The Beauty of Being Recognised at The Wise Women Awards

There is no doubt that the Wise Women Awards celebration this year at The Tower Grange Hotel in London was an ecletic mix of inspiration, fun, enjoyment, celebration and recognition. With over 300 people in attendance, the awards ceremony captured the wonderful essence of being recognised as a Christian woman in business, ministry, music, missions, leadership, serving the community, and being an exceptional young christian woman.

Founded 13 years ago by Reverend Marjorie Esomowei of Wisdom for Women International, an ordained minister and natural leader with large heart to serve humanity,  the Wise Women Awards celebrates Christian Women who are doing exceptional things within their churches or the wider community. In 2004, she noticed that there were no awards on the scene recognising Christian women for their achievements across the broad spectrum of the Christian community. As such, in 2005 she began the Wise Women Awards in the United Kingdom which also now encompasses Europe.

I was graced with the honour of being recognised for running a business that positively impacts the community. It certainly feels good to be celebrated.

Moi Feeling Proud

Catching a selfie with Pastor Marjorie Esomowei

With Placida Acheru, a remarkable Christian Woman in Business too!

A cross section of the audience

A massive shout out to the Wise Women Awards team for putting on a show stopping event. Thank you Pastor Marjorie for honouring Christian Women. The Wise Women Awards will be back next year, so if you know a deserving Christian Woman, be on the look out for when the nominations open up later on in the year at www.wisewomenawards.org.

Radiance and love,

Wumi xoxo

Will You Radiate Your Confidence Ability Woman?

As we celebrate International Women's Day, I just want to give a big shout out to celebrate womanhood and sisterhood. 

May we as women find the courage in our hearts and the confidence in our minds to step out and be bold for change. Women, may we be fearless, limitless and boundless in our goals and achievements. May we step out in courage and confidence to achieve your goals and dreams. Here are 5 simple ways to radiate your inner and outer confidence as a woman so that you can be bold for change:

1. Celebrate yourself woman
2. Love yourself
3. Learn to forgive yourself
4. Validate yourself
5. Be kind to yourself

Happy Women's Day. #BeBoldForChange. #IWD

Radiance and Love,

Wumi xoxo

Christmas Appeal: Give Joy To The Elderly This Christmas

It is that time of the year when we want to do something to make the festive season special for people in need within our community. 

The Beauty Realm London alongside Wumi’s Mary Kay World has decided to give joy to the elderly this Christmas through its Adopt A Grandparent initiative. We run our business on the ethos of ‘giving back to the community’. 

What this entails is that individuals or organisations will donate a gift to an elderly person through this kind initiative. Your thoughtful donation will gift the elderly with any of our Christmas specials for only £10; either a Mary Kay body lotion, shower gel, satin hands cream or foot lotion. Each gift will include a pair of socks or warm hand gloves with some chocolates. 

We have strong links and great connections with residential homes, nursing homes and some elderly peoples’ charities based in South Essex and your donations will be presented to these homes, a week or two coming up to Christmas day.

Here's a great opportunity for you or your company to reach out to the local community in a very meaningful way by giving JOY to our local elderly residents, providing them with what could be the only gift they receive this season. 

Please contact us today through this blog or email admin@wumioyewole.com for more information on this important outreach effort. Thank you.

Radiance and love,

Wumi XOXO

The Beauty of Being Black and British

The month of October, is that time of year to celebrate the rich culture and history of the African Caribbean people in the United Kingdom. Indeed, Black History Month has been celebrated in the United Kingdom for well over 25 years, since its inception in 1987.

What's the purpose? What's the benefit and do we actually need a Black History Month? 

When I was much younger, I found myself musing over these questions. I suppose with me, although born in England I was raised in Nigeria so issues of racial pride and identity were not that significant to me. However, now that I have been back to live in England for well over 20 years and have children of my own, asking such questions have become more meaningful and purposeful. I love being British and I also love being African. I love being British but I also embrace my Nigerian identity. The fusion of my Britishness and my African roots make me who I am today and I am truly proud of it. 

Personally speaking, I see myself as a cultural mix. I wouldn't throw away my African roots and I certainly wouldn't do away with my Britishness. Why? I love eating a full English breakfast and I love eating my jollof rice, with chicken and fried plantain. I love having a cup of tea but I also love my Ogbono stew with Eba. I love listening to pop music but also, I love dancing to my African beats. 

As  such, I have come to view Black History Month as a time to raise the self-worth and racial pride of the African Caribbean people.  As a people, we must embrace all of the experiences that have shaped us. When I think of the black race words such as resilience, fortitude, patience, colourful, joyful, vibrant, creative and so much come to my mind. Indeed, I'm Black British and I'm proud of it and truth be told, 'Black is beautiful'!

These are my thoughts about Black History Month and the beauty of being black and British. 

Radiance and Love,

Wumi xoxo

3 Fab Fruits For Glowing Skin and Great Well-being

Today in our bid to improve your well-being from the inside out, we want to look at 3 fabulous fruits that do wonders your well-being and skin. 

