Wallbanger - Blogger Book Club

Firstly, I was slightly frustrated that I finished this book today, 1 March, as opposed to yesterday which was the "deadline". However that's just me being petty.

Moving on, I decided to join the Blogger Book Club on Goodreads and for the month on of February the book assigned was Wallbanger by Alice Clayton. I started reading this book without reading the blurb but I'll help you out with one from the Author Ms Alice Clayton herself:

Caroline Reynolds has a fantastic new apartment in San Francisco, a KitchenAid mixer, and no O (and we’re not talking Oprah here, folks). She has a flourishing design career, an office overlooking the bay, a killer zucchini bread recipe, and no O. She has Clive (the best cat ever), great friends, a great rack, and no O.

Adding insult to O-less, since her move, she has an oversexed neighbor with the loudest late-night wallbanging she’s ever heard. Each moan, spank, and–was that a meow?–punctuates the fact that not only is she losing sleep, she still has, yep, you guessed it, no O.

Enter Simon Parker. (No, really, Simon, please enter.) When the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. Their late-night hallway encounter has, well, mixed results. Ahem. With walls this thin, the tension’s gonna be thick…

 This summons up the novel well, it's a romance so ChickLit meets somewhat Erotic. Is there a term like ChicRotic? I'm playing around with terms...  The story line was predictable but funny. Entertaining... I think it helped that I was reading this book while reading The Book Thief because whenever that got too heavy and dark I could use this as my bubblegum reading... I especially enjoyed the interchanges between characters via text messages and the chapter where you read all the thoughts in one short car ride is simply hilarious.

Anyway, head on over to Kay's The Best of Intentions to check out everyone who has linked up with their review. 

Have read this book or any ChicRotic ?? If you want, feel free to join the Blogger Book Club, you don't necessarily have to be a blogger to join.

13 of My Favourite Blog Posts of 2013

I actually didn't decide whether it would be 13 of my favourite posts or 13 of my favourite posts which I read. So I thought I would go with the latter because I think it's good for you (whoever you are) to meet other bloggers, but to see the posts that really resonate with me!

1. This Post from Kisses and Croissants but Patricia has since stopped blogging or limited her readership. It was one the quote at the end of her post that really stuck with me - literally - I wrote it down on a post it and stuck it at my desk... reminding me of the power I have over my own life.

2. Chelsea at Life is a Sunset - WARNING there may be a few of her posts.. I really feel so in tune with his questions and comments about life. This post was Answering Tough Questions

3. Being that I only started blogging for the last couple of months, xxx Blog tips for the New Bloggers were extremely helpful.

4. This list which Meghan from Meghan Silva's Lifestyle blog about 28 things are so true!

5. Another one from Meghan - an easy recipe (which I am yet to try!) on making Plaited Bread in 5 Easy Steps

6. Victoria at Victoriafolksky posted about something more personal in her Do Not Fear post. Although I am happy to say that things with Victoria have gotten much better and super excited for her!!

7. Danielle at Sometimes Sweet posted about friendships changing in On Friendship and I identified with her a lot. 

8. Jenni at Sotry of My Life posted about What Does Success Mean To You? Which is another post which acted as a catalyst for my choices this year. 

9. Considering that I am planning on visiting New York very soon - Cath from Cath In The City's posts on New York Tips were great.

10. Passion by Candice from Teatime Thoughts was another post that resonated with me.

11. I know one day I am going to be planning a trip around the world, this post on How To Plan A Round The World Trip by Jenna from A Home Away From Home is going to come in handy.

12. Chelsea's advice for the Single Girls - LOVE. 

13. Kate from Another Clean Slate's post on how to see Ireland in Two Days and a Few Hours - while I have seen Ireland for a lot longer it still made me happy to see how much she enjoyed it! 

There are so many more posts which I wanted to include but I hope you like this list... 2013 is nearly over - I hope you've given yourself some time to digest what that means.. and what exactly do you want 2014 to hold for you?

13 Incomplete Blog Posts of 2013

Here is some of my drafts which never quite made the cut....

1.BEING AWESOME

I found this article once and it made me think there is nothing better than being awesome!

