How to build a brick book shelf {part 1}

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Having moved/downgraded into a little 1 bedroom flat here in Pietermaritzburg, I have had to be really creative with my use of space. And with my fiance moving in with me when we are married in September, I/we have had to think very hard about ways to store all my stuff (and boy do I have a lot of stuff! I'm not sure how iImanage to collect so many bits and pieces in the short space of 6 months!). 

One thing that I do have lot of is files and books (at the moment I will blame that on being a student) and Farmboy hates them! He thinks they are a complete waste of space, and no matter how many times I tell him I need them next to my desk at all times, he just won't have it. That is, until I gave him the task of building me a book shelf. And, here we are. With something that not only looks really awesome, but is able to hold everything! 






I will post the final product soon!


Now, if only I had more cupboard space...

Planning a Location Wedding...{4 months before}

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{Image Source}
One of the greatest hurdles when planning a location wedding (a location wedding being a wedding not held at a specified venue that would organize the catering side of the event) is getting a caterer that can do the following:

a) cater for your number of guests (in our case 160- 180)

b) specializes in your particular food style

c) is able/happy to cater for your function at your location

d) is available!

Let me tell you something, to find someone who does all of the above is no easy feat! I spent many hours trawling the internet to find 'the one' and, after much frustration and anguish, was referred to Sarah from Harris and Homes in Durban.

Sarah has been incredible to work with so far, with a menu that includes the likes of "cream cheese stuffed dates skewered with parma ham" and "marinated lamb cutlets with coriander and honey" I am hoping that I have enough time in between greeting guests to fill my tummy!

Farmboy and I met with Sarah last weekend when she came to see the farm and chat to us about the logisitics of catering for the number of guests we are having. She was amazing at giving us loads of practical advice when it came to the many bumps and niggles we came across, while also giving us idea's for things we hadn't even thought about yet.

 Sarah, Farmboy and I are happy that you will be catering for us for our wedding, and we are so looking forward to the food!

The Harris & Homes website is under construction, but in the mean time you can contact Sarah direct on 074 183 8745

#PhotoOfTheWeek...Worn

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This past week's theme for our weekly photo challenge was 'Worn'. Well done to everyone whi submitted a photograph! They are really great! Every week, the team is given a theme (each team member is given a chance to choose the theme for the week) and then each person has 7 days to take the perfect picture. It can be as edited or as natural as you like, the only rule is it has to be submitted to me by Sunday evening (South African time) so that I can get the post up asap on Sunday night/early Monday morning! 

If you'd like to join in, just drop me a line at citygirlsearching@gmail.com and I will send you that week's theme and you can get started right away!



Taken by: Nicky

Taken by: Meg

"Worn out Broom"
Taken: by Rachel

"Worn Picture of my Ouma as a little girl"
Taken by: Sue
"My Worn Wedding Shoes"
Taken by: Cathy
"Worn 'old man' and upon his chin, a beard is worn"
Taken by: Rob
"Nothing like a well worn pair of boots"
Taken by: Roxy
Taken by: Lisa

StayClear Purifying Cleanser {Review}

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I came across this delightful cleanser while in Clicks the other day.  I hadn't really paid much attention to the Good Things brand as it is tucked away in the 'teenage' aisle of the store. But in my hurry from Joburg a few weekends back I left my face wash (along with all my other products) in the shower. So i was looking for something reasonable to tide me over until I get my products back from Joburg. Well, I'm so glad that I did leave them there, because this cleanser was such a gem of a find! It removes all traces of makeup from my skin without over drying, is free from parabens, sodium laureth sulphate and mineral oils, {& it is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans} and the gel like texture ensures that a little really does go a long way!

The best part, has most definitely got to be, the smell. Its delightfully fruity and leaves me feeling fresh and clean all day! It sounds a bit strange, but for the whole morning I could smell {what must be the *mango & blueberry*} the extracts that are in this cleanser! 

The only *slight* let down in this product is the prettyness of it, but all things considered, for only R54 at Clicks, you can overlook the packing in my mind.

I most definitely give this cleanser a 5/5!




Click here to join Good Things on Facebook...

A Farmboy in Ethiopia...

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Farmboy got back from Ethiopia last week where he was away on business for 16 days  (he was in Sierra Leone 3 weeks ago, click here to see those photo's of his trip).

There aren't many words to aptly describe his trip to you, so I am rather leaving you with the following photographs.

