Weekend Learning's

"I know nothing with any certainty but the
sight of stars makes me dream." - Vincent van Gogh

Hello you. I could not make it to my blog last week with all the mountains I was trying to travel though. When I got to the other side the only thing I regretted was that I didn't record some of the thoughts I had while I was plotting those many hills. I do like a tough work week though. Why? You ask. Because it makes rewards that much sweeter. Even something as simple as a moment looking to the skies and noticing how luminescent the stars looked on Friday night. They were so much sparklier than any other night, through that crevice in the clouds. For at that moment I stopped, for the first time all week, I paused with my two pups to notice the beauty in the sky and it was blissful. This is what I learned;

• It is already April, this scares me, was it not Christmas yesterday? 
• Life is full of give and take. Give thanks and take nothing for granted.
• Le Soufflé is a rather interesting little French Brasserie in Pineslopes. They concentrate on the delicious French bistro food and great service. So do not be alarmed when you feel like you jumped into a casual restaurant in the seventies in France! In my opinion if the food and the service is good I will return. Yum, soufflés! 
• The only people I owe my loyalty are those who never made me question theirs. 
• "A writer is someone who spends years patiently trying to discover the second being inside him..." - Orhan Pamuk
• Do you even know how expensive petrol is? Well it is very expensive to fill my vroom-vroom. So on Saturday I decided to walk if I needed to go somewhere. I had a package to collect from the post office and I also needed milk. As one does when one drinks copious amounts of tea and coffee like I do living on my lonesome. So I walked. I walked to the post office. Then I started walking home and realized I should get milk and turned and went back. Free exercise and fresh air and a hello from the funny toothless local hobo versus the latter; moth wallet and bad car radio experience and wasting gold petrol… Coco likes it. 
• "When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears." - Anthony Robbins
• It doesn't matter how old I get, when my parents go away and I am home alone and there is a creep at the gate… I get scared. It's my past of break-ins and attacks and horror stories on loved ones. This country has scarred me to the point that I can't feel safe in my own home and I hate that. 
• "Perhaps strength doesn't reside in never having been broken but in the courage to grow strong in the broken places"
• Do not get me wrong I love Autumn. I am a designer and I am obsessed with nature and plants and colour changing leaves… it is like Mother Nature is giving me a kaleidoscope show. But my love affair with Summer this year was too short. I have been smitten with the few lengthy sunny days that I received that I want to be selfish and demand more! I Feel robbed for some reason… Am I the only one who would like to exchange just one Autumn weekend for just one more Summers night? Sob.
• “The true mark of maturity is when somebody hurts you and you try to understand their situation instead of trying to hurt them back.” - Anon

Happy week my sparrows. Fly high and brave!

Xoxo

PS. "Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, mirror what you admire."

I am just loving spending time with my pups.
"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's
soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

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Weekend Learning's

Spring, the anniversary of my tattoos, sun tans and a lingering touch, my love.

Spring has (finally) sprung. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blossoming, the bees are buzzing, there is darkness. Being a victim of the power 'sabotage', they are calling it now, had a bad affect on me. I realized many things about myself during this black time. It also affected my mood, my ability to work, and of course my tear ducts. Apart from not being able to shower twice a day, I couldn't drink smoothies, and I couldn't do simple daily tasks we take for granted like trying to set the morning alarm on my dead cellphone and doing my makeup in a darkroom… hello panda. This is what else I learned; 

• I shower twice a day, if I can't I get upset. Beware. 
• “Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.” - Marvin J. Ashton
• I am grateful that I have someone in my life, who when I need somewhere to live, offers me a house. This is rare and I love it! My second home.
• “Your heart can take you places your mind can’t fit” - Todd White
• I like the prospect of knowing that even when everything goes wrong, and I mean everything, the day still ends with a smile and you.
• “People do not seem to realise that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Those little fragrant prawn pots from Woolworths are love by me and my tum. Just delicious! 
• It's a great thing when everyone is dressed the same, in this case Sensation White, and you just don't really bump into anyone you don't want to see, blissfully unaware and masked by the blanked of uniforms.
• “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” - Oscar Wilde
• I am obsessed with the love of two tiny peke's. Pekingese, for those who are confused. There is nothing sweeter than the love of a furry angel. Happy first birthday to my little Basil too, you fill my life with happiness and heart-shaped doggie biscuits and I wouldn't want it any other way! 
• "When you have loved as she has loved, you grow old beautifully." - W. Somerset Maugham
• It is not always about the nights out and the days in the public eye. It is actually simply about how my heart swells and wells up with love, just lying or sitting looking oh so sleepy - doing nothing - watching series, you're eating a grapefruit, me? Who cares. Being happy, falling in love for the 50th Sunday in a row. Again please? Again.
• “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” - Maya Angelou. I strongly believe in this, for if you are not present, those around you can feel it and the moment is lost. 

