10 things I learnt this weekend

1. I could live without the Boyf, but I wouldn't ever want to ;)

2. You can now buy fabulous SA labels, Jo Borkett and Marion & Lindie, at selected Edgars stores (sadly this fact has not made them cheaper)

3. Sometimes a kind stranger can save the day (and my car battery)
4. I need to keep jumper cables in my car
5. Walking around the mall for 8 hours is brilliant exercise
6. I always think I can eat more sushi than I can (its just so filling)
7. Hand sanitizer is must-have for your handbag
8. Chanel's Precision ultra correction line repair day cream  is very nice
9. Having flowers in the house makes such a difference to my mood.
10. This is good lesson: " One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself." - Lucille Ball (actress)

What did you learn this weekend?

Celeb style: Leighton Meester

While I absolutely love nearly everything Leightons Gossip Girl character (aka Blair) wears, I am not as frequently smitten with Leighton's off screen fashion choices.   Lately, though, she has been looking fabulous in everything.

Here are my top two Leighton outfits from this month:

1. Black, Versus minidress and eye-catching sandals with gorgeous loose hair (worn to Herbal Essences event in Madrid yesterday)
2. Green Derek Lam dress, animal print heels with hair tied back

Calling all Cape Town bloggers...

If you live in Cape Town and you blog, you should come to the bloggers get together on 8 December at The Field Office. I plan to drop by to say a few hello's, meet a few awesome peeps and have a glass or two of wine *winks*

* To RSVP just mail: fablefairyblog@gmail.com

Gorgeously girly apartment

Love the look of the above apartment - It's so pretty.

* This home was decorated by  The Cross Decor & design, which is based in Vancouver (Canada)

SA city snaps competition

I love competitions, especially easy to enter ones with great prizes. Today I was told about a cool photography competition, so I thought i'd pass on the info to you (sharing is caring). Here are the details on what to do and how to enter (from here )...
((

Fancy yourself as a super cool photographer? Well now's your chance to prove you've got what it takes! Simply take a cool pic of your favourite spot in South Africa and email it to citysnaps@identity.co.za along with your full name and ID number. The competition ends on the 12th December and the winning photographer will win a Canon Powershot A3100 Digital Camera and accessories worth R1300 and an Identity fashion gift card worth R500!! Get snapping and good luck!!! See terms here

Happy Friday!

"Courage doesn't always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice

at the end of the day saying,

" I will try again tomorrow"

- Mary Anne Radmacher

Hope you have a happy Friday and a truly magnificent weekend.

Some lovely links

Today I thought i'd share some links that you might like to visit...

* Read my post about how to have a merry "green" Christmas

* Make your own chocolate truffles

* See some pretty outfits from one of my style crushes

* A swedish cinnamon bun recipe I would like to try

* I really would love the whole Zara Evening Collection  -it's so pretty

* My new leather handbag from Luella

* Check out the worlds smallest post service (very cute)

Elizabeth and James

Fast becoming one of my favourite international fashion labels is Elizabeth and James (which was launched by  Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen in 2007). I hope to one day own some things from this label.
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The above photos are from the Elizabeth and James Spring 2011 collection. The first and last outfit are 2 of my absolute favourites from this collection. To see more looks from this collection click here

On my bucket list... by Cal

Today,Cape Town blogger, Cal (from Fable Fairy ) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

Thank-goodness some of things that were on my list have been ticked off: marry the man of my dreams; spontaneously meet a dolphin in the ocean; Have a baby (or 2), but of course there is always more.

 

1. Though I have been practicing yoga weekly for ten years, I still cannot do the pose “downward facing dog” perfectly with flat feet. I’d love to perfect that.

2. Though I have started a herb garden, I’d love to grow all my own vegetables and learn to cook a s well as the Doc.

3. Take my Silverback bicycle (with my one little girl on the seat behind me and the other riding alongside me) on the open road

4. Honor the past of my grandmother by visiting the east German town where my grandparent’s families lived pre Nazi Germany and meet the minister who researched their story and erected a statue for them - a symbol of the town’s apology for not being able to save them from the Nazis. (This is a picture of her in her swimsuit leaning against a tree before that all happened)

5. Finish a jewellery making course I stared in London and make the pieces I dream for Fablefairy; Do a pattern making course and sew more.

6. Honor the difficult journey I had to fall pregnant (due to having endometriosis) by organizing a training course for counselors so everybody has up to date facts about science, ethics (etc).

