The Best Gifts You Can Give those You Love

Happy weekend to us all. Like a dream, the first month in the year 2015 has come to an end. So fast isn’t it? Of course, time waits for no one. Anyway, I hope it was a productive month for you. For me, it was a month of finding my bearing for the year. It’s easy to get caught with demanding from those we love, but today, I’ll like to open your eyes to a few gifts you should give those you love not just occasionally, but always. Don’t worry, they’re not as expensive as you think; they’re things everyone can afford. Happy reading!

#1 – Acceptance

It’s easy to get caught up with the whole “change them/make them better programme” but the one thing the people you love need most is ACCEPTANCE. Acceptance here means that you love them the way they are. This doesn’t mean that you should become a cheerleader for all their nasty shenanigans; it’s okay to dislike their nasty habits but that shouldn’t hinder you from loving them and being there for them. Extend the same grace God gives to you by loving them. While you continually pray for God to help them get over their weaknesses, graciously keep on loving them and allow them time to change at their own pace.

#2– Speaking the Truth Always in Love

For those you love, you are like a mirror that helps them see themselves clearly and truthfully. Quite frankly, speaking the bitter truth may be a difficult task sometimes, but you still owe it to them to speak the truth at all times. However, this is not a license to dish out nasty and harsh words. Listen – Manner of Approach is Very Important! When you speak the truth in love, it will help them a lot. So whether it’s the fact that they’re adding or losing weight drastically, have developed a mouth or body odour, or whatever, you owe it to them to tell them; otherwise, you do not really love them.

#3 –Allow them to have ME-Time

It’s natural to want to be with those you love all the time but you must also learn to let them have their own private space and “me-time”. Me-time here simply means the license to be on their own and spend time away from you without you making them feel guilty or hounding them with questions such as “where were you? Why didn’t you come to see me yesterday?” You are not a leech, are you? They may choose to spend their me-time with other friends of theirs and you should learn to respect this otherwise, you’ll end up smothering them with your presence and choking your relationship to death.

#4 – Forgiveness

 Yes ke, I wouldn’t end it without talking about this one cuz aside from love, this is the glue that holds any form of relationship unit together. Those you love will hurt you both intentionally and unintentionally and may or may not apologise/be sorry for it. Sometimes, they may just unleash “their madness” on you for one reason or the other. Just like God always forgives us, you should learn to forgive them and get over it without switching over to revenge mode. If you find it hard to forgive, it’s time to go to God and ask him to give you a forgiving and tender heart. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32).

Have yourself a lovely weekend. Happy new month to us all. 

 

P:S - Can you think of any other gifts to give to those you love? Share them with us in the comments section. 

Questions? Suggestions? Private comments? Facing a relationship dilemma and in need of counsel? I’m just an email away; email me on graceyokoye@yahoo.com

Follow us on twitter here and like our facebook page here. 

Make Up and Skin Care with Ritzy

Things to Add to Your Skin Care Regimen Pt 1

Hi Beautiful strong achieving women, hope your week has been super-successful. Mine has been awesome. I am Grateful for life and for health. As ladies there are so many things we need to know in order to be on our A-game. Aside from fashion which is essential, skin care and trendy make-up should be a priority on our checklists.

Speaking of skin care….. I know y’all be like; I have got my body wash, regular soap and lotion or moisturizer and that’s all good; however, skin care has gone beyond essentials from sunscreen to night creams, body scrubs and polishes, plumping creams and lots more.

#1- Exfoliation
Today, I’ll like to introduce you to an important  and highly celebrated technique in the advance skin beauty world…………. EXFOLIATION! Exfoliation according the dictionary means the act of scrubbing the skin with a slightly gritty (rough) substance in order to remove dead and dull surface layer of the skin.

Skin Alert! 

As days go by, with every exposure to the sun here in the tropics and as we get older, the surface of the skin tends to die off and needs to be shed off. The regular soap or body wash helps to do this to a certain extent, but it only washes of loose dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. However, exfoliating with an exfoliant does this way better; exfoliants come in different forms such as soaps, sponges, gels and creams….. remember that soap you saw at the cosmetic shop that look like it’s got sand all over it…………right, it’s not sand and it isn’t there for fancy either. It contains an exfoliating substance (usually Apricot, grounded nut shells or so) that does the job of scrubbing and fading off dead layers of your skin while exposing fresh new healthy cells for that radiant supple look.

