5 Love Languages

One of the gals I talk to on twitter pretty recently married her boyfriend/fiance of almost 4 years (if my memory serve me correctly). First off lets give them a round of applause for being role models of courtship, in today's world people get married like its nothing and barely date beforehand! Anyways, her aunt recommended this book to them just before they were to be wed. She tweeted about how excited she was to get into it after looking at the website.

I am secretly and avidly curious about anthropology and LOVE reading books on the human condition, relationships and how we as humans develop while growing up!

Hubby bought me a brand spanking new iPad as an early birthday present last week. The screen is huge! I did some comparisons on which app I would like best and decided to go with the Kindle app from Amazon. (They have a wonderful selection of books and you don't even have to have an e-reader or tablet! You can read their books straight from your computer or smartphone)

Finally, curiosity got the best of me after following Emily's tweets about this amazing book! I went to go check it out on Amazon, and this is what I found...

The 5 Love Languages/Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married Set 

His two most influential books for the price of one! When you follow the link it will take you to the Amazon page! You can download it for your e-reader, phone, or computer, and put it on any device you want. 

Why I love this book

1. It's an easy read  most "anthropology" books can be confusing and really technical! These are written so anybody can understand them.
2. You instantly click with the book  The first two chapters prepare you for the rest of the book, but once you finish the first page, you're hooked. The way Gary presents the 5 Love Languages is so stinking easy to understand and relate you, you just can't put it down.
3. He doesn't lecture you Through the whole book, not once does he say its your fault that you're not speaking your partners love language! This book will not make you feel like crap. It is a tool to be used to benefit your relationship! Everyone was raised differently and has different expectations for what a relationship is like. This book shows you how to see eye to eye with your partner so that everybody's "love tank" is full

Have you read a book recently on love, relationships or marriage that has radically influenced you? I'd love to take a peek at it!

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts on the 5 Love Languages?

Victoria || Marine Wifey

10 Improvements in 12 months

1. Get Organized!

   Why? It will lower your stress levels, help you balance your daily activities and will help you manage your time better!
   
   
   How?  
   Buy a Planner or Desk Calendar! Check out these Planner Systems I love!
   • Uncalendar - This is for the Ultimate OCD Person that doesn't want to get crazy creative with their Organization, the best All-In-One Planner in my book!
   • Arc System by Staples - This is what use now and I LOVE the Versatility!
            Try using a new phone app to help you! Try these out!
   • Google Calendar - Sync & Share your Calendar and Tasks with Friends and Family through email. Available for iOS and Android
   • Agenda Calendar - Super Organization! Available for iOS and Android! 

2. Get Some Exercise!

   Why? "Exercise produces Endorphins. Endorphins make people happy! Happy people don't just shoot their Husbands!" -Legally Blonde
   
   
   Guess what? ITS TRUE!! You can look on the internet, you can ask people at the gym, or you can even ask me! Exercise just makes you feel refreshed! (Why do you think the Military makes our men do PT so often? They're trying to force them to be happy! :D )
   
   
   How? 
   Just start by being active, this could be something as simple as taking the dog on an extra long walk, doing and hours worth of window shopping walking around the mall or even just some extra sex for those of us that are married! ;] 
   
   
   Want something more hands on? That doesn't mean you need to become a body builder or you have to be a gym rat! Try working out at home or with some girlfriends!
   
   
   Pinterest basically makes finding the perfect workout for you the easiest thing ever!! They have a whole category dedicated to Health and Fitness, hmmm I wonder why! No matter what kind of workout schedule you're looking for I'm pretty sure you can find it on Pinterest! 
   
   
   Need some inspiration to get you started? Check out my Pin Board Fit > Skinny here.

3. Eat REAL Food!

   Why? It's simple. Real food gives you real energy. Junk Food is just going to make you feel energized or hyper for a bit and then you'll crash and feel worse than before. Just make the right decision from the start, "Do I really need a bowl of chips, or should I just have a handful of almonds"
   
   
   If you're trying to lose weight, remember, the way you eat accounts for up to 80% of your results!!
   How?
   Keep your current diet and look at how much excess food/calories/fat you're intaking! Then get rid of everything that is unhealthy in your house, JUST DO IT! All you have to do is throw it all in a bag and toss it out! Simple!
   
