#100HAPPYDAYS ROUND 2: DAYS 61-70

Happy Monday everyone! Here’s another 10 days worth of happiness, posted on my Instagram account. I am almost done now, and I can’t wait to have another successful happy days behind me.

61

Day 61: Did a Parkrun and got some excellent step counts in. Woohoo!

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Day 62: My mom got me this France mug. It is now my favorite mug.

63

Day 63: No visit to Nelspruit is complete without a trip to the coffee shop around Bestie’s house, and we went three times. Because coffee is delicious.

64

Day 64: Besties birthday!!! We had delicious steaks at Cicadas in Nelspruit. This is Steak with Halloumi, bacon and Onion jam. Salivating.

65

Day 65: After an astonishing day of bad service, we licked our wounds at Cicadas with Strawberry Daquiries and Burgers. SO GOOD, with excellent service

66

Day 66: We got our movie day in with two old favorites. The two new films (Chef and Arrival), now joins the favorite list.

67

Day 67: A fun birthday braai with illuminating new terminology learnt!

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Day 68: Remember my project on day 58 – check how it grew!

69

Day 69: Roadtrip home. It was such a wonderful visit, thanks bestie!

70

Day 70: More rings from Woolworths. These are so me!

What have you been up to lately?

#100HAPPYDAYS ROUND 2: DAYS 51-60

51Day 51: Just a basic picture of my lunch. It was really delicious and super healthy though.

52

Day 52: My bestie came up for a quick pop-in, and we went to watch Beauty and The Beast.

53

Day 53: Makeup spoils. I really have such a problem. Rimmel is one of my favorite brands, and I am liking Essence quite a lot these days – for a “cheaper” brand they really have quality products.

54

Day 54: My mom got me these bunny slippers for Easter. They are so toasty and have the additional benefits of being bunnies.

55

Day 55: Another manicure, this a Revlon one. I’ve really gone for the pinks lately.

56

Day 56: To get more steps in, I again visited the Nature reserve. It is such a beautiful place and I am always so surprised that it is smack in the middle of Joburg and manages to be so quiet.

57

Day 57: My favorite snacks. 70% Lindt is as dark as I’ll go, and it is such a delight of tastes. It is really low in sugar, so if you are craving some chocolate, you only need to look as far as this.

58

Day 58: I watched Warm Bodies for the 100th time, and I enjoyed it. Also see my crochet project here? It is growing super-fast!

59

Day 59: This was SO good.

60

Day 60: Had drinks with the work colleagues at the Hogshead in Illovo. It was lovely, and although I didn’t get a picture of it, their Consol glasses look fantastic.

#100Happydays Round 2: Days 1-10

Happy Thursday everyone! I’m sure it is Thursday – WordPress changed my time settings again, and I’m really confused right now with 12am and 12pm. I know, its’ been a long week.

You might notice that I’m busy posting at different times – I’m tracking which times delivers the best traffic to my blog. Most of the readers on here are either in the States or the UK (thanks guys!) and I would like to cater for them, which can be a little bit of a juggling act with all the timezone things.

Anyway, here’s a bit on the actual post: Zoë and I decided that it was high time to do another round of #100HappyDays. I’m enjoying my second run very much, but I can once again not count properly… see the mistake in the pics below. I have to say, it opens your eyes to what makes you happy. This time around I’m posting about what actually makes me happy, things that either boosted my confidence or gave me some real smiles or contentment. Here’s the first week below.

1

Day 1:
I’m still recovering from my Daredevil binge. It is such an amazing show. Dark, broody, intelligent. I need a third season and I need it now.

2

Day 2:

I’ve been suffering from a Suduko addiction the last few months. This highly stimulating and addictive game has kept me entertained and I’ve driven everyone around me crazy with intense suduko sessions.

3

Day 3:

This cup really makes me happy. Combined with my nighttime tea, it makes me SUPER happy.4

Day 4:

Here’s my numbering mistake. We had some crazy crazy rain in Johannesburg, resulting in pot holes, crazy floods (I did mention crazy, right?) and generally terrible driving. The good news is that our dams are full for the first time in two years, and the water restrictions have been lifted off Gauteng. Whoop! The weather made for some really comfy at home time as well.

