Weekend Learning's

I ated this... a summer - treat details below. 

Should we talk about how great my weekend was? Right! It was fantastic! I’m just loving life these days. It is blissful, and it is summer, and next weekend… well this Cocobutton will be surfing the Cape Town shores! Mmm hmm. A whole month of holiday… So this is what I learned;

• My favourite Essie shade for the Summer holiday? Tart Deco. It’s not too hot to be lumo but peachy enough to show off a tan. Perfect! 
• “Dear Ladies: you should never have to prove to other women that he’s in love with you. That’s his job.” - Charles J. Orlando
• I’ve learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time. 
• I love hummus. That is all. 
• “I don’t want to be the other half of your soul. I want to be the one who reminds you that you’re already whole.” - G.S.
• You’ve got a face with a view… 
• “The trouble with being a daydreamer who doesn’t say much is that the teachers at school, especially those who don’t know you very well, are likely to think you’re rather stupid. Or, if not stupid, then dull. No one can see the amazing things that are going on in your head.” - Ian McEwan, The Daydreamer. I feel like this explains a lot about me… this head of mine, its full of galaxies. 
• My sister is an amazing little chef. She pretends not to be, but the chicken, rosemary and mushroom lasagne she made the other night… good god girl… I’m glad I know you!
• Sometimes a girls just got to to have an ice-cream cone… and why not? The Woolworths frozen yoghurt has the low calories I love and the summer shade of pink I’m crushing on this season… 10 points! Yum!

I hope you have a plush week full of petals and puppy kisses! See you on the beach!

xoxo

PS. You’re the type of person who makes forever seem too short. 

Summer lovin'

Leave a Comment Charles J. Orlando, Essie, hummus, Ian McEwan, quotes, sister, Summer, weekend, Woolworths

Weekend Learning's

Happy Monday sweet potatoes! So it is two quick weeks till this working year is over for old Coco. I cannot wait. Not only has this year flow by, but I think my followers will be in for a big shock next year. But that is for a later post. This one is about this last, and lovely weekend. This is what I learned,

• Friday was our annual Santa Drop off at our Interbrand Creche. I love doing it. We collect important daily items for the little ones and wrap them in a shoe box. When I am there I am so happy and engulfed in love. But when I leave my heart is broken. There is so little generosity in this world… what will you be doing for the less fortunate this Christmas? 
• “Generosity” n. The quality of being kind and generous - showing a readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary or expected. (I usually place rare words on my blogs. I believe the act of being “generous” is scarce.)
• “What is done in love, is done well." - Vincent Van Gogh. 
• Now those of us who live in Joburg know The Patisserie in Illovo. There is a certain Banana Bread item on the breakfast menu that is just to die for. You have to go give it a go. Served with sour cream and hot berry and fruit compote, it is to die for. The Patisserie was also just voted Best Coffee Shop in South Africa for the second time in a row, now that’s got to tell you something. 
• "Il y a des fleurs partout pour qui veut bien les voir.” - Henri Matisse. (There are flowers everywhere to those who really want to see them).
• I love summer. No wait, I love summer in Africa. I love how hot it is one day, so hot you hear those crickets and the heat rises off everything and makes a mirage of heat waves. Then the next day its pouring and storming with rain and the wind is so strong it blows me away… its pretty magical and exciting. 
• “Don’t kiss me if you’re afraid of thunder. My life is a storm.” - Anita Krizzan
• Sometimes a girl needs a little sunshine in her life. In my case, that comes in beautiful yellow roses. When you bye roses still in bud, waking up daily to their scent and watching them bloom… Really, nature brings me pure happiness! 
• Have a lovely first week of the last month of 2014 you lovely peeps! Make it count! "Celebrate the people around you. Every breath is a big deal.” - Kid President. 

Xoxo

PS. “We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea, and you don’t believe in miracles?”

How lovely, thank you Dior. 

