Worth Every Penny - My TripAdvisor Review for LemonGrass

For our anniversary, my partner and I (both avid cooks and passionate food lovers,) decided that we wanted to eat out somewhere new.
I had heard only great things about Lemongrass, situated on the waters edge in Plettenberg Bay. When my partner told me that this is where he would be taking me I was thrilled.
Having heard that it was quite a posh place, I slipped into more formal attire and hauled out my drastically over sized high heels after work. I dragged a brush through my hopeless head of hair and as per usual my partner looked at me as though I was the most beautiful woman in the world. He fed me compliments through our 20km drive into Plettenberg Bay and I just knew that it was going to be a magical evening.

On arrival, a friendly car guard greeted us and assured us that our vehicle would be well looked after. We traipsed up a short cobble pathway, adorned with beautiful fairy lights and greenery and found our way to the glass door entrance.

Our waiter, a fabulously vibrant and helpful man named Dean greeted us and showed us to our reserved table right at the back of the restaurant. It was all glass so we were able to look out onto the ocean and we even had our own private door right besides our table where we were able to walk through and enjoy a drink out on the patio before dinner.

Although having heard the rumors that this was a formal place, I had heard wrongly. I would not say this is a place to come sporting a t-shirt and ripped jeans, but semi-formal would probably determine the dress-wear for most of the other customers I saw.
I know how frustrating it is to hear that word: Semi-Formal.
My meaning of that for men would be the following: A nice pair of jeans, a button up and a good jacket.
As for the women: Obviously we love dressing up and you wouldn't look out of place if you did. So break out that sexy cocktail dress you've been dying to put to use.

We both ordered an off-the-menu starter of crumbed mushrooms, which had a basil pesto sauce inside. Presentation wise, it was gorgeous; and food wise, I was in heaven. There was a limited amount of mushrooms available so we had to pre-order it as the restaurant started to gradually fill up.
I must say that I was quite impressed for a Wednesday night, almost every table was full by the time we got started on our mains.
For mains, we both decided on the lamb curry, served with rice and poppadoms. It was a mild curry so I ordered extra chilli's on the side. The mains did not fail to impress either. The rice and poppadoms came on a plate while the curry was brought out on a piping hot poike pot.
The only thing I would say that Dean did wrongly is not warn us that it was hot as I attempted to bring the pot closer and almost blistered my fingers!

At the beginning of the evening we were adamant that we would have a creme brule to finish the evening off but by the time that time came we were so satisfyingly full that we unfortunately asked for the bill.

After paying and finishing off our wine, we left our table, promising ourselves that we would be back.
The only last thing that I could possibly fault them on is that there was no one at the door to bid us good night. Other than that, the food came out promptly, it was divine, the scenery was breath-taking, the service was impeccable and we thoroughly enjoyed every second of our time there.

November Fireworks... (yes, I had no other name ok...)

I really do need to get into the habit of doing this more often; blogging, I mean. Whenever I finish a blog entry, I get such a major feeling of satisfaction. Seeing my words become tangible; to me that must be the best feeling in this world.

With thirty five working days left in 2011, I can tell you that since my last post, I have been a part of Jam Factory for a little over two months now and I really do love it. It is such an amazingly creative industry and the people that I work with are people that I can actually relate to and form real relationships with.

Shaun Barnard and I are going into our eighth month as a couple now and we have started to grow closer as each day goes by. We have had our hard times, our happy times and our differences. We have fought and very nearly ended things, but we didn’t. We worked through it and together nothing can bring us down. That sounds so cliché, but it is completely true. We work well together and make a great couple. Shaun Barnard is my soul mate, the one in this world that I see myself spending forever with. For as long as my heart beats and blood is surging through my veins I will live for that man, for he is everything I have ever wanted. He is loyal and he is kind. He looks at me in a way that gives me Goosebumps, as though he is looking right into my soul. He is always there whenever I need him and when he holds me in his arms it is as though he has formed a safety barrier around me. I feel like no one can hurt me when he cradles me and lets me rest on his gorgeous chest.

From the second I laid eyes on him, I knew he was someone that would be a part of my life. I had no idea it would get this deep though, but I could not be happier.

On the writing front, besides my odd rattles on this old site here and there… I have finished my novel and am still in the process of editing it to what I would call ‘polished perfection’. I hope and pray that Penguin enjoys it when I finally work up the courage to send it. There’s no denying that them turning it down would crush me to the ends of the earth, but writing and becoming an author is my dream. So if it so happens (touch wood that it does not) that they turn me down, all I can do is brush myself off and try again. I will spend the rest of my life attempting to get my book published and one fateful day, my dream will come true. I can feel it.

This weekend, I am fending without my man as he has gone to a Bachelor’s somewhere in Stillbaai. Bachelor’s… usually I’d be pretty nervous about that, having had the worst set of boyfriends a girl could ask for in the past. None of which I think were faithful to me, but I have complete and utter faith in Shaun. I know he’s cheated in the past, we have told each other everything about each other… I think that is why we work. We know everything about each other, the good and the bad and we still accept each other. So yes, he has cheated before… but I can’t describe the feeling of security I feel with him. He has hurt me with words in the past, but he would never hurt me with another girl. You know when you just know? We are bigger than that.

