Category: Parenting

Rainy Day Fun – Play dough and Slime recipes

Rainy Day Fun – Play dough and Slime recipes

Posted on by Rebecca

I try to limit screen time for the kids to early mornings (when I’m usually too tired to think and just want a cup of tea in peace). My eldest son is now going to playschool 3 mornings a week but there is still plenty of time left in the day to be filled with crafts and endless energy for ball games.

With all this rain we have been having, you have to get creative when it comes to keeping the little ones busy, and I’ve gotten a lot of requests on how I make my play dough and slime recipes for the boys so I thought I’d just put it out there for all to share, honestly, these are so quick and easy, you can have homemade fun and banish boredom in less than 5 minutes:

Playdough:

I have my friend Zelda to forever credit for giving me this recipe.

  • 2 cups plain flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
  • Between 1 and 2 cups warm water (you keep adding until it feels right)
  • food colouring (optional)

I usually do the initial mixing here while the water is still a bit warm, and then I hand the bowl over to the kids and let them get stuck in there. This should keep up to about 6 months in a sealed container. There is honestly no reason to ever buy playdough ever again!

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Slime

  • 1 bottle art and craft glue (clear or white – I used Bostik’s art and craft glue) (100ml)
  • 100 Ml Water (pour the water into the empty glue bottle its easier)
  • ½ tsp of borax dissolved into ¼ cup warm water
  • A drop of food colouring

Mix together the water and the glue, in a separate bowl dissolve the borax into the quarter cup of warm water, and add a drop of food colouring. Pour this mixture into the water/glue bowl and stir. You will immediately see a gloop ball start to form, keep mixing until it all comes together. (There may be some excess water which you can just discard). You can also add glitter to the slime to really create an intergalactic experience.

TIP: Ive made this 3 times before, a pinch more borax and you can end up with a more solid “bouncy ball” consistency, if this happens you can try adding a little more glue and seal it in a bag to absorb.

TIP 2: Try to avoid getting this onto carpets or clothes, the longer it sits, the more in soaks in. If it does a brush and some vinegar should get it right off.

I hope these two recipes give your kids as hours of endless fun as they do with my boys ! Happy playing!

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Vredenhof Organic Estate – Food and Fun !

Vredenhof Organic Estate – Food and Fun !

Posted on by Rebecca

While its still fresh in my mind I thought I had to write a review on Vredenhof Organic Estate. What an awesome experience! Just off the R44 in Firgrove, Somerset West, this gem of a farm is a must see! We had our mummies meet up there this week, if only I knew this place was 5 minutes from my house earlier! Wow in every way!

 

 

The first thing that struck me walking around was the attention to detail, it was impeccable! Service was fantastic, the Owner came out and chatted to us, the staff were friendly, welcoming and extremely helpful. The menu at the Café was outstanding! A rainbow selection of exotic juices and smoothies and superior organic, wholesome dishes on the menu. For once the food actually met up to the standard described on the menu, if not more and the presentation was incredible, again attention to detail was second to none.

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The kiddies play area is like something from an enchanted fairy tale, there is a big wooden “pirate ship” 2 decks high, a Rapunzel Tower and Snow White’s Castle with a slide. A wooden carriage, a sandpit, see-saw and a multitude of ropes and ladders to climb. The sand was freshly raked and clean. My son had a blast talking to the “Captain Hook” painted on the mural on the wall. The ONLY fault I could find with the entire place would be that the Ship and the Castle aren’t the Most “Toddler” friendly, the steps and ladders are a little steep to climb on their own. That being said there are other activities to keep them busy in the play area and it certainly didn’t stop our brood.

 

Once the kiddies finished playing there they could explore the “secret garden”, each area having a slightly different theme. The Gardens have a wishing well, a Koi Pond and the most unique “Harp” water feature I’ve ever seen! Look a little closer and you will see lawn mowed into the shape of a heart and a hidden putt putt area. In the far corner is a giant chess board, and opposite that all the kiddies favourite – Animals! Goats, Chickens, and possibly the biggest pig I have EVER seen in my life!

