Working is the new Unemplyed

I seem to have greatly contradicted myself when I vowed to never get a job over the festive season, however I have surprised myself in more ways than one this year, so why stop now?
I have just been employed as retail store assistant at a design and decor shop called 'Origins' at Lifestyle Centre in Ballito.
The shop is absolutely stunning and is just overflowing with the most exquisite products that range from furniture and home decor items to jewellery and gifts. Majority of the items sold in the shop are sourced from local suppliers and can be branded as 'Proudly South African.' I would describe the feel of the store as 'ethinic meets glamour' as their is an intricate blend of African style and contemporary chic. Each piece sold has a specific 'Origin' or story to tell as most are either hand made by local people, artists or manufacturers.
As I learn the ropes in the store, I also look forward to discovering the story behind each uniquely crafted item and how it came into being, and this is what the store tries to capture with each of it's products.
Although today was just my first day, I can already say in all confidence that this is the most creatively stimulating job I have ever been involved in, and I simply love being in a gorgeously decorated environment working with luxury decor items, all of which I wish I could own. This job is so up my alley as I can be involved with organising and decorating the store as well as meeting clients and possibly even suppliers too.
There is such an abundance of inspiration at the shop, and hopefully this job experience will give me a better indication as to whether I'd like to get involved in this industry on a more permanent and serious basis. So for now, I am just testing the waters and soaking in all the creativity like a sponge.

What kind of a blogger would I be if I didn't share some visual appetisers with you? So here are a few of the items on sale in the store, all from the Origins website, click here to visit the full page.

Come visit Origins at Lifestyle Centre next time you're in Ballito and feel like making adding to your home's prettiness.

I Heart Market

Durban's very own I Heart Market was started in December 2008 by Anna and Saki who attempted to provide a platform on which to showcase some of our local talent and creative masterminds.
Over the months, this delightful gathering of gorgeous stalls has grown into a 'must-attend' event on Durban's social calendar for anyone from avid thrifters to children alike.
I Heart Market boasts an array of stands that vary from jewellery to stationery and from vintage pieces to tasty home-made delights, and there really is something for every age.
One thing that I personally love about this market is that almost everything sold, is locally made by creative Durbanite entrepreneurs and I love seeing their ideas materialise into their very own creations that are vastly different to most product sold in 'mainstream' stores. I am a fan of anything that is unique and handmade because hey, who wants to blend in with the crowd anyway?

I Heart Market is fresh, fun and full of little lovelies.

This December, instead of only being held on the first Saturday of the month as per usual, the market will run over three Saturdays (the 4th, 11th and 18th of December), a Christmas shopper's delight.

So get out your diary, mark the dates, and get involved in this month's I Heart Market action at the DLI Hall, Greyville starting at 8.30am.

I've decided to give you a sneak preview of a few of my favourite stalls that frequent the market and do a little feature on each. Enjoy.

Cupcake Couture
In the words of the owner of Cupcake Couture, Nadia Jonker, "I bake now and again, but what I really do is create one of a kind accessories using vintage buttons and sewing bits and bobs."
This pretty much sums up the business that is responsible for creating the most adorable vintage inspired accessories that any girl would just die to own. Each piece is beautifully hand-made and you can view more product on the blog by clicking here or contact Nadia by clicking here.
Be sure to find the Cupcake Couture stand next time you visit I Heart Market.

(Images: Cupcake Couture Blog)

Genevieve Motley

The talented Durban jewellery designer, Genevieve Motley also showcases her creations at I Heart Market and her stall is definitely one of my favourites. Her pieces are mostly made out of wood that is shaped and engraved to resemble animals amongst other shapes and designs. Her collection consists of a range of brooches, earrings, key rings, necklaces, rings and stud earrings.

The last time I visited I Heart Market I came home with a wooden heart-shaped necklace engraved with a sparrow that I always receive compliments on whenever I wear it.

Visit Genevieve's website here for a better look at her range

Sophia Basckin

Sophia Basckin makes the most divine jewellery and accessories from material covered buttons of all shapes and sizes. I personally am going through a major 'floral fetish' at the moment, so when I saw her creations I simply had to walk away with something from her stall, which ended up being a pair of floral studded earrings that I literally wear for death, they are stunning.

