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Article 1
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Actual conversations with his 2-year-old daughter. A YouTube series WIN.
I love this new YouTube series: Convos with my 2 year old. As a parent, it's hard to believe the words that come out of toddlers mouths. The completely insane things that completely floor you sometimes - the kid logic, we call it. A little word of advice while I have you here - NEVER teach your child the meaning of the word 'compromise'. The whole you do something for me and I do something for you. Next thing he's waking you at 2am to bake a cake because he cleaned his room last Saturday. You don't know. Here are the first three episodes and I'll remember to update you on new ones as they come. I really envy how awesome this guy is.
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My family lately. My highlight reel with some behind the scenes. For real.
This is my family. We are not perfect. Hell, sometimes we're full-on screaming at each other (especially between 7 and 8 am) The boys mostly don't listen to anyone right now and they don't always eat their vegetables. Graeme and I can argue until 1am or completely ignore each other for days. The boys squabble, sometimes don't share and can irritate the living rabbits out of each other. We don't keep meal times and we mostly don't make sense. We're all a bit batty. I drink more wine / vodka than would be considered socially acceptable and you should see us in the mornings. Child services should never see us in the mornings. Sometimes my kids get Pronutro for dinner, sometimes a bag of marshmallows. Often they'll stay up past 9pm and Ben is that kid that asks for every num-num and has a cry in the shops. The boys get sick a lot, especially that they're both in school. The list is longer than the queue at Burger King. We've got all your usual family problems, but my goodness we love each other.
I'm not going to try sell you on how awesome everything is all the time because being a young family with two toddler boys is really hard sometimes. I envy those mothers that have it all figured out and have their kids waitlisted at the best schools before they've even given birth. I lost Noah's raffle sheet last week and he's almost five and I don't have a 'big' school for him yet. Not even a Grade R. Benjamin is probably behind on his vaccinations right now and we get a lecture each time they go for their shots from the nurse that looks at me like I'm the worst mother in the world. I always feel guilty, I never feel like I'm doing as well as they deserve and I've had many, many moments of feeling overwhelmed. When Noah was 2 and Benjamin was about 3 months I full-on locked myself in the bathroom for an hour. I sat on the floor and cried and cried and cried from exhaustion. It was like something out of a really low budget movie and it was like I wasn't even there. Like I was watching myself break in to a thousand little pieces from a distance. My life would be substantially better if I was a pretty crier.
Parenting is hard sometimes guys. It's fun and wonderful and I'm having the best time of my life but puhleeeeze don't think that it's all teddy bears and banana splits in the bunny house. I love these guys and they are worth every dirty sock and smelly fart in the world. This is what happy looks like. I am so in love it's like my heart pumps chocolate chip waffles in to every nook & cranny of my soul. Have you seen these faces? Thank you sun for shining on us all weekend!
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I'm going to the 2013 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival. Yes sir I am.
Guys. About a week ago, Getaway magazine launched this competition: Win a five-day, all-expenses paid trip to the Knysna Oyster Festival valued at R30 000 and you’ll be the Getaway blogger on the ground while the action rolls out. The catch? You’ve got to have guts. In addition to featuring the festival, you’ve got to handle Knysna’s exciting side – and that’s not just the oyster eating competition either. You’re going to jump off the Bloukrans Bridge, paraglide over Sedgefield and zip line between ancient Yellowwoods so tall they shield the forest from daylight … and live to tell the tale. Keen? Tell us why you want to be part of the action at the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival in 50 words or less in the comment box below and include links to your blog and Twitter handle.
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So I entered. One of my friends, Keri Bainborough also entered. She blogs beautifully over at Midlands Musings. A LOT of bloggers entered - some of the biggest and best in the country. I put my links in and said I would blog the rabbits out of it, and wrote it off as one of those things that would never happen to me. Until it did. THEY CHOSE RAISING MEN. They really, really, really did. I got the message on Saturday morning and I squealed and ran across the house and jump-tackled Graeme until he almost fell over. I jumped, I ran, screamed and completely freaked the freak out. Keri and I had been BLEGGING to go together and they even made that a reality for us too. They're sending us together. Now I love Keri, I love her blog, our tweets, our whatsapp chats and emails... we're friends with all the same people, she lives in my old hood, our husbands know each other but we have never ever actually met in real life. Double excitement. There's more.
I resigned at work and am in the process of starting my own company. I've decided to take a huge leap and embrace my entrepeneural spirit. My last working day is Friday 28 June. Then on Monday 1 July I fly to George for the freakinoysterfreakinfestival. An all expenses paid adventure and a huge opportunity. I am sort of taking this very seriously because I really want to be the best Oyster Festival Correspondent there ever was. I am like, one step away from becoming the next Christiane Amanpour right now guys. I want you to feel like you were really there, I want to tell everyone exactly what every event was like in detail so intricate that you could almost touch it. I'm researching and studying the programme, I'm stalking, I'm following and I'm learning so much about one of the most beautiful parts of our country. The more I read and discover, the prouder I feel about being a South African and I mostly feel so blessed that I'm going to be a part of this.
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As scared as I am, I'm going to jump off a bridge and I'm going to love it. Even if I throw up and scream and have an anxiety attack, I am going to push myself and I'm going to embrace every aspect and living organism in my body and it's capabilities. And I'm going to have fun doing all of it. <YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND I am even too scared to have my ears pierced and I have burst in to tears when there was a Christmas Beetle in our house once> I am so excited guys. All the details are busy being finalized, our flights are booked, Keri is joining me (read her blog post here) and the husband is truly excited about the boy time that they'll be having while I'm away. I envision that they'll be doing a lot of Spider-Man and home made pizzas and a lot of falling-asleep-on-the-couch but I know that they'll have their own bonding time too without mommy's reign of order / nagging.
This is sort of what our itinary looks like. I also want to cover more on the sporting side, including the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon which you can read more about here. There's also a Knysna Craft Beer Project happening here. What I love about the Oyster Festival is that they have it during the school holidays every year and how incredibly kid-friendly the whole event is. There's a whole programme for kids and even qualified holiday care / minders to assist with extra hands so that mommy and daddies can sneak off for an hour or two to take part in some Oyster Shucking and wine tasting. This festival really has something for everyone to enjoy and Knysna has so many activities to partake in in the area.
Right now I'm just going to tell you about what WE will be up to - and show you where we will be staying, eating, playing, jumping, falling and riding. My next post will be all about the festival highlights and the very next post will be dedicated to the children's programme because it's truly amazing and has been developed with a lot of love and attention to detail. It has probably been developed by mothers. That want to drink wine.
