These words are something I am going to hold on to from now on. Life and our parents and our teachers, they all teach us that nothing worth it is easy, and seeing this was a friendly reminder! Sometimes we all get stuck in wanting to get 'there', that we forget what made us want to get there in the first place... So for all my creative friends, you writers, poets, photographers, fashion heads, etc... This one is for you.
You know those things, yes those things, that can turn any bad day good, put a pep in your step, keep you way occupied and make you that much happier... well yes, I have a few of these things I call my favourite things. Lately I have been indulging in quite a few, and I wanted to share with you some of my latest obsessions the things that I can't live without.
Flipboard
Can't say nothing else except for I am addicted. I spend most of my time on this app,when I am not tweeting or chatting. It has given me the excuse not to have an excuse to 'use my phone' when I see someone I do not really want to talk to, or when I find myself in awkward situations, because now I can just. I can literally stay on Flipboard days on end and only come up for air when I have been rudely interrupted.
I love that I can create my own magazine, with all the stuff that I find on the app and on the Internet. If you ever need inspiration, fresh ideas or just knowledge from people within the same 'industry' or people who have the same passions and interests as you, then this is the app for you.
I've created three magazines so far {below}, and while I am still getting the hang of being my own magazine curator, I am enjoying the hell out of this app, flip after flip.
If you are on Flipboard too, let me know, and please stop by my magazines and let me know what you think.
Vine
Another social media platform... I am beginning to wonder what social media platform I am NOT on. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Keek, the list just goes on, but you name it and I am on it. Is this even healthy?
I have to say though, some of my favourite social media apps are ones you can get creative with, like Pinterest, Instagram and now Vine, I just love it.
I was introduced to it by one of my friends, and at first I hadn't a clue what to do with this thing, {not like I am much different now}, but this is app is slowly becoming one of my latest addictions. See, I am not so much a visual, that means photography and film, kind of person but the whole art interests me. So whatever chance I can get to play with one of these photo/video tools, count me in.
Joy is what I feel in my heart when I look forward to the next couple of days, weeks, months. Being engaged has changed everything for me! I haven't been one to start planning her wedding day from the day she was born, but along the way I have come across friends and people {of course I mean him} that have got me excited at the prospect of planning a wedding... My one friend is obsessed and her obsession has become my obsession, if not for the fact that she sends me every bridesmaid fabric, wedding dress design and wedding location picture out there. She and the fact that this is all real now, makes planning my wedding one of my favourite things to do lately.
Just as much as coffee addicts need their coffee to get them through the day, I need my cups of tea, and if it is vanilla I can do just about anything. I am a tea lover for sure man, even on the hottest day. I believe that you can find the answers to life at the bottom of a tea cup. Some say wine glass, I say tea cup.
Mirrors
I should probably get in line with this one.
I was pretty disappointed with the music that was coming out at the beginning of 2013, till Justin showed up. I love this song, it's everything you need in a love song and more.
Magazines & Blogs
I am a reader, I love to read, books, magazines, blogs.... I read it all. So as I heal myself with a cup of vanilla tea I like to indulge in a few magazines and blogs. Lately my favourite magazine has been ELLE UK. I have always bought the South African edition because it makes more sense to me. I'm here, it's here, perfect pair. But I recently got the UK edition and was amazed by their editorials, it wasn't the first time though, but I realised why I need to do more of it. What an amazing read.
But all in all, I love me some GRAZIA, ELLE and GLAMOUR.
And lately my favourite blogs are, Fashion Toast, Song of Style, Wendy's Look Book, and The Glamourai. These blogs make having my flipboard app that much more fun. Lot's to flip and lot's to be inspired by. It's amazing when you can get lost in a world that someone else has created for you, and enjoy your stay.
So yes, these are a few of my favourite things. What are some of yours?
A little while back I mentioned that I would be interested in having people guest blog on Lu3Lus Crossing. I have fallen in love with a lot of blogs recently and I think that it is about time to get started with this series.
