What I ♡ this week...

Put GPS in boot till its time to go home.

 Sorry, didn’t make the Weekend Learning’s deadline. So I decided to do a love post. Discovering so many cool things around me deserves to be shared. Exciting! Here are some things I’m delving into this week;

• Shoes with flowers on them.
• Doing things myself in order to save money for my big shiny life.
• The above point includes doing my own Spring French Manicure in Essie’s white Marshmallow and pink Guchi Muchi Puchi. Its subtler than normal mani’s.
• Local jeweller Trinket and their stunning little modern brooches. Great little designs and animals. I got me a Squirrel!
• New bedding. I am not sure what it is but it just refreshes the entire room. Kind of like ‘a new coat of paint’ I guess.
• The Gautrain bringing Pretoria to my doorstep. It really is just a hop on a train ride away.
• Learning not to trust anyone. This might seem like a negative point, its not. I have an amazing group of people in my life. Its like clockwork how few of the new people you can trust... Maybe that’s why you have no friends.
• I cannot WAIT for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy to come out. Finally a movie worth watching! Note to self, must reread the book.
• Road trips. I want to drive somewhere I’ve never been before. Soon soon my little Mercedes.
• I miss Franschoek. I think ill just drive there. Hash tag favourite place in the world.
• Rugby World Cup. Yay for Rugby! Yay for all the Braai’s!
• Running. It really is better than therapy.

Xoxo

PS. If your presence cant add value to my life, your absence will make no difference. Surprise.

Trinket's beautiful brooches. I know, you want one. {here}

1 comment Franschoek, Jewellery, movies, road trip, Rugby

Weekend Learning's

Krr krrrr! Black and White... I love you.

This weekend was the first long weekend I have spent at home in Jozi in almost 2 years. I have to be honest... I got a lot done. Fun.
And these are the weekend learning’s:

• Irish Car Bombs are the most revolting shooter I have ever had, face pulling stuff!
• Getting ready for a night out with a girlfriend reminds me of my teenage years. Kinda cool.
• Buddah Ta is still a gorgeous venue and I have heard the food is just as amazing at the décor, *note to Coco, must try this out!
• Everyone should have a night out of just crazy dancing. If you cannot dance that’s fine too, just don’t jump on the stage... lady in purple I am talking to you!  
• Running in the rain is fine by me, lets go play in it!
• There is only one thing to do when the weather is crappy... go out and buy ingredients and make Bloody Mary’s, you know it little tomato!
• I still love Espresso’s (the place *4th street in Parkhurst and the drink.)
• Sometimes the rain can break, or in our case, make a party.
• I love sunglasses with unique details, fellow blogger Megan has stunning dragonfly sunnies from Really Really. *Fridays Fashion will be on Sunnies, thanks Meg!
• The Kings Speech is a brilliant film, I am still and always will be, a huge fan of Helena Bonham Carter, even when she plays a safer role like the queen.
• Willoughby & Co’s prawn rice paper wrap is... to die for to put it mildly.
• I love ‘The Go! Team’s’ Apollo Throwdown (Star Slinger Remix) play it for me baby!
• I desperately want to go for an advanced driving course. Got to channel this need for speed into something.
• Do the tiger dance for me!
• I miss you Lomo... tbc

Xoxo

PS. “Coco you’re a little different...” “Well you’re just like everyone else...” Coco walks away in boredom.

Leave a Comment Bloody Mary, Buddah Ta, movies, weekend

Black Swan

Schizophrenic much?

When I went to see Black Swan I was sure it would be on my favourites by the time it ended. However I actually walked out with a nervous laugh and was scared the whole way home.

I think it is a little overrated and I didn’t feel that the effects were that great. It is labelled as a ‘psychological thriller’ and none of the people I went with felt it was that mentally moving. It didn’t make you think. After seeing films like ‘Inception’ where it really does mess with you, I found Black Swan a little thin.

It is however incredibly disturbing, and the character complexities are intricate and alluring. A comment that was noted through most reviews is that the audience was not educated enough on the character of the young ballerina Nina Sayers, played by Natalie Portman. Her history could have played on a much deeper emotion and would have made her that much more illusive.