   
   Try My Fitness Pal! It's an amazing App and Website that helps you track your food intake and calorie expenditure. You can even just scan the barcodes of things you eat to add it in! I and half the people at the gym I used to work at swear by this app!

4. Find and Outlet!

   Why? Everybody gets Angry, Angsty, Anxious, Sad, Depressed, Stressed and/or Lethargic, its human nature! Find an outlet so you don't project those feelings and emotions onto the people around you.
   
   
   Remember attitudes are contagious, don't spread a bad one.
   
   
   How?
   Find something that helps you relax!
   • Reading a Book
   • Join a Soccer League
   • Start a Blog
   • Journal about it
   • Clean the house

5. Smile More!

   Why? Let me just list a few reasons why!
   • It can help relieve stress
   • It can actually make you happy
   • We are born being able to smile, its not something we learn, its natural for us!
   • Smiling is contagious, spread the happiness!
   • Smiles are more attractive than makeup
   
   
   How? You just do it! Don't be a grumpy cat!
   
   
   Need something to make you smile? Check out the Daily Haha for some pictures that will make you giggle!

6. Be Helpful!

   Why? GOOD KARMA! What you put out into the world, will come back to you eventually! Not only that but helping people less fortunate than you will help you to remember to be grateful for the things you have!
   
   
   How?
   • Volunteer at a siblings school
   • Volunteer at the a local animal shelter
   • Buy a hot chocolate and sandwich for a Homeless person
   • Check on your husbands/boyfriends base to see if you can volunteer at any upcoming events! Even if its just helping out at another units family day.

7. Sleep More! 

   Why? & How? I'll let the picture explain! Click to enlarge! or view it Here on Pinterest!

   

8. Goof Off Sometimes!

   Why? Because it's fun. It can reduce the risk of heart disease and the best memories in life always come from those stupid things you do with people you love. 
   
   
   How?
   • Use your imagination! Play princes and princesses with your nieces and nephews or children or siblings
   • Play a board game!
   • Build a Pillow or Blanket Fort
   • Color a coloring book
   • Draw a mustache on your husbands face while hes taking a nap after he gets home from work ;P

9. Don't Be Afraid of Change!

   Why? Everything happens for a reason. If something is changing in your life, trust that the universe has a plan for you. Even if it doesn't seem like something that's going to benefit you, it will... eventually! Have Faith!
   
   
   How? 
   It's okay to worry sometimes! Things will always change in some fashion, just take it one step at a time and work through it. 
   •  Do research, see if someone else has been through what you're going through, chances are there is! Maybe they can give you some advice.
   • Make a list of all the good things that can come from change
   • Reflect on past changes in your life and where they led you, remember that even though you didn't see the plan at first, things always work out.
   
   

10. Seize The Day!

    Why? Never put something off until tomorrow that you can do today! Sometimes you just need to be spontaneous! If you know you have the extra money, BUY THE SHOES! (you can always return them if it was a total mistake!)
    
    
    Plan to do something you've never done before, why? Just because you can! Appreciate every day and always live life to the fullest, it ends all too soon.
    
    
    How? 
    • Run an Obstacle or Mud course with friends
    • Go skydiving
    • Hit a piantball park
    • Go Bowling
    • BUY THE PURSE!
    • Make cookies
    • Insert-something-spontaneous-that-you-never-thought-you-would-do-here
    
    
    
    What other things are you doing to make your life easier this year?
    
    

    

    
    

My First Giveaway

Nothing makes me feel prettier than having my nails freshly painted! I'm a HUGE OPI fan and I have definitely fallen in love with their newest colors based around the Skyfall James Bond Movie (which I haven't seen yet! NO SPOILERS!) Sooo I thought I'd give all you amazing followers and readers a chance to try them out for FREE with a few extra goodies, so I officially launched my first giveaway earlier today! Enter to win, and be sure to share it with your friends, the more people that enter the better the next giveaway will be. :D 

To enter the giveaway, Click Here!

Pair: The Couples App

About a week ago one of the gals on twitter, one of my favorite MilSO tweeters @Ana_heart00 recommended the app "Pair" for couples. Being the Tech-wanna-know-it-all  that I am, I immediately downloaded it onto my phone & told my husband to as well.

We love it!

Find it in the Android App Store Here! 

Find it the the Apple App Store Here!

