Friday Favourites {Link Up}

I'm linking up with Amanda today at Meet at the Barre for Friday favourites.

Check Out Amanda's Link Up

I just wanted to share a few of my favourites from this week (or all time) I haven't exactly planned this post out:

Favourite Quote:

In memory of Maya Angelou passing away this week...

Favourite Viral Video:

Turns out this is a year old, oh well, I came across it this week and it is super cute!

Favourite link:

Is a tie between the grandmothers reading Beyonce lyrics and the top five regrets people have on their death beds.

Favourite Song:

Seriously, I am IN LOVE with this song, or his voice or both!

Favourite Footballer :

Okay, this is not really a category but seriously, it's Steven Gerrard's 34th birthday today and I couldn't just ignore that! I just adore him!!!

Have an awesome weekend!

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Hump Day Confessions {Link Up} #2

So I decided I better prepare this post in advance (and by that I mean it's the night before) so that I actually end up posting something. Last week I wanted to link up but I ended up having another blank post and thinking, "what do I need want to confess?"

That's the reason, this week I'm keeping it simple. 

~ My nails were really long, no really and now that I cut them to short I am battling to type on my iPhone again (can you say #FirstWorldProblem ?)

~ I'm planning on being in Joburg from next week for a while and I'm excited for it but dreading it at the same time. I miss my friends and family but I hate to not be in my own space. I'll probably be staying with my brother, which I managed to do for over 20 years growing up but now that we haven't lived together for a while, we tend to get on one another's nerves a bit more than the usual sibling stuff lol  (again, #FirstWorldProblem)

~ I'm also going to go to Durban for a few days for a babyshower and even though I have planned the games and stuff, I'm still behind schedule with where I wanted things to be

~ I've been somewhat hibernating. While, I have been around people, I have managed to say the least bit I needed to say without it seeming odd. Maybe it's the cold?

~ I am in love with White manicures! I'm not sure if it's my resistance to the change in season and everyone changing their nails to darker shades but seriously, the white nails are definitely looking good, right?

~ Despite my little rant last week about me not being obsessed with the Kimye wedding, I have to confess, I was keeping up with the hashtag #KimyeWedding most of last week.. and I still going. But seriously, how gorgeous was her dress? I'm surprised by the simplicity of her hair but I didn't like the headpiece she used for her wedding to Kris Humphries so maybe this was a better choice.

~credit~ These were from Kim K's wedding to Kris

~Credit~ Mr & Mrs West

~ while I love to dance, I hate going clubbing. Seriously, this 17 year old pretending she's 20 grinding up on everyone like she's Miley Cyrus does not encourage me to put on my dancing shoes. 

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~I have given up on myfitness pal. It lasted about two weeks. 

~ Last confession, I didn't actually finish this post on Tuesday night, in typical procrastination station (where I live as of late always) I'm finishing it right before I press "Publish".

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Anyway, be sure to check out some of the other humpday confessions with Kat at Life In Progress.

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Monday Motivation

I've recently become obsessed with Pinterest and while I am still working it all out, I wanted to share some of my motivational pinned items. 

I'm really hoping for this:

And this one definitely gets me moving: 

However, this is the one which speaks to me the most :

If you want, feel free to check out my other pins here. 

Remember it's Monday so here's a song to get you thinking..

Hope at least one of you find motivation in these... have an incredible week, make it count! 

Follow along and say "hi" : Facebook ~Twitter ~ Bloglovin ~ Instagram ~Pinterest 

The Most Romantic Declarations of Love {TV Series}

Well, hello!!

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It feels like I haven't been around here for a while although this post has been a draft for several days and actually finishing it off has taken more time then I thought it would... it's just been one of those weeks. Wish I could share it with all of you but firstly some of you wouldn't care (no judgment, here) and secondly there is stuff I actually prefer to keep off my blog. Anyway, back to what this is about -

This post was prompted by this article I found on Twitter and let's be honest it is spot on. Shonda Rhimes sure knows what she's doing when it comes to writing love speeches but a few of my favourite love scenes/declarations were not included because Shonda didn't write them so here we go, some of my favourite scenes, tell me if I missed anything?

