Now that’s Pretty Smart! (Sponsored)

With technology constantly updating I was pleasantly surprised to find this gem of a site online.                                   

So what is http://www.PrettySmart.co.za? Its a site that allows YOU to rate and review the salons you’ve been to, or see other people’s ratings before you book!  Although the website is still quite new, as more women start to review their beauty salons, it will become easy to find a really good salon in your area by looking for the top-rated salons on PrettySmart. 

This is great news for those of us wanting to research whether certain treatments really deliver on their promises and which salons are the best.   (And those of us who have suffered through a less-than-special massage at a tatty salon because we got caught by a half-price massage deal online… definitely check this website before getting caught again!) At the end of the day we all want value for money and a good service.

So what can you expect to find on the site?  They list all beauty salons, spas, nail bars and aesthetic clinics on one website (they don’t list hairstylists).  Great for finding telephone numbers, addresses, price-lists and even specials!  

The website allows you to search for salons by area or by treatment.  So for example you live in Centurion and you’re looking for a massage one Saturday afternoon – you can simply search for those criteria and then compare the salons that come up; either by price or by the ratings given by other users.       

So what are you waiting for ??? – pop onto the http://www.PrettySmart.co.za website and rate/ review a salon or spa that you have visited recently.  Lots of salons haven’t been reviewed yet – some deserve praise and some deserve health warnings!  And remember, PrettySmart gives a R500 spa voucher to one reviewer each week. 

Remember this site for when you are next looking for any beauty-related treatment, it’s going to become your best friend. 

I see myself spending quite a bit of time on this site 🙂

ciao xxx

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Winter wardrobe sorted …WIN with Mr Price. (Sponsored)

Mr Price recently launched their winter range with some amazing pieces to add to your wardrobe. Their collection includes a range of jackets, scarves, jerseys and boots all extremely well priced. Their ranges are in line with the latest fashion trends and proves that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to be in fashion and look trendy and hip.

Not only does Mr Price do a great ladies range they also have a mens and children’s range too.           

Mr Price has decided to spoil someone with a R2500 fashion voucher. Imagine all the great winter pieces you can add to your winter wardrobe at such affordable prices. I have my eye on a few items especially the sweat shirts with all their cute yet quirky prints and at such an affordable price that I can literally buy one of each .

Don’t forget that Mr Price makes shopping so much easier online without having to leave the comfort of your home and a variety of delivery options.

So what are you waiting for go on and check out the site for more information here

My Birthday Wishlist

I was in two minds about doing this post. BUT then I got told by a friend on Twitter to go ahead. Never have I ever made a wishlist but let me throw caution to the wind.

Cherie Roe Dirkson always says tell the Universe what you want and you might be pleasantly surprised when it arrives on your doorstep.. So I thought what is it I really need/want for my birthday and then the list formed:       

1) A laptop as my current one departed rather suddenly from my world making blogging and working kind of difficult.       

 

2)I have always had a keen eye for photography so would love to do a course to enhance my blogging and skills. So I would love to own a Canon professional camera.     

 

3)My pretty pink Blackberry(Crapberry as a friend calls it) is a year old but has given so many problems. I am currently lusting for the Electric Blue Galaxy S5.               

 

4)A huge box of Lindt Lindor – my favourite choc in the world.         

5) A new watch , a designer one would be rather fab as I don’t own one but love watches.               

                           

Yikes just reading what I have written my wishlist could easily be mistaken for that of a guy. Well it also shows the techno/gadget geek girl inside me.

I do love my technology and these would defo up my game in terms of my blogging and I would be able to finally use instagram and see the pics on my TL on Twitter.

So Dear Universe I am putting out there what I would like and need let’s see what April Brings. The 20th April is going to be rather exciting I can feel it already…

After writing this it has made me think that there are definately some things money can’t buy like love, respect, friendship, memories..

So here’s hoping this Birthday brings me all that my heart desires…

ciao

The #DBNbloggermeet event.

