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Damsel in a Dress

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Savanna Summer Movie Nights at The President Hotel
LifestyleOut & about

Savanna Summer Movie Nights at The President Hotel

Posted on November 19, 2020 0 Comments

When an out-of-the-blue invitation to visit The President Hotel for ...

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A review of SVR’s Vitamin C Ampoule
Beauty & skincareLifestyle

A review of SVR’s Vitamin C Ampoule

Posted on September 30, 2020 0 Comments

SVR has developed a new range of ampoules - serums ...

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Everything you need to know about getting acrylic nails for the first time
Beauty & skincareLifestyle

Everything you need to know about getting acrylic nails for the first time

Posted on September 3, 2020 0 Comments

As someone who spent their formative years at a piano, ...

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Let’s talk about mental health, exercise and lockdown
FitnessLifestyle

Let’s talk about mental health, exercise and lockdown

Posted on August 1, 2020 0 Comments

It hardly seems necessary to comment on the mad times ...

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Lockdown saviours for stressed skin – all under R300
Beauty & skincareLifestyle

Lockdown saviours for stressed skin – all under R300

Posted on June 17, 2020October 9, 2020 0 Comments

This post comes to you live from my couch, as ...

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Celebrate African brands with AFRENAI
Beauty & skincareLifestyleStyle

Celebrate African brands with AFRENAI

Posted on December 8, 2019April 11, 2020 0 Comments

As we find ourselves in the middle of a few ...

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Micro Keratin: What you need to know
Beauty & skincareLifestyle

Micro Keratin: What you need to know

Posted on October 23, 2016April 12, 2017

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A delightful set of responses: twitter.com/Geoff_Casavant…
1 month ago
Paris, day 1 - I’m still in disbelief that it actually happened…after planning it in October 2019! https://t.co/SjrS2YpXim
2 months ago

candice.bresler

On Wednesdays (and, numerous other days) we wear p On Wednesdays (and, numerous other days) we wear pink.
A few thoughts on “fast fashion”. It was a top A few thoughts on “fast fashion”. It was a topic that came up in the office recently - along with what a privilege it is to be in the position to even consider the ethical and environmental implications of the clothes we wear (but, that’s a very different, complicated conversation!) For this post, I suppose it’s just a shout-out to @mrpfashion - and showing that “fast fashion” can also, in some cases, be a sustainable option. I’ve had this dress for close on 3 years (you’d have seen it often here!) - and, perhaps just to say - the most “sustainable” option is the item you already have in your closet. Here’s to rewearing things you love, and being a discerning consumer. I’ll always share things I love with you - and my shopping wishlist - but, I also hope I’ve shown you that it’s ok to love and rewear your favourite things.
Are there 145 days until my next Paris trip? Yes. Are there 145 days until my next Paris trip? Yes. Am I already planning what I’m going to wear? Also yes.
Ok, one of the most popular questions, answered: W Ok, one of the most popular questions, answered: Why did I go to Paris alone? (And, my history with France).
A candid snap of JOY because…I’ve booked fligh A candid snap of JOY because…I’ve booked flights to go back to Paris in October. What can I say? It’s a combination of YOLO (I mean, it’s 99% that, to be honest) - and using @jeremyloops as an excuse to plan a return trip. He’s got a show there on 1 October, so I feel it’s my duty to…you know…go…and support…
Trying to find the last few sunshine-filled days, Trying to find the last few sunshine-filled days, before autumn has us firmly in her grip…
The look that says “how soon is too soon to star The look that says “how soon is too soon to start planning a return trip”? (I’ve decided the answer is never. It’s never too soon).
When Paris V1 was meant to happen in April 2020, I When Paris V1 was meant to happen in April 2020, I had booked two concerts at the Palais Garnier during my stay. Of course, lockdown level 5 meant everything was cancelled (and thankfully refunded) - but, I still remember @operadeparis making live recordings of their most-loved operas available for free, online, during those (darker) days. Did I think, two years later (almost to the day!) that I’d be there, listening to arguably the world’s best soprano (@reneeflemingmusic)? This will forever be an evening I will try to remember - as, it still doesn’t even feel real.
Whether it’s in months or years…Paris, I can’t wait to see you again.
Please just know that I really did TRY to stop pos Please just know that I really did TRY to stop posting Paris content.
Home. Home.
So, “how cold is cold”? I checked the weather So, “how cold is cold”? I checked the weather obsessively before I packed (a necessity considering it was 10 days with hand luggage only). The promise of “heavy freezing drizzle” on day one left me slightly confused (this turned out to be snow. “Heavy freezing drizzle” is a made-up term that I do not believe in). Anyway, the coldest it was during the day was around 0 or 2 degrees - I wore leggings (or a skirt), sneakers and socks. A thick-ish jersey. This coat, scarf and hat combo - and I was TOTALLY fine. I mean, I was constantly on the move, or in a warm and cosy store or restaurant.
“How much does it cost?” Many of you have aske “How much does it cost?” Many of you have asked me this, and it’s impossible to say. How long is a piece of string? I mean, if you come to Cape Town, you can stay at the Mount Nelson, or get a cheap AirBNB. You can eat at La Colombe or live off pies and chips. As with any country, Paris is what you make of it - and what YOU want to experience while you’re there.

