Secret Revealed: One Way to Help Your Relationship Last Longer

Relationships can be complicated and love can be confusing but there are ways to make the road a little bit easier. Many people believe that a relationship isn't meant to be if it doesn't come easy, but I can't stress how NOT true that is! Relationships take hard work and patience, and they are far from being considered a piece of cake. Advice: If your relationship is a "piece of cake" and it doesn't challenge you to be a better person, RUN! And with that said, a great way to help your relationship progress is being respectful. You may think this is an obvious fact, but with this generation being constantly bombarded with messages promoting "the self", courtesy for others is becoming non-existent and affecting too many relationships. So please. Continue... :)

In a survey I studied for one of my undergraduate relationship courses, many women claimed that they'd rather be loved than to be respected. If you're one of these women, listen: Respect comes before love. If not impossible, it is EXTREMELY hard for men AND women to love someone they don't respect. Disrespect is a common cause for the failure of many marriages and other committed relationships.

Showing more or even the same amount of respect to your significant other as you show to a nice stranger will help the longevity of your relationship. When you get really close to someone, the relationship gets "chill" or "lax", It's easier to say exactly what's on your mind, and while it's good that you're getting closer, watch yourself, because that could easily change when you blurt rude or disrespectful things or omit the necessary courtesies to your significant other without meaning any harm.

Words to include in you and your significant others' dialogues:
- "Thank you" (It shows gratefulness)
- "Please" (If you don't use this, you may come off as bossy)
- "Do you mind if..." (It gives them the opportunity to have a say"
- "Excuse me" (Shows courtesy and believe it or not, this is one of the least said phrases)

DO NOT:
- Call them any derogatory name
- "Boy"
- "B****"
- "N****"
- "Loser"
- "Douche bag"
- "Ugly"
- "Stupid" or "Idiot"
- "Lazy"
- Invade their time, space, energy, or money without their consent
- Manipulate them into doing things with you or for you (Just ask!)

***Warning: Be careful with joking, because these words are disrespectful and lower self-esteem, and should not be used frequently, if ever, in joking situations.

Respect may take a little more cognitive activity than you're used to, but trust me, it goes a long way!!

If you have any comments or questions comment below or E-MAIL me. I will be opening up a forum in the next week, so if you want to discuss this topic further, we can! Stay tuned!!

Peace!

♥ Marquitta J

3 Amazing Tips to Stay Warm and Moisturized in the Winter

For many of us the winter is brutal. Not only is it cold and windy, the air is dry and our skin suffers from it. I've decided to share 3 things that help me stay warm and moisturized.

1. Shea Butter
After you take your bath or shower, use shea butter to moisturize your body. It makes your skin smooth and soft and believe it or not, it retains your body heat and keeps you much warmer in the cold. You could get natural shea butter or try the shea butter I use! It's called True Hut Shea and it's AH-mazing!

2. Wash your Hair at Night
It's easy to catch a cold when you wash your hair in the morning and immediately leave the house. Wash it at night, wrap it up with a scarf, and style it in the morning. It will make you a lot less susceptible to catching a cold and you'll find yourself a lot warmer if you do.

3. Eat & Drink Warm
Tea, coffee, soup, oatmeal, porridge, and hot chocolate are all warm foods and beverages that aid in keeping our bodies toasty during the winter months. Get a coffee mug to take your hot chocolate on the go! Yum!

♥ Marquitta J

Closet Tip #1: Color Coding

Whether you are a natural born organizer or not so much, you can always benefit from a little order.

Color coding is aesthetically pleasing, time efficient, and FREE!

I've been organizing my closet by color for only a few months, but it's been working out great. I've been able to find things much quicker, and more easily. Even though I don't have a theater sized walk-in closet, my small closet still looks great and in order.

Celebs who organized their closet by color: Meryl Streep, Taylor Swift, Lucy Hale, and more I'm sure!

Try it! Tell me how it's working for you!

♥ Marquitta J

Wise Words: MLK Day

Movie Review: Hope Springs

Good movie, but way too awkward to watch with older people.
My best friend told me about the unforgettable experience of watching this movie with her parents. Oh man. Can you say embarrassing?!?!

