"Punk: Chaos to Couture"

The annual Met Ball took place in New York last night - the theme being "Punk: Chaos to Couture". 

Punk has had a major influence on fashion over the years - it was all about breaking the rules, pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box.

Punk was historical. Punk was about freedom. Non-conformity. Screw the rules & put on your favourite garb.

Get concert ready in a FLASH.

If you're one of the lucky ones then you're probably heading to one of the much hyped about concerts  coming our way very, very soon. Not sure what to wear? Determined to steal the Bieber's heart OR just keen for some mature man candy with Bon Jovi?

I've got a few ideas of what you could wear - Winter warmers in May never looked this schweet!

My Favourite Covers..So Far.

A magazine cover can either get it right & reel you in, or it can be terribly bad & incite feelings of gut-wrenching horror. There's a fine line between creating a cover with just the right amount of words to graphic ratio, and taking things a step too far. 

A cover can sometime be the motivating factor in grabbing a particular magazine off a shelve, and in my case is performed with the enthusiasm of an addict on crack. The saying "don't judge a book by it's cover" doesn't really sync through to the world of magazines - an iconic publication is bound together by a beautiful paper cover, and ideally should  transcend directly to one's literary soul. 

These are some of my favourite covers, which  essentially have inspired me to write more sweet nothings & create more magical concoctions in my 'lil old cerebellum.

Losing It

This was the piece that I wrote for Glamour SA in June this year. It basically chronicles my weight loss journey & how far I've come in terms of accepting myself physically.

It's a weird cycle of hate, self-loathing, acceptance, change & a little va-va-voom at the end! I'm big on eating right for yourself, and taking those baby steps all the way to the changing room at YDE. I've been there. And it's a nice place to be.
So, send me an e-mail if you have any questions on diet/exercise/anything-in-between - pllmay001@gmail.com. I promise to be nice :)

I was born this way babyyyy

I had to whip out some Gaga hair for her concert last Monday in Cape Town. I may have been mistaken for a pink milkshake along the way, but it was Gaga so who gives a fudge?!

I literally felt like a little monster - complete with OTT makeup & paws in the air. Mother Monster was amazeballs!! Gaga really doesn't hold back & took us on a journey through regret, shame, empowerment and liberation. If you missed out - shame.

"Just put your paws up, 'Cause you were born this way, baby"

What I'm Lovin' (Right Now!)..

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."
– Albert Einstein

I simply love the indulgence that comes along with having a new obsession.  I feel giddy. Frivolous. Like a kid who’s discovered a new found passion for playing in the sandpit. Sure, I feel a tad guilty for getting wrapped up in my own ‘lil cocoon of ‘me time’ - I should really be spending my days saving helpless causes, like the whales or Lindsay Lohan. But, in all honesty I feel that if we didn't indulge in life’s little pleasures, then we would merely be sad little souls who are auto-tuned to work (with NO play). Ugh. No thanks.

We love you Henry!

Bright, quirky tees are all the rage this Summer, so get yourself one of Mr Price’s limited edition Henry Holland t-shirts. They’re slightly eccentric, very very FUN, and, have just the right amount of phwoar to make any girl feel edgy.

The line is aptly named Denim and Tees – We Go Together. The best part is that this is essebtially fashion with a purpose, as R10 is donated to the Red Cap Foundation with every Tee that is purchased. 

The tee's are available at Mr Price, and retail from R79.99.

She and Him.

She and Him. Him and Her. THEM.

This enchanting duo is definitely worth listening to - if only for lead singer Zooey Deschanel’s moody tunes and quirky style. She and Him have this innate ability to force me into a state of equilibrium, whereby only pretty clothes and cupcakes are invited. Take a listen to ‘Sentimental Heart’ and you’ll get me.

Show the douche some love.

Bad boys have a way with words. I think it’s their disgustingly good looks and charm, which somehow manages to mask their ghastly personalities and douche-bag tendencies.

Let’s admit it – we somehow end up falling for that guy. The one who never calls, never cuddles, and who never ever walks the appropriate 2 cm behind you. Let’s celebrate the douches, by staring at these yummy men for as long as it takes for someone to pry you out of your happy place.

Boy vs. Girl?

There’s a new girl in town, and she’s mixing things up on the catwalk – as a boy! Casey Legler is the first female to model exclusively as a man, and has already set the tone with a moody spread of non-conformist shots. Think cigars, suits, loose-fitting boyfriend shirts and finely honed cheekbones.

Why should you care? Casey is part of a new set of ‘he or she’ models who are questioning society’s views on gender identity, and what really signifies one’s sexuality. Why stick to the boundaries when living on the edge can be so much more entertaining?

The Mindy Project. 

An Indian Girl who manages to eat carbs, deliver babies, flirt with men in bookstores and is refreshingly funny? Do yourself a favour and watch this one.

Truth Coffee.

This one’s for the Cape Town kids! Hop on the caffeine train at Truth Coffee. They make regular stops at hipster land, is the perfect spot for pretty-people watching, and they allow you rock your movember tache with absolutely NO inhibitions. Oh, and did I mention that they make some of the best java in town?

