www.withcare.co.za

Thankful Thursday's: part one

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:18:00 +0000

I don't think that I've lead an ungrateful life up until now, but, Sophie's arrival has taught me that there is so much to say thank you for everyday. It's in this spirit of gratitude that I start a new series on the blog... Thankful Thursday's. Every week I will write about and show you the things I am most grateful for that week. This week the list looks a bit like this:

1) Cape Town I am so grateful to call you home. I know everyone thinks their city is the prettiest but mine really is. Being surrounded by such incredible natural beauty sometimes means you easily take it for granted. This week I spent a bit I time enjoying the wonder that is Cape Town.

2) Winter where have you been? As much as I enjoy warm weather, I am definitely more of a winter person. Give me crisp mornings and layers of clothes any day. This year summer has taken forever to say goodbye and for each day that gets cooler I am a little happier. Also it's so easy to love the cold when you have your own little cuddle monster aka baby.

By the way that shot really is Cape Town. We had a recent bit of sleet falling on our streets.

3) Cadbury's you invented the Top Deck which filled my heart with joy, then you invented the Top Deck mint which turned me into a chocolate addict. Thank you a million times over.

4) My little family fills my heart with unimaginable amounts of joy. I wake up in the morning floored by the love I have for these two.

5) McDonald's disgusts me on every level except the one where I give thanks for drive through cappacinos that are quite average in taste but above average in convenience.

6) My mom comes over every day to help me and spend time with Sophie. There are often days when I wish I had the heart to ask her for some space, but then I'll have a really tiring day the only thing that gets me through it is the fact that she's there for me.

Take a moment to think of the little things in life that you are grateful for. Appreciate those around you. Life is so amazing, even when it's a little shitty.

Happy Thursday!!

The preggi belly survival list: some things that made my life easy

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 14:24:00 +0000

I've been meaning to do a post about the products that I found most useful during my pregnancy. Needless to say, I haven't had the time or the energy until now - oh how I love maternity leave.

I must add a disclaimer here, a lot of bloggers post about super fancy products in super fancy packaging, all of the things I found most useful you could get very easily and didn't cost much at all.

1) I know it's quite old school but Raddox bath salts - the muscle soak one - was literally my best friend towards the end of my pregnancy. While getting in and out of the tub was massive challenge, the soaking part was utterly sublime.

2) The Annique Lucid Skin Replenisher came in handy, I used it as a night cream. Annique products are all Rooibos based so they are wry natural and great for your skin.

3) A lot of women suffer from breakouts during pregnancy, for me I struggle with blackheads. Which, I'm sure I don't need to tell you, are seriously gross. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Scrub was amazing. I used it twice a week and it really helped. The worst part of my pregnancy was during the worst part of summer ad I found this crib really helped reduce oiliness and left my skin feeling so refreshed.

4) Are you wondering why there is a tub of nesquik in the mix? It's because heartburn happens and it kicked my arse. I tried everything. Every product, every old wives tale and in the end the only thing that have me instant and lasting relief was milk. Which I hate. So I made nesquik and when nesquik wasn't available I drank steri stumpie's.

5) Lansinoh Lanolin cream is great for nipples, which become a little sore and irritated towards the last trimester. You can find it at any pharmacy.

6) This tube of Peter Thomas Roth body lotion lived in my handbag and I use it as hand cream because my skin was constantly dry. Especially on my hands.

7) Number 7 is an obvious choice. Bio Oil there are lots of alternatives to Bio Oil, but I found the original to work the best :)

As I said. It's a modest list, but it's an honest one. If love to hear from other pregnant or new moms, what helped you?
While I lived every second of my pregnancy I did find the side effects to pose a challenge occasionally. But it's only natural that our bodies would change a bit I guess?

Happy Friday all!!

XxX

Afro Bauhaus goes pop: Sindiso Khumalo you're amazing!

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:24:00 +0000

I know I'm a little late to the Sindiso Khumalo worship party, not intentionally. I think with my body going to shit I have actively tried to avoid all things fashion. Well no more I say! No more!

For those of you who are even further behind the times than I am, Sindiso Khumalo is an amazing SA/London based designer who blew onto the fashion scene a while ago when she took part in the Elle Rising Star competition. Her designs are bright, moderns and promote a distinctly African aesthetic.

So grand!

To stay up to date with Sindiso's collections and news or to find out more about her awesome label:

Facebook - Twitter - Website

My Reading Wishlist: Winter is coming...

