Get a lil' piece of TAMALOOLA

My friend Tam Ballard has recently started up her own little store ( well technically it's not a store yet, but you can purchase things by contacting her and placing orders). She sells a range of amazing bits and pieces which we all love to have in our lives. I think its a commendable thing for our generation to take initiatives like this and have fun with it. Her items range from notebooks to hair clips, all of which are handmade and have original and quirky designs. Please support young entrepreneurs and have a look at her website TAMALOOLA - and by all means, place an order!

My winter favourites

HOT WATER BOTTLES

Ah the perfect remedy for those wintry nights when your body just refuses to get warm. Fun facts - 1.Hot water bottles are also really good for stomach pains and back pains ( just place them on the sore area for a few minutes and presto!) 2. If you have been attacked with flu and your nose is blocked, just mix some Eucalyptus oil with the hot water inside your bottle, stick your face over the opening and gently squeeze the bottle while inhaling the fumes. It's a homemade hot toddy!

TRENCHCOATS

So the reason this is my favourite winter fashion item, is because it's a must for both guys and girls, and it looks equally good on both ( if you purchase the right type). In my opinion, dark grey, navy blue , and black trench coats are the way forward but it's always a good idea to have one that's bright and vibrant in your closet for those times you're feeling fashionably adventurous.

HOT CHOCOLATE ( CAN BE SUBSTITUTED WITH MILO AND HORLICKS)

So this is the one time of the year when we ( girls especially) have an excuse to have these delicious drinks without feeling bad that we're just consuming liquid chocolate. What I love the most is that you can have them in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening...they're just timeless drinks. They're also the perfect excuse to invite people over for " DVDs and hot chocolate". So at the end of the day you land up with a warm belly and friends. You can't get a better coupling than that!

THE CIVIL WARS

That's the name of a band by the way, I'm not implying that I enjoy civil wars between countries. Just to clear that up. Now, in my opinion, Winter is the perfect season for that calm, beautiful, haunting music to be playing in the background of your life ( wow that was pretty deep). At the moment The Civil Wars are my number one choice for that position and if you don't know who they are than you better be researching them on YouTube right now! Other current artists that make me feel all warm on the inside are Brooke Fraser, Will Fitzsimmons, Sufjan Stevens, and Priscilla Ahnn to name a few. Music is definitely a blanket for the soul though, and gosh I am really whipping out some good lines here..maybe they'll become famous quotes one day. #wishfulthinking



lyrics from a song by The Civil Wars



KNITTING

It's not an activity just for grannies you know. It's an awesome and creative way to spend your time on those days when it's too cold to go outside and you just feel like having some alone time. The bonus is that, old school knitted jersey's are all the winter rage at the moment, so not only will you be filling up your time, but you'll be making your own fashionable clothes. That gives serious street cred.

WINTER WONDERLAND

I'm talking about that crisp fresh air you breathe in every morning, and how the air forms little puffs of cloud every time you breathe out; the early morning frost that collects on the grass; the snow that covers the mountains ( if you're fortunate enough to live near mountains); waking up to the sound of rain outside your window, especially if its a weekend and you can sleep in; curling up on a couch with a duvet and a book while it thunders outside; those perfect unpolluted days where you can spend hours in the sun without getting burnt. That's my winter wonderland.

{Images from We heart it}

My night on the catwalk - The 031 Collection

Okay so before you get all excited, I wasn't actually one of the models, but I did have to literally walk on the runway in order to get my seat, which by the way, was right next to the runway (maybe a metre away from the models). So the point is, I was on the catwalk in my LBD ( that's fashion lingo for ' Little Black Dress') and brown leather boots , and for about ten seconds I was living out my childhood dream of being a model. It was a very nice ten seconds.

For those of you wondering what the 031 Collection is, allow me to enlighten you.

It's basically Durbans Premier Fashion Show which was presented by Mr Price with International model Agyness Deyn flown in to be a judge. It featured the likes of well-known designers such as Terrence Bray, Ruff Tung, Nguni Shades, The Holmes Bros, Francois Vedemme, Amanda Laird Cherry, Sibu Msimang and Leigh Schub along with some new and upcoming designers.
Here are some of my favourite looks of the evening...