What you need to know is that this is where you can collect more info on the festival - the official website. If you're still thinking of going, here is a list of accommodation in the area. The annual Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is one of South Africa’s most popular festivals with huge appeal for sports lovers, families and adventurers. It's on from 28 June - 7 July 2013. Follow the official account on Twitter and the tags #oysterfest #Big5 #TabascoHotspot. Also follow me and Keri if you want to be entertained by two girls trying to convince one another to literally jump off a bridge. It's going to be funny. We have also made a pact to stop tweeting after the 6th glass of wine for the sake of the sponsors involved. We hope to remember this pact but we probably won't. This is the gorgeous gal that is joining me on the festival
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Please promise not to hate me. What I am about to share with you is truly amazing and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. I have never been away from the boys for this long so I am also sort of freaking out, but I know that they'll have a blast with some one-on-one daddy attention too. Another thing, the day after I get back, my family is being treated by the Walt Disney Company Africa to go watch Disney on Ice but more on that later. It's going to be such a nice welcome home activity for us to enjoy together! Here is our personalized Oyster Festival line-up. REMEMBER YOU PROMISED NOT TO HATE ME.
As scared as I am, I'm going to jump off a bridge and I'm going to love it. Even if I throw up and scream and have an anxiety attack, I am going to push myself and I'm going to embrace every aspect and living organism in my body and it's capabilities. And I'm going to have fun doing all of it. <YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND I am even too scared to have my ears pierced and I have burst in to tears when there was a Christmas Beetle in our house once> I am so excited guys. All the details are busy being finalized, our flights are booked, Keri is joining me (read her blog post here) and the husband is truly excited about the boy time that they'll be having while I'm away. I envision that they'll be doing a lot of Spider-Man and home made pizzas and a lot of falling-asleep-on-the-couch but I know that they'll have their own bonding time too without mommy's reign of order / nagging.
This is sort of what our itinary looks like. I also want to cover more on the sporting side, including the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon which you can read more about here. There's also a Knysna Craft Beer Project happening here. What I love about the Oyster Festival is that they have it during the school holidays every year and how incredibly kid-friendly the whole event is. There's a whole programme for kids and even qualified holiday care / minders to assist with extra hands so that mommy and daddies can sneak off for an hour or two to take part in some Oyster Shucking and wine tasting. This festival really has something for everyone to enjoy and Knysna has so many activities to partake in in the area.
Right now I'm just going to tell you about what WE will be up to - and show you where we will be staying, eating, playing, jumping, falling and riding. My next post will be all about the festival highlights and the very next post will be dedicated to the children's programme because it's truly amazing and has been developed with a lot of love and attention to detail. It has probably been developed by mothers. That want to drink wine.
What you need to know is that this is where you can collect more info on the festival - the official website. If you're still thinking of going, here is a list of accommodation in the area. The annual Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is one of South Africa’s most popular festivals with huge appeal for sports lovers, families and adventurers. It's on from 28 June - 7 July 2013. Follow the official account on Twitter and the tags #oysterfest #Big5 #TabascoHotspot. Also follow me and Keri if you want to be entertained by two girls trying to convince one another to literally jump off a bridge. It's going to be funny. We have also made a pact to stop tweeting after the 6th glass of wine for the sake of the sponsors involved. We hope to remember this pact but we probably won't. This is the gorgeous gal that is joining me on the festival
Please promise not to hate me. What I am about to share with you is truly amazing and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. I have never been away from the boys for this long so I am also sort of freaking out, but I know that they'll have a blast with some one-on-one daddy attention too. Another thing, the day after I get back, my family is being treated by the Walt Disney Company Africa to go watch Disney on Ice but more on that later. It's going to be such a nice welcome home activity for us to enjoy together! Here is our personalized Oyster Festival line-up. REMEMBER YOU PROMISED NOT TO HATE ME.
Day one: 01 July 2013
Arrival flight in George. Drive to Knysna.
Check-in: Knysna Hollow
Lunch at Tabasco Oyster Hotspot Drydock
Afternoon: Knysna Elephant Park
Dinner. Overnight at Hotel
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| The Knysna Hollow. I know. I don't think I've ever stayed somewhere this nice before. |
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| The Knysna Hollow poolside. Please let there be enough sunshine to have at least one cocktail here on our time 'off' |
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| The view at The Drydock where we'll be lunching on our first day and have our very first Knysna Oysters. |
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| The Knysna Elephant Park where you can ride and walk with elephants. Also feed and touch them. I am going to cry. |
Day two: 02 July 2013
Breakfast at accommodation
Breakfast at accommodation
Township tour
Lunch at Tabasco Oyster Hotspot 34 South
Afternoon: Cruise through the Knysna Heads
From 17:00 Knysna Wine Festival and Night Market
Overnight at Hotel
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| I've never been on a township tour of any sorts before. I'm really hoping to get some amazing photographs here. |
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| The deck at 34 South. Apparently this restaurant is super amazing. I'm already craving chilli and garlic prawns and wine. |
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| Some of the menu items at 34 South. The salads look incredible. The desserts. It's going to be such a treat. |
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| These are the Knysna Heads. I have never been to Knysna and never been on a proper cruise. This looks beyond beautiful. |
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| We'll be cruising through here and taking loads of pictures and telling you all about it. Please follow us to be part of it all |
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| We'll finally get to the Knysna Oyster Festival and Night Market. You guys don't understand how much I love Oysters! |
Day three: 03 July 2013
Breakfast at accommodation
Bungee jump at Bloukrans
Overnight at Hotel
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| Dun DUN DUN DUNNN. This is the bridge that we'll need to jump from. We might die. Please delete my browser history. |
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| This girl looks like she's having fun. She is actually not really. She is actually about to fall to her death. That's all I see. |
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| Where good people go to die. I have watched many videos of people jumping and NOT dying. They're all fake. Obviously. |
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| Why doesn't anyone have shoes on? Do we need to be barefoot? I DON'T EVEN HAVE A FOOT FILE. |
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| Assuming that we're still alive, we'll now be at the Pick n Pay Flavours of Knysna event. Probably not though. |
Day four: 04 July 2013
Breakfast at accommodation
Morning: Tandem paragliding in Sedgefield
Lunch at Timberlake Organic Village
Local Design and Food Market
Overnight at Hotel
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| I am actually not scared of this at all. This looks like super fun. I am really going to love this. Paragliding in Sedgefield!! |
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| Wait, they are really close to that there ocean. Why does nobody have life jackets on? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE. |
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| We're going for lunch at the Timberwood Organic Village. This really looks amazing and delicious. Wine, olives, freshness.. |
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| How awesome are these saddle stools at the Timberlake Organic Village? SOMEBODY GET ME A BRANDY AND COKE. |
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| We'll then be off to the Wildwoods Treetop Adventures. Basically, as soon as we get there, everyone is trying to kill us. |
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| This really does look like fun though. There's a kiddies course that I KNOW the boys will love. Will take them next year! |
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| Our last stop for the trip will then be the Local Design and Food Market where we will basically spend a lot of money. Yay! |
Breakfast at accommodation
Depart for George airport
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| This is not really the plane that we'll be in. This is an image that I sourced from Google. Doesn't it make you happy? |
So this is what we have on the cards for the trip thus far. Things may change, like maybe they'll be like "Don't worry girls, let's rather take you for a walk in the forest instead of the bungee jump." But not likely. I'm glad that we'll be doing the jump - I love the excitement of it all and I even love the fear because it makes you feel so alive. I can't wait for all of this and again, I am so sincerely grateful for all of it. I have never experienced anything like this or even seen Knysna so I can't stop grinning like a silly person all over everyone. Stay tuned for the rest of the festival programme and highlights - there is way more going on than I've mentioned here. Lots of love, excitement and bunny hops x
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Article 20
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Disney on Ice in Johannesburg and Cape Town South Africa this winter.
