So I woke up this morning....

…with a feeling of excitement, confidence almost an assurance if you will, that I know something amazing will happen in my life. Haven’t had that feeling in a long time, so for now I am going to go with it and watch out for opportunities coming my way. This feeling could not have come at a better time, the past few weeks have been rough to say the least. So this positive injection is a godsend! I have a few great things to look forward to…I’ll begin my move into my flat next week, I have a blank canvas to furnish, that’s been a fun project I have been working on, I’m also hoping to convince my mom to host Christmas at mine. I have a wonderful summer to look forward to in Cape Town, with the beaches, picnics, outdoor concerts, wine farms and events happening, I will be spoiled for choice. Even though I’m not seeing anyone right now, I’m in a good space and will enjoy all I’ve achieved for myself, because I know, the best is yet to come, so my affirmation to myself right now is – I am destined for great things! Might sound cheesy, but it’s completely true. Even in your darkest times, don’t give up, keep the faith and remember everything happens for a reason J

Peace and love x

Rambling of the day..

So while at work, in our Johannesburg office the other day….there I am typing away in response to an email when a car pulls up - we have a view of the parking area - and out comes a guy who walks around to the passenger side and kindly opens the door, out steps a very well put together women with an extremely satisfying yet unassuming look on her face. She waits, he closes the door, looks at her for what feels like a minute, but a mere 3 seconds and kisses her, they hug and off she goes into some other office close to mine. There I was, at that moment I realise I was the only one to witness this modern day chivalry, alone, in complete bewilderment.

As sad as it is to admit, I don’t think I have ever seen that in real life, besides in suggestive romantic comedies! Oh how I wish that was me. I’d like to think of myself as a bit of a feminist, but I’m also a huge fan of old school romance, good old simple romance goes a loooong way with me, and sometimes I think that is what this world is lacking. And it works both ways, my heart just gushed witnessing their special little moment, reminded me again, how simple it is to show one another appreciation and love, it is not always necessary for big gestures, but ultimately, it IS the small things that count, simple manners, being courteous, respectful and appreciative. Hope to find this in my Prince Charming one day J

Peace and love x

Some songs that will always to awesome to me...

Creed – My sacrifice

Radiohead – Kama police

Live – Lightning crashes

The Smashing Pumpkins - 1979

Rambling of the day...

So today I received great news, news I’ve been waiting to hear for a long time and been dreaming about ever since I finished school…that moment when you can finally have your own place. Yes, I am now officially moving out on my own. I have always lived with family, friends or boyfriend, this time, it’s just me. Might take some getting used you, but I am looking forward to having my own space, decorating my flat the way I love. I am finally the independent woman I wanted to be, I have a job I enjoy, my own car, pay my own bills and now my own place to call home, although I’m renting, my next step is to buy, I will get there eventually too. Right now, I will ask forgiveness in advance for all the home décor posts in advance, as I LOVE interior décor and cannot wait to style out my new home, yay!

Things I'm loving right now...

©       Santa Claus is coming to Town….can’t help but get a little excited seeing the Christmas decorations creeping up

©       I’ve become a Swifty! Obsessed with her style, music and everything else she does…won’t stop shaking it off anytime soon, see what the fuss is about http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM

©       Its Summer and in Cape Town and so bring fourth strawberry season. I went strawberry picking at Polkadraai strawberry farm in Stellenbosch a few weekends ago, haven’t stop eating strawberries since

©       Another guilty pleasure right now, Suits. The lines are so witty, and you can’t help but love to hate Lewis Lit, his hilarious!

©       I’m loving the effect of this Moroccan shampoo and conditioner I’ve been using, my hair is definitely feeling healthier and loved, why did it take me so long to jump on that band wagon??

Today I'm grateful for...

                                           

                                           

Friendship...spent a lot of this month having lots of fun, laughs, chats and creating memories. I'm really grateful for friendships, having the confidence of knowing you can confide in someone who knows what you feeling and someone you can truly be yourself around. Here's to many more happy years to come! 

