Its for you...

Darlings, as most of you know its almost Valentines Day - So, I thought I'd do an "Its for you" in honour of this wonderful (yet totally commercialised) heart covered day :)

How this post always works: I will answer the below very random questions - then you can answer the questions as a comment. Why? 'cause sharing is caring *winks*:

1. I think Valentines Day... is a silly & sweet idea, but i personally would prefer to be surprised with a love gift on an unexpected day of the year.

2. One of my favourite romantic movies is... The Notebook

3. Love song of the week? "cheek to cheek" by Frank Sinatra

4. What would you like to get most for Valentines Day? I would love a romantic handmade card or a handwritten love letter

5. This Valentines day I ... don't care what I do, as long as I get to spend the day with The Boyf

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. You can still get very sunburnt on a gloomy, cloudy day

2. "Pravda" means truth in russian

3. Mint & chocolate chip ice-cream never dissapoints me

4. Men and woman operate in very different time zones

5. I'm good at starting funny arguements with people

6. A day at the beach is a day well spent

7. Nando's garlic peri-peri sauce is so yummy

8. Its definitely time for a new bed

9. I absolutely love roadtrips with The Boyf

10. Life rushes by way too fast for people not to take a camera everywhere they go :)

>

What did you learn this weekend?

Silly pedestrians, plant killing and inspiration

While driving to work today I could have hit...
about 10 pedestrians with my car, but lucky for them I don't suffer from any kind of road rage and have no homicidal tendencies (well, not usually). Often I can't believe that some people try and cross the road as soon as the light turns green for cars to go - Seriously, why? stupidity? death wish?

The plant near my desk is sick...

and I dont think it is going to recover. I am starting to see a pattern emerging -you see, the last plant that was in the same place started to get sickly, then it lost all its branches (I then begun to affectionately call it "stumpie") and then "stumpie" went to plant heaven.

I know what you must be thinking, and I swear I didn't kill the previous plant. It's also not my fault now that this one is sickly.

Anyways, to make matter worse, some of my co-workers have been throwing me judging looks as they pass the new, sick plant. Some even make questioning comments like "What has happened to your plant, Brazen?" or "Plants don't seem to like you, hey?".
Ok, people lets set the record straight: its not MY plant - I am just the closest person to the plant. Personally I think someone is feeding the plant coffee or something. I think I must set up a secret "plant cam" and find the plant killer in my office.
>

IF you are feeling sorry for yourself today...

or are thinking that your life just sucks right now - go watch THIS video (I'm sure some of you have seen it before). Its very inspiring and may get you choked up.

Happy Friday!

“There is always some madness in love.

But there is also always some reason in madness.”

- Friedrich Nietzsche

Friday fluff

I'm so happy its finally the weekend!

>

Here are some links for you to check out (if you like)...

>

* Read my new post on the book blog

>

* Decide if Bubblegum pink is the new blonde

.

* Is blogging dead? Click HERE to read news article

* See some awesome tea bag designs (ta, Rox)

* I like this cool black & white decorated cottage

* Silly, but so funny (thanks, F U penguin)- Click HERE

* Read about unbreakable beer glasses

Have a wonderful weekend, darlings!

and the chocolate winner is...

The winner of the Chocolate giveaway is sadly not me *winks*.... The lucky person who will be getting the yummy chocolates is Sally-Jane! Congrats, please e-mail me soon.

Please go HERE if you would like to enter my current jewellery giveaway (it ends on 14 February).

Colourful hearts

click pic to enlarge

I love hearts, especially heart necklaces. Since its almost Valentines Day, I decided to make a wish list of some colourful heart necklaces I would love (as I already have enough plain, silver heart ones). Here are my choices:

1. Gorgeous heart necklaces from Beatnik Bazaar (R330 - R400)
2. Sunset moth wing necklace by Mikellefler ($275)
3. Mini heart, picture necklaces from Collect Jewellery (R390)
4. Decorative washi heart by Claireishino ($130)
5. Pink rhodonite classic Tiffany heart by Tiffany & Co ($150)

Lie to me

"The Truth is Written All Over Our Faces" >

>

Wouldn't it be totally awesome if you could tell if a person is lying or what they are really feeling just by looking at their face and body movements?

