On my bucket list... by Tarryn

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

1.  Star in a film -  When I was a kid, if you asked me what I’d be doing at 23 I’d probably have answered something like ‘getting ready to accept my Oscar’. But now that I have a more realistic view on life I’d settle for a local film, so long as it actually came on circuit not straight to DVD.

2. Own a pair of shoes that costs more than the average person’s rent -  Preferably Louboutins. Of course, shoes like these belong in the walk-in closet I also plan to have.

3. Find and marry an Irishman - It’s the accent...

4. Travel on the Orient Express (the re-made one, unfortunately the original stopped running in 2009) -  Try not to get roped into solving any murders along the way.

5. Conceptualize, art direct and style an editorial for a big fashion magazine - like Marie Claire or Elle.

6. Learn to surf -  I’ve never been great at sport but I’ve always had unusually good balance; maybe surfing’s my hidden talent? Must get over fear of sharks and cold water first.

7. "Rough it" at a massive music festival like Glastonbury -  Wear gumboots. Fall down in the mud.

8. Master cake baking - I don’t even like cake that much but it really frustrates me that I can’t bake a decent one. They always seem to sink in the middle or not rise properly.

9. Learn to sew -  Because I love clothes and because I have a beautiful, barely-touched state of the art sewing machine. This is a sin.

10. Find some sort of focus -  It’s not that I don’t know what to do with my life, it’s that I want to do too many different things. Both my mom and my grandfather (her dad) spent their lives career hopping. Maybe it’s in my blood.

Note: "On my bucket list..." is my current guest blogger series. Most weeks a lovely blogger will share things from their bucket list. to read other bucket lists, go HERE

A music mix

Here's a little mix of random songs I've been enjoying lately ( note: I'm hoping to start sharing mixes you can download soon, but right now songs are just linked to music videos)...

1. Bitter heart - Zee Avi
2. I would do anything for you - Foster The People
3. Rewind - Diane Birch
4. Fresh feeling - The Eels
5. Seraphine - Farryl Purkiss
6. What the water gave me - Florence and The Machine
7. First day of my life - Bright Eyes
8. You're the Storm - The Cardigans
9. Don't stop the music - Jamie Cullum
10. The general specific - Band of Horses
11. Shine on - The Kooks

 Have a good Monday :)

Gossip Girl, Season 5 - sneak peek

Above are a few of the outfits you can look forward to seeing in the upcoming season of Gossip Girl. The show is set to premiere on 26 September in the US (unfortunately I have no idea when it will air on South African TV - So thank goodness for the interweb).  I really can't wait to watch it!

A little cool info on the new season: Apparently Elizabeth Hurley will be joining the GG cast as a rich media mogul and  Louis' sister, played by french actress Roxanne Mesquida, will be stepping onto the show with a recurring role.

Are you excited for the new season of GG?

Happy Weekend!

"The trick of it, she told herself, is to be courageous and bold and make a difference. Not change the world exactly, just the bit around you. Go out there with your double-first, your passion and your new Smith Corona electric typewriter and work hard at … something. Change lives through art maybe. Write beautifully. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved if at all possible..."
 - David Nicholls, from One Day

Hope you have a nice Friday and a lovely weekend.

Blue cottage

 

 

 

 

Really liking this light and bright cottage. Even though there is alot of blue in this home, it does not feel overdone. Also like the mix of rustic and more modern furniture (Seriously, how cute is that study?).

To see more photos of this home, trot over here

Joya Jewellery giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a really fabulous giveaway sponsored by Joya Jewellery

The lucky winner will get these three, envy-worthy pretties:

Descriptions -  1. 'Jamie' bracelet made from genuine leather, sterling silver and turquoise 2. Wrap bracelet made from genuine leather, silver and turquoise 3. Pretty ring made from an Agate drusy gemstone. 

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Be a follower of this blog/twitter, THEN please trot over to the Joya website HERE and let me know(in comments section) what you like best.

2. For an extra entry, follow Joya on twitter HERE and tweet the following phrase: I really hope I win this fabulous @joyacollection giveaway over at @beingbrazen - http://bit.ly/rkQATQ #JoyaJewellery

Please note: *Anyone may enter this giveaway * the winner will be chosen randomly *This giveaway will end on Monday, 5 September and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 6 September. Good luck, darlings ;)

For more updates and information "like" the Joya Facebook page here 

 - THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - 

And the winner is...

