As 2009 comes to an end, we would like to appreciate all the support we have received from our readers in terms of feedback and comments especially to the Ask Lily column. We have seen some good advice being dished out. The Lily Review is a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and giving of advice. So next time you see a post you like, do leave a comment to add your voice.

Many thanks to the following writers who have contributed the articles that have been posted on The Lily Review.

Ann – Ann is the owner of Nelanz Store, made for ladies who lives fashion represented in Nairobi by TT Collection (tt-collection.blogspot.com)

Bailey – Bailey is an aspiring writer and appreciates all forms of self-expression. She authors the blog wanjagi.wordpress.com

Crystal Ading’ – Crystal is a professional author, editor, rock lover and mother. Her work is available through fimbo.

Davie Doves – A contributor from Uganda who specialized on articles on Relationships.

Dorothy – The founder of Mothers Unwed, a support group of single mothers.

Emerald Sua – Emerald shares her experiences on raising her 3 children on the Kazi ni Kulea column

Kui – Kui is the author of the Kui’s Loft column.

Lawrence – Lawrence is a freelance internet consultant. Visit his blog at intervangelist.wordpress.com.

Miss Dharma – Our first contributor who has done articles on the Make Up Tips, Lady Love and Diva Divine columns.

Prisca W Mwangi – Prisca is a Beauty Consultant at The Color Palette Company. She can be reached at beautiodyssey@gmail.com.

Wacu Mureithi – Wacu is a part time law student, full-time mother and all-time dreamer. Her work can be found on seriouslypoetic.blogspot.com.

Wanjiku Kariuki – A certified wedding planner and coordinator and is the lead consultant of Waridikenya.com, a Kenyan wedding website. Read the rest of this entry →

Growing up, the only skin care regimen I knew was to cleanse with Imperial Leather soap and then slather on some Vaseline to moisturize my skin. I have since moved on to a more sophisticated skin care regimen but Vaseline still remains my number one choice when it come to taking care of dry skin issues especially my lips, hands, feet and elbows. There is always a tub of Vaseline petroleum jelly in my house and I’m sure it’s the same with many other households around the world. The great thing about this product is that it’s cheap and very versatile.

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly was named Vaseline by Robert Cheesebrough in 1869, after he discovered its various remarkable healing properties on the skin. However it has no medicinal value. Vaseline cannot be absorbed by the skin, therefore it acts as a seal around minor cuts and burns preventing germs from getting into the wound and locking in moisture thus it’s healing properties.
Vaseline has been around for over 100 years and over time it has evolved to include a variety of uses. Is it any wonder that women have discovered that petroleum jelly acts as a wonderful and cheap beauty aid. Here are a few ways you can use Vaseline as part of your beauty routine. Some were new to me and I can’t wait to try them out.   Read the rest of this entry →

Myths exist in a given culture because they are necessary to veil the underlying truths that they pertain to. In order to deal with these myths in an effective way they must be confronted directly with a balanced mind and wise insight, disregarding the fear and rationalization that brought them into being in the first place.  Here are some myths that are still strongly embedded among many relationships and married couples, therefore as you read them try to scrutinize and determine if they have impacted some of your own attitudes.

1. Money is an important component in marriage, families and relationships mainly for what it symbolizes. Arguments on financial issues between married couples result as an expression of conflict as related to incompatible goals, competitiveness or due to an inner struggle for control and dominance – the struggle is in no way related to money. Read the rest of this entry →

Problem #4: Conflict
Occasional conflict is an inevitable part of life, but if you and your partner feel like you are starring in your own nightmare version of the movie Groundhog Day, it’s time to break free of this toxic routine. Recognizing these simple truths will lessen anger and enable you to take a calm look at the underlying issue.

Resolution strategies
Conflict resolution skills can help you and your partner learn to argue in a more constructive manner, consider this advice: Read the rest of this entry →

It’s the rare couple that doesn’t, sooner or later, run into a few bumps in the road. If you recognize ahead of time what those relationship issues can be, you’ll have a much better chance of weathering the storm.

Ideally, there are certain basic issues a couple should discuss — such as money, sex, and kids — before they decide to start their life together. Of course, even when you do discuss these issues beforehand, marriage (or a long-term, live-in relationship) is nothing like you think it’s going to be.

