Everything Is Better With Bows On

I've fallen in love with my holidays. It's been so lovely having time off to chill with The Boyfriend and go on mini-adventures. Today we're going to Monkey Town, something I've been wanting to do for ages. I'm so excited! I adore monkeys, almost as much as cats.  I'm trying very hard not to remember that I only have a week left of bliss and then it's back to school, literally. I'm expecting 2012 to be a rather major, crazy year. I liked 2011, I'll be very sad to say goodbye to it (which may be the reason why I have absolutely no desire to actually do anything on NYE, crazy huh? But then again, how could I ever top last NYE?). 

This is what I wore to dinner with friends at Saigon last night. In other, related news, I neeeeeeeeeeeeed to go and exercise all this holiday food off. I'm expanding at a rather rapid rate. I'm not even going to try and describe how much fun I had trying to get into these skinnies *le sigh*. 

Wardrobe:

Bow Tunic: Mr Price

Jeans: Primark

Wedges: Woolworths

Earrings: Gen Motley

{December} Beauty Box Covets

The December Glambox was filled to the brim with all sorts of delights. There was a lot of happy hand clapping going on when I opened this little, black box. The products I really enjoyed from this month were the Pedi Relax (a perfect cream to beat the effects that summer can have on your feet) and Bourjois 1001 Lashes mascara. I love the brush on the wand of this mascara but, be warned, it's not waterproof. I learnt this the hard way. 

My December Rubybox was a slight disappointment. I was really looking forward to testing the mysterious ghd and Africology samples (as hyped by an email Rubybox sent out in November) but received neither of those samples. After peeking at their Facebook page I discovered I wasn't the only unhappy Rubyboxer. However, the four samples I found in my Rubybox were lovely (I didn't try the Piz Buin though, I'm not a fan on suntanning. Only factor 50 will do for me). I especially love the Earl Jones soy candle. It smells divine and was a perfect excuse to elicit a footrub from The Boyfriend (although, he's always happy to oblige).  

In other news, Glossybox is coming to SA! I'm really looking forward to seeing what it brings (thankfully my mom is so taken by my boxes that she'll be helping me test all the lovelies in the three. She's such a vulture when the two above arrive, she tries to steal anything she can). Follow them on Facebook here to receive the latest news as to when this beauty box will be launched.  

The Diana Club

This little, blue and black beauty was waiting under the Christmas Tree for me to open, courtesy of The Boyfriend. Saying I'm in love with it is an understatement. I'm 100% obsessed with my Diana Mini. I took her out to Simons Town to take some pretty pictures today. We couldn't resist stopping in at the Toy Museum for a bit of nostalgia and we had a scrumptious lunch at The Meeting Place. I have nine shots left on my roll of film, which I plan to snap tomorrow so I'll hopefully see how my pics have turned out and have some to share soon. I've also started a separate Tumblr on which I'll be sharing the good 'uns. You can check that out here, although it's a bit of a ghost town as I haven't posted anything yet. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Ours was perfect, just as Christmas should be, filled with good food, family and laughs. 

Wardrobe:

Cheerful Correspondence Dress: Modcloth

Tights, Shoes and Bag: Mr Price

Bracelet: c/o Pree Brulee

Earrings:  Stall at Style Society Pop Up Boutique

A Merry Christmas To You and Yours

Only two more sleeps until Santa arrives and I'm very excited. This is my first Christmas at home without my Pappa which breaks my heart every time I think about it but I can at least feel his presence by carrying on traditions which he began. I'm a Christmas Eve person, I'm looking forward to making these delicious red velvet pancakes tomorrow, going for lunch at The Boyfriend's house and then wandering the market on Adderley Street before attending The Phantom of the Opera in the evening. After that comes the best part, our present opening. We've always opened our presents at twelve am on Christmas Day. Crazy weird, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I've thrown in some pictures below of all the Christmasing I've gotten up to so far.  I wish every lovely reader of Bobbylicious a very Merry Christmas, filled with love, laughter, feasts and family x

1. Carols by Candlelight at Kirstenbosch/ 2. Tim and Amy/ 3. More Candlelight Prettiness/ 4. Assembling my Gingerbread House/ 5. The Finished Product.

Presents Under The Tree

I got to take my new dress out to a Christmas dinner on our friend's farm last night. I always love going out there, it's like a mini-holiday every time (and this time especially because we all stayed over in one of the gorgeous guest cottages). Dinner was divine and the wines paired with each course were delicious. I especially loved the Vin de Constance with the custard cake dessert. If Jane Austen drank it, you know it's awesome. Miss America treated us all to a bacon and egg breakfast in the morning. Which was epic. T'was definitely a wonderful evening to add to the memory bank. 

P.S. Welbeloond farm is available for venue hire and the cottages are available to rent. I think it would make an absolutely wonderful wedding venue or just a lovely place to have a gettaway. Oh, and the prices are insanely reasonable. Go check out the website here.)

P.P.S. Don't'cha love my dress? It's the most perfect LBD and seriously Audrey Hepburn-esque.)

