Power of your words

Don’t empower negativity by letting those words out your mouth. Don’t empower the Devil. Speak positivity over your own life – every word will bear some sort of fruit. Every word you speak is seed and it will grow something. You choose what you want to grow. Speak the Word of God and His promises and truth over your life instead of doubt and unbelief.

Simple Elegance

Well it seems like since Spring has hit and being lead into Summer, my life is being filled with numerous amounts of birthday parties, engagement parties and weddings, anniversaries as well as bridal showers and bachlorette parties, pregnancies, baby showers and celebrations of new born babies… It feels like there is constant organizing being done, RSVPing to events, gift searching and outfit shopping! Keeping track of all the events happening since September til end November, is driving me a little insane but it really has been and is fun! It really is a busy season of celebrations and constant planning… Not to mention all the searching and coming up with new ideas and surprises…

I know there are quite a few of you, feeling a little overwhelmed by it all… I too am feeling it every now and then… It really does feel like ‘Silly Season!’

When it starts get overwhelming though, it is best to just take a breath and make a cup of tea or coffee and get some fresh air… Or run a good long bath or take a shower. Go for a walk…

Once you’ve done that, you should be feeling as fresh as new…and able to try again…I myself have had to just stop a few times, not go out for an evening or see anybody. Just chill it out, do some exercise, drink some tea, watch a movie or read a good old book. I have found myself feeling a little overwhelmed about thinking about all these events and coming up with ideas. It has had me in a panic at times too. Although I don’t lose my cool to often with all these events and I totally love organizing and attending all this stuff, I too feel like I just want to runaway sometimes. I get tired and feel so uninspired! But luckily, doing something else for a little to take my mind off or going on the internet to get some new inspiration really does help.

So of late, I’ve been spending too much time talking to girls and obviously in planning and attending all these functions, being such a girl, I have found myself spending some time getting inspiration and discussing how things are presented including one’s appearance. Yep, it is hairdo’s, makeup, accessories, clothing, fitness and keeping in shape and many other things on a girl’s to do list.

I have found myself panicking about new events each time as us girls hate wearing the same things twice and wanting to look pretty is what us girls are always striving to do. But girls, don’t panic. The best thing to do is keep it simple. Don’t make things too complicated because it just makes it worse and a whole lot less pleasant for yourself. I have found that when I make things too complicated I go into a flat spin and often end up crying over nothing, irritating my poor sister who ends up shopping with me – it ends up being a stream of tears and me refusing to go to any event – no matter what it is. She’s usually great at calming me down and helping me get some perspective. So yeah, keep it simple girls. Simple elegance is something to strive for.

A few of my favourite designers and go-to-girls in the fashion industry, who know just how to pull off and suggest or advise you into simple elegant choices for any event, is Lauren Conrad and the long time and super well known Olsen twins! You may not agree but these girls are really trendy yet able to keep it super simple and totally rock those looks. They are continuously paving the way in the fashion industry and have so many helpful suggestions.

Lauren Conrad, who got engaged this past weekend too, gives amazing advice on her own website as well as writes for Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine. This young star, previously became known on the Hills on MTV and has been rocking it ever since. She has her own brand and has amazing taste. Simple yet super stunning. This awesome chic knows how and is never too busy to help out on the advice…

Then, the Olsen twins! I know many got over them as soon as they started having problems with eating disorders… I would definitely not encourage that – but still these two ladies have style, Mary-Kate and Ashley, both! But my favourite has got to be Ashley who never ceases to surprise with her simple but super elegant look. She really knows how to make super simple look super elegant. These two sisters have been on TV, they have written books and most importantly have their own two fashion brands, The Row and then Elizabeth and James. Totally adore their brands as well as their rocking styles and personalities!

So yeah, these are total inspirations as well as designer Ines di Santo from Italy! Any designs inspired by Ines is a total winner in my books!

So, girls go check out those and many other designers and ideas on the internet. There are so many inspiring things out there which will have you refreshed in no time!

Lauren Conrad out and about

Lauren Conrad rocking that dress at Kohl event

Olsen twins – Elizabeth and James event

Ashley Olsen looking simple but elegant

Zimbali Weekend

Our weekend away to Zimbali is here. During the night we had a little thunderstorm and we had some rain. This morning we woke up to cloud cover, on and off drizzle and the sound of bugs, crashing of waves, the smell that comes with and after rain and the smell of the salty ocean air….

This is always special… The rain I mean. Definitely comes with a storm but after that, rain comes as a refreshing agent that seems to wash away the old and clean everything out, making way for our Daddy’s amazing blessings!

Just a beautiful thought! Him loving us so much.

