Put the STAR in starting over...

S'been a while folks but I'm back, for real this time.
So we go through soo much in our lives especially in your 20's, the decisions we have to make are massive and sometimes the decisions we make now, are ones that affect us for the rest of our lives.

Now when you've got a very laid back approach to life much like me, this can become a problem, I'm not very goal driven, like a friend of mine; Sabelo says 'I do what I like, when I like', not that its a bad thing but setting goals and making sure you get to them can get you achieving things much quicker.

So here's to me setting SMART goals ( If you've been to one of these decision-making workshops you'd know about SMART goals S-Specific, M-Measurable, A-Attainable, R-Realistic and T-Timely Lol smart huh).

Two of my sisters have babies right now and being the tree hugger I am, I could not stand seeing all the purity bottles going into the bin, so not knowing what I'd do with them, I started collecting them with hopes to give them a new life... so lets use these as our guidelines for starting over.

1. Acknowledgement

 

First acknowledge what got you to this point, for these bottles well they had a good reason, they were storing food for the little babies but for you it might be a break up, job loss, health difficulties whatever it is... acknowledge it, do not ignore it or pretend you're okay because it will only come back to haunt you later when you least expect it.

 2.Pick yourself up

Feeding a baby is a messy business, much like life, like my favourite poet says... "this life will hit you hard... in the face, wait for you to get back up, just so it can kick you in the stomach, but getting the wind knocked out of you might just be the only way to remind your lungs just how much they like the taste of air".
So once you've acknowledged... don't fret, don't spend too much of your time now feeling sorry for yourself. Now that you've acknowledged, its time to realise that this was just a bump on the road and you're on your way to bigger better things, now dust yourself off and start looking to the future, a bright future.

3.Strategize

Got scissors? Check. Got wrapping paper? Check. Got a pulse? Check. Still breathing? Check. Got a life? Live it! Where to from here?, this is where the SMART goals come in, make sure it meets the SMART criteria before you do it, write it down if you have to, some guy said if its not written down then its not a goal. What do you want... what makes you happy... how do you not come back to the same place again...you are the leader in your life and it expects you to strategize and carry out what's good for it, DO IT!

4.Glue your life together

 

 

Now that you've dusted off all the bad and you have a strategy in place on where to go from here, time to put everything together so you can start working. What's very important now is commitment, don't look back, you have a plan now stick to it, don't get side tracked.

 

5.No Strings Attached, Keep it simple

 

 

Don't be too hard on yourself, the aim with SMART goals is that they should be achievable so don't go setting goals that will require you to have one hour of sleep and have 7 days weekdays. Know your pace and work around it, yes dream big but the make sure they are attainable goals.

 

6. Have fun, do what you love.

 

 

Add some sweets to your life, don't do it unless it makes you happy. Enjoy life to the fullest. This means, climb out of the box of what you were told is good or bad for you. They said we'd loose our teeth if we eat too much sweets... well mama I got news for you...I still got my teeth!

You are not here to be a carbon copy of somebody else's plan for your life. You are here to be a unique creative expression of the fullest "you" that you can be. You are bigger than this, wiser than this! Your solutions are as unique as one snowflake to another. Oh and yeah PS to you Western Cape and it's snow we are feeling the cold front this morning.

 

7.Here's to new beginnings! Beautiful beginnings!

 

The star in starting over.

Starting over does not have to mean losing one thing to start another, especially when you're changing for something better. Try new things and don't panic, if anythings goes wrong, refer to number 1 lol and do it all over again. I'm sure these purity bottles feel brand new, I gave them out to Sunday School children at my church.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cold Friday guys. Lots of Thando to you....







Recycle Reuse Reduce and hell Save!

Hey everyday people, I haven’t posted in a while eish I’m so so sorry, I've been under the weather, these rainy days are so gloomy, zero inspiration! But I seriously need to just deal. My mood cannot be based on something as simple as the weather. Like the lyrics to Amel Larriex’s song “Weather” –God created change in seasons not in vain/ The beauty of the weather’s here for some distraction from your pain/ Let the warm summer’s night mist you/ Let the winter snow fall and tramp you/ You don’t need to pay anything. On that note of not paying anything it bring me to my post today about Recycling and saving in the process.

