Take an Adventure

Hello friends, you might have heard via social media that I'm kinda, well yes abandoning this blog until further notice. You know that I've started a small business blog over at Social Media Blooms right? I created her around December last year because I wanted to turn my side hustle into something a little bigger. And guess what, it's really going well.

I don't want to get all teary eyes and dramatic about taking a break from Adventures of Victoriafolksy, besides I'm a grown ass woman turning 30 next month. (Gulp, I'm getting old you guys... )You can pop over to Social Media Blooms whenever you miss me. Also say hello to me on Instagram and on my Facebook page. Will you, promise? Ok, see you there. :)

Here's a few post on there you will love.

5 Secrets of the Blog Community

An in depth look at the lives of bloggers, those go-getting + brave individuals always on the forefront of trends. Bloggers influence each other, they are like sponges when it comes to absorbing new + trending information. By the time they take something of the shelves you can be sure it's already well researched. And with all the beauty, fashion, books and even travel reviews they do everyday, it makes things so much easier for the rest of us.

6 Sparkly + Free SEO Resources

Traffic is the lifeblood of any website but its also important to know that various factors play a role, from your site's landing page to your social media strategy. Take a look at a list of resources to help you on your way. :)

App of the Month: Instavation

Ooh, I love this app! Instavation is a free photo app for adding joyous + inspirational quotes to photo's, available for iPhone + iPad. With Instavation you can ad pretty graphic text quotes and captions to your photos and share them on all of your favourite social networks with the click of a button! Cute hey?

Image - www.beautifulyoucoachingacademy.com

Breakfast at Caffe Bella

I recently found this beautiful little crafty coffee-shop when I was visiting my hometown. I'm a real sucker for pretty + cute things and I really fell in love with this magical place...

My eyes were darting around the whole time, I felt so happy. The decor just spoke to my heart, there were dainty fresh flowers on my table, as well as a girly piece of artwork.

I eventually ordered a warm pot of strawberry flavoured tea for R12.00 + a scrumptious muffin for R15.00 accompanied by delicious cheese and strawberry jam. Everything on the menu's very affordable, they offer breakfast, sandwiches and cakes. Light meals that's delicious and very well presented. 

I really enjoyed the foodmarkety ambiance +  the vintage/rustic look. Caffe Bella really sourced some fantastic goodies. I love the painted old school-case in the picture above, I had one exactly like this wayyy back in Standerd 1. Admittedly when backpacks became fashionable it was hard for me to let go...

Also, right then and there I became a tea lover, I mean just look at the delicate little cup. No really, I've been stocking up on an assorted range of flavours of tea that's really, really delicious and healthy.

My fun-loving cousin Richard actually introduced me to this hidden gemstone. He really have this creative radar that will find great things + places wherever he goes. And we had such a fabulous time. :)

Caffe Bella's situated in Springbok, 50 Voortrekker Road, kinda in the heart of the beautiful Namaqualand. They also cater for small functions + you'll find awesome little gifts here for your loved-ones.   

Images - My Own

Woohoo, I'm on Instagram! Yep Finally

Well let's calm down now, shall we. Yes I'm finally on Instagram and well yes I'm slightly addicted - it's like a brand new toy to me, you know what I mean right? ;) I might not have the prettiest pictures on there and I'm definitely not standing in-front of majestic pyramids in Egypt or the Eiffel Tower in Paris ( I wish ) but I would really appreciate your support over there. Here's a look at my board...




Image - www.snapwidget.com

Beauty Hauls and the Fall of Giants

Hello all, hope you're keeping warm with big cups of tea/coffee and soft cosy blankies. I'm working from home again today, one of the perks of working in the digital industry. Admittedly it can get a bit lonely after some time, that's why I decided to join a community radio station as guest presenter about 2 months ago. Well here's what I've been up to - pictures described from left to right. Here goes...

1. Making Waves - The radio station I'm working for recently won the Sanlam + MDDA Award for Best Community Radio Station in South Africa! I'm so proud. :) Please go like their Facebook page.

