Features
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ECMeetUp: why blogging is good for the Eastern Cape
If you called me an influencer or a blogger a couple of years ago, I probably would’ve laughed at you hysterically. I mean, “blogging” wasn’t something that I saw myself doing long term – or any term actually. Why would I want to put myself out there for all the world to see? And anyways, only desperate attention seeking people would go the extra mile to document their lives on social media. Right?
**Insert crickets chirping**
Anyways, after giving up my 12 year “single mom” stint, getting married at the fabulous age of 30ish and welcoming my baby girl into the world, I found myself really needing to say #allthestuff about this new life that I had chosen. And I had nowhere to put all the words.
And then my friend Ella re-introduced me to the world of blogging. She showed me that it was more than just about whose abdominal muscles are the tightest and that you don’t need to know how to “beat yo’ face” (apparently that’s what the cool people call putting on make up) if you want to make an impact and say your say. I mean there’s nothing wrong with toned abs and perfect make up, but I just couldn’t relate (and, let’s be honest, I had nothing to offer in terms of abs or make up.)And then I learnt about the wonderful world of mommy blogging and it was like a light had been switched on. I found solace and familiarity in the stories that other mommy bloggers shared (many “me too” moments was had) and I realized that blogging was more than just a way to become “famous” as someone pointed out (I’ll never get old of throwing this one out there, hello snide comments my old friend).
And friends, once I dipped my toes into the never ending pool of social sharing, I didn’t want to stop. I found freedom in the expressing of words – whether it was well received or not. Blogging was a new sort of “dear diary” moment for me and I loved every second of it.
I also learnt that blogging or influencing can be more than just a hobby. I mean, you can actually turn your website into a business. I found myself partnering with really amazing brands and businesses and my little corner of the internet became a lot more than just a way for me to show my ex how amazing I’m doing right now. (Hahahah imagine that were true)
After hosting our first ECMeetUp (it’s the annual Eastern Cape based blogger event that I co-organise with Ella) we were more aware of the financial and social impact that having a healthy blogger/influencer community would have on the Eastern Cape.
I mean, other parts of the country were doing really well… businesses were investing (think: brand launches where they spend money to throw lavish blogger/media parties) into other parts of South Africa and our part of the country saw zero action.
It made my face pain. (This is the term I use on my kids when they make me frown at them). My face was paining, you guys. Alot. #facepain (We should make this a thing.)
We then decided to take it on ourselves to have more blogger and influencer events in the Eastern Cape, allowing us to invite brands and businesses to partner with us. To date we’ve had about 7 ECMeetUps and a few business specific events and we’re proud to say that ECMeetUp (as a brand) is growing!
Our last ECMeetUp event (which took place on Saturday, 1 June) was a huge success. We had more than 50 influencers attend and had more than 40 brands that partnered with us for the event.It kinda thrills us when a huge business finds value in working with an online entrepreneur from the Eastern Cape. The creatives, based in the EC, have a lot to offer and we get like, maternal excited (that’s like normal excited with a dash of mama pride) when we see one of ours flourishing. It means we’re growing as a community and we’re growing, digitally, as a city.
A successful social media influencer/blogging/digital marketing scene would be GREAT for our city’s economy. Besides for brand launches and events, there is also opportunity for digital entrepreneurs to finally beable to quit that 9 to 5 and work from home. Being on the forefront of digital trends kinda isn’t the type of dream your grandma had for you, but that’s the direction the world is moving in. Why should we stay behind?
And anyways, if we aren’t punting the Eastern Cape and Nelson Mandela Bay online, who else is going to do it?
Needless to say, both Ella and I are super passionate about our city (#sharethebay) and we know that the people of the Bay have a lot more to offer than some people think. (‘Sup Gareth Cliff)
Anyways, before I break out into Celine Dions “My Heart Will Go On”, allow me to introduce to you some of the very fabulous, very generous 2019 ECMeetUp partners.Our bloggers found the following products in their goodie bags:
Blistex who gave them each a Blistex lip medex pot
Christian Art Media who so graciously gifted each blogger with a special gift
Faithful to Nature also gifted each delegate with a bamboo straw
It’s Cookie Time created special sugar biscuits for the event
Iwori gifted the bloggers with their amazing face masks and creams
Johnson’s Baby gave all the mommy bloggers something from their new range
KOO really spoilt each blogger with a hamper of the latest KOO products
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism made special beanies for the event, we love them!