 I’m generally very wise with my money, I think through when I spend, but I do get distracted by big red sale signs. I immediately think I’m saving and end up buying things I’ll never use.
Today I’m going to show you how to use the things you already have to make them more appealing so you can reuse them.

First up is glass jars.
Glass jars generally have that clean, luxurious look and feel to them, mayonnaise finished? Just remove the rapper and throw it into hot water with the dishes and scrub it clean. Paste either a cute ribbon, a strip of fancy wrapping paper, just play around with it, whatever works for you the only wrong way to do this is if you’re not having fun.

For mine I then wrote some friendly words around the jar.

 And there you go… it will also help you get organized and tidy up your space.

Were you also one of those people that went crazy over the bunch of gold bangles that eventually faded in colour and were no longer fit to wear?

Well I was but have no fear I’ve made a plan! I covered them!

You can use a strip from an old t-shirt or cloth just lying around or buy a string at a material shop like I did it only cost me about 75c for string enough to cover the bangle. You just roll it around the bangle.

You can add some pieces on it too maybe from an old charm bracelet or necklace.

Then glue it tight at the end just so it doesn’t untie itself, instead of glue you can also tie a cute bow.

Don’t they look much friendlier to wear now?

Old denim jacket?

 Just add some studs! Studded denim anything is soooo in right now.

 So I’ve had this jacket since grade seven so I bought studs for R7 at a material shop and pasted them onto the shoulders of the jacket and now I think it’s definitely on trend!

 For this next DIY project I used my boyfriend’s old t-shirt well because the bigger the t-shirt the better and because I’m not about to cut my own t-shirts psssh lol.

 For this you just cut out all the ends like so…

 Then you cut the back alil more.

 Wrap around the back with the bottom end that you cut out.

 Cut the bottom at an angle like so…. to get the short in front and long at the back look.

 And there you have it at no cost. Oh and keep the cut outs you never know when you might use them again.

And that's it for today... its been fun, I promise I wont disappear for too long.

Please take alil time to vote on the poll at the bottom.

Hello music, Hello spring

Hi everybody, beautiful day we're having today. Spring has sprung (insert bird chirping sounds). I hope we're all well and enjoying the lovely weather we're having. I personally am in my element right now, I'm a spring baby, it was my birthday two weeks back, on the 4th, and I thank everyone for showing me so much love on that day.

Music is such an important part of who I am,
ever since I was very young I've had a very distinct taste in music. From singing along to Monica from my sister's song books and rapping along to D12 and and Zola with my brother, music has defined who I am now.

Today I'm combining two of my favourite things, clothes and music.
I'm going to show you some of my favourite albums and a spring look I feel goes so very well with how that particular album makes me feel.

I'll also be showcasing some more of those bracelets I've been making... here goes.

The first CD I ever got! My dad bought it for me.

Beyonce goes solo... and releases Dangerously in Love.

If this outfit doesn't say superstar, I don't know what does.

 

The booty hop!!! Need I say more? This was one feel good album. This girl made us all feel like we were  some type of superstar/dancer/singer.

We share the same birthday so you can imagine how special I used to feel.

Favourite song: Daddy

Favourite Line: I want my unborn son to be like my daddy, I want my husband to be like my daddy.

So yes thanks tata for buying me this album, it still means so much to me.



Next is Blink 182, the Greatest Hits album, with songs recorded from 1992 - 2005.

What says rock more than ripped jeans?

These boys were so fun! The lyrics can take you from happy to sad to excited in just a few minutes of listening. When I need that kick or bounce in my step I just slip this right in to the player and just forget about anything and everything and its just me and the Blink 182 boys.

Favourite Song: All the Small Things
Favourite Line: Always I know, I know you'll be at my shows, watching,waiting, commiserating.

Little did I know that would be the soundtrack of my life, now I'm the one always waiting for my boyfriend MidKnight (WAR Bandit) performing at his shows.

Now for my alter ego... Lily Allen. I swear every girl who is in that coming of age stage should really listen to this album. The album title just says it all... It's not me, it's you.