So this weekend I am having a girls weekend. I have discovered the most beautiful dress that I will be trying on in the morning, a dress I hope to be wearing to my 21^st bash in six months’ time. I know it’s a bit early to start planning that sort of thing, but I can’t help it. I have always been a planner and I always will be. I always say I’d love to be one of those easy going, go-with-the-flow type of people, but reality is that it is not who I am.

“I am me, so let me be.” - Unknown

Friday Banter

Since I got let-go from Belvidere Manor, I have been focusing mainly on my novel. I've recently started my second one which is going well so far.

I had left a printed copy of my first novel in the lounge of my house and I had no idea that someone would actually notice it. Yet the person I had least expected to take any interest in it, read the whole thing... my dad.

He told me that the story was impressive but it obviously needed tweaking here and there. He also told me that after chapter ten, my writing matured massively and basically put the first ten chapters to shame.

So before I continue writing my second novel, I somehow need to find the time to edit the first ten chapters again.

Why would I need to 'find the time' to edit these chapters you might ask?

Well, as everyone told me it would happen: when the hotel industry slammed the door in my face, two other doors opened.

One of those doors was at an advertising firm called the Jam Factory. I went for an interview there and when they were busy explaining the business to me I realized that this is exactly the type of place that I hope to end up in.

I don't want to be too presumptuous about landing the job, or get my hopes up too high... even so I am going back there in an hours time for a second interview and I want them to know how much I really want this job!!

If the job doesn't work out however, all is not lost. If they tell me that I didn't get it, I'm not going to think its the end of the world and cry and feel sorry for myself like I would usually do... instead I'll shake their hands and wish them all the best and also ask them to please keep my CV on file so that if they are looking for anyone in the future, they can consider me.

Also, I won't just go back to only focusing writing.....

I have applied to the Beauty Therapy Institute where I am going to start studying a Bridal, Day & Night Make-up course, a Manicure & Pedicure course AND a business administration course!

If (fingers crossed) I get this job at the Jam Factory, the university has told me that there are evening classes that I can take which would be perfect. The uni is right across from my boyfriends house anyway!

I am aware that it will be a lot of work and juggling both is going to be hectic... but I've been doing next to nothing for long enough now, so I'm ready to work my ass off and get somewhere with my life!!!

Surfing has been a bit non-existent recently to say the least... There was a shark attack in Plett a few days ago that has spooked me and until reports say that the number of shark sightings have dropped, I'm not getting on my board.

I know its silly to let something like that stop you from practicing. Sharks are always going to be there, its inevitable. If you let them freak you out, your dreams of surfing will quickly diminish.

Besides work and play... the love life is going well. Shaun and I are just days away from celebrating our first BIG anniversary which has worked out perfectly.

My folks are treating themselves to a week away in Kruger Park and have left me and Shaun to house sit, starting on the night of our anniversary...

Yes, I'm thinking the exact same thing as you! Sexy dinner, Jacuzzi, fire-place, movies...... I can hardly wait!

Tonight we're going to his parents for a braai. His brother is here from JHB for the weekend so it will be a nice welcome home, relaxed evening in.

OH!!! How could I forget?! I got a new car!!! The brand new Nissan Micra 2011 is now mine and I own the only model in town for now. I am so blessed! Giving up my beautiful Honda was hard but I am so happy with my gorgeous new, blue Micra! Shaun and I already went on a road-trip with her. Rachel and Michael came with us and the four of us enjoyed an amazing day out in Tsitsikamma.

Life is good... finally I am 100% content.

Seize the Day

I don't really know how to start a piece of writing so morbid, so emotional... In that case I guess that the thing to do would be to get straight to the point.

For those of you that follow my blog and read the daily shenanigans of my life, you should know that I recently got a job in the hotel industry.
Having worked there for just over a month, I thought that everything was finally coming together. I started planning to rejoin the gym, save up for my trip to Thailand with my boyfriend next year, buy a new surfboard as I have improved and other proactive things.

Yesterday (the 10th August 2011) would seem to me now one of the worst days of my life. It started off good, my boyfriend wrote on my facebook wall, telling me how in love with me he is. We had just celebrated our five month anniversary together, seemingly small but still a proud and happy day for the both of us. The weather was good and I was smiling.
Then suddenly a fight with an agent at work stirred in the air and the day turned sour.

For a couple of days, the bosses had been expecting me to waitress and make guests their coffee etc as they were understaffed. Suddenly it became my problem and the other girls problem that had applied to work here as a receptionist, not as a servant.
I didn't really have a problem with that. I realize that in the hotel industry, when it is busy you must help where-ever you can, no matter what your job title is.
However, I do think that they should be more organized and employ more staff to do that sort of job though.

