GOSH COSMETICS

Love this lovely trendy Danish brand, GOSH COSMETICS, now in South Africa exclusively at Edgars.

Text - My own

Give & Take

I've been with dear Basil for over two years now, and yes our relationship have grown in a big way... In the beginning you're all shy and well behaved. And then, you move on to really loving each other. Here's what I've learned...

Sometimes you need to just shut up and give your man some respect.

You will fight and argue about random, silly little things.

There will be times when money is tight and then you'll have to stay without that Essie nailpolish you wanted soo badly.

You will have to do the dishes every night or you will fight about that too.

He will see you without makeup every morning.

Sometimes he will leave you all alone to go spend some time with his buddies.

When he's not around you'll eat on the bed, leaving crumbs all over the place and when you hear the car you'll jump up and pretend you that you were just reading. :)

What have you learned?

Picture - www.favim.com

All Time Crush: Antonio Banderas

I'm a huge fan of Antonio Banderas, even bought Basil that divine fragrance called "Seduction in Black" by Antonio and admittedly sometimes I use a little on myself, and yes it totally makes my day. I've watched the movie, Desperado more than 100 times, and sometimes when I'm in a bad mood it cheers me up in an instant. Really adore all his movies... The other day me and Basil were in a little argument, unknown to me he was watching a movie with Antonio in it, well lets just say that when I heard that sultry voice, all anger subdued! :)

Who's your all time crush, let me know.

Skills & Thoughts

Being well into the new year I think its time, to check up on myself. What have I learned so far...

Well I've become sort of a master baker of bread, and to me that's a huge achievement and very therapeutic too, not exactly sure why, but nevermind that. I use half a packet of a 2,5kg cake flour with half a packet of yeast and gradually moisten it with water until firm. I was watching my mom this past holiday and she told me that I can use this dough to make buns, vetkoek, pizza bases and roosterkoek. Lovely! Obviously I wanna get creative and mix in garlic or raisins. Or on top, sesame or pumpkin seeds. Or make nice carvings to give it that rustic look. Or paint it with milk or egg to ad some shine.

Would love to improve my culinary skills with biscuits and cakes, soon I hope. Particularly looking forward to try out red velvet cake or chocolate chip cookies. Yum ;)

I've actually started reading that K53 Learners and Drivers Handbook. Must learn to drive this year. I suffer from severe anxiety, and believe me its holding me down in many ways. In this case perseverance will be the key to my success.

I've learned to except that certain obstacles will only be there for a while, if you have the courage to tackle them.

I've learned to live economically, me and Basil saved so much when we started to bake our own bread, I mean nothing beats marmite on a slice of toast every once in a while, I know, but we will save a lot and see the results in the end. We also have big plans with our big yard in the back. Looks like this area is very fertile, there's trees all over the place. I've seen lots of fruit trees among them. I've received this cute little garden calendar in the January issue of Home magazine, such great way to keep track of my garden, so I want to write down garden goals, haha and stylewise I would prefer it whimsical and wabi sabi, meaning the beauty of imperfection, aah now that's achievable. Memo to myself - start planting! ;)

What have you learned to far? Let me know...

Picture - www.favim.com

Step Out In Style

Totally adore these fashionable shoes and bags from Jet and Mr Price. Such a great way to look good for less, yay! I'm not complaining at all. :) Besotted with these mouthwatering shades, soo pretty and sexy, just what I need to update my wardrobe, just perfect to spice up my back-to-work look, allowing me to stay pretty all day long. Already bought myself those ridiculously stunning mint slingback wedges, so comfy and cute. Being a girl rocks!
 

Text - My Own

Lipgloss Kisses: This Is Me ♥

The sweet Chicara from the lovely blog Lipgloss Kisses took some time to come and visit over here. Yay! I've always been a huge fan of her blog, her graphics always looks amazing, and I just love her cheerful blogging style. ( She does have awesome graphic design skills, don't you think... ) Well, I've asked her a few questions about what makes her tick, beyond the beauty, you know the more serious stuff in life. Hope you enjoy it, here goes! :)
 

1.What makes you cry?

I'm probably a bit of a cry baby. ;) I'll shed tears when I watch a sad movie, when I'm stressed or when someone does something to upset me I suppose.