Sorry this is such a late learning's my daring's, two working days in pretty Franshhoek delayed this. Happy plodding puddings!

Xoxo

PS. What will you leave behind? Life is short, make sure the people you leave feel love. 

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Weekend Learning's

me, myself, and us, it's love.

I've never known anything more ridiculous than that scene in Winnie the Pooh where he gets stuck half way in, half way out of Rabbits house. He naturally gets stuck because he's had too much honey, too much of a good thing. That’s not the part I find ridiculous though, that part is the part where Rabbit tries to deal with the 'situation' by painting Pooh's butt and adorning it with vases and flowers, a shelf some antlers (naturally) and I think perhaps a pipe... Obviously Rabbit is pleased with the solution. I always find after a big happy weekend of drinking and partying I feel like I look and feel like Poohs butt. I am adorned with a painted on smile and some other interesting things I have collected along the way, some new friends, a couple of masks, a can of appetizer in this case and of course I feel slightly half way in but half way out because some of the weekend is a bit of a blur. Best. This is what I learned;

• "Love always wakes the dragon and suddenly, flames everywhere." - Richard Siken
• I can proudly say I completed the 30 day Green Smoothie Challenge. Yup I did it, everyday for 30 days I drank over 750 mls of raw smoothie and it shows! The results speak for themselves, energy, smoother skin and a brighter smile are just a few of the pro's. You should give it a go, it is not as easy as it seems, trust me!
• I have retained some amazing friends from Vega. It is amazing to think that after only two short years I thought all I obtained was a degree but lately I have come to the realization that it was the biggest stepping stone to the beginning of the rest of my life. Thank god I took the leap!
• She was like the moon, part of her was always hidden.
• The mystery of the Almond Butter thief at the Blubird Dischem has eluded me! Well… he / she is not a thief just a greedy aloof Almond Butter glutton! How very dare you take ALL the Almond Butter and leave poor little Coco with none… the mystery is A) What will you achieve with all the deliciousness and B) how do you afford it at R89 a pop. I dislike you a lot… and I dislike you even more that you might have hit the Sandton one too… anyone know where I can get me some ALMOND BUTTER!!!??
• I went to a club on Saturday night… this quote; "Young girls need to learn that sexiness isn't about being naked." - Marc Jacobs
• You know you're in love when you look back on your Sunday morning and remember only that you spent the morning lying in bed laughing at and with each other… perfection.
• Nefelibata (n.) lit "cloud-walker"; one who lives in the clouds of their own imagination or dreams, or one who does not obey the conventions of society, literature, or art.
• There is nothing more divine than lying in the sun with my beautiful boys, Louis and Basil (my handsome Pekingese's) counting my blessing, a perfect ending to the weekend.

Have an amazing week my laffy taffy's, I hear Sunday is going to be freezing!

Xoxo

PS. I am going to punch you in the mouth… with my own mouth… softly… because I like you… x

F. Scott Fitzgerald, you are very
good and speaking the truth!

 

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Weekend Learning's

Touch, feel, fall, gift, love.

