Blog Post No# 500

Dear readers! Today marked my 500th blog post here on CityGirlSearching. I'm not sure whether I'm more surprised that I've been disciplined enough to keep this little ol' blog going this long, or the fact that I've managed to {create} interesting enough posts to keep my readers coming back. 

I started this blog as away to showcase pretty places I come across here in beautiful South Africa, to review makeup products that don't seem to feature much on the international beauty blogger scene, and it has now grown into so much more. I am now delving deeper into the exciting {but very often daunting} world of photography, and I also had the pleasure of meeting wonderful people through this world of blogging. 

So I want to say thank you to each and every one of you. Seeing new likes on Facebook, finding new followers on Twitter, replying to the blog comments, it all makes me feel very warm and fuzzy inside :)

So here's to another 500 posts...of interesting, original & creative content that keeps you coming back for more!

If there are any posts in particular that you like and would enjoy seeing more of, please do drop me a line in the comments section below.

Happy Sunday!

x

Some snaps of the {Vintage Festival} in Durban

Yesterday, Farmboy and I spent the morning manning my stall {Buttercup Collectibles} at the Retro Let's Go Vintage Festival at the Old DLI Hall in Durban. What a great turn out of market goers, who were dressed to the nines in 50's gear, ready to shop up a storm before the evenings festivities.

Here are a few photographs I managed to snap in between sales. Thanks to everyone who popped by to say hello, especially Nicola, Giselle, Fathima & Nadia..it was lovely to see you all.

And of course a huge thank you to everyone who bought pieces from me, I hope you enjoy then!

The last few bits that I have left I will be selling right here on the blog (think typewriters and tins!) so keep checking the blog for more on that.

xxx

{Happy Friday}

I have been doing a little more design work recently (nothing too fancy...I didn't study graphic design or anything...I'm a self taught Photoshop junkie) but I'm quite proud of what I have been putting together. I'd love to hear what you think!

I hope you all have a wonderful friday today, and that you've got some fun plans for the weekend.

I'm going to be at Vintage Festival happening at the DLI Hall in Durban tomorrow selling these goodies. I hope you'll join be in what is sure to be an exciting event!

xxx

{Melah Rose} a beautiful bundle of joy

A little while ago I posted a sneak peek of Melah Rose, just to give you a little hint. Here are the rest of a delightful morning spent with this gorgeous little one. She belongs to a dear friend of mine, Carmen, who is also a co-owner at Little Vintage {a boutique vintage clothing store} right here in Pietermaritzburg}. I hope you enjoy these photographs, and I look forward to doing many more!

xxx

{Cute Kitties} Sharon Montrose

Seriously?! I don't even have words for the amount of cuteness in each and every one of these photographs, and these are just the kitties...there are lions and tigers and bears oh my!

I LOVE MY JOB.

I’VE HAD THE SAME BEST FRIEND FOR 26 YEARS.

I GOOGLE EVERYTHING.

I’M ALWAYS COLD.

I RIDE MY BIKE.

"Melding her passion for photography with her love of animals, Sharon Montrose's definitive photographic style has made her one of the most sought-after commercial photographers specializing in animals for over a decade. In addition to eleven published photography books to her credit, Sharon shoots for some of the world’s foremost pet industry brands. Her animal series photographs are part of numerous public and private collections, including The Sir Elton John Photography Collection and have been awarded recognition by Communication Arts, Photo District News, The Art of Photography, Hey, Hot Shot!, and the International Photography Awards."

Sharon sells an incredible collection of prints through her online store {The Animal Print Shop} and I want each and every single one. See more about Sharon here.

Essence Concealer {review}

This is the second time I am featuring this concealer, and the reason is simple...it's the best one I've ever used. Its easy on the pocket, does what it claims to do and leaves me a very happy chappy.  It only comes in two shades which is a bit of pain for those of us who don't fit into either of them, but it's easily blended, meaning you could mix it in with your favourite foundation. I have raved about Revlon's Colourstay Concealer in the past, but this little guy takes the cake especially with its price tag of R35.99!

Have you tried any of Essence's other products? A review of their new BB cream up on the blog soon! xxx

Sew pretty...beauty & buttons

I took these photographs a little while ago for a friend & client...we had such fun fiddling & styling the mannequin with tape measures and patterns, and I'm thrilled that she was happy with the outcome.

{Breakfast at Toast} Home Tour

{My dream home}

These are from Chicago based Danielle Moss (a freelance graphic designer/photographer, co-founder of The Everygirl & blogger) home.  I love the mix of soft hues, and the dash of pastel coral. Whats not to like?!

You can see more of Danielle here and here.

{Me and my Desk}

I'm spending some time here today, brainstorming and thinking about future creative ventures. It's so cold here in Pietermaritzburg, but its a beautiful clear morning full of so many possibilities. Go on a grab life with both hands today!

{Buttercup Collectibles} at the Retro Vintage Festival in Durban 27 April!

Come join me at the Vintage Festival happening in Durban on Saturday 27th April at 9h00 at the DLI Hall. I will be there with my stall {Buttercup Collectibles} selling lots of lovely vintage pieces and collectibles (think typewriters, books, kitchen pieces and glass jars!). I will be putting up photo's of what will be for sale on my Facebook Page later on this week, so make sure to stop on over there.
Don't forget to tell all your friends about the event...there will be a market from 9h00 - 13h00 and a Fifties Dance from 18h00 - 22h00.   I look forward to seeing you all there!
{Pop on over to my Facebook Page *click here* for more info!} xxx

TipTop Nail Polish {collection}

A few snaps of my TipTop collection of mauves and pinks (with a dash of glitter thrown into the mix). 

