New in | Surviving Summer

Surviving this heatwave in style is proving near impossible. I saw someone on Twitter refer to the constant sweating above her lip as a "sweat snor" and pretty much wet myself. A "snor" for my overseas readers, is a moustache in Afrikaans. And right now I have a salty, dewy one perched above my upper lip almost constantly. I feel like I want to ditch the outdoors in favour of being a mall-rat and watching movies all day - which I know is a sin in summer. But I can only take so many consecutive days of constant heat. I caught myself lurking aimlessly in the Woolies frozen food section this weekend and I've eaten my weight in ice cream and chilled watermelon.

I'll stop whinging now and get on with it. It is summer and it is the season to wear all things floaty and floral - but also things that are not polyester. I require soft cotton based fabrics that move and breathe with me. I also don't need any half-moon action showing up either so quick-drying and non-creasing fabrics are whats getting me through this heatwave without looking and smelling like a hot mess.

I spotted Emma's camis when I popped in to her salon in Wynberg to get my lashes done. I had a quick peruse around her showroom next door and immediately fell in love with the soft cotton and beautiful colours. I completely forgot about it until my Dubai trip with my girlfriends in December when Kirst wore this gorgeous strapless playsuit on our desert safari, and I had serious outfit envy. (Yes, I know I've been pretty shoddy with my travel posts and I will be telling you all about Dubai, Bali and Singapore very soon!).
We were hurled through the dunes in a Land Cruiser in the desert heat, followed by dinner in the middle of nowhere, sitting cross-legged on carpets on the floor and eating with our hands. In between all of this we were getting henna designs painted on our hands and feet and riding camels and smoking hookah (not all at the same time just to clarify) - and my jeans and kaftan weren't fairing as well in the style department as K and her lovely little ensemble.
So I made a mission to stalk Emma Brink and see what is new and show you a few favourites that I found. She has a perfect range of summer staples to see you through balmy days at work, the beach, cocktail hour and for your summer getaways too. I'm a big fan of the playsuits and maxi dresses - they're sexy as hell without flashing too much flesh. And they keep a girl cool and comfy.

So other than that inevitable 'sweat snor', you're stylishly sorted.

You can find out more about Emma and her pretty designs here: http://www.emmabrinkdesigns.com

Life Via Phone

I haven't done one of these posts in so long. Maybe not even all year.
What inspired it is that I am getting a little disillusioned with blogging. Part of me thinks it may be dying out. Which is scary given that I am soon to be launching a new blog - but that is a project close to my heart and is far more practical than a fashion and lifestyle blog. So it will run on passion and practicality and I have every faith that it will be well received. But more on that another time.

I know we live in an instant world. Instagram and Snapchat are killing the lifestyle blogs, and we have no need to go to their actual sites to get the information we want. RewardStyle hasn't really got to the SA blogs yet, but it will only be a matter time before we start being more Instagram focussed when it comes to information and shopping.

I then had to sit and ponder on why I started blogging. The reason was a creative outlet, and to document my life and also to share information on pretty things. I love shopping and I love sharing that with all of you - who doesn't love talking about shopping actually?
The blog has grown and taken on new twists and turns, but I really want it to retain more of a focus on fashion, travel and what is going on in my life. As for makeup and beauty posts? Well, I am not a beauty blogger in the traditional sense. I only share with you what has worked for me and what I love. I couldn't pick apart the chemical components or decipher an ingredient list, I just like what I like, and will let you know if it works - for me anyway. All I can do is hope that you find the information useful.

I have some amazing partnerships coming up and I've worked hard on keeping things as true to me as possible. I am also going to bite the bullet and get in front of the camera more, and show you how the clothes I spend so much time and money on actually look on me - probably helpful on a style blog no? I'll figure out a way of getting over my camera shyness. You know, grow as a person or something.

Now that was a whole lot of waffling on about nothing in particular. I just wanted to get personal again. Because I miss you guys.

So here's what has been going on. Rocco. My whole world and whole heart consumed by a ball of fluff. Dave and I have had him for just over 3 weeks now and it has been a total upheaval. We've lived pretty cushy and selfish lives up until now. Sleeping in, travelling, going out for dinner a few times a week. Now we are up at night letting Rocco out to pee. Then up again at 5am when he wants to pee again and then play, and eat - and then has the cheek to go back to sleep while we get ready for work. Eventually he'll be fine left at home for an hour or three - but as a puppy we have to take him along with us, or forego those dinners. Travelling means arranging sitters for him. I've spent hours researching pet friendly restaurants and accommodation so we can take him with us as much as possible - so watch this space for 2016. Pet friendly travel will be my game!
But it is completely worth it. Puppy training, puppy creche, vet runs and what seems like millions spent on toys and treats has been more rewarding than anything I've experienced yet. A cuddle from this fur-kid could cure anything from bad days, to broken hearts. He is just that wonderful. So wonderful in fact, that he has his own Instagram account @thatdogrocco. This is more for documenting his life and not annoying my own followers than it is a hope for pet Instagram fame. But hey, Mr Price Home already featured him, so maybe there is stardom on the cards for my boy wonder.