7. Dye my longish curly hair either Vivienne Westwood red or a lighter shade of red

8. Own a Missibaba bag

9. Help get every young person in this country, whatever their race to understand they ARE at risk for HIV and need to use protection.

10. Help get EVERY young girl from the age of 10 - 26 to be vaccinated against HPV which causes cervical cancer – the biggest killer of SA women. IT’S THE ONE CANCER THAT CAN BE PREVENTED with a vaccine, but many women don’t know that and haven’t had it yet.

11. Try to have it all –love, family, creativity, friends, work and balance- and to teach my girls how

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

Best and worst dressed: American Music Awards

This year at the AMA's there were loads of stunning celebs in pretty dresses, but sadly there were also some awful, (aka "what-the-hell- were -they thinking") choices on the red carpet. Here are my top choices for best and worst dressed...

BEST:  Katy Perry (left) in a gorgeous Badgley Mischka dress and Jessica Alba (right) in a Cushnie et Ochs one-shoulder dress. 

WORST: Ke$ha (left) in a scary outfit with crazy hair and Willow Smith in a really ridiculous, unflattering "costume" (how could Will and Jada have allowed this?) 

 - To see more pics from the AMA's click here  -

Rambling, alone time and the ghost bug

I must apologize to you, darling readers, lately I have been a rather lazy blogger (I'm sure you have noticed all the pretty pictures and lack of writing in the last month). I guess I could blame this on alot of factors, but the truth is I have been spending too much time inside my cluttered head and ontop of that I have been going through some kind of blogging identity crisis (clearly I need to stop taking myself so seriously and I should probably lay off the caffeine for a while). *grins*

The last 4 days I have been spending alot of time on my own, mainly due to the fact that The Boyf  recently left on a trip for a bunch of days. When he left, I had every intention of using this alone time to try work on my creative writing (you know "let the silence and isolation fuel my creativity" or something profound like that )  - But since The Boyf left, all I have done is watch copious amounts of TV, talk to myself, spring clean some drawers and indulge in way too many retail therapy trips....*sigh * It has not been very productive, but it's been very calming.

In other random news - There is a bug hiding somewhere in my apartment and I dont know where it is (oh,  the horror). OK, let me explain: On Sunday night I was happily watching TV when out of the corner of my eye I spied something crawling across the lounge floor (this "thing" was not big enough to be a mouse or small enough to dismiss as a figment of my imagination). Obviously when i registered that I was not alone in the room, I let out a mini scream and stood up on my couch. I surveyed the lounge and saw........ nothing! (which is so creepy, right) I leapt from the couch, hurried into the kitchen, grabbed a torch and found a can of bug defence. I slowly went back into the lounge and  scanned parts of the room, but had no luck locating the creepy, ghost bug. (note: I am on high alert "bug watch" now. So i shall keep you posted on any developments).

Ok, enough about me... how have you been this week?

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. When you really want time to speed up, it seems to go more slowly

2. Nescafe cappucino sachets are so creamy, easy and addictive

3. My new favourite lipstick is Rouge Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel

4.  When The Boyf is away for a few days my OCD really kicks in. *laughs*

5. Col'cacchio's restaurant in Cavendish gives terrible service

6.  Even if food appears to be fresh, I won't eat anything past its expiration date

7. The Cove is such a sad and eye-opening documentary about dolphin killing in Japan.

8. My mother is a bigger shopaholic than me

9. I really like SA band, The Arrows - especially their song "Lovesick"

10. THESE are Oprah's ultimate favourite things for 2010

What did you learn this weekend?

Happy Friday!

"Millions and millions of years would still not give me half enough time to describe that tiny instant of all eternity when you put your arms around me

and I put my arms around you."  ~Jacques Prévert

Hope you have a happy Friday and a weekend full of hugs :)

Silver party dresses: Anna and Krysten

This week Anna Paquin and Krysten Ritter both chose to wear shiney, silver party dresses and black peep toe heels. I love this look for parties (I need a silver dress).

1. Anna (left) is wearing a Prabal Gurung motocross dress and Louboutin heels

2. Krysten is wearing a Reem Acra mini dress and Valentino shoes

Sweet necklace giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a giveaway sponsored by Collect Jewellery.

The winner will receive a silver necklace with a "bunny in heart" pendant:

Brief description: silver heart pendant, with bunny shape cut out of it, on a fine silver chain (priced at R390 / about $50).