2.What's the most difficult thing you went through and how did you overcome that?

Hmmm... That's a difficult question to answer. I wouldn't say I've lived a sheltered life, but I guess I haven't had any massive life-changing moments yet. I suffer from anxiety and severe stress and I guess everyday is difficult in it's own way. Still finding ways to deal with these issues though.

3.Do you have any emotional baggage or personal struggles that you're working on and how do you deal with that?

I think everyone has emotional baggage and personal struggles. We wouldn't be living if we didn't have to constantly deal with issues and conflicts. I do have my fair share and like I mentioned above I'm constantly finding new ways to deal with them. I do find that shopping, reading, playing tv games, surfing the internet, blogging and sometimes even eating (oops!) can help relax me.

4.What song would best describe your personality?

Wow, great question. Do I have a theme song? No, not really. But if I had to think of one that speaks to me the most then it would probably be "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey.

5.Who do you look up to and why?

Loads of people for different reasons. I look up to my parents, my sisters and sometimes even complete strangers for the weirdest things.

6.Name your 5 favourite books?

I love reading and some of my fondest memories are from when I was a lot younger (like 11 or 12) and my mom would us up from school and take us to the public library. We would then normally run for the Nancy Drew section. Ha, ha. My top 5 books are Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien , The Hunger Games (book 1), Lucky by Alice Sebold, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

7.Describe the decor style in your home?

Not sure if my home has a style right now. We are still acquiring pieces and trying to make it a home. But the decor style that I love is contemporary eclectic - loads of colours, textures and eye-popping pieces.

8.Lastly, tell us about your dreams for 2013?

Well, as cliché as it sounds my dream for 2013 is to be successful - to start/finish my current venture. Also to build onto the success of my blog and to become a millionaire so I can finally go see New York. ;) ♥ Thanx Chicara, what mature answers, may you be successful in all your ventures, stay the sweet lady that you are and always have fun! I know you will...

If you're interested to be a guestblogger, contact me here - vanderheever.victoria@gmail.com

Graphic - Chicara's own                                        Visit her super cute blog here - Lipgloss Kisses

Goodbye Slump, Hello Energy

I have been feeling sluggish and tired lately, have been blogging about it a little in the past, so I think it might be a good idea for me to change my diet. Thing is, I've always been a size 32 and I've felt that I could eat whatever I wanted, basically whatever, whenever, well for years that was the case, because I just didn't picked up weight. ;) Lucky me, well those were the days and believe me their long gone...

Well obviously as one turns older there's a few changes, more wrinkles and cellulite and also more knowledge more power and in my case - at the moment, metabolism changes, maybe not much but still. I've developed a little yummy, well it does run in our family, from my mother's side, the women... And I've been experiencing this terrible slumpy feeling for months! All rationalizing apart, I think I've been taking way too long to make a move on my predicament, its really time to take action. Because I'm just not that 20 something I use to be.

It's a well known fact that some food actually decrease energy levels causing one to feel tired, stuff like soda, coffee, candy, fast food and energy drinks. The high level of sugar and caffeine just causes energy to quickly decrease leaving one feel like melted jelly. Instant highs and then that instant low and I'm mad at myself that it's such well known facts, yet I've been a real cookie monster, munching away on cookies and chips like there's no tomorrow. Have really been a monster of a lot of bad things, thinking about it, I've been a icecream monster, wine monster, soda monster ok enough of that...Then there's that other reason people have low energy and that is skipping meals, the main one being breakfast. Yes, something that I'm guilty of as well. Everyday I rush through the door without the healthy nutrients that only a breakfast can bring, not realizing just how horrendously that will effect my mood and energy for the rest of the day. Well I've done my bit of research and this is what I've come up with. How too, drumroll!!!Increase energy with these Super 10!Basically it's eating more fruit and veg, you know the drill and then wholegrains, fish and nuts. Will definitely stock up on these, it's worth the try!

