UnikBlends

We offer recolouring (tie dye) workshops and repurposing services WE ARE Reshaping the future, radically.

UnikBlends is an online platform that promotes ethical, fair and sustainable production of contemporary outfits and accessories handmade by women from sustainably-sourced African fabrics. We focus on Indigenous West African fabrics that are:
- Hand-dyed (Adire & Batik),
- Handwoven (A*o Oke) or
- Repurposed (recycled African Prints)

Because we believe in “Conscious Style” that is socially i

nclusive and empowering.. Based in Netherlands, our aim is to tell a consciously powerful story of Africa that is rooted in Africa’s rich textile heritage as well as provide repurposing services & products that are unique, modern and multifunctional. If you are an independent brand that believes in ethical & sustainable products and would like to partner with UnikBlends, please feel free to reach out. This partnership could take place in the form of social projects as well as promotional opportunities to showcase your brand through pop-ups, editorial features in blogs, forums or magazines or general shout outs across all our social media platforms.

03/08/2025

A beautiful pause with beautiful souls
This was us last year, taking a simple walk that turned into heartfelt laughter and conversations that nourished the heart. This is what the SheSustains Wellbeing Weekend is all about.

Not just stepping away from the busyness of life, but truly reconnecting with yourself and with others.
As Summer arrives again, I can truly slow down from the demands of daily work and embrace real rest.
Rest is essential, not just to recharge my body but to ensure that my work and efforts are aligned with what truly matters. It’s through these moments of intentional pause that I’m able to shift from the busy noise in my head to the quiet movement of the heart, reflecting on my purpose, my relationships, and the deeper meaning of the everyday hustle.

It’s so easy to stay convinced about the importance of work, but how often do we reflect on the necessity of rest? Without taking time to pause with love, even the most important activities lose their meaning and joy. Without reflection, we risk falling into sterile, unorganized activism.

While I try to find small moments of calm every day, my annual rest tradition has become a cherished anchor. Whether it’s a good book, family time, or a Wellbeing Weekend, it’s in these moments that I hear stories that inspire, have conversations that strengthen bonds, and sometimes meet strangers who soon become friends.

One of my favorite quotes on rest is from St. Josemaría:
“I have always seen rest as time set aside from daily tasks, never as days of idleness. Rest means recuperation: to gain strength, form ideals, and make plans. In other words, it means a change of occupation so that you can come back later with a new impetus to your daily job.”

That’s exactly what the SheSustains Wellbeing Weekend 2025 offers.
Not an escape from life, but a sacred pause to stop, breathe, and return to the heart of things, to reconnect with Truth, Love, and Authentic Connections, especially during these times of uncertainty.

If you’re longing to rest, reflect, and rekindle what truly matters, then this weekend is for you...see biolink for details

28/05/2025

Sawubona… “I see you.”

This Zulu greeting set the tone for Africa Day in Hilversum last Friday, as opened his powerful talk with it, sharing his journey from Sierra Leone to the Netherlands, and the deep reflections from his book Gevangen in Zwart Wit Denken (“Trapped in Black and White Thinking”).

And though she didn’t say the words, I felt them, when a remarkable Maasai woman wrapped her cloth around me during my recent journey to the Masai Mara, Kenya. It was a silent embrace of shared dignity, connection, and deep respect. That moment, and the spirit of her village, will stay with me forever.
Yes, the wildlife and nature were breathtaking. But it was the grace, strength, and cultural pride of the Maasai, especially the young, that moved me the most.

For the value of what we do is not measured by success or status, but by the quiet dignity of knowing we are beloved ❤️❤️❤️

15/03/2025

A Taste of Home, A Space of Hope💫

Stepping into The African Granary at Parkstraat 37, Den Haag felt like stepping into a vision brought to life—one woven with warmth, resilience, and boundless potential☘️

In a world where uncertainty abounds, Steven and Mollynn have chosen uncommon courage over hesitation. Together, they are building more than just a restaurant; they are creating a welcoming space where family, friends, and strangers can gather, share stories, and experience the rich flavors of the African continent🌍

Their journey is a powerful testament to the beauty of saying YES—yes to possibilities, yes to overcoming challenges, and yes to redefining the narrative beyond charitable aid. A reminder that growth, maturity, and lasting prosperity are not found in ease but in the courage to face difficulties head-on.
Through these challenges, new opportunities and refreshing resources emerge, pushing us beyond our limitations and expanding our vision of what is possible. When we confront our fears, we break free from restrictive paradigms and unlock the creative potential that leads to a world of hope, joy, and abundance ✨️

As I sipped my tea ☕️and savored the most delicious banana bread 🍰 drizzled with mango sauce, I felt it deep in my soul—this place is special. It is a space of connection, culture, and community. A place where time slows down, conversations matter, and every meal tells a story.