On making coffee for guests, I had no idea where everything was. Hot chocolate was stored in a white ice cream bucket, but how was I to know? It seemed as though the bosses suddenly expected me to know the ins and outs of the business, but no one had helped or told me anything before.
I had no idea where things were or how to do certain tasks now suddenly required of me.

Returning back to the awful agent crisis; the boss phoned me from upstairs and told me that she wanted to see me before I left for the day.
I knew then and there that something was off. As soon as 4pm ticked onto the clock I slowly and unwillingly crept up the ancient rickety staircase leading up to her office.
Upon entering the office, where I had been employed only a month prior, I saw that my boss held a sealed envelope in her hand.
I stared at her, waiting for her to put me out of my misery.
She began with, "I'm very sorry, Jade..." though she did not look sorry at all. Those four little words were all I needed to understand what was happening.
She told me that I did not have enough experience in the hotel industry for their establishment... which I ifnd quite unfair as they had my curriculum vitae and knew that fact at the beginning of employing me.

Tears of shame, anger, humiliation and worthlessness stung my eyes and I tried to wipe them away furiously but I just couldn't keep it together.

I feel so useless....... Like a complete failure.

I know it will get better. I know everyone says that everything happens for a reason and that when one door closes, another one opens.... but everything just seems so hopeless at the moment.

I know that I can't give up, that would be the worst thing to do. Its so hard though.
Everything had finally seemed almost perfect in my life, everything seemed to be coming together... but it all got ripped out from under me and I landed face down in the dirt once again.

The worst part of all is that they are making me work both today and tomorrow. I find that cruel and unfair. Who does that to someone with a smile on their face?
They let you go, but make you come back in your humiliation and complete two days when you aren't really even needed. What it is, is simply torture!

I am trying my utmost to put on a brave face and get through these next two days.
I am trying to conjure up the strength but it is so hard. I know I have to though, because if I walk out and end things on a bad note, it will follow me.
I need to try and keep professional for the next two days as hard as it may be because this town is so small, I cannot risk it jepardizing any hopes for future jobs.

I realize that I need to be the better person and thank them for the opportunity that they gave me and walk away happily.

I was completely distraught yesterday and cried all night long.
My family was absolutely amazing. My mother bought me flowers and wiped away my tears, my dad stuck up for me and told me he will sort it out and would always look after me and my brother, dear Leonard, sat me down at 10pm and just spoke to me about the time that he was in a bad financial situation.
I think they finally realize that I really am trying and unfortunately I am failing. They were always a bit hard on me in the past, but now that they have seen how much I wanted this job (or any job at all,) and it did not work out, they are finally reminding me of their support and love no matter what.

I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life and that is all that matters. At the end of the day, work isn't going to be the one caring for you, your friends and family are.
There are always chances and opportunities, so when they arise you have to seize the moment.

21st & more surfing rambles

I have finally found it! My 21st theme...

I have been searching for an excuse to wear my Matric Dance dress again for months. I spent a fortune on it to only wear it once and I just couldn't bring myself to sell it or give it away.

A few friends of mine are celebrating their Matric Dance this evening and it got me envious; until I realized I could incorporate something into my up and coming 21st so that I can wear it! Ok, so its not exactly 'up and coming', it is still ten months away... but I believe that I 21st is like a wedding. It only happens once and you can never have enough planning! The sooner I start, the more perfect it will be when that day finally arrives.
So my theme has been decided: One More Time - Relive your Matric Dance

Now I can finally have my Matric dance with the man of my dreams, who I hadn't met soon enough for him to experience that special moment with me.

Everything seems to be going my way! I am in the best of moods. My surfing dream is well on its way to reality too I would say as the guy that shaped my jellyfish board is now going to be replicating my favorite board in the world for me in September. So I will be getting a smaller board that I can duckdive and I have begged Michael to start training me as often as we can. I want to devote every free second I have to surfing come hell or high water. I want to get good! Its a dream and its not going to happen unless I do something about it!

These Winter Days

It is the last few weeks of winter and thank goodness for that. It has been so difficult to drag myself out of bed in the mornings when it is so cold and dark, but somehow I have managed to force myself.

This winter feels as though it has been shorter than I remember them; it feels like just yesterday I was living as a beach bum; surfing and tanning, a real free-spirit.

I wish I knew why my life always has to be so chaotic. Nothing can ever just be a small change… An example would be: I am either alone and miserable or in a fully committed 24/7 relationship; or I am either unemployed or completely loaded with work. There is never a time where I can just glide through things at an easy pace. I am either at stop street, waiting for the light to turn green, or I am going 160 km’s.

Speaking of relationships and work… I am happy to say that Shaun has finally started spending more time at my house as he adopted a second pitbull from Cape Town. This means that he doesn’t have to worry about his dog being lonely and sad anymore and we can do a lot of things that were limited to us beforehand.

