A Dash of Iruoma

Category: Diary

2025 Wrapped- Highlights of The Past Year
Ps; this is the third time this post is being uploaded. My website has decided to move funny and restoring it has led to losing this post twice in a row, but we don’t give up here right? Right.

Helloooooo and happy happy new year! Can you believe 2025 is over? Is it just me, but did it not feel like the fastest year of my life despite being slow on most days?

I apologise for not giving you consistent blog posts and video content, but this year tested my multitasking capacities, and I am relieved to say that I couldn’t juggle as many balls as I thought.

Nonetheless, I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to share something with you, even if that means a new year post! So grab a cup of tea or wine and let’s catch up!

I am attempting my version of “wrapped” by highlighting top events or things I enjoyed in 2025.

How’s “being” going?

For the first time in a while, someone used my words against me.

When the year 2025 started, I boldly wrote on my blog how I intended to live this year. It’s my “desire to enjoy the moments”. Funny enough, I started the year with an answered prayer for my career and then a blatant rejection of another career progression in the same month. All that to say, thank God for keeping things running smoothly even when my eyes can’t see.

Weddings

I attended 3 out of 4 weddings I planned to. Any time I get to witness a wedding ceremony, especially when I know the bride, it is a mixture of awe and excitement.

Awe because weddings are a lot of mental gymnastics and financial commitment. Excitement because it’s an opportunity to look gorgeous and catch up with people I haven’t seen in a while. These weddings were remarkable for me because I ate well and had fun!

Top Music

My babe says my taste in music is erratic, but I would still give my recommendations for the people who have a similar taste. Thankfully, Spotify did us a favour with their wrapped so I would just share from that.

I listened to 97 genres, but my top 5 were:
1. Contemporary Gospel
2. Afro R & B
3. Yacht Rock
4. Christian
5. Pop
My listening age is 25, as I was into music from the 2010s. I found that hilarious!

I listened to 451 songs, and my number 1 was Game Changer by Ada Ehi. That was my anthem from April to August because those months tested me!

The others in my top 5 were ;
- Enough by Elias Dummer
- ZA by Anendelessocean
- He will be by CityAlight
- Your Love by Moses Bliss and Chandler Moore
Places Visited

One thing I desired last year was to visit new places. There’s just something about leaving your daily routine to experience a different culture or place. In 2025, I visited 3 new places- Ghana, Enugu and Abuja.

Ghana was a second time, but I loved that I could experience it as an adult. I stayed in Accra, which felt like a second version of Lagos but way mellow. My favorite things about these travels were trying new meals and coming out of my comfort zone to experience people’s cultures.

Enugu, the coal city in Nigeria, is barely a two-hour drive from my state of origin in Anambra, but I had never visited it till last year. This state is beautiful. Their network of roads is massive and neat. The disadvantage of being in Lagos for too long is that you become myopic about the beauty of other states. I wish the insecurity in Nigeria wasn’t this bad because we have so many beautiful places in the country, and I have barely scratched the surface.

Abuja was another place I enjoyed this year. I went there for my sister’s call to the bar. Let’s just say my first culture shock was the Uber fare. What do you mean for a journey of 30 minutes, I only get to pay 2500 naira?

It is also a beautiful city, and my uncle tried to take us everywhere possible. Alas, we only have 24 hours in a day, and there’s only so many activities you can cram into one day. Hopefully, I will visit again soon!

See Abuja Through My Lens: From Call To Bar to Magic Land Amusement Park

Top Podacasts

I had 4 recurring podcasts on my list this year, but my top podcast was The Gospel In Lagos. This is also a shameless plug for my church, City Church. If you are looking for a gospel-centred church in Lagos, check us out.

I also listened to a lot of Divine Intervention podcasts for medical concepts and kinda liked clinical medicine again- emphasis on kinda because I still have a love-hate relationship with it.

My other faves were With The Perrys by Jackie Hill and Preston Perry and Female by Design by Francine Winslow.

Books I read in 2025

I read 4 non- medical books and finished 2. I’m nit proud of that but I promise you I tried. They were;
- The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran & Micheal Lennington
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Neither Bomb Nor Bullet by Andrew Boyd
The last two are my completed reads. My favorite story in Dream Count was Kadiatou’s- an immigrant who battled the horror of sexual assault. I would leave the rest of the details for you to uncover.

Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi’s story is inspiring. I have read accounts of men persecuted for the gospel of Christ, but none have been as relatable as this Nigerian who lives in Nigeria and is at the forefront of the persecution in the north.

He speaks about his transformation from a young soldier to a bishop. His wife, Gloria, his family and his remarkable generosity towards orphans. All I can say is get your copy of this book!

For 12 week year, I love that it provides practical insight to planning your days and being audacious. I haven’t given up on completing it yet, but self-help books took a backseat this past year for me. Perhaps I would pick it up again in 2026. Maybe not. The same goes for the second book on my list. Getting my hands on it this year was exhilarating. The author literally doesn’t care about your feelings as he means business with his words of advice.

My Top skincare

Did you really think I was going to wrap up this post without saying a word of skincare? Never!🤭

Let’s start with face care. Truthfully, this past year, my pocket faced financial crises, and I couldn’t afford to splurge on skincare as I normally would. Thankfully, my skin behaved itself, and we pulled through.

