjoy fresh palm wine at the roof top bar at Kalakuta Museum. As couple, you can book a stay at Kalakuta Museum lodge.
Kalakuta Museum is also easily accessible to some affordable and fun places. So, if you need one the best places for honeymoon in Nigeria, opt for Kalakuta Museum. You can visit the New Afrikan Shrine to enjoy Afromusic, drinks and food. Also, you can explore free to access Lagos parks like JJT park & Ndubuisi Kalu park. You read my on 5 best cheap things to do in Ikeja Lagos.
Jades Court
The whole Idea of an honeymoon destination is staying in a home away from home. Jade’s court is a perfect place to go on honeymoon on a budget in Nigeria.
I got to know of the place via Airbnb. It is an Airbnb apartment hotel located at Osbourne Foreshore estate. You can book a stay in jade’s court for as long as you want.
Jade’s court offers food for guest which you can order to your moon. I love the simple yet luxurious presentation of meals. You can also bring in your own food.
Jade’s court has a shared sitting room and dining room. You can also access the in-house gym facility. This is perfect if you love to workout. So, if you need an affordable yet luxurious place for honeymoon, opt for Jade’s court.
Kelsey Greene Villa Ikeja Lagos
Where can I spend my honeymoon in Nigeria? Look no further than Kelsey Greene Villa, Lagos. Another of the 7 best places for honeymoon in Nigeria is Kelsey Greene villa. This villa or hotel in Lagos is located at Ikeja. It is also a perfect honeymoon destination on a budget.
There several reasons I would recommend Kelsey Greene villa is a honeymoon destination. One of such reason is that they have a hall which you can use as your reception venue after the wedding. Also, you can lodge your guest at this hotel for easy access to the reception venue.
As couple, you can also book your room at Kelsey Greene to spend your honeymoon. So, you can dance all night at the afterparty and retire to your room without hassle.
Kelsey Greene villa offers meals for their guest. So, if you need to get food, you can order to your room. They also have an in-house gym and pool accessible to all their guest. So, if you need a budget friendly honeymoon destination in Nigeria when in Lagos, choose Kelsey Greene Villa.
There are so many private beaches in Lagos. However, one of the most affordable private beaches is Barracuda beach. Unlike Landmark beach Lagos, it is quite affordable. Although, my only issue with this beach is its location. Also, the road that leads to this beach is very bad. I visited on a rainy day so you can imagine my experience. I barely missed falling into one of the ditches on the bike. Barracuda beach has been top of my bucket list of Lagos private beach to explore. So, here are fun things you can do at Barracuda beach Lagos.
Where is Barracuda beach Located and how to get there?
Barracuda beach is quite easy to locate. From the mainland, take a bus going to the Ajah bus stop. You can use the new Lagos BRT bus or yellow buses. Then take another bus going to Abraham Adesanya bus stop. From this bus stop, take a tricycle going to Okun-Ajah and stop at Barracuda beach. I took a bike instead from Abraham Adesanya bus stop. (I prefer to use bikes to easily locate a new place).
If you’re going from the Island, just get to the Ajah bus stop and follow the description above. I really wish the roads to the beaches along Okun-Ajah can be fixed by the many private beach owners. The roads are untarred from as you enter Okun-Ajah.
How much is Barracuda gate fee?
The interesting thing about Barracuda beach is the gate fee. We were given tickets worth 1000naira per adult. However, the ticket was printed as 500naira with 1000naira written in ink on it. I wonder why the discrepancy?
Also, since it was rainy, it is not surprising that the entrance was a little flooded. I had to take off my sneakers to walk in without ruining my shoes.
Can I bring my food to Barracuda beach Lagos?
Unlike Lekki leisure lake beach, you can bring in your own food. Also, you can get finger foods like Suya or get food from the restaurant at the beach. I am unable to give information on the cost of food. However, bottled water was quite okay for 200naira. Well, this is understandably a resort price plus the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
Where to stay at Barracuda beach?
Barracuda beach and resort offers lodging services. They have rooms that are for as low as 22,000naira per night to 60,000naira per night. Each room offers breakfast inclusive.
