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The girl I once knew
I once met a drunk girl, in a random, crowded night club bathroom. She was beautiful. And drunk. Did I say that yet? We both were. We hit it off like only girls can when they are intoxicated, swearing to be “best friends for life” and declaring “girl power” and “viva tequila” and all other sorts of nonsense that makes sense when you are inebriated. The following morning, I found out that the girl had been in a car accident, en route home from the club, and had lost her life.
My brief encounter with her left an indelible mark on my life. I mean, I had no idea who this girl was. As sentimental as I am, I did not think that a strange drunk girl, in a random, crowded night club bathroom, would effect me the way she did. To be honest, I knew nothing else about her, besides for the fact that she was beautiful and, clearly, friendly.
I did not know if she had any children or if she even wanted to have kids. I had no idea what line of work she was in, or if she was one of the many unemployed young people of this country, or if she was a student. Heck, I didn’t even know her age!I didn’t care to ask her about her family history, or the type of man she wanted to marry or if she even wants to get married. We didn’t talk about her favorite fashion designers or series or whether she eats as much carbs as I do.
She was just a stranger – a beautiful lady in a random, crowded night club bathroom – who I instantly clicked with because we both recognized the woman inside of each other. That night, I learnt the art of being exactly who I am meant to be, whether people like it or not.
The girl I once knew – the old me – would have been okay with, you know, watering myself down to suite other people’s needs. I mean, who wants to stand out like a sore thumb? Who wants to be the person that everyone is gawking at? Not me. I had too many self-confidence issues, anyways. I wanted to blend in as much as possible.But a chance meeting, with a stranger, in a random, crowded night club bathroom, opened my eyes and showed me just how short our moment on this earth is. I mean, when you witness a beautiful life here today, gone tomorrow you realize the value of time. And I don’t have the TIME to be caught up in negative feelings of inadequacy and unforgiveness. I don’t have the TIME to be anything or anyone other than who I am called to be! And I don’t have the TIME to do anything other than what I’ve been called to do. Tomorrow is not promised, what are you doing with today?
So this Woman’s Month, I’d like to encourage you ladies to be okay with standing out, if it means you are being true to yourself. Be okay with going against the grain of your family’s history and tradition, if it means you’re being who God called you to be. And be okay with MOVING ON, when you need to. Your past and your failures do not determine your worth, your purpose or your future. Find out what God has called you to do, and pursue that wholeheartedly.
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These pics were taken by my very talented blogger friend Yolandi Barnard of Styles by Yolandi, as part of her Woman’s Month campaign. Landi is giving away a prize to the value of R2000, yo! To enter, simply head on over to her blog and pair up these ladies with their descriptions. Good luck! -
Fashion Friday: Celebrating authenticity with Krulkop Society
My children dress better than I do. There, I said it. Kiddies fashion has really gone up a level though, and I love that we now have a bunch of lekker local online kids stores to choose from. I’m very proud to say that some of these online boutiques are owned by Nelson Mandela Bay locals (#sharethebay, yo). Kids fashion in the Bay is slamming! (#biasednotbiased). So I thought to show you guys some of my fave proudly PE online kids boutiques and how cute my kid looks modelling their fashion. Hows that for a double whammy? Disclaimer: These weekly Fashion Friday posts may or may not spur on a crazy online shopping spree.
Krul Kop Society
It’s no secret – I love dressing my kid up! And she loves it too… can you tell? I’m totally going with her flow, if you know what I mean. I’ve decided long ago (never to walk in anyone’s shadow?) that I’m going to let my curly girl be exactly who she wants to be – who she was called to be! And yep, that includes not straightening her hair, unless she asks. Do you blame me though, her curls are on fleek. (Pretend I said that all cool-like, and stuff).
So when I met the gorgeous Abegail of Krulkop Society and learnt about her passion – to create a culture of self-acceptance and authenticity in society- I was like, yasss girl! I can get on board with this!