I love to exfoliate and I do that often. My favorite is  the Eden Extra Whitening Apricot Face and Body Scrub made in the UK (I have to tell you that so you don’t buy the fake). It comes in a nice handy 500g jar and it’s creamy with sufficient Apricot granules and a relaxing fragrance. It also contains Tamarind powder and licorice extract which are known for their ability to improve the skin complexion over time. Regular use, not just on your face but all over your body, leaves your skin baby soft with a beautiful glow.

How to Use it for Best Results

As with all exfoliants, be sure to use a moisturizer afterwards and apply sunscreen if used in the day. It is also important to use at a two day interval and preferably at night. Once, a day is sufficient. Give it a trial and I guarantee you, your skin will be the better for it.

#2 – Make-Up Remover / Face Wipes

 As grown ladies, most of use a lot of cosmetics such as foundation, compact powders and the make-up savvy ones amongst us include bronzer, blush, eye shadow, long lasting lip colours etc in our day to day regimen. However before bedtime, it’s a skin law (permit me to use that) to remove all make up and I tell you, washing your face once with your regular soap isn’t enough. If you don’t want to be the queen of break outs, black heads, white head, dull face and wrinkles eventually, you need to include make-up remover / face wipes in your skin care regimen.

Make remover is a verrrryyyyyy important bedtime skin essential. They are usually moist pads infused with ingredients meant to dissolve and remove make-up of all sorts, including water proof make-up. My all time favorite is the PUREDERM AGE DEFYING CLEANSING TISSUES made in Korea which is a box of 30 tissues and helps remove make-up, cleanse and unclog pores, reduce wrinkles and dark circles and moisturize the skin. The tissues are infused with other natural stuff like Ginseng, Green tea, Aloe vera, Vit E and the famous anti-aging wrinkle fighting ingredient, Retinol. The product has a nice packaging and goes for as little as N500.

How to Use it for Best Results

 To use, just open the seal, pull out a sheet, re-seal the pack and swipe across face, eyes, lips till there are no more make-up stains on the tissue. Next, wash your face with your regular soap or face wash. I tell you this product delivers like WOW! It’s handy for use when you’re travelling, too tired to properly wash your face, having sleep-overs, camps e.t.c

So ladies, I hope these tips have been informative and beneficial. I urge y’all to try these products, savour the results, spread the news and give me your feed backs here. Hoping to get your testimonials soon. Stay SAVVY, TRENDY AND UPLIFTED. LOVE Y’ALL ………………CHEERS!!!

Ritzy Okoye is an Abuja-based young Nigerian woman who is passionate about make-up and skin care. She is a regular part of the blog team this year and will be delivering useful tips from time to time.

Twists and Turns - Episode 6

Episode 6

Iye could not get over the shock of almost being hit by a car due to her carelessness but what could be worse than seeing Mark in this state? Would she have been hit for real? What if she had died? That would mean no one would be able to save her baby from her insensitive father.
The thought of that was immediately erased by the sound of Mark's voice.
'Iye, are you sure you are fine now? "She noticed the genuine concern in his voice as he led her to his car that was parked under a tree not so far from where the incident happened. She did not want his care, not after how she had treated him.
"Mark, thanks a lot, I think I can find my way from here." She said removing his hand from her shoulder and she almost lost her balance; that was when she knew she was still shaken.
"Iye, if you think I am going to let you wander off on your own in this state then you lie. Did you see what happened on that road? I saw you coming and was not sure it was you and I waited for you to cross the road only to see you walking down like a zombie… Iye, if you want to die, I don't need you dead; your mother does not want you dead either.  Iye, I know we had a very funny and not so pleasant past but it should be me avoiding you not the other way round. Please get into the car let me take you home."
Iye was amazed to see this part of him. She used to intimidate him but it's obvious he had grown up a very strong man. She just stared at him and he sighed deeply in exasperation.
"Okay! Iye see, I am sorry I raised my voice at you, this is not a good place to talk and I know you may not be in the best frame of mind right now but permit me to take you home please."
"Mark I ..."
"Iye please..." He opened the door ushering her in and she gently stepped in when she noticed that many eyes were on them.

