It’s a beautiful day in the new normal. In this vlog, I run some errands, bake Oat, Coconut, Chocolate Chip cookies from scratch, dance in the kitchen, and work from home. I talk about what I have been watching and listening to recently. I also share details about the work I am doing with the platform Africans on China.
Regarding skincare, I have been developing a routine since I was in middle school. For the past 3 or 4 years, I have been using Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil, Skin Therapy Face Oil, and recently added their Coconut Sugar Facial Scrub. I have seen a great improvement in my skin with these products. My skin tone is more even and my natural glow is brighter. Due to the success of my skin, I have also convinced my mother, sisters, and brother to use these products. They all have different skin types and they all love how these products work on their face.
Like I mentioned in the video, I do recommend using cotton pads. I have been using them for a few years now and I do feel they have made a difference with my cycle. They also feel more comfortable. I use L, which does not only produce a quality organic product, but is also supporting education and access (read more on their website). I also finally got my hands on The Honey Pot, which is Black-owned and the first feminine hygiene care system powered by herbs.
Are you going out a lot these days? I feel uneasy when I do go out for essentials things. It is so worrisome knowing any and all precautions taken carry no guarantees.
The cookies! This is the oatmeal cookie recipe I used. For this batch, I substituted the coconut oil with almond milk and oat flour with almond flour. This is possibly why the texture came out more like a lump than a circle. It did taste delicious. This is a great dessert option if you are looking to cut down on sugar. The whole family liked it and demanded I make more. It was also a fun activity for me. As you may notice, if I continue doing vlogs, I must play music while I cook or bake. The food does not taste right when it is quiet in the kitchen.
I am currently reading the Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin. It is so good! I am really enjoying the story. This author is so clever. I will share more about it once I finish it. The music I mentioned in the video are two albums I have been listening to fully back to back. Sauti Sol is a Kenyan Afro-Pop group. Their new album Midnight Train is really nice. I like the vocals and lyrics. It has a positive vibe.
Chloe x Halle are an American R&B sister duet. Their new album Ungodly Hour is really cool. I like the variety in beats and their rich vocals. It has a smooth vibe.
In terms of life in general, I am OK. Kind of feel like I am on a really long roller coaster…and I am not fond of real roller coasters. One week I feel balanced and productive, the next week I am wondering why I bother to thrive. It is weird and surreal. I am grateful.
Like I mentioned in the video, I am now part of the team behind Africans on China. It is a media platform that builds leadership capacity and boosts the agency of Africa in the China-Africa relationship. It is also a consultancy firm that provides strategic advisory services for individuals and businesses in both China and Africa. Currently, I am producing content. Feel free to check out my recent article, “The Surprising Way TikTok is Empowering African Artists.” The website has been up for a few weeks. So, we are working on building the brand voice and position the content to reach people who are interested in learning and contributing. Would you be interested in hearing more about this topic? Let me know in the comments.
Also, I am always looking for new music to listen to. Do you have any suggestions? Open to all genres. Share with me in the comments.
Remember to connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. I love hearing from you.
Dagny Zenovia 