As i continue to explore Lagos, I am awed by its beauty. There are so many places yet to be seen. My bucket list keeps growing of places I want to see in Lagos. So, one of the places on that list is Jaekel house Lagos. It is formerly the home of first head of the Nigerian railway corporation.
Also, the building is now a museum that houses rich historical fact about Nigerian railway corporation. So, if you’re looking for one the best places to visit in Lagos on budget, opt for Jaekel house. You will love it at Jaekel house. I will also link my Jaekel House youtube vlog so you can see the place. Kindly subscribe and like the video.
Here is all you need to know before you visit Jaekel house Lagos.
Table of Contents
Where is Jaekel house Lagos located?
Jaekel house is located at 17 federal road ebutte metta. This hidden gem is inside the housing quarters of Nigerian railwy corporation. You can get there by taking a bike from entrance of Nigerian railway quarters. I walked from Tejuosho complex close to the NTA television station office, the quarters is just opposite. So, if you get to the entrance, a bike cost 100 naira per person. The bike guys doesn’t carry two passengers on their bike. ( I can’t say why).
The road to Jaekel house in the quarters is not tiled so, you should expect a bumpy ride. Also, it is quite dusty. However, I would recommend taking your car to avoid the dust. I love the retro architecture of Jaekel house.
Entry fee for Jaekel house & things to do.
Jaekel house Lagos is free to access its gardens. However, if you want to see its museum, the fee is 1000naira. A tour guide will give you a tour of the house. Jaekel house is a one-storey building and the museum section is upstairs. Our tour guide for the day was an elderly man.
The picture that caught my attention is that of the white man that lived in this house. He and his family lived in Jaekel house while he was the head of the corporation. Also, you get to see the railway tracks as they run in Nigerian map. I love the train project that we hope to have in Nigeria someday. It makes me wish for the fast trains of Japan. We will get there.
The museum also has some unique stones, some preserved part of the old rail way and old land phone. You know that kind of land line phones that was used in the 80’s. I was thrilled to get to see it stored at this museum.
After our tour of the house, we were also given a tour of the rail pieces outside in the compound. One such item is an old coach that was used during the colonial era for supervision. The coach was ridden by black slaves from one part of the country to another. I wonder how they survived in the cold or heat. This is because this coach was not covered.
Jaekel house Lagos also has a cottage behind where some of the workers stay. The cottage is quite unique and beautiful. Our tour guide says that Jaekel house is about 120years.
Fun things to do
There are so many interesting Lagos events that takes place at Jaekel house. I haven’t attended any because I don’t know when it occurs. Like famous Jollof festival that took place in 2017 hosted by eat drink Lagos brand. Asides a tour of the museum at Jaekel house, you can do the below.
Photoshoot for content creation: The retro vibe of this place is unique. The building is over 120 years and it looks amazing. You do your content photoshoot for clothes or product. Also, you can do your pre-wedding shoot at Jaekel house.
Host an event: The compound is quite large for fun event. So, if you’re looking to plan an outdoor event, opt for Jaekel house. You can also spend time relaxing and having fun at this house.
So, if you’re looking for the best places to visit in Lagos, opt for Jaekel house Lagos. Other places you can visit in Lagos on a budget are Jhalobia parks and Garden, Oniru private beach or Omu resort.
Gymnastic mat is an essential you need for skill practice at your own time. This mats act as cushion for high impact sport activities or simply for home exercises. So, if your child or you are into any form of tumble sports, here are the best gymnastic mats you need for your AT-home practices.
Why do you need a gymnastic mat for home? Tumble mat has so many uses. You can use it as a cushion for your kids who love do cart wheels. This they can use in their room or for more space in your yard. Also, for your teenage daughter who wants to get on the cheerleading team in college, she need her own tumble mat. In this post I will talk about why need a tumble mat and best gymnastic mats you need.
Table of Contents
Why you need a Gymnastic mat?
There are so many reasons you need to own a tumble mat for your home use. One of such reason is to allow you practice gymnastic from your home. With your own tumble mat, you need not go to the gym for practice daily. You need a tumble mat to practice cart wheels, tumbling or roll over or head stand. So, a tumble mat make you stay on course with your skills.
Also, you can shop the best gymnastic air tumble mats for your floor based exercises. Gymnastic are super useful to give you cushion for your floor exercises. So, you can easily do your push ups, planks, lunges and stretches’ with hassle. These tumble mats varies in thickness and length. So, you need to consider the length and thickness you need to get the best tumble mats suitable for your use.
Gymnastic mats are made absorb shock and prevent injuries from landing, jumping or cart wheel. So, if your child is an energetic sort that love this kinds of fun activities, get them a tumble mat. This will keep your mind at rest while they have all the fun.