All girly and pink, this is the ultimate spring look.

 

She talks about boys, friends and just being the best you. I just love how frank Lily Allen is, no beating around the bush in one song she straight up says... F**k you, F**k you very very much so please dont stay in touch lol. This album definately turned me from girl to woman in the most whimsical manner. I think I'm going to pass it to my friend Duduzile for a little while to listen, she's one whimsical lady that one.

 



I'm definately going to give this to my future daughters, when I feel they are ready though, this album is going to give "the talk" for me.
Favourite Song:The Fear
Favourite Line: And I'll take my clothes off and it will be shameless
'Cuz everyone knows that's how you get famous
I'll look at the sun and I'll look in the mirror
I'm on the right track, yeah I'm on to a winner.

If my children don't have self respect after this, I dont know.

Blk Sonshine is a grown up album, grown folk music this. I just sang along back then but now I really understand what they're talking about. They're first album titled Blk Sonshine is an album all music fanatics should listen to by law.
I love this dress of mine it also makes me feel quite grown. The print on this dress was just done right.

The mellow nature of this album can make anyone start thinking about turning vegeterian and starting a recycling movement. Listen to this album with a few good friends and I promise you the conversations that will be born from there will be ones to last you a lifetime. 

Favourite Song: Born in a Taxi
Favourite Line: I could spend my time loving
if that's what you want me to do
you just have to say do.

Now that's some romantic stuff. Like I said...grown folk music.

As I'm grow theres just some music that just makes me feel sophisticated and like a real lady one of such music is Micheal Buble. This man is such a lady's man and he can make any woman feel special. All he's albums are great but I chose Call Me Irresponsible.

 

Peplum is so classy and clean and I love anything peplum, I'm obsessed really.

Favourite Song: I'm Your Man
Favourite Line: If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
 
Theres definately nothing better than someone offering themselves wholely to you... so flattering.

And finally, last but definately not least... Miss Adele! Both her albums 19 and 21.

Dungarees have that laid back, old school type of feel to them,

 

 just like this soulful young lady, at 19 Adele was making music to touch the soul of the young and old, Adele definately has a gift like no other.

If you're wondering wheres the cover for the other album my friend Bongi who I dedicated my last post to, stole it lol, oh and it gives me great saddness to tell you that even after my last post she relaxed her hair.

 

Favourite Song: Hometown Glory (Album: 19)

Favourite Line:I love it to see everybody in short skirts, shorts and shades

Bring out the short skirts, shorts and shades and have a blissful spring guys.

 



Trip down fro lane.

Heeeeeello beautiful people on this windy day, when hair can really become a problem... how are you working it today to keep the fly aways at bay? Funky hat or beret? Clean tight bun? Or the oh so lovely Nandi Mgoma head wrap or turban. Either way I hope your managing it this August weather.

Today I'm taking you'll down my journey of turning from that easy to manage relaxed hair to that stubborn fro.

It hasn't been easy I have to say, but I was tired.... relaxer burns your scalp, then they wash your hair with hot water, then its that dreaded hair dryer that keeps burning your ear and you leave the salon not talking to the poor hairdresser who was just trying to help you achieve that extremely slick look. Eish kunzima!

So one day when it was time for me to relax my hair, I didnt like the feeling of fear I got in my chest. So I said to my dad... Tata please just cut it all off, my dad and my brother were more than willing... and they got to chopping....

(Check out my cute butterfly earrings)

Whooo I had saved myself from the hair dryer but what now???? Now wearing a dress looked wierd... I felt like a confused little boy. You can tell people are looking at you differently, as if you're about to take off your bra and scream liberty for all woman!!! *SMH*

Then there's question... that pierces through your soul.... "Girl why did you cut your hair?" and they look at you as if you forgot to put on pants this morning. The problem with this question is that it indirectly suggests that you looked better with your hair and now well... ai asazi.

But you get used to it and you start to own it and people start getting used to you as well and they start saying "no but it suits you hey".

So its a new day... you start working with the new look, you start wearing beads, and Africa T-shirts because short hair makes you conscious right?Lol.

