Date Etiquette

I think that most of us have been on our fair share of truly awful, let's-escape-through-the-bathroom-window dates. These are my personal tips for those inexperienced daters out there.

MUST KNOWS:

1. Do not overshare - no one really wants to know about your pet rat that died when you were two, or about your battle with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Save these details for later. Please.

2. Garlic, onions, lobster, spaghetti and spinach - all foods that we love right? Be warned, these tantalizing treats are inclined to spill, leak or give off a slightly foul odour. This might actually come in handy if the date is going downhill, as you could always scare him away with your garlic breath.

3. Avoid talking about ex's during the first few dates. Okay, sure I would not judge you if you casually mentioned that your last relationship lasted 3 months. However, telling me that you dumped her because of her excessive facial hair might send off warning bells in my head. Talking about an ex can sometimes come off as obsessive, and I might start to assume that you are still hung up on sexy-Sarah/ Dave-the-hottie/ He-who-must-not-be-named.
  

4. Try not to get completely sloshed on a first date. A glass of vino is absolute perfection in a sit-down, intimate atmosphere, but one tequila too many can often lower your inhibitions. Picture mindless chatter, a little drool and an urge to show him how well you can do the Macarena. Erm, no thanks.


5. No one likes a complainer. It drains you of your energy, and forces you to question why you aren't sitting at home watching Grey's Anatomy. You want to appear cool and collected - not highly strung and offensive. If you had a bad day at work, simply say that you had a long, tiring day. Try not to launch into a monologue about your wretched co-worker who hogged the photocopy machine for an hour. There are bigger issues in the world - starving kids in Africa, saving the whales, Lindsay Lohan etc.

6. Paying the bill - this can prove all too tricky for most. Every girl wants to embrace her inner feminist and shove some money at the waiter. I honestly believe in going Dutch on most dates, except for first dates! offer to split the bill, and agree to be wined and dined if he insists on paying. Most guys enjoy beating on their pre-historic, manly chests on date #1. Chivalry is cool. And so are knights-in-shining-armour. Just go with it.

Perfect Date Wear!

Mustard yellow does not suit everyone, but if you can pull it off - go for it!
"Cool? Yes, I know I am."
This ensemble is perfect for a night at the movies, or a late night ice-cream date.

Acessorise YES PLEASE
A ruffled top paired with skinny jeans & heels?
Pretty damn cute for supper at an intimate restaurant, or cocktails at a bar. Throw over a fitted trenchcoat and a scarf for those chilly nights.



The bare essentials will never let you down.
A v-neck jersey or cardigan are part of the staple manly diet.

A nautical fitted dress paired with killer heels, and a blazer is HOT!
Perfect for a date at a club, restaurant or just about anywhere (except bowling - heels? Right.).

Bye Bye Winter, Hello Spring!

A change of season can be all too confusing for your wardrobe, especially when you're going from dreary Winter to chilled out Spring. Make this daunting period a relaxed, budget friendly one by making subtle changes in your day-to-day ensembles. Simple styling and bright colours inspired by the Middle East.

This season expect bright shades of fushia, burnt orange and electric blues. Stay away from wearing a single colour all at once -you do not want to be mistaken for a tanned out Snookie.


The fun part about this season's colours is that you can actually play around with them. Inspire. Dress for your mood. Keep it simple.


Colour blocking is hot hot hot this season - pair a bright honeysuckle mini with a beeswax ruffled top.

This keeps the ensemble in the "I am cool, confident and composed" realm, and stops it from moving into the "I am a confused fruit salad' sphere. Ruffles are very IN at the moment.

Since it is almost Spring, I suggest whipping out the florals. Nothing seems fresher or crisper than a floral inspired dress.    

To keep this trendy, try a floral jumpsuit. Jumpsuits are very IN this season - perfect for those "it's not hot, and not cold" days. Accesorise it with a waist belt, to keep the silhouette loose, but still moderately fitted.

Exotic colours inspired by the mystery of the Middle East are very HOT right now. Fashionistas all over are experimenting with paisley Maxi dresses that seem to float with ease, and off-the-shoulder tops. Compliment your daily wear with an Obi belt, which is an easy way to ease into the next season's trends without breaking the bank. 