Field Entertainment’s spectacular, Disney On Ice, returns to South Africa in an all-new show, the Passport to Adventure. This year there are more shows, more family entertainment and an all-new seating plan. The boys and I have been invited to see the show on Sunday, 7 June - the 15:00 show. We're missing opening night as I'll be eating an oyster or hundred in beautiful Knysna. The boys have never seen anything like this. It's going to be such a nice thing for us to do together to welcome mommy back from her little trip.
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I remember when I was little, for one of my birthdays my mom bought us all tickets to see Holiday on Ice. I can't tell you if it had Disney creatures in it or not, but I remember the excitement and theatrics. I remember the whole family being together and pointing, laughing, eating and enjoying all of it together. I remember feeling like I was part of something really cool - I have no idea how old I was at the time. I can't wait to see their little excited faces and hear their little squeals and answer all their hurried questions. I'm going to tell them that it's the REAL Peter Pan and Captain Hook and Stitch that have come especially to visit them. They're going to be blown away.
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I remember when I was little, for one of my birthdays my mom bought us all tickets to see Holiday on Ice. I can't tell you if it had Disney creatures in it or not, but I remember the excitement and theatrics. I remember the whole family being together and pointing, laughing, eating and enjoying all of it together. I remember feeling like I was part of something really cool - I have no idea how old I was at the time. I can't wait to see their little excited faces and hear their little squeals and answer all their hurried questions. I'm going to tell them that it's the REAL Peter Pan and Captain Hook and Stitch that have come especially to visit them. They're going to be blown away.
All your favorite Disney characters will make an appearance in this show, including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the magical worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Lilo & Stitch. Disney On Ice features an international team of award-winning figure skaters, high-energy choreography and a colorful set.
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The adventure runs from 21 – 30 June in Johannesburg and continues in Cape Town from 3 – 7 July with tickets starting from R195. Tickets are available exclusively from Computicket or ring 0861 915 800. Fans can discover more about this show by visiting www.disneyonice.co.za
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Why I love bunnies. Obviously there are issues and emotions involved.
When I was little, my dad died. His name was Eugene Andre du Plessis. He was of French heritage (a Huguenot) and beautiful. He was a chartered accountant, chess champion, the love of my mother's life and they had three really cool kids together. He died when I was about Noah and Benjamin's age and I don't remember much about him. After that, we didn't have loads of spending money - things were pretty un-cool for a long time. To this day I can't eat chicken livers, rice, pilchards, kidneys or pink viennas as that was our diet for a long time and I praise my mother for keeping us together when everything else sort of fell apart.
Exit violin music.
My mom remarried when I was a little older and introduced me to my best friend, my dad-dad, Nicholas Clark (everyone calls him Nobby because he's British and over there all Clarks are called Nobby). He is awesome. He is the best dad you never met. Never judges, kind nature, total non-conformist, really funny and super chilled. They scraped all their change together and him and my mom started a company when us kids were puppies. They had R17 rand left in the bank when it was all set up - I'll never forget that story cause MAN they love to tell it :) Fair enough. Things got better and then allofasudden things got great. Big contracts, tenders, deals... Things were good and they worked so hard. The result is that at some point we didn't see much of Nobby at all.
He used to work until past our bedtime at the factory (Empangeni Rail) almost every night, sometimes for weeks and months on end. Sometimes he even slept there. I still don't know how my working mom kept it all together with three kids, homework, dinner - and she cooked us dinner from scratch every single night guys. She really was / is the best mom and worked so hard. I wish I knew all of this back then and that I'd somehow made it easier on her, that I'd grown up faster.
Anyway.
Sometimes I would go to my parents' office after school or over weekends just to see them and hang out. I would always sit at their receptionist's desk and draw. My dad used to have this black fake-leather briefcase that he carried his 'book' around in. There weren't cellphones in those days - remember that? So I used to sit at the receptionist's desk and draw with the only colours available at offices - highlighters. I used to draw bunnies because as kids that is like the easiest animal to draw. I used to then cut them out, write my name on the back and put them in to an inner folder of my dad's briefcase. I did this because I suppose I missed him and wanted to be part of his day while he was always at work. He used to treasure these bunnies and after a while we used to call them his 'Briefcase Bunnies'. It became a little tradition of ours and then my poor dad got a briefcase bunny for every birthday, Father's Day and Christmas for many, many years.
We joked about the briefcase bunnies on the phone the other day and he said that he's kept and treasured each bunny and that they're packed away safely. I can't wait to go home or for him to visit again so I can see them. I'll take pictures and put them up here on the blog to 'keep'.
Boys I hope that we'll share our own little bunny stories together when you're older and maybe it will become a little heirloom in the family. I'd also really like it if you guys could make your gramps a briefcase bunny too, and we can send them over for Christmas. I have a feeling that bunnies will somehow always be a part of our family. Isn't that awesome?
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Win an all-expenses paid trip to Knysna during the Oyster Festival guys!
I keep telling everyone I know that I'm going to the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival this year. You would too. Read my post allaboutit here. I will also sort of kind of be a Getaway correspondent at the event and for my next act I will look in to being a war correspondent because that is how these things happen lately.
