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✨LIVING AND BELIEVING✨ Life is whatever we make of it while we have ourselves and time. What are we then if we don’t believe in ourselves during that time we are alive? • Death has a way of reminding us of what’s important. Like today, upon hearing of Karl Lagerfeld’s (swipe left) death, one of my first thoughts was “What will happen to Fendi? And Chanel?!” • I would not have had that thought if #KarlLagerfeld had not played the roles he played in the growth of those brands...especially Chanel (Read about him if you can). We really can do great things with our lives if we only #BelieveInOurselves. • “Personality begins where comparison ends.” - Karl Lagerfeld #RIPKarlLagerfeld #DontCompareYourselfToOthers #BelieveInWhoYouAre #LiveYourFullestEveryday #LiveAndBelieve (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuEGAAkHJ0_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4p6yzbkegkcg

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✨GROWN WOMAN PROBLEMS✨ The face you make 5 minutes into putting on heels and your ankles have already started giving you the side-eye (ignore the fact that ankles have no eyes🙄). • Last year, I only wore heels to ‘some’ events. But this January, in a bid to sync my look to where I am headed, I made a resolution to wear more heels, dress according to the woman I am becoming, and abide by the wardrobe ethics which my Stylist, @Style_Jankara, had put together for me. • The ‘tom-boy’ in me is screaming for my usual Jeans, Tees, and flats, but @Style_Jankara will kill me. How do y’all wear heels all day? I’m literally crying. I can’t wait for ‘flats days’, these ‘heels days’ are stressful. I need ice cream for the pain. P/s: What do you think about my new style direction? Yay or nay? Styling: @Style_Jankara Photography: @TheSeyeKehinde Hair & Makeup: Me, Myself, and I. Frown: Shoes #BeautyIsPainful #GrowthIsAProcess #WhoSentMe #AdultingLife #IWasTryingToSmile #ButThePain #RachealAbiriba #YouNeedToLearn (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuBr0wanT5S/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=usua0y7duhm0

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✨BOTTOMS UP✨ Who’s ready to make their last bad decisions today and correct the mistakes of the past 4 years at the Polling Station tomorrow? • I’ve heard people give pretty good reasons why ‘going to vote is a waste of time in Nigeria’ thanks to rigging and all. But how will I open my mouth to talk about the situation of things in the country if I didn’t play my part? • Lots of people are flying back to the country just to vote, how much more we who are directly affected by the results of the election. Please, go and vote tomorrow. #NigeriaDecides2019 #NigeriaVotes2019 #NigeriaElection2019 #LetsDoTheRightThing #VoteYourConscience (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt6lYOLHLQn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b096oux06owr

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✨VALENTINE BLUES✨ Pressure is a terrible thing to get yourself entangled in. The wrong relationships can undo all of the self-care work you’ve been practicing lately. Just say ‘No’ to the wrong energy and keep it moving. • Buy your own chocolates if you must eat some today. But darling, never lower your standards in a partner...or your skincare products. Very important darling, very important! At the end of the day, you will have to live with yourself and having ‘bad skin’ doesn’t look good on anyone. • While we are on this though, those who see Valentine’s Day as just another day on the Calendar, y’all are entitled to your opinions, but don’t use your opinion to convince those who want to get gifts for others against doing so. Let your opinion be just that, YOUR opinion. • Anyway, I’m sending big #ValentinesDayKisses to those without a ‘Valentine’. Couples, y’all can get yours from your significant others.😝 📸 @Style_Jankara #HappyValentinesDay2019 #ShowLove #ShareGifts #ButMostOfAll #LoveYourself #And #InvestInSkincare #ThisYearWeGlow #WithLoveFrom #RachealAbiriba (at Lekki) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt3WO4tnkYG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5bgtp9ikfoi2

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A post shared by 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥 | 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫 + 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭 (@rae_abiriba)