Love in this Club?



Barney from How I Met Your Mother practicing
 his smooth one liners

 I LOVE going out. From getting dressed over pre-drinks, a little t-shirt time and right up until “the cabs are here”. Girls and guys alike put so much effort into carving out a somewhat appealing exterior before they hit the town, preparing themselves for the nerve racking mating game that ensues.

But, can you really expect to find a potential lover on the dance floor? Covered in sweat, a drink in hand and a few cringe-worthy dance moves – yes, so damn attractive right? Life is way too intensely chaotic to have the time and effort to go out, and meet a member of the opposite sex anywhere else. So, you might as well kill two birds with one stone, or in this case – seductively kill two guys with one look. Dating is way too confusing. Terrifying. Intimidating. Plus, I’m not too sure if student budgets really advocate wining and dining these days. Red roses? Hmmm...yes, I think I might have heard of them.



Romeo & Juliet - love at first sight?

Personally, I think the probability of meeting an attractive, sane guy, without any stalker tendencies in a club is pretty low. Let’s face it, most people launch into one-track minds once the tequila sets in, so do not expect to be romanced between a few fist pumps. Pick-up lines in a club were created for a reason. To break the ice, set the tone and ultimately to “pick up” a girl, and more often than not, this does not include an anniversary date. If he asks for your number, sure give it! But do not expect him to call the next day, or the day after - he might just be practicing his game on you. Excuse me for sounding cynical.

I would rather save the “let’s spend Friday night curled up watching The Notebook” thoughts for a guy who is actually worth the headspace. Watch out for the smooth one liners that he may try to pull out - “Baby, did you just fart? Because you blew me away”, or my personal favourite “Is your father a terrorist? Because baby you’re the bomb”. Seriously. Save yourself some pride.

Enjoy the night. Dance a little. Grab a cocktail. Shake that noodle. Turn a few heads. Just leave with your heart and head intact.

Farewell Miss Winehouse

There is something very eery about being 27, talented and slightly disturbed these days. Amy Winehouse? Kurt Cobain? Jimi Hendrix? It's almost as if you have to die for your talent - an exchange made simply by being born different.

I decided to have my very own “in aide of Amy Winehouse” shindig in my room last night. With a fashionable spoon acting as a mic, I stumbled through “Rehab”, to my personal favourite “Tears dry on their Own”. It’s weird how today’s society really only acquires any sense of togetherness when somebody passes on. I’m convinced that most of those who have sat mourning the Rehab soul singer’s death, tweeting consistently about how depressed they are, are really masking their own guilt. It’s only when a troubled soul is gone do people suddenly appreciate their greatness, and attempt to understand their discord.

Amy was troubled. Lost. Scared of her own talent. Scared of her own greatness. Born different. Her music speaks for itself, I challenge anyone to listen to “Valerie”, and to tell me that she’s just another useless, drugged up wannabe singer.

Goodbye dear Winehouse. May your beehive live on!

“I cheated myself, like I knew I would. I told you I was trouble, you know I’m no good.”

                   -Amy Winehouse (You Know I’m no Good)

Student Friendly Please

It’s funny watching students attempting to pay the bill in a restaurant. Being a UCT undergraduate myself, I identify completely when they gather any loose change together to tip the waiter, or look sheepish when they realise that they paid R72 for a portion of pasta. You know that you’re going to have to live on 2min noodles after that big spend.

Plus, student life can be draining on your pocket. Factor in late nights sipping cocktails, new clothes to bear the cold in the Cape, and you have a very sad looking bank account at the end of the month. So I’ve put together a list of my favourite budget friendly spots in Cape Town =)

Coco Wah Wah Fridays! R35 pasta after 7pm, at the Rondebosch one. Sushi lovers in Claremont have a really good deal. Food Lovers Market has half price sushi after 5pm, or head to Salushi during the day for the same deal.

The Eastern Food Bazaar in town has tasty Indian, Chinese or middle Eastern cuisine at really cheap prices. Plus, the portions are huge!

Bon Bon and Bean Cafe, in St. Peter’s Square has the BEST chocolate cake for something like R10. This stuff is addictive so I suggest you go with a big appetite for a deadly chocolate affair. I cannot say that you will leave guilt free though =)

Happy Hours – love them! Especially since some places have become so cheap that you can start calling it “happy days”.