Setting the tone but it didn't make my top 10

Cristina never heard possibly the best vows ever written.

10.  When Meredith almost died (for the first time)

Meredith knew she was going to have a bad day and boy did she ever. Derek was doing the honourable thing by staying with his wife, Addison, even though he was still in love with Mer. When she almost died because she put her hand on a bomb (not a good idea) but in this scene she explains that she was going to die and she couldn't remember the simplest sweetest moment between her and Derek, what was their last kiss. The fact that he does, in such sweet detail makes the moment so beautiful. 

9. "Watch me choose you"

I watched this on tender hooks, Fitz said he'll choose Liv and I didn't expect him to wait with her. It's not so much the chemistry in this scene as opposed to how much it meant.

8. Kate kisses Sawyer

This is an old one but this was an incredibly anticipated moment! Kate sent the first two seasons fighting the obvious chemistry between her and Saywer. I remember literally sighing when I watched it the first time.

7.  MerDer Proposal

While this may surprise the Greys fans out there that it features so late, you can only imagine how many I had to push off the list for this to make it on here. Even though we knew it was coming, Derek took the proposal that we all hoped for and made it perfect! Shonda outdid herself with the most beautiful love story! It's medical, collaborative and one of a kind, which is what their love is.

6. Burke's love for Cristina was consuming

While it doesn't seem like the deepest moment, we all knew that Isaiah Washington was being written off the show due to his homophobic rants at T.R.Knight but the truth is the Preston Burke loved Crisitina Yang. He saw her flaws, he saw her potential and he loved her. When the reports came through that he would be returning to Greys, I was excited. I always felt that Burke and Yang's relationship was never completely finished and frankly, I'm just not a fan of Owen/Cristina. Even if I was, this was beautifully said!

5. Elena isn't sorry

Elena finally has clarity, she doesn't feel obligated in any way to Stefan. She sees that she wasn't being tricked into her feelings for Damon, it's real, she's in love and she's not sorry. Best TVD scene ever!

4. It's you

I was completely obsessed with this show and this couple. I watched for seasons while Lucas kept making the wrong choices. It was difficult but I loved that they always had a connection and finalllllllllllllly Luke woke up and saw it for himself. It wasn't a long speech but it was one of my favourite TV declarations, ever!

3."I'm nothing and you're everything"

Another stellar scene, President Grant sure knows how to use his words well.

2. Meredith lays it on the line and says the one thing no woman ever wants to have "Pick Me"

I really battled to choose between this one and my number 1 pick but the truth is for Mer and Derek, this was a pivotal moment. This was the scene where they went from being a couple who was dating to being the greatest love story ever to come out of Greys Anatomy. Meredith put her heart (and PRIDE) on the line when she begged Derek to choose her. Instead of it being seen as pathetic and needy, it was heartbreaking, brave and true.

1. "You own me!"

THIS is my best love declaration scene ever! Both of them stating how much they loved one another but neither conceding that the other person could possible love them more. It;s beautiful and well written and left me in tears.

That's it folks! I had a number of other moments to include but couldn't bare to push any of these out of this list.. but please let me know what you would have added in your list?

Have an awesome weekend!

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I survived 100 Happy Days

I'm not sure if you remember way back in February of this year I embarked on the 100 Happy Days challenge. Before I began, I was playing around with the idea for a few weeks... then I decided to commit to it and just over 100 days later, I can say I survived the challenge, last week Thursday to be specific.

Considering that it's Monday Sunday Night but you will be reading this on Monday, you should know I love to start the week off on the right note. Which is why you should also know that the only thing that could make me happier than a ticket to the World Cup in Brazil this year, is to round off this challenge with a very quick recap.