The winner of the fabulous, leather bag giveaway is... *drum roll* .... Prixie! Congrats, lady - please e-mail me soon :)

A big thanks to AlexandraKate and everyone that entered. I will be starting another lovely giveaway super soon.

 - Image via Tumblr -

Celeb style: Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway rocked these two relaxed looks while promoting her latest film, One Day, over the weekend:

Left: A striped top and flowing pants by Elizabeth and James.

Right: Black & white Balmain jacket over a t-shirt with black trousers and a pair of over-sized, white sunnies. 

What do you think of Anne's laid-back weekend outfits?

Happy Weekend!

"All you have is now. The measure of our peace of mind 

and the measure of our personal effectiveness are determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment." 
- Andrew Matthews

Have a wonderful Friday and a very, happy weekend :)

On my bucket list... by Jerusha

Today the fabulous, Cape Town based blogger Jerusha (from This Red Lipstick ) will be sharing a few things from her bucket list - Enjoy...

I'm so excited to share my bucket list with you. Although, I'll admit, I had to think a bit when Brazen asked me to write up a list of the things I want to do before I die - it's a tough one! 
(
In addition to "find the perfect red lipstick" and "trick a prince into marrying me", here is my bucket list:
(
1. Learn Hindi and speak to my grandfather in the language he loves most - At the moment I can only count to five, say "I love you" and call someone a "floozy" - not as helpful as you may think.

2. Get married - I am a firm believer in the beautiful God-ordained institution of marriage. Plus, someone who loves you enough to take out the garbage all the time? Score.

3. Memorise more scripture.

4. Read more Ayn Rand - I realise this is probably not going to happen anytime soon; that woman's thought processes are so much more than my small brain can handle. Still, if I've gotten through Atlas Shurgged I can persevere.

5. Write a children's book - Maybe even one that rhymes.

6. Own a great dane and name him Diego.

7. Visit Morocco - Wander around its ancient cities. Eat lamb tagine, cous cous and dates. It really is my dream destination. I hope I will be able to visit it soon.

8. Cover a wall of my house in Cath Kidston wallpaper - To say I adore her dreamy prints is a gross understatement. I just love her wallpapers - they are whimsical and beautiful. Of course I am going to have to marry a man (see point 2 above) who doesn't mind English Rose print in his house.

Note: "On my bucket list..." is my current guest blogger series. Most weeks a lovely blogger will share things from their bucket list. to read other bucket lists, go HERE

10 things I learnt recently

1. Working at a women's magazine is alot of fun
2.  I adore my new, black espadrilles from Country Road
3. Once in a while, it's perfectly ok to sleep until noon and then spend the rest of the day just hanging out in your pj's ;)
4. There is really a Dirty Dancing movie remake happening (seriously, why?)
5. You can make a tasty, cafe-style cappuccino when you  have good coffee beans and THESE three things at home ( I especially love the Brew tool milk frother).
6. I'm embarrassingly unfit at the moment  - this needs to change 
7. It takes around 40 coffee beans to make one espresso shot
8. Tipping petrol attendants with chocolate bars works well when you have no change.
9. The Boyf is really passionate about good coffee, and it's starting rub off on me.
10. I like to believe that this is true: "...If you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen."  - Conan O'Brian

What have you learnt recently?

- Image from weheartit -

Teacup bangles

Recently I stumbled upon these interesting, teacup bangles by StayGoldMaryRose. Each one is made from a repurposed, vintage teacup - How clever is that?

To check out more lovely teacup jewellery, trot over here

Out and about at the V & A Waterfront

Last weekend the The Boyf & I spent 24  hours indulging in fabulous food and enjoying the high life, compliments of the fabulous V & A Waterfront....
(

On Saturday we went to collect the keys for our luxurious marina Village & Life apartment (which would be our "home" for the night). After being escorted to our ultra modern apartment, we had a bit of time to take in the view and enjoy a glass of bubbly on our balcony before going for a stroll around the mall. 

 

After a bit a shopping at the V & A Waterfront, we headed to the 5-star Cape Grace Hotel for dinner at Signal restaurant. On entering the restaurant I could not help but be impressed by the sparkling chandeliers and the elegant atmosphere.