Other uses for a gymnastic mat include wrestling or martial arts. This kinds of sports involves throw and impact on the floor. A good tumble mat will make you engage in this sport while being safe. There are several color option of gymnastic mat to choose. You can opt for a pink tumble mat outdoor for your home.
What are the types of Gymnastic mats? There are several types of gymnastic mats perfect for At-home use. It actually depends on what you need it for. You can opt for panel mats, Cart wheel mats, inline mats etc.
What to choose the right Gymnastic mats for your use? There are several things to consider when picking the best gymnastic mats.
Budget: Getting the right gymnastic mats depends on your budget. You can get the best gymnastic mat for you at an affordable price. Although these tumble mats are not cheap, yet it is a great investment to do.
Size of the mats: It entirely depends on the space you have. For a small space, you need a small tumble mat. However, if you have a larger space, you can opt for larger size mat.
How thick must your tumble mats be? You need to buy tumble mats that are safe for your kids to use. A thick tumble mat gives cushion for safety while thinner mats have less cushion.
One of the things I love to do is shopping for new clothes. However, it is not stylish for your pants to be longer than your height. Except you want to sweep your street with it. (Lol). Also, an exposed bra strap makes your outfit look frumpy. This is an eyesore for me if the top or dress has thin straps. It is not sexy at all. A simple style hack can take your outfit up notch. Also, a simple style hack will make you look put together and stylish. So, I will be sharing 5 easy style hacks every woman should know in 2021. These style hack are such that I use and it works for me. So, if you’re looking for easy styles for your looks, read on.
Wear your scarves as top
Scarves has so many uses asides being used as head wrap. A simple style hack to do is to wear your scarves as tops. There are different ways to wear your scarf as top. I will insert below three different ways I wore my scarve.
You can choose to wear your silk scarf as a top for a beach outing or casual wear. For a silk scarf, fold it into a triangle first. You can then wear it as a top by tying the two ends on your back with the triangle facing down.
Also, you can two ends of the scarf on your waist with the tip triangle facing up. This you can attach to your neck lace for a chic look. You can wear a blazer or jacket over it for a modest and stylish finish.
Asides, silk scarves, you also use large pashmina or silk print scarves. There are so many looks you can do with your scarf. This style hack is useful for days when you don’t know what to wear. Also, it is a budget babe hack to look stylish effortlessly. You can also read my post on how to wear scarves.
How to crop your tops
Another style hack you need to know is how to crop your tops without cutting it. Yes you read right! like whaaat?. This easy style hack will help you transition your tops as crop tops.
Crops are a stylish basic that we all need. However, you need not shop for new crop top for yourself if you’re on a budget. Simply convert your large tee shirt or jumper or knit tops into crop top with these style hacks.
One way to crop your top is to simply tuck the ends into your bra. Another way is to simply tie each end of the top with a rubber band. This you will gently tuck in neatly on both sides. You can see my instagram video below to see how to do this with ease.
Another way to crop your top is to use a belt. This belt will hold your top in place. Allow some room in to so you can pull it from the top to conceal the belt. This style hack can also be used to tuck your oversize outfit neatly.
Top tucked under my bra to crop it
Convert your tee shirt to Shoulder pad.
Shoulder pad is one of this year spring 2021 outfit idea you need to own. This trend is super stylish especially in a tee shirt dress. However, you need not shop for a shoulder pad tee. This style hack will help you easily convert your tee shirt into a shoulder pad top.
So, if you’re a budget, you definitely need this style hack to wear the latest trend on a budget. All you need is two hair bands or rubber band and a short sleeve tee shirt.
Wear the rubber over each sleeve and gently pull the it from the top into a shoulder pad top. Easy right!. You can wear this top with skirts, pants or shorts. This style hack is a simple way to get more use of your tee shirt in your closet. See below my Instagram post on to convert your tee shirt to shoulder pad tee.
How to tuck your shirt
Tucking your shirt may seem like the easiest task you can do. However, you want your shirt bulging in a weird way in your pants or skirts. Nah right!. So, there are some simple style hacks for tucking in shirt to know as a woman.
For your tee shirt, twist and tuck the back end into to skirt or pants to gather the excess. This makes your top look sleek while tucked in. Another way to tuck your shirt is tuck in one end into your pant neatly. This style hack I love to use for my shirts a lot. It is super stylish.
The third way to tuck in your shirts is to twist the two sides and tuck it into your pants or skirt. Twisting the two sides helps you gather the excess. This you will tuck in neatly into bottoms for stylish look.
Roll up long sleeves
Another of the 5 easy style hacks every woman need to know in 2021 is rolling up long sleeves. This style hack is for your top sleeves that are too long. I love to use this hack as it super stylish.
