Anthology Pop Up

Durbanites, if you haven't already been there, then take a swing past Windermere Centre to explore the gorgeous new pop up shop, Anthology.

Occupying the space of the previous Food Lovers Market you'll find a light, airy, spacious pop up shop selling a collection of carefully curated items, from gorgeous 'pre-loved' clothing to inspiring art and tasty macaroons. 

The vibe is relaxed yet sophisticated, the clothing old and new, the decor fresh and clean and the art is seriously cool. (I've got my eye on this flamingo piece that I'm just begging to bring home...)

The store will be open until January so be sure to swing past before it moves on.
  

Derryn Semple Photography

My good friend Derryn of Derryn Semple Photography asked The Boyfriend and I to pose for some pics.
I admit I thought I'd feel like a tosser posing on a beach, but we didn't pose. We frolicked and had fun and in the end happened to get some really cool pictures.

If you're getting hitched and looking for a wedding photographer, give Derryn a call. (Just to make it clear, Dane and I have not sneakily eloped. Mom, Dad - relax)

Derryn joked around with us and made us feel so comfortable with a camera in our faces (usually a very awkward situation for us non-models) that we really actually enjoyed it.

A few snaps from our hour on the beach...

We love Durban.

My Gorgeous.

Dane's turn behind the camera...

See more pics here.

Meet Derryn:

 

Find Derryn on facebook too.

If you like it then you shoulda put a bow on it...

Because everything looks better wrapped in a ribbon...

Dress: Ideals, Cardigan: Mr Price, Ring: Asos, Belt: Gifted, Bracelets: Gifted

 

Kisses...

waking up in winter is always difficult, but it's also always worth it.

Life has kept me pretty busy lately,and unfortunately my blogging had to take a quick break. To make up for my quiet, heres a few pics of what I've been up to lately...

Also, I am now on instagram and updating that regularly, so follow me @tipsytart for more pics and fun from my day to day adventures...

Behind the scenes on our latest shoot. Working in the advertising industry sure does have its perks, like planning and shooting for the upcoming spring season... definitely my favourite part of the job.

Just some of my mani's lately..

We may be in the middle of winter, but the weather has been so warm lately that beach days and sundowners are still on the agenda.
 

My sister came up from Cape town recently so we squeezed in lots of family time. Chilling with my siblings is always good fun...

Bijoux my little baby. Because I now live in an apartment I can't have any pets, but recently I was feeling horribly ill so went home (nothing's quite as good and Doctor Dad and Nurse Mum) and had this little treasure
spend all day cuddled in bed with me...

Sorry I've been so quiet.. kisses!

Thrills, Grilles and high speed Skills (My first Top Gear!)

Denim Shirt-  Mr Price, Shorts -Woolworths, Bag - Gifted, Sunnies - Lundun

 

This year for the second year in a row, TOP GEAR (as in the British TV show) came to our fun little city of Durban for their Top Gear Live Festival. A weekend dedicated to fast cars, terrifying stunts, gravity defying bikes and everything else car related (as in speakers the size of small cars, tightly packed into the back of big cars. I still don’t quite understand this. Your ears bleed if the sound goes louder than soft. Why?)

Just a few Ferraris

Last year I had no interest in going. This year I had no interest in going. Cars aren’t really my passion. I drive one so I can get around. That’s why I have a car. If public transport was reliable in Durban I might even consider it over driving…

But, even with my clear disinterest in cars, The Boyfriend and I got offered tickets to the festival. And boy was I glad we went. What an experience!

The thrill of the stunt men drifting high speed vehicles within less than an inch of each other, the sound and smell of a Formula 1 car racing around the track just metres in front of us, the excitement of a bungee jumping car (yes this is Top Gear, expect ‘silly’ stunts too) and the awe of multiple motorbikes all flying through the air, their riders flicking their legs above their heads, was enough to convert me. I had so much fun. 

 

Just you know, doing a quick can-can while flying through the air...

