Talking clothes

"Know, first, who you are;
and then adorn yourself accordingly." ~Epictetus

When looking in my closet the other day I realised it was a rather poor reflection of my personality. Most of my clothes are safe basics and I hardly have any dresses or skirts.

I am now on a quest to dress more in a way that reflects who I am. I want more pretty pieces, bold accesories and alot more dresses. Right now my clothing is saying "hi, I'm practically plain Jane" when I want them to be saying something like "hello, I'm girly and chic "
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I think for a while I forgot how important it is to have fun with your clothes and use your clothes to further express yourself (even if you have to do it on a limited budget).

What do your clothes say about you right now?

Puppy love

I just saw this picture - Isnt it too cute? I so want this dog (I dont even care if it eats all my shoe laces) *grin*
Ok, I don't have to have this exact dog, but i really want a dog. A cute dog that I can take for walks on the beach and ramble to....
but first i need to get a garden.... *sigh*
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*picture found here

The winner and some giveaway babble

The winner of The Wren "keep calm " clutch giveaway is....*drum roll please* ...Boldly Benny....Congrats darling, please e-mail me soon!

As I am sure you have noticed I have had a few giveaways on my blog recently. After thinking about it for a bit I have decided to continue to do them as often as I can. I find them fun and enjoy giving away things I really adore.
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My next giveaway will be starting this Thursday :)

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. After I get a French manicure I look at my hands alot and find reasons to get people to notice my nails *grins*.
2. Cooking too much food is always better than cooking too little food for a dinner.
3. Meeting a fellow blogger in real life was cool and not as weird as I thought it would be.
4. Getting roses from The Boyf will always make me feel giddy.
5. Terminator 2 is still totally awesome
6. One of the best times to eat pizza is after midnight - Well, unless you are a gremlin (then its a no no).
7. A band is only as good as its lead singer
8. Over sized stripy jerseys make me happy
9. I am starting to learn how to ignore some of the silly voices in my head - and its about time :)
10. If you dont try run after your dreams , you will never know if you can catch them.

What did you learn this weekend?

Friday fluff

Tonight I am rather busy - after work i'm having a blow dry, getting a french manicure (can't wait), meeting blogger Rox, seeing a band and watching a stand up comedian. Should be fun!

This weekend I have no plans yet, except that I will probably visit my mom, might look at some kitchen taps and may try make it to gym at least once (i haven't been all month).

Some random news - Apparently scientists have found 162 new species in Asia. Among the new species is a fanged frog
(i have decided to rename it "vampire kermit"). It totally amazes me that people are still discovering new species today. Sometimes the world seems so small, that I forget there are still parts that have not been completely explored yet. Makes me wonder what else is out there? Read full story here.

What are you up to this weekend?

Ps - I totally adore the shoes pictured above. They are too cute. If you know where I can buy them, let me know :)

Happy Friday!

“ Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience. ”

- Paulo Coelho

Gossip Girl, sequins and a day off

Gossip Girl Season 3 has finally started! I'm infatuated with Blair and Chuck all over again (just had to mention that).

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A few days ago I purchased a rather inexpensive, black, sequined tank top. The front is totally covered in sequins, the back is just black. Now usually I would shy away from things covered in sequins, as I have always found them a little too "vegas showgirl" for my liking, but I thought it might be fun to try wearing more glitzy and glam clothes to parties/dinners. I think pairing the top with heels and jeans should work well.

Do you like sequins?

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Tomorrow, as some of you know, is a public holiday here in South Africa. Its Heritage Day and National Braai Day. So, I am off to go and enjoy a braai (aka barbecue). I doubt I will post tomorrow as I will probably be too busy eating meat, making salad and going for rides on The Boyfs bike.

Catch you all on Friday :)

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* pretty picture found here

"Keep calm" clutch giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a fabulous giveaway sponsored by Wendren of The Wren.