So from now on, on Fridays I will have a guest post up, starting tomorrow. I just want to thank those who have been interested in taking part, the response so far to my quest for guest bloggers has been amazing, and I also want to welcome anyone else who might want to join in too.
I think guest blogging is a great way to meet and get to know other bloggers and encourage and support each other. I for one am really excited to get started and looking forward to having them here.
I'm also starting a new series called 'Creative of the Week' in which I will be interviewing or 'getting to know' people in the creative industry here in South Africa. This series will be taking part on Wednesdays and hope to get it started this coming Wednesday the 1st of May. This is something else I am excited about because, being a lover of the creative industry and wanting to be a part of it myself I love getting inspired and learning from what others do.
Even though celebrity red carpet fashion is a joy to watch, you know, seeing who wore what outfit, by whom and how, and OMG did you see her dress! But, it doesn't really tell me anything about a celebrities sense of style, other than the fact that they have a wonderfully talented team behind them, and of course I am only talking about those who actually look nice on the red carpet.
I'm saying, celebrity red carpet fashion is just glitz and glam, it doesn't go much further than the dress, suit and tie, and I can't connect, which is why I personally like to style stalk celebrities off the red carpet, because for me when they are going on coffee dates, heading to the club, running errands or dodging the paps, that's when you can kind of tell what their real fashion sense is like.
I have put together some of my favourite and inspiring off duty celebrity looks this past month, and although the past couple of months back there have been award season, these three off duty celebs caught my eye and made me want to GET THAT LOOK!
Khloe Kardashian
I love the shirt dress thing she has going on, and more so in print. I have been trying to find myself something similar for ages now and I just can't seem to come across the right kind of one. Khloe makes me want to steal hers which is why I think she looks so good here, and there is just no fuss or muss about the outfit, you can tell she didn't just get out of bed and throw the first thing on, but still looks effortless.
Katie Holmes
Even though it doesn't really show in my choice of outfits lately, I am in a black jeans, black leggings phase and this is why I love what Katie is wearing. I feel like a pair of black bottoms takes the pressure off any outfit, because all I have to do after that is just find a cute top {which she did} to match it with, and what doesn't match with black?
I want this outfit.
Zoe Saldana
Black bottoms again, what did I tell you? This is a look I want to keep in mind for winter. I find it hard to keep warm and stay stylish at the same time, and maybe because the cold has frozen my brain and I can't do two things at once, but this outfit just reminds me that I must, should and can.
Ever think of who {dead or alive} you would invite to a dinner party? I do, all the time, and even though my list changes changes quite often, almost all the time Marilyn and/or Audrey make the cut.
My mild obsession with Marilyn Monroe started after I watched My Week with Marilyn. Such a beautiful movie, and naturally {because I felt she was a very close friend of mine} I morphed into a mini detective trying to solve the age old mystery of her death. Audrey on the other hand, after finally watching Breakfast at Tiffany's {which I made a promise to do here} I finally got what all the fuss was about. I get that it was a movie, and none of it was real, but I just imagined myself hanging out with the lady on the screen and having an absolute good time.
Regardless, there is a reason why we as women use many of the things Marilyn and Audrey said then to apply to our lives now, because despite being popular for their acting, singing, fashion and style these women inspire young girls and women, in love, friendship, life, and womanhood.
I can definitely raise my hand to testify to this. I have caught myself a time or two relating to something they have said, sticking by it, and trying to apply it to my life, I mean no wonder I want to have them at my dinner party. What other secrets to life are they holding back?
Here are some of my favourites.
Marilyn Monroe
"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they are right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together"
"We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets."
"Just because you fail once, it doesn't mean you are going to fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on and always always always believe in yourself, because if you don't then who will? So keep your head high, your chin up and most importantly, keep smiling because life is beautiful and there is so much to smile about"
"It's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring"
"For those who are poor in happiness, each time is a first time, happiness never becomes a habit."
"I do not stop when I am tired, I stop when I am done..."
Audrey Hepburn
"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like the most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person."
