Thursday 30 August 2012

Champagne Friday


Wishing you all a lovely, champagne-filled weekend xx

In the bag: What to take to the Olympics



We've got it in the bag: Olympics fever

We've got it in the bag: Olympics fever by nkirkmartin featuring a union jack umbrella


We are super excited about the Olympics - London is at fever pitch! The Opening Ceremony was absolutely spectacular and the Games have gone off with a bang - 2 weeks of fun ahead (hopefully in the sun...).

There are strict rules about what you can and can't bring in to the venues - similar to going through airport security, there are restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels. Having watched the tennis and volleyball, we thought we'd compile a short list of the things you don't want to be without:

Umbrella (a small one - golf umbrellas are banned)
Camera (to capture those Olympic moments)
Sunglasses (for when the sun decides to show its face!)
Purse (for coins and cards)
Scarf (to keep you warm and double up as a flag - go Team GB!)
Sun cream (200ml or less)
Empty water bottle (you can fill it up at the events)
Chewing gum (to keep you fresh)
Antibacterial wipes (for emergencies)

The less you take, the better, but whatever you do, don't forget your tickets!

Tuesday 28 August 2012

What to wear - The L B C

Say what you will about Kim Kardashian, but that girl knows how to work her curves! When I saw this photo of her on a beach in Hawaii it made me think - YESSSS - that's it! Everyone should have an LBC (Little Black Costume) in their wardrobes.

Kim Kardashian in her LBC 


As I have a holiday on the horizon I decided instead of going in search of the perfect bikini, which can also be quite a tiresome experience for some (ME) - I was gonna get me a LBC!

Bearing in mind it is end of summer in the UK and most of the stores are full of Autumn/Winter stock and EMPTY of any holiday gear. Anyhow, as I am convinced of the longevity of this addition to my closet - I decided to splurge on it.  Just like its equally sassy cousin the LBD - this is something that just WON'T date.

Jessika Allen for Jets 


Are you switching from separates to a one-piece? Let me know your thoughts?

xx

Sunday 19 August 2012

The Big 'Three Oh'

Right, so 2012 is a big year. Not only is there the Olympics, Paralympics, Diamond Jubilee celebrations and all that jazz, but ... for me it is also the year of THE BIG THREE OH (shudder).

I still can't really believe 30 years have gone by so quickly, I do still feel about 23 - at a push maybe 25. Anyway, turning 30 isn't actually that scary. It's actually a good time to take a look life and take stock. A chance to think is this where I wanted to be by now? Am I on the right track? To look at what I have achieved and to be proud and then look forward.


Anyway, as my big day is a few months off, I thought I would share a post from one of my best childhood friends, fellow blogger and just all round amazing girl, on her big Three Oh moment. 

Nicki Dadic, the beauty and brains behind the One of the Boys blog has shared her life with us through her excellent and funny mummy blog for a few years now.  I love her down to earth and very open approach to sharing her thoughts and experiences of being a mum - no sugar coating - this girl is REAL and she writes it how it is. We're not the only ones who love her, Nicki has been up for Mummy blogger awards galore and this month is featured in SA's Fair Lady! So I am proud to welcome her and share her '30 days to Thirty' post with you.. enjoy.

Nicki is wife to David, mum to super cute Luca and Mika, digital marketing and social media gal, full-time Gleek, part-time blogger, Wine Gum addict and eternal optimist.

That’s right, in 30 days I will be THIRTY!

I’m not dreading it. I’m not worried about it. In fact, I am, and have been for a while, looking forward to it!

I’ve always felt like I’d be taken more seriously at 30. That I’d REALLY be an adult at 30 … says the woman who’s just bought her SECOND home, has TWO children and has been married for FOUR years and with her HUSBAND for almost TEN years. Yes, being 30 is what makes me an adult

Anyway, after my visit a couple of weeks ago with Rosemary, the incredible Astro-Coach who works out of Moemas every Thursday, I felt even more excited about reaching this notable milestone. Rosemary talked about my first Saturn return being a very important time in my life in particular. Where many may become depressed about their impending adulthood at the age of thirty because previous years have been misspent or even wasted, I feel that my turning 30 will only magnify the great successes that I have already achieved, giving me guidance as to where I’m going for the next 30 years.

I always said that I wanted to have had my children before I turn 30 … DONE! I want my 30s to be the beginnning of new and profound experiences for me. I want to start making a difference. I want to make these differences close to home as well as in the homes and hearts of others.


By signing up to be a donor (and very quickly selected as a donor by a recipient) with Nurture, I feel that these experiences are well on their way. I am SO excited to be doing this – to be making such a huge difference in someone’s life! 


Closer to home, I want to be a better wife and a better mother. I want to cook more (especially healthy, homemade food), bake more (starting with the peanut butter cookies I’ve been dreaming about lately), sing more, dance more. Be spontaneous. Spend more Sunday mornings snuggled up watching cartoons. I want to spend more time with my children, teaching them whatever they want to know. I want to forget about the petty things that may have annoyed me in the past and move on, worrying more about how my family are and what they need from me.

I want to (and this is already in progress) run! I have committed to the #RunSoweto10km in November and I am slowly making progress to this goal. I’m not sure I’d ever have the physical or mental strength to run the insane distances people like Tanya do, but I’ll do what my body allows me to. Don’t get me wrong … I’ll push my body, but I am learning to respect it too. Look what it’s given me! 