If you need an affordable honey destination on a budget, opt for barracuda beach. You can stay in the room for the night, enjoy the beautiful scenery and take a stroll to the beach. So, you get to enjoy a beach view room or beach resort on a budget.
Fun things to do at Barracuda beach
There are so many interesting things you can do at Barracuda beach. You can enjoy a stroll at the beach cooling off from the stress of the city. Also, you can go to the beach for a swim too.
Barracuda beach has an amphitheater and a soccer pitch. So, if you’re on vacation with a team, you can enjoy playing soccer at the beach.
Another fun thing you have to do is to have a picnic with your family and friends. Apparently, the entry fee allows you access to the beach huts and benches for free. So, you need not worry about paying extra fees to use these facilities.
Bring your own games to have fun at barracuda beach. You can go with card games, board games, etc. I love to play games at the beach to pass time. Board games like Ayo is a fun game to engage in at the beach.
Other facilities and things to do at Barracuda
Asides from the beach and lodge, barracuda also has a lounge and restaurant. You can get food for yourself and your family at the restaurant. The lodge has cool lounging chairs in front where you relax and have fun. Also, barracuda beach has Lounge de barracuda. This is more like a club at the beach.
I left the beach late in the evening for home. However, I could tell that it will be fun all night at the club on the beach. I enjoyed the music from the club sitting outside in the beach huts.
To have access to Barracuda beach, you get a ticket on-site. So, you need not worry about booking online. Also, for your stay, you can walk up to the reception to book your room. However, I am unsure about making reservations online before visiting. The receptionist I made inquiries from was quite polite though. They gave me the information I needed. So, if you need a fun private beach to stay, check out Barracuda beach.
Biker shorts are a fashion piece that I never wanted to try out. First, I am not much an athlete nor into sports of any kind. However, there are chic ways how to wear biker shorts trends. Are biker shorts still in style in 2021?
This is obviously a trend for this year as so many fashion influencers and celebrities are in on this trend. There are several stylish ways to wear biker shorts. So, if you’re new to this trend or want to dip your foot into new fashion styles.
Here is how to wear biker shorts right now. These ways how to wear biker shorts are super comfy and stylish. You can wear biker shorts to the beach, for a casual outing, or as a gym outfit idea. Also, you can read my post on other bikini alternatives you can wear to the beach.
How to wear biker shorts to the beach
Ever since biker shorts became a thing, I have always thought to myself, “How do I style my biker shorts”. However, just like regular shorts, they are quite easy to style.
For a day out to the beach, you can style your biker shorts with bikini tops or bandeau tops. Also, you can add a beach cover-up to dress up the look. Beach coverups are a must-have for those of us who love to be modest on the beach.
Not trying to say that wearing bikinis alone is immodest. However, not all of us are confident to show off our skin at the beach.
Zaful has some options of biker shorts you can choose from. You can shop for solid-color biker shorts or prints. If you opt for printed Biker shorts, you can read my post on how to style print outfits with ease.
Color block Biker shorts set from Zaful
Oversized shirt+ Biker shorts
Another great option on how to wear biker shorts is with an oversized shirt. How do you style an oversized shirt with biker shorts? Biker shorts are super stylish with an oversized shirt. I love to style biker shorts with oversized shorts for a comfy feel. This is a very easy biker shorts outfit idea to try out.
You can style this look with slides, espadrilles, sandals, or a pair of sneakers. I love to add sneakers to this look. This is a stylish biker shorts outfit with shirts and sneakers. You can wear an oversized graphic t-shirt with biker shorts or a -plain statement t-shirt. This look you wear for a get-together or for running errands. So, if you need a simple biker shorts outfit idea to try out, pair it with oversized shirts.
Biker shorts outfit ideas for workout
Another biker shorts outfit is to wear as gym clothes for women. As I stated earlier, I cannot work out to save my own life. Even it is one of the 5 healthy lifestyles for women to know and do. For me, it is just not my thing.
However, if you love to break a sweat or work out a lot, wear your biker shorts to the gym. You can wear biker shorts with a sports bra as an option for cute workout clothes to the gym. This will make you look put together while working out.