Just last night he came to my place for a braai and we watched a horror movie called Untraceable in my bed. The movie was almost like the Saw sequels, but better; though I have to say that I am no longer enjoying horror movies as much as I used to now that my life is nearly all sunshine and flowers.

On the work front, so far my new job is going well. I am still in the learning process and am not learning everything as fast as I would like to or usually do though that being said I have never worked in the hospitality industry before so this is all very new for me.

I think I have just started bonding with the other girls at work too which is great… I tend to be very shy and withdrawn at first in front of new people but once I make that ‘bond’ with someone I’m completely different.

In other news, Lexi and Rachel came with my last week and held my hands while I got my fourth tattoo! I placed the design on the back of my neck, it is an African symbol and it means Learning From The Past. The design is a little bigger than I would have liked it but I’m stuck with it now and love it either way.

The money I spent on the tattoo was supposed to be to open up a gym membership account at Corpus Sana. Unfortunately it seems like my procrastination against the gym or any form of exercise for that matter is still creating an obstacle to get back into shape.

While I am on the topic of gyms and getting into shape, I have to say that I am going to be getting a tad ‘heavier’ now that I have started working at Belvidere Manor as they give me a delicious cooked lunch every day.

I say ‘heavier’ because people are starting to turn pretty nasty towards me whenever I complain about my recent body changes.

I have always been a late developer and only now I have started to get curves combined with a comfortable winter coat and I am not used to it!

I know that I am not fat and I am not saying that I am, I just wish SOMEONE could understand that these new curves and extra KG’s are very new to me and do bring me down a lot!

Everytime I feel down about the matter, I end up binging on fatty foods or anything that I can get my hands on e.g comfort foods. Then I feel even more miserable and disgusted in myself once I’ve devoured everything!

What to do? What to do?

A rant - anger and happiness combined!

Greetings from a very warm and sunny Knysna.

It seems as though life has taken yet another dramatic turn for me. Finally, after over four months without work, I have found a job! I started working at Belvidere Manor on Monday morning, with the job title being: Guest Liaison Manager.
So far the job is great. It is off-peak right now so its quiet, which gives me the opportunity to settle in and learn how everything works.
Although quiet, it is still overwhelming. There is a lot to take in and learn but five days in and I'm already answering the telephone, making booking and friends!
Unfortunately the hotel industry means working some weekends and public holidays, including Christmas and New Years. There are perks however... I get to do so many amazing touristy things if not for free then at least at a great discount price. I can go to game reserves and visit places such as Tsitsikamma and Cango Caves; I can also go aboard the Springtide Charter (a local yacht) and take a trip with my partner (Shaun Barnard.) I have never been on a yacht or done so many amazing things, I haven't been to many game reserves or experienced the activities that there are to do around my country so this would be a great opportunity for me.

Most things seem to be almost perfect right now. Shaun and I are still smiling.

One dampner has been set in place thanks to an extremely psychotic women who married an old friend of mine though. She and I had a feud about a photoshoot I had with her hubby that he lied about to her and suddenly it was all my fault. Her hubby told me how insecure she was concerning me because he'd told her that he had a small thing for me a while ago. Although I heard this straight from the horses mouth, she is now telling me that he never considered me a friend and always thought that I was 'annoying.'
Why then, I would have asked her if she had not quickly blocked me after such a horrid reply, was he the one to always say hello to me on Facebook almost every time??? If only she knew........
I do not wish to break up any happy marriage, which is why I sent her an email trying to put the past behind us. We have to see each other at my brothers wedding and this coming Sunday at my brothers birthday party.
Her reply was so pathetic. She told me that she does not think that my 'apology' was sincere and told me she didn't want to associate with me at all. I replied telling her that I would love to have the pleasure of never associating with the likes of her ever again either but unfortunately we are going to have to. Again I apologised and told her that this was as sincere as I could get and added that I was not going to chase after her and grovel for forgiveness when she was the one that started this nonsense!
She then had the cheek to tell me that I am only invited to my brothers wedding by default, not because they actually want me there. She told me that I am just an annoying fly on the wall.
At first I was furious (I still am,) but after really considering these options: a) tazering the shit out of her until she ran away crying from the likes of both my home and my brothers wedding, b) punching her right in the face, and c) knocking some sense into her by smacking her over the head with an extremely thick, hard-covered book... I decided that I am going to CONTINUE to be the better person; and smile and wave.
This means that when I see her I will be as sweet as pie.
Because I don't know if she realizes this but she is a PLUS ONE at the wedding! If she were not with her lying, mangey husband she would not be thought of on the guest list at all! The only reason SHE is coming is out of politeness, not because anyone actually likes / wants her there. I think she is in denial and turning her feelings onto me. Shame.
So once my anger had been settled, I realized how much it really didn't bother me. I also realized that the one thing I could do to piss her off even further is to be extra sweet to her and make her realize how much her snide and immature comments did not hurt me.
All I and my family need to know is that I attempted to make it nice and she worsened it.
After being nice, if she so much as gives me a funny look I will get cross and shout and she better hope she has protection before I kick her cellulite ridden ass out of my house.

