Fashion favourites: The Oscars

The 83rd Academy Awards happened last night in Los Angeles and, as always, there were lots of pretty dresses (& celebs) to look at on the red carpet.

After a lot of thought, here are my 6 favourite Oscar outfits:

1. Penelope Cruz was sexy in a sequined L'Wren Scott gown with a plunging neckline.

2. Mila Kunis looked amazing in a lacey, lavender Elie Saab gown

3. Natalie Portman, who won the best actress oscar and is currently pregnant,  looked stunning in a plum gown by Rodarte.

4. Anne Hathaway was striking in a red, poufy-backed vintage Valentino gown.

5. Mandy Moore sparkled in a Monique Lhuillier gown

6. True Grit star, Hailee Steinfeld looked like a little princess in her Marchesa dress

What was your favourite oscar outfit?

- to see more Oscar fashion go HERE-

And the winner is...

The winner of the gold gemstone necklace giveaway is.... Miss Vodka! Congrats lady, please contact me with your details.

I hope to have a new giveaway starting soon :)

Happy Friday!

“You have a special place in the world.

All you have to do is find it. Do not give up on yourself, on the truths you have realized. Do not give in to those who would crush your dreams like nutshells.
And never turn away from forever love.” - Ellen Hopkins.

Have a happy Friday and a totally fabulous weekend! 

Ramblings from a sleepy mind

I feel sleepy today *yawn*

I can't think of a reason why I should feel this tired. All I know is that when the alarm went off this morning I woke up and literally couldn't get out of bed.

As I pressed the snooze button for the 3rd time, I was very aware that I was going to be late for work if I did not get my lazy butt out of bed -BUT Did I jump up and rush around? No, no I did not. I lay there comtemplating ways to take a "personal day".... Was it better to call in sick? or just call in and say I was seriously delayed? or just keep sleeping until someone notices I havent turned up at work?

After a few minutes of half asleep/ half awake thoughts I decided that I should at least try to get to work. I slowly slid out of bed,  zombie walked to do morning things and then finally made it into the shower. Truthfully, while i was standing in the shower I felt a little like I do when I am hungover (which is odd as I haven't had anything alcoholic in days - pinky swears). I wonder if The Boyf has been spiking my mug of bedtime tea?  *winks*

I think that this feeling is probably the result of a few contributing issues...like: my TV series addiction, too many super late night weekends, the relentless evil psycho  mosquito (that we just can't seem to kill), the fact that I need a new mattress and lack of vitamins.

Anyway, you know when you are so sleepy that you start feeling a bit delirious and unreasonably cranky (like you start laughing at inappropraite things and answer your work phone by saying "What now!")? - Well, i feel that way....*sigh* Its going to be a really reeeaaally long day....think I better go and swim in some caffeine.

(Note: for those of you were wondering, I did make it to work and I was late. On the upside I did manage to get there in co-ordinated clothes, without falling asleep at the wheel and without having one pity party )

 - photo found on weheartit -

Contemporary coastal home

nice, very nice!

This stunning, beach house is located on the northern coast of Jupiter Island in Florida (USA). It was designed by Hughes Umbanhowar Architects.

I like so much about this home - I especially like the rooftop pool and huge windows. Though, I must admit, I would probably worry about tropical storms and tidal waves living so ridiculously close to the ocean (i'm practical like that).

 - To see more pictures of this house go HERE -

On my bucket list... by Emily

Emily Pettit-Coetzee is a freelance writer and blogger, a wife and a soon-to-be mum (4 months to go!), a lover of vintage, English literature and anything to do with France. She runs a business called The Letterbox and a blog, i heart your outfit, with Liza West, her business partner and best friend for (like) ever. Today she will be sharing a few things from her bucket list. Enjoy...

1. Learn to speak fluent French

2. Write a novel - I already have the idea, it’s just a matter of sitting down and writing it... but I guess that’s what everybody says.

3. Do a cycling holiday through Provence, South of France - I see myself in a 50s-style skirt and breton striped tee on a vintage, Miss Marple-style bicycle surrounded by fields of lavender. It’s my happy place.