Rambling of the day...

                                    

Wishing all my friends and beautiful Family a wonderful and blessed Easter, especially since I can't be with them to celebrate. Missing you all, peace and love xx

My favourite recipes...

Because you can never go wrong with a delicious Lamb for Easter lunch...try this Jamie Oliver version, yum!

                                               

Ingredients

• 1 bulb garlic, 3 cloves peeled and crushed, the others left whole
• 1 small bunch fresh rosemary, half the leaves removed and coarsely chopped, half in sprigs
• zest of 1 lemon
• olive oil
• 2 kg quality leg of lamb
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1.5 kg potatoes, peeled and cut in half

Method

Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºC/gas 6 and place a roasting dish for the potatoes on the bottom. 

Mix the crushed garlic, chopped rosemary, lemon zest and olive oil together. Season the lamb with salt and pepper and rub the marinade into it. Place on the hot bars of the oven above the tray. 

Boil the potatoes, simmer for 10 minutes and scuff the edges. Add the rosemary sprigs and whole garlic cloves, season with salt and pepper and drizzle over a good lug of olive oil. Tip the potatoes into the tray and place under the lamb to catch all the lovely juices. 

To make the mint sauce, mix the chopped mint, sugar, salt, hot water and wine vinegar. 

Cook the lamb for about an hour and 15 minutes if you want it pink, or an hour and a half if you want it more well done. Take it out of the oven and cover with tinfoil and leave for 15 minutes before serving. Carve and serve with the potatoes and mint sauce. 

This weekend I....

                                    

Celebrated my birthday! I went to the mirror, mentally done a check list. No grey hair-check. No major wrinkles-check. And even though I am officially off the calendar, I was ready to turn 32...

My birthday weekend went like this...Saturday went to Maximillien for dinner at Da Vinci Hotel in Sandton, I enjoyed the exquisite food and wine, then I partied the night away at Manhattan Club. Note to self: definitely getting too old to dance for 6 hours straight! The Sunday a slightly hungover me went out for a much needed lunch at Meat and Co in Melrose Arch. Afterwards, I was off to enjoy some dessert and champagne at the very classy 54 on Bath Level Four. I was in my element enjoying their Verve Cliquot Champange bar, definitely going back for more! 

So a great time was had and that was the end of my jammed packed birthday month....ah, now I can relax and just settle into being 32...but to quote Taylor Swift...I'm feeling 22 :) 

This weekend I ....

Spent my long weekend in the North West Province of South Africa. On Friday I explored the Pilanesberg Nature and Game Reserve, what a beautiful, peaceful place. We went through the self drive game reserve, spotted a gorgeous family of Girrafes, some Zebra's a wild Jackal and loads of birds. Then we stopped at a specially enclosed part of the reserve for a braai lunch, it was so peaceful to be in the middle of the wild just to take in all of what Mother Nature has offer. I truly got lost in a few moments, forgetting about the real world for a few minutes was worth it. 

The Staturday was spent enjoying Sun City resort, back to commercialised fun :) none the less, a great time had soooo much to see and enjoy. I mainly enjoyed a drink and views at the hotels, secret bar after doing a maze, by the poolside and their latest edition, a typical South African shabeen village. 

Even the road trip there and back was great, drove through the Hartebeespoort Dam, a real sight to see, stopped over at one of the markets, I love markets, from flea to farm :) here are some photos of my weekend away, all taken by me. 

Hartebeespoort Dam

 A Sunflower Farm

Jackal

Giraffe

Zebras

The maze at Sun City

Me having a drink at the secret bar after accomplishing the maze

Some, Shoe Porn...

Shoes, glorious shoes! No words...a treat for the eyes, and feet :)

It's my Birthday month...

                                            

                                       

Keep calm...I'm turning....

