Wednesday 30 March 2011

well done boys and girl

Do do do, a song by one of my favourite local bands Fire Through The Window from Durban is the song playing in the background in the latest Almay ad starring Kate Hudson. How cool is that? Yup, very. Here's the video:


Video: YouTube

dirty lil' secret

Okay, I'll fess up. I am a bit addicted to buying baby clothes. Ummm...this despite me not having one. It may sound strange to you, but have you walked past the baby clothing section of a shop lately? Darn but those lil' outfits are cute. So cute in fact, that I get worried that I won't find such cuteness again when I have a little pampoenspook one day. So, naturally, I have to buy those darn cute outfits for future use. It used to freak the husband out, but he has gotten used to it. He just doesn't like that I buy more  frilly outfits than gender neutral ones... ;) Zara does some of my fave stuff for bambinos:
Images: Zara 

Tuesday 29 March 2011

rocking and reading

I am going to fetch the Eames plastic RAR rocker I ordered a while ago this weekend. Okay, it's a replica, but I can't wait to sit in it and read a book - kinda like this little girl...
Image: Inhabitots

Monday 28 March 2011

something to write home about

So the husband and I managed to fit quite a lot of stuff into our 4 days in Cape Town. We walked up and down (and up and down) Long and Kloof streets, went to the Neighbourgoods Market and the Toffie Pop Culture Festival, ate at Field Cafe, Mr Pickwicks, San Julian, Birds Boutique Cafe, Royale, and watched an acoustic set by Fire Through The Window at &Union (where we met an adorable French Bulldog who ate all our chips but was too cool to be patted). There was a bunch of other stuff I wanted to do, but that will have to wait for October when we go again. Anyway, I went to the Country Road shop at the Waterfront twice and bought some really, really nice things, like ceramic Xmas decorations, a grey jersey top, and red and black patterned henley. Also got a boooootiful vintage red dress at Wardrobe. I am a happy girl!
Here are some bad quality photos I took with my cellphone camera:
Apple and plum strudel at Birds Boutique Cafe
Yum!
Cool cushion at Birds
Paper Girl at Toffie
Angie Batis and Shane Durrant at Toffie
Sorry person whose cool table this is. Don't remember your name! Ditto for the next one.
Grey jersey top from Country Road
 Ceramic Christmas decorations from Country Road
 Vintage dress from Wardrobe

Tuesday 22 March 2011

brain freeze

 Oh my...I've just been scanning my blog and realised my upcoming mini holiday is sooooo necessary. Spelling mistakes, what was I thinking mistakes, and other things that are too embarassing to mention. Anyhoo, I'll be taking a break from blogging while in Cape Town. Be sure to visit next week when I'll be posting photos of, among other things, the radness of the Toffie Pop Culture Festival.

Image: Toffie

velvety donuty goodness

Okay, so everyone loves red velvet cake. But have you heard of baked red velvet donuts? Yup, such a thing exists. And as soon as I get my hands on a donut pan, I plan on making some.

Image: Taste and tell

Monday 21 March 2011

furry friends in need

I'm feeling pretty sad this evening. Just been reading about so many forms of animal cruelty lately - seal pups to be beaten to death in the annual seal hunt in Namibia, thousands of sharks being killed for their fins, Knut the world famous polar beer dying a painful death in his zoo enclosure - when will it all end? It makes me feel sick and so, so sad. I know this blog is usually about frivolous things, but please, if you feel the way I do about animals, then help them by joining organisations such as Greenpeace, WWF, Sea Shepherd, Fur Free SA, etc. Donate money, your time, sign petitions - there are numerous ways of making a difference and hopefully bringing about change.

Image: The Periscope Post

Sunday 20 March 2011

flippen cool finnish home

One of my favourite bloggers is Susanna Vennto of Varpunen. She is a Finnish decor stylist, set designer, and other things I can't remember right now. Oh, and she has the cutest little girl named Varpu. Here is her super stylish home which appeared on Dwell recently:
Nice, ne?

Images: Dwell

Friday 18 March 2011

cape town cool

The husband has to go to hospital for a minor procedure the day before we leave for Cape Town, which means I will have to lug around our luggage at the aiport. Guess I'll have to narrow down my selection of outfits. Here are the kind of looks I'm going for:
I call it nonchalant coolness ;)

Images: Zara

toffie

In 5 days the husband and I will be in Cape Town. Whoop whoop! I love that city. Anyway, apart from shopping and eating, I also want to visit the exhibition space at the Toffie Pop Culture Festival in the Cape Town City Hall. Some of the creatives that will be there include: Liam Mooney, Angie Batis and Shane Durrant, Porky Hefer, Dave Pepler, Superella, Doker and Misses, David West, Elle Decoration, and Frauke Stegmann. Wow...just reading those names makes me all excited!

