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How to pick out great Christmas gifts
I love giving Christmas gifts a lot more than receiving them. Is that weird? I get a kick out of seeing a loved one’s reaction when they open their presents – it’s one of the reasons why I adore this time of year! I mean besides baby Jesus, Christmas gifts are the best part of the festive season!
According to experts (*cough* – me, according to me) a really great Christmas gift has to meet at least one of these three requirements:
- It must hold sentimental value
- It must be something the person would definitely use (practical)
- It must be something that would suite the gift receiver (I call it the “this made me think of you” factor)
This year, I tried to apply my strategy while choosing gifts for my family. I’ve done my research and found a couple of fabulous Christmas gift ideas on Superbalist. My family will love these!
For the kidsSuperbalist’s range of kids’ fashion is SUPERB (see what I did there). I spotted the most stunning crossbody bags for little girls on the website. They come in a variety of colours and will make for such a pretty Christmas gift. I would definitely fill it with lip glosses and girly things, to make it extra special. Find it here.
My boys are superheroes crazy. They would absolutely love these character metal drink bottles. I also spotted a really cool My First Magnet Set from Edu-Science. Your kids can use this to experiment with cause and effect. It includes various games and activities. Find it here.
For the teensBuying gifts for my teens can be a tad bit harder because, well, first of all, I’m not a millionaire.
But also – what do teens even want these days? Well, I found just the thing! I absolutely adore these bright-coloured Skull Candy wireless headphones. They are such a cool yet practical gift. The headphones are collapsible, they use Bluetooth wireless tech and they have up to 22 hours of battery life! How impressive is that? Find it here.
Another really great Christmas gift idea, which definitely ups the sentimental factor, is an Instax mini camera kit. Superbalist stocks a great range of Instax products. I especially love the camera kits. They usually come with a camera case, film, batteries, and even a camera strap. Find it here.
For him
If you’re wondering what to get that special man in your life for Christmas, you need to check out Superbalist’s range of Fossil, Casio and Daniel Wellington (and more) watches.
I love the spunky Adidas Originals and Puma timepieces. The classic Fossil watches are always a firm favourite. Of course, if your man wants to up his wrist game, he would love to have an Armani Exchange timepiece on his arm. This is probably something that he would never splurge on, but definitely the type of gift that I would like to spoil him with. Find it here.
If all else fails, why not pop on over to the Superbalist website and purchase an e-gift for your loved one? You can purchase a Superbalist gift voucher on the website, and have it emailed directly to your loved one. Or, simply print the voucher, and tuck it into a card. Easy peasy.This article was paid for by Superbalist.
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Are you drinking enough water?
Are you drinking enough water? Interesting tidbit: The older you get, the less likely you are to sense thirst (Harvard study) This means that adults probably consume less water than they are supposed to.
Here are three reasons why you definitely should stay hydrated:
Bye bye toxins
Do you know that your sweat, urine and bowel movements help to regulate your body by flushing out toxins and keeping the body at the ideal temperature? Btw, suuuuper important: water helps to keep constipation at bay, since it helps to remove waste from the body.
Stay lubricated
Water helps to protect and cushion your joints, tissues and spinal cord! Staying hydrated will help your body to lubricate those essential joints and organs, which will then ensure that you have less pain and discomfort in those sensitive joints (ankles, elbows, legs, arms).
Better mental state
Dehydration can cause a range of negative emotions such as anxiety, confusion, and even fatigue. When you drink water, you sleep better, your mood is lifted and your body is able to perform at optimum level. Water helps to transport oxygen throughout the body, so it just makes sense to stay hydrated at all times!
Trust Aquazania with your waterIf you struggle to consume enough water everyday, consider getting a water dispenser. I love having a water dispenser in my kitchen! The water is always clean, pure and delicious. I also appreciate the convenience of having refill bottles delivered straight to my door, ensuring that I never run out of water.
Aquazania supplies a range of water coolers and water dispensers (rental or purchase). All bottled water coolers and small water bottles are purified and bottled in their state-of-the-art bottling and purification plant.
The Aquazania floor and countertop dispensers are simply stunning and the rental starts at about R150 per month. Totally worth it, if you consider the fact that you are receiving pure, filtered water with added convenience. The extra perk, for me, is the fact that I can use it to dispense hot (boiling) water as well! No need to boil a kettle!
