Chocolate + tennis

I have a tennis crush on Roger Federer and will be supporting him in the US Open (which is a point of contention in our household as the husband is a loyal Nadal fan). My favourite tennis moment of all time was seeing him play at the US Open.

However, that favorite moment has been over taken today by Federer's debut as the global ambassador of Lindt. Chocolate + Federer... can you get any better than that?

Also, take a look at Federer's trickery/talent on the Gillette shoot here.

Game, set, match

The US Open was one of my favorite events in the NY calendar. I love the grounds of Arthur Ashe, the spirit of the game, and getting up close and personal with stars. I have been in rain and sunshine, day and night, opening ceremony, box seats, back seats, mid seats, court side, I've caught the train, and I've driven there. Last year I was on honeymoon so I missed it but this year I shall certainly be watching from my couch.

Spring is in the air

Spring is almost, almost here. The days are longer and the air is distinctly warmer. And while our mid-seasons are not that well defined, there is that moment between winter and summer where the world seems so much sweeter. Happy Monday!

{source unknown}

Weekend wish

This is where I wish I was spending my weekend...

This beautiful spot is a rental house in California, near Point Reyes. Doesn't it look wonderful. I don't think I would move off that couch. The husband is away this weekend so I will be getting up to some girly stuff.

Have a good one!

The city market

While I didn't get to see much while I was in Kenya, I browsed through the City Market in downtown Nairobi in in between meetings. My bargaining techniques were apparently not very good (and there I was proud for getting the price down by 50 percent) but I love the beautiful goods I purchased: a handwoven throw, a turquoise kikoi, two cow horn bangles and two Masai bells. I was taken to the back of the store by the vendor, I sat down on the stool that was offered, I was handed a calculator and was told to type in the price I wanted. I don't think dealing in US$ helped me in the process. Next time I will be a bit more savvy (or just outsource the task to my bargaining-expert colleague).

New York Anniversary

Five years ago today I arrived in New York. I was living in London at the time so landed at the airport with too many suitcases and wearing three coats (I didn't have the heart to leave them behind). I didn't know a soul and had only been to the city once before with my family when I was thirteen years old. My parents flew over from South Africa to meet me there for a few days (any excuse to get to NY) and it was a blur of walking, moving into student housing down town, discovering Bed Bath & Beyond and The Container Store to deck out the res room, going for dinner at Cornelia Street Cafe, following Hurricane Katrina on the news, orientation, dog parties in Washington Square Park, thinking 14th street ran north to south (a big cause for disorientation), my neck straining upward trying to take it all in and my eyes wide open as I was blown away. I distinctly remember when my parents left for the airport to head back home. I waved goodbye to them as they drove off in a cab somewhere on Waverly Street and I had no idea how to get back to my dormitory on William Street. It was sink or swim. So I dived right in.

 {via cocobutton}

It is quite wonderfully ironic that today, five years later, I bought two tickets to NY. We will be there in October and I cannot wait to get back to the city that was my home for four years.

Love this look

I want to get myself a little Peter Pan collared shirt. This girl has great style all around. check out her fashion blog, Natalie Off Duty, for more inspiration.

59. List ten things you would like to do every day.

This list of 100 ideas is a wonderful way to add a bit of creativity, dream and out-of-the-box into your day. Read it, print it out, and do a random thing on the list each day.

{Magaret Durow via All The Mountains}

Keep flying that flag!

On Saturday we went to watch the South Africa vs New Zealand Tri-Nations game at Soccer City (yes, I know it is officially the FNB Stadium but to me it will always be Soccer City). Although the result was disappointing as our Springboks failed to step up and show the All Blacks what we are really made of, the day was wonderful. It is quite a feeling sitting in a stadium with 90,000 people waving their flags. The World Cup may be over but the gees is certainly still here!

Exploring the city in 6 inch heels and other things from my 4 days in Nairobi

Jumbo. Room temperature or cold. Bomb checks. Ethiopian food with fingers. Softest sour dough. Incense. Fires. Work hard. Play hard. Room service. Meetings. Rhythmical accents. Business cards galore. Gin and Tonic. Drivers. Wild West road rules. Kenyan Cowboys. Long straws. Late nights. Earlier mornings. Buzz. Iced-coffee. Bargaining. Traffic. Hotel. Karibu. Government. Masai bells. Lush. Walk... There's something very familiar about the city yet at the same time something very distinct. I hope to be back soon!

Have a lovely weekend!

 {Source}

Things I am doing this weekend:

• Flying home: Nairobi - Jo'burg
• Get to see the husband!
• Sleep in late
• Watch Tri Nations rugby at Soccer City
• Hang out

May your weekend be just what you need!

A neverthriving of jugglers

{Source}

 Collective nouns are a highlight of the English language. While they are highly entertaining, they usually knock the nail on the head when it comes to their description (A crash of rhinoceroses is a case in point).

Here are some wonderful ones (some of which I have never even heard of) via here and here :

• A threat of courtiers
• A stink of hippies
• A flush of gingers
• A smack of jellyfish
• An implausibility of platypi
• A trip of goats
• A vagary of impediments 
• A chin of beards

Now try and use one of those in a conversation tomorrow...

Battle of the blankets

Housekeeping was slightly confused when I called and asked for a blanket in my hotel room. It was explained to me that the duvet (note: a feather thin, non-feather duvet) was very warm, especially for a city that hits 25 degrees Celsius in winter. I wondered what he would think if I told him that I usually sleep with a husband + sheet + blanket + 2duvets + one duvet + 4blankets + one more duvet...

Vote, it's the right thing to do

Please nominate BuryandDiscover for "Best new blog" for the South African blog awards. If you don't, I'll send this lady after you:

{Via Peonies and Polaroids}

Just joking. But if you read my blog and like it, your nomination will be much appreciated! It's very easy, just click on the button on the right.