Tuesday, September 30, 2014

I'm sorry for my unplanned hiatus

I am sorry! No, really, I am!!
I know I've been a bad little blogger for the past few days, 9 days without posting...it's getting on my nerves, but I just haven't had a break! It's been crazy! What with work and family commitments. Since it was so busy I have quite a bit to say so this post might end up being a bit of a long one...I'll try my best to keep it short and sweet!

Last week was hectically busy!

On Sunday we spent the whole day on set shooting a car advertisment, we were supposed to be background people but Riaan ended up being put front and centre which is pretty cool! It's all pretty top secret because the car hasn't been released yet, so we couldn't take pictures, but it was so interesting! I was fascinated and in awe, by the time we left I was convinced that I could totes have an on-screen day job!!

On Tuesday we had team building, we went for breakfast in Hyde Park and then we went to Acrobranch in Melrose! Acrobranch is an outdoor sort of obstacle course up in the trees, it starts off about a meter above the ground, and gradually gets higher and higher. About half way through you find yourself at least four meters off the ground standing on a ledge, hooking your zip line mechanism to a cable spanning about 10 metres across the grass to another tree, silently convincing yourself to jump of the ledge and zip over the grass to the other side, there is after all no other way down!! With walk ways, chain bridges, cargo rope nets and zip lines to name a few, linking you from tree to tree, it takes about an hour and a half to complete the entire course. At one point I found myself feeling like Jane of the Jungle, I had to take hold of a really think rope and swing from one ledge to a rope net spanned between two trees *insert Tarzan-like yowling sound here*, after grabbing hold of the net I had to climb it to get to the next ledge about 1.5m above. They also have a 200m zip line across a field of grass, it's super fun and quite fast!! This course was a great upper body workout, and we had great fun but if you're afraid of heights and not able to do physical activity for at least two hours then I don't recommend this. If you're an adrenaline junkie and up for a challenge, DO IT!!



Wednesday was National Heritage Day over here in Sunny SA, and the traditional thing to do on NHD is BRAAI of course!! Haha, this year we did not follow tradition, the original plan was to head down to Hartebeesport Dam, ride the cable cars up the mountain and enjoy a late brunch, unfortunately the cable cars were down for maintenance. Oh well, next time right! So we ended up going shopping and after that we met with Riaan's Mom and her sisters, for a catch-up session complete with tea and scones. It was unplanned but a great way to spend a day off!

During the week I also managed to whip up some delicious diet friendly "Ice Cream" which I will post the recipe for tomorrow, I found it on The Londoner's blog, its really delicious but I have altered the recipe a teensy little bit, just to make it easier.

On Friday morning I was up bright and early to catch a flight to the Mother City, although I was going for work, I was excited because I love Cape Town! It's easily my most favourite place in SA!! On arrival we were met with grey skies and a drizzle, but by the afternoon it cleared up and we went for dinner at Shimmy Beach. It's an awesome hot-spot with the locals and the food is divine, not to mention the vast selection of local wines, which is right up my alley!!

On Saturday morning we woke up the most pathetic drizzle, it was fine but the wind was blowing and everything was wet, resulting in our plans to hike Table Mountain being foiled! Luckily in Cape Town we are spoiled for choice when it comes to activities, so off we went to The Old Biscuit Mill, for a morning of Gourmet food, Craft beers, lots of people watching and browsing the dozens of stalls of unique hand made goodies.

Craft Beers
Fresh Oysters
Shrooooms!!
Colourful and very busy dining area
Fresh fruit juices
Delicious Fritata with Smoked Salmon, Poached Egg and Hollandaise Sauce!!
American Style Crepes with Banana and lots of Nutella - These were so so good!!
More Craft Beers
Seafood Paella
Vintage style swimwear

Wooden Jewelry
Pretty Necklaces
Wooden Sunnies and Watches - Pretty Funky!!
Afterwards we went to watch the rugby, SA vs Aus, Rugby isn't really my thing but there is nothing quite as special for me, as a nation that can come together to support their sportsmen the way South Africa does. It literally gave me chills!

On Sunday morning I was off again, back to Jo'burg, Riaan and I had a delicious breakfast at Nice, it's a rustic cafe in Parkhurst 4th Avenue. Their food is fresh, bursting with flavour and well presented.
As you can see we had a hard time making up our minds on what to order!!
We couldn't decide, so we shared!
Open croissant with scrambled egg, avocado and smoked salmon
Left: Toast basket with a poached egg, crispy bacon and tomato relish
Right: Crumpets with crispy bacon, mascarpone cheese and strawberries drizzled with syrup
I promise not to be so quite this week, I am thinking of starting a weekly blog topic, I have a few ideas but if you have any ideas or anything you'd like me to write about, please let me know in the comments!!



Tuesday, September 02, 2014

Forever New...Factory Shop!


Yes Girls! You read correctly... Forever New has a factory shop!!

Once you have calmed down, remembered how to breath normally and checked the credit available on your credit card, scroll down and have a look at the beauty that is the Forever New factory shop.

I know you're probably rolling your eyes and thinking to yourself "They probably only sell old damaged stock - It's too good to be true", because that is pretty much what I did...except for the eye rolling part... But ALAS! It is not so!!

