Weekend Learning's

I had an extremely good weekend! London is total chaos currently. She is littered with tourists and shoppers and Christmas fanatics. Literally, people walking around in Santa hats and the Jamaican trio who play the metal drums at the station are now dressed in red and green Christmas pyjamas banging out a very festive jingly song. It is weird. I love it! Even the hobo’s who are usually sweary and bitter have the festive cheer, I saw one dancing on his mattress to another drummers rendition of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and singing something along the same lines... not really but he was trying and getting everyone in the mood and that is what counts! There is a lot of joy. And after being here for almost nine months… I am really loving it. I know, I know, I blow hot and cold, but I fricking LOVE Christmas, and it is on steroids here! And do you know why, there is a lot of sharing going on. It has made me gleeful. This is what else I learned;

• “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.” - Audrey Hepburn
• Liberty of London is also one of the places to avoid during the December season. I needed to get something specific and stumbled out of the side entrance where the flower shop is. What a wonderful find! The aroma of fresh flowers is seductive! And during Christmas they have someone who hand makes Christmas wreaths for you to personalise and design yourself. Not only a beautiful gift, but a stunning keepsake. 
• “Always be touching her, even when your hands cannot reach her.” - J.R. Rogue
• In a world where everyone is overexposed, the coolest thing you can do is maintain your mystery.
• This is going to be a weird one. I love looking into peoples homes in December. Wait, I am not a creeper, let me explain. People in London, decorate their beautiful trees and then put them in their windows for all to see. They actually leave the shutters open. It is so gorgeous walking home at night, seeing all the pretty trees in the windows. Some are so sweet, decorated by children. I just love this! Something that you would never see in South Africa. People share their beauty with the outside world and I love it.
• “I am infatuated by the way desire dances down your delicate skin in molten liquid moonlight.” - The Word Virus
• Polpo is a bàcaro. This is a Venetian word to describe a humble restaurant serving simple food and good, young local wines. I visited this lovely restaurant with my closest friends in London. We shared wine, food and stories. We are all from South Africa, we all moved in 2015. I feel this is the smallest our table will be… 

Have a nice week my vanilla piccolo! Stay out of the Christmas rush, or maybe join it, embrace the tinsel party, share a little!

Xoxo

PS. My moon, my man, my everything. 

Leave a Comment Audrey Hepburn, Christmas, Christmas windows, December, J.R. Rogue, Liberty, London, love, Polpo, quote, quotes, share, The Word Virus, weekend

Weekend Learning's

SO it is Friday. What a late Weekend Learning’s this is! It is the first week of December. Back home we call this Silly Season. And for good reason! Here in London, there is not a name for it. Lame. I cannot wait to go home for Christmas. I love London, this is true, but I have had enough for 2015. I want my family, my friends, my dogs, my home… This is what I learned;

• If I have discovered anything this year, my heart, lives in South Africa.
• “You’re in my bones, and my blood, and my heart. I’d have to tear myself open to let you go.” - Cassandra Clare.
• Clifton Road Maida Vale is an amazing little road a good walk from my house. There are lovely little organic fruit and veg shops, deli’s, restaurants and even a pet store. A great London discovery.
• The use of swearing to alleviate stress or pain is called "lalochezia.”
• I finished another book this weekend. Yes I am proud of myself! Any suggestions on what to read next?
• "Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.” - Bertrand Russell 
• Shakshouka is a dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chilli peppers, and onions, often spiced with cumin. I only came across this when I started dating my man. And I quite like it. I for some reason was craving it this weekend and decided to make it. Probably the fact that I miss him so much, maybe a little food could bring me closer to him... kind-of-maybe-not. Anyway! Easy, low cost, delicious. Craving killed.
• You can remove errant deodorant marks from dark clothes by wiping the white streaks with a dryer sheet. I found this out this weekend. Fuuuuun, I love doing my washing. This is one of those things you do living in London; your own washing. 
• “Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters.” - Margaret Peters

I hope you keep warm my little teacups. And if you are in South Africa, soak up that sunshine for me! Have good weekends.