Leave a Comment Anita Krizzan, Dior, Henri Matisse, Illovo, Interbrand Sampson, Johannesburg, Kid President, Rare word meaning, roses, The Patisserie, Vincent Van Gogh, weekend

Weekend Learning's

Life. It just keeps jumping out from behind the curtain and ripping the rug from under my feet. I hate it. I wish it was simple and life would let me be happy and just go with the flow instead of constantly pushing me off the cliff and watching me fall and finding so much joy in the smash. Thousands of tiny pieces. And no matter how hard I try to put my foot on the breaks, they’re always broken. Always! Speed kills. This is what I learned;

• Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance. 
• “L’appel du vide” (n.) the unexplainable desire to jump when on the edge of a cliff.
• I cannot remember the last time I stayed up till I could hear the birds, Halloween was a big one this year. Im guessing it was the Black Swan in me, wanting to see the sunrise on the water…
• “I think hell is something you carry around with you. Not somewhere you go.” - Gaiman, Neil. 
• There is something quite divine about getting lost in the weekend, being so happy it almost stops in time but goes so quickly you’re not quite sure it even happened… that.
• “Women are emotional in order to feel the divine energy at the highest levels and be supreme healers and lovers and mothers. Not to drive men insane. Her deep spiritual connection to feelings is to inspire a man to his spiritual heights as well. She is not a nag, she is an oracle.” - Raja Khan
• Escondido is my new favourite Tapas bar. And I LOVE tapas bars but this one is the best. Snuggled in the best suburb in Jozi, Illovo, She shines brightly downstairs in the post office centre below Assaggi (if you don’t know where Assaggi is… shame on you!) Go now, make your tummy happy.

• Life is short, live it. Love is rare, grab it. Anger is bad, dump it. Fear is awful, face it. Memories are sweet, cherish them. 

Have sweet weeks my petals, don’t jump or if you do, try to fly!

xoxo

PS. I am not a one in a million kind of girl. I am a once in a lifetime kind of woman. 

... true, and so rare.

Leave a Comment Assaggi, Escondido, Gaiman Neil, Halloween, Illovo, L’appel du vide, love, quotes, Raja Khan, Rare word meaning, weekend

Weekend Learning's

And I am grateful.

Hello world! It is me! Yes I have been MIA for a while. I have to be honest I have missed you. There is something that comes over me when I do not have direction in my life. Since I was a tiny tot I have planned out every step in my life… to the year, not to the day, I am not that much of a perfectionist. But if something changes or goes a little off I have never really been too bothered as I strongly believe that there is a bigger plan for each of us, that everything happens for a reason and that no matter what - everything will work out in the end. But when the road so heavily veers off the path I thought I was sticking to for so long… a speed wobble can really throw a girl a curve ball and sticking to the straight and narrow tightrope of life becomes a little more difficult than I thought.You'd never notice though, I’m known to always keep a cool head. But that my friend is why I have been avoiding you. So sorry, so sorry indeed! Here are some very belated weekend learnings;

• Being lost in your own life can sometime help you find the path you always knew you were meant to take.
• I know a little about art. I did it at school and at university and I pride myself in the fact that I use my ‘skills’ in my profession. This weekend I did an art class at the divine Sharon Sampson Studio’s with my better half. Do you even know what fun it was? I cannot recall the last time I played so nicely and felt so creative. Yes it was definitely the inspiration of learning a new skills but also being encouraged by a partner who both inspires me and encourages me and loves me no matter what I do… (even if it is drawing an obscure looking primate)… I am so lucky… it was most definitely the best part of my weekend. 
• “Love is fuel for the soul”
• On that note, I am truly in love with the people in my life at the moment. It is so gratifying when the people in your life are pure and honest and the friendships are real, the love is genuine and the time is treasured. What bliss!
• We are not strangers if we like the same bands.
• I cannot begin to express the joy that Spring brings me! Shorts and skin, sandals and sexy bodies, AH, the joy of it all! No more hibernation for Coco…
• “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Be curious.” - Stephen Hawking
• I really love my Jawbone. Not the one attached to my skull, the one on my wrist. A wearable, yes. A fitness, food and sleep monitoring stylish bangle which helps you record your life. You do not even know how addictive it is! But I do however find that it has helped me a little with my migraine monitoring as well, you should give it a go…
• "Live for the moments you can’t put into words”
• When was the last time you went to Cnr Café? We are so quick to jump to the next best restaurant only to be disappointed by their teething problems or mediocre issues. I was so excited to both hear from them via Twitter and go for dinner and thereafter be reminded of how much I enjoy them. Service, food, everything – impeccable, delicious!