Wardrobe:

Simply Sensational Dress: Modcloth

Shoes: Amber Jones for Mr Price

Blog Award

I just got my first blog award! *pauses while the masses finish applauding* It's from Roxy over at CityGirlSearching (a blog that has quickly become one of my regular haunts). Thank you Roxy :) 

Here's a little about the Liebster Blog award (copied from Roxy's blog): "The Liebster Blog award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome."

I'd like to pass it along to these lovely ladies who are well worth an add to your reader:
Kerry from GuessWhatGirls
Sian from Pink Made It Punk
Anthea from Embracing Style
Nina from Nina's Closet
Flirty Thirty from Cocktails and Orgies

Another Day, Another Market

A few weekends ago Boyfriend and I popped over to The Fringe Handmade market in Harrington Square (next to Charly's Bakery). It's definitely one of the best markets I've been to lately as there was a great mix of crafters selling their wares. There was also live music and delicious baked goods on sale. That Christmas tree cupcake you see down there? Red velvet deliciousness. Adam and Eve also had a stall and I picked up two amazing dresses for R100 each. Not a bad Saturday at all. As far as I can tell, this market is set to take place on the first Saturday of every month and is well worth a visit. For more info follow The Fringe District on Facebook.

Wardrobe:

Blouse: Miladys

Trousers: H&M

Shoes and Bag: Woolworths

Link-a-licious {The Christmas Edition}

Christmas cards don't only have to be displayed on the mantelpiece. Make a fun, stylish Christmas card tree.

I'd like to wear this lovely, mint-green dress from Diligo on Christmas Day.

Even chalkboards can get some Christmas cheer. 

Haven't wrapped your gifts yet? Here's a fun way to dress up plain, white paper.

I'll be adding this classic Christmas movie onto my To Watch list this weekend.

Vintage Lifestyle Mag's Birthday Issue

Nicole and her team have been educating us about all things vintage for one whole year! The birthday issue of Vintage Lifestyle Mag is out and ready for you to devour. I plan to sit down with a cup of tea today and read it fully because, wait for it, I'm on holiday! Go and read the mag here, you'll love it, just trust me on this one. 

Image From Diamond's and Dust

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

I blame the She and Him Christmas album and the fact my house was devoid of Christmas last year (due to the fact we went off the England for a White Christmas). I seem to have caught a very, very bad case of the Christmas bug. All the decorations are out, my mind is working overtime thinking of the perfect gifts and the carols are stuck on repeat. I even baked a pumpkin pie. I found the recipe here. I used a squash instead of a proper pumpkin though as I had it on good authority it would be sweeter. I also cheated a little by using a store bought short crust pastry. How is your Christmasing coming along? I'm going to need a How I Met Your Mother-style intervention soon. 

A Little Amber Jones

It's no secret that I love every single item Amber Jones designed for Mr Price. I was lucky enough to snap up a few items from her range (thanks to the help of the wonderful Mr Price team who requested a store to keep a few things for me.) I adore this little leopard print lovely. I've never really been an animal print person but have started to rather dig it lately. Wore this to work today since the sun did not come out to play in Cape Town so the weather was a little cooler. 

In other news, I have six more sleeps until I'm officially on my summer holiday. 

Wardrobe:

Cardi: Mr Price

Shirt: Mr Price

Skirt: Miladys

Shoes: Mr Price

{Book Rambles} Beach Reads

This summer you'll find me at the beach propped under a big umbrella, cooler box full of sweet summer treats on hand, reading a book or two (or six) from my beach reads list below. Which books are on your To Read list at the moment?

{November} Glambox Covet

The November Glambox was filled with things to make your skin smile. I had fun trying all the products and loved them (although I found the eyeSlices a bit weird) but favourite sample was definitely the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. You know when products actually deliver on the promises they make on the box? That. My skin felt so soft and clean after using it. It's worth the splurge to include this in your daily beauty routine. (p.s. This post is horribly late. It was meant to go up ages ago but life got in the way. Just had to share!) 

Style Society Pop Up Boutique

My friend DeeDee and I stopped by the Style Society Pop-Up Boutique that took place on Saturday at the Fire and Ice Hotel. We had fun sipping on the complimentary bubbly, drooling over the lovely things for sale (we're both girls on a budget at the moment so there was no extravagant spends happening for us) and getting our hair did by the lovely ghd ladies. I'm still in disbelief that a ghd can give you such defined curls.   

{December} Mix Tape

It's close guys. Then end of 2011. Can you believe? I certainly can't. I'm excited for Christmas but the not quite prepared to face 2012 yet. Here are The Boyfriend's picks for this month's mix tape. He even popped on a Christmas Song, just for me. 

The Killers – Cowboys’ Christmas Ball

She & Him – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree

Southern Gypsey Queen – 99 Red Balloons

The Black Keys – Lonely Boy

Bands of Skulls – The Devil Takes Care Of His Own

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Beat The Devil’s Tattoo

Foster The People – Call It What You Want

aKING – So Close

The Subways – We Don’t Need Money To Have A Good Time

One Night Only – Say You Don’t Want It

image source

The Mo'gress...

The Boyfriend joined the scores of other men who grew a moustache for Movember. Besides the giggling fits that attacked me for the first week or so, I hardly minded the caterpillar-like thing. I'm glad to see it gone now though.