Happy New Year!

“I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you’ll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you’ll make something that didn’t exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.” -Neil Gaiman

Hope y'all have a memorable New Years Eve and a happy 2011!

Nude wedges

 Love these pretty, nude wedges by Marc Jacobs.

Still on holiday...

Hello darlings, how are you all doing? I am still on holiday and feel very relaxed. Currently I am in the Eastern Cape spending some time with The Boyf's family. Soon I will be heading back to Cape Town to spend the last part of my holiday at home.

Since my brain is in holiday mode right now, you will have to excuse my serious lack of posts at the moment. I will get back to regular blogging from 10 January :)

Oh, Olivia

Lovely Olivia Palermo is in the January 2011 issue of Vogue España (aka Spain) wearing some very pretty, sparkly accessories. Arn't the photos fabulous? 

To see more photos of Olivia from this shoot, click HERE

Happy Friday and Happy Christmas!

Hope you all have an absolutely wonderful, blessed Christmas. 

 

10 things I learnt in the last 4 days

1. Long drives are alot better when you have good company and plenty of snacks
2. Musc Intense perfume by Narciso Rodriguez smells lovely
3. Running a large household is very time consuming
4. I really prefer simple Christmas decorations
5. French toast with honey is my new favourite breakfast meal
6. The sound of crickets chirping can be very peaceful (who knew)  
7. I still have alot to learn on my journey to becoming a domestic goddess
8. I never want to live in a town with only ONE main store
9. The Boyf still has alot of tricks up his sleeve
10. Being "away from it all" can really help you to start putting things in perspective

What have you learnt lately?

And the winners are...

Today I get to announce the winners of two fabulous giveaways (note: to choose the winners, I used random.org to select five names, then those 5 names went into a hat and The Boyf shuffled them before I picked a name).

First up...

The winner of the fabulous, Truworths Festive Giftcard giveaway is... *drum roll* ...... Bridget McNulty! Congrats lady, please e-mail me your details.

Next...

The winner of the sweet, gold flower necklace is... Novelista Barista! Congrats, please contact me soon.

A big thank you to everyone that entered and sponsored fabulous giveaways in 2010. Darlings, there will not be anymore giveaways for this year - BUT next year there will definitely be loads more giveaways up for grabs :)

Happy Friday!

"Life is wonderful.

It's a gift to be alive,

to see the sun and breathe the air...."

- Michael Crichton

How are you, Darlings? I am moments away from being officially on holiday until next year  - so I am pretty ecstatic. Tomorrow The Boyf and I are starting our holiday with a roadtrip. I am really looking forward to it and hope I get some time to just relax during our Christmas holiday. 
(

Note: I should mention that, even though I will be on holiday,  I will still try to blog and tweet as often as I can while I am away :)

Have a happy friday and a fabulous weekend!

Street style inspiration

Loving pink right now, especially light "blush" pink.

 All photos from Stockholm Streetstyle

On my bucket list... by Marli

Today the lovely, Cape Town based blogger Marli (from Sexyredframe & modelmental) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

I would love to...

1. Learn a new language -  I was thinking French. Or maybe Spanish? Then I thought Italian! And now I'm wondering, why not Xhosa? As soon as I make up my mind, I'm doing this!

2. Take a month to spend on a slow trip through Tuscany with my husband - ideally on the back of a Vespa. Sunshine and good wine, rolling hills, vineyards and a massive Cypress tree in an open field for picnic and siesta. Breads and virgin olive oils and cheese and vine-ripened tomatoes. Little villages, ancient castle ruins and a farm house or two. Chianti by candle light, strolling through an olive grove.

3. Skydive -  I must I must, the longer I put it off, the less brave I become!

4. Get a tattoo -  This is a new urge, but I just can't shake it. Something very discreet, somewhere subtle like my ankle or my wrist. I love the image of a five pointed star, the outline of Africa, a meaningful word in flowing script...

5. Attend New York Fashion Week - Need I say more?

6. Host a supremely swanky, super successful Black & White Ball in aid of charity -  Somewhere in a big city penthouse venue with glass walls, a checkered floor, crystal chandeliers, a live swing band and champagne on tap. If I pull it off on the scale I'm imagining, I won't need to pick a charity, I'll save the whole world!

7. Go to Thailand - With my mom, my mother-in-law, my sister and sister-in-law. A week of shopping, swimming, trekking, chilling, cocktails, massages, sunsets and sleeps on the beach.