Xoxo

PS. I want a pawpaw.

Leave a Comment Bertrand Russell, Cassandra Clare, Christmas, Clifton Road Maida Vale, December, home, London, Margaret Peters, Proudly South African, quote, quotes, Rare word meaning, Shakshouka, silly season, weekend

Weekend Learning's

Winter is coming, lets stay wild my little feathers.

This weekend wasn't ideal. A thorn in the paw, a splinter in you hand. I am glad it is over. Although it was trying, much was achieved, this is what I learned;

• "Thoughts could leave deeper scarring that almost anything else." - J.K Rowling. I am a 'number 5'. This means I am very much 'in my head'. It is probably the cause of a lot of my migraines too (so they say). My mind is always busy… buzzing… bustling… this quote... I guess my mind is my own worst enemy.
• "Twinkle lights are oddly soothing maybe we should keep the Christmas tree up all year" - Private Practice. I agree. There is something mesmerizing about them that I love. Maybe it's because it's my favourite time of year or the fact that I love shiny twinkly things but I too want fairy lights 12 months a year too sooth my heavy eyes.
• Do small things with great love. I think I've lived by this my whole life, I just never put it into words. Everything I do with love.
• Vida's Chai Latte's are the best. They're like a milky cinnamon bun in a cup… without the calories. Delish!
• "And that’s the thing about people who mean everything they say. They thing everyone else does too." - K. Hosseini
• I like drinking coffee in the park… the caffeine kick is great for if you need to run away from scary beast chemical dogs! AAHH!
• I love the word 'savant'.
• Buddah Ta's candyfloss mojito is still such fun and totally yummy! No matter how old I get I love candy. Wink.
• "All I need" by Radiohead, I forgot how much I love this song. It is from the album "In Rainbows" - so fitting because it is so colourful here in my life now with you.
• I have an old friend in a scary place at the moment. Physically this time not mentally. Visiting him was trying… it was great to have my two pillars of strength there with me, with out them I think I would have stopped breathing, or worse. Thank you.
• "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20

I hope you have a week full of green tea and sweet grapes my little gerbils!

Xoxo

PS. "And at once I knew, I was not magnificent." - Bon Iver.

Who doesn't love a skeleton... you? Get off my blog ^_^ joke!

1 comment Bible quotes, Bon Iver, Buddah Ta, Christmas, Fairy lights, In Rainbows, J.K Rowling, K. Hosseini, Private Practice, quote, Radiohead, savant, Vida, weekend

Weekend Learning's

I cannot wait to start my December adventure...

This weekend was short and sweet and I loved it. It was my last weekend in Joburg… can you believe that! I kept busy with my favourite people and kept in mind how lucky I am to have such wonderful souls in my life. This is what I learned.

• As long as I wake up in his arms it will be a perfect day.
• They're called "man hours" because women would finish that shit in 20 minutes. Haha! Love this quote! Making sure my work is finished early on a Friday so I can bugger off is always the better start to the weekend.
• Georges on 4th on the deck with some wine and beautiful intelligent people talking about travel and family and plans while the sun sets, bliss!
• Going SUPER platinum blonde for summer, is really the only hair colour to be. Bring on the sunlight sparkle and sea!
• “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” - Alexander Pope  
• Couple Friends are a lot of fun, especially when we are all so different; a lawyer, a doctor, a vet, a designer to name a few… diversity makes the cake, lets go!!
• "The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you." - Bob Harris.
• Red Rabbit is a lovely French bistro type restaurant. They have a variety of foodie meals including rabbit pie and divine mushroom risotto (I highly recommend it). The menu is diverse and interesting, it was highly enjoyable, the service was great and the food was moreish!
• "Rudeness is the weak person's imitation of strength." - Eric Hoffer.
• Cotton On has a great variety of reasonably priced gifts for christmas. For my office Secret Santa (being a measly R50) I managed a 2013 diary {here} in a lovely pale blue and a really gorgeous mug with a pretty illustration {here} with the same blue on the inside (examples are in pink) all adding up to R50! Go on to Cotton On!
• Is it just me or is it getting very hard to find a good holiday read? What ever happened to the big hype before the big 'holiday novel' came out? Now people wait in queue's for Justin Bieber tickets… I remember when I was young waiting in the queue to get a holiday book before the family and I drove down to the beach… my how sadly times have changed. Any suggestions on a good Holiday Read?
• Don’t promise when you're happy, don't reply when you're angry and don't decide when you're sad.

