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!

Photo-a-day: 'This is really good'

As I mentioned earlier today, I am going to try and keep up with this challenge and update with pics every day. Today's topic is 'This is Really Good', which is an easy one.. Champagne darlings!

A really good friend of mine (who also happens to be a total bar and liquor guru - check out his blog, Drink Movement, for some wonderful cocktails and bar knowledge) advised that a wise idea is to always keep a bottle of bubbly chilling in the fridge, and although I don't live up to this all the time (because you know, sometimes the champers gets consumed) I do love this concept and try to keep up with it...

This was a tasty glass of Billecart-Salmon, enjoyed sitting on our balcony at home, watching the afternoon slip into evening...

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...

I choose happiness

This is what I wake up to each morning. How could I ever have a bad day when the morning welcomes me so wonderfully into the new day.

Sometimes, all it really takes is the willingness to look for beauty and the good in situations, to take your day from average to absolutely incredible.

It really is just up to us. And I decided to have a great week. So I did.

Holidaying in my Hometown

 This year over the festive season Dane and I chose not to escape to a beachy paradise like we usually do, as we are off to Italy in a few weeks, so instead we took to holidaying at home. 

Durban is such a beautiful city and a massive tourist destination over December so we took advantage and played tourists!

One such adventure was hiring bikes and riding them along the beachfront... Exercise and fun!
 

Having just hired bikes at the Stadium - Dane being extreme?

Riding with friends on a sunny day... bliss.

The stadium where we rode from  is the little white mark on the far right after all the buildings...

 

Dane insisting that the bike must be in the picture...ha.

STS Sports at Moses Mabhida stadium hires bikes for R40 an hour so for R80 you can ride all the way to uShaka, maybe break for lunch and a ice cold beer, and then cruise back...

Such a great way to be outdoors and active!

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!
 

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.

Whitewash Weather

The view from our balcony

The weather this weekend has been quite miserable, which has suited me  perfectly as The Boyfriend and I have created a list of 35 things we need to get done to our house before the year is up. The list has everything from the very simple (buy more big wine glasses) to the far more extreme (convert the spare room into a creative workspace). And this weekend we got going on our list.

We are redoing our spare room into a space where I can blog, do my DIY and get messy, and also a space where The Boyfriend can sit down with good music and edit his surf footage (He received a gopro for his birthday so he can now be seen in the water with it on his board, or strapped to my old mop pole for better angles...)

We are building a work desk in the room and wanted to make the desk a space where I can mess without making the desk look damaged, so we decided a good whitewashing will create a look that will actually be enhanced by drops of glue and splatters of paint.

Whitewashing Wood

What you need:

• Wood
• Sandpaper and sandpaper block
• White water based paint
• Water
• Varnish / sealant
• Paintbrush
• Mixing container
• Old rags

Before you can start with the painting you will need to first prep your wood. Using the sandpaper sand the wood down to remove any old varnish / paint. Be sure to wipe the wood down afterwards as you don't want any dust to be there when you paint.

Sand the wood

Once the wood is sanded you need to create your whitewash. Mix 2 parts paint to 1 part water. That's it. No funny tricks here. 

Paint on the whitewash in small sections

Working in small sections, paint your wood, and then wipe the excess paint off. Whitewash dries pretty quickly so wipe as you go.

Wipe off excess paint

Once the whitwash has dried, apply a second layer if necessary. Once this layer is also dry, get your sandpaper and start sanding where the wood would naturally weather, so on the corners and raised areas. This adds the texture and worn look.

Sand the wood again to age it

Finally, once you wood is looking well old, slap on a layer of sealant / clear varnish to protect the wood.

Varnish wood

Once we have finished our workspace I promise to post pictures of the final product...

Naughty 90's, Churchill House

Fancy a cup of strong coffee, a decadent chocolate muffin/brownie served in a terracotta pot or maybe, on the healthier side, a light cous cous salad tossed with roasted veg, all while perusing delightful antiques, gorgeous vintage jewellery and unique bits and bobs? Then you HAVE to stop by naughty 90's in the Churchill House.

Every time I visit I stay far longer than necessary, walking through the maze of overflowing rooms. I quite literally feel like Alice, but instead of falling down a rabbit hole, I have fallen into a treasure box and have no intention of finding my way out...   

Find Churchill House on Churchill Rd, off Windermere Rd.