The winner of this giveaway will get this cute coffee clutch bag AND a moleskine notebook:

Short description: This clutch has an intricate and meaningful design on the inside and reads: ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’. The outside of the purse is made from recycled fair trade coffee sacks (jute/burlap). The Moleskine Notebook is printed with just the Cat. The design is hand drawn and screen printed (To read full description click HERE.)

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Be a follower, THEN please comment on this post and tell me what is your favourite bag on The Wren's Etsy page
2. Blog about this giveaway for an extra entry (please let me know what the link is to your blog post)

Notes: *Anyone may enter.
*This giveaway will end on Monday, 28 September and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 29 September (Random.org will pick the winning entry). Good Luck!

Happy Friday!

"And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next to ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes, on good days, for falling in love." — Nicholas Sparks (from The Notebook)

*photo found on Tumblr

A little escapism...

(wish i was on this boat)

Today the weather is rather horrid, my shoulders feel a bit tense, my phone keeps ringing and the office walls feel like they may actually be closing in on me.....
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On days like this I often start daydreaming of getting away. I imagine The Boyf and I being able to teleport to some relaxing, idyllic location - A place where city life and my daily routine can't find me. Somewhere where the water is crystal clear, the weather is warm and the pace is slow. *sigh*
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I think I need a holiday and summer to arrive asap.

If you could teleport anywhere today, where would you go?

And the winner is...

The winner of the Howlindoggie jewellery giveaway is...Coutney Hope...Congrats lady! Please e-mail me asap :)

My next giveaway will begin on Monday (hooray!).

Current addictions

* Vitamin Water - I love it. It tastes great, has fabulous packaging and is apparently good for you too (bonus).

*Incense - its cheaper than scented candles and smells just as good. I also adore the way the incense smoke floats around (its kind of beautiful). Currently i am burning aloe incense. My favourites are vanilla and Sandalwood.

* Cheese puffs - They melt in your mouth and are so yummy. Once i start eating them I just can't stop until the bag is empty. I finished a bag last night (true story).

* Royal blue - I'm over pink for now...and totally into royal blue. It really seems to suit me too (probably due to my darker hair). I need a beautiful royal blue dress for spring/summer.

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* Fairy lights - They always make everything seem more magical and romantic. I plan to buy some soon and see where I can best use them at home.

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What are you currently addicted to?

Movie moment

Baby: Me? I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw, I'm scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you.

When i was younger, I always wished I could have been "Baby" in the final dance scene *chuckles*

Dirty Dancing is one of my favourite romance movies for a few reasons: its got forbidden love, a hot leading man, swoon-worthy moments, great dance scenes and a totally brilliant soundtrack. I think its time to watch it again :)

Note: I was so sad to hear the news that Patrick Swayze lost his battle with cancer yesterday - At least, like most great actors, he will live on in his films (Ghost, Dirty Dancing, Roadhouse, Point Break,etc.) and continue to win over millions of females every time he says "Nobody puts Baby in a corner".

Some blog love

(I really want this poster)

Something I don't talk about very often on here is my quest to become a better cook and my growing obsession with home decor. When I'm looking for inspiration in those departments, I often turn to alot of lovely blogs.

Today I decided to give some blog love to two blogs that I have recently started reading and enjoying:

Lanalou Style - I adore this blog. Lana always puts up plenty of pretty decor & style pictures. She also shares great finds with her readers. Go check her out :)

Betty Bake Blog - My fabulous friend, Bee, has just started this cooking blog. She makes really good food (trust me on this). If you want to try cooking more healthy and yummy food, keep visiting her site for ideas/recipes.

* you can buy the poster HERE

10 things i learnt this weekend

1. Some people take wine tasting seriously - I don't really.
2. District 9 is such an awesome film - have you seen it yet?
3. Getting ghd curls is my new favourite hair style
4. Going to a club and not drinking can be very enlightening.
5. People who don't make any eye contact during a conversation freak me out - are they really shy, super rude or hiding a deep dark secret?
6. Apparently I can rock the glasses, no eye-makeup and eye infection look - who would have thought?
7. Window shopping could be used as a form of torture
8. I will eat all the cheese puffs - don't leave the bag with me.
9. The Boyf is my biggest fan - I knew it :)
10. I need to step out of my "comfort zone" more - because that's where the blog worthy stuff often happens *winks*

What did you learn this weekend?