Swiss Perfection in EVERY sense and I would certainly recommend it to any family with young children, anyone looking for incredible food as well as people wanting to buy organic fare from their shop. 5 stars all the way, thank you Vredenhof for an awesome last play date!

 

Opening times – Tuesday – Saturday, 8am – 4pm Contact 021 855 0363, vredenhof@telkomsa.net

My top 16 list of Child Friendly activities around Cape Town

My top 16 list of Child Friendly activities around Cape Town

Posted on by Rebecca

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So yet another hiatus taken after yet another baby, I became a proud member of the two under two club (2 boys now) but I’m determined to get my blog back on track. There’s so much I want to say and share and so much that has happened.

In addition to adding another little boisterous boy to our family we also relocated to the beautiful Western Cape, and what a year it’s been! I actually can’t even fathom why anyone with children would want to live anywhere else in the world. This place literally has it all!

I thought I’d summarize the top places to take kids too, and bear with me as this list is quite long. Jozi you have A LOT to learn when it comes to making things kid friendly. There is an abundance of places to take the kids and almost every farm is child friendly. After living in Johannesburg for so long I really am left in awe.

Here’s my top 16 list (in no specific order).

  • World of Birds – Constantia – This is the largest bird park in Africa and its home to something like 3000 birds and quite a number of reptiles! All of the owls and predator birds are adopted and none of them have been bred in captivity. My toddler was in awe of all the colours and the monkey interaction is entertaining for everyone!

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  • Butterfly World – Stellenbosch – Best to go on a sunny day when all the glorious butterfly’s fly about in their element! There are also a number of other animals on display including reptiles (some colourful iguanas), tarantula’s, birds, small monkeys and LOTS of guinea pigs. BEST part is kids under 3 are free!

  • Monkey Town – Somerset West – This place kinda has it all! Yes the park is a little “run down” BUT these places do rely on visitors for funding so go and visit! Not only do they have like 200 different primates, they also have Chimpanzees ! (Don’t worry they have been rehabilitated after various horrible stories). Monkey Town also has a small Petting animal section a huge garden with numerous Jungle Gyms AND you can picnic and braai there.988
  • The Giraffe House – Stellenbosch – Despite its name the Giraffe house is home to Zebra, Ostrich, crocodile, Jackals and a number of other animals too. We made the mistake of going on a “slight breezy” winters day with a 6 week old baby. Safe to say, dad did the tour with the toddler who was in his element and mum sat in the car for most of the time because the wind was reminiscent of Arctic Gail force winds !
  • Vergelegen Wine Farm (They have the most amazing playground) – Have a lunch at Stables restaurant while your kids play in the most artistic Play area. A little stream for them to splash in , a giants bird nest, and a maze – what more do you need? Oh and they offer picnics in the forest as well.
  • Vergenoegd Wine Farm (Famous for its Runner ducks and kids activities). Vergenoegd keeps about 1100 Indian “Runner Ducks”. These ducks head out each day into the vineyards and they eat all the snails and harmful pests that destroy the grapes, on their journey the give a little “Parade” which the kids adore! Vergenoegd also has dedicated child minders so you can enjoy your picnic in the most beautiful surroundings while your kids play a number of games and activities.

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  • Visit the penguins – dependent on which side of Cape Town you are there is the Stony Point Colony at Betty’s Bay and of course the famous Boulders Beach in Simons Town. It’s not often that you get to swim with Penguins, I’ve taken my toddler back 3 times 🙂  Did you know that there are only 3 land based breeding grounds for African penguins? Well here are two of them! I find Betty’s Bay a little more quiet as opposed to the ever popular Boulders Beach.

  • Two Oceans Aquarium – Aquarium – enough said! Sharks, Penguins, Turtles and Sting rays, what more does a kid want? Right in the heart of the V+A Waterfront its pays tribute to both the Atlantic and the Indian oceans. Visit at about 3pm daily and the kids will get a chance to see the raggies being fed !