Amen.
 
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

Gold flower necklace giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of another wonderful giveaway sponsored by Friedasophie (which is based in California).

The winner will recieve a gold flower pendant on a gold chain:

Description of prize: Beautiful detailed gold plate 14k gold flower charm on a gold filled/plated chain (regular chain and not snake chain, as pictured above).

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Be a blog/twitter follower, THEN please comment on this post and tell me what you like best in Friedasophie'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)

---THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED---

Giveaway notes: *Anyone may enter. *This giveaway will end on Monday, 20 December and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 21 December. Good luck!

above are some Friedasophie pieces I really like.

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. Dark blue denim shorts are so versatile 

2. Knead bakery makes awesome honey French toast

3. Red cappuccinos are very interesting and tasty

4. I'ts best not to attempt to wear a dress on a windy day

5. I may be developing a serious online shopping addiction ;)

6. I have a gecko lizard living in my bedroom – and I’m ok with that

7. I love the pair of sunnies that Olivia Palermo is wearing in the above photo 

8. My gym is nice and quiet on a Sunday afternoon

9. The best sushi is usually the more expensive sushi

10. Often this can be true: “ If you don’t imagine, nothing ever happens at all." - John Green

What have you learnt lately?

Festive Gift Card Giveaway

Today I am happy to announce an awesome giveaway sponsored by Truworths.

Since it ’tis the season to be giving, Truworths has two x R2000 gift cards to give away – one for you and one for your nearest and dearest.

Description of prize: The winner will recieve 1 x  Truworths gift card to the value of R2000 (which can be used at any Truworths store), plus another Truworths gift card to the value of R2000 for a loved one.

HOW TO ENTER:

STEP ONE: Leave a comment telling me who you would give the other gift card to
(

STEP TWO: Do one of the following to qualify (and let me know you did):

1. Follow Truworths on twitter here, AND tweet this line: I just entered the amazing @TruworthsTweets & @BeingBrazen festive gift card giveaway here: http://bit.ly/fO5lvF  - Have you?

OR

2. "Like" the Truworths Fashion facebook group 

---THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED---

Please note:

* This giveaway is only open to SA residents

* The friend/family member that you have nominated here MUST get the second gift card.

*The winner will be chosen randomly

*This giveaway will end on Monday, 20 December and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 21 December.

- Good luck, darlings.

And the winner is...

The winner of the lovely, winged heart necklace giveaway is... *drum roll*... Anthea!  Congrats lady, please e-mail me soon.

I am happy to announce that I have a fabulous new giveaway starting on my blog asap. (unfortunately this new one will only be open to SA residents, but i hope to have another international giveaway soon)

Friday fluff & some lovely links

Hello Darlings, how are you this fine Friday? I am fabulous. A box of  Lindt chocolate balls magically appeared on my desk and then a piece a chocolate mousse cake (the chocolate fairies have been kind today). Before I get distacted by all the sweet treats, and go into a sugar induced coma, I thought I should write a post.

Christmas is just 14 days away (crazy but true) and  I am just starting to feel festive. Yesterday I was at the mall and I actually found myself happily skipping down aisles to Christmas music, while dodging other shoppers . This year I plan to keep things simple for Christmas - I will mainly be giving loved ones books or plants as gifts (i feel like you can never really have too many of either) and I will be giving a decorated cactus the title "my christmas tree" *winks* 

Onto random things....as always there is so much I want to share with y'all (but i never have the time to post it all), So here are some links you might like to check out:

• I am loving the Louis Vuitton Resort 2011 campaign
• This festive season I plan to bake some awesome gingerbread men cookies
• I have been wearing THIS simple, hairstyle lately (i'm even wearing it today)
• Loving the idea of a two bite breakfast
• A free online calendar for owl lovers (via decor8)
• I made it onto a list of SA's top 10 woman bloggers (very nice)
• My summer lust-list on Style Scoop
• Some colourful table decorating inspiration
• Check out part 1 and part 2 of my Wellness Christmas wishlist

Hope you have a lovely, fun-filled weekend.

Happy Friday!

" Remember that at any given moment

there are a thousand things you can love."

 - David Levithan (writer)

*photo from Kate Ryan Inc

Industrial loft with feminine touches

This stunning, loft apartment is located in Barcelona (Spain). I love the mix of industrial and feminine decor in this home.