All you need is a hair band. Wear the hair band over the sleeves. Ensure that the hair band is placed in the middle of each sleeves. Gradually pull it from the top until you get the desired length. It makes your sleeves rutched and chic.
You can do this style hacks for your shirts, flannels or blazers. I love to use this style hack for blazers and knit tops.
I would to see you guys try out this style hacks to take your look up a notched. Feel free to tag me @enimhienomo on Instagram if you do use any of these hacks.
Prettylittlething is one US online brands you need to know and shop from. They sell trendy fashion pieces for women of all sizes. So, if you’re looking for an all inclusive fashion brand for sizes, shop prettylittlething. I love this brand because they roll out trendy pieces yearly. Also, they sell stylish basics you can use to build your wardrobe. I have shopped this brand. So, I want to share my review and other things you need to know. Here is my Prettylittlething review of some of the items I got and all you need to know before you add items to your cart.
How to order from Prettylittlething?
Prettylittlething is an online women’s fashion brand. So, you can only shop for fashion on their website. Their website is easy to use. If you have an idea of the item to shop you can simply type the item in the search box.
Also, you can search for the items based on categories like clothing, accessories, plus-size etc. You can simply add the items to cart and check out.
If you love a good discount, you can check out their sales categories for trendy pieces. I love to shop their sales so I can shop trendy fashion items on a budget.
Does PrettyLittlething ship to Nigeria?
Pretty little thing does not ship to Nigeria. However, you can ship your item for flat fee to USA. Then you can ship it from US to Nigeria. You can read my post on how to shop from US and ship to Nigeria.
Shipping to US takes like 3-4working days. You can ship to Nigeria taking about 7 working days using Horlogistics. I love this brand. Ever since I found their brand, I always them to ship all my orders from US to Nigeria.
I literarily shop with confidence on any website for my fashion needs with no worry about delivery to Nigeria.
Prettylittlething Review
Like I said earlier, I recently shopped from Prettylittlething. My order was shipped to US and from there I shipped it to Nigeria. I bought a midi dress and a strap heels.
I love the midi skirt as a work wear. Also, I love the versatility. This is because I can wear it as casual wear or a date. My only issue with the skirt is that it is not fitted( a very tiny bit loose, so I use the belt to put it in place).
I am usually a size 6. However, I lost some weight after purchase. So, this may the reason that it didn’t fit as expected. The heels is my best buy from this website. I love that I can wear any way. I wear to work, play, church etc. The heels is a dupe of a designer name brand. So, imagine my joy finding this heel for way less than the price of the original.
A lot fast fashion brands out there make dupes of trendy name brand. So, you make be lucky to stumble of some your favorite name brands dupes on sites like prettylittlething. You can also read my post on where to shop for designer dupes for your closet.
Lagos has so many beaches I am yet to explore. There beaches that are affordable while some of the beaches in Lagos are luxury beaches. Landmark beach Lagos is one of such beaches that you can call an affordable luxury. It is a private beach owned by Landmark group which has other businesses like its mall, hotels etc. I love landmark beach because it is like a resort that quite affordable. However, there are other brands inside this beach that will give the feel of luxury beach life in Lagos. ( If you have the money to splurge). So, if you plan on having fun at Landmark beach Lagos, here are all the things you need to know.
Landmark beach Lagos, Location & gate fee
Landmark beach is one of my top bucket list beaches to visit in Lagos. It is just a short distance from Oniru private beach. You can read about my oniru experience here.
Landmark beach Lagos is located at 2/3 water corporation drive, oniru Lagos. From Obalende, you can take a bus going to Eko hotel roundabout bus stop. Then you take another bus going to Oniru estate bus stop or simply tell the driver you’re stopping at Landmark.
To have access to the beach you need to book via the landmark beach website. Entrance fee is not paid by cash. So, if you’re planning to go there, you need to book to get access.
Also, Landmark beach prices differs for members and non-members. For membership fee, you can check on the website already linked. Non-members pay 2000naira during the week and 3000 naira for weekend access.
Members are given free access to the beach any time. Landmark beach opening hours is from Monday to Sunday 10am – 11pm daily.
Covid guidelines and rules
Due to the current pandemic, we all have to maintain social distancing. It is no fun to go out and have fun to fall sick afterwards. So, Landmark beach only allow access to 20% of its usual capacity.
Also, you need to wear your face mask before entry. No face mask, no entry.
After booking your tickets, you are given a scan code that you have to present before entry. Members are given a blue tag while non-members are given a silver tag.
There is a members only sections that non-members are not allowed to access. Also, there are other beach clubs like the Lagos beach club sections too. However, after payment you have access to a major part of the beach except the members or beach clubs.
Another things you need to know is that you’re not allowed to bring in your own food. This is quite a bummer for me because the foods are quite expensive.
