I'd Date Me

Hello ladies! 

Every Monday my good friend, Kyle and I go out for dinner and share a bottle of good quality wine.

Last night we had our dinner date at Emily Moon by the Bitou River in Plettenberg Bay. It is a beautiful restaurant nestled between the most gorgeous milk-wood trees and overlooking the breathtaking wetlands. 

The rustic design makes you feel like you have just stepped into Portugal or Tunisia. You get there and instantly feel like you are on holiday.

We had their tuna spring rolls to start accompanied by mixed berry cocktails and mojito’s while we sat outside by the crackling fireplace.

For mains we moved inside and I had their seafood pasta, which comes in a white wine sauce and is wrapped in tin foil, (I love it when food is wrapped in tin foil. It’s like opening a present and it gets me really excited!).

We finished the night with the most delicious dark chocolate fondant to share.

I think it is important to look at yourself in the mirror and think, “Yeah, I’d date me…” if you’re going to be dolling up and going somewhere fancy. If you have confidence in yourself and in what you are wearing, heads will turn and you will feel like a million dollars. 

What I Wore:

Necklace - Mr. Price

Vest - Woolworths

 Black Ring - Primarks

Silver Ring - American Swiss

Skirt - Mr. Price

Handbag - Mr. Price

Peep-toe Heels - Mr. Price

Hair Growth Tips and Advice

 I have decided for the month of February to abstain from heat styling my hair. 

I have been trying to grow my hair since I cut it all off back in early 2011.It's about just past shoulder height now but I still have a long way to go to get it back to where it was before. 

So, I have been googling all of the tips and advice that I could find on how to get your hair to grow faster. 

This is what I found: 

• Add more fruit, yogurt, eggs and fish to your diet. 
• Give yourself regular scalp massages to increase the blood flow. 
• Make sure you have a regular sleep pattern, fitting in at least the necessary eight hours per night. 
• Do not comb your hair when it is wet, (now this one I didn't know about, but apparently brushing your hair when it is wet encourages more breakage and it really weakens the hair. Your hair is actually at its weakest when it is wet so this should be a big no-no ladies! If you're a little obsessive over your locks like I am then I'd suggest using a wide-tooth, non-metal comb to take care of it in its fragile state!)
• Try to use lukewarm water when washing your hair. Using hot water opens pores whereas cold water closes them, sealing in the proteins given from your hair products that you need.  
• Drink at least six glasses of water per day! 

•  You may decide to take vitamin supplements. I use a great brand that helps with hair, skin and nails. I'll do a review on it soon. I have used it as often as possible over the past few years and is available in most chemists or pharmacies.
• If you smoke, try to cut back (if you are serious about getting those long locks then this is a great motive to stop smoking!)
• Reduce your caffeine intake. 
• Regular trims help to eliminate split ends and also makes the hair appear healthier.  

• Use a brush with natural boar bristles.
• Don't braid your hair or put it into a ponytail when wet.
• Avoid all forms of chemical treatments... I know this is scary, but try to embrace natural hair. 
• Minimize or completely cut out heat styling your hair. 
• Don't wash your hair every day. Your hair needs the natural oils it produces as a conditioner. After a while your hair will become trained and won't look as dirty as it did before
• If you DO need to heat style your hair - please please please use heat protection spray!!! I use a great brand called Paul Mitchell and their heat protect product is called: Hot off the Press, (it smells divine!)

Photo Credit: www.missnattysbeautydiary.com

• Last but not least... remember to BE HAPPY! Try not to stress. Your body will respond to your happiness and you will bloom.

Good luck ladies!

Let me know if you have any other great tips and advice! I'd love to hear it all. 

The First Night

The first night in the new house was magical.

After bending my King sized bed up the stairs, somehow putting together my first fashion clothing trolley, unpacking about 50KG's of my clothing, (the other bags have gotten lost amongst the sea of boxes and other black bin bags dominating the house...) and falling UP the stairs . . . . things are starting to look a little more cosy.