Enjoy
 xxx















#PhotoOfTheWeek...Yellow

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Another week has come and gone, and with it, another photo challenge! This week's theme was Yellow. Every week, the team (which consists of 15 members from all over South Africa, and in fact, from all over the world as we have 2 members in Asia!). A new theme is chosen on Monday and then everyone has to find a photograph that feel best suits that week's theme. Then they have to send me their submission by Sunday evening, and I post them early Monday morning. We have been going for over months know and it has been amazing to see everyone improve (not just in their photographic skill, but in their creativity!). 

And a BIG welcome to our newest member, Julia! Good luck with your photographs Julz, I can't wait to see them :)

Well done everyone!

Here are the submissions from this week:

Taken by: Cathy

Taken by: Lisa

Taken by: Julia
Taken by: Ron
Taken by: Roxy

Taken by: Sue
Taken by: Vicky


TipTop *Triple Putty*

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Yet another lovely colour to add to my collection of TipTop nail polishes. I loved the deep burgundy colour of Crushed Grapes (which lasted a whole 9 days on my nails before I finally had to part with it!) and so went off shopping for another wintery shade. Grey is definitely one of my favourite colours, and looks gorgeous when paired with anything (especially apricot and baby pink, which are our wedding colours! Click here to see whats happening on that front, with just over 4 months to go things are getting pretty stressful!). 

As always, TipTop polish goes on beautifully, and gives an even amount of colour in every stroke. I did find that I needed to do 2 coats of this colour, but that just added to the richness of it.

This is  #948, Triple Putty:





You can find TipTop at most Click's stores nationwide, for R39.99 (which is just as easy on the wallet as their colours are on the eyes!). Click here to join them on Twitter, and click here to join in their fun competitions and giveaways on Facebook!

Rollin Vintage {Shop} Launch!

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This friday, 1st June 2012, Rollin Vintage will be launching their new premises in Howick, just outside Pietermaritzburg. Ryan and Liesa started Rollin Vintage at the beginning of this year, and have been an unstoppable force since then. I did a post on their pieces before, click here, when they were just starting up their business, and it has been amazing to see them grow. Their shop is just the beginning. Not only will they be showcasing their gorgeous antique cutlery jewelry, they will also be stocking a host of other South African handmade designs and crafts. If you are in the Pietermaritzburg area on Friday afternoon, why not pop by!



These are the *before the stock has arrived* photo's, just to give you a little glimpse of what's in store on Friday.

Ryan and Liesa!

How amazing is this Radio!? *Not for sale*



Ryan's pride and joy! He spent many hours lovingly crafting this counter...

I want! 





Lots of natural light make the shop a very inviting place to be in winter...


One of their rings. 

The 'Designer on Display' feature space

{From left to right} Me, Liesa, Shellen and Angela
All four of us were studying our Postgrad Teaching Certificate at the University of Kwazulu Natal, but Liesa had other idea's, and left the course to follow her dream (inspiring woman!).
Liesa!






#PhotoOfTheWeek...Eerie

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This week's theme was a very interesting one, and I've loved each and every one of the submissions! Thank you to everyone who has submitted a photograph. And, I am very please to introduce you all to our newest team member. Team, meet Cathy! Thanks for joining in our #PhotoOfTheWeek challenge Cathy, I look forward to seeing your photographs!

Taken by: Cathy

Taken by: Dale

Taken by: Meg

Taken by: Lisa

Taken by: Roxy

Taken by: Rob

Dullstroom for the weekend...

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A few snaps from a recent rip to Dullstroom, sans Farmboy (who is still away for work in Ethiopia!!). But I did go with my lovely mom and step dad. The weekend was to celebrate my Uncle Pete's Big 50, and was packed with family catch ups, beautiful scenery, and fires burning all day long to keep cosy...

I really liked the look of this log...

Me and my Grandpa!


Interesting fence...

Nothing like a little cheesy self portrait!

?! :)


Pinecone found on a walk through the forest

The Clock Shop!

Harry's Pancakes...yum yum yum!

Even though i felt that Dullstroom is tending towards to 'dull' side (with most shops selling cheap Chinese replica's ie. junk!) it was still a wonderful weekend. Dullsroom is still one of the most beautiful places to head to for a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of Joburg (and of course is a fantastic place for trout fishing!).