Needless to say, Sophia's items are amongst my favourites that appear at I Heart Market, so head down and have a look or you can contact her direct by clicking here

 

See you at I Heart Market this Saturday

Wish List

If Santa was a gazillionaire, and money was no option, this would be my 2010 Christmas list

• White Macbook
• Plane ticket to Australia
• Mac make-up range
• A wardrobe from 'Forever New'
• Polariod Camera
• Typewriter
• Seafolly bikini
• Jane Austen literature collection
• iPad
• Victoria's Secret underwear

It's A Four Letter Word

The English language cannot properly articulate my love for these images. I dont want to let my words ruin their beauty. Feast your eyes on their magnificence.

(source: unknown)

Music Monday

Mondays have the stigma of generally being dismal.
One sure way to put the 'umf' into any day is a good playlist.
So, I've decided to do a 'Music Monday' post at the start of every week, with a list of songs that are on my Monday Playlist. Enjoy.

1. Brooke Fraser - Deciphering Me
2. Anberlin - Amsterdam
3. Aretha Franklin - Say a Little Prayer
4. Hall and Oates - You Make My Dreams
5. Birds Of Tokyo - The Plan
6. Colours For A Canvas - Wide Open Spaces
7. The Temper Trap - Love Lost

Letters To Crushes

There is something about a handwritten letter that I just cannot resist.
Whether it be a letter to a friend or a secret confession of admiration, I love letters.
I could frolic in beautifully constructed sentences and gorgeous sounding words for hours.
I have recently been spending copious amounts of time on the website "Letters To Crushes" and if you sift through the masses of cliched love notes, you will stumble across some genuinely heart-felt love letters from anonymous lovesick people around the globe that sometimes cause a lump in your throat or bring a smile to your face. Below are some heart-warming posts that I found on the site...

beautiful,

whenever you explain something to me, whenever you tell me a story, whenever you talk non-stop for a minute or two, half of my consciousness just watch how your eyes sparkle, how your lips move, and how your cheeks blush.

and the rest of me just plays it cool.

love,

funny the way it is

Boy,

I was thinking that this summer we could fall in love.

You interested?

-Girl

"I want to know what colour paint is on your bedroom walls. I want to know whether you cross your legs when you watch your favourite show. I want to know what your fingers would feel like in mine. I want to know what your hair looks like when you wake up in the morning. I want to know what books made you cry. I want to know your favourite architect. I want to know how hard you can hug. But most of all I want to know if you want to know the same things about me."

 

 

We had our first fight today.
I said I hated you.
You said you hated me.
Then you kissed me with so much passion and intensity that my knees went weak.
We're now more in love than before.
I think we should fight more often.

you,

i like when we sit next to each other and your leg fits perfectly against mine. i like when our feet bump and we don’t apologize. i like this comfort. i like this closeness. i like you.

— me

I want us to have a little girl and see you carry her on your shoulders.
I want us to have a little boy that has your smile.

- Your Girl Forever

Smart girl,

I want to learn to paint so I can paint for you.

I want to learn to sing so I can sing for you.

I want to learn to write songs so they can be about you.

I want to hold art in my hand and control it just so I can create visual metaphors for your beauty.

For now, I will just write to you. We stare at paintings together in museums to find their meanings, and I wish I knew the meaning of us.

Do you think we’ll ever be in a painting? Do you think I will have painted it? I hope that some day you know this is how I feel. Until then, my brain creates hypothetical songs and watercolors for you.

— Silly boy

Dear Girl,

I really like you.

I want to take you everywhere I love because I know you'll love the same places.

I want to go to shelter island on a beautiful June day and be together on the beach.

I want to look at you and think "You are the one I truly love"

And know that everything is right at that moment. Then, I will truly be happy.

And the weirdest part? I don't even know who you are yet.

But when I meet you, I'll know.

Love Boy

boy on the subway,

I hope you don’t give everyone that smile. Even if you do, I will continue to believe it was just for me.

— anonymous

Sweet Tooth

I could honestly sit and look at pictures of sweet things for hours.
There's something about the sugary colours and textures that excites a sense of childlike awe in me as it takes me back to moments as a little girl when I would spend time lingering at the 'sweetie table' at friends' birthday parties. There would be cupcakes adorned with cherries and sprinkles and heart-shaped candy scattered across the polka dot table cloth.
These pictures I found at Sweet Designs make me want to just put on an apron, bake something and throw a tea-party in my garden. Delectable.

Secrets