Krulkop Society was birthed in 2017 when Abe saw this gap in the market… this need for people to realize their worth and celebrate their originality. She wanted to start a brand (and a movement, yo) that celebrated this authenticity… you know, the unique characteristics that makes you, you. And so the Krulkop slogan tee was born. It was originally aimed at naturlistas, basically helping them proudly wear their hair decisions on their sleeves, so to speak. With funky fresh slogans and designs, Abe’s concept took the local naturalista scene by storm, and she soon found her range morphing into something else.
I mean, I don’t have curly hair but I want a t-shirt too! What do I do?! Well, Abegail caters for you too, my sleek-haired sister! There is now a Krulkop slogan tee for just about everyone – the bearded brother, the brother with no hair, the naturalista and the straight-haired diva. We are all catered for.
And by “all” I mean men and women, young and old! In these pics, Kari models her two fave Krulkop slogan tshirts, paired with her KidCoCo tutu skirt. I love that there are “Krulkop Seun” tshirts too! These tshirts are a comfy fit and they maintain their shape and quality, even after it’s been through the wash.
But wait, there’s more! Because the branded t-shirt range grew quite popular really quickly, Abe saw opportunity for expansion. This eventually lead to the birth of her gifts range. Looking for a cool, affordable gift idea? The Krulkop gifts range offers you quirky gifts, bedecked with really cool slogans and words of encouragement that aims to leave your gift recipient a little more empowered and uplifted. Hows that for a double score?
What’s next for Krulkop Society? Well, Abe is so keen to get more involved with like-minded organisations and businesses who are looking to partner with her. She is also planning to host unique events in the city to help promote the Krulkop message of self-love and acceptance.
She also told me that her new range will be out soon. So keep your eyes glued to social media for more on that! For more information or to get in touch with Abegail, you can find Krulkop society on Instagram and Facebook, or email her directly.
About this shootThis photo shoot was done in collaboration with Kelly Adams of Basically Kelly at the gorgeous The Windermere hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay.
All photos in this post was taken by my talented blogger friend, Odette Johaar of Odette Johaar Photography and Totally Confident & Completely Insecureblog.
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My top 5 parenting posts are full of drama
Apparently this space is called a parenting blog. I say “apparently” because when I started blogging I didn’t like, have a formula or a specific niche in mind. I just enjoy talking. And singing. I sometimes sing while I’m talking. But that’s not the point. I have a lot to say, man. And I loved that this blog space allowed me to say what I want, without anyone tell me to be quiet.
I’ve met a bunch of really fabulous mamas while on this blogging journey. Yep, I’m talking about you guys… the ones who message me with tips and tricks when I’m struggling to get my child to make a poo. Or the ones who send me words of encouragement when I act like a pansy about the fact that I’m getting a hair cut. Or the ones who DM me to ask for advice about situations that you’re going through… thank you for choosing me to be your safe space. You guys are amazing.
And hey, thank you for reading. I mean, without you, I’m pretty much just outchere talking to myself (not uncommon, but like, thanks for not letting me man).
