the wonders of Q3
Likes, Highlights & Spotlights of July - September and turning 27 #gbemsmonthlyunwrapped
July to September was glorious. Majorly because the sun completed a full circle around me haha 🎉 #welcometo27gbems
As I reflect on entering my “late” 20s, it feels like I’ve lived a different life in every year of my 20s and maybe that’s a contributor to why entered 27 still feeling unstable — a lot has happened and not happened at the same time. However, the state of my soul as I entered a new year was of immense gratitude — so much so that I wrote a note of 27 thank youse to God. It’s become a tradition of mine to write a poem/note for my birthday.
I spent the day sipping tea and being introspective. I bought a new planner and chose my color for the year (something I’ve been doing for the past 2 years) — I chose green — green eludes to growth, lushness, the peacefulness of nature, and how plants feel against the wind.
Now about Q3, from sampling to producing new patterns to completing my product design course, revamping my personal portfolio, exploring Lagos, picking up watercolors and curating my first design workshop, it was a full three months.
I didn’t really read anything “new”. I finally got to completing The Silent Patient which I started at the beginning of the year. The plot twist was insane (I pieced it together quite early) but also pissed me off lol. Rating 7/10. I do want to read more thrillers now.
skincare finds, got the Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder. I got this because I ran out of my Dermalogica Microfoliant.I’m so used to the texture and exfoliation it gives so once I ran out, I had to find a substitute until I can get the refill. This is how habits form. I literally do not feel like I have cleansed my face without my microfoliant.
for my workspace, the adapter for all the things. Once upon a thyme, laptops came with all the ports but now we have to buy the port (trying not to crash out); I have an adapter I got from Amazon that I use all the time because for some reason my USBC-to-USBC for my hard drive is a loose connection and only works when I use an adapter.
teas of the month, Pukka Three Ginger and Morning Berry has been on a rotation esp. for September. Whole Purple’s Fire Quench is wholesome. I make this in a pot and strain into a jug. It’s a blend of hibiscus, black lemon, cinnamon, cloves, dried ginger, turmeric and black pepper. I like that it’s locally sourced and made.
I watched Doc, Ruth & Bo’az, some movies from Omoni Oboli (I need to ask her why she has now adopted using Korean music to score her movies lol; It’s so random (maybe not) but its weird to hear K-pop on a Nigerian drama.
no art-design spotlight but I have a Substack Spolight: I read this intellectual beautifully written stack on Substack called An Existential Guide to Making Friends by The Shadowed Archive. It resonated so much and I think you should read it.
fashion highlight is a Fossil gold watch my father got me.I want to retire my Apple watch for actual watches. I’ve been an Apple watch warrior for as long as I could remember - I think I still have the Series 3 but I don’t think I will buy a newer version. I’d rather invest in analog gold watches with beautiful silhouettes. We’ll keep Apple for the gym.
en repetition is Joy by Marizu, what a jam, immediately starts dancing cause yes to joy like a river
personal highlight is still showing up to Paintmilk! I’m grateful for all of what Paintmilk is and has been able to achieve in the year so far. We have two new geometric patterns added to our catalog. We’ll have them as silk scarves for sale - makes a good gift for the upcoming festive season! what an HIGHlight :)
I opened our books for 2026 commissions as well.
And with that WELCOME TO QUARTER FOUR! MAKE IT COUNT!
You can view & add my #songsonrepeat in this specially curated playlist on Spotify.
Till next time, with joy,
gbems xx