5

Day 5:

Still unaware of my numbering error, here I enjoyed my favorite Coke Light. I need a stronger stress ball than the one pictured, but at least it is smiling. 6

Day 6:

I made cheescake for my sister’s birthday. It turned out deliciously #notSuchAHumbleBrag. I’m still experimenting with the amount of flavor I’m giving it, but this is by far the best one I’ve made yet. That Merlot from Longmarket wines was also really amazing.7

Day 7:

This Bahamamama from Essie is the loveliest purple!8

Day 8:

I had some delicious Cappuchinos from Woolies. I wasn’t expecting that they would be so tasty, and I was pleasantly surprised.

9

Day 9:

I’m really working hard with my eating plan right now, and this turned out to be not only a healthy meal, but a truly delicious one. 10

Day 10:

This was the day I truly ventured out of my comfort zone, which inspired the picture. I went to some clients I dreaded seeing, because I’m such an introvert, we haven’t met yet, and they are on all accounts horrible people. However, I still went out and got my job done, a huge huge achievement for me.

That’s it for now, folks. Hope you enjoyed, and if you ever did something similar please let me know!

#100HappyDays: Days 9 – 16

day 9

Day 9: When I moved into my new place at the beginning of #2015wasashittyyear last year, my dog had to go live with my sister. While I am really grateful and happy that Nicci Noodle got to go to a safe and happy environment and be with people that love her, I still miss her snuggly warmth every day. I got to spend some time with her recently and that made me really happy. I’ve also been kind of obsessed with block heels since they came back at the end of last year. They are great – you can actually work in them because they provide support for your feet, and they look uber cool – I feel like I can do anything when I wear them. I saw this pair in the shops but they didn’t have my size, and when even the online store for the retailer didn’t list them anymore I wrote it down as bad luck. So when I found them in another branch, my happy cup filled over and I was dancing (at least in my head) in the shop.

day 10

Day 10: Started watching Homeland Season 5 – oh goodness, what a crazy great and intense season! Also did nails in a gorgeous new color and continued with my adult coloring book.

day 11

Day 11: This sassy little book bag gave me such joy when I bought it.

day 12

Day 12: I’m busy reading this incredible book from Elizabeth Gilbert – Big Magic. It is everything I want in a book that wants to be self-helping. I am having such a great time. The woman is sensational and I just want to be like her when I grow up.

day 13

Day 13: Johannesburg was being lovely

day 14

Day 14: Had some delicious meals throughout the day and updated blog’s look as well.

day 15

Day 15: These Paris prints in my room makes me so happy. Motivation and reminders of what I want to do in my life.

day 16

Day 16: I’m doing really well with the no-sugar thing so far. However, with amazing cappuccino I don’t even think about sugar. How amazing is that?!

What made you happy this week?

 

 

5 Things Friday: 5 WTF moments lately

5 things friday pic

Happy Friday! The last few weeks have truly been some of the most entertaining of the year. People are tired and incredibly cranky, and it is showing in the entertainment industry, with politicians, criminals and us ordinary folks. Hell, even the weather is throwing a tantrum.

Here are 5 things that was truly WTF the past two or three weeks. Enjoy!

Justin Bieber is a BOY

Like any other self-respecting person over the age of twenty (I am being generous here, that age line should be eighteen) I look at JB with a touch of puzzlement. First of all, his initials makes whiskey – something I would need in large quantities to survive his singing.

JB

Okay, he is marginally talented. I am just past the phase where I am impressed with pop stars/boy bands (so that includes 1D). I am not even afraid to declare I dislike him in a world populated by his Beliebers. My point being, this week in Brazil he made the rookie mistake of sleeping (?) with a girl he didn’t know and was probably a groupie. Mere seconds later the girl posted photos of the practically naked, sleeping Biebs online. It proved many things:

The Biebs is now by all accounts straight

And a boy

Don’t trust groupies or sleep with them

And thirdly, if you HAVE to sleep with them, at least hide their phones/recording devices/notebooks

Justin Bieber is still a KID (what is he, like 19?) Stop perving about his body or manhood or whatever the fuck you are doing, pedophiles.

