Love

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Cocktails for the Heart

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Looking for a simple thing to do for a date night with that special someone?Depending on your romantic state of mind, mixing up drinks in a variety of reds and pinks can be delicious. If you decide to add chocolate, then things may get a little more intense between you and your date. The best thing to do first, is to think about presentation and then a romantic name for your cocktail creation. The goal is all about setting the right mood. You can go for super cute, sexy, sophistication or something that matches your personality. 

In the end , a beautiful serving tray is a nice touch. It can actually transform your specialty cocktail into something romantic and elegantly sweet. If that’s not cute enough, try presenting the drink with a decadent dessert. 

 Feeling creative? Dare to mix the following cocktails below:

Love Potion Martini

  • Ice

  • Sweetened lime juice 

  • Strawberry vodka 

  • Cranberry juice cocktail 

  • Grenadine part 

  • Strawberries for garnish, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

  • In a cocktail shaker with ice, sweetened lime juice, strawberry vodka, cranberry juice cocktail, and grenadine. Shake vigorously until combined.

  • Strain love potion cocktail into a martini glass. Garnish with strawberries, raspberries or other red fruits

A Sweet Kiss Sangria

  • 1 cup cherries pitted (fresh or frozen)

  • 1 cup strawberries sliced

  • 1 cup blueberries

  • 1/2 cup brandy

  • 2 cup cherry-pomegranate juice or cherry-cranberry juice

  • 2 tbsp of powdered sugar

  • 750 mml red wine of your choice

  • 12oz of lemon-lime soda, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

  • In a large sangria pitcher, combine cherries, strawberries, blueberries, brandy, cherry-pomegranate juice, and powdered sugar. Pour in red wine and stir gently. Feel free to add the the lemon-lime soda as well. 

  • Chill sangria for at least two hours before serving. If you waited to add the lemon-lime soda, add it to the pitcher and gently stir before pouring

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Are love potions real?

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Love potions

Learn about pheromones.

Depictions of love potions can be found in movies such as Hocus Pocus and Harry Potter or on websites that cater to men and women looking for love. If love potions were real, there would probably be more happy couples, not to mention low divorce rates. So, is it possible to create a scientific version of love? Personally, I believe the answer is “No”. In my opinion, love is an action that is linked to a person’s behavior, emotional well-being and experiences. I don’t believe there’s a recipe in the form of a drink or pill to help a person find love. However, a friend of mine boasted recently about a chemical found in various products that could possibly cause the opposite sex to fall for you. Long story short, she was single and now she’s married. True story. 

The chemical is a hormone called pheromone. According to experts, it stimulates a part of the brain that is responsible for our emotional state. It’s believed to increase our feelings, even sparking an immediate attraction for some couples. That said, I decided to look into it, not for myself though. Disclaimer: I am married. Anyway, what I have discovered is that there are oils and perfumes on the market with the chemical hormone known as pheromones. 

I’m not sure of the success rate but if you’re single, I guess it’s worth a try. 

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How to discover the real you with a mirror…..

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What do you see when you look into the mirror? I strongly believe the mirrors in our homes can sometimes be taken as good or the opposite, revealing flaws we often try to conceal. Lately, my super large mirror and I have not been getting along. I usually blame my mirror for everything! I blame my mirror for not recognizing coffee stains on my clothing that I often miss while in a rush or the lipstick that lands on my teeth. However lately I have been blaming my mirror for my constant heartache. Every time I look in the mirror I feel like I'm reminded of a flaw that I didn't see before and no matter how much I change my outer appearance, my mirror always catches the real me. I have been holding on to so much these past few months such heartbreak from yet another failed love interest and sadness because I didn't want to face the truth. The reality is we can't hide from our truth and it's just that simple. We can walk past our mirrors, pretend that they aren't there but eventually we will have to face them and the fact that the person looking back is truly us.

So I've been making a point to not only stop and look in my mirror but confront myself and ask if I really like the person that I've been seeing?! In doing so, I’ve realized that I'm not defined by who I see or by the things that I've gone through. My mirror is just a reminder that the person I see is still here and that person can still grow and change for the better.

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"Insecure" actress Yvonne Orji shares secret that could benefit hopeless romantics [video]

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All it takes is that one simple social media post to pop up in your timeline to turn your entire day around. It's from that one friend that you shared so many things in common with because you two were the last of the bunch who were single. However, that's no longer the case and another friend of yours is planning a wedding.

We've all been there. "Insecure" actress Yvonne Orji knows the feeling all too well but what she does is something every single woman should consider.