Being the girl that I am, I LOVE shoes and all things pretty, especially Forever New goodies! So on Sunday I dragged Riaan along with me, all the way to Randburg, to go and have a look at this mystical, unheard of, magical wonderland and see what all the fuss is about...

For those of you that do not know what Forever New is...I have no words! Where have you been the past few years?? Do yourself a favour and follow them on pinterest or have a look at their official website and prepare to fall in love!

So without further ado...here it is!

 


 

 



Well! It was like Christmas had arrived a whole 4 months early!! I walked into the shop and *surprise* *surprise* there was something that I "Had to have!!!" A gorgeous knee high pair of grey leather boots!! Not plucking an item off of every rail took major self control!!

If you ever found yourself wondering how to get your hands on that gorgeous dress, or those amazing shoes without having to shell out your entire months clothing budget on a single item, I'd say this is the answer!!
They had almost everything, skirts, shorts, blouses, cardigans, coats, ankle boots, knee high boots, heels, summer dresses, cocktail dresses, denims, scarves, jewelry, iPhone and Ipad accessories. My only disappointment was that they didn't not have any trousers, handbags or laptop bags.

I will most definitely be going back as soon as spring is in full swing! I have a wedding coming up - any reason to buy a new dress!!

You can visit them at World Wear, corner Beyers Naude Drive and Wilson Drive, Fairlands, Johannesburg, and you can contact them here.

I hope all you wonderful little shop-a-holics find this post useful and I hope even more that this factory shop stays open for a long long time!! Happy spending!!



Saturday, August 16, 2014

My Top 10 Holiday Destinations

I have a bucket list of holiday destinations that just keeps growing.

Everytime I log onto Pinterest I find another place that "I HAVE TO GO TO!"

The latest place "I have to go to" is Paro Taktsang, Bhutan, I didn't even know this place existed until about a week and a half ago. It is so fascinating, it looks like something out of Mulan (the Disney movie).

So today I am going to share with you the top 10 destinations on my bucket list, these are my be all and end all and if I die having been to these places I will die a happy woman!

Anyway enough of the depressing talk about dying and on to the exciting times ahead!!
Note: Friends and family if you are wondering what to get me for an upcoming birthday, a plane ticket will suffice! *Wink*Wink*Nudge*Nudge*


1. Paris, France
Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to go to France. It is after all where my maiden family name comes from. Ah, a little fishing village in the very South-West of France, Meillon. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to go to Meillon one day, if not, recreating a Lady and the Tramp dinner by candlelight in Paris will do just fine! Merci!

2. New York City (On New Years Eve of course!)

To watch the ball drop at mid-night on New Years Eve, and then kiss my husband and cheers to the inevitably amazing year that lies ahead! A girl can dream right?

3. Venice & Rome, Italy

I think this is one of the most romantic cities in the world! What better way to celebrate an anniversary than to float along a canal in a gondola, make a wish at the Trevi Fountain and take a stroll through Villa D'este, Tivoli. Sì per favore!

4. Phuket, Thailand
Phi Phi Islands, Bangla Road, Full Moon Party, Riding elephants, wake up feeling like I just relived "The Hangover", Snorkeling, and just soaking up some vitamin D with the most beautiful backdrop...Sounds pretty freaking awesome to me!!

5. Santorini, Greece
There is just something about Santorini that is calling my name. I love the uniformity of the white buildings with the blue rooftops. It is breathtakingly beautiful. And it has black sand beaches...How interesting! And just to add in a bit of excitement, it has an active volcano!!

6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Our surname (Vos) is dutch, Riaan's grandfather was from the Netherlands, so this is must for us. It is another destination that has a personal meaning to us. Also, I would love to ride a bicycle through the tulip fields, pay a visit to Anne Franks House, the Van Gogh Museum and make a stop past the red light district!{Insert big grin emoji here}

7. London, England
Doctor Who has shown us alot of London...but not enough! I want to go there, firstly to see all things HP, Platform 9 3/4 and all the rest!!! Also to see Buckingham Palace, where Lady Di lived (I did love her when I was a little girl, she was a real live princess!). There are so many places to go in London I really doubt that I need to list them here, the list is exhaustive.

8. Australia
One of my best friends - Caitlin - lives here. Oh, and then there's the great barrier reef and a naturally pink lake!! Enough said!

9. New Zealand

Hobbiton, I mean seriously! We have to go there!! Besides for that I would love to just explore the natural beauty that this country has to offer, go on hikes and explore it is amazingness!

10. Switzerland

To stroll through Lucern eating Swiss chocolate and visit the gargantuan castles. To snuggle up in front of a roaring fire at night while sipping on Swiss Hot chocolate, go skiing in the Swiss Alps, eat lots of Swiss chocolate, build a snowman and make snow angels! This sounds like the most perfect winter wonderland holiday if ever there was one!! Oh and did I mention the Swiss chocolate???
 

So that's that, my top 10 holiday destinations! What are your top 10 holiday destinations?


Note: All photos (except for the first one) were sourced from pinterest, I do not claim title to, or own any of the photos.