 
My two perfect, beautiful, intelligent and incredible little boys. Thank you, body. I LOVE YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU! 

So yes … I believe (I’m hoping) that the return of MY Saturn will bring new, positive and life-changing adventures. 

And that was the “heavy” part of this post  

NOW I’m going to get on with the fun part: my birthday list! Hop over to Nicki's blog to see her birthday list in photos!

I have never been big on wearing a watch. I mean, I love them … I’ve just never had a watch that I could wear ALL the time. I saw this GORGEOUS Thomas Sabo watch and I’m in loooooove … 

I’m also obsessing over the Nike+ Fuelband, which Dave Greenway informed me is only currently available in New York. Boo! Guess I’ll just have to *settle* for an iPod Nano then …  

I’d love a treatment or four at the new Rosebank Life Day Spa … particularly the flotation tank, a facial … a massage, a pedi … okay, I’ll have one of everything, thanks

I want need clothes. Seriously! And I’m not fussy either. Woolworths and Country Road have GORGEOUS winter clothes …

And finally (yes, there’s more!) I want to get my … *does quick count* … 9th tattoo. It will be in memory of my late mom, as well as a tribute to my Mika-moo My mom (and, strangely enough) Dave’s mom both collected owls. Ornaments, not actual owls. Dave and I recently bought three beautiful owl line drawings at an exhibition at Wolves. They are GORGEOUS and for a while, I’ve been looking at images online and found this one that I LOVE. I want it to be like a pen drawing – lots of lines and character. 


 Going to work on customising it especially for my mom and Mika, with a little ribbon banner instead of a branch … what do you think? 







If you enjoyed this post - follow Nicki over on her blog One of the Boys

Are any of you thinking about your next birthday - and if it is a big one - share your thoughts with us..

Monday 13 August 2012

What to eat tonight - Cajun fish with sweetcorn and avocado salad



After having success after success with recipes from the Waitrose Kitchen magazine it is fast becoming my go to mag for a quick and delicious mid-week supper. Serve this beauty with a delicious crisp white wine and you're onto a winner!

Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 Icelandic plaice fillets
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
326g can sweetcorn in water, drained
1 avocado, roughly chopped
1 x ½ x 250g pack cherry tomatoes, halved
1 x ½ red onion, sliced
1 lime, zest and juice
1 red chilli, deseeded and sliced
1 x ½ x 28g pack coriander, roughly chopped
4 tbsp half fat soured cream

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C, gas mark 4. Place the fish skin-side down on a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper. Mix 1 tbsp olive oil with the Cajun seasoning and brush over the top of the fish. Roast for 5 - 6 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, mix the sweetcorn, avocado, tomatoes, red onion, lime zest, chilli and the remaining oil in a bowl. Season and toss with most of the coriander.

3. Mix the soured cream with the remaining coriander and lime juice. Serve the fish with the sweetcorn salad and the herby soured cream.

Friday 10 August 2012

Body beautiful - Top ten fitness tips

Photo courtesy of www.fitsugar.com

Today we are focusing on being fit, healthy, strong and beautiful. 

Pete Griggs (AKA Mean Pete) personal trainer deluxe who whipped us both into shape for our weddings, is on the blog today sharing his top ten tips to getting motivated, keeping fit, healthy and body beautiful. 

We sat down (or should I say, squatted, lunged, crunched and sweated our little hearts out) with Pete - who has just launched a new free workout website Zoobado -  to discuss everything you need to know about fitness. And trust us, this man knows his stuff. 

Pete's Top Ten 




1. Goals - from the word go decide specifically what you want to achieve. Make sure you know what your goals are, weight loss, toning, muscle building, fitness etc - as different goals will require different training programmes.

2. Choose a programme and stick with it until it gets easy - stick with any training for at least six weeks before you make any drastic changes, if you are one of these people that picks up a fitness magazine and does their latest workout every week, you might find yourself going round in circles.

3. Progress progress progress - make sure you always improve on the previous workout, that way you get fitter and fitter.

4. Diet - you should be putting as much effort into you diet as your workouts. Don't go and undo all your hard work by having a greasy curry after a hard workout. Stick to unprocessed natural foods. 

5. Carbs - if you are looking to shift a few kgs then try cutting out the carbs after lunch. Stick to meat and vegetables only (no potatoes or sweetcorn). Carbs are fine if you're very active because you will burn them off, but if you're not - they will be turned into fat!

6. Muscle - build some muscle up - don't worry you won't end up with bulging biceps. The more muscle you have on you the more calories you burn, its like having a bigger engine on a car - it needs more fuel.

7. Drinking - go easy on the alcohol, not only is it full of bad calories but if you have a boozy night out the following day's workout gets written off because you're too hungover to do it!

8. Diary - start writing everything down as it will help you keep track of your progress. Write down your workout stats including time, distances, levels etc it will help you make improvements. Also, write down the food you are eating as it will start making you aware of what you are actually putting into your body. Plan and schedule your workouts in your diary and make them a high priority - make SURE they happen.

9. To gym or not to gym? You don't need an gym membership to have a great workout, for around £100 you could buy everything you need to have a great workout at home. Part of the problem with the gym is getting there and back, this can easily eat up an hour out of your day. Trust me once you start training at home there is no going back!

10. Top tip - don't go running with the Pleasure, Treasure girls, Abi's run will end up in a wine bar and Nicky's will end up in a cake shop!

To give Pete's home workouts a try go to Zoobado - otherwise - you can contact him directly for more info.