Anyways, with this in mind I thought to list some of YOUR top 5 parenting posts, shared on this ol’ blog, over the years. I quite like these too, so you guys have excellent taste. Here they are:
Not worthy for Mother’s DayI often chat about my introduction to parenthood. I mean, I was like, 19 when I gave birth and totally not ready for it. Which is why I so loved the Embrace Motherhood campaign. This campaign is targeted at new moms who, on Mother’s Day, may be feeling overwhelmed, ill-equipt and not worthy to be someone’s mom. That’s exactly how I felt on my first few Mother’s Days. Read more…
Boy or Girl: Fun baby gender prediction testsWhen I found out I was preggers with Jonah, I was more than a little shocked. He was a surprise baby – a blessing on top of a blessing – and we were okay with it being a boy or a girl. Before we got the gender result from the doctor’s blood test, we tried out a bunch of gender prediction tests to see which one would give us the more accurate result. Anyways, turns out Jojo was a… well, a Jojo. As we all know now. But it was so fun to try all of these out while we waited to find out what the gender would be. Read more…
When you’re dating a single momThis post was especially close to my heart. I was a single mom for a few years before I met my Hubstopher and let me tell ya, those were perilous times! It’s so hectic to juggle a love life with being ..errr.. kinda EVERYTHING your child needs, all at the same time! My wise friend once told me: “single mom does not mean single heart!” and that is so true! If you’re a single mom, navigating the treacherous waters of the dating sea, my prayers are with you sister! Read more…
10 Perks of having kids at a young ageI wrote this post a couple of years ago and people still seem to find it relevant (and by “relevant” I mean “awkward but amusing”). I’ll admit, having Kyle at the tender age of 19 was anything BUT amusing. But being able to watch him sail through his teens, while still being a teen myself (cough)… priceless! I highly recommend it. Check the post for terms and conditions though. Read more…
Ever had to deal with that baby mama dramaLook, the traditional family looks a lot different now a days, compare to like, nineteen-voetsek. Blended families are a thing. Being a “baby mama” is not something you only see in movies. And baby mama drama is not uncommon. You know I’m right. What’s my point? Well, what I want to say is that I know what baby mama drama looks like because I am that very same baby mama and I’ve caused drama before. There, I’ve said it. This post resonated with a lot of you. Heck, it STILL resonates with me sometimes. And that’s okay. Read more…
Which of these are your faves? Or which of my other parenting posts hit the nail on the head for you? And, most importantly, what would you like me to chat about next? I’m asking because I sometimes have no cooking-clue what to say and having a little guide would help. Hit me up in the comments section below.
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Bath Time with Pure Beginnings
Bathing my kids has become a mission, you guys. I mean, for starters, there are two of them under the age of four. And secondly, they are both crazy-busy! Bath time with us usually means Kari trying to wash her Barbie dolls hair, with her favorite Pure Beginnings shampoo, while Jonah puts a bar of soap in his mouth as he simultaneously attempts to sit on his sisters head and make a poo. I’m not even joking, this has really happened.
But, with all the scooping of baby poop out of the bath, I’m so glad that I don’t have to worry about what’s in my kids bath products too. We’ve been using the Pure Beginnings Organic Baby products and I’m totally smitten with this fantastic smelling, all natural, locally produced, organically certified product!
The Pure Beginnings Baby Wash and Shampoo comes in a squish top bottle (which has been especially helpful in monitoring how much wash Kari puts on her Barbie). I love the mild, clean aroma and, I know this is a weird thing to be thankful about, but I appreciate that we can use as much of it as we want, as often as we want. I mean, you guys, when you’re bathing two kideos at the same time, you can’t guarantee that the soap will go where you need it to go. It goes, like, everywhere. Everywhere, you guys. Pure Beginnings is filled with nourishment and none of the bad stuff, so I’m okay with it going everywhere, if you know what I mean.And yes, when I say “bad stuff” I mean things like: Synthetic colorants and fragrances, sulphites, parabens, petrochemicals and phthalates and basically all the other swear words in the organic vocabulary. Nope, none of those in your Pure Beginnings products. How legit?!
Kari has been enjoying the Pure Beginnings Vanilla Mint Toothpaste. It tastes really lekker too… I’ve been told… Okay, okay, fine, I’ll admit, I tasted it! A few times. But that’s only because she often complained about the previous toothpastes that we’ve tried. This delicate Pure Beginnings paste is free of harsh chemicals. It has a mild, pleasant taste, that will have your kid’s pearly whites looking all…er… pearly white!
I love that they’ve extended their range to now include the Pure Beginnings Biodegradable Wet Wipes (with organic aloe) and a Pure Beginnings Baby Bum Cream that also has organic boabab. The wipes are really fresh smelling (yes, it’s a thing) and the bum cream has a creamy consistency, goes on well, and protects your kids bum-bums, while nourishing it. I mean, hello, your kids bottom is delicate and you should avoid using harsh chemicals in that area, at all costs!