In January 2014, I was asked about arranging an event for Durban lady bloggers. Having worked on Cookie Swap last year, I do know how much of time, work and effort goes into an event. I sat on the fence until I approached Michelle and Nicola to come on board as part of the team. It was a constant arrival of emails, tweets, whatsapps on a daily basis and now that the event is over I miss it 😦

As soon as we tweeted about the possibility of an event did we get the Durban ladies saying yes and how excited they were. Our next point of business was picking a date and a venue (read about Hashtag).

The team pooled our contacts together and started working on sponsors. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would have so many generous and amazing sponsors come on board for our event. It was only when we got to Michelle’s house to pack did we realise how much stuff we actually had. And yes it was like an Oprah moment creating 25 bags of treats/gems for our bloggers.

The status quo is that Durban and Durban bloggers are not considered for product launches BUT after this event this weekend I am sure its going to change!  The hashtag #DBNbloggermeet trended in South Africa as well as #LoveYourLenovo.

 

The much anticipated day arrived and Durban pulled out all stops in terms of fab weather. Joining us for the event were 3 of our sponsors and Mandy from Kitten Action the charity we decided to support. Our venue hosts, Hashtag were so generous that we were not charged anything for our food and drinks and it was then we decided to support Kitten Action by donating kitten food and R50 per blogger to her charity.

Prior to the event Uber ran a twitter competition and gave away a luxury VIP pick up and drop off to the event. This got all the ladies tweeting and wanting to be spoilt. Little did the ladies know how much spoils they were in for. At the start of event, Mandy told us about the charity we were supporting and how our contributions would help. This was very touching and thank you to all our lovely ladies for supporting especially Shirley who was very generous.

Then Carly and Monique from Lenovo who had flown in especially from JHB to join us chatted to us. Carly explained to us about the amazing giveaway they were going to run at the event and give away their new Yoga Tablet. We were asked to tweet what would we do to win. For once it was not considered anti social as we all were glued to our phones. I will be reviewing the Yoga Tablet soon, so I won’t be sharing any info on the product now. The response and tweets were amazing that Lenovo surprised us by giving away not 1 BUT 2 Tablets.

Brett from Frys Foods joined us telling us about their products and importance of meat free Mondays.

Karen from Philospica Botanic spoke to us about their products and soon to be opening Spa in Durban.

Then it was time for food, laughs and lots more talking and tweeting. Throughout the morning, giveaways were taking place and every lady went away with a gift. And then the most anticipated moment our hidden huge LeCreuset bright orange goodie bags were brought out.

 

It was heartwarming to see how excited the ladies were and their squeals of joy discovering LeCreuset goodies. The #DBNbloggermeet was a great event meeting new and old blogging friends.

A big thank you to all our generous sponsors and finally a bigger than big THANK to Michelle and Nicola my Dream Team for all your hardwork and support in making this event a success and a great day for all much love and gratitude.

Ciao xxx

#HashtagDBN

Us Durban bloggers were rather spoiled when Michelle found us this rather quirky and amazing venue #Hashtag. I was invited to the launch of Hashtag but due to work commitments I couldn’t attend. BUT I knew I would be there for the #DBNbloggermeet. I kept seeing the tweets about Hashtag and couldn’t wait to visit.

Having spoken to Brendan, one of the owners on the phone prior to the event, my interest in Hashtag was even more heightened.

Brendan told me about the concept of designing your own pizzas and burgers using …wait for it – A Tablet. This instantly appealed to the gadget girl geek within me. So on Saturday morning I found myself outside this gorgeous blue building as we started unpacking and getting ready for our #DBNbloggermeet with Michelle and Nicola.

The staff were amazingly helpful and helped us lift, carry, move and hide the enormous bright orange goodie bags. Hashtag was kind enough to give us the exclusive use of their venue. I loved the quirky signs found in Hashtag especially #SelfieZone.

Check out the pics.

Our kind hosts Nasrin, Brendan and Trushin sponsored all our food, drinks and amazing coffees.

Ronaldo the very talented chef came out and spoke to the ladies about the menu and we all were told to order any pizza we wanted off the menu!!! WOW free choice of the pizzas on menu or design your own. Most events I attend one is just given finger food and not to pick our own choice.