Kind regards,
Jade :)

What's happening?

What to write? Its been a while since I've used this site for anything more than my fashion opinions... and although I have a great amount of fun doing that, its still nice to just let loose and write a big load of messy writing for a lonely soul to read.

The truth is that I take no time in perfecting my writing on this site. I write down what I think;what I feel, and I publish it without a second glance.

Last time I typed away my personal thoughts was the 23rd May and I wrote about my predictions for my next decade. What has happened since then? I suppose its best to start with the most life-changing event... Shaun told me that he loved me.

It was the 25th of May and we'd decided to have a braai at the Howarth's house in Kennet Street. I'd recently set up Rachel and another very good friend of mine so it was more of a couples evening to be honest... We wined and we dined; and after we had demolished at least four bottles of wine between us, I was feeling mighty tipsy. We said our goodbye's and headed back to Shaun's house, me staggering oh so attractively as we entered the front door. I was leaning on the dining room table, trying to come to terms with my drunken state when Shaun came and put his arms around me and he whispered for the very first time, "Jade, I'm in love with you," he then came in for a kiss and suddenly I realized that I couldn't breath, I'd become dizzy and I needed space. I think it was a combination of both the wine, cigarette's and the shock from the romantic confession; but I up-chucked EVERYWHERE!!

Poor Shaun confessed his love for me after eight years of believing he may never say those words again and me (a failure to man-kind) completely ruined the moment!

I stayed in his bathroom, clutching onto to toilet for countless hours after that while he showered and got into bed alone.

After regaining some pride from my epic fail, I finally managed to settle down and write a few chapters of my novel. I felt as though an explosion of inspiration had been let out of me and the chapters that I wrote were both thrilling and incredibly good! I have yet to decide on a title even through all of my brain-storming and efforts... I find it amazing how writing a 50-70'00 word novel can be so much easier than a 3-4 worded title.

I had my first lunch at Shaun's parents house as we entered the month of June. We had a lovely Sunday brunch and Shaun showed me countless photo albums from his childhood that warmed my heart and really made me realize how much I love him and his family.

I am still unemployed and desperately looking for work but while I am trying to find work, my novel has become my main priority and the guy that is proof reading it is thoroughly enjoying it. He said, (and I quote) "it has more twists and turns than the Cobra and Ratanga Junction!" This comment made me extremely happy and proud. I have roughly 20'000 more words to go before it is completed and then I can start sending it off to publishers and get started on my second novel that I have already started brain-storming for!

In latest news, Shaun turned twenty-nine and this coming weekend I have booked us a place to stay and I plan on spoiling him rotten.

Keep on reading,

Jade!

Wedding Bells

...Wedding Dresses...

Your wedding is the one day that it is YOUR turn to be the princess.

Every eye is on you and you finally get to wear that magnificent gown that you've always dreamed about... Here are a a bunch of dresses that I stumbled across from a local Bridal store called :

'Besters' Bridal Boutique'.

These are the dresses that caught my eye, there are vintage ones', princess-like ones' and many, many more.

It is your wedding day so get something amazing....

If your lucky your wedding only happens once!

Have you heard of the Snood???

The snood is an absolutely essential component for winter. Its warm, fun and fashionable! The basically 'never ending scarf,' gives you a whole new look. There are so many different types as well! I myself have three snoods.

The snood was first brought to my attention by my dear friend, Rachel Howarth. I bullied her into letting me wear her gorgeous musky pink snood from Woolworth's for a day in Port Alfred. I then came across my first snood in Mr Price, although it wasn't nearly as nice as hers I settled only to discover I'd wasted my money when we stopped in YDE and I found my dream snood!

My birthday was just around the corner and Rachel found me another one! My set of three beloved snoods are getting me through this wicked winter.

Here they are:

A girls best friend is her shoes

Remember I told you that it was winter?

Boots are essential for this season. Uggs and the ever famous English 'Wellies' are a must!

I've heard that if you want the best uggs, Australia is the place to go. Obviously that's not exactly possible so settle for what you can find OR if you are adamant, do some online shopping.

Every girl should have a pair of peep-toe shoes..Whether it be heels or flats....

Floral it up with some gorgeous floral pumps (I told you I liked Floral!)

Sleep Wear

Your average cute pajama's

Or why not get fashionable with your sleepwear...?

Of course you can just match a nice pair of sleeping pants with a vest too.

Then this I just had to add because I adored it!!!!

Add some FUN into your wardrobe!

Why not?

Casual Wear

Tops

You need a shirt that makes a statement. Like... literally a statement...

They are bold, classy and will give the impression that you are not just another mindless fashion beauty.

Floral is just so much fun. Its vintage and feminine, I LOVE floral!!!

What's next?

Red actually looks good on pretty much anyone; even people with red hair. Silver and gold jewelery both look good with red as well so its a win win... Yet with this particular number I'd pair it with a delicate gold necklace.