I bought chips for chicken and chips for about 5000naira. The smallest price for the foods and menus is about 1500naira.
There are so many restaurants and brands that sells foods. I can’t count the amount of times, their waiter/waitress came to me to ask if I need food. (Omy God!, I almost lost it). You can also watch my vlog below. Don’t forget to subscribe, thanks.
Fun things to do and activities to engage in at Landmark beach
Landmark beach Lagos has so many facilities for recreation you can have fun with. Here are a list of fun things you can do at Land Mark beach. The beach is quite large so you can sit on the sand bed to have fun. However, there are options of beach chairs available at Landmark beach.
You can pay for a cabana to fit about 6-8 persons for 25,000 naira for a group vacation. Also, you can opt for other affordable beach chairs like Lounge chair (double chairs with umbrella) for 6,000naira or picnic chairs for 3000 naira.
Land Mark beach Lagos
Picnic:
One of the things you can do at Landmark beach is a picnic. You can have a fun picnic with your family or friends. Please note that you can only purchase food at Landmark beach. (Bringing in foods is not allowed).
You can go with a mat to set your picnic area. Also, you get longe chairs, cabana etc, for a fun hangout.
Fun activities for your kids
Landmark beach is a family beach. So, you can hangout with your whole family at this beach. The beach has fun facilities to engage your kids at the beach.
Your kids can play at the bouncing castles or on the floating castle in the water. Don’t worry, your kids will be safe playing in the water castle. They are given life jackets so they can be safe while having fun.
Boat Cruise
Another fun activity you can do is to enjoy a boat cruise. I love a good boat ride as it is so refreshing and fun. You can have a fun cruise at Landmark beach beach. (P.S. I am unsure of the cost though).
Jet Ski
An adrenaline water sport you need to try out is the jet ski. This water sport is top of my to do list on my next beach vacation. It is quite safe as you will be given a guided tour if its your first time. Also, you will wear a life jacket to keep you safe.
Horse Ride
One thing I love to do at the beach is to ride a horse. My first time on a horse was at Omu resort. You can also read about my experience at Omu resort. Horse riding at the beach cost about 500naira for a few minutes ride. So, If you are need a fun thing to do, ride a horse at Landmark beach Lagos.
Games and Sports
Landmark beach has facilities for sport lovers. You can have fun playing beach soccer with your buddies, volley ball, tennis Golf etc. The Golf is a mini-golf course. So, if love golf, definitely check out their mini golf course.
You can play games with your buddies like Ayo, scrabble, monopoly etc. for entertainment.
Asides these fun activities, you can also book your stay at Landmark hotel. The hotel is exquisite. So, you book your stay at the Landmark hotel with free access to the beach.
The dream life for most of us is to own our home someday. So, we put in the extra hours and work to make enough income to buy a house. Now you’re ready to buy a house but unsure if it’s okay to take such a leap during a pandemic. The truth is there is no better time to own a house. Here is how to buy a house for the first time during a pandemic.
Although it may seem like things are not going as normal, life is going on fine whether or not there is a pandemic. There is a report on Bloomberg that there is a hike in home buying in the U.S. during this pandemic. So, if you’re ready to buy a home, go ahead and get it. However, there are some things you need to know before you buy a home. Here is how to buy a house for the first with no money down during a pandemic or post-pandemic.
Carry out due diligence on the Property
It is an exciting thing to get your home. However, there are some things you need to do before the actual purchase. One such thing is to carry out due diligence on the property. Whether you’re moving to a new city to buy a house or your current city, you need to carry out due diligence.
Due diligence before purchase helps you avoid making financial mistakes. You need to know that the property is valid for one without any legal issues. For any legal check, seek the advice of solicitors. Some banks actually do a thorough property search before lending for a home purchase. So, if there is anything shady, this will be spotted. Also, you need to check if the property is easily accessible ( if you want to commute anywhere).
Also, there are other factors you need to consider like the space, the size of the backyard, or the area (whether the place is safe or calm, etc.). So, before you opt to buy your home, ensure you carry out due diligence. This is one of the most important tips on how to buy a house for the first time to note.
Expect a slow process for purchase
The pandemic came with its own baggage and impact on the pace at which business is done. Most businesses are short-staffed or have to do most work remotely. Some businesses are still struggling with digitalizing their processes to do business. This also affects the real estate industry too. Another tip on how to buy a house for the first time during a pandemic is to expect the process to be quite slow.
Unlike before you may not be able to visit the property physically for perusal. You may have to opt for virtual meetings or room tours due to the pandemic. The process of appraisal may be slow due to the pandemic impact on businesses.
There may also be delays in scheduling home tours if you insist on an in-person tour. Who wouldn’t? I would love to see every part of my home before deciding. However, due to restricted movement and the pandemic, this may take time.
