Birthday week that Was

My birthday celebrations started on Monday night and lasted for 3 nights (technically 4 if you count the fact that tonight I have been online catching up and chilling - something I needed)

Monday night: Madame Zingara
I have wanted to do this for so long, but the the price of the tickets was a bit of a turn off. I am so glad I finally went. The opulence and effort put into the set up and design; never mind the talent & awesome food was so worth it.
The waiters are all dressed up in various costumes and most of the audience have at least 1 or another type of dress up item on.
Mom and I bought a cute little hat that I think will be making an appearance for a few occasions because I love it so much :-)

The acts include a 3 man balancing act who are amazing, a contortionist who I had to see to believe, 3 drag queens who can sing so well & a few other fun acts. The show closes with a fun rendition of Time Warp - which reminded me that I really want to see the Rocky Horror Picture show again :-)

I got to open presents from my parents & I was spoiled with a pair of Guess heart earrings (hearts are my favourite shape, Guess is my favourite "I Want" brand)
I also was lucky enough to get 3 OPI nailpolishes. The pink, sparkly one is called Princesses Rule - how apt is that?
Seen in the picture below is the cute little hat I bought - my mom has a purple variation.

On Tuesday, my 2 bosses sang happy birthday over the phone, which was really sweet :-)

Tee gave me an awesome start to my day, with a 1D birthday card - she even managed to include 3 pictures I have not seen before (that is no mean feat of it's own!)

Another friend also sent me a 1D birthday wish (and she is the one who teases me the most) I love how she randomly scratched out the name Ashley - ha ha ha!

A work colleague surprised me with a nice bottle of Alto, another colleague gave me a pretty cellphone charm and compact mirror and 2 other ladies gave me money to put towards my coffee machine.

That night (after working late instead of leaving at 12:00) I was late for my own party. I was so upset after the truly terrible day, that I contemplated cancelling the evening, but the girls were already on their way, so I had to go. I am glad I did in the end. 

The girls and I went to my favourite steak restaurant - HQ.

We all wore feather boas - a tradition I think I might carry through - it started last year at my party in Parys and I like the boas, they are fun and make for colourful pictures.

The girls also spoiled me with @Home vouchers to put towards my coffee machine and Tee took it 1 step further and included a magazine with One Direction posters and an interview.

I love that my friends know me so well to know what will make me grin like an idiot smile

JR arranged for a colleague to buy me a bunch of flowers because he was in Cape Town - how sweet is that?

On Wednesday night, my friend TT took me out for sushi and wine and I was lucky enough to get another present: a gorgeous purple snood. I am looking forward to wearing it tomorrow now that the weather has become rather chilly. The colour is perfect, as most of my wardrobe this season is purple and grey.

So I really have been a spoilt girl.

The best part about birthdays - besides being spoiled with presents - is the people who put special thought into writing a nice letter or picking out a simple gift, but putting thought into it. 

This is the time where I see who my true friends are. And I must tell you, I am a very lucky lady.

Winter Favourites

I am not a fan of winter, however I am happy that I get to wear different clothes. My summer wardrobe was very limited and this winter I was forced to buy a few new items (I had last bought a winter wardrobe for my job - 4 years ago)
The best 2 items I have bought have to be my 2 shift dresses - perfect for hiding my Gloria fat rolls & a variety of coloured tights.
The 1 thing about countries in cold climates that gets me down is that people tend to wear dull colours - grey, black & brown.
I like colour - so the variety of tights put me in a good mood, even when it is cold!

I have black chunky tights, plain grey, pink diamond, plain purple, purple stripes (below)

Paired with a skirt and either high heels, flat boots or boots with a heel, your outfits can be versatile... and colourful!

Weekly Recap

This past week has been a very busy one!

On Saturday was our regular book club meeting.
This week the theme was 80s.
I had alot of fun with my hair crimper and blue eyeshadow & wish I had taken a close up photograph.
This was the overall result:

On Sunday the girls & I went to watch Dark Shadows and had sushi for lunch. I do love Johnny Depp in these roles, however I felt that a part of the storyline was so random & a bit over the top, but otherwise it was entertaining enough for a day out.

On Tuesday I went to my friend AC to watch Vampire Diaries, I do so enjoy that series!

Wednesday was a girls night out movie at Ster Kinekor and we watched The Lucky One with Zac Efron. I expected to cry more seeing as it was a Nicholas Sparks adaptation, but it was a good movie. Taylor Schilling is an actress I have not seen before, but I must be honest and say that she really irritated me for some reason. I can't put my finger on it, but I didn't enjoy her acting too much.
The love scene with Zac though, that man's body is delicious and his eyes - oh I could get lost in them. I have always had a weakness for dark hair and blue eyes!

On Thursday we had dinner with a supplier at Mythos and I tried a steak topped with feta cheese and olives. Simply delicious.

Friday was a frightfully dreadful day at work, making me happier that I at least sent in my Top Billing audition papers. That night I did some home decorating and put up my new wall art vinyl stickers in my bedroom as well as revamped my fridge:

It was harder than expected, & instead of going to the gym, I curled up on the couch with my kitties and watched quite a few episodes of Secret Circle. I am loving this series too!

Saturday I had breakfast with my friend at Design Quarter and then went on a huge window shopping spree. I didn't buy anything, but then got home and regretted it.

I even cooked a meal for myself (we should be getting snow) I cooked roast chicken last week and this week was a delicious fish and salad. Who knew I had it in me.

Lately after my body has decided to reject everything I usually eat I am having to become more innovative and it seems cooking from scratch is the way to do it.

Today I went back to the shops and bought a new pillow - I have not slept well these past 2 weeks and I am hoping that apart from stress, that it is because of my pillow.

I also bought a gorgeous photo frame which I can now fill with photos and put up on my wall.

I bought a totally unnecessary mug which says "faking It" My life motto is 

If you don't Feel it, Fake it

So you can understand why  I bought it! :-)
I also finally invested in a spaghetti spoon, I make too much mess trying to dish spaghetti up with a fork.

I am now off to the gym. Bleh.

While the rest of you are sitting on your couch snuggling, think of idiotic me and shake your head as you ask what on earth I was thinking.