#PhotoOfTheWeek...Someone I Love

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After all the excitement of this past week I am ashamed to say I have not submitted a photo (but I do feature in one!), here are the awesome people who have. This week's theme was "Someone I love", such a sweet theme...thanks for that Megs!

Taken by: Megs

Taken by: Natalie

Taken by: Sue

Taken by: Vicky

Wedding Stationery...some more *unusual* idea's

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Having been trawling through Pinterest in the hope of finding some unique idea's for my own wedding stationery, I thought I'd re-post a few that I thought were especially nice. 

*i usually despise blogs filled with people's re-posting...I mean that's the whole point of Pinterest isn't it? But then found these and couldn't resist sharing* 

The following were found on the incredible site OhSoBeautifulPaper...


The above linen save the dates were designed by Valencia at Cut&Paste
How gorgeous are these *D.I.Y.* water colour invitations...Just click here to see all the steps to create them for yourself.



I love the simplicity of these illustration as well as the fun typography...



From AFinePress
This was just too much fun not to post:




Designed by Gus&Ruby


Lots more wedding idea's to follow soon, as well as just plain ol' good lookin' stuff :)

In Good Company...Parkhurst

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I have quickly nipped up to Joburg for the weekend to get started on all the important wedding plans (the dress, decor, registry etc) and just had to pop into In Good Company in Parkurst. The store is a delight for any party planner, with goodies for Easter, Weddings, Birthdays, Children's theme party's and every other party you can think of. 

They also hire out select items for very reasonable prices which are available for collection.

If you go to their website (click here) you will find all their items for sale and rent as well as loads of idea's for hosting the perfect dinner/tea/party.

Here's what I've found for my wedding so far...






These cute straws are R2 a pop and come in lots of different colours. Perfect for a lemonade stand!

He asked and I said *Yes*

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On Sunday 11th March 2011 Dale Hutton (aka Farmboy) got down on one knee at the base of a beautiful waterfall and asked me to marry him...it sounds like the end of a movie, and to be honest, right now it feels like I am in one. I have been unable to stop myself grinning like a fool whenever I glance down at my left hand, or when my phone crashes from too many Facebooks 'likes'. I want to try and capture the moment again for all my readers who would like to know the how's and the why's. Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you enjoy the photo's...

A few *before* shots:


Even at this stage I had no idea what was in store for me, I just knew I was being taken to a place where I needed my swimming costume (plus I saw out fishing rods in the car and was therefore slightly disappointed *hehe*)
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Where did my Farmboy take me for the day?? None other than one of the largest and most luxurious day spa's in Africa...Karkloof Spa!! This, I thought, had to have been the big suprise. I really was not expected what came next...



Always snapping away with Instagram :) 



Little stroll around while our driver repaired the flat tire on our Game Drive vehicle :)


Getting deep and reflective (well actually just catching my breath and cooling down after the very *long* and humid walk to the waterfall!) Completely unprepared for what followed...

And *After*...


I wasn't crying at this point, rather jumping up and down on the spot while Dale struggled to get me to keep still to put the ring on my finger...





Dale had written this little note and hidden inside a little teddy bear he had made for me over a year and half ago...at this point the tears just streamed down my face. Dale Hutton...I am so in love with you!!!


A little celebratory gift left for us by our driver :)



BIG smiles all around... 


And there you have it. A real fairtytale ending to a most perfect day. 
From now on I am also going to use the blog to document the whole planning process of our Wedding. We have set a date in September, so that leaves 6 months to plan plan plan. Stay tuned for lots of pictures, advice, and most of all *idea's* 

xxx

#PhotoOf TheWeek...Reflection

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Today marks a very special day for myself and Farmboy...after a truly wonderful day at the 5* Karkloof Spa here in Natal, my Farmboy got down on one knee and proposed in the most romantic way possible...I've had a silly grin on my face all day! 
Full post to come soon :)

This week has been a very busy one, and we have a whole load of new members to welcome to our PhotoChallenge! A big warm welcome to Natalie (my soon to be sister-in-law! Yay Excitement! Who is joining in from Japan), Megs (hailing from East London), Victoria (joining us all the way from Cambodia! Click here to join her on her blog) and Kerri (who spent AGES helping me colour in these posters) 

This week's theme was Reflection and I think everyone did marvelously :)

*If you would like to join in on the fun just drop me a line here. You don't have to be a wizz with a camera, you just have to like a challenge. Photo's can be as edited or as 'natural' as you like and the only rule is that your photo has to be sent to me by Sunday evening so I can put it up before Monday*

Taken by: Dale

Taken by: Kayleigh

Taken by: Megs


Taken by: Natalie

Taken by: Rob

Taken by: Roxy 

Taken by: Sue

Taken by: Kerri

Taken by: Victoria
Well done ladies and gents! Awesome pictures

PGCE Field trip to *WESSA* Howick

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This week our Postgrad Teaching Diploma class was treated to a day out at the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) base in the Umgeni Nature Reserve in Howick, just outside Pietermaritzburg. 