The thing is you can ALSO win an all expenses paid, 5 day trip to Knysna during the Oyster Festival. Pull your funniest #OysterFace, take a picture and tweet it! Be sure to include #OysterFace and @OysterFestival in your tweet. Your face does not have to be pretty - think a five year old eating an oyster for the very first time. Pull that face. Send it in.
You can win a R35 000 5-day trip to the Knysna Oyster Festival, where you'll stay at the luxurious Simola Golf & Country Estate - including flights and transfers. Aweeeesum!
The campaign will run for a week, and winner will be announced on the 25th of June- so it's super quick. The funniest face wins the prize and gets to laugh all the way to Knysna. This is such an easy one to enter guys! If you don't have Twitter, you can also upload a picture to their Facebook Page wall here. This is such an easy one to win guys. I hope to see you there! Holding thumbs for everyone.
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Article 16
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I have a new hobby. Currently adding 'food stylist' to my bio to make it real.
I've been playing with a new idea, or a project. I've always wanted to know more about food styling and photography. I love every single thing about food and I eat far too much of it. Really, I eat at least every two hours and if I wasn't this tallish, I would have been a very round girl indeed. When I was expecting my boys, I gained over 20kg with each pregnancy. I ate alll the things and listened to my body and I am neverrrr doing that again.
So I've been collecting decorative little things. If you've read my blog for more than five minutes, then you know that I get all my pretty food, event and party things at In Good Company - their stuff is available online or in store and I love them. I also collect trinkets at the Milnerton market here. I collect plates for my one-day giant plate wall. I love textiles, cloths, napkins, old silver, enamel, really old coppery cutlery and any crockery at all. I recently got a stash of wooden plates from Love Milo, which I'm going to tell you about a bit later. A friend of mine introduced us to each other and I will not stop until I own everything they make. I love being obsessed!
My friend Jacqui is an excellent photographer and a pleasure to work with. By pleasure I mean great wine, good conversation, professionalism, speed & attention to detail. I cannot wait to show you her pictures. We were working on a job for another side project / client today and I really am starting to get in to food styling. Today was my second 'professional' session, and the difference to our previous shoot is astounding. I really am enjoying this more than I ever thought I would. I'm no pro food stylist like (who I consider by far the best in the country) Vanessa Lewis, but I enjoy playing around with it and learning as I go. I love digging and scratching to find interesting pieces to style with and I really love cooking for the family and discovering new recipes to add to the regulars. I haven't had a hobby of sorts for many years, so it feels great to get in to something interesting and creative again.
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| Photos by Jacqui van Staden. A nervous stylist & a curious Noah |
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| A few 'textures' that we got at Milnerton market this morning |
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| A few little treasures from Milnerton market today. Silver jug, fish plate and fish knife to add to my collection. |
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| The Jacqui. |
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| Photo of a sad rabbit by Jacqui |
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| This is one half of the plates we were looking through in the selection and pairing process today. And those are my shoes. |
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| Graeme playing art-director-art-director. Kidding. He is actually an art director in real life. No really, in advertising. |
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Little things I want to remember about you & us while you're still this small.
When I think back to our family life right now, while you're toddlers; I want to remember this: Your messy hair and faces when you jump in to our bed on Sunday mornings. I want to remember how dirty the kitchen was today and how long it took me to wash everything after yesterday's cooking session. I want to remember that I didn't really finish 'everything' because sometimes mommy is naughty and leaves things for the nanny to do because sometimes mommy is a bad wannabe housewife.
I want to remember us sitting on the couch under blankies watching nonsense on TV. I want to remember us colouring in on the coffee table and how good Noah is getting at drawing now. I want to remember that as soon as Benjamin sees paper, he begs me to draw either a snail, cockroach or spider for him.
I want to remember the house being messy, your dirty boyish faces and I want to remember you irritating the living lightning out of the entire neighborhood on your black plastic bikes. I even want to remember me freaking out at you about it this morning. You really are the noisiest and most comical kids that I've ever met.
I want to remember that Noah bites his nails. Benjamin's nose is always runny - what is with that? You guys always smell like peanut butter and strawberries - even when you haven't eaten these foods in weeks. Your breath smells like chai vanilla milkshake. Sometimes I sniff you when you're asleep and try figure out exactly what that smell is. It's like the kiddies equivalent to puppy breath. I want to remember how long Benjamin's eye lashes are and how Noah smiles with his whole mouth. I want to remember how much Nu is aware of his dreams now - he tells me about them all the time. Sometimes Bunny and I lay in his bed, look at the ceiling and play the 'do you like' game. I ask him "Do you liiiiike... crayfish?" Noooooo "Do you like kitties?" Yeeeees! "Do you liiiike... sharks?" Noooo. We can play this for hours.
I want to remember that you still want me to lay by you every night. Noah you're trying so hard to be a big boy now, but you still nuzzle in to my armpit when I lay next to you. You're really becoming a little man, but you still run to me for a hug when you've got an ouchie or a big fright. Ben you say 'silly billy' to everything and everyone right now. You've just learnt your ABCs at school and you guys loooove your "Big wise owl' song.
Right now it's 9:48pm and Benjamin still won't sleep. He's sitting here next to me, trying to push buttons on my laptop. I have no idea why you're awake, but I sort of start ignoring you after 8pm and I don't feel like a big bedtime fight tonight. You're being all adorable and asking lots of questions, so right now... I'm going to cuddle you something silly until we fall asleep. Tomorrow marks the beginning of your first joint school holidays, and tomorrow marks the very last week at my current agency / employer. Before things get impossible and busy, I wanted to remember us today and right now. Please stop growing up and older - one day you'll be shouting at me and locking yourselves in your rooms with heavy metal music and dodgy friends. Today all you wanted was for me to colour with you, and that's pretty awesome.
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| This is pretty much as advanced as my drawing skills ever got. How good am I? That's totes a cat guys. |
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| Noah's house (left) and his tree with apples (right) I love that he doesn't just use green for trees, but yellows too! |
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Article 13
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Hello Love Milo. Welcome to The Bunny House. Take a seat! Please stay.
Love Milo is a boutique home-ware & decor studio based in Cape Town. Now everyone knows that I'm a bit batty over crockery, but these designs are so me, us and the house. I've added a few of their treasures to my collection, including the branch & bird cushions that look really sweet on our bed. I have a few of their products, and I can't wait to show you some of the pictures I've styled with Love Milo, but more on that soon.
Love Milo was established from a passion for photography and the natural environment of South Africa. Their aim is to merge that passion with contemporary design to create beautiful and functional everyday objects. All their designs are created using non computer generated imaging like photography, allowing the final product to reflect the graphic lines and forms found in nature while also maintaining the slight imperfections of this environment. Their love for the earth is echoed by their use of eco-friendly inks, and they only use alien trees for their wooden products. Love Milo is not only bright & beautiful, but clever & thoughtful too!