Nailpolish, Social Media, My niece is getting bigger in the babybump, Divergent Series, My Blogiversary, Suits, Sushi, Scandal, New Recipes and Voting  

I honestly cannot believe that 100 days have passed and while I am not going to lie, it was definitely a challenge I can also admit that looking for a happy moment in everyday situations has cultivated into a habit for me.

Have you tried the challenge? Leave your link or #hashtag so that I can check it out.

What's been going on in your last 100 days? Or looking forward, what have you got planned for this week?

PS: It's Monday (technically), so here's a happy submission for Music Monday!

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#FirstsTotalSocial {Link Up}

Linking up with Helene and Sarah on all social media platforms, please join in with whatever first you want to share, just include the hashtag #firstsTOTALSOCIAL





Here I am, sharing the first photograph I ever added on Facebook. For some reason I thought it was a good one, I now know, it wasn't but I supposed it's because I took it at a wedding reception and I was in a really good mood but really looking back, it was bad one.

The picture was taken on my Samsung D500 in June 2006 and the quality shows.

I was 19 years old, apparently I hadn't learnt how to use make-up and I was proud of this picture. I used it as my first Facebook profile picture and my first Twitter profile picture! Shameful really when I look back at the quality.

Either way, that's the story behind my first photo post, ever!

Remember you can join in with the link up without "linking up" just use the hashtag #FIRSTSTOTALSOCIAL

Humpday Confessions - Link Up

~ ... this is my first time linking up despite saying I will do it months ago

~ ... I overslept this morning, no, like really badly, like 3 hours overslept! I thought I snoozed my alarm, actually I put the alarm off!

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~... I've been using my fitnesspal for the last three days but I am pretty sure I am not getting the proper use out of it, I am pretty sure I am supposed to have some sort of community but it's basically acting as a calorie counter

~ ... as any football or soccer fan of the English Premier League will know, that Liverpool FC didn't win, but I am honestly ok with it, I know we should have won but the fact that it went down to the last game of the season is an incredible. Last season we finished 7th and this season 2nd. Definite improvement!

~... I have about 6 blog posts all in draft and everyday I mean to finish them off but I have been procrastinating at a ridiculous level

What are your humpday confessions?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all my readers!!!

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Hope you have a wonderful day with your family, whether you are close to your mom or not, remember you wouldn't be here without her!

I am privileged to say that I still have both my grandmothers and my mom and Godmothers - so I am truly blessed.

Me with my mom 

Today I get to spend the day with my mom - so whether you see or speak to your mom today ( I know of a few sad cases) just send a prayer or thought of love her way!

Also, these songs are cliche but perfect for all the mothers in my life...

How are you spending the day?

Movie Addict : April Edition

I know I'm late with this post but I've been busy procrastinating didn't go to the movies that much this past month but I did manage to watch the following movies:

Divergent

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Absolutely enjoyed this film. It released a few days after I finished reading the book and I was beyond thrilled. I really enjoyed the casting. Tris and Four were perfectly cast.

The movie takes place sometime in the future in an enclosed city which has been divided into factions based on the core personality traits of the individuals. The problem arises when some people do not have core personality traits but have multiple personality traits.

Noah

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I grew up with the story about Noah and the Arc. I always thought about and at times, my family and I would discuss how it really went down compared to the cute storybooks. The practical questions were the ones that would stump my brother and I but we let it go.. The movie was, at times disturbing. Noah's thought process was horrific but the just of it was interesting and disturbing.

That Awkward Moment

Is this normal??? We know Zac's answer...

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While this is by far no Oscar film, it was funny and full of Zac Efron Eye Candy moments. The storyline was predictable but totally worth it because it meant I got to watch Zac's baby blues that much longer. To be honest, I was hoping there would have been more development of the storyline of "That Awkward Moment" but alas, it was schemed over with a brief explanation of when a girl says..."So...."

Parkland

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This is the story of JFK's assassination and the alleged shooter. I must admit, I don't know much about the history of the JKF's assassination, it was very sad to watch.

What interesting movies have you watched recently?

Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's day is this upcoming Sunday, May 11th. You're welcome for the reminder...(in case you haven't picked up any of the tips that all the TV adverts are throwing). If you are like me, and you didn't forget you've just been side tracked, here are some of my fail safe Mother's Day gift ideas.

Pajamas - my mom is slightly obsessed with pjs so I can always getting away with good quality pjs. 

Woolworths, Fleece PJs, R225.00

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Bath Robe -  with South Africa going into our colder months, a bath robe is perfect for moms. While I like lighter colours, practically speaking, moms are always busy in the kitchen or cleaning up so a dark colour would be better. However a pattern is always fun.

Mr Price, Polka Dot Fleece Gown, R129.99

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Picture Frames - my brother and I have bought my mom two different frames for mother's days. The first was a beautiful matte silver frame, engraved with a short message and our names and, a picture of us. The second frame was also a picture with us and a cute " I LOVE MOM" sticker. If you're going to give your mom a frame, make sure you put the pictures in it.

Love and Heart Frame , Mr Price Home, R129.00 

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Spa Treatments, whether it's a pedicure, back massage to a full day treatments. Almost every woman I know loves to be pampered. Most moms don't think they should take a time out for themselves, so you should take the initiate to it. Obviously you should know whether your mother is one of the few who don't like people touching them. If you opt for a manicure or pedicure, maybe get one for yourself so you and your mom can spend that time together. 

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Jewellery - While my mother is not crazy about jewellery but a lot of mother's do enjoy it so here are one of my more extravagant picks. 

American Swiss - Michael Kors Chain Runway ~ R3499.00

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Perfume ~ My mom loves Amarige but again, this should be a matter of taste and you should know your mom's taste and if you don't this would be a great time to learn. 

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Here are some additional Mother's Day tips:

* Call your mom early, if you're not with her. 

* Buy her a card. While we live in a technology obsessed world, moms' love cards

* Don't buy a gift voucher. Gift voucher's are impersonal and your mother is one of the eople in the world who never receive an impersonal gift.

* Spa Vouchers are acceptable, because it shows that you've thought about her.

* Flowers, take them or send them, they are always welcomed.

* If you live in the same city as her, make time and go see her, or spend time with her. 

Do you have any Mother's Day tips?

The Scent of Rain and Lightening (Nancy Pickard) - Blogger Book Club

I'm a few days late with April's BBC review but that's only because I only started reading it a few days ago.. I need to let you know this is the last of the Blogger Book Club series because Kay has decided to end it. It's sad but I completely understand her reasons. It was no longer fun for her and I get it, reading is suppose to be fun.

Anyway, moving along you can read the Goodreads synopsis here. 

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My Synopsis

Essentially, Jody returns to her hometown, where her parents were murdered when she was three years old. the murderer was Billy Crosby and he's been released from prison early based on some irregularities in the case due to his son Collin, pursing fair legal process. 

Jody and her uncles, Bobby and Chase, aunt Belle and her husband Meryl with her grandparents Hugh-Jay and Annabelle are left reeling with the idea that Billy will be in their town. The question whether there was due process and whether Billy was guilty has Jody looking into things and that includes conversations with Billy's son, Collin who she's always been strangely drawn too.

I liked this book, initially I thought it was strange how it started in the present then moved into the day before Jody's parents were killed or went missing. However as the book continued I really got into it. Jody's mom, Laurie, surprised me in the end  as she wasn't as self obsessed as I thought and while it was clear to me that Billy was unlikely to have murdered Hugh-Jay, I knew who I believed was the killer. I was wrong. I gasped when I found out - not exaggerating!

This was not a book I would have necessarily picked out before reading my own book choice but I really ended up enjoying this novel. 

It's not a crime novel or a romance, it's a small town with a terrible tragedy - and what people do to survive. The characters are well developed and for the most part likable almost 99% percent of the time.

I'm glad I read this book even though BBC has ended. Don't worry, I'll still be reviewing books of my choice! 

Have a great weekend, I have loads of posts coming up ....