2.DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO DUMB YOU DOWN

As I'm writing this post I am aware that it is entirely possible that it will be months or years before I can actually publish it but I feel compelled to document what I'm feeling and I am almost 100% certain that everyone in life will need this advice at some point or another.

I am very well educated. Not just for my age (although I am extremely well educated for my age - 26) but well educated for anyone's age and it has taken me a long time to stop being embaressed by my education. I used to think I don't want people to think I'm showing off or being condescending to them because I am smart but here are my truths (any maybe you can identify with them):

1.  I am intelligent and a nice person
2. I am educated and a nice person
3. I have worked HARD to become as educated as I am
4. Other people will try to pull me down because they may think I want their job/their money/their life but all I want is to be challenged in my career and to grow.
5. There is nothing wrong with wanting to learn more.
6. There is nothing wrong with asking more questions (including those which relate to your career growth).
7. Some people may try to put you in a box in order for you not to grow but God will show the way.

I know this may seem like an extreme or odd post (ok, maybe rant) but you cannot allow other people to dumb you down by giving you minimal work and/or giving you work that you are too qualified to do

So number 8 would be this - there are certain activites which you are too qualified to do and yes you can do them and you should do them BUT those should not be your only activities.

9. People in the workplace (well, people in general) are vindictive. That is an unfortunate truth. I am the kind of person that can change a work environment and be all bright and shiney but the truth is that there will still be people in the department/company that will not like you for those things - which is fine BUT they will pretend to like you which is where the 'vindictiveness' comes in!

3. 7 THINGS THAT ENTERTAIN ME

After my earlier post, I feel compelled to remind you that I am not going to allow myself to emotionally hoard and instead, I wanted to share things that entertain or make me happy

1.My Family and friends

2.TV (including watching Football)Fashion Police and especially reruns of FRIENDS

3. Solving problems
This is the nerd in my coming out but I think it may equally be the fighter in me as well....

4. Good Food

5.Reading blogs

6. Traveling and meeting people from other places (includes those who are not from Johannesburg)

7.When people talk to themselves in public. My dad is one of these people, in fact I remember, clearly, that once my mom, dad and I were the only ones home and my mom and I were talking in the kitchen and then I heard my dad talking. When I asked her was he talking to us, she said "no he's talking to himself" and if that was not strange enough... picture my dad,

4. BRAVE,DUMB OR STUPID

This is the title of the post I started when I arrived in Germany for my Eurotrip. But the title is as far as it got....

5. COINCIDENCES

I met someone a while ago, and then a couple of years later I met this person again - randomly... was it a coincidence? Is there such a thing as a coincidence or is it serendipity? Does Serendipity even exist?

6. I ALWAYS WANT TO BE HONEST

I always want to be honest. I am to be honest in my day to day life but I also want to be honest here - in my web world so I think it is only fair to share some of my thoughts on a topic which has been playing on my mind A LOT. Well, since my Eurotrip.

7. THREE THINGS THAT SURPRISED ME THIS WEEK

This is a completely unplanned post but

Today I was told that I am fearless which is funny because it is the one thing I would never call myself.

8. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I feel like posting but just don't know what exactly I want to blog about. So I thought why not introduce a new series about What would you do... I'm not exactly sure where this series will go but I thought why not just go with it, for now..

WHAT WOULD YOU DO if you could spend a day without being questioned by society (or your family.. or whoever you think judges you)

Even as I typed this, I'm not sure where I am going with this train of thought.

When I was younger I used to be a lot more, brash, I suppose so I

9. THREE THINGS I'VE BEEN THINKING OF

1. Why are more people not loving the TV series, Betrayal. I am absolutely loving this show and no one else seems to be watching it...

2.

10. THINK.. THINKING... THOUGHT

I am a thinker.

To be more accurate, I am an over thinker! I am 

11.MUSIC THERAPY - IS IT JUST THE PINK FLUFFY STUFF?

I love music, all types of music and at all times in the day.

I don't think there's ever been a day in my life when I thought "No more music!"

12. Coming and going but who are you sending?

Trust is important…but naivety is dangerous."