A friend of mine, a vegetarian had visited Hashtag a few weeks ago and raved on about the amazing vegetable pizza he had, and trust me he is a very fussy eater. So I defo knew I was in for a yummy treat. After consulting Nasrin on the popular pizzas Michelle, Nicola and myself opted for the Lamb Mint. I got my cousin Maheshree to get the Chicken and mushroom so we could swap (greedy me). Our divine pizzas created by Ronaldo arrive on these gorgeous boards with the cutest lil blackboard pegs with which pizza it was.

The pizza was a feast for the senses it smelled divine, looked divine and yes you guessed it tasted divine. I am not a pizza fan but loved the thin crust pizza with lots of toppings of lamb , mint and cheese. My senses were in a total tizz and loved every bite of my pizza and Maheshree’s chicken one.

As the day was rather warm the staff kept us all hydrated all the time with glasses of iced cold fizzy drinks. I didn’t stay for dessert which I believe was all sorts of yumminess in the form of chocolate, chilli and bananas.

Will I be returning to Hashtag most definately for my birthday on the 20th to treat my senses to more of Ronaldo’s divine creations including desserts this time.

The atmosphere, vibe and service is great at Hashtag, and I know its going to be a place my friends are sure to enjoy for my birthday.

Michelle and I joked with Nasrin about taking Ronaldo home with us actually Nasrin, Michelle and I were serious 😉

See you guys on the 20th Hashtag and once again a big thank you for playing a huge part in making the #DBNbloggermeet a success.

For more info on Hashtag checkout their site and follow them on Twitter.

Ciao or should I say Bon Appetite xxx

YES Girl…

At the start of 2014 I said to myself that this was my year to shine. I also decided to grab all opportunities the universe handed to me.

This has meant lots of exciting projects have arrived / in the process. Most of which I can’t tell you about just yet but soon all will be revealed.

My time has become rather limited but I am loving every moment.

So Yes I am the YES Girl and I am loving it. This got me thinking why do we often say No, is it because we are afraid, lazy, can’t be bothered? To me I think its a combination of all of these. We set up these barriers and stop amazing opportunities from entering our life and us living to our full potential.

So the next time opportunities come knocking on your door in whatever form don’t shut the door and say No BUT take a chance and say YES cause you never know where it could lead too.

Have an amazing week

ciao xxx

#DBNbloggermeet…

Saturday was the 1st Durban blogger meet for ladies. I worked with the amazing team of Michelle and Nicola in arranging this very successful event which Trended in SA on Twitter.

The event was held at the uber trendy #Hashtag. I decided to just share a few pics. Full blog posts will follow shortly.

A great day of fun,amazing food seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

 

Homecoming…

Four years ago on this day, I arrived back home to South Africa. One suitcase and 3 boxes later. I cried at Heathrow saying goodbye to friends and to the city which had become my home and love. Strange as this was the same picture roll back my life to December 2000, Durban International Airport. I left as an SA child and returned an adult from the UK.

My decision to come home was not my own but something my late dad wanted so as I booked that single ticket and packed my life into 3 boxes, never did I think, I would return back to SA on a permanent basis but I now know it was my Kismet. I returned just before my birthday month.

The first 6 months were awful. I was homesick for London, my friends and the life I had built there for myself. I felt a stranger in the land of my birth, everything had changed – friends were married, new places had popped up and most shockingly – my parents and gran had gotten older. I missed my carefree London days of using public transport and socializing.

Depression did start to set in. I lived for those London calls, messages and any reminder of my life in London. As an extrovert I found it very hard not having a social circle and not always on the go. So I started reading more, and spending time with family. I got to be home for the amazing World Cup and felt shivers run down my spine everytime I heard the National Anthem.

One of the major things living abroad does to you is that it makes you love the land of your birth fiercely. In 2011 dad was diagnosed with cancer and my life changed.

Looking back now, its very clear that I needed to be home. I started working short contract after contract and I worked with friends I studied with. Eventually my job began permanent.

In 2012 after Dad’s passing I started slowly expanding my social circle and entered the world of Social Media. In June 2012 I was approached by a company called My digital life to write blog posts. Me? Write? No way! But I tried and I loved it.

Six months down the line the site closed so I had no choice but to start my own blog and that was how https://spicegoddess.wordpress.com was born.

