New Year's Resolutions ♥

Picture - www.weheartit.com

Coffee Lover

Picture - www.weheartit.com

Summer Holiday

My Summer Holiday officially started today! Yayyyyyyy! These are a few of my fave budget buys for December... Love the skirt, ( I wear it all the time, makes me feel like a carefree gypsy lady ) and that statement necklace from Jet Stores for just R59.99, are really something else, don't you think? Overall these retail stores just rock, you really can't go wrong with them...

Text - My own

GetSmarter: Career Guide 2013

I'm one of those that likes to do some retrospection over, well everything... I do it every year, the day before my birthday and also just before the year I'm in comes to an end. I think it keeps me balanced and also most importantly, it keeps me on my toes, and very well aware of what's happening around me. I'm delighted to share the GetSmarter 2013 Career Guide with you to help you start the next year a step ahead of the rest... ( I had the privilege to study with them this year and they always keep me updated with e-mail newsletters, they send me their Career Guide yesterday, so now I'm sharing their link with my loyal readers, have fun... )

 

The Career Guide offers you...

• Tips on how to advance your career and reach your goals within today's rapidly changing South African work landscape.
• Learn what skills are now most relevant in the 21st century world of work .
• Find out how you can adapt your current skill set to achieve the career success that you desire.   ( Amazing info hey, download your free GetSmarter 2013 Career Guide here! )
  
  "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn" - Alvin Toffler

Picture - www.pinterest.com



Christmas Prayers

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Zest for Life

 

Here's a million reasons to LOVE LIFE! Choose to be happy, choose to have a ZEST for LIFE...  The ones in bold are my fave, have fun! :)

• Have a good meal
• Have a nice snack
• Favourite drink
• Have a picnic
• Light a candle
• Look at beautiful art or scenery
• Watch the stars
• Go to a beautiful place
• Soothing or invigorating music
• Enjoy sounds of nature
• Singing
• Favourite perfume
• Favourite lotion
• Enjoy smells of nature or flowers
• Bubble bath
• Shower
• Massage
• Pat dog or cat
• Soak feet

Beautiful little things to make your day, but wait a minute here's some more!

• Brush hair
• Do nails
• Imagine a relaxing scene/safe place
• Imagine coping/distress flowing away/distress passing
• Create meaning/purpose from distress
• Read/think of your spiritual values
• Focus on any positive aspects in your life
• Pray and I also love watching Spiritword
• Relaxation tape
• Tense and release muscles
• Slow breathing
• Count to 10
• Smile

and some more...

• Exercise
• Walk
• Jog
• Gym
• Weights
• Exercise class
• Boxing
• Washing
• Dishes
• Vacuuming
• Dusting
• Gardening
• Cooking
• Call a friend
• Go out to lunch, dinner, a coffee
• Shopping

and even more reasons to love and enjoy life...

• Favourite movie
• Favourite book
• Favourite music
• Favourite TV show
• Books/movies/music that create a different emotion
• Magazines
• Newspaper
• Games
• Puzzles
• Volunteer somewhere
• Give someone a present
• Do something thoughtful
• Make something for someone

Picture - www.pinterest.com

 

My Home

There's something magical about turning an old "ugly" building into a place that you can call home... I will start this amazing adventure with Basil at the end of December when we will move into a new place, that at this point still look very unappealing. First thing that I wanna do is get rid of all the mouldy smells, thinking about brewing strong coffee, cooking a pot full of orange peels and baking slices of bread soaked in vanilla essence. Also thinking about lots of flying walls for all my stacks of books and picture frames. I'm also very fond of wall art those that pop with colour and that's dirt cheap, love those beauties from Sheet Street alot. Even better when you can create it yourself, I want to create beauty without appearing trashy and commin... Well at this point ideas are spinning through my head as you can see. :) Here are more inspirational decor ideas and here  and here! All from my Pinterest pinboards, enjoy...

 

Picture - www.pinterest.com 

Festive Sweetheart

All I want for Christmas are these fashionable, stylish items!