Have a look at their website and their online store. They have a sale on at the moment, and delivery is free on more than two items. Hang out with them on Facebook for quick info on more product launches and ranges coming out super soon. I'll be doing a giveaway soon, so hop on over to the Raising Men Facebook page to get your pretty little hands on some Love Milo for your home.
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The Liebster Award, and some interesting info about your fav Bloggers!
I recently received the Liebster blog award from another writer - Jodie over at Howe do you do. This was really sweet. The deal is that you pass the award over to your top 4 favorite blogs and then create 7 questions that you'd like them to answer. They in turn create 7 questions for 4 other bloggers and so it becomes a bit of blogger chain mail. I'm sort of cheating and I've asked my 4 favorite bloggers to answer all my questions right here, along with my answers on Jodie's questions. Fun right? Here you go! Questions to me from Jodie, courtesy of the Liebster Award I received yesterday:
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| Photos of our little family by Paul Clark |
1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Cape Town. I love it here - I love the people, the vibe, harbor, beaches, forests, nature reserves, gardens, vineyards - all of it. I do also really love Stanford, Kalk Bay, the Midlands, Karoo and Franschoek.
2. If money weren't an option, what would you do?
I would be an English teacher to high school kids. If I could go back now & study again, I would study to be a nutritionist or dietitian.
3. If you were stranded on an island, what is the one thing you’d want with you?
A box of matches or tampons. No definitely matches. Can I think about this? No, tampons. Wait how long am I on this island for?
4. If you could change one thing on your body, what would it be?
I would want thicker and straighter hair. Mine is naturally curly, thin and frizzy. I've always wanted beautiful hair that could just dry in the air without an hour of blow drying, straightening and product to get it looking okayish. I want Bollywood hair.
5. If you could be an animal, what would you be?
A bird. Probably a Robin. I'll need to check how long those live for. I think it would also be really cool to be a polar bear cub for like, ever. What am I actually talking about? I'D BE A BUNNY.
6. What do you like doing most to pass your time?
Writing and playing with the boys. I love taking photos of interesting things, the kids, food and lately I'm reallllly enjoying food styling!
7. What is the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?
Once when I was about 17 I tried to get in to a club - it's called 80s in Durban. My parents were at the rugby stadium and everyone was having this big after party braai thing on the field. I had some friends there and I was all bragging like "Watch, I can totally get in to 80s" because I'd got in before, I was super confident. I marched right up to the bouncer with all my friends and a hot boy /crush that I was seriously trying to impress behind me. The bouncer was all "And how old are you?" and I looked him straight in the eye and with way too much attitude went "I'm EIGHTEEN" as if like whatever, you know? He stood there looking at me a while and he was like "Well that's nice honey, you need to be TWENTY ONE to get in here. Bu-Bye." And I was so mortified. I didn't know that on Friday or Saturday nights it was all only over 21s. I don't think anything is as embarrassing as being a cheeky teenager.
You don't understand. I have the longest list of embarrassing things that have escaped my stupid mouth. I'm practically a professional at humiliating myself on any given day. Graeme has a secret list of things I've said and asked that he keeps in case he needs to destroy me one day. I don't know why but my general knowledge is completely shocking. I'll tell you some of the questions I've genuinely asked Graeme over the years. These are the tame ones:
Where does curry come from? Are you supposed to iron bras? It doesn't rain over the ocean, hey? Isn't the Empire State Building in Paris? Japan the capital of Tokyo. I'm so clever. Where was the Cold War? Alaska? It must be so hard to combat in the cold and snow.
Guys if you ever want to feel good about yourself, please play 30 seconds with me. Your ego will love you.
So now I'm supposed to nominate 4 other blogs with 7 questions for them to answer about themselves, and thus the blogger chain mail and Liebster Award continues. So gurls... I'd like to seriously and sincerely know:
1. You're on death row. Later on today, you're being taken down the green mile. What is your last meal of choice?
I can’t answer this! How can one choose? Probably sushi and pizza from my husband’s restaurant. Or a medium-rare fillet with a baked potato, sour crème, loads of butter and roast vegetables. With a bottle of Ataraxia Serenity. I don’t really do pudding, but a box of cigarettes would probably do the trick before I met my death.
2. You have R500. Would you rather buy 8 items from a Mr Price with this money or would you buy one blouse from Country Road?
One blouse from Country Road. Quality over quantity ALWAYS. I have learnt this the hard way. Being a cheapskate is just not worth it.
3. When you were a kid did you ever have like, the best birthday party in the world that you will never forget? What did your mom used to do for you on your birthdays as a kid (ages 6 - 10 ish)
My best birthday party was probably my tenth birthday. We went to a film, followed by dinner at Spur – just me, my folks and about five close friends. I had kiddie ribs, obviously. We had the best waitress ever – I still remember her to this day and she spoilt me and totally made my day. It’s amazing what a difference a kind and gentle person can make in your life. My mom used to do whatever I wanted regarded parties – I had the normal kiddie birthday parties, but I soon preferred sleepovers with a couple of close friends. My mom would get us tons of sweets and chocolate. I remember actually vomiting after one birthday party because I was so sick from sweets.
4. Would you rather marry and have babies with Chuck Bass, Noah Calhoun, Phil Dunphy or Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.
Who is Noah Calhoun? *Googles* Oh, Noah Calhoun definitely. But Chuck Bass is a close second. I’m not cool enough for Phil Dunphy.
5. You've just walked in to a pretty cool venue where your favourite song is playing. You're there with your girlfriends, all ready for a great night out. What do you order at the bar as your first drink?
Wine. Is this even a question? Followed by tequila.
6. Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that has completely changed your perspective on something - on life, yourself? What story was it, and how did it change you?
Wow, tough one. So many books and films have changed my perspective on life. I think Conversations With God was probably the most influential book I’ve ever read – I read it in high school and it made me rethink spirituality, religion and my relationship with god. I attended a strict Baptist high school, and so the introduction of a kind, compassionate and gentle god made a huge difference in my young adult life and allowed me the freedom to grow into the person I am today. The poetry of ee cummings also helped pave the way to my love of writing – his complete disregard for the rules of grammar and spelling helped me shake off the confining bonds of traditional writing.
7. Do you collect anything? Like I collect crockery and bunny things - is there something that you can't walk past without buying or adding to a collection of sorts?