If you’re keen to try out the Aquazania products, guess what, I am able to get you a lekker 2 month’s FREE rental, if you sign up using this link: https://bit.ly/aqualuchae
This post was done in collaboration with Aquazania.
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5 ways to avoid the burden of online shopping remorse
Hello, my name is Luchae and I have a secret obsession with online shopping. I don’t know what thrills me more – finding a great online shopping deal, or opening my purchase when it arrives at my door. Hehe.
What I don’t enjoy, however, is that feeling of dread when buyer’s remorse hits and you realise that you’ve spent way too much money on an oversized rug that is the shape of a banana. These things happen.
But I come with tips, my friends! Here are 5 ways to avoid the burden of buyer’s remorse:
1. When in doubt, add to cart
Okay, I know what you’re thinking – this blog post is off to a questionable start. But I have good tips, I promise! My strategy involves adding the items that I love to my online shopping cart and then just leaving it there. I sometimes leave it in my cart for a week or a few weeks. Often, when I revisit the cart, that feeling of “aaack I must have this RIGHT NOW!” is gone, and I can make a decision on whether to purchase, with a clear head.
2. Step away from the card
One practical tip that really helps is to not save my credit card details on my shopping apps. Convenience is one of the main reasons why I end up on an impulsive online shopping spree. By manually entering my card information, I give myself time to think twice before entering that CCV code.
3. Trust the budget
I love a good plan, which is why a budget really helps to curb my shopping enthusiasm. If I find myself on a late night shopping spree, I often remind myself that I only have X amount of disposable income available. This helps me to think through before making that purchase. I ask questions such as: Do I really need this item? And if this is the only budget available for this type of purchase, is there something else that I want/need more? What am I prepared to spend on the type of item that I am looking for?
4. Create a wish list
Okay, besides the fact that lists are my actual love language, I also use them to limit my impulsive spending. I do this by adding items to a wish list (and not to the cart). It kinda fulfills that immediate satisfaction of knowing the item is kept aside for me, but it also limits my commitment to actually purchasing the item.
5. Check your return policies
Know the return policies of your favourite online stores! When all else fails and you find yourself making that big impulsive purchase, it helps to know that your fave online store will allow you to get a full refund and/or an exchange, with no red tape involved! I appreciate online stores (such as Superbalist) who have a solid return policy. Superbalist will collect your returns for free and will refund you to your online wallet, or issue an exchange, at no extra cost!
Share some of your best online shopping tips below.
This post was paid for by Superbalist.
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How to upstyle your bedroom with bedside tables
I’m sure you’ll agree that we moms take our sleep – and our bedrooms – very personally. Don’t mess with our sanctuary! But, even though it is our safe space, I find that moms often tend to decorate their boudoir’s with practicality in mind (you know – do my bedside tables have drawers to store my secret stash of chocolate in… that sort of thing) But there are ways to upstyle your bedroom without breaking the bank. And yes, bedside tables can definitely help with that. (Or else my blog post title would be totally off).
The good ol’ nightstand can provide extra storage but a beautifully designed bedside table can also complement your room, making it look more put together.
Anyways, enough small talk. I want to show you a couple of gorgeous bedside tables that I spotted online and share some tips on how you can upstyle your bedroom using them.
Colour is importantWhen choosing bedside tables for your bedroom, make sure you are choosing pieces that complement the vibe and style of your bedroom. Knowing your bedroom’s colour palette will help a lot when shopping for a nightstand. Choosing hues that help to create a cohesive look will make the room look well put together. Or, if you want to be more daring, add an extra pop of colour to brighten up the room. See more here.
Size does matterWhen deciding on furniture for your bedroom, you obviously would need to take the size of your space into consideration. A bulkier piece may make your room appear to be smaller. Scaling your night stand to the size of the room does not have to be difficult. Simply plan around the dimensions of the space and (very important) your bed and headboard. Don’t underestimate the impact of a shorter or smaller bedside table! Playing around with size (by adding varying heights, such as a tall vase or lamp) can also help to add some more dimension to your room. See more here.