Oh So Heavenly really spoilt the ladies with shampoo and conditioner and creams
Silistraw gave each blogger one of their nifty reusable straws
Swiitch Beauty gifted each blogger with a lip primer kit and an eye liner
Tinkies gave us some of their delish product
Vaseline sent us each a few jars of their wonder working product
Woolworths Beauty came on board and gave each blogger a reusable shopper bag, to hold all of their booty in
Special mentions:
We also really need to send a huge shout out to Mastertons, Soga Organics, Oh Snap Instant Camera Hire and Hello for making our morning so delicious and entertaining. Our venue, The Boma, as always came through with the setting and the most AMAZING food you guys. We were so spoilt!Check out Eleanors post on some of the fantastic Locally Yours Market PE based brands that really came through with their amazing hand made crafts. And a huge shout out to our very own Milky Tea (Hughan Millborrow) for the gorgeous photos. We have some serious talent in the Bay!
The following brands also gave away really fabulous prizes!
Annique Beauty
Apiarista Farm Shoppe
Bonamia
Daily Dish
Fushin
Gumtree
Hasbro
HeraldLIVE
Kids Emporium
Kuzuko Lodge
Mastertons
Meridean
Netflorist
Pure Beginnings
Serenity Hair
Sunstar Gum
Vision WorksSjoe that was a mouthful! But I guess what I’ve come here to say is that blogging/ influencing/ whateveryouwannacallit, in the Eastern Cape, will probably morph and grow into something pretty spectacular (I mean, unless a huge Tsunami tidal wave hits and takes us off the map, but let’s not be morbid, Sheila). And we’re really excited to be involved!
By the way, if you’re keen to see who actually attended the event, check out the ECMeetUp website for more on the guest list.
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How to find exactly what you need, for less!
Ever had your eye on something really special, but it has been too expensive to buy on the spot? Perhaps you’ve wanted a new cellphone for a long time, or you have wanted to restyle your home with new furniture and decor. We’ve all wanted something a little bit out of our budget before, and it can be quite disheartening! However, with the right tips and tricks, whatever you want may not be too far out of your reach. Let’s look at how you can get your hands on the special things you have been dreaming of:
Keep your eye on the latest catalogues
Today, one of the best-kept secrets to finding the best deals is browsing through online catalogues! Yes, with sites such as latestspecials.co.za you can find all the latest leaflets from your favourite stores all online. This way, you can find exactly what you are looking for, on your phone or laptop, from the comfort of your home. And if you didn’t find it this week, perhaps it will be in tomorrow’s catalogues!
Simply browse the different categories, choose the retailer you would like to buy from, and then view their online leaflets – with all the latest discounts. Looking for a new phone? Browse through the latest MTN catalogue. Want amazing new furniture for your home? Try the Makro specials. It’s so easy to find all the things you want for less.
Shop at different stores
Retailers often have different prices for certain items. Therefore, it is worth it to shop around for a bit. If you’re not in a rush, shop around. The first store is not always the best or the cheapest! Try to compare foods in two supermarkets. Who has the better price for cooking oil? Is it Makro or Shoprite?
Start shopping onlineMore and more stores are opening their doors online. No longer do you have to go to the mall to find what you are looking for, simply browse your favourite store’s online shops, fill your cart and have the products delivered straight to your door. Many stores have great specials that are only available online. So, make sure you don’t miss out, and keep an eye on those online shops!
Try to buy second-hand
There are certain things you can’t buy second-hand but luckily, certain things you can! For example, cars, electronic appliances and furniture can all be bought from second-hand sellers. Just make sure that the person or company you are buying from, is a trusted seller. By buying pre-owned, you can save a lot of money.
Whatever it is you are looking for, be sure to use latestspecial.co.za to browse through the latest catalogue first. Not only will you save money, but you will also save yourself a lot of time. Think about the things you really want, and find it for less. Hassle-free!
Disclaimer: Post sponsored by Hyperia SRO. All content supplied.
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Meet the 2019 ECMeetUp Panel
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I mean, besides for my birthday and Christmas. Yep, that’s right, it’s #ECMeetUp time! For those who are new around these parts, #ECMeetUp is the biggest blogger and influencer event in the Eastern Cape. I get to organise it alongside my friend and family member, Eleanor of JustEllaBella (she’s family because I made her marry my cousin… well, not “made” but you get the gist).
Our previous meet ups have been pretty-flippen-fantastic, because the influencers in the Eastern Cape are rather spectacular. I mean, seriously, they are the most genuine bunch of peeps this side of the internet. And, if you consider all the drama that goes on in the online world of “influencing”, it’s rather refreshing to hang out with real life people who are super nice AND they understand what you mean when you say things like “I really need to find a plugin that will help me to monetize my website”.