You can get your paws on these awesome polishes for only R39.99 at your local Dischem or Clicks.

Click here for reviews of my TipTop collection.

#SouthernWedding {Dear Chloe Photography}

This weekend Farmboy and I headed out to Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort in the Drakensburg to celebrate a very special wedding. Jarrod met the Houston based Ria on twitter last year. They connected through their love of CrossFit, got engaged on his recent trip to the States, and here we are, witnessing true love that isn't bound by distance. Jared & Ria, we wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

These gorgeous photographs were taken by my very talented friend Chloe, who is the beauty and the brains behind Dear Chloe Photography. While not the official photographer, these photographs are a sneak peek for all of use while we wait to see those taken by the official photographer.

Chloe is branching out into wedding photography, and is oh so very happy to travel :) Have a squizz at here other work here, and check our her website here.

Farmboy and I had a little mini photo shoot ourselves, don't we clean up good ;)

{Baking Pinspiration}

Some pinspiration to get you back into your kitchen, and to the oven! 

Aren't these images just so beautiful too?! For more like these, pop on over to my Pinterest boards  and feast your eyes.

Happy Baking!

xxx

1. Call Me Cupcake 'Buttercream Ruffle Cake'

 2. Amelia 'Coconut Cupcakes'

 3. Sprinkle Bakes 'Pink Vanilla Pocky Cake'

 4. Canelle et Vanille 'Gluten free Coconut Donuts'

 5.Mowielicious 'Japanese Cotton Soft Cheescake' 

 6. Chi ha rubato le crostate 'Rose Yogurt'

Korean Samgyupsal...South African Style

A few pangs for Korean food left us with a slight longing to return to Korean soil...to combat that for the time being, Farmboy and I set about recreating one of our favourite meals, Samgyupsal. Samgyupsal is traditionally thick, fatty slices of pork belly meat, usually neither marinated nor seasoned. It's cooked on a grill by each person and eaten directly from the grill. It is often dipped into a spicy pepper paste.

Here is a photo of the real deal in South Korea (taken when my mommy came to visit!), followed by our attempt a few days ago...

Easter on the Farm

A long weekend spent collecting eggs (the chocolate and the savoury kind), eating said eggs, watching copious amounts of television, doing no physical activity and spending time with special people.

I hope your Easter weekend was just grand!

Happy Easter!

 Some cute little creatures from Sharon Montrose.

Happy Easter friends and family. Be safe over the holidays...and after all your tummies are full of chocolate and hot cross buns, take a moment to remember the real meaning behind Easter..."He is Risen" Matthew 28:6 xxx

The Philippines...looking back

While Farmboy and I were teaching English in South Korea in 2010, we spent the second of our holidays with Farmboy's brother and sister-in-law (who were teaching in Japan) in the Philippines. Here are some special photographs, taken by my wonderful husband. I learnt all I know about a camera from him.

We flew from Incheon & landed in Puerto Princessa. From there we took a 9 hour shuttle to El Nido where we spent 6 days, of which were spent on an Island hopping tour. At the time El Nido was incredibly small, with just one road of restaurants and cafes. It has since increased in size but I have heard that it is still a very special place to visit. You can now fly directly into El Nido saving you a very long and uncomfortable ride from Puerto Princessa. If you get to El Nido, make sure to hire a scooter and head of in search of Nacpan beach, a beautiful stretch of coastline.

For more info on our trip, including tips and other travel advice, click here to visit our ever so helpful (but rather old and slightly out dated) blog on life in South Korea >>> FarmboyandCityGirl.com

Enjoy

x

Letters from across the sea...

This parcel arrived for me from a very dear friend in South Korea. Claire and I first met while waiting to board our plan for the start of our Teaching English in South Korea Adventure. That was in 2010. 

We have been friends ever since, and even though vast amounts of oceans separate us, whenever we do chat over Skype, we pick up right where we left off every time. I miss you Clairebear. Thank you for the wonderful package!

Sun, Sea & Sand in {Sodwana Bay}

Hello again friends! I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend, and that you all are feeling refreshed and ready for yet another short week, in preparation for lots of stuffing of faces with Easter eggs and hot cross buns!

Farmboy and I, along with our friends Kelly & Nathan headed off to Sodwana Bay (near the Mozambique border, up the North Coast) for the long weekend, with tents and blow up mattresses in tow. Apart from a very nasty incident last wednesday evening when my precious camera and Farmboy's work laptop were 'liberated' from my LOCKED car (using who knows what kind of sci-fi tech) but apart from that, the weekend was swell. Here are some snaps taken with Nathan's iPhone (ah man I really am mad about Instagram) with being without a camera and all...

{If you are ever looking for a holiday destination that feels very exotic and tropical, with incredible snorkeling and only about a 4.5 hour drive from PMB, then head out to Sodwana Bay}

{Minty Fresh}

These are a few images I've pinned onto my {pastel} Pinterest board lately...

I just love these soft hues of mint & sea green