Trenchtown in Observatory has R17 cocktails everyday between 5pm and 6pm, or you could pop around the corner to The Florentine. This gets you cocktails all night for R17!

Babbo in Claremont has a really good deal. Two-for-one pizza and cocktails between 5pm and 7pm. HA! So, who said eating was cheating?

XXX

Kickstart your body!

I feel as though today's society has been flooded with new techniques and scams on how to "beat that bulge" OR "lose those 5kgs in 3 days". The truth is: that will never happen. Yes. That's the cold harsh truth. if you want to successfully lose weight, and sustain the loss, than you really have to take it a step at a time.
I lost about 20kgs in the last 18 months. How? Sweat. Lower your kilojoules. Take that extra staircase & forgo that pizza. It's really quite amusing to me when people see me after a long time, and stare for a moment or two because they cannot believe that it really is me. I RELISH those moments. It makes that extra gym session all the more worthed!

I have compiled a list of some of my favourite weight loss strategies on how to kickstart your metabolism, and get your body ready for YOU. Trust me, you can lose all the pounds you want, but if you aren't doing it for you, than you will never really be happy. Jeez. I feel like I Dr. Phil right now. Oh, and remember, hips are cool. They add shape, cushion you against all those douche bags out there. Meat on bones - YES PLEASE! So try not to take the dieting game too far, and stop when you are your very own personal perfect! XXX


1) Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with hot water in the morning. This is my absolute favourite, because it's dirt cheap and works wonders. Lowers the GI of almost every food you have after, suppresses the apetite, helps with calcium absorption, detoxifier for the liver..The list goes on! If you can get past the foul smell of it, the try it. I like the P&P one, which costs about R11.


2) Cayenne Pepper! A pinch in hot water in the morning really kickstarts that metabolism.


3) Green tea. I sip it throughout the day, and find that it really makes a difference. Instead of going all toxic with cold drinks or juice, I go green! It apparently speeds up the metabolism by 7%, helps with the breakdown of fats, blah blah..Try the freshpak one, which is about R20 for 80 teabags.

4) Spice it up! Chilli please..I try to have a chilli with my meals, for the love of it AND because it speeds up your metabolism by 30% up to four hours after ingesting them. Love my Indian blood =) Cinnamon is also good, so I try sprinkling it in my cereal in the mornings. It's a good substitute for sugar.

5) I have half a grapefruit every morning, as a kind of wake-me-up routine. It lowers your blood glucose level, thus preventing those sugar spikes & thus preventing fat storage. Easy peasy right? Plus, it's mostly water content so it fills you up really quickly.

Grrr..Unleash your inner animal

The runways of Paris & New York have been invaded by the deadliest creatures alive. And no, I'm not talking about those skinny size 0 models. Prints have been trending for the last season, and seem set to continue for Spring/Summer.


I get teased constantly by my family for my love of leopard and zebra prints. Animal prints have long been associated with cheesy Western flicks, and women who drink too much (subsequently followed by selling their assets on the nearest street corner). But WHO CARES?? Ditch the haters, because prints have been given a makeover with many designers incorporating subtle tones within their entire collections.

Revamp your wardrobe with a leopard print cardigan, or zebra pumps. Unleash your inner feline. Embrace your wild side. The only no-no is NEVER pair two different prints within the same outfit. Its like mixing vodka with brandy - you love each, but they can never ever mingle! I like pairing a leopard print blouse with a high-waisted black skirt, complete with pumps.


Prints do not have to be restricted to boring tones of black and brown. This season, look out for leopard prints that have been infused with shades of blue or turqoise, or cheetah prints on laidback pastels. Changing it up gives this trend a fresh look, while still making a statement. Prints are about making a statement, without saying a word. Sexy. Feminine. Power. It's yours.

Come over to the dark side..we have macaroons!

I have never met a soul who did not fall in love with this French delicacy. Macaroons. Please give me more! Imagine a soft creamy centre surrounded by a crispy almond and sugar covering. Macaroons have gained immense popularity from programmes such as Gossip Girl, who use these little bites of heaven as some sort of prop. I often imagine myself sitting at a lah-dee-dah sidewalk cafe in Paris tucking into a box of macaroons, when in actual fact I'm seated on my bed in the middle of Observatory, ripping the box apart in pure greed.