2. Radio Nfm Soup Drive 2014 - We are also currently having an amazing Soup Drive community project. We'll be road-tripping throughout the Northern Cape to rural little towns in need. The whole idea is to connect with our listeners on a more personal level. We will have open broad-castings in every town and it will be live on air. For more information about this project + to be part of this initiative contact our Soup Drive coordinator Jeanne-Dee Cloete at cloetejeanne@gmail.com

Post by RADIO NFM 98.1.

3. End Child Marriage - A short while ago I wrote this heartbreaking blogpost about child marriage, called Too Young To Wed. I really felt this strong urge to write it. I shed a bucketful of tears while researching + compiling this. Take a look at the campaign + show your support. Your voice can make a difference. Let's help to spread awareness.

4. Pixie Haircut - I initially wanted my old Karlie Cut, (see my profile picture) but this particular hairdresser overpowered me and said that girls like me look more feminine in funkier styles, I still don't know what she meant by that. I did get a whole lot of complements, yep so maybe she does have a point. ;)

5. New Digital Collaboration - Recently started to work with a great web development company as an online columnist/blogger - Same place I did my internship last year. Who said shy girls cant hustle + connect? Read my work here: Author Profile 

6. Small Business Blog Makeover - Aah, what can I say, I'm always making little tweaks to my blogs. I might have a slight obsession. Eek! Please go have a look at Social Media Blooms and tell me your thoughts.

Post by Social Media Blooms.

7. Fall Of Giants by Ken Follet - Fall of Giants is a historical novel by Welsh-born author Ken Follett. It is the first in the Century Trilogy, and follows five interrelated families throughout the course of the 20th century between 1911 and 1924. I started reading this book over the weekend and I'm already hooked!

8. Eighties Dance - Me and the fiance had such a great time at this themed dance party. We both love old-school music and after a few glasses of bubbly we took over the dance floor.

9. Essence Haul - At last I got my greedy hands on the Essence Blush Up Powder Blush and the All About Candies Eye-Shadow. I'm inlove with both, and I love doing my face in the morning. I'm currently travelling by bus at about 6 am every morning to be in time for the breakfast show, and although it's freezing cold when I take the short walk to the bus-stop, its good to know that I'm looking good. :)

Image - My own

Beauty Tips + Radio Presenting

Phew, I'm a little busy bee again. I'm currently doing some guest presenting on a local radio station + doing a bit of social media for them. I'm really enjoying this little adventure and I love the fact that I'm the one responsible for sharing beauty tips with the listeners out there. And I'm not even a "real" beauty blogger, yikes! Today I shared Chicara's beauty tips - and these are the ones I loved the most! :)

1. Substitute shaving cream for baby oil next time you're in the shower. This gives you a closer shave + smoother legs.

2. A light dusting of baby powder onto your oily roots does exactly the same thing as dry shampoo. It's  the perfect substitute.

3. If you're on a budget use apple cider vinegar instead of toner. It helps balance and restore your skin’s natural pH and helps even out your skin tone.

4. If you have oily roots you should never apply conditioner directly to them. You should rather start conditioning from about ear-level.

Ok, and so here's where I need you help... As a blogger I would love to share some beauty tips from my other fellow South African bloggers out there, over the radio airwaves. If you would like me to use your beauty tip related blogpost please leave me a link in your comment.

Since I've started blogging I've realised that bloggers are the real go to people when it comes to information + trends. They just have this awesome, natural ability to source the most enviable goodies and products. Forget about fashion + beauty magazines, beauty bloggers are the ones that have the most fabulous tips!. ;) Beauty bloggers are always attending fabulous events and they always have their ears on the ground.

Do you agree? So what do you say, are you willing to share your beauty secrets with me and all the waiting ladies out there?

Picture - My Own

Camping's for Hippies

These pictures are from a recent adventure in a wonderful place called Khamkirri. Khamkirri's situated in the Green Kalahari near the magical Orange River. I always go here when I need a break and it always leaves me revived + refreshed. They are the organisers of the Green Kalahari Canoe Marathon which is one of the most successful river marathons in South Africa. They offer river rafting and kayaking as well as a wide range of other river and land based adventure activities.

Me having an early morning stroll... I love spending time in nature. We stayed in a permanent tent, so luckily there were no struggles with tent pens + ropes. ;) And therefore I was able to explore the scenery from the moment I got there. The owner's a real darling too, he was really hands-on + attentive.

