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All stepparents are monsters, right?
Stepparenting is not for sissies. Yes, that’s my opening line. Whaaat? It’s the truth you guys. A recent conversation with a very emotional friend made me realize that the average stepparent has to deal with a lot more junk than they actually deserve.
Now, allow me to add a little disclaimer: it is possible to have a healthy blended family dynamic. So the thoughts in this post may not be for you (you go girl, keep up the great work!) but I’m sure it will speak to the hearts of those who are experiencing challenges on the stepparenting front.
We all know that parenting is super hard at times. And stepparenting is next level, yo! It’s not always easy and it doesn’t always have great rewards. But for those of you who are in that position, I’m sure you’re not just sticking it out for the half-hearted Happy Mother’s Day mumble. We do it because we actually care for the kid and we want to create a healthy and happy family environment. But based on the amount of messages I’ve received and the type of situations I’ve experienced, I’ve gathered that trying to be a good stepparent is not the easiest thing in the world.
Why?
Well, because ultimately you’re a bonus… an add on … you’re not really needed but you’re not going anywhere. You do the work, you put in the time, you make the commitment. Sometimes it appears to not be enough (because, you know, you could do better, get off your phone Cathy!) but then other times, you give off the impression that you’re doing too much (because, you’re not the kid’s real parent so can you just put your emotions aside, gosh!)
It’s a thankless job and you’re kinda dealt with a whole bunch of different blows that you literally just have to take, for the sake of keeping the peace. (No one wants to be the stepparent who throws a hissyfit every time they feel disrespected… it’s ugly Jane, we don’t roll like that.)
Your every decision and movement is often scrutinised (how dare you give the child chores to do, you monster!) and more often than not, you’re the bad guy before the movie even started, because that’s the way Holywood writes these scripts.
Besides for being the unspoken bad guy, you’re also the person whose opinion and feelings don’t really matter as much. I mean, duh, it can’t matter because you’re not the parent (add on/bonus, remember?)… you’re just there for show. So what you have to say and how you feel doesn’t really count.Stepparent’s get alot of flack. I can say this because I’ve given the flack, I’ve received the flack and I’ve helped to evenly distribute the flack, many times. Guilty as charged… there are no pretenses here. I’ve had conversations with friends about their kid’s stepparents (tssk tsssk, who does she think she is?!) and I’ve been part of conspiracies to not include stepparent’s at certain events because “he needs to learn”. It’s ugly.
Who made this universal rule that stepparents are not important? Who decided that the stepfather’s intention is not always good? Who told you that the stepmother can’t possibly love the child as much as she says she does? It’s a silly stereotype, honestly Jackie. Cut it out.
I mean, sure, the bonus parent happens to be there because of marriage and all that, and sure we don’t really need them, but guess what we do want them to love our children and treat them well. Oh the irony.
And then we laugh at them behind their backs, at gatherings, exchanging stories and rolling our eyes because, you know, they are only the stepparent and more importantly, we need the entertainment. (Brown people, where you at.)
I guess what I’m trying to do, with this post, is to stick up for bonus parents all around the world who are trying really hard but can’t seem to break out of that evil stepparent stereotype.
You guys don’t have to love the kid and you probably don’t have to put up with the back biting and snarky comments and, you know, being treated like a hobo at the beach trying to direct traffic for a few coins.
You’re there because you want to be there and you love the child because you want to. And even though others may not see your heart, I do. I get it. I see you. And I want you to know that you’re doing a great job.
Disclaimer: Thank you for your blog post suggestions. I love hearing from you guys. If you have any other topics that you’d like to me/us to chat about, hollar at your girl! To my friend who is experiencing this very real heartbreak right now: sending thoughts and prayers your way.
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Jislaaik! Want a Jislaain SOS Tee?
If you follow me on Instagram then you would know that I recently hosted a hamper giveaway on my grid, comprising of a host of proudly SA and environmentally lekker goodies, compliments of Jislaaik and a bunch of other fabulous brands. (If you’re not following me on Instagram, seriously, you’re missing out on candid shots of my feet and video clips of my kids telling me that they prefer their dad over me. Seriously awkward and entertaining stuff.)