I hope you have a blooming week my little blossoms…

xoxo

PS. “And his feet danced to the beat of her heart” - Louise Erskine

Everyday, no matter what.

Leave a Comment art, Cnr Cafe, Jawbone, Louise Erskine, love, Sharon Sampson, Sharon Sampson Studio, spring, Stephen Hawking, weekend

Weekend Learning's

Oh just imagine... {George Eliot}

On Sunday evening when I was sitting in my nest thinking about my Blog I was quite content that I wasn’t going to write a post this week for no other reason than I wasn’t feeling too positive and I didn’t want to spread that little black rain cloud with anyone but myself. It isn’t that I have problems or that things are going badly. I am just going through a bit of a transition in my life and have become quite aware that I am going at it alone, again. The main culprit is the cold. I don’t know why it affects me so badly. I really am a sun baby! The winter reaches into my tiny body and grips my bones and makes me blue… literally and metaphorically, *wink! 

But today is Wednesday and halfway through this wretched week and I’m MADLY looking forward to this big weekend… so this last weekend of hibernating, this is what I learned;

• “The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.” - Unknown
• Dogs, they amaze me everyday! Spending a few hours at the park, two of us on one side, two on the other (out of sight) and having the cutest boxer run from side to side following our voices, amazing and so sweet!
• “Don’t settle. Don’t finish crappy books. If you don’t like the menu, leave the restaurant. If you’re not on the right path, get off it.” - Chris Brogan
• I don’t care what anyone says, I love my new healthy lifestyle and I really struggle to veer off it. Workout, eat well, be patient. Your body will reward you. The results I am feeling mentally and physically just after the last 6 weeks… I can’t wait for the rest of my life! 
• “Call a boy a gentleman and watch his shoulders straighten. Call a girl a lady and watch her spirit turn graceful. Humanity was brought into existence by God speaking words into the void of the universe. We tend to become what we are called.” - The Medicine of Hope
• Deli One in Sandton City has always been one of my favourites for a quick pop-in-and-go lunch. I cannot admit that the fact that they are in a mall for me is super unfortunate and the fact that they are next to the parking lot is also a bit of a turn off so I often grab a takeaway. they are pretty reasonable and they are really healthy (depending on your pick of the display!) and in this respect the parking lot location is a plus for a run-in-and-run-out purchase. 
• This weekend I did some serious hibernating. With the cold front hitting Jozi hard, I was indoors as much as possible. Thus I finished True Detective. Wow. What a show! I was blown away by the beginning credits, they’re gorgeous. But the small eight episode first season kept me on my toes, biting my nails and at the end of every episode I was desperate to watch the next. The love affair had just started and the series was already over! Bother. 
• “Please know there are much better things in life than being lonely or liked or bitter or mean or self-conscious. We are all full of shit. Go love someone just because; I know your heart may be badly bruised, or even the victim of numerous knifings, but it will always heal, even if you don’t want it to; it keeps going. There are the most fantastic, beautiful things and people out there, I promise. It is up to you to find them.” - Chuck Palahniuk

Now, put on your jumper and your wellies and keep the chilly monster at bay! Run, run to your beds! See you next week! 

xoxo

PS. “Listen to your blood. Go where it beats.” - Maza-Dohta 

This was me this weekend... gym yes, bed, defo, damn you cold!

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Weekend Learning's

Maya Angelou, you will be missed.

A weekend spent trying to save money is a relaxed weekend. I like, love, these weekends. Don’t get me wrong I am sure there is a little boogie waiting to jump out of me and shake my booty! But for now I’m taking it super chilled, the only addiction I’m giving into is that of my duvet, my health and my boyfriend… not in that order… this is what I learned;

