Ombre (Dip Dye)

Jessica Biel has done it. Gwyneth Paltro, too. Rachel Bilson. Even I have given it a try.

What am I talking about?? Ombre Hair.

The French-termed hair trend features darker, more natural hues at the roots with gradually-dyed lightening at the ends. Finally, a trend that doesn’t require a busy woman of the world to run to the salon every 8-12 weeks for a touch-up!

When I mentioned the trend to my mum a few months ago, and showed her some pictures, she thought the celebrities looked as though they had missed one too many trips to the salon, while others were in love with the look. I feel somewhat ambivalent - when done right it can look natural and sunkissed, but it can also go very very very wrong if the lighter colour at the bottom goes brassy!!

 

While the Ombre trend started a while ago, it ended very quickly, many people jumped off the Ombre train with a crash landing. However now I see its back again for spring 2012, and it looks like this time, It's here to stay ;)

Usually, I would not describe myself as someone that is a slave to fashion, or someone that follows all the latest trends, I would describe myself as a simple girl who sticks to what she knows best and what suits me. I rarely ever try new things. But while watching one of my favourite series "Hart of Dixie" starring Rachel Bilson (which if you havn't been watching... please start!!) I was highly intrigued by her hair. Rachel Bilson plays the role of a Doctor Zoe Hart. To me it appeared as they were trying to make it look as though she was too busy to dye her hair, but it had a sunkissed look to it, I loved it. I did some research and found pictures of Ombre hair, one specifically caught my attention and I HAD TO HAVE IT. It was a picture of Jessica Biel with perfectly Ombred hair!!



The Ombre Hair I had to have!!!

So after 3 months of deliberation and FINALLY deciding I would NOT do Ombre hair .... I went for hair cut and all of a sudden in the salon, I decided , Impulsively to Ombre my hair. The Result??

 

I opted to do an Ombre look that was not as light as jessica biels, something that would suit my complexion and something that is quite close to my original hair colour!

 

 

I walked out of the salon a happy bunny, quite thrilled with my hair and how it looked. I am so glad I tried the ombre hair look, but I have come to the conclusion that ombre hair is not for me or my personality and not something I will do again, unless I'm feeling very risky that day and I decide to go as light in colour as Jessica Biels  ;). I think I'll stick to my usual look.

Hollywood actresses Drew Barrymore's and Rachel Bilson's tousled waves have become synonymous with two-toned locks. And pop stars like Lady Gaga and Ciara continue to flirt with extreme versions. However, there are a few styling basics us everyday girls should keep in mind when going ombre.

 

Ask your hairstylist questions before he or she breaks out the hair dye
When you visit the salon, bring in photographs of ombre you like, as there are softer versus more severe, trendy versions. Be sure to mention how you typically style your hair. For example, if you blow-dry daily, ombre will look super shiny. And if your texture is air-dried, ombre looks amazing, too. Brunettes going ombre can oxidize (chemical process in which hair color changes shades when exposed to oxygen and UV rays), so make sure to ask about the right shampoos to use and about how light the ends will be.

 

The good news: ombre works on all complexions
Women with light skin tones have more room to play with, as you can go for a more copper color. For medium skin tones, I’d recommend a more neutral to ash ombre, giving contrast to your ends and making your eyes pop. Darker skin should choose cooler ombre as well. I wouldn’t recommend gold, as it will look too monochrome. The point of ombre is to enhance your skin tone, not match it.

 

With this hair color, upkeep is simple

Bare is Best!

PALE NAILS!!!

 

 

Fashion Isn't Only About What clothes you wear....

 

Recently I read an article in vogue which challenged my thinking on nail colours.  The spate of women sporting blue, yellow and purple fingers and toes ( As vogue would say "Nails Gone Wild Enthusiam") this winter intrigued me. and when I went for a pre-Luncheon manicure, I just could not do it. I have always been a nude, barely there, nail colour person.

