Birthdays and Bucket Lists

This birthday, instead of making up a wish list of material things that don't matter, I decided to write down my bucket list. Because experiences hold far more value than any shoe/bag/ring or other sparkly things ever can.

On My Bucket List...





* Work at a fashion magazine. It may not be obvious on this blog (hahaha) but writing about fashion is my greatest passion, I'd love to live that dream. Do you remember in the movie 'The Devil Wears Prada', everyone tells Anne Hathaway's character Andy, "A million girls would kill for this job"? Well, I am one of them.

* Volunteer at an animal shelter. I have a love of cats and all things furry, and this is something I've wanted to do for ages. Unfortunately there isn't a shelter near where I live, so starting one here would be even better.

* Take creative classes - anything from art to origami, photography, floral arranging, tap dance (seriously, I've always wanted to try it), cooking and cake decorating. I truly believe that you will never what you like or what you're good at until you try everything!

* Visit the magical city of Prague. It's been my dream destination since I was young, I even started a 'Prague Fund' while I was in school. I want to immerse myself in the glorious historical architecture and bohemian streets of this enchanting city.

* Attend the couture shows at Paris Fashion Week, especially that of Elie Saab. The designer gowns are spellbinding on-screen, but to truly appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship, I would love the opportunity to see them up close. 

* Master another language. I tried French while I was in school...only to find that I would need some sort of nose-and-throat operation in order to properly pronounce the words. So I'm thinking maybe Spanish, as it's one of the world's Top 3 most widely spoken languages.

* Learn to make authentic home-made Italian pasta in Florence or Tuscany. Pasta is my staple diet, so it would only be fitting that I learn to do this.

* Publish my series of children's books. I have yet to find an illustrator for them. I had written the series a while back, I just need to muster up the courage to show them to a publisher.

*Audition for SA Idols. I think this would be a nerve-wrecking, pulse racing but nevertheless exciting once-in-a-lifetime type of experience. I know that I don't have a snowball's chance in the Sahara of making it past the first round. But you never know, I may stand a chance at winning the highly coveted wooden mic award (for the worst singer of the season). 

Aim high, Shoot Low ;)

* Switch lives with Elena in 'The Vampire Diaries'. Okay, so I must admit that this one is on my things-that-will-never-happen-but-a-girl-can-dream-anyway list. I don't even know a thing about acting. But Nina Dobrev has the best job in television series. She gets to play two completely contrasting but magnetic characters - the sweet, lovable Elena and feisty Katherine; and she has the unconditional, eternal, (and literally) undying love of both Damon and Stephan Salvatore. A role made in TV heaven, don't you think?





If you're also celebrating your birthday today or in February, wishing you a wonderful one!

P.S



One of my best friends read my bucket list yesterday and decided to help me out on my last wish. It may not be the real-life Stephan Salvatore...but it's a good start! Thanks Ms Mocha, That's what I call a really great friend :) Most Thoughtful Gift Ever! 

Frills & Thrills First Birthday

365 days, 52 weeks, 12 months...is it one year already?

I am not the ceremonial type, but I think 'mentioning' that today is my first blog birthday doesn't steep too deep into the pool of vanity. My dream of being a fashion designer never materialized, so I figured that those who can't sew, blog. Frills & Thrills sums up the two things I am most passionate about - fashion and writing. Upon seeing my blog for the first time, people who know me personally say "It's so you!" Initially, I had no idea how to regard this overused phrase, but over the year, I've formed a clearer idea of what it means. 

Frills & Thrills is personal extension of who I am. A lover of pink (in refined moderation), an admirer of fashion (from runway to red carpet), the girliest of girls, a devisor of words, and a teller of tales. All this served up with a spark of enthusiasm, a spoonful of sarcasm and a sprinkling of fairy dust from the closets of Vogue. I may only have the smallest bit of space on the World Wide Web, but it is a space that's I am delighted to call my own.

So thank you to my friends and family for your unconditional support and encouragement. I am always elated at receiving your calls, emails or smses about something you've seen and liked here on Frills & Thrills. And most importantly, thanks to you, reading this right now. Even if you've stopped by just once, whether you're in transit to some place else, or if you're a regular reader...I am so thrilled to have you visit this frilly space I call home. I don't like the word 'Follower', because in order to be 'followed', one would have to be a leader. And that I am not. Instead, I consider you to be a good friend with whom I can share my thoughts, views and perceptions on all things style-bound and fashion-able.

Here's to the very first Frills & Thrills birthday! I will now proceed to cut the virtual pink vanilla cake and share a piece with all of you. The best thing about it? No added calories ;)



*Images found via Tumblr & Google Images. Collage created by me.

Party in Small Town, SA

7 days, 70 guests, 2 birthdays, 1 party. This weekend proved that it is possible to plan a party in just one week. In Small Town, SA, we have no event planners or decor hire, nowhere to buy party clothes or birthday gifts and no available venues. When two of my close friends decided to throw a combined 21st/18th birthday party, no one thought it could be done within the time limit. We couldn't find a venue that was not falling apart, booked out or overpriced in such a short time. After much searching, pleading and negotiating, we managed to book a venue that included a roof, tables and some chairs. Everything else had to be done ourselves. 





