Going Green: Electric Green Eyeliner From Ralo

I got this green eye pencil from Ralo Cosmetics in my latest Rubybox and I'm now instantly in love with colour eyeliners! I don't know how I didn't get into them sooner!

The pencil applies really nicely and its a versatile buy as you can use it as an eyeliner or smudge it out over your whole lid as an eyeshadow for full coverage.

I did a wing liner on my eye with my Bobbi Brown Gel Liner and kept the rest of my face simple and natural. I applied the colour liner under and smudged it out a bit for a dramatic line and to make the colour pop.

For only R29, 99 and a few awesome colours its a great addition to your makeup bag and easy on the wallet.

M

x

Makeup Look: Day Look with Smokey Eye

I love full face makeup even for a day look. As long as your application is soft and subtle it still ends up looking natural and pretty...with just a touch of glam.

For this look I did full foundation coverage, contouring,  full brows and softened the gold and brown smokey eye by using a lighter gold and brown eyeshadow instead of darker tones and high shimmers.

If the rest is subtle, and your lashes, brows, and cheeks pop, the look comes together in a nice full face.

I wore  a pink lip from Lancome ( not sure about the name as I've had it for a while and the sticker came off!) but a nude lip or gloss would work just as well for summer.

I'm going out tonight to a chilled birthday party and this look will be perfect to take to evening just as is or by adding a few darker browns and blending them into a stronger smokey eye with some shimmer gold tones and highlighters to make the eyes pop even more!

Foundation: 

Maybelline Cover Stick 

Essense Cover Stick

NYX Foundation

Cheeks:

NYX Powder and Bronzer

Maybelline Bouncy Blush and LA Girl Blush

Eyes:

Bobbi Brown Nude Palette

Revlon Gold Eye Shadow

Revlon Natural Palette

Bobbi Brown Gel liner

Extreme Volume Essense Mascara

M

x

Heritage Day

South Africa celebrates Heritage Day today. Although it has also been coined 'Braai Day', and that's what most of us intend on spending the day doing, I've enjoyed taking some time out of this lazy public holiday to look back at my heritage and the heritage that I will impart on my children one day.

Political heritage is something that burns strong in all of us. South Africa is still a very young country considering it only has only been a democratic one for the past 20 years. In many ways, the stain of Apartheid is still present despite the positives and ways it has endeavoured to repaired itself but we have also come a long way, and its exciting as a young South African to be part of this change.

I recently went to the Apartheid Museum with my family. Showing my son and husband where I am from and what my history is was a humbling experience. The museum is fantastic and the exhibitions are truly something to behold. I was reminded of family members who I knew that were part of the struggle and exiled, or stories from my parents and what they had to overcome during those times. It is always good to remind yourself of where you've been when looking forward to the future.

Cultural heritage is another strong influence of our behaviours and preferences. Growing up in Cape Town, my Cape Malay culture is one that I will hold dear to me no matter where in the world I may live. I've spent half of my life in Cape Town and the other half in Gauteng, and my culture is still grounded in my roots. The food, religion, architecture, music, accents, humour, and charismatic personas are all attributes of many bloodlines and cultural influences blended into our own and branded as 'Coloured'. I myself have French, German, and even Scottish bloodlines in my family, although you may not say that by looking at me. It's the beauty of South African culture and how diverse we are as a nation.

Growing up has also allowed me to invite a new culture and heritage into my life. My husband is from Belgrade, Serbia with a Italian and Croatian heritage to not to mention the very influential political and cultural heritage of Serbia. I never thought I would be standing in the kitchen one day cooking more Serbian and Italian style meals than curries and stews,  but there is something unique and exciting about the joining of not just two people but also two cultures. We celebrate certain traditions the South African way but with a strong twist of Serbian culture and when we speak to each other and other family members in the house you hear English, Afrikaans, and Serbian being spoken. We're a mix of different cultures into a very normal modern family of diversity. 

I'm celebrating my diverse heritage today, all the people who have influenced that heritage and taught me about my past and culture, and celebrating the future and heritage I will leave behind.

Happy Heritage Day!

M

xxx

Print Fever

Dress: Mr Price

Spring In Your Step

I don't know about you, but I need to get my Spring cleaning done and my closet in order.

I started my Spring cleaning in the last week of August, began strong, and then never finished which is very unlike me.

To save some cupboard space and make sure that I de-clutter my closet every season, I always pack away one seasons clothes to make room for the next.

Usually, my winer clothes would go into suitcases or vacuum packed bags and be packed away till I needed them again. But since I moved early this year and left a couple of things at my moms house, I can't seem to find some of my summer clothes, especially my shoes.

Another closet dilemma, although its really not something to complain about, is that nothing in my closet fits anymore.

Earlier this year, my husband and I began a weight loss challenge and even though we nailed it, lost the weight, and feel better than ever- nothing fits at the moment.

I'm quite nifty when it comes to quick alterations on clothes, but there's only so much you can nip and tuck, and when you need to do it to your whole closet, it can be quite the task!

In addition to me finding my packed away summer wardrobe and the alteration marathon, I'm also looking for some pieces to freshen my wardrobe up with and replace a few items.

I compiled my favourite Spring shoe finds which are all available online or at our local retailers.

Quick, easy, and affordable buys to get your shoe closet fresh and trendy for Spring in a flash!

I know I'll be needing to do a few online purchases ASAP, as if I need a reason to shop!

Wish me luck!

M

xxx

Back To Black

Coco Chanel said that "A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life".

I like to think that the same applies to a fresh new colour!