 

Text - My own

Aromatic Bubbles

Picture - www.pinterest.com

Mr Price Goodies

 

At last the jolly CHRISTMAS season is here! And with these amazing fashion buys from Mr Price you can go ahead and spoil yourself. Shop till you drop without breaking the bank. I adore their pretty strappy sandals and I'm totally besotted with that frilly bag, so girly. I think the ipad pouch is soo cute and just look at the price, so cheap! Love the high waisted skinny jeans, perfect for my 1.78 frame, very old school hey... Also adore this floral maxi dress, I really cant get enough of dresses and I think this one is definitely screaming my name, don't you think... :)

 

Love that  designer Henry Holland collaborated with Mr Price. After graduating from the London College of Printing with a BA in Journalism, Henry Holland was catapulted into the fashion limelight in 2006 with his irreverent 'Fashion Groupies' slogan tees featuring catchphrases such as "UHU Gareth Pugh" and "Get Your Freak On Giles Deacon".

In February 2008, after 2 seasons showing with Fashion East, House of Holland held its first solo show on the main Fashion Week schedule to critical acclaim with the brand consequently winning the 'Best Use of Tartan Award' at the Scottish Fashion Awards.

Henry designs with a London girl aesthetic in mind and is continually inspired by the variety of attitudes, cultures and mindsets that exist throughout the UK capital. The House of Holland girl is cool, confident and savvy and wears labels without letting them wear her. Oh Yes sure I'm a fan! ;)

 

Pictures - www.mrp.co.za      

Pretty Bows ♥

Here's some more lovely hairstyles that shows my love affair with pretty bows! I just can't get enough... Check out the last pic where I show of a pale pink hair bow from Mr Price - R15,99 now that's a steal! ☺

Pictures - www.pinterest.com                   Last two pictures - My own

Our Stories

 

Picture - www.pinterest.com 

 

 

Crunchy Carrots

Maybe it's just a typical end of the year sickness but for some time now I experienced a horrible slump. Being tired all the time, wake up tired, go to bed tired to the point where I would look forward to weekends, just to wake up on a Monday morning, still feeling like a deflated balloon. And flipping through magazines I would try to find potions and pills to pop, just so that I could get rid of this haunting feeling.

Now the thing is, I'm not into pills and I rarely get sick. My sickness is basically low blood pressure and in the past I tried very strong iron pills which made me sick, I felt nauseous and bowl movements became irregular causing bacteria to build up. Which led to nasty infections... I've also tried Bio Plus the energy tonic that's very effective but that left me with a burning tummy, which can actually lead to stomach ulcers in the long run...

Still pondering whether to buy expensive multivitamins like Spirilina, the reason why is just, I'm actually growing into a real organic lady. And I've heard some pills just give you expensive urine. Anyway what's wrong with wanting to be healthy the way nature intended. Like ginger is just great to beat to those awful period pains and garlic proves to be a great anti-fungal remedy. Tried and tested! :)

Which brings me to the benefits of carrots, best eaten raw really lifted my mental and energy levels in a big way. I snack throughout the day on this orange roots and after a while it obviously becomes part of your beauty/health regime. Their tasty and crunchy and really very healthy. It's just one super miracle working, beat-the-slump power snack.

        The Benefits

✽ Improved vision.
✽ Anti - ageing.
✽ Healthy glowing skin.
✽ Cleanse the body.
✽ Energy & vitality.

Now I know why rabbits are always full of va va woom! ;)

Picture - www.weheartit.com

Blueberry Cheesecake

Yesterday, before lunch ( no stupid rules for me ) I opened a tub of Country Fresh, Blueberry Cheesecake Ice cream. And then I had my first indulgent spoonful, for the first time. Yes for the first time, if I had it in the past I must have been a baby because I can't recall any memories of it. As a self-confessed chocoholic I always grab chocolaty flavors, whether it's biscuits, cake, sweets or well, in this case ice cream.

Well not anymore, not after realising what I've been missing all this time. Sweet, feather-light creamy indulgence seduced me into a foreseen life-long love affair. Blissfully delicious, heaven on earth! :) I'm actually looking forward to try out a slice of the actual cheesecake as well. I L♥VE, L♥VE, L♥VE the taste of this ice cream!

Picture - www.tumblr.com

Amazing

Picture - www.weheartit.com

I'm ready

Honestly I can't believe that this year Christmas me and Basil will be together for a whole, well two years... I did pray long and hard for a decent guy, no really, I didn't make use of that self-help books to find my partner... You know those books that lay out the rules about how to basically catch the guy by playing hard to get. No that's not for me, I prayed to God that He will send me someone, that He finds suitable for me for life.

