Hello 2016! 

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 :)