Be risky When choosing bedroom furniture, playing around with materials, such as wood and steel, can really help to create a look that is fresh and contemporary. Experiment with new styles and different materials if you want to drop the mundane and achieve the spectacular! Adding the right bedside lamp (because what is a bedside table without a lamp #amiright?) is important too. Whether you choose one that is rustic and chic, industrial and modern or luxurious and classy – your bedside lamp should highlight the beauty of your bedside table – and vice versa. See more here.
Space it out I’ve already touched on the fact that size does matter when choosing furniture pieces for your bedroom. But I must add that paying special attention to the foot of your nightstand is important too (and it deserves its own point on this list). Table legs are important when it comes to design because they can create a bulkier look (needed in a spacious room) or a trimmer feel (for smaller areas). Curved legs, on a bedside table, add an interesting dimension. A wall-mounted floating nightstand is a clever use of space and can add that extra depth to a room. See more here.
This article was paid for by Superbalist.
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Reflections and regrets
Would you say that you are exactly where you dreamed you would be 15 years ago? I definitely am not. I thought that, by now, I would be touring the world on a yacht, while drinking champagne with Justin Bieber – even though I’m not a fan of champagne or floating on a large expanse of water. Minor details.
But, yes, I do sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if I were still doing my own thing. Despite the dream of sipping champagne on yachts, my previous life involved drinking cheap wine in dodgy cars. The only Justin I knew was the one who sold me weed that one time at the club.
I made a bunch of decisions that I am not proud of because I was doing things out of spite, out of fear or because it made my human flesh feel good for a second. It was pretty evident that I
wantedneeded direction.So I said yes to God.
The decision to surrender was very easy. There was no booming voice commanding me to give up control. There were no stage lights and loud music. I was alone in my room and gatvol of the life that I was living. It was pretty much a matter of: “Okay you’re God, so… do something God-like in my life because, seriously, I’m running out of options here.” Self-sabotage did not look good on me.
My “yes” to God meant that I was willing to be shaped into whatever He wanted. Surrender involved a complete life change (I wrote about some of it here).
I started changing the way that I think about myself, other people and my future.
Prior to that, I thought that the most success I would achieve would be a boring office job, where I get paid an average amount of money while maintaining a fairly decent single life. Who am I to even consider achieving more than that?!
Healthy relationships, exciting hobbies, a whole family and a career – ghaaa! What do you think this is.. the movies?! I didn’t DARE dream this for me.
But God is in the business of giving you more than you ask or imagine (it says so right here). When I gave up control, He turned it around for me and I went from being a single mom with no real future plans to be a mom of many gorgeous kids, an okayish husband (kidding, he’s amazing!) and an exciting future.
And it all started on the day that I said yes.
When I gave up control, my hard heart was softened (this is not a metaphor, I now cry on command) and my thinking turned towards hope, and away from self-destruction.
And yeah, there may not be any yachts or Bieber visits in my near future, but I can honestly say that I am so thankful that I am nowhere near where I thought I’d be 15 years ago!
This may not be your life story. Maybe you have it all figured out and you’re doing all “the things”… that’s amazing, girl. But if not… if you’re looking for direction, or for answers, or for healing, escape, comfort… think about who or what you are giving your “yes” to.
And, if you’re brave enough, consider giving that “yes” to God. His plan is the best one and you may just find yourself living a life beyond your wildest dreams.
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Is there a “deputy parent” in your home?
My husband and I have a span of 5 kids (3 small ones and we each have a bonus son). The 3 minis are the fruit of our loins, our offspring, the precious angels that are half him and half me.
So why is it that when people see me alone at a shopping mall, one of the first questions I am asked is: “who are the kids with?”
And when I need to travel for work, I find that people usually ask me who will be looking after the kids while I’m away. I’m not leaving them home alone to fend for themselves, Penny. They have a whole other parent who is very capable of caring for them too?!
It doesn’t end there, friends. I find that my kids also run to me if they have an eina, if they need something for school or if they have a bum to wipe. (Okay they aren’t exactly ‘running’ to me for that last thing but you get the gist.)
I don’t know about you, but this gives me “deputy parent” vibes.
A “deputy parent” implies that there is one primary caregiver in the home (usually Mom aka Parent-in-Chief) and one secondary caregiver (usually Dad aka Deputy Parent).
This unspoken norm basically implies that it’s Mom’s job to care for the kids, and Dad helps.