So, if you want to purchase your home during the pandemic, you need a lot of patience. This is to ensure that you are making the right choice before closing the purchase.
Have a budget
Another tip on how to buy a house for the first time during a pandemic is to have a budget. After the valuation of the property and doing due diligence, by now you know want the house. However, you don’t want have difficulty to paying your mortgage when due.
So, to know if your budget can cover your mortgage, use this mortgage calculator. It will give you a breakdown of your re-payment so you can use it to plan your budget.
Also, you need to plan for other expenses like home association fees, taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc. You may also need to opt for a house that will not need many renovations to cut costs. Property renovations are one place that drains funds in a home purchase.
However, if you don’t mind renovating to your taste, have a set budget. It is so easy to want all the home ideas on Pinterest without paying attention to your pocket.
Another reason you need to have a budget is to be able to pay for your mortgage payment with ease and also meet life obligations. You should have a budget for mortgage repayments, food, health care, etc. If your budget is set, you can jump right in and close the deal on your home purchase.
Creating a budget helps you know if your current income is ready to take on more expenses. However, if you’re not there yet, you need to look for ways to grow your income. You can read my post on how to give your career a boost in 2021. Growth in your career means more income and your dream of owning your home is achievable.
So, these tips on how to buy a house for the first time will come in handy whether during this pandemic or post-pandemic.
The dream of every working professional is to advance in their career. However, this is easier said than done. Some of us get so comfortable in our job roles that we make less effort to grow up the career ladder. It is quite easy to be stuck in a role for 4-5years just because you’re now good on the job. This doesn’t help your resume. So, this year is time to take action and stop wishing we had that promotion or got that interview. Here are some tips on how to give your career a boost in 2021.
Have a career plan
The first step on how to give your career a boost in 2021 is by having a career plan. Although it may seem farfetched due to the uncertainties of this world. Most of us started out in a job that is far from what we studied from school.
Imagine looking for a job for a two years straight just find something that pays the bills for start. You would need to start from somewhere. No matter how you started out, have a career plan to give directions. You can also read my lesson learnt and personal growth in my career as a fashion and lifestyle blogger.
For example, to get a job in an IT firm, you need to get the skills needed by such firms. One of such skills or knowledge you need is getting Microsoft Azure fundamental certification. This also applies to a career in HR, you need to get the skills to give your career a boost.
Invest in your career developemnt
Another way on how to give your career a boost in 2021 is by investing in your growth. Having noted the career path you want, you need to plan how to achieve such goals.
It is easy to dream of being the boss of a multinational company while on lunch break at your current job. However, putting in the work makes your goals attainable.
What I need to stand out to employers in an IT firm for example? I mean I love technology but what are they looking for in my resume. This are pertinent questions you need to ask yourself.
So, using our example above, you need to enrol for a course to get you the certifications ( Microsoft azure) to boost your resume.
However, you don’t want to enrol and fail a course. That is not to say that failing is bad. Actually we learn from failures. To set you up to bag the certificate, also enrol for microsoft certification practice test.
Practice makes perfect. So, if you are prepared for your exams, you’re sure of success.
Volunteer for a project that aligns with your goals
The important of volunteering for projects that aligns with your career goals cannot be over-emphasized. Look out for opportunities to volunteer your services to help your gain on the job skills.
Volunteering will help you have a feel of what it takes to actually do your dream career. You may desire a career as IT Microsoft professional for example. Look for opportunities like volunteer services to boost your career goals.
A volunteer work experience may just be what you need to get you the next job you so seek. So, if you need a boost in your career this year, use this tips to take your career to the next level.
Get Additional Degree
Need to grow in your career? You need to gain more knowledge to show that you can take on more responsibilities. One of such ways to to get additional degree. You can boost your career by going for an advanced degree like Masters in whatever your field of study. Also, if you want to switch career, you can obtain a degree in your area of interest. So, if you want career growth in your current job, obtain an advanced degree.
You can either gain this degree by going to the closest university to you. Also, you can easily gain an advanced degree online. Online distance learning is new way of going to school from the comfort of your home. This option is perfect for working professionals. So, they can study anytime while still maintaining their jobs.
I recently completed my Masters in Business Administration at Unicaf. Unicaf is an online distance learning school you can study both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. This school made it easy for me to study from the comfort of my own home. Also, they offer up to 80% scholarships to students to reduce the tuition fees. You can pay your fees at once if you can afford it. However, you can pay per module to spread the school fees cost.
So, if you need flexible payment for your fees, opt for Unicaf university. The learning platform is easy to use. You can liaise with your mates or tutor for any challenges. You are assigned a student advisor to guide you with your learning program. So, if you need to boost your career in 2021, obtain an advanced degree with Unicaf. Click here to sign up on Unicaf to enjoy up to 80% scholarship for your study.