1. Apricots

Cultivated by the Chinese people for many years, the apricot fruit is low in calories, yet quite high in fibre. The high fibre found in the fruit aids bowel regularity which can help prevent constipation and bowel cancer.

Apricots also have vitamins C and E, zinc and copper which not only aid and promote clear skin but also protects your vision. The flesh of the apricot fruit contains high levels of vitamin A which further promotes healthy eyes and skin. The great thing is that you can eat apricots fresh, dried, lightly poached and even pickled! 

So if you are looking for your skin to improve in tone, texture and shine from within, would it not be nice to add some apricots to your list of healthy goodies to eat?

2. Pomegranates

Don’t be fooled by the mess of a pomegranate when it is cut open. Belonging to part of the super fruits family, pomegranates have antiviral properties which helps fight infection. The fruit is also high in fibre but only if you eat the seeds which contain unsaturated fat. it has also been said that the juice from pomegranates contains substances which support a healthy prostate.

So how is pomegranates great for your skin?

The fruit has high levels of antioxidants which maintains the elasticity of the arteries. They neutralize free radicals seven times more than green tea and two times more than red wine. Pomegranates have high levels of ellagic acid which is a compound proven to protect the skin from sun damage and ultraviolet radiation. 

3. The Avocado

Have you heard it many times. “Avocados are fattening”! 

To be perfectly honest, avocados have the noticeable difference of being the fruit with the highest fat content. But the fats in avocados are the beneficial fat that your body requires. This is known as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) or monounsaturated fat - i.e. fats which are not fully ‘saturated’.  Simply described, these fats are liquid at room temperature, cloudy when cooled and may solidify when refrigerated.  Monounsaturated fat is also known as Oleic acid and can be found in olive oil. Olei acid is believed to reduce inflammation and research has show that it has benefits on genes linked to cancer.

Avocados are often called “alligator pears” because they tend to be shaped like a pear with green, bumpy skin similar to that of an alligator. They come in various sizes - from pear-shaped to round and from green to black and the ones in between!  An avocado can weigh as little as 220 grams or up to a gigantic 1400 grams! This nutritious fruit has up to 20 different vitamins and minerals.

Avocados contain potassium. Potassium is essential for the body’s growth and maintenance. It helps keep a normal water balance between the cells and body fluids. Potassium regulates blood pressure, heart rate and nerves. Deficiency in potassium may cause muscular cramps, fatigue, twitching and weakness.

Avocados are high in fibre. An entire fruit can contain up to 10 grams of fibre. Eating fibre in your diet can contribute to weight loss, reduce blood sugar levels and cut cholesterol. There are two types of fibre; soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fiber is known to be able to feed the friendly gut bacteria in the intestine, which are very important for the optimal function of our bodies. On the other hand, insoluble fibre cannot be digested. Its function is to help move other foods through our digestive system more easily, passing through our gut without being broken down.

These delicious fruits also have Vitamin C, Vitamin E an Vitamin K and many other minerals that we need for our digestive system. Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants which are great  for our skin and immune system as they help protect us from free radicals. Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting, and may have benefits for bone health.

Lastly, it's been said that avocados can help to lower cholesterol. As a result, I wrote this short, lovely poem for you.

Eating an avocado a day 

May keep your cholesterol at bay!

Including avocados in your diet could be one of the best decisions you ever make but eat them in moderation please!

There you have it! My three powerful fruits to turbo charge your well-being and get fit skin from within. 

À bientôt!

Radiance and Love,

Wumi x

What's the Strength of a Woman?

On this special day when women are celebrated around the world, I just wanted to take a brief moment to ask a simple question:

What is the strength of being a woman?

I'll love to share an answer by way of this gorgeous quote which sums up some of the attributes and strengths of women:

A woman is the full circle. 

Within her is the power to create, 

nurture and transform.” 

- Diane Mariechild

We are creators, nurturers and awesome transformers. The full circle is your world, whatever your world may be. I simply love being a woman.

Happy International Woman's day!

Radiance and Love,

Wumi

Does Frowning Make You Happy?

Do you remember the song titled, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin?

The song was released in September 1988 and became the first a cappella song to reach number one on America’s the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position which it held for two weeks. Some parts of the song really resonate with a quote I’m sharing with you today:

“Here is a little song I wrote 

You might want to sing it note for note

Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double

Don’t worry, be happy

Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style

Ain't got no girl to make you smile
But don't worry, be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy.”

Of a truth, it is a known fact that smiling is good for the body. It happens without much thought, takes less energy and is a natural thing to do. The face uses only 17 muscles to smile and a whooping 43 muscles to frown! It is fair to say that frowning releases sadness whilst smiling produces happiness.

Apart from this, smiling can be hugely infectious. Smile at someone and the possibility is that they may smile back at you. Since the 1980s, research studies have proved a number of times that smiling makes people happy. How? When you smile, a message is sent to your brain that you are happy which results in your body pumping out, all kinds of feel-good and positive endorphins.

