The Wonders Of My World

My monthly musings...

• South African fashion brand Urban Glamour have just launched their Spring handbag line, which has a trendy colour-block theme. This stunning high-fashion range is all made locally, and is also available in the US (New York), Germany and Italy. See the Urban Glamour website for more details. The designers have given me an exclusive sneak peek into what we can expect from the upcoming collection. 

• I'm thrilled to be featured on two lovely blogs this month. Makeup-loving Rakhshan asked me a few questions on her adorable beauty blog here. 


• Boston-based South African blogger Kbd asked me to share my favourite places to visit for her 'Tour South Africa' series. It's in 3 parts, which you can read on her inspiring travel blog here.


• I have discovered the cure for insomnia! It is completely safe and there is no hypnosis or pills involved. I can't believe no one has thought of this before! The key is...reading mind-numblingly boring business textbooks before you go to bed - it works like a charm. I guarantee that after the first 2 pages, you will be dazed into a deep slumber. I really should patent this idea...I could even lend out my books to start ;)


• I've noticed that you can tell within the first half an hour of meeting someone new whether you're going to like them or not and whether or not you would want to pursue a friendship with them. 


• It's always uplifting to see an outfit you've already bought in an 'exclusive' boutique for R500, when you've only paid R100 for the same thing somewhere else.


• I've been seriously addicted to Chai Lattes lately; so much so, that I've learnt to make it myself. It requires some effort but the end result is delicious. Try out this easy recipe, which has step-by-step instructions & photographs in case you get lost along the way. A good tip: you can replace the sugar with honey if you prefer.


• I read an interesting newspaper article this week that characterized Facebook users into 5 different categories. It gave me some insight into the social networking site, seeing that I am not a member of it. The political editor and author, Mr J Sikhakhane divided the groups into: 

1. Alpha-socialisers: men under 25 who use the network for short periods of time, to meet new people, flirt and for entertainment purposes.


2. Attention-seekers: mostly teen girls and women who constantly post provocative photographs of themselves with friends and 'customize their profiles'.


3. Followers: who join the network to keep up with their friends.


4. Faithfuls: men and woman who are content with their own lives and social surroundings. Being more settled, they do not crave attention and use the site to reignite friendships from school or university.


5. Functionals: who use Facebook for a particular reason (ex. work-related), and who are unconcerned with socializing, meeting their soulmate or viewing comments and photos.

• Studying in a creative field, I've been wondering how university lecturers grade exams and assignments for art and design subjects. How does one measure 'creativity', when the concept of what it is differs so vastly from one person to the next? My idea of a beautiful piece of art/writing/prose/poem/architectural or advert design could be substandard to someone else. 
  
  

I would love to hear your thoughts on the last two.

The Wonders of My World

• It is said that many inventions are created by accident. If this is true, I have 'invented' the coffee scented handbag, by accidentally dropping an entire cup of expresso across a table and onto my LV Bellevue handbag. The bag is slightly ruined but it does smell delicious.


• I don't get why some people use sweeteners instead of sugar in their drinks to 'cut calories' - but then have a giant slice of chocolate ganache cake with their tea or coffee. What is the logic behind this?


• My neighbour seems to moonlights as a DJ, blaring Kurt Darren, Katy Perry, Roxette and Tiesto from his professionally loud stereo. He hosts rowdy parties every Monday to Thursday. It must be a Small Town thing - drunken partying on work nights and peaceful, sobered up weekends.


• I don't have a sweet tooth, but after hearing great reviews about the Lindt Chocolate Brownies at Melrose Arch, my BFF and I decided to try it out. We were served three huge pieces of stale dry brownies, smothered in a warm dark chocolate sauce, served with a scoop of not-so-nice vanilla ice-cream. I could only endure one spoonful, it was ridiculously rich to the point of nausea. My chocolate quota for the year is up.


• The creator of The Vampire Diaries, L.J Smith, has written her last book in this popular series, called 'The Return - Midnight'. This is the final installment in The Return trilogy. Expect an extremely interesting twist for Damon and a hellish rescue mission for Elena and Stephan. Buy your copy online from Amazon.