The movie follows Natalie Portman’s journey to getting the lead role in Swan Lake but her struggle to come to terms with the black swan, a more seductive version of her perfect part the white swan.

This leads her down a psychological trip of paranoia and self doubt believing that the young, sexier Mila Kunis (Lily) will take her part. Mila is really stunning in this movie, I found her character a lot more interesting than the Nina part.

Go see it! But watch out for some scenes with bits which will make you jump and bits that will make you so uncomfortable you’ll want to hide under your seat! I almost climbed under a couple of times.

Xoxo

PS. We all have a little black swan in us, others have ugly ducklings.

How gorgeous!

The lovely leading ladies...

Leave a Comment Black Swan, movies

Weekend Learning's

French inspired weekend... C'est la vie

Why do the weekends leave me so quickly! Even when I make a point to cherish every moment they go by in a flash. This is what I learned;

• Louis (my Pekingese pup) went to La Pawtique and got ‘The Lion’ cut. He looks insanely handsome!
• I love anything grape flavoured. Mmm!
• Some people are just mean. And I do not deserve their abuse.
• I still love French (English subtitle) films. I finally got my hands on La Vie en Rose. Stunning!
• I also love Marion Cotillard and how she portrayed Edith Piaf. And how mad scary she looks in the movie and how gorgeous she in in real life, amazing.
• I also, still love Edith and her haunting French music.
• Staying in the entire weekend saves a lot of moola (money).
• It is the end of the year and even when 'relaxing' on the weekend I still feel exhausted. *see next point.
• If I work one more weekend it will kill my fragile little spirit.
• I cannot wait for holidays so I can turn off my phone and ignore everyone. I need some space!
• I need a straw hat... And the search begins.

Xoxo

PS. Thank you to La Pawtique, they really are the best (and only) salon I will ever take my little angel to.

Leave a Comment Edith Piaf, fashion, French, Happy Holidays, Hat, La Pawtique, Louis, movies, puppy, weekend

Fashion forward friday

Black Swans.

Black Swan is hitting the airwaves. And for good reason! The last ballet movie I can remember was Center Stage. As much as I loved that movie, romantic, ballet, dance movies are a little less than what I demand from a good story line these days. Although when Center Stage came out in 2000 I was 15.

With the ballet trend looking to make a comeback with the release of the sinister Black Swan, I thought id dedicate this weeks Fashion Forward Friday to ballet style.

I’m loving these photo’s by Jan Masny. I used to be quite a good ballet dancer at 15… wonder if I can still do a pirouette…

Xoxo

PS. Just because you feel like an ugly duckling today, maybe tomorrow you’ll become a swan… or even better, a black swan.  

gorgeous!

Leave a Comment ballet, Black Swan, fashion, movies, photography

Weekend Learnings

It is amazing how Cape Town even looks gorgeous in a collage

I dream of a time when I won't have to say goodbye.

I spent the weekend in Cape Town with my love, celebrating our 4 year anniversary (congrats… thanks!). It was another perfect weekend and even though the weather wasn’t too great (I know right! After my seeking sunshine post… fail) we managed to have the best time. This is what I learned.     