Other than being obsessed with my dog, I've been trying to get into shape. For summer, and in general. I've been so good with training and running. My eating outside of my incredibly elaborate and healthy breakfasts leaves much to be desired however. And that needs to change. I am even contemplating hypnosis to get rid of my chronic sugar addiction.
Weight training with my trainer Torie has seen a massive change in my body. I don't jiggle as much and I am stronger than I've ever been. Even after taking a 6 week break from running, I was able to finish a 6km without a problem - a first for asthmatic, sad-act me.

 This weekend past, we took a little break with some friends and went to Sun City. I hadn't been for years and years, and I'd also never been to the Lost City or Valley of Waves. I was completely blown away by the opulence and the incredible attention to detail. It felt as though we were in another world completely. I totally get the hype. I am not really that into big resorts and prefer boutique hotels, but this is a South African institution and definitely one to experience. I also had a slush puppy for the first time in forever (not counting the Fanta ones in Singapore - but those are completely different). I now have a full blown addiction that I will need to wrestle with - especially given my complaint with sugar above. As the occasional treat though, I will be indulging in one of these. Movie date anyone?

I got quite a bit of sun, and I'll definitely talk more about the Lipidol suntan oil in another post. I would never have thought an oil would protect me from the sun as I spent my teens slathering it on to fry myself - but with a SPF of 25, it did the trick and I came home from our trip without any damage. And there is a heat wave over there at the moment so we're talking serious sun.

Thats me for now. I want to get back into these posts again. I know they are not particularly glamorous, or packed with professionally shot images. But I want to go back to sharing and engaging with you, and having the feeling of just sitting down with old friends over coffee and catching up. 

xx

BEHIND THE SCENES

I am so excited to share some "behind the scenes" shots from yesterday's shoot. I pulled up at StyleBat HQ with no makeup and un-styled hair as instructed (so sorry for those who I might have scarred for life with my post-gym/ no makeup face). I was nervous as hell to be quite honest. And oh-so curious as to what we were going to do and why.

Even though sometimes blogging requires it, I am still not really used to being in front of the camera, and pouting and posing was waaaay out of my comfort zone. But with the girls from StyleBar at the helm, I couldn't have been in better hands. Once I was slammed up and changed, we started rolling. Unlucky for the poor folks in post-production who'll be editing for hours thanks to my constant squinting, face pulling and general being a goof. But after it was all done, I think we got some great stuff and I'm really excited to be a part of this launch.

I can't tell you what it is all for just yet - but trust me when I say its going to make summer a whole lot sexier. I just couldn't wait to show you a sneak peak....shhhh, wink-wink ;)

photo credit: Marco Russollilo, TWO AM Agency

Who to follow on Instagram | Fitness

Whenever I am feeling too lazy to workout, I turn to Instagram for some motivation. This is who I follow for a bit of 'fitsperation'.

Kayla Itsines – If this girl and her 12 week guide doesn’t get your butt out the door and into the gym, nothing will.

Benelibody – Dominique, a local model and fitness enthusiast who posts great recipes and mini-workouts that you can do from your hotel room.

Sweat 1000 – I love my gym and my fitness family. They post plenty of inspiring quotes and images, and the power couple that is Paul and Concetta each have their own incredibly inspiring personal accounts too.

Skinny confidential – Lauren is my favorite fitness and health blogger. Her recipes are fantastic and her laid back and witty style of writing is so welcoming. She is a serious hottie and I end up trying out pretty much anything she recommends.

Kristen Sundberg – Her abs. Absperation. Abs abs abs. *brb, off to do nine thousand situps*

Who to follow on Instagram | Fashion

Atlantic Pacific – one of the first fashion bloggers I followed. Her outfits are so chic and flawlessly put together.

SincerelyJules –If you love casual, comfy style as much as I do, you need to be following this girls account.

 Julia Hengel of Gal Meets Glam – from my favorite city, San Francisco, she combines travel and fashion flawlessly and I can’t stop staring at her beautifully girly outfits, or the incredible background of whatever amazing destination she’s at.

Late Afternoon – I love her style. I love her hair. She is easily one of my favorite style bloggers and I always look to her account for outfit inspiration.

Pink Peonies – Rach Parcell has a beautiful home, an incredible walk-in closet and the sweetest Labrador called Dasher. Combined with her enviable girly fashion sense, I just want to steal her life.