Roxilla

This has been a strange week alright. The mystery of my unexplained puddles of water in my lounge was solved last night when it began to rain from my ceiling – the detergent smell and noise upstairs tells me that maybe it’s a bust washing machine or such. I don’t know, I will tell me landlord and stick a note on the flat upstairs’ door; beyond that it is just not my issue and damned if I’m going to have maintenance people here buggering up my lunchtime.

I have finally succumbed to my workaholic tendencies, and it has been a blessing to be able to immerse myself in work. Things finally seem to be coming together, and for the first time in a long time I think I know where I’m meant to be headed. A sense of clarity has taken over, and it feels like I am reconnecting to myself. The me that isn’t trying to please someone else, or compromise or be something to someone. I’ve forgotten how it feels to be able to put myself first and focus entirely on what I want. Mostly, it’s going okay so far, sad at times but it’s getting easier all the time.

As always, a few things brightening up my life…

1. Cheese

The utterly divine Brie that I can’t get enough of (in salads, with rosa tomatoes and rocket… utter bliss!) is just one sort of cheese I’ve been enjoying this week. When the days get dark, this girl turns up the Def Leppard, and as such I have been playing them a lot. There is never a bad time for that sort of cheese, but times like these, it is darn near essential!

2. Wine

I have been very relieved to discover that my longstanding love for whites has not been destroyed by my more recent affair with reds, and with the weather getting warmer I am now happily able to enjoy either, depending on my mood. I recently discovered an excellent Springfield 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon – really easy to drink, and offering the same oomph that a good Pinot Noir delivers, but maybe a bit better even. I am still a huge fan of Woolies Reckless Red, as well as their Zesty White, and while Sauvignon Blancs are getting a bit blah for me, Chenin Blancs are proving more than adequate. All in all, one of nature’s perfect stress busters, hehe.

3. Colour

I just can’t seem to stay away from colour lately, and every item of clothing I have purchased over the past month or so just gets brighter and brighter. From sunshine yellow to emerald green, or blood red, it is all just calling my name. Luckily for me, colour is a big summer trend. Even if it wasn’t, I would still find the loudest dress I could see – colour makes me happy, and it has the added perk of making people smile. Heads turn, and I feel good. Besides, if you can’t go overboard in summer, then I don’t know.

4. Hair

I have been wondering what to do with my hair for a while, and I think that summer is the best time for a bit of a change. I am happy with the colour, and with my trusty ghd by my side I can pretty much do anything to it and have it work, but I think something that works with the curls may be in order. I am trying to grow it, so reluctant to chop too much off but perhaps I will bring back the bangs. And some layers, I don’t know. Despite being very bad about stuff like that (it’s been almost a year since I had it cut – cringe!) I am quite fussy about who touches my hair and so I will be going back to Scar I reckon. I’d rather pay a bit more for a decent cut than do a budget job. Besides, they are the only place who gets it right.

5. Christmas

While I really think advent calendars would be better with booze-filled chocolates, my R20 Woolies one with the Three Wise Men and questionable cooking chocolate is still highly exciting. Christmas is my favourite holiday by far, and far from finding it annoying, the festive cheer is something I relish. I draw the line at carols (although I will always make an exception for Boney M), I take great delight in putting up my gold and pink tree, and Christmas shopping, and our big family bash on Christmas Eve, and just the whole cheeriness of it all. I’m not even really religious, and I admit that I am a sucker for all the glitter and ’symbols’, but nevertheless I believe in the spirit of giving and it makes me happy.

So really, when I think about it, things aren’t so bad. Some deadline crunching and hard work for the next two or three weeks, a fabulous festive season, a much-needed New Years chillax and some secret plans and clever tricks… and then I will be ready to take on 2010 in true Living la Vida Lipstick style!