We actually use it more that we text now. It's a cute little app that lets you send videos, pictures, messages, and drawings to your partner! It also saves, birthdays and anniversary dates, you also share a to-do list! Here's a few pictures of how my husband and I have used it, and yes we are idiots sometimes. :]

The whole thing operates over an internet connection so he can use the app over WiFi if he doesn't have cell service! This should work just about anywhere in the world that has internet :]

(Could be used while your SO is deployed or stationed abroad)

These two pictures show what a conversation looks like in the Pair app, basically the same as any MMS screen. When you click the "+" sign in the bottom left it pulls up the action menu. From there you can send video, pictures, voice notes, or draw a picture to send to you match. 

Other Features:

•  "Thinking of you" Button that sends a little though bubble to your partners so they know you were thinking of them.
•  "Thumbkiss" is another one of the unique features, it allows you to push on your screen and a fingerprint will show up on your partners, when your partner pushes against the thumbprint and you both hold it for 1 full second the phones will vibrate simultaneously :] Simulating a shared kiss :] (Cheesy but cute I know!) 
• "Live Sketch" You and your partner can draw on one canvas simultaneously! Very fun!
• The "Moments" area is found through the main "Menu" button (top left) and will show a grid of all the photos you've sent each other. (As Pictured Below)

 

Chris and I love it because its purely between us! None of what we send to each other is broadcasted, it doesn't share to social networks it doesn't require friend referrals, and it's totally FREE. It's a great way for us to express ourselves to each other throughout the day. It's the perfect couple's App.

Find it in the Android App Store Here! 

Find it the the Apple App Store Here!

Whats your favorite app to use with your SO? Do you have a favorite App that helps you get things done? 

I'd love to hear about it!

Beautiful Christmas Ornament Giveaway

Through one of the blogs I follow avidly :]

Just in time for the holidays, they're giving away a customized tree ornament with the Branch symbol and a custom name on the back! I was just looking at the Artists website and Michelle's products are gorgeous!!

Click to enter - because who doesn't love handmade Christmas Ornaments!

Good Luck ladies & may the best Woman win!

The Perfect Practical Present for Him

Are you still stuck trying to figure out what to get him for Christmas? Keep reading, I'm giving you the answer!

Its going to

• Save him money
• Keep him from cutting himself
• Save him time in the morning
• Go with him anywhere there's a wall outlet, even overseas!

As well as keep him up to Military Standard easily.

**PRICES WILL DIFFER AT INDIVIDUAL RETAILERS**

You might be rolling your eyes at me right now, asking why all this is important but wait until I crunch the numbers for you! (Especially if you're the Wifey!)

He has to shave his face (baby smooth) at least 5 days a week, sometimes more. My husband has SUPER coarse and wiry hair so he has to use a new disposable razor everyday. This was honestly the best investment we've ever made. Its paid itself off so quick!

The first two scenarios  were based off average consumer ratings and useage, so you can assimilate those to the Average G.I.Joe :]

The scenario for the electric razor is more similar to our family a.k.a. my husband who has coarse wiry hair. So if you man has less/softer hair it could cost even less, some people can go 12 months without replacing the razor head. We bought him a mid-grade Norelco (70 for the razor) and he LOVES it. Even when the razor head starts to go out it still gives him a baby smooth shave until we can get him a new one. 

All he has to do is plug it in every night and grab it in the morning! 

(Just like his cell phone, so he has no excuse!)

They can even use it while driving if they're running late.

What hes spending now....

** Please remember that all these numbers may not be exact, they are based off of the research I have conduced based on average store prices, not the Xchange or Commissary.**

They're very durable my father had one for over 4 years and just kept replacing the head!

Sound like something he needs check it out here -The Official Phillips Norelco 

Hint-Hint ^^ There's coupons on that website so you could get one for even cheaper!!

So now you have the perfect Christmas present, I've justified it for your wallet and you have access to coupons so it's going to be even more practical, be sure to compare different retailers before purchasing and check the Xchange too!

**DISCLAIMER: I am not a promoter, spokesperson or sponsee of Phillips Norelco. I am sugguesting their product purely because I know how much it has improved my husbands mornings and has made them easier for him now as it did in the past for my father. It is a trusted brand that is something that I always recommend to my friends and their husbands**