It's a Beautiful Day to Create

Over the course of the weekend I have been trying to enjoy the revelry of song writing.
A few years ago, when I was much younger, I used to be pretty good at it. It used to be easy for me to pick up a pen and some paper and to pour my emotions onto a page – whether they be happy or sad. Nowadays however, I think I am too concerned about perfection and I cannot help but be disappointed in myself.
Whatever happened to the Jade that said, “Not all writing can be good. You need to collect and treasure the bad because it helps you to both recognize and appreciate the good when it comes around.” Can you imagine how boring it would be if we only ever read and wrote good work?! But I guess it is like ‘they’ say, “It is far easier said than done.”
I could easily sit and scrutinize my writing from its very first breath. I barely give it a chance.

I think I have realized that writing needs to be like strumming on a guitar.
Every chord has a colour and each generates a different emotion. You need to listen to what emotion each chord evokes and tell that story however it feels.
If it is a major chord then it is usually a positive feeling whereas if it is a minor chord it is more emotional, deeper.
A writer knows what colour a word is. It is a dictionary written in their heart and constantly surging through their veins.
Give your words the chance to mix into the colours of a beautiful sunset and enjoy the process of creating.

January Favorites

Many of my more regular readers' will know that about four months ago I went through a pretty nasty break-up. Almost together for two years - ring shopping, marriage talk, baby banter, living together, getting pets together... no one thought it would come to an end. 

When it did though and the time came for me to leave the cottage, pack up my life as I knew it and start afresh - I felt pretty raw. 

I remember driving around one afternoon listening to the radio when a song came on and literally every single line felt like it was meant for me in that moment, (don't worry - it's not Taylor Swift...) 

Pink - Try.

That song has really helped me to see the positive side of things. It reminds me that I need to get up and try. It reminds me that just because the burn hurts, it doesn't mean I'm going to die. The lyrics may be simple but all in all the combination of the melody, the words, the piano... it all equals up to exactly the message I was needing from it.

If you are busy going through a break-up then give this a listen. I hope it helps you the way it helped me.

These are some of the other things that I got up to this month:

I found a really great new foundation from The Body Shop. My usual Woolworths Foundation ran dry and they didn't have my colour in stock when I went to buy a new tube so I went on a bit of a hunt.
This is the first time that I have tried The Body Shop's Foundation and I'm so impressed with it - think I may have converted!

Along my hunt for new base I also decided to visit the sale trays and pick up a cheap mascara. This was only R15.00 from Foushini and to me it really does the job just as well (or perhaps even better,)  as some of my previous mascara's that cost + R150.00

I started to learn a card game called Kings and Assholes. 

How you play Kings & Assholes:

Divide the pack of cards between your players (works really well with 3-4 people)
The person who gets a Three of Diamonds starts, placing that card down on the table facing upwards. Working clockwise, the next person can play a single card on top of that three as long as it is a higher number. (Suits do not matter).
You cannot play another three on top of a three however, it has got to be higher.
In this game, two is the highest card and can close the round off. If someone places a two on top of the pile then you turn those cards over and start again.
The first person who finishes the game with no cards left in his / her hands wins and therefore becomes the King.
From there, the remaining players battle it out. The person who finishes with the most cards left becomes the asshole.
This means that on the next round, the asshole must give the King his / her highest card and the King gives the asshole the card that he or she doesn't want.

After the first round you can start playing doubles, triples etc (if you have two or more cards with the same number,) this helps you get rid of your cards faster.
If you cannot play when it is your turn then you can choose to skip your turn.

I find this game really fun and addictive. Give it a try!

I took Kyle's Jeep for a bit of a spin... it was awesome!!! This day was just magical. We'd gone to a family gathering entailing cocktails and a fully clothed swim in the lagoon. Thereafter I begged just a little to drive his car, (which I am hopelessly in love with to say the least!) I may even be coming around to the idea of automatic vehicles...

Chantelle used to be featured in my blog back in 2010 when I first started it, in posts such as:

http://bohemianmuses.blogspot.com/2010/06/and-so-ends-very-interesting-month.html

http://bohemianmuses.blogspot.com/2010/07/1-german-1-brit-and-2-south-african.html

and

http://bohemianmuses.blogspot.com/2010/07/more-pointless-ramblings-of-no-body.html

which, looking back at those few posts makes me feel like quite the alcoholic! Just to clarify that this is not the case, I am not that bad anymore, (I say confidently while you stare at a picture of us depleting a jug of strawberry daiquiri.....)

