Get Clear Skin Giveaway! {Ends Nov. 30th}

Hi Swag readers! Guess what? I'm hosting my first ever giveaway on this blog! Whoohoo~ So what's the big deal about giveaways, right? They cost absolutely nothing to you (maybe your time) and are relatively easy to enter!

Okay let's cut to the chase. We all want beautiful clear skin. I know I do, trust me. Old or young, fair or dark, there's no doubt that clear spotless skin is an attention grabber. You know you're hiding something when you can't give a sister a bear hug without tilting your chin upwards! Lol

So what am I giving away? Well, it is a Proactiv 3-step Acne system that consists of a Renewing Cleanser, a Revitalizing Toner, and a Renewing Treatment. And why am I hosting this giveaway? If I told you that I received a random Proactiv package in my mailbox would you believe me? Okay, thought so! This 3-step system costs $19.95 and with several free extras in the kit the total comes to a whopping $72:00! If you've never spent that much on your face or aren't planning to go beauty shopping anytime soon, ya better jump on this offer!

• Yes, I have occasional acne and I use Proactiv. Talk about acne stalking me into adulthood.  Dang it.
• No, this giveaway is NOT sponsored by Proactiv. I really had fun creating this giveaway and can't wait to see your replies to one of the entry requirements. Shoot, it's supposed to be a secret. sshhhh!

The more entries you have the more you increase your chances of winning! So here's the link to the giveaway again:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Back to School Pick-Me-Ups

Reblogged from worshipandswag.com

School is in session, people! Let’s get our acts together, wash up all the dirty socks and school bags (if back to school shopping is not your thing, lol), and prepare our minds for new things. By now you should know what this blog is all about, and if you don’t know, please see my last post.

Since we’re all just coming out of this holiday bliss grudgingly (I hope you are because I am), trying to break the lazy summer habits we’ve acquired over the summer, I thought it appropriate to energize you all with these special power nuggets to get you through the first few weeks. If you’re like me at all, you’d be wondering how this will affect your lives or be useful for the first few weeks but I’ve learned to stay focused every fall semester by internalizing these powerful pick-me-ups.

Many of us are at that point where we are tired of repeating the same routine over and over again, falling for the wrong people, or just scared to get back up. We don’t want to hang around the same people at our jobs, school, or wherever we used to meet them because we’ve messed up so bad that redemption seems out of reach. Maybe we might be forced to have dealings with our ex-boyfriends, girlfriends, or bosses who made us feel like crap before summer started. You want to quit because you’re not accepted by the others.

Well I’ve got good news for you: stop looking at where you’ve been and start looking at where you are going.

Never go into a new beginning with a truckload of preconceived notions and old habits. If you’re seeking friendship and companionship, you don’t have to sacrifice your personal integrity and faith to satisfy the flesh. If being alone is what you’re afraid of, consider the idea that you might be dealing with some kind of weakness that has been fed by friends who didn’t see the tell-tale signs of its fruit: low self-esteem. It is imperative that you understand the reason for feeling the way you do now- and confront it before seeking acceptance by jumping into another relationship.

You need to spend time building relationships emotionally and spiritually. If you don’t, you will continue to bond with the wrong people who would strengthen your weakness.

The easiest time to destroy a weakness is at its beginning stages so it doesn’t become an unbreakable chain.

If you’ve been hurt and you’re wondering if anyone will ever find you attractive, start by making yourself an attractive person for yourself. Have you ever been in this situation where you look at yourself (for whatever reason) and go “Ugh, this hair has gotta go” or “I look ugly to me”. Now maybe clippers and waxing is what comes to mind here but I’m really trying to say is this: take a good look at your attitude. You have to be able to come to terms with who you are and your uniqueness so that you can appreciate yourself and improve on your weaknesses.

I said it before and I’ll say it again. You are royalty. You have been chosen by God because of His love for you. Your struggle with who you are or why you’ve not “arrived” is not because of your incompetence in serving God, it is because you haven’t truly forgiven yourself and relinquished your burdens for His joy. Folks, take a chill pill. Take it easy and stop sabotaging yourselves by thinking that you are not loveable. Change your belief and your attitude will follow!