We kicked it off with having a family barbeque outside and while the meat was sizzling deliciously away on the grill I tied up my bikini and took a stroll down to the beach.

It had been a pretty humid day so after all of the moving and dust I was fairly ready to wash off the stickiness and grime.

Diving into the ocean and realizing that this was my swimming pool was beyond fascinating. The water was so warm and shone a bright, aqua blue color that was almost too inviting.

I swam around for a good ten minutes before heading back up to the white picket fence house that I can now call home and enjoyed a nice summer salad with my folks.

I ran a bath later in the evening and lit up one of my soy based oil candles. Shantaram, the book I am busy reading, accompanied me into the deep set bath and that was my wind down from the stressful day.

 

 

 

By 8pm on a Friday night I was absolutely exhausted and retired to bed.

I'd gone out earlier in the day and found a cheap set of bedding in Game for just R130.00

The bedding is white with scattered beige and purple flower patterns printed on it. I've been needing new bedding for a while so I was really happy to find such a pretty and affordable buy.

In bed, I put on the first episode of Terra Nova season one, not really sure on what to expect.

 

I actually found myself really enjoying the episode. I've only seen the first episode at this point but basically it is based on the future and how badly humans have damaged the world. They can no longer see every day things that we are accustomed to like the moon, flowers, colors and fruit. Somehow, someone managed to make some sort of a time machine and selected people could enter into this new time zone and start fresh.

Basically the people are given a second chance at the life that they once knew - apart from the over-sized bugs and dinosaurs lurking around beyond the boarder of their sanctuary as well as a different colony of people called 'Sixers,' that are continuously trying to make war with them.

I won't go into too much detail but I really would recommend you trying this show out if you decide on renting some DVDS and having a night in tonight.

If you do - let me know what you think of the show!

 

I promise to get photographs to you soon of the progress - unfortunately the house is still very much packed up. We've really only got our necessitates out and about and my room has become a bit of a dumping ground.

I mentioned that I had two rooms - the bedroom and the lounge. Well, because my folks need to sleep apart right now because of my dad’s TB (amongst other illnesses,) he has taken a mattress up to my lounge and has set up camp there.

I knew moving back in would them would have these sorts of situations... grinning and baring it for the meantime but hopefully soon my upstairs section will be mine to enjoy and set-up as I please.

Hope you are all having a marvellous weekend.

Much love,

Jade

Its a Pajama Kind of Day

So it is the last night in my old house,  my old room... 

I really ought to be sellotaping boxes shut or something but I'm feeling pretty nostalgic about it being the last night here. So, I have shoved on some comfortable pajamas's, made myself some hot chocolate with loads of marshmallow's overflowing from the mug and am spending the last few hours in my first ever Bohemian Bedroom. 

As a memoir to it, I have left the links to some of my old posts below which have loads of photographs of what my room basically looks like. 

There has been a princess-like mosquito net draped over the bed since those posts and some new silk bedding put on but unfortunately my camera is acting up and I actually refuse to put anymore blackberry photographs on here as it is literally making me cringe!

Anyway, once you see the pics you'll realize just how hard it is going to be for me to walk out of here for the last time. Somehow, even though the echoing hallways are completely bare now, it all still feels a tad surreal. 

My Moroccan archway, maroon walls, built-in-step-up bed, en-suite bathroom and gorgeous study area will now be another girl's palace. 

I don't know who has bought the house but I just hope that she makes the most of my Thai-inspired bedroom. 

The headboard above my bed is proper silk that I found in Thailand, the ceiling is a work of art in itself and the en-suite bathroom had once been just an ordinary set of boring clothing cupboards until I knocked them all out and became an unqualified interior designer. 

I am spending tonight on Pintrest, looking at bedroom designs to get some inspiration. I started to move in a few carloads of clothing to my new cupboards this evening. I even put a few candles on the windowsills in an attempt to make it feel more homey when I arrive tomorrow once and for all.