The aim of the trip was to show us teachers in training how we can use the natural environment as a resource in our classroom, as well as how we can incorporate environmental awareness into our own teaching subjects. 

I am studying to be a Foundation Phase Teacher (Grade's R - 3) so I am a little nervous about taking a bunch of little children to a running stream and telling them to find creepy crawlies :) I think i would have to devise 'dog' leashes for all of them to make sure I could keep an eye on them!

All in all it was a super great day out and really got our minds buzzing with idea's.


If you would like to find out more about WESSA and the work they do (as well as their numerous volunteer programs) click here


We played a game using brightly coloured picture cards, strolled around the peaceful reserve, and did an experiment to find out if the local stream held drinking water...thanks for the great day out WESSA!




I found something! 






Poster Making...what goes on in the life of a teacher in training

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Just a few snaps from my weekend jam packed with assignments for my PGCE (PostGraduate Certificate in Education) that I am currently studying through the University of Kwazulu Natal...fun fun fun!

Thanks to my amazingly talented boyfriend, and the wonderful talent of Kerri for all her hard work colouring in the lines :)







My Farmboy, you are so talented...thank you for helping me so nicely this weekend with all my posters...you rock!


#IHeartMarket...Launch of Buttercup Collectibles!

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Saturday marked the very exciting start of Buttercup Collectibles at the I Heart Market at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. 
Thanks so much to everyone who came by to have a look/say hello/make a purchase. It was a wonderful feel to be on the other side of the stalls :) And everyone was so gosh darn friendly! Now I know why I love Durban so much (not that I don't love my home city of gold, but here's just something special about Durbs!). We hope to see you all again next month with lots more goodies in stock...







In the mean time, here are a few pics from Saturday. Don't forget to keep checking up on the "Buttercup" Page at the top of the blog. I will keep updating it with items that are still for sale :) And of course to stay up to date with our Facebook Page. 

I hope you all had a super relaxing weekend and didn't get swept away in the Cyclone :)

xx


#PhotoOfTheWeek...Warm

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This week we only have three entries for the #PhotoOfTheWeek Challenge, but we have added another three people to our team who have just joined and will start submitting their photographs from next week! It does become harder and harder to stay focused but that's what males it such a challenge. Keep up the great work everyone :)

Taken by: Sue
Taken by: Dale 
Taken by: Roxy
If you would like to take part in the #PhotoOfTheWeek challenge, just drop me an email here :) The more the merrier, and you don't have to be a professional to join...it's all about challenging yourself to do your best and to keep those creative goggles on!

*Peels Honey* Midlands Meander

/ Prospect Prospect, Howick 3290, South Africa/
A few shots from a little drive Farmboy and I did through the Midlands. Who doesn't love a little bit of honey hey?! 


To get to the Peel's Honey shop take exit 99 from the N3 near Howick. Turn toward Underberg and then follow the signs.

Open 08h00-17h00 Daily
Closed Christmas Day

Telephone/Fax: 033 330 3762

MAC Select Cover-Up *NW25*

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Up until last week I would have sworn by Revlon's Colour Stay Blemish Concealer (click here for my review). I hit the MAC counter on a recent trip up to Joburg to "have a quick look at what's new" which turned into my purse shouting at me "please, no more!". One of my new goodies is MAC's Select Cover-Up which is an oil free (or should I say 'oil absorbing' as they lady at the counter pointed out) concealer better suited to oilier skin types.

So what's my verdict? I find it gives more coverage than Revlon's Colour-Stay Concealer as it has a thicker texture, which is nice if you need to really cover up an unsightly pimple, but not so nice if you're wanting to use your concealer as an all over light foundation. When my skin was at it's best I would just use Revlon's Colour Stay Concealer to dab a few bits around my nose and cheeks to achieve a flawless finish, topped off with a light dusting of Yardley's Absolute Translucent Finishing Powder (click here for my review) and I was all set on the skin side of things. Now that my skin has gone a little haywire I'm finding I need just that little extra coverage, and that's where I find MAC's Select Cover-Up hits the spot (hehe a little cheesy I know).