• Truly heartbroken about the loss of Maya Angelo. The amount of posts I have littered with her words… what a gift she was. 
• "The older you get the more you realise that it isn’t about the material things, or the pride of the ego. It’s about our hearts and who they beat for.” - R.A.
• I love surprises, and I really love the little things too and having my boyfriend visit me at the office, even if it is for one minute and bringing me a little something, truly makes me the happiest girl in the world. 
• “Love doesn’t just sit there like a stone. It has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.” - Ursula K. Le Guin
• The Eatery JHB, I can still say has the most amazing Autumn menu. I can’t speak for the summer one as I did not visit the glorious place the whole season. Ridiculous. But I visited them on Friday for a quick Friday office farewell and I could not decide… so much choice… only an hour lunch break… the turmoil… must revisit… ASAP. 
• “Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” - C.S. Lewis
• Sometimes I just need a day, to myself, to do nothing but reflect, to unwind. I can’t remember the last time I took an entire weekend to do this. I feel like I always have to answer to people. I allow so many people to dictate my movements that I often forget that the weekend is actually mine and I can do whatever I want with it and my time is precious and it is totally okay to say “No.” and not feel bad. So there. 
• “Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” - G.D Anderson
• Speaking of strong women, my mother’s exhibition ended at Hyde Park Corner this weekend. She was exhibiting with The Rotary Club, some of her students and she sponsored a talented up and coming artist. My mum’s stand, the printmaking section, raised a third of the Rotaries earnings with their sales and most of that is due to my amazing mum’s hard work and dedication. I am so proud. See more of here work {here} and {here} or you can like her Facebook page {here} for more up and coming events. Truly inspiring! 
• “Do your little bit of good where you are, it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” - Desmond Tutu
• I really love the teeny-tiny Tictac’s that Tasha’s give out after their meals instead of mints, they are so cute! And they really last a lot longer than one mint… and perhaps you can use the container and reuse it for tiny other things, like maybe, erm, one or two pieces of gum or one jelly baby or to keep your favourite paperclips in it, perfect! 
• A real gentleman only lies to his woman if it involves surprising her… l like this.
• I had such a fun gym session with my man. He came with me on Sunday and we had the entire place to ourselves, well almost. Anyway the point is, I really enjoyed looking over my shoulder on the treadmill and knowing there was some gorgeous man coming to see me, momentarily. Same time next week? 
• I owe no explanation for my flaws. I don’t have to justify my mistakes, my past, or my insecurities. I am growing and learning. Let me live. 

Live my little fireflies, live!

Xoxo

PS. “Hearts are wild creatures, that’s why our ribs are cages.”

I love this, find a sunray in every chilly moment!

Leave a Comment boyfriend, C.S. Lewis, Desmond Tutu, Eatery JHB, G.D Anderson, love, Maya Angelou, quotes, Rotary, Sharon Sampson, Sharon Sampson Studio, Tasha's, tictac, Ursula K. Le Guin, weekend

Weekend Learning's

Pretty vintage glasses on a wooden table,
wild flower (babies breath) - happy Coco.

I am in a weird place in my life where I’m feeling pretty uncomfortable on a daily basis. I do not know what it is or where it comes from. Last week I had two near death experiences (no jokes) and no I’m not in the mood to discuss. I also was informed some planet is rubbing my Leo moon up the wrong way and this is why I feel so prickly… great. And just to add to my woes someone very dear to me who I have learned to strongly lean on over the last year has packed up her teepee and pottered on over to London and left me here with an empty hole in my heart! Glum. I have my own opinion on what the universe is trying to get out of me… all I know is that I’m really trying very hard to keep smiling… meep! This is what I learned;

• Having all my family is one place is my ultimate! Friday night with all five siblings, plus all their partners and my little niece and my mum and dad – there are a lot of us and there is a lot of love, we are so blessed! BEST! What a great start to the weekend. 
• “I like messy people; people who don’t fit in a box or stay between the lines, but who’s integrity is greater than any rule book and who’s loyalty is stronger than blood.” - Jim Wern. 
• My little sister makes better banana bread than I do, and I love that! And my older sister has the best taste in shoes, so I love getting her hand-me-downs! Sisters - I can’t get enough of them! 
• “Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself.” - Rumi. Well one day at a time, at the gym, and mentally improving my outlook on life.
• Can you remember the last time you sat and drew or painted something? So I draw a lot it’s part of my job. On Friday we painted some canvases for work. I was very quite, as I always am when I draw or paint. I get lost in my wild imagination and it’s wonderful! So many people who were also painting (who work in other departments) commented on how much they enjoyed it and how good it felt. When was the last time you picked up a paint brush? Try it, paint! Just for fun! 
• “Sometimes life is a constant battle against the nostalgia of a time that can never be real again.” - Jason Myers
• I’ve come to an understanding that I love Rooibos. I follow a “Food benefit” site on Instagram and the other day they posted the “Rare Miracle Plant Rooibos”. I giggled. I know how amazing it is, but I wasn’t amused by the word “miracle” I was interested in the word “rare”. Then I read the comments, poor souls. It is virtually impossible to get hold of if you don’t live here in South Africa… now I love it even more! Read some Rooibos benefits {here}.
• “There’s a difference between loving the idea of someone and actually loving who they really are.” - White Collar. 
• Bad times, or rough patches like this little hiccup I’m having is good for you… well for me and for you or anyone! They teach you to appreciate the good times, learn from the rough and discover during the bumpy roads. Just remember not only could it be worse, but this is a lesson, learn from it, take it in your stride and come out of it a better human… shucks but I’m positive! 
• This weekend I said goodbye (for now) to my special Sarah. I can hardly write this without burting into tears (again). I am so grateful to everything you brought into my life and I cannot wait to see you again.
• “Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them but you know they are always there.”