My top fighters were:
- Facefacts Salicylic acid and,
- Facefacts hydrating ceramide face wash: These face washes were what my face needed for good oil control while not stripping the natural oils.
- Tiam vit B 3 serum- I had forgotten how good this serum is! Check out the full review here
- Nivea Sungel: This will always be a fave! I recommend this sunscreen to anyone who likes a skin-like finish and doesn’t like overwhelming skincare products.
For body care, my top fighters were:
- Dove body washes! Any dove wash that smells good always wins my heart
- Re CHARGE Orange and ginger Body wash plus foam bath
- Dove Advanced Care Invisible + cucumber and cactus water antiperspirant
- Nivea Nourishing Cocoa lotion
The past year has been filled with answered prayers- yes, no, not now.

I pivoted in ways I never thought I would and found out I really have no strength of my own- just God’s, and I am not mad about it.

I wish you a wonderful year ahead, amigos.

Cheers to 2026!
January 28, 2026
Wedding Guest Easy Makeup Look To An Igbo Traditional Wedding
If easy makeup sounds like an impossibility to you, then you are in the right place!

In this video, I share all the makeup products and a step-by-step process for achieving this look. It was my friend’s wedding earlier this month, and witnessing it was such a delight!

Products Used (in order of appearance):
- Tame it by Viange Brow gel
- Facefacts Perfect Prep Primer
- Helen C Cosmetics Colorstay Full Cover Foundation
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
- Brown Eyeliner
- Avour Liquid concealer
- Kiss Beauty All Day Stay concealer
- Coco Urban eyeshadow palette
- NUDE L.A Colors eyeshadow palette
- KR Karite black eyeliner
- TM Essentials liquid blush shade Vile
- Blossom Makeup high-definition setting powder
- Le Chanteur Powder SACHA matter powder palette
- Helen C de African culture eyeshadow palette
- Drug store lip gloss
Please subscribe and share with someone too.
January 26, 2026
See Abuja Through My Lens: From Call To Bar to Magic Land Amusement Park

I was born in Lagos and grew up there for most of my life. Typically, the first question I get asked when I share that fact is how many other places I have been to in Nigeria. I get that disappointing glare when I recount my state of origin Anambra, Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo. This year, I really wanted to visit Abuja.

When my sister’s call to bar preparation started, it was the perfect opportunity to tag along. I had lots of questions.

What would it look like?

What is Abuja best known for?

How can I have fun in Abuja?

Thankfully, I got to experience some of these for myself, and because you’re my fave, I would share them with you!

First, the domestic flight. This was my first time flying domestically. For someone who has had the privilege of international flights, I could not understand the “madness” I experienced before boarding. From the rude customer service agents to the sheer lack of organization, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was so bad I almost missed my flight. Thankfully, I made it just in time to hear my name called for boarding and left Lagos for the owners.

The main reason for visiting Abuja was to attend my sister’s call to the Nigerian bar. Watching my sister study like her life depended on it in law school was a whole experience. I have never seen her read like that-ever! Now, being on the other side of enjoying that hard work was a dream come true and a huge sigh of relief.

Attending the event at the Body of Benchers Complex was another work of favour by God. I got a special guest invite and didn’t have to struggle for a good seat, thanks to a kind soul we met at our hotel. See, I totally believe in God’s favour, and that was no coincidence. Fast forward to D-Day. The event was short, and the new wigs (as they are called) took their oath. It was a beautiful sight to behold, especially among proud parents and relatives.

We had a mini reception at Abuja Continental by evening, courtesy of some amazing uncles and aunties. It was a buffet, and the instruction was eat till you drop. I took that assignment seriously, and by 10 pm, my stomach could take no more.

With the call to bar done, it was time to explore.

At the top of our list was Magicland amusement park. I had heard so much about this place, and the videos and pictures looked promising. Magic Land is located at Wuye, Abuja and is the perfect place for an outing with every family member, from old to young.

The entry fee was 1500 naira.. Note that they only take cash and convert it to tickets. Thankfully, there are POS stands outside and even within the park in case you need cash. There are also snack stands and a restaurant if you fancy.

The rides range from 1500 to 3000 naira, which are pretty affordable. If you want an all-inclusive package, you pay 18000 naira, which covers your entry fee and access to all the rides.

My siblings and I tried the car race, pendulum and rollercoaster. That pendulum ride was crazy! I would not advise anyone to try it. But guess what? I had seen a TikTok review where the lady advised us not to, and I still went ahead. It was SCARY! My eyes were closed for most of the ride.

We walked around, took some pictures and had an amazing time in general. They also have an arcade, but it looked like Rufus and Bees, Lagos, and I was over it. Another fun spot in Abuja to try is Galaxxy Pizza. It has a calm cafe vibe, and their pizza is top-notch! Their milkshake was also creamy and thick, and definitely good value for money.

Speaking of good food spots, my aunt took us to Akara Cafe. What do we say about people who stay in a niche and are good at it? These guys have hacked the code because how are you making millions from akara (bean cake)? We saw people coming from the gym, or heading to work, trooping in to have an amazing breakfast. The scenery was chill, and I would recommend this place for a beautiful start to your morning in Abuja on a visit. I had their maxi platter and was full till evening.

