January in Instagram

The 1st Of January (this always gets me excited for the new year) ♥ My first blog post of 2015 ♥ THINK ♥ Instagram Weekend Hashtag Project "Resolutions" ♥ Inspiration ♥ The temperature 20:03pm in the summer in Potch ♥ A selfie with Watson ♥ Spoiled myself with Sorbet ♥ I'm addicted to The Tea Merchants Tea ♥ Thom being cute ♥ Coffee is important in my life ♥ My feet loves Avon ♥ Avon Splurge ♥ Babysitting my friend's birthday present to her son ♥ I burned myself with my curling wand-ouchie ♥ It was raining so I decided to run ♥ Watson and I reading ♥ Pray..a lot ♥ Playing with the puppy ♥ A accurate picture of my blood glucose levels (some dark humor) ♥ Yeah!Loot package (watch out for a post later the month on this package) ♥ I received my certificate for my Unisa Gr2 exam (with honors might I add) ♥ A happy Australia Day to my friends ♥ No power..again so BURN all the candles! ♥ This is just the cutest Coke Bottle ever! ♥ When I read the boys are close by ♥ Pampering me on a Saturday ♥ Finished!

This will be a regular on my blog this year. It's to share with people who do not follow me on -or don't have Instagram. I LOVE instagram! Just can not help it!

Speak to you soon...or sooner!

xoxo

The Book Thief {My jumbled thoughts}

I don’t actually know how I am going to express my thoughts and feelings on this one.

It took me quite some time to actually pick it up and start reading. All the hype and reviews keep playing in my mind and shouting for me to start, they would not leave me alone! I completed The Book Thief at the beginning of January (after spending a few months on it..) and I gave it a 5 stars. I remember, after I finished it, sitting there and knowing that I have so many books to choose from (for my next quest), but I just could not bring myself to do it, because I was processing. I messaged my friend straight away and told her “oh gosh I feel changed”! (Keep in mind, this friend of mine lives in Australia and when I finished that book it was already the start of the next day seeing that they are 6 hours ahead. That’s how changed I felt!)

I am not a fan of historical fiction, I find myself rather going for the “nowadays” stuff, if you know what I mean. I also struggled getting into the book. At one point I did put it down and then I picked it up again. It was when I picked it up again that I could not put it down. It is one of those books that actually needs all of your undivided attention without any interruptions. 

Now, if you don’t know what The Book Thief is all about, go read the summary H E R E and also check it out the reviews on GoodReads 

The writing style was easy to follow, easy to read and just overall the book is wonderfully written. This book is narrated by Death. How cool is this?! His point of view is totally different and it also gives you another perspective on the characters’ lives. I loved how the characters developed throughout the book and that the characters were relatable (Well, I have never been part of a war, but they were “human”. I hope this makes sense.).

What struck me is the story had two sides (well, actually many), the Jews and Germans (well, every story does but I don’t always think about this particular situation i.e WWII). It also struck me that there were Germans who tried helping as best they could and who sacrificed their safety in the process. I never thought of that. I know this is fiction based on a true “event”, but still, I don’t always think about everything. It also hit me that although the Jews really suffered, so did the German families. Fathers had to leave and go do their “duty”. Mother and child were left behind, Germany were bombed as well (Well, of course Germany was bombed.  It was after all a war and a lot of parties were involved.)

I probably sound like a total idiot, but just bear with me. We learned about the WWII at school, but not in a lot of detail and very selectively. Now that I am older, it makes a difference. WOW!

This book was filled with emotions. I laughed, I felt sad, I felt anger, I cried and I had compassion and sympathy with the characters. The story still plays in my mind from time to time and someday I will re-read it.

It just had an impact on me that I cannot put into words. I think this is the best it is going to get. I will recommend this book to anyone actually. It is different than your usual war stories. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you have read this book, please leave a comment below and tell me what you thought about it.

Speak to you soon...or sooner!

xoxo 

  

Fury from Hell | A book review

I have been wanting to start doing this for a long time. I absolutely love reading and when I saw the post "bloggers wanted for book review" and just couldn't say no.

So, for the first time ever, enjoy my first book review!

Photo credit: Rochelle Campbell

Title: Fury from Hell

Series: From Hell Series (Book 1)

Author: Rochelle Campbell

Release date: 9 September 2014

Publisher: Self Published release

Formats available: eBook 

See more and buy the book H E R E 

This is a story of pure good vs evil. Meet the good, detective Jennifer Holden. Haunted by a murder  she committed in self defense at a very young age, and the hard realities of being handled by social agency after agency, detective Holden is a hardened atheist making her gun and bank account the only thing she believe in. We meet her just before her big solo case, the brutal rape and death of Kyrma Barnes. 

