Girls Night Out Knocks Me Out

~ Credit ~

On Friday night, after I spent most of the day with a migraine I got dressed up for Girls Night Out with two of my besties and two more of one of my bestie's friends. Initially Friday night was supposed to be a belated celebration of one of my friend's birthdays. I've never actually asked them how they feel about being a part of my blog so I'll call her Bestie 1,  while I was in Johannesburg and Durban early last month I missed her birthday which is obviously bad form so we agreed to go this past Friday night, she was going to bring along two additional friends of hers. It just so happened, Bestie 2, was in Cape Town for the work and the weekend and we decided we needed to get together to celebrate what we called "the fallen exes" - the reason behind that s a whole other post and maybe one day I'll tell you about it. 

I digress, Friday evening I picked up Bestie 2 and we went for dinner, which was delicious at Salushi in Claremont we had a catch up session with cocktails, sushi and an array of tapas starters. 

Unfrozen Margarita and Pink Lava

After we were done, we went to pick up Bestie 1 and her friends but before we left another round of drinks, this time a little Gin and something pink for me I think.. 

Bestie 1's friend said she had a friend (guy) who invited her to a few places where he way deejaying and we should come because he'll put us on his guest list. In light of the fact that we didn't have any particular set plans of where were going, besides the fact that we wanted to dance, we agreed. I'll spoil the next bit of the story, these places do not have nor need guest lists

When we walked into Place One, we were the only females in the place, everyone looked at us like we crazy to be there... and then like we were meat.

~ Credit ~

She called her friend but he had gone to Burger King quick and wanted us to wait for him. Ummmm, NO. We agreed for her sake we would go to the next place and wait for him. 

Place Two, was better, but that doesn't say much of anything because the first place was so crap. Except that there were actually females in the second place and it didn't  have a foul smell. 

~ Credit ~

At this stage the girls were saying we can have a drink or two and if we don't like it we could go to another place but I don't drink and drive (over the legal limit) so if we were staying we had to stay all night because I was going to get picked up with my car later. I can't remember how it happened but we decided to leave and the consensus was go to Long Street (if you ever visit Cape Town or have been before, you'll know that Long street is the long street with bars and pubs and clubs where people hang out) because there are lots of options. 

After 20 minutes of driving around town looking for parking, and all my passengers who have lost their earlier buzz we made it into Place 3. It was definitely different to Places 1 and 2. The music was much better but it was so packed that some of the girls were feeling hot and bothered, and not in a good way. After a few rounds at this place, one of the girls elected to stay in Place 3 and the rest of us made our way to Place 4, which we clearly had to walk to.

Rounds 4, 5 and 6

Place 4 was reliable, we've been there often, it's got a nice vibe and enough space for you to dance but still mingle.The only thing was they were using their smoke machines way too excessively and every time they used it I would spend the rest of the song fanning in front of my face so I could see again. We drank some more but mainly danced and chatted. It got a bit awkward at times because I clearly forgot what protocol is for when a guy approaches you in a club so at times I felt like this... 

~Credit~

Essentially we stayed there until they kicked us out at 04h15. 

However, Bestie 1 said she was going to take a cab with her my new two friends and Bestie 2's sister was in the area and would take her home so I just needed my parents to come fetch me and my car so I could get home. Which they did. 

Lessons from GNO:

1. Have a plan of where to go

2. Don't mix your drinks too much

3. Never drink Jagermeister shots 

4. Have a back up plan

5. Dance, chat or drink (ideally all) with your girlfriends

6. Have a designated driver or at least awesome parents that will come out and fetch you and your car at 5am.

I felt so tender on Saturday night, but still went bowling and on Sunday I realised that it wasn't all the alcohol that hurt me but more a bug I seemed to pick up because Sunday night I was still in a ridiculous amount of pain when clearly all the alcohol had left my system. 

This was yesterday's feelings

I haven't had a night out like that in a while and it was so much fun but I think the 20 year old version of GNO and the 27 year old version of GNO in my books no longer mean the same thing.. I cannot take two days to recover from one night...

What's your favourite thing to do for GNO??

Book Review: By A Thread - R.L. Griffin

I get ridiculously lazy when I have to actually do the reviews of books if too much time has passed after I'm finished reading a book but seriously, I think I should do my reviews as soon as I have read them so I can remember how I feel about the book

The Goodreads description:

Stella's future was set, and it was a bright one. She was engaged to a man she adored, and was headed to law school in the fall. Tragically, her perfectly planned future ends just as it was beginning.