We usually invite a guest speaker to join us, since we’re all about learning and growing. But, this time around, we followed the prompts of the pre-event survey (we usually send one out before each meet up) and it seemed that most bloggers wanted to learn from… get this… EACH OTHER!Eeeek! Feeling like a proud mama over here!
This totally blows my mind because it means that game recognizes game. I love that our local influencers rate each other AND that they are humble enough to want to learn from each other. That’s rare and beautiful and you guys can all have ice-cream for dessert!
I also love that we get to showcase (read: show off) some of the local influencers who are kicking butt and taking names. They are pretty rad, if I do say so myself.
Lastly, we want to celebrate diversity at this year’s meet up and what better way to do it than to witness the fitness of a group of influencer’s who each represent a different niche. I mean, it’s pretty cool, you have to admit.
Anyways, before I break out into song and dance, let me introduce you to the 2019 ECMeetUp panel. They are:
Anje RautenbachAnje Rautenbach is the Port Elizabeth based travel writer behind the blogs, Going Somewhere Slowly and Vroetelvoete. She has been globetrotting, writing, discovering and capturing the world as a solo traveller since 2009. Anje is passionate about responsible travel, animal rights in tourism and discovering the nooks and crannies of small towns and big cities. The award winning blogger has an extensive following with a over 20 thousand reach on social media alone. Her work has been featured in countless magazines and on numerous websites and despite being rather camera shy, she is one of the most recognized faces in travel blogging in South Africa.
Abegail WitbooiAbegail Witbooi, is a social media maven who has taken inspiration from her natural krulkop and used her social media presence to create a booming local business. Krulkop Society is a local South African brand which aims to create a culture of authenticity and originality. The brand expanded as Abby noticed the need for declarations of affirmation, love and appreciation in the society. This was how the Krulkop Society Gifting and Treats range was birthed. All merchandise and goods aim to uplift, empower and boost self-esteem, and confidence in society. A big part of Abby’s brand is growing a sense of community and togetherness. Her success has seen her being featured in numerous articles and on television but to her, seeing connections between people and in society is the biggest success and achievement for the brand.
Laurina Machite24-year old Port Elizabeth social media influencer, lifestyle blogger, part-time accounting student and school teacher, Laurina Machite manages her own online platform that empowers women with a range of lifestyle and beauty advice, from fashion tips to make-up tutorials. Laurina was a crowd favourite as one of the top ten finalists in the 2018 SABC 3 presenter search. She has worked with top national and international beauty brands and apart from regulary MCing various events, she is one of the featured faces of the All Things Hair web series. Laurina built up her following in just a few years and has accumulated a reach of 15.2 thousand.
Megan BothaMegan Kelly Botha is the blogger behind By Megan Kelly, mom of two boys, and Client Relationship Manager at SOMS. Her blog focuses on beauty, parenting, and lifestyle and aims to be a convenient one-stop platform, where you can catch up on the latest beauty launches, parenting tips, messages of faith and lifestyle trends, with a heavy dose of bad-jokes and relatable realness. Her passion for digital marketing saw her and her husband starting their own digital agency which later lead them to joining one of the fastest growing digital agencies in the country. She spends her free time watching far too much soccer and starting online petitions for chocolate to be recognized as a crucial food group.
Amanda KlaasAmanda Klaas from Yellow Orchid Child is originally from Kwa-Zulu Natal but has been in Port Elizabeth long enough to call it home. She studied Media Communication & Culture at Nelson Mandela University and started blogging in 2016 as a way to share her voice with those who might relate. Yellow Orchid Child is a uniquely curated style, lifestyle and motivational blog. She has used her brand of motivation to further her career as a keynote speaker and host at various events. She has also aligned herself with niche brands and has one of the fastest growing social media platforms, locally.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: Luchae, could you not have chosen a less attractive panel, I mean, we’re going to be SO distracted by their sheer beauty, how will we learn?! We’ll figure this out together folks.
Also, second thought: Luchae, where the guys at?! Good question, my friends, good question. We’re hoping to see more male involvement at future meet ups (‘sup boys) and hope to feature alot more male influencers at upcoming events. I mean, we’re known for pulling rabbits out of hats, but even our kungfu is not strong enough to include those who are not around.
