Heya guys!
Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking of what kind of post to come up with as the last blog post of the year. Should I go the route of hating on 2016 and being thankful that it is finally over like most or should I look back over the past year and appreciate it for everything that it was or wasn’t? The former doesn’t make much sense in my opinion. It’s not been a bad year, contrary to the general consensus. There have been just a few really bad things that have happened (and I’m not talking about events that seem ‘potentially’ bad like Brexit or an unprecedented president-elect, I’m talking REAL bad like the multitudes who’ve lost their lives in Aleppo and so on…) But that shouldn’t overshadow all the good that has happened. In all honesty, one could count the bad things that took place in one hand, whereas the good things are practically uncountable.
For me, 2016 has been a year of a whole load of learning and growing and I’m entirely grateful to God for that. There have been a few mishaps here and there but then again, life wouldn’t be interesting without those. I could summarise what I’ve gotten from this year in five main points, so here it goes:
1. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Now this is really important especially if you, like myself, tend to make big problems out of nothing (read petty ?). Whenever you’re facing an issue that you seem to be blowing out of proportion, ask yourself; will this matter 5 years from now? Will this even matter a year from now? If your answer is no then you need to rethink the amount of effort and time you are investing in that situation.

The most hipster thing i’ve seen to date. I imagine having this on one of the walls of my studio apartment in New York City as i’m off wanderlust-ing. LOL! A girl can dream…
2. You cannot control everything. Life is not fair and so bad things are bound to happen to you once in a while. Therefore, instead of catching the “why me?” syndrome you could always say this small prayer that I believe has helped me a lot:
God please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

This section of the restaurant serves as a shop as well. They display and sell works of local talent. Be it clothes, jewellary, bags…you name it!
3. It is okay to have a small circle of friends. This one took a long time to wrap my head around, to be honest. We need to let go of this high school mentality that the more friends you have, the happier you’ll be or the better your life will be. That is a fallacy, plain and simple. As you grow older, you realise the people who’ve been there with you through it all and who will continue standing side by side with you until the very end. I’m grateful I’ve found mine. ☺
4. You cannot make everyone happy. This goes out to all the people pleasers out there. The people in this world are too varied. Everyone has their own way in which they view life and in which they would like to live their life, including YOU. With that in mind, you can’t expect to see eye to eye with everybody. It’s just not possible. In short, YOU DO YOU.

What a cool and African twist on Christmas stockings!
5. This last but definitely not least point is a bit cliché. You’ve got to enjoy the moment. I mean the actual moment you are living in right now. Like for me, I’m fully enjoying typing this out on this last day of the year. I’m not missing my deadline and I’m fully aware of that- haha! If you are drinking a cup of excellently made tea ?, revel in that. Don’t spoil that moment with the worries and the troubles of the past or the future. It could very well be your last! I’ll leave you with a quote I saw while watching a beloved movie (gangster-movie fans, you might recognize this):
Enjoy yourself – everyday above ground is a good day.
ANONYMOUS, MIAMI 1981.

Beautiful, huh?

*Photography by Pauline Wangari*
Thank you for reading my blog over its past few nascent months, there will be more to come in 2017. The love is immensely appreciated. May you all have a happy and fruitful new year!
*Shoot location: If you haven’t visited this quaint restaurant and coffee shop in Loresho, please do so! It goes by the name of Wasp & Sprout. Their iced coffee was heavenly and the decor can leave you seated in that restaurant for hours. ??
Knitted sweater – Atmosphere
Boyfriend jeans – Forever 21
Ankle boots – New look
Don’t forget to like, comment and share!
— Ivy xx
Jacinta
December 31, 2016Well said from our very own Ivy.. gal you have really nailed it.. well done gal and Happy New Year.. keep us smiling ?
Ivy
December 31, 2016Hey Aunt Jess!
Thank you ??
Miuks
December 31, 2016Nice Blog
Ivy
December 31, 2016Thank you! ?
Koome
December 31, 2016Wow! This the best one so far.
Ivy
December 31, 2016Hey Koome
Thank you! I’m glad you like it.?
Flo
December 31, 2016Lost for words. I have read evert sentence. How does a 19 year old make so much sense!? Proud of you and count me in on all 2017 posts. Happy new year @Kenyanbelle ❤❤
Flo
December 31, 2016*y
Ivy
December 31, 2016Thank you for the kind words! They’re much appreciated. ??
Florence kimani
December 31, 2016Love it . Happy happy 2017
Ivy
January 1, 2017Thank you! ?
Cindy
December 31, 2016Without any doubt taking these words to 2017!!
Beautiful pictures btw!
Ivy
January 1, 2017Hey Cindy!
That’s really great to hear. Thank you. ?
albert
December 31, 2016Hard truths but truths all the same.
I loved the read.keep at it Ivy?
Have an amazing beginning of your new year ?
Ivy
January 1, 2017Hey Alibooro ????
Thank you! I’m glad you loved it. ?❤️
Jael
December 31, 2016Eeeeeeiiiii??? baby girl this is amazing…very inspiring…hello 2017???
Ivy
January 1, 2017Hey Miss Jael ??
Thank you love! 2017 is ours remember?! ??
Natalie
January 1, 2017Always a good time on this blog
Ivy
January 1, 2017Hey Natalie!
Thank you. There will definitely be more posts to come this year. ?
kgich
January 1, 2017I’m so sad that restaurant doesn’t know the difference between you’re and your ??
kgich
January 1, 2017Also, I’m kinda sad my comment is the only one that’s not about how amazing this post is, but I think that goes without saying.
Ivy
January 2, 2017Haha! It’s allowed, but thank you. ☺️
Ivy
January 2, 2017Haha hey Kelvin ??
I guess the person tasked with writing on that board was a bit distracted by the beauty of the place. ?
eleanor wambua
January 1, 2017Love it ?
Ivy
January 2, 2017Thank you! I’m glad you like it. ?
Wa Njeri
January 2, 2017Tis all true
#dontsweatsmallstuff
#cannotcontroleverything
#smallcircleoffriends
#cannotmakeeveryonehappy
#enjoythemoment
Really appreciate what you had for us each an every time in this blog.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
LOL
Ivy
January 2, 2017Hey Wa Njeri!
Thank you so much. I hope you have a wonderful 2017. ?
Wa Njeri
January 3, 2017You too Ivy
Mabelle
January 2, 2017….nothing to add, mum.
Blessings!
Mabelle.
Ivy
January 2, 2017Thank you dad! ?
jerome chris omondi
January 7, 2017awesome stuff
you should consider motivational speaker for 2017 list…lol
Ivy
January 16, 2017Haha! Who knows Jerome? The possibilities in life are endless.?
Thank you!
Michael Nyairo
January 13, 2017I like it. Very thoughtful!
Ivy
January 16, 2017Hey Michael!
Thank you 🙂