Well, in the series Lie to me that is exactly what the main characters can do - Heres what Wikipedia says about the show: "Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth) and his colleagues accept assignments and assist in investigations, reaching the truth through applied psychology: interpreting microexpressions, through the Facial Action Coding System, and body language"

I just started watching the series and I must say, I'm really enjoying it. I also love the fact that the series is based on real-life scientific discoveries.

>

Discovered any cool, new shows lately?

The Grand cafe & beach

the restaurant (aka- where the bar is)

>

For The Boyfs birthday on Sunday we went to The Grand cafe & beach in Granger Bay (that's near the Cape Town Waterfront, for those of you who don't know) and I found my new favourite place to have sundowner drinks (yup, its that awesome).

the awesome view

Basically The Grand cafe is a warehouse that has been converted into a very trendy restaurant and in front of it there is a chilled, private, "made" beach. The white sand beach is dotted with chairs, a few palm trees and has beautiful views of the sea (complete with the occasional passing yacht). I must say, from the moment I walked onto The Grands beach I felt as though I had been transported to some fabulous island.

Perfection :)

I can't comment on the food (as I never had any of it), but I can tell that their jugs of strawberry daiquiris are amazing (try them and thank me later).

Sunset at The Grand

A Note: The one thing I must advise anyone who plans to go there for sundowners is to arrive by about 3pm. When we went we found that they "closed" the bar/restaurant from 4-6pm to prepare for the dinner crowd - BUT if you arrive before 4pm, you can order your drinks and just hang out on the beach.

Criticism: My only criticism is that they dont have a bar on the beach, so you have to go inside to get drinks (which is not ideal). Apparently they are going to get a beach bar soon.

Where is your favourite place to have drinks?

* all photos by me

Vintage flower giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a giveaway sponsored by Diament Designs.

The winner of this giveaway will get this sterling silver, vintage flower pendant (very sweet and simple):

Description: Handcasted and polished, sterling silver vintage flower pendant. This little gem adds something special to any outfit. Chain is 16" and sterling silver.

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Be a follower/subscriber, THEN please comment on this post and tell me what is your favourite piece of jewellery in the Diament Designs Etsy store
2. Blog about this giveaway for an extra entry (please let me know what the link is to your blog post)
>
Please note:

*Anyone may enter.

* The winner is chosen randomly

*This giveaway will end on Sunday, 14 February and the winner will be announced on Monday, 15 February. Good luck, darlings!

For the love of books

If you love books and want to read the occasional book babble from me (or you want a place to submit your book review or read other reviews) - go HERE to join my book blog

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. Wearing alot of bangles & bracelets on my arm makes me feel awesome (i like the jangling sound they make)

2. The Grand cafe & beach in Granger Bay is a really fabulous place for sundowner drinks (will try post some pictures soon)

3. Sometimes old friends save the day

4. Once in a while its ok to just eat pizza the whole day.

5. Frozen strawberry daiquiris are so yummy and more-ish

6. Watching Top Gear live made me want to buy a new car.

7. The Boyf can still make my knees weak with just a look

8. I'm super bugged by people who say they'll come and don't

9. I'm actually really enjoying meeting new people lately.

10. Its never too late to start doing things differently

>

What did you learn this weekend?

and the winner is...

The winner of the gypsy jewellery giveaway is.... Deanna ! Congrats lady, please e-mail me soon.

Another wonderful international giveaway will be starting tomorrow (lovely).

Friday Fluff

Today I am feeling totally tired, but deliriously perky.

Last Night I had a fabulous time hanging out with my lovely friend Miss Herbal, her buddy and The Boyf. There was champagne, wine and sushi - it was glorious. The night taught me 2 important things: 1. I seriously cannot handle my red wine (two glasses and I will not shut up) and 2. Some people should not be waiters (especially people who seem to be on drugs)

This weekend is The Boyfs birthday and currently we have no plans except that we are going to watch the Top Gear show on Sunday (nice!) . Since the Boyf is more on the impulsive side than I am these days, I have no doubt that there will also be some kind of last minute party this weekend (yay!)