Anyways, we are so excited to learn from these industry experts! Are you? Our 2019 #ECMeetUp seats are fully booked, but if you’d like to attend (because, as Dany Targaryen has taught us, you just never know), please do drop us an email and we’ll add you to the waiting list.
Check out JustEllaBella tomorrow for more deets on the upcoming 2019 ECMeetUp.
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Bath time with Child’s Farm
Our boetie (2) and our sussie (4) enjoys bathing together. Bath time is the best time for them. Also, it gives me 10 whole minutes of staring into space, while they play (I take my breaks wherever I can get ’em!) Recently, someone asked me when I would separate their bath times… because surely boys and girls can’t bath together once they’ve reached a certain age. Yes, Patricia, this makes sense, but am I meant to be thinking about these things so soon?!
The convo had me totally frantic, reading article after article, caught up in a Google wormhole that left my brain frazzled and my heart beating a little bit faster. I mean, I don’t want to give my kids issues by overexposing their private parts to each other.
I eventually had to calm myself down (will share a whole other blog post with more detail about the topic eventually). I came to the realisaton that hey, my kids are still young and right now I’m not damaging them by allowing them to share a bath together. I mean, they are FOUR AND TWO and honestly, right now their main concern with the difference in their gender is who gets the pink one and who gets the blue one. We allow them to choose what they like and don’t like on their own, but Kari is the princess and Jo is a boy’s boy and there is no way I can change that!
The only time gender comes up during bath time, is when I bath them with the wrong bath wash. The kids received a beautiful press drop from Child’s Farm and Kari insists that she HAS to have the blackberry & organic apple hair and body wash (bedecked with prancing princesses and a pony) and Jo HAS to have the sweet orange hair and body wash (which features a little boy, farm animals and cool tractor).They are also obsessed with the amount of bubbles the Child’s Farm bubble bath makes and I am most impressed with the Child’s Farm sun and swim products. The 3-in-1 swim product is perfect to use post swim, and I love that it washes away chlorine, leaving skin clean and hair shiny.
So yes, most nights you’ll find me using a special wash for each child, coupled with heavenly scented bubble bath and Child’s Farm shampoo. Can you imagine our bathroom during bath time? You’ll walk in to a medley of scents, from apple, to tangerine, to sweet orange and even raspberry and mango! The scents are simply spectacular and I love that the ingredients in each product are really high quality too.The Child’s Farm products have been designed to help protect, nourish and clean sensitive skin. Crafted with delicate skin in mind, these products can even be used on your newborn baby’s skin!
All the Child’s Farm washing and bathing products use naturally derived products and essential oils, and every detail is carefully planned to ensure that each product is suitable for all types of skin – yep, even skin prone to eczema!
Childs Farm products are currently available in Baby City, Clicks stores and via takealot.com. Prices range from R99 to R119.99, with a range of over 15 different products to choose from.For more information on Childs Farm products visit www.childsfarm.com or the local Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/childsfarmsouthafrica/
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How I made a breakfast bar using WEET-BIX!
My family has an ongoing love affair with WEET-BIX, you guys. I mean, seriously, besides for it being a fave in terms of breakfast cereals, it has also become my teens go-to midnight snack of choice. Do I understand it? Not always. Have I embraced it? Uhm, definitely! I mean, I’m not completely opposed to its wholesome goodness. It also helps that it contains 97% of wholegrains, no preservatives or colorants. (And let’s not forget the deliciousness factor… very important IMO).
But that’s not what you came here to learn. You came here to find out how on earth I made a breakfast bar using WEET-BIX. (Me, with my limited knowledge of baking. I did it. Can somebody give me a high five please?)
Well, for starters, you need to know that I did not devise the amazingly easy recipe myself. I mean, my Hubstopher will confirm that I am a low-key genius. (Right, babe?) But alas, I cannot take credit for this one. I actually spotted the recipe on the WEET-BIX My Way mobi-site. The site is filled with a ton of really great recipe ideas that kinda inspires you to eat your WEET-BIX a lot differently compared to how you usually would enjoy it.
Whether you’re a smoothie kinda person, or you like that extra crunch in your mac and cheese, or you’re daring enough to enjoy it with atchar and chillies, there are so many different ways to incorporate your favorite wholegrain breakfast cereal into your everyday snacks and meals.
Right, back to me being impressive with my WEET-BIX breakfast bar. Here’s how I made it:Ingredients
WEET-BIX crushed
Flour
Baking powder
Rolled oats
Brown sugar
Fruit and nutmix
Eggs
Milk
Margarine
Honey
You can find the exact measurements on the mobisite over here.
