"Liefling" show at the State Theatre

The inlaws have been visiting for a few days, and they got us tickets to go see Liefling at the State Theatre.  I'm really a huge fan of Bobby van Jaarsveld's music, and although I haven't seen the Liefling movie yet, I knew I would enjoy this show.

But wow, I didn't know just how much I would enjoy it!  I laughed out loud, and I cried at how beautiful it was, it really moved me!

Before the show we enjoyed a glass of vino, and took some piccies.

 

 

After the show, we waited for a while to see if we could get Bobby's autograph.  A few of the other actors came out and signed our programme, and they said that Bobby slipped out the back - we wouldn't get to see him.  Aaaaaw!

 

Walking through the parking lot back to our car - we were talking about being disappointed in not seeing Bobby, and the woman walking behind us suddenly said, "Sorry you couldn't see Bobby, but here's his mom!"  What a friendly lady!  Next thing she takes her phone out and phones him for us - he didn't answer, so we chatted to her for a while.  After a few minutes, her phone rang, Bobby was phoning her back!  She said hi to him and said she met some fans that were really keen to chat to him - then gave the phone to skoonma to say hi, and then she passed it to me!  YAY!!!

 

I told him that I really enjoyed the show, and bought the CD.

I then told him that I recently saw him at the gym, and was looking at him so much that I exercised my calves until they cramped!  Hahahaha, I wouldn't have been able to say that to him face to face!

 

 

What fun.  Really loved it.

xx

 

Chocolate Nutella Fudge with Sea Salt!

Oh my word.  Have you ever heard of anything more delicious in your life?  Chocolate. Nutella. Fudge. With Sea Salt!!

Have you ever seen anything more delicious-looking in your life?

(pic from Pinterest)

I made this on Thursday and took it with to my folks on the weekend - it didn't last very long, needless to say!  I loved it so much, and couldn't stop thinking about it, that I made it again yesterday.  Oops, a whole batch for myself!  It's really sweet, so actually can't eat a lot in one go... But I did manage to eat until I got a headache, LOL!

Highly, highly recommended.

Find the recipe here!

Enjoy! ;-)
xx

Fathersday Weekend

Wyn is in Kuwait for a week, and he had to leave on Friday - getting back this Friday night only.  So we celebrated our own lil Fathersday on Thursday night, with a special dinner and pudding, and gave Wyn his prezzies.

Then Mia and I were off to my folks in Pietersburg for the weekend.  My sis, bro, and my bro's girlfriend were there too, so it was nice to spend time with everyone.

Mia absolutely loved my sister's iPad, I was amazed at how she just knew how to work the touch screen!  She had some fun doing some puzzle and colouring apps that my sis downloaded for her.

We had a yummy sushi lunch at Cape Town Fish Market, mmm.

On Sunday morning we all gathered in my parents room and gave my Dad his prezzies.  Check Mia guzzling her tea bottle in bed!

Mia and I slept together both nights - the first night I didn't sleep very well - I was so aware of this lil person next to me, and she flopped her arm on my face a few times! Also, Wyn was still traveling and only arrived at his hotel after 2am, and I was waiting for his message the whole time to let me know he had arrived safely.  Saturday night I was so exhausted, we slept so well, until almost 8am! Heavenly.

 

We came back home on Sunday afternoon - I was too scared that the road would be too busy with today being a public holiday!

 

The house is super quiet without Wyn here in the evenings.  Last night I was already in bed with my book at 8pm! Can't wait for him to get back on Friday.

 

xx



Our beautiful table!

Wyn made us a table.  I am soooooo proud of him!  I absolutely love the table, it's just right, and sturdy, and gorgeous, and so well made!

I must admit that I was very sceptical - when we started looking around for tables, and saw how expensive the ones were that we liked, and Wyn said he will rather make us our own one.  I know time is an issue, and honestly, I didn't know if he COULD make a table - and even when he measured and designed the table on the computer, I was still unsure.  Until the wood was delivered and in our garage - then I realised, wow, this dude is serious! ;-)

The actual assembling of the table took him about 4 days.  But then the sanding down took ages, as he would just do some now and then.  Eventually it was smooth enough to his satisfaction, and this weekend I helped him stain it, to protect and weatherproof it.  Glad I can say that I helped too!

Next up are two long benches that will go on either side of the table.  I'll wait til spring before I start nagging him about them though - the garage is freezing cold in winter, will be so horrible to have to spend hours working in there!

Super proud of my hubby, I LOVE this table, and love to think that one day we'll pass it on to our kids, they can pass it on to their kids, etc. :-)

xx

"What would you like to do?"

At bedtime tonight, I said to Mia, that tomorrow is our day together the whole day - what would she like to do?

This is her list:

 - Painting
 - Have a tea party, with tea and milk
 - Eat some Rolo's
 - Jump on "jumpoline" (her word for her trampoline)
 - Go for some walks
 - Play with new pink play-dough we made

Demanding, much?  Too cute!!!
I can't wait.  What a fun day we're going to have.
xx

Of playdates, pirates, walks and moon-sand!

