So long September

Darlings, can you even believe its the last day of September already? This means Christmas is just under 3 months away....its madness.

September was a rather lazy, splurge-filled and slightly irrational kinda month for me.
In a nutshell: this month I read alot of fashion magazines, avoided exercising frequently, had a mini mental crisis about ridiculous things (that are too silly to admit to), watched a copious amount of TV series, constantly felt lucky to have The Boyf, gave in to naughty food cravings too often, bought too much (mainly clothes & shoes), got annoyed at my lack of general willpower and made The Boyf promise to keep my tempting credit card away from me for a while *grins*.....  Anyway, I am hoping that October will be a much more disciplined and productive month for me :)


In other random news from September: I just booked tickets to go see the Eat Pray Love movie next week. I did another outfit "shoot" - which I plan to post next week (since so many of you liked the last one). I decided that I really want a french bull dog (like the one pictured on left) because they make me giggle when I see them. I started reading a new book (see here).

So, how was your September?

Celeb style: Taylor & Rachel

Taylor Swift and Rachel Bilson looked fabulous while attending the Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer 2011 show at Milan Fashion Week. Love both their looks, but I would probably prefer to wear Rachel's outfit (even though i like Taylor's boots more).

On my bucket list...by Bieb

Bieb (from Fat Fat Sheep ) is a lovely blogger that lives in Amsterdam. She has her own webshop, (www.fatsheep.nl ), loves to bike around and is always on the lookout for original & organic things. Today she will be sharing a few things from her bucket list. Enjoy...

1. Live in a house on Amsterdam canals

2. Have this little fiat - you can park this car anywhere and it looks so cute

3. Be Stella Mc Cartney for 1 day, or week or month, and help design -  I love the fact she is s so eco conscious

4. Have coffee with Halle Berry (Hallelujaaa) - I think she is really great

5. Travel for 1 or 2 months - to Asia & New Zealand maybe...

6. Have my own brand, Fatsheep  - and design fairtrade & organic

7. Have my big love, coffee, every morning

8. Get those 2 dogs (pictured above) -  I love dogs, though I am afraid that the 2 sista's might not be a good match with either the little car or the house on the canals, now what to choose... ; )

9. Eat  and no g & g (gain or guilt)

10.  Learn Spanish

11. Order sunshine on a regular basis
 
Note: "On my bucket list..." is a weekly series. Each week a fabulous blogger will share a few things from their bucket list. To read other bucket lists, go HERE

Dark grey walls

I'm not usually a fan of dark painted walls, but when I spotted this grey apartment (found here)  I thought it looked very cool (clearly some people can make dark walls work). Personally, I don't think this is a look that everyone could live with and I doubt I would ever paint more than one room or wall with dark grey paint.

Would you ever paint your walls dark grey?

Take a look...

Today I also have some posts on some other sites....

Go over HERE and read about some of the things i like right now (thanks, Miss Moss)

Take a peek at D & G's Spring/Summer 2011 Collection over HERE

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. Some pizza delivery guys should invest in a GPS

2. Winchester Manions in Sea Point has a couch I want (see it HERE)

3. I stress myself out about the most random things- i need to stop

4. My new wooden heeled shoes were a great buy (see previous post for pic)

5. I really like the TV series Eureka (it makes me wish I was a mad scientist)

6. My mom seriously knows how to overload her handbag. 

7. Beef ribs are better than pork ribs

8. Sometimes people throw away cool things 

9. Never forget to put sunblock on before going to an outdoor luncheon

10. My favourite poet had a point when he said:"Envy is an insult to oneself "- Yevgeny Yevtushenko

What did you learn this weekend?

Out & about outfit

Here is one of the outfits I wore this weekend:

1. Collared, navy shirt dress -  from Truworths

2. Collection of silver bangles and hoop earrings -  from all over

3. My new leather shoes with wooden heels - from Woolworths

4. Big sunglasses - no name brand

5. Handmade leather bag - bought in Morocco by my mom

6. Red "stylised" nail polish - by Jessica

7. White skin - from a serious lack of sun *winks*

 - photos of Me taken by The Boyf -

Happy Friday!

"People tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will descend like fine weather if you're fortunate. But happiness is the result of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestation of your own blessings." - Elizabeth Gilbert (author)

Hope y'all have a very happy Friday and a glorious weekend (to everyone in SA - Happy Heritage day. Enjoy all the yummy braai food)  

Movies I want to watch...