 

 

As I have started buying key summer pieces I am falling in love with pastal shades, lots of pastal  jeans, shirts, dare I say, even shoes. However I am loving my colourless nails even more!

 

 

In March for my birthday and ever since then, I went for a Pale Nail look. It does look quite edgy and classy! and isn't it refreshing?? It's Perfect for spring and summer!

 

Below are My Pale Nail Looks.

 

A Pale Nail Look and A back to basics clear Nail Look.

 

 

The Pale Nail/ Clear Nail look is suitable for everyone, all skin shades and all complexions!! It has been worn on the runways of Alexnder Wang and Zak Posen Spring 2012. The designer Zak Posen asked the manicurist to choose nudes for each model based specifically on her complexion.

 

A model wears Butter London’s Nail Foundation at Altuzarra (left) and Coco Rocha models backstage at Zac Posen

 

 

 

For this pale nail/clear nail look:

 

 

Keep Your nails neat and clean. One of My favourite products to use to keep my hands soft and silky is the body shop wild rose hand cream, it has an SPF 15 and hydrates and helps protect againsr the appearance of spots. It smells devine!!!

 

Dare to Bare!!!

How to recover from a few days of eating like (add expletive here)

How To Recover From a Few Days of Eating Like Sh*t!!!

 

 

Since the previous weekend, I’ve felt bloated, tired, & slightly lethargic…until today. You know that post-Eating scene when you feel like a fat pig? Welp!!! That needed to disappear- stat. I wanted to show you all how to get back on track after a few days of eating badly:

 

++ How to Recover from a Few Days of Eating like Sh*t:

 

+ Sweat it out: that’s right. Don’t make excuses- it’s more effective to force yourself out of bed & sweat it all out, as opposed to lounging around. Today I did a Pilates class & then a bit of a jog on the treadmill. I cannot express how much better I felt. My endorphins kicked in- & boom!!! Instant recovery.

 

 

+ Example of a recovery meal plan:

 

- Breakfast: All Bran Flakes about 20/30 grams + an apple + tea or coffee with low fat or fat free milk

 

- Snack: watermelon or grapefruit slices [these are both 92 & 91 % water].

 

- Lunch: an open-faced sandwich [that means one slice ;)] with low fat mayo, sliced tomatoes, chili flakes, lettuce, & one chicken fillet.

 

- Snack: one apple, sliced and sprinkle salt over if you like.

 

- Dinner: load me up with veggies! Tonight will be a fresh salad, lettuce, cucumber, onion rings, carrots, even watermelon chunks if you desire. And a salt and pepper chicken with veggies on the side. [ Dressing for salad: a bit of  vinegar, little bit of low fat mayo, fresh lemon, garlic, & seasoning ]. Please avoid all other salad dressings as they are incredibly fattening and could be said to be as bad as a burger!

 

Dessert: fresh berries with squeezed lemon on top or a small piece of dark chocolate.

 

+ Water [ + some coffee & tea ]: drink as much water as possible. Coffee [ with a splash of cinnamon + nutmeg ] gives me a nice jolt. More than one cup & I turn into a full-blown maniac- lol. Green tea is full of antioxidants AND speeds the metabolism!

 

 

Eating Healthy isnt a crash diet, it is a lifestyle. So eat in moderation, enjoy yourself, you only live once, but dont live to eat... eat to live!!



THERE ARE NO UGLY WOMEN... JUST LAZY ONES!!

There are no ugly woman in this world, just lazy ones!!!


What do you think?

I think Coco is right. I think this statement is true of most ‘real-life’ women when it comes to the dressing of themselves each day. If they were honest they’d admit that they generally leave their homes each morning feeling frazzled and somewhat ugly – or shall I say feeling totally ugly!

Do they feel this way because they’re truly ugly or is it simply because they’re just lazy?

Like Coco Chanel, I don’t think there are any ugly women in this world but I do think there are a lot of lazy ones…*sigh*…unfortunate but true!

