My Problem: Coming clean.

This is not easy but I came to a MASSIVE conclusion Monday morning. I have a problem, I am disorganised and I'm trying to hide it with décor.

I know I had this problem from a young age as some of the earliest self help things I took down from an Oprah Show is Julie Morgenstern's SPACE acronym. But soon forgotten, in a misplaced, un-updated diary, I became of age where I am viewed as an adult and still carried that problem.

I can't any more. I want to redesign the aesthetic of our house, I want to repaint, add decorations. Today I had a think of why (Especially with the current economy for most of us, just buying a more expensive drugstore lipstick feels like a financial mistake.) I want metallic finish titanium coloured walls. Am I painting away the disorganisation? Existential thoughts for a Monday, but YES.

The evidence:

Good thing this is blurry because this is the "I don't know where this goes" Graveyard

This is where I am suppose to do blog things. The sewing table was suppose to solve all my problems

Back there is kitchen equipment I can't even remember that I own

This is my life now: No one knows what's happening, not even me.

Throw it in, sort it never.

Blurry photo of glasses that should go into storage

Takealot.com boxes watching me while I'm sleeping. So elegant for room decor.

I can not live like this. That's why blogging was easier when we just moved. I didn't have so much random stuff clogging up space and time.

For the next few weeks I will be dealing with my issues. Now it won't be like a how to, but I will show you hacks and tips on my journey. I will start in my kitchen because I feel like I got the epiphany here. You know everyone has THAT kitchen drawer and cupboard.

I feel like I hate my life already for thinking of this but when it's done it will be worth it.

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May 2017 Favourites

Middle of the year! Right now it's dry A.F. in North ZA and the South is in a storm

Via Vintage Lover

Here are my favourites for the last month of Autumn:

Essence Nail Polish:

Cheap and cheerful. I bought a few in the end of April and wore them through out May.(All can be bought online at Takealot.com. I bought mine at Dischem)

The Gel Nail polish in Crash the Party?!

The Gel Nail polish in Crash the Party?! is H💿L💿 and I don't think anybody realised that. It's nice as a sheer polish, a topper and also nice to add more layers of holo with a sponge (See Simply Naillogical)

Mega Last base coat

It so does what it says. It lasts for 4 to 5 days with out getting weird. I like to do the Base coat sandwich trick (base – polish – base – polish – top coat) that makes it last longer.

All That Shimmers in Make a Wish Topper:

This a milky Dual Chrome shimmer topper. When I don't feel like doing a big deal nail art, it's easy to add a topper for extra dimension to a flat coloured polish.

Quick Dry Top Coat:

This is super handy when you want to add a second coat of a coloured polish and don't have time for it to dry. I also use this as the everyday top coat to make polish last.

Beanies:

I recoloured my hair and because it's an unnatural colour, washing is restricted. Most weeks it looks awesome for days. Other times, not so much. With the fear of having a hair style mainly consisting of a mixture of dry shampoo and/or baby powder I like to disguise with a slouchy beanie.

H&M

MrP

DcatsG Studios

These are a trick thing to find because though I found them in-store there is none listed online.

Shopped in my closet:

I recently had a few occations I had to dress for. Because I have good basic pieces, instead of buying a whole outfit, I could piece one together. As a child, my mom thought me to have a few good pieces: A white t-shirt, a nice black knitted top (When I where it with a jean, flats and a slouchy beanie I feel French), pair of black pants, as well as plain black shoes. From these elements I had a few accessories to dress casual to a bit more formal without spending any money.

Humidifier:

This is one of the most expensive things I have bought the last few months but so worth it. I got mine here on Takealot.com but this specific one is available at Dischem and Baby Boom. I suggest to shop around. This has solved most of my congestion woes. This is the 4L and does not last during a whole night even on the lowest setting but what I do is to put it on and close the bedroom door 1 and a half to 2 hours before I go to bed and keeping the door ajar during the night.

Soaring free Superfoods Organic Hemp Seed Protein Powder:

I like Chia seeds. So when I was browsing in the health section of Fruit& Veg Food Lover's Market this item was cheaper than Chia. SO it naturally migrated into my trolley. I add this to smoothies and when ever I'm baking stuff that don't really have substance I add some of it. Like flapjacks (“Pancakes”) and even those premix bran muffins get a few spoons full. I like the idea of adding extra natural protein to anything.

I got mine in the health section of Fruit and Veg but it's also available at Faithful to Nature.

YouTube App Save Offline and Telkom Nitesurfer:

This is my app and free favourites in ONE. Now lately there have been a lot of videos I like to watch and these days I'd rather watch online content than what DStv thinks I must watch (Because all their ads look like all life is about is not missing your show and “family time”. Believe me, someone will die for deleting a show that was not watched yet.)

Now we have Night Surfer Data that we kept losing. (That is technically free) SO I started downloading stuff in the mornings. Because Telkom is sketchy A.F and don't state it outright the times anywhere on there site I had to cyber sleuth that the times are 00:00 to 07:00.

That means I've been binge watching Laura Lee and caught up with the Jeffree Star/ Nikkie Tutorials/ Too Faced/ #nounicornsintheamazon stories.