But I have to say the short hair has definitely opened me up to a new range of people, you don't get the average guy stepping up to you but only the guys who really know they can hold a smart conversation have the guts to say hello, its definitely breath of fresh air.

As I became more comfortable in my new hair and knew how to make myself look and feel as good as I did with long hair. NB principle... never be caught without earrings and eyeliner!!!

 (Make up inspired by King Tha(Thandisa Mzwai))



I have to say it does feel much better when that hair has grown a centimeter or two, there's more to work with and I do feel alot less like a little boy shame. Hair is very important its our crowning glory just like our curvy bodies, big hair just fits right into that whole deal nje. Now I can comfortably wear a dress and not feel out of place.

Having the fro now has made me more true to myself and see myself in so much more ways, love myself much more than I did with the slick hair, I'm more conscious of what I wear, how I carry myself and I'm definitely more open to new things in life, all because of that one big chop.

An afro though is very hard to handle!!!! (I don't think that's even enough exclamation marks).
When its was short if was just get up and go... now I need to.... yes you guessed it COMB! *Death*

Uhm ya... I opted not to comb.



I still love slick hair, so every now every now and then get braids to make the mornings alil easier.

Well its almost a year now since that dreaded chop and I've found comfort in my afro...

I Love It!

Well that's it, enjoy the rest of this windy day guys.

PS... Bongi please don't relax your beautiful fro.

Be more like butterflies (Fun facts about butterflies to incorporate into your own life).

Hi everybody, I looooove butterflies which by now I'm sure you've guessed.

So here I took to glitter, blush, eyeliner and daring red lipstick to draw this beautiful butterfly on my face. Step by step I'll show you how I did it and share my thoughts on why we should be more like butterflies.

1. Butterfly wings are transparent.

A butterfly wing is actually formed by layers of chitin, the protein that makes up an insect's exoskeleton. These layers are so thin you can see right through them.

Be more transparent in your life, let people into your life, live more, love more, laugh more.

You are special, interesting and unique with your traits that make you who you are, so show the world who you really are and they will love you for who you are, if they don't they were never meant to be there in the first place.  

2. A newly emerged butterfly can't fly.

Inside the chrysalis, a developing butterfly waits to emerge with its wings collapsed around its body. When it finally breaks free of the pupal case, it greets the world with tiny, shriveled wings.

Patience Patience Patience! Not everything will work out all at one go, but if you truly believe in something be prepared to make some hard sacrifices. Crawl; walk; run and then fly, I promise it will mean so much more at the end and you will appreciate it more.

3. Butterflies employ all kinds of tricks to keep from being eaten.
Butterflies rank pretty low on the food chain, with lots of hungry predators happy to make a meal of them. Some butterflies fold their wings to blend in to the background, using camouflage to render themselves all but invisible to predators.

 Although they may be hundreds of people that may love and support you, some people will let you down and sometimes it isn't even their intention.  So always have a back up plan, and don't blame other people for not being on the same page as you. Work on you own greatness, choose your friends wisely, let them help but never expect them to put themselves on hold for you rather ensure you have your own tricks up you sleeve to keep you afloat.

4. Butterflies drink from mud puddles.
A butterfly cannot live on sugar alone; it needs minerals, too. To supplement its diet of nectar, a butterfly will occasionally sip from mud puddles, which are rich in minerals and salts.

Drink water guys!!! Its good for you... even if it's from a mud puddle! Lol. But don't take yourself too seriously jump onto a puddle on a rainy day, jump onto a leave just to hear and feel that crunch sound, smile at kids, appreciate a butterfly passing by.

5. Butterflies live just 2-4 weeks, usually.
Once it emerges from its chrysalis as an adult, a butterfly has just a few short weeks to live. During that time, it focuses all its energy on two tasks – eating and mating

Finally; Life is short, cherish it, make the people you love feel appreaciated. Chase after your dreams. Find your passion, and focus on trying to fulfill only that and happiness will follow.

Well this has been fun, I hope it will reach those who need it.

Love you lots.

Butterfly facts from http://insects.about.com/od/butterfliesmoths/a/10-facts-butterflies.htm