Image: Toffie 

Thursday 17 March 2011

make me pretty

I think if I was a man I would have to be in drag so that I could enjoy the magic of make-up. I mean, who wouldn't want their eyes to stand out, their lips to look plump, and their skin to appear flawless? Here's what is in my make-up bag at the moment:
1. Benefit You Rebel Lite - This is the only tinted moisturiser that does not make me break out. And it makes one look wonderfully glowly and healthy. If I could I would use just Benefit products love the quality and humour.
2. MAC make-up brushes - I spent years using cheapo make-up brushes, but bought two good ones for my wedding. They really do make a difference in the application of eye shadow.
3. Maybelline Colorsensational lipstick in Pink Please - A really pretty matte pink, which i wear occasionally. No shimmer or sparkliness.
4. Smith's Rosebud Salve - I'm not a big lip gloss/lip balm person because I hate sticky stuff on my lips, but I use this when my lips start begging for moisture.
5. Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer in Ivory - Cheap, but effective in hiding redness.
6. Charlie Kohl Pencil in Black Suede - Another cheapy, but I find that even more expensive eyeliners tend to migrate.
7. Revlon Grow Luscious Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black - I'm not sold on this mascara. Still looking for The One that won't irritate my eyes.
8. Calvin Klein Intense Eyeshadow in Olive Twist - A great goldy/khaki colour that isn't too dark, but still emphasises one's eyes.

Well, there you have it. I think it's a pretty good selection for any girl on a budget. Feel free to steal!

Image: Smith Rosebud Salve

brontë on the big screen

I can't wait for Jane Eyre to come out in South Africa. Yes, I admit I complained bitterly when I had to read it for English Lit at university, but the movie looks great. I really enjoy Mia Wasikowska's performances (especially in The Kids are Alright) and isn't she pretty? Check out these beautiful photos from the photoshoot she did with her co-star for W magazine:
Images: Just Jared

Wednesday 16 March 2011

online shopaholic

Alright, I'm not quite an online shopaholic, but I sure would be if I had a credit card. I am, however, addicted to online window shopping. I can spend hours trawling online shops such as ASOS, H&M, UO, Gap, etsy, etc. So, excuse me while I go buy a lottery ticket or three... In the meantime, here are some items I've been eyeing on Mod Cloth:


 
Images: Complete confectionist plate set, Print Workshop book, jam jamboree dress, glass water bottle, beach fireworks swimsuit set, the purr-fect place in tipi, share a sweet tweet bag - all from Mod Cloth 

Tuesday 15 March 2011

mamma mia

I can't wait to try Craft Tratorria, a new restaurant here in Durban. The menu looks amazing. Also wanna attend one of the Feasts Days...maybe the May Day Risotto Festival? Mmmm...
Image: Craft

Monday 14 March 2011

calming spaces

Because I work from home, I don't like being surrounded by anything distracting, i.e. loud colours and decor. Something like this would be ideal:
Minus the cow skin, of course!

Images: La maison d'Anna G

Sunday 13 March 2011

donate

If any of you have a PayPal account, I urge you to make a donation to ARK. This Japanese organisation is helping domestic animals made homeless after the recent tragedy in the country. Alternatively, donate at Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support.

Image: The Daily Tail

Saturday 12 March 2011

sorry lil' brain

So, my workload has been somewhat heavier of late and my lil' brain is asking for a holiday. It wants to go here:
This is the Canvas Hotel in Norway. Ok, maybe Norway is a bit far, but chilling in a tub next to a fire while looking over a lake sounds like bliss right about now.

Image: Canvas Hotel

Friday 11 March 2011

hot kitchens

The kitchen in our flat is a bit of a nightmare for me. Firstly, it has a white tiled floor that looks dirty five minutes after I've been on my hands and knees washing it. Secondly, the walls are green and red. Not my choice, of course. We are renting, so I can't repaint them grey, white or black, like I want to. Thirdly, there is not enough space for all the food, crockery, etc. But, I keep telling myself that I have to experience this awful kitchen to enjoy the awesome one I will have one day. It will look like a combination of these:

Images: emmas designblogg, mixr, can't remember the others, so please mail me if you know!