Now go show ‘em what you’re made off and keep your head high because that’s what I plan to do. God’s got your back and mine as well!

Turn Desperation into Inspiration

via relieveanxietynow.com

Anxiety. Frenzy. Despair. We’ve all been there. We’ve all at one point in time experienced this and sometimes gotten a double dose of desperation. We’ve seen our emotions snowball and we’ve seen the consequences of our actions when we act out of desperation. We feel overwhelmed when we want something so badly, need something without fail, expect some things without delay, and love someone/something with our defenses down. In our society, the word desperation carries a very negative meaning. We are all quick to reject the notion that we’re desperate for something even when we are desperate. Heck, some people have replaced the word desperate with passionate because it carries more “positive energy” to make things work. Really we’re all talking about the same thing here.

Recently I re-read this verse “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10) and I nodded in agreement. Worrying about how to make things work, relying on your own understanding, and strategic anxiety all say one thing about you: you’re questioning God’s omnipotence. How unfaithful! Being anxious cannot add a single cubit to your life’s span so why should you be anxious? (Sleeping late into the afternoons & not planning for the future isn’t what I mean by letting go).

But desperation does serve a purpose. It is a force meant to propel one to do something, not an emotion to be dwelt upon. Desperation should inspire us to know the truth which must be based on biblical principles and energize us to walk towards the truth. Despair should not be a negative portal to our souls. Rather, it should jolt our senses to ditch the theory of “complex problems.” Frenzy should not be a wheel of misfortune in our lives. It should stir us to seek the one-pill-cure-all solution to our problems; Jesus Christ. The problem is that desperation gets over 90% of our minds that our inspiration tree is deprived of oxygen to grow. Alas, it would be wrong to blame our desperate actions on desperation alone.

Failure itself is not what knocks you down; it is the feeling that accompanies the under-achievement: fear. A toddler knows no fear of height unless he has taken a tumble from, say, forty-six flights of steps. In other words, the reason why failure knocks us down is because failure breeds fear, and my simple definition of fear is this: “I dare you.”

But we can turn our desperation into inspiration. Our desperation is not our strength, I must be clear on that. The truth is when we despair we are spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, financially vulnerable to so many things. But it is this same position that the Glory of Christ will perfected in our lives if we do the right thing. We can either Stop and re-direct our desperation towards getting a divine intervention by letting the Holy Spirit in or be caught up in the whirlwind of the world. This emotional state is perfect for the Lord because we are made to understand our fallibility. Apostle Paul said, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26).

Do not let the pain from your past stop you from receiving your blessings! As a matter of fact, a good dose of pain is good. You will make lots of mistakes and bad choices because you’re human. Listen, God does not override the human will (see Genesis 2). But when you love God, despite all mistakes and wrong choices you will turn back to Him and His will. Now emerge from the self-pity apartment you’ve built around your potential and gifts. Use your pain for your cause. Your greatest defense is your testimony; you don’t need a theological degree to share God’s love (although it would greatly help).

Are you going to respond to whatever situation you’re going through with your emotions or rest on the word of God? Remember, you can turn your desperation into inspiration because God loves you!

Life's Lessons about Romantic Relationships- A Business approach

There's a saying that you should Never sleep over a wonderful blog idea!*applause* It's 2.57am and I'm still wide awake, the pressure is on to write something so inspiring and breathtaking but I'll be simple. Not because I can't, (Psh, I'm all that and more) but because it's easier to pen the raw and uncut version of what I'm about to dish onto this blog.

How many of you have ever received relationship advice from any source (yea, add your grandma)? How many of you have subscribed to relationship newsletters and constantly updated your mental library? Or how many of you are waka pass; you act like you don't care but you vacuum all the hot relationship tips and can't wait to try them out on the next guinea pig?

No pressure, dudes, no pressure! Keep getting 'em! Subscribe to more if you will! If there is one thing school teaches you it's that you can learn be anything if you go to school. A typical example: you have a harmless fight with your friends, break a neighbor's window and nothing happens, but you have an idea to turn it into a reality show and then endorsements starts coming in with the offer of a season 2. How impressive! I digress.