Have shining weeks my shooting stars!

xoxo

PS. “Courageous hearts are often covered in scars.” - T.B. LaBerge

Last but most importantly,
Happy Anniversary to the one who reminds me to breathe.
Love.

Leave a Comment anniversary, family, goodbye, Jason Myers, Jim Wern, love, quote, quotes, Rooibos, Rumi, Sarah, sister, T.B. LaBerge, weekend, white collar

Because I'm Happy

Actually, everyday!

There is a thin line between a good day and a bad day. I've heard simply getting out of the bed on the right / wrong side can influence someones mood. Dramatic. This year I really put my happy hat on and made a decision to wake up everyday and smile. I am so blessed after all! Not only that but it is good for my health... apparently. 

I am not the only one who has had this outlook on life. The 100 Happy Days craze blasted through the social media air waves and me and a sky-full of happy sunbeams are still strongly posting. In this modern society when choice is so vast, relationships are disposable and using social media as a soapbox to gain attention with selfies and empty depressing captions... what is the world coming to?

So lets try and be positive, keep it upbeat and be grateful! Of course I cannot speak for everyone. Some people really do have little black rain clouds above them and need someone to help them and I hope they do find their light.

I stumbled across this post last week (when I was having my miserable work week, boo!) and felt a little break in my temporary black cloud. So I thought I would share it with you beautiful souls, hope you like it. 

• Six simple rituals:

1. Drink a glass of water when you wake up. Your body loses water while you sleep, so you’re naturally dehydrated in the morning. A glass of water when you wake helps start your day fresh. Getting those organs moving is a vital part of my day!
2. Define your top 3. Every morning ask yourself, “What are the top three most important tasks that I will complete today?” Prioritizes your day accordingly and don’t sleep until the Top 3 are complete. They don't have to be huge things! start out with little things and build them up as you go along. The feeling of completion is part of you rounding off your day so don't make "Buy that new BMW" or "drop 20kgs" as your first days task, you'll disappoint yourself and feel crappy.  
3. The 50/10 Rule. Solo-task go faster by working in 50/10 increments. Use a timer to work for 50 minutes on only one important task with 10 minute breaks in between. Spend your 10 minutes getting away from your desk, going outside, calling friends, meditating, or grabbing a glass of water. I find this very constructive!
4. Move and sweat daily. Regular movement keeps us healthy and alert. It boosts energy and mood, and relieves stress. I found with last weeks horrid work days, going to the gym really helped me both unwind and let off a lot of steam! If you struggle to join a gym or run on the road, just playing with your dog or even doing 50 star jumps can help!
5. Express gratitude. Gratitude fosters happiness. Each morning, think of at least five things you’re thankful for. In times of stress, pause and reflect on these things. I cannot tell you how this point makes you feel... 
6. Reflect daily. Bring closure to your day through 10 minutes of reflection. Asks yourself, “What went well?” and “What needs improvement?”

- (via yumegrrrrrl on Tumblr) Tweaked by Coco.

Hope you have a bright day tomorrow. I know it is not always possible to have a good day everyday, but we can at least try right? 

xoxo

PS. I just want to spend the rest of my life laughing... 

When in doubt, just remember it really could be worse,
you are after all really lovely!

Leave a Comment 100 Happy Days, gym, happiness, happy, positive, self improvement, six simple rituals

Weekend Learning's

How I feel at the gym, *pounce!