Anyways, I got involved with the initiative after learning more about Jislaaik and the flippen fantastic concept around the online store. I mean, for starters, who doesn’t love the name JISLAAIK? Because jislaaikit, it’s so lekker to say! The word is 100% South African and is basically a way to express astonishment. And this is exactly what this brand strives to do. Jislaaik says that their pursuit is to “help local designers & artisans to broaden their horizons on the South African market.” Amazing.
More from the brand: “We are determined to find hidden gems and discover local heroes. WE LEAD WITH LOCAL. These are our heroes! These people create the most amazing things and work so hard to achieve their dreams! Our mission is to help local designers, craftsmen and woman become more and more known to South Africa.”Jislaaik – Jislaain!
As if that isn’t enough, Jislaaik officially launches their Jislaain SOS (Save our Seas) Tees today! The name, Jislaain, is a play on words since the specially designed tshirts will feature one line drawings done by Olive & Arrow Creative.
Yep, that’s right. One Line. One Line is used for the whole illustration!
How rad, Brad?! Minimalistic, simple and absolutely gorgeous. These designs are the signature of the Jislaain range and can be seen on each and every item available. The shirts in this range are all ethically sourced and made locally.
The range focuses on saving our environment, aiming to raise awareness and getting people to think differently about their consumption and the impact they have on our planet. I mean, more than 8 million tons of plastic is dumped into the ocean and a whopping 30kg to 50kg of plastic is used by South Africans alone, per year!
The Jislaain range sells for R250 (introductory price) and a percentage of the sale will be donated to various charities who share the same view and passion and who are actively making a difference in our world. What’s more, YOU get to vote for your favorite charity, with the same passion, to receive the donation proceeds.
Place your preorder now!Preorders are finally open and, if you’re one of the first to purchase your tee, you stand a chance to score yourself a free gift from one of the amazing sponsors: The Bamboo Project, The Refillery SA, Bundu Beard, Sili Straw and Bert 3000. You can choose between black, white and grey shirts in 3 different styles.
Book your preorders by emailing ello@jislaaikshop.co.za.
For more information or to check out more on offer from this cool brand, check out the online store or give them a follow on Instagram!
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10 random perks of being married
Hi, I’m Luchae and I love being married. Yes, this may be a well known fact but I sensed the need to lead the conversation with it because I feel like I complain about my beautiful, wonderful, amazing Hubstopher a bit too much on this here blog. Granted, his heightened sense of humor let’s me get away with saying just about anything (except Liverpool… we don’t diss Liverpool). But still. I felt it my obligation and duty to let you all know that I do, in fact, love my husband and that we are, in fact, happily married (soccer nights included).
I mean, marriage is a trip, you guys. The elation of finding your “one” mixed with the deflation of having to deal with someone else’s irks and quirks till death you do part is kind of bittersweet in the best way. But if I could choose between not being married to him and having to pick up his socks (you know, from the staircase, under the bed and hidden away behind my couch cushions) for eternity, I would probably choose this man and his stinky socks till death us do part.
Granted, there are the occasional disagreements (and irks and quirks) to deal with but the perks are actually quite perky. I mean, the perks totally make up for it. I don’t know what your marriage perks are… but mine are quite random. Sure, it includes all the mandatory “loves me, loves his kids, doesn’t shoot stray cats with his pellet gun” stuff. But there are a bunch of other random reasons why I love being married to the guy. Things like:
1. I don’t have to ask for directions
I mean, my husband knows what’s up (cough) and probably never has to ask for directions too. Right? Husband’s always know which way to go. But mine is a techno fundi and probably has a gazillion GPS apps on hand, just in case the rare occasion arises where he needs to ask for directions.2. I don’t change light bulbs
Look, I’m no damsel in distress, but I totally enjoy the fact that Hubstopher can do those arb home repairs like, you know, changing the light bulb or fixing the wonky door handle. In fact, I’ve totally sat in darkness waiting for him to come home to change said light bulb. The fact that I can do it myself is not the point here, okay?3. He knows whats up with the car
I don’t do car things. I mean, sure, women are capable of knowing car things. It’s good to know car things. But my extensive knowledge of car things does not give me the power to overthrow my husband as the “Car Things Gatekeeper.” I mean, he checks the oil and changes the tyre and, just being real, he even drives us places most of the time even though I have a very real driver’s license.4. Spiders
‘Nuff said.5. He can be a donkey
Guys, my Hubstopher is the parent who would go down on his hands and knees, pretending to be a donkey for my kids. He gives the best piggy back rides and plays wrestling with the big boys and is the only one who would allow them to use him as a trampoline. And I say thank you for that.