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Valentine's Day: The day I fell for all the hype

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The year was 2000. It was a cold windy day but that didn't stop me from being fashionable and wearing my bright pink wool coat. My long hair was blowing in the wind periodically sticking to the clear gloss on my lips. I was happy until I walked into my job that day.  I worked at a law firm. I was still in college and the youngest in the office. To my surprise roses were everywhere and being delivered to many of the secretaries who were cheerful like school girls.  I had no reason to be happy.  I was single and recently dumped by my college sweetheart. It's funny how you process Valentine's Day when you're single. You start to say things like, "It's noting but an ordinary day."  This paticular Valentine's Day I desperately tried to convince myself that it was just a regular day. 

However, by the evening my day took an unexpected turn.   I met up with my best friend at the mall. She was single too. Being silly, we started to both joke about our dating lives.  As we visited store after store, something caught my attention. It was a pink balloon and it matched my coat. On the balloon it read, "Congratulations on your engagement!" Suddenly mesmerized and without hesitaion, I purchased it. When my friend noticed my purchase, she shouted, "You're so crazy!" Then we both burst into laughter. 

In that moment, yes I was crazy and wanted to feel special like every other girl walking around with flowers, stuffed animals and holiday candy.  That's just what happened, when I began to walk around the mall with my balloon. I immediatley felt special.  "Congratulations," people shouted from across the mall. Then there were those who slowly put their heads down possibly boiling with more hate for cupid. The black leather gloves I wore that day made my fake engagement easier. Shockingly, no one asked to see my ring finger and quite frankly I'm glad no one was bold enough to ask about my "engagement" details. What I did enjoy was all the love and attention.

Sure that's what we want sometimes, and there's nothing wrong with it even if it is only for short moments.  However, I later realized that the Valentine's Day craze forced me to fall for all the hype. Thankfully that only happened once. Today, it is seriously just another day. 

I'm older, more mature and now married.  It's funny because one day when my husband and I were only dating we decided to run out to the mall. It was another cold day and I needed a case for my cell phone. As we walked around, we couldn't help but notice couples everywhere. There were long lines in restaurants and most peope were draped in red clothing. We thought it was the weirdest thing. So as we were exiting the mall, I approached a couple. "Excuse me, what's going on today and why is everyone wearing red," I softly whispered. The couple looked stunned and the woman then loudly replied, "It's Valentine's Day!"  Like a deer-in-headlights, I looked at my boyfriend and just laughed. To think there was a time I stressed myself out over the holiday, amazed me. I'm loved and cherished so much that today when "V" day rolls around I'm oblivious to it. The lesson is don't wait around for someone else to make you feel special, just show yourself some love until that special someone comes sweeping you off your feet and making you feel like every day you're his sweetheart. 💋

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My first love.....

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Growing up it never really bothered me that my dad wasn't around because I always had my grandfather. He is my main man!The both of us were very close and the relationship remains that way today.  As far as I know, my grandfather is the first man to ever really love me.  He was the first man to ever open a door for me, take me on a date, and show me unconditional love. He was always there no matter what!I was his only grand-baby up until recently. It's been my grandfather and I for 32 years.Yes, I was the only grandchild for more than three decades.

As for my father, my mom never talked badly about my dad. In fact, she always taught me to respect him and honor his last name in spite of his faults. I will never forget riding on the subway to school and seeing my dad passed out on the back of the train because he was intoxicated. I never once was ashamed of him or made fun of his addiction. Instead I made light of situations like that and would say to my friends, "Hey that's my dad, so don't laugh." It's but I think about my dad more and more especially during the Holidays and on my birthday. I recently turned 32 and I can't think of a time when my father picked up the phone just to say "Happy Birthday." I often wonder if my mistakes with men have stemmed from the lack of relationship with my dad.

Yes, my grandfather is amazing but he painted a fairytale for me. He had me thinking I was going to marry Prince Charming! I will forever be grateful for the love that my grandfather showed me because he stepped in during a time of need.  However, I will forever wonder if having my dad around would have helped me through love and relationships.  Whatever the case, I just want to remind men who are fathers to always be there for their children. The truth is fathers serve as their daughter's first example of what a men should be. If I ever get married and have a daughter, I pray that my daughter will never question her father's love and that her grandfather can enjoy being just that...... A grandfather!

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S.I.N.G.L.E

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Self-respect: Being single starts with not only self-respect but self-esteem.  Develop a strong relationship with yourself. There's no telling when Mr. Right will walk into your life.

 

Invest in one self: Make time to pamper, meditate, and accomplish your goals. This is the perfect time to do so.