"I absolutely ADORE baggier t-shirts..."

with a side pocket to hang loosely over a vest underneath.

Layering is in.

Jade's Fashion Style Secrets

Firstly, find a store you know you love. One that without a doubt, will always have at least one item of clothing you can't leave the store without.

For me, that store is well known UK brand: Topshop.

For those cosy winter days cooped up inside, you will always like to have a handy sweater at the ready. There are so many things you could do with this sweater to make it look simple yet chic... Pair it with a plain pair of black leggings and some warm furry uggs. Put your hair into a messy pony-tail or bun and slide a headband on for a scruffy yet sexy appearance.

Next, we have the every girls must-have for her closet. The checkered, button-up. This goes amazingly well with quarter length denims and a nice pair of casual heels. Hair up or down, it doesn't really matter. The only problem with this sort of top in South Africa is that its a struggle to find one that's figure hugging and fashionable... but as I always say, if its meant to be it will be.

Shorts are tricky and there are so many ways that you can wear them . In every girls closet there should be a number a shorts to pair for different occasions. Beige shorts if you haven't yet noticed makes it easy to wear almost any vest / shirt.

Floral shorts are very vintage and unique, a lot of girls would be too scared to step out of their comfort zone and try these adorable shorts on or wear them in public, but really, they are so cute!

The next pair of shorts you should have air the waist high shorts, similar to the waist high skirt but with just that little bit more of an edge. Wearing these sort of shorts out to a club goes down amazingly and they have an advantage, SO comfortable!

Where is your little black dress? I hope you have one! You can get strapless black dresses, strappy black dresses, sleeved or long-sleeved. As its winter here right now I'm going to show you a more practical black dress.

This long sleeved item can be worn to all sorts of events. My favorite way to wear it would be with some knee high socks. Its got a gorgeous plunging back which adds a sense of classy, sexy maturity:

Come back tomorrow for more fashion style secrets.......... ;-)

Twenty-Something

The time has come for me to move past my adolescent years and enter a whole new era. Today is the eighth day into my inchoate adulthood. I find it odd to think that it is in this decade that I will be getting married, having children and forming a brand new life for myself. My previous decade seems so inanimate to me now. Perhaps this would be the right time to write down my thoughts of what life will be like as I enter my next decade... my thirties; presuming that the world does not end next year of course.

In my thirties I wish to already be married, to have three gorgeous children with a wonderful man and have a stunning house adorned with family photographs. I will have published the novel that I am working on now and many more; and many of them, if not all, will become best sellers.

I will be a well-known author like Danielle Steel (although I have never read one of her novels, she was the first author to come to mind...) but not too well-known like J.K.Rowling (whose ten novels I have deliciously devoured).

I will still be residing in South Africa yet will have travelled much more of the world.

My kids will be my life. I will give up anything for them and be happy with my husband. It will never be a settlement. It will be true, everlasting love and I will be happy.

That is my prediction – written on the 23.05.2011

My new life

Its funny how fast and dramatically your life can change. A month ago, I was jobless, unhappy and dreaming of someone I thought I would never be lucky enough to get. Today I realize I have spent over a month with this same man, the one I thought I would never be in the arms of... I now have a job as well. Mitchell Electrical has always been a family business for us, my dad being the owner, my mom the secretary and my brother the electrician. However, I never thought I would join in and complete the cycle. I am now the admin assistant for my dads business and I am very much hoping that unlike most family businesses, this will make us grow closer as a family...

Also a month ago, I'd light up a cigarette every time I got into my car. Today, I'm a month clean from smoking. Its been insanely difficult and for some reason, I am more out of breath now then when I did smoke when I exercise but I am baring with it.

I also have decreased my number of piercings. I took out my third earrings in my ears and removed my nose ring! Now I have only five piercings in total.

I ended up winding up in the most horrible and guilt-ridden situation at the end of March. Sometime last year a friend of mine set me up on a blind date. The date went horribly and we never spoke again but we did somehow become online friends so when I logged onto my Facebook one day and saw his relationship status had turned from 'single' to 'engaged...!' I was but one of the many congratulating the couple yet somehow his fiancée managed to pick me out of the bunch and ask me how I knew him. Thinking absolutely nothing of it, I responded to her email, informing her that we'd gone on a date at some point last year. It turns out that they have supposedly been together for seven years, engaged for three and have two little children! Even though it was not my fault whatsoever the guilt has stuck with me every day since. What evil, horrible man could do that? He had a family! He must have removed his ring as I would have noticed and bolted. I can't stop thinking about how she and her kids must be feeling. The worst part is that she is actually considering staying with that scum-bag just for the sake of the kids! I gave her my advice and told her that in the long-run both her and her children will be happier if she separated from him. I think she deserves a chance to find someone out there that will treat her right and make her happy. Staying with him is only going to torture her and the children will one day see that and be as equally unhappy as she.