• I really need to learn the art of using chopsticks properly. People are starting to stare (not in a good way) at my misuse of these ancient Chinese utensils.


• Whoever said that women are the best multi-taskers has not met me yet. I can't type and talk at the same time. I can barely even walk and talk at the same, in fear of striding straight into a lamppost. 


• If your mascara dries out, the last thing you should do is try to melt it in the microwave. (I know, I should have known better, but I did it anyway). It will explode and you will have to buy a new tube of Maybelline and a new microwave.


• Your true friends will gladly spend 75 cents to send you an sms and won't pressurize you to buy a Blackberry just so that they can chat to you for free. Yup, I am still on my Anti-BB Campaign.


• If you live in KZN, you can read my interview in the April issue of Get It magazine. This is a great community based publication featuring best fashion and beauty buys, décor and recipe ideas, interesting personalities and exciting places to visit. I would like to thank the magazine editor, Rachel Thomas for taking the time to drive up and meet with me and Danica for taking the photographs.

Friday Frills

"I had this guy leave me a voice mail at work so I called him at home and then he e-mailed me to my Blackberry and so I texted to his cell and then he e-mailed me to my home account and the whole thing just got out of control. And I miss the days when you had one phone number and one answering machine and that one answering machine has one cassette tape and that one cassette tape either had a message from a guy or it didn't. And now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies. It's exhausting."

Mary, Drew Barrymore's character in the movie He's Just Not That Into You.

The BlackBerry Brigade

Are You A BlackBerry Addict?

I am seriously starting to worry. I am in danger of losing All my friends. They barely speak to me or msg me anymore. They have stopped filling me in on what's going on in their lives. I've even forgotten what most of them look like, as they don't send me any photos via MMS.

All this because I don't own a BlackBerry.

I have been ostracized from this pervasive group of smartphone users, which I have nicknamed, The BlackBerry Brigade. I realise now why this phone was so aptly named CrackBerry, in reference to the highly addictive nature it has amongst users, much like a drug-user's dependency on crack cocaine. People have this communication device permanently attached to them wherever they go. They live, breathe, walk and talk Blackberry.

I bet you know exactly what and who I'm talking about. You've seen them, you may even know them personally. Perhaps, you too are one of them. The BlackBerry Addicts. If you're not too sure whether you're an addict or not, here are a few tell tale signs to help you find out.

Signs That You're A BlackBerry Addict

• You don't go to places that have signs saying "All Cellphones Must be Turned Off". You simply won't compromise your BlackBerry usage.


• You have convinced the majority of your friends and family to get this phone so you can freely communicate with them via BBM. You have lost contact with all those who didn't listen to your ten page speech on the benefits of BlackBerry. (Like me)


• You've learnt how to drive with your knees. Actually, you have forgotten how to drive without texting.


• You've only joined Facebook so you could become a proud member of the BlackBerry South Africa group.


• You have been dragged off a flight (more than once) because you adamantly insisted in sending just one last message while taking off. If you do make it on the flight, once you land, the first thing you do is switch your BB back on and check for updates - before you inform your family you've safely arrived.


• No one knows your phone number. They only know your PIN.


• You send instant messages and emails while getting dressed in the morning. Then when you get to work, you realise that you have two mismatched shoes on.


• You can't remember the last time you actually spoke to someone while looking at them, as your head is permanently down, glued to the screen.


• You send BBM's to the people you live with to exchange important information like: 'Dinner's ready' or 'Going to buy milk' or 'Have you seen my charger'. It's much easier than walking ten steps to the next room and having to actually speak to them.


• Your knees weaken and heart rate increases at the sight of the latest BB model.


• You take your BlackBerry absolutely everywhere you go. Even to the bathroom. You stress that you will miss out on the BB action while you're in the shower. Because of this, you even consider buying a waterproof case for your phone.


• When you wake up in the morning, the first thing you grab is your BlackBerry. Or maybe it's still in your hand from the night before.


• Not only do you type in abbreviated form, you have begun to talk that way too...LOL, OMG, BRB, etc.


• You have BlackBerry ADD when you change your status and profile pic more than 30 times a day.


