Kirsten Goss | #GetPersonal

If you've been reading my blog since the early days, you'll know I have a massive obsession with dainty jewellery. I've come to love a good statement piece, but small and pretty will always be my go-to when accessorising. I hadn't bought any new jewellery in a while, and then the Kirsten Goss invite popped into my inbox (Houston, we now have a problem. The fire has been reignited. >>insert money with wings emoji here<<). 

I'd been admiring her brand and her journey from afar, yet never had the chance to have a look at any of the collections or meet the designer. All of that changed last week when she hosted a couple of fashion bloggers for a showcase of two collections, called #getpersonal and #diamondcondition. I'm just going to show you the first range today, because there is one hell of a lot of pretty to take in here. In a nutshell, KG is now offering personalisation on their range of jewellery and it is beautiful. Popular options are the Pinny and Barboa necklaces, or the Halo ring. The items are hand stamped by a very talented and patient goldsmith. You've got choices of sterling silver, rose gold vermeil, gold vermeil and 18kt gold. 

We were also treated to a fashion film and a chat with Kirsten herself. Getting to chat to her and see her contagious energy and passion first hand made me fall in love her designs even more. Hopefully, just by wearing them, they'll pass on a bit of her incredible spark onto me. She also passed on this gem (if you'll excuse the pun): "While diamonds are forever, they are also for everyday". I like that. I like that a lot. This woman could be trouble actually....

At the end of KG's fabulous event, we were sent off with a little present - a Pinny necklace to call our own, which I've been wearing non-stop since. I love the simplicity. It is terribly chic.

The unlucky husband has already been sent a wishlist that covers every birthday, Christmas and anniversary presents for the next few years. I tried convincing him that we should celebrate 'monthaversarys' as well, but he was having none of it. Luckily there are plenty of lovely brunch spots along Bree that I can use as an excuse to pop in, with Dave in tow, and I'll slap him with the best puppy eyes I can manage. Or just slap him. Whatever works. (just kidding boo!)

Go on. Treat yo'self. Drag along someone who loves you and pop into the store on 229 Bree Street in Cape Town, or 366 Florida Road, Morningside, in Durbs. Joburg, there is even one for you at 64 St Andrew Street in Birdhaven. Or shop online at www.kirstengoss.co.za

#Stylist101

A few weeks ago I attended a three day workshop on fashion styling, with the incredibly talented Cara Lee, Fashion Editor at FairLady mag and style-blogger-in-chief of The Fashion Department. We were hosted at the FEDISA campus, and I am now very bitter over the fact that my tertiary education didn't include a garden terrace and rooftop chill area.

I decided to attend the workshop simply because it was a side of fashion I knew nothing about. I've been on a photoshoot or two but never really paid attention to the details and incredible amount of work that goes into the styling of a shoot. I've grown up on what I like to call the arse-end of fashion, namely design and manufacturing, so to have a crack at the more glamorous end was loads of fun.

We spent day one learning about the basics, and getting a "stylists kit" of our very own. This involved  clamps, pins, tape and much more. You basically are set up to build your own shelving unit, but are actually using all of those tools on a model. The kit stops short of a hammer. Because you are not supposed to hit the models. That being said, if one ever threw a phone at me, I'd go find that hammer. (just kidding)

On day two we got to play. Clothes, shoes and accessories were sponsored by Cotton On and there were rails upon rails to play with. We got to pick our models and style two looks to be photographed by the talented Gavin Van den Berg.
These are some of the shots I got from my two looks that I styled.

On the last day, we recapped and reviewed what we'd learnt and then moved on to personal styling, personal shopping as well as styling for TV and music videos. The charismatic Tracy Lee Rosslind was the guest speaker and she was an absolute treat. She has such an impressive resume and her energy and passion for local design and fashion was incredibly contagious.

A big thanks and congrats to Cara who pulled off a truly informative and fun workshop. It is a must for anyone interested in that side of the fashion industry.

50 day Challenge

I don't often get too personal on here, and I also don't want to become someone who is shoving health and wellness down your throats at every opportunity, but I am asking you today to join me in a little challenge. You see, tomorrow marks 50 days until I leave for a trip to Bali. I am so flipping excited I can barely contain myself, and I have spent more time than I'd care to admit making lists of things to do and also planning outfits so I can pretend that I'll look like one of those style bloggers who wear Dior by the poolside, and Rebecca Minkhoff to the beach. When in reality, I'll probably be in some Cotton On denim cut-offs a t-shirt and a top knot the entire time.