They’re lazy with regards to the amount of time, effort and thought that they choose to put into their appearance each and every day. Sadly they allow this lazy spirit to reside within by comforting themselves with the false belief that the modern woman need not be concerned with her outward appearance; it’s only what’s on the inside that counts. And fully knowing that most women they’ll pass on the street, the mall, office or about their city, will look as equally unkempt, dishevelled and unattractive as they do in their clothes continues to lull them into this state of ‘bad fashion’.

 I love the white skinny pants, As you know from my previous blog I am obsessed with it!! WHAT IS SO HARD ABOUT PUTTING IT ON IN THE MORNING?? Does it not look elegant??
I believe that in your closet you should have a few essentials, such as a good pair of jeans, a few nice shirts, a blazer or a jacket and some good but comfortable shoes. IF you have those, its easy to slip on and look good effortlessly!!
You dont have to be a fashionista or stylist to look good. In the above photo her skinny white pants, sunglasses and top are classic!! It can be worn anytime, anywhere, dressed up or down!

 This look is a bit 'busy' for my taste... however throw on a blaser, a good bag, sunnies and you ready to go!

A shirt dressed up with a necklace, Classic, Chic and effortless!!


It is this thinking, this ‘wrong’ thinking that I believe keeps ‘real-life’ women passive about their lack-luster style, dissatisfied with their personal appearance and therefore perceived as being ugly.

Why, why, why do ‘real-life’ women settle for mediocrity in their appearance when they don’t settle for it in any other place in their lives?

What do you think?

Let’s chit chat…

 

I WILL MAKE YOU SKINNY!!!

"THERE ARE NO UGLY WOMAN IN THE WORLD... JUST LAZY ONES!!!!"

I am Absolutely OBSESSED with this quote by Coco Chanel!!

Lets just say after the weekend I've had- food and all the indulgent goodies, from the tremazzini , nacho’s and pasta’s, to the braai, cakes, roasted marshmallows and chocolate fountain, the only healthy food I have eaten was the strawberries... but ... I have to admit it was dipped and covered in a smooth and silky melted chocolate.. From the fountain!!

After all that food... and way too much fun... I’ll be shocking my body back to reality. Like really, really shocking my system.

The next three days will be spent making up for my carbo loading, sinful weekend. I’m kicking my ass into gear with an hour workout each day & eating a diverse, exciting diet full of protein. Protein, protein, & some more protein for three.full.days. Some fruit, Carbs in moderation! NO junk, no sweets, no biscuits, NO jolly jammers and strawberry swirls *sigh. Think fruit and water and vegetables and chicken, sounds fun – right??

Work Hard and Play Hard!! This trick works to completely reset the body!!

At least my predominantly protein pity party doesn’t start until tomorrow… Passion Fruit anyone? ;)

Eat yourself skinny... The only way that is going to happen is if you CUT OUT all the junk and soft drinks and eat in moderation. Let’s be honest, before you can even THINK of rewarding yourself you should see some sort of change in your body, and the only way that will happen is if you eat correctly with exercise!!

 green tea is not something I drink, despite wanting to, I cant stomach it, so I have hot water with lemon instead!

 breakfast means 'break' the 'fast'. It is important to start your day off with water. The benefits are endless.

Now days we have a belief system of starvation all day.. and rewarding yourself with a treat. NO thats NOT how it works... THAT is not how you going to see results. Be good all week, no soft drinks, no junk, opt for less carbs, food with less oil and fat.. and perhaps on sunday you can indulge in ONE of the sugary goodness treats you like. BUT lets be honest, after working THAT hard.. do you really wana indulge??? food for thought.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself, YOU want a good body?? WORK for it. we all have to.

Stop Being A Moron and Start
Getting Skinny!
If you can't take one more day of self-loathing, you're ready to hear the truth: You cannot keep shoveling the same crap into your mouth every day and expect to lose weight.

To ALL you woman out there reading this blog, I strongly SUGGEST you get your hands on this book...

