AleroButtercup

Get out of jail free card (how to obtain)

If you are a man and you made it here, congratulations, you see? Multi tasking is possible for you if you put you mind to it. If you are a woman and you made it here, nice to see you AGAIN. Happy international womens day to you my beauties.

My question to men now, do you want a get out if jail free card for the months of March, April and May?(Possibly June ). Tired of sleeping on the couch or being in the dog house? If your answer is yes then feel free to proceed and follow instructions set below.

Forget her birthday (3 days in the dog house)

Forget your anniversary (1 week in the dog house)

Forget mothers day? (Call for a young priest and an old priest ) because she is gonna kill your ass 😂😂

 

Mothers day is a day we love to be celebrated, we just want to hear "you are not doing bad kiddo" because believe it or not we are ALL just winging it in this game of parenthood and trying our best not to fall asleep and mess it all up. Appreciation, recognition, praise and validation is something that not only makes mothers happy, but it just helps us reset and refocus and improve in the task ahead of us (more mother hooding).

 

When celebrating mothers day, don't take it lightly. It is NOT enough to buy her a present and a card to show appreciation. Go over and beyond, show her she is loved, cherished and put an effort in making the day a very special day for her, also involve the kids in everything you do so they grow up appreciating their wives too.

Ideas on going over and beyond   - Get you kids to make hand made cards and write a letter to mummy, it will melt her heart (extra step- get them to write a poem)   - Breakfast in bed will score you a few points   - You don't have to arrange a mothers day lunch out, I'm personally think it is too crowded and more expensive than usual but arrange lunch/dinner. Order in or rustle up something yourself   - present her with an appreciation gift please nothing generic like perfume unless she specifically asked for it. Dig for info, ask the shop assistant, make that little more effort and give more thought to the gift   - Let her rest up like a queen! Take charge. Take the kids out for a good few hours so she can catch up on sleep. Arrange snacks just in case she wants to Netflix and chill with her own damn self 😂   - Beauty treatments is also a plus and will not go amiss, massage, manicure and pedicure, facials are good ones to book for her   - Buy her flower from the FLORIST!!!!! none of that supermarket flowery nonsense or mail order flowers. Go to the florist and order a nice bunch   - In a few words be everything to her that day, cheerleader, breakfast maker, children sorter, lunch orderer and an example to the kids showing appreciation for mummy. This is a concise list and just a few ideas but you know best how your significant other feels love, make her feel special and let your kiddos see you do this. Send my cheque in the mail will ya? 😂 . Below is a little outline and ideas of last minute gifts that can be purchased so you can still salvage this.  

For gift ideas just incase you are having a gift block.

  From Amazon(because prime will save your lastminute ass)

Beauty treatments gift cards

- Champneys gift cards and treatments here

- Treatwell gift cards here

- Hammam spa

 

Experiences

- Chocolate tasting and cocktail making experience

- Afternoon tea for two at the Ritz here

- Amazing views from the Shard London here

- Gourmet champagne cinema experience here

 

Mums all over the world, let me use this opportunity to thank you for all the work you do, all the efforts, sleepless nights, you are doing freaking great. God bless and keep at it because without you where would the world be today? Happy mothers day to all of you, you are appreciated. You better be forwarding this to your partners for a bit of Buttercup free education.

About this outfit

 

Top from boohoo similar here

Trouser Victoria Beckham for Target similar here

Shoes Missguided here

Until next time Buttercups

How to wear bright colours to work

As a colour lover myself and the commander in chief of all colours around the world, I never struggle to wear colour to work but I know some other people need a little nudge of encouragement every now and then. While I would rather show up like this, all majestic fine to my office every damn day, Sometimes I have to dumb it down for people who don't get colour (monsters and ogres). Three ways to incorporate bright colours to work without causing a stir. Wear as a pop of colour. I find shoes always do the trick. All black errthang with a bright fushia pink pair of shoes will look delicious. You can also pair a bright coloured hand bag with a monochrome (black whites or grey) outfit Wear with a white top. For the more adventorous folk. This is actually how I prefer to wearing. A masculine white shirt and bright bottoms. The white top will take some edge off Lastly, use other neutral colours to balance the look. Great colours for this are browns, tan, grey, cream and other similar colours that can seriously put you to sleep forever and ever 😂 As an extra person of colour and mightiness of hues *flips hair* , one way wasn't enough. In my Monday morning burst of positivity I convinced myself to wear two bright colours on my body and confuse my enemies at work 😂. I softened the blow with light grey trousers but no one was going to stop me from wearing these new look baby blue pumps and my embellished sweater (tkmaxx). I was basking in colour heaven all day. Try it and tell me what you think. Until next time buttercups

Their time is UP!