"You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him"
"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others."
"I decided very early on, just accept life unconditionally; I have never expected it to do anything special, yet I seemed to accomplish far more than I had ever hoped. Most of the time it just happened without my ever seeking it"
"I don't take my life seriously, but I do take what I do - in my life - seriously"
I just love these ladies and what they stand for, they inspire {at least me} to go for what I want, be confident and happy as a woman.
Day 14: A Picture of You Last Year--- How Have You Changed?
Considering last year was only just 29 days ago, this challenge is a bit tricky. But here is a photo that was taken of me early last year, I think it must have been in August or something.
Unfortunately it is black and white, but this is one of my favourite photos, it reminds me of a day I kind of stepped out of my comfort zone. I was ambushed into a photoshoot by one of my friends for this clothing store called Krush Culture, and even though I was reluctant to do it, I had a lot of fun at the end of the day.
They have such amazing clothes, but not clothes that you would normally find me wearing. This is why I like the picture, because I stripped myself off normal and tried extraordinary, and it worked. (",)
What has changed about me since?
Hmmmm, this is so hard, because I feel the same, and I look the same but I know I have changed.
One thing I have difficulty with is pinpointing things about myself {whether good or bad} but talking about myself just doesn't come easy. Which is one of the reasons I chose to do this challenge, it is all about me and it is something I really need to learn.
But for now, one thing I am certain of, is I don't think the same. A lot has happened in my life since last year that has caused me to look at certain situations differently. Not all bad though, some situations have really changed me for the better. :) but I just don't see life the same way anymore. As my sister would say "It's not that serious"
Don't get me wrong, life is the most serious thing I have ever come across. But we have a habit of making it even more so than it actually is. Life is good, and if we see it for the goodness that it is, all this petty stuff won't even matter much anymore. We will see the petty for the petty and just move on.
It's the beginning of a new week, hope you all get off to a great start! I know I did. I got my results and I passed! So so thankful to the man upstairs! It was a looong hard semester and I can finally say I am through! I'm just hoping for more great news from here on out. :) wouldn't hurt, would it?
...Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday...
...It is not important to know the resasons why something may not work, all you need to find is one good reason why it will...
...You, not events, have the power to make you unhappy or happy today. You can choose which it shall be....
...To think big thoughts but relish small pleasures...
...To hope. Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible...
I have been busy with exams lately, but yay I am almost done. Been feeling all kinds of weird during this time though, so these are some of the things I have been telling myself. Thought I would share them in case any of you need a little lifting up (",)
Happy Sunday! Hope everyone had an amazing weekend. I know I did, it was the most relaxing I have felt in awhile just being around family that I haven't seen in ages. Anyway, I'm jumping on a new bandwagon that I have been seeing around lately called Sunday Truths. I absolutely love the messages behind them, and I thought that maybe I can also spread some Sunday cheer.
I always say that the only thing flawless is the word flawless.
In class today I learnt that penicillin was made by mistake.
They were trying to create some other drug, and while mixing a bunch of stuff together out came penicillin.
It's crazy to think that one of the most commonly used medicines was made by mistake?
Imagine that.
'Oops look what we did, we put chemical A instead of chemical B.
That's ok, let's just test it on a rat and have a look see.
Oh my word, would you look at that.
It's doing something.
Let's call it penicillin'
I can be the first to admit that I am afraid of making mistakes, not only for the fear of being wrong, but for the fear of being judged.
I hate being worng, and I hate being judged even more. But if there is something I have learnt it's that a great character trait in people is the ability to learn that making mistakes is how you learn.
Sometimes you can create penicillin out of your mistakes. Other times you can correct those mistakes. But a mistake is just that, a mistake.
It's Monday again. Sigh. I really wish there were less days to the week and more days to the weekend. I just can't get over how close Friday is to Monday and how far Monday is from Friday. Weird. And totally unfair.
This weekend I spent the majority of my time lying in bed reading snippets from Kardashian Konfidential, and throughout the book they mention Audrey Hepburn.