Anyway, so me and Basil are still going strong and yes actually we are ready to tie the knot, sometime very soon! :) Soo delighted, such an adventure that's still waiting for us. Like the Bryan Adams song says, "I'm ready to love you."

Picture - www.weheartit.com

Pineapple Popsicals

The perfect, ice cold dessert recipe for a hot summer's day. Drum roll - Pineapple Popsicals! And its sooo easy, you basically just need good quality pineapple juice packed with that delicious tangy flavor, like Cabana Dairy Fruit Juice Blend. My childhood fave, yum!

So here goes: Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until firm, then enjoy. Makes a tasty weekend snack! :)

Picture - www.weheartit.com

Bows & Buns♥

I'm currently inlove with these cute hairstyles, I mean it's just so effortlessly chic... LOVELY! (Thinking of making my own hairbow clips)

Pictures - www.tumblr.com

Delightful Strawberries

Strawberries surely are the cutest fruit. However, did you know just what a nutritional powerhouse they are? Here's some fantastic reasons to include strawberries in your diet.

♥Diet

One cup of strawberries contains over 13% of the RDA of dietary fiber, yet only 43 calories. The dietary fiber in strawberries helps to keep digestion regular, as well as lowers blood pressure and curbs overeating.

♥Antioxidants

Strawberries contain a chemical compound called phenols. Anthocyanin, a particular phenol abundantly found in strawberries, lends the rich red color to the fruit.

♥Anti-Inflammatory

The phenols in strawberries also fight against many inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis, asthma and atherosclerosis, by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) in the same way that the drugs aspirin and ibuprofen do. Strawberries, however, do not carry unwanted side effects like stomach and intestinal bleeding.

♥Anti-Cancer

The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents found in strawberries is well-known to fight against the onset of many different forms of cancer. Thanks to the vitamin C, folate, and the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol that they also contain, strawberries are a delicious defense against potentially cancerous cells.

♥Healthy Eyes

The Archives of Opthalmology recently published a study in which three or more servings of strawberries (and other fruits) per day can decrease the possibility of contracting age-related macular degeneration by over one-third.

♥The Vigorous Vitamin C

One cup of strawberries contains an incredible 136% of the RDA of vitamin C, an effective antioxidant that can help lower blood pressure, ensure a healthy immune system, and ward off the development of age-related ocular diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

♥Magnificent Manganese

One cup of strawberries contains 21% of manganese, an essential nutrient that acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. By increasing the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the enzyme responsible for protecting mitochonrdria exposed to oxygen, manganese not only helps to fight the battle against free radicals and oxidative stress, but also lessens cellular inflammation -- another cause of numerous cardiovascular diseases.

♥Bone Health

Manganese is also great for the bones, helping in bone building and maintaining proper bone structure. The potassium, vitamin K, and magnesium in strawberries are also important for bone health.

Great reasons to indulge, yay!

Picture - www.weheartit.com
Source - www.healthdairies.com

Sweet & Heavenly

Perfect snack, just what I need to beat the Monday blues...

Picture - Pinterest

My Day

Picture - Google                Text - My own

Perfume Review: CH L’Eau

I'm really fond of lovely perfumes, particularly ones that lasts for hours, almost as if living in your pores. I really hate it to spend money on something that's gone in 60 seconds. What a waste! Well I saw the ad of brand new perfume CH L'Eau in November's Elle magazine and did a quick google scan... ;) I mean just one look at that lovely bottle and the lovely lady with that huge bunch of flowers in the rest of the ad made my heart flutter.

My heart screamed "WISHLIST!!" But alas, it seems this scent are one of those that doesn't last long... Nevertheless here's a review...

Airy and bright, CH L'Eau offers a fresh and delicate aura, with a trail of lemon blossom, orange, freesia, rose, jasmine, lily and violet. The base notes finish in warm and pleasant caressing heliotrope, cinnamon and sandalwood.

The new successor CH L'Eau is available in a cylindrical glass bottle filled with a gentle pink fluid, designed to be reminiscent of the classic version. It is available as 50 ml and 100 ml Eau Fraiche. The stopper is completed with a lovely pendant featuring the brand's insignia.