With no ties to family or friends, Stella finds herself alone in a new city, spiraling out of control. Her typical day comes to a close with her passed out on the floor; sometimes clothed.

Luckily, her new roommate, essentially a stranger, is dead set on getting Stella past her grief and back to functioning within society. Putting one foot in front of the other, she climbs up from the bottom of a bottle. Even with all her progress, Stella walks through life unfeeling, numb. Defiant, she sends out warning signals for the world to keep away. But, is that what she really wants?

With the steadfast help of a few tight knit friends, she gradually begins to feel again. She starts to savor the flavor of food again; lets herself notice how the handsome bartender glances at her. Still, after allowing herself a fling, she wonders if she will ever be able to let go of her shattered past, fully enjoy the present, or get over what she thought would be her perfect future and with the man who destroyed her heart

Here's my goodreads review:

By a Thread by R.L. Griffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stella, the main character is not an easy person to understand because she has been given circumstances that are unimaginable.
It became clear that had the novel started too far in advance of the incident which shapes the book I may not have liked her too much.
I enjoyed this novel more than I thought I would and found myself thoroughly invested in the story and the characters. I didn't realise there was a follow up to the book and now I can't wait to read it.
Great writing by R.L. Griffin

View all my reviews

Can I just say this book seriously surprised me. While at times I thought it's predictable there were still so many twists and turns. The Prologue will get you hooked and believe me all the chapters in between are worth it..
I wasn't sure how I would feel about the short chapters but it actually didn't bother me while I was reading the novel.

I think El would have been your pretty girl with the perfect life, save for the incident forcing a change which made her stronger than she would have ever guessed. 

The last couple of chapters will literally have you guessing because as you think you know what's going to happen you are caught off-guard.

What are you currently reading?

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PS: I realise I just posted book reviews last week but as I said in the beginning of this post, I'm going to try and review the books as soon as I'm done reading them

Humpday Confessions {Link Up #6}

Hello midweek blues! I'm just kidding, Wednesdays are fast becoming my favouirte day because I get to purge share my latest confessions with Kathy .

I confess

~ Spain and England were eliminated from the World Cup and I was am gutted! I honestly cannot imagine having to watch a Football tournament without Steven Gerrard but realistically he's aging and frankly, I would be willing to swap my age with his so he can keep playing. (Clearly I love this man more than a sane person should)

~ I still cannot believe that Luis Suarez bite another player! I mean, I know people love to hate him but seriously, how can such a talented footballer an adult not realise that it is WRONG to bite anyone else... wasn't he taught that in nursery school?

~ I checked out an ex's new girlfriend's page and I found myself thinking, she's awesome, we should be friends. She quoted one of my favourite friendship quotes so I instantly like her..

~ somehow my comments section on my blog changed to google plus comments and I don't know how that happened or how to change it to a more user friendly format (I'm willing to take suggestions here?!)

~ during last week's link up, I visited all 66 blogs which linked up and I think I commented on about 62/3 of them, I'm sorry to the three of four ladies I didn't comment on but I really didn't want to just comment with "great post" which a) may have been a lie or b) there wasn't much I could say and I don't like commenting for the sake of commenting oh and there was one blog I couldn't get onto because I didn't have permission and I was thinking - "Why would you join a link up and block your blog?"

~ Credit ~

~ I really enjoyed a LOT of the blogs I read last week so I am super excited to read everyone's posts today.Is that really a confession ? I don't think so ... but I do confess there were a few blogs I came across whether part of the link up or from clicking onto a different page and I was left thinking - there really is no rules for blogging. Apparently people forget their language skills or grammar skills or that they are attempting to speak to English readers?

~ Credit~

~ my last confession is when I was younger and "in love" or "in like" I often thought that I would always love that person or have a special place in my heart for them but the truth is, now, I would maybe see them or hear from them and think " I hope they are happy"  but the truth is I sometimes forget some of them even existed how deeply I felt for them. At that time and perhaps for a long while after the relationship ended it would hurt but now I can say I don't harbour any feelings for anyone and that actually feels kinda great!

That's it for today folks, what are you confessing?

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Life Lately... Well Sort Of

I've been noticing a lot of "Life Lately" posts and I suppose it makes sense, it is that time of the year when things are slightly chaotic and everyone seems to be realising that we're halfway through the year and not sure of what we have to show for it! 

However I'm not going to go into the details of what's been happening in my life but here's where my head has been ...