This quote is courtesy of The Single Woman Blog and deeply resonated with me as soon as I read it. It made me think how often I have been upset by "people betraying me"but then it got me thinking... a person can only hurt you as much as you allow them too. Yes, I've heard this saying a number of times but truly understanding it made me look at life differently.

I have a lot of people in my life that I refer to as "takers" the people who are my friends because I have something that they want whether it be free legal advice, money or just company when they are bored - there are many versions of "takers"and you may be able to recognise some of them in your own life. I think it's important to recognise relationships for what they are and understand that not every person you meet is as genuine as they present themselves to be BUT in the same light there is no need to be suspicious of everyone around you either.

I think it's important to allow yourself to open up to others especially new people because it is important to show your real self as soon as possible otherwise you might end up being the person who is not what you seem.

I am a very lucky individual and have friends in my life who have been a friend for over 20 years. (Just in case you forgot, I am only 26 years old! So 20+ years of friendship is extremely impressive).

I say all this to say…SET BOUNDARIES, with your heart, your time, your LIFE. Not everyone who knocks on the door of your life should be allowed in.

Not everyone has good intentions. This is not to say you should barricade your heart behind a brick wall and never allow anyone in…but you do owe it to yourself to protect yourself.

13. 3 THINGS - EVERYONE SHOULD DO IN CAPE TOWN

I'm starting this list at three things but truth is i'm certain I will have issues reducing them to 7!

1. Table Mountain - this is one of the new 7 World wonders as off 2012 and why wouldn't it be? While I lived in Cape Town, our balcony had the BEST view of the mountain, it was the way my mom and I used to know if it was going to be a good day or a bad one. I suggest you visit Table Mountain and if you're up for the activity you should hike it. I did it once and it was exhausting but compeltely gratifying. You should l

SO..... WHICH ONE SHOULD I HAVE ACTUALLY PUBLISHED?

13 Of My Favourite Blogs To Read

Here are my favourite blogs and/or favourite bloggers! Please go over and check their blogs out (again in no particular order)!

1. Chelsea at Life Is a Sunset

2. Victoria at Adventures of Victoriafolksky

3. Meghan Silva at Meghan Silva's Lifestyle Blog

4. Desle at Diva Desle

5. Bailey at Vanilla Blonde 

6. Janine at Being Brazen

7. Helene at Helene In Between

8. Nadine at Back East Blonde

9. Whitney at I Wore Yoga Pants To Work  

10. Erin at Two Thirds Hazel

11. Kate at Another Clean Slate

12. Allie at Tales of A Twenty Something 

13. Laura at Miss Laura Bora's Blog


Go check them out and let me know if you have any blogs to recommend! And can I just say a big Thank You to these ladies who have continued to write, to inspire, to entertain and who lets people like me into their lives.

Have an awesome week everyone, today is my last day at my current company - it's been an emotional and humbling experience saying goodbye to the people I have come to know.

Songs which will remind me of 2013

Initially I was going to include this topic as part of my 13 of 2013 series but then Helene said she was going to do a link up and remember how much fun I had with her last link up? How could I not partake!! In the continuance of my 13 of 2013 series - no good list is worth anything without music on it!

These are the songs which will always remind me of this year, whether they were released in this year or not, it's more of the linked memories so here we go:

1. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines - this has to be the most played song of 2013 I loved it and when I haven't heard it in a while it makes me appreciate it more when it is played

2. Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball : I'm a fan of her music.. hate me or love me I don't care ;)

4. Mumford & Sons - Wait For You : I know this one is a bit old ot be on this list but I lived it even more this year than last.

5. The Lumnieers - Stubborn Love

6. The Lumnieers - Ho Hey

7. Avicii - Wake Me Up : LOVE it!

8. Ellie Golding - Anything Can Happen

9. One Direction - Best Song Ever

10. Bruno Mars - If I was your Man

11. Nneka - Shining Star

What is your song of the year???

13 Of 2013 Series

As this year draws to an end, I thought a fun way of rounding it up would be to use the last thirteen days of this year to round up my memories and have some fun with the end of it.

