Happy Friday!

"Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground.

Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it..." - Wilfred peterson

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Its for you...

Hello, darlings. feels like its been a while since we had a little "Its for you" catch up session. I think its time for one...

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... restless and optimistic
2. Last night I... made The Boyf and I some delicious spaghetti, ate a creme caramel dessert and watched some episodes of Rubicon.
3. What's the best thing that happened this week? I bought tickets to go see one of my favourite female singers, Imogen Heap, perform in Feb 2011. So excited!
4. Right now I would really like... a big bunch of fresh flowers, a cute french bulldog, some scented Yankee candles, a pot of tea and Christmas holidays to be here already
5. Describe yourself in one word, quote or lyric: "I am extraordinary, I am just your ordinary · average every day sane psycho supergoddess" - Liz Phair (lyrics) *winks*
6. Do you dress up for halloween? If yes, tell me what has been your favourite halloween costume? I love a good costume party, so I have dressed up a few times for halloween. My favourite halloween outfit so far has to be last years - I went as a vampire and The Boyf went as a scary ghost rider. Check out the outfits here

Fashion: Hollywood Awards gala

On Monday night lots of lovely celebrities attended the 14th annual Hollywood Awards gala in Beverly Hills. Here is what some of the famous ladies wore:

1. Leighton Meester wore a gorgeous blue Elie Saab dress and heels (love it!)
2. Bryce Dallas Howard looked cute in a strapless Reema Acra dress.
3. Milla Jovovich rocked a bright, floor-length dress by Temperley London.
4. Heather Graham toned it down in a nude cocktail dress and metallic heels

Which one of the above dresses would you wear?

On my bucket list... by Rox

Rox (from Rox in the City) is a fabulous blogger and online copywriter that lives in Cape Town, SA. Today she will be sharing a few things from her bucket list. Enjoy...

1. Take my gran to Sweden -  My gran was born in Sweden, and moved to Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) when she was a child. She hasn't been back in a very long time, and I've always wanted to go there since it's part of my heritage and all. Freddie Ljundberg, Midsummer Festivals, Ice Hotel, strange cuisine, shnaps and crazy people... sounds like my kind of place!

2. Get a French tutor - I've been trying to learn French for about half my life, and while I'm able to converse with car guards to a certain level, mostly I pretty much suck. I've considered doing the whole language school thing, but what would be better is either going to France and learning there, or finding a hot Frenchman here who needs to learn English, for a language swap thing. Tres clever idea, non?

3. Go shark cage diving - Another long-time goal, I've had a passion for sharks since I was about 15 or so. The closest I got to them was working and volunteering at the aquarium, but as I didn't ever get around to finishing my Open Water 1, I have never been able to actually be in the water with them. For me, this would be a close to spiritual experience - really, really want to do this soon!

4. Finish writing my horror - "I'm going to write a horror!" I said. "It's going to be awesome!" I said. A good few years down the line, and I still haven't finished the darn thing. Somehow, I never manage to find time and mental energy to focus on my book, and as I write for a living, all the creativity somehow gets spent on work rather than my own writing. One day, I will get the darn thing finished though, and it WILL be awesome!

5. Grow my business - This is one that is actually starting to happen, and while it is taking up a huge deal of time, energy and passion, it's such an amazing feeling to slowly feel like things are happening. It's taken a long time to get to this point, and have many a hurdle ahead I'm sure, but things are going to happen. Watch this space!

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

Nice loft style home

This loft style home belongs to Buenos Aires interior decorator Emma Balch. I like.

To read about the home and see more photos, go here

Gossip Girl, Season 4 - outfit spotting

1. Serena (aka Blake Lively) - Showed off some cleavage in a sexy Maxime Simoens jacket, awesome Haute Hippie pants, Brian Atwood shoes and a metallic Kotur purse.
2. Blair (aka Leighton Meester) - stayed ladylike in a Marc Jacobs top, Alice & Olivia skirt and a LAI bag.

Who's outfit do you like best?

