A guide to gift Giving (Tips for the Man in your Life)

Dear gentle guy, here are a few tips to buying a gift for your better half.

1)    Magazine subscriptions are always heart-warming. Women love magazines & imagine a monthly gift from you to her, she will truly thank you. Check the magazine she normally buys, Plus they are affordable & practical.

2)    Buy gifts for her, not an occasion, there is no need to wait for Christmas, birthday or valentines to spoil her. When she deserves a gift, give her one.

3)    Still clear & firm on 2, remember to also add on gifts for Valentines & birthdays.

4)    Gifts are not necessary physical things we can hold. A weekend away even it’s to the next town will be appreciated. Be creative & listen to what her interests are. Tickets to fashion week or her favourite musician.

5)    For me this is the most important rule of all, the gift should be something she will love otherwise it will be returned or re-gifted. It’s hard to know specifics on what she will like. But here are some fail-proof tips

a.      If you are going  for clothes, look in her closet & what she normally likes to wear & buy, if it’s something she already loves, top that with the latest design, colour or cut, she will appreciate that you know her.

b.     Just because she shops at Mr Price all the time, doesn’t mean you have to go there too. Try the same look from Zara or topshop & set her closet apart.

c.   If you are really finding it difficult to choose a gift, then take her to her favourite store or the mall & ask to choose what she wants, this way she gets her hearts desires & it’s all from you. State the budget if you must, but if she aint no Gold-digger, she will know what you can afford & take that into consideration; otherwise buy her KFC if she acts mad & starts digging for Gold.

I hope this helps you make your lady happy this festive season & many years to come.

Reconciliation Day: Find Peace

Hi Guys. The day of reconciliation was created to mean something to many South Africans. We are a nation filled with a history of segregation & hatred. We were forced to see one other as different depending on the colour of our skin & to a large extent, those rules still apply today. Reconciliation day on 16 December is celebrated annually in South Africa. The holiday came into effect in 1994 to foster our nation to reconcile after the effects of apartheid. 16 December was chosen because it had significant meaning to both the Black & Afrikaans South Africans.

For Black South Africans, the Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) which is the military wing of the ANC was formed on this day in 1961. December 16 was also a holiday celebrated by the Afrikaans South Africans as the day of the Vow, on which a vow was made before the battle of the blood river. There are many versions of this truth but legend has it that some Voortrekker leaders made a public Vow on 16 December 1838, that if God protected them & gave them victory over the Zulus during the battle, they would honour & celebrate the day for ever.

Under the new democratic South Africa, it was decided that this day would be celebrated to try & heal the wounds of the nation. People I guess were expected to come together & bury their hatchets & try to move forward as a nation. I am not sure how significant this idea is today. Many youths (because I am one & can speak for) take this day to party & spend time with loved ones. I for one will be with my friends laughing & sharing food & drinks. I do however wish this day could bring the patriotism that we felt as a nation in 2010 during the world cup where people of all colour shared so many hugs & selfies that were genuine. I think because we all had one goal, to host the world, have fun & show the world we can. If only we could take just one day in the year & act like that, maybe we could heal a little more each year until we do it daily.  

Celebrate anyway it makes you happiest. Do it in style & keep moving forward. Reconcile, even if it’s with that one cashier you avoid because you think she is rude, you don’t have to apologize or tell her how you feel, just release the hate from your heart & let go.

White: Vintage 2 Piece

Hi guys, Just a quick post of my outfit. I bought this two piece a few months ago at the Salvation Army. It was originally a long skirt which I had no idea how to style. I then had the bright idea to turn it into shorts which I think complements the light blazer so well. The shoes are from Luella which is my favourite wedge ever. The bag is from Zara, their totes just always leave me in awe. Enjoy the rest of the week.

White: See Right Through Me

Hi guys. I realized a few weeks ago when I was going through my closet for clothes I will need for my holiday this December, that half of my clothes are vintage. I was not surprised of this fact as much as I was shocked that I have never worn so many of them. I normally buy items and wash them & place them away for a special occasion which never arrives because I lead quite a dull life.

This dress is one of them, I even forgot where I purchased it. I think I bought it in winter & hence forgot that I have it. Another thing is that it is very see through & has no lining so I was trying to find the suitable slip dress for it. I looked hard & have not found anything, maybe because I am dead set that whatever I pair it with must be silk. I decided to shoot it & see how it would look if I dared to wear it with some high waist undies etc. I could never pull it off, my self-esteem won’t let me be. '' sigh''

White: The Vintage suit

Hi Guys. What a year it has been. December is a time of the year when people just make final preps of what it is they need to do & reflect on the past year. For me, I don’t believe in starting things at a particular date. Although I get influenced a lot by events & dates, I try to just say e.g. today on this random day of the year in this odd month is when I reflect on progress & failure. Anytime is a good time for me. I do however feel December is a good time to look back & reflect on what you have achieved & how you plan to make changes in areas you lacked in.

This was a good year for me in terms of my job, family etc. But with relationships with others, it was doomed. This is one area I need to assess & really focus on what I am doing wrong or on the other side, who keeps doing me wrong. As a girlfriend, I sucked in the past few months. But because I am more in love that I have ever been, I have hope I will get better if given the chance etc.

Anyhow on a fashion note, this suit came as a blessing because I was in one of my ‘’let me just pass by the vintage shop & see if I fall trap to any dress’’. To my surprise this suit knocked me over. I believe whom ever owned it before me, was my bestie. It fits so well without any alterations etc. It’s my date night weapon & my summer days with the girls’ quick fix. I just love it.

Remember to spend wisely during this time & keep love closer than ever because for most, this is the time when loved ones are seen after a while. For me, I plan on stressing less & to stop over-thinking things so much & listening to my gut.