Mood: Bouncy
Listening to: Blue
Drinking: Asian red tea
Wearing: Bright orange

The sun is doing its best to shine in Cape Town, and it’s almost the weekend. I’m smelling all sorts of yummy thanks to my me to me present of heavenly Chanel Chance and I am pumping the cheesy boy band tjoons. This is how Fridays are meant to be y’all.

Here’s what my to-do list looks like today…

fabulously frivolous friday to do list

Hope you all have a super fabulous and frivolous weekend wherever you are!

my kitten of little brain fell in the bath again last night... sigh

The sun seems to have made a return at last, although there are rather too many clouds up there still. With World Food Day just a day away, I’ve been looking at various facets of the food problem we are facing, with posts over here, here and here (and more is still to come).

Some other things to smile about…

* I’m getting my hair done at HAND today – I couldn’t get a free session from trainee stylists, but at this point, I need some zen boosting and self-pampering so going to spoil myself at lunchtime!
* I’m feeling very inspired and excited about the future – so much of great plans and ideas in the works, and for the first time in a while, just feeling like it’s all within reach now.
* Going to a Tequila Tweet Up tonight – at one of my favourite places, Tequila Town… that can only mean lots of yumminess!
* It’s Timbaland all the way today – Scream, with Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger is just plain *hot* – nuff said.
* TV: 0, BB: 1 – my BlackBerry battery seems to be recovering on its own self, while my stupid TV went on the blitz last night – it may be the outside aerial, haven’t bothered to turn it out and check though.
* Woolies Belgian dark chocolate salted caramel truffles – these are the very definition of divine… and not all over sweet like some chocolate can be. Love them.

Happy Friday y’all – hope it’s fabulous and frivolous wherever you are in the world!

helloooo summah!

After not quite getting it right the few weekends prior to this one, I finally seem to have (maybe) found just the right balance to make a working weekend, er work. My weekend had a bit of an early start with a birthday bash at Asoka, which would have been a well-behaved, orderly one had I not decided to join Blade and his posse on a mission to Jade. As a result, the night was neither well-behaved or orderly, but between hot German doctors, plenty of tequila, a bit of a dancefloor boogie and plenty of fun, it was just what I needed after this past month of heavy work and stress.

so happy and fit and smiley!

Friday was not too much fun, but soldiered on and focused on work. Saturday I woke up feeling full of beans, and took myself off to gym for the first time in ages. It was seriously awesome to get back into the swing of things, and gave me the energy I needed for a long and tiresome day of working away the beautiful day that was yesterday. I downed tools at around 11pm to head off to the lovely Riven16‘s birthday bash, literally getting to the restaurant a few minutes before the party moved on to the new Deco Dance in Sea Point. Overall, I was fairly impressed with the new venue – I loved the cheese of course, and there were some very funny moments watching drunk people go mental on the dancefloor to Vanilla Ice, Snow and MC Hammer. Good times. After an hour or two, I decided to head home, and wrapped up the night with a bit of series, left-over pizza and couch.

break it down!

This morning I woke up a bit too late (the biggest downside of working weekends – being utterly exhausted each day so that you sleep like the dead!) but managed to get myself up and out into the sunshine for a hectic but awesome run. It felt SO good to be able to work off the tiredness, with the sun shining down and spring flowers in the air and good music on my iPod… pure bliss!

and now it's back to reality we go *sigh*

Now, I’m getting down to some serious grafting – it’s going to be a long night, so will stock up on coffee and Red Bull later this afternoon me thinks. I’m not too worried though, I still feel like I managed to fit in some ‘weekend’ around the crazy schedule, and gym and running has made the biggest difference – I feel ready to take on anything!

A few highlights of the weekend…

* Gold nail polish from Divine (not OPI but still awesome!)
* Feeling active and happy again (major yayness!)
* Yummy home-made banana milkshakes (with meal replacement shake thrown in)
* Short, late night going out stints (saves on time, hangovers and cash!)
* Hilarious fat man pole dancing at Deco (gotta love drunk people!)
* Awesome cheesy music at Deco (LOVE it!)
* Lovely sunny weather (even if I’m inside missing it most of the day!)
* Vanilla chai (because I think I am quite possibly addicted)
* UB40 and Bob Marley (nothing better on a Sunday!)

Hope y’all had a fab weekend, whatever you did. And for those who worked it away like I did, hope you managed to balance it out with some good stuff too!

'Bearly' even half-way to Friday...

Woke up with that bleary rub-my-eyes feeling today, and couldn’t resist sneaking in a cup of coffee. It was very milky, and one cup every now and then isn’t too bad I guess. It wasn’t even a late one last night – I worked and looked after my woozy kitten who was back from the vet after being neutered (very entertaining, poor thing was lurching around with a very drunk look on his face, then sleeping so hard I would have to check that he was actually breathing!), and then indulged in a bit of series. I am watching The Wire from first season – one of my favourite shows, but I got into it a few seasons in so always got way complicated. It’s not exactly easy watching, but nevertheless a good show.