 Unfortunately when you have a job like mine (Designer n. workaholic dog) sometimes I have to skip a week of Weekend Learning's simply because I do not have a minute to myself. And the few minutes I do have I plan to nap. So this is going to be a double Weekend Leaning's with flickers of Valentines weekend and this previous weekend to catch up on it should be a goodie. This is what I leaned;

• It is easy to love Valentines Day day when the one you love, loves you back.
• "There was something breathtaking about the way you said my name."
• Morning's With You. "I slowly wake as day is dawning to fingertips and lips imploring, The sheets against my skin he says- like wrapping paper on Christmas morning." -Lang Leav. How gorgeous! Lips imploring, prr!           
• Someone again told me that I rock myself when I stand and talk. Why do people keep telling me this?
• Did you know Mountain Dew was originally made to be mixed with Whiskey. This ill try this…
• "My favourite place is inside your hugs."
• The fruit of the Spirit is; love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Yes Coco need a lot more coconut in her fruit salad.
• I love puppy training. And I have to say that Pekingese have the cutest little figures. Their cute little legs and gorgeous little faces, just love them! Sweethearts!
• Woody from Toy Story has a last name and it is 'Pride'… Woody Pride… giggle.
• I'm not totally convinced I know what I'm doing anymore. I feel like I am at a crossroads and it's either left, right or into the dark scary forest and I kind of want to go into the dark scary forest... This is scarier than going into the scariest forest.
• "Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder." - Rumi
• Watching Rugby is one of the South African traditions I love to do. The whole experience from the drive, the war cries, the chips. It is just too fun.
• When you plan to spend a day doing something you looked forward to for a long time and it is ruined by a tradition you have grown to hate, it is crazy how my mood literally goes from gold to black.  
• On that note - It is amazing how quickly your mood can change, how deep your heart can sink and how much one person can affect you.
• "Open your heart. Love is on the way." - Jude 1. 
• "It was rather beautiful; the way he put her insecurities to sleep. The way he dove inside her eyes and starved all the fear and tasted all the dreams she kept coiled beneath her bones." - Christopher Poindexter.

Have an amazing week lovelies, take it by the horns!

PS. "I think I'll miss you forever, like the stars miss the sun in the morning skies." - Lana. 

We are all already broken... let your jaw meet the floor in perfect awe. Oh Tyler.

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Weekend Learning's

Wishes, I need no more.

When you are a designer, there is this thing we call "silly season". It is when all the clients go MAD. It is when everyone suddenly realizes their year end is coming, being their financial year end, and they all suddenly say,

"Hey team, we haven't spent a lot of budget on marketing, lets do it!!"

And so they do. Not thinking that they all think the same thing, there is a flood of briefs. And with that flood of briefs comes a flood of stress and over worked designers and packed up productions and, lets not forget, printers go on leave the same time as builders so… the first of December is cut off for them so they tell everyone to 'go F a donkey' when we ask for quick jobs. This is just on my daily eleven hour work job.

On the home front we've had two deaths in the family, a car rear-ended me giving me and two of my fellow stressed designers whiplash (yay, more admin) AND my parents went away leaving me to man the house which, I must add, is NOT easy. And with all the stress my body is literally catching every possible thing it can to try and make me slow down, and a dear friend has found himself in a rather terrible situation which has left me feeling withered and bewildered… alas I still mentally believe strongly in the philosophy of "I'll sleep when I'm dead" so strongly that sleeping has also taken a back foot or rather, standing foot…

It is not all doom and gloom in Coco's life though. In fact… with all the rushing and tumbling I am still happier than I have ever been. We recently acquired the newest member of the family and second furry Pekingese, tiny pup Basil. (green eyes hence the name, I like Baz…) also the weather in this divine city (JOZI!!) I live in could not be more perfect. My mother is selling art like hot cakes see {here}, I have the best quality friends I could ever dream of. My family is stronger than ever and my heart if fuller than ever with all the love. And while I experience it all through thick and thin my hand is always held tight with caring by a love so perfect… words cannot suffice.

So that my loyal followers is why I *almost missed two Weekend Learning's. Forgive me please?