Have a lovely week reindeers, follow your red noses!

Xoxo

PS. The most memorable days usually end with the dirtiest clothes ^_^

Happy Holiday's, love the Fox.

Leave a Comment Bob Harris, Christmas, Cotton On, Eric Hoffer, fox, Georges on 4th, Justin Bieber, Red Rabbit, Secret Santa, weekend

Weekend Learning's

Dancing, more sparkles and lanterns of light. Heavenly moments for Coco.

First weekend of December and Joburg doesn't seem to be able to get a good weather break. All week long we have perfect impeccable weather and then the weekend comes and she is grey and pillow pushing. This is not helping in my party favours. I am hoping it will be a little better this weekend. This is what I learned;

• "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank.
• My boyfriend is very 'gift intuitive'. He sees what I need and then goes out and gets it for me, a very rare and special quality in an individual, less so in a man and a boyfriend. These are a few of my favourite things…
• I went to Orlando Disney a long time ago. One of the things I remember was the out of this world food. The mouse shaped deserts for Mickey and Minnie. The weird drinks for the different movies etc. Well I found a website where you can copy and duplicate these recipes! Try Magical Recipes for some normal and some crazy fun stuff.
• It is so heart wrenching when you find out that old 'friends' are making fun of your past sufferings on a regular basis… On that note I found a quote; "Do not let the behaviors of others destroy your inner peace." Dalai Lama.
• Having my Christmas party with the best quality people including my sister could not have been better. Christmas is a time for giving and family, these people might not share my blood but I consider them part of my family tree. Best Christmas ever!
• I am slowly but surly becoming a bit of an organizational freak with moving into my cottage. Especially when I find fantastic sites like I Heart Organizing. There are lots of great downloads and cool tips and ways to help you keep your space clean and Type A Personality… that would be Coco!
• And then there will come a time, you'll see with no more tears. And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.

I am so happy and so content with my life that this quote sums up my weekend; I now live for the moments I can't put into words… this is going to be a teeny bit of a problem being a blogger and all… but my what a life… hope you have moments like these star lights!

Xoxo

PS. My fingers catch sparkles at the thought of them touching you…

The vow, because it is love.

Leave a Comment Anne Frank, boyfriend, Christmas, Coco's Cottage, Dalai Lama, I Heart Organizing, Johannesburg, Life Quote, love, Magical Recipes, Mickey and Minnie, Orlando Disney, Type A Personality, weekend

Weekend Learning's

Swing wild thing, swing.

I loved this weekend. My friends just get more and more awesome. This is what I learned.