What really is giving me a case of the panics is being in a bikini for two weeks straight. Our last trip was to America, where I sustained myself on donuts and burgers, so I've been playing catch up on the whole "Summer bodies are made in Winter" idea. With minimal success. Living with a triathlete has helped somewhat, as our pantry is a Wellness Warehouse/Woolworths hybrid and there is barely anything fun to eat in the house. But I still reach for chocolate and sweets given half a chance, and my damned portion sizes.....I'm terrible. This Bali adventure is a serious incentive to rectify that situation. Our trip will involve plenty of hiking, cycling, yoga and surf lessons - so being in shape is non-negotiable really.

So here is my game plan. Or lack thereof because I don't really have one. I just want to aim at daily exercise, every day, up until our holiday and I'll use rest days for yoga or walking - because I know rest days are important, yet I really want to be active for the full 50 days. I also want to work on my diet and get that in check as well. I don't know if I want to try juicing or supplements to kick start things along - perhaps you guys can give me some advice there because I don't know anything about it. All I know, is that by sharing this with all of you, I am committing to it publicly. And by encouraging you to join me on a 50 day wellness challenge, perhaps we can stick to it and enjoy the results together.

The areas I struggle with are my thighs, which have never been described as slender in my entire life, and since turning 30, belly jiggle seems to be something that has become harder to shift. So I want to target those two areas (like almost every other woman who is not a Victoria Secret model I guess).

So far, I've entered the Gun Run 21km race in October, and for that I am starting a training program that involves 4 runs a week building up to that distance. The rest I intend to make up with yoga, weight training and maybe some boxing - we'll see.

My mantra is that I need to be inspired by my workout clothes, and PUMA have been very kind and sent me some Pulse XT trainers (currently on sale at Takealot) to use at the gym - which I am loving because they're as light as slippers and the black and charcoal design look great with all my workout gear. Yes that sounds superficial, but even Caroline Worstmann endorses looking hot while you workout as motivation - and that mentality scored her a Comrades win.
Now that Totalsports has gone online, I'll be watching my bank balance get slimmer much quicker than I will (if only I could pay with my inner thighs instead). But alas, all in the name of sports luxe and looking good at gym. I've also bought this fantastic Garmin VivoActive smart watch that tracks my daily movement and calories, my running pace and distance - and the cheeky bugger even vibrates to tell me to move every couple of hours if I am sitting down too long.

So that is as far as I've got with my plan. What do you think? Are you joining me? I'll be posting my progress  on social media, as in what exercise I did for the day, the odd recipe and I hope you'll do the same and copy me in - I need all the community motivation I can get.

50 days guys. Lets go.

Beauty Blitz | Quick reviews

*NEW SERIES*
Because I am constantly sharing different elements of fashion, beauty, travel and my life with you, I don't always get the time to do a full review on everything that I'd like to tell you about. Beauty reviews can take weeks while comparing results and I get quite a lot of product sent my way. I don't review everything - only what I love and what I think you'll love. So what I am going to put together each couple of weeks is a quick "blitz post" summarising some of the amazing products I am enjoying and want to share with you quicker. Some are new launches, and others, while not new to the market, are new to me. Lets get this going, shall we?

Hand Chemistry Dry Hands and Heels Hydration Complex: R300 at Clicks

Its thick but not oily, leaves a light tingle and really works like a charm. I am suffering with horribly dry hands this winter, never mind the forlorn looking feet. I have taken to slathering this on with socks at night and between this and my Schol electronic foot file, I'm keeping the lizard skin at bay. Instead of the traditional focus on peeling/removing tough skin, this brand aims to hydrate and rebalance - and I think it is doing a great job. Would definitely repurchase if the price point wasn't so high. (Product c/o brand PR)

Slim Sonic toothbrush: R299 at www.slimsonic.co.za

Loving this little gadget for travel. Perfect for carry on and the gorgeous case keeps it clean and dry and its also tiny enough to fit in my handbag or cosmetics purse. I wasn't initially sold on the whole "sonic, 22 000 brush strokes per minute" thing, but after using it, I get the hype. My teeth are cleaner than ever, which is great seeing as I'm currently on a 4-cups--of-coffee-a-day phase. Its certainly preserving the last whitening session. I adore the range of colours and prints available - who says the morning ritual needs to be boring?(Product c/o brand PR)

