Married for 34 yrs Betty Irabor gives tips to a successful marriage

If anyone is in the perfect position to give valuable advice on what a successful marriage is, Betty Irabor definitely would be one of them.

Coming off celebrating the 34th anniversary of her wedding to Soni Irabor on Saturday, July 29, the Genevieve Magazine founder and publisher shared words young couples should take to heart.

‘What Soni and I have has taken all of 34 years to build.. So don’t for one minute think it happened overnight,’ she began. 

‘We have walked on that street called hope but having each other makes it bearable. A successful marriage doesn’t happen over night it requires sacrifice and it takes effort and nurturing.’

That was not all, though, as she went on to tell young couples to be patient in their marriage and not be eager to ‘impress their audience.’

‘You want a good marriage? Work at it! Young couples seem to just want everything NOW NOW because they have to prove a point and impress their audience and in the process put a lot of pressure on their marriage. 

‘A [good] Marriage takes two, it thrives on love in action not in mere words. Marriage requires commitment, empathy , TRUST (leave each other’s phones ALONE) don’t marry anyone you cannot trust! 

‘Don’t overburden each other with over expectations and believe me the grass is not greener on the other side; avoid comparing your marriage/partner to others that seem rosier; water your own garden! In life everything is turn by turn. 

‘Ojukokoro [Greed] is a vice that destroys relationships! If you both can’t afford it then you don’t need it. 

‘Let [your] marriage grow organically. Do everything in love..don’t overburden each other with unrealistic demands.

‘Marriage won’t necessarily fix a bad relationship especially if your partner has habits that he/she won’t let go. Fix those issues before you say I DO!’

The Irabors have been married for 34 years

She touched on domestic violence as well, stating that marriage won’t fix a partner who’s been abusive before your wedding day.

‘If he or she is violent and slaps you around now, marriage won’t fix that, if he is insecure because you are a boss woman, that insecurity may linger and lead to resentment with time. 

‘Be careful who you marry..don’t set yourself up because ‘all your friends are getting married..’ That’s a trap! 

‘Don’t over try to change your partner into who they are not; marriage isn’t about changing your partners essence rather it is about finding the good in each other. 

‘Celebrate each bite size milestone. A successful marriage starts from the foundation .. If the foundation is not built on CHRIST how can it withstand the storms?’

She ended her piece of advice with this:

‘To my young daughters and sons out there I say, don’t despise the days of humble beginnings and don’t allow anyone or society force you into a marriage you’re not ready for. 

‘If you marry In haste you will repent at leisure.. As for me, I believe marriage rocks ..but get ready to work it.’

7 things to avoid on a first holiday as a couple according to a relationship expert

Your first holiday as a couple can be an emotional rollercoaster.

The idea of spending an entire week with someone you are still getting to know is understandably overwhelming. Even so, it's a right of passage for every couple and something that can lay solid foundations for a long future together.

Relationship expert and behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings told Business Insider: "A first holiday together is a real indicator, not just of the level of commitment within a relationship, but also of what the future together might look like."

"You’ll notice aspects of each other that you might not have recognised before and you’ll see each other at your best and your worst."

Hemmings partnered up with Forest Holidays to share with us the seven things to avoid if you want a seamless and romantic first holiday as a couple.

1. City breaks.

Despite what you might think, city breaks can be more hassle than they're worth.

"There’s a certain amount of implicit pressure with a city break — after all, it would be a shame to go to a beautiful city and not pack in a fair amount of sightseeing," Hemmings said. "Simply being in a city, with all the noise and buzz can make it difficult to relax."

The pressure to cram everything in can mean that a couple doesn't spend as much time enjoying each other’s company as they might in a more relaxed, non-urban setting, she said.

Instead, Hemmings recommends opting for a UK-based outdoorsy holiday. "There will be far less of a pre-planned agenda or itinerary and more time to really connect with each other in a calmer, quieter and hopefully, stress-free environment."

2. Anywhere you've been with an ex.

It doesn't take a relationship expert to know that at the beginning of a romance anything ex-related is usually strictly off limits, and it's no different when it comes to holidays.

Try to choose a destination neither of you has been to before and definitely don’t choose somewhere you have been to with an ex. "This is bound to trigger memories and potentially arguments," she Hemmings said.

Instead, discover somewhere new together and create memories.

3. Awkward money situations.

Although it might not sound that romantic, Hemmings stressed that it's crucial to discuss budget ahead of your trip.

"Arguments over money are the last thing you want on your first holiday together. Approaches to spending are a common cause of rows among couples, and if one is a saver and one a spender, these attitudes can get magnified when on holiday, casting greater problems."

Taking the plunge and having that conversation could also lay solid foundations for the future.

4. Spending the trip glued to your phone.

Holidays are precious time together. If you have to use your phone, Hemmings suggests you set a pre-arranged hour when your partner won’t feel neglected, or, just decide together that checking emails and social media is off imits.

"Along with money issues, phone usage is one of the biggest reasons for holiday arguments," she said.