10 things I learnt this weekend

1.  It can take hours to buy tickets for the U2 concert (but I finally got some)
2. Sometimes one helpful person can restore your faith in a company
3. Cadburys cashew and coconut chocolate is super delicious.
4. Trying out a different hairdresser can be a good idea
5. I need a lot more willpower at the moment
6. Salmon fish cakes are alot easier to make than I thought
7. I can always rely on The Boyf to give me a very honest opinion
8. The second season of Vampire Diaries  is really getting interesting
9. Using a clothes hanger as a place to keep or display your glasses collection is a cool idea (especially when you dont have alot of glasses cases) 
10. No matter how many times I see one, I always enjoy a pretty rainbow

What did you learn this weekend?

Fantastic jewellery giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a giveaway sponsored by Canadian jewellery company, Foxy Originals

The winner will recieve any ONE item from the Foxy Shop:

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Answer this simple question in the comments section: What is your favourite item in the Foxy Originals online shop?

2. For an extra entry, you can blog or tweet about this giveaway (please be sure to let me know that you did)

Giveaway notes: *Anyone may enter. *This giveaway will end on Wednesday, 3 November and the winner will be announced on Thursday, 4 November. Good luck!

Happy Friday!

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now.
Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy

in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored. " - Earl Nightingale  

Have an amazing weekend, darlings.

Some lovely links

 * See lovely photos of Anne Hathaway from the Nov 2010 issue of Vogue US

* Find out how to be sun smart this summer

* Want to get your dog a cute coat? check out this Etsy shop

* Make your own yummy granola cereal

* A gorgeous home in California

* Elegant and sweet equestrain inspired wedding

* Decor inspiration: vintage wallpaper

* An awesome dessert station idea for a garden party

Celeb style: Blake Lively

Blake Lively always looks fabulous no matter what she wears. Here are two outfits she wore this month:

1. Leather jacket, black tights and a hot pink Christian Dior minidress

2. An eye-catching grey and tan outfit by Lanvin .

Which outfit do you like the best?

Currently I am loving...

1. Clemence Poesy - She is a french actress, recently appeared on a few episodes of Gossip Girl, Season 4, and she is adorable. I just love her classic style.

2. Vintage furniture and bohemian chic decor

3. Red lipstick - when you manage to find the right shade, its just so striking and pretty (its also the best colour for leaving kiss marks on love notes *winks*)

4. Dogs - I have always loved dogs, but lately I have been obsessing about getting a dog (possibly a french bulldog). Unfortunately, I live in an apartment with no garden - So until that changes no dog for me.

5. Unconventional cakes - Recently I've spotted a "cake" made of cookies and one made of macarons. I really love the idea. One day I want a cake made of brownie bites and oreos. *grins*

6. The warmer weather - I can almost pack away my winter clothes now, wear open shoes all the time and sleep without a blanket (yay!).

7. Seafolly swimwear - I totally love this Australian brand. They have so many pretty swimsuits. I am especially in lust with the english rose bustier top and bottom (pictured above).  You can find their stuff in SA at Stuttafords. To see more Seafolly swimwear go here

What are you currently loving?

Easy oatmeal cookies

The other day I made some oatmeal cookies (pictured above).  I must admit they were not very healthy, but they were yummy. I made a few batches (for fun) and tried adding peanut butter or chocolate chips to some of the cookies. In the end I found that the plain oatmeal cookies were my favourite. Here is the recipe (found via here):

Things You'll Need:

* 1 1/4 cup softened butter or butro

* 3/4 cup brown sugar

* 1/2 cup granulated sugar

*1 egg (free range)

*1 tsp. vanilla essemce

*1 1/2 cups flour

* 1 tsp. baking soda

* 1/2 tsp. salt

*1 tsp. cinnamon

* 3 cups rolled oats

(optional extras: chocolate chips or raisins or peanut butter)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F ( 195 celsius) and line baking tray/sheet with baking paper (or grease with butter or use a nonstick tray/sheet ).

2. Beat together butter and sugars in a large bowl until creamy.

3. Add egg and vanilla and beat well.
4. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a smaller bowl.
5. Add flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture and blend well.
6. Stir in oats.
7. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto cookie sheet.
8. Bake 8 to 9 minutes for a chewy cookie or 10 to 11 minutes for a crisp cookie.
9. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet, then move to wire rack.
10. Cool completely -then eat or store in tightly covered container.

On my bucket list... by Miss Molly

Melissa (from Miss Molly) is a lovely blogger and fashion designer that lives in Durban, SA. Today she will be sharing a few things from her bucket list. Enjoy...

