High waisted chino's...

Am loving, loving, loving high waisted chinos... 

Pity the one's from H&M wouldn't fit over my MA-HOO-SSIVE calf muscles; but the Gap one's did :-)

Cool hunting in a Heatwave...

So, it turns out that there is a *cough* heatwave in the UK this week. Dire warnings are being issued as the heat soars to 33 degrees!!! Wooo-ooo....
My top 3 ways to keep cool:
1. Drink Pimms!

My favourite recipe:

• Fill a jug with ice, chopped seasonal fruit and sh*t (strawberries, cucumber, orange slices, mint)
• Add 1 part Pimms, 1 part Ginger Ale, 1 part Lemonade, 1 part Soda
• Serves one thirsty cool-hunter!

2. Drink Gin and Tonic With a Twist!

MMmmmm.... yum!

• Freeze a pack of strawberries overnight
• Add 4 to a glass with some ice cubes
• 1 tot of gin *cough* (or more...)
• 250mls tonic water

3. Go to Camps Bay beach and swim... 

Indeed...


Kisses,
xxx

Floral flurry!

Pity there isn't the summer weather to match these gorgeous shoes and bags! I am LOVING the floral prints available at some of the high street stores and designer labels this summer. While we're typically used to prints for clothing - I love the floral accessories this summer. In terms of shoes; I think wedges are ideal - as they give height but don't sink into summer lawns like stiletto's would. Everyone from Aldo to New Look has a version this summer... 

...and I am obsessed with floral clutch bags. OBSESSED! *cough* so if anyone is wondering what an ideal gift would be for a girl about to turn 30... Look no further than the above! heh heh...

It was love at first sight...

I am LOVING Joy! It is a clothing, accessories and lifestyle store for men and women. They have a Emerald Green maxi dress that is causing me great distress as I WANT IT! It's not on the website yet (www.joythestore.com) but after seeing it in store and in the latest schleb magazine; I cannot contain my desire for it!!!

But - one must be practical about these things. One cannot wear or own all the dresses in the world. 










Did I mention it was super-long and looked gorgeous on me? Hmmmm... I only have to not eat for 8 days to be able justify it in my budget *cough* Totally do-able...

Ginger update...

Awwww... My parents little puppy is growing up! She is too, too cute! 

She has a very naughty habit of playing in the herb pots... Looks like she destroyed the latest basil crop! 
I wonder if she will remember me when I come and visit in December. Hmmm... 

This made me miss home...

Somehow - this ad tugged at my teeny, tiny heartstrings. I felt a great pang of longing to return to Cape Town after seeing this... 

It's an ad for 36Boutiques - an online boutique that holds 36 hour sales for ZAR designer goods. Well worth signing up for (it's free - so it can be like online window shopping... *cough*). The ad basically features super-cool poets, stylists, photographers from Cape Town. 
While clicking on all the featured people on the ad http://36boutiques.glasshouse.co.za/ - I was struck by how AWESOME everyone was and thought of all the Capetonians I know that should be featured! <--- you know who you are ;-)
BUT - one of the featured chaps made a big impression on me! Loving Dave Cope's blog "The Foodie" http://thefoodie.co.za/who-is-the-foodie/. Anyone with that amount of appreciation for pork products deserves a triple thumbs up (why, oh why; was I only designed with two...)
Hmmmm...
x

Drunken Monkey

Super cool evening out in London Town!
At first, it appeared to be a chapter in a new version of "Lemony Snicket's - A Series of Unfortunate Events". 
Firstly; I arrived early at the restaurant I was due to meet friends for dinner at. I recall the term is "fashionably late" and not "fashionably early". FAIL!
Secondly; the fire alarm sounded and I was ushered out into the rain (Welcome to summer in the UK, Mananana...)
BUT - happiness scored a goal as a fire engine, packed full of Bruce Willis circa "Die Hard 1" look-a-likes, arrived to put out the fire!!! Ahhhhhh... Magic. 
The restaurant in question was

Fabulous place between Liverpool St station and Old St station near Brick Lane. Tears well up in my eyes as I recall that the fire alarm was during happy hour - as "The Drunken Monkey" has a gorgeous selection of cocktails during this time. :-( <---------------- super sad face. 
Luckily, the restaurant reopened - and I was able to sample the beverages and nosh on offer. Fabulous prices, great atmosphere, much fun had by Mandy!
Hope ya'll are having a great weekend!
Kisses, 
xxx