And talking about costs, you would expect a quality all organic product, such as Pure Beginnings, to cost a pretty penny. But it really is affordable, yo! You can shop online at Faithful to Nature store or check out the Pure Beginnings website for a stockist near you. -
Styled by my 3 year old: The KellyKariKollab
A few weeks ago, the very sweet Kelly Adams of Basically Kelly asked me if she could do a blog feature with my 3 year old Karis Leigh. Kelly wanted to be styled by my 3 year old and I knew that Karis would totally eat that up! Now, if you guys frequent my Instastories you’ll know that my Kari is full of sass. She loves the camera. She loves to dress up. She loves make up. And she loves to tell other people what to do. (I’ve been told it’s a toddler thing. Her dad says she got it from her mama. You decide.)
The wonderful staff of The Windermere Hotel, located in Summerstrand, Nelson Mandela Bay, agreed to give us their stunning venue as the location and we were so thrilled at the opportunity to feature some of our fave Nelson Mandela Bay kiddies online boutiques.
Now ladies, let me tell you something, I learnt that if you want to unlock your little girls inner diva, give her your make up to play with! Karis got into that make up, styling Kelly like it’s nobodies business! (I sat on the couch, with some chicken nuggets, and chilled. I mean, it was like an afternoon off for me. Who’s complaining?)The girls did each other’s make up (aren’t they cute) and chose outfits for one another. Both went for a pink ensemble and Kelly got a pair of high heels, picked out by Miss Kari, who had been eyeing them. (She has a thing for shoes).
A fresh hair-do later, and they were ready to work the camera, with “Uncle Human” (Kelly’s boyfriend, Hughan) behind the camera, making the girls look as fabulous as they are. We honestly had so much fun and I would totally do something like this again! But hey, check out the vid below for more: -
Someone you know is being abused
When I was in my teens, I witnessed my friend’s mom get slapped across the face so hard, by my friend’s dad, that I thought the woman would drop down dead. The exaggeration is not there to cause drama, yo. It really seemed that hard. The mom didn’t know that I had witnessed it.
I waited, with baited breath, wondering what her response would be. But, instead of crying, she literally picked herself up and carried on living her life, the sting of his giant man-hand still tingling away on her dainty cheek, as she prepared supper with a fake smile on her face. That’s the thing about abuse. If it doesn’t happen directly to you, then someone you know is being abused. Whether you’re aware of it or not.
Abuse is a sneaky, tricky little menace. For starters, it can make you (the victim) feel as if you deserve it. Or it can make you feel as if it’s actually not such a big deal and you need to stop being a pansy, suck it up and move on. Or, worst of all, it can let you believe that it won’t happen again.
But it probably will.
You know what I’m talking about right? I mean, if we look at physical and sexual abuse statistics, in South Africa, we’ll see that pretty much all of us have been exposed to some form of physical or sexual abuse.
Because the truth is this ya’ll:
– Abuse is not just physical. Mental and emotional abuse is a REAL thing.
– One in five South African women, older than 18, have experienced physical violence in their lifetimes.
– Femicide. Rape. Sexual assault. These are not just “ag shame” things that happen to other people.
– There are a reported 360 incidences of physical and sexual abuse against women in South Africa daily. 360 women per day. 360 bodies. 360 lives changed. Every day.That’s 1 in 4 women, abused by her partner, every day. That’s a woman, killed by her current or former partner, every 6 hours.
If you’re a girl, you have the added responsibility of shouldering the pain of your sisters. We do this by creating an awareness around physical and sexual abuse against women.
We do this by NOT ALLOWING a man the power to disrespect our bodies… even if we believe that we love him. We do this by taking back our rights… by encouraging gender equality… by saying NO MORE.
We do this by not staying silent when we are aware of an abusive relationship – even if the perpetrator is a friend or family member! Making excuses for your son, brother, uncle, husband means you’re choosing his comfort over someone else’s pain. Covering up his abusive behavior, towards another woman, makes you an accomplice.