When I heard that women were going to wear all black to the 75th Golden globes as a protest against sexual harassment and as a stand of solidarity with women who have spoken out and will speak out. I thought ok maybe a handful of people will wear black because at the end of the day no one wants intentionally commit career suicide especially in Hollywood. I didn't expect what I saw next, the red carpet filled with a sea of black, I was shocked. Glued to the TV with heavy eyes watching history unfold, finally people will stand up and listen, at last women have a voice on a big stage. Oprah made a compelling speech which I have lifted parts from CNN.com. her punchline? "THEIR TIME IS UP!" For men who use their position of power to sexually harass women, their time is UP! See below for Oprah's speech after collecting their awards and then the best and worst dressed of the night. "I want to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association because we all know the press is under siege these days. We also know it's the insatiable dedication to uncovering the absolute truth that keeps us from turning a blind eye to corruption and to injustice. To -- to tyrants and victims, and secrets and lies. I want to say that I value the press more than ever before as we try to navigate these complicated times, which brings me to this: what I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have. And I'm especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories. Each of us in this room are celebrated because of the stories that we tell, and this year we became the story. But it's not just a story affecting the entertainment industry. It's one that transcends any culture, geography, race, religion, politics, or workplace. So I want tonight to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault because they, like my mother, had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue. They're the women whose names we'll never know. They are domestic workers and farm workers. They are working in factories and they work in restaurants and they're in academia, engineering, medicine, and science. They're part of the world of tech and politics and business. They're our athletes in the Olympics and they're our soldiers in the military. And there's someone else, Recy Taylor, a name I know and I think you should know, too. In 1944, Recy Taylor was a young wife and mother walking home from a church service she'd attended in Abbeville, Alabama, when she was abducted by six armed white men, raped, and left blindfolded by the side of the road coming home from church. They threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone, but her story was reported to the NAACP where a young worker by the name of Rosa Parks became the lead investigator on her case and together they sought justice. But justice wasn't an option in the era of Jim Crow. The men who tried to destroy her were never persecuted. Recy Taylor died ten days ago, just shy of her 98th birthday. She lived as we all have lived, too many years in a culture broken by brutally powerful men. For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men. But their time is up. Their time is up. Their time is up. And I just hope -- I just hope that Recy Taylor died knowing that her truth, like the truth of so many other women who were tormented in those years, and even now tormented, goes marching on. It was somewhere in Rosa Parks' heart almost 11 years later, when she made the decision to stay seated on that bus in Montgomery, and it's here with every woman who chooses to say, "Me too." And every man -- every man who chooses to listen." Now for the best dressed. And the worst dressed? You guessed it, all the women who couldn't be bothered to wear black and most especially the men who arrogantly wore their status quo regular tuxedos... THUNDER is coming for you 😂. I especially commend the men who were brave enough to wear all black, I am not talking about men who threw on a regular tuxedo, I mean men who risked the live rounds of the fashion police and wore black shirts and black ties with their suits. Justin Timberlake, Chris Hemsworth and Ricky Martin we see you. For the very young cast of Stranger things, you are the future, you are doing well, don't let anyone corrupt your young minds, thank you for wearing black and joining the revolution. And lastly to Sharon Stone who brought her son to the red carpet to witness this revolution, you are the real MVP. Mothers, we hold the future of the world in our hands, teach your sons that sexual harassment is NOT OK! Let's go forth this week and remember what just happened at the 75th Golden Globes. Until next time buttercups.