At Prospect Park not far from the scene a coven of dark witches is calling up a demon, but the demon moves on after a woman’s desperate cry for help. The victim? Kyrma Barnes. Fury Abatu will avenge her death, but the price is the dying woman’s soul.

Detective Holden arrives on the scene and is possessed by Fury Abatu, but  detective Holden is not aware she is possessed. 

Detective Jennifer Holden is thrown into a turmoil of events questioning her own believe, fighting for her life and the protection of her friends around her. Will she be able to break free and stay out of harm’s way?

Reading this book I wanted to know what was going to happen next. My curiosity got the better of me. There were times that I had goosebumps (and I was actually a bit scared to keep reading) and the plots and twists were never expected.  I liked that the main character, Jennifer Holden was a relatable character and not someone with no flaws and a “perfect” picture. This book is part of a series and the ending is a real cliffhanger with many more possibilities that leaves you wondering. What is going to happen next?

I have to be honest and say that the book is focused on a topic that is just a bit too intense for me and something I don’t really have an interest in. I would suggest this book to readers who are really interested in the paranormal and the spiritual realm combined with the suspense and even some horror. What I particularly liked is the descriptive talent of Rochelle to paint the picture for you and the fact that she had different events blending effortlessly into each other.

Where to find Rochelle

♥ Amazon

♥ Blog

♥ Facebook

♥ Goodreads

♥ Twitter

♥ Website

Speak to you soon...or sooner
xoxo

I ♥ Avon {Splurging some more}

I have been getting a lot of tweets and messages on Instagram telling me I should sell Avon, or "join this team" even, "If you are not making money with Avon, try us", kind of messages. I have considered joining the Avon team, but where I live the market is a bit saturated and for now I would like to see myself as an Avon ambassador (pick me, pick me!).

I really love Avon. It works well with my skin, the products are fabulous and it is value for your money and it suites most pockets. What more do I want?

I splurged again and this time I decided to pamper my feet and try out some new products (I am still trying to figure out how to use this new colors hehe).

This is where my money disappeared to!

♥ Extra Lasting Liquid Foundation(in Nude)

♥ Avon Nailwear Pro+ in Sea Breeze

♥ Avon SuperSHOCK Brights Mascara (in Royal)

♥ Avon Mega Effects Liquid Eyeliner (Black)

♥ Avon Glimmerstick Brights Eye Liner (Turquoise Burst)

♥ Avon Foot Works Beautiful Exfoliating Scrub (Toasted Macadamia Nut)

♥ Avon Foot Works Beautiful Moisturising Cream (Toasted Macadamia Nut)

♥ Avon Foot Works Beautiful Relaxing Soak (Toasted Macadamia Nut)

♥ Avon 8-in-1 Eye Pallet (Not so neutral)

♥ Avon Foot Works Healthy Odour Neutralising Foot Spray

♥ Avon Foot Works Beautiful Glycerine and Cocoa Butter with deep moisturising cream with massager

♥ Avon Foot Works Healthy Menthol and Tea Tree Deodorising Foot Powder

♥ Avon Solutions Stretch Mark Cream Line reducing Treatment

I will start reviewing these products shortly, I am using all of it. And loving it!

Speak to you soon...or sooner!

xoxo

No to resolutions, YES to GOALS

Every year millions of people sit down and make that decision. The decision usually sounds like this, I am going to quite smoking, or I am going to drink less, or I am going to read more, I am going to exercise more and the list go on. 

I can not remember when I last had any resolutions for a new year. I usually set them up and in the first two weeks I have broken all 10 of them (which in any case is so much to do).

Before I started this post I went and read a few other blog posts about resolutions. I first wanted to know what the difference is between a resolution and a goal. I made to decision to set goals, but I still wanted to first know the difference. This is what I found.

A resolution is like a decision stating the solution according to Realstreetblog.com. He also says that to come to the solution we must look at goals and dreams to get there. To read his blog go visit realstreetblog.com . He tells us more about the difference between dream and goals as well.

I also came across the blog examinar.com. The author is Sandi Porter. She give the dictionary explanation to the difference between a resolution and a goal, which helps me a lot in understanding this. To see what she has to say visit examinor.com

I took a dictionary and looked up the difference and this is what I found.

Resolution / noun / a promise to yourself to do or not to do something. I made a resolution to give up chocolate. (Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary.(2010).3rd ed.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)

Goal / noun / AIM an aim or purpose. Do you think I will be able to achieve my goal of losing 5 kilos before summer? (Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary.(2010).3rd ed.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)

I made the decision on what I would like to achieve this year. So, I am writing down my goals with the plan of action to achieve the resolution.

They are not in a particular order of importance, so here goes.