We also had a stop at the Transcorp Hilton hotel. I have heard about this hotel, but getting to experience it was bliss. My siblings and I enjoyed the piano night and the sonorous voice of the singer while we explored the ground floor and the activities area. The only questions ringing in my head were:

“What are Abuja people doing for a living? How do people pay for this hotel?”

One regret I have is not going to the Kilishi market, a friend suggested. That would have been a good experience to have. It is located at the Area 1 shopping complex, if you want to check it out. I was bummed I took a short time interval to explore the city, but all in all I’m grateful that i got to experience this and look forward to another time at Abuja.

Have you been to Abuja? Do you plan on visiting soon?
Share your thoughts with me in the comments

October 12, 2025
House Job Chronicles

As I count down to my 8th week out of 12 weeks In Paediatric posting, I can’t believe how much time has passed. Hey beauty, the last time I wrote on the blog was the anniversary giveaway. By the way, if you missed that, more would come okay?Let’s get into the new phase of my life or what I like to call an update.I’m also having jitters about writing. I haven’t done so since I resumed work and I feel so rusty. The first one is the tough transition from medical student to medical doctor. Why doesn’t anyone talk about this? I went from being able to schedule my time and having routines to my time not being my own. Also the responsibility is wild. Now people really listen to me and I have to be sure of the information o give people. I still shudder when I rmenebe how a patients mother really called me “doctor” and I was consider for a moment because I’ve been so used to being a student. Another thing I’ve noticed is the tendency to focus on things ahead. One thing I’ve seen is that prayer points don’t finish. As long as we live, there will always be stuff to pray about. Same here- when I got my job, the next prayer was an Accomodation. Now that’s sorted, I’m thinking about schedules. Nect up is looking forward to the end of this posting and so on and so forth. When does it end!! Anyways; to paediatrics. I don’t see myself specialising in this field for a number of reasons. One I don’t like attending to sick babies. It’s not a pleasant sight. Second getting their Intravenous (iv) access is tough. The only reason I’m happy I started from here is because I can atleast get 75% of my lines in premies (babies born prematurely)up to toddlers. That’s a big win by the way. Thirdly, it’s so stressful and the mortality rate can be as high as anything. One moment you’re rejoicing a baby is stable. The next moment, that child decides to leave this world. Excuse me? All these to say, paediatrics is not the specialty for me and this housejob has shown that. I’ve had good moments here nonetheless. But I’ll ascribe that to my colleagues. 9 out of 10 times, our jokes and moments brighten the day. Somebody jokingly commented that I’m chilling because I always take pictures of my colleagues when we’re at a seminar or event. That’s not entirely true but I think we’re al on the same page of enjoying our days because the profession itself is STRESSFUL!Also, who decided to make 24 hours call a normal thing? How do you expect people to finavyoon iptuymllu and still go on to carry their usual sctovitsies? That’s by the way. The only thing I regret not doing earlier was taking lots of pictures but hey, we’ve got a long time to go so it’s not late. How are you doing? What’s one life update you’re happy about? Share with me!

August 18, 2025
New Year: Here is How You Practice More Being And Less Doing In 2025

Wrapping the year in style

It took several typing and deletions to come up with this sentence. How long has it been on the blog? I have missed writing every week and sharing some life updates, so the new year seemed a perfect opportunity to start.

This article is probably my shortest blog post, but I did not want “perfection” or keeping a certain standard to prevent me from getting this out today.

First, Happy New Year! Nothing has humbled me more than the past year. I have always been a planner. Think of the girl with journals and yearly planners—that’s me. Last year, I utilized Notion for the fancy annual templates. To be fair, I ticked off some things and even accomplished goals I never thought of. But my point is that most of the time, not everything goes as planned, but God is always in perfect control, vision board or not.

New Year’s resolutions don’t always have to be new goals. They could be continuations of goals set before that were not completed. Resolve to keep going. Every new week is a fresh start; every day is another opportunity to make small decisions that add to that big goal.

This year, I intend on being. I want to explore and enjoy the beauty of living. I am no longer micromanaging my time, experiences or life.

I pray you have a fantastic year ahead, filled with joy in the chaos, peace in the storm, love, hope, and peace. Don’t be afraid to start in sight of everyone (this is my sub), and don’t fear rejection. Fear not starting at all.

Cheers to a beautiful chapter- happy new year, friend!

January 1, 2025
My 2023 Recap: Life Lately And The Year In A Nutshell

Image source: Clealth

Hey, beauty!

It’s that time when reels and posts on our year’s highlights hit the streets of Instagram. I have enjoyed seeing people’s 2023 recap because it is an avenue to zoom in on the good things which our brains quickly forget.

I also believe is a good way to see how much you’ve grown. It is now a tradition on the blog, and even though I have not published a new post in 2 months, I couldn’t miss this one!

I’m sharing my recap in quarters instead of months like last year’s post this year.

You can read about my other yearly review blog posts from the previous years here: 2022 | 2021

Are you ready?

Let’s go!

