The Dream

This week is a fail. So last night after getting home late we watched Bridget Jones' Diary for about the 100th million time. And as always, we swooned at this part.


Like I said, the dream.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

The Blend

For last week's coffee club, we went to The Blend in Roeland Street.

This cute lil spot can be easily missed and if you do you'll be very sorry. As soon as we walked in, we loved it. From the cosy setting to the friendly staff to the little decor touches, it was a great place to enjoy our morning coffee.

 

A super fabulous thing about this little cafe is that if you're a coffee fundi or even worse a coffee nazi you get to choose your favourite type of blend. Even as just a regular coffee addict this was awesome to hear. They serve Deluxe, Tribe and Kupa coffee.

 

They have a nice and simple menu with lots of mouth-watering items. Sadly as we're trying to become skinny bitches, we opted for a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon without toast (which is my kryptonite). When I'm super skinny I'm running over to try their Saturday Hangover Breakfast. It's an omelette with 5 fillings, coffee and a smoothie. Can you say "hell yeah".

I've been following them on Twitter and have noticed they have a few food specials that make me want to waste 40 minutes of my lunch break driving there and back just to indulge. Damn carb cravings. If you're in the hood you can find great deals such as R50 for a gourmet sandwich and coffee or coffee and monster cookie for R22 and muffin and smoothie for R20.

If you're in the hood, make sure you visit.

The Blend
79 Roeland Street
07h00 - 16h00

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Cotton On Super Store Launch

It doesn’t take a lot to make me smile, get me excited or scream and jump up and down. However it does take a little something special to get me to act like this:

That was me on Monday when I received an email to the launch of Cotton On’s new super store in Canal Walk. I think if you could measure the time between me reading and hastily cancelling all my other plans so I could attend would make Usain Bolt jelly.

I love Cotton On. I like that they have bright colours, the sales people always tell me I’m a Medium instead of a Large and they’re affordable. For some reasons I cannot fathom I seem to have a bad relationship with money. Obviously the amounts I spend on cupcakes, take-away coffees and glitter products are not to blame. So when something stylish and in my budget comes along I am very happy.

The only problem I used to have with Cotton On is that it seemed as if we never got the good stuff. If you looked online at the Aus store (where it’s originally from) you can see so much more fashion choices and departments. It was like we got a smidgen of what was on offer.

Well, like my willpower on a diet, that has all ended. The new store is huge for a start so it can start housing all the other departments. Instead of just the smaller pickings of ladies and menswear, we are now able to shop activewear, body, swimwear and kids. And there’s even a mini Typo gifting station. They’re from the same company so score!

There are so many options that it was hard when I was walking around. I got distracted by the lace, the glitter sweaters, the retro-style swimsuits, the colourful skinnies and the cutest pairs of knickers. 

Sue getting tres excited about the swimwear.

From what I saw nothing seemed priced over R500 which was music to my ears. In fact I heard Money Money Money ringing consistently I almost expected Donald Trump to pop out.

 

And even though they’re so well-priced there are some opportunities to save more. I noticed quite a few 2 for R250 or 2 for R400 deals around the store. In fact I managed to pick up two adorable skater skirts and got a lovely surprise when I got to the till. 

Another great thing about the store is the staff. I realise it was their first day and they were out to make an impression but they were on top form. They were helpful, attentive and promised to make every shopping experience like this one. So if you’re at Canal Walk next time and wonder why the store’s closed and I’m munching away on a plate of canapés, it’s because I’m getting the ultimate shopping experience.

Love this colourful display in the kid's department.

I must give massive props to Atmosphere Communications for the invite and the awesome morning. Make sure you get on down to the new store, it’s bitching!

For those that need the proper deets about the launch:

*Cotton On has over 1000 stores and over 150 000 employees worldwide.

*They original started 21 years ago in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

*Their target customer is 22 years old.

*South Africa currently has 17 Cotton On stores with plans to open another 12 by the end of the year.  

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Dear Future Boyfriend Part Nine

As you will soon find out about me, I take personal hygiene and style very importantly. I'm of the belief that feeling good doesn't necessarily start from the inside. In fact when I have my hair did, my nails painted and I smell ah-mazing I believe I run this world (I also have Beyonce on repeat).

Because I feel like this, I stupidly assumed so did everyone else. That bubble burst very quickly. Now as my journey to you is littered with men and boys sadly of a lesser-quality I have learnt that some males need a little help in the grooming department. I'm not saying you're one of them *but* just in case, I have jotted down some notes on styling I think you should know.

*Wash daily. A human basic you'd think but I have smelt enough men to know this is not the case.

*If you're gonna rock facial hair, you need to be serious. Make sure you know what you're working with and then take care of it. No girl wants to walk around with a guy who is sporting three errant hairs on his chin. If you take care of your hair, I'll take care of mine. Know what I'm saying!

