Girls' Lunch!

Aaaah such a sad day - we had to say goodbye to Sonia :( She is moving back to Poland so we decided to celebrate her time in SA by doing a special girls' lunch at Marble, Rosebank.
Apart from the fantastic food and delectable decor, we also wore some outfits by the amazing Diane Paris!
Such a treat! I paired this cute party dress with my Zara boots and Rotary watch to complete the look. What do you think?

Bumped into beautiful @tumilinx too! What a treat :)

2018! New Year, New Goals: On Lifestyle and Fitness

It’s bikini weather outside! Time to get out and enjoy the sunshine - and even better when you are looking great. I am, by NO MEANS, a model and have never had the perfect body. Since I can remember, I’ve had body issues and have been slightly embarrassed to walk around on the beach in a bikini.

It also doesn’t help having two gorgeous sisters (whose bodies I’ve always perceived as absolutely perfect!) around walking next to you.

Thompson's Bay with my besties and beautiful sisters!

But over the years, these perceptions of perfect and the unnecessary inhibitions have started melting away and I think the last smidgens of that completely disappeared when we were on the beach last month while celebrating my sister’s bachelorette’s. An old wrinkly lady came up to us girls and said: “ You all look amazing! I would be walking around naked if I still looked like that…”

It was such a sweet gesture and such an eye opener. Then and there I decided that I would never again be self-conscious, walk tall and proud and show the world my perfectly imperfect body in the most amazing swimwear I can find! And so should all of you out there! I also have cellulite and stretch marks. I have a woman and we all share this. Make the best of it and love your body for what it can do for you and what it means to you. It is the only body that you have.

These are the things I do to take care of my body every day:

Working out: I am not the gym type and have never been. I find it a waste of time to drive to a gym, wait to use sweaty equipment and just kind of like going at things at my own pace and without anyone watching. I also don’t have a strict routine that I do (although I do aim to get at least 20 minutes of exercise a day) and alternate between different workouts. It looks something like this: 

Monday: Kettlebell workout (there are some great ones on Youtube, e.g.. Body Fit by Amy). I read Tim Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Body about a year ago and it is an amazing and life-changing read about fitness, eating (and kettle bell swings). Definitely recommended!

Tuesday: Yoga - I also do some Youtube routines (love the Boho Beautiful channel) and Budokon (on DVD, a fusion of martial arts and yoga)

Wednesday: 30min slow jog with intervals of faster running

Thursday: Jillian Michaels 20-30 min DVD workout (I love Jillian’s workouts and have been a fan for years. I have almost all of her workout DVD’s and still enjoy doing them.)

Friday: Weights and HIIT - I do my own routine of back squats, curls, crunches and whatever else I am in the mood for for 20-30 minutes

Saturday: Usually shooting a wedding so there is a lot of walking, bending and crouching involved.

Sunday: Rest

** An important note: Finding an eating plan and workout that works for YOU! When you express interest in a healthy lifestyle people are always quick to point out what works for them. And that is exactly where the problem comes in. It works for THEM and might not work for YOU.

The following Lifestyle habits are also a great "hack" to looking and feeling healthy:

Dry brushing: I use a natural-bristled brush (20 bucks at Dischem) to brush my body before getting in the shower. This might be a weird concept at first, but it becomes so natural and I can feel my skin begging me for a dry brush when I skip a day or two. Simply start from your feet to your neck in circular motions.

Green tea: I love the bitter taste of a good, strong cup of green tea and if you have digestion problems, like I do, this will really help to speed up that sluggish metabolism and help you feel revitalised!

Massages: Instead of a treat, I see full body massages as an absolute necessity! The relaxation benefits to having a massage are vast. Get on the phone and make an appointment today at your closest spa ;)

Relaxing with my sis after a spa at the beautiful Fairmont Zimbali resort...

Intermittent fasting: Skipping a meal or two every now and then has made me realise how little food a human being actually needs to function and how modern society has got us brainwashed into overeating and the "three meals a day" myth. Fasting has made me more mindful, my mind more alert and helps my body digest food properly. 

So what are your personal health and fitness goals for 2018? Mine is definitely to keep improving my food, rest and workout quality.
My motto for 2018 is this: "Giving 100% and not expecting anything in return".

Happy New Year!

The 4 | Your Box of Tricks for the Perfect Festive Function Pairings

Hi ladies!

If store promos are anything to go by, the end of the year is nigh and we are sitting on Christmas season again! Antlers out! 

This, of course, also means office parties, weddings, Newyears eve bashes and other weird and wonderful functions (I just got an invitation themed “A Winter Wonderland Christmas” - I mean - what do you wear to something like that in the middle of summer?!)We’ve also been invited to a city wedding (chic and Greek) and going to another of Don’s friends’ weddings that is a casual lawn shindig…enough for you to sit with your hands in your hair?! 

Not to worry! I have 4 gorgeous festive season solutions for you, in collaboration with the amazing Dune London. 

LOOK 1 | Loud and Proud

Metallics and all things print are all the rage right now. On runways and the street, floral prints and metallics are everywhere for his and hers. These heels are actually the first ones that I noticed at the Dune London store and is sure to get you noticed. Pair it with a printed two piece and this mini backpack and you are sure to get noticed at any office party! (Who’s in for a pay raise in January? #Powerdress #Girlboss!)

LOOK 2 | An Aphrodite Affair

From Santorini to Summer Place, this look is perfect for attending a more formal wedding. This heel and clutch combo give me all the Aegan island holiday feels but you might have to take them off when the plate breaking starts and change into some flats (see the next look).

LOOK 3 | Highs and Lows (surprise surprise!)

It’s happened to us all - you show up at a function with heels and end up stuck in the grass half of the evening, ruining your shoes completely.

And if you’re not a heel-stopper kinda gal or just can’t stand wearing heels for a full five hours (that’s me right there), I have the perfect solution - packing lookalike flats - these fit into your matching handbag and no one will notice you slipping out of your heels and into these stunning flats!

LOOK 4 | Polo perfection

This gorgeous bejewelled flats are such a staple for holiday event season. I can totally see this at a lawn wedding or a polo party paired with a chic jumpsuit or dress. Total must-have for any girl and can be re-invented to suit virtually any part theme.

Well I hope that this will help you in planning your perfect festive season and office party wardrobe! Have fun and remember to “tactfully assist any intoxicated co-worker that is embarrassing themselves in front of your boss…” (best advice from Emsie!)

A

xx