I cannot wait to move in and have a brand new, fresh start. A house with no memories, good or bad. A complete new slate.

As promised - the links:

http://bohemianmuses.blogspot.com/2012/02/operation-declutter.html

http://bohemianmuses.blogspot.com/2012/02/bohemian-room-cleaned.html

 

Peace out Bohemian Room and Beautiful House... may the next woman be good to you. 

J 

My New Home

 Yesterday I went for a bicycle ride around my new neighbourhood and had a peep around the outside of my new home. I fell in love with it instantly. 

It is very old and needs a hell of a lot of work but you can see the potential a mile away - and it really is literally a 30 second walk away from the beach!

It is guarded with white-picket fencing and has the most gorgeous little gazebo as the entrance. There's a lovely, social braai area at the back and even a little studio hut that mum and I have decided to turn into our art room. 

Today, my brother, Leonard and my friend, Amie, joined me for a further peek inside the house and it only made me love it more. 

Here are a few of the snaps I took of our unfurnished home. Once we have decorated and settled in I will do another visual post of Before and After! 

The entire upstairs section is mine and consists of two massive, sweltering hot rooms. The one will obviously become my bedroom while the other will become my entertainment and study area. 

Instead of having a sofa, I have decided to bring up my old sun-lounger bed and adorn it with continental pillows and throws. It will make it look far more unique and bohemian. 

There will be my flat-screen television in there too along with my mass-collection of movies. My computer will have a little spot in the corner where I can already see myself typing furiously away in the middle of the night on novels and blog posts... 

There's some really badly put together shelving in the room as well so all of my books have a snug little spot too. 

Like I said - it needs some serious work and nesting but the potential is right in front of you!

I have never had a home without a swimming pool before - but who needs one when the ocean is practically my backyard?!

The Pictureless Blog Post

A pictureless blog post... one of the most lifeless, dull things that I could ever imagine.

I am a visual person - creative and enthusiastic about still-life. The only time I find writing acceptable without photographs would be in a novel. Even then I challenge myself to visualize myself in the setting. That's one of the reasons I enjoy watching a film after reading the book - to see the difference in my imagination and the directors. 

However, I am so thrilled and excited that I am going to have to ignore my snobbish mind-set and publish this - pictureless or not. 

As many of you know, I have been house hunting for a while now. Having recently moved out of my cottage, hoarding with me my two adorable kittens and ancient sausage dog - I have been living out of black bin-liners and suitcases since New Years Day.

This is not a bad thing though, as it had been one of my New Years Resolution to move out and start afresh. 

I'm a bit of a nester - I need to decorate, hang a painting on the wall, display some framed photographs, light some incense... being back with my folks for the first time in a good year or so has definitely been harder than I'd imagined. 

The house I spent the days of my youth in has been sold; it breaks my heart to type that... but it has. So, as a reunited family, we have been searching for a new place to call home. 

We had until the end of January to find such a place and through our hunt, I finally think we have found the rose between the thorns. 

I have not yet seen the place but I'll be taking a drive past there just now whilst on my way to work. I'm working a late shift again - and then I am off for two days! 

The house is apparently within walking distance from the beach, which means that I can already hear angels singing. 

The beach is my sanctuary. 

Nothing, I repeat, nothing is better than feeling the sand between my toes. The sound of the lapping water, the breaking waves, the salty breeze... I am a beach-bum through and through so this couldn't be turning out any better.

The roads are quiet in this area too, which means that I can finally stop being a worrisome mother and slowly start letting my cats gain back some liberty and independence; reacquaint themselves with the world of clumsy and failing (thank goodness,) pigeon hunting. 

There is no need to pack so I can really make the most of my two days off after my shift today. 

We move into this new house on Friday this week if all goes well, so please keep your fingers, toes and other proverbial limbs tightly crossed. 

