Morning Coffee with Fanny

  A degree hotter feel like an end of a marathon filled with pride, relief and a strange unsettling silence. I find myself staring at my screen more often than not, feeling drained, less inspired. It took me a while to realise and acknowledge that constant notifications, scrolling, and my availability was quietly robbing me of my peace and productivity.  So, I have decided to change things.  I start my mornings with something as simple as a meditation session, coffee and a book. My meditation helps me focus on what is important. I gracefully take my coffee, savouring its rich African taste as it unlocks a surge of energy into my blood stream. Reading for an hour helps centre my thoughts like an armour ready to take on whatever challenges unfold throughout the day. And, I have truly dedicated my best hours of the day to productivity. Even, with this rhythm, I have noticed something troubling.  I have always valued being a good friend or co-worker. I still do. The kind...

International Women's Day is celebrated every March 8th, a moment taken to celebrate women's achievements in every field and used as a day to acknowledge the journey toward equality. Growing into an international movement with the spotlight of issues of education, equal pay and leadership. Women have bridged gaps in arts, politics, sports, science and business. With inspiration drawn from the likes of Serena Willians, Maya Angelou and Rosa Parks. Not forgetting mothers, healthcare workers, teachers, activists and entrepreneurs in charge of shaping our day to day lives. However, challenges persist. Issues run roots deep in discrimination, gender based violence, education and wage gaps. We all have a role to play to bridge the existing gaps. This can be done by advocating for change in workplaces and communities, supporting organisations which support women, educating ourselves and the masses by highlighting the many struggles faced by women, supporting women based businesses and...

 Life has a way of throwing us into a whirlwind of responsibilities, stress and never ending to do lists. It is easy to feel overwhelmed  and lost in the chaos. But guess what? I have discovered a secret escape, a little slice of heaven that i gift myself- my solo dates. Imagine this: a world buzzing with hurried footsteps, blaring horns and in the midst of it all, theres me, seeking solace in the simple joy of a solo date. It has become my go-to remedy when life's pressures start weighing me down. And let me tell you, it works like magic. So, what exactly do I do on these solo dates? I have no specific restaurant to retreat to, but I am more drawn to cafés, the cozy types to be specific. It is the way the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wraps around me like a warm hug on a chilly day. My order is always the same, a hot/ice vanilla latte. Yes, I don't compromise on the food, ever. Anything with jalapeños and spice. Armed with a novel that's been calling my name, I find my co...

  There is an unexplainable sense of happiness and self-assurance that comes when we know we are dressed in an outfit that we absolutely love. It is not about waiting for compliments from others; it is about finding the confidence within ourselves to walk with our heads held high, radiating positivity and contentment. Feeling great in what we wear can have a remarkable impact on our overall attitude and mindset. When we dress in an outfit that resonates with our personal style, we celebrate our individuality. It is not about conforming to societal norms but embracing the unique aspects of our personality. Whether it is a bohemian inspired dress, a tailored suit or a quirky ensemble, being true to ourselves brings a genuine smile to our faces. This self-expression becomes a reflection of who we are, reminding us that we are worthy of feeling undeniably confident just as we are.  Have you noticed how wearing an outfit you adore can be an instant confidence booster? It is lies de...

In the relentless pursuit of a balanced life , we often find ourselves engulfed in the whirlwind of responsibilities, be it excelling in school, maintaining a thriving social life or ensuring the happiness of those around us. As we juggle these obligations, we unknowingly slip into a cycle of self-sabotage, allowing our dreams and passions to wither in the shadows of our busy lives. I have come to realise the invisible chains I have woven around my aspirations, burying them deep within the recesses of my mind. In the pursuit of being everything for everyone, i lost myself in the process. The dreams I once held dear and the passions that fuelled my soul became mere dusty relics on a forgotten bookshelf. The desire to create content for Youtube, blog and instagram which once sparked joy in my heart, became overshadowed by the obligations that dictated my life. Instead, I chose to showcase the aspects of my life that society deemed successful while locking away the fragments of my true se...

What I love the most about my birthday this year, is the growth I have experienced. I am more aware of my surroundings.   While a few weeks back I had lamented some of the life decisions I had made in my past year. I have learnt to embrace the consequences of my decisions. That is what I admire about this lady I am and still becoming. This past year has taught me to love and appreciate myself. To think over my decisions before I put them into actions. In the process, I have learnt to embrace rewarding myself with things that matter and truly excite me. Acts of kindness and appreciation towards myself has unlocked another level of love within me. The love I have for myself is enough. With my new age, I feel like there’s another level of confidence in myself that I have unlocked. Here is to achieving everything I desire this year. Let’s be unstoppable.                                       ...