Mia's had a fun, eventful couple of days. ♥

Our weekend started off with a playdate on Friday afternoon, with two friends from Moms & Tots - neither Ruby or Zara go to Tots class anymore, but they're still the cutest three lil musketeers, and we haven't bonded with any other new Tots friends.  I think these three will be friends for life!



On Saturday we went to a special little girl's fourth birthday party, and the theme was Pink Pirates.  What an amazing party!  So much attention to detail.  Each little guest got a pirate outfit to wear, complete with swords, hats, eye patches and telescopes, and a loot bag.  They did treasure hunts and found jewellery!  They got temporary tattoo's!  They ate fish & chips out of adorable little paper boats with their names on, and they could dish up sweeties from a beautiful delicious sweetie buffet table.

 

Mia loved the pirate outfit so much, that she wore it yesterday and today already as well.  "I want to be a pirate!"

 

 

 

This morning we went for a little stroll out on the golf course, Mia on her plastic bike, Nala on the leash.  Fresh air and exercise for all of us! ;-)

 

 

 

Then, for some fun, we did messy play: We made moon-sand!  Check out this post for the recipe - we did the flour and oil one again, really a divine texture.



 

A squat challenge

I haven't been as good as I should be, after my completion of Reboot...  My intention had been to then follow an 80/20 paleo eating plan, but I have fallen off the wagon a bit...  Still sticking to smaller portions, love that I don't need sugar in my tea... But need to be more strict with myself!

My gym routine has also not been as dedicated as it was during Reboot.  I think I've fallen into a bit of a comfort zone, happy with my Reboot results and now not so motivated to continue... I need to change this mindset!  I still have another 5kg or so to lose!

I came across a squat challenge, and thought I'd give it a try.  Yesterday was Day 1.  50 squats, how hard can it be, right?!  Can you say: jelly legs!!

Keen to give it a try, during Reboot I did quite a lot of leg press-ups at the gym, and used the stepper machine, and I could feel a difference in my glutes - in just a few weeks of not doing the same exercises, my bum already feels all flabby! :-( 

How cool it will be to emerge from winter with toned legs - let's get this started and keep with the program!

Awesome YouTube video on how to do the perfect squat, check it out. :-)

xx

LashCurl treatment!

 

I'm so excited, I found the WOW-factor lash treatment I was looking for!

 

LashCurl is an eyelash lifting treatment, that really enhances the eye area beautifully, and still looks natural.  The treatment takes around 45 minutes to do, and then the results last for up to 6 weeks.

 

I had mine done two weeks ago, loved it so much that I ordered my kit, did training this weekend, practiced on a couple of family members, and am now ready to see clients!

 

My lashes:

 

 

My sister's lashes that I did last night:

 

 

For more info, squiz my business blog: 

Skincare By Jessica

 

 

Mia's ouma-grootjie came to visit

Last week Wyn's ouma came to stay with us for a week.  She lives in Dealesville (very small town near Bloemfontein) in a retirement village.  We don't see her very often, and she's a very sweet lady, and we thought it would be a treat for her to come visit us, so we booked her a bus ticket.  She was super excited to come stay!

It was really special for Ouma Poppie to spend time with Mia.  We did all sorts of outings - went for lunch at our fave coffee shop, Isabella's, I took Ouma Poppie to the movies, I did a facial and manicure treatment for her, Mia had tea parties for her, and they baked cookies together.

Then on Friday she came with us to Bethlehem when we went to visit Wyn's folks, and now she'll stay there for a while to visit them, and then get a lift back home again.

xx

To my darling Mia Mooi

My special one,

Your favourite thing to tell me these days, is: "I love you so much, Mommy!" And I can't tell you how my heart just bursts each and every time I hear those words, and how I make sure that I tell them back to you.

Mia Jill, you are the light of my life.  I can stare at your face forever, I can kiss every lil bit of you, and I can hold you and squeeze you all the time (until you tell me you're not a bubble, you can't pop!)

I love our chats, I love how curious you are, I love how you are mommy's big helper girl  - your lil chair gets scraped all over the kitchen floor so that you can stand at the counter and help me with whatever I'm doing.

I don't want you to ever be sad - whenever you're upset, frustrated, hurt or cross, I do my best to make you feel all better.

You love your family so much, and your family loves you to the moon and back.

I love to be with you, I wish I could be with you all the time.  You are such a special, lovable, amazing little person.  You have a sensitive heart of gold.

I love you.  I love you more than words can express. I love you so, so, very, very much.

Mommy

xx

 

The Barney Show

On Friday I took Mia to the baby expo in Joburg at the Coca-Cola Dome, where they had a Barney show on as well.

For two weeks now, Mia has been looking forward to seeing "real Barney."