What in the “Stepford wives” is going on?! And how are we still allowing women to shoulder all the weight at home when we march for gender equality and demand equal pay in the office?
Both parents should be participating, equally, in the raising of the children (also because we both participated equally in the making of the children – seems fair).
I shouldn’t be asking Dad if he can keep an eye on the kids while I go to the shops. I mean, it’s YOUR kids too, Bruh, I’m just letting you know that I won’t be around for X amount of time.
Fathers cannot “babysit” their own children. I mean, that’s implying that Dad is doing Mom a favour by parenting the children in her absence. It also totally undermines the dad who actually IS putting in the work, by basically referring to him as temporary help.
Okay, okay, saltiness aside, I must admit that there has been a change in mindset over the past couple of decades. Young dads are choosing to be more present and more hands-on. (‘Sup Millenials)But are moms willing to give up their title, to accommodate the hands-on dad?
I know, I know, it’s tough (because he is totally going to mess up our routine) but letting go of the reigns would mean you’re giving Dad an opportunity to parent HIS way. You know, using his “daddy instincts” … and not your “mommy senses”. (Which is the same as ‘spidey sense’ but with a mom-bun.)
At the end of the day, parenting should always be intentional, with the child’s best interest at heart. Developing meaningful, healthy relationships with each parent is made easier when both parents are involved in the parenting process.
And however you get that right in your household, as long as Deputy Parent, Parent-in-Chief, Co-Chief Parent and – well – every other person in your organisation is on board with it, you should be okay.
(Disclaimer: While this may not be yours, mine or the Queen’s parenting situation at home, it definitely still is relevant… hence the blog post.)
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What to do with heartbreak
When it comes to emotions, I would like to think that I am quite the connoisseur. I’m an empath which means I sometimes feel all the feelings on behalf of someone else. I’m especially good at crying while watching random stranger’s videos on the internet (adoption videos and U.S. Marines surprising their families by jumping out of a box are my favourites).
The weird joke that my husband makes (you know, around the fire, at braais) is that his new business idea is to hire me out to funerals because I will easily bawl my eyes out at the graveside of someone that I’ve never met. (Rent-A-Mourner?)
I don’t mind being an empath, though. It’s a far cry (see what I did there) from the cold-hearted, unemotional specimen of a person that I use to be back in the day before (well, before I started crying while watching the results of random stranger’s gender reveals on Facebook.)
But being an empath can be a heavy burden to carry sometimes.
This was the case, about a year ago, when so many people were losing loved ones. It hit a peak (for me) when a good friend lost her beautiful young son. Yoh, the heartbreak was just unbearable. I went through a period of silent depression because I was just so deeply heartbroken at the thought of all of the pain that they were going through.
I remember laying in bed one morning, bawling my eyes out while watching video clips on the internet of a guy singing. I cried because I found out that the guy – this random stranger from America whom I had basically just discovered on the internet – was dead. But, friends, he died 4 years prior. (I know. When I tell this story to people now, I want to basically lmao and punch myself in the face, simultaneously. It’s the drama for me.)
It honestly didn’t matter that I did not know the dude personally or that it happened 4 years ago. It was fresh grief, to me, and ended up I bawling my eyes out for this beautiful stranger. I was absolutely broken.
And that is when I realised that the weight of all of the pain and heartbreak that I had been carrying for the past 2 years had finally split me open, causing every single emotion that I carry on behalf of others, to spill out. It came gushing out (basically manifesting as snot and tears… so, so much of snot and tears) and it rested on me like a heavy blanket of depression that I didn’t know how to get rid of.
I tried to shake it off, but it wouldn’t budge. The feeling of resolved sadness is so heavy… it’s almost as if your soul is heavy. I recognised it to be a feeling of pure hopelessness.
So I just cried. I cried for lives lost, I cried for families affected by Covid, I cried for orphaned children, and abandoned dogs, and pollution in the ocean and then eventually I cried because I was crying…
And I haven’t stopped crying since then.
Kidding – that would be a morbid way to end this blog post.
The truth is that I cried until all the tears were done. And then I got up, washed my face, and made a new commitment. A commitment to live with intentional hope and not with existential dread.