Raising boys have made me that much more aware of the type of influence we allow in their lives. Are my son’s treating girls with respect, or as if they are a piece of property… a commodity to be used? A lot of this is based on the type of music videos I allow them to watch, the series and sitcoms they consume and the type of conversation’s they hold with their friends at school. Are we doing right by our boys? And, an even bigger question: are we doing right by our girls?
So theres’it.
What are you doing to commemorate Women’s Day, this year? I mean, besides for empowering and educating you and yours. Here are a bunch of websites that will give you more deets about events happening across the country:KZN
Nelson Mandela Bay
Cape Town
Johannesburg
Check out more on Vibescout.Image: Freepik
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Fashion Friday: The Little Closet’s trendy toddler fashion
My children dress better than I do. There, I said it. Kiddies fashion has really gone up a level though, and I love that we now have a bunch of lekker local online kids stores to choose from. I’m very proud to say that some of these online boutiques are owned by Nelson Mandela Bay locals (#sharethebay, yo). Kids fashion in the Bay is slamming! (#biasednotbiased). So I thought to show you guys some of my fave proudly PE online kids boutiques and how cute my kid looks modelling their fashion. Hows that for a double whammy? Disclaimer: These weekly Fashion Friday posts may or may not spur on a crazy online shopping spree.
The Little Closet and Co
If you’re looking to up your toddler’s wardrobe game, you definitely need to check out Nelson Mandela Bay’s own The Little Closet and Co. Inspired by her daughter, Eemaan, founder and designer, Sumayyah Ally used her own flair for creative styling and fashion to bring to you a kiddies clothing brand that is both hip and oulik all at the same time.
Adding a couple of trendy clothing pieces to your toddler’s “little closet” is a no brainer, if you’re a mum with an eye for fashion. But Sumayyah found difficulty in trying to source on trend clothing and accessories for her little one, without having to sell actual body parts to be able to afford it. International purchases are quite pricey, yo!She then started sourcing top notch kiddies apparel, and created a platform that enabled and empowered other moms to do the same! From beautifully crafted local outfits to imported pieces, The Little Closet makes it easy for YOU to style your kid!
And hey, this mama is super stylish herself! So she’s literally taken all her fabulousity and sprinkled it over her own baby and kids clothing line, called Eemaan Handmade.
She shares: “This range incorporates simplistic designs adding an edge using textures and current color palettes whilst inspiring new trends. Only the highest quality of material is sourced locally and each item is carefully crafted with love. Eemaan handmade aims to promote exclusivity to match the individuality of your little humans.”
I totally fell inlove with the Cosmic Romper. I mean, honestly, at first I wondered if this unisex jumpsuit would look good on a little girl. But guys, it’s so friggen adorbs! It features shoulder studs for easy putting on and nappy changing and the bottoms are a cool harem fit.Kari loved the pocket detail and the headband. The print is really funky and I appreciate that its unisex, yo! I mean, Jo could fit into this in a short while! So it’s a double score for me!
Cosmic Romper – R220
3 – 6 months to 4 – 5 years
The summer Jersey Romper is stunning! Firstly, this salmon color is all sorts of “aaack!” And secondly, the design is really pretty, featuring an adjustable waist, pocket detail and press studs along the inner leg.I am a fan of the soft breathable fabric and the ease of wear. I mean, this is totally the type of outfit that my kid could slip on, for a day at the beach or a summer kiddies party. The fit is loose, which means you could actually stretch out wear. Kari is 3 years old and the 3-4 year old fit is still really loose and comfortable on her. There are a variety of colors and styles available. Love them all!
Jersey Romper – R200
3 – 6 months to 3 – 4 years
With Spring around the corner and the impending Summer holidays waving at us, what better time to stock up on festive season looks for your kiddies, than right now? Visit the online store for more or check out the shops Facebook or Instagram accounts to stay up to date with what’s hot and happening in The Little Closet.