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Be a follower of  this blog, THEN please answer this question in the comments section: Which animal shape would you most love to wear on a necklace?
2. For an extra entry, Tweet about this giveaway or join the official COLLECT facebook group HERE (& please let me know that you did)

Please note: *Anyone may enter this giveaway * the winner will be chosen randomly *This giveaway will end on Wednesday, 1 December and the winner will be announced on Thursday, 2 December. Good luck, darlings

Take a look...

Yesterday I did a post about recycling on another blog - click HERE to read it

On my bucket list... by Jade

Today the sweet, Cape Town blogger Jade (from Kiss This Twice ) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

Ah! Just writing this list makes me excited for all the things I’m going to enjoy, and not enjoy and go through in the next who-knows-how-many years! I look forward to so many things in my life I’m dangerously close to wishing my life away…


1. Sail in a hot air balloon -  I’ve always found the idea of flying through the clouds in cosy basket under an impressively large balloon to be so fantastical and romantic.

2. Educate one child -  There are so many people who have enough to money to put an orphan or homeless child through school. But they don’t. One day, if I have enough money, I want to be able to pay for one to go to school from grade 1 all the way to matric.

3. Visit Spain, Poland and Sweden -  These places hold a certain poignancy with me. They seem exotic and sad at the same time. I don’t know why but I’d really like to live a while in all these countries.

4. Write and publish a book -  I love children’s books. And I think I have enough of an imagination to create my own fantastical story about a dragon who’s sad cause he can’t count and flying berries.

5. Get my drivers - For most this might seem trivial. For me it’s major. I’m so scared of not being able to handle being on the road. I do have my learners though so hopefully I’ll get it this year.

6. Sail a yacht for more than a month. I want to sail from one coastline to another. I’m not sure which two but it just seems like a nice idea.

7. Marry.

8. Feel confidant in the kitchen - I’m always so nervous in the kitchen and am so scared of burning or ruining food but I LOVE eating. It needs to be remedied.

9. Have my own space - One day I want to have a flat or apartment or small house that I can have as my own with my stuff in it. in my mind it’s the perfect spot for me and I look forward to that.

10. Learn how to sew (hand sew and machine) - Because I never did and because I want to be able to make my own clothes.

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

Fashion from the CFDA Awards

Lots of pretty celebs attended the CFDA Fashion Fund Awards in New York on Monday night. Here are the three celebrities that got my attention in their eye-catching outfits (from left to right):

1. Carey Mulligan, who just won the part of  Daisy Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann’s Great Gatsby remake,  wore a sequin embroidered Chanel Haute Couture dress.
2. Leighton Meester wore a Swarovski crystal embellished silk Prabal Gurung cocktail dress with Roger Vivier suede shoes ( I am loving her hair and dress in this pic) .
3. Kim Kardashian wore a floor length Zac Posen gown with a jeweled neckline.

Who's dress do you like best?

And the winner is...

The winner of the Fable Fairy giveaway is... Waiting for Luca ! Congrats lady, please e-mail me soon :)

Note: my next, lovely giveaway will be starting this week.

A rocking home

Very nice.

This house is located on the San Juan Islands off Washington State, USA. It was designed by Tom Kundig, of Olson Kundig Architects.

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. 1890 Restaurant in Obs has very yummy, reasonably priced, sushi
2. Floral scarves are so versatile ( i need a bunch more)
3. Caprica is an awesome sci-fi TV series
4. It takes alot practice to make ghd curls
5. I really like my new silver sunburst necklace from Foxy Originals
6. My Mother has finally learnt how to sms emoticons (not sure if that's a good thing)
7. Its a good idea to always keep your toe nails looking pretty
8. Once in a while, its perfectly ok to spend a lovely summers day indoors
9. I only like fruit cake with lots of cherries in it
10. I agree with this quote: “The real man is the one who can thrill you just by kissing your forehead.”-Marilyn Monroe.

What did you learn this weekend?

Procrastination

cartoon from here

Lovely & local

Here are a few pretty, local things that I spotted online recently...

1. Stripey dress by Tashkaya

2. Antique Linen and Leather Bag by Wren

3. Seraphine sandals by Missibaba

4. Brass and silver heart ring by Dear Rae

5. Anchor necklace by Steffany Roup (available on Spence)

6. White Tee by Adriaan Kuiters (available on Spence)

Happy Friday!

"Sometimes, she reflected, she dressed for courage, sometimes for success,

and sometimes for the consolation of knowing that whatever else went wrong,

at least she liked her clothes." - Emma Bull (from War for the Oaks)

Hope you have a happy Friday and a stunning weekend :)

 - PHOTO from Marie Claire AU, Dec 2010 -

Baby name thieves

It has always amused me the way so many females guard their future baby names. Most woman will not share this name information with anyone but their partner for fear of "baby name thieves"(even years and years before they actually have a baby).