Method
Mix together the flour, baking powder, crushed WEET-BIX, oats, sugar, fruit and nut mix.
In a separate bowl mix your egg, milk, margarine and honey.
Then combine the concoction with your dry ingredients.
Press the final mix into a prepared tin and bake in a preheated over for 25-30 minutes.
Once baking is done, take out of oven and allow to cool, before cutting it into bars.
You can find the exact method on the mobisite over here.
GIVEAWAY
(This giveaway is closed)
Will you be giving this a go? Or have you spotted an interesting WEET-BIX recipe on the mobi-site? Well, friend, try out one of the cool recipes from the site, take a snap and tag me on social media and you could win a R500 shopping voucher, compliments of WEET-BIX! Giveaway ends on 28 May 2019. Winner announced on 29 May 2019.
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The Spindel laundry dryer saves you time and money! {Giveaway}
If you’re a mom and your kids (for the most part) are not running around naked, you probably have the best time doing laundry! (Yes, that was me being sarcastic and witty) Okay, let’s be real, doing the laundry is probably not up there on our list of “favorite things to do” and with Winter fast approaching (#winteriscoming) wash days will become a lot more stressful, as you try to figure out how the heck you’re going to get those school clothes dry on time.
Powering up that tumble dryer can get pretty expensive and let’s be double-y honest, sometimes you don’t want to have to sit and blow dry your kid’s favorite blank-ey with a hairdryer. (Just me then?)
You guys, I’m also kinda freaked out by the fact that my baby is due during the rainiest of seasons! I need to have a clothes drying option that won’t damage my infants clothing and won’t eat into my pocket.
Enter: The Spindel – a specialist laundry dryer that (get this) dries your laundry without eating up your electricity! You can use your Spindel to shorten the dry time on the washing line/in the tumble dryer since majority of the moisture will be removed.
The machine is so easy to use, my teenage son often pops his soccer socks into it, for a quick over night dry. There are no complicated buttons to press and no long waiting period.
I mean, besides for leaving fabric almost dry, in just 3 minutes, the Spindel also promises to not damage your delicate garments because it air dries. This makes it a great option for drying your delicate fabrics (silk, wool, etc) that you would usually hand-wash. It’s also perfect for safely drying your baby’s cloth nappies!
Using the Spindel, during the rainy season, is such a help, you guys. My kids clothes are kept soft and I love that it removes excess detergents and softeners, which could be harmful to baby’s skin and those who suffer from allergies.If you’re all about saving the planet, consider the fact that the Spindel actually drains all excess moisture, into a separate container, for reuse. With double the spin power of a normal washing machine, it removes more moisture in just 3 minutes!
I also love that it’s easy to move around, but that the 4.5kg or 6.5kg load capacity can hold up to four king size sheets. You can run over 65 cycles with just one unit of electricity! A tumble dryer will consume more than three units of electricity in just one cycle.
Purchase your Spindel from one of the participating online stores: Takealot, Yuppiechef.com, Faithful to Nature, Sustainable.co.za and Ucount Online Mall.
GIVEAWAY!GIVEAWAY CLOSED – Spindel South Africa wants to give one lovely My Spreadsheet Brain reader a 6.5kg Spindel specialist laundry dryer, valued at a whopping R2 599! How cool?! If you’re looking to enter, you can do so either on Instagram OR Facebook OR both! Check out the links to those posts here:
Enter via Instagram
Enter via Facebook
Terms and conditions:
Winner will be announced next Monday, 13 May on Facebook.
Winner will be chosen randomly from combination of Facebook and Instagram entries.
Giveaway only open to residents in South Africa.
Judges’ decision is final. -
Great Mother’s Day gifts because she’s worth it! {Giveaway!}
So, I’m not sure if you guys know, but I love Mother’s Day! I mean, it took me a long time to get to this place (teen mom syndrome) but when I eventually realised what a blessing it is to be a mom to my kids, I could finally enjoy the Mother’s Day celebrations. Also, gifts are my love language, so it’s a win-win situation (I win, and then I win again.)
Because the day is so special to me, when it comes to purchasing Mother’s Day gifts, I’m usually pretty pedantic with the type of love offerings I present to the moms in my life. I mean, I want it to be sentimental and meaningful and not just a “I had to do it because everyone in the country is doing it today, so here.”