So what are Endorphins?

They are natural hormones in your body which are released when certain activities are carried out – such as smiling or exercising. Endorphins can be found in the pituitary gland and in other parts of the brain. Once released, they are distributed throughout the nervous system. Endorphins naturally fight against stress, giving you a feeling of greater well-being. Come to think of it, it may just be true what Voltaire says in our quote of today:

“I have decided to be happy because it is good for my health” - Voltaire

Reiterating that point, I have decided to smile, even laugh at myself (a lot more), because it is good for my health. 

What decision will you make today for your own happiness?

Frowning is not good for you, just as Bob McFerrin sang. When you frown, “that will bring everybody down. So don’t worry, be happy”.   

Click the share button below, if you found this post useful. Thank you.

Have a great weekend and smile because it is good for your health!

Radiance and Love,

Wumi

How Do You See Your Breath?

Remember the last time you tried holding your breath for more than a minute? 

No matter how you tried, you just couldn’t seem to hold it for longer than you really wanted to. I’ve tried it too and I cannot hold my breath for more than a few seconds or more. 

Studies have shown that the human body can survive up to 60 days or more without food and up to 3 days or more without water. In February 2012, a Swedish man was found in a car which had been buried under snow. The man stated that he had survived for two months without food just by eating handfuls of snow.

Life Lessons I've Learnt From Sir Alex Ferguson

I must admit that I am no football fan, although I watch a few matches from time to time and I get a low down about what is happening in the football scene from my eldest son who is an absolute football lover. From the little I know, I can honestly say that I have learnt one of two things from Sir Alex Ferguson, the man dubbed, Britain's most successful football manager of all time.

In his time as manager of Manchester United, Ferguson won 38 trophies in 26 years. This includes his most successful year in 1999 when the club won three trophies all in the same year – the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. In that year, they did the 'come back' against Bayern Munich when they were losing one nil and in the period of 5 minutes, scored 2 goals in the 90th minute which made them win the Champions League. This was probably the most important year for Sir Ferguson because he achieved 'the triple' which made him known worldwide as the manager of Manchester United. To date, no other Premier league team has achieved 'the triple' like Manchester United.

However, we only see the glory and indeed forget the story.

Key Lessons For Me 

Did you know that Ferguson grew up in a poor area of Glasgow? Yes, you may grow up in a poor area but that does not mean you have to remain there!

Did you know that he is not the longest serving manager in Europe or Britain? The longest serving league manager in Europe was Guy Roux, who managed the French team, Auxerre for 44 years; stepping down as manager in 2005. Ferguson is not even the longest serving British manager. Willie Maley was Celtic manager from 1897-1940; a total of 43 years!

Did you know that Ferguson once ran a pub? This great football maestro started out as an apprentice tool maker, then became a shop steward in Glasgow and much later ran a pub which he called Fergies. 

The greatest lesson, of all, for me is that when he took over managing Manchester United, the team did not win any trophies for almost four years. In football, that’s a lot of time!  Ferguson surely did have his challenges but he never gave up. 

As Dale Carnegie said in this quote, "most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all". 

Taking a closer look, Ferguson did have some help. Football by its very nature is not a one man show. Team effort is most certainly required! But Ferguson just kept on trying and going the extra mile with the support he received from his management, executive and football teams. 

My son specifically mentions to me, the Class of 92 (Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Paul Scholes) who especially achieved 'the triple' under Sir Alex Ferguson. These men have become very successful and have gone on to own a football club, Salford City with the ambition to take the club into the Premier League within the next 15 years. These ex pro footballers truly respect and are inspired by Sir Alex Ferguson.  Even Manchester United's Executive Co-chairman Joel Glazer confirms that Ferguson’s “determination to succeed and dedication to the club were truly remarkable." 

These are the lessons I have learnt from Sir Alex Ferguson. Do you have any ones of your own to share? Leave a comment in the box below.

Radiance and Love,

Wumi Oyewole

One Step to a Brilliant Life Today

Are you tired of the doldrums of living a boring life?

Ever dreamt of being successful or living a significant life?

If you have, you are simply in the right place. This blog was put together for you; to creatively inspire you to sparkle and shine in business and life!  

So What do you see?

I know what I see. I see a world, a life where beauty, brilliance, creativity and confidence co-exist side by side.

Life!

Life is a trajectory and sometimes it can be a tragedy. Human beings drive their own destiny. The choice is yours to make.

 “The real tragedy is the tragedy of the man who never in his life braces himself for his one supreme effort, who never stretches to his full capacity, never stands up to his full stature.” — Arnold Bennett

Are you willing to brace yourself for your one supreme effort?

My mission is to invite you on a journey to radiant, remarkable living one step at a time. Are you in or out?  I want to inspire you to live life with an extra edge (whatever your extra edge may be) because being ordinary simply won’t do.

Wumi Oyewole Inspired will provide personal development, self-confidence, inner and outer well-being tools that will encourage you to live your best life now! Enjoy....

Radiance and love,

Wumi Oyewole