Yes it's that time again, another year older and wiser, blah blah. No matter my past, future or present, I always look forward to my birthday, it's the one day I can truly celebrate me, be selfish without feeling guilty, be proud, happy or sad of my journey thus far. And the best thing about my birthday...is eating cake, shamelessly! I still have a few weeks left to dream of my 2014 birthday cake mmmm, chocolate , vanilla, ganache...

Janice favourite recipes...

Crepes Suzette

Ingredients:

• 1 x classic pancake recipe 
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• 250ml freshly squeezed orange juice (2-3 oranges)
• zest 1 orange
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Grand Marnier or Cointreau
• 50g unsalted butter
• 
  

Method:

1. Prepare pancakes following the classic recipe - Fold the pancakes into quarters.
2. Tip the caster sugar into a non-stick frying pan and set the pan over a low-medium heat. Allow the sugar to melt slowly without stirring and continue to cook until it becomes a deep amber-coloured caramel.
3. Immediately slide the pan off the heat and add the orange juice – be careful as it may splatter and spit as it hits the hot caramel. Add the orange zest, lemon juice, the Grand Marnier and return the pan to a low heat to re-melt the caramel into the liquid.
4. Add the butter to the sauce in small pieces, bring to the boil and simmer gently until glossy and reduced slightly. Add the pancakes to the pan and warm through. Serve immediately.

                                           

Rambling of the day...

Hello and Happy Tuesday from a rather refreshingly wet Johannesburg. Still a few more days ahead before the weekend, so hang in there folks - peace and love x

Some short poems I like...

Magic In You

Don’t ever give up on
what’s in your heart
Don’t ever let go of
What it is you believe in
Don’t ever say the road is too tough
And that it’s better to quit

Don’t ever think that you don’t matter;
Because you’re important to me
Don’t ever let anyone tell you
That you can’t follow your dreams

Don’t ever think that the world
Doesn’t need someone like you;
You’ve touched my heart and my life
Just by being who you are
And the things you do.

There’s a magic in you
That no other could possess.
A quality, a warmth, a sparkle
That will carry you through life’s tests

There’s a magic in you
That makes you special to me.

Live Your Best Life

It only takes a moment
To stop and take a breath
To take in all the sights, and sounds
To enjoy all life has to give

Don’t take time for granted
Because it quickly slips away
Years cannot be promised
So enjoy every single day

Time and life are precious
And we only get one chance
To live life to its fullest
To live in happiness

Live your best life
Starting with today
Make sure it’s a happy one
Every step of the way

Light Inside My Heart

There’s a light inside my heart
that always lights the way;
A glimmer of hope that
gets me through the day;
A little ray of happiness,
that somehow gets me through
the bad times and the sad time
That little light is you.

You’re the light inside my heart,
the love that lights the way.

To continue reading similar poems, check out www.thepoetrypad.com 

Ramblings of the day...

                                            

This weekend I...

...watched live cricket at Supersport Park in Centurion, still not my favorite sport but it was a fun day out.

...realised just how important a simple please and thank you means to me, if you don't know the magic words, then don't speak to me.

...can't wait for Autum, bring on the cooler days, pretty colour changes of the leaves and cosy nights in.

...ate yummy lemon meringue icecream.

...painted my nails in a rouge noir colour, so Autum!

...must remember to buy myself some books next weekend. 

Quote of the day...

                                           

                                                    "A goal without a plan, is just a wish"

Hello weekend...

 

                                                 

                             Woo hooo, it's finally Friday. Wishing you all a lovely weekend :) 

Trend Alert: Ellie Saab

         

 

    

 

                                    

Oh so gorgeous...I want one! Ellie Saab knows elegant style, feminine, luxurious and sexy. Definitely one for my dream fashion wardrobe list. 

Hello 2014

Hello 2014....

And so another new year is upon us, I love the beginning of the year, it's full of excitement, expectations and always plenty to look forward to. I am so glad to be blogging again, I hope to update it more regularly this year, so till next time, happy New Year and happy reading, peace and love x