This is what I learned;

• I am blessed.
• "I'd rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not done." - Lucille Ball
• Linkin Park were one of the most epic concerts I have ever been to. It is amazing the emotion attached to music. I think they helped me through a lot of silly teenage problems while I was young and did not have the support system I have today, thanks guys.
• Bumble bees do a warm-up exercise before they take off… THIS is too cute… the mental image! Meeeep!
• Sometimes I would honestly rather watch someone else watch TV than watch the show… yes he is that gorgeous, *wink!
• Your skin is not paper, don't cut it. Your face is not a mask, don't cover it. Your size is not a book, don't judge it.
• "Psithurism" (n.) the sound of the wind through the trees. I could lie on your chest and listen to this forever.
• The other day I found a dandelion and wanted to make a wish… I realized everything I normally wished for I already had so I made a wish for someone else. I think I will be doing this a lot from now on.
• There is nothing more precious than the love of a puppy and the simple joy of caring for the sweet little angel. Precious!
• Wakaberry is mmmm yum yum yummmmmm deliciously icey and tasty mmmm. More please!
• "Surround yourself ONLY with people who are going to lift you higher." - Oprah Winfrey
• I've fallen hard, for a woman. Well for a woman's music. Lana Del Rey and her damn sultry lyrics about James Dean and hot sad summers… sigh how I love her, la-la la la laa laaa-la laaa la! Make me some Cherry Pie baby...
• I've seen a lot of lovely things, but you are about the loveliest thing I have ever seen.

Ill try my best not to leave you all for too long again my Panamanian lilies, blossom brightly, speak soon.

Xoxo

PS.  Its you its you its all for you everything I do… Lana.

...finally.

 

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Baby it's Cold Outside

Baby its cold outside. Yes it is. And there are plenty of reasons to retire indoors. You want to hear some of Coco's? Fine I'll tell you, but only because I think you're great.

• There is nothing better than a warm pot o' tea. I'm addicted to Eve's Instant Honeyed Ginger Tea. You can add it to your green tea as well. I drink it just as is, so yummy and great for winter and to ward off little colds.
• Stripey pumps. Stripy pumps are in full rage at Mr Price and I'm smitten with their cuteness.
• Leg warmers. Yes this is a weird one. But its too cold to wear those lovely stripey pumps alone so whipping on some leg warmers over your jeans or leggings looks great. Warning; stick to similar hues of colour for example I do super dark blue (almost black) jeggings black leg warmers and dark red and black striped pumps. Also I don't have those nice skinny beanpole legs a lot of girls have so the darker the more slimming- better with the addition of all the knitting of the leg warmers. Fun!
• Reintroducing myself to Bon Iver. Nothing better than listening to some good music snuggly and warm in the arms of someone gorgeous. They sound like an abandoned house far away only housing two people with the same smile. And guess what?The word Bon Iver is derived from the french phrase bon hiver meaning "good winter" or "have a good winter". If that isn't a good sign then I don't know what is! Grab a warm body and close your eyes...
• Wolves. Whether it's tea, coffee, wine, cake, art, boardgames or a band on a Thursday it's the perfect place to stop for a bite or a beer. Shelter from the cold has never looked / tasted / sounded this good. Total addict, always will be.
• Creaming myself up in this fry weather. Hand cream is a must! Healing Hands Lime Tree Extract and Grape Seed Oil is my ultimate favourite! The smell is unbelievable and its SPF 15. Divine!
• Spending more time with my loved ones. Summer tends to drive me to the corners of the city to explore and be the true sun baby I am. Winter on the other hand makes me want to be close to people. And only people I admire and love. One of those little people (yes he's my little person) is my Pekingese Louis. I recently joined the Pekingese Rescue of South Africa. Reading a lot of the stories made me burst into tears. If you're looking for a little love to warm your lap and your heart this winter please go {here} and adopt a Peke like my Louis. I promise you will always be warm and you will be saving the life of one of the relations of the fluffy angel who daily warms my life. Blessed.
• My sisters wedding. Yes my big sister is getting married! I cannot wait for next weekends family overload in beautiful Swellendam. A small wedding with only family and the closest of friends, celebratory perfection. Not to mention I really need a break. 
• A fireplace of course. If you can find one, if you have one or if you know a restaurant with one, don't tell anyone but visit her often. There is no warmth like the warmth of a natural fireplace, the smell of real burning logs and the glow of the smile it produces.

Hope this helps you keep the chill factor to a minimum! Hold her tight, keep him close.

Xoxo

PS. It's important to tell the people you love how much you love them while they can hear you.

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