That is my things I've been liking in MAY and #unicornsareeverywhere

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Cheap to Free: Winter Tips

In the last weeks of Autumn we were truly feeling the big chill of Winter. Freezing at night, icy in the shade and dry all the time. That's not even when the wind picks up.

Here's some of my tips and tricks to deal with Winter life:

Pep 200mm X 200mm Coral Fleece Blankets:

This is the first of my PEP buys. In normal PEP stores it's usually towards the back of the store and some malls have a PEP Home. I love picking up trend pieces there. Now I know there is always a question about quality with cheap products (R149.00) BUT the leopard print blanket is 5 years old! I also wash them often so they hold up quite well. They are nice to hide cracked up leather seats:

Lola doing some low key modeling

Nice for decoration

But also:

Double Blanket Bed Hack:

Now this is a recent thing I tried. I don't even know if it is a thing. I've been having a problem were the duvet is some how too small for the bed. Especially since it's been getting colder. Instead of going to buy a bigger (more expensive) duvet I hang a blanket over the edge each side. It may sound and look not so aesthetically pleasing but it does the trick. No one is cold at night.

I store the blanket under pillows during the day

Cheap Dog Sweater Hack:

My dogs (even though they originated in England) are cold in Winter. These two shiver and full out refuse to go outside if it's cold. (On several occasions I had to leave them inside unsupervised because they objected to go outside in the cold.)

Animal abuse, clearly.

Instead of buying a dog sweaters or coats, I sized them up and bought cheap PEP kiddies shirts. They also have hoodies but they got bigger in Summer. The last ones I bought a bulk pack of PnP Clothing long sleeves. With minor no sew alterations they are warm (I cut the sleeves in half and cut it like a high low top for the boy-boy because pee pee on a shirt is not cool.)

Close your curtains:

It looks like I only have grey curtains 🙈🙈🙈

Most homes in ZA don't have double glazed windows. When I stand near my windows I can feel the cold seeping into the house. Just pull them closed and they will absorb the cold from outside and make it feel more cosy inside.

Eucalyptus and Peppermint Oil:

Wow yeah I'm going there with the oils. I just don't like going to doctors. I have a nose issue so even if it's minor, I am guaranteed to have full on congestion. Now I had all types of nasal sprays prescribed and that stuff is not always great. My two methods are:

My Humidifier:

This is my expensive winter thing I bought recently (available at here at Takealot.com and I see in the front of Dischem's end of Autumn.) So pricey but cheaper to buy and run that a doctors visit with meds. (Also didn't have to leave my house. It came in 2 day.) I advise if you do suffer from congestion to get one. I got the 4 litre because 2017 is the year of extra.

Shower Sauna:

How has this gone unnoticed? I love this. HERE is the article. There are so many ways to get spa like effects with a bath but you only get steam showers when you Google 'Shower Spa'. The gist of it is that you shower and stuff then drop a few drops of any aromatherapy oil on a wet towel and sit in the steam for 10 minutes to inhale the good properties.

Wash your hands:

This has saved me from the sick (and if I was sick, I saved others). So simple but if you know #officelife, there is always some sick idiot who rarely washes their hands. They cough, give you germ laden paperwork you asked for 3 days ago. (Side note: They are also the ones who stay home conveniently on Friday as well as Monday because they are sick. #JustSaying) Or you know/ have a child that goes to the place that keeps sickness alive: Preschool.

Also always keep a tube of hand sanitiser AS WELL AS hand cream (winter hand washing is drying for skin) in you desk and bag. I would rather look OCD then sick.

Lip Balm:

Imma keep it real: I love these fake 4ss eos orb lip balms. I like pearl balms, ones with light pigment, gloss type to real old school tin types. With the matt lipstick trend (that has become a pillar in the beauty community) formulas tend to be drying. During the day I can remove the matt lipstick with lip balm and after blotting reapply it. I also suggest if you are going to do matt lips, to apply lip balm before even applying foundation so it has time to moisturises the lips before application.

Bonus Tip! The Over the Counter:

*Please Note: I am NOT a medical professional. I am suggesting these items that work for me. If you feel poorly and don't feel better for a few days, please consult with your doctor.

Now after that disclaimer: I hate going to the doctor. Sometimes when I sit in the waiting area I feel myself miraculously being healed and can run a 5 km fun run and I'm not even a runner. No lies, my one doctor asked me if I'm seeing another practice because the last time I was there was 5 years before (This story is 2 years ago).

My first pick is Oscillococcinum. YAS COME THRU WITH THAT NAME!!!! This is the most expensive one. One little vial of powder does magic. It's also homeopathic.

Next is Med-Lemon. My mother swears by this. If you have a nagging head ache that doesn't go away (no I'm not talking about the office idiot who can't work the copy machine) this would help for that too.

Last is McNabs Super Guard. Their products are my jam. Only good things are used to make this and as a bonus, you get a cool motivational quote square. It's no GMO, wheat AND dairy free.

The biggest thing these have in common is NONE of them will make you tired or sleepy. You are taking these to not need down time, what's the point if you can't focus on the job?