We've had a few pretty great night's out this month and reconnecting with her has been lovely.

From the left: Shaun, my ex. Me and Lucien. 

This was the first day in roughly three months that my ex and I were able to be around each other without any awkwardness. Although we have broken up, we'd still like to develop some sort of a friendship. It has been really difficult to be around each other and mainly things end up in heated arguements and one of us has to leave but I am hopeful that we'll be friends one day.
We have a close friendship group and in a small town like Knysna it is impossible to not bump into each other when we go out so I think we're doing as best we can to make it work somehow.

If I could choose somewhere else in the Garden Route to live - Plettenberg Bay would be right up there. The entire atmosphere is so different - I feel like I've just stepped into the OC every time I go there.
Amie, Alle and I found a little wooden bar right on the beach after our hike at Robberg and enjoyed a drink or two in the gorgeous Summer sun.  

 

 The hike to Robberg was amazing. It always is. I cannot even count how many time I have done it - complete hiking addict!

 Spent some time at Pili Pili beach bar for the first time in over a year, caught up with old friends, made new friends and just let my hair get salty, my feet get sandy and my life get happy again. 
Very therapeutic for the soul.

These were some of my favorite ensembles of the month. Almost everything I am wearing from these shots is Mr. Price clothing.
The lace white dress was just R99.00 which I bought over a year ago and the floral summer dress was R69.00 which I bought this month.
Then there's me in a plain black tee, with holes in the shoulders. This wasn't expensive at all and I bought it a few days ago along with those gorgeous blue heels for R169.00. The skirt is from Edgars and is already about four years old.
My most expensive outfit of the month was my pink look for a dinner date at Emily Moon. See the previous post for info about this outfit!

This is a photograph of my brother and I underneath the gazebo at my new house. My folks and I moved in on the 25th January. It is but a 30 second walk from the beautiful ocean and it is just perfect. I finally got my white-picket fencing :)

I've been in hibernation mode recently as well. I haven't really gone out and seen my friends, joined in on barbeques or movie nights. For the first time, I've been comfortable with just having time to myself and enjoying my own company... and my cats.
Great - now I just sound like a crazy cat person. Which I probably am...

Anyway, I learnt how to make chocolate face masks and I woke up to the smoothest skin!
This is the recipe I used:

• Half a cup of cocoa powder
• Half a cup of honey
• Two tablespoons of besan (besan works better for oily skin. I'm a combination but as its summer I chose besan over oatmeal, which is better for those with dry skin).
• Three tablespoons of curd (also advisable for oily skin, whereas for dry you could use cream).

You mix these ingredients together in a blender until it forms a thick chocolatey batter then leave it to set for five minutes. Apply to the face and leave on for 15-20 minutes, the normal amount of time for most face masks. Wash off with lukewarm water and pat skin dry with a towel (this was the messy bit for me!).

Cons of a chocolate face mask:

• It smells absolutely divine and you'll be craving chocolate like mad!!!

Benefits of a chocolate face mask:

• Skin becomes glowing, soft, firm and smooth

Last night, to finish the month of January off, I invited my oldest friend in Knysna over for a farewell dinner. This is us looking rather haggard and make-up-less in our pjs for our night in.
This was both a highlight and a big lowlight in January.
Saying goodbye is never, ever easy but she is moving on to bigger and better things and I wish her all the best for her exciting future in the big concrete jungle better known as Johannesburg.

Here's my blog post written a few months back, based on how to handle saying goodbye to someone close to you:

http://bohemianmuses.blogspot.com/2012/03/saying-goodbye.html

It truly has been a fantastic month and some really special memories have been made.
The first month of the year and already I can tell that this year is kicking 2012 into the past and helping me move on to better and more exciting things.

Over the next eleven monthly favourites posts that I will be doing there will be many containing travel pictures from all over... I plan on doing my infamous Euro tour and perhaps see a bit more of Africa too such as Mozambique.
I have great plans for 2013 so keep updated and travel with me through this amazing journey called life.

Wishing you all a glorious February.

J

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