As I wrote, I found opportunities started arriving on my doorstep, social circle increased, Twitter activity increased as well as my Twitter following. It was here I discovered the Goddess within me who needed to pen her thoughts and share them through her digital addiction.

My humble blog has gained readership over time and often offered me a sanctuary to vent. I write because I love to, I share, I inspire and I create.

At the start of 2014 I promised myself I would blog atleast three times a week and I kept to my goal. Yes I am still in love with London and all my amazing memories BUT now I know there were reasons for me to return home.

Thank you to my readers, Twitter followers, Sue Levy and Rupasha who saw my passion for words and they nuture and inspire me to #Live2Inspire others, I thank you all with gratitude and love from every inch of my Soul.

I leave you with this Youtube Video … I’m coming home , I’m coming home tell the world I’m coming home my Kingdom awaits..

As I boarded that plane at Heathrow with tears in my eyes a heavy heart this song played in my head and I knew it was time to return home to my Kingdom as there was work for me to do…

Ciao xxx

Girls Night Out…

Last night I won tickets to the Lux Girls Night out at the movies. I invited my friend Megan to join me. With my crazy work times and since Megan got married last year, we haven’t spent much time together.

We have a lot in common and can chat for ages. So it made perfect sense. We arrived early and chatted non stop on our way there.

Soon as we arrived, we popped into the new Filo Frozen Yoghurt shop and tried out their delicious offerings.

 

Then it was off to get checked in to the event – champagne and orange juice awaited us. We were treated to Lux goodie bags and had a dress up photo booth.

I, the typical poser had to do those pics. It was at this point we both realised we didn’t even know what movie we were going to watch. Typical us chatting – up a storm. We both were unsure about the movie “The Divergent” but were rather surprised and loved it.

The soundtrack is amazing with great eye candy and amazing ink work. Before the movie while sitting there stuffing our faces with popcorn, we recalled dramas and craziness from other movies that we had watched and were hysterical.

I totally loved my evening spent with Megan. It reminded me about friendships and several lessons :

1. Just because I don’t see/speak to you often doesn’t mean you are special to me.
2. Friends will always have your back regardless.
3. Only friends will fight to pay.
4. Friends are memorykeepers .
5. Friends care regardless situations.
6. Laughing and crying at the same time over crazy moments with friends.

Dearest Megan, I thank you for your friendship, care and advice. Strange that we gelled instantly at work with so much common ground.

Though we don’t see each other much I appreciate the time we do spend together.

Here’s to more days out with fun, laughter and crazy stories…

Hugs and Kisses V…

 

ciao xxx

When life gives you lemons…

This morning while getting my daily Twitter fix, I came across this blog:

http://adventuresofvictoriafolksy.blogspot.com/2014/03/when-life-gives-you-lemons.html?m=1.

Victoria  shared her story of what happened to her when life gave her lemons. It was such an incredible post that it got me thinking to pen down what I did when I got lemons.

My general line to complete the title of this post has been bring on the Tequila baby :).

On Valentines Day 2014 , I put on my big girl panties and acted like it was Leap Year. But the retard in tinfoil showed his true colours and ended up a hypocrite. So what did I do then…

1. Spent amazing times with my great friends who support, love and have left hand shooters with me at Friday night foam parties.
2. I started working with my great team of @ordinary_misfit and @NicolaLMeyer on planning the much talked about #DBNbloggermeet. This meant constantly emailing companies/brands and getting amazing companies on-board.
3. I blogged more and worked through these lemons by letting my words flow on a page. I even wrote 2 blogs for Women24.
4. I started to focus more on me and have started looking and feeling great.
5. The big girl panties moment has given me the confidence and courage to put myself out there.
6. I started a new project 🙂 which is undercover for now.
7. Reading has always been a hobby of mine but has been neglected so I started reading again starting with Carpe Diem or BUST by Cherie Roe Dirkson. Life changing book get it.
8. I harnessed the Goddess within me and started using her divinity to enhance my life.
9. Enjoying life at every given opportunity from family gatherings to watching Sharks plays from a box at Kings Park.
10. And then due to these Lemons my motto was born #Live2Inspire.

Thank you Victoria for inspiring this post and getting me to share what I did…

ciao xxx