...'Cos it's Movember!

Movember - it’s here - guys, it’s time to sprout a ‘tache! This month gives all the men in our lives the prefect excuse to grow some fuzz. Yes, I will pretend that you don’t resemble a paedophile/truck driver/man-selling-pirated DVD’s.

Facial hair - you either love it, or you hate it! Personally, I think that it’s for an amazing cause, and forces most men to get in touch with the prickly side of life (while raising funds at the same time!). Learn more about this incredible initiative here: http://za.movember.com/?home

I think that it would only be appropriate if we took a few moments to pay homage to some of our favourite men, and their dazzling taches!

It’s only a problem if your guy

starts to resemble this!

Colour me pretty!

Pop-your-colour! Neon is big this season, so whip out those fluorescent hues for an instant pick-me-up. Highlighter shades of yellow and green are perfect when paired with darker tones, and effortlessly enhance darker skin tones. My favourite way to work this trend into your wardrobe? Accessories please! Neon satchels, belts and scarves allow you to subtly pull off this craze, without looking as if you just spray-painted yourself with a neon highlighter.

  

Pastels are an instant way to update your look without splurging your budget. There’s something so chic about shades of lilac and mint – think ballet pumps, cupcakes and delicate looking ladies-in-waiting. Sweeten things up with a lavender blouse or a pale pink dip hem skirt. Just remember to keep things simple – you don’t want to end up resembling an ice-cream cone!

  

Peplum! The peplum craze has been around for a while now, and I feel that I really have no excuse to ignore it anymore. Beware: wear the trend correctly, or it could possibly enlarge the size of your derrière, thereby forcing others to assume that you just left an ‘all you can eat’ buffet. Pair a peplum blouse with sleek pants for a cute office combo, or style a bright peplum skirt with a fitted muted-down top. My tip? Heels are always a plus when trying to pull off this larger-than-life trend!

Mad as a hatter? Geometrics, bold graphics and swirls of colour are definitely not for the faint-hearted! Bold prints don’t seem to be making an exit any time soon, so keep things fresh by adding a statement piece to your wardrobe - Mr Price has a great range of Aztec inspired prints for the girl who wants to assert her power. Try to pair a bold print with a less dominant shade, so that you don’t scare off anyone. And, remember this is one trend that works better when it is looser and not-so-structured.

Caffeine Fix

My go-to java guide:

·        The blend at the Woolworths' W Café  has to be my absolute favourite, if only for the yummy foam! This well-rounded blend is certainly the perfect brew – strong enough to kick me into action, but still not enough to give you the heebie-jeebies. Plus, the fact that it’s 'organic' makes me feel as if I’m somehow undoing all the damage from last night's shots at Tiger Tiger. Right…

·    Vida e Caffè. The quintessential spot for cool kids, pretty people and the occasional hipster. Vida is unquestionably a revered spot for ‘people watching’, but the inconsistent cappuccinos let them down. Plus, the extra foam forces me to resemble someone who’s frothing at the mouth (which isn’t really helped by the fact that their strong brew gives me the jitters). However, I have not stopped returning to this decadent crimson hot-spot. Oh, and a little tip? The barrista will not hand over an extra Lindt choccy nomatter how many times you wink at him.

·         Knead Bakery in Kloof Street surprised me. In a good way. A cosy spot filled with pretty people, delectable baked goods and the aroma of java wafting through the air – sounds like a gimmick, right? Knead has some of the best coffee in town, so make sure that you pop by for an instant pick-me-up. Oh, and try one of their croissants. Divine!

·         I used to be a huge fan of the cappuccinos at Mugg & Bean. Not anymore. Their blend is a tad too weak for someone who relies on a dose of Bioplus to ensure that she doesn’t malfunction through breakfast (I switch to cough mixture if times are tough). The extra-milky concoction that I was served on my last visit, reminded me of a bed-time drink that one would feed to an infant.

Death by granola..

Sprawled out on bed.

Eating second bowl of granola.

It’s my favourite time of the day – a little bonding time with Alexander Skarsgard, while he attempts to woo Sookie (which BTW is such a daddy-issue name!) in True Blood. It suddenly dawns on me that she is a Southern Belle, which essentially means that she downs butter as if it were free tequila at student night. Yet, she still manages to prevent her thighs from rubbing together on a hot, Summers day? Go figure. 

There may be a sinister reason as to why the word DIET contains the word DIE. A sadistic ploy to kill us with lettuce leaves and rice cakes? Perhaps. Is anyone ever content with the body that God (and that 3^rdMcFlurry) has forced upon us? No. Hell no. Sadly, slimming down typically translates to cutting back on food that feeds our souls – there has to be a reasonable explanation behind the name ‘Happy Meal’, right? 

The best advice that a FF (Former Fatty) such as myself can offer? There is NO miracle gel or pill that is going to turn you into Heidi Klum, so I suggest that you sweat out the lipids and watch what you eat. It’s easy  for me to say that you’re going to reject that yummy looking red velvet cupcake sitting on the kitchen counter, but you probably aren’t.