My Friend, Bee, has posted an interview with me on her blog -go HERE if you want to read it :)

Oh, don't forget to enter my two current giveaways (Look to right). Both are ending rather soon.

What are you up to this weekend, darlings?

Happy Friday!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

Chocolate giveaway

Today I am super happy to announce the start of a little giveaway sponsored by an awesome (drool-worthy) South African company called The Chocolate Club

A bit about The Chocolate Club: Members of The Chocolate Club are introduced to new, unique flavours each month and receive fine chocolates, beautifully presented and delivered direct to their doors (by courier) on a monthly basis. To become a member, just go HERE and sign up. Your first month is free and after that you will be billed R169 a month.

The winner of this giveaway will receive a box of decadent chocolates, that will probably look like this (yum, yum): Darlings, I just have to add that I think joining yourself or buying someone you love a membership to The Chocolate Club would be the most awesome Valentines Day gift EVER - Dont you agree? (think about it, because Valentines Day is super soon).

HOW TO ENTER:
Step 1: Firstly, to enter this giveaway you must be a South African Resident (sorry international readers - you can go HERE and enter my current international giveaway)
Step 2: Then, you must answer this easy question: What is your favourite kind of chocolate? (you may e-mail me or comment on this post to enter)

Notes:
*For an extra entry , you can blog or tweet about this giveaway (but let me know you did)
** This giveaway will end on 4 February.

Today...

Today has not really started off very well....Firstly I woke up tired, then I was late for work, then I discovered I had forgotten my cellphone at home, then I noticed a smear of toothpaste on my black pants and I totally forgot a meeting I had *sigh*...I feel a little out of sorts, BUT don't worry its nothing that a chocolate brownie, a glass of wine and a hug from The Boyf won't fix *winks*

Anyways, I am hoping to write a post for my book blog today. So if you are looking for me, thats where i'll probably be. x

>

How you today?

Mall walking (aka Mallercise)

Today I stumbled upon an article about an amusing fitness craze called "mall walking" (obviously this was started by shopaholics).

First off I would like to say that I have been walking around malls for many years - but I had no idea I could call it part of my fitness regime. Obviously now that I know such a fitness craze exists I can (and probably will) use this excuse every time I need to go to the mall without a good reason *chuckles*. I will probably have a conversation like this sometime in the future:

Boyf: Where you off to, honey?
Me: I'm off to the mall
Boyf: So, you are going shopping?
Me: No, I'm going to exercise
Boyf: Hmmm, then why you taking your bag?
Me: Well, I may need to buy some things so I can carry some extra weight while I walk -works up a better sweat ;)

Though, I find it a bit silly (plus I prefer to exercise in places where I can focus on fitness) I do see some benefits to mall walking, like...

* its safer than walking around in some neighbourhoods
* its a good way to keep an eye out for sales
*You can catch a movie, if you need a break
* if you dislike the "workout" outfit you left the house in, you can always buy a new one...

Notes: Apparently "mall walking" (also know as "Mallercise") is usually done before stores open, so that there are less crowds. To read more about "Mall walking" click HERE or HERE

Are you going to start "mall walking"? or are you going to start your own silly fitness craze?

10 things I photographed this weekend

1. The Ocean (view of Fish Hoek & Simonstown)

2. Some flowers in Kalk Bay

3. Seagulls

4. Fish sellers in Kalk Bay

5. A cute seal (at the harbour)


6 & 7. Harbour and boats - Kalk Bay

8. A warning sign

9. Side of Green Point Stadium

10. Sea Point promenade at sunset

This weekend The Boyf and I went out to take some photos on Saturday and Sunday. It was super fun and something I had not done in a while - So, I thought I'd share some of the photos.

* All the above are my photos (Wish I could show you some of The Boyfs too - maybe another time).

>

Ps - I love Cape Town.

Happy Friday!

“ the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars… ” - Jack Kerouac
(

* picture from weheartit.com