Watching:

I've been watching A LOT of football! This is a World Cup full of surprises and I'm keeping track of them, every step of the way... 

Also, I was away from home for a while so I've been catching up on all my shows (Hart of Dixie, Prettly Little Liars and repeatedly watching the last episode of TVD)

~Credit~

Loving:

The new bits of man candy I'm finding while watching the world cup also, I am seriously loving that this month I got to spend so much time with my family (including my extended family) and that my niece should be making her arrival soon.

~ Credit ~ Jose de Vargas

Listening:

Reading:

By A Thread by R.L. Giffin 

Hating: 

Unnecessary drama 

Feeling:

Embarrassed, I fell in a bar the other night, I wasn't even drinking but as I leaned on the chair I went sprawling to the floor and all I was thinking is "that would have made a hilarious gif" but more so, two days later, my back is in a full on spasm so now I'm not only embarrassed, I'm sore as well... 

~ Credit~

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What's been going on with you lately?

What I've Been Reading May/ June 2014

I've been procrastinating about getting these reviews out for a while but I finally gave in and cheated by sharing my goodreads reviews. Also, I just realised that I am an extremely harsh reviewer therefore when I like a book you know it has got to be good!

In the Mirror - Kaira Rouda

Goodreads describes it as:

If you knew you may die soon, what choices would you make?

Jennifer Benson has it all: a successful career, a perfect husband, two kids and abundant friendships. The only problem is she may be dying. IN THE MIRROR is the realistic love story about a woman facing a deadly illness, and her loves past and present. It's a story that unfolds with a delightful blend of humor and poignancy, ringing true in the heart of anyone who has ignored a warning of her own

In the Mirror by Kaira Rouda
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The characters were not developed enough and those that were were too shallow for me to feel enough for them. However once I got into the book it definitely improved. Not a great read, but I found that it wasn't honest enough about the content.

View all my reviews

The Break-Up Doctor - Phoebe Fox

Goodreads description:

Call Brook Ogden a matchmaker-in-reverse. Let others bring people together; Brook, licensed mental health counselor, picks up the pieces after things come apart. When her own therapy practice collapses, she maintains perfect control: landing on her feet with a weekly advice-to-the-lovelorn column and a successful consulting service as the Breakup Doctor: on call to help you shape up after you breakup.

But when her own relationship suddenly crumbles, Brook finds herself engaging in almost every bad-breakup behavior she preaches against. And worse, she starts a rebound relationship with the most inappropriate of men: a dangerously sexy bartender with anger-management issues—who also happens to be a former patient.

As her increasingly out-of-control behavior lands her at rock-bottom, Brook realizes you can’t always handle a messy breakup neatly—and that sometimes you can’t pull yourself together until you let yourself fall apart.

The Breakup Doctor by Phoebe Fox
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm a bit undecided about this book, it wasn't terrible but it wasn't great. It was so mediocre. I was disappointed because the story line of a woman who can help others through break-ups but the story had the potential to be so good.
The characters are reasonably developed but that doesn't mean they are reasonably likable or realistic.
The book is over and I won't miss the characters but it's an easy read and it contains a few (albeit scary) tips on how to handle break-ups...

View all my reviews

Take My Breath Away - Christie Ridgway

Goodreads description:

From USA TODAY bestselling author Christie Ridgway comes a sparkling new series set in the California mountains, where Hollywood glamour meets rustic charm, and the sparks fly among the unlikeliest of couples… 

Poppy Walker has a plan to restore the family resort, and she's sticking to it. So when a good-looking guy with plenty of cash rents one of her half-repaired vacation cabins, she figures he's just what the handyman ordered. But when a late-winter storm blows through, it takes down some trees, her roof and then…her self-control. Even though she's been burned before by a wealthy passer-through, she can't stay away from the brooding but gorgeous stranger in the bungalow next door. 

Former teen idol turned Hollywood exec Ryan Hamilton wants a private place in which to endure his very personal heartbreak. Finally, at this rustic mountain cabin, he has all the seclusion one man could want—until sparks begin to fly with his sexy, formerly chilly landlady. By the time the weather dies down, they're both hot, bothered and certain they're still wrong for each other. But there's no telling how they'll face the new storm brewing on the horizon…

Take My Breath Away by Christie Ridgway
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good read, safe, predictable but enjoyable

View all my reviews

I will add to my review that once I got into this book I was engrossed and read it within hours and it was perfect for the cold weather.