But if there is one culprit I hold responsible for this explosion of profitable nonsense(s) it's Business. Gone are the days when business was reserved for book-minded people. Now business principles are applied by all and sundry in every area of life, even relationships. Add being tech savvy to that and your chances of getting sharp guys are 300%. So how do good girls need to up their game to get Mr. Nice Guy? Start by getting familiar with these business terms:

1) Marketing: Men don't love good girls. They love women who have something to offer them. You're on your own if you come into a relationship with just good intentions. Your marketing skills should be sharpened if your dreams of answering to the Mrs. title are to be fulfilled. You don't need to recite your product specs and every now and then. Are you offering promotions? Are you bundling or unbundling your package? What are you selling sef, and how does it do him good? No more to tales by moonlight for man grabbing skills; visit your nearest library on search engines and read several articles on product development.


2) Branding: Men don't love good girls. They love good-looking women, whatever that means to you. A poorly branded product is incapable of engaging the consumer, likewise a poorly dressed woman will only attract its like. Don't complain if Mr. MBA isn't looking your way in spite of the name tag on your shirt that displays all your earthly titles and medals. Don't get me wrong: they're attracted to all that ish but that comes later (like I explained under Marketing).

3) Sustainability: Men don't love good girls. They love girls who keep the adrenaline running in the relationship till they're fired enough to move from a supporting role to a main role. Whether it is maintaining the facade you put up during the initial exhibit, upholding your values (real or make-believe), nurturing your young relationship, or preserving every bit of YOU while with them, men love continuity (and they might not even know it). No? Well, I won't be there to witness the house of commotion when he realizes that your real hair is real Brazilian hair. Or that you don't really love helping out at the nursing home. You get the gist.

4) Strategy aka The 4 Ps of Marketing: Men don't love good girls. They love girls who come across as homely but are armed with short and long term destiny-changing goals. Not tryna diss some men, but there's a reason why cute and successful ladies are like bugs on your websites (Uhn huh).

• The first P of Marketing, People, postulates that you should throw your fishing net into deep waters. Index all searches and bookmark addresses. In other words pay special attention to your networking skills. Asking Joe the wimp for a referral will hurt you, mehn.
• The second P of Marketing, Place, postulates that this is not predictable. If you get the first P right then this field might be automatically filled. If not, then I suppose I'll be meeting Obama at the fish joint on Williams Street and 3rd avenue.
• The third P, Product, addresses you. Refer to Branding on packaging tips. However, remember that sexy packages and Eww! products don't really last long. Make sustainability checks regularly to assess what product component needs to be re-branded or if the product needs to be discontinued/pulled off the shelf completely! Are you changing you for the sake of the relationship or dumping your man?
• Final P, Price, says that you're more valuable that $0.00. Confused? Yes, that's the point. YOU decide how valuable you want to be in a relationship. YOU get to decide how worthy you want to be of a man's praise and acknowledgment. YOU get to decide how profitable your investments are. Baby, sex ain't cheap. It costs more that just money and recharge cards. Wise up!

Dear mother, I will continue to listen to your monthly relationship talks but can we twit the next time?

Coming to America- Diary of a Nigerian Immigrant

via wikimedia commons

I'm loving the weather here o! Except for that one time when I commot for plane and the atmosphere was chilly. Chei! This America is sweet!.

I am 19yrs old, will be twenty this year. I was in a university back in Nigeria but I wanted to expand my horizon so I transferred my credits to a local American university. My birthday is coming up shortly, I think it's in November so it's in the same month as the American thanksgiving. Lots of turkey, they say.

To know what's up in this 'God's Own Country', I consulted a fellow Nigerian. Like almost all FOBs, the first set of instructions in my 'Survival kit for the Americas' was to dress up. For the most part we got along...

Nigerian American: Buy socks, buy boots, the summers are really hot for no reason.

Me: (I feel awkward. I feel watched. They want to take me out all the time) Okay.

Nigerian American: Are you going to church? What church do you attend?

Me: Deeper Life.

Nigerian American: Ooooh, that's your church?

Me: No, my parents go there.

Nigerian American: *puzzled look* So what church do you attend?

Me: [Shrugs]

Nigerian American: So what do you wanna do? There's nothing to do. Oh, how about the banks here. You need to know the banks...to deposit all your money. Hmmm it's easy here o.