• Quote of the Vega Showcase “I’d rather sell my boyfriend than be without my blackberry” that is exactly how I felt that night too. So I went out with the boys. Best idea ever! 
• Second Quote of the Vega Showcase “I would’ve passed if I had done this on canvas.” Sorry Multimedia kids... You’re still sexy... Prrr.
• Don’t ever think ill sit around and wait for anyone. Life’s too short.
• I have wonderful people who I work with. A Hill Billy meets Jersey Shore end of year party, raucous. 
• Sometimes peoples hidden feelings have to stay hidden. (even though they are so obvious to everyone, *bless)
• Somehow I always end up with the handcuffs and the weird parties, don’t ask.
• China Mall, raking in poor people one empty wallet at a time.
• I’m dreaming of a white décor Christmas. I cannot believe it is the first of December already.
• It scares me when people say they quit their jobs because they’d “rather be unemployed and happy than employed and unhappy.” Are you insane? And it comes up SO often. 
• In these trying times your job is your greatest assets! If you can afford to not have a job and puddle your way through everyday... Go play at the traffic please. It is sad and embarrassing especially if you live is South Africa where jobs are so rare. You. Are. Pathetic.  
• I love pool parties in Jozi, I also love being the shade for my friends, anything for you heart.
• There are angels on the dance floor, good to know you were there with us Nyks.
• Driving, singing, eating Mc Donald's, I haven’t done it in so long, its still good fun.
• Throbbing Strawberry is still the best lunch spot on a Sunday. Live music. Sunshine. Wine. Friends. The Japanese mayo you order on the side is even free, that is how you keep your customers coming. 
• I believe in good people. My friends prove they are out there, and no you cannot have them. Mine. Mine. Mine. 

Xoxo

PS. Life is too short to give another minute to anyone or anything that doesn’t make you happy or their number one. Me number two? WHAHAHAHAHA. Moving on. 

I LOVE THIS SHIZ!

1 comment China Mall, Christmas, quote, Throbbing Strawberry, Vega, weekend

Weekend Learning's

A weekend full of hearts!

Sometimes you have to work on the weekend. Sadly it makes the weekend go a lot faster. Although this Monday I feel relaxed and inspired by the time I spent this weekend.I learned;

• I am officially packing away my clubbing days (for many good reasons).
• I am changing... those who do not understand will sadly be left behind.
• Shoe boxes make for neat and cost effective storage organisers.
• My garden is growing so beautifully, I now have a whole lot of beans and beautiful butter lettuces! Eeeek!
• Hyde Park’s Food, Wine, Design Show was so wonderful, I spent a lot of money with no regrets, on a lot of delicious things.
• Dear Rae is my new favourite South African jewellery designer.
• A much needed full bedroom clean-out is actually a lot of fun and makes you feel lighter.
• Working weekends is not so bad if you’re productive.
• I love it so much when I receive my cappuccino and there is a foam heart in it, win!
• It is less than a month till Christmas, which means it is time to put up the tree.
• Sharing little romantic words and thoughts with your far-away loved one is heart-fluttering stuff.
  

Xoxo

PS. I miss my Friday nights in…

5 comments Christmas, Dear Rae, garden, heart, love, weekend

Weekend Learnings

Clearly, Christmas is already inspiring me!

Another weekend lost to time. I do not mind though, this weekend to come ill be in Cape Town, hooray! What I learned this weekend?

• I’m a little embarrassed to say I’m loving the new Katy Perry… that fireworks song could be an inspirational anthem! Love it.
• Snails can come in tins… eew!
• BOS teas are YUM and their website is gorgeous!  See here.
• I generally prefer if the temperature is above 30°C. I’m definitely a South African girl, Saturday was a glorious 33°C and I was in heaven.
• I have too many shoes… I bought one of those shoe hanger things for my pumps… 3 in each section is what I had to resort to.
• Sometimes you have to accept that people will never change.
• Planning my girls Christmas party is one of those things ill never get sick of.
• Booking for New Years holiday is done and paid for… happiness is!
• I'm still in love with Mother Natures jewelled pomegranates, yumm! Eat with vanilla yogurt HEAVEN and very cost effective.
• Louis (my pup) looks more like a lion as he gets older… I think a little more like an Ewok but I like Ewoks so that’s okay.

Xoxo

PS. Hope you’ve booked and paid for you your little December getaway!

1 comment Christmas, Happy Holidays, Katy Perry, Louis, puppy, shoes, weekend