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:36:00 +0000

As winter slowly drags it's feet (much to my disdain), I've endured this endless Cape Town summer by imaging all the beautiful things I will enjoy as soon as the cold arrives. Things like, rich stews made with glugs of red wine, mini-breaks on the west cost and reading. I love to read. I read prolifically and will read almost anything if I'm desperate enough. This winter however, I will also be on maternity leave getting to know my little bundle of love so maybe reading will take a back seat? Maybe it will feature more? I don't know.

Nevertheless, here is my winter reading list:

1. And the Mountains Echoed - Khaled Hosseini

2. A History of Future Cities - Daniel Brook

3. Autobiography of Us: A Novel - Aria Beth Sloss

4. The Middlesteins: A Novel - Jami Attenberg

5. A Hologram for the King - Dave Eggers

6. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business - Charles Duhigg

That's my top 6 for now. If you're reading anything amazing or have just finished a page turner please do share! I am ALWAYS on the hunt for new books.

Hope your Monday as less manic than mine

The Involuntary Uniform Project

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:43:00 +0000

A while ago, or at least what feels like a while time ago, the lovely Adeline wrote a blog post about creating a personal uniform, I bookmarked it for later consideration and thought, hmmm it sounds nice, but image the stress of culling my wardrobe!

Well guess what, pregnancy for me has been a sort of involuntary culling of my wardrobe. My ass has expanded in ways I did not think was genetically possible. To put it very simply, things just don’t fit. And if they do, they don’t fit well. One of the things I have loved most about being pregnant is that it has forced me to challenge so many of my previous notions and fancies. The biggest and possibly most frustrating and enjoyable challenge has been getting dressed in the mornings for work.

I’d love to tell you that I am the sort of person who’d never be caught dead in sweat pants or that the only fashions to touch my body are only the most recent, cutting edge ones, the truth is, my personal style (if you can call it that) motto has always been: frock it: A dress is a complete outfit only lacking accessories.

This has been the first time in my life I’ve felt awkward in a dress. I feel awkward in prints and colours too.

So while browsing my bookmarks recently, I re-read Adeline’s post and 10 000 light bulbs went off. I definitely have a pregnancy uniform and because I do, I have saved myself countless hours of stress and tears in the morning. I do still have massive piles of clothing laying on the floor in my bedroom after getting dressed though. Eliminating what I know won’t work any more has also spared my fractured body image even more torture :)

What I find myself in most often:

black pants
black high waisted maxi skirts
black midi skirts
solid primary colour tops: grey, red, blue, yellow

Rather than using prints to add accents to my wardrobe, I've switched to using textured items of clothing. My wardrobe has become very monochromatic, but I feel so comfortable with this.

For more information and building your own personal uniform have a look at The Uniform Project

A little bit of wisdom: Being pregnant doesn't mean I'm stupid or blind or in need of advice! I got this!

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:45:00 +0000

A couple of days ago Regan and I returned from a shopping run to Woolworths, and met our neighbour in the car park where he was sitting in a camping chair cleaning his golf clubs. After making some polite conversation I was ready to head on up to our apartment, but Regan and said neighbour got to chatting about pregnancy, to which, the neighbour remarked that I was getting “huge”.

I fought to keep up my cool disinterested façade. Fought. I wanted to run over and impale him with one of his golf clubs. I don’t dispute that I have gained some (a lot of) weight and yes, I probably do look “huge” but to say it, just like that!?! It was horrible.

Because this is my first child, a lot of things are new to me. One thing I have noticed is that people tend to pass comments to pregnant women that would be totally unacceptable to non-pregnant women. For example, pointing out swollen ankles, swollen feet, bigger or heavier boobs. Then there is all of the unsolicited advice, such as endless diatribes on the caffeine content of chocolate cake, old wives tales for afore mentioned swollen feet, comments on the size and height of your bump, I wont even touch on all the food comments, what's good, what's bad, what does that craving mean.

People seem to assume two things about the condition of pregnancy:

1. It renders women stupid and unable to think for themselves
2. It makes them interested in what you think. Particularly in your thoughts about whether their weight gain is sufficient or, conversely, exorbitant.

Get a grip. Neither point is true. I am not stupid, and no I don’t care what you think, and forcing your thoughts and opinions down on me will only lead to you hurting my already fragile feelings or me totally red-carding you from my life (dramatic I know).

Self esteem is a fragile thing, a word or a look can do untold damage. No matter what your personal feelings about weight gain, healthy eating, body image etc. is, it's really unkind to force these on to your pregnant friends. Like anything in life, you don't know the burden the next person is carrying. She may already be feeling horrible about her body.