How I teach my son about giving

Christmas time is a very joyful time for many people but there are people that feel the loneliest during this time especially the elderly and homeless. There are also people in the world being displaced, and living in fear everyday because of wars, injustice, persecution. While charity work is all year round, it is a good practice to use the opportunity of Christmas to teach kids about giving. Growing up, my mum was always involved with charities. She would say "charity wipes away a multitude of sin", I never understood that until recently. When you are focused on giving with grace and doing good, there is no room for evil to lurk in your mind. Good and evil cannot live in the same place at the same time. I grew up going to St Vincent de Paul society meetings with my mum who is dedicated to helping the poor. I learnt to be charitable mostly by seeing her charity.  Today it is easy for our children to be  so shielded from the suffering of others that they become oblivious to the realities around them so I am making a conscious effort to teach my 6 year old about doing good and giving. And how do I do this? Here are some ways: 1. We went through his old toys for donation to our local hospital. I didn't just want him to give away toys he doesn't  care for, I nudged him  to give toys he struggled to let go of, with encouraging words like " can you imagine how happy that will make another child? " or "you are going to make another child's Christmas so joyful". Giving is about sacrifice, not only when it is convenient and it is a valuable lesson for kids. 2. I gave him the honour of giving our neighbours their Christmas cards and chocolates. Of course to  reinforce the message of giving and not just receiving during the Holiday. I also reminded him of the joy he would bring to our neighbours by giving them chocolate, of which he replied "but they are on a diet"😂😂😂. But the message was there and loud and clear. 3. We are currently in the planning stages of gifts he is going to make for family members, since he gat no job (Fada lawd please bless him with a job in 2018😂). I have bought supplies for hand made cards  papier mache jewellery boxes, candy necklaces, decorated picture frames and decorated vases. He will work just like the elves are working very hard to bring him his pressies. It's all in the spirit of giving. 4. We always pray for children around the world who have less than we do. So he will write a letter to them and make a card wishing them  a Merry Christmas which I will put some money in and send it off on his behalf. 5. Lastly, as part of his schools charitable deeds, each pupil  packs a shoe box with little toys, sanitary goods, cosmetics and stationery. I involve him in the preparations and make up two shoe boxes rather than the required one. He helps with picking and the wrapping of the goods. These are just the little things that pass on my passion for good and helping others at this festive time. I hope this helps for people who just don't know where to start teaching kids about giving. Suggestions  on giving this Christmas Shoe box appeal is still going, it is never too late. See below the Samaritan's site and put in your post code to find your nearest drop off point. https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox/ I usually go to the pound shop and stock a box with 1. Toothpaste 2. Toothbrush 3. Colouring pens 4. Pack of pencils 5. Small book 6. Deodorant spray 7. Small toy 8. Small toy 9. Small toy 10. Small toy All cost £10. I do a boy themed and girl themed box and wrap it nicely in a Christmas themed wrapping paper. CRISIS and CENTRE POINT These are very close to my heart. They are both homeless charities who take homeless people off the streets for the holidays (9 days), they provide them with meals, Christmas Turkey, sanitation and a health check all for £26 per person. Follow CRISIS link here or Center point for homeless young people here GIVE BLOOD Giving blood is always a good idea. The question I always pose to people when they are hesitant is "If you or your child needed blood, would you be grateful to get what you need?". If yes then give blood there is really no question. Click link for your nearest center. Spread the love and be kind this season and always. Until next time buttercups

Party season. You better be ready.