And beyond the food? The African Granary embodies a vision of inclusive economics 💰—where value is not just created for individuals but for an entire community. A place where prosperity is not measured solely by profit but by shared experiences, meaningful connections, and sustainable growth.

I walked out with a full heart and a promise to return, again and again. Because places like this—filled with hope, joy, and abundance—are rare, and they deserve to thrive ✌🏽

20/10/2024

The more we realise that we are surrounded by friends who love, respect and appreciate us, friends who want to listen to what we have to say, the more we will feel free to express ourselves spontaneously and openly.
Freedom finds its truest meaning when it serves the truth. And though truth can sometimes be hard to hear, it opens a path toward healing and happiness.

This is the kind of space I strive to cultivate wherever I am fortunate to be—starting from within myself, then extending it to my home, my work, my rest, my play, and the wider community. This is the very essence that my dear friend Veena Joseph and I envisioned when we co-founded SheSustains five years ago.

This year, it was pure joy to have Osai, a friend of over 20 years, join us at Wellbeing Weekend. Listening to her story and reflections reminded me of the incredible power that comes from sharing stories that truly matter and the importance of cultivating real, lasting friendships.

📸📸📸
First image: I am standing with Osai, happily wearing my hand-dyed top and holding the beautiful crocheted bag gifted by my daughter .vandu, who made special gifts for all our speakers at this year's Wellbeing Weekend

07/09/2024

Having just returned from a visit with my in-laws in Yola, Nigeria, I’m reminded of the profound truth in J. Krishnamurti’s words: "The understanding of relationship is infinitely more important than the search for any plan of action", a quote from my recent read 📚

As an engineer, I’ve been trained to focus on plans💹 to drive progress. But over time, I’ve come to realize that the real power lies in relationships—cultivating genuine connections with family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. These relationships, alongside our connection to nature, are the lasting legacy we truly leave behind, far more impactful than any farfetched program alienated from lived experiences.

In 🇳🇬 (Abuja vs Yola), I was struck by the stark contrasts—massive buildings juxtaposed with extreme poverty and environmental degradation. It reinforced my belief that caring for our common home, as one human family, is essential. But true care can only happen when we’re deeply connected—to each other and to nature 🌿

As I reflect on my time in Nigeria, I wonder💭: What kind of Yola will be here when I return? Hopefully, it won’t take another 17 years, as it did for this visit. I also think—What kind of world do I want to leave for my children, their children, and the generations to come?

I wrestle with these questions, not with despair, but with creative optimism—by courageously facing the good, bad, and ugly realities of our world. Rather than feeling like a victim of the problems that need solving, I choose to see them as an opportunity for self-reflection, dialogue, and connection 🍀

That’s why I’m excited about the upcoming Wellbeing Weekend in Tilburg,NL from 27–29 September. Through meaningful conversations, stories, and insightful discussions, we will explore how we can cultivate a more connected and sustainable world. 🌍

I hope to see you there!!! See link in bio for details.

📸
Unexpected beauty in Lome! ✨
This striking art piece greeted us at the hotel we stayed due to planing flight issues. What started as a bad situation turned out great as now I can list Togo 🇹🇬 as a country visited plus I discovered , a pan African ✈️

!!!

02/03/2024

Words can't capture the essence of profound moments—only celebration and joy can. 🌟
This image of me visiting a women-led organic farm in Ibadan, Nigeria captured by highlights such a moment. For finally, I can truly focus with my head, heart and hands on a sustainability journey that aims to make an impact on people’s lives, mine included in a coherent and consistent way.

My recent time in Nigeria, was made possible thanks to the wild adventurous journey thus far with , which started exactly 2 years ago. This particular trip to the land of my birth country fills me with joy and hope, for the land is a real teacher, reminding me of life’s marvellous gift, transcending anything I could imagine, offering me possibilities for growth with a deep sense of responsibility and reciprocity.
This March, as we approach International Women's Day, I choose to celebrate the gift of life as received, while acknowledging that there are fears to face, battles to fight and realities of joy to embrace through authentic friendships.