You legally need to have a minimum of €65 for every day you’re spending in France in your bank account, when applying for your visa (around R1 000 a day). Of course, you can spend more (and you don’t have to spend it all when you get there, you just need the money available). But, here’s what a day could look like:

- The best hot chocolate in the world: €6
- A pain au chocolat from a bakery: €1.20
- An hour’s boat cruise on the Seine: €18
- A takeaway ham and cheese baguette for lunch: €5
- A visit to one of the major museums: approx €15
- A DIY supermarket picnic for dinner: €10
- A bottle of (decent) wine from a supermarket to enjoy while watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle: €9

= €65
So a common question is “who took your photograp So a common question is “who took your photographs?” And, here are the answers as you swipe right: 
- Professional photographer I hired on Airbnb experiences
- Professional photographer I hired on Airbnb experiences
- Selfie with a self timer, phone propped on a pillar
- Selfie with a self timer, phone propped on a windowsill
- Friendly fellow tourist 
- Selfie with a self timer, phone propped on a ledge
- Selfie with a self timer, phone propped on a ledge

I loved this particular photographer in Paris, so if you’re visiting and want to book her; DM me. Was around R1200 for an hour, with ALL the unedited pics (I got around 400!) and 35 of your fave pics, edited.
Unpopular opinion: I found Versailles to be a litt Unpopular opinion: I found Versailles to be a little (a lot) overrated. After seeing the magic of Paris for 10 days, I went to Versailles on my last - and, honestly preferred the museums and street scenes of the city. I’m glad I ticked it off my list, but…that’s it.
It’s true. Paris really is always a good idea. It’s true. Paris really is always a good idea.
Back home, but absolutely going to pretend I’m s Back home, but absolutely going to pretend I’m still in Paris for the the next week or so! There were a lot of questions about how I packed only hand luggage for 10 days.

- 4 dresses
- 1 skirt
- 2 warm jerseys
- 1 light jersey
- 1 pair of pumps 
- 1 pair of heels 
- 1 trench coat

Then on the plane I wore:
- Leggings
- Long sleeved tee
- Sweatshirt
- Warmer coat
- Scarf
- Sneakers 

So between the dresses (4) and top and skirt combos (3 jerseys with 1 skirt) - that gave me seven entirely different outfits, that I could then repeat as needed over 10 days - excluding my travel clothes, as I didn’t count on them (being quite grotty!) I packed - and rolled - in luggage cubes in my suitcase.

Let me know if this is helpful? I’ll then do one on toiletries too!
Swipe right to see the difference 10 minutes can m Swipe right to see the difference 10 minutes can make. Suddenly all the emotions hit me this morning, and I wept with gratitude for the past 10 days…and also with sadness at having to say goodbye to the city that stole my heart, and gave me so much. Paris, you are perfect.
Honestly, I possibly think Paris is even prettier Honestly, I possibly think Paris is even prettier on the wet and gloomy days.
Today was always forecasted to be a rainy one. So, Today was always forecasted to be a rainy one. So, I decided to put on my sneakers, coat and scarf, buy an umbrella - and embrace it. Turns out, wandering the rainy streets of Paris was actually an absolute highlight.

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