Day 23 - Bullet Point Your Entire Day #26DayBloggingChallenge

As yesterday was the start of my leave from work - a wonderful two and a half weeks off (I can hear angel's singing), I thought I'd this challenge as day 23. 

• 06:45am - woke up to the beautiful melody of a song by Jason Mraz which is set as my alarm tone. Unfortunately I'd forgotten to cancel my alarm... promptly switched it back off and enjoyed a fabulous sleep-in. 
• 07:30am - completely ignored my running clothes placed by my bedside (again) and instead hopped into a hot bath to keep warm with some coffee. 
• 08:30am - remembered I had an eyebrow wax booked for 9am and hightailed it out of the house in a massive hoodie, leggings and some boots. 
• 09:15am - had been waiting outside in the freezing cold for fifteen minutes for the lady to show up to do my wax. Decided to give up and ventured around town to see if any other salon in town had space to squeeze me in. 
• 09:30am - managed to find a place to have waxing done - yay! 
• 09:45am - returned home (red and swollen,) and watched a few more episodes of my beloved new series, Hart of Dixie. 
• 12:00pm - Decided to put on a face and a change of clothes, this time I chose a maroon long sleeved dress. Dragged a brush through my hair and sprayed on some D 'n G perfume before heading out the house. 
• 12:30pm - Picked up Blue Eyes as we had made plans to go to a lovely wine estate for lunch. Along the drive to get to the vineyards, Blue Eyes was DJ in the car and I was pleasantly surprised by our music tastes. He doesn't seem like the kind to like Red Jumpsuit Apparatus or Limp Bizkit, but my cds went down a treat!
• 13:15pm - Arrived at vineyards, swiftly ordered a delicious blend of wine... with a ridiculously over-the-top description of its playful lime and passionate traits - bwahahaha you have to laugh at wine descriptions!
• 13:30pm - A selection of tapas arrived at the big wooden table we were sitting at besides a crackling fireplace. Baked Brie and Cranberry, Smoked Chicken, Carpaccio, Chicken Liver Patte, Hummus, Bread - we were in heaven with a beautiful storm brewing outside. 
• 15:00pm - raced back to my car in the pouring rain and began the drive back home. 
• 15:30pm - dropped Blue Eyes off at his house, had one wonderful kiss and said goodbye as he is away for the weekend. 
• 15:45pm - Got back to my place, converted to box wine. Just not the same after having lunch at a vineyard!!!! Slipped back into pj's and watched Hart of Dixie for HOURS. 
• 18:00pm - Pasta for dinner. Nom nom nom
• 18:30pm - More Hart of Dixie snuggled under blankets and clutching onto a hot water bottle. 
• 21:00pm - BED. 

So OK, not the most interesting and glamorous day but the lunch at the vineyard was wonderful and so was seeing Blue Eyes again.    

As for what I'll be doing for the rest of my time off - well, to be honest it feels nice to not have plans for once! I decided to not go away traveling this year - for the first time ever. It was a hard decision to make and I've been stuck in one place for exactly a year now which is very unlike me - but in a way, I guess it is needed. Put down some roots for the first time. I'm still saving to travel and the funny thing is that I do have enough for that plane ticket and an awesome holiday - but I'm happy to stick around a little while longer and continue saving until the time is right.

I will be spending a lot of time at the pottery house attempting to have some potter breakthrough of skills (highly unlikely) and definitely surf. I want to paint and write and redecorate my place a bit - to be honest I just want to do the normal every day things that I always want to do but never have time to do. That is what I am needing right now. 

Day 22 - Last Book You Read #26DayBloggingChallenge

This post is supposed to be based on the last book I read but considering that the last book I read was #GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso and I did a book review on it just the other day for one of the other challenges - I thought I'd cheat a little bit today. 

So instead of sharing with you all what book I read last, I thought I'd share what series I watched last!

I'm obsessed!

Granted I am only four episodes in, but I knew from the get go that this series was for me. 

Not only do I adore Rachel Bilson (if I had to pick an actress to play me in a film, it'd be her), but I literally found myself crying in the first episode!! 

It was such a tear-jerker for me. 

What I love about it is that she is this seriously ambitious doctor and wants to work alongside her dad as a surgeon but he's being a bit of a knob so she ventures off to be a GP for a year down South - far, far away from New York City. 

