#100HappyDays: Day 81 – 92

Day 81:

Easter was such a lovely family event. Way too much sugar was ingested, ensuring that I felt vaguely ill for a few days. But it was totally worth it! How lovely are these cupcakes, cleverly decorated by my sister’s mother in law?

Day 82:

Following the great sugar ingestion of Easter, I forced myself to go for a walk/run in the nature reserve. This week my sole focus is sorting out a gym contract, because I’ve proven that I can’t exercise on my own at home. It is stalling my weight loss project and I really think if I can sort that out, the rest will be much easier.

Day 83:

Did my nails with this Avon gel polish, but I was so disappointed by the quality and that it peeled within the first day.

Day 84:

Reading this wonderful series again. The books remain so touching, hilarious and entertaining.

Day 85:

Driving in peak hour traffic in Johannesburg is such a schlep, but scenery like this makes it slightly more bearable!

Day 86:

Another day, another iced coffee. Nom!

Day 87:

Me, pictured through the sunroof of a limo for a bachelorette. This whole night was quite insane, but fun. But I’m never driving in a limo again.

Day 88:

Doggie cuddles!

Day 89:

Continuing the insanity of the weekend, my house flooded. I am just going to say that my reactions and that whole day was not something to post on a 100 days of happy post. However, I found this pic of my sister and myself in primary school. How adorable?!

Day 90:

Finally in the 90’s! Can you believe I got this far?!

Our company gave us all a mammoth pack of stickies. It made me happier than I ever thought possible.

Day 91:

After the longest struggle imaginable with my service provider I finally upgraded to the Sony Xperia Z5 compact. So far I’m loving it!

Day 92:

Finished this incredible book (review up this week), and it has been such an interesting read.

April 11, 2016April 10, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 100 Happy Days, UncategorizedTags: 100 Happy Days, bachelorettes, Big Magic, Books, Elizabeth Gilbert, Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix, Iced Coffee, Kliprivier Nature Reserve, Nature Reserve, Reading, Sony, Sony Xperia Z5 compact 4 Comments

Life lately

Happy Spring! I am so excited it is becoming warmer. I usually love winter, but my tolerance is at a low with the unexpected last cold front we had.

 

The weekend was amazing. As I said, my sister and I took off Friday to get some things done. We started with breakfast at Spur, and then afterwards she went and did her nails. We also went to a China mall in Joburg – it is a place where there are a lot of Chinese products (at really cheap prices) – and we went there and got some party favors for her Bachelorette party.

Saturday we had my sister’s bachelorette party. I had NO idea that it would be this successful. It was honestly one of the best nights of my life. We started with a lingerie shower at another friend’s house, and then drove through to one of our friends that offered to transport us for the night – how awesome is he, right? We then went to Tiger Tiger in Fourways. I booked the club on a few recommendations, and I was so afraid that it would be a bad decision. It really wasn’t – it was fantastic and so much fun. The vibe was incredible. Thanks Tiger!

I spent Sunday recovering – nuff said

Books finished: I finished Lucy Sullivan is getting married by Marian Keyes. I read the book halfway, and then stopped (about a month ago). I picked it up Thursday, restarted, and suddenly I was so hooked I finished it in two days. It ended really nice – it eventually had such a happy feel to it.

For the first time this weekend I watched no movies or series – there simply wasn’t the time. Honestly, I am more into reading now in any case. I really need to read more if I want an actual stab at finishing my challenge.

The diet really didn’t go too well this weekend. I need to diet hard this week – the wedding is in 19 days!

That said, this week I am focusing on my studies. I have been procrastinating on my assignments, and if I don’t seriously commit, I won’t stand a chance in passing.

What did you do this weekend?

PS: I saw Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” music video – Miley isn’t the only one in that VMA collaboration who acted shady this year. I love the song, but that video was just a bit much, right?

September 2, 2013 by Natasha Categories: Books, Reviews, Unisa, WeekendsTags: 100 books, bachelorettes, Books, clubing, Family, Life Lately, Marian Keyes, Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Spring, Spur, Studying, Tiger Tiger, Unisa, VMAs, Weekend 3 Comments

Saturday Quotes

Happy Saturday!

While you are reading this, I am getting ready for my sister’s bachelorette party. It is going to be fantastic. This week hasn’t been easy – “friends” revealed their true colors, people cancelled last minute, unexpected situations had to be accepted, plans had to be adapted. And guess what? I survived. I am sure I will carry on surviving, because that is what you do. You learn to live with disappointment and stress, and find a way to be happy in spite of it.

Here is a beautiful quote. Enjoy the weekend!