*Wash your hair often. I'm not saying daily because it might not be able to handle it. But ensure it's clean. In my opinion very few women like the Robert Pattinson grease-ball look and even less of those women want to shag him.

*Further to that point, there is no thing as 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Whatever you knew about it before, forget it. it does not exist. If you cannot afford salon products, get your ass down to the pharmacy and just buy something legit. Nothing keeps those legs closed like a 2-in-1 combo.

*At this point in your life, you're a grown-ass man, not a pubescent horny teenage who bought into advertising. Stop using Axe. You can afford to get a really nice cologne or EDT, do it. Trust me on this, girls LOVE a man who smells nice. Personally I heart Cool Water for him and Boss Bottled, in case you were wondering ;)

*Fix your hands and feet. This should be a no-brainer but some boys are so oblivious. Feet are a serious dealbreaker. Hands I'm more relaxed about. Mainly because I walk around with chipped nailpolish all too often. But seriously if you're gonna be running your hands through our hair or doing other ahem stuff, make sure your digits are neatly filed and clean.

*Soap is not skincare.

*Very few men can pull off hats. I want to believe you're one of them. If you're not, bow out gracefully.

*I just want to touch lightly on clothing. It took me awhile to find out what works for my body so if you're still figuring out what it is, I won't hate on you. I will say hell to the no to the following: Crocs, denim shorts, silky boxers, sports shirts on any day that isn't match day, polo necks, socks with holes, vests unless under a shirt, combat pants, chunky boots, cartoon ties and mesh anything.

Just remember, despite all of this and contrary to what it seems like, I will love you for who you are.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Brand ID Lingerie Launch

Yesterday I attended the Brand Identity Media launch. Brand ID is the company responsible for bringing After Eden, Maidenform and Elle Macpherson Intimates to SA. So I think we owe them a lot ;)

I got to mingle with some fabulous other bloggers and writers including Rebecca from All4Women, FashionJazz, SA Fashion Girl, Kathryn from Becoming You and Leozette Roode.

 

We were talked through the ranges from the companies and got to learn a lot about which styles, brands and even colours work for the SA market. The new ranges are all very fabulous and it's nice to know that's a style that will suit everyone's budget. When I meet Future Boyfriend and we have money I will be parading around in Elle Macpherson (I'll also have a slammin' body by that time - hence the parading in my knickers). For now I can buy After Eden and still look as seksi.

Here are some of the highlights:

Love this bra from EMI, especially the little frill detailing.

This is an example of my fave type of underwear. Sadly not an example of my fave price point. Luckily After Eden do a similar one. See below.

Almost the same as the Elle Macpherson one but cheaper :)

How cute are these little cut-outs. I want!

Thanks to everyone involved in the launch for the invite and especially for the fabulous gift below. Cannot wait to wear my new knickers!

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Lay It On Me

Every now and again there is a call to get out of bed way earlier than expected, look decent and go somewhere. As someone who values their sleep I normally ignore this call and only stumble out of bed a few minutes before work starts looking like one of the witches in Stardust before the youth elixir takes effect.

Last week however there was a call to stop hitting the snooze button and get my gladrags on. I was invited to the Layer’d event by Press Room.

Layer’d is a fabulous boutique store in Green Point that showcases international fashion. Now normally you’d expect a shop like this to be similar to the one in Pretty Woman. You know, great clothes but scary Dementor-like saleswomen who make you feel like you don’t deserve to be in the store. 

Layer’d is nothing like this. The entire shopping experience is warm and welcoming from the simplistic yet stylish interior to the friendly staff to the flattering mirrors; you feel like you’re going over to a bestie’s house to borrow her clothes instead of being scrutinized by a part-time matriculant shop assistant who cannot abide happiness.

 

And I’ve not even mentioned the clothes! The biggest draw for me was Sea Folly aka the church of swimwear. Look at the full wall below. I was in swimming costume heaven. So many colours and styles, it was hard not to get a bit klepto and try and shove some into my bag. Other fabulous brands include Boo Radley (which boasts miracle jeans that can make you look a size smaller – please sign me up!), Metalicus – great for flattering wardrobe basics, Capital M and Hammock & Vine.

 

Two labels which are exclusive to Layer’d are Wish and Sambag. Wish has some ah-mazing dresses which I was dying to try on but my credit card was like “You still have groceries to buy. You’ll look good but have no food”. Sambag another Australian label that focuses on among other things stylish, contempory handbags and shoes. You see that tan bag up there, that’s holding a place on my Christmas List.

If you find yourself in Greenpoint, make sure you pop into Layer’d, it’s right next to the Vida in Somerset Road. So get yourself a latte and browse. You won’t leave empty-handed. If you’re in the ‘burbs, they’ve also opened a store in Cavendish. And if you can’t get to any of those, there’s whisperings of an online store opening soon. 

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!