Celebs bashing one another

I have always thought that celebs should be united in their hate against the paparazzi and fame. I understand that they are still humans and disliking people is a natural part of life, but I really disagree with openly bashing one another. There was Sinead O’Connor bashing Miley Cyrus (that might have had some valid reasons, but the fact remains), Jennifer Lawrence also bashing her in coded messages – which wasn’t necessary as they aren’t even in the same field or on the same level, and George Clooney took out Leonardo DiCaprio earlier this week.

It is seriously mean and petty and uncalled for. You don’t show how strong you are by breaking other people down, not even in Hollywood. I have the same opinion of women bashing each other in the corporate world to climb the ladder. You are at the end of the day embarrassing and degrading yourself as well as someone else, just because you are insecure. Sies man.

Robert McBride

Robert McBride was perhaps the worst person in law enforcement in South-Africa (apart from Jackie Selebi of course). During his stint managing the Metro Police, there was corruption, intimidation, unfair promotions and evidence tampering. He was finally released from duties when he was caught driving a state vehicle drunk. This week a statement was released where it was announced that he is actually being nominated to become the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head.

I have to be honest and say that it seems like shit like this only happens in South-Africa. How is it remotely justifiable that a man known for intimidation and corruption can be on a shortlist to become the head of a unit dedicated to sniff out police corruption?

My other question is whether the ANC wants to lose the elections next year? Because their current campaign of choosing corrupt members for parliament certainly suggests that they plan to lose.

Radovan Krejcir

I have to confess that I am revolted with myself. I am being ridiculously entertained with the drama surrounding the “business man”, Czech national Radovan Krejcir. Firstly, it is rumored that he is being searched for in his own country as well, but the crimes in South-Africa is much worse. He is a rumored Mafia boss in SA, and he is the main reason people in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, is either hearing gunshots or explosions these lately. Earlier this year Krejcir narrowly escaped an assassination attempt as well. This week there was a bombing in his business estate, and while the police have confirmed he is alive, they aren’t disclosing where he is yet. This dude obviously ticked off some big guns. It is comforting (?) to know that here we also have a Mafia, not just petty criminals causing havoc. I am still following the story religiously and hope there will be some clarification soon.

Johannesburg had an EARTHQUAKE

While sitting at our desks on a Monday morning, following the Monday morning tradition of doing nothing, bemoaning the fact that it was Monday and reminiscing about the weekend, we Johannesburgers felt the EARTH SHAKE. What on earth? How is this possible? Is it finally the apocalypse?! NO. What happened is there was a fault line in the earth, we had a magnitude 4 earthquake.

I can feel people laughing at me across the globe. I full well understand that in essence it was a puny earthquake. But it is news worthy as this doesn’t happen in South-Africa – we don’t get earthquakes, tsunamis or tornadoes. It is one of the only perks of living in South-Africa.

We were all fine though. But it made for entertaining social media material the entire day.

Anything happened in your country this week that made you go dafuq?

Xx

N

 

Book Review: Mushy Peas on Toast (Laurian Clemence)

Book: * 55/100 *

Peas has just broken up with her long term boyfriend Anthony. She deals with her heartbreak with a lot of alcohol, partying and the support of all her friends. She has a mundane job as journalist for a food magazine, and lives under the tyranny of her Sub editor, who seems to hate Peas on principal. She meets Randy a short while after her break up, falling headlong into a relationship with him, even though she isn’t over Anthony. One of her best friends Connor starts dating Gwendolyn, a very pretentious girl. Gwendolyn doesn’t like Peas at all, and Connor initially tries to keep them separate.

Randy and Peas’ relationship gets very rocky. They are too similar, and eventually they break up. Now Peas have to deal with double the heartbreak, and also try to be more mature about things, as her friend Lizzy starts to point out that Peas can be very self-absorbed.