This has been one heck of a year, and being that today is the Day of Reconciliation I think it's fitting to be honest in order to move forward.

I made a big decision to -  leave my job and while I don't have the next stage planned out precisely, I do know that my current job (for next week) is not the place I was supposed to be in and I really didn't think it was healthy going into another year feeling like I was just surviving my life for the sake of breathing and not living .

Anyway, with that in mind, I will here's what's coming up in the last 13 years of this year! If you'd like to join in, leave your link on the relevant post.

I'm looking forward to this, hope you are too.

To all my fellow South Africans, enjoy the long weekend!

Sunday Quiz!

While I was not planning on blogging today, I have the posts for the rest of the year planned up so I had to put this post up today.

It is still surreal that our dear Mr Nelson Mandela has been laid to rest. Today was the funeral, watching it on the TV was incredibly sad and sweet. I especially liked the personal antidotes that were shared about a man who gave his life towards my (and all South Africans) freedom. It doesn't shock me that it's raining because the weather is fitting with the world's mourning hearts.

Anyway, I just wanted to link up with Erin from Two Thirds Hazel with a Blogmopolitan Quiz. This was fun and easy which I needed today after the last 9 days of National mourning.

Anyway, thanks Erin for the link up!!!

Have a good Sunday and go check out Erin and the other ladies' posts...

x Nats

The Christmas Tag

While I did have a post planned for today, it occurred to me that we are just over two weeks to go! So when I came across Laura's post I thought, why not join in...

1. Whats Your Favorite Holiday Movie?
Home Alone 1 and 2

 

 

2. What Are Your Favorite Christmas Colors?
It's going to sound strange but I love royal blue and silver. I always feel like silver make things more sparkly and more happy.

3. Do You Like To Stay in Your PJs Or Dress Up For Christmas?
Pretty much Dress Up for the day!

4. If You Could Only Buy One Person a Present This Year Who Would It Be?
I can't think of only one person. I need to buy a minimum of 3 for my mom, dad and brother.  Unless I bought them one present for all three.

 

5. Do You Open Your Presents Christmas Eve Or Christmas Morning?

Christmas morning, well after we come home from the Midnight Mass which is around 1am and then we open presents and have Champagne breakfast

6. Have You Ever Built a Ginger Bread House?
No, I haven't - not a fan of Gingerbread but maybe this year I'll make some other type of cookie house.

7. What Do You Like To Do On Your Christmas Break? 
In South Africa everyone is usually on holiday so there is no specific break. However usually I go to Durban or Cape Town... the beach, cocktails and dancing!

8. Any Christmas Wishes?
Can't tell or it won't happen ;)

9. Favorite Christmas Smell?

Roast Lamb

10. Favorite Christmas Meal Or Treat?

Stuffing! My mom (and paternal grandmother) makes this amazing stuffing that they insist they will only make for Christmas even though I could eat it any week of the year.

Let me know what's your favourite part of Christmas and what you look forward too most.

Movie Review - About Time

I went out with one of my girlfriends for dinner and a movie. We wanted to watch this movie but it turned out not to be what I expected and my friend summed it up perfectly - It's two love stories.

This movie is about a guy who can travel back in time in his own life due to some sort of magicness (I know that is not a real word) and he it really comes in handy for him because - simply put - he is a bit of a dork in that endearing way. However, if he didn't have the ability to go back in time he would not be able to make the right kind of first impression to meet the people that he does.

The movie is cute and sweet and like I said, the element of the second love story is the surprising and enjoyable.

Rachel McAdams is once again adorable in the role of leading lady in a RomCom.

I think the important things you can walk away from this movie with are these:

1. If someone does not love you, it doesn't matter what the situation is that you meet them or how you phrase your feelings - they will never love you the way you deserve.

 

2. If someone does love you, it doesn't matter how you meet them - if it is meant to be, it will be.

 

3. If you are lucky enough to have your family especially your parents around, you need to maximise your time with them because none of us are guaranteed any time.

While I don't agree with Nadine's view that it rivals The Notebook, it was unexpected in the best kind of way.

Have you watched it? If so, what's your favourite part of it? And if you could relive any one moment... what would it be?