Personally, there have been a few times when I have struggled with coming to terms with my changing body, but reminding myself why or rather who my body is changing for makes all the difference.

In conclusion, before you pass that comment to that pregnant lady, close your mouth and think it through, she probably doesn't need you to point out her weight gain and she definitely is not interested in your crappy hand-me-down advice.

You're welcome.

Curtis Kulig -- Love Me

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:53:00 +0000

Curtis Kulig is the charming multimedia artist sending love letters to New York City on a daily basis.

‘Love Me’ is Kulig’s very pretty graffiti tag, usually scrawled in red, the colour of love, and visible not only on the streets of NYC but also throughout his second homes LA, Tokyo and wherever else he travels to. Growing up in an artistic family spurred Kulig’s interest in the arts and with no formal training he began working with sculpture, painting, neon lighting, metalwork, text and his first love, photography

Simplistic yes but therein lies it power.

Hope you're all having an amazing Monday!

Just a minute: January, you were amazing!

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:13:00 +0000

January has always been my favourite month. Its the month of my birthday, and after all the brouhaha of the festive season, January always seems considerably more relaxed, plus it's the best month weather wise in Cape Town. Yay summer!

I've already shared my birthday highlights with you, here are a few other bits that made January feel especially lovely:

My real life:
Watching -- Hitchcock, Silver Linings Playbook, Djangooo, This is 40 all of which are highly recommended,
Reading -- Too many baby books.
Growing -- In both age and size :)
Downloading -- Vine (I'm so obsessed with this app)

My blogging life:
Aging -- Talkin' about turning 29 + being an adult pah!
Shopping -- Porcelain teacup heads& pencils that mean business
Not really loving -- Pantone perfection's
Talkin' about -- Christmas, cappuccino's, baby bumps & beach days

A very grown up birthday: 29 & feeling fine!

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:31:00 +0000

This Saturday past I turned 29! My last year in my twenties. My last birthday before momville. So many lasts. In the days leading up to my birthday I was quite down in the dumps, feeling slightly overwhelmed by life and all its wonders.

Regan came home the Friday night and woke me from a semi-peaceful slumber to wish me a slightly drunken happy birthday at one minute past midnight.

Saturday was spent in a whirlwind of grown-up decisions, we bought a pram, we bought a crib, we bought a dining room table and a baby bath. We shopped for baby clothes and ate a wonderful breakfast and had an amazing dinner.

By the time I got home I was so ridiculously exhausted, I'm shocked I even managed to pack all the baby purchases away. Isn't there a lot of pink? My only complaint about baby shopping would be that girls buyers should diversify their colour palette. Pink is ok, but grey's, mints, whites etc are equally lovely!

Friday's are for Favourites: Uncovet.com is all kinds of amazing

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:23:00 +0000

"UNCOVET.COM is a carefully curated and design-centric shop that unearths a daily pallet of fresh, rad, one-of-a-kind products for its members at a discounted rate."

I know that Uncovet has been around for a while, but I have only just stumbled apon it. Its so amazing! I want 3 of everything! But if I had to pick only 4 they would be:

Love these cord tacos!!

Gorgeous knuckle rings.

Divine porcelain head cups

Business time pencils

More >> here <<

Pantone Colour of the Year 2013: Emerald

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:21:00 +0000

It's still January so it's still fine to blog about the Pantone Colour of the Year being Emerald.

I have always been drawn to lighter shades so I am not totally in love with Emerald as a colour to wear, I can see it as a great winter shade, especially for accessories, and I would never dispute it's place in the home decor palette.

Over all though, its not my vibe. What do you think?

Better Late Than Never: My Festive Season Was Super Festive!

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:59:00 +0000

Beach Days: Summer in Cape Town is hot and dry and windy and going to the beach in December can often be super freaking painful because of the sand blowing all over. Most Capetonians have a secret list of wind free beaches they frequent on those blustery days. My favourite one is about 1.5 hours outside of Cape Town (a bit of a trek) and its called Church Haven. Follow the link for the deets.

Above: Dani & Ella playing on the beach, me and my bump seeking out the shade under the umbrella :)

Needless to say I am overjoyed that my first day of holidays started on this wonderfully secluded wind free beach.

Christmas Anti-Shopping: How horrible is Christmas shopping in a mall? Honestly every year I swear I will not put myself through it and every year I end up doing it. My only saving grace was countless decaf latte's and cappacino's. Also my poor swollen elephant feet needed constant rest.