There is so much loss and devastation in the world and – spoiler alert – it’s not going anywhere, anytime soon. We are a broken people. To top it off, it is so easy to access news and information… which means we are constantly feeding “bad” or negative news to our brains. No wonder so many of us live with this spirit of hopelessness.
If you’re planting negative news in your brain every single day, you surely can’t be surprised that you will reap a harvest of negative feelings.
But guys, we have a living hope. We CAN live with great expectation because of the one who gives us life. God’s great plan for the world does not end in a negative space. He is simply too good to end it like that. Where is His glory in that? His promise is that He will make all things end in good. His promise is that everything serves a purpose… even pain. And His promise is that even in darkness, light dawns for the one who chooses Him.
Armed with those promises, I have been able to make a new heart decision that involves choosing to see the living hope in every loss. I mean, I still have a lot of feelings and that’s okay. But instead of allowing it to swallow me, I want to use it as a tool, you know, as a way to connect with others.
I’m sure that there are so many of you who may very well know that place of hopelessness and overwhelm that I was in… and I’m really sorry that you do. I’m sorry that you’ve experienced that kind of heartbreak. I’m not an expert on the topics of emotions or the human psyche, but I can promise you that there IS a glimmer of hope in every situation, no matter how bleak. Even if it means tilting your head to the side, and squinting your eyes ever so slightly, to see the hidden shimmer, trust me, it’s there. There can be no darkness without the very concept of light. Hope is on the horizon, waiting to be discovered.
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The truth behind the struggle meal
Earlier this week I was pleasantly surprised when a quick Instagram poll resulted in so many of my Insta-friends sharing their favourite childhood ‘struggle meals’ with me. Now for those not in the know, a ‘struggle meal’ is a dish put together with very few basic ingredients. It’s designed to fill you up (and keep you fuller for longer), on a budget.
Some of the cheap meal combos that I enjoyed while growing up includes an egg and mince situationship that maybe doesn’t make sense but, trust me, it’s delish. Other favourites were curried eggs (literally, a curry, with boiled eggs as the star of the show) and another staple dish included tinned fish… with basically anything.
Now, mind you, my granny (the preparer of said dishes) would not be impressed that I’m calling it a ‘struggle meal’ but, truth be told, these were the type of meals that she would put together with whatever she found in her cupboard.
Her ‘struggle dishes’ were grand slammers – always tasty, always filling and always enough – and they were one of the best parts of my childhood! I love talking about it. But I get that people don’t often want to talk about their childhood… much less so if they experienced lack during that time.
And anyways, Instagram is for the fancy. People SAY they want “real” but they actually go to Insta for inspiration, not reflection.
So I was quite surprised as I read through messages from people explaining (with great detail and gusto) their fave childhood recipes. It was like I had a front-row seat to one of their fondest childhood memories.
What stuck out most for me was that we did not remember the ‘struggle meal’ with contempt or regret. In some cases, that meal was spoken about with a weird sort of victory – almost as if we were trying to determine which meal was the most cost-effective and tasty.
Talking about our childhood challenges created a camaraderie, as we share our favourite weird-cheap-meal combos (you can tell me nothing about mince and eggs – tis a masterpiece!) with laughing emojis showing just how pleased we were to introduce each other to this new concept.
The ‘struggle meal’ chats also created an opportunity to remember the loved ones who prepared these meals for us. Shout out to the “OGs” of the kitchen who whipped up a plate of biscuits out of thin air! They were the ones who made sure that there was a meal on the table when there were very few options available in the pantry.While we probably equate a ‘struggle meal’ to disparity or lack, it is actually the manifestation of love revealed to us over and over – each meal prepared with care in the midst of a challenge.
Someone loved us enough to figure it out. That’s wealth right there.
And, if you think about it, this is actually the tie that binds us: our humanness – our ability to love and to give love. That is our great human connection – the common thread of humanity. It’s what makes us all the same.
Whether you grew up eating meals that are fit for a king, or meals that were scraped together by miracle – we needed food to fuel our body, but our true sustenance was love.
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Keeping it cool with Converse and Rookie USA (WIN!)
I think I say this more than I probably should but my kids are way cooler than I am. In fact, I would even go as far as to say that they are cooler than I’ve ever been… in, like, my whole entire life.