August 31, 2013August 29, 2013 by Natasha Categories: QuotesTags: bachelorettes, lessons learnt, Party, Quotes, Saturday, Truth, wedding Leave a comment

Five Things Friday (What planning a bachelorettes or wedding taught me)

I am on leave today, and I really am so happy I just have a day off. It feels like I’m getting married, while it is actually my sister tying the knot. I am SO happy for her and her fiancé – they are the ultimate cuteness right now. On keeping tradition with my themed Friday post, here are 5 things planning a wedding/bachelorette taught me.

One: Someone will want to do everything.

Typical overachiever stuff happens around the wedding. If you don’t have a full time wedding planner, either the bride, her mother, her mother-in-law, or her sister will try to simultaneously organize everything at once. TIP: Calm down, everyone. It will be great, and it will work out fine.

Two: You quickly realize who your real friends are, and who is just there to see you fail.

The amount of people I am annoyed with regarding the wedding amounts daily, but I am starting to realise that they are all insignificant, and that they aren’t true friends. The backstabbing involved can be an entire post, so I won’t elaborate this much, but I am consoling myself that I don’t have to have these people at my wedding someday.

Three: Have a back-up plan for your back-up plan.

If four things can go wrong, four things will go wrong. Really – the transport I organized for the bachelorettes fell flat about three times before I finally got it to work (for now)

Four: Someone will make it about them.

They will be rude, they will be selfish, they will be demanding. At the end of the day, you should just focus on what you can do to make it easier on the bride and groom, and be the bigger person, even when it is killing you to keep a dignified silence.

Five: If you just have fun with people that love you, you will have the best time ever.

Really self-explanatory.

Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter.

Have a lovely weekend!

August 30, 2013August 28, 2013 by Natasha Categories: Five Things FridayTags: bachelorettes, Five Things Friday, Planning, wedding 1 Comment

Weekend 16-18 August 2013

Hello

Who else feels that the weekend went unnaturally fast? Really, they always feel as if they had flown, but it just seems this one really went at break-neck speed.

I have been dieting the entire weekend. I simply realized that weekends where you eat what you want just means that you will gain weight, and I am tired of it. It was the most successful two days I have had in a while. I am not weighing yet, since I think it is a too short amount of time to see results, but I am so focused on it right now. I am NOT gaining any more weight.

On the series front, I am watching The Mentalist Season four as well as Desperate Housewives. Both are really good and entertaining. I need to start on Sons Of Anarchy Season three – there is no way I cannot know what happens to Abel.

I watched two movies this weekend – Bride Wars and The First Time. I’ve seen Bride Wars before, but watched it with my mom as it is mom-friendly. I have to say I am really impressed with The First Time. It is really rare to come across an original, true, heart-warming story.

Books:

I haven’t made much progress. I am currently reading Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons, which is fantastic, and Stephanie Meyer’s Eclipse (two very different books) Both are good in their own way.

Wedding

There is so much left to do! My sister’s bachelorettes is NEXT WEEKEND. It is way too close for my liking. I feel like I have a million things to do. I will probably turn into a lunatic sometime. That said; some of the wedding party must watch it. Upsetting the Bride, my sister, anymore, will have severe consequences. ‘Nuff said.

How did your weekend go?

August 19, 2013 by Natasha Categories: Books, Breaking Dawn, Movies, WeekendsTags: Angels and Demons, bachelorettes, Bride Wars, CBI, Dan Brown, Desperate Housewives, Dieting, Eclispe, healthy lifestyle, Mentalist, Patrick Jane, Red John, Stephanie Meyer, Teresa Lisbon, The First Time, wedding, Weight, Weight loss, Wisteria Lane 2 Comments

Life lately

Morning

If you feel a bit depressed about it being Monday, you are not alone. Welcome to the most loathed day in the week. I really hope it goes well for you.

I’ve been planning: My sister’s bachelorhood. I am excited and very nervous at the same time – I really want things to go well. Also, I have been planning how to get everything done that I need to do… so many things, so little time.

I’ve been eating: Muesli and Yogurt for breakfast. It is delicious and healthy. Win
I’ve been dreaming about: Having my own car. It will be the best day of my life, I am sure of this.

I’ve been thinking about: How to live life to the fullest, at maximum happiness levels.
I’ve been spending money on: Make-up and toiletries. They are my greatest weakness when it comes to spending money.
I’ve been reading: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

I’ve been watching: Sons of Anarchy obsessively, and in between the Mentalist Season 4. Both are very entertaining.
I’ve been wearing: Lipstick. It is a habit I have to learn. I really think it is a way to look instantly more groomed.
I’m thankful for: My family, my tablet and my driver’s license.
I’m in love with: Charlie Hunnam. Between Pacific Rim and Sons of Anarchy, he has what it takes.