Beaches are my go-to place to unwind from the day-to-day stress. The cool breeze, the sandy bed, and the coconut water that I get to sip are what I love. However, for a beach outing, I need to dress for the occasion. There are so many outfit ideas for the beach in which bikinis are top on the list. However, not all of us want to show much skin at the beach. So, to be stylish and still wear bikinis, you need a beach coverup. Beach coverups are an easy way to dress modest while rocking your bikinis at the beach. You need not invest in a beach coverup outfit as some of your outfit in your closet can do the job. Here are 5 easy beach coverup outfit ideas you try out on a budget.
Sarong
One of the easiest beach coverup you need to know is the Sarong. Sarong is as simple as using a scarf to coverup your waist down. All you need is a simple floral or silk scarf to tie on your waist. You can also read my post on how to wear scarves in 9 different ways.
You can wear sarong for both your bikini set or one piece swimwear. I love the sarong as it super easy. Also, it afordable. You can either use a large scarf you already own or buy a scarf from your local stores.
Button up shirt or Jackets
Another outfit you can style as a beach coverup is a button up shirt. This you can wear as an outer wear for your bikini or onesies for a modest beach look.
You can opt to use your over size shirt, borrow your boy friend’s shirts or denim jackets as a beach coverup. So, if you’re looking for a beach cover up on a budget, look no further than your closet.
You can shop for jackets or shirts from missguided. I will link my favourite shirt I have been loving from this brand.
Kimono
Kimono is another beach coverup outfit idea. It is a staple wardrobe outer wear essential you need. You can wear your Kimono as as an outer wear for your bikini set or one-piece swimwear. If you’re looking to shop for stylish swimwear for your closet this summer, shop from Zaful. Use my code exclusive code HJDW to get 17% off your order from Zaful. Also, for extra 15% off your cart use ZFSHOP. This brand offers stylish and affordable swimwear options for women of all sizes.
I love Kimonos. For a beach day out, I would recommend a kimono coverup with florals and breezy feel. This will instantly put you in the mood of vacation.
Crochet Dress
Crotchet outfit is a fashion trends that I love. It is top of my bucket list fashion outfit for this year. Back in high school days, I weave crochet to pass time at my mother’s store. I only use crotchet wools to make hand bags. Now I am loving the idea of crotchet outfits. There are so many options like bags, socks, bonnet, tops, shorts, dresses etc.
I love a mini crotchet dress as beach coverup idea. Crotchet dresses are stylish and gives more of beach vibes. You can wear a crotchet dress on your bikini set or one-piece swimwear. It gives a sexy peekaboo vibes to your look.
If you can make your own crochet dress, you can wear it as a beach coverup. However, if you can’t make crochet, there are brands you can shop from.
One of such brands is Mikun stitch. Mikun stitch is a black owned Nigerian brand that makes trendy crotchet outfits you can shop for your closet. You can check out her instagram handle @Mikunstitch to see other styles to shop. I love all the styles and you too will love them.
Like of most of us ladies out there, I love to shop. So, I am always looking out for trendy pieces to snag for my closet. If you follow trends like I do, fast fashion brands are constantly churning out trendy pieces we all want. However, constant shopping means more money out of your savings. If one is doesn’t pay attention to this, it can go overboard. So, if you want to shop much without cleaning out your balance, read my post on how to develop guilt free spending habit. Anyways, in all my shopping, I love to shop on budget. I prefer to shop for my closet online mostly. This is because I don’t like the hassle. Here are a list of my top 10 best online stores for fashion on a budget.
Shein
One of the most affordable online website you need to know is shein. This brand offers a lot of trendy pieces on a budget. Asides trendy pieces, you can also shop for designer dupes from big brands like Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton etc. You can also read my post on other places you can shop for designer dupes.
Shein is the first fashion brand for women that I shopped from. I love the trendy pieces I bought from them. There website is very easy to navigate.
They cater to women fashion, men, kids and home needs. I love their women fashion section. You can shop for accessories, dresses, beach wear, tops and sets. They also very affordable too. You can get fashion pieces for as low as under $10.
Shein also has a plus-size section you can shop from. So, if you’re looking for an online fashion site that is affordable and caters for all types of body types, shein got you.
Shein ships items world wide for fee. However, for orders above $49, it is shipped for free worldwide. You can read my review on my shopping experience on shein. Although Shein ships world wide, there are some fashion pieces that can only be shipped to selected countries like US , Canada or UK.
My designer dupes from shein does not ship directly to Nigeria. So, I had to ship it free to a US address before onward delivery to Nigeria. You can read my post on how to shop from US or UK and ship to Nigeria with ease.
