Guest Post: My friend is saying I do

Yesterday I am sitting at work on a pretty average Tuesday when I get called to front desk to collect a delivery. It is a beautiful orchid with a just as beautiful card, inside the note talks about friendship and then says, "...so I would love it if you would be my bridesmaid." Isn't that the best question a girl could ask her friend? And isn't that the best way to ask it?

So now, because I am a bridesmaid-to-be, here are some pretty beautiful wedding things...

I kind of love this stationary style

{source}

Peonies are so beautiful 

{source}

Long tables look so elegant

{source}

Love striped straws and the "I do" flags

{source}

This is quite cute 

{source}

I think "going away" on a bike is cool

{source}

Kitchen wish list

I would love to find any of these kitchen things in my Christmas stocking...

(Take a look at my sparkle wish list)

 Saana ja Olli fabric via here

 Cutlery set in bone from here

 Golden cutlery set via here

 Coloured spoons (great DIY idea!) via here

 Paper mache bowl in gold and white from here

 Pure black knives via here

Iittala Satumetsa Green Serving Bowl via here

Kamers Vol Geskenke

Today I am off to Kamers Vol Geskenke in Pretoria. I didn't even know about this amazing shopping event of specially curated goods, before this year but since my sister, through The Selection, is taking part, I have heard a lot about it and cannot wait to attend.

Here's their story:
"It all started 9 years ago, when close friends vacated their home and our new business moved in. We realized our dream to provide a platform where creative people come together for inspiration, encouragement and support.

Our first Kamers showcased just 40 suppliers and we had 800 excited visitors. Over the past few years, Kamers has grown from strength to strength as people have joined our dream, imparted invaluable wisdom and left indelible footprints.

We want you to feel as passionate about the Kamers philosophy as we do – it’s about bringing creative people together by sharing and collaborating on ideas, supporting each other through honesty, tolerance and understanding, and believing in all of our ability and creative talent."

Guest Post: Gift Tags

It is that time of year when I am not only thinking about Christmas presents but also what to use as gift tags. For me what is on the gift tags says a lot... (like when one of my sisters had written her boyfriend at the time an entire love poem, forgetting my grandpa would read out every card, let's just say this made for a very entertaining, laughing induced tears present opening).

Here is some of my gift tag inspiration... sigh. 

The cutest tags from Paper and Think (gorgeous, handmade and South African, so triple score there!)

How great are these downloadable "Peace, Love and Raindeer Hugs" tags? Love the. Click here to see how to download them. 

This stationary set inspired me to try a DIY? I am serious, I already bought the paint.  

Again a little DIY except this time I will have to bring out my sewing skills?

Finally, there are no words for these ceramic tags. Yes, I want them now. 

Guest Post: Happy Weekend

Happy Weekend everyone! This weekend is going to be a good one for me: tonight I am going (back) to the Food Wine Design fair at Hyde Park. If you live in Jo'burg you have to go to this fabulous exhibit on the rooftop of Hyde Park. (Plus if you ride your bicycle you get in for half price, I love that!) Then tomorrow my mum and I are off for a girls' night at Forum Homini including dinner and breakfast at Roots, yum! And on Sunday the Human and I are spending the afternoon at the spa (thanks work for the tried and tested!)

Excuse me! Don't you love this idea for eating watermelon on summer days?

Doesn't this shoot make you want to wear a turban all summer long?

Loom in Parkhurst is super cool. Fact. Ps. Buy any man a Christmas present here.

I want to go to Halong Bay desperately. For holiday or honeymoon (if I were planning ;-)

Some fab Jo'Burg and Cape Town Street Style. Not by a fancy photographer but still pretty cool.

I would love the job of thinking up nail polish colour names. Look at these nail art ideas, although I am always to chicken to try them.

I love these illustrations.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving dear readers. Whether you celebrate the US tradition or not, I think Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to remember all the blessings you have in life, to spend time with your family and to eat delicious, home cooked food.