6. He knows kung fu
Okay, he doesn’t really know kung fu, but best believe when I hear a weird sound in the living room at 3 in the morning, I won’t be the one doing the investigating. Husbands do the “weird sound” investigating. It’s just like, the rule of life!7. I don’t have to do physical labor
Again, this does not speak to my lack of ability but rather to my Hubstopher’s abundance thereof. Need a heavy box lifted? Can’t open that pickle jar? Does the dirt need to be taken out? Do not fret or fear, Hubstopher is near!8. He holds my hand in public places
I don’t know, there is just a tangible safety of sorts, when you’re ambling through a crowded area and you’re able to walk a few steps behind your person while holding his hand. I have nothing more to say on the matter because I feel like you guys know what I’m talking about, right?9. He talks to people
I mean, sure I can also talk to people, but when it comes to the mechanic and the petrol attendant and the person who fumigated the house and the DSTV installer, chances are Hubstopher would be the one who would do all the talking.10. He loves me
For some weird, overly bizarre reason, this guy finds me the most attractive when I’m donning my oldest comfy clothes, with my hair in some sort of a messy bun (if “messy” was “chaotic”). He loves me in my natural state… you know, the person that is Luchae when noone is looking. And that right there is the biggest perk of being married to him.Can you relate with any of these? What are some of your weirdest and most favorite perks of being married to your husband?
Disclaimer: This post was not meant to be sexist, painting women as the weaker sex. Women can do all things and girl power and rah rah rah, but I sure do love that I have a Hubstopher around to do some of the heavy lifting for me!
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10 things I wish I could tell my younger self
They say age aint nothing but a number… well, yes, that’s true. Aging is all in the mind and all of that. But hey, regardless of how old you feel or don’t feel, the one thing that I appreciate the most about aging is the life lessons that one picks up along the way.
If you had to meet 20 something year old me, in nineteen-voetsak, you may have gawked at her questionable taste in clothing (because I only wore skirts that were designed to fit 12 year olds) and my even more questionable taste in men (cough cough).
Anyways, a chat with a friend (hey Simone!) reminded me that old Luchae could teach young Luchae a thing or two about life! I mean, if I had to have a chat with 20 year old me, I would definitely fill her in on the following:
1. Guys are just guys. Sure, you can meet the love of your life and possibly get married and have cute little kideos and live happily ever after. But truth be told, the love of your life is still… just a guy. No man deserves to be worshiped… not even your husband.
2. You’re not too old to do whatever the heck you want to do. Girl, you’re 20! You’ve only been on this earth for 20 years! Madonna has been around longer than you and she’s still making music so what’s stopping you from reaching for your dreams?! Also, being a single mom, and kicking butt at it, at the age of 20 is something to be proud of! You may feel as if your options are limited right now, but honestly baby girl, your mindset is your only limit.
3. In a couple of years time, a crazy man is going to tell you about Bitcoin. Buy like, a hundred of them.
4. Your grandparents, as immortal and strong as they appear to be, are not immortal. Cherish them, sit at their feet and learn as much as you can. And, most importantly, bring along a book and a pen and write down all the stories they will share about their youth. Those treasures are the real inheritance.
5. Try not to invest too much money into partying and clubbing. I mean, sure, a fun-filled December in Cape Town sounds like a great idea for a holiday. But maybe don’t sell your car or spend all of your December bonus money, to do it. Having a good time is, well, a good time. But being broke and carless in January… not so much a good time.6. I know, it feels like such a leap stepping out of your comfort zone to pursue that degree or career that basically has nothing to do with what you’re doing right now. You’re looking around, thinking that your friends (the ones who actually went on to study after high school) are graduating right now and that you’ve missed your turn. Well, you didn’t. Do the thing, girl! Stop being so fearful!