• When someone says something bad about your BlackBerry, it actually hurts your feelings.


• If you haven't received a BBM, email or update for 10 minutes, you start to panic that the network may be down. So you send yourself an email to make sure your connection is in working order. Oh c'mon, you know you do.


• You're reading this blog post on your....?

The Wonders of My World

*Image from weheartit

• The whole inner as outerwear trend should be banned for health reasons. Wearing a corset may look fabulous but it can stop your circulation. And the strangling effect it has on your stomach prevents you from eating. No wonder models are so skinny.


• According to Wikipedia, a download quota is a restriction fixed by an Internet Service Provider to limit the volume of data downloaded during a fixed period, usually a month. Once a fixed download cap (e.g. 250 GB/month) has been reached by the end user (me), the speed at which they access the internet is usually throttled to a slower speed or they are charged for excess data usage. All this means to me is that my internet stopped working earlier today because I download way too many Mp3's, recipes, photos and other unnecessary web-junk.


• A GPS is a device that can be used to get you lost. Yes, lost. Ours kept telling us to turn left into a non-existent road, straight into a cornfield. After 20km of that annoying all-knowing voice saying, 'Turn left, Turn left, Recalculating, Recalculating', I almost threw it out the window and into the cornfield. Maybe some farmer can use it to find his cows.


• The state of Mpumalanga roads is atrocious. You have to replace all your tyres after hurdling through the craters and boreholes. Now I know why the local government is doing nothing to improve it, because if they do, they will no longer have an excuse to buy ridiculously overpriced cars every other month.


• Grammy Award winning artist, Imogen Heap will be performing in SA at the end of this month. I really like the ambient sounds of this electro-folk singer. You will recognize her voice from Jason Derulo's Watcha Say and Hide & Seek, mixed by Tiesto. Book at www.computicket.com


• If you live in the city, check out the supercute Benefit Brow Bar at Woolworths. It's a good idea as long as you don't mind having your brows done in front of all the other shoppers.


• Some people use Facebook to stalk their secret crushes, then they wonder why their victims beloved ones block their photos and activities on their profile page. Em, I think they're hiding it from you, so you can't use their photograph as your screensaver and to stop you from 'showing up' at every place their status says they're going to.


• If you like to watch culinary competitions, you will enjoy a double dose of the exciting reality show, Top Chef. Season 5, Tuesdays on the Series Channel and catch the older seasons on Wednesdays on SABC 3.


• For something fresh and zesty, try out Laager Green Rooibos, Citrus and Ginger tea. It's caffeine free, rich in anti-oxidants and tastes really good.


• Strangest thing - every new person I meet from around the country has a friend, cousin, aunt, grandparent or knows somebody from Small Town, SA. We are famous! Who knew?

The Wonders of My World

• The most pleasant holiday surprise was paging through my favourite fashion magazine and discovering that I won 'Letter of the Month' for January 2011.


• 30 Seconds is a tremendously fun, creative, quick thinking, fast talking game that anybody can learn to play. Buy it for R183,20 from www.makro.co.za


• Playing Scrabble requires a whole lot of patience, practice and free time. Studying the dictionary beforehand may help secure a win.


• I bear testimony to the fact that 22 people can fit (almost comfortably) into a Caravelle Minivan. I would have posted the pictures, but reputations had to be saved ;)


• Wasabi Peanuts can be used as an alternative to dental anesthetic. Once you pop one into your mouth, your ears ring, nose zings, you feel dizzy and before you know it, you can't feel your face anymore.


• Don't wear sticky lipgloss on a really windy hair. You will end up looking like a human windshield. Not pretty.


• Why is there always a brilliant TV line-up on the one weekend of the year that nobody has time to watch?


• We are loving Lovesick by Durban girl group The Arrows. Watch the video on www.artistdirect.com and check out their site at www.thearrowsband.com


• Those who cannot rap, (especially on Eminem tracks) really shouldn't. Unless they plan on going into stand-up comedy. 


• Do not be surprised if your clothes don't fit after having strawberry cheesecake, malva pudding, checkerboard cake, sweet pear tart, Bar One cake, Turkish Delight dessert and cupcakes all in one weekend.