Now I wish I could say I love/loved Miss Hepburn. It's quite the opposite actually, I know nothing about her. Except that she was AMAZING. And I'm all for amazing things, so I think one of these fine days I must and will watch one of her movies.
Breakfast At Tiffany's?
For now I'm just good knowing her and I believe in many of the same things.
'You probably have the body that you want, you just don't know it because you don't look at yourself the right way'
A friend of mine told me this today, after our millionth discussion about weight and how I wish I had a different body to mine. I always look at other people and say 'wow I wish I had her legs, or her ass, or her stomach or her thighs' and nothing is ever right with me. I think many of us do this actually. We always see something someone else has as better than something we have. Even if it is the same.
I think it is the way we look at ourselves. We need to start seeing ourselves as the best that there is. For all I know someone out there might actually be wishing they had something of mine that I clearly am not appreciating.
So for now I say 'I am glad I have these legs, this ass, this stomach, and these thighs' They are mine.
It reminds me a little of me. I'm a fairly patient person, that means, I've met more impatient people than me, like my sister. (You should meet her. On time.) But when people push me, just that little bit further, that's it. No seriously, that's it. They've pushed me a little bit further.
I kid, everyone has a breaking point. Mine changes, with time, day, person, age. But For me patience is such an important virtue, and when someone gives it to you, they are giving you a lot. It never hurts to just be patient. And respect other peoples patience as well.
But I think we should walk around with tickets/fines/notices like these don't you? That should teach them.
For you: I like the word 'totally' in that quote. It's kind of like a 'yeah I know you human beings are completely incapable of not worrying at all.' It's true. One thing I can't do is not worry, I mean is there anything harder? Even if it's the smallest thing, I tend to want to worry it away, gets me no where slowly.
But I like this. Knowing that when I'm going through the simplest or hardest of things, I am not alone, and there will always be someone that will take care of it.
................... and I don't have to be 'totally' worried. :)
So for anyone worried about something, big or small, don't worry it's being taken care of.
I recently made up with one of my friends, and I can't explain the feeling. You know all those quotes they have about friendships, them being the family you choose, coloring your life, making a bad day go good, never apart, always in the heart?
It's all true.
And for me to have lost that was like loosing all that goodness. Sure I have plenty other friends, but no friend is ever the same. And it really is sad to reach that point where someone so close to you suddenly becomes just another person.
We can't explain it and we can't change it, sometimes you do just have to accept the situation for what it is, nothing stays the same and expecting people to be in your life from day one (would be nice) but is not realistic. You live, you love and you learn.
I am glad my situation didn't turn out that way though, and we managed to find a way to turn it all round, but this is not always the case, and sometimes it's the best thing for us ---> sad in the moment but happier in the long run right? who knows. We just live and hope for the best.
I guess it kind of just teaches you to be the best you can be in the moment, enjoy it to the fullest and when it ends, if it ends, you are satisfied with the part that you played, because given another chance you would do that EXACTLY the same.
Since It's the start of a new week I thought this might be appropriate.
I don't know if it is just me, but I have a tendency of always staying in weekend mode a bit longer than I should. I just feel so blah when Monday comes along, that I keep hitting the snooze button on life one too many times. So this week I think I will do things a little differently, even though I still hate Mondays and wish ill on them, I have decided to just open my mind, and experience all there is to experience, good bad, happy sad, wrong right....... all of it.
This is my second post about Russel Simmons, initially I was never really fond of him nor did I dislike him, he was just Russel Simmons, Kimora Lee Simmons husband then ex husband (now her I loved) but when I actually heard the stuff this guy says, I was like 'hey, now he is someone I can learn from', not only is he funny (and we can all appreciate a good sense of humor) but he is inspiring. Really inspiring.
This is a quote by him that I thought I would use for today's inspiration:
"Never think that you are above the advice or intelligence of others. We can achieve so much more when working together."
This is for fun:
Never think you are above the advice or intelligence of others