7. You’re not fat. Girlfriend, after you’ve popped out a couple of kids, you’re going to look back at these wonder years and wish you were as “fat” as you are right now. Enjoy your body and look after your health!
8. Oh and talking about kids: it’s never too early to start prepping your body for child birth. Yes, I realize how wack this sounds. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about, Young Luchae. Google “kegel exercises” and “strengthening your core muscles”. You’ll thank me later.
9. Darling, this is a tough one, so I’m going to say it as gently as I can: you don’t need loads of store cards and credit cards. Like, cut it out. Step away from the cellphone contract, I repeat, step away from the contract! Consider this: if you had to add up all the money you spend on paying those bills per month, you’ll actually find that you have more than enough disposable income to make those purchases CASH, once you’ve settled all your debt. Now that’s wisdom for ya!
10. Finally (but not really finally because I have a lot to share but I don’t want to sound as if I’m giving you a lecture), don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to pursue your relationship with God. I know that your friends are not “religious” or into that “God stuff” and you feel like you’ll stand out like a sore thumb. That’s okay. You’re called to be in the world but not of it.
I know you’re overwhelmed. You’re stuck in a wormhole where a gazillion things and absolutely nothing is important all at the same time. You worry about your life decisions… if you’ve made the right ones, will you ever find love, can you repair the damage that (you thought) you’ve done. And hey, I’m no expert, I don’t have all the answers to your many questions. But I am 100% confident that you’re going to be okay, girl. You’re going to be okay.
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Can husbands and wives owe each other money?
It happened again. I sent my Hubstopher to the shops to buy something girly for me and, upon return, he handed me the cashier’s receipt expecting a reimbursement. I looked at him, slip in hand, with shock and betrayal written all over my face, like, hello, we are husband and wife! I can’t owe you money!
What utter nonsense is this?! But nope, homeboy was having none of it. He had spent his hard earned dollar bill on my girly things and he wanted his cash back (to spend on his manly things, I’m assuming).
I straight out refused to reimburse him, you guys. Because, you know, husbands and wives can’t owe each other money. Right? Isn’t that, like, the rule of LIFE? Doesn’t it say that in the Bible somewhere? Can someone find the scripture for me? I need to prove a point.
Anyways.
When I brought up the topic with a few close friends of mine they just laughed and laughed and laughed. I mean, I totally thought their manic laughter was in support of me. But nay, they were laughing AT me. Because apparently husbands and wives CAN owe each other money. And “community of property” has nothing to do with it.
“It’s a principal thing, Luchae” one of them explained, as she wiped tears from her eyes.
Apparently my way of thinking is totally old school. And since we’re living in the modern day era (you know, where we don’t have to wipe our bums with banana leaves or grow our own potatoes) men and women now earn their wages fair and square.
And since the earning of wages is fair and square and all of that, more households are co-dependent on BOTH man and woman’s salaries. We both earn and we both contribute towards the household.
And if I’m willing to split household expenses with the guy, then I should atleast acknowledge that we’ve come to an unspoken agreement that his money is his and mine is mine and together we make things work for our home? Right?
Well I have questions about that.
I mean, what happens when husband and wife has a joint account or has come to an agreement that “it’s OUR money, and not yours or mine”… do you then ask for permission every time you want to make a girly purchase? Also, is it very sexist of me to expect the man to foot the bill for everything? Am I just old school like that?
And so, while debating the topic in my head (hands up if you have long debates with yourself) I came to the conclusion that I probably should #paybackthemoney. Because, in all fairness, when I sent him to the shops, I didn’t let him know that he’d be spending his hard earned cash on my hair products.
I mean, regardless of how important a leave in conditioner is when you’re living on this side of South Africa, I guess it’s not something that my husband would be budgeting for, at the end of each month. I guess it’s something that I should be budgeting for. And thus said, something that I should be paying for. I guess. Sigh.