#PhotoOfTheWeek...Bubbles

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Another week has come and gone, and with it another photochallenge! This past weeks theme was Bubbles. Every week, the team is given a theme (each team member is given a chance to choose the theme for the week) and then each person has 7 days to take the perfect picture. It can be as edited or as natural as you like, the only rule is it has to be submitted to me by Sunday evening (South African time) so that I can get the post up asap on Sunday night/early Monday morning! If you'd like to join in, just drop me a line at citygirlsearching@gmail.com and I will send you that week's theme and you can get started right away!

Here are this week's submissions for the theme Bubbles:

Taken by: Rob


Taken by: Meg

Taken by: Roxy


Taken by: Lisa
Taken by: Vicky
Taken by :Sue

{Blogging For Beginners} a *Pugly Pixel* Post

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One of my all time favourite bloggers, Katrina from PuglyPixel, recently wrote a post on blogging for beginners. As I have also been asked this question numerous times before, I thought I'd send you over to her site where she has some great pointers, as well as loads and loads of freebies to make your blog look lovely! Most of what I have learnt in photoshop I've learnt from her super tutorials (which are all free, how nice!). For a very small price ($5) you can register for a month long membership on her site and you have access to everything! How great is that?!

Thank you for all your hard work Katrina, your blog is always such a delight to look through :)


Bourjois *Foundation* {Review}

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I am really loving my new Bourjois Flower Perfection Foundation (which came in last week after I placed an order with my Dad who was on a trip to the UK.) It's much cheaper over there than here, R110 there vs R185 here. It glides on effortlessly, stays put the whole day, and doesn't leave my skin looking shiny. The bottle says that it leaves a "smooth, beatified complexion" and I have to say I am definitely agreeing with that statement. It leaves a slight matte finish, which is great if your skin tends towards the oilier side, and smells fantastic (it's horrible putting something on your face that makes you want to gag!). It even comes with a cute little makeup sponge applicator which fits nearly onto the lid, making things very easy. I still spwear by my Mac #187 Stippling Brush  which gives me perfect coverage every time, without leaving me with a streaky effect my fingers and sponges usually leave me with. 

If you do have very sensitive or dry skin, I would probably be careful with this foundation as it does have a matte effect (which could possibly leave dry skin types looking a bit on the cakey side). Also, with regards to the lovely flower scent, this is from added fragrances which could irritate very sensitive skin. 


I give this foundation a 4/5, the only reason for not giving it full marks is the price of it here in South Africa. Bourjois is still relatively new to South Africa, and R185 for a foundation most people have never heard of is a bit steep. I think consumers would rather pay a bit extra for the likes of MAC. 
You can find Bourjois at most Edgars stores, nationwide.

TipTip *Crushed Grapes*

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Loving the new addition to my ever growing collection of TipTop Nail polishes. They always paint beautifullym dry quickly and last for ages. Plus, they are Formaldehyde, Dibutylphthalate, Camphor and Toluene free meaning they are better for your nails than most brands, ultimately resulting in healthier nails! 

This is 918, Crushed Grapes.
Dark colours can be tricky on long nails, which mine were until i broke one on my car door (*ouch!!*). What better way to disguise short nails that with a gorgeous shade, perfect for the cold winter ahead. 




You can get your hands on TipTop at most Clicks stores nationwide for R39.99. 


TipTop are always running awesome giveaways and competitions on Facebook, be sure to check out their page to join in on the fun!

{Macaroons} What not to do...

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Today I am very proud of myself, I unhooked, carried, loaded, refilled, carried, reloaded and re-hooked my first ever gas cylinder! What a day, and boy are those cylinders heavy, wowee! And to celebrate having a fresh tank of gas, Candice and I decided to try out what looked like a very easy Macaroon recipe in the latest edition of Ideas.

And while they didn't quite come out liked i had hoped (I didn't even get to a point where I needed to make the delicious creamy white chocolate centre!), I still had fun. And i now have squishy balls of sugary mess to munch on in the cold winter nights while Farmboy is away in Ethiopia.

I thought  maroons were as easy as:









This is what was supposed to happen when the above steps were followed:

{source}
Instead, this is what I am left with...


But they (or it) is still very yummy! Not sure where exactly I went wrong...not using greaseproof paper was a big mistake, as well as having my oven a little too hot. 

 I will just have to give them another go i think???

A Farmboy in North Africa

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My dear fiance has been working as an environmental consultant for a company here in KZN for the last few months, and recently got back from a trip to Senegal, Sierra Leone and Gambia. At this moment he is in Ethiopia doing research for another project there. Here are a few of his photographs from his trip. I'm really missing him, and am desperate to go on adventures with him to these incredible places!

 Enjoy :)













Farmboy, I miss you xxx