Biker shorts+Blazers
A blazer is a wardrobe staple for me. As a working professional, it is an absolute must-have. There are several looks you can get with a pair of blazers. So, if you have a versatile wardrobe piece in your closet, shop for blazers. You can shop for neutral color blazers. Also, if you’re feeling more confident, opt for vibrant color blazers too.
For a more relaxed work-free look, style your blazers with your biker short outfit. You can wear your biker shorts with a crop top and blazers. This look is super fun and stylish. Add a pair of sneakers and a Fedora hat to dress up the look.
Sweats tops+ biker shorts
Another way how to style biker shorts right now is with a sweat top. It is getting cooler in most parts of the world. So, you can style biker shorts with sweat tops. This outfit is a simple fall outfit idea to try out.
You can wear this as an airport outfit, for running errands or lounging. So, if you need a stylish fall outfit idea in 2021, opt for sweat tops and biker shorts.
The holidays are already upon us so it is time to bring the Christmas cheer on. So, its time to figure out holiday home decor ideas to put up. I hardly decorate my home for the holidays and If I do, it is always an afterthought.
The holidays are the busiest time for me and my career. However, I try to find time to deck halls and make my home love Christmassy. In this post, I will be sharing budget-friendly holiday home decor ideas for your home.
These ideas are decorating your room, the doors, your dining room or dresser, etc. Also, you can read my post on holiday gift ideas for kids on what you get your kids in 2021.
There is always this urge to spend too much just because it is the holidays. I dread this because we all know January can be a little slow and funds will quite tight. So check out this post on how to have the best Christmas on a budget
Holiday home decor ideas for your bedroom
Most of us decorate the living room and outdoors for the holidays. However, there is little or no thought to decorate the bedroom. You can enhance your bedroom interiors with pictures of different shapes & sizes whatever suits your bedroom style best.
Decorate your bedroom wall with a Garland or green wreath to add some Christmas decor to it. Also, you can decorate your bedside table with handmade Christmas cones and candles.
Your holiday decoration doesn’t need to be expensive. So, if you need a holiday home decor idea for your bedroom, hang a Christmas wreath and decorate your dresser with small synthetic Christmas trees.
I love it when my bedroom smell so nice. One of the cheapest ways to achieve this is by using wax melt brittle. All I have to do is to warn it up and voila my room smells like heaven.
Decorate your dining room
Yes, you heard right. Decorate your dining room. Christmas is a holiday most families gather together at the end of the year. For most people, it is that time people travel to be together with their loved ones.
So, if you’re hosting your family, decorate your dining table with some Christmas ornaments. This you can place in a raffia basket. Also, add a nutcracker to your dining decoration.
The cuckoo forest offers Nutcracker options that are made to actually crack nuts. This nutcracker you and your family can use it to crack nuts of different types. So, if you want to decorate your dining room, add a nutcracker to your decor that actually cracks nuts.
There are so many options for Nutcracker in the market. However many of these options are purely for decorations. Get a nutcracker that is durable and useful even after the holidays is over. Learn more about cuckoo forest nutcracker and its durability.
Decorate the outdoors
Another holiday home decor idea is to decorate your outdoors too. You can either go big or go small. However, a simple budget friendly option is to simply add a welcome sign to your Christmas wreath on the door.
We all know the myth behind hanging a Christmas wreath. So, adding a simple sign that says welcome to your family is a simple way to decorate your outdoor space on a budget.
These simple and easy-to-replicate holiday home decor ideas will make your home ready for the festive season. You can also decorate your sitting room as well as the kids’ room for a holiday vibe. Have a joyful holiday dearies.
Upgrade Your Living Room
This holiday season you can improve your Living space with wall art and let your wall speak your heart. You can install the art in Christmas Theme or a master art piece as your heart desires.
If you are hosting a holiday party then decorating your living room area becomes a must.
Our holiday home decor for Christmas is incomplete without a tree. Set any size of pine tree in your home. This you can decorate with a variety of ornaments, garlands or Christmas lights. Add Christmas stuffed socks with gifts for members of your family.