"It's always harder than it seems but it’s worth talking about your thoughts on phone usage on holiday before you go away as it can get in the way of intimacy."

5. Spending 24/7 with each other.

Contrary to what you might think, spending the entire trip gazing into each others' eyes is not advisable on your first couples holiday.

Hemmings said: "Even on a romantic getaway, you don’t need to be by each other’s side every minute of every day. You’re probably not used to being together 24/7, so giving each other a little personal space at times is a good idea."

A little me time could turn down the pressure a few notches.

6. Abandoning your partner.

Spending a little time alone can be healthy, but if you make new holiday friends don’t feel you have to do everything with them. It’s your romantic holiday and you need some quality alone time.

7. Being unrealistic.

Finally, harbouring unrealistic expectations for your first holiday as a couple is dangerous.

Holiday ads would have us all believe that every moment spent away together should be utter bliss, but in reality Hemmings says there's bound to be the odd niggle and that's all part of the experience.

"You might drink too much, get sunburnt, or a dodgy tummy. It happens to every couple, so don’t get too disappointed if it happens to you. Just move on from it and enjoy."

To help avoid these situations she suggests not being too regimented about your holiday schedule with constant activities as it will only add to the pressure, when what you really want to do is unwind and get to know each other better in a relaxed environment.

"Allow yourselves to be spontaneous, adventurous and improvise where necessary. And no morning alarms!"

Source: Pulse

Beauty blogger,Ronke Raji announces her enagement to boyfriend of 7 years

Nigerian US-based beauty blogger, Ronke Raji got engaged over the weekend to 

her boyfriend, Arthur Adeola, a fashion and brand photographer who has 

made occasional appearances in her YouTube videos and social media posts.

Ronke took to her Instagram page to share this sweet message about their journey so far!

When I met you 7 years ago, I remember telling my friend that I had met my husband. I told her that he’s ‘husband material’ not boyfriend. It’s been a journey but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

This whole experience has just made me trust the timing of my life. Through the laughs, through the tears and through the rain, my love I’m glad I get to spend it with you.

Ahhhh! I’m engaged to @bysirarthur and I can’t keep calm because he’s my soulmate! Thank you guys for all the love

Checkout this Lebanese couple amazing wedding cake

This Lebanese couple really went above and beyond for their wedding cake. 

The castle-shaped cake is definitely a cake you wot forget in a hurry.

Photo Credits:

Planner: @pamelamansourmehanna @ramzi.mattar

Photography
: @brightlightimagephotography

Decor: @ronibassil

Laura Ikeji and hubby Ogbonna Kanu welcome a bouncing baby boy

Laura Ikeji is now a mummy,sister of popular blogger, Linda Ikeji and 

her husband Ogbonna Kanu welcomed a baby boy named Ryan in the US.

The newborn is called Ryan

Proud aunt, Linda broke the news on her Instagram this morning with a picture of the newborn, writing:

My adorable sister @lauraikeji just had her baby…a son named Ryan. Big congrats to her and her husband and to us
 happy aunt. Can’t keep calm… 

This would be Laura’s first child but husband, Ogbonna, who already has two kids from a previous relationship.

pre-wedding photos: American couple recreate Barack and Michlle Obama's popular moments

American couple Cassi and Adam modeled their pre-wedding photos after Michelle and Barack Obama and the results are absolutely gorgeous.

The newly-engaged pair told Photographer Natasha Herbert and event planner, Covesa Gragg that they wanted their engagement photos styled after iconic photos of the former American FLOTUS and POTUS, and that was exactly what the photographer helped them achieve.

The photos show that couple got smashing reincarnations of some iconic romantic moments President Barack and First Lady Michelle 
Obama had in the White House.

In an interview with Essence Magazine, Gragg says "When our bride and groom said, 'Can we try and duplicate one of their famous shots for our engagement pics?' I was like, 'Let's do an entire shoot – we can do this and this and this.”

Photographer Herbert shares the reminiscent snaps on Instagram on July 12 2017 and captions them:

“Because we miss them so much.... Our couple Cassi & Adam were channeling Michelle and Barack Obama in this engagement shoot.”
More photos after the cut..............

Checkout Beautiful photos from Toke Makinwa's sisters wedding

 Toke Makinwa‘s sister, Busayo and her boo, Stian Fossengen.

Had a very lavish wedding which took place at Civic Centre, Lagos, had in attendance celebrities like Mo Abudu, Waje, Arese Ugwu, Eunice Omole, Olakunbi Tomori and Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi. More photos after the cut............

Toke Makinwa slays in white for her younger sister's wedding

If you have been following Toke Makinwa on social media, then you definitely know her younger sister, Busayo got hitched to her lover on Saturday .

The stylish media personality really brought the fashion for the occasion going by the pictures she shared on Instagram.

Toke captioned this photo of her, ‘This is the day that the lord has made Let me introduce myself …. I am the sister of the Bride #stabieverafter #EgbonIyawoactivated’

She then wrote, ‘I can’t keep calm… my baby sister is getting married. God has been so faithful to us? today I remember my parents as always, truly the memory of the righteous is blessed❤️ Celebrate in heaven as we celebrate on earth.’