We ordered a 3 course meal and a great bottle of red wine. The creative Cape cuisine was fresh and inventive, but the Boyf found that the delicious portions were smaller than his appetite *winks*. Overall it was a very lovely dining experience and the service was brilliant (Note: while I would highly recommend this restaurant if you are looking to splurge on a extravagant night out, this is definitely not the place to go for a budget-friendly dinner). 
 

After dinner we trotted down to the Bascule whisky bar for a night cap. The bar is cozy, comfortable and the perfect place to go for a chilled drink. The Boyf, who is quite the whisky enthusiast,  was happily overwhelmed by the wide selection of whiskys.

The next morning we strolled over to the One & Only Hotel for breakfast at Reuben's. The breakfast buffet was ridiculously awesome - there was everything from fresh fruits to oysters (which The Boyf just had to try). I was especially impressed with the amazing, mountain view from our table (pictured below).

 

After our yummy breakfast, we took a moment to photograph the envy-worthy yachts docked in the Marina and imagined how awesome it  would be if one of them was ours (*sigh* hopefully one day). Then it was off to pack up and head back to reality.

Thank you V & A Waterfront for an amazing 24 hours... we will be back soon. 

 Note: You and your partner could be whisked away on an unforgettable experience by entering the 'Get Away with the V&A' competition. For the chance to win, get your competition passport and visit the V&A Waterfront four times by 31 August 201. Trot over HERE for more information.

 - All photos by The Boyf and me  -

Happy Weekend!

“We act as though comfort and luxury 

were the chief requirements of life, 

when all that we need to make us really happy

is something to be enthusiastic about” - Charles Kingsley

Hope you have a wonderful, happy weekend.

Fabulous, leather bag giveaway

Today I am happy to announce the start of a lovely giveaway sponsored by AlexandraKate, a fabulous online  handbag store.

The lucky winner will receive one of these lust-worthy leather bags 

Descriptions: The red, 'Catherine Jane' clutch bag is made from genuine leather - finishes on this bag include a light glossy interior and gold buckles. The brown, 'Satchel Lex' bag is made from genuine leather and comes with a cross body strap.
(

HOW TO ENTER: 

1. Be a follower of this blog/twitter, THEN please go look at the AlexandraKate online store and let me know(in comments section) which bag is your favourite. 

2. For an extra entry, "Like" the AlexandraKate Facebook page HERE and leave a comment on the wall mentioning this giveaway.

Please note: *Anyone may enter this giveaway * the winners will be chosen randomly *This giveaway will end on Monday, 22 August and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 23 August. Good luck, darlings ;)

 - THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED  -

Street style inspiration: neutrals

 

 

  

 Images found via tumblr

The weekend I stayed at Abalone House

A little while ago I won a night's stay at the Abalone House boutique guest house (through a 2 OceansVibe radio competition), So two weekends ago the Boyf and I went to Paternoster to enjoy our prize...

To say it was nice would be a major understatement - Everything about this 5-star guest house exceeded our expectations. The location was wonderful, the service was great and the staff were super friendly. We also found that even though it is completely decadent place, the atmosphere was comfortable and not stuffy at all.

The eclectic decor was one of my favourite things about Abalone House. The mix of modern furniture, opulant finishes, bold colours, chandeliers, persian rugs and art is just so fabulous.

Our room was lovely and had everything you would need in it - from heated bathroom floors to a small, private patio (The Boyf was especially happy to find that we had an awesome coffee maker). We were even treated to complimentary sherry and a selection of DVD's, just in case we felt the need to hibernate in our room.

On the day that we arrived we were booked for afternoon tea. I wasn't expecting much more than some tea and a slice of cake, but we were pleasantly surprised by an assortment of delicious tea-time snacks and a fabulous sea view from the comfort of the conservatory-style 'Orchid Room'.

Later on we headed down to the beach to watch the sunset. We happily discovered that the small beach, which is located 2 minutes walk away,  was almost completely deserted  - which made it feel rather private and exclusive   :)

That evening we dined at the Abalone House restaurant, Saffron. After some thought, we decided to give our tatstebuds a bit of an adventure and went for the interesting, 6-course tasting menu. Though a few of the portions were practically bite sized, the overall experience was fantastic and we found ourselves suitably full after the last course. 