Today I thought I would share a few of the films that are currently at the top of my neverending, must-see movie list... 

1. Eat, Pray, Love - This film is based on the bestselling novel by Elizabeth Gilbert. I like the book and adore Julia Roberts, so I dont see how this film couldn't be great. It opens in SA on 8 October.

2. Black Swan - "A thriller that zeros in on the relationship between a veteran ballet dancer and a rival." This film stars Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Winona Ryder. I cannot wait to see it! You can watch the trailer HERE

3. New York, I Love You - "An anthology film joining several love stories set in one of the most loved cities of the world, New York."- This film has an amazing cast, which includes: Bradley Cooper, Natalie Portman, Rachel Bilson, Ethan Hawke and Christina Ricci. You can watch the trailer HERE

4. Somewhere - "A hard-living Hollywood actor re-examines his life after his 11-year-old daughter surprises him with a visit." This film is written & directed by Sofia Coppola, which is reason enough for me to want to see it. You can see the trailer HERE

5. Welcome to the Rileys -"On a business trip to New Orleans, a damaged man seeks salvation by caring for a wayward young woman." This film stars Kristen Stewart and looks fabulous - Sadly I don't think it will be coming to SA before next year. Watch the trailer HERE

6. The Romantics - This film stars Katie Holmes and Anna Paquin. I can't wait to watch it. Watch the trailer HERE .

Currently what movie/s do you really want to see?

Sparkly jewellery giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a fabulous giveaway sponsored by Aquacitrine Jewellery  (which is based in Los Angeles, USA)

The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate for their online store.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Be a follower, THEN Please comment on this post and tell me what you like best in Aquacitrine's Etsy store 
2. Blog or tweet about this giveaway for an extra entry (please let me know what the link is to your blog post or tweet)

Giveaway notes: *Anyone may enter. *This giveaway will end on Tuesday, 5 October and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, 6 October. Good luck!

Street style inspiration

1. Classy in a strapless and stripey dress - Italy

2. Feminine in a 1950's inspired skirt and pretty heels - New York

3. Comfy and casual in a denim shirt & shorts  - New York

  - All above photos by Garance Dore -  

4. Ladylike in knee length dresses - Milan

-photo by The Satorialist -

On my bucket list...by Tamara

Today the lovely, South African blogger Tamara (from Doodles of a journo ) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

I've never really considered writing a bucket list before, but there are a whole bunch of hopes and dreams floating around in my head, so when Being Brazen asked me to be part of her bucket list series, I thought, "Why not?"...

1. Help someone to better their education - This is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give. I would love to have the funds to pay for someone's schooling or degree, but I would like to know that person (not just make an anonymous donation) and watch as their horizons expand.

2. See the Singapore Grand Prix live with my husband (TSC) - I love, love, LOVE Formula One and have been lucky enough to see one race live (Melbourne, 2000), but I would like to see the Singapore night Grand Prix live - beautiful track, beautiful city!

3. Eat crab in Baltimore - I have never eaten a crab before (I don't count the tinned stuff and fake crab sticks made from fish that we get in SA). I would like to eat crab in one of Baltimore's famous crab houses sometime. Just because.

4. Finish my book about my grandparents' love story - I get caught up writing the stuff that pays my bills at the moment, and I don't get time to get stuck into my novel.

5. Make some grand gesture that demonstrates my thanks to my parents for all they have done for me - Seriously, my folks have blessed me with so much (a great education for me and TSC, financial help with so many things over the years, supporting me even when they didn't understand what I was trying to do...). My heart wants to pop with gratitude when I think about it all. I would love to find some way of adequately expressing my thanks to them and doing something that will touch their lives in the way they have enriched mine.

6. Learn to speak French. Again  - I did French at school and even at varsity. In fact, I stayed with a family in Montpellier in France to improve my French when I was in garde 11. I was pretty good. And now I can barely remember a thing! And that seems like a waste to me. I want to learn it all again and then go to France (or Canada or French Africa) to practise it.

7. Surprise TSC with snow - My husband has never seen snow before (and I've only seen it properly once as a kid in the Drakensberg). I would love to be able to surprise him by taking him somewhere in the snow. Maybe skiing. In Switzerland. Or even just in the Drakensberg again. Whatever. So long as there's snow and lot's of it.

8. Get married again - Yes, I am married, I know. But when I got married I was just 22 and I had only been to three weddings in my life. I had no idea what fun you could have planning a wedding. Don't get me wrong - I LOVED my wedding, but would also love the chance to do it all again (maybe a 25th wedding anniversary with vow renewals when we get there?) with all the cool things I've seen at weddings since then, like photo booths and bubbles and, and, and... I wonder whata TSC would think of that?