2023 Recap- Q1 (JANUARY-MARCH)

My highlight in the first quarter of 2023 was having the full house. My siblings and I are at different phases and locations due to school. Having everyone at home was the definition of chaos and fun. It’s so beautiful how much we have grown.

By mid-January, I rounded off my outside posting(i.e. going to another hospital to observe and participate in their unit activities). My group members were fun, and we had our backs all through.

In February, I had a photoshoot with my friends. The plan was to post our pictures once our results came out and be a reminder to give all we had during the preparation process. I remember looking at those pictures whenever I was tired of reading and getting motivated.

We passed with flying colours, and my friends had a whole spot in my journey to an MBBS.

Another highlight this month was Valentine’s Day, duh!

In between all of these, we had to leave school for the presidential elections. If you’re not Nigerian, that would take another blog post to explain, but the point is that it created another shift in our exam schedule and was pretty messed up.

By the end of Q1, my final year exams were drawing close. Final year comes with a weight on your shoulders. It’s the “end” but also the beginning. When I tell you, I was reading more than I had ever done. The pressure was insane!

The stress of reading with no power supply, looking for where to charge my devices, study groups, reading and more reading. While that was happening, it was my blog’s second anniversary. I couldn’t celebrate it at the moment, but it was a win that made me look forward to being done with my exams

2023 Recap- Q2 (APRIL- JUNE)

This quarter started with eye bags, yet the skin was popping. One thing I did not miss during my finals was my skincare routine. I simplified it to my cleanser and sunscreen during the day and then cleanser and moisturiser at night. It was one of my destressing moments; thankfully, the skin cooperated.

Usually, by 10 pm, I would close my books and pray. During those days, I realised the truth in what my seniors said- residual knowledge is what sees you through during exams like this and not last-minute reading.

By the 26th of April, my study group did our graduation outing. It was a massive leap of faith because we believed we would post the pictures we took in February without resits. We visited a nice Indian restaurant in Lagos, and now my friends love Indian food!

Two days later, our final results were out! Shout out to @scenesbytosoke for capturing these moments.

Image source: Scenes by Tosoke

Image source: Scenes by Tosoke

May came with opportunities I never thought of. I had my first gig as a skincare consultant with Joy’s new bar soap launch. This increased my resolve to share all about skincare because people’s perceptions of their skin were worrisome. The first week was in Ibadan, which opened my eyes to that city! It is so serene, and I look forward to visiting there by train in 2024.

I fell sick when I returned. That was an accumulation of all the stress, but the joy of that period was amazing.

I resumed creating content again. I even installed my first set of false eyelashes and learned 5 easy ways to care for them. Did I mention it was in this quarter my creating limits were tested?

By May, I started a content challenge where I consecutively posted on Instagram for 60 days. It built my community and gave me cheerleaders!

I became the team lead for interviews for the 2nd edition of MWAN magazine. Kemi put me up to it and believed in me before I caught up.

Image source: Clealth

June saw me getting my brows microbladed. I shared the caterpillar-to-butterfly process of micro-blading on my Instagram. There were many events: birthdays, a friend’s wedding, and my parent’s wedding anniversary. It was also the last time I saw my dear friend before he japa’d.

PS: Japa means to “run away” and in our context as Nigerians, it means migration to another country.

2023 Recap- Q3 (JULY-SEPTEMBER)

The third quarter in this 2023 recap starts with July’s best month of the year! Yes, I’m biased because it’s my birth month.

It was time for university clearance, where you moved from one department to another to sign off with proof that you were a student. We need to get over these manual processes, but I digress.

I wrote 30 things I would like to do before my 30th birthday as I celebrated my 26th birthday. I didn’t experience birthday blues this year, which I’m thankful for.

It was in this quarter that I got a brutal confirmation of my diagnosis. While that was depressing, knowing there was finally a way forward was an answered prayer.

While battling that grief, I got the first paid skincare-sponsored post on the blog. It was a dream come true!

Starting A Full Retinol Night Routine Featuring The Neutriherbs Retinol Range

I got back into fiction reading with Today I Become a Woman by Aiwanose Odafen, started my IG live series and tried my first ever plastic-free retinol serum by Common Heir. It’s wild how I went from being scared of retinol to trying 3 this quarter. I will post on that so you know your options if you’re ready to incorporate retinol as a beginner.

I even put beads on my hair for the first time in over 10 years. Looking forward to trying new things on my hair. Then, at the point we had given up, my school finally released the date of our induction into the medical profession. It was time for the glam, the celebrations, and the joy! Q3 ended with a sleepover with my friends and visiting my longtime friend’s home for the first time.

Image source: Papii Anthov

I had another IG live session and created more content. Then, I finally celebrated my blog anniversary with 2 brands. Delay is not denial, okay? That’s my justification for celebrating my brand after 5 months, lol! It was a full circle moment going from the first giveaway social media post in 2022 to having 2 sponsors in 2023.

Celebrating Two Years of A Dash of Iruoma: Blog Anniversary + Giveaway ft Naby Naturals

There were birthdays to celebrate, outings with my sister, my first medical outreach as a licenced doctor, and lots of family wins.

In between this, I was lobbying for my house job, one of the most stressful adult realisations. I also migrated from MailChimp to Substack for my newsletters. You can sign up here.