 

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  • Cheetah Outreach Program – 2 minutes from my doorstep, and you can take your toddlers in to stroke the Cheetahs ! I was super apprehensive, you can even tell from my picture 🙂 The Cheetah Outreach is an organization that is working to preserve Cheetah in the wild.  Many farmers use traps, poison and hunting techniques to keep the cheetahs away from their farm and livestock, as a result, the cheetah population is dwindling. Here you learn about Cheetah conservation and the Famous Anatolian Shepherd Dogs, These are very, VERY large dogs that are used as Shepard dogs and protect livestock.By doing so you can save Cheetahs !

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  • Spier Wine farm and the Eagle encounters – Another famously child friendly wine farm. Spier wine farm offers literally the FULL experience. For non wine drinkers like us they offer grape juice tasting, 2 awesome restaurants and a range of activities for the kids. Best part is the Eagle encounters where you can learn more about these glorious predators and get to see them up close.
  • Green Point Park –Seriously, This is where Joburg Parks needs to catch a wake up! Green Points playground is insane ! You can visit green pint for a picnic, walk or run, there’s an outdoor gym, a play park and an adventure park for the kids (with about 7 different slides). Evening and Morning Yoga and a whole zen garden section. Did I mention its free?

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  • The Blue Train and Mouille point park – Probably one of Mouille Point’s oldest attractions, a ticket on the blue train costs just R15 and takes you on two trips around the park. The Blue Train Park borders The Mouille Point park which has a lovely jungle gym and play area for the kids. The blue train park offers yet more play areas as well as a mini ice rink! My toddler loved the choo choo with the sea-side views! Afterwards you can ride your bikes and have an ice cream and walk along the famous Green Point Promenade !
  • Table Mountain Cable Way – It’s not Cape Town without Table Mountain. My husband was the most apprehensive about going up Table Mountain with 2 small kids. We pre booked out tickets online (MUST DO) so the line wasn’t that tedious (I think about 45 minutes?) By the time we got to the front my 2-year-old was so impatient to go on the “Plane” (the cable car) that the kind lady in front scanned us through to the next leaving cart. (If you read this THANK YOU!). Much to my husbands delight there were no sheer drops for the pram to roll off at the top 🙂  There was entertainment in the form of a live bank which the toddler loved and we even got to appreciate the views! Once again I am forever grateful as we managed to get a concierge service off the cable car on the way down to the lift and skipped the exit line 🙂

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  • Root 44 Market – Great Food, Live bands, artesian food and craft and to a huge world of adventure for kids! No less than 5 play areas for kids, a massive indoor soft play area, water activities and putt putt. SERIOUSLY – Root 44 offers a BUSY day! OPEN EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 10:00 – 16:00 Tel: 021 881 3052 Email: info@root44.co.za Audacia Wines, Corner of R44 & Annandale Road, Stellenbosch, 7600
  • The Beaches! All of them! There is no explanation needed! Water + Sand is a great combination for any child and it offers free entertainment for hours! The Western Cape offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
  • Polkadraai Strawberry Farm – The greatest blessing, being a mere 5 minutes from us. Polkadraai offers everything from Strawberry picking from just R40, Tractor Rides, Mini Golf and Pony Rides its a childs haven and fun for the entire family.

I must also make honorary mentions to the following places: Tokara Estate (unique little playground and they have heaps of toys around the restaurant for kids to play with), Helderberg plaas (one of the oldest farms in the region and it has a cute petting farm for the kids to feed the animals).

Western Cape – I am not finished with my explorations and I cannot wait to uncover all that you have to offer (though I don’t think ill ever get through it all!) Are there any places you would mention?

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My Mummy blog – essential items for a newborn baby

My Mummy blog – essential items for a newborn baby

Posted on by Rebecca

Ok, so I have taken a very long hiatus from my blogging. In fact I was actually ashamed to write this blog in a way, I’m very sheepish because of how long it’s been. But this is my blog and my rules right?
I started blogging for my company on articles specifically pertaining to recruitment and career development so a lot of my time was taken by that. And of course this……………….

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My beautiful, cheeky baby boy. I’ve felt the urge to write this blog for a while now, specifically as a new mum. I found while I was pregnant, everyone gives you advice (of course) BUT they forget all the yucky, important stuff!