9. Design my dream garden and own it - I have a lovely garden at present. But it is limited by space and budget. I dream of a massive garden with water features, an outdoor kitchen, somewhere to take moonlit showers, fruit trees, rambling veggies (the kind I can't plant at the moment) and hidden corners for book reading in a hammock. *sigh* Heaven on earth.

10. Travel! - Where? Everywhere! Starting with the Greek islands, Mexico, Canada, Malaysia, Tuscany and the lesser known parts of the UK and moving on from there to wherever. I want to see it all!

Note: "On my bucket list..." is a new weekly series. Each week a fabulous blogger will share a few things from their bucket list. To read other bucket lists, go HERE

Rainy day rambles

Today it is raining and gloomy in Cape Town. Since I did not stay in bed this morning (though I wish I had), I am currently day-dreaming about escaping the office and going to a cosy coffee shop. Once there, I'll find a nice spot by a window and spend a few hours reading a book, scribbling notes & people watching (Its really been ages since I did that)...*le sigh*...Anyway, I hope the weather gets sunnier soon, I am quite ready to put away my winter clothes now.

Tonight I plan to do a little exercise (a rainy jog maybe?), make some yummy comfort food, watch an episode of Gossip Girl (season 4) and possibly paint my nails red. I have also been thinking that maybe I should bake some oatmeal cookies later, but I doubt i will get around to it.

How are you today?

*photo from weheartit

Adopt-A-Bot

"Soon, my basement became a place where all the unwanted, used up parts from commercial enterprises and residential homes could now come to find hope. This was when I created the world’s first robot orphanage. These parts refused to give up on life just because they were being discarded. So with a little help from myself, these parts were coming together with new and unusual friends to fulfill their dreams of once again bringing joys to others." - Brian Marshall

About Adopt-a-bot: In short, Brian Marshall (who lives in USA) makes totally cool robots from old and disgarded objects and then he lets people "adopt" them (so awesome and environmentally conscious).  I really want to adopt one of my very own :) 

Currently Brian Marshall is on vacation, but usually you can adopt a robot from HERE. To see more photos of his awesome robots go HERE

Dresses by Spilt Milk

I really like the dresses in Spilt Milk's 2010 collection. The dresses look so comfy and easy to wear ( i especially like the blue "gypsy" dress).

Spilt Milk is a South African fashion brand based in Cape Town. To read more about the brand and see more pictures, click HERE

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. I have very little willpower when Im near an open bag of cheese puffs
2. I absolutely loathe sneaky, ninja mosquitos that decide to "visit" me at 2am in the morning (why do they always vanish as soon as the light goes on?)
3. I must never abandon Dermologica skincare products again
4. I no longer think that tomato sauce belongs on my fried eggs
5. The Wellness Warehouse fresh produce market is cool (click HERE for details)
6. You don't need a reason to get a new pair of shoes
7. Nicholas Evans has finally written a new book, called The Brave - yay!
8. Rubicon is a very interesting TV series
9.  I love the look of wooden heeled shoes, but i need to get used to the feel
10. There is nearly always a bright side :)


What did you learn this weekend?

Lovely & local

Here are a few cool, local things that caught my eye recently...

1. Ceramic flower brooches by Token

2. Wooden bead bangles with silver plated charms by Fli

3. Cropped leather jacket from Eponymous

4. Cute Gingham bikini from Folklore range at Beatnik Bazaar

5. Dangling silver earrings by Thula Jewellery

6. Leather "Postino" bag from Missibaba

Happy Friday!

"Be deliriously happy or at least leave yourself open to be."

- Anthony Hopkins (from Meet Joe Black) 

Hope you have a happy weekend!

Cool CD & t-shirt giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a giveaway sponsored by the Cape Town based band, The Plastics.

The winner will recieve a t-shirt and a copy of their latest CD, Shark:

A bit about the band: The Plastics started in late 2007. The band pay homage to retro-rock and classic pop imagery. They are a live performance orientated band and have already performed with the majority of South Africa’s most sought after musical acts. Their latest album, entitled SHARK, was released on the 31^st of July 2010. The album was produced by internationally acclaimed music producer, Gordon Raphael (who is best known for his work with The Strokes)

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Be a follower/subscriber of this blog, THEN please answer this question in the comments section: What is your favourite song by The Plastics? - To listen to their music you can visit HERE and HERE

2. For an extra entry, become a fan of The Plastics facebook page or Tweet about this giveaway (and please let me know that you did)


Notes:
* Anyone may enter this giveaway
*This giveaway will end on Monday, 27 September and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 28 September.
*winner is chosen randomly

*The Plastics will be performing at Earthdance at the Nekkies Resort in Worcester (Cape Town) this weekend.

