As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I s As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I share with you some pictures of mine at 9 months, 9 years, 19 years, 29 years  to today 39 years old of age. Looking back at each decade, I feel both ‘older’ and ‘younger’, I see the change in my features, the change in my way of life, the change in my personality and the experience itched on my face. I am grateful for the life I have lived thus far and excited for the life I am yet to live. 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

2026 - 39, (Home, England), I am ready for this final year before my 40s but also ready for this next decade. 
2016 - 29, (Oslo, Norway), this decade was about self discovery and building the life I dreamt about. The life that I am super proud of and truly grateful to be living. This decade, I built my financial life and in later years choose to heal from the trauma gained in the last decade and now I feel well equipped for the future. 
2006 - 19, (Glasgow, Scotland), I thought I was grown (look at the cheekbones 🤣🤣) and ready for the world, chiiiild was I wrong, let’s just say, I am still resolving the trauma the decade brought me but I am grateful because I met my best friends and made decisions for the future I wanted to have. (Spoiler alert - I did better than I dreamed). 
1996 - 9, (Home, Zambia) this was my birthday but my little sister insisted she had to be the one in the middle. The only way we knew whose birthday it was, was by standing in the middle but this year I remember baby sister crying her eyes out and refusing 🤨
1988 - 9 months, (Chililabombwe, Zambia) although my mother looks tired and traumatised😟, I know I was loved and happy. 
#happybirthday #happybirthday❤️ #newera #39
Attended #ascotraces for the second year running a Attended #ascotraces for the second year running and I am glad to have experienced the ‘Village enclosure’ this year, whilst I loved ‘Windsor enclosure’ last year, it’s not for me. Next year, I want Queen Anne’s enclosure. 💕 #girlsdayout #girlslikeus #ascotfashion
How I missed you my love 🥰🥰🥰 #hertripsabroad #bla How I missed you my love 🥰🥰🥰

#hertripsabroad #blackgirlstraveltoo #maldives #neverstopexploring #welltravelled
Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london because why not. My feet still hurt from the thought of how much walking we did, the fact that we walked from #bigben to #buckinghampalace is still fresh on my mind. 

#neverstopexploring
🖤🖤MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMP🖤🖤 So much happened and 🖤🖤MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMP🖤🖤 

So much happened and yet I can’t find the words.
It has been an amazing week here, definitely recom It has been an amazing week here, definitely recommend @iberostar in Agadir. 
#neverstopexploring #wanderlust #welltravelled #lifeofadventure #hertripsabroad
I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most rela I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most relaxing and fulfilling time of my life. Sometimes taking it slow and living in the moment is what the soul needs. 🥰🥰🥰
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 #hertripsabroad #solotravel #solotravelingisfun 
#blackgirlstraveltoo
I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after no I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after not visiting for almost 8years. 📍

#qatar #doha #qatarphotoinstagram  #solo travel #travelbug bestvacations igtravel travelpic travelblog beautifuldestinations tlpicks instatravel roamtheplanet traveldeeper travelgram travelinspo wanderlust instapassport exploretheworld travelpics travelmore passionpassport travelawesome lonelyplanet travelblogger travelphotography traveltheworld worldtraveler
Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the ye Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the year.
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A July Dreamer

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Gifts · January 17, 2018

5 gifts of Love for him – Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is only a few weeks away and I have 5 gifts of love that I think any man would love.

When it comes to gifting my love for whatever reason I always think, what does he need more than what he wants. I apply this to the other men in my life: brother and father, I believe in giving practical gifts than superficial ones. A colleague and I were joking this week because for Christmas one of the gifts to his wife were tyre mats for her car. I call that being practical though I am glad he also got her something else because being practical shouldn’t replace romance completely. This year for the 5 gifts of love for him, I thought I share what the men in my life actually prefer. Yes all these are practical items but we’ve thrown in some romance so we don’t forget the love aspect of Valentine’s Day.

5 Gifts of Love for him

Whenever I am sharing my gift guides I am always mindful that not everyone can afford them. Or might not be looking for material gifts but something and I try to be inclusive because the idea is to give you inspiration. But I also know I can inspire everyone, it is the circle of life, with that in mind, here are the 5 gifts of love you can give him;

Cook together

Now for some this is already an everyday thing but for others it could prove to be quite romantic. It’s cheaper, you can cook your favourite dishes as many or as little as you want. You could also make the dessert or maybe buy a nice one so you can focus on the main dish. Another idea is to attend a cooking class together and learn something new or perfect your baking skills. I have always enjoyed cooking together as it gets you closer and is loads of fun.

Gift of time

Normally I would be thinking maybe a wrist watch from some luxurious brand or something. This year in the name of practicality I opted for a personalised wall clock which I designed on *bags of love. If you remember I worked with bags of love last year and loved the personalisation of my chosen gifts. The system is so easy to use, I was done in a couple of minutes because I knew what I wanted it to look like. Not all men like the lovey dovey personalised gifts so I made it more neutral that he would be happy to use it year round.

Be adventurous together

Every couple has something they have always wanted to do together but haven’t had the time or the resources. You can be adventurous by doing something expensive like gliding or flying in a helicopter or affordable like Go Ape. I am not the most adventurous person unless traveling is involved and I am game 99% of the time. The other 1% might require a bit of Dutch courage to help me alone especially with adventures involving heights.