This is why I love taking a stroll through Cum Books ‘round about this time of the year. They usually have a lovely selection of gift ideas for that special mom in your life. I mean, I would buy them all, if I could! Looking for a special gift for your mom that shows how much you value her? Check out this list of great Mother’s Day gift ideas:
Life Lists for Women/MothersYou guys, I instantly fell inlove with the Lift Lists for Women and Life Lists for Mothers ranges! These beautifully designed books and cards are designed to encourage your special person to live an abundant, faith-filled life. Think: scrap booking made easy!
The Life Lists for Women paperback and Life Lists for Mothers hardcover comprises of 101 practical lists to help women become the beautiful, strong, purpose filled individuals that God has called them to be. It has awesome journaling prompts, inspirational quotes and scriptures and pages for your mom to jot down her life goals and lists.
In the Life Lists for Women book, expect to find topics related to staying positive, finding peace, building confidence and becoming a prayer warrior. I especially love the topics covered in the Life Lists for Mothers book. These include praying for your children, simplifying your life, speaking kind words and prioritizing.
If reading a whole book is not your gal’s thing, you could gift her with the Life Lists for Women or Life Lists for Mothers boxed card set. Both comprises of 44 beautifully designed double-sided cards, containing short lists and scripture that help you to stay God focused and goal-driven. The box set aimed at moms, focuses on the specific needs of mothers. This is such a great gift and is perfect for that busy mom who may not have the time to sit down and read (so that’s like, all of us.)
Pick up the Life Lists for Women Paperback for R180 and the Life Lists for Women Boxed Cards for R89. The Life Lists for Mothers Hardcover retails for R180 and the Life Lists for Mothers Boxed Cards for R89.
My Prayer Journal
I fell inlove with the gorgeous My Prayer Journal diary. You guys, this is a 120-day journal for women of all ages (so not just moms, but wow, what a wonderful Mother’s Day gift it would make!) that prompts you to have a more intentional prayer life. I love that it teaches you the ACTS method of praying which is: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
The journal has enough space to record your daily scripture verse, prayers lists and even specific requests. You can also jot down your list of prayers of thanksgiving to God.
The My Prayer Journal retails for R89.
Prayers to Strengthen Your FaithIf you’re all about that boxed card life, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a whole range of really stunning boxed card sets available! The Prayers to Strengthen Your Faith set comprises of 50 double-sided cards, that features scripture based prayers that will definitely help your mom to start her day off right. I especially love that there is space provided at the back of each card, so that she can write down her own prayers.
Pick up the Prayers to Strengthen Your Faith Boxed Cards for only R90.
Promises to Bless Your Soul
This 50 double-sided card set features Biblical promises to bless and encourage that special woman in your life. There is also space provided behind each card, which she could use to jot down daily reminders from God or even use to pen a personal message to share with loved ones and friends. Love this!
The Promises to Bless Your Soul Boxed Cards retails for R90.
199 Favorite Bible Verses for Women/Mothers These paperbacks are filled with best-loved scripture verses, on beautifully designed pages. This is the perfect set up for the mother who is keen to memorise scripture, or simply wants to get into the word of God. It also serves as a daily reading, and is a great way to start or end the day.
The 199 Favorite Bible Verses for Women and 199 Favorite Bible Verses for Mothers paperback books retails for R49 each
A Womans Battle for Grace
Popular speaker and ministry leader, Cheryl Brodersen’s fantastic new offering, A Womans Battle for Grace, tackles the topic of self-condemnation. In this fascinating read, Brodersen talks about the daily battle we face, as women and mother’s, and helps us to pinpoint the real enemy behind it all. I loved this excerpt, describing the book: “God wants His daughters to live moment by moment in His victory, but first we have to see whats at stake when we go our own way. The truth about grace is simpler and deeper than you may realize.”
A Womans Battle for Grace retails for R230.
The Better Mom DevotionalThe Better Mom Devotional is filled with 100 devotions power packed with scripture, prayers and reflection questions to help every mom discover just how God uses parenting and motherhood to deepen your relationship with Him. How amazing?! I love that it tackles hot topics, such as mom guilt and trying to be the perfect parent (hello, this is so for me!) and it helps you to view motherhood as a challenging and rewarding adventure. Some of the lessons you’ll learn as you delve into each beautifully designed page includes:
- How God uses motherhood to change you from the inside out
- Intentional ways to deepen your faith in any season of parenting
- The true calling of motherhood: training, disciplining and loving your children well
- The life-giving impact of honest, loving friendships.
The Better Mom Devotional and all the other items in this post are available at any Cum Books retail store or from their online store.