Starting fresh in a new tiny town where she knows no one, she suddenly realizes this old man who'd been begging her to come and work at his practice for some time now, has died and left her half of his practice! 

If only - right!?

It isn't all that glamorous though - adjusting to the 'country lifestyle' isn't easy and to gain the respect of the other doctor in town is seeming to be a pretty messy ordeal. Then there's the freaky click of ladies that seem to be living in the 1900's who don't seem to be very accepting towards her either. 

Not to mention some seriously fit country men that are thrown into the mix to give you a series of heart palpitations between it all.

Despite Bilson's prissy, slightly 'plastic' role as Zoe Hart in the beginning, you quickly see her breaking down her barriers and turning into someone you just can't help but love. 

I love the fact that this show is all about a young woman starting fresh in a new town, completely alone. It's been a big fantasy in my head to do just that for some time now but as much as I want to, I am really happy with my job right now. I am in the ideal situation to just work my butt off and save the majority of my salary away every month. It's like my little security blanket knowing I have this savings kept securely away so that one day, if and when I need it, it's there. 

Plus, things in the little town I live in are going so much better lately. 

I've figured out who my real friends are in town, avoid the crazies and plod along quite happily - and I've met a lovely man as I mentioned in a previous post.

So as for right now, my fresh start is merely that - a fantasy... a fantasy that for right now, has been put to sleep. 

I still love this show though - it is so easy to relate to, so enjoyable and the perfect combination between deep and meaningful as well as fun and entertaining. 

Some of the things that are said in the show makes it almost feel like the show was written for me! Most of the things that are said actually. 

I feel like this show is just meant for me. 

Have you ever felt that way? 

Where you just connect on an entirely different level with a certain show, movie, song or book? 

Like there's no doubt about it, it was written for you? 

Well, that is Hart of Dixie for me.

Day 21 - Photo of the Last Item you Purchased #26DayBloggingChallenge

I got this imPRESS press-on manicure set from Foschini over the weekend for a fancy date night.

I was actually super skeptical about them at first but they have actually seriously surprised me.
They were the perfect fit for my tiny nails and look so real! 

To top it off, they really lasted (the packaging says lasts 1 week)!
I went Ten Pin Bowling with the things on and nailed it (pardon the pun...)

It is now Day 4 and they are in perfect condition.

It is so quick to apply too. 

I matched each nail to my specific size and gently pulled the plastic tab from the back of the nail so that the bottom was sticky.
Then you press the nails down firmly for a few seconds and voila - instant glam nails.

The packaging is super cute as the nails are in a little plastic nail polish bottle. 

You can get these stick-on nails for an absolute bargain of: R149.95 at Foschini, South Africa.
Included in the set are 24 nails covers in 12 sizes, a mini nail file and a little cleaning pad to prep the nails. 

I'm so in love with my nails - I've never really been blessed with pretty hands or nails so I finally feel a bit more feminine now and it is a much cheaper alternative to a pricey manicure at a salon every month!

I cannot fault this product thus far and remain very impressed! From not expecting much at all to being completely pleasantly surprised.

Happy Days.

Me and mum sporting our ultra cool nails (hers are real... pfft. Oooo the envy!)

Day 20 - Photographs of Yourself 2 Years Ago #26DayBloggingChallenge

I took the weekend off from this blogging challenge. I guess that means I pretty much failed - as the point of the challenge is to write one post every day, right? But let's be honest... writing a post every single day for nearly a month straight is pretty difficult to stick to.

Anyway... I had such an incredible weekend, with an equally incredible guy with handsome blue eyes and a smile that makes you melt. We're taking things very slowly though, which is perfect for me - and by 'incredible' I mean that we just connect so easily. He makes me feel good. We chat about anything and everything. Laugh and smile and goof around. It feels natural and fun when we're together and it has been a long time since I've felt a connection quite like it.

Once again though, I really don't want to get my hopes up. I really don't think I could handle more heartache and tears right now. I'm a sensitive person with a big heart and I have always tried to go into something by jumping straight in with both feet; what I like about this is that it isn't pressurized or rushed. We're dipping our toes in first and so far, so good. I think it has the potential to turn into something truly beautiful.