 I’ve been through the agonising warfare fought between 'gluttony' and 'I-can’t-fit-into-my-jeans'. This is often a 'no-win' situation that would force any dieter to check into a psyche ward ASAP! It’s a torturous conflict which usually results in: a) Guilt  or  b) A fridge raid at midnight to curb those cravings. Depriving yourself of life’s little pleasures is just not worth the effort, so it’s important to find easy food swaps that will satisfy your cravings, without compromising the size of your 'lil derrière.

·         Start the day off with a huge breakfast - your metabolism (and mind) needs to reset itself after all those nightmares of Snooki running for president. Oatmeal made with fat-free milk, vanilla essence, a few raisins and almond flakes is my ideal way to start of the day. Top it with cinnamon for an extra dose of flavour, which also lowers your blood glucose level. Fewer cravings = a speedy slim down!

·         A whole-wheat pita, topped with fat-free cottage cheese, veggies and hot sauce (speeds up you metabolism!) is the perfect way to fake a pizza. Trust me on this one!

·         My name is Mayuri and I-am-a-popcorn-addict. The only flawed aspect of this is that I usually buy a large box at the movies, refuse to share and proceed to stuff my face like that guy on Diners, Dives and Drive Ins. Movie popcorn usually has as many kilojoules as a cheeseburger, and enough fat to send your arteries into shock. NOT COOL. My tip? Buy a kids size box, or sneak in your own snacks.

·         I’m the biggest advocate for not drinking your kilojoules, but it’s cold and I need a hot drink. Too much sugar, and too much fat makes Mayuri’s waistline throw a tantrum, so I suggest going for  Cadbury Hi-Lights is my favourite Winter warm-up – it has half the sugar as regular hot chocolate AND far less fat!

·         “Let them eat cake” – Yes, please, with extra icing on the side! I have been named and shamed as a sugar addict by my family, and I don’t mind discussing my personal relationship with the satisfying sweet stuff. I’ll never reject a luscious looking slice of cake, especially when it sends me on a one-way trip down my very own yellow brick road. Ever. So, I’ve found a few recipes that cut down on kilojoules, but still manage to let me succumb to a food coma.  

Beetroot choc cake                                   Skinny choc cookies

Skinny red velvet cupcakes                Low-fat banana bread
Fudgy Choc pudding                      Lighter cheesecake!

Call Me Maybe...

Once upon a time, there lived an attractive, intelligent and innocent young girl. This was no ordinary lass - she was as wise as she was fair; and her good sense seemed to keep her heart from falling prey to the grand gestures favoured by the male species of her time. Yes, she was the exception to the rule. This young woman knew how the story usually panned out: A not-so-ugly boy (in pants that were way too tight) would confess his undying lust for the foolish lass, commonly followed by the classic wooing technique - he would rip out a weed or two from the neighbour’s garden, and pass them off as symbols of his love and commitment. The Mr Darcy wannabe would proceed to shred her ego and cardiac system into a million minute pieces. The end.
 

Okay, so the dreamy Disney tale might not go this way, but life has a way of  taking a not-so-fun detour every now and then. Boys are usually too much work, too hard to maintain, and sadly our brain cells don’t always seem to filter through the heart-breakers. Today's typical 20-something will most likely refrain from getting her palm felt up, preferring a weekly rendezvous session with a close pal.

I blame dear old liquid confidence for creating the illusion that ‘friends with benefits’ will work, and that you will still be friends once the spark has died (or at least until that bottle of vodka has reached its end). We seem to have made the transition from faux love letters proclaiming our undying love for the boy-next-door, to drunken scribbles declaring “Call me maybe” across a paper towel. Most of this 'hoo-ha' can be attributed to the fact that our fears have started to outweigh any ounce of left-over romance that we might have had from the era of “Nobody puts Baby in the corner”.

Have we abandoned all delusions of romance in favour of something a little less painful, and a whole lot safer? Love. Amore. Liebe. A language of Cupid’s arrows, lust and throbbing hearts. Sure, it has its benefits.  An infamous number of car doors and heart-shaped candy boxes have been bought under the presumption of ‘I got you babe’. Why would any sane female leave all these perks behind, and favour a pseudo-corpse who will be out that door before the drool from your mouth has barely dried? The textbook answer seems to be that we are scared. Frightened. In fact, we are downright terrified of caring about someone who might not feel the same. 

Most women need to have the upper hand in a relationship, which usually results in the desire to ‘leave before we are left’. Unrequited adoration has haunted the feminine mind for eons, and frequently forces us to play the dating game far too casually. The roles have reversed; we have absorbed every single rule that rom-coms have taught us: Be the exception and NOT the rule. How?

Play it dirty. Mess with his psyche. Don’t call him back. Don’t fall for his one-liners AND never, ever leave your toothbrush at his place! 

The gloomy part of all of this is that we may one day say NO to someone who is so obviously a YES. So, my dear feminists, I urge you to think twice before you pretend to not care about that dear boy who wants to wine, dine and cuddle the life out of you. He might actually like you - and you might be more than just a game to him.