Like how incredibly sore breastfeeding is in the first few weeks. Or how long you actually take to recover from a c-section and the fact that your scar still hurts 5 months down the line. Various feminine issues going on and how it feels to first actually have a proper bathroom session (I hope no men are reading this 🙂 ) Then there’s the fact, we all know, that newborns sleep all the time yaaaay but what about when they get to 5/ 6 weeks ? Then its like HEELLLLOOOO World! “I’m not sleeping now …”

There is so much advice I would love to give to new mums out there, fact is a lot of it you just learn for yourself. BEST TIP EVER? Certainly the main one I WISH I had taken! Yes, while its so nice to have your baby falling asleep in your arms DO NOT start rocking or swaying him to sleep. While they are still newborn get into the habit of baby falling asleep independently. Its no fun having to walk/rock/sway a 9kg 6 month old who fights every inch of sleep for hours on end…

Onto the lighter stuff. Here are some products that changed my world and I believe are a MUST for new baba’s. Not your standard 6 babygrow, changing mat type of list, rather products that made my life a whole lots easier:
1) Telament-T colic drops – WOW how this saved my life in the early weeks. When baby is crying on end and nothing calms him down? Pop a little drop into a dummy/ pacifier and its like INSTANT calm ! Amazing! Either that or it just gives baby’s a huge sugar rush.
2) Telament- T Gripe water – No other brands worked as well as this did and my Baby B LOVES the taste! Great for when hiccups occur, take about 2ml in a dropper and voila ! Hiccups be gone!
3) A reclining seat/rocker – (For baby not you) I didn’t have a sway chair. Mine was a standard reclining chair with a soothing vibrate function and detachable “friends” to entertain baby. Best place to put baba for a change of scenery and a great place for him to fall asleep when you are busy ironing 
4)Physiogel Lotion/ Cream – Newborns have the most sensitive skins so you cant go lathering on lavender scented aqueous cream straight away. I learnt this the hard way and baba broke out in eczema! These creams were so gentle on baba’s skin. Lotion for body and cream for face.
5) Lasinoh nipple cream – enough said. I found it to be better then the Medela brand (which was too sticky) this was non scented non sticky and super calming.
6) Medela breast pump – If you are a breastfeeding mum this is a MUST have! I bring it down to expressing in those first few weeks that helped my establish a proper milk supply. Its also allowed me in the first few weeks to get extra shut eye. Grannies would do “night duty” and I got a full 8 hours ! Of course when returning to work it also made sure my baby didn’t starve ! They are super industrial quality, easy to use, pretty quiet and compact! I’m lucky enough to have the normal single electric pump and the double swing maxi and both have been brilliant. One word though if you invest in the swing maxi its essential you get the support bra/holder. Otherwise you sit there like a muppet with both hands occupied holding the bottles and you cant even adjust the speed!

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7) Phillips Avent disposable breast pads (in the beginning) were the softest by far of all products on the market. After a while I swapped to the Phillips re-usable (washable) kind.
8) Schlehen blackthorn berry elixir. A MUST again for all breastfeeding mummies. A tonic/ vitamin/ magic juice to increase your milk supply. A God-Send. Mix it up with some rehydrate and juice to make a yummy “jungle juice” that works miracles.
9) Cotton Wool – This simple/ humble item proves its weight in gold with babies. People forget to tell you about the explosive poops 🙂 Funniest and messiest thing ever! I find plain old cotton wool more effective then any “wetwipe” and generally reserve the wipes for when we are out.
10) A Muslin Cloth – I bought a whole lot from “Baby Sense” to keep baby cooler when we went to Botswana for summer. I quickly found it has a multitude of uses and baba loves it! Almost like a security blankie. It’s a changing cloth, a blankie, a shield over the pram, a wiper-uper… the list is endless.

Those are my top 10 things that made my life a great deal easier. I’m sure I’m missing out on a few but the old wives tale around porridge brain and memory is NOT an old wives tale. I’ve lost my mind…but the reward is so much greater 🙂

If you have any more suggestions feel free to comment! Wishing you all happy baby days……………….