✨CELEBRATING GROWTH✨ With every new #GenevieveMagazine publication, I feel a little more proud of myself and my work. At this point, work has gone beyond creating amazing content and has become an avenue to impact lives...of those I have interviewed, those who’ll read the content, and invariably, my life. • But this particular publication is more personal to me because, I worked on it while ill, I wrote about my personal journey overcoming months of mourning my dad in the article #InPursuitOfClosure, I wrote my first full #FinanceArticle fittingly about Valentine’s Day, and I grew through it all. • So, emotional being that I am, I did a video of the special pages I worked on to celebrate the journey to the release of this publication and congratulate the special humans who worked on this with me. @JaneMichealEkanem God bless your beautiful heart. @Burg.Co thank you for opening your doors to me. @TheSeyeKehinde and @Style_Jankara, y’all are amazing to work with. #CJA you are gone from the Earth, but your absence produced an article so beautiful I wish you could read it.💕 • I’m done being emotional now. Go get your copy of @GenevieveMagazine and join us in celebrating her 16th year anniversary. 📹 by Me #ThankfulForLife #ThankfulForGrowth #ThisIsPureGold #ThatSongIsMyJam #MadTune #NigerianContentCreator #LifestyleWriter #RachealAbiriba #ThisIsTheYear #ImReadyFor2019 (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt0IqlKnqiu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cyojhamjzjsi

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✨LIVING✨ It’s been a beautiful year so far... I’m living. I’m loving. And I’m learning so much. I’m learning that people can hurt you to extremes and not be bothered about it. I’m learning to let go of worldly possessions while dealing with disappointments. I’m learning that nothing lasts forever...the best I can do is embrace all that I have right now, because this will be gone too. • Of all the lessons, the most important one I have learnt is that life doesn’t stop for anything or anyone...it continues at its own pace. It’s us who slow down while the ‘race to the top’ continues around us. • Everything in life has got an expiry date. The best we can do is make the most of it while we have it, making peace with the realisation that it will eventually go away. • What is most important is that you never give up on yourself or give in to the fear/pain. Keep standing, better things always come. • I’m back with my long captions. I hope you’re not tired already.😂 Shoutout to my darlings at @RedrickPR for an amazing weekend at the #SheaMoistureNigeria’s #SheaOnTheBeach party. • I finally wore my @TTLEssentials bikini, but my shyness did not allow me show off the pretty thing. Oh well, there’ll be more beach parties! But for right now, what’s up Instagram? What did I miss? 📸 @MGeorge_1 #AwesomeTimes #ThatBreakWasWorthIt #WhatDidIMiss (at Landmark Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtyMnQ1HGhX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qq3o49jtbzwq

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✨PERFECT✨ There’s something ‘calming and pure’ about the colour ‘WHITE’ and the different meanings it represents. #WhiteOuts 💕🖤💕 (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtxwsoMnTOR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18avdxpo5dmy7

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✨A IS FOR AWESOME✨ “The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it’s all that matters.” — Audrey Hepburn • Life is beautiful isn’t it? I mean, life is short and all, but it is up to you to make it sweet and everything else you want it to be. So, despite all of the stress and recent political issues, life is really awesome! • Especially if your name is #RachealAbiriba and you have a big God who has never let you down.🙏🏽💕 • Nobody can tell me that life’s not awesome. Oh! And before I forget, Happy New Year to everyone.😂 My ‘Social Media New Year’ just began. Don’t ask me what that means, it’s my only excuse for the break I took from actively posting.🤦🏽‍♀️🙈 #ThatAwkwardConversation #LifeIsAwesome (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/Btxvdihn91x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u2zbvu27mkpt

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✨GOOD DISTRACTIONS✨ Throwback to that time when my skin was popping and I thought that the best thing to do was to go take pictures. Oh, it was a great day. @style_jankara was snapping away until my food delivery arrived and I lost all concentration.😂 Fun fact: I don’t joke with my family, work, money, and food. . . . . . . . . . Who’s in the mood to chat about good distractions and stressful work days? Join me in the comments.👇🏽 (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqNapV6HQt8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1s36i38jc0537