Holiday Vibes: Happiness was leaving for Greyton :)

For those of you that haven't been, Greyton is a small town (hardly worthy of the label "town") about 2 hours outside of Cape Town. I absolutely love Greyton because it is beautiful and completely charming. There are tons of wonderful places to each, a delightful Saturday market and beautiful little cottages. Its is picture perfect countryside charm.

Something I love doing when visiting small towns in South Africa is going to the thrift/gift shops. Greyton has quite a few and in most of them you will find gorgeous vintage crockery such as the plates pictured above. I am gunning for a wall of vintage plates above my dining room table so this was right up my alley.

The market on Saturday is filled with lots of small town goodness, home made preserves for example. I got a very effective bottle of natural insect repellent which only kind of worked against the bastard mosquitoes.

The highlight for me were these super size milk tarts and lemon meringues. Mmmmm! Delish!

Also, how can you not love a town where donkeys roam freely?

Hope you all had a wonderful time over the holidays and that 2013 is off to a fabulous start!

More holiday snaps

Halfway to happiness: A pregnancy update

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Every year in December I spend a lot of time thinking about the year, how it’s gone, what’s happened, what's changed. 2011 was a big year for me change wise, I honestly thought that I would never go through that many life changing decisions in one year again, and then 2012 rolled around and slapped in in the face.

When I moved back from Norway last year I underwent some pretty serious medical stress that resulted in surgery and more than a few days in the hospital. This, coupled with previous similar stress left me thinking that I would never have a child of my own. I was 27 and while my personal life was in no way ready for the addition of a child, I knew that I would struggle to come to terms with the finality of not being able to have a child of my own one day.

Fast forward 1 year and I am now 24 weeks pregnant. Life is indeed a weird and wonderful thing.

So far my pregnancy has been a breeze. The list of pregnancy ailments I haven’t had far surpasses my list of pregnancy complaints. I have never felt so happy and content and in love with my body.

My little bean is 23 cm long, which seems very large to me, but apparently its normal. She is completely healthy and growing very well. We've passed the half way mark now and Regan and I are so excited about the next 4.5 months -- we have a lot of things to do before she arrives, but even my to-do list fills me with happiness. I can only put this down to insane happy pregnancy hormones.

Aside from the baby growing, 2012 has been a year filled with immense happiness, and love. It got a little cloudy at times and if there was one thing I learned it’s that family definitely does come first and I am so incredibly grateful to have my amazing mom, sisters and brother (and of course my little niece Ella) and Regan, who is my person, completely.

Hope you all had a splendid year and here’s to an even more amazing 2013!

Motherhood yo!

Monday Music Moment: High For This

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 05:30:00 +0000

Monday's Music Moment: Ellie Goulding covers the Weeknd's High For This:

Sidewalks: Cape Town is my boyfriend and we're in our dry humping phase

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:58:00 +0000

You know when you have a new boyfriend and you go through like 2 -9 months of just constant PDA's and touching and inappropriate kissing at the dinner table in front of parents and stuff? Well that's pretty much what summer in Cape Town feels like for a Capetonian. I am so in love with my city I wish I could just dry hump it constantly.

Most cities come alive in summer, but Cape Town does it in a special way (yes that's my horrific bias you're hearing). In light of all this hypothetical dry humping and coming alive and general happiness I decided that perhaps it was time to reexplore this amazing city I call home. A few months ago I got 'Sidewalks: A Journal for Exploring Your City' as a gift, and I think this will put it to great use.

It was the Modcloth Book Of The Month for June 2012. Described as:

This charming journal is your guide as you “wander, discover, and document the unexpected everyday charms of the city you call home.” Explore your everyday surroundings like never before with this clever notebook. Filled with creative prompts, like searching out colours on a stroll, questions to ask strangers and recording meals you've tried around your city, use this slim pad to direct and document all your new adventures.

Woot!

I'll be posting my various adventures with the book and the city!

IF YOU DIDN'T TWEET IT - DID IT ACTUALLY HAPPEN?

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:03:00 +0000

I’ve always been the kind of person that despises complaining. I never send my food back at restaurants, I never alert management about bad service, I am a firm believer in the shut up and get on with it school of thought. Recently however I have taken to complaining, at first it was via email, then I gradually progressed to phone calls, then the dreaded Hello Peter and finally Twitter. It’s horribly addictive!