I believe in dreaming and I believe that having a positive attitute can lead to success, some of my points may sound a little out there but i am really proud of my dreams and positivity and think only great things can come of it...

1. Have a fairy tale wedding on a beach/island and then start a family
2. Travel to New York and shop until my feet hurt
3. See Miss Molly Fashions grace the catwalks of Paris and London Fashion week
4. Create my own personalised walk in closet where only I have the code
5. Open a coffee shop with a bakery - similar to the one on the movie It’s complicated.
6. Open a couple of Miss Molly Fashions Stores  - both nationally and internationally
7. Make a difference in someone's life- i would really love to help out people who are less fortunate than myself
8. Own a ton of properties with one being right on the sea side.
9. Have my own Palomino horse - they are really beautiful.
10. Audition for Idols or Survivor (slightly embarrassed of this one)

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

Fabulous hillside home

 This contemporary hillside house was designed  by San Francisco-based SB Architects. It is located in  Mill Valley, California. Isn't it awesome?

To see more photos of this house , click here

Home cooked meals and bribery

My mom promised to come over and visit me and The Boyf tonight (which I was was super happy about, as we always end up going to visit her and this time i really wanted her to come to us.) 

Then, my mom calls me today and says....

Mom: Can you rather come over and see me, Brazen
Me: No, you never come over here. You should come here for a change
Mom: Pleeeeeeaaase, my car is bigger and it would use far more petrol going there than your car would coming here
Me: Nice try mom
Mom: I'll pay for the petrol
Me: *laughs*...No
Mom: I'll buy you a present... maybe some chocolates
Me: No Mom, I want you to come over and visit me. I can't be bribed.
Mom: I'll make you and The Boyf a nice, big home cooked meal
Me: No......Wait... WAIT.....What? Did you say YOU will make me and The Boyf a home cooked meal??
Mom: yes, I did
Me: Are you serious? I dont even rememebr the last time you cooked. 
Mom: Yes, I'm serious. I'll even cook something special
Me: Ok fine. Its a deal. We will come. But if I arrive there and you have pre-made food or microwave meals i'm leaving..*laughs*
Mom: *laughs* Ok. I'll cook you a roast leg of lamb with roast potatoes
Me: No way...really ...a leg of lamb....and some potatoes...Can I invite other people to witness this miracle
Mom: *laughs* Oh stop it, you know i used to cook alot
Me: I dont remember, its been soooo long. I think the last time you made me a big, home cooked meal it was the 90's. 
Mom: *laughs* it has not been that long
Me: I should probably bring my camera.
Mom:  Stop being silly, Brazen
Me: I'm not being silly, I just want to capture this special moment.I mean, it may never happen again. Maybe we can all pose next to the leg of lamb *chuckles*
Mom: * laughs*
Me: *laughs* I can't wait. I'll bring the wine....

I need shelves

I really need more shelves in my apartment. At the moment I hardly have any.  Here are some shelf pictures that recently caught my eye:

ladder style shelves 

thin floating shelves (for books or pictures)

built-in shelves

mixed shelves

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. The Cape Quarter Spar sells bottled Starbucks frappucinos (yay!)

2. Not having a microwave takes getting used to, but its making me a better cook

3. Going to gym after a couple of glasses of wine is not the best idea (but it is funny)

4. Waking up to a perfect summers day makes me deliriously happy

5. Chilling under a tree with friends, food and beer for the whole afternoon is lovely

6. Clearing away clutter can be so therapeutic.

7. Wellness Warehouse has very yummy, filling breakfasts (see pic here)

8. I need a new swimsuit (im thinking a floral one would be nice) 

9. My new washing machine is much bigger & better than I thought (thanks mom)

10.  Life is too short not to make the best of everyday

What did you learn this weekend?

Street style inspiration

Casual in Milan via The Sartorialist

Olivia Palermo looking chic in London via The Sartorialist

Nude dress and shoes via Stockholm Steet Style

Stripey tee and very short shorts via Stockholm Steet Style

Happy Friday!

"One of the most beautiful things in the world I've ever seen or heard

is people laughing - even when there seems to be so little reason for them to laugh." 

 - D. L. Hughley

Hope you have a happy friday & a weekend filled with laughter.

Help fight world hunger

World Food Day is on  16 October (tomorrow) and is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness and encourage people to take action to alleviate hunger.  