About this shoot (AND WIN!)This photo shoot was done in collaboration with Kelly Adams of Basically Kelly at the gorgeous The Windermere hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay. We are giving away a stay at this gorgeous location! For deets on how to enter, simply check out my Instagram page for the competition post! Competition closes on Friday 10 August and winner announced on Monday 12 August.
All photos in this post was taken by my talented blogger friend, Odette Johaar of Odette Johaar Photography and Totally Confident & Completely Insecure blog.
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My top 6 marriage posts will probably make you cringe
Look, I’m just going to be honest about this: marriage is no nap on a hammock, if you know what I mean. There’s no down time… no vacation… you don’t get to take a break from each other. It’s a little bit annoying, very much comforting, and a lot of trying to remind yourself that you actually are a whole other person, all by yourself, when your husband is not around.
Well, I’ve shared ALOT about my marriage on this blog. And if you had to go by my blog post titles you’d think that my Hubstopher and I really hate each other. This could not be further from the truth. I mean… sure, there have been challenges. But we’ve also experience a lot of wins. And I guess that’s what makes it worth it… because we go through the challenges together and we experience the wins together.
Anyways, in light of oversharing, I thought to list the top 6 marriage posts that I’ve shared on this blog. I mean, I talk alot. We all know that. But Google Analytics says that these are some of the marriage-related things that you guys enjoyed hearing me talk about.
Who really wins when you give him the silent treatmentYou guys seemed to really relate with this post… I mean, come on, we’re all experts at giving our hubbies the cold shoulder. How else will the man learn?! But, as I’ve discovered (and I’ll quote from the post): “Silent treatment is pretty much a bundle of poop in the bath water of your marriage.”
Now, coming from a mama who has literally had to scoop pieces of poop out of Jonah’s bath water the other day, let me tell you, poop in bath water is not your friend! It’s messy. It floats everywhere. It gets stuck in between toes. Remember that, the next time you give him the silent-violent treatment. Read more…
“Being married sucks!” I told him
We’ve all been there, we’ve all had moments of intense frustration, within our marriage. You know what I’m talking about Barb… those intensely frustrating moments where you just don’t want to see each other’s faces because you’re that intensely frustrated.
I mean, that’s why this post was so popular. The truth is this: marriage does not suck. But as people, we have the capacity to, uhh, suck, when we aren’t considerate and aware of how we’re making each other feel. And when you’re not putting your spouse first, chances are they’ll think that YOU suck. We all want to feel loved and special and chosen and important. I try to remember that through the arguments and especially when I have my moments of “being married sucks!” Read more…
What do you do when husband says no to the dressOoh girl! The drama! When I wrote this post, a while ago, some women were not impressed that I allow my husband to tell me what I can and can’t wear. They totally misunderstood my intention behind the post.
I mean, I wasn’t saying that the guy beats me into submission and that I don’t wear certain things because I fear him. No ways. I honor him. I want to please him. And I want him to want to please me too. And so, if he feels that the dress is too short, then I won’t wear it. And that’s that. You can read more about my decision and make up your own mind about yours. Read more…
Hubstopher’s near death experienceYou guys know that I thrive in silly moments. My life is a sitcom, ya’ll. So I just HAD to share my husbands “near death experience” with you. It involved a dimly lit restaurant, freshly manicured nails and a very confused boyfriend who was as oblivious as only a man can be.
Needless to say, he is still very much alive, and we’ve moved on from this moment. But it has now become our party trick, when people share silly stories at braais. Read more…
Dear husband, you’re not doing a good jobThis post really hit home with a lot of you, because we all have psycho tendencies.
Whatever, Patricia, you can look at me like that. You know you’ve had these moments too.
We honestly expect our intelligent husbands to JUST KNOW how we feel. Right? They must figure things out. I mean, duh, the information is right there infront of them anyways! But ladies, let me tell you something, they STILL need us to spell it out for them. Well that’s what I learnt. Read more…
He must be cheating on meThis one got so much attention, I had people calling me up to ask me who my husband is cheating on me with. Firstly, do you guys not actually click on the link to read the WHOLE post?