Note: "Baby name thieves" (as I like to call them) are people who intentionally, or  even unintentionally, name their baby the exact name you wanted to call your future baby. They are usually friends or relatives (and always like the same names you like) *chuckles*

Though I do find this paranoid practice funny, I wholeheartedly agree with it (too many copycats around). So, I wont be sharing my preferred future baby names until they have been used (preferably by me) just in case it inspires someone to name their kid the same thing ( silly, but sensible)  *winks*

While on the subject of baby naming, heres an interesting story - The other day I was chatting to a woman at work that is currently trying for a baby. I asked her if she had already thought of any cool names for her future baby. She told me she had thought of a few names she liked, but that it didn't matter too much because in her African culture the mother in-law gets to name the baby (yup, seriously).

Obviously I was very surprised to hear this. For me, the thought of someone else naming my baby one day is just too odd for me to comprehend. I asked her if she was ok with that tradition and she said it was rather normal (true story). Anyway,  I guess it does take all the stress and responsibility out of choosing your kids name.

Would you share your future baby names? or let someone else name your kid?

Celeb Style: Gwyneth Paltrow

Here are two outfits Gwyneth Paltrow wore this week:

1. For the premiere of her new film, Country Strong, Gwyneth chose a black Chado Ralph Rucci dress and Lanvin heels.
2. For the Country Music Awards, she wore a super sexy Atelier Versace gown and Christian Louboutin satin peep toe pumps

On my bucket list.. by Baglett

Today the very funny, Johannesburg based blogger Baglett (from Baglett.co.za ) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

Before I kick the bucket I would like to…

1. Change my taps from ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ to ‘wine’ and ‘vodka’
2. Travel back in time and tell Frank Sinatra that we are meant to be together.
3. Go to jail for one night and perform ‘Like a Virgin’ Bridget Jones style.
4. To walk down the aisle before my gran kicks her bucket.
5. To conquer my fear of public speaking and speak to at least two people. At the same time.
6. To fly a plane. And not a paper one.
7. To say ‘I don’t drink’ without falling off my chair laughing.
8. To wear a ball gown to a ‘dress casual’ function and then look at people as if I'm embarrassed for them.
9. If someone’s showering at gym, swap their clothes with a Shrek costume.
10. To write a self help book entitled ‘Rehabs for quitters’

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

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. The chocolate brownies from Caviar in the V & A Waterfront are so delicious
2. I am addicted to buying books at the moment (see my latest buys here)
3. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a really silly, but totally cool film (if you like Michael Cera and general geekery  - you will love this film)
4. Pick 'n Pay Clothing has nice tank tops for only R35.
5. I find it annoying when strangers attempt to finish my sentences
6. Scenic, coastal rides on the back of a Harley are so much fun
7. I think Helena needs to hook with Damon on Vampire Diaries ;)
8. One of the stalker friendly cats in my apartment block has gone missing  
9. I really need to own a dress by Country Road
10. Its so important to remain optimistic in a bad situation

What did you learn this weekend?

Gossip Girl, season 4 - outfit spotting

This week the GG ladies wore some very pretty long dresses (from left to right):

1. Blair in a floral Ralph Lauren dress

2.Serena in a stunning lace Zuhair Murad dress 

3. Juliet in a J. Mendel gown

4. Vanessa in  a floaty Christian Cota gown

Who's dress do you like best?

Cute jewellery giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a cute giveaway sponsored by Fable Fairy

The winner will receive a turquoise flower ring and a pair of bow earrings:

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Be a follower of this blog, THEN Please leave a comment on this post telling me which item you like best on the Fable Fairy goes to market page
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, 16 November and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, 17 November. The winner is chosen randomly. Good luck!

Street style inspiration

I spotted some floral street style inspiration today:  

1.  Floral Shirt in Paris - photo by the Satorialist

2. Lovely floral dress in LA - worn by Lauren Conrad 

Lovely Leighton

When I spotted photos of Leighton Meester (my current girl crush) in the December 2010 issue of Marie Claire UK,  I could not stop myself from sharing them with y'all.

I think she looks gorgeous, especially in the tattoo picture (I'm pretty sure the tattoo is a fake) and I am loving the lighter hair on her.

* The photos were taken by Christophe Meimoon

Happy Friday!

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hope you have a happy friday and a glorious weekend.