Someday I Will...

I was catching on my blogs and then I noticed that a few of the blogs I was reading all had titles "Someday I will" and I realised .. link up :)

So here it goes, I'm linking up with Taylor today.

Someday I will...

* learn to speak Spanish

I've been wanting to learn Spanish for the longest time and I am making progress .. but very very slowly.

* learn to play the piano

I tried to learn when I was in the 4th Grade but then got distracted.

* travel to Spain

This year, my eurotrip was supposed to be to Spain this year but then I didn't have anyone to go with and my leave didn't match up with the possible Contiki trip. I honestly cannot wait to go there!

* watch Liverpool play at Anfield

I haven't watched them  play live yet but I know I will get the chance sooner rather than later!

* meet Steven Gerrard

This is how I will look

* go on another Contiki Trip

Contiki first time round was amazing and I still have so many great relationships formed and I can't wait to see any of them soon!

* figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life

* love my career

* love my husband and children (which I will also have someday) more than anything else

* write my book

* have stepped onto every continent in the world

* will consistently work at being healthy

* be involved with a NGO which is close to my heart or start my own

* own my own beach house like the one in Nights in Rodanthe

* learn how to use all the HTML codes on my blog!

What will you do someday?

This or That - Linking Up

So I was doing my usual reading of posts from Bloglovin and I saw Erin's (Author of Two Thirds Hazel) post about linking up on choices. Hard, hard choices!

So, in case I didn't feel like I had enough on my plate I decided I wanted to Link Up!!!

Here it goes....

Vacationing in Florida or vacationing in NYC:

I haven't been to either but who doesn't want to experience NYC!?
 

iPhone or Droid: iPhone  no contest!!!! I'm completely in love with my phone   NSYNC or Backstreet Boys: When I was younger, definitely Backstreet Boys but now.. Nsync may just take it by a hair (or JT's lack of hair!)   Being forced to delete Facebook or being forced to delete Twitter: Tough one! I use them for different things but I think Twitter because I use FB to keep in contact with a lot of people who live far away from me.. (Sorry Twitter!)   Fireball or Miller Lite: I have never had a fireball.... (eek! hanging my head in shame!) but if Wikipedia is to be trusted.... I would prefer a fireball   Full House or Family Matters: This is a tough one! Full House I think although as I am typing this I am reconsidering my choice! I loved the girls in Full House...

  Dumbledore or Gandalf: This isn't even a serious comparison. Gandalf - Don't hate me!   Dying Easter eggs or Carving pumpkins: Neither, these are more American traditions but I have dyed eggs before so I guess by default, that's my pick.   NFL or NCAAF: Another American choice... I enjoy movies about the NFL if that counts?!   A hangover forever or sobriety forever: Sobriety :( Hangovers are the worst!   January or July: January, it's my birthday month!!!!   Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus: Miley - even after her twerking incident!   Shark Week or Fashion Week: I'm going to go with Fashion week but neither means much of anything to me!   Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or Saved by the Bell: Fresh Prince! I still watch that show whenever I have the chance to, Will, Carlton and Hilary were the funniest!!!

   

Britney or Christina:

Crap! This is hard... I was always for Christina but in recent years Britney has grown on me more and more   Burrito or Burrito Bowl: Burrito   Reading blogs on your phone or reading blogs on your computer: On my computer because commenting is made easier... Bloglovin' should work on it's app!!!   Angelina or Jennifer: Team Aniston all the way baby!!!! I have now boycotted anything to do with Angelina. Hate her.

    Doug Funny or The Rugrats: Doug!  

An open mouth chewer or a heavy breather:

It's my first tie!!

 

What do you think? You agree or not? Let me know your choices...!

Oh and thanks Erin for thinking this up - it was so much fun! 

Liebster Award Nomination

So there I was yesterday, merrily catching up on my on my blog reading list and while reading Back to Bliss posts I came about her post on Liebster Award and then noticed my little old blog's name feauring in it! I was so excited .. so much so that I clicked on the link to make sure that it was in fact my Coral Tinted Perceptions and turns out it was!