What have you been up to lately?

August 12, 2013 by Natasha Categories: UncategorizedTags: bachelorettes, Charlie Hunnam, Hunger Games, Monday, Pacific Rim, Sons of Anarchy, Suzanne Collins, The Mentalist 1 Comment

Weekend and stuff

Morning

This weekend felt like no weekend at all. This morning when my alarm clock woke me up, my first thought was: “Why is my alarm clock going off at five on a Saturday morning?” I know. Sad.

On Friday night we went and watched The Big Wedding. What a great movie! I was so impressed with the fine balance between comedy and drama. Superbly done. And Robert deNiro acted in it, which of course is 90% the reason it turned out great.

Saturday we shopped, and I finally got in the weekend nap I had been pining for the past few weekends. It was awesome. I then proceeded to loaf the entire day, but got in an hour on the stationery bike.

Sunday I finally managed to get my butt into church. It has been a while, especially since the morning services starts SUPER EARLY. I really enjoyed going though. Afterwards, I went into work, where I seem to be spending an insane amount of time at the moment. And after that, I went to a small meeting for the wedding. I am nearly done with the bachelorettes invites (FINALLY) and will be sending them out this week. Whoop!

My little sister, Melissa, is having her birthday this Thursday (the 18^th).It also is our retired, world iconic president Mandela’s birthday as well. It has become a habit for South-Africans to give 67minutes of their time to charity to honor the 67 years he spent in prison for our freedom. This year, here at work, we will be painting a hospice as our tribute to him.

On Sunday I read about the death of Cory Monteith. I felt so sad. He was such a talented guy, and by all accounts a very decent one. Whether you liked Glee or not, you have to respect that he took part in a show which told kids that it was okay to be different. You will be sorely missed.

On the book challenge, I started reading a Cathy Kelly book. Its progress was somewhat interrupted by the fact that I am re-reading Bloodlines (by Richelle Mead) again. Also, I found out that JK Rowling had been sneaky and had produced a crime novel under a pseudonym. It is called The Cuckoo’s Calling, by Robert Gailbraith, and I am ON IT.

 

Last week I managed to exercise four times. Exercising at the moment means that I am doing an hour each day on my bike. Which is good, but I am craving more intensity. I am re-joining the gym today, but I really need to get there from now on. The last time I left because I was just wasting my money.

 

Technology is still pursuing its hateful revenge stint against me. My BlackBerry is now officially closer to being thrown against a wall. It just dies all the time. My Alcatel T10 tablet needs to be lauded as the toughest creation of our age. It survived its second crash to earth this weekend. I am most impressed.

*The Alcatel OneTouch Tablet #amazeballs

What did you do this weekend?

July 15, 2013 by Natasha Categories: MoviesTags: Alcatel T10, bachelorettes, Bloodlines, Cory Monteith, Excersise, exercise routine, Fitness, JK Rowling, Mandela day, Nelson Mandela, Richelle Mead, The Big Wedding, The Cuckoo's Calling, Weekend 2 Comments

Friday things

I am so happy it is Friday. This week has flown. I am so busy right now I barely have a concept of time. It saddens me, it feels like life is moving past me and I am barely noticing. But there are some happy things happening right now.

Happy things

I am helping plan a dear friend’s baby shower. I can’t wait to see the beautiful baby finally (begin April). My friend will be such a good mommy.

The planning for my sister’s wedding and bachelorettes. It is going to be so awesome.

Our little puppy at home curling up next to you and sleeping. It is just so damn sweet.

My baby steps to getting out of debt seem to be working effectively, if very slow.

Being able to read again – I was in such a reading rut.

Listening to music, and discovering new artists.

Listening to the one true boy band – Westlife

Watching the Mentalist. My happiness is complete.

My boss bringing me homemade cookies because I work too hard. She is really awesome.

Winter is coming along. I am completely over this intense heat.

Amusing things.

The South-African parliament. Minister of women, children and disabilities (seriously, why group the three together?) claims White Afrikaans Christian men are the most abusive in this country. It is pretty much discriminating and racist towards three types of people in this country. I was much impressed when she was chased out of parliament. Now she has withdrawn her comments, but honestly, the damage is done.

What is making you happy right now?

*Image from coolfreeimages.net

March 1, 2013 by Natasha Categories: UncategorizedTags: baby-shower, bachelorettes, Friday, happy, music, parliament, politics, South-Africa, The Mentalist, wedding, Westlife 1 Comment