Picture - Google

Mr Price Goodies

Pictures - Mr Price        Text - My Own

Dear Grandpa

Picture - Shabbyblogs.com           Text - My own

My Day

Pictures - Google     Text - My own

Peonies

Picture - Weheartit

Shine On ♥

Picture - Pinterest

Note to self

 

 

Picture - Pinterest

Stay Informed

•  

Don't you all just love technology, I mean I just love the way information are always just a click away ... Being informed have just become so much easier . Hooray ! :)

Here's a few of my fave...

• I'm totally inlove with the new postal beauty service Britebox . I did write about them a few weeks back ... It's an amazing way for us ( girls on a tight budget ) to test out lovely products and brands and then afterwards buy what works for us ! And for R130 it gets delivered to your doorstep ! Truly such an excellent service to subscibe to .

•  Since I started pinning on Pinterest the fab online pinboard I'm hooked . I think it was made for people like me who likes to go through magazines and collect pretty pictures . I feel like a little girl when I'm pinning all those great quotes and foodie graphics . Bliss !

• I live Kathu, a mining town deep in the Kalahari . A place that really grows on you after some time . Well they have this amazing free local newspaper called the Kathu Gazette that I find very informative and inspiring as it keeps everyone up to date . I think they are one fabulous team looking after their community in such a wonderful way, and for that they deserve a big award !!!

• When it comes to fast instant news updates Twitter are still the best . You just have to go on there and do a bit of scrolling to see whats going and who said what, all over the world . Now that's an awesome way to stay informed . ;)

Picture - Google, Pinterest, Kathu Gazette       
Text - My Own

Sweet Basil

 

So I've been dating my darling boyfriend for almost two years now, and yes during this time we have seen each others true colours. You know the screams and fights, hormonal tantrums and all the rest . ;) We don't agree on everything and sometimes his irritating habits get to me. But I guess I've made up my mind, he's the one for me, my sweet Basil... So how happy was I when he mentioned the big M word... There's just something so special and precious when two people that's inlove commit to each other, wanting to be there, being a witness to each others lives. ( I got that from the movie "Shall we dance", but still, I think it's sooo sweet and lovely and true.) Aah girls will be girls and yes marriage will always be something special, I mean what's the point of getting married if you don't regard it as the biggest most special event of your life... We don't have a date yet but I know that it's coming soon... Love really makes the world go round. xoxo Vics

 

Picture - Pinterest

Gratitude

Picture - Pinterest

Weekend Bliss

Don't you all just love weekends that's really laid back but not boring. Those where you spend almost the whole day in cute pj's just doodling over all the lovely things in your life. Even better when you have a brand new fashion mag, great for finding inspiration... xoxo

My personal tips for a splendid time indoors... :)

1. Unlimited supply of internet.
2. Unlimited supply of sweet things, like cupcakes, ice-cream and chocolate.
3. Watching Fashion TV in the background.
4. Having a brand new fashion magazine to read.

Picture - Weheartit

Sparkle

 



Don't ever loose your sparkle... Keep and stay pretty!

Picture - Pinterest

Ombre Hair

 

 Actually I''ve been wearing ombre hair for a very long hair... Have been dyeing my hair in lighter colours since I can remember, just to get rid of my own natural, mousy hair colour. :) And what do you get when your hair grows out... yes OMBRE HAIR. With this colour one obviously needs a very good haircare regiment... Everybody hates hair that becomes like straw, right? That's actually one of my main concerns, dry hair... I just hate it and then I always have a cut, so my hair never really get the chance to be long and wavy. (Like the angels in  Victoria's Secret, haha very funny) Luckily, for us, um regular girls there's loads of lovely products on the market to combat that little problem... :) So after a lot of consideration, I will actually colour my hair again. Cant wait!  xoxo Vics

 

Picture - Pinterest

Bubbly Treat

To relax, nothing beats a relaxing bubble bath. Definitely a fabulous way to unwind and prepare for a new week. I love turning my bath time into a wondrous celebration and lighting candles along the side of the bathtub always makes it magical.

Well I certainly like to light up aromatherapy candles that are lavender and chamomile scented. Lavender and chamomile are well known for their calming effects on the body and mind.