Do you wear hair attachments?

Me: Yea....

Nigerian American: Ahn ahn, are you a real Deeper Life? Does your pastor know you wear it?

Me: Yes

Nigerian American: Does your pastor know?

Me: My business is not my pastors's business.

Nigerian American: So did you watch videos before coming?

So have you seen Oluchi when you got here?

Me: (shakes head at the rapid-fire question) Hmm hmm...

Another person: Does she know Oluchi?

Nigerian American: Yes o. Small world, eh?

Oh, does that mean you know Dammy?

Me: (They must think I know every newbie in this land. At this point I'm not sure I should answer).

Nigerian American: Oh my God this is fantastic! You know we could actually make space for you in this house. Hmm this will work. So what kind of cooking do you do?

Me: From the scratch.

Nigerian American: Really? That's cool. So what kinds of meals can you make?

Me: My traditional food.

Nigerian American: *Creepy smile* Really? That's fantastic. I'm going to love you.

Me: But I don't know how to make your kinds of foods.

Nigerian American: What do you mean?

....Dead silence....

Nigerian American: Ok, what would you like to know?

Me: Erm-

Nigerian American: Favorite movies?

Me: Men in Black.

Nigerian American: Oh mi gosh! I hate it! Really? Is it for the action or Will Smith?

Me: For the Ac-

Nigerian American: I'm a typical girl. I love romance. It just inspires me to be the best I can be. When they say "Honey, feed me okra soup" it just ministers to my soul. Good wifey right there.

Who's your favorite actor?

Me: Ramsey Nouah.

Nigerian American: Really? I think he's so proud.

Me: Erm-

Nigerian American: Anyway, do you like RMD? I love him.

Anyway, actress?

Me: Funke Akindele.

Nigerian American: Really? She just got married. I saw it on Bella Naija.

Favorite meal?

Me: Moi moi.

Nigerian American: *squeals* OMGGG I love moi moi. With a fiery passion. Can you make it. I can make it but it never tastes like my mom's. Can you make meat pie. No? We can teach teach other then.

Favorite color?

Me: Purple...no black.

Nigerian American: Are you on FaceBook?

Me: Yea.

Nigerian American: You are?! Omg! Do you know in America they won't hire you if you don't have a facebook. They think it's suspicious. Do you know Dammy's aunty here in the states?

So how did you know abuout this school?

Me: I heard and I applied.

Nigerian American: *turns to another person* Do you know she's taking accounting.

Why accounting?

Me: I love accounting.

Nigerian American: Maybe the money.?

Me: No I've loved accounting from the beginning of time. Maybe it's because my dad is an accountant.

Nigerian American: Ohhhh! You should marry a white man. Babies with hazel eyes.

Me: Noo...

Nigerian American: Don't worry, they'll grow on you. In a little while, you'll be saying "he's so cutteeee!" Okay, your turn.

Me: *chuckles* I don't know what to ask.

Nigerian American: *flips her hair* Anything! *Yawns* Ah, I'm tired. I think we should go get some water.

Me: *I let out a deep sigh.* (I think I might need help dealing with my people here too).

Maggielola- The Optimist

I'm back! I couldn't resist it. Few months ago, I absconded because, well I could.

Quick Introduction.
I am the Nigerian child of my mother and father. I am a female. I attend a university in Moorhead, MN USA. You shall know and call me by the name Maggielola. The derived name is an attempt at hybridizing two cultures by adding the Yoruba suffix lola to the Maggie, the shortened form of Margaret. I'm very pleased to meet you. You will know more about me in my subsequent posts.

P.S I hate any slimy or crawling creature. You can't fool me into eating one even if it is laced with exotic spices and herbs.

P.S.S I speak Mandarin Chinese. Just a disclaimer for those who will have several *scratches head* moments at various points during this blogging journey.

Oh...
P.S.S.S I am continually fascinated by the average Nigerian mindset. Speechless most of the time. I also think we rank among the most clever people in the world. We muse a lot, sometimes unintentionally too loud for others' comfort and welfare. Well, we're wired that way...

That's it for this short introduction! Let's hang out more in the next post!! Oh, you're always WELCOME to leave some comments when you come visit :) :) :)