4. Walk into an obscure vintage store and find a gorgeous, pristine Chanel chain bag - Is that more of a wish? Wishes probably don’t count but it had to include it.

5. Meet Nelson Mandela

6. Spend two weeks in a sarong on a deserted beach in Zanzibar - sleeping under a thatched palm, with no one for miles but my husband (and a waiter who brings champagne on a regular basis).

7. Own a vintage convertible MG with a genuine luggage rack on the back - and drive around in oversized sunnies and a scarf in my hair.

8. Stalk Victoria Beckham! - Well, just lurk outside her house long enough, until she comes out and I get a peek.

9. Own a bespoke Chanel LBD

10. Have an article printed in Vanity Fair - I do love that magazine.

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

10 things I leant this weekend

1. U2 are great performers and their 360 tour stage is mind blowing
2. I really prefer smaller venues for live concerts
3. Pole dancing takes alot of skill and body strength
4. Watching people with no pole dancing skills trying to pole dance is hilarious
5. At 2am in the morning people make unwise decisions - like dancing and singing to Britney Spears "Baby one more time"
6. If I go to bed at 6am in the morning I will do absolutely nothing the next day
7. Black Swan is an intensely brilliant and rather dark film (i highly recommend it).
8. Natalie Portman truly deserves her Oscar nomination for playing a psycho ballerina
9.  I am so very blessed to have such a wonderful, domesticated boyfriend ;)
10. Striving for "perfection" will only make you go crazy

What have you learnt lately?

Diligo

For those of you who don't already know, Diligo is a new South African online clothing  shop. To check out all the pretty things available trot over HERE

Happy shopping!

And the winner is...

The winner of the silver penny farthing necklace giveaway is ... Ada! Congrats lady, please contact me soon.

Note: there is still time to enter the gold gemstone necklace giveaway HERE

Happy Friday!

"...I want to think again of dangerous and noble things.

I want to be light and frolicsome.

I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing,

as though I had wings."

- Mary Oliver (from poem, Starlings in Winter)

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday and a frolicsome weekend ;)

Ps - Darlings, are you up to anything fabulous this weekend? Tonight I  am off to see U2 perform live in Cape Town (yay) - I cannot wait!

Street style inspiration

1. Cute skirt and bow blouse 

 2. Bold pants

 3. rockstar chic

4. comfy casual

* All photos from Stockholm Street Style

On my bucket list... by Lize

Lize (from Lizekay ) is a lovely SA blogger and rugby presenter at Supersport. Today she will be sharing a few things from her bucket list. Enjoy...

1. Get a pony - I want a horse again. I rode competitively for 13 years, but someday I will start again.

2. Travel - As far as places I want to visit, there are countries and cities: Paris, New York and Berlin. France, Russia, Morocco.

3. Own it -  Have the most amazing walk-in closet someday, and a library full of great books. With a ladder!

4. Write a book.

5. Live happily ever after - Like every girl, I dream of finding that person I want to spend forever with…

6. Kiss like in the movies -  I want a corny Eiffel Tower kissing picture. One that makes my leg pop and looks like a postcard. Obviously with my true love.

7. Change one person’s life - I am a very lucky, blessed girl. I’d love to give someone less fortunate the opportunities I had. An education, and a future, which they may not have had otherwise.

8. To have a white Christmas -  With aforementioned person of my dreams. And it must include a snowy horse-drawn sleigh ride.

9. To have my perfect French holiday - from shopping in Paris with no limits to my credit card, sipping coffee dressed head-to-toe in Chanel, to staying in the perfect cottage surrounded by lavender in the south of France, all with the aforementioned true love. I studied French for six years and always wanted to live in France. But I’d settle for a few months of bliss there.

10. Have it all - love, a great career, happiness, family, friends and, of course, a fabulous wardrobe with much Chanel.

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

Old doors headboard

I love that rustic doors have been used to make a  bedroom headboard in the above photo. Such a simple and clever idea.