I must be off - the kitchen is finally mine so a hearty cooked breakfast is calling my name. I've missed cooking. I realize that my recipe posts have been terribly choppy but I'm hoping soon to try out one or two new recipes I've been mastering up in my head. 

One last thing before I log off - as we are moving I may not be able to access the internet for a while until our wireless is back up and running. 

Please be patient with me on this matter as although I may be scarce for a few days - I'll be working hard on great posts to delight you all with upon my return!

Hopefully I'll get a post or two in again before the move though.

Happy blogging, leave your links below and I'll be sure to check out your pages! 

Thanks for everyone's wonderful comments and incredible support. 

Signing Out. 

J

Outfit of the Day

Last night I had a bit of a night out on the town. To mark the occasion, I decided to haul out my ivory colored lace Mr. Price Dress which was R99.00

I paired it with six gorgeous rings. 

On my right hand I had the turquoise stone and the peace symbol rings from Mr. Price while the chunky black stone ring is a find from Primarks a few years back.

On my left hand (pictures again are taken from that of a Blackberry so I do apologize for the terrible quality,) I had a turquoise stone ring I got from Metallic Mermaid, a beautiful eternity silver ring from American Swiss and my moms old Peace ring I found covered in clay one morning whilst routing through her things.

I let the nerd in me come out as the evening progressed by putting on my retro specs from Markham's which is actually a man's store but I really like some of their accessories and hats in stock at the moment. 

My Audrey Hepburn hat also had a night out and got A LOT of attention once we hit the clubs. This hat is also from Mr. Price. 

Some guy in the club actually came up to me and told me that he has now dubbed me the new retro kid in town. What an honor! 

Hope you are all having a fantastic weekend bloggers - take lots of snaps of what you did and send me the links! Here's a few of my own snaps from last night:

The Sock Bun - An Easy Tutorial

Yesterday on one of my regular hunts around the world of vlogging, I stumbled across a really fantastic tutorial on how to do a sock bun.

After watching the video a few times I gave it a try and this was my outcome:

For a first attempt I think I did a pretty OK job! 

Many of you are probably wondering what on earth a 'sock bun' actually is... a sock bun, is made by snipping the end off of one of your socks and rolling the sock into a doughnut ring.

Putting your hair into a pony-tail you then put your hair through the ring and pull it down to the very end where you tuck the tips of your hair around the doughnut.  

From there you start rolling the doughnut up the pony-tail and slowly pulling your curling hair around the sides of the doughnut so that the sock is no longer visible. 

Once completely rolled up, the bun stays there without needing any bobby pins but you can choose to secure it more by adding one or two. 

I absolutely love how BIG my bun looks now thanks to this sock bun tutorial. A normal bun just doesn't suffice anymore!

This is also a great way to make heat free curls! (I'm trying that right now actually, just stepped out the shower and shoved my hair into the bun and tomorrow I'll see how the curl theory fairs for me). 

Watch the easy tutorial I stumbled across below!

 Happy Watching:

Mr Price Haul

These are a few things that I bought today. 

Whenever I do a bit of retail therapy I make sure that I sell at least the same amount of items on my vintage clothing store website, Salvage. 

I have already had a bit of a catastrophe with my wardrobe rail collapsing from too many clothes being shoved in so I need to make sure each shopping spree is counteracted with a bit of a sale. 

The first item I chose was the cream and gold Pretty Darling Purse. I adore the seal and how you need to twist it to unlock it. It is spacious enough on the inside for me but I wouldn't recommend it if you have a lot of different cards that you use on a regular basis. 

There are five card compartments which does me fine with my bank card, Mr. Price Account Card, Body Shop Card, Medical Aid Card and Drivers License. 

There are also four other compartments in a different section of the purse but I really struggled to fit my other cards in them, (such as my movie loyalty card and library card). 

There's a small coin pouch as well as two slots to put your notes away (these sections will remain empty for a while now unfortunately!). 