2023 Recap- Q4 (OCTOBER- DECEMBER)

October started slowly with a breast cancer event and more content creation. Then, when I least expected it, I got a job as a medical house officer.

PS House officer is a medical intern fresh from medical school and still undergoing training before specialising.

I started with paediatrics (taking care of children). My hospital’s paediatrics is not divided into units like the other specialities. As a house officer, you take blood samples, get the history from patients/relatives, and implement patient management.

As much as I enjoyed starting my house job, it took me a while to be emotionally stable. My friend kept reminding me I was living in answered prayers whenever I ranted to her.

I started my elevator pictures, tried to dress cutely, learned how to set intravenous line access for babies and took blood samples. That takes a lot of patience, to be honest. I met nice colleagues and formed a bond off our work trauma. Some of my classmates resumed work some days later, and the environment again became familiar.

After a stressful first set of 4 weeks moving back and forth from home to work, I finally got a space close to the hospital. Also, who invented 24-hour calls? Why do I have to work for 24 hours and still do my normal 8 working hours?

By the time I was settled with work, I found it challenging to create content. I would come online, view reels and posts and wonder why I couldn’t do what I used to do consistently earlier in the year.

In November, my partner started his house job, and that was another answered prayer! It felt good moving from students to graduates to colleagues! In the same month, my department celebrated World Prematurity Day and more birthdays.

Did I mention that you must be extra careful with children and your health? It was after my really bad flu that I started wearing face masks. I also took sick leave the second time I got ill because it was so bad. Thankfully, my call after my sick leave was the best, and I got to go home for the weekend to recuperate.

December was also my friend’s bridal shower, which was so beautiful! Then, I also attended the resident doctor’s dinner with my bae. My makeup skills are still in perfect shape after over 3 months of doing so, and that feels good!

Also, I finally did a dental procedure I’ve been looking forward to. All I can say is I wish I had started this earlier! The dentist teased me so much, and I resolved to get my teeth checked every 6 months to a year as a good patient.

Then came Christmas! My prayer was to enjoy Christmas the way I wanted to. That meant sleeping, eating, seeing movies and catching up with family. We also had a Secret Santa gift exchange among the house officers, which was so cute!

It was also in this month that I got scammed. One day, I will share that story. I was devastated. People are mean; sometimes, being kind can make you look foolish. It’s funny how I kept showing up as if nothing happened . God came through and made that loss pale compared to his provision. I still shudder at the thought of that incident.

This period also showed me how much God’s peace reigns in my heart. My 2023 recap is a glimpse of the emotions, wins, losses, answered prayers, lots of waiting, falling, rising again, lost friendships, renewed ones, and so much more!

This year started with hope and a fear of the unknown. I learned the meaning of one step at a time while trusting God. Thank you for being a significant highlight of my year.

Please share one highlight from your 2023 in the comments.

Say hi if you see yourself in any picture, too!

If anyone asks if you’re ready for 2024, reply them with
“Is 2024 ready for me?”

Happy New Year, my friend!

Please don’t forget to subscribe to the blog, tap the love button, and share this post with a friend!

CONNECT WITH ME HERE: TIKTOK // BLOGLOVIN’ // PINTEREST // NEWSLETTER

January 1, 2024
Celebrating Two Years of A Dash of Iruoma: Blog Anniversary + Giveaway ft Naby Naturals
My bento cake marking 2 years of blogging!

Can you believe it’s another blog anniversary post?

As of March 2023, I had been blogging for two whole years!

Can you believe that? Two years of sharing my thoughts and favourite things on the internet.

The past two years of blogging have been filled with experiences I never imagined, but I first want to say a big thank you!

Getting to this point is a dream come true, and many times, it still feels surreal. For the comments, retweets, pinning my pictures, and telling someone about A Dash of Iruoma, THANK YOU!

It means so much to me, and that encourages me to keep at this.

If you have been following the blog for the past two years or a few minutes, thank you for being here. It feels like yesterday when I just shared about the first-year anniversary below.

Happy “Blog-Versary”: 1 Year Of Sharing on The Internet.

I started this blog to share what I knew about beauty, faith, and lifestyle, so providing what you consider helpful in your daily living is a privilege.

This year, it took me six months before I could share the good news with you.

One reason is that I just graduated from medical school. March was filled with exam prep, so I couldn’t take the time to celebrate as I wanted.

Also, I planned to celebrate with a giveaway, and getting the partnership for that took longer than I hoped.

Blog Anniversary Giveaway

Now to the part, I thank you with gifts: drum rolls! I concluded one on Instagram last week, and there was no way my blog readers would miss out on another one!

Before we get to the instructions, you should know about Naby Naturals.

It is a Nigerian brand located in Abuja, Nigeria, at Silverbird Gallery (2nd floor), Central Area. They also have an online store.

While it was founded by Nabyem in 2020, the brand relaunched in 2022 with science-backed and effective skincare to cater to all skin types!

According to Naby, “Our clients love all products, especially the Lucent Body Oil, which has topped the charts!”

My favourite thing about them is their combination of face and body products such as the hydrating Daily Face wash, hydrating essence Toner, brightening cocktail, rejuvenating face cream, even tone body lotion & lucent body oil.