After dinner we enjoyed a drink at the cozy bar and retired to our room to find that someone had been there and left...... fluffy robes and chocolates! (I could really get used to this kind of 5-star treatment)

All in all we had a fabulous time at Abalone House, and only regretted that we didn't stay longer. If you are ever planning a special, splurge-worthy weekend away , I would highly recommend that you give this guest house a try.

A tiny bit about the town: Paternoster itself is a little fishing village, located just over 2 hours from Cape Town, up the West Coast. Even though it's fast becoming a popular tourist hot spot, it has still managed to retain it's rustic charm (the above photo is of one of the town's quaint shops). I found Paternoster's tranquil and idyllic surroundings intoxicating and I cannot wait to go back there for a longer stay. 

Abalone House, Paternoster. Tel no: 086 722 7973 / 022 752 2044 info@abalonehouse.co.za

 - ALL the above photos taken by the Boyf and me -

And the winner is...

The winner of the fabulous vintage giveaway is... *drum roll*.... OhEmGee! Congrats lady, please e-mail me soon.

Thanks to everyone that entered and Vintage Lifestyle. There will be a new, awesome giveaway starting on my blog soon :)

Happy Weekend!

"I only drink Champagne when I'm happy, 
and when I'm sad. sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. 

when I have company, I consider it obligatory. 

I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. 

otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty" - Lily Bollinger

Have a marvelous Friday and a bubbly weekend ;)

A music mix

Darlings, isn't it amazing how life can just all of a sudden change? One minute you are pretty sure where you are  going, and the next thing you know, you are in new place and looking in another direction. That's kind of what happened to me recently...and it's all different from what I was expecting and better than I was hoping for. It's nice.

Today I thought I'd share a little random music mix with you. Hope you like it.

1. Le toi du moi - Carla Bruni 
2. Wasted Hours - Arcade Fire 
3. Who says - John Mayer  
4. Best night of your life - Hello Saferide  
5. Misread - The Kings of inconvenience 
6. Dance with me - Nouvelle Vague 
7. Black Crow - Angus and Julia Stone
8. Star mile - Joshua Radin  
9. Silvery Sleds - Army Navy 
10. Yellow Brick Road - Angus and Julia Stone

Note: you can click on the song title link to watch the music video

Image from tumblr - words by me

Celeb style: ladylike lengths

This week Olivia Wilde and Dianna Agron both looked very ladylike in calf-length dresses and stiletto pumps.

Left: Olivia wore a red Antonio Berardidress and Brian Atwood pumps

Right: Dianna wore velvet Stella McCartney peplum dress and YSL pumps

What do you think of this look?

On my bucket list... by Blanche

Blanche is a lovely blogger, who loves books and her guitar.. She currently lives in Cape Town and blogs over here. Today she will be sharing a few things from her bucket list. Enjoy...

1. Be in a girl band -  Now that I have started playing guitar (again!) I want to be in a band. Not a group, a band.

2. Go to Dubai for their month long shopping festival!

3. Start a bursary program that lets financially needy and academically talented students study to be all that they were meant to be. I know that sounds cheesy but if it weren’t for a few special people in the world I wouldn’t be where I am today. I believe in paying it forward. 

4. Learn to speak as many languages as I can -  I heard a rumour that my grandfather can speak seven languages. He is such an inspiration to me!

5. Qualify as a Chartered Accountant -  with my own office, my own set of Newton balls and a turquoise office lamp. Not green. Green is for lawyers.

6. To keep blogging  - whether I have one million followers or just one loved one showing their support. Sharing my craziness with the world just makes me so happy!

7. Paint my guitar turquoise - With a turtle and mermaid on. Everyone on the internet has warned me not to do it so… I’m going to do it!

8. To read a book every week for a year  - That’s 52 books. Please note that the maths is more for me than for you, dear reader.

9. Own a Mini Cooper -  The ‘Mini’ appeals to me. I did not know how short I was till I started driving. Enough said.

10. Catch a cab in New York City -  And buy a hotdog with extra ketchup.

Note: "On my bucket list..." is my current guest blogger series. Most weeks a lovely blogger will share things from their bucket list. to read other bucket lists, go HERE

Blog love: Keiko lynn

I recently discovered the fashion blog, Keiko lynn, and I just love it. 

Keiko (pronounced 'cake-oh') lives in Brooklyn, New York, and designs clothing. She has a quirky style, wears pretty make-up, rocks seriously cool glasses and always manages to look cute.  If you have never checked out her blog, you should trot over here and have look.