 I am at an age were my agements and I are seeking achievements. A working age. A marriage age (YIKES!), LOL. A business age.  A do something meaningful with your life age. Which is to me thrilling. A point in our lives were we are loaded with so much to do. Our minds hover over unfinished assignments, deadlines, work stress, links ups, relationship maintenance and  travel destinations. Through all these trials and tribulations, how many of us actually prioritise ourselves? We find ourselves clinging on to that one friend that only calls when they seek help, or holding on to a job that barely appreciate our inputs, or stuck in a relationship were ones partner is sweet and charming to everyone but never fulfils his or her promises to you. Unfortunately, we find ourselves putting off our goals. Say NO to letting yourself down. Focus your energy in putting effort to further elevate yourself. Do not let boundaries  set by others block your sight or your lifestyle. Focus ...

We all hit rock bottom differently but how we face it, is what matters the most. Some years back I abruptly decided to stop dating and take some time off. I felt like there was more to life other than just dating and I was craving something more mentally and emotionally. It wasn’t exactly a dark time in my life but a time for self realization. Till this day, I preach it was the best decision I ever made. I made that decision precisely when I was in a good place. I did not want to be just in a “good” place, I wanted to be in a better place. During my time off, I fully focused on me and what made me happy. I dedicated my time to reading, watching movies (this is also the period I fell in love with watching series), school, and going out to have fun (peacefully have fun). Oh and I ate a lot of take away. I became my own person and in the process I found a limitless abundance of happiness within. I gained the “happy weight” people gain when they are in happy relationships.  . When we t...

Rome was not built in one day. I am sure some of us, if not all, have hit a brick wall trying to figure ourselves out. I recall a point in my life, some years back I acknowledged and accepted that the most toxic person in my life was myself. I love to see my family, friends any anyone around me happy and was always bending to put them first in everything. My toxic trait was putting everyone first and expecting them to reciprocate and they did not even try.  Long story short, I looked within and asked myself why I felt the need to always be there for everyone and why I always neglected myself. Time allowed me these tiresome experiences, which led to my realisation that people were not the problem, I was. I had to start putting my needs and wants ahead of others. I took a leap of faith to detach myself from the world and be available to the parts of myself I had long neglected. Day after day, well thats an exaggeration, but week after week, I pushed myself to focus on my craft a...

 I cannot fathom how people work an 8 to 5 job each and everyday. I work every other week and boy do I get worn out. After work, I have devoted my time to grabbing some ice cream on my way home and it is something I count down to everyday. It is a way to calm and relax my nerves. In short, it pieces me back together. On that point, we all feel different after long hours of work and we need to unwind, therefore, it is very important for us to indulge in activities that make us, us. Activities that bring back our sanity. Having ice cream is just one way of doing just that, and dad has since jumped on the bandwagon and it is now a father-daughter "thing", besides bonding over wine. Certain people prefer to keep to themselves after work, but sometimes your ritual is your gateway to bonding with your loved ones (family and friends). Find something to do that relaxes you and enjoy doing it while you are at it. Affirmation: I am peace. HERE IS TO MORE COFFEE TALKS 

Alas! The five months of January have come to an end. Posting last month was a challenge and totally out of question as my schedule was quite hectic. But I pulled through and I am back with my weekly posts. 2020 definitely took us all by surprise and I would like to call this year 2020 2.0 reason being that last year we were blind sided but as we face the virus this year we have more experience.   We start off knowing that we know how to manoeuvre around the situation we are faced with. We keep our heads held high and we do not stop until we achieve our goals. Let us build ourselves and each other and make it an even greater year. You and i are meant to achieve more than we envision. And "when you think you have exhausted all possibilities, remember that you have not". Here is to you and I. Affirmation: I am love                                                 ...

Same old me, just different goals set to achieve. My Favourite time of the year is spending time with my  loved ones and more importantly, a time for me to reflect on my many achievements and lessons. What have you learned this past year? Mine,  my biggest achievement was not holding back. I achieved many amazing things. To top that achievement was starting this very blog you see. It kept me sane and tamed. I pushed myself to be consistent and not to second guess my writings. I did not sit around and wait for anyone to help me out, I created an opportunity for myself and took up the challenge that came with it.   With that being said, this is yet another time we go crazy setting new goals, big or small. You simply have to trust yourself. It’s like rewriting your story. We cannot control our destiny but we can control what we do in the present My related affirmation is: I believe in me. And I am a powerful force. As are you.              ...

  Aren’t I the most forgetful human?! I planned to take part doing blogmas, which is blogging everyday this December up until Christmas. Better late than never. So let’s dive right into the topic. I honestly thought I am more a movie over tv series type of girl this would be more easy, it was not. 1. How to get away with murder. Viola Davies that’s it. She is a super woman. I want to get into the heads of the writers to uncover how they wrote this brilliant series. Not once did it get boring. Not once. The last season was staggering. 2. The Big Bang theory. Is there a soul that lives and does not love this show? 3. Games of thrones. I remember my last semester in university like yesterday, reason being that I the last season of GOT was released during exam period. I tried my best to fight the edge and temptation to watch it, but it was a battle long lost. I still aced my exams though. I remember almost following out of my seat. The gaps. One word for GOT, astounding. These are a mu...