A bit more about the day: "World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity "  -  from UN.org

Here are a few simple things that you do to help fight world hunger (and you won't even have to move away from your computer):
* Sign the 1billionhungry petition over HERE (takes 2 minutes)
* Go HERE to donate just  R125 (about $18) and give a hungry a child a sandwich and a glass of milk everyday for 3 months!
* It takes just $1 (about R7) to fill four of the Red Cups that the United Nations World Food Program uses to give hungry kids regular school meals. Donate HERE and help.
* Go and plant a virtual seedling HERE on the Woolworths wall and they will transform the virtual contribution into the donation of an actual plant to a South African school with a food garden.
* Blog and tweet about World hunger and build awareness :)

A lovely surprise

I just found out that I won this leather, Luella bag from Elle Magazine! *does happy dance*. If you are curious, you can click HERE to see how I won. 

Beautiful bridal dresses

Like so many other woman around the world,  I am a big fan of Jenny Packham's dresses. Her new spring/summer 2011 collection is stunning. Her latest bridal campaign (above) was shot by photographer Ellen Von Unwerth.

On my bucket list... by Miss Moss

Today the awesome, South African blogger Diana (from Miss Moss ) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

1. Experience the Ngorongoro Crater

2. Visit New York City

3. See every painting I've ever admired in real life

4. Eat at a two Michelin star rated restaurant

5. Grow a vegetable garden and live off the land - or at least grow enough veggies for a salad ;)

6. See Daft Punk live
7. Cut my hair short short
8. Go on an extended road trip, caravan style
9. Learn how to swing dance
10. Own a vintage car
 
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

Bright & eclectic living room

I really love this bright and rather eclectic living room.

 -  pictures from online magazine, Adore Home -

Its for you...

Today my mind refuses to stay focused for too long - so, I thought I better quickly do an "its for you" post before my mind wanders off again and I end up writing absolutely nothing for the rest of this day :)

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... ready to take on some new challenges
2. Last night I... made dinner for The Boyf (ostrich sausage, homestyle mash potatoes and steamed veggies), watched The Gates and read a little before bed.
3. Song currently stuck in my head: Howl - Florence and the Machine
4. Currently I spend too little time... at the gym and being rational
5. At the moment I really need ... to stop talking to myself (well, at least out loud), alot more storage space, a few days in the sun, some dermalogica moisturiser and a different way to spend my 9 to 5 time ;)
6. Next book you want to read? The Brave by Nicholas Evans (can't wait)

Lovely & local

Here are a few local things that I really like right now...

1. Rhino shopping bags -  from Woolworths ( for every shopping bag bought,  R10 is donated to saving the Rhino's. Bags cost R29.95. Go get one.) 
2. Frankies Soft Drinks - Love the retro packaging and yummy taste. These soft drinks are available from Pick 'n Pay & Dis-chem. See product information over HERE
3. Yummy locally made cheese -  from the Wellness Warehouse Natural & Organic market (which happens every saturday on Kloof street)
4. Floral "Little J" dress - from Miss Molly ( I really want one)
5. Darling Brew,  slow beer - Currently I have only seen it at the Wellness market (see no. 3). Click HERE for more info about the beer.
6. My 3 new  jewellery pieces - from Thula  (love them).

* Note: all photos above are by ME - except the Miss Molly one. 

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. Country Road has the best ribbed tank tops
2. Some things just need a new coat of paint to bring them back to life
3. The Gates is a rather odd TV series ( I still can't decide how much I like it)
4. I am loving the colour "coral" at the moment. Its such a happy colour.
5. People like to run out in front of my car at the last minute (its so annoying)
6. Apple Cinnamon cereal by Peace Cereal is realy delicious.
7. Michelle Williams will play Marilyn Monroe in a new film (see more HERE)
8. I really like my curly hair when it behaves.
9.  You can survive without a microwave
10. Anything worth having is worth working and waiting for (simple, but true).

What did you learn this weekend?

Gossip Girl, Season 4 - outfit spotting

Above are a few outfits that Blair and Serena recently wore on Gossip Girl, Season 4 .

Notes:  I loved Blair's sequined dress (first picture) and her Reem Acra floral dress (second picture). I also really like how Serena manages to make a sequined mini skirt work for a daytime look(second picture).