My inner old-school lass needs to realize that I need to be a little bit more conscientious and inclusive when I make decisions about spending money… especially when it affects my husband. Although, I’m not gonna lie to you, when he came at me with a receipt, my inner Jane Austen was like, “Kind Sir! I find this most insulting that I, a fair Lady, should reimburse thy spend! Begone with thee, foul man!”
Well, something like that.
Anyways, I thought to take it to the streets (this is the streets, you guys, my blog is so hip) and find out what you guys would do in a situation like this. Do you reimburse your hubby if he went to the shops to buy something for you? Do you expect reimbursement? Is it a matter of whose salary is the highest? Lend me your thoughts in the comments section below!
(Images: Header – Freepik; Body – Donna van der Watt)
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Office politics is not always a bad thing, right?
Office politics. Come on, we’re all familiar with it. It’s there… like a ninja… stealthily hiding away, ready to strike, as soon as Susan is away for an extra 10 minutes during her lunch break.
You can literally cut it with a knife during staff meetings (especially when Mike tries to be Head Boy again, brown nosing the manager every chance he gets) and you can even catch a whiff of it when someone does something that goes against the grain of the office. (Yes, I’m looking at you and your boiled eggs, Frank.)
Office Politics. You can’t escape it.
And, I mean, you could be employed at the best company in the whole entire world and you’ll probably STILL be inflicted by some sort of office drama. Why? Well, because we human beings are a fickle folk. And when you chuck a hodge podge of personalities into one mixing bowl, chances are everyone won’t always get along. The political nature of the office means that there will always be some sort of conflict to manage and road blocks to work around.
But is office politics ALL bad? Well, I think it’s not.
I mean, sure, we’ve all had our fair share of backstabbing, manipulation, favoritism and (dare I say it… yes I do!) even sexism or racism, in an office environment. People can be pretty crude when there is an opportunity for advancement or a better income. But if you’re really out to WIN (and not in the financial way, Tina) you would use office tension to better your communication and conflict handling skills.
In fact, an article in Forbes magazine, basically pushes you to engage in office politics. The article says: “If you are not currently engaging in office politics, it’s time to get started and here’s why: Being politically savvy is a crucial ingredient in your career success. Forging good relationships up and down the org chart is a sure way to get yourself promoted, and a key to becoming a respected leader.”
It speaks about staying true to who YOU are, while maintaining transparency, as you deal with the various personalities in your office. You can totally use conflict to help build trust and create clearer lines of communication in that temperamental environment.
You can deal with office politics by:1. Not being a jerk, man. I mean, it’s lekker to be recognized by your boss but it’s even better to make sure you display integrity and honor, even when Pete next door does not. You don’t always have to have the upper hand to … you know… have the upper hand. (Hey, that’s good, I should tweet that!)
2. Getting off the grapevine! Yep, gossiping will probably not be a good idea if you’re looking to build healthy relationship AND create a self-image of maturity and stability. No one trusts the office gossip. Build your reputation as someone who can be trusted and someone who turns a negative into a positive. I want to be around that person, don’t you?
3. Doing your job. It’s as simple as that. You’re employed to do a job, so do it. Hey, do a little bit extra if you have the time. Who cares what Penny is up to. Penny is not your responsibility. You were not employed to keep tabs on her. Stop being an Aunty Mildred, step away from your dining room curtain, and focus on your own work!
4. Speaking up! Okay, honestly Bob, if you don’t like the fact that Sindi is subjecting the whole office to her extensive Cher collection, simply tell her… politely! But walking around like a grump, muttering all sorts of negative things to whoever has an ear, probably won’t get Sindi to turn her music down.
5. Guarding your heart and staying free of offense. I get it, doing the “right thing” sometimes feels like an injustice (because Linda needs to know what a terrible person she is!) but consciously deciding how you will respond to office politics, and how you will allow it to affect your heart, could go a long way towards choosing joy and peace, over turmoil. And anyways, taking the burden of office politics home with you is not part of your job description.
Have you ever had to deal with politics in the office? How do you handle it? Share your advice with us below.