Books. I have hundreds. Some in boxes, some on shelves, some next to my bed, some at my mom’s house, some at my Dad’s… I cannot go shopping without stepping into a bookshop and buying a book or magazine. Addicted. (Read Keri's blog)
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1. You're on death row. Later on today, you're being taken down the green mile. What is your last meal of choice?
Mmm... Magic beans that let me grow a beanstalk and escape? Can I do that?
Ok Fine. Sushi.
2. You have R500. Would you rather buy 8 items from a Mr Price with this money or would you buy one blouse from Country Road?
Well... if it was my own money - 8 items from Mr Price definitely. But if someone just gave me that money I might hit Country Road..... Maybe.
3. When you were a kid did you ever have like, the best birthday party in the world that you will never forget? What did your mom used to do for you on your birthdays as a kid (ages 6 - 10 ish)
One year we were renovating our house - one of our dining room walls was going to be knocked out - so all my friends came
over for a sleep over and we were all allowed to paint/draw/write messages on the wall. IN THE HOUSE. It was the greatest thing. I always had the most
epic birthday parties - half parties, backwards parties, fondues, sleep overs. In fact, right now, the the only thing I'm looking forward to about being a parent is hosting the greatest parties. I'm gonna be that mother. Oh, I hate me already.
4. Would you rather marry and have babies with Chuck Bass, Noah Calhoun, Phil Dunphy or Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.
THIS QUESTION. WHAT KIND?!
Chuck Bass for sexy!!! But no... Phil because FUN!!! No. Chuck. No. Phil. Sexy?! Fun?!?
ok
OK.
I pick Warren Dyer - Sexy AND fun - I just added him on the end there for you.
You're welcome.
5. You've just walked in to a pretty cool venue where your favourite song is playing. You're there with your girlfriends, all ready for a great night out. What do you order at the bar as your first drink?
My mind says CHAMPAGNE! My vibe says COCKTAIL! My wallet says HOUSE WINE PLEASE.
6. Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that has completely changed your perspective on something - on life, yourself? What story was it, and how did it change you?
Veronika decides to Die - Paulo Coelho. Most people think that it's the most morbid, depressing book. It's about a girl who ends up in a mental asylum after trying to kill herself. For some reason I found it the most empowering read ever. It's completely honest and doesn't sugar coat anything but the girl's journey to discover whether or not she wants to move forward with life or not is just so "awakening". I don't ever usually write in books but that book had my pencil scribblings/notes/thoughts all over it. Yoh. look at me gettin' all deep an all.
7. Do you collect anything? Like I collect crockery and bunny things - is there something that you can't walk past without buying or adding to a collection of sorts?
Paper things. Stationery. Envelopes. Crafty bits. Pretty Papers. I had a 30kg suitcase allowance to bring over to London with me. I'd say 12.5kg of that was due to craft supplies. It's a problem. (Read Che's blog)
1. You're on death row. Later on today, you're being taken down the green mile. What is your last meal of choice?
Oysters followed by bangers and mash
2. You have R500. Would you rather buy 8 items from a Mr Price with this money or would you buy one blouse from Country Road?
Is this even a real question? I would buy the whole of Mr Price. Or I would be two Pick n Pay Clothing stores.
3. When you were a kid did you ever have like, the best birthday party in the world that you will never forget? What did your mom used to do for you on your birthdays as a kid (ages 6 - 10 ish)
My mom once made me a Spice Girls birthday cake with all the Spice faces on and it was the best thing that has ever happened to me. Much better than the time my mom hosted me a surprise party for my 16th birthday and the most popular girl in my year decided to host a party on the same day and no one came to my surprise party.
4. Would you rather marry and have babies with Chuck Bass, Noah Calhoun, Phil Dunphy or Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.
I can never decide if I want Phil Dunphy to be my dad or my husband. But Noah Calhoun, I would marry the crap out of that man.
5. You've just walked in to a pretty cool venue where your favourite song is playing. You're there with your girlfriends, all ready for a great night out. What do you order at the bar as your first drink?
Black Label.
6. Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that has completely changed your perspective on something - on life, yourself? What story was it, and how did it change you?
Shantaram had a huge effect on me. I can't really explain why, but I consider it to be one of the most life changing books I've read.
7. Do you collect anything? Like I collect crockery and bunny things - is there something that you can't walk past without buying or adding to a collection of sorts?
I collect wine. My wine rack is full of really amazing bottles that I can't ever bring myself to drink. I am obsessed with wine. (Read Natalie's blog)
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1. You're on death row. Later on today, you're being taken down the green mile. What is your last meal of choice?
Snakes Alive! Those chewy snakes, a bowl of those.
2. You have R500. Would you rather buy 8 items from a Mr Price with this money or would you buy one blouse from Country Road?
Probably 8 things from Mr Price. R500 won't even get you a whole blouse at Country Road anymore
3. When you were a kid did you ever have like, the best birthday party in the world that you will never forget? What did your mom used to do for you on your birthdays as a kid (ages 6 - 10 ish)
I remember having the coolest cakes. I once had a barbie mermaid cake where my mom iced on a pink mermaid tail and little bikini top onto a naked barbie. That was awesome! Also every birthday I had was a dress up party and there ain't no party like a dress up party.
4. Would you rather marry and have babies with Chuck Bass, Noah Calhoun, Phil Dunphy or Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.
Noah Calhoun! Hands down!
5. You've just walked in to a pretty cool venue where your favourite song is playing. You're there with your girlfriends, all ready for a great night out. What do you order at the bar as your first drink?
It's been Gin & Tonic lately.
6. Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that has completely changed your perspective on something - on life, yourself? What story was it, and how did it change you?
The pursuit of happyness. My father passed away right before I wrote Matric exams and I remember watching that movie (obviously balling my eyes out), and being so motivated to do my best, and make things happen in life despite life's curve balls and circumstances. I ended up matriculating with a distinction even though i'd never been a strong academic. I remember watching it again in varsity when in first year I wasn't getting the greatest marks, by 3rd year I was top of my class. I didn't realize how much this movie has actually affected me until now, but it really makes you see your life differently and see that you don't have it that bad at all. Watch it. It's a beautiful, sad and incredible story. I think I might actually watch it again myself.
7. Do you collect anything? Like I collect crockery and bunny things - is there something that you can't walk past without buying or adding to a collection of sorts?
Since becoming a Harbour it's all things nautical. If it's navy, or is ship/anchor related I swoon! (Read Emma's blog)
Thanks so much for taking part in this friends. I think I should start talking to other writers on here more often - almost time for another series of sorts. Until then!
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Article 10
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A message to the boys on Nelson Mandela, South Africa's history & love.