A few completely random thoughts (because I have yet to have mine sufficiently in order)…

* The new Twitter has begun its roll-out today – taking on a rather Facebookish vibe, but anyhoo.
* We are going to check out the Ferryman’s special tonight, bring on the R4 wine!
* I am not too thrilled about this winter revival in Cape Town – I want sunshine!
* At least this weather gives me the excuse to wear my lovely new yellow cardigan.
* Feeling rather stressed out with deadline shmeadlines and other such chaos. Meh.

Well, time to put on something suitably dark and moody to listen to (thinking Portishead may do the drink) and get this Wednesday on with a vengeance!

hot werewolf alcides: see you again season four...

I’m a bit bleary-eyed this morning after a late one last night – went to see the always-brilliant Blade at the Graca Comedy Competition @ Zula to watch him in the finals… and was so, so proud when he won with a tie! Every time we see the dude, he just gets better and better and it’s so awesome that we can say “I knew him back when…”.

After I got home, I saw that the True Blood 3 finale I have been awaiting for like, weeks was finally up, so that meant I had to stream it. To stay awake, watched some old horror movies (I am weird like that, don’t judge). Eventually I was too tired to stay up, so woke up early this morning to watch. I was not all that impressed overall, just felt like too many loose ends (and not enough topless hot vamps or sexy werewolves) but anyway – kinda over vampires for a while now. Bring on Gossip Girl 4 and Dexter 5 – time for some human shiz!

When I checked my Twitter stream this morning I had a good laugh at an article via @HeatSouthAfrica that stated that Colin Firth had won a Britain’s Best-Looking Man poll. While I like Mark Darcy as much as the next chick, really wouldn’t go that far to call him Britain’s hottest… especially not when he shares a country with the likes of David Beckham. Also, he beat out Clive Owen, and that was just wrong. Check out the results over here to see who else made the top 5 list.

Right, time for me to get stuck into work – may need coffee to get my brain kickstarted. Have a Terrific Tuesday y’all!

P.S. My kitten spent the night at the vet in preparation for his snip today… my flat feels very weird and quiet without him, poor bugger will be home this afternoon though!

helloooo summah!

I am yawning over my laptop like it’s no-one’s business, but gosh… what a truly lovely weekend! I think I *may* just have finally learned to master that whole ‘balance’ thing, and not only did I manage to have a well-rounded weekend of mayhem, shopping, cocktails, family teas and work, but I also managed to sleep supremely well, to wake up feeling ready to rumble every day of the weekend.

Some of the main highlights this weekend…

* A fun Friday night out on Long Street. I hadn’t been to Long in ages, and while getting an early start on the Savannas may not have been ideal for a long-haul type of night, I had a hot dress, the weather was great and I was having a blast after a solid week of deadlines and no fun.

* Spring sales at China Town. Oh how I love this time of year… insanely cute dresses and even insaner prices – my only issue was having to stop myself from getting carried away. I found the most heavenly maxi dress, and the cutest floral party dress… both at crazy cheap prices. Bliss!

* Frozen mangoritas with my lovely ex. Yes, I used ‘ex’ and ‘lovely’ in the same sentence. I am very lucky to have been able to stay friends with him, and it was great to catch up and be fussed over a bit. Too bad I was too buggered to make my next party, but was feeling wacked before 10pm so I went home for couch, Gossip Girl 3 reruns and Krone.

* My mom’s 60th birthday lunch. Today was spent with my mom and family in suburbia, enjoying a lunch at Caffeen and then a big family gathering at my parent’s place complete with my various cousins and their kids. I put together a little hamper of presents for her, including a Well Spa voucher, plant and chocolates. I also brought myself a little present in the form of a new OPI shade, Coney Island Cotton Candy. As one does when getting other people presents.

It’s going to be an insanely hectic week ahead, with deadlines and more deadlines and then some deadlines just to add to the deadlines. At least I am (mostly) ready to take on whatever punches are thrown, with an awesome weekend on this side and another one on the other side. Can’t ask for more than that really now can I?

P.S. True Blood 3 final episode airs tonight boys and girls, y’all know what that means…

last time we will be seeing this hotness for a while!

a bit of sugar for y'all...

After a truly manic week, I for one am ridiculously pleased to see Friday again. Still have one final push today, so will be quite a hectic one (and still have to make a Checkers mission this morning, mehs) but at least there is going to be a good weekend at the end of the day. After a restless sleep, I woke up in a great mood – feeling inspired and amped for exciting times ahead.

Other reasons to feel good today…

* Am most likely heading out with my Partner in Crime tonight. We have high hopes of hot tourists, Long Street mayhem and other such awesomeness.

* China Town mission with my aunt tomorrow morning. I heart this place, so much of random junk and kitchness, and great bargains thrown in for good measure!

* Birthdays and more birthdays the whole weekend! A friend is having his party on Saturday night, then it’s my mom’s birthday lunch on Sunday. A tres Virgo weekend indeed!