Take a look...

* Today I posted some stunning pictures HERE of Drew Barrymore in Harpers Bazaar

* Read my post about how amazing and useful Coconut oil is over HERE

* I went to THIS French inspired party last month - Loved Betty's decor & food

Its for you...

I just realised that I have not done an "its for you post" in over a month - so, its high time that I did one and caught up with y'all :)

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

1. Today I feel... super perky
2. Last night I... skipped gym, had a potato for dinner, snacked on some biltong and frozen yogurt (but not mixed together), watched the first episode of Gossip Girl Season 4 and went to bed rather early for a change
3. Quote of the week: “I dream. Sometimes I think that’s the only right thing to do.” - Haruki Murakami
3. Song you keep listening to lately: Cosmic love by Florence and the Machine
4. Currently I spend too much time... clicking around the interweb, watching TV series, wearing my fluffy robe and over-thinking
5. Favourite item of closet at the moment? my strapless floral dress
6. If I got a tattoo tomorrow  I would want it to be... something little (probably a word or phrase), on my foot or wrist, that makes me happy everytime I look it it.

And the winner is...

The winner of the Silver earrings by Thula Handmade Jewellery is... Eeden! Congrats lady, please e-mail me soon :)

A new giveaway will be hopefully be starting later today or tomorrow.

On my bucket list... by Hannah

Hannah (from The New Black) is a lovely blogger that lives in Seattle, USA. Today she will be sharing a few things from her bucket list. Enjoy...

1. Really be able to play the piano - I grew up playing the piano but stopped in my mid teens. Sadly, most of my talent stayed back there as well. I have an amazing keyboard that is doing nothing but collecting dust. I want to get back on it and find my love for playing again...then I'll get a baby grand!

2. Complete a marathon - I know, this is so cliche, but it's a definite for me. I used to be a runner and I'm working my way back up to doing it again. My man wants to do this too, so it's something great we can train for and accomplish together.

3. Travel Europe - I am not one to do the whole backpacking through Europe thing, but I'd love to take a month or two off from the States and explore Europe while staying in some decent hotels. And not just visit the regular, touristy places. All the amazing places off the beaten path too.

4. Have pin up pictures taken - I think the idea of boudoir pictures is fun, but I really like the idea of pin up pictures. I think it would be fun not only to take, but to have to look back on as the years pass {and do those silly aging things to my body}, plus they would make a great gift for the man in my life!

5. Swim with dolphins - I've swam with other sea creatures before, but dolphins are on the top of my list. I think I like that they are so interactive and it just seems like it would be such a thrilling thing to do...as long as I don't end up on When Animals Attack!

6. Become fluent in another language {or two} - I took Spanish from grades 3-10 so I have a pretty good grasp on the language, but only if I am reading or if the speaking is on the slow side. I'd love to be able to engage in conversation with someone without asking them to slow down or only picking up every seventh word. And since Spanish and Italian have so many similarities, I might as well tackle Italian as well. I have Rosetta Stone for both languages, I just need to take the time to listen to them.

7. Learn to ballroom dance - I'd love to be one of those gals that can be at a gala, wedding, or whatever event and twirl on the dance floor without looking like a total spaz. It's also a fun way to exercise and it'd be a great way to get close and have fun with my partner.

Note: "On my bucket list..." is a new weekly series. Each week a fabulous blogger will share a few things from their bucket list. To read other bucket lists, go HERE

Party outfits: Leighton & Blake

I just love the above party outfits I spotted Leighton Meester and Blake Lively (aka Blair & Serena on Gossip Girl) wearing recently....

1. Leighton Meester looked wonderfully feminine in an ivory and blush Marc Jacobs dress for the V Magazine party in New York this week.
2.  Blake Lively was super sexy in a red Chanel dress, Louboutin heels and red lippy when she attended a premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on Saturday.

Which outfit do you like better?