Timi Dakolo performs for free at four weddings of his fans all in one day

Photo credit: IB9JA

Jessica Alba shares weight loss regimen that helped her lose 11 inches in 4 months

Jessica admits that she went through a period where she was dealing with inflammation and didn’t feel like herself. Then she met Kelly Leveque and everything changed. Leveque, a celeb health and wellness consultant who completed her post-grad clinical nutrition education at UCLA and UC Berkeley, taught Jessica how to approach food in a new way, enjoy herself, and eat in a manner that felt good. 

Jessica claims she lost 11 inches in six weeks after changing her ways. Damn.

Happily, Leveque isn’t keeping those secrets to herself—she lays it all out there in her just-released book Body Love: Live in Balance, Weigh What You Want and Free Yourself From Food Drama Forever.
Jessica is such a fan that she wrote the forward to her book.

So what’s Body Love all about anyway? For one, it may help Leveque’s celeb clientele effortlessly lose weight, but it’s not a diet. “With lifestyle diets, people start to feel guilty when eating off plan. For me, if you don’t like kale, that’s fine,” she says.

Instead, Leveque focuses on loving your body through food. It’s about “eating the food your body needs to make your skin glow, feed your gut, and give you energy,” says Leveque. She guides clients like Jessica to pick high-quality foods and eat for happiness. And, she wants women to revel in the bodies they have now—not laser focus on an unattainable goal. “Let’s love our figure and frame where we are now and not lose another day body shaming,” she says.

Best part is, there’s no calorie counting because you’re focused on eating nourishing, yummy foods in combinations that turn off your hunger hormones. The result is less thinking and obsessing over food, and with that freedom, any excess weight you’re holding onto tends to fall off, she says. “Life’s focus shouldn’t be food. It should be about friends, family, and what makes you happy,” says Leveque.

So how did Leveque get Jessica to food nirvana? Here are her three top tips that anyone can use every day:

Whip up a smoothie: Breakfast is smoothie time. “It sets you up for success by helping you feel full so you can be calmer by the time lunch rolls around and naturally make better choices throughout the day,” she says. A green smoothie with protein powder, avocado, chia seeds, spinach, and nut milk is one favorite.

Follow the Fab Four: “This is your ticket to food freedom,” says Leveque. Make sure your plate has four things: a protein, healthy fat, fiber, and greens. In combination, these regulate over eight hunger hormones in your body and optimize blood sugar balance, she explains. One example is having a beef stir-fry with broccolini or a bowl of zucchini noodles topped with meatballs and Parmesan cheese. (Yum!) With this formula you can go out to eat or order take-out no problem. Just make sure you get your Fab Four, then add something extra, like a glass of wine for fun if you’re out with your girlfriends.

Move with purpose: Leveque gets asked all the time if the best weight-loss workout is HIIT, barre, running, spin… And her answer is whatever you love. “Do something that keeps you happy and you can be consistent with,” she says. Consistency is the x-factor in making your exercise routine work for you. And remember: You’re shooting for happiness here, not overexercise or deprivation.

Beyonce introduces her twins to the world in beautiful photoshoot

Superstar singer, Beyonce has shared the first photo of her twins, after she welcomed them in July with husband Jay Z.


“Sir Carter and Rumi 1 month,” she captioned the image of herself, holding her newborn babies.

The photo is reminiscent of her floral themed photo in which she announced that she was pregnant in February. Only that this time, she held the baby unlike the first photo where all she had was her baby bump.

Beyonce’s father, Matthew Knowles broke the news of the birth on the Internet last month.

Knowles shared a message on Twitter that read, “Happy Birthday to the twins! Love, Granddad” alongside the caption ‘They’re here !#beyonce #twins #jayz #happybirthday”.

Joro Olumofin relationship guru pens letter to Nigerian Husbands

Social media relationship expert, Joro Olumofin, has advised Nigerian men 

to have sex with their wives as much as 16 times a week to keep their marriages strong.

Read letter after the cut............

advise in a ‘Letter to Husbands’ he penned.

‘Society has put so much pressure on women these days. If a man cheats it’s his wife’s fault for not ‘keeping him or satisfying him’, this notion is absolutely wrong,’ Olumofin wrote.

‘There are a million things a woman is asked to do just to keep her man, but there is no list of things a man is asked to do to keep his woman.

‘We men make it seem like women want to get married more than us and we’re doing them a favor by committing or being in a relationship.

‘Most men act like they are the only ones who are granted free PASS to cheat or it is their right to cheat. 

‘Women can cheat as well but they choose to be loyal in relationships for Love, peace sake and to keep their homes.’

Finally, he said, ‘Listen to her. No matter how tired or busy you are. Listen to her and gossip with her.

‘If you don’t appreciate your wife. She may seek appreciation elsewhere. It’s a full time job to be a good wife. Make it a full time job to be a good husband.’