1) Bananas - the energy bomb

2) Mango - in season, yay

3) Yogurt - always yummy to eat

4) Blueberries - the queen of fruit

5) Nuts - great to munch on

6) Strawberries - the 1st princess of fruit

7) Sweet potatoes - love these darlings

8) Salmon - omega 3 galore, pure wholesomeness

9) Whole grains - great for breakfast

10) Oatmeal - old time fave

Picture - www.favim.com

Happy Weekend

Here's to a fun-filled, awesome and magical weekend, let the good times roll! Cheers! :)

www.weheartit.com

Little Adventures

Time really flies when your having fun, wish I could still be on holiday. I'm still trying to adept to the new year and the resolutions that I've made. Better said then done. Well this is what I've been up to so far...

I've been eating a whole lot of take-aways. ( Bad girl I know, but hey my fridge had one hell of a meltdown. )

I've been planning how to decorate my new home... For now I'll stick to a Moroccan theme.

I've been splurging on nothing really, I'm poor as a church mouse after spending all my money this holiday! But boy, did I enjoy that! I've been to Khamirri resort for a wedding and had a blast at the Augrabies Waterfalls. You can read more about Khamkirri here, but yes it was great spending time with my beloved family.

I've been reading "Woman & Home" magazine a lot. I really enjoyed the little book with short stories in the latest issue, it left me inspired to start writing myself!

I've been wearing beautiful dresses. In the picture above I'm wearing a stunning dress from Fashion Express for just R160 - 00. ( This is what I wore to the wedding ceremony. )

I've discovered a new love for traveling. I'm saving for another lovely trip where I can watch magnificent sunsets...

I've been struggling with low blood pressure, always have but with the Kalahari summer heat I'm feeing like a deflated balloon. Still need to find a remedy.

I've been inspired by an article in the January 2013 "Home" magazine about the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens! Would love to get married ( oneday/someday ) there, totally magical, such a lovely place. :)

I've been indulging in Magnum's "Death by Chocolate". Well surely I don't wanna die but talk about decadent, heavenly and soo delicious! Love that icecream...

I've been creative with lemon, vanilla and pineapple essence, been boiling that in a little pot, non-stop to create my own aroma therapy. What have you been up to?

Picture - My own

My Little Home

Well as you know me and Basil moved into a new home recently, and then we went on holiday, both of us. Sadly we came back to the smell of rotten meat due to the weather that switched of the main plug in our home ( imagine that, gross I know ) I had to boil lemon, vanilla and pineapple essence all over again to get rid of the - this time real rotten, foul smells. Mmmm now cleaning up was a mission, although Basil did most of the work.

Ok, so it's back to the decor project again, really looking forward to creating a place we can call home, where we can have breakfast in bed and just have FUN! I want it airy and vibrant yet charming and uncluttered... Point is, I'm kinda afraid of going overboard. My mom's a bit of a hoarder, actually I think my whole family are... Ok, maybe I'm taking it a bit too far! ha ha :) I was thinking about giving it a Moroccan feel using shades of red with lots of rustic wood decor and displays of red hot chillie peppers here and there hanging in the kitchen. Also want to bring in a modern touch with stainless steel appliances.

Oops, going overboard again. Well incorporating mirrors in your decor scheme are always a save bet. Mirrors are great for reflecting light in the room and for echoing colour and pattern scheme within the space, so for now I'll start with that. I'm planning to visit Mr Price Home in the near future, they always have affordable yet beautiful stuff... But more about that later. ;)

Picture - www.weheartit.com

Time Of My Life

Many thanx to my followers, I know I have a few that read without saying something... ;) Nevertheless I appreciate all the support and I must say that I do enjoy this little blog of mine. Well here's to many blogposts and comments as well as prosperity and blessings galore for EVERYONE! Achieve success, dream big and do your little bit of good where you are... :)

Picture - www.pinterest.com

Scribbling

There's something magical about scribbling on clean white paper, for me it's so therapeutic, I just LOVE it! It's a way to express oneself, basically creating a vision board of what you want to achieve. Your goals, secrets or whatever it may be, even those must-do-lists... Aah and let's not forget those must have fashion and beauty buy lists! Around October last year I spend some cash on beauty products, must say I had loads of fun listing what to buy! Well then since it's 2013 a brand new year I'm gonna spend today scribbling on some positively lovely things, right now! :)

Picture - www.favim.com