Not your typical boring diet book, this is a tart-tongued, no-holds-barred wakeup call to all women who want to be thin. With such blunt advice as, "Soda is liquid Satan" and "You are a total moron if you think the Atkins Diet will make you thin," it's a rallying cry for all savvy women to start eating healthy and looking radiant. Unlike standard diet books, it actually makes the reader laugh out loud with its truthful, smart-mouthed revelations. Behind all the attitude, however, there's solid guidance. Skinny Bitch espouses a healthful lifestyle that promotes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and encourages women to get excited about feeling "clean and pure and energized."

Another very important step to losing weight, is exercise!!!

Excuses are like a**holes. Everyone has one &

they all stink.

Here are some I hear all the time:

+ Excuse: I work 9-5. I am exhausted.

Reality Check: we all work. Everyone is tired from work. Take an hour & force yourself to sweat.

+ Excuse: I can’t afford a gym membership.

Reality Check: fine. Then get to a beach with a friend & download some internet workouts. Go running. Do a DVD at home. Or better yet, download free YouTube workouts. Problem solved!

+ Excuse: I’m so sore from yesterday’s workout, so I’ll wait a few days to go back to the gym.

Reality Check: WRONG. Cardio actually breaks up the lactic acid, which takes away that soreness.

+ Excuse: I don’t work out on weekends.

Reality Check: why? Pick a Saturday or a Sunday to add to your routine. I’ve never heard anyone say after their workout say that they regretted it.

+ Excuse: I noticed bulk, so I cut back on working out.

Reality Check: uggggh! I hear this all the time. In the first couple months of starting a workout program you’re going to bulk up. You’re adding muscle to any fat on the body. After a few months the fat falls off, just leaving muscle. Voila!

+ Excuse: I am naturally thin; I don’t need to workout.

Reality Check: working out helps with depression, anxiety, & prevents heart disease. So that’s fantastic that you’re naturally thin, however that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t workout.

+ Excuse: I am too busy taking care of the kids.

Reality Check: the kids will probably want you around for a long time, so keep your body in shape. You want to fill your car with the best gas, so fuel your body with the best of the best too.

+ Excuse: I’ll do it tomorrow.

Reality Check: ya, ya, ya. Just do it today.

+ Excuse: I don’t care if I turn out to be a fat pig, I love my curves! I’m embracing them!

Reality Check: not so much. Being a fat pig leads to tons of nasty diseases, so get off the couch, throw away the donuts, and GO!

and... I'M not going to sugar coat it for you.. because you will probably eat that too...

Stop. Making. Excuses. Eventually your fitness 

routine will turn into a habit- NO EXCUSES!

mmmmm... Macaroons!

mmmmmm... Macaroons... YUM... Its Macaroon Monday ;)

 

Apart from my love for eating and devouring macarons, I also love talking about macarons.


The queen of all the cookies and petit fours. To me, macarons is the ultimate dessert experience. They're sure to impress taste-wise and visual-wise.

My Mum has made them quite a few times befores.... but boy are they alot of work!!!!

 

The Bonus Of buying them rather than baking them is the greater selection of flavours (because trust me making one type at home is enough!!)

 

This Time I got my fix from the lovely Decadent Dani . With Flavours like espresso, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, red velvet and many more... you can bet my sweet tooth was satisfied. Aren’t they just the prettiest cookie?

 

 

P.S - You Can pick up Daniela Dotans amazing macaroons at Macaroon Cafe on Florida Road Durban, Or at the Cape Cape Quarter and Hertiage Market. They are Delicious. One of my Favourite Snacks between campus Lectures!