When you get to my age, things start to change a little. Things effect you. No I am not as old as the hills! But I can say that I can see a difference in the little things. The way my body heals, the way my body doesn’t agree with certain things and the way my body thanks me when I am good to it. The first time I started noticing this was when I started drinking smoothies and going for facials a year ago. I am not the pamper type. I like a mani pedi now and then as you know but I’m not into massages and personal overindulgence. Waste of money and time if you ask me. But my face is a little different. I can see my skin thanking me with every visit. Why am I blabbing on about this? I joined the gym. Can you believe!? My dear little sister reminded my that the big three-zero is around the corner and I suddenly thought about my face and then I thought about my ass and I thought it was time to move my running shoes from the streets to the treadmill and get hopping! My body (since last week) has both thanked me, and cursed me. I am writing this post with a little bit of a sore bottom, a few tight muscles and a couple of achey joints. But all in all this body of mine is saying “can we go to gym please mum”!? So from this sore seat, this is what I learned;

• If my sister says I can do it, I believe I can!
• Sometimes work is not as lovely as I think it always is. Sometimes I have a terrible, revolting week and all I want to do is run and hide under my covers and scream profanities at the people in charge (from under the duvet of course, I’m a lady not a monster!). This is a good thing! Not everything can be perfect you know, I can’t always be the winner, *wink! It makes you appreciate the good times.
• “They call it homesick, they say it will fade, they promise and I listen. They call it homesick, but how can I be sick for a home I’ve never known?” - Tyler Knott Gregson. I actually know exactly what he’s talking about. Meep. 
• I really loved the Neon Run. Did you do it too? I live in the area so my fit (in both the athletic and attractive meanings of the word… tee hee!) boyfriend and I walked to get our tickets, then walked to meet our team, then did the run, then we partied a little, then we went to eat. Two points; by the end of the day we’d done about fourteen kilometres… another reason I’m a little ouch today. Second point, the little sober party we had was pretty awesome in my trainers and my sports bra. Really a lot more comfortable than stilettos and a pushup! Maybe I am actually as old as the hills…
• “Awake, my dear. Be kind to your sleeping heart. Take it out into the vast fields of Light, And let it breathe.” - Hafiz
• Gym, it makes me sleepy, isn’t it meant to give you energy? Anyway. With my grim spouts of insomnia, this really excites me. Could this be the end of my sleepless nights? A girl can dream right? Get it? 
• “The soul has been given its own ears to hear things the mind does not understand.” - Rumi
• Another thing that has popped up in my (old) age is my desire to be healthy. I find myself lusting for anything that will nourish me. This is another reason for the gym I am sure… so weather it be sleep, spinach, smoothies or sprints I want it in my life! 
• This also works in the opposite way, if it is bad for me, I feel really terrible putting it into my body. Am I taking one step forward and two steps backward by eating this chocolate? Will I feel terrible tomorrow if I drink that shooter? Is it hurting me if I order chips instead of a salad? That saying “my body is a temple” is really becoming a serious thing for me… and I am a million times happier for it!
• Another good thing I am lusting over – dates! Yum! I read somewhere eating one a day was a good idea and they’re in season now in Johannesburg so I bought some. I am now obsessed. I pack them in my smoothies, and eat them instead of chocolate. My new best friends! And the benefits are ridiculous, talk about miracle fruits! Read {here} for some date benefits.
• I can truly say that I love and adore my boyfriend from the bottom of my heart to the tips of his toes. I’ve learnt a lot over the years of broken hearts and a multitude of bad choices in both exboyfriends and destructive friendships. It is actually just about respect for one another. We’re building a relationship that is both cherished and supported by love and a common understanding of each others needs and the steps we are both at in our lives. I am both grateful and humbled that he not only understands me (which is a juggling act on its own) but he also supports and fulfils every dream, wish and hope in my wild and bursting heart. Blessed.

Have a sweet and juicy week my little plums!

Xoxo

PS. All of me, loves all of you…

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Weekend Learning's

The sweetness of doing nothing.