Designer dupe bags from shein
Esty
Etsy store is another online fashion store you need to know. This store is a large marketplace just like Amazon or Aliexpress. They offer products for fashion for all categories women, men, children etc.
I love to Etsy store for it’s personalized products like paintings, home wares and customized jewelry. I love my name necklace that I bought from a seller on Etsy store.
The customer service was great. Even when my parcel was shipped wrongly, the seller sent another necklace to me.
Etsy store shipped worldwide. So, for Nigeria, you will receive your order at the nearest post office. You can also read my review on my necklace.
Name necklace “Maggie” from Etsy
Chicme
Chicme is an online retailer for women’s fashion. You can shop for trendy women clothing’s, accessories, and beachwear. I love their print collections as they are so beautiful. If you’re looking to add trendy prints to your closet, shop from Chicme.
They cater to women’s fashion for all sizes. So, if you’re on the curvy side, check out their curvy section. One of my go-to knit outfit I got from chicme store. I love it so much that I wear it a lot.
The customer service of this brand is great. They respond promptly to queries. Also, they ship for free for orders above $89 worldwide.
You can also look for their sales, coupons, holiday deals to save on your shopping. Some of these deals are seasonal too. Currently, there are deals for spring outfits. So, if you are looking to shop for your spring /summer closet while saving some money, head over to Chicme.
In as much as they cater to women’s fashion needs, you can only shop causal or party looks from this brand. So, if you want to shop for your office outfits, Chicme is not for you.
Dress from Chicme
Yoins (Your inspiration)
Yoins is an online fashion brand you can shop on a budget. Their website is easy to navigate and made into sections. They cater to the fashion needs of men, women, and curvy women.
If you’re looking to shop for your everyday fashion needs, shop from yoins. I love their stylish fashion heels. However, the heels were not true to size. One of the heels was wobbly on my legs. There was no balance at all. (I love heels but this was worst).
A tip for shopping their heels is to read reviews of other shoppers. Also, ensure that you understand the size chart (EU or US) before you purchase.
However, their clothes are true to size for me. I am a petite woman (size 6) and I don’t have issues with their outfit. So, if you’re looking to shop for everyday outfit on a budget, shop from Yoins.
Pretty little thing
If you are looking for the latest trendy pieces for fashion girl, pretty little thing is your go-to. This brand caters solely to women of all sizes. You can shop for clothes, activewear, swimwear, accessories, co-ord sets and jewelry. Also, they sell self-care products to maintain to glow as a woman.
I love this fashion brand as my go-to for the latest fashion pieces. Although I am yet to write my review of my purchase, I am impressed by the quality on a budget.
I love the dupe heels that I bought from this brand. The heels is a pair of strap heels in pastel blue color. I love that I can wear it for work or casual outings. So, if you’re looking to add some heels to your closet, I would recommend pretty little things.
Also, I bought an anklet from this brand. It is a gold and unique anklet. I love it so much that I wear it as an anklet or bracelet. (It all depends on my mood).
My only issue with shopping with this brand is that they don’t ship worldwide. So, if you are in some parts of Africa, Nigeria inclusive, you have to ship to the US or UK first. Overall, I love the trendy vibes of their fashion outfits and accessories.
Ego shoes
Another brand on my top 10 best online stores for fashion is Ego shoes. I just got to know this grand late last year after watching some YouTube videos about them.
This brand offers affordable designer dupes for accessories like shoes, bags, glasses of a lot of bane brands. With them, I don’t have to worry that I can’t afford designers yet. Who doesn’t want the real deal?
Anyways, I love this Uk brand for the affordable designer dupes. I have shopped a bag from them and I am waiting to see how it looks. (Excited! Watch out for the review)
They ship worldwide for a fee and offers free shipping for orders above $99.
Forever 21
I have always wanted to shop from Forever 21 since forever. (Lol- finally did). It is an affordable online fashion brand that you need to know. They sellclothingss and accessories for women and men of all sizes.
If you’re looking to shop outfits for your wardrobe to last, shop forever 21. I love to shop this brand for basic for my closet. You can shop for both casual and work outfits from this brand. I love their outerwear options you can easily use to layer your outfit. I hope to snatch a shaket soon from this brand.
Forever 21 also does not ship worldwide. So, for those of you in Africa, you can ship to other countries before your own country.
Yes style
Yes style is an Asian online fashion brand you need to know. I love this brand because they offer affordable pieces for all categories. You can shop for men, women, and children for clothes, accessories, and beauty products.
To get an extra discount on your purchase asides those on the site, you can use my code: STYLEZ20 to get 5% off. This code will not cost you, it is just to save you some money while shopping on their site.