GIVEAWAY!Want to spoil your mom this Mother’s Day? Or are you a mom, desperately in need of some lovin’? Well, I’ve partnered with Cum Books to give 2 of you an amazing Mother’s Day hamper, compliments of Cum Books. You can enter either on Instagram or Facebook (or both, to increase your chances of winning!) Both entry prompts will require you to:
- Follow me and Cum Books on the various channels. You can find the handles on these specially marked posts on Instagram and Facebook.
- On those specially marked posts, also tag a mom that you feel deserves a win! (You can tag as many moms as you’d like)
Each platform and comment will count as an individual entry. Giveaway ends on 11 May. Giveaway not open to readers outside of RSA.
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Book review: The Masterpiece – Francine Rivers (GIVEAWAY!)
I'm a Francine Rivers fiend! I love her writing style and her story telling ability, but more than that, I love that her stories are Bible based. You're able to relate with the lesson in the plot, while totally being swept away by the picture she paints with words as you get to know the characters as if they are your own best friends. Meg from By Megan Kelly and I have collaborated with Cum Books to give the gift of Francine to 2 of you! Follow our Francine Rivers' book reviews, over the next month, and stand a chance to score a super cool Francine Rivers hamper!
Francine Rivers knows just how to speak straight to my heart. And this is not me being dramatic. (Okay, maybe a teeny tiny little bit dramatic.) When I got into her latest novel, titled The Masterpiece, I was immediately struck with all the single mommy feelings, as I read about Grace Moore’s struggle to provide for her baby boy Samuel.
The plot revolves around Grace and her new employer, Roman Velasco, a famous artist. Both Grace and Roman are wrestling with ghosts of the past, trying to figure their lives out on the down low, while building up walls that would prevent anyone from getting too close.
Roman is a successful LA artist, who seemingly has it all – the money, the fame, the girls. He employs Grace as his personal assistant and she soon discovers that her new boss is secretly battling with demons of his past, and it affects every area of his lonely life.
As I mentioned, Grace is a single mom, left in the lurch by a cheating ex-husband who made her give up everything to support his selfish needs. Once her baby boy is born – she realizes that she is unable to give him up for adoption, as she had planned – and vows to do everything possible to build a life for the two of them. And this includes making sure that no man would ever steal her dreams again.
Both Roman and Grace try to do life on their own (yep – that was me), not wanting help or even comfort from anyone else. And then, one day an unexpected event changes everything!
The story is definitely one of romance and unspoken passion, but it also incorporates strong messages of faith, hope, redemption and the plan and purposes of God.
You can pick up your copy of The Masterpiece at any Cum Books store or check out their online store for more!
GIVEAWAY!Megan from By Megan Kelly and I have partnered with Cum Books to give away 2 book hampers comprising of 3 Francine Rivers books, including The Masterpiece. All you have to do is:
- Make sure you’re following @luchae and @bymegankelly on Instagram
- Find the corresponding post on Instagram and let us know which of these 3 books are your favorite or which one you’re most looking forward to reading.
- Gain a bonus entry by letting me know what your Instagram handle is in the comments section below
Giveaway ends on 3 May. Follow our weekly Francine Rivers reviews to gain that bonus entry on each post! Check out Megan’s post to score another bonus entry. Giveaway not open to readers outside of RSA.
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Book review: Bridge to Haven – Francine Rivers (GIVEAWAY!)
I'm a Francine Rivers fiend! I love her writing style and her story telling ability, but more than that, I love that her stories are Bible based. You're able to relate with the lesson in the plot, while totally being swept away by the picture she paints with words as you get to know the characters as if they are your own best friends. Meg from By Megan Kelly and I have collaborated with Cum Books to give the gift of Francine to 2 of you! Follow our Francine Rivers' book reviews, over the next month, and stand a chance to score a super cool Francine Rivers hamper!
The thing that I love the most about Francine River’s writing style is that she is able to draw you into a story, hit you with enough emotion to weaken those walls that you put up on the daily and then, when you’re completely invested in the narrative, you’re served a huge dose of reality check as you find yourself relating with some of what the character is going through.
Such was the case when I found myself deeply engrossed in one of her heart wrenching novels, Bridge to Haven.
Set in the 1950’s, the story is centered around young Lena Scott – a Hollywood sweetheart and one of the biggest stars to hit the silver screen. But Lena’s story starts a lot differently than most know. Lena, whose real name is Abra, was found abandoned underneath a bridge when she was a few minutes old.