What will Peas do? And will she find love, or learn to deal with being single?

Rating: 7/10

The book, written by Blogger Mushy Peas on Toast, is this miraculous evidence of the power of the Blog. I had perused author Laurian Clemence’s blog numerous times, and saw that she had a published book. I have to confess, I wasn’t overly interested in the book at first. My sister brought a copy, not knowing the author had a blog, and when I read it I was hooked right away. The book is hilariously funny. It is well written, and a terrifyingly accurate account of the fast lives young people in JHB lives.

I really enjoyed the book. I read it after my own break-up last year, and it really helped me organize my mind. When I read it this time around, I cracked myself for the humor and ridiculous situations.

Mushy Peas on Toast is a great read, and I would recommend it to South-African expats who are homesick, people who want to understand Johannesburg better and anyone who needs a good laugh.

 

Kliprivier’s Nature Reserve

Sunday we went to the Kliprivier’s Nature reserve.

It is located in the South of Johannesburg, with entrances in Mondeor and in KiblerparkIt is really lovely there – we either go for a 5 km run, or you can hike up the koppies, or you can go for a picnic. I took some pictures (with my phone)

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The old farmhouse – it is amazing to think that all that space belonged to one family!

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What happened this weekend, bliss and three very irritating things

First of all, the last few weeks have been so wrong in terms of eating. I can’t stop. It just seems like I have flipped this mental switch, and now I need to turn it back. Immediately. I ate slightly better on the weekend than I did during the rest of last week, but I still desperately need to stop eating. In a bid to save myself, I have packed tons of (healthy) food.

We are hosting a Halloween party! Guess who my character will be?

 Bellatrix_Lestrange_Wanted

Friday night we had pizza with my sister and her husband. It was very delicious. I read for most of the night, finishing Mushy Peas on Toast by Laurian Clemence. I loved the book for so many reasons – it is really, really funny, it is a proudly Johannesburg story, and the writing style is very easy to read, and well written.

I also started Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is the second time around that I am reading it, but I really am enjoying it so much more now. The book is wonderfully written, full of little facts and theories and ideas. Per se, I do not enjoy self-help books or autobiographies, but this book is a prime example of how something can work if you do it right.

Saturday I went to a friend’s birthday braai, and it was very nice. Saturday I encountered the three very irritating things. I have been slightly annoyed with this pompous idiot for a bit now, but I always choose to remain silent – he is dating a friend, and I really don’t want to offend my friend.

Three very irritating things:

Saying: “I don’t swear”

Well, fucking congratulations for mentioning it to me. I am so thankful for this piece of insight into your self-important mind.  No, really.

Who mentions stuff like this?

Someone who wants to be patted on the back and told they are such exemplary beings.

Me, being a bit childish at times, promptly starts to swear more than my usual quota.

Prick.

Saying: “I don’t drink”

Once again, congratulations. We are not the type of friends that rag on you when you don’t consume alcohol. We couldn’t care less. Then why bring it up? Because you want to be told you are such a wonderful person.

Saying: “We don’t celebrate Halloween”

Yes, we were all planning to sacrifice a chicken that night. Now you stopped us. No one CELEBRATES it; we have fun by dressing up as funny characters and then having a good time – just another reason to have fun.

These three things were done by the same person in one evening. And after several months of dating, he still holds her hand every damn second of the damn day. I am NAUSEATED. If my future boyfriend ever attempts to follow me into the kitchen where the other girls are baking a cake, I will promptly kick his ass.

Okay, I have mostly vented my frustration.

Sunday we went to the Kliprivier’s Nature Reserve. It is so beautiful and calm. It is an oasis in Johannesburg. I am so thankful that they are putting so much effort into keeping a part of the land as it is supposed to be. I felt so content. I read my Eat Pray Love book under the shade, and felt like Elizabeth Gilbert would approve. Bliss.

My plans for the week includes Studying, eating much less, exercising, and ignoring frustrating people. Yours?