I can't say I prefer it over Revlon's Colour Stay Concealer, as they are both useful at different times. 

Revlon Colour Stay Blemish Concealer R170
MAC Select Cover-Up R175 

For an extra R5, sometimes a girl has just got to have a little MAC in her makeup bag :)


#PhotoOfTheWeek...Time

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Last week's theme has taken a little longer than expected to get put up here on the blog, but better late than never :)

Although this challenge is for each team member to take one picture, all three of the first set of  photo's below just had to go together to allow the full idea to be seen.

*If you would like to take part in our #PhotoChallenge all you have to do is pop me an email and I'll add you to the team! It's a great way to get into the habit of taking pictures from new & varying angles*

Taken by: Kayleigh

Taken by: Roxy


Taken by: Sue

Bling from *Mr Price*

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Found this pretty *bracelet* at Mr Price. I'm loving the feminine look and feel of it, makes you feel like a real lady when wearing it.

A real steal for only R39.99. If you like the look of my nails click here for the full post :) 

I hope you have all had a wonderfully relaxing weekend!

xx

Launch of *Buttercup* Collectibles...

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Over the past few months I've had my fair share of free time...time to reflect on my dreams and goals for the future (the serious stuff) and time to look at around at every Antique store here in the Midlands/Pietermaritzburg area (the fun stuff). In doing so, I have picked up quite a collection of lovely pieces that I have no space for in my home. That's why I have decided to start Buttercup Collectibles. 

I will be at the I Heart Market selling lots of Vintage bits and pieces, which would look great as decor items, but most are still in good working order and can be used. If you are like me and love the idea of owning something unique and special pop by my stall and have a browse. If you are looking for something in particular, please feel free to let me know and I will try to source it for you on my many wanderings in Charity Shops and Antique Stores :)

Here is a glimpse as to what will be available to purchase next Saturday...















If you are able to be at the Market, and nothing here take's your fancy, please come stop by and say hello anyway :)

*Don't forget to head on over to the Facebook group where I will be posting more pic's of what will be on sale next Saturday*

xxx

A different take on *Lasagna*

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Another easy dinner idea, this time mixing things up a little with an old favourite.

Ingredients:
I pack diced bacon (or streaky/back bacon cut up)
1 punnet rosa tomatoes
275g parmesan cheese (we mixed this up with about 100g of cheddar added into the mix)
white sauce (either store bought or make your own suing milk, flour and salt heated up in the microwave)
2 big handfulls of spinach
1 box Fattis & Monis lasagna
handful of fresh basil
1 clove garlic (to tatse)



Step 1: Heat Oven to 180C. Blanche the spinach (pour boiling water over the leaves and leave for about 25s, then drain)



Step 2: Fry the bacon bits in a pan until nice and crispy


Step 3: Start layering your lasagna ingredients starting off with a layer of white sauce. Then add lasagna (we broke the sheets into smaller layers to make it go further), adding cheese, tomatoes, bacon and basil leaves as you go. Repeat until all your ingredients are used up. Finish off with basil and a fresh tomatoes as garnish.


Step 4: Bake in the oven for 20 - 30 minutes, until cheese is crispy.

Serve and Enjoy!




French Manicure by *Essence*

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I have always struggled with doing a French Manicure on my own hands (it's always that silly right hand that gets smudged/bumped/funny lines...why was I not born ambidextrous?!) and so when I spied this handy French Manicure Pen I just had to give it go. And boy I was not disappointed. After much shaking and pushing (that's precisely what the instructions say on the pen) a steady stream of white polish appeared and this is what I was able to accomplish:


Not bad hey? I had to stick a pretty butterfly nail art sticker on the second finger due to *smudging* on my part but otherwise it was so easy. And of course I also had to purchase this lovely French Man' top coat...the perfect light pink colour for a very natural looking french. I'm 5 days into my 'manicure' and my nails still look lovely. And using my fab new quick dry drops my mani was ready to go in super quick time!

Essence is available at Clicks stores nationwide...

Essence French Manicure & Pedicure Pen - R29.99
Essence French Glam Nail Polish - R29.99

I'd love to see your handiwork, if you do try these products post a pic on my Facebook page :)

**just a little note...I was not sponsored to write this post or any other review on this blog. If by any chance I am sent a product for review (hint hint PR reps) I will always make it clear and aim to give you an objective and honest review*