They have comfortable braai facilities available on site so at lunchtime we decided to have a braai. This was delicious!

After lunch I had a little nap. Everything were so clean and neat + the mattress were so comfortable and soft. I took a digital detox while I was there and it felt real good.

The view from our little tent. I was trying to get in some reading but the scenery were too beautiful, so in the end I just ended up gazing into nature.

 I spend the nights watching whimsical fireflies from a distance. I really had so much fun here. :)

Images - My own

It's a Journey

Image - www.weheartit.com

For a Year of Magic

Oh my, I'm looking back at 2013 and for the first time I can clearly see how amazingly trans-formative it has been. But first, here's a quick personal biography about me. This will give you more insight + understanding about the journey I've had thus far... I'm a country girl born in Namaqualand that always wanted to be a model because I was tall and thin, not because I felt beautiful. I also had a lot of critic + self esteem issues because of this - I stood out like a sore thumb and for a while I was the victim of abusive boyfriends, bullying etc. You could say that I've had a bit of a tragic start in life, my grandfather who've been my only true father committed suicide when I was about 6, so I grew up being the sensitive child, furthermore in terms of my biological father, well he treated me like the less favourite toy in the box.

He just could not show love towards me, well I guess he had his own issues. So you see I've dealt with a lot of rejection, which for a very long time sapped my enthusiasm and zest for life. You could say that for a long time I was without direction, I was just so stuck in my inner turmoil, trying to find myself + trying to understand the world around me. In order to find healing I've seen a few counsellors + read some awesome life-coach books but long story short, the great shift came when I gave my life to Jesus. I went through the whole baptising thing when I was 23. So you see, where others believe in the universe and drinking green juice for breakfast, I believe in the power of praying to Jesus. And might I ad with some magical results too. To this day I love watching Spiritword - forget about stardust and glitter, this is the real thing. Here you'll find some real miracles. :)

And after those lost wandering years things became gooood. Not that I'm a total goodie two shoes, I love Pina Colada's way too much, but you know what I mean. I gained more focus + vision and I started to see my life with more clarity. Slowly but surely things fell into place and 2013 I would say became A Year of Magic and here's why....

• Well first of all it's the year I turned 29, realising that I wanted to do more in a short time, whether it's travelling, creating a business or just embracing my new found clarity.
• I actually saw my face in Glamour Magazine. This for me was clearly a sign that God sometimes give you even the desires of your heart.
• I've also turned my side hustle into Social Media Blooms. It's my little internet baby...
• In the same year I had a break-up and then got engaged to my long-term boyfriend. 
• During this  3 month break-up I had a blast, yep really. I basically had a stunning holiday in Cape Town and created a fresh start. I totally spoiled myself with fabulous adventurous weekends and outings. I had lots of luxurious long Lush bubble-baths accompanied by big glasses of bubbly. 
• I also attended this fab internship at a web-development company to further my career. 
• Most importantly, I fell inlove with myself, my life and the potential that I realised I have. And you know what, I've just overall reached a good place in my life. I know that I will be fine, come what may.  

So why am I telling you this somewhat personal story? Well, the words just came to me, I started writing and couldn't stop. And maybe, just maybe this will be inspirational to one of you. In terms of myself and how I feel now writing this, well I have this wonderful sense of freedom and I love this powerful shift that has taken control over me. Writing about this felt real good.

So to help me move forward with even more courage + passion I'm currently doing this amazing + delightful 12 month e-course called For a Year of Magic designed by the talented Stephanie Hall the lovely blogger at Stylings & Stories. It’s about fulfilling our desires of the day, laying a foundation for our desires of the future, and letting our desires evolve as we grow. For A Year Of Magic is about making your wishes come true and it includes.

1.  Monthly worksheets.
2.  Monthly e-course material sent right to your inbox.
3.  Monthly newsletter to help you stay motivated.
4.  Private Facebook group to share your progress.
5.  And so much more, have a look and buy it now! 