• The more I fly the more I hate it. This is due to the fact that I do not think I have had one flight on time this entire year… and I fly a lot!
• Capetonians seem to be loving the multiple fabric bangle trend… hmmm
• I love virtually unknown discovery and 'Hemelhuis' restaurant is the most surprisingly fantastic little revelation in Waterkant Street. I love their bread served in a wooden bowl.
• Another hole-in-the-wall is the decedent Deluxe Coffee Works. Heavenly, R10, double-shot coffee which is mouth-watering and moreish!
• ‘Despicable Me’ is my animated movie of the year. I laughed through most of it, highly underrated, highly recommended.
• IF watermelon juice is on the menu, it gets a gold star!
• When I am in Jozi, I miss the boyfriend and when I am in Cape Town I miss the puppy… C'est la vie.  
• Even if a place has great reviews, bad service is a big red cross in my book. Sorry.
• I downloaded this awesome app on my BlackBerry called ‘Runtastic’. It uses GPS to track your walk. We walked the Promenade roughly 7km, awesome!
• I still do not understand those little swimmers and dragonfly statues on the Promenade… they’re fun to imitate though.
• Blonde is another fantastic restaurant in Cape Town, their service is great and the menu is out of this world delicious! Warm Chocolate Fondant, mmm!
• When the weather is cold and cloudy the perfect thing to do is wine tastings in Stellenbosch and Waterford Estate is a stunning stop!
• Gino’s (also in Stellenbosch) has the yummiest pizza’s!
• After watching ‘The Social Network’ I now think Mark Zuckerberg is a (insert bad word). I will not tarnish my blog with blasphemy.
• No matter how many times I have them, I still love Café Neo (Greek breakfast) and Arnold's (Brie, Pepperdew and bacon croissant) divine breakfasts!
• 4 years seems like a long time, life flies when you’re having fun, or just in love.
• I’m happier now than I’ve been in a long time.
  

Xoxo

PS.  Life is too short to always be wishing for what you had, rather appreciate what you have because it’s beautiful.

3 comments Cape Town, coffee, Deluxe, Hemelhuis, love, movies, restaurant, The Social Network, Waterford Estate, weekend

Weekend Learning's

Footsteps to a brighter future.

This weekend was all about personal relaxation. Making sure that I had a full and stress-free weekend. I caught up on reading and spent time with family and friends. Things I learned this weekend?

• Black Swan is a new American psychological thriller film directed by Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler) and I cannot wait to see it! Check out the trailer {here}
• If I’m listening to Kings of Leon I am a happy girl. I love Pyro and Pony Up off the new Come Around Sundown. Fantastic.
• If I’m not 100% sold on buying a pair of shoes (doesn’t happen very often). If the sole of the shoe is interesting or creative I'll buy them. Check out these Mr Price sandals with a bird and heart detail. SOLD. I cannot wait to treck hearts down the beach in December.
• The new organic Pick ‘n Pay has a gorgeous little restaurant called Thyme on Nicol. When you order a wrap you make it yourself! They also serve my favourite Vida coffee and have a rotating Sushi table. A Glass of wine is a price busting R14 and the tea section on the menu is called “I’m a little Tea Pot”. If I’m missing on a Saturday… you now know where ill be.
• Early morning Yoga on a Saturday is great. However it is packed and for some reason I am insanely stiff… I like it.
• My new little red Moleskine is so gorgeous. I especially love the little quality control sticker in the back. The design is interesting. I plan to collect them.
• I love drawings in the sand. Especially when my boyfriend draws hearts and sends them to me so that I know he’s thinking of me… ❥
  

Xoxo

PS. Have a short and fun week (a girl can dream…)

1 comment fashion, Kings of Leon, Moleskine, movies, Pick 'n Pay, restaurant, Vida, weekend, Yoga

Eat, Pray, Love.

A book to love.

Like most women I loved... correction, love the book. Most women are told to read it when they are going through something. A breakup perhaps or a failed job or even just a rut in their lives. I know whenever I’m having a bad patch I think back to Eat, Pray, Love and try to remember how Liz got through it. Obviously you cannot jet off to India! But finding a great Italian place like Bella (see here for review) or having a local Yoga session with my local guru can substitute.

A 32 year old Elizabeth Gilbert had a home, a husband, and a successful career as a writer. However, she was trapped in her marriage and often spent the night crying on her bathroom floor begging for God to show her the way. After the divorce she decides to take the year off to travel to find her balance.

She spent four months in Italy discovering pleasure in food (Eat). She spent four months in India, finding her spirituality (Pray). She ended the year in Bali, Indonesia, looking for "balance" of the two and found love in the form of a dashing older Brazilian (Love).

After a lot of bad reviews and the “its too long” comment I finally made it to the big screen. I must admit I went in there with the ‘Lets just get this over with’ attitude. I actually thought it was lovely. Even though I’m not a huge fan of Julia Roberts fat fake top lip (no I’m not jealous I just loved her natural!), I found the movie calming and inspiring.