First off I got myself a jar. In this jar my goals will go. As well as happy things that happened to me throughout the year. For example an unexpected present, or an unexpected surprise, an answered prayer ect. So on December, 31 2015 I will sit down and read through all the things and think back on all the happy memories. No sad ones allowed. 

This is the items you will need to make yourself one. I am quite excited to start using mine!

So now that I have my jar. Here are my goals for 2015.

♥ I would like to attend and complete a photography course. I already enrolled for one and will be starting on March, 5th 2015. So after 20 weeks I will be done. Goal achievement date: 16 July 2015.

♥ I will complete at least 2 x 10 km's this year. The one I am definitely doing is in August (The Spar Woman's Challenge), but before that I have ample time to prepare for an earlier one. For this I will be using a training program from Runners World (I already got my latest edition!). Goal achievement date: August 2015.

♥ I am going to catch up on my reading. I have 28 books that have been bought last year (and even earlier...) and my goal is to finish them before the end of this year. My plan of action is to read at least two a month (that is very reachable for me), it might be more depends on how intrigued I am in the book. So lets get this heap done and dusted. Goal achievement date: 31 December 2015.

Eeeeeek!

♥ My goal is to loose 11 kilos by my 30th birthday this year in November (eeeeeek the BIG 3 O!). My birthday is 21 November. So I have 11 months to do this. I have set myself up with a persona trainer and a dietitian. So I have my action plan. Let's do this! Goal achievement date: 21 November 2015

♥ My goal is to complete my Gr3 Unisa with at least 80%. I have a piano teacher I see once a week an hour at a time. Then I have to put in hours at home. So at least an hour a day and more on weekends. I will do this! Goal achievement date: May/June 2015.

♥ My goal is to empower myself with knowledge. I am doing the photography course, but I want to complete a writing course as well and at least 1 other. So I will have to enroll myself asap. I have no excuse working at the North West University! Goal achievement date: 1 December 2015.

♥ My goal is to spend more time in God's word. I have to set up an action plan, but I am getting myself a count-ability partner and together we will do this. Goal achievement date: The whole year.

So, this is my goals for 2015. It is specific and I have set dates by when it should be completed. I am really excited. 

The thing I like most about the start of a new year is the diaries and calendars. I plan my year out on them. Yes, I never know what is going to happen, but I like to plan and keep track. It is very good for remembering birthdays. You never know when Facebook will crash! (tee-hee)

This is my cute little diary and calendar I will be using this year

You guys are my witnesses and must ask me...constantly how I am doing. I have some big ones in there that kind of scare me, but this year I am challenging myself. So here we go!

Here's to 2015. No to resolutions, YES to GOALS!

Speak to you soon...or sooner!
xoxo

Looking back on 2014

I can not believe that 2014 is done (well almost. To be exact I have half an hour). I looked back on my year and it's been an up and down ride. I had some sad ones and I some happy's and I learned quite a few things about myself and life in general.

Lets hop right in and shed the last tears (if there is any left) on 2014 and start getting excited for 2015!

What I learned on:

♥ Marriage

Marriage is hard work. Don't let anyone tell you any different. But if both is willing to work it's a walk in the park. Sometimes you will fight, even to the point when you want out, but it is just there that you should fight..together. One of the things I learned this year was to not take anything for granted. For example that your husband or wife knows exactly how you feel or what you want.I always thought that my husband and I were perfect because we could talk or sometimes don't have to talk at all. Some situations arised this year that made me re-evaluate our communication skills. This year we both learned how to communicate again. Communication is key.I can not say this enough. I did not know, realise, how important communication is until I was wacked in the face with it. All I want to say is, communicate. Communicate with your mom, dad, siblings, husband, boyfriend, friends. No one can read minds and this can solve a lot of problems. Listen walks hand in hand with communication, but that is a discussion for another day.

♥ Life

There is a lot of life lessons we learn everyday, but my life lesson was about friendships. I went through so much up and downs. First I hate them, then I love them, then I miss them and round and round it went. To the point where I just not wanted to anymore. I had to go regroup the people in my life and I had to make some tough choices where I am going to stick and where I am going to let go. What I learned was that people are in your life for a reason, season or a lifetime. Cut your losses and move on. Don't put in any effort into friendships that don't  see you as important. I had to learn that the seasons have passed. I almost had no real friend cause I was clinging to what was. What I left behind. Now I can say that after I dealt with it, I have new friends with who I can walk a new path and discover new things. Go read my post on friendships A Heartfelt expression. It will make more sense.

♥ Health

The thing that hit me right between the eyes were You are your only obstacle. There is nobody standing in your way except for yourself. It all depends on how badly you want it. I had a pretty bad winter and start of summer. Each time something big was about to happen in my health and with my fitness, something came up. I started to think that somebody does not want me to succeed. I started making excuses believing that I was just not meant to do this. But the only one who was keeping me from doing what I should, was me. I had to start looking at myself and I am still not done looking, but for 2015 I have a whole new game plan. You can not blame anyone if YOU are not working on you. Bring on the new year.