This spirit of orphan – a deep rooted sense of abandonment – trickles into every area of her life, ultimately affecting every single decision she makes. Sound familiar? Well, it did to me. I could relate with Lena on so many levels. My story is different to hers but I know all about that spirit of abandonment and rejection and how it can control (and ruin) your life.
Anyways, Lena believes that she was never wanted, even though she was adopted by a kind Christian family and is pretty much loved and doted on by all the people in her family’s circle. She ends up believing the lies in her head and rejects her closest friends and adoptive parents.
Hopping into bed with one wrong guy after the other, Lena finds herself looking for love in all the wrong places. I could relate on some level – not that I ended up in many beds – but I remember jumping from one terrible relationship to another… looking for love and acceptance, I guess, and not finding it where I expected it to be. But, like Lena, I discovered unconditional love from the most unlikely source.
This story is filled with lessons about grace, temptation, wisdom and that unconditional love that breaks chains and has the ability to change lives at the blink of an eye.
You can pick up your copy of Bridge to Haven at any Cum Books store or check out their online store for more!
GIVEAWAY!Megan from By Megan Kelly and I have partnered with Cum Books to give away 2 book hampers comprising of 3 Francine Rivers books, including Bridge to Haven. All you have to do is
- Make sure you’re following @luchae and @bymegankelly on Instagram
- Find the corresponding post on Instagram and let us know which of these 3 books are your favourite or which one you’re most looking forward to reading.
- Gain a bonus entry by letting me know what your Instagram handle is in the comments section below
Giveaway ends on 3 May. Follow our weekly Francine Rivers reviews to gain that bonus entry on each post! Check out Megan’s post to score another bonus entry. Giveaway not open to readers outside of RSA.
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The big chocolate covered marshmallow egg comparison
If your family is anything like my family, you’ve probably eaten your way through many a box of marshmallow eggs by now. And it’s not even Easter yet. I mean, I’m not complaining… I LOVE marshmallow eggs, you guys! Maybe its the chocolaty goodness on the outside… or the gooey mallow on the inside… or a combo of both. Who knows! We’ve learnt not to question these things, unless the question is: “Can I have another mallow egg please?”
But guys, I had found myself in a weird predicament the other day, when I popped into the store to purchase (yet another) box of mallow eggs. There were just so many to choose from! I mean, how does one wrap one’s brain around such things?
A big marshmallow egg comparison had to be done! So I enlisted the taste buds of my family members, who acted as independent auditors. After some investigating, they decided that the following were in the running for marshmallow egg champion of 2019:
(left to right: Checkers Eggs Galore, Woolworths Marshmallow Egg, SPAR Marshmallow Egg, Cadbury Fluffies Mallow Egg, Beacon Marshmallow Egg)We grabbed a couple of strings of each of these from a few of our favorite retailers. Everyone had their own idea of which one would come out on top.
It was decided that, when it comes to judging, a bunch of different factors would come into play. I mean, if you’re a frugal mom like me, you’d want more bang for your buck, for sure. So price is important. But if you’re after quality, you’d want to make sure that the chocolate actually tastes like chocolate and that the marshmallow is just the right texture.
I mean, these things are important. My independent taste auditors (Hubstopher, Seth and Karis) were ready for action! They started by comparing the size of each egg. Because, hello, when it comes to chocolate, size matters.Result: It seems that the Beacon and Fluffies eggs were slightly bigger than the rest. The SPAR brand chocolate seemed a bit darker than the rest. Oh and Karis says that they all smell the same, so that’s probably worth nothing too.
We then compared things like, how chocolaty the chocolate is and how marshmallow-y the marshmallow is. Both the chocolate factor and marshmallow quality were given a mark out of 10 each. Seth also insisted that we consider the “over all eating experience”.
Result:
According to our auditors, the Cadbury Fluffies won the taste challenge. The Beacon, a firm favorite in many households, was a close second.
If your kids are okay with any type of marshmallow egg and you’re looking to save on dollar bill, you should probably consider that you’ll be spending the following per egg, per box:
Eggs Galore: R1.67 per egg (R50 for a box of 30 eggs)
Woolworths Marsmallow Egg: R2.30 per egg (R55 for a box of 24)
SPAR Marshmallow Egg: R1.25 per egg (R60 for a box of 48)
Cadbury Fluffies: R2.33 per egg (R70 for a box of 30)
Beacon Egg: R1.67 per egg (R80 for a box of 48)
(Please note: prices may vary)So there you have it! What is your favorite chocolate mallow egg?