So the Liebster Award is such a cool idea, it's where bloggers nominate other bloggers to win an award for being an up and coming bloggers and it's an awesome way to get to know other bloggers!

Picture found here

Rules to accept the nomination:

1. Link back to the blogger who nominated you so readers please go check out the lovely Bri from Back to Bliss
2. Nominate 5 - 11 other bloggers, who have less than 200 followers and contact them to let them know about the nomination(I'll do that at then end of the post)
3. Answer questions from my Nominator
4. Share 11 random facts about myself
5. Create 11 questions for my nominees

Here we go....

Questions from my Nominator Bri

 

1. My favourite meal (besides my mom's home cooked food) ever is difficult to answer because I am such a wanna be foodie..  but I would say my most memorable favourite meals are :

* This nachos pizza I had in Dublin

 

* Spaghetti Al Paella form Cappuccino's

 

 

2. Dischem! I absolutely love that store, I can spend hours there in all the different aisles.

 

3. This is an easy one - dirty hair. I know to most people it sounds normal, I mean, not many people should like dirty hair but I am obsessed with making sure my hair looks clean. I wash it every second day and as soon as it starts to look dirty I wash it. When I'm talking to someone and their hair is dirty it actually erks me and in my head I'm screaming "Step away from the dirty hair person"! lol

 

4. I want to do both, I think it must be the most wonderful thing to spend all the time I have with the baby but knowing myself, I would regret it in time so I think working part time or flexi hours would suit me best.

 

5. Another easy one, Soccer / Football - depending where you live as to what you call it. I am obsessed with the game!

 

6. My paternal grandfather, I think when he passed away none of us were prepared and with him leading our family and I think if we could just have a little more time with him a lot would have changed so much.

 

7. My parents - they have influenced me to be everything I am.

 

8. Yoga and Salsa Dancing - two opposites but the sad thing is that now that I am back in Johannesburg I haven't found any classes that I like. I also enjoy Zumba but that aggreviates my back ache :(

 

9. Person! I always end up buying 10 items and then having to change or return at least 8 because I'm not happy with it. If I was doing my shopping online I would be running my charges up.

 

10.Sweet... I love all things sweet

 

11. Dublin, Ireland. I actually wanted to move there last year but it didn't work out but maybe one day... The place was really friendly and there was just something in the air that kept me permanently in my happy place. Also - Cape Town, I miss living there and would move back in a second.

 

 

11 Random Facts about me

 

1. I have to have my nails painted, if I don't then I feel naked and unkept

2. When I was Dublin, I had an Italian guy stalking me and in the midst of the stalking, Alicia, took a picture of the stalker with me in Spar

 

3. I can only drink the cheap and sweet wine.

4.I am short, as in racing jockeys are taller than me

5. As I'm getting older my skin is getting fairer... should I be worried?lol

6. I have several friendships (the real ones, where I can talk to them about anything) which have lasted over 20 years, most of them are with guys

7. I've never worn a red dress

8. When iTunes released in South Africa, the first song I downloaded was Kelly Clarkson's "Catch my Breath"

9.I have watched soccer for over 20 years but I have never played it

10. I once had a streak of pink hair

11. I believe that the first song I hear for the day will determine the tone of how my day will go

 

Questions for my nominees

1. Do people in your everyday life know about your blog?

2. Where is your favourite place to holiday and why?

3. Do you believe in Soul Mates? Or love at first sight?

4. What is your favourite restaurant?

5. What sports or cultural activites have you participated in?

6. Are you more of a big bag person or clutch/sling?

7. Who is the one friend you know you can call at 3am in the morning?What will your friend think you're calling about?

8. Were you Team Aniston or Team Jolie? or Team Pacey or Team Dawson or Team Brooke or Team Peyton? (am I cheating with all the options...?)

9. Have you ever been arrested?

10.Favourite Band?

11. What are your hopes for our Blog?

 

My nominations :

1. Meghan Silva's Blog

2. A day in the life of Mel 

3. Love, Kierra Makayla

4. Adventures of Victoriafolksky

5. Skinny Bitches in the Making

 

I can't wait to hear your answers...