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Lies I tell myself on my birthday
My favorite thing about birthday’s is that they make you think about how not young you are. Hahaha joking. Kinda. Okay, let me start over. Hello, how are you? I’m fine thank you. It’s my birthday next week and I’m just sitting here, reminiscing on a time when I was a tad bit, you know, younger, and stuff.
I love the saying about how aging and getting old is all in the mind and you’re only as old as you feel and all that other stuff you’d read on a Drake swag note or on an Oprah meme. I guess there is some truth to that, right? I mean, surely.
I know 30 year olds who act (and probably feel) older than some of the young-at-heart 40 year olds that I hang out with. “Age is nothing but number.” Well, that’s what Aaliyah said (and we now know that the song was inspired by the pedophilic R Kelly, so maybe ignore that quote). My point is that we often LIE to ourselves, when our birthday’s loom, bringing with it the reality that we are not as young as we use to be.
I mean, I often catch myself lying to myself about the fact that I’m passed my sell by date. You can’t start that new career… you’re too old. You cant attempt a new hobby… like, at your age, what are you trying to do, win a Guinness World Record or something?! And duh, you can’t be successful in your field of interest at such an “old” age (mind you, I’m only in my 30s… somebody call Dr Phil) because people who actually made it did so when they were in their 20s. Oh the lies I tell myself and actually believe.
I also lie about the fact that I look old now. Oh I’m SO fat! I look SO tired, like, ALL the time. My hairstyle is so lame. My clothes are so mommy-esque and boring. I’M SO OLD. What utter crap? I’ve seen stylish, healthy moms prove me wrong on all points. And it’s made me realize that letting go of my health and letting go of feeling good about my appearance is a decision I make. It’s a lie I tell myself. And it’s one that I don’t have to be stuck in.We often lie about how much potential we have, “now that we’re old”. But in my situation, I think the lie was birthed over time, on all the days when I birthed my kids. The lie tells you that one more baby equals a little less potential, ability, creativity and overall awesomeness.
We lie and tell ourselves that our children are a life-suck… you know, they suck the life out of us. “Oh but I mean, I LOVE them! I can’t imagine my life without them!” *huge smile* The truth is that they’ve done nothing but add value to the adorable badass that is you and you’re probably more capable of great things now that you’ve learnt to manage a whole entire household. Show me a fancy CEO who can simultaneously bath a 4 year old, while on a conference call with your teenager’s school, as you attempt to feed a hyperactive 2 year old AND keep a watchful eye on the pot on the stove. This stuff is not for sissies.
Anyways, the point of this rant is that it’s my birthday and I’ll age if I want to. But that doesn’t mean I’m losing my poise, my power or my passion. It doesn’t mean that this is the end of me. The super fierce girl who wanted to take over the world, when she was 22, is still there somewhere. And like fine wine and a great pair jeans, she only gets BETTER over time.
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Easy homemade wet wipes
It’s no secret – wet wipes make the world go round. Well, okay, maybe not “go round” but they sure do make life a lot less stickier! I have my favorite brands and we buy copious amounts of the stuff, because it’s just so darn convenient! But, imagine a day, my friends, when – GASP – you’ve run out of wet wipes and you have no way to get to the shops to purchase more! Well, that was me last week Saturday. A plan had to be made!
Now, yes people, I do have a spreadsheet brain, but I’m not your average crafty mom. I mean, I’m not out here wanting to sow my own shoes and grow my own vegetables. But after watching a couple of Youtube tuts on how to make your own wipes, I figured that this is easy enough for even me to make. (So you must know it’s super easy.)
Easy homemade wet wipesTo make your own wipes, you will need:
A cylinder shaped container – The taller, the better, in my opinion.
A roll of extra thick paper towel – The thicker, the better, in my opinion.
Baby wash – Using baby wash is the super easy way. I love the smell of the JOHNSONS top-to-toe baby wash so I chose that.
Baby oil – Again, you can be as fancy as you want.
About 2 cups of water – I boiled mine first and left it to cool
Method: Start off by measuring your paper roll to your container, and using a sharp knife, cutting it down to size. You want your paper towel to fit into your cylinder container neatly, once the lid is on tightly.