And for that extra enjoyment and bath time bliss I always try to sip on a big glass of red wine while I'm having a soak. Using decadent bath products are the obvious treat and well deserved, cherry-on-top! I'm so inlove with the Chocolate Pudding Bubble Bath from BODYTHRILLS... MADE WITH: Belgian chocolate, cocoa butter, peppermint, shea butter, cinnamon and soy milk.

It's so luxurious and smells good enough to eat. It's all 100% handmade and homegrown and includes shower gels, bath teas, body polishes, face masks, body butters, foot scrubs, facial washes and massage oils as well as bath crystals, body spritzes, body polishes and aftershave balms. Perfect to make every bath an magnificent event. Visit them here! http://www.bodythrills.co.za/

Having a bubble bath on a Sunday night sure is a wonderful way to end the weekend! :) xoxo Vics

Picture - Weheartit
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

High on Life

Three easy steps to motivate yourself...

1. Try to surround yourself with confident people who are driven and high on life. "Birds of a feather flock together" ;)

2. Read books that fill you with optimism. I personally like fashion magazines coz I find them colorful and uplifting. Then again, nothing beats the Holy Bible...

3. Put up motivating posters and quotes on your workstation that will spread positive energy and drive away any depressing thoughts... Recently I fell in love with using Sticky Notes, the paper and digital ones. It's just so cute. I'm also able to write inspiring words on them and change the colors as I wish.

Have a fun weekend and great week ahead! xoxo - Vics :)

Picture - Tumblr

Britebox Beauty

Have you heard about Britebox? Well I'm so thrilled about the new beauty products and samples by this nifty beauty provider where you can test different products and brands. Here's some info taken from their website and Facebook page.

I'm sure you'll love them... Don't have time to visit the mall to test different beauty, lifestyle and grooming products? Well for R130 you get your very own gift box delivered to your doorstep, a surprise every month.

Britebox is the perfect gift to give your mother, sister and friend. Every month they get to test different products. So treat them with a 1, 3, 6 or 12 month subscription.

If you have not yet subscribed for your October Britebox visit their website now @ www.britebox.co.za. Follow the easy steps through the subscribe tab - Click on 1, 3, 6 or 12 months subscription to add to cart, click on cart tab to check out and go to payment options!

Partnership Opportunities...
Have an amazing company and want to work with them, or if you know of a great brand they should work with? E-mail them with the name of the brand and your contact information at
brandpartners@britebox.co.za

Picture - Weheartit

Perfume Review: Elie Saab

I got a sample of this delicious scent in one of my fave magazines a while ago... I'm a total magazine freak, haha. :) So here's a review of this Oriental Floral, beautiful smelling perfume. It's new in South Africa, big drum roll please!

ELIE SAAB LE PARFUM

Radiant, voluptuous, addictive

The top note opens on a sun-kissed, radiant orange blossom, as an ode to light.

The middle note develops into a jasmine absolute, a legendary flower in perfumery, imparting voluptuousness and elegance to the fragrance. It combines with a pure, modern patchouli heart.

The base note unfolds into a cedar woody accord adding character and a lingering trail, while the honey rose envelops the composition in a beautifully addictive note...

Sounds great hey, well this is a review from their website... Personally I think it's a very grownup, spicy smell, something that I wouldn't actually wear myself, as I'm more of a gourmand girl... (I love perfumes that smell good enough to eat, like my old fave, 5th Avenue.)

However the smell does last for the whole day and becomes more softer, actually very lovely, reminding me of luxurious upper class ladies... And yes I felt very expensive the whole day. Expect to pay around R675.00 for a 50 ml

Picture - eliesaab.com

Sass Diva

Love this trend, it's totally beyond pretty and now in Sass Diva stores...

Picture - Sass Diva

Happy Me

Picture - Favim

Turning 28

I still feel like a girl and behave like one too... :) haha Growing up, um with all the everyday stresses and responsibilities...well sometimes it's just not the party that I hoped for. Can you relate? However, with age comes wisdom and acceptance, acceptance being what I like most about getting older. I feel more free to be me and to express my whimsical self. At 28 I still have so many dreams and goals inside of me, things I want to do and achieve. Life is just such a beautiful journey!

Cupcake Delight

Picture - Pinterest

Vintage Hair

Picture - Pinterest