After about ten minutes drive, she turned to him and asked: "Why are you doing this?" breaking the ice and Mark took his eyes off the road and flashed her a smile that was intended to make her relax but it actually heightened her discomfort.
" Iye, I am your friend and that is why I am doing this." He focused on the road and left her to her thought.
She remembered their few times together, and how badly she had treated him; she never imagined she would one day be a princess in distress and for the prince charming to be Mark was more than amazing.
Mark…the guy with the nerdy look; well he did not use glasses but he sure liked school better than most guys she knew. He was David's class mate and he had warned her to be careful with him. She had been really rude to him and she winced when she remembered some mean words she had used on him.
Life is cruel - the not so cool baggy-wearing and low class guy has now become the really cool dude helping her. She felt so ashamed of herself, she wish she had been nicer to him. He never asked her out but it was obvious he liked her.
She took advantage of his gentleness and the fact that David (or Dave as she fondly called him) would face anyone that messes with her…well, that was before he got what he wanted.
"Mark, please am sorry for being so rude to you back in the days. I should have listened to you. You have always been a nice guy and all I did was humiliate you in front of my friends and..."
" Can we not discuss that now? It is all in the past now, so it does not count anymore. Please hold on a second, I need to deliver this and I promise to take you straight home." He quickly stepped out of the car to meet the lady across the street holding a baby girl. She didn't know how disappointed she was until tears came down her cheeks. She had hoped she had a chance but of course, she did not deserve him and she was glad he had a beautiful family. She watched him talk fondly with her and play with the baby, and she arranged herself before he got back.
"I am sorry about that, now I have your time." He said smiling but he realized she was not smiling.
" You do have a lovely family. You know, It would have been great if you had introduced me to them, but of course you would not want to introduce a bad person to your family and..."
" Can you please shut up? Jesus! Iye ,where is all this coming from huh?!"
" Oh! I am sorry, I am glad you have a wife and a beautiful baby; I only wish I have my baby girl with me now. You are a very lucky guy Mark; don't joke with your family okay?" She sniffed trying not to allow the grief of not seeing her daughter overwhelm her.
The car came to a screeching halt.
" You have a child!? You are married? Okay... I see. Congratulations. I... I well that was my brother's wife and second child, I am not married okay? But...but you are, wow!"
Iye could see the hurt in his eyes as he stuttered. She was relieved he was not married but what guarantee did she have, they just met after a long time.
"Dave raped me back then and I got pregnant, that was why I left school then. I should have told you, you were really kind but I was ashamed of myself. I had a baby girl and Dave left me be he resurfaced years later and took custody of my baby. I am really sorry Mark" she sobbed.
"So where is she now?" He asked weakly.

To be continued…

The story seems to be taking an interesting twist, isn’t it? Wonder what Iye’s conversation with Mark would lead to…Keep your fingers crossed. The story continues next week Tuesday. Keep a date here and invite your friends and loved ones too.

Read older episodes below

Episode 1 2 3 4 5

Pheobe Omiwole is a motivational speaker and a talented writer who uses her pen and voice to affect the world and the lives of men. She also has a personal blog where she writes really inspiring stuff. Check out her blog on  http://www.pheobeomiwole.WordPress.com 

10 Things You Should Imbibe This Year

Hey Everyone, I know January is far spent and even drawing to an end but here are a few things you should keep doing this year that will change the course of your life this year. You already know some of them so this is kinda like a reminder to keep you on track.

• Quit looking at the rear-view mirror by remembering what happened. No one moves forward while looking backwards.

• Commit your ways to the Lord and trust him to direct your steps daily.

• Be open to try new things and move out of your comfort zone. You’ll be shocked at how much progress you will make.

• Do not be caught in the cycle of counting other peoples blessings and feeling depressed cuz they have what you want so bad. Count your blessings daily and stay grateful instead.

• Don’t just talk about it; DO IT!!!

• Be assertive, proactive and stay positive (google these words to get a deeper perspective).

• Cut out every excess baggage (this could be people, things or habits) and anything that weighs your life down instead of adding to it.

• Be original; BE YOU.

• Don’t lose your peace, joy or faith; a good sleep and heartfelt worship/prayer is sometimes all you need to stay stable and not lose your cool.

• Think Outside the Box.

 

Now it’s your turn; what else do you think we should all imbibe this year? Don’t be stingy; share them in the comments section. 

Questions? Suggestions? Private comments? Facing a relationship dilemma and in need of counsel? I’m just an email away; email me on graceyokoye@yahoo.com

Follow us on twitter here and like our facebook page here. 

 News Flash

Twists and Turns returns next week tuesday filled with suspense and surprises as usual courtesy of rising star and novelist, Phoebe Omiwole. Mark your calendar and keep a date with us. Wondering what the story is all about? Click the links below to read older episodes.

Episode 1 2 3 4 5