In the past when we had a problem we would get on the horn and try to talk our way up to middle management, perhaps even write a strongly worded letter, and if you were really extreme you might even write to a newspaper. Nowadays, its acceptable to name and shame brands on the internets. To be honest, I detest this form of complaining. Why is my 140 character tweet more likely to inspire action than my call to your customer services department? Why even bother to have a customer services department?

Supporting a brand as a consumer is more than jumping on a band wagon, it means taking your hard earned money and putting it in the hands of a brand because you heard their message and on some level it resonated with you. Or you just liked the cool shit they were selling. Either way! If you can take my money for your product you can for damn sure help me sort out a problem I have with said product, right? Yes right, but only if I tweet you about the afore mentioned problem.

This is not why I joined Twitter. I don’t want a timeline filled with all the reasons your service/ product/ brand sucks arse! Right now I am sitting at my desk, banging (literally) this blog post out in a lonely rage, wondering hopelessly why I have been reduced to this maniac over something as simple as returning a dress.

Never before has cutting myself off from technology been more appealing.

Brands: help your customers, don’t wait to be called out on Twitter, an email or a phone call is not just enough, it’s the civilized way to communicate. Why would you prefer that I list everything negative about your company of a public forum?

Raaaar!

Just a Minute: November you were amazing!

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:53:00 +0000

It's summer in Cape Town guys!

Unfortunately, the first two months of summer bring with it a nasty South Easterly wind, so all of us Capetonians have spent the better part of November complaining about the dreadful wind. Other than being perpetually windswept, November has been great and I don't think I have ever been happier :)

Reading - Blog Inc. by Joy Deangdeelert Cho -- its proving to be a credible, helpful resource for new and seasoned bloggers.

Listening - to the oh so awesome new Andy Scott album, Luxury Problems.

Watching - Forrest Gump at the foot of the mountain -- thank you Galileo Outdoor Cinema for such a magical experience.

Loving - everything about my life at the moment!

Wanting - This swim suit from Lambley... I'm not sure if it will fit my massive belly and ample boobage though...

Hope you all had a groovy November! Here's to a very festive (and hopefully less windy) December!

Gifting 101: Suggestions for Girlfriends & Sisters

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:59:00 +0000

'Tis the season to be jolly (and broke).

One of the reasons why I love Christmas so much is because of gifts. I love giving them, receiving them, wrapping them up, putting them under the tree. There is such joy to be found in the act of gift giving. I thought I'd put together some gift suggestions for girlfriends, as in "hey, girlfriend!" {and not girlfriend-love-of-your-life} and sisters.

While I am a self confessed lover of all things product, I really hate shopping and crowds, if its available online I will buy it! In South Africa we have been a little behind the local based online shopping scene, but we're catching up quickly. A great example of this is 36Boutiques, one of my all time favourite local online shops. All of my suggestions are available online at 36Boutiques.

The list is as follows:

1. Yuza Sorbet Night. Soothing, moisture-recharging, nourishing night cream

2. Jo Borkett -- Silk printed scarf

3. Anomali -- Indian Style Hair Pin

4. Madagascan Vanilla Diffuser

5. Renaissance -- Genuine Leather Charlote Handbag

6. Katema -- Eton collar with studs

7. Civetta Sparks -- Swarovski crystals earrings

8. Jinger Jack -- Genuine leather clutch

9. Handmade By Me -- Pretty Proteas patterned Pillow

10. Moleskine -- A5 Carnet Style journal

11. Nuxe -- Huile Prodigieuse multi-purpose dry oil for face, body and hair

What sort of things will be stuffed in your stockings this Christmas? Personally I am hoping one of my girlfriends or sisters gets me the Nuxe body oil, its been my life blood during my pregnancy.

Happy Tuesday!

Has Your Home Has Been Invaded By Hipsters?

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:25:00 +0000

Amazing, Portland based graphic artist Nina Montenegro, did these marvellous illustrations of classic hipster home décor. While I may be guilty of some of these, I do think there are a few odd ones in the mix, for example, trophy vases? Really?

Major hahaha's for the camera's that don't work... GUILTY!

I love frame clusters and mounted antlers... GUILTY!

The vintage encyclopedia's are awesome though, I have always wanted a full set of Britannica's.

View more of Nina's lovely work here.