{Images from  031 Collection}

                                                               Francois Vedemme

                                                               
                                                                       Hanrie Lues

                                                                   
                                                             Amanda Laird Cherry

                  

                                                                 
                                                             Ludwig Bezuidenhout

                                                               
                                            Jaqui Munsami

                                                     
                                Mr Price styled by Agyness Deyn

 Gregory Dlala

The winner of the show , Cindy Armstorng had an amazing range ( my personal favourite of the night) which was filled with soft, flowing and neutral coloured materials, turbans, head scarves, harem pants, and brown leather sandals. It was beautiful, classy and casual all at the same time, and I've already decided to run to the stores ( as soon as I get money) to purchase a headscarf!

All in all, it was a fantastic night that was not to be forgotten, my eyes were really opened to the world of fashion design ( and let me tell you, Durbs has a lot to offer), and I got to experience it all for free thanks to my wonderful friend Gareth Mcdade! Thanks Gaz!

I am so very proud of this city and what it brought to the table at that fashion show, and seeing the beautiful creations that were produced had got me seriously considering a career change but, unfortunately I am not skilled in the art of drawing or modelling for that matter, and I love writing far too much, so I guess I'll have to settle for just being a famous journalist.

Dedicated to Jord-in-a-blog

It's always a sad time when a friend you have known for years has to move, across the ocean, to a distant land. I didn't get you a farewell gift Jords, so, because you are such an inspiring and eager blogger, I figured a blogpost dedicated to you would suffice.

Thank you for all the amazing times we have had together in the past nine years ( yes it has been that long), from the stage production of Sound of Music, to leading four consecutive Holiday clubs together, to my team dominating your team at those holiday clubs, to doing modelling shoots and being a fake couple, to going to matric dances together ( but not with eachother), to getting "tattoos" of frogs and dancing to The Arrows on the beach of Ballito,  to saying goodbye to you when you changed churches, and now finally to saying goodbye to you as you change continents.

You are an absolute joy to those around you, you really care for and love your friends with such an amazing realness, and you let the Lord emanate from you constantly. You are inspiring, mature, wise and kind. You can always make me laugh, you are such an encouragement in my life and over the years I have really watched you grow into someone that is such a blessing to those around him. Your wife (one day) is going to be stoked!

I know in the past few years we haven't had much time together, but that's fine because no matter the distance or time apart I will always be able to have deep chats with you and lots of laughs as if no time has passed - the joys of nine-year long friendships!

I pray that America is everything you want it to be, and I look forward to seeing you on television as a famous musician one day ;)  Just know that there are tons of people in South Africa who are praying and rooting for you and who will possibly hug you to death when you come back for visits.

I love you so much my friend and am going to miss you hugely, but I am so happy that you are living your life! May God always be your strength, your joy and your passion.

                                              The matric dance that I was too old for

                                                      Redfrogging it in ballito

                                        Leading Holiday club together ( WHAT am I wearing?? )

                                               Its always nice being a fake couple with you..

                                               

This one is for my friends...

This year was set to be the most depressing birthday I've had due to the fact that I was writing an exam on my birthday as well as the day after. I was so upset that I wouldn't be able to celebrate at all especially seeing that it would be my last birthday in Durban.
But.
I have the greatest friends in the world. I'm not even exaggerating.

Two days ago they threw me the most wonderful surprise party I could have asked for and I was legitimately surprised - did not have the slightest clue! They even bought me presents, made me two cakes ( I got to blow out candles which I haven't done in years), and wrote me all these lovely and silly messages which were hidden inside balloons. The night really made me so happy, and I realised how absolutely blessed I am to have these people in my life.

So to all of you I just want to publicly say THANK YOU. I look forward to many more fun times with you guys in the months to come.

 

 

Mother

Seeing as Mothers Day is fast approaching and I'm still thinking of a creative gift to get my mom, I decided to do some research and find out the origin of this special day in a mom's year.

Mothers Day never used to be concerned with the personal, human touch that we know of today, but instead dates back to times when it was traditionally practiced by societies to pay homage to Motherhood through the honouring of Goddesses and statues. In fact, one of the earliest historical records of a Mothers day celebration takes us back to the times of the Egyptians, when the Goddess Isis was honoured every year in a festival. This is relevent because Isis was often named the " Mother of the Pharoahs'.