Overall I just thought that this was a really pretty little purse and I was getting bored of my old maroon one anyway. 

Price: This was just R49.99 which in pounds would be £3.55

The second item was this really soft material Floral Dress. 

It has two baggy pockets and a little zip trailing down the front. It comes up about one hand above the knee.   

I fell in love with this the second I touched it - it really is that soft. 95% polyester and 5% spandex this Summer's dress is comfortable, stretchy, soft and pretty much perfect for the 30 degree days we're experiencing here in South Africa lately. 

I'll be making good use of this that's for sure! 

Wear it purely as a nice beach dress or pair it with some plain leggings. 

I can imagine this item can be really versatile, you could even wear it out to drinks. 

I may be inspired to do a post purely on different ways to wear this actually! If you'd be interested in something like that or something similar then please leave your requests below!

 Price: R69.99 (which in pounds is about £5.00)

 

I then moved on to the jewelery section and let me just say here that I really haven't enjoyed Mr. Price jewelery for a while now.

I was really impressed by these three items though: 

 

 

The Turquoise Cross Earrings caught my attention first and when I saw how reasonably priced they were I just couldn't say no! 

Price: R19.99 (£1.42)

The Black & Silver Peace Ring was my next find.  

Price: R19.99 (£1.42)

Lastly I grabbed the Turquoise Stone Silver Ring.

This is a one size fits all piece and I just loved everything about it, from the stone to the pretty design on the silver around it. 

Price: R29.99 (£2.13)

I'm so happy that I have managed to find a few new pieces of jewelery. I had sold so much through my store that I literally had nothing left in that department! 

Clothing wise though I don't think there will ever be a problem!

Good luck on your next shopping expedition! Let me know what awesome bargains you come across. 

Happy Shopping!

 

 

Sunday Funday: Trip to Robberg Nature Reserve

I really must apologize for the terrible quality of the photographs in this blogpost. 

One of two things could have gone wrong today: 

a) I could have forgotten to buy a new pack of batteries for my camera

b) I could have left my camera's memory card in my laptop

I did both. 

So, a combination of three Blackberry camera's were put to the task of capturing our horrendously hot hike today. Seriously, why did we choose the one day that came to a high of 29 degree's to do a hike?!

All in all though we had a really great day out and much fun in the sun was had. 

We've decided to do one day like this a month at least and have called them our 'Soul Trip,' days. 

These are days to literally just revive our souls. 

Let go of all negativity whether it be from those around us, work, home etc. No matter what it is, on these days we just become one with nature and march it off. 

As you can see from the photographs it doesn't matter what sort of problems we each have to face at the end of the day - we made the most of the few hours we had at one of the most beautiful spots that is quite literally on our doorstep. 

So if you are in and around the garden route area then make a plan to head out to the Robberg Nature Reserve. 

It is R30.00 p/p (prices probably change in and out of season) and you get the whole day to explore indescribable beaches and mountaintops with some of the worlds most breathtaking views. 

I am so blessed to live in a town such as this, every day there's a new and exciting beautiful adventure to be had. 

Hope you all had an amazing weekend! 

What I Wore Today

Today I took my dogs to the lagoon and threw a Frisbee for them for a few hours. 

I don't get to see them much at all since the breakup so it was really great to get to play with them again and laugh at how clumsy and silly they are. They truly make my heart swell with love - those goofballs. 

Anyway - this was my outfit for the day:

It didn't last long until most of it was removed and I was swimming and covered in mud!

I was going for a beachy, barefooted, messy bun look. 

Sweater: R180.00 from a Chinese Store

Shorts: R500 + Originally a pair of Riverisland Skinny Jeans before I got hold of a pair of scissors

Sunnies: Rayban sunglasses I found on a hike a few months ago

Ring: Primarks 

Pearl Bracelet: Courtesy of mum's jewellery box

Bikini: R350.00 from Woolworths