First weekend without the prospect of AfrikaBurn looming over my head. It was rather slow and a well needed rest. There was a lot of family time with both my respected families… Gosh I love family time. This is what I learned;

• “The mouth should have three gatekeepers. Is it true? Is it kind? And is it necessary?” - Arab Proverb
• I am in LOVE with the new nakd bars. No I am not talking about a nudest club! It is a raw food snack! And they're hell of a yum! I've only tried the Cashew Cookie and I need more in my life. What a great concept, and the name!
• "To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it." - Osho
• I have a love / hate relationship with healthy looking hair. I love the look! But I feel rather sad that whenever I get a haircut I feel like my hair is all gone. Even if it is just a trim, the lack of weight my hair once had, I almost feel robbed. What is it with women and this unreasonable desire to have long lustrous hair? One snip, and all femininity crumbles!
• “And tonight, I think of you; as I do every night.” - T.B. LaBerge
• I took my dogs to see my Gran on Mothers Day. They can get a little frantic with the excitement sometimes, especially when we go with my mum. I noticed this time, driving myself and just the pups that they were both pretty calm. I came to the realization that they'd either been soothed or knocked out but my singing… either way, I have finally found a way to calm the bests! 
• “I think a lot of people compare their insides to other people’s outsides.” - Emma Stone
• There are some people that come in to your life and are instantly family. Mother's Day dinner was lovely with the addition of our Sarah sister. I know, wherever she is in the world in the next few months, she will will close in our hearts.
• “Because if you’re lucky enough to have people in your life that make you happy, that inspire you, that move you, you need to devour each moment you have together because you never know how many of those moments you have left. These people are sacred.” - Katie Kacvinsky, First Comes Love 

Have a good full five day week my chunky-knit-scarfs! Its going to be a long one!

xoxo

PS. “Understand, I’ll slip quietly away from the noisy crowd when I see the pale stars rising, blooming, over the oaks. I’ll pursue solitary pathways through the pale twilit meadows, with only this one dream: You come too.” - Ranier Maria Rilke

Do it, you feel nice after.

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AfrikaBurn Learning's

Sunsets, oh the sunsets.

I have a secret. An open secret that I shared for six days in the desert somewhere between sevenish and a lace umbrella. I think I found a place, a floating island in the sky perhaps, where you dressed how you would if the world did not judge. Where under the sun we danced in the dusty sparkles and when the stage turned we tumble into luminous laughter. A place where around every corner there was a story to be taught by a new friend or a whispering sculpture.

Today is my first day back in reality after my wide-eyed awakening in that devilish dream land, AfrikaBurn. Why was it such a big secret you ask? Because words, stories, not even photos and videos can explain the root of the glow in my heart and the sparkle in my eyes from those few days. It is an experience I shared with a few thousand beautiful souls and a handful of special friends and it will be our secret till you come and learn it yourself. This is a little of what I learned;

• Forget everything and anything you once knew about yourself, you will come back changed. 
• Remember the 11 guiding principles and you'll be fine. This includes both internal and external reflection.
• You might 'Leave no trace' but you take back so much, and I do not mean stuff I mean intangible blessings.
• With those 11 guiding principles there are so many points I wish some people would take into their own lives. Basic teachings and leanings which we should all practice in everyday life, not just for 6 days. Just a thought. 
• Disregard monopoly, that part of your life is over, till you return to reality that is. Bother.
• With 9000 people and 95 registered art works this year, you are not going to meet them all. I am just grateful for the ones I did get to meet, and yes I am also referring to the art… You will meet them when you get there, they have feelings too… or at least I had feelings for them.
• Being a creative, I really felt for the artists during the burns. (they literally burn the works to the ground… leave no trace…remember.) There is beauty in the primal nature of the fires and the freedom. But my goodness… the idea of burning my work, I have so much admiration for them. 
• Embrace every person you meet and disregard your pre-perceptions of them, they are most likely about to teach you something. They might be Einstein or the March Hare, but that is the beauty of the Playa, you never really know.
• The African terrain will teach you and test you. Personally I found skipping and stumbling through the karoo brambles rather fun, and I like my new sun kissed skin.
• Speaking of teachings, Tankwa also tests your relationships. If there is one thing I learnt on this journey it is how well my love and I excel when our worlds are turned upside-down and how much I appreciate this quality in our relationship. There is a lot of love at Afrikaburn, but after all this time, ours still burns the brightest.
• Last but not least, when I arrived at TankwaTown there was a lot of hugging going on. Being a person with a big personal bubble which I like to keep closed, I found this rather odd. But by the end of it, I was swooning with all the hugs I received and gave out. There is this unspoken connection. My boyfriend came back last year with this (the secret, you see!) and I couldn't put my finger on it till my AfrikaBurn bubble was popped. Hugs, they're fuzzy and I like it.