If you're looking for a non-regrettable sugar rush, try the macaroons at Cassis in Claremont. They're absolutely divine and available in an array of flavours, such as pistachio, chocolate, lemon and vanilla. My personal favourite are the coffee ones! The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock also has some devilish macaroons, but sadly it's only open on a Saturday. I do prefer the ones from Cassis, as they have a softer texture and are rather pretty to look at. A dainty afternoon sugary treat that I highly reccommend.

Favourite CTFW 2011 Pics!

These are just a taste of the latest fashion trends from SA Spring/Summer 2011/2012.
Inspired by all these things South African, and more specifically the majestic city of Cape Town, these designs speak for themselves. SIMPLISTIC YET STYLISTIC. =)

Oh Yes, It's Fashion Week Baby!!

I had the most amazing opportunity to intern at Cape Town Fashion Week, during the week of 12-17 July 2011. Directly delivered from the universe, this fashionable prospect allowed me to grow, learn and develop my own interpretations of fashion writing.

I never actually realised how much work went into the production of showcasing fabulous works created by ingenious creatives. Designers from across the bottom realm of Africa who live, breathe and love fashion, those who appreciate what basic garments can offer them...For five intensifying days, I was privileged enough to be surrounded by these designer megaminds.

For all you budding fashionistas out there, be warned. The fashion industry is a dangerous one - one that makes no apologies for bruised egos, inflated pockets or skeletal bodies. Thick skinned I was, I emerged impenetrable. Making coffee, writing catwalk reports, unpacking boxes, running basic errands that even the most dim-witted could...The list of odd jobs I had to do was endless.

It was extremely humbling, and somewhat of an eye-opener to be tasked with sitting on a hard floor, laptop in hand and doing research on the latest trends. People often take themselves far too seriously in an industry that values the most up-to-date facelift procedure, above pure creative energy, and so fashion week tutored me to the most immediate levels.

Prints – leopard, zebra, polka dots. The runway seemed to crave odd patterns, shapes and incoherent colours. Bright colours made an appearance, with many designers favouring colour blocking and vivid fuchsias, neon greens and a dazzling array of blues. Unlike last season, there were not many high-waisted pants or skirts. The focus seemed to be on fabrics that flowed with every step you took, larger than life silhouettes that reminded one of the flapper girls from The Great Gatsby era.

Gold. I love, love, love it! Most of us have a metallic garment in our wardrobes, so pull them out this season ladies. My favourite aspect of the latest runway trends is that everything was so wearable! Haute-couture, but with distinct elements of ready-to-wear that could suit any body type or physique.

Most designers focused on the everyday woman who desired trendy pieces that would hide those ghastly bumps and lines, while similarly highlighting our favourable elements. I am a huge fan of waist belts that hide that extra cupcake I gobbled during the Grey’s Anatomy marathon the night before, and loose cotton shorts that compliment my behind. CTFW satisfied this for the most part.

Oh, and for those of you who fancy acting out your inner Disney darling in the form of Pocahontas, fringe it up! Fringe detailing was seen in almost every show, popping up on lace-up sandals and large capes. Remember those days when your overbearing mother would force you to wear a not-so-chic maxi to church or a family shindig? Well, you might want to rummage through your closet for any bright maxi’s that you might have, because they are certainly back with a force. Look for bright ones in jewel tones that bring out your natural skin tone, and for those who can afford to adorn stripes, try wearing a horizontal striped maxi with peep toe pumps.

My favourite show was definitely Stefania Morland’s, who took the term finale to a new level with her bird themed extravaganza. Her garments were exceptional works of art, which focused on highlighting the female form through accentuated waists and above the knee dresses. Bare backs, ruffles and dazzling cocktails dresses that were far more chic, than the clear-cut matric dance garb.

The high point of the show for me was when a model, adorned with paper birds on her head took to the stage singing a revised version of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. I was left craving more! The production value of the show was brilliantly innovative; “here we are now, entertain us”. Entertained we were.