Despite the fact that every marriage experiences relationship problems, couples who are successful have learned how to manage them and keep their love life going. They gain success in marriage by hanging in there, tackling problems, and learning how to maneuver through the complex issues of everyday married life. Here are some common issues and ways to resolve them: Read the rest of this entry →

Okay, actually this happens to me nearly everyday. Here is the typical scenario: A woman is patiently and innocently waiting for a matatu. Out of the blue, five touts come rushing toward her, seemingly from nowhere. She has barely been watching her surroundings; so lost is she in her own little world.

Suddenly she is grabbed by her arms, shoulders, hands, and even her poor tired legs. Her first thought: “Oh no! I’m being kidnapped! What was that I saw on CSI? Pepper spray…nope. Kick the attacker…” But alas! Her legs have been grabbed!

Slowly she snaps out of her reverie and hears: “Madam, thirty bob! Thirty bob!”. She cannot free herself from their grip. She ends up being dragged into the matatu with the strongest tout. Read the rest of this entry →

Let’s start with the things you say. I have been with my fair share of women, probably other people’s fair share as well thanks to a few God given gifts. One of the biggest problems I have had are the things that come out of your vocal chords when either at the heat of the moment, in the face of competition, when your girlfriends insinuate that he doesn’t love you anymore and in many other such situations. So here is a simple list which any blonde should be able to grasp at a moment’s glance. It is important for you to realize that just as you interpret the things we say in a bizarrely differing ways, so do we. And its not intentional, or vengeance for all the trauma you’ve caused us, its simply the male psychology.

So where is this going?
If we haven’t asked you out, there is only one possible explanation, we are not ready yet. As for your question, it was heading somewhere until you said these 5 killer words. We are slow by nature, we don’t like to be rushed, and we really hate it when you try to take control of the situation. Just let us do it our way. And if you are tired of waiting, well, move on! Who’s holding
you back? Read the rest of this entry →

The following are the simple ways on how not to impress a lady…DISCALIMER-I GOT THIS FROM A GUY!!!! I had to convince my friends to give me tit bits on these issue and well we have 41 of those.

1) AVOIDING her lips and diving straight for the erogenous zones makes her feel like you’re paying by the hour and trying to get your money’s worth by cutting out nonessentials. A proper passionate kiss is the ultimate form of foreplay.

2) BLOWING TOO HARD IN HER EAR. Admit it, some kid at school told you girls love this. Well, there’s a difference between being erotic and blowing as if you’re trying to extinguish the candles on your 50th birthday cake. That hurts.

3) NOT SHAVING. You often forget you have a porcupine strapped to your chin which you rake repeatedly across your partner’s face and thighs. When she turns her head from side to side, it’s not passion, it’s avoidance. Read the rest of this entry →

The way you dress can help you
I know many of us have had to ask some of the strangest questions, especially to men. Some go like this; how do I look with this dress? Does this pant make me look fat? The better majority of us try asking these questions to our reflections in the mirror. But I hate to believe that all of us women we tailored to be worried about the same thing, I mean there must be something we can for sure blame. Don’t you think some clothes actually make us look bigger and fatter? Fashion experts like me tend to believe so. There are many opinions about this. What makes you look fat and what can take 10 pounds and a few inches off your waist? Among the many recommendations that the experts keep repeating on TV programs and books, I believe that the following work the best:

1. Positive focus
If you are overweight (later on I will teach you how you can know whether you are or not), first of all, do not feel bad about your body. You would be nothing without your body and it hell supports you when walking, talking, breathing, so love it. Read the rest of this entry →

“usually when two people are together
for a long time things seem to change
it’s been said that nothing good lasts forever
but this love gets better every day
we get all excited inside,
every time that we get alone
he’s still got love in his eyes, and I still have love in my soul”

Relationships define a whole new way of living because we all know that they can be tough. To make it worse as time goes by things do not get any easier. It’s not like being a sales person where you get better just because you have been in the job longer. There are times that it’s going to be all rosy and happy and other times the periods of ennui and speed bumps of tedium along the way.

Read the rest of this entry →