Giveaway Instructions
- Simply follow the brands on Instagram @naby_naturals @adashofiruoma
- Tap on the tweet below to share this giveaway
- Leave a comment at the end of this blog post with your IG handle & type DONE (e.g. @johndoe DONE).
- Two winners will be picked at random and cover the cost of delivery. This is open to only Nigerian residents.
Ps: The giveaway will run for two weeks, and the winners will be announced on Instagram. Please make sure your handle is correct so you don’t miss your gift!
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Source of all product pictures: Naby Naturals
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Also, I would love to hear from you!

What would you like to see more of on the blog? What would you like me to do differently?

Your feedback is essential to this blog, so feel free to share in the comments.

Cheers to year 3!
September 21, 2023
Finally Done: Reminiscing Through 9 Years as a Medical Student (Part 3)

Hey, beauty!

Glad you’re here for part 3 of my medical student journey to the MBBS series!

Your girl is officially a medical doctor and living in an answered prayer.

In part 1 of this series, I talked about the start of my college education and medical school. Most of the struggles and strike actions were also captured there

The second part was all about the people who made my journey easier. I promised to share the third part, so here we have it.

Finally, on the 30th of August, 2023, I graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. That day was filled with excitement and fear. Excitement because I was finally getting this done. Fear because I had an after-party and didn’t want it to go south.

Now that I think about it, all these fears were inconsequential. I had an absolutely good time surrounded by some of the people I love.

I got my makeup done by 5:30 a.m. as we needed to leave the house by 7 a.m. Shout out to @facesbymaraan. He did a GOOD job! Newsflash: We left by 8:24 a.m no thanks to waiting for everyone to get ready. The induction started at past 10 with a procession. This procession included professors and the registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Afterward, we had an inspiring talk by Dr. Olayemi Dawodu. She’s one of the doctors who have subconsciously given me an idea of the kind of doctor I would love to be.

After the registrar’s speech, we had our oath-taking. The popular Hippocratic oath. At this point, it still felt surreal. Once the ceremony was over, no one prepared me for the chaos that followed.

I couldn’t take many pictures or even create the planned content. A few selfies and goodbyes later, I was on my way back home for the reception. Dancing into the hall was my highlight. One thing about me, I would always vibe differently when it comes to Igbo music. Blame it on my roots.

The rest of the day was pretty much prayers, pictures, videos, food, and music.

The 30th of August, 2023, will always be one I remember. My induction was right on time, and God is glorified.

I look forward to experiencing and sharing the adventures of post-graduation with you!

Thank you to everyone who made my day special. I truly am grateful.

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September 12, 2023
Could Rangla Punjab be the best Indian restaurant in Lagos? Read My Detailed Review To Find Out!
Meet your reviewers L-R: Iruoma, Oma, Chris and Feyi.

Rangla Punjab restaurant, Victoria Island

My friends are I decided to try something different to celebrate being done with our final exams. We recently finished school after nine years. One way to do so was by trying out what I hoped to be the best Indian restaurant in Lagos.

This restaurant is called Rangla Punjab. It is located at number 49 Adeola Odeku Street, victoria island, Lagos.

My friends were skeptical when I suggested it from the list Chris sent, but I managed to convince them and was hoping they won’t regret trusting my choice!

Atmosphere and Decor

My favourite corner of the restaurant

The ambience is beautiful! It’s Indian-centric, with paintings and inscriptions right from the entrance. It has a traditional bus (almost life-like) decor at the dining area’s corner, depicting their culture. My favourite part of the decor was the swinging cushions. I had seen it in a review and looked forward to being on them!

The lighting is also pretty good for pictures and an overall look. My friends and I came at night, but our pictures still turned out great. If you’re someone who likes to document videos and pictures, that’s a plus.

The restaurant has a simple arrangement for the sitting area. Across are the cushions with colourful paintings of Indian drummers on the walls.

There was another area that was booked so that I couldn’t see the arrangement, but ours had a table with four chairs, and that was in about four sets. There’s also a wall of picture frames with inscriptions related to drinks. I thought it was pretty cool because it’s a great background.

Food

One thing that makes Rangla Punjab considerably the best Indian restaurant in Lagos is the dishes!

I’ve tried some Indian dishes from the Gypsy’s restaurant and bar, but this took it up a notch. The dishes we had were:
1. Boneless mutton biryani
2. Murg Dharba
3. Naan bread (butter)
4. Makkani kukkad
5. Mutton dhaba (boneless)
6. Steamed rice
The good thing is you can play “safe” with these dishes because their taste profile isn’t too different from what we’re used to. We also decided to get different dishes so we could have a taste of everyone’s order.

Here’s what my friends had to say about their experience:

L-R: Chris, Feyi, Iruoma and Oma.

Oma

I’m not usually a fan of any other country’s food (I promise I’m not racist, lol) but the food from Rangla punjab was so good and very filling!

I especially enjoyed the boneless mutton because it had lots of soft and tasty meat chunks. I definitely recommend and would go back.

Chris

Although their IG page and even the exterior of the restaurant might be unappealing, it’s a whole new experience on entering! The service was so good it was almost criminal not to tip. The waiter took his time to explain everything on the menu and give recommendations. He also told us where the best lighting was and took good pictures of us.