Have a blessed weekend everyone xx

New Adventures

During the last week, a lot has happened in my life and it seems God is taking me in a different direction and on a new journey…. I’m changing varsities and it seems like I’ll be a part time student soon enough and working. But I have no idea where I’m going.

In this week of chaos, Freddie and Ashley stopped by to surprise Jean, so we got some time to catch up! Totally amazing and always a blessing to see them. Really did pick up my week.

Jean has flown to Cape Town to visit Cornu. I haven’t been to Cape Town but it feels it might be the direction I’m heading towards… So Jean has been sending me beautiful pics of Cape Town. While he’s away, I’m chilling out and getting ready for our Balito trip next week with Cornu and Eline. Unfortunately Freddie and Ashley won’t be joining us, but we’ll hopefully see them for my birthday at the end of August and will definitely see them in October for a weekend when we celebrate Freddie’s birthday.

New adventures are on the horizon, new places, new friends… It really is an exciting time 🙂
Xx

Eline, Cornu, Freddie and Ashley in Cape Town

Jean’s view over Cape Town from Cornu’s place

Jean’s coffee before he travels

Flying to Cape Town

Excited for new adventures and our trip to Balito in my home province

Little treasures of home

Small things just seem to make the world’s difference. It is the small things we remember and cherish forever.

Like getting home and seeing my dad’s Bible lying in the kitchen. The smell of fish and salt and sand when my sister picked me up as she had been out fishing with friends for the morning. Conversations on the bus and plane about God and His endless grace. Friends phoning while working and making plans to see you while you’re home, ready for adventures to the beach and on their farms. How super green & tropical it seems here even though it’s winter. The sun coming down on your skin. The wind picking up a little. Driving past places and all the memories just rushing back of things that happened there. How excited the dogs are to see you when you get home and my sister saying “Sniffels(the dog) is back to normal – I’ve given her therapy everyday, a 2 hour cuddle session, like literally, everyday!”(She’s referring to the fact that our house got broken into and our one dog had been severely traumatized after being tazered & beaten by intruders)

It’s good to be home…

Overcome by His Peace

This morning I’m sitting at the airport here in Durban feeling more than just peaceful.

I feel overwhelmed by His great love for me and pursued as any princess & daughter of God should feel.

Last night before I fell asleep and this morning when I woke up for my 6.30 flight, I felt anxious. Not wanting to go home anymore and feeling quite nervous. I was truly dreading this flight and going home. And lonely I guess.

But this morning, everything at the airport went quickly, there was hardly any wait. The flight was smooth and it was absolutely gorgeous seeing the sun rise over the land as well as over the ocean this morning. I had no one sitting beside me except a very nice young lady and then some awesome loud and joking-around-kind-of-people behind me. I felt pursued as God showed me new things as the sun rose.

It was beautiful. The clouds were extremely flat looking like white sand as they reflected the sunlight in glorious colours of soft gold and pinks… It even looked like the parting of the Red Sea for the beginning of the journey and as if God was saying I should follow the Light across and journey into His rest. It all just felt so extremely symbolic.

I feel after a time of spiritual attack, I’m finally getting the chance to walk into a place of rest with Him and I’m feeling lighter and more peaceful today, than I have in a few weeks. I’m feeling peaceful and I have to admit, it feels good. God is great and I feel like I’m taking moments now to just soak in His complete rest, in a place He has prepared for me.

Exodus 23:
v 20  Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep and guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
v 21  Give heed to Him, listen to and obey His voice; be not rebellious before Him or provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgression; for My Name is in Him.
v 22  But if you will indeed listen to and obey His voice and all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.

Special Engagement Shoot

This was such a beautiful and special photo shoot done nearly 2 weeks ago. It was special because it was done by one of my special friends, Lisa Boshoff, who has started her own photography – Nonna Photography… And the lovely couple in this shoot had gotten engaged only a few days before. Jeandelene Louw is another special friend of mine. Lisa really captured all the love overflowing from JD and Shawn’s cups in these photos. These pictures are stunning, filled with love and craziness, just as this beautiful couple is!
These two special ladies came into my life, early 2011 on a Christian varsity camp and God has truly blessed me with amazing friendship ever since. These two women, have really inspired me and motivated me in so many ways!
So congrats to my special friend JD and her fiance – Shawn Olivier, who are getting married in just over 2 months! It really is exciting!!! Xx

Special Weekend Breakaway for Dad’s 50th

In a few days, on Friday 10th May to be exact, I get to fly home and see my dad as he turns 50 on Friday. I get to go home, see the parents and some good friends and get back to the coast for the weekend.
Can’t wait to see my dad and then the beautiful coast – that bridge too… When I do – I know I’m home. And I’m excited and grateful. It is a blessing, even if it is just for a little while!

*Thanks to Stubbs and my mom for the photos.