♥ Reading

I am an avid reader. I read a wide variety, but this year I wanted to challenge myself. I picked up a book and I started it. It was such a drag and I was so lost when I got to the middle.I didn't know if the book is starting or not. I have a policy by myself that every book I start, I must finished. How wrong I was. Nobody is going to judge you. Nobody is going to think differently of you. Damn, nobody will even care if you finish it or not. I asked a friend what should I do. Here answer was simple, "Put it down and move on. Don't waste your time on a bad book for you." This year I put down a book for the first time. I felt so free! I could move on to something better. I learned that one good book should not spoil your love for reading. So, I am moving on and in the new year I will reach new heights with my reading.

♥ Money

All I want to say here (and I am sure that you have heard this a thousand times), Money does not buy happiness. You could have all the money in the world and you would still not be happy. I learned this year to appreciate family, friends and not "stuff. You always hear about "the little things". It is that smile or hug you need. I spent a lot of money. I like to call it Retail Therapy. That is maybe just my way of justifying buying to feel better. I learned to look at things differently. I also made peace with how I view my possessions. It is just that, possessions.Yes, I will be very mad if someone takes my stuff, but life has so much more value that "stuff". So in the new year, here is to the little things.

I am really excited for 2015. I will have goals and I am going to reach new heights in all aspects of my life. What did you learn in 2014? I would love to hear!

Speak to you soon...or sooner!
xoxo

Last HAUL for 2014 {I love spending moolah!}

Hey peeps!

So, before this year ends I would like to share with you my last shopping haul. I visited a few places including my favourite Woodlands Boulevard. They have a wide variety of shops to suite everybody's pocket. I always have a ball! Places visited also includes Kolonnade, Moorivier Mall and Canal Crossing in Potchefstroom.

So, lets have a look on what I spend my money on!  

  Yankee Candle in Woodlands Boulevard. 

 This skinny hot chocolate is from Irene Diary Farm's Deli

 These items is from TYPO in Cradle Stone Mall in Krugersdorp. 

 Some T's from Cotton On Woodlands Boulevard

 Just look at these cute bags!! It's for a good cause. Every time you buy from any shop in the Cotton On family you can buy one or a few of these bags and the proceeds goes to their 

Cotton On foundation. Such a good cause! To read more click H E R E 

 This Shirt and Maxi Skirt is from Factory (part of Cotton On) in Woodlands Boulevard

   The Camera book I bought at PNP Woodlands Boulevard and the John Green Novel from Die Boek Oase (The Book Oasis which was a stall at Aardklop this year)

 PNP Clothing. I love Pick 'n Pay's Clothing line. It is quite good quality and very comfy and this is my first Disney character clothing I own as an adult!

 This cute summer dress is from Woolworths in Moorivier Mall. Got it on sale!

 The shirt is from Cotton On and the shoes from Bata in Kolonnade, Pretoria

 The t and crop denim is from Foshini in Moorivier Mall and the shoes Bata in Kolonnade.

 This is a combination of Kolonnade and Woodlands Boulevard. Purse from YDE and Cutex from Sorbe. Both Kolonnade. The jewelery all from Lovisa in Woodlands Boulevard. I love their jewelery!

So, as you know I got a new camera and I was looking for a new bag. I love Lowepro. They are very good quality and the padding is great for keeping your camera safe. This bag has a lot of pockets and fits perfectly on my bag (after some adjustments). I bought this bag from Sounds Great in Woodlands Boulevard.

 Then, can I rave a bit over the new shop I stumbled upon. The Tea Merchant. They specialise in tea! Duh! But man the smells and the tastes and the cute products they have. I can not wait to try out my tea. Check them out on Twitter H E R E

 And just look at that tea infuser! I'm dying! So cute!

 The Body Shop has their end of year sale and of course I had to spoil myself. So I opted for some shimmer lotion, lip butter and hand cream. All in their Christmas flavor Glazed Apple. It smells divine!

 I recently visite Sorbe in Woodlands Boulevard  and I wanted to try out their products. SO I spoiled myself with this cute little bag filled with lovely products! I am excited to try these out.

 A new shop, My hartjie my Liefie, opened in the new Center Canal Crossing in Potchefstroom. This little top is a magic top. It hides any unwanted thingy you don't like and fits like a glove! 

 These earings are my new favorite. It's got two studs and it looks really pretty in your ear. 

 This short and top is SO comfy! And it is locally made by the designer, Regtig Awesome (Really Awesome) from Prieska here in SA. I am so proud!

What have you been spending your money on lately?

Speak to you soon...or sooner!

xoxo