If you've never seen this movie, it is a comedy starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, that shows an older couple trying to ignite their non-existent sex lives. Can you imagine sitting in a room with your parents listening to them compare and contrast their sex lives with the characters'? Ew.

My thoughts: Hope Springs was pretty funny, but the level of awkwardness was too high for me to call it hilarious. I think they chose great people for these roles. I don't think anyone else could pull it off. The storyline was fluid, yet not exciting. And the ending made me smile, and part of me felt relief that it was over. I don't consider this a bad movie, I actually liked it, but I don't think I'd buy it. My star rating is below.


Humor: ★★★

Casting: ★★★★

Special Effects: N/A

Plot: ★★

Ending: ★★★

Level of Awkwardness: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★

The wonderful thing about reviews is that it's one person's opinion! Do you agree or disagree? Tell me your rating of this movie!

♥ Marquitta J

Wise words

I believe this 100% It doesn't hurt to be nice to people and say something nice! Do it today or tomorrow! I challenge you! ;)

If you dont have any nice words in your vocabulary, here are some things you could say to someone:

- I love your .....(hair, nails, shoes, etc)

- Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

- Wow, you look amazing today!

- Hi! It's nice to see you.

- You're such great help

Of course it depends on the situation, but these are just a few examples. Be nice, you may just help turn someone's day around!

What are some more "Day Brightening" statements? Comment below!

♥ Marquitta J

LEMON-AID: 3 Benefits to Drink Lemon Water

You already know that drinking water opposed to sugary drinks is a great! But you probably didn't know that drinking lemon water also has amazing health benefits! Who knew, right? Ok so, here are the reason why drinking lemon water is so cool!

1. Clears Skin
Lemon water flushes out toxins and waste products from your body, and when your body is purified your skin looks, feels, and is healthier, clean, and clearer.

2. Boosts Energy
Unlike coffee, warm lemon water contains natural ingredients that is hydrating, energizing and here's a plus, it contains ZERO calories. Boo-yah!

3. Helps Immune System
Because of the high levels of vitamin C, lemon water aids in fighting off bacteria, it help faster healing, and it's highly effective in keeping away colds and infections.

Now if those aren't enough reasons for you to come from the dark side and start drinking lemon water, then visit this site: More Reasons

*If you're drinking lemon water everyday please note that the acidity of the wonderful concoction may effect your teeth enamel so, don't forget to use a straw every now and then.

♥ Marquitta J

Having a Bad Week?

Watch this Video of this Oh-so-cute baby! You won't be able to hold in a smile.



Lol! I laugh every time! Hope this cheers you up!

♥ Marquitta J

"New Year, New _____?"

Every year, many of us come up with a goal and or resolution. It's something we want to change about our current selves or something we want to do that is typically out of character. The question is, will you really reach that goal? If you're looking for me to tell you "you won't reach the goal so don't try" or "Of course you'll succeed!" then I'm sorry to upset you but I won't tell you either. It is up to you whether you will reach it or not.

Ignore all of the unambitious people who say that it's pointless to make a New Year Resolution. If you want to create a personal goal to better yourself, who can hate on that other than people who have no goals in life? The human willpower is much much stronger than some think. I honestly believe that if you set your mind to your goal, pray for perseverance, and ask a close friend to hold you accountable, you can reach that goal.

Many people make the mistake in saying "It's a new year, and a new me". These people don't have New Year Resolutions, they have the desperate want to be someone they aren't. A new year does not equal a new you. You will never magically change from Ogre to Tyra Banks. It's fine to view the new year as a fresh start, but remember that your starting point is where and who you are right now. If you want to develop some character traits that you don't already possess, take it a day at a time! Practice that patience you want, and stick to it; soon you will have developed that trait and worked toward your resolution.

Take home points:
- Don't be discouraged because everyone else's New Year Resolutions fail
- Strive to make attainable goals
- A new year is not a reset button
- Work to reach your goals, because if you don't they will fail

The next time you hear someone saying that they have a New Year Resolution, don't be that person who says they won't reach it. That discouragement ultimately discourages people from challenging themselves and making steps to become better individuals, and without that you leave our society with disheartened, unambitious, lazy, selfish, and inwardly ugly people and who wants that?

♥ Marquitta J