Here is an Easy Macaroon Recipe.. Just so you can try it out!! Happy Baking ;)

 

Ingredients

1. 175g icing sugar
2. 125g ground almonds
3. 3 large free-range egg whites
4. 75g caster sugar

For the filling

1. 150g butter, softened
2. 75g icing sugar

Method

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/fan140°C/gas 3. Whizz the icing sugar and ground almonds in a food processor to a very fine mixture, then sift into a bowl.
2. 2. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt to soft peaks, then gradually whisk in the caster sugar until thick and glossy. (At this point you can stir in flavour extract, such as peppermint or lemon, and corresponding colouring such as blue or yellow, to your meringue mixture, depending on what kind of macaroons you want – see chef's tip. Or divide the meringue among different bowls if you want to make more than one colour.)
3. 3. Fold half the almond and icing sugar mixture into the meringue and mix well. Add the remaining half, making sure you use a spatula to cut and fold the mixture until it is shiny and has a thick, ribbon-like consistency as it falls from the spatula. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm plain nozzle.
4. 4. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper. Pipe small rounds of the macaroon mixture, about 3cm across, onto the baking sheets. Give the baking sheets a sharp tap on the work surface to ensure a good ‘foot’. Leave to stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to form a slight skin. This is important – you should be able to touch them lightly without any mixture sticking to your finger. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.
5. 5. Meanwhile, make the filling/s (unless making chocolate macaroons – see chef's tip). In a bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy, then beat in the icing sugar. (You can now add flavouring or nuts, and colour – see chef's tip.) Use to sandwich pairs of macaroons together.

Nutritional info

Per macaroon: 160kcals, 9.7g fat (4.2g saturated), 1.8g protein, 17.5g carbs, 16.4g sugar, 0.2g salt

Friday Favorites (and Fancies)

Happy Friday, friends! It's been a lazy, rainy week here in my corner of westville and I've really loved it. This weekend is going to be pretty calm too, just prepping for lots of social events. looks like september is really a month of birthdays. I picked up a new planner yesterday and quickly started filling it up last night with important dates for the new upcoming television series (im an addict), assignments and exam dates, and blog scheduling ;) It's amazing what a little thing like a new planner can do for your mood! Does that happen to you, too?

Enjoy the favorites and fancies below, loves!

So since the social calender is quite full, I've decided that my theme for the weekend will be a classy chic by day and swop loafers for a pair heels for the night ;)

 

below is my favourite and fancies, nothing like a white skinny to smoooth sail through the day.

 

the way to pair your skinnies for a casual chic look

 

the white skinny is the city girl must have, it can be dressed up or down, be worn casually or formally, and i dont think its remotely possible to go wrong. you can wear it with colours to make it look bright and vibrant or keep it classic with neutral shades of beige.

for a day out paired with a shirt.. casual and chic

 for a smart casual look

 for a chilly breeze, paired with a jacket for a autums day

 neutral shades and a bright shoe to bring some colour

 pastal shades words well with a white skinny jean, definitely a refreshing summers look

personally, I would recommend keeping your look clean and fresh like the above, too many buckles and studs can make the outfit look a bit clustered. so best to opt for a plain skinny with minimal zips and attachments, studs and buttons. That ensures you look fuss free as opposed to trying too hard!

 white skinny jeans are also excellent for winter

 

Nothing says refreshing summer attire quite like white skinny jeans. And when I've been shopping thus far, my inner monologue goes along the lines of:
“How gorgeous? This would look amazing with white skinnys.”
Or,
“Seriously? Imagine this with white skinny jeans”
I picture anything I’m about to buy as if I will certainly wear that item with white skinnys exclusively–it’s a problem. But I love it! They really DO look amazing with anything. Bright tops, bold prints, stripes and even a white wash out–all perfection. They’re the perfect summer staple to make you always look classic, buttoned-up and refreshingly stylish, don’t you think!?


For those of you with white skinny jeans already, i sense you pulling them out your closets and for those of you without them, i sense a shopping escapade;)

 i love the skinny jean worn with a button down top, nothing says elegant more than this look

WHITE SKINNY JEANS ARE FOR WOMAN WHO KNOW HOW TO MAKE A STATEMENT

 this would have to be my absolute favourite look for a skinny, its classic and sophisticated yet is young and vibrant with a bright colour

the winter white skinny

whether you stepping out to run errands or lunching with some friends, the white skinny jean is you closet go-to.