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! 

Dream Jobs

I am considering re-entering the working world, as the novelty of 'a luxe student life' has worn off. In Small Town, SA, job opportunities are very limited, unless you're an engineer of some sort. I would have to move to The City in order to pursue a career in my field. Even then, the world of fashion journalism is a very fickle and competitive one. 

There's great disparity between the job you want and the job you get. We usually end up in a job we didn't really want, but settled for anyway. Only a few of us get to have a career that we absolutely love. A job that makes waking up at 6am every morning something to look forward to. A Dream Job. 

However, as glamourous as some dream jobs may seem, there are pros and cons to consider.

Jobs I Can Only Dream Of...

The Coffee Connoisseur 

It's no secret that I am a coffee-addict, so being a gourmet coffee expert would suit me perfectly. A barista has to learn the taste profiles of different coffee beans from around the world and then try out various flavour combinations to create the perfect blend.

Up Side: Drinking copious cups of coffee all day long.

Down Side: Not being able to ever fall asleep due to the constant caffeine high.

A Fashion Stylist for Gossip Girl

Styling the Queen Bees of the Upper East Side on the set of the uber-popular Gossip Girl.

Up Side: Initiating ingenious fashion trends and working with designer clothing and exquisite couture. I would love select the on-screen wardrobes of Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen; whose style is admired all over the fashion world.

Down Side: Not being able to keep any of the clothes or having to fight Blake Lively and Leighton Meester for them.

A Travel Presenter

The job requires you to be an insightful tourist who travels all over world on a never-ending vacation. Who could turn this down?

Up Side: Free flights to exotic locations, fabulous food, getting to meet interesting people and exploring new cities and cultures.

Down Side: Some of the food may not be all that fabulous, as the cuisine in some countries can be stomach-churning. In remote regions, the accommodation may be no more than a leafy mattress underneath the stars. Also, you may have to face your worst fears - bungee jumping, claustrophobic caves, deep sea diving, cockroach-infested hotel rooms,etc

A Professional Photographer

A photographer has to have a great amount of skill and dexterity as well as a great eye for detail. Gain fame in the field and Vogue could come knocking on your door.

Up Side: Taking pictures of beautiful surroundings and working on artsy magazine shoots. All you have to really do is aim well and click. Not much exertion required.

Down Side: The long hours it takes to get the perfect shot and working with difficult subjects (aka temperamental supermodels).

Creator Director for MAC

Creating new colours and ranges for this popular makeup brand would be a fun and exciting career. MAC constantly updates their vast makeup range with delightful and desirable collections. You can invent unusual shades of eyeshadow, try out new lipgloss formulas and conjure up fantasy themes.

Up Side: Bringing your colourful imagination to life and adding your original touch to the brand. With access to free make up & MAC makeup artists - you would look amazing and airbrushed all the time.

Down Side: Testing new make-up concoctions on yourself may cause severe allergic reactions and side-effects. Ouch. A Masters in chemistry is probably also required.

The Best-Selling Author

Just one brilliant book idea could earn you millions. 

Up Side: Your start up costs are low. All you need is a computer and a good imagination. You can work from the comfort of your own home, far away from office politics and demanding bosses.

Down Side: If your book turns out not to be the best seller you hoped for, you will be dropped by your publisher and have to look for another job. 

It is said that 'No dreamer is ever too small and no dream is ever too big'.

So I will dream big and work hard...you never know when the job you actually want will become the one you get.

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!