 Darling Jane Sweet Vanilla Scrub: R35 at www.darlingjane.com

Come Christmas time, all my girls are getting a tub of this stuff in their stocking. At R35, it is a steal for a massive tub of sugary sweet lip scrub that will last weeks. I've tried a few other products like the coffee scrub and the peppermint scrub, and both are wonderful too. This is new local brand, so show them some love. I will definitely be buying again. (Product bought at discount offered by brand)

Rapid Lash Eyelash and Eyebrow Renewal Serum: R850 at www.rapidlash.co.za

I am probably the only person on earth who hadn't tried this stuff yet. A bunch of the girls have tried it with roaring success. Lash extensions being the tedious eyeball caterpillars that they are, I am finding I prefer this idea. My lashes are getting ticker by the week and once they've got where I want them to be, I'll be trying out the new Eyelash Lift at Wembley Square. Can't wait to show off the results. (Product c/o brand PR)

Maybelline Blushed Nudes eyeshadow palette: $9,99 at various USA drugstores. No word yet on when or if it will be available in SA.

This was on my American Beauty wishlist that I write about here  and I am a very happy little beauty girl that I managed to snap one up. The pigment is great and all of the colours are perfect for my green eyes and paler colouring. The palette consists of 12 shades, cleverly broken down into quads, trios and duos of shades that play well together and it very handy when putting together a look. While not a 100% dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette, its pretty close at around a fifth of the price.
Holding thumbs and crossing the other fingers and toes that this comes to South Africa soon because I think you'll all love it. (Product bought myself)

Sorbet Salon Skin Daily Skin Polish Powder: R220 at Clicks & Sorbet Salons

I love this product very much. At a smidgeon of the price of the Dermalogica version, it suits my pocket. I've used it with plain water for an intense exfoliation, but prefer it with my cream face wash for something more gentle. (Product bought myself)

The Body Shop Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash: R70 at Clicks and The Body Shop

I previously wrote about this products here and even though my skin is clearing up nicely, I am still using this daily to keep the nasties at bay. Love the tingle. I've also been mixing a bot of the Sorbet Skin Polish Powder with it and enjoying a creamy exfoliation once a week. (Product bought myself)

Farewell Windy City

This is my last Chicago post and its giving me a lump in my throat. As much as I have to admit I hated how cold I was, every day, all of the time, I really loved that city. I loved that it had the "big city" look and feel, with none of the dirt and grime. I also loved how sports-mad everyone is. If it isn't the Bulls, its the Blackhawks, or the Bears, or the Cubs. Banners and flags and supporters gear were displayed almost everywhere we went. And even at a fine dining establishment like RPM Italian, the basketball play-offs were being screened - locals wouldn't have it any other way. Dressed to the nines for a fancy dinner, but you know, there are priorities, and the Bulls vs Cavaliers playoff game was a big one.

Our last two days were spent embracing the touristy side of Chicago. We did an architectural tour by boat along the river. Which I highly recommend. You wouldn't say so given the lack of photographic evidence, but it was one of my favourite tourist attractions. There is one photo to document this tour as it was even more cold on the river boat than it was anywhere on land. So I spent the tour inside the cabin, peering out of a small window. I am a giant wuss and a loser, I know.

After this we strolled around Navy Pier, which in the full swing of summer must be loads of fun as it boasts live music and weekly fireworks on it's activities roster, starting mid-June. So we just missed it all. Nevertheless, it made for some pretty photos of the city and the lake, and a lovely walk.

We then took a final turn through the city and our beloved Magnificent Mile and made our way down to Willis Tower (or Sears Tower for the die-hards) so that we could stand in a glass box jutting out of the building at 103 stories up. The infamous SkyDeck. It is a must. Suck it up and just do it - so they say.
Sweating bullets, we posed for a few pictures for as long we could stand it and then we stood back and enjoyed watching other people laugh, cry and crawl their way in and out of that box.

After our daredevil antics, we went back to the hotel and got ready for dinner and a show. Painful as it is to admit, I am a big Guiliana and Bill Rancic fan, so I insisted on trying their Italian restaurant while we were in Chicago. Obviously, we walked to dinner. If you ever visit Chicago, promise me that you'll walk and walk and walk - because if you do, you are rewarded with streets like these:

And the verdict on RPM Italian? Fantastic. The food and the cocktails were outstanding. The service from the waitress and sommelier were brilliant and the ambience was a wonderful mix of fine dining, chic, young and trendy, but with the bar area airing the Bulls game, it managed to snuff out any stuffiness, which I loved. My only complaint was the team of hostesses at the front. They seemed very miserable and gave everyone a once over and a lip curl of disapproval as they walked in, which I thought was in bad taste. Minor details I guess...

