Everybody Needs Love

I once heard it said that those that are hardest to love, need love the most.

In my strong desire to judge less and love more this year as I am spreading sparkle to others, I long to pay attention to every detail of those around me. Uplifting everyone I can, especially those I feel pushing this love away. I want to pay attention to who needs me and who I can lift by offering a listening ear or a kind heart. I want to give more, love more, and serve more.

The #1 lesson I learned from my experiences this past year is you NEVER know the pains and sorrows of another's heart. Pain isn't visible to see always, but the more we open our heart to pray for others and look for others, the more we will be in tune with who needs help and how we can help.

Ready for Love - Episode 3 Dating Advice

Okay are you ready for dating advice from episode # 3?
I'm really LOVING all this dating advice!

Advice from Tracy McMillian:
 You can't really connect with somebody until they have seen your flaws!

When somebody says something positive about you, you respond with yes, thank you and I'm willing to embrace even more!


Advice from Matt Hussey: 
If you don't get the reaction that you want, become more positive, don't shut down.

Touch is one thing you can use for connection, like a simple touch on the elbow or spine of the back.

When he shows you that he would be uncomfortable with something, be willing to compromise. If you don't communicate that you will compromise, he is thinking what else am I going to have to give up?

You can have your excuses or you can have the guy but you can't have both!

There is nothing sexier than a sense of certainty.

Dear Ashley Marie

Dear Ashley Marie,
I hate wearing makeup because after 2 hours of applying it, I feel like it has started to melt away and seeps into lines I didn't know existed. Am I the only one this happens to? What am I doing wrong? Any advice you can offer me would be great. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Liz


Dear Liz,
Great question and no you are DEFINITELY not alone. I know exactly what you are talking about and I am SO EXCITED to share my secret with you! My secret is a foundation primer. I used to think this was a completely unnecessary step that was made up for cosmetic businesses to sale me more products. Guess what? I was WRONG! Even if I have applied every possible step of skin care before my makeup I still NEED this product. 

Mary Kay makes a great one and this is what it looks like:

You can buy it HERE!

It has an SPF 15 in it, which is desperately needed in the summer time.
This foundation primer is a lightweight gel that glides on easily to fill in imperfections
and dries quickly to create a canvas for a flawless foundation application 
and helps your foundation last all day long.

• Oil free formula with SPF 15* is mineral-enriched to absorb oil and diffuse light to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores.
• For all skin types, including sensitive skin.
• Fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic.
• When worn alone, it still provides these skin-perfecting benefits:  helps even out skin texture and improves skin's complexion.

Love, 
Ashley Marie



Dear Ashley Marie,
With Mother's Day coming up do you have any ideas of how I can really grow a stronger relationship with my mom and let her know how much I love her?

Love,
Mommy's Girl

Dear Mommy's Girl,
I am SO HUMBLED by your question. Your mom is so lucky to have you as a daughter just for thinking of that question. I have some great ideas for you! 

You may already do this but give her a peak into your life. Tell her something that you don't share with anyone and trust in her to be the one you turn to no matter what. Tell her something you are struggling with and ask for her advice. Tell her something embarrassing and share in that "moment" together. Let her into the part of your heart that you don't open very easily.

Also every mom wants a letter reminding her of the things she is doing right. Write her a thank you letter, an I love you letter, a you-are-my-best-friend-forever-letter. Just let her really know you care.

Another thing moms love is SERVICE! Find something to clean around the house you never do, she will love it and it will make her life so much easier. Do the dishes, clean the living room, make her bed, take out the trash, ANYTHING! Just give her brake from it all for just a little so she has a moment to herself.

Good luck and can't wait to hear how it turns out!

Love, 
Ashley Marie



Dear Ashley Marie,
I didn't get asked to senior ball last week while all my other friends were off having fun. I was so hurt and stayed in my room crying all night long. This dance meant so much to me so now I feel like no body really cares and I am not pretty enough. I can't shake these thoughts away and don't know what to do.

Love,
The girl without a date

Dear girl without a date,
I can't tell you how often this happens. I never got asked to senior ball either. I'm going to let you on in a little secret, dances do not define your future. Guys are often so scared to ask girls to dances even though they have had their eye on you for a while. You have to feel the pain for a little bit, then get up brush it off and show the world what you are made of. You are worth so much more than a silly ball that only lasts 3 hours of your life. You are a beautiful girl and the right guy will come along, I promise! Make the most of the remaining month of High School and then celebrate than you have grown enough to go out in the real world and change lives and be the girl that God has been helping you to become all along! You are worth more than you think. You are so very loved! I believe in you!

Love, 
Ashley Marie

Dating Advice from Ready for Love - Episode 2

Have you guys heard of the TV show 'Ready for Love'?
It premiered on NBC but now only plays online on hulu.com.

I am IN LOVE with it!

So I have a confession to make - I have NEVER EVER seen the bachelor. Like EVER. 

So I can't tell you how this compares to it.

But what I can say about this show is that I LOVE the guys - they are such good good guys! 

Family is important to them. They give back. They are hard working!

What I also LOVE about the show is getting such great dating advice for free!

It's incredible advice too! 

So I am going to start posting the advice I take away from every episode. 

I want it written down and figured you guys might not mind to receive it as well!

I am going to be playing catch up on all the episodes that have been on up until this point.  
(And I'm sorry but I am skipping Episode #1 for now)

 Episode #2 where we meet Ernesto and Ben:

(It is SO EASY to fall for these guys - they have their lives so put together.) 
I am really in love with Ernesto because of his passion for making the world a better place
and his love for having a strong family!
Ernesto and I could serve together all day long together and I wouldn't mind one bit.

Advice from Matt Hussey: 

What makes a girl attractive is her standards
 (HELLO! - I LOVE THIS!)
Standards are what makes you a strong, confident and happy girl!

Guys gravitate to women that make them feel like men! - If a guy offers you his jacket when it is cold outside and you say no because you are thinking you don't want him to be cold, he feels diminished as a man, just take the jacket!

99% of people allow the quality of their lives to be determined by the thoughts of others - NEVER EVER EVER be one of those people!

When a guy figures out a rubix cube, he puts it down. He wants something endearing for a lifetime.


Men value what they earn! You don't want to focus so much on proving yourself that you don't give him a chance to prove himself to you.


You can't go to a bad attitude when something awkward happens or he is going to think, I have to put up with this for the rest of my life every time something awkward happens.

Advice from Amber Kelleher-Andrews: 

You are YOUR brand - discover it and work on it!

Advice from Tracy McMillian: 

You aren't available for a connection when you are constantly  thinking about how you are presenting yourself, what to say and what he is thinking.
Be in the moment!

 Be vulnerable! Practice being in that emotional vulnerable energy.