I think the best thing to do in any situation is take it day by day. Don't try and build it up as something so high that if it doesn't work, you're only left harder and longer to fall.

Don't enter a relationship with this crazy mind-set that this is 'The One' and start planning your massive future together. That's scary shit, bra! 

Focus solely on falling in love with one another first - and take it from there. Engagements, marriage, babies and all that chaos will come later, in it's own time. Don't force it - otherwise you're working yourselves up for failure and disappointment. 

Anyway. 

Friday night he invited me to be his date at this fancy dinner up at Simola. 

I got to dress up in a sparkly black strapless dress and heels. It was just divine. In Knysna, you really don't get to dress up often so it felt good to go all out. 

On Saturday I had a girly day with my mum. We went to a stunning cafe for breakfast where I had a Bloody Mary and Eggs Hollandaise. Thereafter we did some shopping in town. I splurged out on quite a few things like a new pair of jeans, a shirt and some new leggings. I even got to see my nephew, who has just started crawling properly!! 

He's progressing so quickly these days, from starting to say the word, 'Dada' to crawling across the room - it is too touching for words. 

Saturday night I met 'Blue Eyes' at a restaurant by the water and we ordered a bottle of delicious white wine while we waited for takeaway pasta and pizza. 

Back at his place we watched a movie (which was horrendous!!) and just had a lovely quiet night in with his cat. 

Then, Sunday... :) 

(the absolute best day I have had in a long time)

We went for breakfast together down by the water again before popping open a bottle of bubbly on some train tracks above the ocean and watched two whales playing in the waves. It was so romantic. We then strolled hand in hand around a mall which felt so good - it's been a long time since I've held hands and walked around with someone. Simple little things like that just make me feel so good. The normality of being with someone - you can't beat it, can you? 

After some shopping we hopped over the the ten pin bowling club and I kicked his ass at bowling ;) 

Then he kicked mine in pool. 

We finished the weekend off with a drink at a local beach bar called Pili Pili before calling it a night and I headed home to spend quality time with my cats and he did the same with his. 

Something about yesterday was just perfect. I had such a fabulous time laughing and joking and just bonding. 

And now I just can't stop smiling.  

Right.. back to the point of this post... here are some photographs of me 2 years ago. 

A surfing, musical blondie. I don't really think much has changed besides my hair color and length.

Playing the guitar.

Off for a surf.

Cruising around on a yacht.

Back then I was as much of a free-spirited, happy-go-lucky, smiley and goofy person as I am today. I'm just me. I don't try to be something I'm not and I have absolutely no need to be - because I am content and peaceful and just stoked with life. 

Have a good week ahead! 

Day 19: A Book That You Love #26DayBloggingChallenge

“A #GIRLBOSS is in charge of her own life. She gets what she wants because she works for it.”

The first thing Sophia Amoruso sold online wasn’t fashion—it was a stolen book. She spent her teens hitchhiking, committing petty theft, and dumpster diving. By twenty-two, she had resigned herself to employment, but was still broke, directionless, and working a mediocre day job she’d taken for the health insurance.
It was there that Sophia decided to start selling vintage clothes on eBay. Eight years later, she is the founder, CEO, and creative director of Nasty Gal, a $100 million plus online fashion retailer with more than 350 employees. Sophia’s never been a typical CEO, or a typical anything, and she’s written #GIRLBOSS for outsiders (and insiders) seeking a unique path to success, even when that path is winding as all hell and lined with naysayers.

#GIRLBOSS includes Sophia’s story, yet is infinitely bigger than Sophia. It’s deeply personal yet universal. Filled with brazen wake-up calls (“You are not a special snowflake”), cunning and frank observations (“Failure is your invention”), and behind-the-scenes stories from Nasty Gal’s meteoric rise, #GIRLBOSS covers a lot of ground. It proves that being successful isn’t about how popular you were in high school or where you went to college (if you went to college). Rather, success is about trusting your instincts and following your gut, knowing which rules to follow and which to break.
A #GIRLBOSS takes her life seriously without taking herself too seriously. She takes chances and takes responsibility on her own terms. . She knows when to throw punches and when to roll with them. When to button up and when to let her freak flag fly. 
As Sophia writes, “I have three pieces of advice I want you to remember: Don’t ever grow up. Don’t become a bore. Don’t let The Man get to you. OK? Cool.  Then let’s do this.”