For a final night out in Chicago, we took the opportunity to check out the Chicago Broadway scene, which, you may not know, is huge. They have plenty of theatres, with almost all of the major productions showing - but at half the price of seeing the same show in New York. Seeing as Book of Mormon tickets on Broadway in NYC are almost impossible to get at the last minute, we took our chance to see it in Chicago, and it was one of the best decisions we made on our trip. It was hysterical. I would never have thought I would laugh so hard at a musical - but we both left with aching jaws and a sore belly from laughing so much. It was dark and offensive humour - just the way I like it.

So I've come to the end of the Chi-town leg of our trip.
As much as I complained about the weather, Chicago, you were lovely.

Pretty Mint at Home | Soil Organics

I’ve recently become acquainted with Soil Organics. They got in touch with me to chat about their range and to let me pick out a few products to sample. It was a girls dream come true. I am starting to collect scented candles for our new home that we’re moving into in August.  So when I saw their scented soya candles I was deliriously happy and popped one into my cart. I also grabbed the coconut handwash and hand cream for my guest bathroom as well – so when you pop in for some tea, you’ll feel like you’re at the spa.

The candle smells so fresh and invigorating unlit, so I couldn’t wait until the move to try it out and now light it up every chance I get. Our home smells like an island getaway – which in this miserable weather is a little bit of luxury and respite from the cold and gloom.

I also have a shopping voucher for Soil Organics to share with one of my pretty readers, so you can spoil yourself with something pretty too. Hint: Just go for the candles - I am restocking with one of each because they are heavenly! Or anything from the coconut range - I am in love.

You just need to make sure you’re following me and SoilOrganics on Twitter, tweet about the giveaway to enter OR pop me an email on prettyintblog@gmail.com with "Soil Organics Giveaway" in the subject line. You have until Friday, 17 July at 5pm to enter. Winner will be announced on Monday, 20 July.

Chicago Part 3

This is my second last post on our time in Chicago, and it was one of my favourite days on our trip.
If you find yourself in Chicago, you absolutely have to grab a bike and go for a ride along the river and lake. We did around 25 kilometres, and would have loved to do more, but it was so cold! I ended up forgoing my trusty leather jacket (and lost some style points as well) and ended up buying a duck-down sleeveless puffer jacket to wear. Don't let the blue skies fool you in these pictures - my fingertips were about the same colour.

You'll find a massive bike rental spot just past The Bean and the amphitheatre in Millennium Park. The one down at Navy Pier isn't always open, so just keep that in mind when planning your day - we learnt this the hard way and it is quite a long walk from there back up to Millennium Park. So I'm going to save you the hassle. Go straight to the park instead. You simply pick a bike and a helmet, and off you go. We rode through the park , and along the river for a while, before taking a few detours (we got lost), and then found our way onto the lakeside bike path.

 After taking in enough of the cityscape, we went towards the aquarium, and beyond until we couldn't take the stinging cold on our faces and knuckles any longer. The views were worth it though. And I have said it over and over, but Chicago really is the most beautiful city I have ever seen - but next time I visit, will definitely be in July or August. This creature of comfort does not deal with your "lake effect" weather all that well Chi-town.

Once we'd traded in our bikes back at the park, we decided to spend the rest of the day indulging. So we went for a little retail therapy and then onwards to find some food. On the top of our list was the legendary Portillo's for a true Chicago-style hotdog. They are also famous for their cheese fries and, wait for it, chocolate cake shake. I watched them make it, and it is quite literally, a big fat wedge of chocolate cake blitzed into ice cream. And it was as naughty as it sounds.

Once you're inside, its, well, interesting. It is like a diner, pizzeria, saloon and laundromat all threw up collectively into one space - toss in some neon lighting for good measure and you have the Portillo's decor and ambience. The place is packed - but what is always a sign of great food is that it wasn't just tourists. There were locals in suits, policemen and a few families popping in for an after-school treat. This is always an indication that the food is actually good and it isn't just an overrated tourist trap.
The Chicago-style hotdog with its giant quartered pickle and poppy seeds is fantastic. And the cheese fries still haunt my dreams. We went back a second time just before we left, because it just seemed wrong to only sample those fries and that horridly over-indulgent milkshake only once in our lives.

Luckily for us, Chicago is best seen on foot or by bike - so there was a balance between eating everything in sight, and getting our heart rate up. Although maybe that was from all the sugar...I'm not entirely sure.