It was lots of fun to watch her face as she saw Barney come dancing and singing on the stage.  She was super serious - not scared, but also didn't want to sit on her own seat, just stood on my lap.  She didn't clap or sing along, just stared in solemn disbelief and wonder.

Very cute, so glad I took her!

Mothersday 2013

We had a super special Mothersday lunch last Sunday, with my parents.  It was nice to make a photo opportunity of it and take piccies of everyone together! ♥

Bon Jovi Concert!

This weekend, I ticked two things off my bucket list:  See Bon Jovi live, and meet my good friend Debs.  What an amazing weekend it was!!

Debs and I met about 6 years ago, on a wedding-planning forum, and we clicked over a mutual love for Lindt chilli chocolate - started chatting via email, and have decided we are twins separated at birth, peas in a pod - we have so many similar interests, similar outlook on life, similar values - and after literally hundreds of emails between us, we finally met face-to-face this weekend - and Debs is just as lovely, sweet, caring and kind as she is in her emails.  A beautiful, beautiful woman, inside and out. ♥

We went to Soccer City FNB stadium in Soweto in a Shuttle Bus - we were 5 girls going together, and then my brother and his girlfriend also came with us in the bus.  It worked really well to go in a bus and not stress about traffic, parking, etc.  The driver found a parking spot which was quite close to the road, but it meant that we had quite a bit of a walk to do to get to the stadium, but it was fine - adrenaline and excitement made us just go, go, go!

We got something to drink and found our seat, and had fun watching the thousands of people milling about.  The first pre-show musician came on at around 7pm, I forget his name, and then after him it was Elvis Blue - I really like Elvis Blue's music, have been a fan of his since he was on Idols, really enjoyed his couple of songs he did.

And then it was the countdown to the big moment!  The crowd was doing Mexican waves all around the stadium, was quite amazing to see and take part in.  Suddenly the lights went out, and Jon Bon Jovi and his band exploded into "That's What The Water Made Me" - one of my favourite songs on his new CD!

Oh, how we screamed and sang and clapped and danced.

The concert was fantastic, amazing, awesome, wonderful, breath-taking.  I love how he interacted with the crowd, telling us it's a bit chilly but he'll keep us warm, apologizing for taking so long to come back to South Africa, and sharing bits of info here and there, like counting down to 1983 when they became famous. And he said that he might not be as good looking as Justin Bieber, and he might not be able to dance like Justin Timberlake, but he's been around longer than the two of them put together, and he sure ain't going anywhere any time soon!  Yay!

He even serenaded us with an awesome cover of Pretty Woman.  Swoooooon!

(pic by Big Concert)

He did so many of my favourite songs - I adored "I'll be there for you", and "You want to make a memory", and "In these arms", and oh wow, "Bed of Roses" is just the ultimate love song.  His new one "Because we can" is fantastic, and also loved the previous hits, "It's my life" and "Lost highway".  Oh man, it was brilliant.

Jon Bon Jovi would just flash a gorgeous sexy smile every now and then, and the crowd would go absolutely wild.  What a powerful feeling it must be, to be able to command a crowd of 70 000 people to stand up, to put their hands up in the air, and to have them singing along to all the songs.

(pic by Big Concert)

I am still on a high, still constantly thinking about how awesome the show was, listening to his songs over and over - I am a bigger fan than ever before!

Hope he comes to SA again soon - I'll be there for sure. ♥

xx

Cupcakes & Tea Party!

Ah wow, what a perfect Sunday afternoon.

When Mia woke up from her nap, we baked cupcakes.  I've been wanting to do this for a while, ever since my good friend Debs started their Cupcake Sunday tradition, I knew Mia would love this too!

After the cupcakes were baked, iced and decorated, I decided we need to make an occasion of enjoying them - so took lil table and chairs out into the garden, made some tea for myself and Mia and poured it into her miniature tea set - Mia absolutely loved it!  She also loved the fact that Nala had a tea party with us - all too keen for any crumbs of cupcake that might fall in her path! ;-)

This was the first time we have a proper "tea party" - I look forward to doing this a lot more often!
xx

30 Days of Reboot DONE!

I did it.  I actually did it.

30 whole days of no sugar, no starch, no grains, no dairy, and no alcohol.  YAY ME!

I love that I put my mind to it, and stuck to it, and completed it.

I feel healthy, I feel gooooooood!

Reboot has really done a lot for me, as per my previous post - but the added bonus is the weight and centimetres lost!

During the 30 days, I have lost 4.7 kgs, and a total of 39 cm!  The biggest difference in centimetres lost, were 8cm around my tummy, 6cm around my chest (back fat be gone!), 5cm around my hips, 3cm around my thighs.  YAY!

I think the last time I saw the number 65.8 on the scale was about 8 years ago, during my 3rd year in college and my first year working... 

To celebrate, I went out and bought a pair of size 12 jeans... they're not even tight, they're a perfect fit!  I am so, so stoked.  Woohoo!