Mix together your water, 2 tablespoons of baby wash and 1 tablespoon of baby oil. Pour the contents over your paper towel, seal the container and turn it upside down, to ensure that the entire roll is seeped in the mixture.
Now, the big challenge for me was to gauge how much of the mixture I was going to add to my paper towel. You don’t want it to be to wet or soggy. I’ve played around with 1 and a half to 2 cups of mixture to find the consistency that I like. You can do that too – find what works best for you!After about 15 minutes, open your container, and remove the inside cardboard of your paper towel roll. It should slide out quite easily by now. And ta daaaa your wet wipes are ready to go!
Disclaimer:You’ll notice that I kept it super easy, because, honestly I get tired when I see recipes on the internet that requires me to find leaves from a tree only found on a hill in Timbuktwo or essence of pomegranate that grows on the outskirts of Jamaica. Like, I’m not here to be fancy right now. But you can be as fancy and as all-natural as you want. No judgies. Other moms have included things like drops of lavender and other essential oils and sometimes substitute the baby oil for coconut oil or aloe vera.
So what do you think, friends? Will you try this at home? If you do, hit me up in the comments section and let me know how it goes!
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Lil Punk Boutique: Four ways to style a tutu
With colder weather approaching, I have to get creative when it comes to choosing outfits for my girl. I mean, she insists on wearing dresses and skirts! Not ideal when it’s storming outside. But how does one up the cuteness level of a Winter outfit, while keeping a very ‘girly girl’ happy? Enter: The Tutu Skirt.
We were so excited to receive a gift from Aunty Jill, of Lil Punk Boutique, that contained the cutest tulle tutu skirt and retro tshirt set in the whole wide world! Like, it’s so cute, I would wear it! The retro shirt is part of the latest Lil Punk range and you can pick up these funky retro ringer necks in long sleeve too!
After a long time of producing the funkiest kids clothing, Jill finally designed a tutu skirt that meets her high requirements. These are super comfy (thick waist band), and the tulle is of the best quality (and none of that “rip around the edges” type… you know what I mean). I also appreciate that there is 2 layers of quality tulle and 1 layer of extra thick satin right at the bottom, because modesty is a big deal when it comes to my baby girl.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: Luchae, seriously, how many tutu skirts can one girl own? Well, not enough, according to my little girl. BUT if you have the RIGHT tutu skirt, it can grow with your girl (shorter skirts can be worn over pants) AND you can rock it in many different ways! Check these outfit ideas out:
Four ways to style a tutu
Tights and sneakers
Pair your tulle skirt with a pair of thick winter leggings and a pair of cute sneakers, to pull off an effortless and comfy rainy-weather party look! Darker tutu’s, like this gorgeous black tulle tutu by Lil Punk Boutique, pair well with those warm winter tones and hey, you could team this up with just about any hue of thick winter tights! I mean, the funkier the better, right? A neutral or metallic sneaker will complete the look. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Denims and diamante
Dress up a tulle skirt with denims, for an instant glam look. We paired this denim jacket with some warm leggings, cute gum boots and sparkly accessories, for a fun Winter vibe. I love that the Lil Punk Boutique tulle skirt has a bottom layer of extra thick satin, which makes it the perfect skirt for those cold days. Kari clearly loved this outfit!
Chunky knits
Don’t be afraid to layer those chunky knits and team it up with that favorite tutu skirt. The comfy look of those cute winter jersey’s work so well with a glammed up tulle skirt. The Lil Punk Boutique skirt has a fabulous glitter waist band (nice and thick, for extra comfort) and sprinkles of glitter on the body of the skirt. Kari insisted on wearing her favorite brown Winter boots and chunky knitted hat. I think she looks kinda cute, don’t you?
Jeans and statement tees
You could even pair that tulle skirt with a pair of skinny jeans, a funky statement t-shirt and a pair of sneakers or boots! Who said that jeans and a tshirt has to be boring. A pretty tutu skirt can totally spruce that look up, getting you party-ready in no time. Karis is literally okay with basically any outfit, provided she gets to wear a tutu over it. I mean, the girl makes sense, right?