* I did a very late night wardrobe sort out earlier this week. Nothing like finding things you thought you’d lost, and realising that you actually have rather a lot of pretty clothes (even if it will *never* be enough).

* True Blood 3 finale airs on Sunday night, only a week late! Even though that means no more vampire mayhem for a while, still dying to watch this last episode – especially after a cliffhanger of note on episode 11. After that, Gossip Girl 4 and Dexter 5 are also starting soon.

Well, time for me to galvanise into action and get through all my tasks for the day… have a Fabulous Friday people, and will leave you with this…

if there was a contest for Cute Sleeping, jasper would win hands down!

my kinda decor!

It’s Friday and the sun is shining, and I slept SO well last night, despite staying up late watching series. Fridays always were my favourite day when I was freelancing – somehow the day is just brighter and more awesome. Lots and lots to do today, and just come back from a meeting. Time to get grafting but before I go, please have a drool over this amazing decor I found online today:

fabulously kitsch dining room

heavenly pink bedroom

charming pink bathroom

My lifelong dream has been to own a pink (or gold!) velour or velvet lounge suite, complete with ridiculously OTT gold edging. Vintage baroque kitsch awesomeness… could seriously go with that. I knew I should have gotten that huge pink greyhound statue from the Church Street Antique Market when I had the chance!

Bon Friday y’all, hope your day is going as wonderfully as mine has been so far!

Lately, it feels like I’m a tumble weed, drifting along in a daze, only to be swept up with a gust of wind. There has been so much uncertainty for a change-hating Taurus like me, and what I am fine with one day is quite often what I may be freaking out over the next. Yup, it has been quite a bumpy ride these past weeks, and with so much change on the way, I guess all that I can really do is to look inward to find the bearings I so need to steady me during this final rough patch.

A frightening panic attack on Tuesday was repeated again on Saturday – again, without much warning, but after indulging in rather too much coffee. This has made me realise that much as I adore espresso and coffee in general, it may not be the best idea right now. Being calm and focusing on the good things is what I need right now – friends, dresses, fun, new places, new adventures, me time and sunshine… all somehow seem more rewarding than a double espresso. If I tell myself this enough, soon I should feel believe it.

So, in the interest of calm, zen and relaxed Rox in this city, here are some of the things I’m looking forward to the most in this next week and beyond:

* My last two days of full-time work. It still hasn’t sunk in that my dream is finally coming true again… back to the world of freelancing, working from home in pajamas, crazy deadlines and flexible time. Cannot. Friggin. Wait.

* Mid-morning gym or mid-afternoon runs. Perhaps I will even start doing Pilates in the mornings again, or take a boxing class. Whatever I do, this is a hugely important thing and I am determined to get back my energy and motivation.

* Working on my horror, which is becoming the proverbial elephant in the room. If I can even get halfway by the end of the year, that will be something, but this effing book has GOT to get going – the story has to be told before I (literally!) lose the plot.

* Reconnecting my inspiration and motivation. I’m starting an awesome project next month, writing about things I love, with a lot of research and a chance to find my inspiration again after months of uninspired, churned out garbage.

* Surrounding myself with awesome people, things and vibes. Friends who have been here lately, even when I haven’t been easy to be around, things and people that make me happy, pretty colours, pretty fabric, pretty clothes and splashes of colour to boost my mood… this is what my Spring will be about – rejuvenation across the board!

But right now, I need to go and put on a pretty dress and get ready for a champagne brunch with the lovely DT, to take in some sunshine and some claps and giggles.

Bon Sunday y’all, and here’s to a refreshing Spring ahead!

pina colada under the microscope: tres awesome!

Well my darlings, the time has finally come – today is my Final Full-Time Friday! I’m a bit all over the place this week, and while there have been some very crappy bits (including a scary panic attack on Tuesday and then breaking a tooth yesterday – meaning a dentist mission today, eek!)… there have also been some fab bits.

Highlights of the week (and highlights upcoming this weekend) include:

* Comedy at Zula on Monday (seeing our buddy Blade go through to the next round was especially rad!)
* Lovely dinner and bubbly at Harveys @ Winchester Mansions with DT, Alice and Chris (shitty service aside, lovely place!)
* Finding the most beautiful vintage leather bag at the Church Street Antique Market yesterday (see my post over here).
* Work farewell this afternoon at Fat Cactus (hopefully by 4pm I will be able to drink frozen margaritas – dentist trip is at lunchtime!)
* Very possibly going to my first 27Dinner afterwards – assuming I am in any state fit enough to network after the farewell.
* A lovely lunch at Beluga tomorrow with lovely people… this means I get to enjoy delish oysters and ice cold bubbly or yummy cocktails!
* Some party party at The Fez on Saturday night with my soon to be former work BFF, his GF and other work types and other types.
* Payday weekend… say no more!

Perhaps I will swing past Wardrobe or The Lot tomorrow morning to find a bright, beautiful dress for Saturday night. After all, it’s going to be an awesome weekend so I need an awesome dress to match right?