Thursday 29 November 2012

No Mo' Please

Jacket - Mr Price, Dress - Gifted (unknown), Shoes - Rage, Necklace - Vintage
I am counting down the days to the end of the month. Not because of payday, not because December is when I can start putting up Christmas decorations, but because I just want Movember to be over with!

On 1 November I was keen and supportive and even encouraged ladies to support the men. I take it back! I am currently living with what looks like a 1980's policeman. There is a big fluffy blonde caterpillar strolling across The Boyfriend's top lip and I am just not getting used to it. Some girls love it. I thought I might. Turns out I don't.

2 days to go.

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Happy Shoesday


Want to make a girls day?
Have a parcel waiting on her desk when she gets to work!
Yes,  I knew these were coming, but still, ordering online feels like Christmas!

This morning I had these beauties waiting for me when I got to work. This week is going to be great. I can just tell! Can't wait to wear them, All Summer Long!
 

If you haven't yet, Saffa girls, Zando is a great way to shop. Great brands, great prices, free delivery, free returns and all in all a really easy shopping experience!

On another note, I am so happy Summer is here. Getting home when the sun is still up and bright is just the best!
 

Monday 26 November 2012

Balancing act

Cardigan - Mr Price, Blouse - Gifted, Skirt - Cotton On, Brogues - Boutique Find
Yes, this skirt was probably too short to wear to work. So I wore a covered up top. This is me trying deceive my boss into thinking it's totally acceptable. I think it worked. Or they're humouring me.
 


Thursday 22 November 2012

Excitement vs Panic

Jacket - Jay Jays, Top - Rich Bitch, Skirt - Thrifted, Belt - Mr P, Shoes - Rage
EEK! I just worked it out... there is pretty much one month left before Christmas! This puts me in two positions.

1 -  Super Duper excited!  Christmas trees and decorating our home, festive parties, celebrations, friends, family, food, pressies, a (short) break from the usual 9-5, days spent on the beach soaking up the hot summer sun, and generally high spirits from everybody everywhere...

2 - Panicked! (somewhat). Last year I promised myself that never again would I leave everything to the last minute rush. I would have all my pressies sorted by the end of November and I would start the festive season relaxed. HA! Do you think that is the case?  Nope! I've not bought a single present nor have I even decided what I am going to get everyone (at least if I had my list down it would just be a matter of  finding everything).

Oh dear. I need to get cracking...

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Magic in the Monarch




Do you believe in Magic?

I do and I love that I can’t understand it and am happy to accept it as magic. This of course is completely opposite to The Boyfriend who knows that there is definitely a logical explanation for every trick and that magic is just clever sleight of hand. Whatever. It’s magic. Embrace it.

We were watching Dynamo last night and that was what got us chatting about it. I am awe struck with his tricks. Seriously. They are fun and beautiful and take me back to the days of believing knowing anything is possible and everything can be real (including the fairies). In his one trick, Dynamo manages to turn a paper butterfly into a real Monarch butterfly and then a swarm of them fly about the room. Awesome. (link below)

Watching this inspired my latest mani… Ombre nails with an accent nail of a monarch butterfly wing…

These nails were easy enough but did take  a very steady hand and will need a bit more practice from my side.
First I did an ombre of orange and red using the sponging method  (see here how I did my ombrenails last time)
I chose to do just one accent nail wing, mainly because it is pretty tricky and I couldn’t bear trying to do my entire right hand and also because it feels like it may take away from the beauty of one winged nail.

To do the wing, draw a black curve on both ends of your nail, then painting from the top curve to the tip of your nail. Then join the two lines with three thin black strips, round them off slightly and finally add a few white dots to the black tips.
 




 p.s. If you know how Dynamo does his tricks don't dare tell me! I love believing in magic...

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Visions of Vinyl

A few weeks back I mentioned that The Boyfriend and I had compiled a list of things to do, from the very simple to the very tricky, and everything in between.

One of the items on our list was to add something behind the glass above our stove. So the first person I contacted was Samantha from Urban Grace, a company specialising in fun and original vinyls.

I found a quote I loved, gave Samantha a few ideas of how I'd like to see it and within 24 hours she sent me back a design of how she saw it working and 4 days later I had my vinyl in hand and was ready to apply it.

Application of the vinyl was so easy and although I was prepared for some hard work it took just minutes and applied so smoothly. This was far easier than hanging up a picture and could just be my new addiction...   

before - BORING
 
After - YAY!

Samantha also has a divine blog of all her favourite finds, but be warned, she does uncover some beautiful bits and bobs and you may just find yourself needing a whole bunch of new pieces for your home...
  

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Lemon Cheese Cake



As you may have noticed I tend to favour recipes that are easy to do, and this one fits snugly into that category too... 

This weekend we had some friends over to watch the rugby and it was the perfect opportunity for me to try this new recipe out.

This lemon cheese cake has a sweet soft texture but a zesty lemon kick too...



Tennis Biscuit Crust

Ingredients
  • 1 pack (about 20) tennis biscuits, finely crushed
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 3 Tablespoons sugar

Method

Heat oven to 180 degrees C
 

Mix together crumbs, butter and sugar (can be done in the greased pie plate)


Once combined, press the mixture firmly against the bottom and side of your  pie plate.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until light brown. 

Remove from oven and cool.



Cheese Cake

Ingredients

1 pack cream cheese, room temperature
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup lemon juice (fresh if possible – I used 3 lemons)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Method

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Slowly add the condensed milk, beat until fully incorporated.  Add lemon juice and vanilla.  Mix until smooth.


Pour mixture into the cooled crust

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours.


Before serving, top with melted chocolate / fresh fruit


Original recipe taken from here

Monday 12 November 2012

Lazing at Liberty

above pics taken from here

Tucked behind the awesome Couch+Interiors on Windermere Rd, hides At Liberty, a cafe with an ambiance so welcoming that a girlfriend and I went for a quick coffee and ended up staying for lunch, lazing the day away in this quirky cool little gem.


Opened in June this year by owners Jamie and Chris, At Liberty is a getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life, offering fantastic coffees and delicious light meals. 

At Liberty is currently only open during the day but is also available for hire for birthday parties and any celebrations, including hens parties. (I hear from a reliable source that Chris and Jamie make a concerted effort to make any night memorable – but I didn't tell you that.)

If you are in the Durban area do yourself a favour and pop by. Who knows, you may also end up staying far longer than planned...

Find At Liberty on 415 Windermere Rd (Lilian Ngoyi Rd) and on Facebook.



The walls are lined with quotes from John Lennon to Dr Seuss


I am so in love with these strelitzia cushions.