She thanked me for my honesty as I answered every question she shot at me and we parted ways. Both her and her kids will always be in the thoughts until my last breath; tearing a family apart is the worst thing a person could do and although I know it isn't my fault, I am still the cause of their problems........

I've had nonsense of my own to deal with as well lately of course. Knysna. That's really all you have to say. That six letter word that just screams 'GOSSIP. DRAMA and CHAOS!'

I knew my relationship with Shaun couldn't go drama-free forever. One of my ex's managed to spread a pathetic rumor that I kissed someone else at Zanzibar one night, although the guy that I supposedly kissed is in Miami and I was pretty much glued to Shaun's hip all night long. If I wasn't talking, kissing, cuddling and smiling with him I was close by anyway. Someone also told me that the same night he was flirting with some girl with a black dress and long dark hair. I hate the rumors. I wish people would just get on with their own lives and stop trying to get involved in ours. It is our shit, not there's. If I wanted to be kissing another man, I wouldn't be all over Shaun and if Shaun wanted to flirt with other girls then I am hoping he wouldn't want to be with me in the first place!!!

Luckily Shaun and I have not yet had an argument and we have a pretty strong and connected relationship going on. We have had some beautiful and magical moments together over the last month. I am so happy that winter is on its way because one of my favorite things to do with him is snuggle down in front of the fire and cuddle close, kissing each other softly and stroking each others faces, necks, arms... Its moments like that, that make me truly happy. In those moments, nothing could compare to us just lying there and being affectionate. It just feels right.

One Thursday night we ad just finished watching a movie and we were lying next to each other listening to the credits music, his face was glowing from the light of the fire and my fingers were stroking every last detail of his devishly handsome face. "It feels like I have been with you so much longer than a month..." I whispered, looking at him adoringly. "Maybe we just fit babe..." he replied, nuzzling into my warm neck.

Happiness................................

Its all heading in the right direction.....

Where do I begin? It has only been a week since my last entry and already so many amazing things have happened...

My relationship with Shaun is really blossoming or as he would say, 'heading in the right direction...' It feels as though I've both known him and been with him for much longer than a few weeks now. He's everything that I've ever wanted in a man and more! He's sweet and caring, thoughtful and over all he just makes me feel so comfortable and special.

We've done so many amazing things together already and made some really special memories. We spent a weekend away together at a farm in Harkerville, we've spent a Friday night in with pizza and a bottle of red wine, we've hiked up to Drupkelders and swam in their beautiful rock-pools and we've taken a lovely sunset walk along Buffalo Bay Beach.

I get butterflies every time I look at him.

Some things that make him so different from everyone else is just how genuine and thoughtful he is. We went for an adventure in the forest with a six pack of Hunters Dry and got talking about places we want to go to, I mentioned a place near Plettenburg Bay, its a restaurant up in the tree tops and he told me he'd actually been thinking about taking me there for my birthday. Its just the little things he says and does that really take my breath away. Even if we don't end up going to this restaurant in May, its the thought that counts!

I feel so lucky to have met him and I must admit that I haven't been this happy in a long time....

OK, now off the topic of my amazing relationship with my amazing guy.... I have entered Miss Zanzibar 2011. I am competing against 9 other stunning and confident girls and at first I was really feeling nervous and basically ruining the entire experience for myself. Now though, I've decided that the best attitude is to go into this thing without getting my hopes up, try my absolute hardest and if I don't win then I will clap and cheer for whoever does!

Wish me luck!

Fingers crossed!

Will update you all soon,

Jade

Don't punish me for being happy.

So far March has been a busy month. There have been many tears shed, hearts hurt and overwhelming confusion.

Funie and I drew things to a close on the third of March, it was a Thursday night and I'd told him to meet me at Cafe Mario's because we needed to talk about why our relationship had suddenly turned so differently to how it had been in the beginning. I am not going to go into great detail about the words we exchanged over dinner that night but what I can say is that he agreed with them and after realizing that neither of us could carry on in the situation, we shared a nice dinner and made the mature decision to keep the friendship.

At first it was strange sleeping alone again, considering that we had practically begun living together over the last two months. I'd wake up at 3am after tossing and turning restlessly and not be able to fall back asleep - but eventually having some 'me' time again, it was starting to become more enjoyable.

My first Friday of being single was definitely a whirlwind. Both Funie and Michael were at Oyster Catcher in the same group as I was, where we were all conversing over drinks. There had been someone that gave me butterflies every time I saw him for a while now and he was also at Oyster Catcher. I don't know why I felt something so strong between this guy, it was as though a jolt of electricity was shocked through me every time I saw him. I didn't act on my feelings yet though because I knew it was far too soon.

A few more days past and I was getting fidgety, all I wanted was to be with this guy. The thing that made everything worse was that on the Saturday, after the Oyster Catcher, I decided to finally quit smoking. I had been wanting to quit for a very long time but after finding out my dog could possibly have cancer of the throat, after a very close friend of mine passed away due to cancer on the 2nd of February and after my grandfather also passed away from cancer - I finally had my wakeup call. I can't deny that it was also much easier to make this decision while being single, as every one of my boyfriends have been smokers. Luckily for me, the guy that was now taking up every thought in my head, is not a smoker.