I definitely recommend this awesome course. Expect to feel inspired + full of va va woom! There's nothing wrong with making 2014 magical too, right? ;)

Image - Stephanie Hall's

New Adventures

I've recently moved into this awesome industrial chic apartment and therefore I've been really busy, you know unpacking stuff and trying to create a beautiful home. I also finished my 3 month internship at this great web development company in Cape Town, got engaged and moved back with my boyfriend... You saw this coming, didn't you! :) Well, needless to say I'm very happy and I'm looking forward to brand new adventures. However during my break-up I've realized - Some very powerful things:

1. I'm one hell of a strong woman, once I make a goal that I feel strongly about, there's absolutely nothing that will and can stop me. 
2. I do not need a man, I'm independent and can really make it on my own.  
3. There's some real ignorant people in this world but...
4. True confidence comes from knowing your self worth.

Now, enough with the wise words, here's what I've been up to lately... :)

 I came across this beautiful shade of lavender polish called Purple Pastel from Yardly. Six lucky seventeeners ( for Seventeen Magazine ) had the chance to inspire the creation of this Yardly Quick Dry nail polish. My favorites from the winning shades are: Tiff Milkshake, Pink Macaroon, Candy Queen and this stunning shade I got here! This polish dries in 60 seconds and stays chip free for nearly 5 days. Available from Clicks for R49.95.

 I took this picture in Dingleton, Northern Cape. I just love nature and the calmness it brings to my mind... Would love to capture more images like these. :)

This is a gift box I'm creating for my almost 9 year old niece, and I actually need your help with this. What do you think I should include? I already got Jade these fruity peel off nail varnishes, a little notebook, lipgloss and a pink bottle of hand-wash.

Notebook & Box - Mr Price Home
Princess Thandie Handwash - Clicks
Nail Varnishes and Lipgloss - Ackermans

My latest not-finished-yet project. I'm in the very early stages of creating my own work from home office. I would love some insight from you on this project too. What would you recommend? What should I include to make my office awesome? Waiting on your comments... ;)

Images - My own

Beach Bars & Blue Skies

About a year ago I started to have these horrible feelings of stagnation and discontent. I use to reminisce about when I was 21 and younger! And I compiled this list of things I wanted to do before I turned 29. But I only bought the boots. Eek!

However I realized that in a strange way - through a tragic breakup ( that forced me to change the name of my blog from Adventures of Victoriabasil to Adventures of Victoriafolksy... Mmm, hectic! ) I was able to revisit all the beautiful places from my past while gaining some more beautiful memories too. I'm so thankful...

So then here's a few of my new favorite hot-spots...

 1. The Shimmy Beach Club - Indulging in delicious cocktails while watching this brilliant blue ocean... I totally adore the stunning decor and views at this awesome venue. Do yourself a favour and visit this beach-front gemstone this summer! They are one of the top 10 beach bar's in the world. Um, and I was there! ;)

 2. Den Anker - One of the Waterfront's most popular pioneers! I spoiled myself with a beer tasting and totally fell in-love with their Liefmans Fruitess: a unique, fresh beer blend-maturing for 18 months on cherries, this is then artfully blended with the natural juices of cherry, bilberry, elderberry, strawberry and raspberry. Download their beer list here.

 3. Tjing Tjing - This is a rooftop bar situated in 165 Longmarket Street, Cape Town. They boast with a great selection of cocktails like the Bugs Bunny, Cotton Candy, Ginger Ninja, Cherry Blossom and the Perfect Lady. And I would like to try them all sometime! ;)

 4. Cubana - Cubaña is South Africa’s only authentic Latino Social Caffé and eatery which provides the services of a cocktail bar and cigar lounge with a unique flavoursome cuisine. I'm besotted with their Cuban and Latino music and while there you might get a glimpse of a celebrity or two. Their dress code is smart casual and door policies keep the standards high. I sat outside absorbing the urban vibes of Green Point and once again indulged in my drink of choice - the fruity Pina Colada! ;)

5. The Old Biscuit Mill - This place is what I call a food & wine tasting... With so much to eat and drink this Saturday, Food Lover's Market have capture my heart forever! See another blog-post I did some time ago. I bough this alcoholic honey shooter in a shot-glass made from real dark chocolate for just R10!

Images - My own