So after months of preparation and weeks of excitement it is all over. Poof! Just like that. It is gone. It was my first adventure to a land far far awayish but it was most definitely not my last… 

xoxo

PS. And even under the kiwi triangles of that funny (not so shady) Now-Now tree, I dream to go home. 

Mutant vehicles - Rhino DJ

The Kissing Tree, one of my favourites.

My bunnies - love!

Reflection

Sunsets and beauty

Mutant bus, the Ledhedz DJ's

Hugs on the Playa

Love and light

Leave a Comment 11 Guiding Principles, AfrikaBurn, AfrikaBurn 2014, Burn, Burning Man, fire, hugs, Karoo, kiss, Leave no trace, love, Moop, Now Now Tree, Playa, Tankwa, Tankwa Town, trickster

Weekend Learning's

Coco, on top of the world.

Gosh! But it is cold outside! Autumn is being pretty mean. Or perhaps we skipped Autumn and jumped straight into bed with Winter? I believe this is true! So this is what cold Coco learned this weekend;

• After a whole week of no parents at home, I welcome them back with open arms. Actually I always welcome them back even after one day, I love my family and hate us being apart for too long.
• On that note the one okay thing about a house of no parents is I get to have little sister all to myself… and I kind of love that, like a lot.
• A real woman can do it by herself, but a real man wont let her.
• What is one of the nicest things about living in Johannesburg? No matter what the season you can always sit on the grass in the middle of the day in the sun and enjoy the weather, even in Autumn and Winter… unless it is hailing, then you should go inside.
• “Givers have to set limits because takers rarely do.” – Irma Kurtz
• I really love going to events where I am a little younger than the rest of the crowd (this is quite rare I will have you know!) It is also nice when I don’t know that many people. It makes for an interesting affair.
• “Trendy is the last stage before tacky.” – Karl Lagerfeld.
• Sitting in James and Ethel Grey park on a Sunday – it is lovely. You know how Coco loooooves dogs? (If you don’t then this must be your first post, hello, welcome!) well the park is full to the brim with funny wet nosey four legged , sniffing, curious, cute and ridiculous pups! It is bliss! You should come… sit in the sun.
• “Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.” – Epicurus. This I can believe. As I grow I find a lot more joy in moments and humans than I do in things.
• I took a little visit to my dear old Gran on Sunday too. My Granny is one of the rare and glowing people in my life. I hate that nature is taking her body. But her mind, she is a million times smarter than me, I only hope one day I will grow up to be as wise as her.
• All relationships have one law, never make the one you love feel alone, especially when you’re there.
• I did not sleep at all on Sunday night. No matter how much design work I put out into the universe, each beautiful piece, to me, is like a child. Letting them out into the world is not only frightening, but with the additional brutal front of Social Media one has to face… it is mortifying. Having to monitor peoples responses, not only makes you and your design child feel naked, raw and awkward, but truly at the end of Monday I was so overwhelmed I was in tears, sick to my stomach and felt like I’d been mentally stoned all day. Even though there was a lot more positive than negative, the one-year build up and tension threw me. Don’t ever say being a Designer is easy! Anyway, so my logo is up on the walls for all to see, and I think I am pretty proud of me and the JSE.
• Humble enough to know I’m not better than anybody and wise enough to know that I’m different from the rest.
• So my lovely readers… I am considering making a smoothie section on my blog, I’d like to know your views, would you be interested in this or not? Let me know {here}.

Keep warm my tiny stalagmites!

Xoxo

PS. You grabbed me in your sleep one morning and whispered ‘mine’ in my ear. And I kept that memory on my windowsill, and feed it music, water and light.

I love her when she drinks her morning coffee,
and drinks me. And I love her more when she assures me
that she’ll take over the world, and take over me. - Nizar-qabbani

Leave a Comment Autumn, design, dog, Epicurus, family, Gran, happy, Irma Kurtz, James and Ethel Grey Park, JSE, nizar-qabbani, quotes, sister, smoothie, weekend