Just You - Jane Lark

Goodreads description:

The morning after the New Year’s Eve before...

Waking up to a new year with a killer hangover and hazy memories of a seriously hot hook-up the night before leaves Portia in an awkward situation... Did I, or didn’t I? The only way she’s going to find out is by standing up to the guy in question.

With no regrets, Justin is willing to play the gentleman and save Portia her embarrassment. Only then he gets a text saying, come over… and he’s not gonna lie – this is friends with a lot of benefits!

But no matter how good the sex is, there’s one thing Justin’s not down with: being this shallow rich girl’s dirty little secret..

Just You by Jane Lark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What appeared to be a basic boy from the wrong tracks with the girl from the "right" one love sotry and added an intriguing twist. While the story line could have progressed a little slower, it was preferable that it went quicker rather than 300 ages of nothing.

Easy and enjoyable read. Another good love story.

View all my reviews

The Harrowing - Alexandra Sokoloff

Goodreads descriptions:

Baird College's Mendenhall echoes with the footsteps of the last home-bound students heading off for Thanksgiving break, and Robin Stone swears she can feel the creepy, hundred-year-old residence hall breathe a sigh of relief for its long-awaited solitude. Or perhaps it's only gathering itself for the coming weekend.

As a massive storm dumps rain on the isolated campus, four other lonely students reveal themselves: Patrick, a handsome jock; Lisa, a manipulative tease; Cain, a brooding musician; and finally Martin, a scholarly eccentric. Each has forsaken a long weekend at home for their own secret reasons.

The five unlikely companions establish a tentative rapport, but they soon become aware of a sixth presence disturbing the ominous silence that pervades the building. Are they the victims of a simple college prank taken way too far, or is the unusual energy evidence of something genuine---and intent on using the five students for its own terrifying ends? It's only Thursday afternoon, and they have three long days and dark nights before the rest of the world returns to find out what's become of them. But for now it's just the darkness keeping company with five students nobody wants and no one will miss

The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a reccomendation from a friend who read it in just over a day. It took me a few days but I really enjoyed the book. It is a mix of the movies Scream and Exorcist. It was haunting and captive. Not my usual genre but I enjoyed it.

View all my reviews

What have you read recently??? I'm always looking for good book recommendations!

Have a great weekend all!

Humpday Confessions {Link Up #5}

Good morning lovely people of blogland!

It's Wednesday so you know I'm linking up with Kathy at Life In Progress for my weekly confessions. Without further delay I confess...

~ ... I cannot be happier to be back home. It's not that I didn't enjoy travelling around Durban and Johannesburg and especially seeing my family, I really just missed home comforts.

~ ... spending time with both my mom's family and my dad's family was pretty awesome and it reminded me how much I miss living near them because sometimes it's fun to just hang out with the crazies in your family who love you because we're all the same shade of cray cray ;)

Some of my mom's side of the family

Some of my dad's side of the family

~ ... the World Cup is on and the amount of shocking results is ridiculous especially because my teams have been on the receiving end of the shocking results. 

~ ... I have over 100 blog posts to catch up on due to the intermediate Wifi access over the past two weeks and frankly, way too much life happening for me to read about everyone else's lives. 

~ ... due to the large number of blog posts I have to catch up on - I will be judging whether I read posts or not based on the titles.. #SorryNotSorry

~ Credit~

~ ... when I left for my trip I cleared space on my PVR all the way down to 26% , I've returned to 95% so it's safe to assume I have a lot of TV to catch up to. 

~ ... while reading Bailey's blog (Vanilla Blonde) I shared her realization and thoughts on assumptions about the fact that social media correspondence does not mean I am actually keeping in touch with friends - sometimes you have to actually talk to them so I will be texting / whatsapping / calling / skyping

~ ... while I was in Joburg, my hairdryer broke - while blowdrying my hair it suddenly started sparking and I was like 

~ ... I'm loving the fact that Kathy has changed the button for the link up because even though I loved Ryan on the button, I am totally more a Ian fan!

~ ... speaking of Ian, last night I finally watched the finale of The Vampire Diaries and I full on cried (like ugly cry but not as ugly as Kim) 

And on that positive note.... what do you have to confess?

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PS: Last confession, I couldn't get the button to work :( so click here for the link

South Africa's Youth Day

Today South Africa is celebrating  or rather remembering the youth who fought for equality during the Apartheid era  with a protest which turned horribly violent and deathly and while everyone is enjoying a typical South African winter's day (which is kinda beautiful) I think people are forgetting what the point of today. 