 

New outlook on life: Always think of your glass as half-full not half-empty. Being single is not a death sentence.

 

Grateful: Take a look at your past and where you are today and be thankful. Remember you're on the right track. No matter how many of your friends are getting engaged, don't think for one minute that you're behind schedule.

 

Love yourself: It's just that simple. How can you love anyone else without loving yourself?

 

Enjoy life: Ultimately, enjoy every moment of your life. Single is dating smart and having fun.

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5 signs you've mastered single life

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1. You're great at cooking for one. A pinch of this and that..... Dinner is ready.

 

2. You're extremely comfortable going to the movies alone. Who's paying attention besides it's dark in the theater.

 

3. You're good at ignoring sweet talk! Why? Three words. Confident. Smart. Resilient.

 

4. Just about every Beyoncé song empowers you. #Lemonade anyone?

 

5. "Good Morning" texts don't phase you... You're single not desperate.

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Dance to your own music

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One thing I always loved to do is dance in the mirror. There are a few songs that immediately get me on the dance floor. Single life doesn’t have to be boring. Just put on your best pumps and crank the music up on your radio. And DANCE!

 

Get me Bodied-Beyoncé

 

7/11-Beyonce

 

Danza Kuduro (feat. Lucenzo)

 

Just Fine-Mary J. Blige


Push it-Salt-N-Pepa

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough

Beautiful-Snoop

Shake it off-Taylor Switch

It takes Two-Rob Base

1 Thing (featuring Eve)-Amerie

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Single? Look at the bright-side!

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Being a single woman has it perks. Well, that’s at least what I think. Although I often find myself daydreaming about a relationship, I must say I’m beginning to become more patient despite my burning desire to be with a stand-up guy. Hmm, what will he look like? Will he be tall (I love men who tower over me)? Will he be quiet? I’m sometimes extremely curious about my future especially when it comes to a potential significant other. Eventually I quickly snap out of my daydreaming because my imagination can run wild for hours.

At one point in my life, the only thing I could ever think about was marriage but I'm starting to realize that I enjoy my life. In fact, I really enjoy coming home to my diva pad, and I love eating random things for dinner!  I’ve also realized as a single woman that I just don't want to marry someone because I’m in love with the illusion of love.  Relationships should have a solid foundation, love and communication.  I want to be able to laugh uncontrollably with my spouse, I want us to have the same values and morals and I definitely want who ever I end up with to make me smile just by his presence.

You see love comes and love goes in relationships without substance and foundation.  So before I end up in another meaningless relationship, I’m on a journey to get myself together and finally for once take care of me.  I've started taking yoga recently, booked a few short weekend getaways, and so far I love it. When you look at being single from a positive perspective you’ll eventually see that it has its perks. After all getting to know yourself only strengthens and builds a better you.

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Resolutions? Let's just live in 2016!

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At the end of every year we all come up with these ridiculous goals, which we know we will not stick too! My favorite one of them all is when I hear women say "This year I'm going to the gym 5 times a week." When I hear this I giggle every time, I may have even told myself the same exact thing, especially after I've had that yummy cheesesteak that I know I had no business eating. However, I tell myself that it’s ok this one time because this year I'm going to the gym and I’m losing 30 pounds.  Ha! Yeah right, just like I lied about the gym and eating only one cheesesteak a year, I often find myself saying the same thing about relationships and dating.

 

Like clockwork, I’d say every New Year's Eve that this year, I will not go backwards in dating. Yet those late night phone calls and texts get me every single time. So this year I didn't make any dating or weight loss goals. The one thing I did was sit myself down and have a very honest conversation.  I made a commitment with myself not to be skinny, but to be healthy.  I promised myself to eat better, and yes I'll have a cheesesteak every now and then but I will commit to eating healthy and becoming one with my Fitbit! 

 

I also told myself that this year I'm not focusing on finding "Mr. Right" instead I’ll be getting right and working on myself. Last but not least, the most important goal of all is “No More Man Referrals!” I know my friends mean well, but each and every time someone has tried to introduce me to someone, it has been a disaster. Those referrals have often left me questioning our friendship, like wait, “Does this person really know me, because why would my friend ever introduce me to this guy?” Ha-ha, but seriously, I want a connection that is organic, no more match.com lead by friends! My goal in 2016 is to simply grow.  Sometimes single ladies spend too much time counting time and wondering when marriage and babies will fall in place.  The fact of the matter is if we were truly living up to our potential we wouldn't have time to worry.  In due time, love will certainly come and we may even lose a few pounds but for now let's just live in 2016! 

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