You can shop for your everyday outfits from yes style. I also love their backpack collections with unique designs. However, before you shop any item from their website, please read reviews of other shoppers. This because there are several vendors on their website so you need to ensure you get the best items.
Also, if you can shop self-care products and other lifestyle products from Yesstyle. All you need to do is to go to that section of the website to get what you need.
Yesstyle does not ship worldwide. However, you get free express shipping to United State for orders above $49.
Meshki
Meshki is another online fashion brand you need to know. It is an affordable luxury brand that sells women’s clothing only. You can shop for casual dresses, sets, loungewear, party outfits, and classy robes on a budget.
Meshki is your go-to brand if you want to a taste of luxury on a budget. I am in love with the current 90’s campaign featuring thigh-high slit dresses, halter neck, etc.
Missguided
Another online fashion brand for women to shop on a budget is missguided. It is one of the brands that I check out for trendy fashion pieces for my closet. Also, they are quite affordable too.
You can shop for your everyday look from this brand. I love the structured blazer options of this brand. They make me want to spend all my money.
Missguided is solely a women’s fashion brand. They sell clothing, accessories and beauty products for women.
I love this brand because they also have so many discount codes for their shoppers. So, you can save while you shop. Also, they offer discount codes for student shoppers too.
Fashion blogging has evolved into a full-time job many people desire. However, they are unaware of the hard work that goes into growing a blog. So, they jump on the train clueless about this buzzing industry. In my few years as a fashion blogger, there are so many lessons that I have learned. Some, I still cringe when I think about them. Also, I have experienced growth in my blog as well. Count your blessings!. One of the biggest challenges I had was finding my voice and being unique in my way. It is so easy to want to be like another successful blogger. However, every blogger is unique in their way. So, I will be sharing some of the lessons I learned and of course growth.
Fashion blogging involves continuous learning
As a new blogger, I jumped on any train to learn things that will add value to my blog. I went as far as joining some time-wasting support group.
One of such group heads wanted me to change my blog style to follow the trend common among fashion bloggers. Thankfully, I didn’t yield because I knew clearly what I wanted.
I also paid to learn how to grow my blog. There are so many resources out there that promise you a fail-proof method to grow your blog. However, some of them are a waste of time and money.
Just like they say, you only see what you are looking for. So, I started reading a lot of articles written by other bloggers about their journey and growth. You never know how much useful information is available out there for free until you search for them.
I have been able to grow my brand, blog traffic, and other parameters for my blog. This is for free and by connecting with the right set of bloggers
Have a clear niche
When I first started out as blogger, I never knew the importance of a blog niche. I started out just writing on several topics that resonate with me.
This made my blog look like a random website without a focus. A blog that doesn’t have a focus rarely stands out in the blogsphere.
The importance of having a niche cannot be over-emphasized. Fashion bloggers that have a unique niche are more successful than their peers. This is exemplary in the case of Jenny Ong, of Neon Blush.
She stood out as a fashion blogger because she had a focus. Her blog was focused on sharing how to style neutrals( mostly black and white hues). This made her very successful among the pool of bloggers out there.
So, as a fashion blogger, I have been able to niche down. I share style tips for trendy fashion pieces ( fast fashion) on a budget.
Quality pictures is key
Another lesson I learned as a fashion blogger is the importance of quality pictures. Quality pictures are a must for a fashion blogger. It is almost impossible to talk about fashion without great pictures.
I would not bother to open a fashion blog that has bad pictures. The pictures on blogs get my attention first before it’s actual content. So, as a blogger you need to learn how to take good pictures. Also, editing pictures is key.
I had struggled for some time trying to get great pictures for my content. I had to get a mobile phone with great camera quality. Also, I learned how to edit my picture to improve its quality.
Editing a picture is not a walk in the park. I am still learning how to edit my pictures for my blog. Now I am better at taking great pictures and editing them unlike when I first started.
Plan out your blog post
It is not so easy to write, take pictures, edit them, and switch outfits for a blog post. As a fashion blogger, I have a lot of skills up my sleeve that I got on this journey.
I am a writer, content creator, model, photographer, graphic designer, digital marketer, etc. All these skills are each job roles that are being done by individuals. However, as a fashion blogger, I have to learn and do them myself.
So, in order not to get overwhelmed running my blog. I plan out my content. I use a notepad that I carry around to write my blog post ideas and what I need to make such post.
All I have to is to refer to my notes to plan my blog post. For example, a blog post on a haul will involve shopping the clothes. Followed by styling the outfit, taking pictures, editing, and writing the post.
In as much as there is a lot that goes into fashion blogging. I love that I started this journey. So many have started and quit blogging. Yet, I am still on my blog journey because I am passionate about my blog. So, to draw inspiration in fashion blogging follow the journey of famous influencers like Johanna Cabral. The sky is the limit!.