Boys this is going to be really difficult for you to understand and I hope that you read this without judgement and with an open mind. Actually no, don't have an open mind. I'm sure that you've heard about apartheid by now, but in summary... When I was your age... Kids of colour - black, indian, colored, mixed races were not allowed to come to my school or almost any school where white kids went.
Kids of colour weren't allowed to swim in the same pools as white kids. Or go to the same beaches. Kids of colour were not allowed to go to the same restaurants, and some of the same shops or Churches. People of colour were not allowed upon the streets or certain 'white' areas of town after a certain time of day. Our maids and nannies had to carry dompas or passbooks around with them to state that they had permission from their 'whites' or employers to be on the street or run an errand.
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It's horrible - all of it is awful and while I vaguely remember that world (I was ten years old when apartheid finally ended) I was never really part of it. My parents were different and we socialized with all sorts of awesome people. As kids we were sort of hidden from a lot of what was going on, and I don't remember anyone ever telling me that I shouldn't play with a black or Indian child at school because we didn't have the option. They were just not there to play with. A lot of decisions were made on behalf of us kids by grown ups, politicians and governments that 'knew better'.
I'm so ashamed of all of it, even though I wasn't directly involved and my parents didn't instill any bad values in me - I am just ashamed on behalf of South Africa in general. I think everyone is.
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Nelson Mandela is a very warm, forgiving, intelligent and kind man. He was also a brilliant politician, and led the negotiations on behalf of the African National Congress (ANC) with FW de Klerk to abolish apartheid and allow multi-racial elections. This was back in 1994, when my biggest problem was getting the Birthing Barbie. Mr Mandela was elected as South Africa's first black president and with that ended apartheid. I'm not going to get in to a history lesson here on the Afrikaner Nationalists or the National Party, but thanks to him you live in a better world with richer culture, diversity, opportunity and integrity. Thanks to him (and others) you live in a country that is free.
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The whole country is in mourning because Nelson Mandela is very sick right now. Granted, he is 94 years old and has lived an incredible life, but I don't know if South Africa is ready to let go of him - the father of our nation. You're only 2 and 4 and I can't explain any of this to you at the moment. There is so much going on right now and all you want to do is watch Spider-Man, because you're 2 and 4 and that's just what you do. I hadn't even thought about it before today ; how I would ever explain apartheid to you. I wonder how different things will be in your generation, because you (and millions of other toddlers) are walking in to brand new South Africa with no direct history, hang ups or discrimination. I hope that you won't be judged on behalf of our ancestors and I hope that you'll grow up in an environment that is safe, honest and fair.
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Thank you for suffering on behalf of our country, Madiba and thank you for fighting for everyone's right to a democracy. I've never met you, but I didn't need to. You are a part of my life every single day regardless. Thank you for giving my sons a better future, and so that they may live a life of honor. May your soul go gently Mr Mandela, in your own time. May your warmth and kindness disseminate throughout South Africa for generations to come.
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Nelson Mandela is a very warm, forgiving, intelligent and kind man. He was also a brilliant politician, and led the negotiations on behalf of the African National Congress (ANC) with FW de Klerk to abolish apartheid and allow multi-racial elections. This was back in 1994, when my biggest problem was getting the Birthing Barbie. Mr Mandela was elected as South Africa's first black president and with that ended apartheid. I'm not going to get in to a history lesson here on the Afrikaner Nationalists or the National Party, but thanks to him you live in a better world with richer culture, diversity, opportunity and integrity. Thanks to him (and others) you live in a country that is free.
The whole country is in mourning because Nelson Mandela is very sick right now. Granted, he is 94 years old and has lived an incredible life, but I don't know if South Africa is ready to let go of him - the father of our nation. You're only 2 and 4 and I can't explain any of this to you at the moment. There is so much going on right now and all you want to do is watch Spider-Man, because you're 2 and 4 and that's just what you do. I hadn't even thought about it before today ; how I would ever explain apartheid to you. I wonder how different things will be in your generation, because you (and millions of other toddlers) are walking in to brand new South Africa with no direct history, hang ups or discrimination. I hope that you won't be judged on behalf of our ancestors and I hope that you'll grow up in an environment that is safe, honest and fair.
Thank you for suffering on behalf of our country, Madiba and thank you for fighting for everyone's right to a democracy. I've never met you, but I didn't need to. You are a part of my life every single day regardless. Thank you for giving my sons a better future, and so that they may live a life of honor. May your soul go gently Mr Mandela, in your own time. May your warmth and kindness disseminate throughout South Africa for generations to come.
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NoMU July Recipe Cards & Mailer. By NATASHAfreakinCLARK. Promise.
When NoMU approached me to contribute to their July recipe cards, I thought they were sort of silly / delusional. While I have a few set meals that I make for the boys - I have never documented any of them in to a recipe format or really shared them with anyone else. I have also never put our family favorites in to a professional format or food styled and photographed any of it. I'm no Alida Ryder / Vanessa Lewis so it was daunting but exciting. I'd never been commissioned for any recipes or photographs evarrrr. Everything about all of this was completely brand new. And awesome.
It wasn't easy. I had to do a re-shoot, I almost missed deadline and my kitchen was a disaster. Honestly, it was harder than I thought and I respect the socks out of all food stylists, chefs and photographers that work in the food industry because jasie. It really was so much fun and I feel like I have learned a LOT. Shooting in natural light is real scary and prepping your recipes is key. You cannot let a mac n cheese portion just stand on the counter for ten minutes because you won't get a good photo unless that cheese is hot and melted. You know? I didn't know. Your timing is so important and it's really hard to get food to look as good as it tastes sometimes.
In the end, I think we rocked it. I got by with a little help with my friends. Thank you so much to Jacqui van Staden for taking the pictures for me. Graeme helped with the styling and cooking too! The decor is mostly from the Milnerton Market, Love Milo, In Good Company and my long-standing crockery collection. I'll state what was used where if you think any of this is really purdy. I sure do.