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will”. Anonymous. Why are we so afraid to go after our dreams and use the world as a runway to showcase them? I, for one was always doubting myself which in turn made me shy away from plenty of opportunities. Looking back, I do not recognise that little girl. When will we ever be the dream chasers we want to be? Looking at myself now, I still cannot believe this is me. I am in awe. So empowered and determined. I wake up everyday with the aim of working on my craft without an excuse. Because 8-10 years ago this would have been yet another dairy entry collecting dust. It is not so much about the content, it is more about taking that leap of faith. Why are you holding back? Release your inner creative and baptise us with it because we LOVE a queen/king who takes risks.                                      HERE IS TO MORE COFFEE TALKS

You all are not going to act like Paris is not among the few countries that comes to mind when asked where you would love to travel to especially as a baecation destinations, as it has been dubbed the city of love. By now you all know I love, love and can not wait to see Paris someday. This post is entirely dedicated to the top 4 places in Africa I wound love to travel to.  1. Mauritius: I would specifically love to visit the charmarel seven coloured earth geopark. Located in the south-west of Mauritius, lies a small area of sand dunes. I mean, I have visited and seen sand dunes before but none like these ones. These sand dunes comprises of multiple colours such as green, brown, blue, yellow, purple, red, violet and brown).  do not own this photo 2. Ethiopia: Many countries are full of culture. I wish to visit the Tiya town in south Addis Ababa, to see the archeological sites.  do not own this photo 3. Tanzania: I cannot get over how beautiful the Manta resort...

Drew Barrymore once said “Happiness is the best makeup”. I would love to acknowledge that we all define happiness differently, hence, what you are reading here is how I go about being . Happiness is an emotion we experience which comes and goes. “Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions”, Dalai Lama. Here is how I keep my head above the water and stay humbly happy. 1. Upon waking up I remember to be thankful. Thankful for being alive and for my loved ones. 2. Plan my day ahead and make sure to put in work in achieving my goals. 3. Avoid reacting to situations that do not aid my growth. (Turning a blind eye) 4. Being positive. I am the happiest when I focus my energy into myself and who I want to be in the short run or long run. Because time stops for no man, if you are not happy focusing and pushing yourself who will? How do you stay happy?                  HERE IS TO MORE COFFEE TALKS.

The heart is a sacred place which when given to someone, one expects it to be treated right. Let queens be treated like queens and Kings as kings. I love, love which you should already know. Down below I give you a list of some of the ways to win my heart, even though sis is already taken. I am sis: 1. Write to me: I wish I was born in an era where lettering writing was a thing. I mean I kind of experienced letter writing and passing notes in class and it was not enough to fill my heart.  With all these technological advances I guess an email in place of a letter would do. There is something romantic about getting a handwritten letter. 2. Respect me: Respect what I stand for and my opinion on certain matters as we will not  always see eye to eye. 3. Be honest: There is something captivating about telling the truth, whether it hurts or not. Always speak the truth. 4. Conversation:  I am the girl who wants to spend hours chitchatting about everything in life such as your go...

My week has been crazy busy and I could not swallow the thought of not posting. Today, I share with you some of my Favourite’s quotes from various sources:  “A well read woman is a dangerous creature”. Unknown  “She reads books as one would breath air, to fill up and live”. Annie Dillard “When I think of all the books still left for me to read, I am certain of further happiness”. Jules Renard  “Whatever our souls are made of his and mine her the same”. Emily Bronté What are some of your favourite quotes? HERE IS TO MORE COFFEE TALKS.

Have you ever read a book series so good you ended up missing meals and doing yoga just to comprehend what you just read? Well, that was me the first two times I read the ‘After’ book series by Anna Todd. I am currently reading them for the third time. I first watched the movie and LITERALLY fell in love. Reading the novels changed my life. In the novels, the author brings to life a relationship based on two young people dealing with all sorts of demons of their own and exploring love. The relationship was toxic and we saw some drug use here and there. She literally touched base on what some of us go through. Making it so much more relatable. Despite the ups and downs of life, the author was able to show that change is inevitable. When I say these novels changed me, I mean they made me look at life and relationships from a different perspective. I think we should all want so much for ourselves in life before we want it for other people.   I want to live a life that doesn’t solemnly...

If anyone 7 to 8 years ago had told me I would ever do something out of my comfort zone I would have laughed in their face. I had always been that shy girl next door. Heck, the shy girl in every situation. So today’s post is about how life happened and how I finally, kinda, stepped out of my shell by doing the project “Through The Readers Eye” #ttre and what I accomplished.   Through the readers eye is an amazing picture telling series. Where many wonderful pictures of me were taking reading books around Nicosia, Northern Cyprus. Follow me on Instagram @cestfannyl or click the link  https://www.instagram.com/cestfannyl/ 1. Despite doubting myself I managed to gather the courage and still got in front of the camera. I am my biggest critic though looking at how beautiful the pictures turned out, is a reminder me even when I am unsure of myself, I should go for it.   2. If shyness was a person, then I was it, in the flesh. Most of amazing pictures I took were and had...