I even got so into the spirit of it all that I became a groupie and had Formula 1 racer Antonio Felix da Costa sign my chest! ( I didn’t have an autograph pad or anything and well, I’ve always wanted to be like, 'OMG sign my chest!' Inner rock star groupie wannabe in me sneaking out there.)

 

OMG! Sign my chest! heehee!

I think this could suit me...

Everything is just, well, BIGGER!

The Moses Mabhida Stadium

I am a changed woman. If Top Gear comes again there is no way I am skipping it. If not for the cars, for the thrills. The adrenalin pumping, heart racing excitement is just what I love!

 

I LOVED watching these guys. The one man isn't even touching his bike!

Yes, its a bungee jumping car!

 p.s. Yes, we are right in the middle of winter! This week is the winter solstice and we are still in shorts and slops! I love my city! It seldom gets cold!

 

Something blue...

The boyfriend and I.  Dress: Motel Rocks (Through Zando), Belt: Vintage, Earrings: RichBitch, Shoes: Ideals. Dane is in Shoes & Trousers: Topman, Blazer & Tie: Carducci, Shirt: Trenery.

I adore weddings. The build up before, the sharing of heartfelt vows, the speeches, the abundant love and merriment and... the Dancing! Oh my goodness do I love the dancing at weddings. There is always high celebratory spirits and everybody wants to just have a good time, spinning, twirling and getting down all in the name of love. 
This weekend we attended a good friends wedding at The Durban Country Club and the following morning my thighs felt like I had run a marathon. Heels and dancing are clearly a fantastic work out. From now on I think I'd rather shake and twirl rather than squat and lunge thank you very much!

Colour Festival

Every hour the DJ did a count down to a big toss where everybody threw their coloured powder into the sky.

This Saturday was the Colour Festival I posted about last month. It was a massive celebration of colour and quite possibly the messiest party I have ever been to. But what a fun time we had! This was an experience like no other!
As promised, a couple photos from the day...

La Maison

There's no place like home, and well, there's no pace like La Maison. 
Hidden in plain sight in Durban North, La Maison is the cutest and most welcoming little cafe, spa and scrapbooking shop. 

picture taken off  here

With indulgent pastries, great coffee and so many awesome bits and bobs to look at and buy, maybe try it out for your next girlies brunch if you're in the area... 

Fun table decor

picture taken off  here

picture taken off  here

Nothing like a spot of shopping after tea...

I do love ribbons...

Find La Maison at 9 Ennisdale Drive, Durban North.

Durban - I Love My City

I came across this fantastic video by Chris da Canha showing beautifully shot time lapses of Durban. I love my city and this just gives you a glimpse of some of her beauty...

Holi One

The Holi One festival is finally coming to Durban (Yippee!). The date has been confirmed for 6 April and is set to be a day of colour and music!

In brief, the Holi One festival is a large outdoors party where everybody wears white and every hour on the hour we all throw massive amounts of coloured powder in the air. 

This however is not totally random. Holi is actually a spring festival celebrated by Hindus as a festival of colours. The festival has many purposes; first and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. 

Originally, it was a festival that commemorated good harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying springs abundant colours and saying farewell to winter.. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw coloured powder at each other, and celebrate wildly.  Holi lowers the strictness of social norms.  Together, everyone enjoys each other’s presence on this joyous day.  No one expects polite behaviour and as a result, the atmosphere is filled with excitement, fun and joy. 

The global HOLI ONE festival is not directly linked to the original Holi Festival, nor with it’s religious aspects, but is definitely inspired by it and shares the same values - a day steeped in the old Indian tradition of bringing people together in love and peace, a tradition that transcends backgrounds and cultures, embodying the ‘We Are All One’ philosophy
(Details and all photos taken from the Holi One Website)

To book a ticket click here or for more info on specifically the Durban festival click here.

I've already got my ticket and I will be sure to share what it was like!