Ps x the stilettos? not so high anymore………..

Dedicated to Sarah xxx Standing against abuse

Posted on by Rebecca

When did it become OK to be abusive to other human beings? When did abuse become something like at least 1 in 5 people, men and women, have suffered in relationships? Is it just me or is this something that is becoming more and more common in today’s society?

Shouldn’t it be the other way around? As a society we are moving forward in so many ways so how is this occurring more and more?? Or rather are the acts more violent? I’m struggling to comprehend how a human being can harbor this hatred/ violence in them?

This blog is dedicated to Sarah Refilwe Molewa (Fifi). A sweet, young, bright, talent young woman, with a whole future ahead of her. Her life was selfishly taken by a brutal individual (who seemed so completely normal) who took her life because he could not grasp she was moving on. WHY????

Cases like Sarah’s should be all over the news to spread awareness on Violence.

Yes. It may be true. Women don’t like to press charges against domestic violence. Because they love the guy. Because they feel its “their fault”, because they feel they can “recuse him”.

Whether you are a woman or a man you should know that no-one should ever hold “POWER” over you. No one should ever get another chance to hit you. Right? From what I have been reading and from the people I’ve spoken to, I realize it’s easier said than done.

“Leaving an abusive partner is a very difficult thing to do. It frequently feels like you are failing, or destroying your family, or not trying to work things out, or not giving your partner “a second chance.” It hurts, and it’s scary.” – Blaine Nelson

From what I have seen, you need to gather every single strength inside of you, no matter how much you love that individual and WALK AWAY; STRAIGHT AWAY. DO NOT give them another chance, CUT contact with them. There is such a fine line between hitting someone and accidently KILLING them! Do not be afraid to speak out, this is not a reflection on who you are you have done nothing wrong!

In my personal opinion, we all feel anger, we all feel (at some point in our relationship) that we want to just slap our partners. It is the WILL POWER we exercise however that distinguishes you as a human being. If someone doesn’t have that will power to NOT hit you, how do they exercise will power in the rest of their lives?

One incident, and YOU LEAVE. PLEASE.. Violent people don’t get better without a lot of work, and it’s not “your” problem. Once someone raises a hand to you, you owe that person nothing. It’s likely that the violent behavior will escalate. Sometimes it is deliberate. Either way, YOU LEAVE. You can care for them from a distance.

Abusers are rich and poor and middle class or somewhere in between. One trait they all share is that the abuser usually comes across as arrogant, however they actually feel very inadequate and want to remain in control. One thing I know for sure is that domestic violence happens in every strata of society. No race or socio-economic class is immune.

To all the woman/ men out there that have been affected by domestic violence, I pray that you can find new hope. Please don’t wait too late…

Credit to EL Rey Photography

To Sarah (Fifi) and her memory and to her family/ close friends; I know every day it feels unbelievable, you wake up and think “did this really happen”, every day you think she will still call/ walk through the door. She was a strong young women with a firm head on her shoulders. She had found the power within herself to walk away from this. An evil human being hunted her down. Her memory lives on and I know with her story, we can make a difference in people’s lives. She was destined for such a bright future and we must continue to live this for her.

The only thing I hope is Mr Sthoks Mkhize (yes I’m not afraid to name him) stays behind bars for a long long long time. The one thing you will never get to take away is the legacy of this beautiful young woman.

Relationships – Valuing those who mean the most

Posted on by Rebecca

Anais Nin put it beautifully when she said, “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”

Though some people are natural loners and are happy without them, most of us depend greatly on the company of true friends. As with any relationship, friendships bring support and joy and occasionally strife 🙂

As we grow, we realize it becomes less important to have MORE friends and more important to have REAL ones.

If you think about it, life is kind of like a party. You invite a lot of people, some leave early, some stay all night, some laugh with you, some laugh at you, and some show up really late. But in the end, after the fun, there are a few who stay to help you clean up the mess. And most of the time, they aren’t even the ones who made the mess. These people are your real friends in life. They are the ones who matter most.

