Keep in shape, and have fun doing it

Keeping fit, and maintaining a healthy weight should not be a chore for you - if plodding along on a treadmill or doing boring solo workouts at the gym is not for you - then you should get yourself into a dance class. I've been dancing since I was 5 years old, first ballet and then modern dance, which leads me to how I keep fit and enjoy it too.

I take adult modern dance classes with the Erna Ackerman School of Dancing. We do 30mins of intense aerobic and strengthening exercises and then do a choreographed dance for last 15mins of the class.

Ladies come because they love to dance, or to lose some weight, or simply to maintain their fitness levels. I feel that dancing helps me offload some stress, build my appetite for dinner later, and tone my body. Feel free to contact me directly if you want to know more about dancing with Erna!

Enjoy yourself when you exercise, that way you keep your motivation!

What's in my appmosphere

I couldn't bee more excited about this app that I downloaded a few months ago - it was as if it was designed for car key losing, word-fumbling, somewhat distracted people out there just like me. Lumosity is probably not all that new to you either, their marketing strategy is quite aggressive but in no way annoying - their newsletter site genuinely interesting studies that have been carried out on countless individuals regarding insights into neuroscience and human behaviour (our memory patterns and thought patterns, etc). 

Let me try and sum it up for you; Lumosity is an app that has been carefully crafted to train your brain so that with daily practice you can recall faster, boost your memory, and have better reaction time. Every day the app suggests particular exercises of a couple of minutes each - it even allows you to set an alarm to do your daily exercises! The app saves your progress and provides you with a detailed breakdown of your BPI (Brain Performance Index) - as seen below left.

It's loads of fun and you will be amazed how with practise your ability to play for longer and earn more points increases - just like with most games, however this one has been designed to train and measure your cognitive performance. 

Anyway, it's time for my workout - so download this app to your iOS device and hop on the Brain Train!

I heart Vintage for this Summer's Style

When precisely did it become fashionable to wear old-fashioned clothing? And what classifies as old-fashioned, now that vintage has become the fashion? Hipsters flaunt their knack for old-school or retro outfits on the streets of Cape Town, their horn rims glinting in the sunlight as they stick their thumbs into the bands of their suspenders... That's not exactly MY style but don't get me wrong I have no problem with hipsters, they don't do any harm and they have an iconic obsession with what was cool thirty years ago... I love vintage glam, when woman were feminine and that didn't mean representing them as sex symbols - when woman were strong, curvy, and wore bold outfits.

This Summer I'm wearing an actual vintage red polka dot dress, a gift from a friend.

I will also be sporting this gorgeous high waisted 50's bikini poolside!

Let me know what your favourite style for this summer is in the comment section below.

My Cath Kidsten addiction

What started as a mild interest in a pretty wallet, grew into an intense addiction. I love the feminine florals on the pastel backgrounds and the practicality of the plasticized fabric of the bags and wallets, they're easy to clean and water resistant. Of course not all of my collection is Cath Kidsten Original, indeed if any, as there are similar brands such as Sugar Candy - which are just as adorable! 

Currently, I have a collection of 9 items... Soon to be 10 when my Cath Kidsten themed iPhone case arrives from China in the post ;) 

What Cath Kidsten bags (or other) do you have in your collection??

My addiction is so well known that whenever my friends travel abroad and come across a store with her products they stop and send me a photo. 

Turn your social media pics into wall art with Faceblocks

I do a lot of random browsing of the web when looking for inspiration and I came across PrintWild, a canvas printing service provider, offering a very intriguing new product. Faceblocks enable you to turn any of your social media photos into a work of art! Obviously it's not limited to your social media accounts, as they do offer uploading from Dropbox and normal uploading - but it is definitely aimed at the social media bunny (like myself) who loves to catch beautiful moments and put them on show - be it on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and now, in your own home. Faceblocks are 15 x 15cm wooden squares with your printed picture on them, ready to put up in your home and enjoy.

The whole process was super easy, the hardest part was containing the excitement until it arrived at my doorstep! You simply log in to your social account, select the photos you want to print, arrange delivery and pay online. My Faceblocks arrived within a week later and I can't wait to put them up!

Now to decide how to arrange them and where to put them! Any suggestions?

The Rocky Horror Show celebrates its 40th anniversary

The Rocky horror picture show has always had a special place in my cultural upbringing; it crossed socially constructed lines, it blurred gender roles, and it eliminated the need to put sexuality in a box and neatly label it. The first time I watched it, it was already 30 years old, but still posing relevant questions about the rigidity of our stifling, conservative society. Now ten years later, I watched enthralled as it was brought to life again at the Fugard Theatre for its 40th anniversary. 

South African audiences raved about it month after month, causing it to be extended until January 2014 to sate the unsatiable appetite of the Capetonian theatre-lovers. I absolutely loved this rendition of Rocky Horror Show, Brendan van Rhyn's interpretation of Frank n Furter was both instantly overwhelming and instantly lovable. (originally made famous by Tim Curry who played this role when the play debuted at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 1973). Needless to say I watched it twice! 

Audience members don rocky horror inspired costumes and can participate by buying participation packs that enable them to act out scenes with the actors similar to the way cult followers have year after year overseas in annual Halloween screenings. 

Our dress up night:

Red Basil in my window sill

One of the most rewarding things to do regarding gardening is to grow a plant from seed. I very seldom have much luck but 6 weeks ago I decided to grow Red Basil in my office window. 

A little bit of soil, a little bit of water, and a whole lot of love and in just a few days my little Basil broke the crust of soil. I turned it into a photo project: take a look at Basil's progress.