Secondly, I often write something that is not necessarily related to me, but it is applicable to someone I know who is going through something. OR I’ve been there and my heart is heavy enough with the burden, that I want to share.
Lastly, it’s a flippen good topic and I’m glad so many of you contacted me via inbox and comments. We sometimes get shy and timid about our fierceness because we are told that we need to look a certain way and do certain things in order to be perceived as beautiful or accomplished. What rubbish! This post dispels all of that and writing it has definitely brought me some form of release. Read more…
So there you have it… some of my top marriage related posts. I love sharing my heart with you guys. It brings me freedom to get to work through my own short falls, by putting it out there on the blog. I mean, this is a great way to be held accountable, yo! So I hope that this has blessed you as much as it has me!
Which of these posts are your favorite?
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Fashion Friday: Lil Punk turns up the edge on kids fashion
My children dress better than I do. There, I said it. Kiddies fashion has really gone up a level though, and I love that we now have a bunch of lekker local online kids stores to choose from. I’m very proud to say that some of these online boutiques are owned by Nelson Mandela Bay locals (#sharethebay, yo). Kids fashion in the Bay is slamming! (#biasednotbiased). So I thought to show you guys some of my fave proudly PE online kids boutiques and how cute my kid looks modelling their fashion. Hows that for a double whammy? Disclaimer: These weekly Fashion Friday posts may or may not spur on a crazy online shopping spree.
Lil Punk
Jill of Lil Punk started sewing while she was on maternity leave. I’m convinced that there is magic in the air when a woman is on maternity leave. Maybe it’s the copious amounts of free time or the desire to do something other than laze around watching reruns of Greys Anatomy. Well, in Jill’s case, she was actually inspired when she found a gap in the market. As part of a cloth nappy mommy group, she learnt that pants especially designed for cloth bummed kids were a huge need, and started making maxaloons.
The demand quickly grew and she eventually moved on to sewing special orders, focusing on custom imported fabrics. When the fluctuating rand hindered the process, this super mama decided to design her own range. Flippen impressive, you guys! As a boy mom she was frustrated with the lack of boy/unisex fashion in retail stores. And, come on, let’s be honest, we love a good online store anyways. Well, her frustration lead to even more inspiration (hey, that rhymes) and that’s how Lil Punk was born.Jill shares: “I wanted something edgy, fashionable, but comfortable for kids to run around and play in. There is nothing I hate more than kids dressed like a million bucks, but they’re uncomfortable. I believe kids clothing should be as natural as possible, so I only use cotton lycra blend, for comfort and stretch. If I use custom printed synthetics its minimal and only on trims.”
Kari had the opportunity to try out the Thunder and Lightning Lil Punk collection and I totally fell inlove with the lightning bolt design. The custom print material is really quirky and not too in-your-face while totally being in-your-face if you know what I mean. Really retro!I LOVE the brushed cotton fabric that Jill uses. It is quality! And the fit is really comfy. I’ll probably hold on to this rounded long sleeve tee and brushed cotton leggings for baby Jo. The rounded tee is available in a variety of colors and also doubles as a dress – score!
Leggings – R180 (1 year – 6 years)
Rounded long sleeve tees – R150 (1 year – 5 years)
I love Jill’s heart behind her brands flavour. It is a tasteful cross between edgy and hip, while still maintaining its cuteness level. I mean, my toddler’s got to look cute ya’ll. The unisex aspect of her range really makes it versatile, yo! You could dress these pieces up or down.
BTW, I don’t know if I told you guys, but my child is, in fact, Super Sparkle. (Yes, she’s a super hero. We get told this every now and then, as she pretends to fly around the room). So the Lil Punk Romper was such a treat for her! She felt especially Super Sparkly in it.
Romper – R220 (1 year – 5 years)
Lil Punk now also offers custom printed hoodies and tshirts in black, grey and navy. Such a legit birthday gift! You can order your very own Lil Punk outfits by contacting Jill either via email or Facebook. Lil Punk will have a stall at the KFC/Herald Fair in Nelson Mandela Bay on August 24th.About this shoot (AND WIN!)
This photo shoot was done in collaboration with Kelly Adams of Basically Kelly at the gorgeous The Windermere hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay. We are giving away a stay at this gorgeous location! For deets on how to enter, simply check out my Instagram page for the competition post! Competition closes on Friday 10 August and winner announced on Monday 12 August.
All photos in this post was taken by my talented blogger friend, Odette Johaar of Odette Johaar Photography and Totally Confident & Completely Insecure blog.
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His ex is not psycho
If you’re a female and you’ve had your fair share of relationship drama, chances are you’ve been labelled “psycho” or “psychotic” once or twice in your life.
No doubt by a fuming ex-boyfriend who is desperately seeking bravado and/or redemption in the eyes of his easily entertained group of friends and/or his easily influenced new love interest.
I mean, he needs to let them know that he is better off without you. And the new love interest needs to know that she is, duh, a gazillion times better than you are. And, more importantly, the man needs to feel like “the man”. I get it. (Not really)
But why she got to be psycho, bruh?
And hey, new girlfriend, do you honestly believe that the irrevocable breakdown of their relationship was all due to his ex turning “Gone Girl” on him? The truth is this, ladies, his ex is not psycho.
Heartbroken, probably. Trying to heal, most likely. Still getting over the breakdown of their relationship, definitely. But psycho? I can’t say I agree.
“Why the monologue, Luchae?!” I hear you cry out in confusion and amusement. Well, allow me to explain: The other night I had a convo with a very troubled young lady who had recently been through a break up. I mean, the girl was totally cut up. But she was especially hurt that her ex referred to her as psycho. I mean, I can vouch for this girl. She is smart, beautiful, compassionate and has all her ducks in a row. On a scale of one to Joffrey Baratheon, she’s probably a -8 on the psycho barometer. I mean, she’s totally a Stark, if we’re going to talk GOT.
And yet she was called psycho by a seething ex who thought that the girl had no right to message him a week after the break up because she was hurting. He did not want her to talk to his friends. And he did not understand why she was still emotionally attached to certain things that they had shared when they were together.
Did I mention that they had been broken up for less than a month after a very lengthy relationship?
So this girl – my friend, Lady Stark – was meant to, you know, strip herself of all emotion and sentimentality the minute he decided that he was over the relationship. Lady Stark had to immediately – IMMEDIATELY – be devoid of all feelings for him regardless of the emotional investment she had poured into the relationship.
If you had to ask me (which you didn’t but here I am, still giving you my opinion), HE was acting a tad bit psychotic. HE was the psycho. I mean, come on, we are human beings and we all process differently. Maybe you need a week to get over it, but bruh, I need six months. Does that make me psychotic? No. It makes me human. You go on ahead and be the Robocop of the feelings world. But allow me to keep it real, stay true to myself and more importantly HEAL the way I need to.
Anyways, my point (I do have one, somewhere in my handbag, sorry I really need to clean this thing out) is this: Ladies, if your new boo calls his ex psycho, please ask him to stop. She does not deserve it. And neither do you. You don’t need him to insult her, in order to lift you up. And hey, even if she does some questionable things due to hosting a broken heart (don’t look at me like that, you know we’ve all been there), be gracious at all times. Be kind. Be strong enough to look past her temporary moment of weakness.
Don’t be the woman that allows a man to break another woman down! Especially when it’s uncalled for and unnecessary. We’ve given men the power to speak things over us for far too long! Well, I say: NO MORE!
At the end of the day, at some level or other, we’re all somebody’s ex… somebody’s “one that got away”… somebody’s “biggest mistake of my life”. But more than that, ladies, we’re all sisters.
Flawed, maybe. But psycho, definitely not.