Heres a couple of things I feel true friends do in fact it kind of relates to your relationships too):

  1. They face problems together. – A person who truly knows and loves you, a real friend, is someone who sees the pain in your eyes while everyone else still believes the smile on your face. Reality is you don’t need a friend who can solve all your problems; you need a friend you will face your problems WITH you. lo
  2. They GIVE what they can. – Truth be told a lot of us enter relationships to get something out of it. We try to find someone who’s going to make us feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last, and give us happiness in the long-term, is if we see our relationship/ friendship as a place we go to GIVE, not to take. Contrary to popular believe studies show you gain significant happiness and a sense of purpose from GIVING. It can only be a ‘give and take’ if BOTH SIDES are GIVING. That’s the key.
  3. They make time for each other. –  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot in someone’s life. Never force someone to make a space in their life for you, because if they truly care about you, they will create one for you.
  4. They offer each other freedom. – A healthy relationship/ friendship keeps the doors and windows wide open.   Relationships thrive in this environment. If this person is meant to be in your life, all the open doors and windows in the world won’t make them leave.
  5. They communicate effectively. –  You NEED to get your thoughts OUT. If you have resentment, you must talk it out rather than let the resentment grow. If you are jealous, you must communicate in an open and honest manner to address your insecurities. The most popular myth is that, in relationships,  since you talk to your partner, you’re automatically communicating. But this is generally surface stuff. 80% of communication actually involves listening!
  6. They accept each other as is. – Trying to change a person NEVER works. A real friend is someone who truly knows you, and loves you just the same. Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love THE REAL YOU.
  7. They are genuine. – Never idealize others. They will never live up to your expectations. Don’t over-analyze your relationships. Stop playing games. A growing relationship can only be nurtured by genuineness.   
  8. They compromise.  – Real friends meet in the middle. When there’s a disagreement, they work out a solution that works for both parties – a compromise, rather than a need for the other person to change or completely give in. It may even be that one party may decide to walk away, that it’s not worth the investment. That’s ok too, you have people in your life for different reasons and seasons.
  9. Belief in each other. – Studies of people who grew up in dysfunctional homes but who grew up to be happy and successful show that the one thing they had in common was someone who believed in them. Do this for those you care about. Support their dreams and passions and hobbies. Be nothing but encouraging. Whether they actually accomplish these dreams or not, your belief is of infinite importance to them and you made a difference to someones’ life.
  10. Be Realistic. – No one is happy all the time. Friends must keep realistic expectations of each other.  We are not all “Super-men” we have our day-to-day lives and get caught up in them. It may be that you don’t see your friends for months on end. A true friend is someone who you can see after years and you can pick up right from where you left off.
  11. They honor each other in small ways on a regular basis. – Honor your important relationships in some way every chance you get. Every day you have the opportunity to make your relationship sweeter and deeper by making small gestures, remember the giving? Making one person smile could change THEIR whole world. Your kindness and gratitude matters.It’s all too easy to take someone for granted.
  12. They keep their promises. – Your word means everything. This is HUGE to me, If you say you’re going to do something, DO IT! If you say you’re going to be somewhere, BE THERE! If you say you feel something, MEAN IT!It doesnt mean you can’t ever cancel or change but your word is your integrity, something that is so crucial to never lose.
  13. They stick around. – The sad truth is that there are some people who will only be there for you as long as you have something they need. When you no longer serve a purpose to them, they will leave (going back to the seasons). . We rarely lose friends and lovers, we just gradually figure out who our REAL ones are.

“A Real Friend is one who walks in when others walk out” -Walter Winchell

Happiness is……

Posted on by Rebecca

Ok its official, my work life had taken over the last month or so. Im sorry 🙁 On the plus side the results are showing, but a blog is way way overdue.

Seeing as though ive set aside 2012 to be the year for me i thought I’d write about me, and who I am.