Smart over casual

I have mentioned that this year I took the liberty of asking the men in my life what they would like for valentine’s gift. It didn’t take long before each came back to me with smart shirts from *Avail London and *Dobell something new for work. The men in my life can rock both smart and casual but this year they want more smart than casual outfits. Having worked with Dobell last year we know the quality of the men’s wear and are pleased with the shirt. The texture of the shirt is really nice and strong, the design is simple yet elegant. The same is true of Avail London who has impressed us with the look and feel of the shirt. My brother doesn’t own many white smart shirts and his loving it.

Watch a movie at home

Whilst I think is important to; be adventurous, buy practical gifts and break bread together, relaxing together is just as important. Not every dude wants to be in a spa or at home, but everyone loves a good movie at home. The most romantic thing one to give to the other is their time and attention. Most parents know movie night can be arranged but often ends in both or one falling sleep on the other. It might not be the most romantic one person falling asleep, it’s lovely being able to spend that time together.

And there you have it, my 5 gifts of love for him gift guide. For those that celebrate, what kinds of gifts are you giving this year; your time or something practical or romantic?

*Collaborative

In: Gifts

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Comments

  1. Anosa says

    January 24, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    Awww I am happy to have inspired you and I think recognizing it is the first step, now just implementation left, right?

    Reply
  2. Wildish Jess says

    January 24, 2018 at 3:43 am

    We love taking adventures together! It’s hard to do now with littles and another on the way but still our favorite thing to do.

    Reply
  3. youramoi says

    January 23, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    i think i can nail all 5! lol. I personally love that you asked the men what they wanted. It makes things easier NO? Figuring out what to get for men is really mind consuming.

    Reply
  4. Kittys Lifesyle says

    January 22, 2018 at 5:59 pm

    I am glad that I stumbled upon this post… I wanted to gift my hubby for this valentines day and I was not sure what to. But these are some great options 😀

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 22, 2018 at 6:47 pm

      Glad to hear it and hope you do get something for hubby

  5. Latoyia Dean-Dennis says

    January 22, 2018 at 4:40 pm

    This is a great list – super cute items. I want to incorporate cooking together with my hubby and son.

    Reply
  6. Terri Ramsey Beavers says

    January 22, 2018 at 3:08 pm

    What a great list of gifts for him. I think it would be fun to spend time at home, cooking together and hanging out watching a movie or something.

    Reply
  7. Anshul Kumar Akhoury says

    January 22, 2018 at 4:24 am

    Really nice idea. I think cooking together is therapeutic exercise and I would love to try that.

    Reply
  8. Lavanda Michelle says

    January 21, 2018 at 9:41 pm

    These are great gifts and my hubby would love all of them. Watching a movie at home after a nice home cooked meal would be great. My daughter celebrate her bornday, she will be 13.

    Reply
  9. Emmanuel Damian says

    January 20, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    I think if my gf will cook for me this Valentines Day, I will be very happy! As they say, a way to man’s heart is through his stomach!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 21, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      I am sure if she read this she would but also think she knows you too well too and might just surprise you

  10. Jay Colby says

    January 20, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    All great gift ideas! The gift of time is often overlooked but so important to a relationship.

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 21, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      Agreed, the gift of time is so important in every relationship

  11. Threads Shuttles says

    January 20, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    I love gift ideas that are less materialistic. Time and experiences always make for the best gifts ever.

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 21, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      I am right there with you

  12. Dee Jaye says

    January 20, 2018 at 11:23 am

    I am in love with these gift ideas. My favourite is the cooking together as this is hardly ever done these days

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 21, 2018 at 7:35 pm

      I know right, a bit shame as its so romantic

  13. Milton says

    January 20, 2018 at 8:50 am

    I like your gift ideas! I like to receive practical gifts that I can use on a daily basis if possible 🙂

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 20, 2018 at 9:18 am

      Thanks Milton and same here, I appreciate practical gifts more as well

  14. Maayan Shaanan says

    January 20, 2018 at 8:17 am

    Ooohh love this realistic down to earth list, I couldn’t agree more! After a decade together, hands down movie nights in are the best!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 20, 2018 at 9:18 am

      I am glad to hear that and thanks so much, movie nights can be as romantic as you make them

  15. Sarah Bailey says

    January 20, 2018 at 1:51 am

    These are some lovely ideas, my other half and I love watching a movie at home and just relaxing. Definitely our way of showing a bit of love.

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 20, 2018 at 9:21 am

      Thanks Sarah and I think thats truly lovely, spending time together

  16. Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says

    January 19, 2018 at 4:06 pm

    These are my kinds of gifts! We don’t buy anything for one another, since having kids. But these are gifts that we could do together.

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 20, 2018 at 9:30 am

      I think its important to have options that fit 90% of the people in gift guides, whilst others want to buy each other something others are happy just to spend time together which is very romantic too

  17. Jessica Taylor says

    January 19, 2018 at 2:55 pm

    I don’t have anyone to shop for, but these are great ideas!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 21, 2018 at 7:36 pm

      Girl, I know how you feel

  18. Amber says

    January 19, 2018 at 1:44 pm

    We’re boring, so we do the movie at home thing. If he can get off work for lunch, we do that because it’s less busy. We wouldn’t be able to cook together though, we aren’t really cooking people. Neither of us like being in the kitchen. Our goal is to strike it rich and be able to afford a chef.

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 21, 2018 at 7:36 pm

      A chef would be awesome but in the meantime I am loving your ‘boring movie at home’ because I find that super romantic

  19. -Joan Cajic says

    January 19, 2018 at 10:57 am

    These are really great gifts of love, I think I will go for the movie night and cooking together but that is if I get to choose the meal.

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 21, 2018 at 7:35 pm

      I am sure it will be lovely whichever you guys decide on

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