The food was great in quantity and quality, and we ate to our full. I had enough for breakfast the following day.

I’ll rate them an 8/10 because no one is perfect and secondly, they refused to let Iruoma manage their social media account!

Feyi

The food was amazing!

It was my first time trying Indian food, and I have no regrets. The naan bread and buttered chicken was sooo good, and the chicken was soft. The only thing I didn’t like were the extras.

So asides our order, we were given extra spices and even onion bulbs. Yes, an actual raw onion to eat! Other than that, the main meals themesleves? *chef kiss*!

The staff are also super courteous and helpful.

While we waited for our order, we were served a starter on the house. It’s called papad with chutney and pepper.

Papad and chutney sauce for starters

The papad tasted like local pringles and was too spicy for me, but my friends enjoyed it weirdly enough.

We ordered drinks called Lassi. They were the sweet lassi and vanilla lassi. There were a variety of drinks and cocktails with names I can’t remember, so we went with the ones that had familiar words (sweet and vanilla).

The lassi drinks were pretty much yogurt with an extra touch. They put ice in it as well. It took a while for my tastebuds to get used to it, but eventually it did. I definitely recommend especially the sweet one.

We spent a total of 46,000 Naira for the 4 of us and still had enough to take away.

Total damage to our pockets

Service

Our experience with the staff was quite wholesome. They let us take pictures and were willing to help. Before getting there, I sent a message to their WhatsApp customer care line, which I got from their Instagram profile. Their responses were prompt, and I was also sent the menu and rates.

Rangla Punjab is good for a family gathering, a bridal shower, a chilled evening out, a date, etc.

I loved the waiter who attended to us. He was very professional, quick to answer our questions and ensured we were comfortable. I know it’s their job, but it was exceptional. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get his name so that you can ask him.

Aside from the dining experience, they host a buffet service every Sunday. Most of the details would be found on their IG.

I believe that Rangla Punjab could be the best Indian restaurant in Lagos with all that we experienced. Let me know if you do try this restaurant!

Have you tried this restaurant?

Is there an Indian restaurant in Lagos you think could beat this? Share with me so I can visit.

READ ALSO: An affordable restaurant in lagos mainland

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July 13, 2023
Celebrating Twenty-Six With a Bucket List: 30 Things To Do Before 30
Hello, 26!

Who starts a new year with a list of 30 things to do before 30? Iruoma!

Before I get into my list, here are a few things I’ve been thinking about

I know we say age is just a number, but am I the one clocking this age? It feels surreal because I remember looking at people at that age with certain expectations. Obviously, that’s not my story, but today is not the day to think about the “what ifs” or “maybes.” I’m also quite glad about mine thus far because God is definitely glorified.

This year, I planned to enjoy the day thoroughly (and I did!). The last time I was really in the moment was for my 23rd birthday during the pandemic. Subsequently, I was always sad whenever my birthday came around because I felt stagnant.

Thankfully, this year was much better, and while being done with school is one of the reasons, I think growing has helped with that.

My bucket list is 30 random things I would love to do before turning 30. Thirty years is a big deal, and I’ve heard it’s as enjoyable as you want it. So instead of dreading my 30s because of the expectations I put on myself, I’ll take the better route and look forward to it while living!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more daily content. You may just see these moments happen in real time!

Let’s go ahead!

1. New piercings

Getting new piercings is top on my list for the late part of my 20s. I already got one in 2020 but only the right ear appropriately healed. That was my fault anyways; that’s not the point. I’m thinking of a new ear piercing and a nose one.

2. A Tattoo

I’ve always wanted a classy tattoo. You know, those that are small, noticeable and spark conversations? Those kinds! Now that I know what I want to get, all that remains is to move to my place so I don’t answer many questions- lool!

3. Travel to Paris again

The first time I went to Paris was as a child in secondary school. It was a school trip, and I barely knew the significance of what I was experiencing save for “it’s a different country.” Now that I’m older, I want to visit Paris for two reasons:
- Explore the beauty section- France (Europe generally) has a track record of some of the best skincare and beauty products.
- It’s the city of love, duh?
4. Get married

This is self-explanatory. winks

5. Author a best-selling book (or 2)

Writing a book and publishing it has always been my dream. I grew up reading and loved to tell my sisters all the stories I made up. Getting into uni took that from me (yes, I must blame medical school), but my desire to share something with the world runs deep, and I look forward to it, God willing!

6. Move to a new country

Who doesn’t have this on their bucket list?

I want to experience different cultures, and people and try something different from what I’ve always known.

7. Solo Travelling

While we can agree that the world isn’t safe, especially if you’re a woman travelling alone, I still want to experience travelling alone. I follow Alma Asinobi on Twitter and Instagram, and she shares her experience as a travel blogger. I think one should experience travelling alone once in their lifetime. If it happens before 30, that would be awesome! If not, I keep dreaming!

8. Pick Up French Again

When I wrote French in my WAEC (West African Examination Council examination), Hello? I could take on the world with my French,

Silly me!

I have toyed with the idea of learning French again and even joined a Duolingo group for French. Your girl missed all their physical meetings; I have to do better.

Otherwise, being able to communicate again in French is definitely one thing I look forward to before 30.