And that is all the things that make Winter a better time for me and hopefully for you as well.

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April 2017 Favourites

The fourth month has passed so here is the good ish:

Silicone Make Up Applicator:

I am not calling it a sponge because it's not. I love this thing. The only advise I have is don't use too much BB/ CC/ Foundation because it will take forever to blend. I bought mine on Takealot. (Search Silicone Sponge *eye roll* in Health & Beauty)

Renew Perfect Colour in Passion Pink (NOT SO light pink)

That stuff is so bright.

After 5 washes it started to look almost like on the box. I got a super lot of compliments then EVEN from high end hair studio stylist to people who work the tills.

Saved fashion:

I washed and without thinking through a non-tumbledryable dress into the dryer and is was suddenly so short. After consulting the internet and several Pinterest pins, I put some hair conditioner in a bucket with warm water, then added the dress. It soaked for about an hour. I put it on spin cycle and hung it to dry. BOOM saved my dress.

Stepped away from posting on Social Media:

I didn't take a hard break but there is pressure as I like to always like to show the good side. Many people mistake that for my life EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. They think all I do is drink coffee, paint my nails and serve looks. (I had people in my real life mock me over my Insta feed. You do the awkward laugh but all I wanted to say in STFU) I was just free to do stuff and even have A LOT of make up free days.

Pioneer Woman's Coconut Curry Shrimp:

Or as we call they in ZA Prawns. I modified the recipe for Meatless Monday by using Fry's Battered Prawn Style Pieces instead of shrimp.

Here and here for Sriracha. I bought mine at Fruit and Veg Foodlover's Market in the Asian section (where you buy the sushi rice you never use :o)

Sleepo:

I use this app for relaxing before bed, colouring in and even when I need to concentrate. You can make your own mix of ocean, rain, city and the wide outdoors sounds. It also has 3 white noise sounds.

Freeze bread:

What the what?! Yes I started hoarding bread. Then it started to go bad so I started freezing it. I have an assortment of loafs, rolls and sandwich bread. For a full sandwich loaf, I just defrost over night and its fine. I toast it if I just want a few slices. For a full loaf of rolls, preheat your oven to 180ºC, then bake it for 8 minutes. As fresh as new.

That's my that!

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March 2017 Favourites

 

Hey! Here are my favourite things of the 3^rd month:

LA Girl Strobe Lite in 120 Watt:

This is their brightest, most sparkly one. I bought it just to test and I can't stop using it. It can be a mute splendour or you could add more and more to go full glazed doughnut. Yasss *in Jeffree Star Voice* 

Left: Applied once. Center: Like 3 coats Right: Phone photo

Garnier Ultimate Blends Bee Propolis Serum:

My hair has been screaming for hydration. So after I pat my hair dry I apply this. It cuts drying time of my hair in half and makes it more manageable.

Monochrome Fashion:

Because of my bright pink hair a.t.m. there is such a thing as too mush colour. When I had normal coloured hair, especially blonde, I'd wear pastels or jewel tones. Lately I've been loving grey with black accent pieces like a bag or a shoe.

Sunny Anderson's Dry Dredged Chicken wing Recipe:

On any day I LOVE Sunny Anderson. She is one of my KWEENS! She works hard, has an awesome dream car, has rescue cats and dogs and is an all round BAWSE on HER terms. She has a lot of 1-2-3 and nunya business recipes. This one is no exception.

Here is the recipe I like the dredge in. Instead of adding multiple spices I add some of those premix spices like chicken spice or BBQ spice. It's not the mess that happens when you make a coating with egg or buttermilk and you need bread crumbs.

For the real (wink wink) Buffalo wing experience, melt butter/ marge and add an equal part hot sauce. Tabasco is what I have. I also love this with the Chipolte Tabasco which is more spicy than hot. Toss the wings in that. Eat forever.

Follow Sunny on Instagram.

Fitbit:

Wow really Michellé? Only now.

Yes. I really started using the whole Fitbit and app to it's full this last month just as the Charge is starting to come apart (And is now off the market). I've been getting my active minutes up, as well as using the food log (though they don't have a South African Food Database I select the UK because it has more options for meals I cook at home).

Can't do the wearable fitness watch. Samsung Health is an app that counts steps as well as log similar data to Fitbit. The app is preloaded on most Samsungs also available in the Google App Store FREE!

Instagram:

No lies this app costs a lot of data but I cannot stop. I need the 'gram. I need to see a cat thatcosplays with food and The Dogist. I need to stalk Badkid Bebe and the Girl Gang. I need to watch Michelle Phan's stories. I need to see Nayeon serve new looks and dog stories (Stalker level: I know she foster failed a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mix, Gooby Potato). I'm following 507 accounts on my personal. I have a problem. They have a new function to their bookmarks that you can make like Pinterest boards. Bookmark all mermaid hair.

Monday has become my New Year:

Imagine having 52 new starts to the year. Some only pushes reset once a year and most fail immediately. Imagine to be able to reset more than once. Monday has become my reset. If motivation fades by like Thursday there is a Monday to start again. Monday I make sure I drink enough water, work out a little and eat different with Meatless Monday.

Better late than never

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