My blog got a new design makeover and I thought it was time to do the same to my hair. Going ombre blonde was a lot of fun but I felt like going back to my natural colour and changing it up a bit.

My mom and I sat in the bathroom yesterday for hours while she coloured my hair and spoke about a thousand things, giggling and laughing like little girls.

Nothing is more therapeutic than when women get together to chat and pamper and nothing lifts your spirits like a new look- I highly recommend it!

Back to Black and loving it!

Hope you like the new blog look!

M

xxx

Jumpsuit Joy

Black Jumpsuit: Fashion Express

I absolutely love a Jumpsuit!

I love the 70's look and the more 70's it is, whether its colourful, casual, or dressed up- I just love them.

I've been on the lookout for a couple to fill my closet with and I'm crazy over this one from Kapsule online boutique (www.kapsule.co.za)

What's in my Rubybox: August

Rubybox is one of my favourite presents that I've ever given myself. The concept is so great- you pay a monthly subscription and each month you get a couple of goodies to test as samples before deciding to purchase, or some months you even get the full product to spoil yourself with.

Rubybox also has their own line of products called Rubybox Beauty in addition to the tons of brands that they supply.

Another cool product is their Manbox so there's great products and treats for him and her!

How it works:

Choose a subscription that suits you and every month they'll deliver to your door. I have the month-to-month payment subscription of R169 p/m. But, if you're keen, you can also pay 6 or 12 months upfront with some great savings and discounts for doing so.

They also have a Build Your Own Box option where you pay R199 and get to pick your 5 products from a select few to the value of up to R350.

Beauty Savings:

No matter which package you choose, you save every month as the general goodie boxes are worth +/- R250

What's in the box?

This months box really felt like I had selected the Build Your Own Box option as I was in need of every product I got surprised with which was a real treat! Rubybox, you read my mind!

All the products this month were also full size so you know you scored.

Here's my take on this month's products:

Hunting for Vintage Cookware

I was on the lookout for some vintage pots, pans, and dishes to serve summer dishes, pastas, or salads in.

Whenever I get a hankering for vintage shopping (which happens often), 

Bellbottoms is my favourite place to shop.

They have an amazing collection of decor, cookware, collectables, and friendly service!

I adore vintage shopping. 

Looking at old pieces and imagining the stories they could tell, or knowing that a simple pot or book has had a whole other life is fascinating for me.

And finding a great piece that I can add my own memories to is thrilling!

After browsing old records, bubble bath containers from my childhood, vintage rollerblades, books, and photo frames, I found my dish!

A gorgeous baby blue tin server perfect for my summer recipes! 

I believe that everything is an occasion and what you serve food in and on is part of the eating experience. I made a delicious pasta that night that tasted that much better being served from my new vintage find!

Looking forward to more spring recipes over the weekend!

M
xxx

Under the African Sun

I love love love prints! And I especially love mixing different prints- it must be my early love of Missoni and Vivienne Westwood.

Enjoying my African print inspiration outfit and the African summer sunset.

xxx

Floral Top: Edgars

Skirt: Fashion Express

Shoes: Aldo

Clutch: Colette

Floral Flair

Pretoria doesn't really have a Spring season. It lasts for about a week and then its 30 degree average temperature and hot summer weather is in full swing!

I love South African summers!

Dress: YDE

Necklace: Oh Dear Megan

Gold Coin Accessories

I'm obsessed with my new necklace from Cape Town designer Oh Dear Megan!

I love the long circular pendant and coin detail in this design.

I've always  adored vintage coins and pieces that use them in the design.

My last purchase were these sugar spoons made from old South african coins from the 50's and 60's.

Now I have a trinket for my collection of vintage coin finds.

Accessories for today:

Gold Coin necklace (@ohdearmegan)

Brass clip on bangle

Gold slim bangles

Diamond ring in Rose Gold

Happy Friday!

M

xxx

Neon Safari

Shoot: Neon Safari

Makeup and Styling: Mandy September-Benini

Dress: Own Design

Clutch Purse: Woolworths

Makeup: 

Matte Orange eye shadow from MAC

 Orange Flip lipstick from Revlon

Japanese Koi colour polish from China Glaze

Cotton On Spring Store Opening

Spring day brought the opening of another Cotton On clothing store to South Africa. The Australian brand has over 1000 stores internationally and over 30 and counting in SA.

The brand has a casual laid back feel to design with hip and trendy pieces for men, women, and children.

Brands include Cotton On Body, which has women's lingerie and sleepwear, Cotton On Kids, for the hip and young, Rubi shoes which includes bags and accessories, and even the ever popular Factorie Clothing brand.

My style isn't usually laid back or too relaxed, but thats whats great about this stores- there's a little something for everyone and you can mix and match pieces and dress it up in your own way!

I've been on the look out for some summer shorts and playsuits, and of course, true to trend they had really great ones in store as well as killer lace up booties and a petite black suede heel.

Clothing averaged at about R300/R350 for the clothing items and R400/R550 for shoes.

Another Cotton On, even closer in distance,  let the summer shopping begin!

Spring is here!

Spring Season is upon us here in sunny South Africa.

Celebrating Spring day with a natural Peach Tone Palette.

Skin- Maybeline Cover Stick, Gosh Foundation, Bobbie Brown Concealer

Bronzer- NYX

Blush- Maybeline Dream Bouncy in 'Peach Satin' & NYX Cream Blush in 'Rouge'

Eyes- Bobbie Brown Ultra Nude Eye Palette

Lips- Bobbie Brown 'Carnation'

Eyelashes- Essence 'I Love Extreme' Mascara