In a whirlwind of a week, we organized everything from invitations, decor, music, menu, food, drinks and all the little trimmings that take an event from drab to fab. There were many nerve-racking are-we-going-to-get-this-done-on-time moments but, with the help of friends and family, all the party plans finally fell into place. We transformed the dreary venue with dazzling decor in black and red. Buffet tables were deliciously lined with braai favourites, delightful drinks, mouth-watering desserts, cookies and cakes. After far too much good food, the band of bewildered DJ's set up their decks (aka a Hi-Fi and computer) and tried to get the crowd to liven up a bit. This was actually more of a mission than planning the entire party, as no one likes to stand out in a crowd. Luckily, the Birthday Girls stepped in and set a spark to the dancefloor, and others slowly started to ease up and join in. The rest just turned their seats towards us, hoping to catch some free entertainment in the modern-day Small Town version of Saturday Night Fever. As they say, if you can't beat them, join them. If you can't join them, pull up a chair and stare.





Party Round-Up:





Theme song of the night: Only Girl In The World by Rihanna

Best dressed: The Birthday Girls of course!

Most delicious: Creamy coffee marble cheesecake

Most surprising: Seeing people you'd never expect busting their moves on the floor.

Most awkward moment: A bar-style brawl breaking out over some mindless miscommunication and attention seeking.

Most annoying: The unpaid paparazzi capturing our every move on film.

Worst decision: Wearing high heels. Our feet were aching after just 10 minutes in.

Best decision: Kicking off the high heels and walking barefoot.

Worst revelation: Realizing that walking barefoot was not such a good idea, as the carpet was covered in all sorts of unidentifiable gross and sticky things. My galpal Ms Mocha advised us to wash our feet with Dettol & Domestos when we got home, to prevent any infection.

Best line of the night: Don't talk to me, talk to my Blackberry.





I am happy to report that the party was a huge success. The night was lit up with some much needed excitement, fun & laughter with the presence of great company. I would like to say that we partied until the sun came up...but we only had the venue until midnight. A minute after that, and any Small Town Cinderella may turn into a pumpkin ;) Oh yeah, and the security guard would've had to chase us out.

Passing Youth

Birthdays may celebrate all the years that have made your life beautiful, but it also indicates that you've grown a year older. Another year signifies that our carefree, idealized youth has passed and we unwillingly have to settle into responsible adulthood. As if trying to cram 20-something candles on a cake wasn't bad enough, there are many other signs out there that prove you're getting old. 

"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Satchel Paige 

You Know You're Getting Old When...

• The songs you listened to when you were young are now referred to as 'Classics' on the radio. When did Genie in a Bottle and Britney's One More Time become 'Classics'?


• All your friends have kids old enough to call you Aunt or Uncle. After all, they were taught to speak to their elders with respect.


• Chatting to the above-mentioned kids, you begin all sentences with, "When I was your age..."


• You've not only had to invest in an anti-wrinkle cream, but the entire anti-wrinkle, collagen boosting, skin-tightening, cell renewing, line eliminating product range.


• You have to ask a 13 year old to interpret abbreviations & slang used in emails, IM's and sms's you've received.


• You have no idea who Willow Smith, Justin Bieber, Taylor Momsen or Selena Gomez are. You've heard their names before and just assume that they are part of that Twilight movie or The Jonas Brothers.


• You avoid going to places where the music's too loud and the crowd's too rowdy. In fact, you're appalled by the behaviour of 'Today's Youth', forgetting that 10 years ago, someone was appalled by your behaviour.


• You don't use the newspaper as a floor-mat anymore, you actually read it.


• You don't stay out later than 9pm on a Sunday, any later and you won't be able to wake up early for work the next morning.


• You don't need to show your ID anymore to prove you're over 18. However, you need it to prove that you're still under 35. Ouch.

Present-ly Surprised

February is Birthday Month, and (hopefully) that means that there will be exciting presents in store. There are 3 different types of presents: The gifts we spend the whole year wishing for, the gifts that we get in reality and finally, the gifts that we'd rather 'return to sender'. Still, you have to smile, say thanks and pretend you like it anyway, secretly wondering whether the tag is still on, so that you can return it to the store. I find that the simplest presents are always the best & most thoughtful, but there's no harm in making a Birthday Wish List, right?

This is my Birthday Wish List for 2011

• A weekend getaway to a luxury spa resort


• A Louis Vuitton bag or 2


• A perfectly straight smile worthy of a Colgate advertisement


• The entire charming collection from beauty brand Benefit


• A Ragdoll. It's actually a cat


• A Carrie Bradshaw inspired walk-in closet


• A year's subscription to all local and international fashion magazines


• The new Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Now that's Wishful Thinking.

The Presents I Hope I Don't Receive

• Birthday cards. Besides not being sentimental, have you seen the price tag on some birthday cards? Instead of buying a R50 piece of cardboard, please donate the money to Save the Trees Foundation


• Teddy bears or any stuffed toys. Do I really look 3 years old?


• Anything made from exotic animal hide. I am a serious supporter of Animal Anti-Cruelty campaigns


• Novelty gifts - that means anything from Cardies. Like weird balloons, boxes, badges, ornaments, frames and t-shirts with silly sayings on them.


• Gold & Silver jewellery. Believe or not, I really dislike precious metal jewellery. I may be the only girl in the world who does.


• Anything in polka dots. Serious phobia. Don't laugh


• Crocs - Tractors for your feet. Enough said.


• Flowers. They barely last a week and look best in a garden.

Happy Birthday to everyone also celebrating their birthday in February. 

May it be present-ly surprising!