I do think that it’s because kids today have a lot more liberty than we did growing up. I mean, as a kid, I didn’t dare tell my mom what I wanted to eat for supper. You eat what everyone else is eating. Meanwhile, my 5-year-old has decided that he only eats roasted potatoes, pizza, noodles and peanut butter sandwiches. Sometimes all at the same time.
My daughter, on the other hand, has a whole mind of her own (it’s the audacity for me) and enjoys choosing her own outfits, when getting dressed. I mean, when I was a kid, my outfits reflected whatever mood my mom was in. I also didn’t have much influence when it came to persuading my parents to buy me branded clothing. My kids get to shop (online nogals) from the Rookie USA store, and they get their pick of some of the swaggiest brands this side of the ozone layer.Rookie USA seriously has the best drip for kids. I mean, from Nike to Converse, to Levi’s, it’s literally an online store filled with fabulous clothes for small people. What is this life evens?!
As you may know, I am a yer-huuuuuuge Converse fan. I love my Chucks. In fact, I am getting a dog, just so that I can name him Chuck Taylor. (Was going to get another kid, but my husband says no). I’m a fan, okay.I am absolutely smitten with all of the rad Converse swag on the Rookie USA website. I especially love the frequent Converse collab’s that will have you swooooning at all the specially designed Converse sneakers, featuring some of your kids most favourite characters. My favorite themes to date has to be the Converse X Pokemon collab, the Converse X Space Jam collab and the current Converse X Peanuts collab.
For the Converse X Peanuts collab, Converse teams up with the iconic comic strip, Peanuts. Cool right?! This limited-edition Chuck Taylor All Star design features Charlie Brown, Snoopy and all the characters you know and love, on the classic canvas. These designs are so special and unique. I mean, I definitely have to get them all!
WIN with Rookie USA!Rookie USA is giving one lucky person a voucher to the value of R2000! To enter, simply check out this post on my Instagram grid. The giveaway ends at midnight on the 30 June! Good luck!
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5 types of leather jackets that are a must for Winter
To wear a leather jacket or not wear a leather jacket? That is the question. And yes, you probably guessed it, the answer almost always is: wear the leather jacket!
Now, if you’re a bit of a “fuddy-duddy” like me (you know, gym tights and slippers are pretty much our uniforms at this point), I have some news for you – you too can wear a leather jacket this Winter and not look as if you’re trying too hard.
A really great leather jacket is an essential item in any wardrobe. There are a variety of styles available and you could probably find one at a great price too! This classic piece is the perfect way to dress up or dress down an outfit.
I thought to show you some of the inspo pics that are moving me towards buying ALL the leather jackets this Winter. Here you go:
5 types of leather jackets that are a must for Winter
The tapered fit A really great leather jacket, that has a more classic, tailored fit, can be worn with a pair of jeans and a shirt for a more formal look, or over a dress for a rock star vibe. If you’re looking for a classic piece, perhaps steer away from too many zips and clips. A more tapered (think: blazer) fit is versatile and can be worn in every season. Find one here.
The oversized motorcycle jacketI mean, what is a leather jacket if not oversized, almost vintagey, with that well-worn feel that adds a bit of character to the piece. The oversized motorcycle-style jacket can be paired with denim and chunky boots, or pair it with your cute girly skirt and sneakers. Find one here.
The leather bomber jacket If you’re down for the baggy, oversized vibe but you’d prefer more structure, a leather bomber jacket may be your thing. This casual, slightly sporty, the piece is edgy yet classic at the same time, and it goes really well with leggings and sneakers or a cute skirt. Find one here.
The fur-collared leather jacket Staying warm this winter is an absolute must (because I have old bones now, so I need to keep toasty 😉 If you’re like me, and you prefer being warm versus being stylish you may want to get yourself a really beautiful leather jacket with a fur collar. This style is a really great way to add some elegance and panache to your look. Find one here.
The cropped leather jacket A great addition to the leather jacket family is the cropped leather jacket. These are such a cute way to edge up that summer outfit. It goes really well with a fun summer dress, high-waisted jeans, or cropped pants. Also, a cropped jacket that sits at your waist, will help to create an illusion of a cinched middle. So smart! Find one here.
Let me know which one is your favourite!
This post was sponsored by Superbalist.