1000 Degrees: Welcome to Singapore, Where Its Always Hot

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 03:48:00 +0000

Last Saturday I left Singapore at 2.30am. I had spent 11 days there helping our new APJ Office set up and run their very first event. Even though this was my second trip to Singapore, the heat still took my by surprise. I love summer, and having spent time living in Okinawa, Japan I know humidity, but in all honestly, I just couldn't live in a land that never saw winter. It's just too damn hot.

Being almost 5 months pregnant didn't help things either. By the time I boarded my flight back to Cape Town, my feet and ankles were swollen to elephant width. I felt so gross and unattractive!

My Singapore highlights are as follows:
Eating chilli crab in China Town
Walking through Orchard Road and being 1 in 1 million (at least that what it felt like)
Hot rain
Meeting great new people in our new office
Exploring Little India
The hyper efficient public transport system

More pictures from my trip here.

xxxo

Good bye October! #justaminute

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 03:30:00 +0000

So October has come to an end :)

While you're reading this I am 1000's of feet in the air on my way to Singapore for work. The afore mentioned work has resulted in October passing me bye in a whirl of stress and anxiety. So it goes without saying that I am more than happy to see the end of this month! Here are some of my highlights (there were precious few of them)

Listening to: A lot of Half Moon Run -- especially this track.

Reading: Blog Inc. by Joy Deangdeelert Cho, as my life goes through changes, I feel this blog should as well. More on this later

Buying: Maternity clothes :) my baby belly is growing so much, getting dressed has become something of an agony.

Loving: My daughter, yes, we found out she's a she and we're overjoyed!

Hope you all have had an amazing October, and here's to November. Sunshine, beach days, baby farming and so much love!

Pantone Color of the Day -- Grayed Jade

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:49:00 +0000

I am so in love with this color right now, I even decided to paint my kitchen cupboards Grayed Jade.

Is It Still DIY If Its A Baby?

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:14:00 +0000

When I was little there was always a mad dash to keep the Christmas gifts hidden from my youngest sister, Dani. She is completely incapable of keeping a secret and often the first person i turn to when I have a bit of juicy gossip. She even has a motto for it, "Secrets make you sick". I never really grasped the meaning of this until I found I had a secret of my own. I have been bursting to shout this from the rooftops for ages now, holding it in has made me feel so bogged down!

The Human & I are having a baby!! I am officially 4 months pregnant :) and I couldn't be more in love with life right now.

So far the highlights of have been:

-- no morning sickness

-- buying clothes 1 size too big because i feel super fat only to find out, I'm still the exact same size (bar my waistline)

-- sharing this experience with an amazing man who is my equal in every way

-- beginning my own ultimate DIY project, the DIY baby

There are so many things I am looking forward to in the next few months and the end of April can't roll around fast enough because I cannot wait to meet my little bean.

HBO's GIRLS: my current obsession

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:25:00 +0000

I recently started watching HBO's show Girls... I often get absorbed by tv, usually there either has to be a fabulous story line or fabulous clothing. Girls has everything I want (read: need) from a tv show. How else would I be able to laugh at a white 20 something Jewish girl accidentally smoking crack? Or find out more about "the stuff that gets up around the side of condoms."

So you can imagine my relief when I stumbled across these amazing Girls Paper Dolls by Vulture --- click the link to download friends.

Hannah

Now I am going to kick back, put on some Robyn and dance with my Hannah and Marnie dolls!

Marnie

Jessa

Shoshana

According to Wikipedia, Season 2 will begin in January 2013! Here's a sneak peak... So exciting!

Have a groovy Thursday!

Is it Christmas Yet? Wishlist #1: Hello Pretty

noreply@blogger.com (nikki lincoln) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:18:00 +0000

It's no secret what a total sucker I am for Christmas. Yes I know it is an over commercialised holiday and I really don't need all the shit I buy, even though I adore most of my ridiculous Christmas purchases, jungle bell hat included, what I love most about the holiday is the gift giving.

Its the feeling you get when you spend time finding a gift for someone and you get it right. You'll know you got it right by the expression on their face when they open the gift :) That feeling is what sees me longing for Christmas in August.

Lately I have been scouring the web trying to find the perfect gift for my perfect loved ones. Making wishlists all over the show.

Have a look at these wonderful finds from the oh so lovely SA online design goods store, Hello Pretty:

Gorgeous brass Swallow brooch from Joey and Julia for only R150!

I absolutely LOVE these dino storage jars from Afternoon Delight

This Jan Pierewiet enamel plate from Tjou Tjou reminds me of old Karoo farm houses and milk tart!

How adorable are these ceramic bokkies from Maiden Name?

I'm so looking forward to Christmas!