* All pictures from  Apartment Therapy 

On my bucket list... by Kate

Today the lovely, very fashionably minded, SA blogger Kate (from The Pessimiss) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

1. See Interpol live in concert... And the Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Talking Heads, QOTSA. I’m a live music fanatic and my life would just be made if I could see Interpol live.

2. Find my one true love.... I’m not sure I believe in the idea of one true soulmate, but I do believe in great, grand, sweeping love. And I will not settle for anything less.

3. Master the bass guitar....  I’ve wanted to play bass my entire life and started taking lessons earlier this year. I got my own bass, a sleek black and white beauty called Darcy, for my birthday earlier this year.

4. Become a little bit famous.... Not a lot, just a little. Preferably for either my writing skills, or my eye for the unusual. Or a combination thereof.

5. Wear the kind of clothes I write about.... Jonathan Saunders, Givenchy, Balmain, Carven, Louboutin, Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, Moschino.

6. Go on an adventure..... Of any kind. Unplanned, rambling, barefoot, under the stars or on the streets of a new city. Berlin, Antwerp, Seattle, Casablanca.

7. Have many more authentic, retro-themed parties.... 70’s fondues with turtlenecks and slacks, a genuine roller disco with sequins and flares, a prohibition-era speakeasy with boys in ducktails and girls in pearls.

8. Meet / see / touch / sing with Jack White of the White Stripes... I can’t really sing and he is married to the luminous Karen Elson, but these are trivial factoids. Jack, I’ll be your Apple Blossom.

9. Work for ELLE, Vogue and Rolling Stone, in no particular order.

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

The weekend I went to the Old Mac Daddy

Last weekend The Boyf, a few friends (including blogger friend Betty Bake) and I went away to the Old Mac Daddy in Elgin. It was fabulous and so relaxing. 

Since its only an hour from Cape town, the Old Mac Daddy is a fabulous place to take a mini break from the city. The luxury trailer park (plus villa) boasts stunning valley views, unique accommodation and a very chilled enviroment. If you have never been, I highly recommend you check it out.

Here are some photos from our weekend(taken by The Boyf & I)....

 Here is one of the signs we saw on the way there and the path to the restaurant

 The pool was pretty, but it was a bit too cold to try it while we were there 

 Since this is mainly a "trailer" park, lovely airstream trailer's can be seen all around.

 We stayed in "Daddy's Villa", which is the only self catering house available.

The inside of  Daddy's Villa had very simple, neutral coloured decor.

My favourite things about the Villa, besides the views, were definitely the Smeg fridge and the outdoor bath (which I was lucky enough to get to use, since The Boyf and I got to stay in the main bedroom)
((

To make a booking, you can contact the Old Mac Daddy on + 27 (0)21 447 8105 or + 27 (0)861 4 DADDY, For more information, visit their website over HERE

Vintage Lifestyle Magazine

South Africa's first vintage magazine,Vintage Lifestyle, launched on Saturday and is now available exclusively online (for free). This morning I took a few moments to browse the new mag and was very impressed. To check out issue 1, click HERE 

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. Getting out of the city, even for a weekend,  is good for the soul
2. I always seem to over pack (you know, "just in case")
3. Betty's cookie dough apple pie is so delicious (see recipe here)
4. Bat sized moths are no joke
5. Outdoor baths may be pretty to look at, but they are not always very practical
6. I really love green dresses at the moment (see 2 I recently bought over here)
7. If you want to put me off your restaurant, give me dirty crockery or cutler.
8.  La Senza's double push up bra makes you look up to two cup sizes bigger
9. It is possible to rock one pair of shoes for a whole month - click here to see who is doing it and what good cause they are doing it for.
10. No matter where you go, its always a nice feeling to come home.

What did you learn this weekend?

Gossip Girl, Season 4 - outfit spotting (sneak peek)

While the weather is getting warmer and warmer here in SA, the weather is chilly on the set of Gossip Girl. So, you can expect to see Blair and Serena rocking lots of fabulous winter clothing ( I am loving all the tights).

Here are a few fashion pics (from left, clockwise) from tonights episode :

1. Serena is wearing a cute blazer, a Rag & Bone shirt, Joie shorts, DKNY tights, Rag & Bone shoes and a gorgeous grey, Be & D bag.