Eclectic Paris apartment

When I saw this Paris apartment I could not help but admire the eclectic mix of colours, patterns and textures that the home owner used to decorate (very brave and unique). To see more pics of this apartment click HERE

New in my closet

Darlings, I would like to introduce you to the pair of shoes I bought on Saturday. I got then from YDE for R350 (which is about $40). The top of shoe is made from black canvas, there is a peep toe and the wedge is covered with straw-like stuff.

I really love the look of these shoes and think they will look super cute with summer dresses or tight, capri denims. I can't really comment on how comfy they, as I have not worn them out yet.

                                                                                                                           *photo by The Boyf      

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. Theres hardly any good reasons to refuse a glass of nice, red wine :)

2. The Last Airbender is not the best M. Night Shyamalan film I've ever seen

3. There are just too many pretty wedge heels in the shops and I just don't have enough money to buy them all *sigh*

4. Every girl should own a sexy, animal print dress at one time or another
5. You can ride on the back of a Harley in flip flops, but its not ideal

6. Season 2 of The Vampires Diaries is very cool so far

7. Some days are just take-away food kinda days (dont fight it *winks*)

8. Chilled, Sunday lunches with a cool group of friends should happen more often

9. Super wide leg pants are so comfy and cool

10. It's impossible not to feel good about life when the weather is perfect and you are sitting somewhere with an breathtaking ocean view

What did you learn this weekend?

Nice shoe cupboard

I really need pretty, shoe storage space (currently my shoes just live in their boxes) and I think the above glass door cupboard is a great idea for displaying and storing your shoes. I especially like the glass doors, which make it easy to see the shoes and keep the dust away (which plain shelves do not do).

All you need to do is find a book shelf and put glass doors on it or find a display cupboard (with glass doors already) and put your shoes in it - so ridiculously simple.

Gossip Girl, season 4 - sneak peek (part 3)

Here are some more lovely photos from Gossp Girl season 4 (I just could not stop myself from sharing them *winks*). I really like Serena's green dress in the first pic and the fact that Blair can pull off such a mismatched outfit in the second pic.

To see more sneak peek pics click HERE and HERE

* Season 4 of Gossip Girl is premiering tonight in the US

Happy weekend!

 

" Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio." - Hunter S. Thompson

Hope you have a fabulous weekend, filled with good music.

Friday Fluff

Is it just me, or did this week just fly by at a dizzying speed? Not that I'm complaining, Ive been ready for the weekend since Monday morning *winks*

This weekend I plan to watch The Last Airbender (in 3D), look at pretty dresses, Go for a harley drive with The Boyf and do some much needed spring cleaning.

In other random news/updates:

* THIS picture made me laugh this morning 

* I put up some pretty pictures of Katie Holmes HERE today

* I think Blake Lively (aka Serena) looked fab in THIS ethnic print Marchesa dress

* This week I spotted all THESE interesting macaron recipes on a fabulous blog

* you can still vote for my blog over HERE for "Best Personal blog" in the SA blog awards

What you up to this weekend, darlings?

Cool floating house

I want one.

The above house boat is located on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington (USA). It was designed by Vandeventer & Carlander Architects

* Found here

Hot vamps & fashion envy

Two of my favourite TV shows have new seasons starting this month...

Season 2 of The Vampire Diaries starts tonight in the US (hooray!) I'm looking foward to seeing a few steamy scenes between Katherine and Damon *winks*

Season 4 of Gossip Girl starts on 13 September in the US. Its going to be totally awesome! To see some sneak peek photos click HERE

Note:I am not sure when these will start in South Africa.

On my bucket list...by Kim Gray

Kim (from kimgray.co.za) is a Cape Town based fashion and decor stylist turned blogger, in the process of moving and creating her dream home.  Today she will be sharing a few things from her bucket list.  Enjoy...
(Ps -watch out for a new Design series coming soon to her website)

1. Travel to Morocco - I have a fascination with Morocco and Moroccan decor. I'd love to go on a shopping trip to Morocco and explore the markets.

2. Take my husband to Paris - I went back packing through Europe in 2000, ate cherries on the grass by the Eiffel Tower, but I didn't have a 'love' in my life then... You have to go to Paris with your 'Love'!
3. Own a bottle of Coco Chanel - Just cause I wanna
4. Give more - I'd love to give more of time and resources to charity
5. Start my own label
6. Own a potbelly pig

Note: "On my bucket list..." is a new weekly series. Each week a lovely blogger will share a few things from their bucket list. to read other bucket lists, go HERE

This much...

Spotted this sweet, love print and just had to share it.

 - This post is dedicated to my Boyf -