Either way I hope wherever you are in the world you are enjoying this Monday, here's some motivation for the week ahead...!

My thought for the week South Africans, children died for you to live the life you do today, the freedom that you possess - are you living your life in a manner which justifies that loss?

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Last Minute Father's Day Ideas

Morning Everybody!!

How are things on your side of the world? Johannesburg is super cold and I'm counting the days hours until I get to go back to Cape Town. While I know Cape Town is ridiculously cold and raining Johannesburg's weather is so chilling I can feel it in my bones. 

The thing that is keeping me warm is my adrenaline with all the excitement of the Fifa World Cup starting last night and Spain will play today and England tomorrow (Whoop Whoop).

Back to the point of this post, it's Father's Day in South Africa on Sunday and as per usual I'm behind on purchasing gifts so I figured if I'm behind here must be others who are looking for gift ideas so here's what I recommend:

* A good jersey or cardigan :

If you opt for this option, you know whether your dad is more of a V-neck or round neck kind of guy. Also black or beige jerseys are never bad purchases. If you dad likes a particular brand go for those but if not, Woolworths usually has great options. Also if you're not sure what his style is don't buy him anything with too much detail. With dads, less is more!

~Woolworths R325.00~

* Pajamas 

In South Africa Father's day is always in winter so a good pair of Pjs are perfect if your dad is into comfort. Try to buy neutral or dark colours. Men are not like us, ladies, they don't want to be bright and noticeable. 

~ Mr Price - R69.99 ~

* If you want to give a more personalised gift, a few years ago my brother and I bought cufflinks for my dad and then got them engraved with his initials

* If your dad is a sports fan or has an appreciation for cultural events then buy him tickets to a game or a comedy show but make sure you buy one for him and for you so the gift is also some quality time!

* If he's passionate about a team, buy him his favourite club's team jersey.

I bought my dad the shirt his wearing and we went to watch a game together! 

So, I hope this helps you out if you haven't bought anything yet or if you have another option please share with me!!!

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Have a great weekend, tell me what you have planned?

Humpday Confessions { Link Up #4}

Well looky here, I've managed to show up for a fourth time *woot woot* for me!!! So by now you should know I'm linking up with Kathy for Humpday Confessions!

I confess:

~ in my first link up with Kathy I somehow got my wires mixed up did not pay attention and said I was linking up with Steph and not Kathy for some reason? Either way I went back and read it after I published it and then changed it. However I felt like a complete asswipe and instead of owning up to it, I hoped no one would have picked it up

~ Credit ~

~ I hate family or friend politics! My theory or belief is simple, you don't have to like the people in your life just love them.  If you can't love them and can't keep your animosity to yourself then don't bitch to me because.....

~ Credit~

~ But seriously, this last weekend I had so much of fun with my families. I was lucky because I got to see my mom's side of the family on Saturday and then flew to Durban to spend time with my dad's side of the family and while I only had 2 and a half hours of sleep for the 48 hours, it was completely worth it. I spent hours taking selfies with my cousins and then spent time celebrating the fact that my cousin is going to have her baby soon. 

~ Having spent this weekend (and the days before and after it) with family, I have realised how much I miss being around family now that I live in Cape Town.

~ I have never hidden the fact that I am not an Angelina Jolie fan but I needed to take my 9 year old cousin to the movies for a girls day and Maleficent was the only movie out which she could watch and I actually enjoyed the movie enjoyed watching my cousin's reaction to it. 

~ Yesterday I did my post on the Eye Candy guide to Brazil 2014 World Cup and I realised, I really need to work on using different programmes for my blog. That post which took days longer than it should have would have been so much easier with a slide show but I don't know where to do that online???? (Suggestions here would be awesome) 

~ I haven't been able to sit online and read my blog posts because I am not at home so I don't have unlimited wi-fi access and I miss hearing how everyone is doing?! 

~ I still haven't watched the end of The Vampire Diaries due to travelling but as soon as I get home next week it's the first thing I'm putting on!

~ Steven Gerrard joined Instagram last week Tuesday and I am obsessed with keeping up with his account. He is so sweet because you just tell he is new to the social media and sharing so much with the fans but it's just made me love him more than I did before (didn't think it was possible)

~ lastly, I am supporting England and Spain for the World Cup but I'm not sure if either of them can win it. I feel like it will be a a South American country who wins but hey, the ball is round?!

What confessions do you have to share today?

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