Sometimes life gets in the way of “happiness”. It’s hard to stay focused when people, events and dreams blur around you. Before you know it you work, come home and crash, wake up, work, come home and crash again. The cycle pulls you in. Holding on to what’s important sometimes feels as though it’s slipping away…But I’ve got a strong grasp 🙂

Sometimes when im feeling lost, I need to reconnect to happiness. It’s best just to be alone, take a “time-out”

I need to remind myself of what I love. It’s noticing the beauty that envelopes me. It’s being surrounded by children or animals, both give you unconditional love. It’s wearing the baggiest sweater ive had since high school. It’s driving with the windows down and the music up. It’s feeling the wind through my hair and the sunlight on my face (The ultimate).

Then it’s silence. And warmth. And love. And coming home to my very best friend. And for that, I am reminded and grateful for all the sweet blessings in life.

How do you reconnect to keep your happiness?

Who I Am…

                                                                           I am…unique

I want…a proper home, with a garden

I have…so much happiness.

I wish…to travel the world.

I hate…judgemental people

I fear…losing the people I love

I hear…life all around me, laughter.

I search…for the good in people

I wonder…about the stars and what life will bring

I regret…nothing, because I am where life needs me to be.

I love…my family. More than anything.

I ache…when I see suffering in the world.

I always…try to be better today than yesterday.

I usually…listen to my music really loud.

I am not…going to allow anyone to define me, ever.

I dance…when someone is watching, and when they aren’t, in fact I dance all the time

I sing…when no-one is around

I never…go to bed with makeup on.

I sometimes…wish I was born into royalty

I cry…every time I watch Grey’s Anatomy

I am not always…rational.

I am confused…by mean people.

I need…to live up to my dreams

I should…never stop trying.

Who Are You?

(Post idea from Our Love Never Fails)

Beautiful Botswana

Beautiful Botswana

Posted on by Rebecca

One of the biggest things that I love about Africa is that you are never far from nature. Seriously, in Botswana you have to slow down on our “highway” for baboons and warthog to cross the road 🙂

For me, moving to the city from the “bush”, being with nature is probably something I miss the most. Things like having a proper garden, being surrounded by thick veld and waking up in the middle of the night because some bushbaby is making a weird noise 🙂 So every year I try and get back to that. (Even though it involves close encounters with Snakes and Scorpions 🙂 )

 This Blog is owed to “Beautiful Botswana”. My Heart, my Life, My soul is with this dusty, heat filled country 🙂

This year I want to encourage all people that live in Botswana to also “keep it local”. So often with small towns, all you want to do for a holiday is make a break for it overseas or out of the country. I realised after speaking to so many expats living there how incredibly blessed we are in Botswana, and how much by living there you take it for granted. We have the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Nxai Pans and even the vast emptiness of the Tuli Block we literally are spoilt for choice when it comes to “Bush Breaks”.

Nxai (the x= a clicking sound) Pan is 2500 square kilometer game reserve. It is a large area of very flat savannah/grasslands. I shockingly have never even been there myself!
In Botswana,  typically in the rainy season you avoid going on “safari” as the bush gets too thick, but Nxai Pan blossoms. Thousands of Zebra migrate to the area with their young.
It is also the only place you will see both springbok and impala in the same area.
Nxai pan has many different species including: gemsbock, giraffe, impala, springbok, lions (lots of them) cheetahs, leopard, wildebeest, bat eared fox, jackals, honeybadgers, to name a few ! So for all the “mini-breaks” this year why not explore what we have? GOAL FOR THIS YEAR? GO CAMPING IN THE NXAI PANS! Anyone keen to join me?

I love Africa. I love Botswana.

Tuli Block is an area of land in the far Southeastern border of Botswana and South Africa. It acted a barrier between Bechuanaland (Botswana) and the South African Boer Farmers in 1895.In the Tuli block the Limpopo River and the Notwane River converge. Tuli today is made up of multiple private game reserves and private farms/residences. Little of the area is fences and the animals are allowed to roam . This is true Botswana, Red Soil, Miles of Thorn trees and random animals everywhere!

 Chobe National Park. Chobe is over 11700 square kilometres of protected area and rated one of the best safaries in Africa it has the largest population of elephants about 120,000. Infact they are causing a bit of a problem in the area ! Its also a bird lovers’ paradise. You’ll also probably get to see the most Hippo’s out of water you have ever seen!