Friday fluff

Its Friday and the sun is out - How can I not be happy? *grins*

Tonight The Boyf and I are going to Winex (its like a giant wine bar, disguised as a wine expo). Should be very tasty. I will be looking for a good pinotage and maybe a shiraz ;)

Is twitter making people lazy to blog? This whole micro blogging thing, while amusing, can seem a bit pointless at times. What do you think?

At the moment I have an eye infection. Its horrid, like a zombie eye. I thought about rocking a pirate eye patch, but i decided against it. Hopefully it will be all better by Monday.

Have a fabulous weekend, darlings!

Ps - dont forget to enter my current jewellery giveaway.

Happy Friday!

“Why didn’t I learn to treat everything like it was the last time.......” - Jonathan Safran Foer (author)

Jewellery giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of an awesome giveaway sponsored by Ceeb of Howlindoggie Jewellery .

The winner of this giveaway will get this pretty domed Sakura Pendant on a chain (I totally want this!):

Details: The Sterling Silver pendant hangs on a delicate 40cm/16" smooth Sterling Silver Chain. It is has been domed to give it a more 3D feel. It measures approx. 30mm/1.2" across and has been hand cut (valued at $45.00).

Here is what you need to do to enter:

1. Be a follower, THEN please comment on this post and tell me what is your favourite piece on Howlindoggies Etsy page

2. Blog about this giveaway for an extra entry (please let me know what the link is to your blog post)

Notes: *Anyone may enter.

*This giveaway will end on Wed, 16 September and the winner will be announced on Thursday, 17 September (Random.org will pick the winning entry). Good Luck!

10 things about me

The lovely Sleepyjane gave me a cool award (thanks) AND tagged me to write 10 things about myself.

If you read my blog often you probably know plenty about me already - So I tried to think of a few random things I have not mentioned before on here (not easy). Well here goes...

1. I am afraid of sharks and deep water - So, even though I love the ocean, I never actually swim in it. The only time I ever did was when i was little (ignornace is bliss) and when i was in Greece (the water was so clear I could not resist).

2.I really like sci-fi and fantasy - yip, im a bit of a nerd ;)

3. I really don't like smoking - I can't handle people smoking near me or smelling like cigarette smoke. Its so ikky.

4. My current ring tone makes me laugh - Its "Good girls go bad" by Cobra Starship. It's a bit embarrassing. (FYI -my girl crush, Leighton Meester, sings in the song)

5. I want to find the Loch Ness monster -see 2 *winks*

6. One of my all time favourite movies is Great Expectations - the one starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke. There is just so much I love about this film.

7. Sometimes I think that getting take out and eating it outside (aka "fast food picnic")is as nice as going to a pretty restaurant - don't you agree?

8. I have a mini Eiffel Tower on my key ring - Ive always wanted to be able to speak french and live in France- its such a totally romantic, lofty dream. I still have not been to France, but one day I will definitely go for a holiday there.

9. I have a rather twisted sense of humour at times - I definitely got it from my mother.

10. I always like to buy a huge box of *Smarties when i go to the cinema - I try make the box last the whole movie.(*Smarties are kinda like M& M's)

I would like to pass on the award (left) and tag the following 10 people: 1. Lana 2. Drollgirl 2. Boldly Benny 3.Superficial Girl 4. Sid 5.Roxilla 6.Somewhere in between 7.Po 8.Marie 9. Sassy Britches and 10.Skinny bitches in the making.

and the winner is...

The winner of the Tim Irving photo giveaway is......*drum roll*.....Rachel!!! Congrats, dah'ling. Please e-mail me soon :)

I will have another giveaway starting on my blog tomorrow

Happy?