Lil Punk Boutique tulle tutu skirt: R200 – R280 (size dependant)
Lil Punk Boutique short sleeved ringer tee: R200You can order these items directly from Lil Punk via the stores Facebook and Instagram accounts
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Gift ideas for the practical girl
I’m an expert gift receiver and I have many years of gift giving experience under my belt. So one would say that I’m a pro of sorts (self proclaimed). And today, dear friends, I thought to share my gift giving wisdom with you! (And the crowd goes wild.) Truth be told, the topic came up when I was chatting to a friend who is a Practical Penny like I am. I mean, us Sensible Sarahs are quite difficult to shop for, I’m sure. I apologize on behalf of all of us.
But, good news, I come with tips and tricks! If you’re looking to spoil your practical friend (who probably won’t be swooning over a box of chocolates or another bath and body set), look no further. Here is a list of practical gift ideas, you know, for that functional girl who probably gets excited about a desk organizer more than a tub of body lotion.
Gift ideas for the practical girl
Vouchers and Experiences
Vouchers to your girl’s favorite stores are always a winner! Plus, if she’s a practical girl, I’m sure she’ll probably be more excited that can shop at her own leisure, purchasing goodies that may not come in a gift bag (i.e. underwear, socks or even work attire). If you’re looking for something a bit more exciting, how about a pamper voucher or an experience voucher that could have homegirl enjoying their birthday while experiencing the adventure of a game drive, chartering a yacht for a sunset cruise or even enjoying a wine tasting tour.
Luxe homewareWant to know what your functional girl gets excited about? Fresh towels! New bedding! Beautiful storage kitchen containers! Matching photo frames! Luxe bathrobes and slippers! Pretty oven mits and kitchen sets! Excuse the exclamation marks, I don’t know why I’m shouting. I guess I’m just excited to tell you that the Sensible Sarahs of this world would appreciate anything that would last for a very long time. A practical girl is always on that useful trip, and would probably only spend a ton of cash on a homeware item, if it’s something that she could probably use until she’s like, 80.
Stuff she actually uses
I’m here for all the lovely smelling bath and body stuff. But sometimes your homegirl is allergic to specific products and ingredients. If you’re going to purchase creams and treatments, rather try to find out what she uses. Your practical girl would go gaga if she unwraps her gift and finds out that she doesn’t have to spend her hard earned moola on her favorite face cream or perfume, this month, because someone has thoughtfully gifted her with it. We’re a frugal, easy-to-please bunch.
Hobbies and interests
We all have that favorite thing to do. For some of us (me, I’m pointing at me) it probably involves listening to Tori Kelly and, you know, binge watching The Voice. For others it might be nail art or crafting or hey, I’m not judging, exercising. (Exercising has become a thing, you guys, I don’t understand it but I support it.) My point is that your friend probably has hobbies and interests and if ever you’re stumped and not sure what type of gift to buy her, how about gifting her with something related to this hobby. I know, genius. Clue: Books are always a good idea, if she has a favorite author!
Shoes and bagsI feel like shoes and hand bags are, like, the unspoken “best birthday gift idea” of the female world. Right? We’re female and we love shoes and hand bags. There, I said it. Not sure what type of bag or style of shoe to get Practical Penny? Here’s a tip for free: simply check out the style of hand bag and shoe she wears on a regular basis, and base your pick around that. Penny isn’t your “I need an orange Armani bag because I have one in every color” kind of girl. Stick to neutral colors or basic black. Penny will be overjoyed.
Keep it classy
When you think practical or sensible, you might be thinking “uhh boring!” But your practical chick is none of the above. She’s not bland or boring. She just prefers to keep it classy… think: CLASSIC, stylish and elegant. She knows what she likes and is not easily moved by the latest trends and fads. She also values her friendships and relationships and probably only has a handful of you (because she’s very old school like that) so I’m sure she’s going to love whatever you end up gifting her!
Do you have any practical gift ideas? Drop them in the comments section below.
Pics: “towels” designed by jcomp; “shoes and bags” designed by senivpetro