Every December we try to go to Chobe (Kasane). The Chobe River is the border between Botswana and Nambia. There is an island called Sidudu at the border between Botswana and Namibia where buffalos, impala, lechewe, Puku (if you are lucky) and elephants and Hippos graze. It honestly holds some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.

Elephant casually crossing the Road
Fish Eagles galore
Hitching a Lift
The rare Puku

Lets talk more about those skies, In Botswana there is not a single day that passes where we do not see an amazing sunrise or sunset.
During the day the sky is a crisp blue. Some days…..a clear blue sky that goes forever….Other days full of cute puffy cotton ball clouds.

The sky is even more amazing during rain. The thunderstorms here are AWESOME displays of lighting and thunder with enormous clouds looming and you see rain falling kilometers off in the distance.

So Keep it Local Guys, we are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place. For those readers that have never been to Botswana, it will change your world forever 🙂 The people, the culture, the hot air. It gets under your skin and will never leave xx

PS: Two great websites about Botswana? www.gaboronecity.com and www.safaris-in-botswana.com

A-Z (of things i love..)

A-Z (of things i love..)

Posted on by Rebecca

A – Almonds. Best healthy snack.
B – Baking… have always, and will always be obsessed (when I have energy)
C – Cats (or dogs?) I neeeed a pet so badly at the moment, however it’s not the right time in my life. I’m a firm believer that pets have a telepathic connection with us and know exactly when we need extra attention
D – Dresses for Summer – I’m loving the feminine lightness, now I just need to follow-up with toned legs and a great tan?
E – Eggs Royale. Poached Eggs, Smoked Salmon, Hollandaise sauce, enough said
F – Fun filled weekends.
G – Gardens ! I LOVE the Outdoors there is nothing better to do on the weekend then laze around a huge patch of grass under a big tree


H – HAPPY – what I am right now and counting the days till the December break!
I – Ice – Cream – specifically Hagen Daaz ! Perfect for the Summer
J – Jewellery – statement pieces, rings, dangley earrings. I can’t get enough.
K -Kindness. Be kind to people. You never know what they are going through in their lives.
L – Laughing. My best is when you get a stitch from laughing and tears run down my cheeks. It’s simply the BEST. (although I always end up with Hiccups afterwards
M – Maldives – ah yes my dream destination that I will get to one day


N – Nature Reserves – There is nothing like heading back to nature for TRUE rest and relaxation.. T – 43 Days till I bask in the beautiful Botswana Heat of Chobe !


O – Oats. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I’m a big fan of oats. I also love adding blueberries, or strawberries 🙂
P – Photography. I really love seeing things through a lens. It’s a whole different view on life and add to beautiful memories
Q – Quality time with friends and loved ones.
R – Rainy days under a duvet.
S – Summer, Sun-Kissed Skin….
T – Tea !! What is better in life then curling up with a beautiful cup of tea
U – Underwear – it has to always match and it has to be comfortable.
V – Vision Boards. At work we call them Dream Boards. Create one for yourself every year and look back ! I love setting goals and dreams.
W – Watermelon. It’s slowly starting to come into season and I’m like a little girl at Christmas over this fruit.
X – Xenon Headlights – and my future car that will have them ………
Y – Yacht’s – some of my best memories have been island hopping on yachts. There is no other word to describe it other than Bliss!


Z – Zebra Print … in fact any animal print. I always accessories to an extra feel of sexy-ness

Trip to Lambano

Trip to Lambano

Posted on by Rebecca

Totally realised that i forgot to put a blog up about our trip to Lambano Baby Sanctuary!

It was an incredible successful visit, we are going back on the 19th of November. I cannot believe how much my babies have grown up!!

We took through some helium balloons, party packs and  yummy cakes, and spent the day playing; getting our hair done and bonding with the kids 🙂 Its always humbling to see how little you have to give to receive in return. Your time is the most valuable you can give to any living thing.

Here’s some pictures to share:

One step closer to the dream xxx