Am I happy? Yes. Sure, my life is not perfect yet, I could have a better job, I'm a work in progress....But I still have so many things to be deliriously happy about. It feels good.

Are you happy?

Monday mumblings

After a few months of trying box hair dye (not my best idea), I decided a trip to the hair salon was desperately needed... On Friday afternoon I went to the hairdresser to get some some colour, a cut and a blow dry. I had forgotten just how nice salon dyed hair looks. I think I'm over box dye forever.

Its suppose to be spring here, but the weather in Cape Town has turned all dark and grey. Its annoying. I am sooo ready to start wearing happy spring clothes, eating outdoors and wearing flip flops. If only I could teleport myself to a beautiful island until the weather gets better...

Have I mentioned that I can't wait for the third season of Gossip Girl to start? Well, now I have. So looking forward to seeing whats happening with Blair and Chuck *swoon*

You can buy Facebook friends?? Apparently so. Please tell me why would anyone do that? In my opinion, buying "friends"is is a new level of lame. Thank goodness Facebook is totally against "friend" buying. Click HERE to read a bit about it.

Have a great Monday, Darlings!

Ps - The picture of the llama made me laugh. So I put it up. Llamas are so cute. I always want to stroke their ears.

Happy Friday!

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty,

but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”
— Vincent van Gogh

Movie moment

Clementine: This is it, Joel. It's going to be gone soon.
Joel: I know.
Clementine: What do we do?
Joel: Enjoy it.

Today's movie moment is from "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (I really love this quirky film)

Ok, it totally sucks when a relationship ends and all you want is to forget about it and you can't (I have had a few erase-worthy ones) - but there is also alot of growing and learning that comes with "getting over it" (what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right?).
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So as tempted as I would be to erase the hurt of a heartbreak or a bad memory - I wouldn't do it. I guess I would be worried I might erase a little piece of me along with it ;)
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If you could (like in the movie), would you want any of your bad memories erased?

Fabulous photo giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a fabulous giveaway sponsored by art photographer, Tim Irving :)

The winner of this giveaway will get to choose ANY TWO photographs from Tim's Etsy Page (So awesome!) Here is a bit about Tim Irving (and his photos): "I was given a camera when I was 9 years old and I've been taking photographs ever since. I use old cameras and a variety of old lenses, some I've made myself. I try and give my images a handmade feel."

Here is what you need to do to enter:
1. Be a follower, THEN you must comment on this post and let me know what's your favourite photo on Tim's Etsy page
2. Blog about this giveaway for an extra entry (please let me know what the link is to your blog post)
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Please note: *Anyone (living anywhere) may enter.
*This giveaway will end on Tues, 8 September and the winner will be announced on Wed, 9 September (Random.org will pick the winning entry). Good Luck, darlings!

Book junkie babblings

At the moment I am buying far more books than I am reading. My book list of "want to read" has gotten ridiculously long. Here are a few books I am really looking forward to reading --
* The Story Sisters - by Alice Hoffman
* The Lace Reader - by Brunonia Barry
* The lost book of Salem (also called "the physick book of Deliverence Dan" in USA)- by Katherine Howe
* The Girl who chased the Moon - by Sarah Addison Allen (due out in March 2010)

What are you reading now/next?

*photo from here

First facial

I was meant to go for my first facial a few weeks ago. Unfortunately evil ninja flu germs came along and ruined my plans. So, I had to reschedule.

Finally on Saturday I got to have my first facial (a 1 hour, Dermalogica one). Let me just say, I went in a facial skeptic and came out a facial believer.

I thoroughly enjoyed my facial. My beautician was nice, It was relaxing, it made my skin feel healthier and made me feel like a pampered princess. The only downside to the facial was that it was not longer *winks* >

I plan on going for another facial next month (they are addictive). I highly recommend that if you have never been for one (even if your a guy) you should go and try it out :)

Do you go for facials?
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*I had my facial HERE