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. Red wine + yum pizza + interesting conversation = a good night ...always
2. Reyjeane, in De Waterkant, is a really nice salon and spa
3. Buying an MP3 player for a 7 year old was an awesome idea
4. Chanel's Rouge Coco lipsticks are worth the splurge (bought THIS one recently)
5. Live burlesque shows are highly entertaining
6. Cutting down on my sugar intake is making me feel alot less moody
7. I adore my hair fascinator from The Little Hattery ( I want some more)
8. I should wear dresses alot more often - even if my legs are "vampire" white
9. The Boyf looks so cute in a bow tie
10. Sometimes you have to stop over planning and allow time to be spontaneous

What have you learnt lately?

Bold brights at the BAFTAS

This year, my absolute favourite outfits at the BAFTA's were....

1. Jessica Alba in a gorgeous cobalt blue, Atelier Versace gown

2. Emma Stone in a striking two-tone Lanvin gown

Gold gemstone necklace giveaway

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

The winner will recieve a multi sapphire rondelle 14k gold necklace:

Description: Beautiful detailed multi colored Sapphire rondelle gemstones hanging from 14k gold filled chain. Gems size approx.: 30mm wide. Chain: 18" long.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Be a blog/twitter follower, THEN please comment on this post and tell me what Friedasophie item is your favourite in either of her online stores- HERE & HERE.

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, 28 February and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 1 March. Good luck!

 

www.friedasophie.etsy.com * www.friedasophievintage.etsy.com * friedasophie.blogspot.com

Best and worst dressed: Grammy Awards

At this year's Grammy Awards there were lots of pretty dresses and plenty of ridiculous outfits. Here are my top choices for best and worst dressed....

BEST:

1. Selena Gomez in a gorgeous, metallic J.Mendel slipdress

2. Nicole Kidman in an embellished Jean Paul Gaultier gown (elegant).

3. Kelly Osbourne in a Tadashi Shoji dress (so cute)

WORST:

1. Lady Gaga arriving wearing an egg shell. Apparently she was "incubating," - WTH? 

2. Nicki Minaj's totally over the top leopard print outfit by Givenchy

Who's Grammy outfit did you like or dislike this year?

 - To see more Grammy Awards fashion go here -

Happy Friday!

"...I’m not the silly romantic you think.

I don’t want the heavens or the shooting stars.

I don’t want gemstones or gold. I have those things already.

 I want…a steady hand. A kind soul. I want to fall asleep, and wake, knowing my heart is safe. I want to love, and be loved." 

- Shana Abé (writer)

Have a happy Friday and a wonderful, love-filled weekend.

Lovely living room

Today while I was browsing Rue, an online magazine, I spotted this fabulous living area. I just love so much about it - especially the dark grey velvet couch, the wooden ceiling and the big windows. - Check out the third issue of Rue Mag over HERE

Silver Penny Farthing giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a giveaway sponsored by  LunarraStar (which is based in the United Kingdom)

The winner of this giveaway will receive this sweet Penny Farthing necklace:

Description:  The Penny Farthing measures approximately 11 x 23 x 22mm. It is cast from Sterling silver and comes on a delicate yet sturdy Sterling silver necklace.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Be a follower of this blog or twitter, THEN please go look at LunarraStar Jewellery HERE & HERE and let me know(in the comments section) what you like best.

2. For an extra entry, "like" the LunarraStar facebook fanpage HERE (& please let me know that you did)

-THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED -
Please note:
* Anyone may enter this giveaway
*The winner is chosen randomly
*This giveaway will end on Sunday, 20 February
and the winner will be announced on Monday, 21 February.

- Good luck, darlings.

Cool Cape Town home

This stunning, modern home is located in Cape Town, South Africa (at the base of Table Mountain). The architecture is by Cape Town’s Antonio Zaninovic. The interiors and landscaping of the house are by New York City-based Rees Roberts & Partners.