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| Vintage cutlery is from Milnerton Market. You pay about R4 - R15 per utensil and they have gorgeous things. |
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| Cutlery, napkin and plated silver dish - Milnerton Market. Wooden side plate - Love Milo. Heart bowl - Mr Price |
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| Fish plate , plated jug & fish knife - Milnerton Market. Napkin - In Good Company (comes on a roll with loads) |
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| Lace tablecloth - Milnerton Market. Wrought iron tray - no idea, I've had it forever. |
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| Cutlery, napkin & vintage enamel dish - Milnerton Market. Wooden plate - Love Milo |
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| Wooden cutlery & grey napkin - In Good Company. Large wooden plate - Love Milo. Lace - Milnerton Market |
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| Awesome photographer - Jacqui van Staden |
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| Hands - Noah Bettles (made by Natasha Clark) & candy striped paper straws - In Good Company. Crochet doily - Milnerton |
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| Cup cake stand, heart confetti, birdie cupcake wraps and 'delish, yum, pick me' picks - all In Good Company |
Thank you so much to NoMU for the amazing opportunity. I had so much fun with this. Thanks Vanessa for all your advice, you are obviously the best food photographer & stylist I know. You can subscribe to NoMU's recipe mailer to receive 8 great, easy and delicious recipes in your inbox every month. To view their archive recipes, go here on the website and you can search recipes according to NoMU products, ingredients or courses etc main, dessert etc. It's a great little resource for those emergency fancy dinner situations. Or those impress my family / bf / mother situations.
Since this project, I've taken on two other jobs to do recipes for other brands and I'm doing food & recipe contributions for the Ackermans blog, but more on that later as we publish. I am NOT a foodie or even an incredibly amazing cook, but I like sharing and creating easy, cost-effective and quick meals and treats for busy families with a huge focus on health and flavor. I want my recipes to be accessible with 'regular' ingredients that you can easily find and keep to incorporate in to many other meals too. So here's to a new passion & side project! I'm really having so much fun with this and will share my progress as I go!
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I'm at the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival. I'm at the festival in a big way.
Hello! Guys, I am currently at the Knysna Oyster Festival, blogging for Getaway. Keri from Midlands Musings is here with me and we are just overwhelmed.
Knysna is so beautiful - I had no idea. We've only been here for two days and have already experienced so much. The food is amazing, the wine and bubbly flows, the restaurants and views are on another level. There is so much to do, we're staying at the most beautiful country estate called the Knysna Hollow and meeting the most interesting people.
Today we went on a township tour, then lunch at a seriously cool restaurant. We ate oysters, creamy squid tempura sushi, kingklip espatada, mezzes, prawns... Then we went on a whale watching cruise through the Knysna Heads - even though it had started raining. They couldn't believe that we wanted to go out in the rain, even though the visibility was bad - and we loved it! We have two more things on our agenda today... It's 17:28 and we just got back to our room. Keri has just fallen asleep so I'm leaving her to regroup before the festivities start again. I haven't even spoken about yesterday, or what's on the way tomorrow, but guys... We're having so much fun. I have mountains of things to tell you about. I completely understand why Knysna is such a tourist hotspot - it's incredible, warm, delicious and beautiful out here. Everything is so lush, covered in forest, the lagoon and really friendly people. I have so much to tell you about.
PS Boys I'm missing you so much. I've been phoning you about twice a day and having chats. I've also been whatsapping pictures to the nanny, daddy and gaga to show you our adventures as we go. You've been so busy on play dates and visits from both grannies - having a little ball of your own. I miss you so much and my heart does that weird twisty thing when I see other kids in restaurants or partaking in all the amazing kids activities here. Next year guys - we're ALL coming. With bells & whistles and cherries on top.
Listen, if you're on your way here (to the Oyster Festival) now, pretty please on toast book a cruise with Knysna Boat Trips if you like whales, dolphins, shipwrecks, caves and fun. Book a Township Tour with Emzini Tours to warm and enlighten your spirit, and DO go to lunch at 34 South at the Waterfront. That's us so far - but right now I have to wake Keri up to go to the Knysna Wine Festival and Night Market. Three more days of this to go - I'll update when I can. Love from Knysna!
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A Social Media & Online Marketing Agency in Cape Town: The Birdhouse
I've been away at the Knysna Oyster Festival. I have so many pictures and stories to share with you, but let's catch up first. These past few weeks have been intense. I resigned at my previous agency where I was Head of Social Media. I've been working in media for many, many exciting years. As I progressed, I felt a real itch to do my own thing. See every strategy, presentation and pitch / client I won was bittersweet and frustrating because I was putting a lot of work in to somebody else's dream. Somebody else's company. At first it was fine, but as I progressed the rewards became bitter. While I didn't vocalize or show a lot of what I was going through, I was feeling frustrated. I've always wanted to have my own little agency, my own brand and to drink the wine from my own grapes.
After a lot of work, admin, design and CI development... I now have my own Social Media & Digital PR Agency. I really do. I have an office (desk squished in to the corner of our lounge), WIFI, MacBook Pro, landline, bank account and accountant. I have all those little grown-up things that small agencies have. I have suppliers, a website, a Facebook page and you GUYS, I even have clients. I EVEN HAVE AN EMAIL SIGNATURE.
I'm scared. Overwhelmed. Excited. I'm thoroughly enjoying every little moment of all of this, and it's all mine. Every client, brief, invoice, strategy... Mine. I work harder than I've ever worked before because each job is a reflection on me, my agency and I am very results focused. I am so passionate about communication and online marketing in South Africa - it hops, bubbles & boils through every single thing that I do.
So here we go: Another little family announcement. The Birdhouse is now live and accepting briefs. Hooray (!!!!)
Looking to increase your SERP (search engine results page), increase your web traffic, sales and online presence? Does your brand have a keyword strategy? Want more likes, fans and followers? Do you even have social media accounts for your company / restaurant / coffee shop / online store? Does your business & employees need social media training? A workshop? Do you need a creative campaign? Influencers & brand ambassadors? Do you have response flowcharts, a brand personality, escalation policy? Is all your content currently optimized for SEO? I have so many questions for you!
So right now I'm a busy bird and loving every moment. A little bit of fun information on The Birdhouse: This is about the 17th version of the logo. I'll share the other almost-logos with you as we move along. All the artwork and illustration is by Theo Krynauw - the same guy that created my Raising Men header. He's a gem and such a nice guy! The name The Birdhouse comes from my other love - parrots. I always had parrots & birds growing up. I used to hand-rear them. One of my favorite parrots that I had was Sunshine, my first. She was a canary yellow rose-ringed parakeet and was incredibly tame. She slept above my bed, went to school with me some days, to the shops and was never in her cage. She died when I was in high school - it was awful, I cried for weeks and I'm still not really over it. After high school I had more parrots over the years: Monkey, Cricket and Bambi. We'll definitely get a parrot for the family this year sometime, now that things are settled and the boys are older. It's going to be a very interesting dynamic with the bunnies! I wonder who will chase who.
So this is my new big little venture and it's keeping me very busy. Right now I have my own little clients and I'm helping out at a few other agencies with very big clients and campaigns too. So far, so fabulous. Here's to new beginnings, and lots of birds all over my / your house x
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