ag no man

So we may or may not be moving into a new place come November 1. The thought both excites and terrifies me. The last time the husband and I moved was traumatic to say the least. He is not good a good mover. I've moved numerous times in the past 10 years (from my parent's old home to their new home to university hostel in hometown to student house in different town then back to parent's home then to a garden flat before moving back home again for a while then to flat in current city then moving in with husband and finally to this flat I'm sitting in now. Whew.), so I think I know how to do it. I''ll just have to make the husband down a bottle of Rescue Remedy before the moving van gets here.

Anyway, we saw a flat on Saturday and totally loved, but it seems someone else can occupy it before us, so they're going to sign today. Sigh. But, we are going to look at another flat sometime this week...if the estate agent can get hold of the keys. It looks pretty good in the photos, but I need to see if it's sunny. And maybe I could ask to paint those beige/brown walls? What is it with South Africans and their love for drab, blah colours?

Ok, enough ranting. Check out this insanely awesome deck. The light! The white! The everything!

Image: Sorry, don't know the source. If you do, please comment.

i'm in trouble

Oh no. There's now a Country Road/Trenery online shop on Woolies' website. Not good. My wallet has gone into hiding... But it doesn't hurt to just take a look, right?

bright is right

I think everyone in cold South Africa could do with some bright decor right about now.

Images: Casa de Valentina

mouse for dinner

Or is it a rat? Anyway, how cute is this ceramic picnic set by Sootcookie Ceramic? The words in the banner read "magie vol, ogies toe." Translated it means "tummy full, eyes closed".

Images: Sootcookie

blue and green

How pretty is this recycled glass and gold necklace by Oh Dear Megan from Spence?

Check out all the other new Spence winter arrivals here.

Images: Spence

clever design

Read more about it here.

Image: Vamp Furniture

brrrr, backpacks & blogger series

Hmmm. It's kinda difficult writing a blog post in bed because it is freezing cold and windy outside and the thought of getting out of bed is just laughable. It's also pretty tricky writing a blog post when a kitty has decided she wants to sit on your lap, blocking the laptop screen, because she is cold...

Anyway. According to Refinery 29, backpacks are back!

"Even if you've graduated from college, aren't a tourist, or are more apt to carry a spare pair of flats in your bag than granola and a canteen, fashionable backpacks for women are still a fine bag option. There's something so pleasantly insouciant about a sweet, feminine dress paired with a tough little backpack. Besides, it frees up your hands, keeps your shoulders balanced, and comes in a slew of fun patterns and shapes to keep things interesting."

Good thing I found these ones on Between 10 and 5's online shop. They are by Church, a local design company. I think I like the green one the most.

P.S. I am currently working on a blogger series that I hope to unveil/launch soonest. If any of you awesome blog girls and woman out there wanna be part of the series (it's about fashion, shopping, etc.), please send me a mail or comment below. Thanks!

Images: Between 10 and 5, Church

patriot

So I was watching the Sama's (South African Music Awards) last night and one of my favourite musicians, Vusi Mahlasela, performed one of my favourite songs, Say Africa. Do yourself a favour and watch this video.

por favor

Do any of you super awesome American readers of mine want to ship these equally awesome Urban Outfitters stuff to me in South Africa? Alternatively, you could make a sign and protest in front of the Urban Outfitters HQ. The sign should read: UO FOR SA!! SA NEEDS UO!!

Images: Urban Outfitters

growing the brand (part 2)

I really am quite serious about this opening my own shop thing. I just need to find a space and win the lottery. I know I said I wanted it to look like Der Kleine Salon, but now I think I want it to look like Mohawk General Store. I know, they couldn't look more different. But I promise I don't have multiple personalities.

Images: Mohawk General Store 

slim cropped pants

Where oh where in South Africa will I find pants with this kinda cut? If you know, let me know, please. I am obsessed with them.

Images: J.Crew

grrrr argh (previously known as ra ra for zara)

So this was a post I posted a few days ago. But then Blogger went and had some kind of  problem. Which meant that my post disappeared. Which means that I am not happy. Oh well. Here's what I could salvage...

I flippen well cannot wait for Zara to open in SA. Oh, and it must have an online shopping site. I demand it! (She says stamping her foot).

I love their accessories...

Their clothes aren't bad either...

Images: Zara

come on over crew

I probably shouldn't wish for a J.Crew in South Africa. That would be like wishing to be declared bankrupt. But that doesn't mean I can't dream of all the things I would buy if we did have one.

Images: J.Crew

pretty denim shirtdress

If any of you see a dress like this in SA, you'll let me know, right? Thanks a bunch!

Image: Refinery29

things to do in cape town

So the husband and I are heading to Cape Town at the end of the month!!! Can you tell I'm super-excited? We are going to stay in my parent's flat in Kloof Street (in the same building where  Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds shot their new movie Safe House two weeks ago). Here are some of the things I wanna see, eat, do, shop:
1. Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market - This newish market looks pretty cool.
2. Neighbourgoods Market + The Old Biscuit Mill - Went last time I was in the Cape and felt like I was walking through a Parisien market. So many delicious foodie things to choose from. Mmmm
3. Dokter and Misses - Supercool decor things to make my wallet cringe.
4. Birds Boutique Cafe - Love their cakes, juices, lunches and the minimalist decor.
5. Church - Concept shop deluxe.
6. &Union The husband loves their beers.
7. The Food Barn - My mom went here a while ago and made my mouth water as she described her meal.
8. O.live - More nice things to feed my insatiable decor hunger.
9. Field Office - For a coffee fix.
10. San Julian - I love me some Mexican food.
11. El Burro - Another Mexican place I wanna try. Supposedly their fish tacos are outta this world.
12. Haas - Pretty ceramics to add to my collection.

Image: Two Oceans Aquarium taken by me during last visit to Cape Town.

travel to...

My husband and I went to the Ixopo Buddhist Retreat Centre for our first wedding anniversary a while ago. We'd heard so many good things about and it did not disappoint. Everything - from the food (lacto-ovo vegetarian) to the scenery (green-green hills and old trees) - was awesome. I highly recommend it, and no you don't have to be Buddhist to go. Here are a few more photos I took: