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Is being mean a thing now a days?
So the other day I found myself in a stinky situation, with a stinky person, who was acting – yep, you guessed it – pretty stinky. I mean, it wasn’t even as if I deserved the stank. I’m a very diplomatic person and (if you watched my Instastories, you would know) I prefer to not go all Shaneequa on people, when I feel that they’ve wronged me. I don’t do playground cat fights. It’s not my jam. Simply because I get that people are people. I always try to look at the situation with the bigger picture in mind… you know, stuff like: what is the other person going through right now, which factors could be influencing their decisions, am I overreacting, can they prove this in a court of law. You know, that sort of thing. (Kidding about the court of law… kinda).
Anyways, so here I sit, in all my “ke Dezemba” glory (duh, no pants, with an electric fan on full blast in my face) staring at my phone as I continue to get one stinky message after the other. And this after I had, so diplomatically, tried to be kind and understanding and, you know, the light and all of that.
And then I felt it. It was an overwhelming sensation, bubbling from deep down in the pit of my belly. A feeling that I could not control or contain. I tried so hard to ignore it but… wait for it… wait for it….. bleeeeuuuuughghghghghg …. WORD VOMIT. All over my good intentions and diplomacy.
Nice Luchae was straight up mad and rude and uncool and I wanted to say ALL THE WORDS in the world!!! And so I did, you guys.
The result? Well, not as great as I expected. Because, for starters, the recipient of my word attack isn’t all “kumbaya be the light” as I am, and so this person responded with an even worse attack of word vomit. But more than that, I was just bummed that I allowed the crap situation to get the better of me. I mean, I’m not this person. I’m not the type of girl who would lose her cool. Because my spreadsheet brain tells me that losing my ish won’t solve the situation. Staying in control will. My spreadsheet brain reminds me about peace over war, and to love the unlovely and to turn the other cheek. My spreadsheet brain asks me what would Jesus do. My spreadsheet brain… was absent on this day.
Anyways, my point is that I deeply regretted my vent. Because, my friends, there are ways to get your message across and it doesn’t involve calling people names.
Have you guys ever experienced this instant regret after you basically chooned someone their whole fortune? I mean, sure there is the temporary gratification… but do you feel bad afterwards? I always feel bad. Always. And here’s the shocker though… not everyone does (feel bad after they’ve vented all over someone’s day).
It got me thinking: is being mean a thing now? Is it something we celebrate now? We seem to love the Fiona Coins and Gordon Ramsey’s of this world.
I’ve heard people say that venting is their thing. “Oh, I will tell her exactly what I think of her”… I’m sure you’ve heard this before… you know the type of people I’m referring to? I never get them. Who wants to be the person who responds to conflict with a swear word. What does that even mean when you’re deep into your 30’s, and you have kids? What does that even mean, when you’re a professional human being? What does that even mean when you say you love people? How will your harsh words and rants solve the problem, I ask with tears in my navy blue eyes?!
Where’s the room for compassion? When do we make room for grace? How do we show love and kindness? And how on earth can we be celebrating this on our social media (ag don’t look at me like that Patricia) and then we attempt to teach something else to our kids?!
Also, if you have something to say to someone, surely you can do it in a kind/stern way WITHOUT an audience? (That last part is crucial, yo). Surely you can do it without having the need to brag about it to your friend? I don’t know, I’m just sharing ideas here. Let me know if I sound like I’m insane. Hoping I’m not. Because that would mean that the world has turned into one big ol meany pants. And that would suck. (I know. I just said “meany pants”.)
Hit me up in the comments section below. On a scale of 1 to Adolf Hitler, how mean are you?
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5 Tips for a Fun Family Game Night with Uber Eats
So if you have as many children as I do, you pretty much run out of ideas on how to keep them all happy at the same time. I mean, they don’t all have the same taste in movies, or food and believe me when I say, they don’t find the same things entertaining. Luckily for me, with Uber Eats on my side, I am able to cater to a variety of tastes, while saving some time to spend on deciding which fun games I can play (and win at!) on a family game night.
We love family game night! I usually throw one of these in the mix when I feel that we need some unscheduled family time. A family game night is a great way to bond with your kids and, if you pick the right games, everyone is bound to have fun! Here are some of my (tried and tested) tips for a fun family game night:
Each one pick oneA clever way to get a nice mix of games and activities, for the entire family to enjoy, is to have each member of the family suggest at least one or two games they would like to play. The result: a bullet proof, hodge-podge of interesting games, as recommended by the players themselves. It’s genius, really. Less brain work for you and a lot more (guaranteed) fun for them!
Mix it up
Instead of creating set teams for the whole night, why not mix it up and create new teams with each game. This will encourage team spirit and a chance for everyone to bond with – well – everyone else. Also, I’m the “Obnoxious Police” and I don’t allow obnoxious boasting to put a damper on our game night. It’s a teaching moment, you guys… teach your children to encourage each other!
Set the rules
So once we have a list of games, I make sure to have the rules for all games, displayed visibly for all to see. The “rules chart” is as detailed as possible, so that if a dispute arises, the “rules chart” will offer a resolution. But hey, conflict management is important and family game night is a great way to help your family figure out how to resolve conflicts without, you know, someone being grounded FOR LIFE. (That’s just one example, but you get the jist.)
Prizes are importantOkay, this statement is not true. Prizes aren’t important. Spending time together is. But prizes sure do make things a lot more exciting! Our games night prizes are made up of sweet treats and trinkets bought at the R10 store. Hint: you want to wrap them up in impressive looking boxes, to create an air of excitement. We also have a super cool floating trophy that I made using a large tin and foil. How impressive am I?
No hard work
I’m a firm believer that a happy mama is a mama who doesn’t have to wash the dishes. Well, something along those lines. So my ideal family game night will include ordering in food via Uber Eats. The cool thing is that the app has partnered with all our favourite restaurants and for a fee of R10 per delivery, we can order in everyone’s favourite meals and we don’t even need to leave home. Or wash the dishes afterwards. Did you know that Uber Eats has hundreds of restaurants to choose from? The app is so simple, even my kids know how to use it – provided they are supervised by me or hubby. It also allows you to track your food in real time, from the restaurant straight to your door! How cool is that? Oh and did I mention that the delivery fee is ONLY R10?! Double score!
And that’s that, friends! What do you think? Will you be throwing a family game night anytime soon? Have you tried out Uber Eats yet? Let me know in the comments section below.
Disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with Uber Eats
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Cookie Creative makes cookie decorating festive this Christmas! {Giveaway!}
When it comes to being the mom of a kid (so yeah, basically all of us) there’s literally only so much we can do before we start feeling like we know all the words to Moana. They say no man is an island (“the island gives us what we neeeed”) and all of that, and so I always welcome fresh ideas and interesting activities that will encourage some creativity and quality time with my little ones. So I was so chuffed when Cookie Creative sent Kari and I a christmas cookie decorating kit. Ahhh, finally, a crafty project that I can eat! Winning already!
Cookie Creative is the brain child of Rowena, founder and owner, who has been baking for more than 30 years, you guys! That’s 30 years of cookies and cakes. Let me just leave that thought right here. (hmmm caaaake)Cookie Creative supplies moms and aspiring cookie decorators with themed packs, icing and basically all that you would need to get your cookie decorating skills on! I mean, how brilliant is a cookie decorating birthday party? Rowena can even put together cookie decorating gift boxes (party packs, yo!) for your guests. I love how creative and fresh this idea is.
The kit we received is called the ‘Ice Your Own Christmas Cookie Kit” and it costs a low R150 … and man, it’s worth every cent! The kit contains:12 Un-iced Gingerbread Cookies (Tree, Snowflake, Star, Stocking, Snowman, Sleigh, Baubles, Christmas Pudding, Present, Gingerbread Man and Holly Leaf )
4 Royal Icing Bags (Red, White, Green and Black)
2 Tubs of Sprinkles.
Karicurls thoroughly enjoyed trying out every single thing (yes, I meant she licked everything first) and we both had our hand at icing the cookies. The Christmas 2018 kits are so cute, friends! I mean you can even order edible gift tags (R120), edible Christmas cracker place names – love! (R80) and even Christmas cookie gift boxes that contain beautifully decorated cookies.If you’re looking for a fun activity for the kids to do on Christmas eve or Christmas morning, do check out the Cookie Creative website for fun ideas. (BTW, everything on this site is SO Instagram worthy… do it for the gram!)
WIN a COOKIE CREATIVE cookie decorating kit!
Want to win a Cookie Creative cookie decorating kit? To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 21 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
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Festive season fun from Hasbro (Giveaway!)
If you love your kids as much as I love mine, then you’re probably wondering how on earth you’re going to score those cool mom points, this Christmas. I mean, cool mom points are totally necessary. Cool mom points are what keeps us young. Well, my friend, I bring you glad tidings of great joy! Our pals over at Hasbro has guaranteed us a ton of festive season fun – and cool mom points – and we don’t even have to bake anyone cookies to get ’em! Plus we’re giving a whole hamper away! Aaack! Here are some of my favorite Hasbro Christmas gift ideas and a chance for you to win!
TransformersYour little boy would give you an endless supply of hugs and kisses if you make sure that Santa (cough) drops off some Transformers merch under your Christmas tree. Plus, it would be a total score if you included tickets to the latest movie in the Transformers franchise, Bumblebee, that will be launching in December. The cool gear on offer includes the:
Bumblebee Showcase Helmet that captures the cool swagger of the loyal Autobot scout.
Power Charge Bumblebee action figure that converts from robot mode to classic Volkswagen Beetle mode in 17 steps so kids can amp up the power in 2 modes.
Bumblebee DJ Stryker figure that brings a whole new beat to the game by interacting with fans and allowing them to create their own original tunes.
NerfMy older boys are going to freak out when they learn about the much-anticipated nerf Rival range. Designed for kids older than 14, these high-powered blasters are durable, and its battle-tested accessories enhances the action-packed NERF experience. Some of the cool gadgets you’ll find in stores are:
Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 blaster, known for accuracy.
Nerf Rival Artemis XVII-3000 blaster or Nerf Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K blaster, which offers a massive 100-which offers a massive 100-round capacity to outlast the competition.
Nerf Zombie Strike Survival System Scavenger Blaster keeps battlers ready for any zombifying challenge that comes their way.
Nerf Nitro Double clutch Inferno Blaster is a 2-barrel blaster allowing kids to launch two cars at the same time.
YelliesIf you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift for your kid, you need to check out Hasbro’s Yellies – the cutest, fuzziest collectible pets that respond to your voice. Each Yellies! pet has its own unique look and personality and is full of fun surprises. Voice and sound-activated, they respond to talking, yelling, clapping, singing, or even music. Look out for the first wave of Yellies! spider collectables. Find your favorite and remember the louder you yell, the faster they go!
My Little PonyMy Little Pony is always a winner with my girl and it helps that the range has a variety of toys and activities available – all well priced! Some great gift ideas include:
The My Little Pony Equestria Girls fashion dolls, each dressed in a stylish outfit, complete with fashion accessories that match their character personalities.
Singing Rainbow Dash has cool movable sunglasses and a microphone attached. Press her Cutie Mark to hear her sing “Time to Be Awesome” from My Little Pony: The Movie and more including 15 entertainment-inspired phrases.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Plush Figures – the larger-sized soft and floppy plush pony figure is a huggable friend perfect for bedtime snuggles.
Hasbro GamingMy teenage sons love a good board game, and to be honest it’s sometimes the only way I can get all of us to do something fun together! I love the new Hasbro board games. These include the popular Speak Out Showdown version, Hearing Things, Don’t Lose Your Cool as well as Trivial Pursuit Family Edition. Kids will love Pie Face Cannon and Don’t Step In It as well as a new take on an older classic with Blindfolded Twister. Keep your piece of Mzansi with you over the holidays with Monopoly Mzansi, the local version of Monopoly. Hasbro Gaming also offers a series of preschool Mensa approved learning games from Mousetrap to Downfall Machine to Cranium Sculpt-It and more keep kids entertained while developing their sensory and motor skills
Hasbro CollectablesScore those cool mom points by filling those Christmas stockings with some of Hasbro’s super cool collectables. I’m talking mini toys such as:
Lock Stars – the collectable lock accessory lets you hold the key to unlock your collection.
Lost Kitties – an adorable collection of mischievous little kitties, who always seem to end up hiding in a carton, where it’s up to you to find them.
The Littlest Pet Shop – the littlest pets with the biggest personalities!Hasbro products are available from leading retailers including: Toys R Us, Toy Kingdom, Toy Zone, Toy Adventures, Lilliputs Toys, Hamleys, Checkers and Checkers Hypers, Game, Makro A and online at Takealot.com
WIN a TOY hamper compliments of Hasbro!Hasbro is committed to creating memorable experiences for your family. From toys and games to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive lifestyle licensing program, Hasbro fulfils the fundamental need for play and connection for children and families around the world.
But hey, I know why you’re here! You want to win an amazing toy hamper, compliments of Hasbro! To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
3. Comment below and let me know which gift idea your kid would appreciate, to grab 1 entry.Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 21 December and has 24 hours to claim prize.
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Inspiring Christmas gift ideas for teens
Buying gifts for my teen is a bit like extracting teeth. Yep, it’s painful, for the most part. And that’s only because I never know if the kid is actually going to like the gift. But more than that, I hate getting him gifts that are meaningless and just for show. I know, I come across as all hip and stuff (humor me, please), but in reality, my brain is like a spreadsheet (hence the name of this here blog) so I gauge everything according to how useful it’s going to be in the long run. Anyways, long story short (because let’s face it, I was babbling) I found a bunch of seriously cool gift ideas on the Cum Books online store the other day.
My kid is transitioning from young person to young adult (aaaack!) and I need to prepare the kid for the big world. My prayer for him is that he will remain the stable, level-headed guy that he’s somehow growing into and I thought to gift him with things that can encourage this. Here they are:
Man, if I had a teenage daughter, I would totally be getting her this gorgeous Inspire Bible for Girls. If you’ve been following my story for a while, you’ll remember that I have my own Inspire Bible. I love that these Bibles are decided to unlock your creativity, as you spend time getting into the Word of God. I mean, if you struggle to concentrate during your quiet times, this is the best thing! The new Inspire Bible for Girls is aimed at girls aged 8 – 12 years and is jam packed with things like: devotions, written by the amazing Carolyn Larsen, over 800 pages with space for creativity and amazing graphics for colour-in sessions, journaling prompts and Bible facts. Totally worth it at R399.95There are a bunch of really rad, creative Bibles for teen guys too! Check out the Cum Books online store for more.
If your kid loves arts and crafts, she’ll fall inlove with this Bible Journaling Kit. I mean, how cute is this? I want one for myself! The kit comes complete with Bible journaling supplies that is sure to inspire creativity, as she grows in the Word. I’m talking about the good stuff, like washi tape rolls, a black ink block and stamps, column inserts, sticker pages, glitter gel pens metallic gel pens and even a journaling template. Grab it for R549.95
This year, I am getting our boys some Christian resources as part of their Christmas gifts, because the kids need to learn about Jesus, yo! Fortunately, the wide selection of “teen gifts”, at Cum Books, makes it easy to find products that they will actually enjoy.
The 365 Daily Devotions By Teens for Teens immediately sparked my interest. These are written expressly for teen boys or teen girls, by actual teenagers who understand your kids lingo. The unique devotional is filled with personal experiences that are relatable and heart-felt. Through the stories of others, teens see how God works in our lives when we open ourselves to Him. The devotion includes hundreds of teen authors and teens love reading what their peers have written. Price: R189.95
Dave Strehler’s Amazing Stories for Young Believers is another one that immediately caught my interest. How cool is this devotional, you guys?! It contains 366 devotions for kids aged 8 – 12, and tells stories about Bible characters and the great things they did for God. Each day’s devotion gives a practical application based on a specific passage from Scripture, as well as another Scripture verse that reinforces the lesson for that day. A topical index at the back of the book arranges devotions according to themes. Dave is a children’s ministry stalwart, who has devoted more than twenty five years to equipping children and young people, by helping them to understand the Bible and enjoy reading it. Price: R189.95
I think the one I am most excited about is The Action Bible. I love everything about this illustrated version of the Bible! Firstly, it has more than 200 fast-paced narratives in chronological order, making it easy to follow the Bible’s historical flow and reinforcing the build-up to its thrilling climax! Secondly, the stories are illustrated in such a contemporary way that your teen will not be able to resist turning the page to learn more. This compelling blend of clear writing plus dramatic images offers an appeal that crosses all age boundaries. It’s a bargain at R399.95You can also pick up The Action Bible Guess It Game – a guessing game, derived from The Action Bible. I’ve added this one to our family game night and you guys, it’s so much fun! The 99 cards each has 20 questions about people, places or things, from the Bible. You have to correctly guess the identity of the person/place/thing, with as few clues as possible. Great for traveling or family game night, these action-packed cards will help expand youngster’s Bible knowledge in a fun and interactive way. Price: R129.95
WIN a Christmas hamper compliments of CUM Books!CUM Books is one of the largest stockists of Christian and inspirational books, Bibles, music, resources, movies and gifts, in South Africa! CUM Books focus is on spreading the Good News to the homes and hearts of people across South Africa. I’m also especially pleased that we can now shop online – the Cum Books online store is a dream!
But hey, I know why you’re here! You want to win an amazing Christmas hamper, compliments of Cum Books! We’re giving away TWO hampers, a His and a Hers, and you have until 16h00 today (Friday, 15 December) to enter!
For more deets check out these blog posts:
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Inspiring Christmas gift ideas for her {Giveaway!}
If you’re a Christmas gift fundi – you know, the type that collects the stuff like stamps or rare coins – then you are a woman after my own heart. Welcome, friend! I have just the post for you! Today I would like to introduce you to my favorite CUM Books gift ideas for HER … yes, “her” as in your mom, sister, best friend, kid’s teacher and hey, even you. Yep, buying Christmas gifts for yourself is a necessity. It’s just as important as decorating the Christmas tree and singing along to Mariah Carols on your way to work. Yes, THAT important.
CUM Books has a range of stunning gift ideas that are both pretty, practical and packed with inspiration. I mean, who wouldn’t want to end the old year and go into a new year with something inspirational in your home, on your desk or in your hand bag.
I love a good theme, you guys. Themed gifts are always a great idea, if you have a message that you’d like to impact the gift receiver with. This “I choose joy” gift set is the perfect example. The trinket tray is ceramic and would make a really cute ring holder, on your vanity. You can pair it up with the 3 pack notebook set (yep, 3!) and pop them into the very whimsical gift bag, that comes complete with pretty tissue paper. Christmas gift sorted! (Three-Piece Notebook Set R99.95; Trinket R149.95)
Talking about gift bags, CUM Books has a variety of gift bags, in various collections, that are perfect any season and any type of gift! The gift bags are constructed of heavyweight, coated paper which makes it easy to hold a variety of gifts and their weights. Most of them include satin handles, tissue paper and a gift tag for a personal message. (Medium Sized Gift Bags R44.95)
If the special lady in your life loves having beautiful things in her home, why not gift her with this stunning pastel floral mug set. This 4 piece Inspirational Floral Mug Set is made of ceramic, and the mugs feature Philippians 4:16, Psalm 46:10, Jeremiah 29:11, or John 3:16. Also featured on the mugs is a pastel floral design with unique flowers and colors for each one. This gift comes with a matching gift box for easy wrapping and delivering to a loved one. (Ceramic Mug Set R399.95)
CUM Books always has a wide range of themed mugs, and I become quite a mug fanatic when I visit one of their stores. I mean, who wouldn’t be! You just want to have them all! They are all well priced and you can pick up a design for just about any special person in your life. Hint: My fave gift ideas are the dad mugs for grandfathers (because who wants another handkerchief) and the pretty mugs are my fave gift ideas for teachers. (CUM Books Mugs prices ranges from R79.95 to R139.95)
Another great idea for teacher gifts are these classic luxleather journals. I’ve had a bunch of them in a variety of styles and colors and literally only have this one left. Yes, I love journaling that much. The gray LuxLeather journal holds 400 lined pages with a ribbon marker for keeping your place. The Serenity Prayer is displayed in gold foiled text on the front cover. Give this journal to someone in your life who could use some encouragement to write their thoughts, prayers, and reflections down. (Luxleather Journal price R249.95)
WIN a Christmas hamper compliments of CUM Books!CUM Books is one of the largest stockists of Christian and inspirational books, Bibles, music, resources, movies and gifts, in South Africa! CUM Books focus is on spreading the Good News to the homes and hearts of people across South Africa. I’m also especially pleased that we can now shop online – the Cum Books online store is a dream!
But hey, I know why you’re here! You want to win an amazing Christmas hamper, compliments of Cum Books! To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
3. Comment below and let me know which gift idea your favorite guy would appreciate, to grab 1 entry.
Hint: You can grab 3 more entries by checking out this post!)Disclaimer: the hamper does not look like the one in the pic above.
Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 14 December and has 24 hours to claim prize. Keep your eyes peeled for the rest of this week, for more entry prompts! -
Inspiring Christmas gift ideas for him {Giveaway!}
I get it. Buying a cool Christmas gift for that special guy in your life can be a tad bit difficult. I mean, unless he’s okay with getting socks and underwear every year. Men are a fickle folk though and I know that my Hubstopher has faked many a “I love it!” exclamations over the past few years, because, let’s face it ladies, socks and underwear is not that exciting. But they’ll never tell us this. (Bless their hearts) So I thought to investigate and find a few really cool and inspiring Christmas gift ideas for him, with the help of Cum Books.
How trendy is this Galatians 6:14 stainless steel water bottle? I mean, I want one for myself! It’s just so classy! Set in a valiant font type, this Galatians 6:14 stainless steel water bottle, is a thoughtful reminder of Scripture and how we must be honorable in our behavior and give God the glory in all things. It has a 500ml capacity and all-day hot or cold insulation. It is packed in a really gorgeous cylinder gift box. (Price – R249.95)Pair this up with the captivating autobiography by reigning CrossFit World Champion, Rich Froning, titled ‘First’. Froning is hailed as ‘The Fittest Man on Earth’ but, in shares how he has had to toughen up mentally and spiritually as well, in order to compete and win at an elite level. InFirst, readers come alongside Rich as he trains for and competes in back-to-back-to-back CrossFit World Championships. Along the way, Rich shares invaluable training tips, motivational techniques, and spiritual insights that, in keeping with the CrossFit philosophy, will prepare you to respond to any real-life physical, mental and spiritual challenge. (Price – R274.94)
If the special man in your life is an Angus Buchan fan, he would totally appreciate some of the fantastic Angus Buchan products available at Cum Books. The luxe leather daily planner, for example, is filled with daily devotional thoughts by the renowned author and evangelist, Buchan. It even has a one-year Bible reading plan and a space to schedule meetings. (Price – R249.95)Uncle Angus (as he is fondly called) also has a really cool daily devotional called Potato Faith for Every Day. You will find encouragement and strength to run the race God has set before you with themes like proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, strength in His presence, inner peace, trust in God’s unfailing love, the power of prayer and family values. (Price – R249.94)
The CSB Baker Illustrated Study Bible would make for a pretty impressive Christmas gift! This fully illustrated, information-packed study Bible provides fascinating insights into the Scriptures and the world in which they were written. It calls attention to the personal aspects of the biblical message, making it easy to understand biblical theology. It also features things like full-color illustrations, charts, maps, time lines, and photos. I like that it also includes cross-references, an extensive concordance, and notes that unlock connections between passages. (Price – R699.95)
Pair this up with the lux leather Cross Bible Study Kit, to make your gift a bit more intentional! the Bible study kit includes all the essentials he needs for study, including a study notebook for jotting down key messages, a highlighter for study, four micro pens in an assortment of colors, slip pockets for storing church bulletins or study handouts, and a zipper closure. (Price – 499.95)I fell inlove with this classic, suitcase style leather-look Bible Cover. The design features include a back slip pocket and a cross-engraved zipper pull. Inside, a zipped mesh pocket and pen loop offer extra functionality. The large size comfortably holds bigger Bibles. (Price – R399.95)
WIN a Christmas hamper compliments of CUM Books!CUM Books is one of the largest stockists of Christian and inspirational books, Bibles, music, resources, movies and gifts, in South Africa! CUM Books focus is on spreading the Good News to the homes and hearts of people across South Africa. I’m also especially pleased that we can now shop online – the Cum Books online store is a dream!
But hey, I know why you’re here! You want to win an amazing Christmas hamper, compliments of Cum Books! To enter, simply follow the prompts below:
1. Find the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
2. Find the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction to grab 1 entry.
3. Comment below and let me know which gift idea your favorite guy would appreciate, to grab 1 entry.Disclaimer: the hamper does not look like the one in the pic above.
Giveaway open to SA residents only. Winner announced on 14 December and has 24 hours to claim prize. Keep your eyes peeled for the rest of this week, for more entry prompts! -
ECMeetUp: do bloggers actually like each other?
On Saturday we got to hang out with some of our fave Eastern Cape bloggers at our final ECMeetUp of 2018. The event was unlike any other blogger meet up we’ve ever hosted, because we wanted to see if bloggers actually like each other in real life. I mean, it’s easy to be all quirky and polite behind a screen. Right?
And hey, I’ve built many a friendship via the internet (you know who you are, friend!) But the cool thing about us EC bloggers is that the Eastern Cape is small, yo. And we actually have a chance to hang out a lot more than some of the other influencers, in other parts of South Africa. And so Ella and I wanted to facilitate a gathering of sorts, where we could all just let loose and focus on getting to know each other better. The night was filled with festive games and laughter. Plus, prizes and gifts… need I say more? You can read more about that over on JustEllaBella today. But I’m here to talk about the people.
My favorite thing about living in Nelson Mandela Bay, is the people. I mean, yeah we have a slammin’ beach and really cool touristy attractions and all of that. But our people are worth their weight in gold! Our (sometimes over the top) friendliness can often be misconstrued as being fake or false or “this woman is not right in her head.” But, in retrospect, living in a smaller metropole has its perks and one of the perks is that we are a tightly knit community and so even though you may not know everyone, chances her your new friend knows someone who knows someone who once worked with your family member at Cadbury. Or Volkswagen. Or Edgars, Greenacres. You get the gist.
Anyways, my point is that I am simply over the moon that our little EC blogging community is growing so nicely. Why be happy, some would ask. I mean, doesn’t this mean that there is less opportunity for the rest of us? Uhm, NO. It means that there is more of us to take note of! (That was me throwing shade at the rest of South Africa, who, it seems, often forgets about us). We are a growing force and a thriving community and yep, we actually like each other. How about that?
Anyways, before I trail off into another mommy-lecture, allow me to introduce the EC bloggers who were in attendance this Saturday. Please feel free to stalk away!
Bernadene Freeman of Be You Daringly – Facebook Instagram
Catherine Richards of Curious Cat – Facebook Instagram
Clarice Geduld of A Healthy Travel Addiction – Facebook Instagram
Eleanor-Douglas Meyers of Just Ella Bella – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Eridene Coltman of Journey with Deenah – Facebook Instagram
Jenine Damons Marneval of The Fat Fairy – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Kelly Adams of Basically Kelly – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Kenastacia Asia of Kenastacia – Facebook Instagram
Luchae Williams of My Spreadsheet Brain – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Mandy Frank of – Frankly Mandy – Facebook
Maverick Coltman of Maverick Coltman – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Melissa De Klerk of Fox & Owl Media – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Miriam Maulana of New Kid On The Block – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Nadine Rose Larter of Passing the Open Windows – Twitter Instagram Facebook
Odette Johaar of Totally Confident and Completely Insecure – Twitter
Ralph Dirsuwei of Chasing the Rainbow – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Ruth Abercrombie of Pursuing Purpose – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Sandi Leith of A Life In Spring – Facebook Instagram
Sarah Dirsuwei of Chasing the Rainbow – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Simone Cameron of An Ordinary Gal – Facebook Instagram
Tanya Lilley of Just Me, T – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Tayla Rodger of Tailored Inspiration – Facebook Instagram
Theresia Muller of Lessons Learnt – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Venean Bosch of In the Meantime – Facebook Twitter Instagram
Yolande Holloway of Sheer Empowderment – Facebook Instagram
Yolandi Barnard of Styles by Yolandi – Facebook Twitter InstagramDisclaimer: All the pics in this post was “borrowed” from the EC Bloggers Instagram accounts. Give them a follow! You can check out all the meet up action, and exactly what the bloggers went home with, by searching for #ECMeetUp on social media.
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Three cool things to do with your family in Port Elizabeth
If you’re planning a visit to Port Elizabeth (now known as Nelson Mandela Bay) this holiday, firstly, you clearly have excellent taste. I mean, besides for the exquisite beaches, amazing nature reserves and friendly locals, Port Elizabeth also offers visitors a chance to get to know the city’s history. There’s something for everyone! Check out these three cool things to do with your family in Port Elizabeth:
The Beach
Always the beach. Whether you’re looking for a safe place to sun tan, or a shady area near the waves, to watch your kids play around in the sand, the beaches in Port Elizabeth are the perfect place to park your umbrella. The coastal region of Nelson Mandela Bay offers you 40kms of beautiful, golden beach! Kings Beach extends from the harbor wall to Humewood and is ideal for swimming and body surfing. Hobie Beach, which is in the vicinity of the Boardwalk and Shark Rock Pier, is a hot spot for volleyball enthusiasts and is the venue for the annual “Splash Festival”.
The History
My family and I are a sucker for a good adventure. We have spent countless hours exploring Port Elizabeth’s rich cultural heritage sites, such as the Fort Frederick, South End Museum and the Donkin Heritage Trail. The Donkin Reserve and Lighthouse building are famous monuments, and we’ve spent many a school history tour learning about these attractions and how they’ve played an integral party of the establishment of our city. But my most favorite monument of all has to be the Campanile. This historical building, erected to commemorate the landing of the 1820 Settlers, is situated at the entrance to the railway station and docks in Strand Street. It is 50m high and has a climb of 204 steps! The magnificent view of the harbor, once you’ve reached the top is priceless!
The Wildlife
While residing in Port Elizabeth is not exactly deemed as “outback living” we have our fair share of wildlife and nature. On the outskirts of Nelson Mandela Bay, you’ll be pleased to find an array of hot spots that showcase the natural beauty that the Eastern Cape has to offer. Some of these include Van Staden’s Wild Flower Reserve, Settler’s Park, Maitlands Nature Reserve, Baviaanskloof Wildnerness Area and Groendal Wilderness. You are also spoilt for choice, if gaming is your thing. Nelson Mandela Bay boasts an amazing selection of stunning game reserves and game drives that might bring you face to face with a member of the Big 7! For more, check out Addo Elephant National Park, Kragga Kamma Game Park and the Seaview Predator Park.
But hey, don’t take my word for it! You should totally give our friendly city a go, this coming Summer season! For more information do check out the Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism website, where you can find more deets on a NMBT pass card that will give you free access and many great discounts to many of these attractions!Disclaimer: This post was written in collaboration with SA-Venues.com.
All pics used in this post were borrowed from the NMBT website.
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Funko: Gifts for the whole family! (Giveaway!)
When it comes to Christmas gift giving, I’m one of those “making a list and checking it twice” kinda gals. I love giving gifts that have meaning! And hey, the thing is this: everyone is a fan of something, right? If your kids or hubby are into movies, gaming, music, sport or even anime, then I’ve got the perfect gift idea for you! And friends, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your couch to make your purchase. Exactly. You can thank me with chocolates.
Funko
I was recently introduced to the whimsical quirkiness that is Funko collectables. These totally rad figurines, brought to SA by Gammatek, feature your favourite movie and anime characters, sports stars and celebrities. And you guys, these rare characters and exclusive units have totally sparked a treasure-hunting frenzy! (Check out the hashtag #funkos on social media).
Funko is not just a toy; it’s basically a hobby, a treasure hunt of sorts, and a really exciting way to collect tangible representation of some of your favourite characters and people. I love that the collectables are focused on diversity. There are also really rare “chase units” which are basically special edition units, that most serious collectors are dying to get their fingers on!Some of my favourite Funko’s include the Harry Potter range and the really cool looking Marvel characters! There are a ton of collectables to choose from, such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings, and even anime characters such as Naruto and Dragon Ball Z. If you’re a TV series fan, you could even collect your fave characters from Riverdale or Game of Thrones. I mean, who wouldn’t want to own a mini Khaleesi?! Soccer fans will be pleased to know that they are now able to collect their favorite players and hey, all you royal love bugs, there is even a Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Funko collectable available!
More and more people are latching on to the Funko collector craze and with 75 new product releases every week, it’s safe to say that the Funko phenomena will only grow from here. I appreciate that this is the type of hobby that my whole family can get involved with!
You can purchase your Funko products from Incredible Connection, Hamleys, Musica, Toys R Us and selected Vodacom stores. It’s also available online at Takealot.com, Shopandship.co.za, Loot.co.za and Technomobi.co.za
WIN a set of Funko pops characters!Guess what! As part of my Christmas Crazy campaign, Gammatek is giving away four Funko pops characters to a lovely My Spreadsheet Brain reader! If you’re a mom, you’ll probably know these four characters really well. They are Mr Incredible, Elastigirl, Violet and Dash from the popular animated movie, The Incredibles. Aaaack! I know, I want to cry too. To enter the giveaway, score a point by doing any or both of the following:
Check out the specially marked post on Instagram and follow instruction given there.
Check out the specially marked post on Facebook and follow instruction given there.
Don’t worry guys, I won’t make you jump through hoops (or ask you to follow everyone and my mom) in order to enter. Buuut, please know that we will verify each entry, so sticking to the rules is kinda important. Oh and about dem rules, here are some more to take note of:Terms and conditions
The Funko Christmas Crazy giveaway closes on November 29 at midnight.
I’ll be announcing all my Christmas Crazy winners on November 30.
Each winner will be contacted via email and would need to respond within 24 hours, in order to claim the prize. (Since most company’s shut down in December, this kinda is a strict rule, so please do keep your eyes glued to your inbox/my social media, to check if you’re a winner.)
Please note: my Christmas Crazy giveaways are only open to SA residents.