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9. Have a Girls’ Getaway

They say adulthood creeps up on us, and we have to plan for every meeting with our friends. While that’s my reality, I look forward to a girls’ trip (or trips) before 30. It doesn’t even have to be complex or going to another country right now. A weekend without social media to refresh and have conversations would be fantastic!

10. Do Something Scary

The only thing I’ve been looking at is skydiving. I’m not swimming with sharks, please!

“Iruoma, where do you plan to do this?” Don’t ask me, dear. I’m dreaming well.

11. Take My Health Seriously

Being committed to health insurance and finding an exercise routine I love and can stick with is essential.

12. Educate Wo(men) on Skincare and Beauty

I got an opportunity to speak to students during a beauty campaign in May this year. What I heard from people concerning their perceptions of skincare and beauty made me resolve to educate more people.

13. A Makeover

Before 30, I hope to get a new permanent hair colour or cut my hair. Who knows what decision I’ll make?

The past months have seen me experimenting with eyelash extensions and getting my brows microbladed. I’m learning to be a bit more spontaneous and actually do things instead of overthinking.

14. Attend A Play Or Orchestra

I want to attend a play and enjoy the moment. I’m unsure what it would be about, but I’m itching to tick it off my list of things I want to experience.

15. Learn to Bake

For someone with a sweet tooth, I’m really terrible at baking. I’ve only assisted in making meat pies. Asides that, I binge-watch recipes on Food Network. There’s something about the taste of homemade pastries, and I want to experience that.

16. Host in my own home

I love hosting. I’ve watched my parents do it wholeheartedly and hope to pass it on. Before 30, I’ll love to have my friends over at my place and share deep conversations over a good meal. It could be on bible study or board games but basically- a safe space for adults!

17. Have a Team for the Blog

I envision the blog with a team of content managers, lawyers, writers and editors. I can’t take the blog to the height I dream of by running a one-man show. This comes with money and good relationships, so I look forward!

18. A Functional YouTube channel

I started a YouTube channel for the blog a year ago. My goal was to utilize it for video content. YouTube is an exciting platform, and while I look forward to going there, it requires a lot of dedication which IG and TT are already taking from me. Anytime someone recommends it to me, I remember that it’s one of the things I want to do, but I need to take it one step at a time.

Till then, you can subscribe here. I post Youtube shorts on skincare occasionally.

19. Go on a brand-sponsored trip

Imagine an all-expense paid trip with a brand that you love! I want to experience this. Most of the brands that do so usually go for big influencers, but a girl can dream, yeah?

20. Make a more significant investment in my craft

I already invest in my art.

From a yearly blog renewal to paid content classes and even my props. I included this because a significant purchase for the blog would be a camera. This would be for better product photography and video creation. Cameras are pricey, but I aim to get a good one before 30!

21. Own a pet

No, not a dog! A rabbit. I don’t even like touching animals, but my brother’s rabbit has made me rethink pets.

22. Re-join Toastmasters international

Toastmasters is a public speaking club. My first introduction to it was as a med school orators club member. The club was affiliated with Toastmasters, and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay as a student. Now that I’m done, it’s a commitment I want to renew.

Joining a speech club has been one of the best decisions of my adult life. Not only did I learn to speak well, but it’s also helped me create content and build relationships with people. Definitely recommend!

23. Try more foreign dishes

Asides from my native Igbo and Nigerian meals, I’ve managed to try Indian and Chinese dishes. I want to try more Asian meals and any well-cooked meal that looks different from what I’m used to.

24. Makeup like a pro

From not giving a hoot about makeup to learning about it and now doing so myself- my journey with makeup has been exciting.

The next stage for me is actually to do my makeup flawlessly. I believe I’m getting there🤭

25. Visit at least one wonder of the world

I love Indian culture, so the Taj Mahal is high on my dream list.

26. Have a passive source of income

Of course, financial independence is one of the things we all aspire for. One way I think of a passive income source is via digital products. That would mean me creating something that provides a solution for people, even without me being there. I look forward to it!

27. Dust off the cobwebs on my violin

I think this particular one is more of a wish than a reality, but I will just put it here. I got a violin three years ago, and after my initial lessons, I haven’t picked it up again. I even named it Aurora but look at me!

Part of me wants to become a good violin player, but am I willing to do the work? We’ll see!

28. Learn more about my family history and perhaps document it

I believe everyone should learn about their family history. It makes you understand certain decisions and behaviours you notice among family members. You won’t always have everyone around, so have those conversations!

29. Play video games with bae and beat him at it!

Tell him to get ready. That’s all!

30. Have a dedicated home church

My church journey has been the definition of highs and lows. I finally found a place that felt like home but couldn’t continue for long. Having a church community is hard work, but it’s good work. Although I’m part of one now, I still look forward to having that again!

One thing I would not do is stress about hitting every one of these items. I want to be intentional about living, and that’s how I got to write this list. There would be an update, God willing, by 30!

Can you believe I’m writing about 30, lool!

Thanks for reading this far. Which of these can you relate to? Please leave a comment because I’m looking forward to reading them!

READ ALSO:

On Turning 24: Birthday Feelings and Reflections

A Happy Birthday: On Turning 25

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July 6, 2023