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✨I AM REMARKABLE✨ I participated in an exercise today where I was made to ask myself what makes me remarkable and say my answer out loud. For the life of me, for the first 10 seconds, I couldn’t think of anything. • A part of me wanted to say that I’m remarkable because I have managed to hold down a 9 - 5 job, a business, and a freelance side hustle. But I remembered all these amazing young people who are doing remarkable things in their various industries and I felt like I didn’t deserve to say that I was remarkable for doing all that I have done. • But you know what? I am remarkable for doing all of that. If anyone had met me 2 years ago & told me that I’d be where I am now, I’d have laughed at the person until I fell on the floor, stood up, dusted my bum & walked away while still laughing. But I am here, doing it all, and looking as good as Lagos traffic and stress allows me to.😩🤦🏽‍♀️😂 • Moral of the story: Don’t let ANYONE, not even yourself, make you feel less special or remarkable as you are. Regardless of everything going on in your life, you’re waking up everyday and doing your best despite the circumstances surrounding you. You are badass my friend! Next time you start to feel low or less than the giant you really are, look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are remarkable! (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqKo_KjltoD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1styt0mufmd10

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✨GLOW-RAE✨ I don't do late nights well. I always end up too tired to be useful to myself. I’ve been ‘making mouth’ to everyone who cared to listen about how much I’m going to start ’living life and having fun’. But after all the partying from last weekend thanks to #ISquared18 where I nearly had to use toothpicks to keep my eyes open long enough to get home, I woke up to big eye bags which have refused to disappear even until this morning. • I’ve had to seriously reconsider that earlier decision to let enjoyment kill me this year.😂 And after 10 minutes of talking to the lady in the mirror about creating a work/life balance (which I low-key will throw to wind very soon what with all the concerts and parties coming up between now and December), I used some good old ice cubes on the eye bags to reduce the inflammation. A little makeup later, I think I’ve succeeded in looking quite like the ‘normal’ Rae(whatever that means). • Moral of the story: Don’t let yourself get too stuck in life’s routines. There will always be work and bills to handle. Also, make good decisions like going to bed early...only to break them when it’s time to celebrate life's blessings with amazing people.😩 That’s what balance is about. Allow yourself moments to enjoy life. Even if it means you have to use ice cubes to revive your eyes at the end of it all. • P/s: Did you know that using ice cubes all over your face helps close your pores and gives you a smoother skin before you apply your products? Why don’t you people give me all these tips? (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqHTcL1n8as/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=rhpl8iknn46p

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✨ISQUARED18✨ I 💕 Love and weddings! 👗: @The.Akanke.Brand 👠: @TheRaeStore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #ISquared18 #ILoveLove (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqC9UWOHGo4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1aa4qnnyk0lss

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✨TALENTS✨ @TheSeyeKehinde obviously took lots of photos of me the other day and I’ve happily decided not to leave them them in my camera roll and let them waste. • The same way I’m happy that I made the decision not to let my God-given talent of writing waste. I remember how long it took for me to make the decision to ‘hide’ my Law certificates and succumb to my urge to ‘play’ with words and leather. I can’t explain the feeling I get after a new publication of #GenevieveMagazine goes up, when one of the clients I freelance for sends me a ‘thank you’ email, or when I see someone using a @TheRaeStore piece. Don’t let anyone convince you that doing what you love is not the right thing. It may be difficult. No, scratch that! It WILL be difficult in the beginning. But it will be worth it in the end. Read the #ParableOfTheTalents to encourage yourself. Oh! And look at my smile in this photo. It is always worth it doing what you love. • That said, is it too early to be excited about the weekend? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #LivingMyBestLifeNow #CreativeContentCreator #NigerianCreatives #NigerianFreelancer #NigerianEntrepreneurs #NigerianLifestyleBlogger #LagosLifestyleBlogger #JackieOfAllTrades #RachealAbiriba #RachealAbiribaLoves (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp9CwsMHFeg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yb0h9f77onfa