In later years, Christians from Europe developed a holiday to honour Motherhood, but to them, that meant honouring the church that they were baptised in, in other words, their Mother Church.
 In the 17th century, thanks to a decree in England,  the celebrations were widened to include real mothers, and the holiday became known as Mothering Day. Following this, the Americans discontinued this tradition, but in later years, after a young lady by the name Anna M. Jarvis, petitioned to have an official day created as an honour to her mother, the late Anna Reeves Jarvis. Thus the request was allowed and in 1908, the official Mothers Day holiday was created.

Personally, I love the thought of spoiling my mom and this Saturday I am planning a trip to Essenwood Flee market and the I Heart Market to try and scout out that perfect gift!




Mother Prayer



Dear Lord,
today we pray for mothers--
our own mothers, and mothers everywhere,
who have made such a major contribution
to the good qualities we have,
sometimes through genetics,
more often through great effort and patient instruction,
and who have done their best
to gently polish away our rough edges.
Lord, please bless our mothers
for the endless hours of time they spent
and the boundless energy they invested in us.
Bless our mothers for their sacrifices on our behalf
as they often gave up or deferred their own dreams
so that we could have ours.
Bless our mothers for always being there for us,
for being the person we know we can turn to
when we need comfort, encouragement, or just a hug.
Bless our mothers for making a home for us
where we could feel safe, where we felt we belonged.
Most of all, Lord,
bless our mothers for their unconditional love,
for loving us no matter what,
and for frequently showing love
in ways that make us feel valued and cherished.
Lord, please bless our mothers mightily.
Strengthen them, soothe them,
wrap them in Your infinite love
and shower them with blessings
too numerous to count, too magnificent to describe.
We love them, admire them, respect them,
and we wish that You would give them back
many times the good they gave to us.
In Jesus' name we pray; Amen.

(By Joanna Fuchs)

  

  

  

{ images We Heart It}

Capetown Love

A recent survey on the Worldwide Web revealed Capetown to be the current number one holiday spot in the world. Here's a few reasons why I have to completely agree.


Scenic mountain walks. Half-priced sushi everyday at Food Lovers Market. Sunsets from Clifton and Signal Hill. Sinful Ice cream. Camps Bay and Clifton Beaches. Trendy clothing stores. Trendy people. Catching trains to anywhere for R13. Running for a train that you're about to miss. Gigs on Longstreet. Mercury, Purple Turtle, The Waiting Room and Zula Bar. Mr Pickwicks milkshakes. Beautiful drives along Chapmans Peak. Oceans that are coloured many shades of blue and green. Squirrels. Walking along suburban roads without being scared. Seeing dolphins and seals regularly. Kalkies for the cheapest and best fish and chips. Walking from one town to another. The Cape Festival. Cheese and Wine tasting in Stellenbosch and Franschoek. Going sokkie-ing and loving it. Marcels frozen yogurt. The Waterfront. Shopping at Canal Walk. Cheap DVD hires. Sitting on the curb. Partying at The Dubliner. Penguins. The bravest surfers in the world. Stunning views. Putting your feet in both oceans at once. Hockey games. Amazing churches. Eating meals with the homeless. Endless tea parties. Posh accents. Access Park. Having daytime last till 8pm. Going on adventures while trying to navigate your way around. Drinks at Forries. Night Markets in Somerset West. Gordons Bay. Having thousands of photo - worthy destinations. Cocktails at a fancy restaurant while looking at the ocean and mountains. Laughing hilariously at how many times you get offered drugs on Long Street.  Looking like a tourist and not caring. watching shows at the Artscape. Having sunshiny days with no humidity. Not having to worry about frizzy hair. Skinny jeans. Guitars. Staying in digs. Climbing and having a picnic on top of Lions Head. Riding in the cable car. Hitting a roller coaster at Ratanga Junction. The Old Biscuit Mill. Saturdays at Milnerton market. Fabric World. Sewing. A world of media. Llandudno beach. Jumping off rocks at Crystal Pools. Productions at Baxter. Natural History Museums. UCT. drawing on paper tablecloths at Da Vincis. The Sharks Supporters Club. Main Road. Breakfasts at Polsmoor Prison. Pancake evenings. Having a real winter. Trench coats. Ankle Boots. Rain. Hot water bottles.  Jumping shots. White sand that doesn't stick to your feet. Being Indie. Constantly seeing Gods creation all around me.