Let's acknowledge our journeys and the powerful transformations they bring 💫

03/01/2024

Ringing in the New Year with a heart full of gratitude

🎆✨Wrapped in these gorgeous gloves crocheted by .vandu I am reminded that true happiness blossoms from gratitude.

"For only when we let our heart react with gratitude can we attain true happiness 🌟
And then joy begins to flood our hearts when we stand back to appreciate the fruit it produces.

Nothing can be more sublime, nothing greater than the love which stoops down, descends, and becomes dependent 🌱
Indeed, a child has been given to us; he closes the past, ends the time of expectation, and opens the future 🌱

🎁 Now, therefore, our peace is not promised but given, not deferred but granted; it is not prophesied but made a reality. For realities are greater than ideas, and the reality is that this is what Christmas time is all about, at least to me. 🎄

A slowing down to take it all in, for one must never be too busy to be loved; otherwise, one misses the subtle but hopeful adventure of this journey, called LIFE. 💫"

15/10/2023

Together is our reality. Opposing it is like denying reality, a battle we're bound to lose.

Our mindset determines if we accept or resist what life presents. It's the difference between bringing together or dividing, the crossroad that allows us to shift from a current situation to a desired outcome.
As always, I had an enlightening experience at annual wellbeing weekend retreat surrounded by 30 incredible women from different walks of life. It was colourfully packed with laughter, learning, and lingering connections thanks to the authentic stories shared, courageous discussion on the role of women in our ever-evolving world and the emotional awareness session brilliantly led by Veena of

What resonates most with me is the “Anatomy of Peace" workshop facilitated by Marjanke Edeling from the . It offered an insightful lens to understanding and resolving conflicts. Now, more than ever, as global tensions rise, just a week post our retreat, this lesson feels vital.
In a world fractured by conflicts, embracing an is our beacon. For in it lies the power to see, to value, and to uplift the equal and shared humanity in each one of us.

26/08/2023

Diving deep into Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Braiding Sweetgrass," I'm reminded of the profound wisdom it holds. The true essence of our journey is rooted in restoring relationships, anchored in respect, responsibility, and reciprocity. It's these connections that sustain us 🌿

Kimmerer beautifully illustrates that it's not just our Earth that needs restoring but so do we as human beings too for our personal growth and well-being 🌍💚

Rather than getting lost in the whirlwind of life and frantic busyness of daily living, sometimes we need to slow down, away from routine distractions, to reflect, and reconnect. That’s the beauty of retreats; they immerse us in serene landscapes, reminding us that our biggest dreams unfold in quiet moments of introspection, growth, and genuine connections. 🍃

Join me for a transformative 2023 weekend retreat for women in Zonnewende. This weekend is dedicated to holistic well-being, merging the spheres of Family, Work, and Society. When in harmony, these realms empower us to thrive and flourish, both as individuals and as a community.

See link in bio for registration details

01/08/2023

If you want to change the world, go home and love your family..
St. Teresa of Calcutta

And I am doing exactly that with this holiday because love is the birthplace of wonder and wonder is what sustains us on our journey towards our true identity, prompting us to question not because there is a lack of clarity but because there is an excess of ☀️ Light ☀️

With these longer daylight hours, I am finding space to rest, read, and reflect, delving into historical books, philosophical ideas, and powerful biographies. A particular read, 'Called to Love', has caught my attention for it echoes the themes of another book that left an impression on me, 2 summers ago - 'The Promise That Changes Everything.' Both remind me of the power of wonder, the importance of questioning, and the transformative nature of ❤️.

Called to Love is a motivating nudge, a refreshing reminder that love is a guide, which transcends mere attraction or activism for it is more than feelings or passions, but rather a purposeful journey of being and discovery, through which we give ourselves, to find ourselves, so as to be the best we can.

What better way 'To Be' than giving myself at home surrounded by my family?

📸📸📸
Freshly home-baked banana bread, using a recipe crafted by three generations: my steadfastly grounded mother, my own nurturing touch, and the innovative spark of my daughter

Adres

The Hague

Website

http://www.unikblends.com/

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