2. Blair is wearing a Dries van Noten top, Ulla Johnson skirt and  patterned Hue tights.

3. Serena is wearing a  Salvatore Ferragamo top, Vince leggings and a big Oscar de la Renta necklace.

4. Juliet is wearing a stripey ALC dress, Hue tights and Manolo Blahnik boots.

Happy Friday!

“Don’t ask what the world needs.

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.

Because what the world needs is people

who have come alive.”- Howard Thurman

Hope you have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Hello December....

For me, November was a "wallflower" kind of a month - It arrived empty handed, looked rather unimpressed, stood against the wall, made small talk and quietly left before anyone could ask it to dance *chuckles*

Thankfully December arrived wearing its dancing shoes, a big smile and carrying an armful of gifts *winks* .  If I was a betting gal,  I would definitely put all my money on this month being a winner.  I mean,  how could it not be a great month with so many grand things planned - like: chilling in the sun, catching up with lovely people, eating lots of yummy Christmas food, reading lots of books, dashing through a few malls and finally going away on some mini getaways  *does a happy dance *

Speaking of mini getaways...Tomorrow The Boyf and I are off on our first one of the month (so you will have to excuse my lack of blogging tomorrow). I will be back to blogging on Monday and will be sure to share some details about the trip :)

Do you have any grand plans for December? do tell...

Party dresses: by Jenny Packham

This week Heidi Klum and Taylor Swift both wore gorgeous, sparkling, Jenny Packham mini dresses. (I especially love Taylor's dress).

Winged heart necklace giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a giveaway sponsored by Cape Town based, Jewellery designer, Natasha Wood.

The winner will receive a winged, wooden heart necklace (i want one!):

Description:  The wings and thin chain are both made from Sterling silver. The heart has been hand carved out of African rose wood (retail price R520 / about $69)

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Be a follower/subscriber of this blog, THEN please go look at Natasha Wood's Jewellery HERE & HERE and describe (in the comments section) what you like best.

2. For an extra entry, tweet this giveaway or join the official Natasha Wood Jewellery facebook group HERE (& please let me know that you did)

Please note:

* Anyone may enter this giveaway

*The winner is chosen randomly

*This giveaway will end on Sunday, 12  December and the winner will be announced on Monday, 13 December.

 - Good luck, darlings.

And the winner is...

The lucky winner of the bunny heart necklace giveaway is... *drum roll * ... Quinn! Congrats lady, please contact me soon.

A new giveaway will be starting today. So check back later.

Adore home

Adore Home is a fabulous, Australian home and lifestyle magazine that is available exclusively online (and its free). The second issue just came out and its full of lovely things to lust after. To check out the latest issue, click HERE

Black Swan Premiere: Mila and Natalie

Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman both looked stunning last night when they attended the New York premiere of their latest film, Black Swan. Here's what the ladies wore..

1. Mila (left) looked elegant in an Elie Saab gown and pretty make-up
2. Natalie (right) vamped it up with an off-the-shoulder black Dior gown, red lips and an Olympia Le Tan book clutch.

I don't know about you, but I cannot wait to see Black Swan (and all the ballet outfits). I Hope it comes out in SA soon.

This and that

Here are a few new things that I have gotten lately and love:

1. Gorgeous black leather "battle stars" bag from Luella (as a prize from here)

2. A bottle of "Womanity" perfume by Thierry Mugler (Thanks,  Eloise Dreyer)

3. Black leather and wooden wedges, with ankle straps by San Marina

4. Stunning, silver plated Sunburst necklace by Foxy Orignials

On my bucket list... by Chantel

Today the lovely,  South African blogger Chantel (from Cookie Jar) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

It's only when Brazen asked me to come up with a bucket list for her series, that I realised that there are a hell of alot of things I still want to do. Here are 9 of them. I have about a hundred more, mostly involving travel. I Hope you enjoy my list...

1. Get a tattoo- At the moment I want a cool one on the top of my foot.
2. Write a book- Something funny and heart warming, and I would insist on old school cloth book binding.
3. Plant a herb and vegetable garden- And live off it.
4. Have my own clothing label- This has been a dream ever since I can remember, I hope I see this one through.
5. Visit Machu Picchu, Peru- I have always been fascinated by this Inca village.
6. Shop in New York- Need I say more?
7. Get married and have kids- That's simple enough, me thinks.
8. Live by the coast- at some point in my life.
9. Own a library with coffee shop- I love books...and coffee, I would love to merge these two into a place where people can visit and escape.

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