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.

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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!

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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.

 

Leave a Comment Basil, Baz, dandelion, James Dean, Johannesburg, Lana Del Rey, Linkin Park, Lucille Ball, Oprah Winfrey, Pekingese, Psithurism, puppy, Sharon Sampson Studio, Wakaberry, weekend, whiplash

Weekend Learning's

Swans, Lauren Withrow and making changes, or just painting yourself another colour.

When you spend the weekend being sober and squeezing every waking hour of the weekend doing something constructive you really get one hell of a lengthy weekend. Don’t get me wrong I would love a twelve day weekend but two days might actually be enough.

• The more I detox the more I hate alcohol. Drunk people, I only want to be around my own drunk people, stranger drunks are just annoying. My drunk people are gorgeous! Giggle!
• If only closed minds came with closed mouths.
• I am leaning more and more towards vegetarian, I don’t know what is happening to me either.
• Dancing my sober ass off at Movida for my favourite January babies birthdays is one hell of a workout and a lot of fun.
• I’ve realised that sleeping soundly is often all in the mattress. If I do not like the mattress I probably wont catch a wink... All I want to do is sleeeep.
• Doubleshot Coffee in town on Juta Street has amazing coffee, its a really great location and has an amazing taste. Sippy sippy.
• Running in the morning is one thing. Running in the morning with sore feet from dancing the night before is another. Running with both these thing and anger AND uphill is an entire form or self punishment... I’m feeling it today... Ouch!
• It surprises me when I see people I used to know a long time ago and how they have grown and changed and how beautiful they have become. I am surrounded by swans.
• I’m loving the dark romantic photography of Lauren Withrow. Portfolio two is definitely my favourite. Check it out.
• There are often days when I wish I could wear a “do not disturb” round my neck. Specifically Sundays.
• I found myself doodling on this specific Sunday... Art is the solution to chaos.
• If you’re feeling blue try painting yourself a different colour.
• “She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” Elizabeth Edwards. I am in love with this... I am adjusting my sails.

A good week to all and to all a er... A good night! Ha ha! And Happy Birthday Mummy :) xx

xoxo

PS. You loved me at my best. You left me at my worst. 

I'm thankful...

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Weekend Learning's

A weekend full of gifts of plenty. Smiles, hearts and happiness.

I only look forward to a Monday when I know that I can write my Weekend Learning’s Yay! And this was a huge weekend for me. Well it was just very very busy. After an incredibly tough week at work it was nice to keep busy and spend the weekend with all my favourite people. Here are some of the things I learnt.

• InToto is a gorgeous new gallery in Birdhaven. Checkout the exhibition She@InToto, of women by women, stunning. Also the wonderful Sharon Sampson has a work there. Go, now.
• When I eventually have my own place, I want a wooden swing over my swimming pool. Just ‘cause.
• The Nail and Body Lab in Blubird shopping center in Illovo is still the best in Jozi. Perfect French voetjies makes for a happy Coco!
• Another fascinating Art exhibition on at the moment is the ground breaking Diane Victor at the UJ Art Gallery. She creates works by manipulating the smoke from burning candles. Moving!
• A Quote from Diane Victor which inspired me; “Draw the image out for yourself, smoke it out!” the exhibition closes this Wednesday where you can meet and debate with the wonderful Diane Victor, see you there. (yes I might go again so what? *sigh)
• Passionately kissing burns 6 calories a minute, A Hershey’s Kiss (One of my favourite chocolates!) has 26 calories. It takes 4 minutes of kissing to burn off a Hershey’s Kiss. Don't mind if I do MWAH!
• It is fun to bump into old friends at lunch. Especially when they surprise you by buying you gifts fit for a designer. Thank you Josh for my Pantone Postcard Box I am in love!
• I love a good double Espresso... I just do.
• Sunday at the Cricket is divine. It is still my favourite sport and spent with my favourite people at my favourite stadium Wanderers rounded off an almost perfect weekend.

Have a great week, jump the picket fence people, you only live once!

PS. “I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” - Lewis Carroll

The Quote I plan to live by for the rest of my life... life quote 1

Leave a Comment art, Cricket, Diane Victor, Espresso, Hershey's Kisses, Johannesburg, Lewis Carroll, Life Quote, Nail and Body Lab, Pantone, quote, Sharon Sampson Studio, Wanderers, weekend

Weekend Learning's

A good weekend goes a long way.

My weekend again started on Thursday with the opening of Sharon Sampson’s Studio. The evening was a great success and a perfect diving board to the weekend. This is what I learned;

• Art is still one of my favourite things. Culture is a rare and special thing in this modern-day rat race. It scares me how many people know nothing about art and the up-and-coming local talent we have in South Africa.
• The fact that my friends came to support my family means more to me than they’ll ever know.
• I cannot believe how grown up my little sister is, and so beautiful and smart as well ♥
• It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop.
• I know I can always rely on Hand and the amazing people who work there. I can honestly say I love going there.
• Missibaba (who had a popup store at Hand on Saturday) has become a renowned name. The palette, range and depth of the leather goods and design are amazing. I bought myself a little number I will blog about soon.
• Protea’s, gosh I cannot stop loving them! They make my heart and my room smile.
• The Patisserie in Illovo is a great little coffee spot to sip on cappuccinos, eat cheesecake and get a hand tickle... not from the waiters, just the company you take.
• Going to Panyaza, a Shabeen in the depth of Soweto is awesome, I love Jozi culture.
• Having a whole bottle of Captain Morgan dropped on my toe made for interesting dance moves. Ouch, hope its not broke.
• Kings of Leon, I was a fan from the very beginning, now I’m just more in love with the band and the music, you’re awesome. Best concert EVER. Jared, I'll call you later.
• The smell of Eucalyptus after the rain is amazing and freshly delicious.
• Sunday lunch at Throbbing Strawberry with a special girl, the Rocketeers, and great food and vino is my idea of the perfect day. x

Xoxo

PS. Remember the compliments you receive and forget the insults.

1 comment art, friends, Hand, Johannesburg, Kings of Leon, Missibaba, Panyaza, protea, Sharon Sampson Studio, Soweto, The Patisserie, The Rocketeers, Throbbing Strawberry, weekend