Another thing that I decided to quit was waitressing at East Heads Cafe. It was taking up all of my time, time lost that I could have spent writing my book. Right now I would rather be broke as hell and dedicating every second to my book than somewhere that doesn't really even appreciate me.

I started to get lonely and went out by myself for a night of drinking. I thought it would be quiet but the bar I went to had some big birthday party going on with a whole crowd that I knew. I was gladly welcomed to join in the party and got extraordinarily pissed to put it lightly. The loneliness and alcohol was a terrible combination and somehow I found myself sitting on the beach on Leisure Island in the pouring rain, ALONE, sobbing my heart out.

The very next night, the guy that I'd been dreaming of for days now, finally made his move. It was thundering and raining heavily and we could do nothing but hold each other closely, finally content. His name is Shaun and he is such a sweet and caring guy. There are so many sides to him and things to learn. He's both a scuba diver and a great cook, he's an animal lover and enjoys most things outdoors...... I went to a farm out in Hakerville with him for a weekend and he cooked all of the amazing food. It was great having a weekend away from Knysna and away from all of the chaos.

On the Monday night we went out to celebrate a friend's 25th birthday and sometime throughout the night he told me over a drink that he had been thinking about changing his status on facebook to what it should be. I got the biggest wave of butterflies rushing through my stomach after that and I smiled at him, truly happy...

Once our relationship was made public, obviously people started to talk. I got people commenting on how fast it was and so on. It was fast and I know this, but when you find something that

makes you as happy as Shaun makes me, you need to seize the moment or you might lose your chance forever.......

I never wanted to hurt anyone in the process, but it was pretty much inevitable that some people would get hurt no matter how we handled things.

All I can say to those hurt is that I really am truly and deeply sorry

and no hurt was intentional.

For a while, I felt like an absolute jerk and hated myself for hurting people but eventually I had to let it go.

I'm hoping that one day, those hurt can understand, there was no cheating or shoving it in anyone's faces, I tried so hard to make everything OK and apologized profusely for days on end but it wasn't enough to get them to forgive me for what I did.

I handled the situation in the best possible way that I could and I lost someone that could have been a great friend in the process but the spark I feel between Shaun and I was something I had to pursue regardless of the consequences and even though I am sad to lose someone from my life, I am happy that I pursued it.

Peace and love

Jade

Don't like my Blog? Then don't read it. Simple.

Apologies for the early morning rant.... but it must be done.

It appears that some people are overly sensitive about my blog and have somehow found the time in their life to actually read it! (That is the first sign of knowing that you need a life!) An old friend of mine stumbled across a paragraph about her somewhere throughout these blog entries about how I think that she is wasting her money after winning R10'000.

To me, a blog is basically paragraphs after paragraphs of someones personal opinions and if you are not happy with them, don't read them! Besides, re-reading what I wrote, I found absolutely nothing bitchy or mean. All I found was my personal opinion about how she spends her R10'000. Which I had told her to her face after she came back from the first day of her card being activated with a whole bunch of random materialistic things that she wanted but didn't need! Stuff that she has either probably already lost or lost interest in already! My only point was that if you have a R10'000 spending card just GIVEN to you that is valid until 2013, spend it wisely! She's swiping her card daily like the worlds really going to come to an end in 2012!!!

Re-reading what I wrote, I nearly died from laughter inside, which is scientifically impossible but a funny thought nonetheless.

She sent me this seriously petty and childish email saying how she cannot believe that I wrote about her in my blog and ESPECIALLY that I said she was wasting her money... 'not cool,' I quote.

After reading the email I rolled my eyes and sighed, replying quite simply, 'get over it.' This reply however, was certainly NOT the one she had in mind and wrote back to me in furious immaturity calling me the....... 'B' word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my Gosh! I am so hurt! (insert sarcasm here) Did she really expect me to apologize?

Anyway, I told her that she was being childish and that she was just looking for a reason to fight and I told her I wasn't going to play her game. If two friends don't fight in this town for a maximum of a fortnight, it seems they go rabid and start poking at anyone to cause a rough and tumble. It is entertaining to watch how people really do get sucked into this town and cause drama out of nothing.

So where was I? Oh yes, standing my ground of not fighting with her...... "I don't want to fight, I'm not you Jade!" was the next thing she wrote to me... Hmm... now this reply really did confuse the hell out of me. Where was one scrap of this girls logic here???

Dumbfounded, I typed back dubiously... "Then why did YOU email me? and why did YOU start calling me ugly names?"

I mean really, what a contradiction..

Well, it appears she did not appreciated being proven wrong and after reading that message she blocked me! WELL DONE! :)

Again.... it baffles me how some people's minds work.

It is simple. Don't like me blog? Don't read it.