I remember my first Thanksgiving in the states I was invited to spend the holiday with a friend (check out her super successful blog Beauty Sweet Spot) and her family in New Jersey. They welcomed me with open arms, glasses of champagne and pumpkin with marshmallow (!).  I have been a fan ever since and love keeping the tradition alive in South Africa (although instead of cooking pumpkin pie, tonight I am celebrating the festive season with my bookclub).

Because family is right up there with things to be thankful for, I have dedicated this post to just that.

Paul, Linda and their girls

{source}

The Thompson family in Brooklyn, 2009

{source}

And again in Amsterdam, 2009

{source}

Jane Birkin, Lou Doillon, Serge Gainsbourg and Charlotte Gainsberg, 1985

{source}

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg with Kate and Charlotte on holiday in Saint Tropez, 1972

{source}

How genetics work

{source}

Self portrait of photographer Tom Palumbo with first wife Kate Johnson and friends

{source}

Angelica Huston, Terry Richardson, and Bob

{source}

What are you thankful for?

xxx

Guest Post: I want to go here

I want to go skiing and I want to stay in a cabin like this. 

Sparkle wish list

Because Christmas is around the corner, I am going to be creating a few more wish lists than usual. Mostly because there are so many gorgeous things out there to fill up your stockings. I am loving the movement towards handmade, one-off pieces (see my button on the right side!) and am going to try and support small, local businesses this season.

Fist wish list is all about jewels. I am a big fan of vintage jewelry and hand-crafted design pieces and would love any of these pieces around my neck, fingers and wrists.

Carousel necklace by Hao Shi via here

 Cameo ring from Erie Basin via here

 Trapezoid necklace from Pigeon Toe

 

 Knottedrush ring by Bario-Neal

 Antique ring from Erstwhile via here

 Art deco book locket from Erstwhile

 Beaded twisted necklace by Adi Kibur from here

 Rope knot cuff from Madwell

 Party animal necklace via here

 Gold pony pendant via here

Vintage quarter holder pendant from here via here

Healthy breakfast

Now this would be a great way to start day. Hmm, time to get out my smoothie machine again.


"My smoothie usually has pineapple/coconut juice, half a banana or avocado, some frozen mango and then always, always hemp protein powder, a green powder (or handful of spinach), chia seeds, mangosteen juice and some dr. udo's dha oil." (recipe from here) 

 {image via here}

Monday's mantra

{via here}

I have a big week ahead of me - last days of my current job and the start  of something new. Wishing you all a great week - may you get done all you set out to do.

xoxo

Aaah weekend!

Last weekend the husband and I spent a night at the Oyster Box in Umhlanga. This recently refurbished hotel has kept all the charm of a old-school elegance. We spent most of our time lazing at the pool watching the ocean. Don't you just love the red and white striped pool loungers.

What are you up to this weekend? I will definitely be going to the Hand Crafted Goods Market being held in Johannesburg at Grendon House. A friend of mine from New York is back in town so I will also be catching up with her. The rest of teh weekend will be taken up by maximising the gorgoeus summer weather we are having.

Here are some lovely links from around the web:

Talking about weekends away, this hotel in Austin, Texas, looks like a fun break

If you can't get away, these breathtaking pictures of nature may do the trick (even if just for a few minutes)

But to escape the world completely, take a look at this time-lapse video of earth from space

Want to know what it is like to be engaged to Prince William, go to this exhbition

Or for another taste of art, get up close and personal with these statues at the met

The Descendants looks like a fantastic story about human love and hate and hurt and family (oh and did I mention George Clooney plays the lead?)

I wore a bird cage veil to my wedding but these classic cathedral veils are beautiful

Here are some reasons while it's cool to be a girl (there are many more of course)

The fact that we could theoretically wear this hair clip is certainly NOT one of the reasons why it's cool to be a girl

This Rolls-Royce concept car is crazy

On that note, have a good one!
xoxo