Blurb taken from:  Amazon

I started reading this book on a plane journey back from Cape Town in late and frosty July. It was a quick flight, hardly over an hour - which was barely enough time for me to enjoy the on-flight glass of wine! Devastating...

After the first page, having now happily ordered my chardonnay, I was hooked - even though that blasted hashtag included in the title really put me off getting this book.

To say that you literally cannot put a book down is quite a statement, but I have absolutely no problem in admitting it here.

I hated having to slip in a bookmark and press the pages together again as the flight started to descend and the lights on-board were switched off.

I was already over 50 pages in and doubt whether I have ever devoured a book so fast. This is also due to the large print though and mass amount of quotes, photographs and illustrations included, to be fair.

Once off the plane, I then had to endure a dreadful hour long drive back home, all the while yearning to read more of this incredible woman's story.

Much to my surprise, it is a book I would suggest to many businesses wanting to broaden their employees working mind-sets and horizons.

It is so fitting for the business environment. 

This is a book that I WISH I'd had my hands on when I first entered the working world. It is so incredibly helpful for those who have just left school and who are now scouting for jobs, making cv's and writing cover letters. It is rife with wisdom - yet I will admit personally I felt that it was definitely aimed towards a younger audience. Girls just finishing high school and getting jobs etc would thoroughly enjoy this read. It's raw, real, entertaining and quirky with humor filling every page and the odd swear word chucked in here and there just because, hey, Sophia Amoruso is a bit of a bad-ass. 

Sophia is also so easy to relate to. We all know what it's like to be barely scraping by each month, living pay-check to pay-check. 

At the same time with all of this considered, I find this book to be professional in a refreshing and completely unique way.

It has fantastic tips and quotes to inspire you to save money:

(my manager and every other shoe addict in the world disagrees with this quote... but I love it!)

This book awakens you to want to work hard and do your best in everything you do. It is empowering, there is no better way to put it.

This book simply nailed it - like a boss.

Day 18: Describe Yourself From 5 Years Ago 26DayBloggingChallenge

In 2009 I was eighteen and man, does that seem like a long time ago. I have done a lot of growing up from then until now - so much so that you probably wouldn't even recognise me. By that I don't mean physically, but mentally and emotionally I have matured beyond what I would have even thought to be possible. 

I decided to consult my 2009 journal for this challenge - which was harder than what you may think. My past hasn't exactly been a good one and back then I was still dealing with a lot of negativity and just in a really bad space. 

The start of 2009, when I was still just seventeen, was when I had written down my new years resolution: Start Gym. 

For the first time in my life I think I excelled in this considering after finishing up college I actually applied to work at a gym where I went on to become a qualified personal trainer! 

Yes.. I know this is an older photo but i wanted to include it anyway!

In January 2009 I had been dating someone for nearly a year and he was my high school sweetheart. Although we are still very close friends to this day, we were so bad for each other back then. 

With me in my self-destruction phase and with him not far behind - it was only a matter of time until it ended anyway.

Unfortunately this turned out to be one of those relationships that was on and off repeatedly every few days - groan. 

It was as though as much as we knew we weren't working out, we just couldn't stay away from each other. We were everything to each other - that is until he cheated on me that is. We've long since forgiven and forgotten but after being cheated on and having my heart bashed around I changed permanently. 

Before 2009, I had the biggest heart in the world with SO much love to give - then suddenly, I closed up like a clam and you couldn't pry me open even if you tried. 

I guess in a big way I am still dealing with that - opening my heart up entirely to someone. I try to, but it is still so scary to me. 

I was suffering with very bad depression back then and had a lot of low self-esteem issues. 

Not only was I battling with dark and scary thoughts an eighteen year old should never have to go -through, but my family life was a nightmare too. 

My folks were drinking to excess, dealing with their own problems and finding the bottle was the way to help matters when in reality it only made things worse. 

Aggression and violence dominated behind the four walls we called home. It was awful and we had never been more disconnected from each other. 

In my journal I'd have horrible little entries such as:

"Men confuse me. Life is hard. Love sucks. Friendships never last. That's the cold, hard truth."

"Trapped in a world with endless days."

and:

"Am I alive, or just breathing?"

Reading back on them now, I feel so much sadness. 