 - To see more photos of this home visit The Cool Hunter -

On my bucket list... by Jade

Today the lovely, Cape Town based blogger Jade (from Cup of Tea and a Chocolate Biscuit) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

1. Visit all the great cities of the world (Cape Town, tick, Cairo, tick, London, tick, Paris, tick, Sydney, tick – Rome, Buenos Aires, Moscow, New York, Hong Kong and about a million others to go). Following that, if I could just spend the rest of my life travelling and living in different countries, that would be grand too.

2. Speak another language fluently -  After hours and hours of French classes I can still pretty much only ask a passer-by to direct me to the nearest pattiserie, or alternatively lend me the pen of his aunt. (Of course, put a Frenchman in front of me after a few Gin & Tonics and I think I'm Carla Bruni).

3. Be widely read -  This one's nearly as optimistic as the travelling I know, but I'd sell my soul for a regular column in a newspaper and/or glossy magazine.

4. Write a book and – this bit's important – have it published - And then purchased. And loved. By millions of people around the world. A Man Booker or Pulitzer would be nice too.

5. Learn to surf (and pull off surfer girl beachy hair).

6. Look in the mirror and be able to accept what I see.

7. Forget about numbers 3 and 4 and instead open a bakery - preferably in a quaint European village, in the manner of Vianne in Chocolat. I will wear a pressed apron and spend all day, from sunrise to well after sunset, beating and melting and mixing and rolling and kneading and piping and icing and folding and sprinkling and ... oh, the thought of it... It's my happy place.

8. Learn to ride a horse -  Like, properly. Like be able to just walk up to any old steed, swing myself up into the saddle and go galloping away across the farm. Or meadow. Or something.

9. Be strong and fit and healthy again - preferably by going back to when I was eleven and changing my history so that I became a ballerina after all.

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

Get hearty in the kitchen

With it being the month of love and all, I thought Id take this opportunity to showcase some absolutely fabulous heart-shaped things that I would love to have in my kitchen (all items are available online from Yuppiechef.co.za).

1. Silicone heart egg ring - by Kitchen Craft

2. Heart bowl with heart ladle -  by Sagaform 

3. Heart shaped stoneware casserole - by Le Creuset

4. Chunky, French oak, heart board (locally made) - by Laid Back Company

5. Heart cookie cutters - by Cuisipro

6. Cute pink, heart-shaped French oven casserole dish -  by Le Creuset

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. Seeing Imogen Heap live was even more awesome than I thought it would be
2. Paul Cluver wine estate has a stunning venue for concerts
3. Once in a while its ok to behave like an obsessed fan and to ask to get an autograph (see my autographed CD over here)
4.  D-Seven is a fabulous Cape Town based acapella group (see website here)
5. Sometimes trying to capture the moment on camera can steal the moment
6. Babies are wonderful, but I'm not at a stage where I get broody being around them
7. I really want a chocolate fountain  ;)
8.  Pick 'n Pay clothing has cute, slightly blinged-up tank tops for cheap (see here)
9. Watching  too much "Sons of Anarchy" is making me want join a motorcycle club. lol
10.  This is good to remember - "He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away." - Raymond Hull

What have you learnt lately?

Gossip Girl, season 4 - fashion sneak peek

Just had to share some sneak peeks of the fashion that will be coming up in the next 2 episodes of Gossip Girl (aka- episode 14 & 15). Pretty....so pretty....

Happy Friday!

“With each new day it becomes more apparent

to me that everything and everyone in this world

is connected in some beautiful and inexplicable way,

and the more I accept that,

the more my world seems to come together.”

- Andrew McMahon (singer/songwriter)

 

Have a glorious Friday and a super duper weekend!