My favourite part of the book was also the Italy bit. I looved how she went from restaurant to restaurant displaying her view into words and laid them down in her book so I could swim in those little black Italian sentences. Every meal, every cobblestone, every shred of old roman wallpaper was clarified into luxurious plush Italian romance. Hell, I want to go to Italy! But in the film it was a little thin to say the least. (Thin and Italy... Don’t mix)

As always with books-turned-films they left out a lot of intricate details which I believe could have added a splash more charm to the film. I struggled to connect with the characters as deeply as I did with the book characters. Oh well. It was pretty. I still loved the book and the movie will be great for a little rainy day snuggle.

Xoxo

PS. "L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle. The love that moves the sun and the other stars."
 —  Elizabeth Gilbert *sigh

Italy, I want more.

Leave a Comment Book, Book Review, movies

ART & COPY, fantastic!

*Art Direction & Copy writing for the not so smart

 

Being given free DVD's is a joy that just cannot be expressed. Sometimes I even receive video’s about things that I am crazy about. Please do not confuse me with the advertising folk, I am a designer. But I do love the excitement of real, world changing advertising. Not the stuff we see on TV today. Eww.

If you haven’t already seen it, even if you’re not in the industry, you must see it! Its inspiring and jaw dropping.

Here is the Synopsis (taken from the Art & Copy website)

ART & COPY is a powerful new film about advertising and inspiration. Directed by Doug Pray (SURFWISE, SCRATCH, HYPE!), it reveals the work and wisdom of some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time -- people who've profoundly impacted our culture, yet are virtually unknown outside their industry. Exploding forth from advertising's "creative revolution" of the 1960s, these artists and writers all brought a surprisingly rebellious spirit to their work in a business more often associated with mediocrity or manipulation: George Lois, Mary Wells, Dan Wieden, Lee Clow, Hal Riney and others featured in ART & COPY were responsible for "Just Do It," "I Love NY," "Where's the Beef?," "Got Milk," "Think Different," and brilliant campaigns for everything from cars to presidents. They managed to grab the attention of millions and truly move them.  Visually interwoven with their stories, TV satellites are launched, billboards are erected, and the social and cultural impact of their ads are brought to light in this dynamic exploration of art, commerce, and human emotion.

See, told you it is interesting!

PS. Just do it, I think it changed my life too... Sneaky bastards!

Leave a Comment documentary, inspiration, movies

Poppies are Beautiful Flowers

Genre: Comedy
Directors: Mike Leigh
Cast: Sally Hawkins, Eddie Marsan, Alexis Zegerman, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Samuel Roukin

Happy-go-lucky is rather bizarre to be realistic. Typically, I liked it.

When I heard about this new ‘Happy-go-lucky’ film sweeping up all the awards I determined that I had to see it. I, unlike a lot of people, enjoy British films. I find a strange toasty comfort in their ‘tea and crumpets’ pompous accents.
It’s delightful. As such was the film.

Although a difficult film to get into, once I was interested in trying to discover what was going to happen I enjoyed it. Ridiculously adorable, positive, primary school teacher Poppy (Sally Hawkins) will engulf you in smiles, sparkles and rainbows. There are little aspects of this movie which I loved and laughed out loud to. She’s curious and bright. Sometimes I felt exhausted by her constant happiness. But after that glum side of me was banished, I got back into it.
She really stole the show. It is such a whimsical movie that I do not think anyone would ever be able to play a part like that. No wonder she won numerous best actress awards for her portrayal of beloved Poppy.
The movie circles around this particular chapter of Poppy’s life and we are privileged to share it with her friends.
The movie is not just about a happy existence on the surface. It is about how positive Poppy influences and touches peoples’ lives. How someone who seems so frivolous can in actual fact make someone’s day, bring a little light into the dark, sprinkle a little love into todays more illustrious grey being.

I cannot honestly comment on any of the other aspects of the movie and they were purely drowned out by Sally Hawkins walking on sunshine acting. I look back on this film with great fondness!

P.S. it takes a while to get into so give it time and Poppy will give back to you!

xoxo

Leave a Comment movies