Recent finds...

Hello y'all...

The last couple of weeks have been a bit crazy as the year is finally drawing to an end... Work has been crazy and I'm so looking forward to a little summer holiday at home in the beautiful Mother City.

Will hopefully be sharing some exciting summer pics over the next little while - yay!

As we have been preparing for Christmas and getting a few gifts here and there - me, the shopaholic could obviously not resist a few items for myself...  * blush *

I thought why not share a few of these as they make make good gift ideas or stocking fillers - or maybe just a spoil for yourself... You deserve it!  I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels like its has been a long (and oddly short) crazy year and looking forward to a new start with 2013.

#1      Levis Jeans

I have found a new favourite store - Levis at Access Park...  They have jeans for R300 (less than HALF what they are in the store!)  As I have a bit more of a butt than most, it's usually quite hard for me to find jeans that aren't half way down my butt when I sit down - I hate that!  Levis have the Curve range which I'm now addicted to.  I found my perfect jeans  Yippee!!

#2      Hot Pink Nail Varnish

I found this new brand at DisChem at Canal Walk.  I hate nail polish that chips almost immediately - especially after you have to apply like 4 coats to get a solid streak free colour.  I've spent the R100 price range for nail polish, but seeing that my nails are quite thin and it never lasts more than 2 days I don't bother any more.   This one cost around R40 and only needs 2 coats for a gorgeous full colour.   You cold even get away with only 1 if  you're in a rush.  Bonus!

#3      On the Go!  

This fast drying top coat from essie is worth the R180! (Available from DisChem, selected Clicks stores and Wellness Warehouse to name a few)  You can apply to to any nail polish - cheap or expensive and it will give you the most amazing glossy manicured finish... without fingerprints or hear streaks!  See above photo for proof :)

#4      Dead Sea Body Scrub

I'm sure you all now those gorgeous Israeli sales seducers (they take sales a whole other level!) in all the malls... Yes?  Well, I'm not sure about you, but after months of staring from far and then keeping my head down as I get closer and politely saying "no thanks"... They got me!  Not my finest moment but never the less... I ended up with a body scrub and body butter which cost just a little less than a fortune... Needless to say the product is amazing and sells soooo good!  Mine is almost done and today when I popped into DisChem after work I found this product - also from the Dead Sea - same concept... For... wait for it... R80! Yip... They have a few fragrances, but I chose the Vanilla - my favourite!  So as I sit here typing this my skin feels amazing and I smell like Vanilla - bliss... It's perfect for after days at the beach when your skin just needs a little extra 'something'...

So that's it from me for now... Happy shopping and enjoy getting ready for Christmas and of course the summer weather that has finally arrived!

Love,
T
xxx

Happy Advent!

I’m sure we all agree that this time of year is both exciting and exhausting!

So many things to do and organise before Christmas as well as catching up on many little things we’ve been meaning to do all year so that we can start the new year with a fresh start.

Among all the chaos is the beautiful peace that Christmas brings each year.  One certainly has to make time to soak some up as well.

To start off this festive season I thought I’d do a little DIY (been meaning to do a bit all year…)  Thought what better thing to make than my very own Advent Calendar!

Growing up my brother and I always had the little advent calendars with the little windows that open to reveal a little chocolate each day – fun memories!

Now that they are so readily available in most shops I felt like I needed to do something different this year… So I made one! With Joe’s help of course… Thanks Schatz!

We ‘acquired’ a large square chalk board some time ago that we have hung in our living area and have decorated according to birthdays and other festivities throughout the year.

This was the perfect canvas for this year’s advent calendar! 

We spilt the square into 25 blocks and randomly filled them with numbers 1 through to 25.  We then staple gunned some string across each row and attached the individually packed paper packets to the string with some old school washing pegs.  Worked perfectly!  Posted some pics below for you to see what I did…

As Joe and I would be sharing this calendar I filled each packet with at least 2 little bite size chocolates so that we could each have a little ‘something’ each day. 

To spice it up – Joe and I each wrote out 5 little notes to one another and placed them in random packets.  Now, not only are we excited to find out what treat awaits us each day, but we also get to look forward to a little love note from each other – ahhh…

I pray you all have a lovely Advent and enjoy the time getting ready for Christmas with family and friends.

May we all remember what Christmas is all about… Keep it close to our hearts…

Big hug & lots of love!

T

xxx

A true paradise

In August, Joe and I were fortunate enough to go and experience the beautiful Seychelles.  In the last two years I have been able to visit destinations such as Mauritius and Zanzibar through my work, but the Seychelles won my heart. Born a true beach bum, the Seychelles is my heaven on earth.  Perfect blue waters, the sound of crashing waves to calm the mind and lets not forget the perfect, yes perfect soft white sand... Sigh...

Ps. If you're interested in a holiday to one of the above mentioned destinations, have a look at SimplyTravel for some of the resorts we offer.  Ask for me and I'll see what I can do for you.

Happy dreaming... Here's to a summer full of new memories!

Love,
T
xxx

P O P

When I was younger, many afternoons were spent nibbling on popcorn made with my mom's ancient Salton Hot Air Popper.  These times definitely assisted in forming the popcorn addict in me! I've been looking for one of my own for years now and FINALLY found one at Clicks this past weekend!

Joe went out to watch soccer with my brother tonight leaving me home alone with some series... what better time to try out my popcorn machine for the first time!

Till next time,

T

xxx

Summer in the (Mother) City

Hope everyone has had a rested weekend!

I've been desperately waiting for summer to arrive here in the beautiful Mother City, Cape Town - this weekend it certainly did.  As the days are growing longer and warmer I find myself getting a generally brighter outlook on life.  Those of you who are also summer babies will know exactly what I'm talking about. The sun is up before I am.  Birds chirping in the early hours of the morning.  That special smell in the air.  Summer.... Sigh... I missed you so!

I love spending time outdoors in the summer - going for walks, to the beach and general exploring :) Will be sharing these adventures among other things in the months to follow.On Saturday the two of us went to one of our favourite breakfast spots - Arnolds on Kloof Street.  The food and coffee are amazing, the staff are super friendly and the vibe is just great in general. Plus they have those cool mist sprayers for those summer scorchers.

After a quick stop at the V&A Waterfront (not possible without a stop at Zara) we met up with my parents in law who were looking after our niece for the weekend. We met for a bit of a play date at the Sea Point Promenade.  She's super cute and has us all wrapped completely around her little finger.

Today was a much needed chill day.  Hope you all had lovely weekends.  Let me know what you were up to - I'm always open for new adventures!

Have a happy week!

T
xxx

Title Inspiration:  Lovin' Spoonful - Summer in the City