The 2011 Soul Train Awards honored Gladys Knight and Earth Wind & Fire as Soul Train Awards Legends, and featured some of today's hottest R&B artists in their tributes. So how was the show? We'd give it high marks for diversity of performances. (We guess if you had little ones in the room they would have been excited about the Mindless Behavior set, but if you're over … [Read more...]
We Don’t Argue In Front Of The Kids…Do We?
One piece of advice everyone gives is, "Don't argue in front of the kids." And I stick to that. Most of the time. The truth is, my husband and I don't really argue in front of the kids. But until recently, they definitely saw my eye rolls or exaggerated sighs or my husband's reluctance to answer me when I asked him a straightforward question. We might not have been … [Read more...]
Why Business Trips Can Be Good For Your Marriage
As my husband tossed suitcases on the bed and selected shirts and ties for his six-day business trip, I lounged about the house like a little girl whose best friend was about to move away. I couldn't believe how much I missed him and he was still there! We had never spent more than a few days away from each other since the kids were born. Recently, since I'd become a … [Read more...]
5 Date Night Movies That Should Be In Your Netflix Queue
Being able to have a spontaneous date night is key to making sure you can fit it into your schedule. And when it comes to spending some quality time with your honey, there's nothing easier than grabbing some takeout (or making a quick dinner) and picking a great movie off your Netflix queue. Here's 5 movies to check out the next time you've got some free time with your … [Read more...]
Do You Treat Your Marriage Like A Real Job?
Some of us wouldn't be caught dead talking to our boss the way we talk to our spouse. We wouldn't continue to watch TV or fiddle around on Facebook while our boss was talking to us. We wouldn't roll our eyes and sigh if they asked us to do something. We get comfortable in marriage. Sometimes too comfortable. We forget that it's a partnership. That pulling our weight … [Read more...]
REVIEW: BET’s 2011 Black Girls Rock
After last year's Black Girls Rock ceremony, I wanted to see more. To see images like this all the time. To see women who looked like me who were literally changing the world. Kind of like the argument for why Black History Month should be abolished. I didn't want to have to wait for one night of positive programming. I wanted it 24/7/365. But alas, Black Girls Rock is still … [Read more...]
6 Tips To Spice Up Your Next Date Night
When you've been with someone for a while, it can be harder to make sure your dates have that "Wow!" factor. Sure, you enjoy spending time together no matter what you do, but sometimes you want a date that doesn't feel like the last date you went on, or the one before that. I'm not ashamed to admit that my husband and I found ourselves in a rut recently. We were going to the … [Read more...]
Four Tweaks BET Should Make ASAP To “Reed Between The Linesâ€
Whenever a new show debuts, I always make it a point to give it three episodes before forming any real opinions. It takes time for the writers and cast and crew to get a sense of the direction of the show and how audiences receive it. I allow that cushion because I've missed out on a lot of good shows because the pilot was just eh. (Although "Undercovers," the ill-fated Boris … [Read more...]
The One Guaranteed Way To Improve Your Relationship In The Next 30 Days
If your relationship is kind of rocky, or you're coming off a huge argument, you have a few options to get your relationship back on track. You can spend a ton of money on counseling sessions, self-help books, or marriage seminars and hope that they work. But if you haven't done this one thing first, then you might not get too far in turning things around. What's this one … [Read more...]
Wedded Bliss: Adetola + Jaison
The beautiful bride, Adetola, planned the whole wedding herself and dare we say that she didn't miss a thing. Her nuptials to her new husband, Jaison, contained special touches to honor her Nigerian heritage. "I am proud of my Nigerian heritage and don't believe because you marry outside of your culture you have to give it up. This is an opportunity to share the beauty of my … [Read more...]
How Often Do Your Kids Get Your Full Attention?
In case you didn't know, I work from home. Most days, I'm typing and editing with a clingy three-year-old attached to my side. The stop-start nature of the work, coupled with intimidating deadlines ("Oh, yes, I can edit a 200 page book in a week"), makes it for a difficult ride. Some days, I'm able to handle it better than others. And then there are the days like … [Read more...]
Wedded Bliss: Adhari + Maverick (VIDEO)
Our friends at Munaluchi Bridal highlighted this beautiful wedding video on their site a few days ago and it was so wonderful we had to share it with you. Adhari and Maverick Edwards got hitched in July and their wedding videographer captured these moments brilliantly. Go on, take a look: … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Is Reed Between The Lines The Cosby Show For 2011?
Critics have been saying BET's new scripted series is basically an update of the Cosby Show. The comparisons are seemingly obvious if you consider that they have 1) married parents who are both professionals in their own right, 2) a gang of cute kids, and 3) they have Malcolm-Jamal Warner. There you go. I have to watch myself as I write this review, since I've been jonesing … [Read more...]
Appreciate The Role Your Partner Plays In Your Life
Like many (most?) working moms, there have been a couple times in our marriage where I felt like my husband wasn't pulling his weight and it was taking a toll on our relationship. My husband had unfortunately reached the point where he stopped listening, because night after night it was the same conversation about what he didn't do, as opposed to all the ways he contributed … [Read more...]
Sometimes A Man Just Needs To Hear…
After a long day by both of us, my husband and I collapsed into the bed, exhausted. It was almost midnight, and I know my husband was tired from doing the whole dinner-bath-bedtime routine that he takes over when I have class at night. My head was throbbing from being too tired and not getting enough sleep the night before. He had just gotten into the bed and was already … [Read more...]