I wish 23 year old me could have helped 18 year old me. 

I didn't make the most of my teenage days, in fact I hid from them and fought with them. It's a very hard thing to realise.

I decided to try and get out of the situation by filling in my university forms in between smoking mass amounts of cigarettes - because I thought I was a serious bad-ass.

I desperately wanted to be a student at Rhodes university to study journalism. 

Even back then and until this day, writing has been my biggest passion and greatest dream. That is the one thing that has never faltered with me. 

With everything going on in 2009, I was an extremely deep person. 

I loved quotes such as:

"Anyone who says that this is more than they can handle is less than the kind of person you need in your life."

I am still an incredibly deep person and find so much inspiration on quotes - I think back then was just the start.

By early March 2009 things had gotten so bad in my life and the happy pills weren't helping - so I tried alternate methods.

I went to an art therapy lady who basically only managed to freak me out further. 

She said that when I was a baby, a wiccan spiritual ritual was performed on me.

Drinking vodka in the school bathrooms... because I thought I was badass

I had no idea what that meant, but it scared me because my Auntie is a witch-doctor living in Johannesburg and we haven't had a relationship with her in many, many years. 

I never did look into what that woman said in greater detail because it petrified me so much that ever since I have been trying to ignore it. In fact, I'd completely forgotten it until hauling out my journal and reading it tonight.

After turning 18, I could finally stop worrying about looking old enough to get into clubs. I guess from that point of there was a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. I had always chosen to hang out with a much older crowd than myself and so I was always constantly fretting that I'd hold them back or ruin their evenings should I be busted for being under-age. With that worry out the window, I became a lot more relaxed. 

I got my first job at a local DVD rental store and have been grafting my butt off at every job I have ever had ever since. It is the one thing my dad loves to gloat about, the fact that I am such a hard worker. 

Some good things came from 5 years ago though... 

Such as FINALLY discovering the joys of sushi! I'd hated it for years before turning 18 and slowly my taste buds changed.

Now, I couldn't imagine life without sushi!

I also got my drivers licence and by May 6th, I had my first set of wheels! 

A beautiful white Honda Jazz V-tec. 

I later wrote this car off in a bad accident - but she was an incredible little vehicle and I still miss her today.

By the end of 2009 my relationship with my high school sweetheart finally hit breaking point and we parted ways. 

I decided to pack up my life and move to England to start fresh. It didn't last long. I was going in completely blind and completely alone. I had no idea what on earth I was doing plus it was right in the middle of recession so I couldn't find work and came back pretty quickly - but, my friends, that is a completely other story. 

So yeah... 

All of the hardships I faced back then moulded me into who I am today..... and finally, after a lot of blood, sweat and tears, I am happy. 

I found myself and my confidence. 

Day 17: 5 Things on your Bucket List #26DayBloggingChallenge

1. Go on a Date in a Hot Air Balloon Above the Franschhoek Vineyards
I have said this a thousand times and I have no problem admitting it again - I am a hopeless romantic.
People often ask what your 'ideal' date would be and I like to think I'm pretty simplistic. To me, it's all about the small things.....
But in a perfect world - this would be my idea of magic.
Floating in a hot air balloon at sunset over the majestic Franschhoek vineyards with a bottle of champagne and my man.

I don't think you could get better than that.

2. Swim with Dolphins

Swimming with dolphins and manta-rays has always been a dream of mine.

As a surfer, I see these beautiful creatures all the time and it is so special!

Actually getting to touch and play with them though?

My life might actually be complete after that.

3. See The Rolling Stones LIVE!

I am named of Mick Jagger's daughter, Jade Jagger. This isn't the reason I adore this band so much - I just grew up listening to them and the likes of Guns n Roses, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana.

I am one of the Rolling Stones biggest fans - and seeing them live would probably have me in tears of happiness.

One day!

4. Attend the Holi One Colour FestivalTo this day, I still cannot believe that I haven't attended one of these fun festivals. They looks like such a blast!!!

There are local ones such as 'Colour Runs' you can attend but to actually go to the original festival held in India?

Phwoar.

Yes please!

5. Conquer my fear of Bungee Jumping!

It isn't the height.. I love heights! It's the 'falling' I don't like. You have no control! 100% petrified of this!