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✨REFLECTIONS✨ There are two ways of spreading light...to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it. • I’ve been having a lot of amazing days and crappy days just like everyone else. And as much as we try to be there for each other through these different seasons, sometimes, the best thing we can do for people is to reflect what they need to see in themselves. Even if it means smiling through whatever crappy thing you’re going through just so that those around you will see that they can get through their own crappy days too...with huge smiles on their faces. • Take a selfie with a goofy smile(or in my own case here, an awkward smile) and send out to your friends. You never know whose day you’ll be brightening up...including yours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #MirrorSelfiesForDays #ShareASmileToday #NigerianLifestyleBlogger #LagosLifestyleBlogger #RachealAbiriba (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp6sR7THYAp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=195mr01ctry25

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✨SUPERPOWERS✨ I don’t care what the popular opinion is, I know that the ability to bully people and be sweet to them at the same time is a super power. • Thankful for @TheSeyeKehinde for allowing my bully him into taking photos of me in this harsh Lagos sunny situation. That’s what happens when I stay 3 weeks without taking any form of photos. My other superpowers include: 1. Going to bed at 11pm and waking up 4am. (Only for me to spend the entire day dreaming of going back to my bed) 2. Eating huge portions of food and expecting to not add any weight. (Thank God for the good kind of ‘slim thick’ situation that I have found myself in) 3. Going out without sunscreen only to employ my hands & hair as #SunscreenBlinds to shade some sunlight off my face. (The face is important, every other part will be fine las las!😂 #TooVain) Will give updates on my other superpowers in due time. But right now, I can’t seem to understand why all these sunscreens keep leaving those annoying residue. • • • • What sunscreens don’t leave residues? Biko, I’m asking for myself. #EppMe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #SunscreenNeeded #HandsAndHairAintGoodEnough #SkincareProblems #RachealAbiriba (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp1ke5QnIiG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=uvcec06u5yng

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✨NOVEMBER BETTER BE BETTER✨ Not the usual #NewMonthNewMe post but let’s just ignore that, shall we? • October was super stressful; I fell ill, forgot my dad’s memorial for about 3 hours of that day (have been beating myself up for that since), didn’t meet up with some deadlines because of all the emotional memories and baggage which October brought for me, and rather than deal with those issues like an adult, I went into hiding like an exhausted cry-baby.🤦🏽‍♀️ Still beating myself up about it all so please don’t add to my pain. • But guess who’s boldly adding to my pain? My siblings! Please, who else is a first child here? Do like this 🙋🏽‍♀️ let’s come together for a group hug. It’s not easy. You’re all doing great. In my next life, I’m not sure I’ll willingly be the first child. If I come back to this world and peep that I’ll be the first, I’ll just carry the Placenta and run! I can not come and die!🏃🏽‍♀️😂 • I literally wish I had elder siblings whose clothes and money I can inherit (insert ‘steal’) because my younger ones have killed me.😂 Who wants to be my ‘honorary’ elder sibling? My mum is nice, understanding, and will welcome you sweetly. You only need to have a fashionable wardrobe and lots of money I can ‘take’ from you. I promise to be a nice sibling.😂🤷🏽‍♀️ • But I digress, back to the new month. I really wish you all an amazing November and pray we end the year as beautifully as we pray for.🙏🏽 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #HappyNovember #NewMonthNewStart #FreshStart #RachealAbiriba (at Lagos, Nigeria) https://www.instagram.com/p/BppEdAbnKcE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=61te5qo70gcv

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✨MIND YOURS✨ I’ve come to realise that not everyone one who asks for your advice or opinion is in need of it. Sometimes, they’re looking for someone to tell them what they already know, after which they’ll go back to doing whatever they please. Don’t get mad. Just face your front, drink water, keep your skin moisturised, treat your real hair well, get your nails done, do your squats, get your money, and eat whatever you like.😂🤷🏽‍♀️ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #StayHydratedPeople #StayMoisturised #FocusOnYourFocus #DoYouBoo #NigerianBlogger #NigerianLifestyleBlogger #LagosBlogger #LagosLifestyleBlogger #RachealAbiriba (at G.R.A Ikeja) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo_J-mdBXW9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=sfntcm8uh2dp