Ramblings, changes and bikers

Darlings, today is the start of the chinese "year of the rabbit". I have no idea what that means exactly... but I am pretty sure it doesn't mean that rabbits will be taking over the world this year (though, I'm not completely opposed to the idea, should it happen) ...anyway, whatever it means, Its the start of something new...and that could be a good thing :)

 So far this year has been a rather quiet one (with the exception of one tipsy night where I sang Roxettes "joyride" with such enthusiasm that I even scared myself), but I feel that this quiet year is about to get very loud very quickly. There seems to be so much starting to pile up on my plate that I may never ever get to dessert - it's a bit overwhelming, but now is not the time to be worried about biting off alot more than I can chew ;)

On the home front ('cause I assume you all really want to know) things are also in a state of change. The Boyf is on the hunt for a new apartment, which means we may be moving soon. Home hunting has been very interesting, but so far we have not been 100% convinced that we have found "the place". Personally, all I want is a home that has a massive closet in the bedroom, a view of something interesting, a kitchen that will make me want to cook in it, parking that is close to my front door and enough space in the lounge to do kickboxing (you know, just in case I should ever feel the need to do that) .... wish us luck.

In random news: Recently I have gotten into a new show called "Sons of Anarchy". For those of you who have never seen it -  the show is basically about a motorcycle club/gang that drive harleys around, make up their own rules, drink alot, shoot stuff and live in a town called Charming. I think watching a show like this after an episode of Gossip Girl or Vampire Diaries is keeping my TV viewing somewhat balanced. *winks*

How have you been lately? do tell...

 - photo from fifilapin -

Celeb style: Rachel & Leighton

This week Rachel Bilson and Leighton Meester's wore these 2 pretty dresses....

1. Rachel looked fab in leather-trimmed Burberry Prorsum dress with satin heels

2. Leighton looked stunning in a floral Emanuel Ungaro mini with red lips

Who's dress do you like best?

On my bucket list... by Carlinn

Carlinn , from SuperficialGirls, is a sweet, stylish South African gal who is currently living on the island of Malta (she is also a real life friend of mine). Today she will be sharing a few things from her bucket list. Enjoy...

1. Make my blog successful - I would love to turn blogging into my full time job one day. The mix of being creative and working for yourself is amazing and it would be a dream come true!

2. Get a stunning bikini body again - I am still a size 8-10 but i used to go to gym everyday and be super fit and toned, i want to be like that again! No more baking cupcakes *said while munching on a lamington*

3. Own some very expensive handbags - I am a bargain hunter by nature and would really just love to splurge on some expensive handbags one day and not feel super guilty about it. At the moment i have my eye on a chanel 2.55

4. Go to Paris in spring - I have been to a lot of places in my life and they have all been so awesome but even though i live about an hour away on a plane i haven't gone to Paris yet...

5. Move back home - By home i mean Cape Town, South Africa. I moved away about three years ago and there hasn't been a day that has gone by where i haven't missed it. The weather, the people, the food, everything is just better in SA.

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

I'm going to see Imogen

This weekend I am going to get to see one of my fav female artists, Imogen Heap, perform live in Cape Town (and at a smallish venue).... I'm so ridiculously excited! :)

Sleeved white dress: Emily & Reese

Recently Emily Blunt (who just made her hair lighter) and Reese Witherspoon both rocked different versions of the sleeved white dress....

1. Emily Blunt looked fabulous in a Andrew Gn mini dress with black tights & heels

2. Reese Witherspoon looked lady-like in a textured Giambattista Valli  dress & Louboutin heels.

Who's white dress look do you like best?

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. I have become very fussy about the way I like my hair to be blowdryed

2.  The more I watch the TV series "Sons of Anarchy" the more I like it

3. Its really hard to find a fabulous apartment at a reasonable price.

4. I'm a lightweight drinker - 2 small glasses of wine and I'm the mayor of tipsy town.

5. Sometimes its perfectly ok for a girl to go to a club in flips flops

6. Singing and dancing to 80's and 90's music at Decodance (in Sea Point) is such fun 

7. I like my feet better when my toenails are painted red

8. The only plants I seem to be good at looking after are cactuses

9. I can be very unreasonable about reasonable things

10. Michelle Obama gives great advice. She recently said: "Look, women, wear what you love. That's all I can say. That's my motto....."

What have you learnt lately?