Before I go into party season outfits, I have to tell you guys about a very memorable day in my life! (I can't even believe I am writing about this), it wasn't funny at the time but now I can laugh about it so read on. So on this fateful day I decided to book in to get a bikini wax, this is something I usually do only when I am going on holiday but every now and then I connect instantly and strongly with my inner feminine Aphrodite and decide that body hair is not for me and my goddess status *rolls eyes* 😂. Anyway back to my bikini wax, I booked a place close to work because that was the only spare time I had, my weekend was going to be full on and the beauty spa close to home shuts at 6pm so there was no way to make it home and to the spa in time. I called this place near work and booked a lunch time slot, the beautician assured me that we would be done in 30 to 40 minutes, "SIGN ME UP" I hollered, Sign me UP! I got to the spa on time with 5 minutes to spare and I was feeling very proud of myself. The beautician introduced herself as Angela and we went straight in without hesitation. Angela was nice, she smiled at me sensing a kind of nervousness energy around me. I have a hate hate relationship with bikini waxing, I cannot stand the pain, my pain threshold is so low that one time in the middle of a wax the beautician asked me how I gave birth to a child when I can't even bear a wax 😂😂. First of all thunder faya you for that statement, I had epidural nicca! Angela on the other hand was gentle, she didn't judge me, she just told me to relax and everything was going to be just fine. Until she ripped the first strip off, it was so painful that I saw stars. I was now convinced Angela was the devil! The devil came in like a thief in the night and I had no clue. Tears filled my eyes then I told myself " I have been through child birth so be strong and soldier on" the second strip ripped and the sound kept playing in my head, I looked at Angela, she was avoiding eye contact because remember she is the devil at this point and I am a child of God so she cannot even look me in the eye 😂. Then the most unexpected thing happens, my phone alarm rings and this puzzles me, I only have a wake up alarm at 5am so why is my alarm blaring at 1.25pm. I pick it up to see what it was and it was a teleconference meeting I was meant to be hosting at work at 1.30pm. At this time I had tears in my eyes, the devil is giving me a wax job and now I have to deal with a teleconference call. What do I do? "Angela" I screamed. Please excuse me from the room for half an hour so I can make this call. Angela, the she devil that she is said with the most beautiful smile "I am sorry but I have a client after you and I am fully booked the rest of the day. I had a decision to make pipo! Do I carry on? Or do I walk out of that place like a spoilt 5 year old who only gets half a haircut after screaming the barber's to the floor. I WAS GOING TO SOLDIER ON! I start to dail the number of my teleconference meeting when a third rip caused me to almost throw my phone to the wall, Angela and I are having a full domestic situation now, I just wanted to break up with her forever and ever and never see her again. I started the call as professional as possible. Hello Alero here, who else is on the phone *introductions were being made* and as I opened my mouth to continue chairing the meeting, Angela give me a thumbs up to either say I was doing well or thumbs up to finish me off like a gladiators in the colosseum begging for their lives , I couldn't tell. Before I could give her a nod in agreement, she rips again and at this point I accepted my fate. Angela is not stopping this assault and I am not stopping this call, it was a battle of wills now. While I was so sure I had internal bleeding at this point, I was ready for Angela in a way she never thought possible. The more pain I felt, the more I spoke to forget my pain and most of all to shame the devil 😂😂😂. Ten minutes or so into the call (like I was counting 🙄), the ordeal was over. Angela sprayed baby powder all over the place like an artist putting finishing touches to her life's work. She gave me another smile of which I was tempted to give her the middle finger but I resisted, and then she then mouthed "take all the time you want", what a beesh! This wasn't the story you told me when I begged for some alone time 15 minutes ago. I lay there evaluating the ordeal. I felt half victory and half defeat, and most of all I felt exhausted mentally and physically. I wanted to go home and curl up in a ball and have a good 8 hours of sleep. I stepped out of the room and Angela stood there smiling, she has a story to tell her colleagues but this time her Angelic face had returned because I realised that she had to do what she had to do. I even had strange feelings that everything she did was for my own good. Angela was forgiven and even tipped to my amazement 😂. I strolled in the office searching faces for any inclination the ordeal I had in a small white room in the spa was somehow known to colleagues. Everyone went about their business as normal and then the real victory dance set in. I pulled it off pipo. Angela and I pulled it off, we were back together and no teleconference can keep us apart. End of story 😂. Ok steady on. Before you piss yourselves laughing remember party season is upon us. What will you be wearing. Be quick to make your purchases because every party dress I had my eye on were all sold out in my size. So I've had to improvise and making things work by pairing pieces together. When I went on my hunt, I was looking for specific items like -Sequin -Popping colours -Textures like leather and feathers -Separates What I was not looking for (but would have loved) -Dresses , especially ones that are difficult to wear again -Too distinct designs So this look is one that I wanted to be party popping but modest at the same time, the type that you would wear to your child's school Christmas party or an office party.  I paired this gorgeous sequin skirt from missguided with a leather crop too and Top shop blazer. I threw on the blazer just to make the outfit more modest. The good thing about it was I can wear all these pieces separately with other outfits hence my preference for separates over dresses. I have put together some looks below that would be perfect for any party this festive season. Be sure to get the best deals , many online shops do 20 to 30 percent off very often. Look 1- Tomboy chic Boohoo Black fur coat Boohoo Sequin trousers Asos Leather bralet Boohoo embellished shoes Look 2- Relaxed chic Missguuded Pink sequin skirt Moon river White sweater Asos Blue heels Ted baker clutch bag Look 3- Preppy and pretty Closet London full skirt  Asos Black top Vivien Westwood  shoes Urban code fur scarf Look number 4- Statement Chic Missguided Orange dress (currently 50% off) Black fur booties Blue banana Clutch Asos Earrings Comment below on your best look 1, 2, 3 or 4. Make sure you go out there and salt this festive period. Until next time my buttercups.

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